Chanticleer Book Reviews

Category: Marketing

  • Are You CURIOUS about the AMAZON BOOKS Brick and Mortar Stores? – Kiffer Brown

    Are You CURIOUS about the AMAZON BOOKS Brick and Mortar Stores? – Kiffer Brown

    Aren’t you curious? About the AmazonBooks stores?

    I certainly was!

    I have heard of the Amazon Books stores, but living in Bellingham, a little city north of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest, I haven’t had the opportunity to visit one. And Bellingham probably does not have the demographics to support one and probably never will. We don’t even have that many chain stores—no Banana Republics here,  nor P.F. Chang restaurants.

    However, and more importantly, we do have two Village Books stores in the county.

    Village Books is an Independent Bookseller that Publisher’s Weekly rated as #5 Indie book store in the U.S.A. and they have opened a second location in Lynden, Wash.

    Nevertheless, I was still very curious about Amazon’s new brick and mortar bookstore concept—the antithesis of what I thought Amazon was all about.

    What does it look like? Does it have author readings? Does it have author signings? Does it promote Indie authors or bestsellers? Will it have that cozy bookstore feel that I love to lose myself in for hours?

    Or would it just feature its own 15 imprints: Thomas & Mercer, Lake Union, Montlake Romance, 47North, Topple, and so forth?

    So many questions! 

    I promised myself that the next time I go Seattle I would seek out an Amazon Books store to quell my curiosity.

    For those not in the know or have been without news, the Amazon empire is the most valuable company in the world and like Microsoft, is based out Seattle. Amazon is currently valued at over one trillion dollars (USD)—that is a lot of zeros. $1,000,000,000,000,000—I  think that is enough zeros…

    The Amazon Books store I decided to visit is also the very first physical storefront of Amazon and is located in a shopping center in Seattle that is known as the University Village located in the neighborhood of Ravenna. It opened on  November 3, 2015.

    Also, in the shopping center are other “temples to tech”  (as my husband, Argus, calls them) such as a Microsoft store, an Apple Store, three Starbucks (yes, three), a TESLA showroom, a b8ta retail store (get it? Beta) that specializes in the latest in tech products, along with other high-end retail stores such as a top-tiered make-up and skincare lines—oddly named (imho)— BlueMercury.  (imho– “tech speak for “in my humble opinion”).

    From my online reading, I discovered that Amazon has opened 17 bookstores with another three in the planning stages.

    Since Amazon is the largest seller of books in the world, I thought their journey into brick-and-mortar bookstores would be of interest to authors.

    What did I learn from my Amazon Book Store visit?

    The book store was very organized and neat. And very quiet. Aisles were big enough for strollers, and there was a children’s area at the rear of the store that was more brightly lit.

    The center of the store was filled with the latest Alexa gadgets, Kindle readers, and etc.

    And there were huge video screens playing video-clips. I found the large screens playing videos to be very distracting and not very bookstore-ish (imho).

    I walked the aisles of books labeled “Fiction” or “Non-fiction” alphabetized by authors.

    What I saw were tall rows and rows of the best-sellers. I then started to look for a few of my favorite Indie authors—no luck there. Next, I then looked for some of my favorite traditionally published authors only to find just a title or two.

    I thought that the reason Amazon started the Amazon Books stores was to showcase authors and small publishers who published with them along with their own imprints. I even remember some Facebook posts where Indie authors were excited to see their books in print and face out on the shelves of the Amazon Books stores.

    But that was not the case that day in early January 2019 when I checked out this particular store.

    I thought then that perhaps there was a section just for Indie authors, so I decided to find a staff member to ask this question. Maybe I just haven’t found the section yet. But, I was told that there wasn’t a special section for Indies and that the store generally tried to stock the best-sellers on the shelves.

    I was becoming increasingly frustrated.

    I then asked the staff member if there was a section for Pacific Northwest authors. You know, since the PNW is known for being home to a lot of famous authors such as Robert Dugoni, Jim Lynch, Jamie Ford, Garth Stein, Cat Rambo, J.A. Jance, Chelsea Cain, etc.

    I was shown this small section (see photo below).

    Amazon Books display table of Seattle authors.

    Yep, that little round display tower was it—about 12 titles from “Bong (yes, Bong) Appetit” next to Jamie Ford’s most excellent “Love and Other Consolation Prizes” at the Amazon Books store.

    Certainly, they must have J.D. Barker’s books. I have seen them for sale in Paris, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, etc.  But I didn’t see any.  So I asked, the staff member didn’t know who J.D. Barker was, but he did check the computer records for Barker’s books. He told me that they did have The Fourth Monkey in stock last week.

    I didn’t see any comfy areas for reading or hanging out. Or perhaps, I just didn’t see them…because of the orderliness of the store.

    One of the many reading areas at Village Books.

    The photo above was taken by leaning over the staircase at Village Books. 

    I didn’t see any “shelf-talkers” or posters promoting the next author event like the ones that I see at Village Books. See photos below.

    Village Books shelves — cozy and personal with shelf talkers.

     

    One of the many Author Events poster areas at Village Books.

    What are the bottom line take-aways of my research trip to Amazon Books store?

    • Amazon Books exist for Amazon Prime Members. As do the Amazon Go stores & kiosks where no money or credit cards are taken and there are not any cashiers. Amazon Go can tell if you want to purchase something and automatically charges your credit card. Here is a link if you want to check out the Amazon Go stores.
    • Amazon Prime members spend approximately thirty percent more than non-prime members in shopping at Amazon. That is significant! No wonder Amazon wants to keep them as prime members and will make it as easy as possible for them to shop.
    • Indie authors do benefit from having their books available on Amazon to reach the North American market — especially digital and audiobooks. There is no question about that.
    • But Indie authors should realize that Kobo/Rakuten is where the rest of the world shops for digital and audiobooks.
    • Scribd (the Netflix of publishing) is acquiring subscribers at an accelerated rate. Scribd focuses on digital books and magazines along with audiobooks that can be downloaded. Indie Authors and Small and Medium presses should check out Scribd as a distribution platform to reach new readers.

