Jun 14, 2013

Debra L. Griffin Launches New Marketing Campaign for Book

JACKSON, Miss. (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 - In her 2010 book “Why Judas was Born to Betray Jesus” (published by iUniverse) author Debra L. Griffin challenged readers to embrace the important role Judas Iscariot played in saving the human race when he betrayed Jesus to the Romans.

Inspired by the film “The Passion of the Christ,” Griffin felt compelled and called by God to write “Why Judas was Born to Betray Jesus.” After her research on the subject, she discovered what the young Judas Iscariot was like, how Judas accomplished what he was meant to do, why he is in heaven, what makes the Christian life successful and many more revelations that she shares.

“Here, you will learn why Judas was chosen to be the bridge to Christ’s crucifixion,” Griffin says. “His betrayal neatly fit into God’s plan, who is the Creator and sustainer of all creation, and who knows all, including the end before the beginning.”

“Why Judas was Born to Betray Jesus”
By Debra L. Griffin
Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 124 pages | ISBN 9781450217835
Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 124 pages | ISBN 9781450217811
E-Book | 124 pages | ISBN 9781450217828
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Debra L. Griffin, a Mississippi native, graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, and Mississippi College, Clinton. She spent 20 years as a hospital administrator and reaffirmed her faith in God when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a member of Faith4Life in Jackson, Miss.

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations – self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS.

For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on iUniverse Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/pages/iUniverse-Publishing/249254235007 on iUniverse Facebook.

C. S. Ross Releases His Debut Novel ‘Trudy’

PLYMOUTH, Mich. (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 - In “Trudy” (published by iUniverse), author C. S. Ross converts his personal experiences into a page-turning detective thriller.

The plot is set in Chicago. The protagonist, a washed-out detective, has the habit of helping others in distress, which causes him to find himself in complex and dangerous situations. When a 6-year-old, Trudy, lands into trouble, the seasoned detective is there to help, but everything is not as it seems to be.

In Ross’ words, “This story reflects the true happenings of the big cities of America.”

An excerpt from “Trudy”:

“Who are you?” she asked, her eyes wide open.
Just then a voice came from down the stairs, “Trudy!”
Immediately the little girl stiffened up and stared down the stairs.
“Is that your father?” I asked.
“No”, she said. “He’s a bad man.”
“Trudy!” came the voice again.

“Trudy”
By C. S. Ross
Soft cover | 5 x 8in | 98 pages | ISBN 978-1-4759-8664-8
E-Book | 98 pages | ISBN 978-1-4759-8665-5
Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon

About the Author

C. S. Ross was born and raised in the hills of Pennsylvania. Married and with two children, she has taught ballroom dance and gymnastics. Shee graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunications, and worked for a cable television station before turning to writing novels.

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations – self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS.

For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on iUniverse Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/pages/iUniverse-Publishing/249254235007 on iUniverse Facebook. .

Jim Van Loozen Announces Release of ‘A Ghost of a Chance’

SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 - In “A Ghost of a Chance: The Haunting of Detective Tory Alston” (published by iUniverse), author Jim Van Loozen’s new murder mystery novel, readers join Detective Ransom Stone as he embarks on an investigation into not only his own murder, but the investigation that cost him his life. He teams with a sassy, spitfire detective named Tory Alston.

Stone was looking into the disappearance of a congressional intern when his luck turned south. Now, dead and stuck on Earth as a ghost, he finds that he is capable of interacting with the world around him. He decides to assist Tory in her quest to find his murderer. As the two sift their way through the tangled mesh of lies and underhanded dealings, they find that they are caught up in something far greater than just a simple murder case.

