Congratulations Tom Starita you're the featured Infinity author of the week!
Author of Two Ways to Sunday, Tom Starita has been knocking it out of the park between 
being a popular interview for online bloggers to doing local events at the New York Public Library. Oh and did we mention, this guy can sell some books!
If you’re just being introduced to Tom and his work, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. He is an author to watch and be sure to buy a copy of his book Two Ways to Sunday, so that you’ll know what everyone is talking about!
Hudson Reporter
Book Synoposis:
Chris Marcum was a man who had everything. The perfect wife, the perfect job, and the perfect life. He was also sure his belief in God did not depend on those successes. So when an angel appeared to him on his deathbed with a challenge to prove the depths of his faith, Chris immediately accepted. Relive your life, with no recollection. This time however, without the breaks. What happens when instead of going right, you go left? What if there are no happy endings? How much can a man endure before he hits his breaking point? And what happens then?
About the Author:
Tom Starita has two passions in life, writing and the New York Mets. Both have taken years off his life. He spent seven years teaching high school religion, six months as an office manager and is currently in sales. The only goal he ever had was to be published. His dream is to spend the rest of his life lounging in a pool with a book. Tom loves to laugh, loves to make people laugh and most of all loves his beautiful wife Kristina who he calls Lady. They currently reside in Weehawken, New Jersey with their dog, Tzatkiki.
REVIEWS:
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT READ!, March 13, 2013
This review is from: Two Ways To Sunday (Paperback)
This book was my book club's selection of the month for March. I can honestly say I did not want to read it. I just assumed it would be overly religious and not interest me. My opinion was far off and I am glad I read and finished the book. As you follow the main character, Chris through his life and his "other" life it makes you think about the choices you make or have made in your own life. If I had to describe this book in two words it would be, "hope and faith".
Recommend this book to your family, friends and coworkers.
Great book! Well done Tom! Can't wait to see another one.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The author isn't preaching to you or telling you how to live your life. This is a story that makes you think about your spirituality and how you live your life and how you handle all the curveballs. My only issue with the book is the fact the main character is way too infatuated with the NY Mets. If the character were a Yankee fan it would be that much better.
5.0 out of 5 stars Two Ways to Sunday, February 22, 2013
This review is from: Two Ways To Sunday (Paperback)
This book offers faith & inspiration in a time when, unfortunately, alot of people are questioning their faith with all that is going on in the world. It in no way shoves the beliefs down your throat or makes you feel spoken down to. The author has such a way with words that he makes you fall in love with the characters. I didn't want the book to end & I truly became concerned about Chris Marcum's well-being. If I wasn't on the bus when I finished the book I would have cried. It touched a part of me that I forgot was there...
Are YOU going to be the next Infinity Author of the week?
This week I want all of the Infintiy Publishing authors to get focused on promoting themselves
and gather together all of their success stories and help US to promote YOU! Our marketing department is hard at work to feature our authors and highlight your success stories! Every Tuesday we’re posting our Featured Infinity Author of the Week on our blog. We want you to be the next author featured!
How can you be featured? Simple.
Email marketing@infinitypublishing.com with the subject line: INFINITY AUTHOR OF THE WEEK SUBMISSION and include in your email a list of your successes, include online links (we must have links) to everything from:
- Your radio interviews
- Online blog interviews
- Book endorsements
- Print articles about you and your book
- YouTube videos and your book trailer
- Are you a speaking? Doing book signings? Tell us!
We want to hear about all of it! Be sure to include photos if you have them! There is no story too small!
Take a look at some of the authors we have already featured:
Please also take advantage of our online author interview and guest blogging opportunities, and don’t forget to record your Radio Feature! All of these items help to enhance your Featured Infinity Author of the Week post.
Image courtesy of Kostya Kisleyko.
Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there who have gone the distance to be the worlds best dad! Here are some Infinity Publishing titles that father-focused. We hope you enjoy!