    And the #1 Take-Away is: 

    Authors should support your local Independent Booksellers wherever you live and wherever you visit—whether or not if you traditionally published, Indie published, or small press published because it will the Independent Booksellers that will introduce you to their clientele, book reading groups, and will host your author signings and author events.

    • Independent booksellers are where you will build your grassroots readership.
    • Independent booksellers will give your books a place to be displayed.
    • Independent booksellers will give your books a chance — if a title sells 4 books a year, there is an excellent chance they will continue to stock and allow retail shelf space to your book.
    • Independent booksellers will host your author signings and events.

    Below is a photo of a Village Book’s author event.

    Long live Independent Booksellers! They are community support for authors at all stages of their writing careers.

    Also, Village Books manages the BookRoom for the annual Chanticleer Authors Conference and promotes the award winners from the Chanticleer International Book Awards.

    Would Amazon do that? 

    Thanks to Village Books and Paul Hanson (owner and steward for Village Books) for staffing the CAC book room!

    Yes, Amazon is necessary and is beneficial for authors and publishers. There is no denial of that. However, we cannot forget to support our local Independent Bookstores that build community for authors and readers.

    So the next time you are about to purchase a book, remember to take and make the extra effort to shop at your local Independent Bookseller store. If you are out of town on vacation or business, make an effort to stop by the area’s local bookstore.

    Don’t let this be the LAST BOOK STORE (Los Angeles, Calif).

    Support your local Independent Bookseller!

     

  • Connect with Chanticleer! Our Events Calendar

    Connect with Chanticleer! Our Events Calendar

    If you are planning on attending any of the following events or are just in the area, please do send us an email, a Tweet, or Facebook message if you would like to contact us about getting together.  Our contact information will be listed at the end of this blog post.

     

    Of course, what tops our list is the Chanticleer Authors Conference and CIBA Banquet & Ceremony that will take place in Bellingham, Wash. 

    Unlock the Secrets of Successful Publishing at CAC19! Featuring sessions on audiobooks, podcasts, marketing & branding, distribution, metadata, Scribd (the Netflix of Publishing), and much more.

     

    ALA Midwinter Convention – Seattle, Wash.  January 25 – 28, 2019     #ALA2019

    Chanticleer Reviews is exhibiting at the American Library Association Mid-Winter Convention Table 613. Do stop by to enter our raffle for a Chanticleer Thermal Mug ($28 value) and Show Specials. And also to find out where Chanticleer is “Happy Hour-ing”  in Seattle.

    London Book Fair, Olympia London, U.K.   March 12-14, 2019     #LBF19

    The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. We are collaborating with Alliance of Independent Authors, so you can find us under their moniker. 

    LBF expects more than 25,000 attendees and 1,500 exhibitors. We are #EXCITED!

    Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London.  Andy and Kiffer will be in London for a couple of days before LBF. We would be thrilled if you stop by to see us or connected with us if you are in London.

     

     

    Left Coast Crime  Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia;  March 29 – 31, 2019.

    Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, both readers and authors. LCC is held during the first quarter of the year in Western North America. We’ve participated in LCC events in the past at Colorado Springs, Colo., Portland, Oregon, and this year in Vancouver, B.C. 

    Sisters in Crime is the major sponsor of Left Coast Crime.  Chanticleer Reviews is a proud members of SiNC.

     

    IBPA Independent Book Publishers Association Conference, Chicago, IL   April 5 & 6, 2019.   

    Kiffer Brown will participate on a panel discussing book reviews along with Michelle Schlinger of Foreword Reviews and Corrin Foster of Greenleaf Book Group.

    Sharon Anderson, Chanticleer’s Editor-in-Chief of Reviews, will also be in attendance.

    Please do stop by our booth and/or give us a ping if you are in the Chicago area. We’d love to connect!

    The Chanticleer Authors Conference and CIBA Banquet & Ceremony that will take place in Bellingham, Wash. 

    Unlock the Secrets of Successful Publishing at CAC19! Featuring sessions on audiobooks, podcasts, marketing & branding, distribution, metadata, Scribd (the Netflix of Publishing), and much more. J.D. Barker to keynote and A-List Film producer, Scott Steindorf to participate.

     

     

    Writer’s Digest New York Conference, New York City, New York,  August 23 – 25, 2019. 

    Chanticleer Reviews is honored to be an affiliate of Writer’s Digest. We look forward to going to the East Coast to meet new authors and reconnect with Chanticleerians.

    Digital Book World, September 10 – 12, 2019 – Nashville, Tenn. 

    Thought leadership, best practices, and the gathering of community across the wide world of publishing across multiple platforms and forms of content.

    Kiffer Brown moderated a panel on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at DBW 2018. We are looking forward to participating at DBW 2019.

    PNWA

    PNWA Annual Conference, Seattle, Wash.  September 13 – 15, 2019

    We exhibited for the first time at PNWA back in 2010 and look forward to exhibiting and participating each year. PNWA has always been very supportive of Chanticleer Reviews from the very beginning. And we are honored.

    Since 1955, writers in the NW have been dedicated to helping writers connect to other writers, publishers, agents, and editors across the country. Zola Helen Ross and Lucille McDonald came together to form the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and since the beginning, many people have dedicated their time to ensure its continuation. Over the years we have expanded our efforts so that writers receive a trusted resource within this ever-changing publishing industry while staying true to our mission of helping writers carve out their place and provide them with a platform for their literary voice. – PNWA.

     

    And probably a few more will be added the Chanticleer Reviews Event Calendar, so do check back.

    How to Contact Us to Connect with Chanticleer Reviews at Events?

    There are three ways:

    1. Email us at Info@ChantiReviews.com or KBrown@ChantiReviews.com
    2. Message us on Facebook at Chanticleer Reviews
    3. Direct Message us on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ChantiReviews

    Tell us who you are, which event that you will be attending,  and the title(s) of your works in your message and we will contact you.

