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Jim Cox Report: December 2021

Dear Publisher Folk, Friends & Family:

One of the great bulwarks of democracy is a literate citizenry. Another bulwark are the free public education school systems. Still a third bulwark (from the time of Benjamin Franklin on down to this very day) is the phenomena of the free public library so that literate citizens, no matter what their economic status, can obtain information, education, and recreation through the medium of the written word.

Alas, all three of these bulwarks of democracy are being steadily eroded, threatening to replace democracy with an autocracy that depends on a person's wealth as to whether they will be educated (meaning literate), and have access to information fundamental to maintaining and nourishing a democracy (one of the primary roles of the public library system).

Here is the link to a clarion call of alarm regarding the privatization of the public library from the Literary Hub online website. I urge you to read it:

https://lithub.com/why-the-hell-would-you-want-to-privatize-libraries

Now two books of very special interest and relevance for authors seeking to have their work published (and profitable!)



The Writing/Publishing Shelf

How to Write & Sell Simple Information for Fun and Profit, second edition
Robert W. Bly with Fred Gleeck
Quill Driver Books
www.quilldriverbooks.com
9781610359900, $18.95

https://www.amazon.com/Write-Simple-Information-Profit-Books/dp/1610359909

How to Write & Sell Simple Information for Fun and Profit: Your Guide to Writing and Publishing Books, e-books, Articles, Special Reports, Audios, Videos, Membership Sites, and Other How-To Content provides a new second edition of a how-to guide that's been updated for the modern online content market, including podcasts and YouTube channels. This update represents a significant addition of topics and social media approaches and analysis that sets this edition apart from anything else on the market and makes it a top examination of opportunities in various fields that writers can enter. The whole writer's marketing process receives a thorough coverage in a how-to guide that can't be beat.

Book Proposals That Sell
W. Terry Whalin
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781631955105, $16.95, PB, 162pp

https://www.bookproposalsthatsell.com

Synopsis: Specifically written for the novice and inexperienced writer wanting to become a successfully published author, and now in a thoroughly revised and updated edition, "Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success" is the ideal instruction guide and manual that begins with acknowledging that about 80% to 90% of all nonfiction books are sold from a book proposal. An absolutely essential necessity for becoming a published author, the book proposal contains many elements that will never appear in a manuscript -- yet these details are critical to publishing executives who make the decision about publishing or rejecting an author's project. In his DIY "Book Proposals That Sell", W. Terry Whalin reveals 21 secrets to creating a book proposal that every author needs in order to create one that sells.

Critique: Simply stated, if you only have time to read one 'how to' guide to getting published, whether it be traditional publishing or self-publishing, "Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success" is that one DIY instructional book. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, it can help the aspiring writer to avoid costly and time consuming mistakes with respect to getting published and having that published book brought to the attention of its intended readership.

Editorial Note: W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. A former literary agent, Terry has published in over 50 magazines and written more than 60 books through traditional publishers. Several of Terry's books have sold over 100,000 copies. He is the creator of www.Right-Writing.com and www.TheWritingLife.ws



"The Midwest Book Review Postage Stamp Hall Of Fame & Appreciation" is a monthly roster of well-wishers and supporters. These are the generous folk who decided to say 'thank you' and 'support the cause' that is the Midwest Book Review by donating to our postage stamp fund this past month:

Clarisse Tur
Victor Bjorge
Heather Rautio
Andy Straka -- "Split City"
Joseph Lewis -- "Stolen Lives"
Ernest Cohen -- "Just One Life"
Kevin G. Chapman -- "Perilous Gambit"
John H. Manhold -- "The End Of An Era"
Talzoya -- "The Traits of Powerful People"
Bernard Jones -- Troy And It's Lost History"
JoAnneh Nagler -- "Stay With Me, Wisconsin"
Charles Domokos -- "Walking With The Dead"
Mardi Allen - Sartoris Literary Group, Inc.
Elizabeth Waldman Frazier -- Waldmania!

In lieu of (or in addition to!) postage stamp donations, we also accept PayPal gifts of support to our postage stamp fund for what we try to accomplish in behalf of the small press community. Simply log onto your PayPal account and direct your kindness (in any amount and at your discretion) to the Midwest Book Review at:

SupportMBR [at] aol.com

(The @ is replaced by "[at]" in the above email address, in an attempt to avoid email-harvesting spambots.)

If you have postage stamps to donate, or if you have a book you'd like considered for review, then send those postage stamps (always appreciated, never required), or a published copy of that book (no galleys, uncorrected proofs, or Advance Reading Copies), accompanied by a cover letter and some form of publicity release to my attention at the address below.

All of the previous issues of the "Jim Cox Report" are archived on the Midwest Book Review website at www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/jimcox.htm. If you'd like to receive the "Jim Cox Report" directly (and for free), just send me an email asking to be signed up for it.

So until next time -- goodbye, good luck, and good reading!

Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI, 53575
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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