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Baking Recipes of our Founding Fathers Authentic recipes from the family of every Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Included are concoctions of Dolly Madison, Martha Jefferson, Abigail Adams and Martha Washington. read more by Robert W. Pelton ~ 0-7414-1944-0 ©2004 Price: $20.95
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The Foster Father of God A gripping story that teaches through Jesus’ dad, Joseph. See Joseph’s mistakes and flaws. Experience his awe of God. Gain new perspectives of one man’s impact and influence on our Savior. read more by Aramis Thorn ~ 0-7414-2231-X ©2004 Price: $14.95
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Destiny: Volume One, Our Father's Commandments “Our Father’s Commandments” describes the relationship of the Ten Commandments with the Lord’s Prayer and analyzes the commandments and the prayer, showing their importance for people today. read more by Edward Nagell ~ 0-7414-2814-8 ©2005 Price: $12.95
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A Father's Daughter Teresa finds her inheritance consists of papers listing locations of WMD’s in the Arab world, along with millions of dollars left to her by her murdered CIA father. read more by Geraldine Bass ~ 0-7414-2931-4 ©2005 Price: $12.95
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Adoption: A Father's Journey of Faith The true story of how one couple’s quest to bring children into their lives led them not only to faraway places, but also to the foot of the Cross. read more by David Finz ~ 0-7414-3280-3 ©2006 Price: $11.95
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A Father, A Son and a House Full of Ghosts A father and son unsuspectingly buy a 100 year old house. Objects begin appearing and disappearing as well as many other mysterious occurrences that couldn’t be explained. They soon learn that three ghosts are occupying the home. read more by Gregory C. Young ~ 0-7414-3536-5 ©2006 Price: $10.95
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Our Father read more by Vincent J. Vanston ~ 0-7414-3615-9 ©2006 Price: $12.95
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I Heard My Father's Voice Joseph’s talent as a violinist saves his life when he is a prisoner during WWI. Released from the Russian Army, Joseph fulfills his childhood dream – bringing his family to America. read more by Estelle Pottern Epstein ~ 0-7414-4053-9 ©2007 Price: $11.95
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A Father A Son and A House Full of Ghosts, Book II The continuation of a true story of the paranormal events that a father and son experience after unsuspectingly purchasing a house which was occupied by three ghosts. read more by Gregory C. Young ~ 0-7414-4218-3 ©2007 Price: $11.95
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Bachelor Father Pioneer This is a true story about the life of a bachelor who adopted an 11-year old orphan. Neal started the process knowing the odds were against him. He fought the system and won. read more by Neal Tiffany ~ 0-7414-4271-X ©2007 Price: $15.95
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Beyond My Father's Farm Life on our family farm was ruled by my hard-driving father. Moving on, I found happiness, but the past left scars. Then, an unexpected discovery allowed me to understand—and forgive. read more by George J. Zeller ~ 0-7414-5157-3 ©2009 Price: $13.95
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A Time to Father One mans desire to share his life story with a younger generation not only bring change in them, he finds himself to have benefited in a surprising way. read more by Gregory Campbell ~ 0-7414-5249-9 ©2009 Price: $15.95
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Golf Tournaments 101 describes in detail how charities and nonprofits can raise money by holding a one-day fundraiser golf tournament. Step-by-step, everything that is needs to be known about setting up and running a successful event is explained in simple terms. Even 
people with no knowledge of golf can put a tournament together! This easy to read and understand guide book can take event coordinators through the correct steps to profit making. It’s also full of suggestion on how to make the day more fun for the golfers and more profitable for the charity.
There’s even a CD included with over 30 user friendly files to make planning and running a fundraiser a much simpler task. For example: an advertising flyer, golfer registration-forms, entry-forms, on-course money-making competitions and golf tournament rule-sheets.
This is a must read must have book for charities, event-planners, schools, religious groups and booster-clubs. It’s also an informative reference guide for golf professionals.
About the author:
Mel Lewis has been a member of the PGA of New Zealand since 1969. From 1993 until 2007 he was the Golf Tournament Director at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, California, a ClubCorp, Inc. facility. During that time he assisted dozens of charities raise millions of dollars. He ran many seminars, taking charities through the steps required to run successful fundraiser golf tournaments. Those seminars had such an impact that ClubCorp made it mandatory for all their clubs nationwide, to hold at least one seminar every year, based on Mel’s presentations. In 2004, ClubCorp presented Mel with their “Super Star” award. www.charitygolf101.com
How did your book come to life?
While working at Braemar Country Club for fourteen years as the golf tournament director specializing in assisting nonprofit organizations plan and run one-day charity fundraiser golf tournaments, the realization that a planning book to help them was obvious. During that time I also developed and ran “Golf Tournaments 101” seminars and invited nonprofits, churches, schools and any fundraising group I could think of to send two of their people to these free events. Many of the people attending these successful seminars had little or no knowledge of golf but were aware that in their area of Los Angeles one-day golf fundraisers were very popular and profitable.