    Looking forward to seeing you!

     

     

     

  • An Editor’s Checklist for Manuscript Evaluations of Fiction by Jessica Page Morrell Part Two of the Writing Fiction Guidelines by Jessica Page Morrell

    Writer’s Toolbox

    Fiction Checklist for Deep Editing

    A Chanticleer Editorial Services Writing Toolbox Series

    While rules and techniques are not written in stone, most of the basic guidelines of fiction stem from logic and an understanding of dramatic structure. Don’t break the rules until you know them, or better yet, until your first novels have sold. – Jessica Morrell

    The Developemental Editing  Checklist by Jessica Morrell

    VOICE

    From the opening paragraphs, is there a clear, distinct and engaging voice? The writer’s voice should have authenticity, individuality, or originality. 

    Log-Line aka Elevator Pitch

    Is there a single, simple conflict that drives the action? Can your plot be summed up in a single sentence? (Log-line aka The Elevator Pitch). Keep your log-line visible and in plain sight whenever you are editing your work-in-progress to remind you of your story’s focus. 

    Opening – is it grabbing? 

    Does the story begin with a change or threat in the protagonist’s life? Or the loss of something important? Or an action happening that should be prevented. 

    The opening should contain a hook or inciting incident that creates stress, unease, questions, or opens a can of worms. The story needs to start in the first sentence. 

    Is the story driven? 

    Does each scene provide a sense of momentum, or narrative drive pushing the story forward? Does each description? Or are the words there for the writer? 

    Is the story immersive? 

    Is the story highly visual? Can your reader imagine “seeing it” while reading or listening to it? 

    Ticking Clock? 

    Is there a sense of time running out or another driving factor that creates tension? Even light-hearted or humorous stories should have tension. 

    Weather or Atmosphere

    Does the story contain weather? What is the environment or the atmosphere like? Make sure that your story doesn’t have the “empty room” syndrome. 

    Is Backstory on a need to know basis? 

    Have you worked at weaving data, description and backstory into the narrative so that it doesn’t interrupt the forward movement of the story?

    Did You SHOW and TELL? 

    Have you dramatized the action in scenes or have you summarized?

    “Show, don’t tell” is a useful guideline for writers, but fiction is actually ‘told’ and ‘shown.’ A combination of both techniques creates the most effective fiction.

    Scenes are most effective when you’re revealing complicated interactions between characters and emotions change via the scene.

    Exposition is most effective when you’re filling in background information or moving quickly between two scenes. Too much showing or too many scenes make the story too drawn out just as too much exposition makes it static.

    Setting

    Are the settings interesting, unique, memorable?

    Does the setting have the potential to teach readers about a place, a profession, a way of life?

    Or does it overshadow the story?

    Conflict

    Is the conflict weak or boring or not enough to sustain a manuscript of a particular length?

    Or does the conflict seems contrived?

    Or begins too far into the story? This happens far too often.

    Pacing

    Often writers apply the same level of speed or word count to everything in the story from a major heartbreak or ride across town. Sagging middle is another pacing problem so that the reader feels like it takes too long to reach the end.

    Other times, the story plods along only to barrel past the most interesting moments in the story.

    Do the chapter endings make your reader want to keep reading? 

    Have you ended scenes (chapters) with thrusters, surprises or cliffhangers?

    Readers need a reason to keep turning the page and all stories need growing intensity until the climax or resolution. 

    Flashbacks

    Have you relied on flashbacks to relate to the protagonist’s backstory? If so, is the information necessary and do the flashbacks disrupt the momentum of the story?

    Are your characters recognizable? 

    Have you repeated some physical characteristics, descriptions of the characters throughout the story so the reader is reminded of their physical attributes and personality?

    Is each character consistent? Are his or her dominant traits in evidence throughout the story?

    Transitions

    Are your transitions brisk and do they serve to keep the reader moving through time,  space and mood?

    Do you quickly slip in and out of scenes?

    Story Arc

    Are there a series of setbacks, mini-crisis, and complications along the way?

    Does the protagonist have a goal in each scene? Or something that will affect the protagonist is taking place?

    Have you added unexpected events midway in the story?

    Have you deftly handled your theme and premise, or are you on a soapbox preaching or shouting at the reader with an overreaching message pushing an agenda? This happens more often than one would think.

    Dialogue

    When you read the dialogue out loud, does it sound natural?

    Do you trip over words when you read the dialogue out loud?

    Does the dialogue contain tension?

    Does each character sound distinctive?

    Be aware of these problems: overly long exchanges; characters giving speeches, or the dialogue contains no tension or conflict. 

    Does each character sound distinct?

    The Ending

    Is the protagonist the person in the story most involved in the action, most likely to be changed by events in the story?

    Does the ending provide the most emotional and dramatic scenes?

    Does the ending tie up most of the subplots?

    Does the ending deliver? Does it satisfy?

     The best endings are not contrived or convenient. They are the logical and highly dramatic culmination of the proceeding events. The climax is the highest emotional pitch of your story, a decision, a collision of forces, and settling of scores.  Also in this category are too many loose ends and subplots dangling, and questions unanswered.

    The ending is what makes your work “go viral.” Take special care with the ending. –Kiffer

    RULE #1 from Jessica 

    While rules and techniques are not written in stone, most of the basic guidelines of fiction stem from logic and an understanding of dramatic structure. Don’t break the rules until you know them, or better yet, until your first novels have sold.

     

    Editor’s Note: Often it is hard for the author to objectively read her or his work for the above issues. Authors often “hear and see” their story in their minds’ eyes. The trick is to have someone else hear and see the story from words on the page from outside of the author’s mind. This is where the author’s agent or the publisher’s editor comes into play by doing a close read of the work for these top-level issues before editing begins.

    We, at Chanticleer Reviews Editorial Services, see that it is at the point where authors make the mistake to start copyediting their works when they should have their manuscript evaluated by an editor, agent, or publisher.

