“Overheard” a publisher say this on twitter:

Beginning to form competition concept based on newspaper experience. Get ARCs from competitors, then beat them to publication on same story.

Please react…

Publisher: John F. Blair

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

We have all seen the images of Katrina.  Years later we still see images and our hearts are broken.  But (besides actually being there) there is nothing like the spoken word.  Reading a first hand account of what it was like to get there before, live during, and rebuild after.

Kathleen Koch paints a true to life picture of what residents had to endure and are still dealing with all these years after.  If you thought you knew all there was to know about Katrina, you’re eyes will be newly opened while reading this book.  From first hand accounts as to how long it took to receive help, to how quickly communities began helping each other regardless of past issues.

One thing I kept thinking about while reading this, was how emotionally tolling it must have been for Kathleen.  She was there reporting on all this carnage not really being able to help in a large scale way, but only having to step back and report on it.  I commend her on writing about it.

The story is a tough one to get through. There is  no side-stepping or kid-glove treatment.  It’s an honest account.  The best there is.

Publisher: Langdon Street Press

Overall: 5 out of 5

Description:

From life in his war-torn homeland to his quest for the American dream, Alfred Langer’s determination and faith helped him surmount overwhelming obstacles and hardships to reach A New Beginning.

On a warm July evening in 1940, the population of a tiny Sudeten German village was increased by one with the arrival of Rudolf and Elsa Langer’s baby boy, Alfred. The picturesque setting and warm and loving family environment belied the situation elsewhere in Germany. But that was not to last, as the strife of the world came down around them.

A New Beginning: A Compelling True Story of One Man’s Journey Against Overwhelming Odds is Alfred Langer’s riveting, inspirational, and often heart-wrenching true-life saga. Filled with snapshots of his childhood, A New Beginning also details the horrors that followed, as well as Langer’s struggles and triumphs when he later left his homeland in his quest for the American dream. Al Langer’s persistence, determination, and strong conviction prove that no obstacle is too great when one has faith.

His is a story that will touch your heart and stay in your mind long after reading the final chapter.

Plot:

This book was based on the true story as told by the author.

Character Development:

You begin to care about the characters very early into the book.  From the son having to leave home for the first time, to numerous soldiers taking over houses and farms to even bigger and horrible situations, you feel for each person.

A running theme in the book was how the family stuck together.  They didn’t have any of the luxuries we are so accustomed to having nowadays.  Children didn’t have toys, clothes were hand-me-downs and often made by the mother, and food was whatever they could scrounge up.

As you keep reading, you end up becoming friends with the family and rejoice when things go their way, and feel a pit in your stomach each time they are thrown another curve.

Editing and Writing Style:

The writing style of this recount is beautiful, sad, touching and honest.  You aren’t simply told what the family had to go through, but you actually went through the trials along with them.  As a reader you felt as you were part of the family and had something to lose or gain along with them.

Our very first “Indie Author Event” is coming up in four days! (July 29, 2010).

Get Media Kit Here  mediakit

Get Media Kit Here  mediakit

Publisher: De Capo Life Long

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Description: Every pregnant woman understands that what she eats and drinks affects the baby developing within her. Yet as a mother-to-be, you’re likely juggling so much that you simply don’t have the time—or energy!—to ensure that you’re always eating right. That’s where this fully updated edition of the pregnancy classic comes in, making it easy to fulfill the needs of you and your baby. Eating for Pregnancy will provide you with all you need to know about nutrition before, during, and after pregnancy.

Here are 150 nutrient-rich recipes, more than 30 new to this edition, designed with you and your family in mind. Each highlights “What’s in this for baby and me?” and provides handy nutritional breakdowns and meal-planning advice. You’ll also find:

• Tips to help you minimize unnecessary weight gain and keep your nutrient intake high
• Fresh, fast, family-friendly recipes with realistic menu plans
• The most up-to-date information on supplements, sources, environmental concerns, and high-risk pregnancies
• An expanded vegetarian section—now with vegan recipes
• Helpful information for diabetics, including ADA exchanges, recipe tips, and dining-out strategies
• A unique Nine-Months-Later section, covering breastfeeding, postpartum depression, and weight loss after pregnancy—with illustrated exercises

Our Thoughts:

Everything this book says it’s going to do, it does.  It has some delicious, and as importantly, easy recipes.  Yet besides telling you what to and what not to eat, it gives you solid advice on how to order food when away from home.  The back section even has a mini area on safe exercises to do during pregnancy.  This is a great book even for those not pregnant and looking to begin healthy eating.

