Arts Books

Entertaining, easy to read, packed with helpful, essential advice and a step by step guide that saves an unbelievable amount of time and energy.

Peter Bowerman has created an excellent guide to self-publishing that is packed with references and relevant links. Not only does he step you through the process of publishing, he provides the in's and out's of different options and provides some exercises for doing a reality check on your book idea.

This book is geared toward self-publishing non-fiction books, but I have gotten a lot of ideas that are applicable to fiction.

Bowerman also delves into the business of sales and marketing, which is essential to the success of your book. He uses a lot of real-life examples and points out pitfalls too.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is contemplating, or who has already written a book and is frustrated with the traditional approach to publishing. Besides, as Bowerman illustrates, you have a much greater profit potential publishing it yourself.

If you are serious about taking control of your future and not being a slave to the big publishing houses then "The Well-Fed Self-Publisher" is a MUST. I couldn't stop reading this book because it has gems of information that will have you making a full time living from self-publishing in no time. This is a practical guide that will help you accomplish your dream of making a full time living doing what you love.

Peter knows what he is taking about and if you are thinking about self-publishing and you don't have this book as a resource you are doing yourself a disservice. My editor recommended me this book and I'm glad she did because it is going to save me a lot of time and most importantly MONEY. I don't know what I would do without this book. Go get it, trust me it is worth every penny.

Self-publishing: a phrase with a boatload of baggage, evoking stereotypes of vain, amateur, would-be authors, desperate to see their work in print at the cost of shoddy production value. Not to mention nearly losing their shirts as they purchase a garage-full of books they'll never be able to sell. Stories carried recently in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and other national publications, have related such tales of woe as if they were the only side to the self-publishing story.

Certainly, self-publishing has meant all of this to many people, but Peter Bowerman, author of the award-winning The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book Into a Full-Time Living (Fanove Publishing, 2007, $[...]; [...]), as well as two other highly successful volumes for freelance writers, is living proof that a self-published work of non-fiction can not only garner respect and critical acclaim, but can also be a financial success.

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher contains advice on producing a book indistinguishable in quality from those produced by major publishing companies, in addition to packaging Bowerman's knowledge on product and brand promotion gathered from nearly 30 years of personal and professional experience. Exhorting his readers to shed their "starving artist" self-image - the "fundamental belief that you don't really belong" in the big leagues - Bowerman stresses that the key to sales and marketing success is a sharply focused, targeted marketing plan, and work, work, and more work to implement it.

"If you want to see a roomful of right-brained author-types sweat," quips Bowerman, "just say the words `sales' or `marketing'." But "S&M," he contends, is not an elusive or overly complicated beast. Success depends largely on employing the same proven strategies over and over again.

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher reveals how little most traditional publishing houses do to promote individual titles. "By doing a better job of marketing and promoting your title than a publisher ever could or would, you can make far more money from your book than you ever would with that publisher." Bowerman even backs up his strategies with a 100-page ebook "toolbox" (the Well-Fed SP Biz-in-a-Box): templates and ideas for producing marketing documents such as letters, press releases, websites, samples--an arsenal of concrete, useable tools authors can personalize when going public with their books.

Bowerman is his own best test-case for the success of his methods: with over 50,000 copies of his books in print, he has built a franchise that has made him self-supporting for the last five years - no small success by anyone's standards. Having learned from his first two books, the award-wining Well-Fed Writer titles, that readers want information spelled out in detail, he doesn't just tell them that they need a good press release or an ezine; he provides step-by-step information on how to produce them. And, in The Well-Fed Self-Publisher, he outlines tools and strategies so that virtually anyone willing to put in the time and elbow grease can duplicate his success. As advertising icon David Ogilvy explained, "It is useless to be creative unless you can also sell what you create."

Bowerman's conversational, approachable style, a quality much praised by his readers, arises from his perception of himself as a fellow traveler. "I'm just like you," he says. "I don't like to work any harder than I have to, and I certainly don't have it all figured out. But The Well-Fed Self-Publisher provides all the how-to stuff delivered through the filter of someone who's made a healthy living with his books. That has to count for something."

Stressing that self-publishing success is far more a function of process than aptitude, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher turns stereotypes on their ears. Because self-publishing authors retain complete control over their product and the outcome of their sales and marketing activities, Bowerman suggests that self-publishing, not a traditional publishing house, should be an author's first choice.