    The power of a manuscript overview makes it one of the best tools that traditional publishing houses and literary agents make available to their authors.

    Best-selling authors receive great editing and feedback from agents and senior editors on early drafts, which most self-publishing authors never receive. When feedback comes early in a work’s progress it allows the author to not only create a more polished final product, but also publish more works.

    It can be very difficult for the author  to discern the above issues because it takes fresh eyes and perspective to evaluate the manuscript aka work-in-progress. The entire manuscript should be read and then commented on and evaluated. To learn more about Chanticleer’s Manuscript Overview and Evaluation Service can save you time and money, please click here.

     

    Click here to download the handy WORD file that you can print out of the above points on Developmental Editing.

     

     

    Jessica Page Morrell
    Jessica Page Morrell

    Jessica Morrell is a top-tier developmental editor and a contributor to Writer’s Digest magazine, and she teaches Master Writing Craft Classes at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that is held annually along with teaching at Chanticleer writing workshops.

    Jessica will teach a Master Class and advanced writing craft sessions at CAC19.

    Jessica understands both sides of the editorial desk–as a highly-sought after content development editor and an author. Her work also appears in multiple anthologies and The Writer and Writer’s Digest magazines. She is known for explaining the hows and whys of what makes for excellent writing and for sharing very clear examples that examines the technical aspects of writing that emphases layering and subtext. Her books on writing craft are considered “a must have” for any serious writer’s toolkit. For links for her writing craft books, please click on here.

    Chanticleer Reviews and OnWord Talks will interview Jessica for more of her writing tips and advice. Stay tuned! ~ Chanticleer (who hails from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales).

    Click here for more information about the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference!

  • 12 CLEVER GIFTS for the AUTHOR in YOUR LIFE: A Guide by Sharon Anderson – Gift Ideas, Authors, Humor

    12 CLEVER GIFTS for the AUTHOR in YOUR LIFE: A Guide by Sharon Anderson – Gift Ideas, Authors, Humor

    It’s that time of year when we ask veiled questions to try and discern the perfect gift for our loved ones.

    And writers, you know when we drop not-too-subtle hints about what we would like to see under the tree come December 25th.

    There is a lot weighing on us during the season!

    Not only is there shopping to be done, but there’s a whole sleigh full of baking to manage, parties to attend, promotions to muster, people to cheer, songs to sing…

    It can stress a person out!

    This year, I want to share with you the top dozen gifts that the writer in your life will want—

    Are you ready?

    Handy links to Chanticleer’s Holiday Marketing Blog posts are at the end of Sharon’s blog post.

    The Twelve Days of a Writers’ Holiday

    (with some handy gift ideas!)

    On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    A Chanticleer Editorial Review package!

     

    On the Second Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    Two Storiarts Gloves to keep me warm while I write the next great American novel 

     

    On the Third Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    Three Stainless Steel Insulated Coffee mugs, one for me and two for my best friends 

     

    On the Fourth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    Four cases of paper!

    (Because some of us still need to edit and proof using printouts! )

     

    On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    FIVE Gift Certificates for Chanticleer Editorial Services!

     

    On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    Six pounds of coffee

     

    On the Seventh Day of Chrismas, my true love gave to me: 

    Seven Audio Book Reviews  from my favorite audiobook reviewer ever–Chanticleer!

     

    On the Eighth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    Eight trips to Pure Bliss Desserts Cafe’

    (Yes, this is where we escape to when we want to be bad…champagne and cake and coffee! )

    On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: 

    Nine entries into the CIBAs!

     

    On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

    Ten personalized mechanical pencils 

    (Because I continually lose them!)

    On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: 

    Eleven “Shares” of my blog post!

    (It is true, sometimes money can’t buy writer’s what they “love”)

     

    On the Twelveth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: 

    Twelve hours of rest! 

     

    If you follow these simple gift ideas for the author(s) in your life, you will certainly be on top of the “Nice List!”

    Happy Holidays from all of us at Chanticleer Reviews! 

    Editor’s Note: Sharon shared a few of her favorite Bellingham treats – Pure Bliss Cakes, Moka Joe Coffee, along with some other hints.

    And for your convenience, here are some handy links on how to increase book sales during the Holiday Season that we have posted before:

     

    Quick and Easy Tips to Get Your Books Ready for the Biggest Book Buying Season of the Year! by Kiffer Brown

    Online Holiday Book Buying

     

    Brick and Mortar Stores – Quick and Easy Point of Sale Marketing Tips – by Kiffer Brown

    Book store interior - how to make your book stand out

     

    Point of Sale Book Marketing Tips for Holiday Gift Fairs, Author Signing Events, & Temporary Markets – by Kiffer Brown

    Happy Holidays from Chanticleer Reviews

  • CYBER SALE November 26 ending at Midnight, Saturday, December 1st, 2018 – Six Days only! 

    CYBER SALE November 26 ending at Midnight, Saturday, December 1st, 2018 – Six Days only! 

    We at Chanticleer Reviews are grateful for YOU, our Dear Writers and Readers! 

    Starting on CYBER MONDAY, November 26 ending at Midnight, Saturday, December 1st,  2018 – Six days only! 

    We are offering a $100 discount on ANY 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference package for 6 days only! 

    This is a LIMITED OFFER and will end at Midnight, Saturday, December 1st, 2018. Firm. 

    • This outstanding offer will not be repeated!
    • Seating is Limited for CAC19 and for the Master Class Modules.
    • Don’t delay. Register TODAY and take advantage of this limited offer for a limited time.

     

    J.D. Barker – Master of Suspense, Scott Steindorff  A-List America Film producer, ChrisMottes, Audiobooks & Podcaster expert, Jessica Morrell – Top Tier Editor, and others to present! Click here to read more about CAC19 presenters. 

     

     The FULL All-Inclusive CAC19 Conference Package with Discount Code is $425! WOW!   until December 1st, 2018.

