Book-to-market

I am glad we got this book (e.g.it explained why we shouldn't keep touching the Venus Flytrap--it probably saved the plant's life from inquisitive little hands).

If you like humor writing and things retro, you should at least read those two. Peg harkens back to the days when you were supposed to have a martini and slippers waiting for your husband and meet him at the door in your negligee, but she was so not into it. I hear she got divorced shortly after the first book came out, and that her husband hated her writing. Loser! Peg is also a reminder of the days when girls got their MRS degree before becoming domestic engineers...her ability with a phrase is testament to a keen knowledge of things other than casseroles and dustcloths.

You can't find a lot of info on Peg online. I hear she is still kicking, though. I like the fact that, in her author photos, she's sitting at her desk with a ciggie a la Fran Leibowitz. She was the original Cynthia Heimel. She was way ahead of her time.

You should also read Peg Bracken's other books. They're terrific, too.

The best thing about the book is Bracken's inimitably breezy voice. When she tells you to stir "Company Carrots" until they're well-coated, she writes, " . . . stirring so that all the strips get well acquainted with the sauce." When introducing a recipe for "Rosy Radish Salad," she prefaces the instructions with, "This next one uses up radishes and some of your canned beans." No doubt she's always eager to get beyond dinner because she wants to get out of the kitchen and be seated with her guests, enjoying the conversation! She's a hoot to read, and the recipes work. I love the recipe names: Lamb Shanks Tra-La, Elevator Lady Spice Cookies, Sour Cream Cinch No. 1 and No. 2, Philosopher's Chowder, Breakthrough Salad, Immediate Fudge Cake, Dazzleberry Tart (which begins, "If the dazzleberries aren't ripe yet, use canned cherry pie filling"), and more. Even the chapter names are funny (No. 22 is entitled "Stealing from Knowledgeable People"). Get this book if you enjoy cooking or hate cooking--it doesn't matter--but definitely get it if you like a good laugh and good, plain, simple recipes.

It's about a Dobie (Doberman Pinscher) named Max who wanders away from his owners while on vacation in the Sierras. He was chasing a squirrel when he fell from a cliff. His owners call and search for him, but give up. They finally end up believing that he is dead, and return home.

Meanwhile, Max is trying to survive. Will he survive? Or wil he finally die of hunger and dehydration? You have to read to find out. This book is a real tearjerker and made me cry in several parts.

I recommend it to anyone, especially for those who have a dog.

The purpose of this book is to help the reader who use nautral products make wise choices on natural supplements and to save one's health. It also includes Dr. Murray's recommendations for the prevention and treatment of common conditions from acne and congestive heart failure to diabetes and stress. The book answers some questions, on the subject what is all hype and what is science? What do we really know about natural remedies?

It answers questions like, can symptoms of menopause be relieved without hormone replacement therapy? Black Cohosh (Remifemin) performed better than hormones and had an A (excellent) rating for safety. What is a safer way of halting macular degeneration over Lasik sugery and save ones' night vision? Bilberry has proven in historical cases to stop the formation of cataracts and improves night vision. During World War II the British Royal Air Force gave it to their pilots who had to fly night missions! To get relief from insomnia without dangerous prescription drugs take your pick from Valerian (rated A for effectiveness), Melatonin (rated B+) or 5-HTP (rated B+). One concern, there were some herbs that were omitted from the book I'd like to have seen listed, e.g. Raspberry Leaves. But if you would consider research and natural remedies change on the market from time-to-time. I'm sure in the future that more will be added. Other than that I definitely believe this to be the best natural reference book out on the market at this time.

The book is more encyclopaedic, his opinion is not noted at all.
This is excellent, since there are currently far too many auteurs who simple give their 'belief' or 'feeling' about herbs. The book is fairly thorough, up-to-date, and very well organized.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the facts about natural medicines, or even the expert who needs a reference source at times.

The information here is current and clear.

~review by Joan Mazza, author of six books, including Dreaming Your Real Self.

Ever wonder how to sell your book directly to libraries? On page 159, Brian points out there are at least 117,418 libraries (including public, academic, and school) across the United States. In the pages that follow, he explains exactly how to market to libraries, and he includes contact information for library wholesalers you may want to work with. He ends this section with a true story of an author's successful library book tour.

In addition to explaining how to approach places like Target & Safeway, airport shops & museum stores, Brian gives practical pointers on everything from promoting perpetually to getting book reviews.

A valuable resource which I'm benefitting from immensely in my ever-growing search for new markets for my book. I highly recommend this book to every author. Don't limit yourself -- think outside the box! Beyond The Bookstore will open your eyes to greater opportunities and point you in the right direction.

-- Graciela Sholander, http://dreamitdoit.net

It doesn't take long for a publisher to learn that bookstores are not the best places to sell books. Huge discounts, long waits for payment (often six months or more), and the dreaded returns make bookstores less than attractive markets. So what's a publisher to do? Find other places that will buy your books.

'Beyond the Bookstore' is your map to finding sales opportunities. The 79 strategies give specific information that will help you identify special markets for your books, locate the people who will buy from you, and make the sale. Some of the special markets identified include warehouse clubs, supermarkets, corporations, book fairs, airport stores, catalogs, museum stores, book clubs and home shopping networks. Strategies include lots of how-to, with success stories, detailed tips and contact information.

These strategies will work for large publishers, small presses, self-published authors, and (in many cases) Print on Demand titles. There are even strategies for leveraging your content to create new products, in addition to books. The CD-ROM included with the book walks you through the process of creating a detailed marketing plan and timeline.

I had high expectations for 'Beyond the Bookstore,' and those expectations were exceeded. If you want an easy to follow, step-by-step plan to open new markets for your books, you need 'Beyond the Bookstore.'

Cathy Stucker
Special Interests Publishing