When an organization decided to hold a tournament, the private event director (to arrange all the food and beverage requirements as well as the club-house set-up) and I (to cover all the golf related details) would meet with the organizing committee to plan the whole event. Seeing these tournaments begin and not only succeed but come back year after year with increased player participation and generating more profit for the charity was very rewarding to me. I knew from the seminars I held and from the knowledge I possessed there was a need for a fundraiser golf tournament guide book. It was not until 2007 after I retired that I had the time to start writing.
As a final note, it is estimated that in 2011 across America there were 140,000 one-day fundraiser tournaments, involving 15 million players that brought in perhaps as much as $3 billion
Why is your book so valuable?
It’s a unique book because there are only a few books on the subject. It is even more unique in that it’s the only book that I know of that has been written by a fully qualified PGA professional who has had years of hands on involvement in the planning and then being total involved in the tournaments on the days that they are played.
Where did you grow up?
Wellington, New Zealand
Do you like to travel? If so where is your favorite city?
Yes: Sydney, Australia
What is your favorite food?
Freshly caught New Zealand seafood in Visalia my home town, Brewbakers on Main Street is the place to go!
What are you currently reading?
The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay
Congratulations to our newly published authors!
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Paw Prints of My Past Follow along as the author relives the memories beginning with his childhood pets and experience the laughter, tears, joy and sadness they gave him during each stage of his life. read more by Kenneth R. White ~ 0-7414-9630-5 ©2013 Price: $11.45
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Anatomy of a Figure Skating Injury Bold new evidence is put forth in this book identifying the source of injuries afflicting competitive figure skaters. Podiatrists, physical therapists, and other medical professionals now have a new tool to use in combating these types of injuries. read more by John Harmata ~ 0-7414-8239-8 ©2013 Price: $19.95
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Firehead's Malice Epic adventure during the Seven Years’ War in the Caribbean A masterpiece of maritime fiction in the spirit of C.S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian, Firehead's Malice is a rousing sea adventure that sweeps across the West Indies where navies clash and pirates roam. A tale of passionate greed and ruthless betrayal in the age of sailing warships, the most powerful and awe-inspiring weapons of their time. Is Lady Crimhedden, respected Royal Navy widow, involved with pirates? And is her lover secretly working for the enemy? What happened to the brig with dispatches to warn the fleet? Could they have fallen into pirates' hands? How will Admiral Hadley stop the French Navy? Or can he? read more by Al Karasa ~ 0-7414-8348-3 ©2013 Price: $18.95
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As You Wish: Love 'N' Hearts Part Two When the world knocks you down, just get up and start over – is Jean and Jeannie Love’s attitude towards life… And being a sorceress doesn’t always help. read more by JacLeigh Henry ~ 0-7414-8466-8 ©2013 Price: $13.45
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Firehead's Malice - Hardcover Epic adventure during the Seven Years’ War in the Caribbean A masterpiece of maritime fiction in the spirit of C.S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian, Firehead's Malice is a rousing sea adventure that sweeps across the West Indies where navies clash and pirates roam. A tale of passionate greed and ruthless betrayal in the age of sailing warships, the most powerful and awe-inspiring weapons of their time. Is Lady Crimhedden, respected Royal Navy widow, involved with pirates? And is her lover secretly working for the enemy? What happened to the brig with dispatches to warn the fleet? Could they have fallen into pirates' hands? How will Admiral Hadley stop the French Navy? Or can he? read more by Al Karasa ~ 0-7414-8349-1 ©2013 Price: $31.95
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Anatomy of a Figure Skating Injury - Hardcover Color Bold new evidence is put forth in this book identifying the source of injuries afflicting competitive figure skaters. Podiatrists, physical therapists, and other medical professionals now have a new tool to use in combating these types of injuries. read more by John Harmata ~ 0-7414-8214-2 ©2013 Price: $48.95
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Exposed The Naked Truth About Women This book tells the truth about women and their hidden agendas. It uncovers their secrets, lies, seduction, sex, adultery, manipulation, cover-ups, deception, control, betrayal, anger, fornication and more. It warns men about the seventy percent of women. read more by Mrs. Jimmie Dismuke ~ 0-7414-9624-0 ©2013 Price: $10.45
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by Nancy Shiffrin
Author Nancy Shiffrin has been a free-lance Book Reviewer for the Los Angeles Times and various literary publications. She says, "For me, writing about books is part of my creative process, but not central as poetry is. I would suggest asking nicely and offering to send a PDF (of the book) and cover art. I would not suggest offering money, favors and/or reciprocity -- editors don't like that. A book review isn't PR. You can't control what the reviewer says, 
though you can help to correct factual errors. Very often, people I've reviewed or written about favorably have become disgruntled because I didn't seem like a very important person, or what I said wasn't exactly the thing they wanted said. (Below) is something I wrote in a very grumpy mood over writer's attitude problems. Maybe there is something in it which would be helpful to authors seeking reviews. Please enjoy!