    USE THIS DISCOUNT CODE>>>    BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    • 3 full days of sessions
    • 3 luncheons with keynote presentations
    • KaffeeKlatches
    • 3-month trial from Hindenburg Systems (audiobooks or podcast system) $$
    • CIBA Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday Evening
    • 2 cocktail parties (cash bar, appetizers provided) on Friday and Saturday evenings
    • Coffee and Tea
    • Book Fair participation on Saturday & Sunday
    • Workshops taught by Audiobook and Podcast Expert, Chris Mottes
      • Each workshop attendee will receive a 6-month license from Hindenburg Systems $$$
    • Log-lines and Pitching Sessions on Sunday
    • Networking Opportunities  and Fun Raffles
    • Plus $25 discount on Master Class Modules – $50 discount for both!

    CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER and USE the Thanksgiving Discount Code:  BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    Without Thanksgiving CYBER Discount Code $525 — with Discount Code $425 until December 1st, 2018. 

    This is the BEST DEAL! 

    3 Day CAC19 Pass without Banquet and Ceremony with the $100 Discount Code is $325 until December 1st, 2018. 

    USE THIS DISCOUNT CODE>>>    BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    • 3 full days of sessions
    • 3 luncheons with keynote presentations
    • KaffeeKlatches
    • 3-month trial from Hindenburg Systems (audiobooks or podcast system) $$
    • Coffee and Tea
    • Friday Cocktail Party
    • Book Fair participation on Saturday & Sunday
    • Workshops taught by Audiobook and Podcast Expert, Chris Mottes
      • Each workshop attendee will receive a 6-month license from Hindenburg Systems $$$
    • Log-lines and Pitching Sessions on Sunday
    • Networking Opportunities  and Fun Raffles
    • Plus $25 discount on a Master Class Module – $50 discount for both!

    CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER and USE the Thanksgiving Discount Code:  BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    Without Thanksgiving CYBER Discount Code $425 — with Discount Code $325 until December 1st, 2018. 

    Saturday and Sunday 2-Day Pass – including Awards Banquet and Ceremony and Book Room with the $100 Discount Code is $295.00 until December 1st, 2018. 

    USE THIS DISCOUNT CODE>>>    BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    • 2 full days of sessions
    • 2 luncheons with keynote presentations
    • KaffeeKlatches
    • 3-month trial from Hindenburg Systems (audiobooks or podcast system) $$
    • CIBA Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday Evening
    • 1 cocktail parties (cash bar, appetizers provided) on  Saturday
    • Coffee and Tea
    • Book Fair participation on Saturday & Sunday
    • Workshops taught by Audiobook and Podcast Expert, Chris Mottes
      • Each workshop attendee will receive a 6-month license from Hindenburg Systems $$$
    • Log-lines and Pitching Sessions on Sunday
    • Networking Opportunities  and Fun Raffles
    • Plus $25 discount on Master Class Modules -$50 discount for both!

    CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER and USE the Thanksgiving Discount Code:  BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    Without Thanksgiving CYBER Discount Code $395 — with Discount Code $295 until December 1st, 2018.  

    Saturday and Sunday Pass & Book Room – NO Banquet and Awards Ceremony  with the $100 Discount Code is $250.00 until December 1st, 2018. 

    USE THIS DISCOUNT CODE>>>    BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    • 2 full days of sessions
    • 2 luncheons with keynote presentations
    • KaffeeKlatches
    • 3-month trial from Hindenburg Systems (audiobooks or podcast system) $$
    • Coffee and Tea
    • Book Fair participation on Saturday & Sunday
    • Workshops taught by Audiobook and Podcast Expert, Chris Mottes
      • Each workshop attendee will receive a 6-month license from Hindenburg Systems $$$
    • Log-lines and Pitching Sessions on Sunday
    • Networking Opportunities  and Fun Raffles
    • Plus $25 discount on Master Class Modules -$50 discount for both!

    CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER and USE the Thanksgiving Discount Code:  BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    Without Thanksgiving CYBER Discount Code $350 — with Discount Code:  $250 until December 1, 2018.

     

    CAC19 SATURDAY Only Pass – including Awards Banquet and Ceremony with the $100 Discount Code is $195 until December 1st, 2018. 

    USE THIS DISCOUNT CODE>>>    BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    • Saturday Sessions
    • 1 luncheon with the keynote presentation
    • KaffeeKlatches
    • 3-month trial from Hindenburg Systems (audiobooks or podcast system) $$
    • CIBA Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday Evening
    • 1 cocktail party (cash bar, appetizers provided) on  Saturday
    • Coffee and Tea
    • Workshops taught by Audiobook and Podcast Expert, Chris Mottes
      • Each workshop attendee will receive a 6-month license from Hindenburg Systems $$$
    • Networking Opportunities  and Fun Raffles
    • Plus $25 discount on Master Class Modules held on Thursday -$50 discount for both!
      • Note: Book Fair participation is not included in the Saturday Only Pass
      • Note: Log-lines and Pitching Sessions are not included.

    CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER and USE the Thanksgiving Discount Code:  BESTCAC19DEALEVER

    Without Thanksgiving CYBER Discount Code $295 — with Discount Code $195 until December 1st, 2018. 

    This outstanding CYBER DISCOUNT OFFER will not be repeated! And is limited.

    Seating is limited for CAC19 and for the Master Class Modules.  When we are out we are out.

    Don’t delay. Register TODAY and take advantage of this limited offer for a limited time.

    Offer ends Saturday, December 1st at Midnight.

    Read what past CAC attendees say about the Chanticleer Authors Conference below.

    I wanted to say thank you for creating such a fabulous event. This was by far the most productive conference I have ever attended! Each workshop was packed with valuable information to help every author on their path to publication, no matter what their genre or where they are in their writing career. I look forward to attending next year! 