A review of “A Ghost of a Chance” by Tom Hoyer, Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild:

“Jim Van Loozen adds a touch of Stephen King to the genre of the hard-boiled detective. His guy, Ransom Stone buys the proverbial farm at the very beginning of the A Ghost of a Chance and spends the rest of the book moving in and out of the lives of the police detectives who are investigating his death. The format, which I admit seemed a bit odd to me at the beginning, enables Van Loozen to look at the genre with some interesting irony at the same time he moves a plot briskly forward. His prose makes you remember how charmingly off-beat Philip Marlow was on the pages where he wasn't in the throes of mortal combat. I confess to having gone from wondering, "how is this going to work out" when I opened it to being pleasantly surprised six hours later by the short meditation on good, evil, and eternity that wraps it up.”

“With unexpected plot twists and a fair share of twisted characters in play, the story harkens back to the days of solid Noir fiction,” says Van Loozen.

“A Ghost of a Chance”
By Jim Van Loozen
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 232 pages | ISBN 9781475986075
E-Book | 232 pages | ISBN 9781475986112
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations – self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS.

For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on iUniverse Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/pages/iUniverse-Publishing/249254235007 on iUniverse Facebook.

New Novel by Larry Auerbach Takes A Look at The Cost of Recklessness

Pt. St. Lucie, Fla. (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 - In Larry Auerbach’s new novel, “The Spirit of Redd Mountain” (published by iUniverse), readers discover a bone-chilling adventure with a powerful message.

On his last hunt on Redd Mountain, Warner Barney – a well-known, world-class hunter – more than met his match when he tried to bring down a legendary elk. As a result of his arrogance and carelessness, several people were killed in a tragic snow slide.

In the wake of the tragedy, Warner continued his obsessive pursuit of the Elk, but the hunter soon becomes the hunted as spirits – both past and present – come to Redd Mountain’s aid.

“It’s a story of how the universe balances evil with good,” shares Auerbach, who hopes that after reading his novel readers are made more aware of the interconnectedness of all things.

“I hope they take away an appreciation of life,” states Auerbach, “and the fragility of it.”

“The Spirit of Redd Mountain”
By Larry Auerbach
Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 364 pages | ISBN 9781462033379
Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 364 pages | ISBN 9781462033362
E-Book | 364 pages | ISBN 9781462033386
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Larry Auerbach is a psychotherapist with 20 years of professional experience. His wife of 27 years is also in the mental health field. Auerbach enjoys chess, horseback riding, hiking in the mountains with his wife and reading about American history. A native of Florida, he still calls the Sunshine State home.

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations – self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS.

For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on iUniverse Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/pages/iUniverse-Publishing/249254235007 on iUniverse Facebook.

Jun 13, 2013

Self-publishing gains bigger share of book market

DOTHAN, AL, June 12, 2013 — Traditional book publishers just cannot catch a break these days. Every bit of good news seems to have a corresponding bit of bad news to go along with it.

Adult trade book sales were up 8.4% in January, the most recent month hard figures are available for, but sales in the young adult category took a dive by 23.5%. Overall e-book sales were up 10.1% over the past year, but that falls far short of the 49.4% increase the year before.

To add derision to affliction, Bowker Research just reported that self-published books now represent 12% of all e-book sales and as much as 20% of specific genres like romance and fantasy. Publishers take heart, that news is based on a survey done in the UK, though e-book sales on both sides of the Atlantic often follow the same pattern. Can you say “Harry Potter?”

The news about flattening e-book sales is sparking a lot of debate over whether e-books have seen their best days and are already on the way out. Another recent study of college students and professors showed that they are not ready for e-textbooks and still prefer print despite cost and convenience factors. Textbooks are referred to as “heavy tomes” for a reason.

Self-publishing is quickly losing the stigma that was once attached to it, but critics still abound, mostly traditional publishers. Andrew Franklin, founder of Profile Books, recently went on a rant at a London writing conference and said self-published books are “unutterable rubbish.” The general argument against self-publishing is that readers are barraged with too many choices and there is no vetting by experienced editors.

That is the polite way to suggest that self-publishers are losers who cannot find a regular publisher.

Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/its-about-time/2013/jun/12/self-publishing-gains-bigger-share-book-market/