Writers who enter the process armed with the information provided in this volume do so with the knowledge that self-publishing is an eminently viable option, albeit one requiring a tremendous amount of effort (and a fair amount of working capital) at the outset. Done properly, though, it is, indeed, possible for an author to transform a non-fiction book into a full-time living.

Along with John Kremer's and Dan Poynter's books, this is part three of an absolutely fantastic triumvirate of volumes that are essential--really essential--reading for the self-publisher. I found many, many wonderful marketing suggestions here.

This is a great story about how it's okay for us to be individuals that dance to a different beat. The illustrations are wonderful. Bought the book for our 3-year old son but everyone in the family enjoys reading the story.

I love this book! My mentor read it to her 8th grade class before they went off to high school and i bought it as a parting gift for a friend of mine who just went to college. It has a wonderful message of "dancing to you own beat" or just being yourself, no matter what people think. Seeing that i just had my first child, i will definitely be buying him this book and i will read it to him, even if he is only 3 months old because i don't think anyone is too young to be taught that they deserve individuality.

This is one of the cutest stories I have come across and is not one I mind reading over and over again to my small children. The pictures are bright and interesting, the words just roll off the tongue, and the message is sweet. At first I was afraid it would be a little wordy since my kids are just one and two but they like it and it definitely keeps their interest. It is also the reason my kids have learned the name of jungle animals! They point out the giraffe, monkeys, elephants etc. when even Baby Einstein wasn't able to teach them that.

This book is a very lyrical, very touching story of a giraffe who feels out of place and out of step with the other jungle animals. The rhyming is fantastic, and it isn't sappy. My children love it, and I love reading it out loud. It's just marvelous.

The artwork in this one just pops off the page! The story is precious and it catches a lovely rhyme! Tango, Salsa and ChaCha are all within your reach as you cheer for this awkward giraffe to bust a move! A great read aloud!

This book was interesting. It told of a lot of elements in the Phantom Menace movie like biographies of Anakin, Padme, and Darth Maul. It also went way beyond the movie and talked about things not mentioned in the movie. From shortened biographies on the Jedi Council members to looking inside a battle droid's head, this book has everything any Star Wars fan would ever want. The photography is great and the pictures are labeled showing a lot of the parts of machines and lightsabers. This book is the bomb.

The Star Wars Episode I- The Visual Dictionary is great. It has amazing facts about Star Wars episode I such as all of the members of the Jedi High Council (which I was amazed to find out that there is another one of Yoda's species on it, and her name is Yaddle, and she is young at 477), the species, name, and personalaty of the Trade Fedration leaders, every last detail of a Battle Droid and Droideka, Queen Amidala's dresses and makeup and the reasons she wears them, the sea monsters of Naboo, Gungan warfare, why Jar Jar was banished, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Mace, and Yoda's lightsabers, the Queen's handmaidens, Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber and speeder, and much more!

This is a great book and will provide hours of fun for any Star Wars fan (at least, it did (and still does) for me).

This book likewise its similar for the classic Trilogy, is a good buy for a Star Wars Fan. Depicts everything that appears in the movie, except the starships, the only thing I missed, but it is not a major problem.

We have a 4 1/2 year old daughter obsessed with the Star Wars girls (Shaak Ti in particular) and this is good because it tells all about the different charachters, places, vehicles and robots of the movie in easy to understand, yet complete language.

Very good for the little Star Wars fan or anyone who would like to go a little deeper, but not THAT deep.

Bought this book along with Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, also by David Reynolds. The pages are falling out of both books. I've had this problem with a few DK books, even the children's books. The older DK books are more sturdy. I give this item only 3 stars, and only because of the content. A book with missing pages doesn't get 5 stars.

"Thank You so much for your book. It is an essential tool that every actor in Los Angeles MUST HAVE. You have graciously offered all the information in one place that would take an actor years to figure it all out on their own. THANK YOU.

-Guy D. Wells"

I started reading this book thinking I could jot down a couple useful pieces of information and quickly advance to another book on acting. Boy was I wrong!

This book is overflowing with so many sources that you may as well toss out the Yellowpages. Judy Kerr did a flawless job of providing step-by-step instructions regarding the business-side of acting and how you can get started.

Sure, there are useful quotes from all kinds of big names and experienced veterans about the technique, but Judy was very wise to simply refer readers to all types of classes, coaches and workshops rather than attempt to write a book on how to act. Experience is the only way you truly learn, not by reading about others who experience it.