    All the best,  Kim Davis A Game of Deceit

    This conference and award dinner is the best I’ve ever attended. The conference showcased well-known authors and editors, and in each session, I learned something new that will help my writing. And the Awards Dinner! I can’t say enough about it. It was fantastic. Like attending the Oscars. Everything – all weekend – was so well done and thought out and ran so smoothly, you’d think Chanticleer had an army of 100 working for them. All of this against a beautiful water view setting in Bellingham, Washington. By far, the most fun I’ve ever had at a conference, and considering all the sessions, lunches, and dinners, etc., a great value.

    Thank you! Elaine Williams Crockett

    Thank you so much for all your work setting up the Chanticleer organization. Winning a Grand prize means more to me than I can express. I feel like a lottery winner. It’s a life-changing award that I expect will propel my new career.

    Again, thank you! Avanti Centrae

    I continue to be thrilled at the support and recognition from Chanticleer Reviews. I made two very good friends at the conference, and I learned valuable information, nitty-gritty stuff, that’s available nowhere else. What a class act! 

    PJ Devlin

    Many thanks for providing this wonderful opportunity to enable one’s book to reach higher in the eyes of the reading public. 

    Cheers and best, Prue Batten

    You continue to do a massive job so well. Congratulations on the growing success and reputation of the awards. And please extend my appreciation to your team. 

    Warm wishes, Elisabeth Storrs, HNS Australiasia

    Many thanks for the amazing conference, the wonderful sessions and guest speakers and the fabulous awards night. We had such fun, learnt a great deal and made some special friendships. 

    Catherine Wilsons (A & T) – Australia 

    Chanticleer is Awesome! 

    Kari Rhyan 

    I really want to thank you again for the incredible event last month. The Chanticleer community is very welcoming, and I’m happy to be a part of it! 

    TK RIGGINS

    My 10 second elevator pitch for why submit in a Chanticleer contest is quoting from Cool Hand Luke where he says, “Only Bastards and Cream rise to the top.” If you submit to Chanticleer you at least can find out whether your book has the potential of becoming cream. Your contest is open and inclusive, an admirable goal for writers and society as a whole. … And once again, thank you so so much for putting on this conference. I am telling my writer friends to submit and to plan on attending CAC2019.

     Alex Paul

    Thank you so much for this amazing honor! It was truly a surreal and amazing moment to win. Still can barely believe it! Definitely one I’ll never forget! I’m so grateful to you and everyone that makes Chanticleer possible. I’ve never met a more dedicated, supportive group of book lovers. I will happily come to the conference next year to present and participate. Can’t wait.

    Michelle Rene, HOUR GLASS

    and there are more testimonials for CAC!

     

  • Creating Audiobooks and Podcasts have never been simpler – Find out how here!

    Creating Audiobooks and Podcasts have never been simpler – Find out how here!

    Creating Audiobooks has never been simpler than with the Hindenburg Audiobook Creator.

    • Creating audiobooks in DAISY 2.02 and NLS DTB.
    • Also, export standard Audio Book and EPUB 3 formats.
    • Record from your home. Create. Record. Edit and Export your Audio Books.

     

    Podcasting has never been easier than with the Hindenburg Journalist PRO – a multitrack audio editor designed for audio producers who are on the go.

    • You can record, edit, and share your story from anywhere. This cross-platform (window or Apple and exchange sessions from one platform to the other!)  audio editor requires no external hardware or state-of-the-art computer. 

    Hindenburg Systems is giving all those who register for the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference a FREE 3-month trial of either product.

    Hindenburg Systems is a Danish software company specializing in intuitive, portable audio production solutions for storytellers.

    BUT WAIT — there’s more! Keep reading and scrolling down this page for how to get your free 6 – month subscriptions of these two ground-breaking products. 

    Chris Mottes, CEO Hindenburg Systems

     

    Chris Mottes has produced uncountable radio & TV productions, primarily documentaries,  including the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and Swedish Radio. Before joining Hindenburg Systems in 2010 as CEO, he has successfully founded several media companies along with independent production companies.

    Chris Mottes will present and teach two-hour workshops on both of these products exclusively at CAC19!  

    • Audiobook Creation Workshop – each attendee will receive a 6-month license to Audiobook Creator (HABC) upon completion of Chris’ workshop. 
    • Journalist Pro Workshop – each attendee will receive a 6-month license to Journalist Pro for Podcasters upon completion of Chris’ workshop.

    Creating Audiobooks and Podcasts have never been simpler.

    • Hindenburg Systems’ mission is to tear down the technical divide between storytellers and their audience by providing intuitive products to the storytelling community.
    • They provide innovative technological features that allow audio raconteurs to focus on telling great stories, while our software ensures broadcast quality results.
    • Hindenburg products are developed in close collaboration with professional and amateur users to ensure that our tools provide real solutions – today and in the digital future.
    Hindenburg’s innovative technological features that allow audio raconteurs to focus on telling a great story, while their software ensures portable broadcast quality results.

    Who uses the Hindenburg Systems for Audiobooks and Broadcasts?

    To name a few:

    Radio Broadcasters
    • Danish Broadcasting Corporation – Denmark ’s oldest and largest electronic media enterprise
    • Nordjuske Holding – Media & Communications Group – founded 1767
    • 24syv – daily and weekly culture, science, and debate programs
    • Radio Canada – CBC
    • WNYC – 93.9 FM and AM 820 New York’s flagship public radio stations (NPR, BBC, PRI, APM, & local programming)
    • KCBX – Central Coast Calif.
    • KSFR – Santa Fe, New Mexico
    • and many more…
    Universities
    • Duke University
    • Stanford University
    • Berkeley-University of California
    • Penn State
    • Santa Fe University
    • U MASS Boston
    • The University of Wollongong – Australia
    • University of Copenhagen
    • Danish School of Journalism
    • Roskilde University – Denmark
    • Syddansk University – Denmark
    • University of Iceland
    • Ilismaturasarfic University – Greenland
    • Umea University – Sweden
    • London School of Economics
    • EMB – Univerisity Berlin
    • IFP The French Press Institute (Journalism)
    • Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris
    Plus many more organizations including sponsoring  these media initiatives:
    • Children’s Radio Foundation – more than 50 radio projects across five African countries
    • Radio Camp NYC for middle-grade and high school students.
    • Indigenous Media Foundation – Nepal
    • Gambia Press Union – Gambia, West Africa

    Why did Chris and company choose the name Hindenburg for their ground-breaking software?