- Remain as ignorant as possible about the concerns of staff literary editors, professional book reviewers, literary critics, free-lance writers.
- Hone your paranoia skills. Insist that there’s a conspiracy NOT to review your books and those of your friends. Come to believe that there’s a “deal” to write an encyclopedia of all significant poets and you and your friends are being deliberately left out.
- Harass people whose “aesthetic” is different from yours.
- Demand to be “perceived” as “the next Neruda”, “the next Sappho”, “the next Olson”, etc.
- Leave packages of books on the front steps of a reviewer's home, ring the doorbell and run away.
- Insist on “dropping by” a reviewer's home with your book when it is ordered. Claim all kinds of problems in mailing your book.
- Insist on transmitting a digital fileof your book.
- Tell the reviewer she must relinquish the rights to her own poetry and follow you and your group around writing magazine articles about them.
- Demand that the reviewer give up the rights to a literary prize because your husband won third and she won first in an Academy of American Poets college poetry competition 40 years ago.
- Demand that the reviewer profile an artist you like in The NewYork Times.
- Picket the Los Angeles Times. Demand to confront a reviewer who doesn’t work there.
- Demand to be known as “the pre-eminent” and only author on a particular subject. Insist that there are no other authors on the subject.
- Insist on your right to be the “designated author” of another’s work.
- Plagiarize.
- Speak to reviewers in sound-bites, i.e., “a poem is just a movie in your mind”.
- Make disdainful remarks about a reviewers’ knowledge of literary movements. i.e., “do you even know who Ferlinghetti is?”
- Make accusations of racism, sexism, and/or other forms of political correctness.
- Tell the reviewer who her friends should be and who she should snub.
- Tell all your friends to snub the reviewer.
- Insist that a professional writer can’t also be a poet.
- Harass a reviewer about what she wrote 25 years ago.
- Harass a reviewer because the complimentary review she wrote about your book 25 years ago doesn’t compliment you for the right reasons.
- Invite the reviewer to dinner, then, as she is taking her first bite, berate her about the rights of any number of groups she might have left out of her dissertation.
- By all means threaten bodily harm if the review doesn't fulfill your fantasy.
To order Nancy's book The Vast Unknowing go to buybooksontheweb.com.
by Nancy Shiffrin copyright 2010
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Nancy Shiffrin is a poet, critic and teacher. She earned her MA studying with Anais Nin. She earned her PhD at The Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio studying Jewish-American Literature. Her work has won awards and honorable mentions from The Academy of American Poets, The Alice Jackson Foundation, The Poetry Society of America, The Pushcart Prizes, The Dora Teitelbaum Foundation. Through CREATIVE WRITING SERVICES her literary arts consultancy, she helps aspiring writers achieve publication and personal satisfaction.
by Nancy L. Preston
Well, it’s done and I’m such a proud parent. I’ve birthed my book; not in nine months, but nine
long years from conception to publication. Oh yes, nine long years of arduous labor, but the outcome was worth the pain. My baby has arrived and I’m euphoric as I strut around the house basking in the afterglow. The act of writing as someone once said is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration and I hate to sweat, but that’s what occurred as I navigated the publication process. Some days I felt like a drunken monkey as I coped with drafts, revisions, agent searches, and the nuances of contract signing when one finally took me on. One year turned into the next as my agent submitted my book numerous times, only for it to be rejected after a long wait. I revised, changed the focus, added material, and twisted in the wind as I tried to produce a saleable product to someone else’s specifications.