I'm currently saving up to take the 2-week trip to Los Angeles to research the city which is mentioned in the book with detailed stops to make.

If you're wondering whether or not this book should be on your bookshelf at home, buy it now. No, don't continue reading my review!! You're not listening and I feel disrespected. You could've been entering your shipping address and credit card info by now you lazy bum! Ya wanna act? Okay, your character is shopping for a book by Judy Kerr... ACTION!!!

The back cover of this book has a very good summary of what its all about: 'Where to Go, Who to Call, What to Spend, What Not To Do!' Acting is a really hard business. The hints & tips, things that work & those that don't, will become well known to you after a time. But when you are new and trying to break into the biz the more of these things you know the more time you'll save.

One point she makes I'd do differently. She says that it's a good idea to participate in theater and theater groups. Truth, absolute truth. Unfortunately it's not that easy. In your home town, the little theaters needed and probably eventually used everyone who showed up for the auditions. In New York and LA, it's just about as hard to get into an 'amateur' production as it is a professional one. There are so many 'currently unemployed' who want to be on stage that it's difficult. Solution - start your own. Perform in your church, or the Y, or the back room of a restaurant. Just do it. As she says, you never know who will be in the audience.

Finally, the title of the book just about says it all -- Acting is Everything. Acting is not something that you want to do, it's something you have to do. Use the book as you can, but go for it.

Having already owned the hugely inspiring and knowledgable Acting is Everything book which helped me tremendously with my move to Los Angeles from Australia, I was delighted to see the latest "gold edition" which is just as wonderfully encouraging, informative and packed with even more knowledge. Anytime I was feeling lost in my career, this book renewed my faith.

Joanne Rose
www.joannerose.com

There is no greater source book out there. For actors and other industry professionals, "Acting Is Everything" is a magnificent compendium of information covering all aspects of pursuing your acting career - from arriving in LA, to agents and managers, to your pictures - and it's wrapped up with motivational and inspiring advice. I have been recommending this book to not only actors but all entertainment professionals that I speak to including seminar attendees, my UCLA Extension students, and my own clients. Owning this book is like having a professional adviser at home with you 24/7.

If you could somehow harness the powers of pure awesomeness (even more rare than dark matter) and contain it in the form a book, this would be the end result...

Proudly display it on your coffee table, or wear it around your neck; just spread the word of PBF!!! Either way, it is by far one of the best Graphic Novels you will have ever owned.

Ever!!!

I'd read a lot of these comics on The Perry Bible Fellowship website, but my goodness, it is just so good having them all printed in a lush, glossy-paged book. Truly, the sick humor comes to life in a way that the internet simply could not dream of. Buy this book. Seriously. You won't be sorry.

I absolutely love the Perry Bible Fellowship. Hysterical from comic number one to whatever the end is. My only issue is with the incredibly small amount of new material there is in it. Honestly, 98% of the comics that are in this book are accessible for free on the website. The only ones that are new are a couple "deleted comics" and some "alternate endings" to some comics. The book is in an attractive hard cover with a red ribbon book mark, and is wonderful as a random pick-up or bathroom reading book. I had it on my bookshelf and on two separate occasions I had people who have never heard of PBF thumbing through. They thought it was hysterical. So do I, and so will you.

Not for everyone, these comics are equal parts demented and hilarious (and maybe sometimes just stupid--but in a funny way). Clever, but not in a pretentious, look-how-clever-I-am way. Really, if you want to see if this is your thing just check out the website. If you like it and want it in book form so you can show it off to your friends or just support the creator, I'd definitely recommend it. It's good quality and well put together with just a few extras that you don't get on the website.

I'm so glad that I bought this - somehow the comics are even better when printed. It's one of those books you can leave on your coffee table (not while kids are around, though) to make your friends scratch their heads and laugh. The author definitely has a cracked sense of humor, but with each comic strip being a story within itself I just can't get enough!

I really love the book and it was a great deal. This shipping was quick and the whole process was so easy.

This book is absolutely wonderful. Concepts are presented in a lesson format, teaching you to cut pieces, piece by hand and machine, draft templates, speed piece, paper piece, various styles of quilting (hand, machine, trapunto, and more), and much much more. If you work through the first few lessons, you'll have enough information and experience to tackle a fairly complex quilt. Working further into the book you'll learn techniques you never thought you'd care about... until you make your first quilt!