    This is the one question that they are almost always asked. And here is their answer:

    In 1937, Chicago reporter Herbert Morrison witnessed The Hindenburg Disaster. The German passenger airship, the LZ 129 Hindenburg, caught fire and crashed while attempting to dock at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station located in Manchester, New Jersey. Covering the tragic accident, Mr. Morrison created radio history as he gave the world’s first eyewitness news report and made audio history and became the prototype for news broadcasting.

    His professional response and accurate descriptions combined with very emotional response to this unexpected disaster have made the recordings a seminal moment in audio history.

    The Hindenburg Disaster was a tragedy, but it marked the birth of mobile reporting and expanded the possibilities for global communication.

    “At Hindenburg, we are dedicated to supporting the production of great radio stories, and this is why we pay homage to the Hindenburg Disaster.”   Chris Mottes, CEO

    We at Chanticleer Reviews are honored to have Hindenburg Systems sponsor the Chanticleer International Book Awards and the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    Don’t delay. Register for CAC 19 Today! 

     

  • NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT on SOMERSET Awards – Literary Works, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Novels

    NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT on SOMERSET Awards – Literary Works, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Novels

    The Somerset Book Awards are named for the prolific writer W. Somerset Maugham

    A quote from the Irish Times 

    Permeated with cynicism from a blighted childhood onwards, Maugham had few illusions about himself or his work. In his 1938 memoir, The Summing Up, he acknowledged: “I am a made writer. I do not write as I want to; I write as I can . . . I have had small power of imagination . . . no lyrical quality . . . little gift of metaphor I had an acute power of observation, and it seemed to me that I could see a great many things that other people missed.” W. Somerset Maugham

    Have you seen the films inspired by his books?

    Some of Kiffer’s collection of Somerset Maugham’s books
    With Bette Davis 1934

    Of Human Bondage

    with Kim Novak 1964

    Of Human Bondage

    A young medical student finds himself attracted to a beautiful but ambitious unfeeling waitress who ultimately may destroy them both. 

    The Razor’s Edge

    with Bill Murray 1984

    The Razor’s Edge 

    An adventuresome young man goes off to find himself and loses his socialite fiancée in the process. But when he returns 10 years later, she will stop at nothing to get him back, even though she is already married.

    He had everything and wanted nothing. He learned that he had nothing and wanted everything. He saved the world and then it shattered. The path to enlightenment is as sharp and narrow as a razor’s edge.

    The Moon and Sixpence debuting Lawrence Olivier  1959  Written 1919 at the end of WWI

    “The Moon and Sixpence is not, of course, a life of Paul Gauguin in the form of fiction. It is founded on what I had heard about him, but I used only the main facts of his story and for the rest trusted to such gifts of invention as I was fortunate enough to possess.” W. Somerset Maugham

    Maugham describes the idea for the book arising during a year that he spent living in Paris in 1904: “…I met men who had known him and worked with him at Pont-Aven. I heard much about him. It occurred to me that there was in what I was told the subject of a novel.” The idea remained in his mind for ten years, until a visit to Tahiti in 1914, where Maugham was able to meet people who had known Gauguin, inspired him to start writing.

    The film adaptions of W. Somerset Maugham’s works are too lengthy to list here. However, you can find them on the IMBD and on Wikipedia.

    Writing advice from Somerset Maugham

    Every writer hits now and then upon a thought that seems to him so happy, a repartee that amuses him so much, that to cut it is worse than having a tooth out. It is then that it is well to have engraved on his heart the maxim:  If you can cut, cut.

    William Somerset Maugham, better known as W. Somerset Maugham was a British author who wrote plays and short stories and novels. He was a dashing and daring man who did not wish to follow the other men in his family to practice law. Imagine, an individual in the Victorian Era… He was born January 25, 1874, in Paris (at the British Embassy) and died on December 16th, 1965, Nice, France. 

    During the First World War, our Somerset proved his valor by serving with the Red Cross in the ambulance corps (remember his earlier medical training) and was recruited by the British Secret Intelligence Service right before the October Revolution in 1917.

    Somerset dove into medicine and was fairly good at it until he wrote his first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897) and all bets were off. The book flew off the shelves and people were reportedly wrestling in the streets for copies to gift their loved ones as gifts. (*Creative license at work – however, you don’t know that this did not happen…) He was known to say, “I took to it (writing) as a duck takes to water.”

    At the age of sixty-six, he had to flee with only a suitcase from the encroaching Nazis as they advanced across Europe. He escaped to England and then on to South Carolina, in the U.S. where he continued to work on the screenplay for Razor’s Edge. He moved to Hollywood and then eventually back to France.

    Did we mention that W. Somerset Maugham was repudiated to be the highest paid author of the 1930s?

    Is it any wonder why we chose Somerset to represent our Literary & Contemporary Fiction Awards?

    Oak Ridge High School Cheer Leaders 1946

     

    Somerset, Somerset,

    He’s our man!

    If you didn’t know him

    Now you can! 

     

    Somerset Cheer by Sharon Anderson

    Welcome to the Somerset Awards where we comb through entries dealing with contemporary stories, literary themes, adventure, satire, humor, magic realism, women and family themes. We will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

    You might notice that the connection between the works below is that they are commentaries on society. Time frames may differ, but the human condition is central to the story.

    Here is a listing of the Somerset Book Awards Hall of Fame Grand Prize winners!