Finally, I took a step back and asked myself, “What are my expectations for this book?” I came to the realization that in the end it was my book and I would do it my way. As offspring are offshoots of their parents, so should a book reflect its creator. My goal for After Sybil was for it to be a book of which I could be proud. Also, that it would honor my friend of many years, Shirley Mason, aka Sybil. She had sixteen personalities and her story had already been told in a bestselling book by Flora Schreiber. I asked myself, “What can I possibly add to her story?” We all dream of producing a best seller and for some, like Ms. Schreiber, those dreams come true. As for me, my expectations were more realistic. I wanted to share what I knew about the lady who was arguably the most famous multiple of all time. I wanted her to be seen as a productive adult, a loyal friend, and a prolific artist with her own company. Ms. Schreiber ended her book with the integration of Shirley’s alternates in 1965. My book starts there and continues Shirley’s journey until death claimed her in 1998.
It was a grueling process from my book’s conception, through the labor, to imminent birth. As I approached the end, after nine years, I just wanted the darn thing out there. My agent had tried for four years, but main stream publishers want guaranteed return of profit from their investment in an author. I don’t blame them, but new authors have the odds stacked against them. At that point my agent had exhausted her leads and referred me to Infinity Press. It was a good choice in so many ways. From initial contact to publication was less than six months. It would have been sooner had I not been obsessive about my editing and proofing. What a relief it was when I gave the final push and submitted my last version. It was as perfect as I could make it and I was at peace with what I had produced.
Now, here I am, and as new parents do, I cuddle my baby, wrap it in my warm embrace, shower kisses on its cover, and show it off to others. In olden days I would have passed out cigars as the proud parent I am. But alas, at the same time, I am experiencing post partum book blues. I am starting to wonder if I shouldn’t produce a sibling, but I dread the process. Birthing a book is not an easy chore and should not be taken lightly. On the other hand, the joy is exquisite.
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Nancy L. Preston
With degrees from Rio Grande and Ohio State, Nancy L. Preston was a teacher for many years in central Ohio. Now retired and a free lance writer with many published articles, she writes a monthly column for a national magazine. Warner Brothers interviewed her about her friendship with Shirley Mason and included that interview in their 30th anniversary DVD edition of the movie Sybil. Besides traveling, her husband and she enjoy spending time with their daughters and grandchildren. Dissociative Identity Disorder remains a primary interest of hers and she is in contact with many who live with it every day.
Image courtesy of Brandon Rittenhouse.
Congratulations April Brucker! You're Infinity Publishing's Author of the Week!
April Brucker is the author of I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery
Girl. Rated a Must Read by Mensa in The National Mensa Newsletter and Featured on the Official Website of Britney Spears, BroadwayWorld.com, and the Hobby Hoarder Blog (Featured on AOL.com)
April Brucker has appeared on Last Comic Standing 5, Rachael Ray, Talk Soup, Pix with Jeff Foxworthy, My Strange Addiction, Inside Edition, The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, Joy Behar, Layover with Anthony Bourdain, Good Day NY, Chef Roble, ElvisDuran.com, Pig Roast with Otto and George, F'in MTV Blocks, King of the List, TMZ.com and several other shows. My song "Stay" was number one for five weeks on Internet Radio. In addition I have also appeared in Chat Magazine and Stage Magazine in the UK as well as Time Out NY in NYC. To check out her clips please go to www.youtube.com/aprilthestarr
What is the press saying about her book?
http://gawker.com/tag/april-brucker
http://broadsofbroadway.weebly.com/april-brucker.html
https://www.xojane.com/author/april-brucker
http://www.champcomedyblog.com/?p=233
http://elitedaily.com/life/28-learned-28-years/
Here is a link to an article about April Brucker iin Alt Variety talking about her puppets and TV appearances:
http://altvariety.com/april-brucker-puppets-dont-read-too-good/
Where can you find her book?
I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery Girl is now available through NYU Bookstore, LGBTQ Library (NYC, NY), Brown University Bookstore (Providence, RI), Carnegie Library (Pittsburgh, PA), Symposia Books (Hoboken, NJ), Bethel Park Public Library (Bethel Park, PA) and Drama Bookshop (NYC, NY).
Check out some of her book reviews:
https://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-7793-9
http://www.amazon.com/Came-Saw-Sang-Telegram-Delivery/dp/0741477939
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-came-i-saw-i-sang-april-e-brucker/1112800893
http://thehobbyhoarder.com/tag/april-brucker/
How can you get in touch with April Brucker?
Like her Facebook page for her book:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Came-I-Saw-I-Sang/210064142410753
Check out her blog:
http://missaprilb.blogspot.com
Buy the Book!
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
Happy Monday Authors! This week our focus is on how to use your eBook to better market title. My first question to you…is your book in eBook format as well as print? I hope your answer is yes. If yes, read marketing tips below.