In fact, by the time you finish all the practice blocks, you'll have enough blocks for your own sampler quilt!

This book is definitely the first book you should buy if you're learning to quilt, like I am. I've already finished piecing my first quilt top, hae it basted to the batting and backing, and today I'll start quilting by hand. This is something I never thought would happen.

If you can only get ONE book on quilting, THIS IS THE ONE!!

Quilter's complete guide is the first quilt book I ever got and it is just the best. It show you everything a new quilter need to know and has a step by step way of learning how to quilt, if you can not get to a class.Each block is shown and there are step by step lessons, you will have a great looking quilt top if you do the blocks and learn how to quilt. Fons and Porter just do a great job.

I recently got interested in quilting and purchased this book. To my amazement it has all the basic information that you need to complete a quilt from beginning to end. There is information for several different quilts so not only is this a good reference book, you can go though it and get ideas for many quilts. I'm glad this is in my new library.

I love this book! You will find all you need to make a wonderful quilt. For beginners and longtime quilters alike.

I bought a copy of this book at a performance of The Phantom Of The Opera in 2000 and really love it. I tried to purchase a copy for a friend at the most recent performance we went to but it is no longer available and feel very lucky to have been able to find it here at Amazon. It tells of the Paris Opera House, Gaston Leroux, the original story and the movies. The reason I bought it is the last 100+ pages cover the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and includes some incredible photographs. I was delighted when I got home and found it also includes the Libretto! I would encourage any fan of the musical to purchase a copy.

Loads of beautiful photos and lots of info. I love it. We do need and expanded edition to cover the movie. This is for Phantom Fans.

This a must have for any phans of the A.L.W. musical!!

This book... I have no words on how amazing it is.

When I rekindled my love for musicals, and of course, Phantom of the Opera made that happened... I had to get everything and learn everything about Phantom. So I found this book at the library and I went insane over it.

Firstly, it gives a clear background history on Gaston Leroux--the writer and the creator of Phantom of the Opera. Then, it goes into another section when talking about the films it inspired. You'll be surprised and amazed when you see it and read about it. Not only that, it tells you some small tidbit facts on the actors and actresses of these movies.

And then, my favorite part, it goes into the Lloyd Webber musical. And when I say "goes into" I mean it!! There are so many pictures of the Original London Cast it's phenominal! There ares ome behind the scenes pictures as well. I never seen so many pictures about Phantom sure in a book, ever.

And when you think that's enough, there is a libretto of the stage production--including scrafito'ed pictures of the OLC copied in there as it was when the CD/Cassette first made it's debut.

All in all, it's not clearly updated as it is now, there is mention of the movie and who they want in it. But otherwise, if you are a London Cast or simply a Phantom obsessionist, you MUST have this book. If you find it at a house sale, a junk pile, book sale... whatever... BUY IT. You will not be dissapointed!!

I recently purchased both 'The Complete Phantom of the Opera'and the novel, and I am soo impressed! After I saw the movie and bought the soundtrack, I knew that I had to have these books. My interst in the Phantom of the Opera was first sparked when I saw the silent version with Lon Cheney. Then I heard about the movie coming out, so I saw it and I was more than impressed. I still have yet to see the Broadway version however. So, I highly recommend the movie, the soundtrack and the books. In my opinion each is well worth the cost!!

I love this book! Of course, I love EVERY book about Leo! but this one was one of the first ones i bought about 3 or 4 years ago, so it'll always be one of my favorites :-) i recommend it

This book was really fantastic!! I love Leo. He is one of the most beautiful men on Earth. I love him more than any one of you wannabes out there.

this book is exelent! many pics (great ones!!!) and lots of info about his films, his life etc. also well writen with many quotes, his or his co-stars in several films. helps you descover many things about him. generaly great book..!!!! you must buy it!!!

i think the book was great, i learn so many things about leonardo, he seems to be such a wonderful person,very kind hearted,i love his pictures, anyone who is interested in leonardo dicaprio, i recommend this book, it's great.. ..

Although this is a good book for slavering preadolescent female fans who don't understand words more than two syllables in length, the book was unsatisfactory for anyone but the most devoted. Containing quotes, pictures and a short bio, get this one for your daughter only if you want to waste your money.