I would have liked to see some color pictures of the recipes that were given.  Knowing that people eat with their eyes, they should know that pregnant women have very sensitive sensors.  I can’t imagine them trying these recipes only to find out they don’t like the look of it.  Not only that, but people are more apt to try new things if they look appetizing.  The recipes in this book may be delicious, yet many will never know. Because of this I had to lower the overall score. While the book may give a lot of great information, it doesn’t have much appeal without images.

Publisher: Worthy Shorts

Reason for “Tried On and Passed On”:

• font was very difficult to read
• many spelling errors
• repetitious
• too many words to say the same things in consecutive sentences.

publisher: Lee & Low Books

Overall:4.5 – 5

Lee & Low books seems to publish many ethnic, cultural and educational books.  This one doesn’t disappoint.  This is a story of a young man, Tim, who, even know he knows the homeless man collecting cans, only thinks of himself and his own wants.  After setting on his own to collect cans, knowing that he is taking them from someone who really needs them, he realizes there are more important things in life than himself.

This was well written.  It tells a story that has a very explicit ending and lesson, but parents can do much more with this book.  In today’s environment where parents are losing jobs and not able to provide to the same extent as their children may be used to, this book is useful in opening up an honest conversation about what is going on and what can happen if habits don’t change. It can also teach children how to respect everyone even people that may be down on their luck. A huge positive of this book is it doesn’t state any negativity or put anyone down.

The cover and graphics throughout the book were well done and can be used to tell the story for younger kids who won’t sit still for longer books.

I know all the hoopla around e-books.  Indie authors are tripping over themselves (rightfully so?) to publish their books in digital format. But what about audio books?  The more time I spend on twitter the more I meet people that swear by them.  So I went on my search.  I found an audio book distributor and began looking at their listings.  In a list of thousands, I found 1 indie book.  One!

So I went back on twitter and asked around.  I got responses such as:

• it costs too much
• no one will listen to them
• don’t know how
• it’s up to our indie publisher and they aren’t interested

This made my head spin.  What do indie authors think about this?  Are you looking into audio versions of your books?  Have you already looked and decided to not do it?  Why?

I would like to give a HUGE thanks to the following for helping me during my search of audio books.

@braincandybr
@oldtownebooks
@tantoraudio

We’re an independent children’s book publisher focusing on diversity. We were founded in 1991 by Thomas Low and Philip Lee, who both felt that there was a huge need for books featuring diverse characters that weren’t stereotyped or cliched. Unfortunately, almost 20 years later that’s still the case- if you look at the stats, even though our society is more diverse than ever now, the percentage of children’s books featuring diversity is still far lower than it should be, as is the number of published authors and illustrators of color. So there’s still a huge need for more multicultural children’s books.

We usually put out 10-12 books per year – up until now it has been mainly picture books, but we’ve got 2 great YA books coming out this fall and also just acquired Tu Books (which I am super excited about!), a new imprint that will be doing MG and YA science fiction and fantasy.

Our motto is “About everyone ~ For everyone” and I think that’s the biggest thing that people should know about us: our books are for EVERYONE. Books with black characters are not just for black people; bilingual English/Spanish books are not just for Latinos. All books, especially children’s books, should be “windows and mirrors”- windows into other cultures and mirrors where we can see ourselves. That’s what we aim to do

A Sneak Peak of Forthcoming Books: – make sure to look for them at our store!
GAME, SET, MATCH, CHAMPION ARTHUR ASHE (October): A biography of Arthur Ashe, a champion on and off the tennis court
¡OLÉ! FLAMENCO (October): Nonfiction book about the living art form of flamenco
SEASIDE DREAM (September): A tender story about a girl and her Cape Verdean grandmother
UNDER THE MESQUITE (October): YA novel in verse about cancer, family, and what it means to grow up
YUMMY: THE LAST DAYS OF A SOUTHSIDE SHORTY (August): A graphic novel based on the true story of an 11-year-old gang member from Chicago’s Southside. Two starred reviews already!

Join us on http://www.leeandlow.com