What if you don’t have an eBook version of your title?
This is your week to get your book converted to an ePub, which is an electronic format of a book that can be easily read on any eReader. Why is this so important? Having an eBook provides your book more exposure and room for discovery with readers who prefer an electronic book. Once your book is formatted for print, you’re one step away from having an ePub created and it’s very inexpensive to do. Have Infinity Publishing convert your book today!
eBook Marketing Tips:
- Promote your book to eBook readers. There is a new generation of readers who are looking for new eBooks, let yours be one of them! Reach out to online forums and sites that are eBook focused. See if you can do an online interview or guest blog post…it can’t hurt. Many sites are genre specific (i.e. thrillers, romance, etc.) so start searching for your niche today!
- Less expensive option. eBooks retail for less than a print book so all of your marketing copy should include your book pricing starting with your eBook. Example, “BOOK TITLE is available starting at $7.99.” Your print edition will be a few dollars more, so if a reader is on the fence about whether to pick up the book or not, they may just go for the eBook version, and who knows they may then buy the print book.
- Get more book reviews. Once you have an eBook it is a lot less expensive to send books out for review vs. the print edition. Be smart about who you’re emailing a free copy to don’t just send out to everyone. Most book reviewers prefer eBooks to a printed copy, so take the time to get it out there. After the book has been reviewed…they will market to their website audience and most likely, post to Amazon and Goodreads.
- Giveaways. Having an eBook allows you to do free book giveaways to your website visitors and on other sites that are looking for freebies.
Tell us below how you are using your eBook to promote your title!
Welcome to our Author Interview series.
Today we're featuring an interview with P.A. Clark, author of The Lin Wu Chronicles: Senior Year. Our author interview series provides an opportunity for our readers to get to know our authors on a deeper level and also learn more about the types of books we're publishing. See book trailer below...
P.A. Clark currently resides in Sacramento, CA with his wife and two children. He met his wife 
in San Jose, CA while attending college. After meeting his wife, he took it upon himself to learn about her culture as well as other Asian cultures in his area. The Lin Wu Chronicles: Senior Year is his second book about the life and adventures of his character Lin Wu, an Asian American female of Chinese decent.
Synopsis: Lin Wu is a high school senior, just trying to make the grade. But it won’t be easy, especially with all these ghosts, villains and monsters blocking her path, every step of the way. She’ll have to stay on her toes and block out all the horror. But in the world of Lin Wu, not everything is as it seems. Keeping a high GPA and balancing an overprotective mother will be a cakewalk for her compared to being a regular magnet for the strange and paranormal. From an urban legend about a psycho lurking in a dirty tunnel, to the dark streets of Chinatown, where rumors of a Vampire fill the air, Lin Wu will have to get to the bottom of every mystery, while still finding time to apply to all the choicest universities.
Why readers should pick up your book?
The Lin Wu Chronicles is filled with mystery, suspense, and intrigue, not to mention plenty of action. But more than that, it’s also filled with subtle cultural cues. While reading the, The Lin Wu Chronicles, readers should be able to get a slight sense of what it can be like to grow up as a second generation Asian-American female, especially one who has an overprotective parent.
How did you name your characters?
Lin Wu is a Chinese-American female and I’ve always liked the name Lin for a female protagonist. The last name, Wu, went well with Lin and I wanted her name to have the ring you feel when you say Bond, James Bond. However, I had some misgivings about using the name Lin at first, mainly because Lin is considered a Chinese surname. I considered using the spelling of Lynn for awhile, but it didn’t feel right to me. It didn’t have the same pop that Lin Wu had. After several days of consideration, I finally decided it would be okay to go with the name Lin for her first name since she is a Chinese-American character, not a Chinese national. She could have the name Lin because of her dual cultural identity. She’s not bound by one set of rules.
Are your characters’ experiences taken from someone you know, or events in your own life?
The short term answer to that question is both. However, many of the experiences I inserted into the stories are based off of accounts I witnessed from others. When I say accounts, I don’t mean the paranormal ones. The cultural accounts of growing up Asian American are mostly from things I’ve heard about just in my own family or have read about in various books. I’ve also spent some time listening to Asian American young people on youtube describing how life can be for them. However, where I grew up, I felt like I was in the ethnic minority even though I was in the statistical majority. I think that may have helped me understand some of their perceptions, even though I didn’t share their background.