It's simple: this is BY FAR the most constructive, step-by-step, easy to apply, and effective book I've read in regards to ACTUALLY WORKING as an actor. Bonnie has an ingeniously funny, yet professional, way of phrasing her sagacious advice for us. Thank you for putting it all into one little bound piece of gold!

Being the parent of a young actor, this book is a priceless addition to my library. I can not say enough good things! If you are an actor, and if you only buy one book this year, make it this one!

If you are an actor, regardless of how many other 'how to' books you've got on your book shelf, this is a book that you NEED. It's well written, to the point, and Bonnie "gets" it. Follow Bonnie's tried and true advice, and you'll "get it", too! Bonnie's writing is upbeat, positive, supportive, and clever. Invest in this book ~ it's sure to become one of your favorites.

This book literally changed my approach to my acting career. It is so chock full of great advice and insider information that you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't read it right now!

Self-Management is THE BEST book out there teaching you step-by-step the ins and outs of selling yourself as an actor. Bonnie Gillespie makes Hollywood (and other markets) accessible for not only newbie actors, but for veterans of the industry as well.

READ THIS BOOK, you can thank me (and Bonnie) later!

Written by casting director, career consultant, and former actor Bonnie Gillespie, Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business is a straightforward guide to managing one's own career as an actor, whether for more control over one's offers, save money, or other reasons. Now in an updated second edition, Self-Management for Actors covers the necessary mindset to be one's own acting career management; the preparations and training that will be useful; how to smoothly interact with other people in the trade such as agents, casting office personnel, and publicists; how to fit in time and energy for "survival jobs" that keep a steady income; and much more. Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, Self-Management for actors is strongly recommended reading for aspiring actors, even for those who don't plan to represent themselves, since any actor's current representative could choose to leave or unfortunately be fired at any day.

I thought this might be cheesy. It was fantastic! After having loved Ian Fleming, this was a great substitute. I look foward to reading the rest of the series.

Bored and in excellent health for a woman who is retired with nothing more to look forward to than her gardening meetings, Mrs. Pollifax decides that there are only two choices in her life. Take one giant step off the roof of her building in New Brunswick, New Jersey or pursue a dream that she has had since childhood. With the decision made she boards a bus for Langley, Virginia and decides to be a spy for the CIA. Taking place during the cold war, Emily Pollifax is sent to Mexico to retrieve important documents, that doesn't seem difficult until she is forced to outsmart Red Chinese military men with nothing more than a pocketknife and a Christmas tree. This woman could definitely give MacGyver and Forrest Gump a run for their money.

This is the second Mrs. Pollifax book I have now finished and I adore them. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax is a delight in her adventures and this one is full of thrilling adventures. I am now hooked and will be reading every Mrs. Pollifax book there is. They are thoroughly enjoyable...

I've read this book many times as well as listened to the version narrated by Barbara Rosnblatt. I highly recommend both. This book is what whodunit mysteries should all have; a likeable character, strong storyline, suspense, humor and good pacing. All the characters in the book are quite real. Even when the storyline seems hard to believe, you believe it because Mrs. Pollifax says it is so. Emily Pollifax also develops as a character not only within this book but within the whole series.

This book isn't as much a mystery as an adventure/suspense. It's also lighthearted, because Mrs. Pollifax sees this it as an adventure. She was willing to give her life to her country but isn't willing to give in easily!

Though I'm far from retirement age, I felt a kinship with Mrs. P. I think that's the feeling most people get from reading these books. She's the woman next door, the lovable grandmother/aunt figure who also can surprise you. In fact, a lady I talked to said she wanted to be Mrs. Pollifax. My only disappointment is that this book is so short. But then, Dorothy Gilman is a writer who knows when to quit, which only adds to her writing.

If you're new to the Mrs. Pollifax series of mystery books - this is the very first. As such, it's a great place to begin. You'll be completely entertained learning how this grandmother goes to work - undercover - for the United States government. She really is unexpected, as the title declares. She's everything you would wish a grandmother to be - but she's extraordinarily clever, notices details on the fly and incredibly resourceful. If you enjoy Miss Marple from Agatha Christie - you'll also love Mrs. Pollifax. (Although I'd never say the two are interchangeable - they seem to go at detection in entirely different ways). We get into the characters thoughts often - rather than just being pulled through a story's actions blindly. It makes her escapades all the more harrowing when you develop such a feeling for what each side is thinking. Very entertaining. A great bed time read.