Can you describe your heroine in one sentence?
An academically motivated individual who frequently ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Without giving away details, tell us about one interesting scene in your book.
Lin Wu finds herself in a dimly lit room surrounded by a coven of cult members whose intentions are unknown to her. Gravely outnumbered and obviously trapped, she must stay calm, cool and collected while relying on her wits to escape.
Tell readers something unique about your book?
The Lin Wu Chronicles was originally conceived as an audio book project for websites that specialized in 1-Hour Audio Book downloads. The initial concept was to write stories surrounding a single main character in an episodic format, kind of like a weekly TV series or reoccurring show.
Where do you find your ideas? Does something trigger them? Do you carry around a notebook in case inspiration strikes?
My ideas for Lin Wu stories come from a unique inspiration. They stem mostly from three distinct influences. The first is a genre known as J-Horror, or Japanese Horror. Basically it entail the unique styles of storytelling I’ve observed in some of the more popular Japanese and Korean thrillers that became popular during the early to mid 2000s. The second would be from the research and cultural knowledge I’ve learned through Hong Kong cinema. Including, but not limited to, martial arts films. The third comes from my love of the spooky aspects found in Scooby Doo. Lin Wu is geared more towards teens, young adults and lovers of the thriller/mystery genre though.
Why do you write? Is it something you’ve always done, or always wanted to do?
I’ve always written fiction to some degree, but I’ve never attempted to publish a book before Lin Wu. It’s always been one of my life long goals and dreams though. After my son was born and old enough to attend school, I finally had a little more time on my hands. I decided to buckle down and give the writing process a shot. One factor that stood out to me most was the way young people are constantly bombarded with the idea of being famous. In fact, it was regularly displayed on many of the television sitcoms for tweens and teens at the time. While there was nothing wrong with that for entertainment purposes, I found it to be an unbalanced approach. It didn’t seem to give young people a realistic model to emulate. I thought about the type of character I would create and what her goals and dreams would be. Since I also had a chance to see what my wife’s perspective was about life, I decided to create an Asian American character that would have more serious goals.
Would you ever consider converting one of you stories/published books into a screenplay? And if you could corroborate with someone, who would it be?
Yes I think my books would make good screenplays. They’re filled with the types of stories and conflicts that many filmmakers use when bringing their films to life. If I could corroborate with a filmmaker I would most likely choose one who already had a background in the type of storytelling that influenced me. Takashi Shimizu, the director of The Grudge, comes to mind. I also really enjoyed the South Korean ghost school film Voice, directed by Equan Choi. In fact, that film inspired me to add another chronicle to my book before publication. Hall of Echoes came to me after watching the film Voice, which is a mystery ghost story involving Korean school girls.
Which do you prefer to write – full length novels or short stories?
My stories to date are short stories. However, I’d like to expand into writing a novel. I do feel there is a difference when writing a story to be heard versus a story that is read silently. Lin Wu was conceived as an audio book project, but the stories still work well when read silently. I’ve played around with the idea of writing a longer story about one of her adventures. In fact, I’ve started one already.
Where did you grow up? How did your hometown (or other places you have lived) inspire your writing?
I grew up in San Jose California and had a fairly normal childhood. It wasn’t until I went off to college that I learned more about the Asian communities around me. The college I attended had lots of Vietnamese students who I had a chance to interact with. I also worked as a daycare worker in Milpitas California at a private school, where many of the students were children of Chinese immigrants. I became more aware of their culture and values and could see how important education was to them. Then there was my wife, who I also met around that time. She happened to be Vietnamese. I made a point after meeting her to learn more about her background which expanded into other Asian cultures. All those experiences along with what I’ve learned on my own helped to shape my writing. My stories are an accumulation of all those experiences to some degree.
When you go into a bookstore, where do you go first?
I usually go to the Science Fiction section in a bookstore first followed by the audio book wall. Since my interest in writing started with audio books, I like to check out the new releases to get an idea of what’s hot. I also like to take note of the packaging, particularly the images used on the covers. I like to see what styles and elements catch my eye and what styles leave me wanting. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to genres of course, but I’m usually drawn to cover art with eye catching colors. It seems to pull me in and makes me want to take a closer look. I also take notice of the title fonts believe it or not. If the font has something that pulls me, in I often take a second look at the book.
To learn more about P.A. Clark:
PAClark.Com
http://www.facebook.com/LinWuChronicles
Buybooksontheweb.com