    The Rabbi’s Gift by Chuck Gould

    Somerset Grand Prize Winner

    Babylonian astrology and Jewish mysticism combine with Roman history to create a timeless story of passion and fate in Chuck Gould’s The Rabbi’s Gift.  Babylonian astrology and Jewish mysticism combine with Roman history to create a timeless story of passion and fate in Chuck Gould’s The Rabbi’s Gift.

     

    The UglyThe Ugly by Alexander Boldizar 

    Words thrown as hard as boulders are easy to catch – if you’ve had practice. Just ask our hero, Muzhduk the Ugli the Fourth…In the great tradition of existentialism, Boldizar brings us a book that is hard to classify. It has aspects of the existential with a fair amount of satirical wordplay and a bit of theater of the absurd thrown in.

     

    Alexandrite by RIck LenzThe Alexandrite by Rick Lenz

    Marilyn Monroe, time travel, second chances – all steeped in mid-Century Hollywood history, culture, and magic.

     

     

     

    The Manipulator by Steve LundinThe Manipulator by Steve Lundin

    With a fast-paced storyline and a rich cast of characters, this award-winning winning novel offers a uniquely hilarious, but scary, perspective on the how the businesses of public relations and marketing can take technology to its precipice to take advantage of a media addicted public.

     

     

    Individually Wrapped by Jeremy Bullian

    Individually Wrapped tells us the bizarre tale of Sam Gregory’s descent over the condensed course of a couple of days. Set in a 21st-century futuristic city, technology has permeated every aspect of the city dwellers’ lives… Self-delusion is an interesting state of mind because everyone can see it except yourself, as it propels you ever deeper into oblivion, where not even technology can save you.

     

    We would be amiss by not featuring and recognizing Judith Kirscht, our very own Pacific Northwest Somerset inspired author. Judith specializes in family sagas and societal issues.

    Judith was born and educated in  Chicago during the Great Depression and then WWII. She taught school during the upheavals of the Vietnam protests and the Civil Rights movement. Later in life, she found herself in California, divorced and with two daughters. Judith taught creative writing at universities of very different cultures: University of Michigan and U of California, Santa Monica. Her novels continuously are awarded CIBA First Place Category ribbons for the Somerset Book Awards for Literary and Contemporary Fiction.

    The Camera’s Eye  by  Judith Kirscht

    In a world where too many rocks are thrown at those who represent anything other than the norm in middle-class white America, two friends decide to take matters into their own hands and stand up to the hatred with which they are targeted in order to save their home and ultimately their lives.

     

     

     

    Hawkins Lane CBR Review
    Hawkins Lane Cover

     

    Hawkins Lane by Judith Kirscht

    Hawkins Lane is excellent and, ultimately, a redemptive story about the heart-wrenching tragedies a family can survive, and about the healing powers of nature and friendship. The characters and the story will linger long after the last page is read and you will be captivated from the first page.

     

     

    The Inheritors   by Judith Kirscht

    “The Inheritors” by Judith Kirscht is a novel of one woman grappling to find her cultural and personal identity. Tolerance of others and the need for communication is required from each of us is an overriding theme in this latest work of Kirscht that explores the complexities of human nature and family bonds.

     

     

    Home Fires  by Judith Kirscht

    “Home Fires” is an intelligently written, fast-paced family drama that unfolds into a suspenseful page-turner. Although this novel masterfully renders the emotional hardships and tragedies that are sometimes part of dysfunctional relationships, it is not a depressing read.

     

     

     

     

    Nowhere Else to Go by Judith Kirscht

    “Nowhere Else to Go” is a tightly woven and insistently engaging novel about racial prejudice and the blackboard jungle of the 1960s.

     

     

     

    LOOKING TO HAVE YOUR BOOKS RECOGNIZED? Submit them to the Chanticleer International Book Awards – Click here for more information about The CIBAs! 

    The last day to submit your work is November 30, 2018. We invite you to join us, to tell us your stories, and to find out who will take home the prize at CAC19 on April 27th.

     As our deadline draws near, don’t miss this opportunity to earn the distinction your literary novel deserves!  Enter today!

    The SOMERSET Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards – the CIBAs.

    The winners will be announced at the CIBA  Awards Ceremony on April 27, 2019,  that will take place during the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. All Semi-Finalists and First Place category winners will be recognized, the first place winners will be whisked up on stage to receive their custom ribbon and wait to see who among them will take home the Grand Prize. It’s an exciting evening of dinner, networking, and celebrations! 

    First Place category winners and Grand Prize winners will each receive an  awards package. Whose works will be chosen? The excitement builds for the 2018 SOMERSET Book Awards competitions.

    [fusion_builder_column type=”2_5″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”1px” border_color=”#606060″ border_style=”solid” padding=”10px” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

    Our Chanticleer Review Writing Contests feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year! 

    ~$1000 Overall Grand Prize Winner
    ~$30,000views, prizes, and promotional opportunities awarded to Category Winners

    [/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”/services#!/Contemporary-&-Mainstream-Novel-Writing-Contest/p/21521214/category=5193080″ color=”darkgray” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” shadow=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Enter Now![/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column]

    Don’t delay! Enter today! 

     

     

     

  • Five Reasons to Make Your Book Available in the Audiobook Format – The 411 Series about Audiobooks by Kiffer Brown

    Five Reasons to Make Your Book Available in the Audiobook Format – The 411 Series about Audiobooks by Kiffer Brown

    The Busy Booklover’s Friend – Audiobooks!

    Five Reasons to Make Your Book Available in the Audiobook Format, Article # 1 in the 411 Series

    1.  Audiobooks are a great way to fit in more time for books in our busy lives!

    Audiobooks = Hands-Free “Reading”

    Listen to your favorite authors’ works while you:

    • Drive
    • Commute
    • Do laundry
    • Make dinner
    • Take a walk
    • Garden
    • Rake leaves
    • Sail
    • Knit
    • Pet your cat (although Bruno, the Cat-in-Chief, requires one’s full attention)
    • Walk the dog
    • Paint your walls or just about anything
    • Pretend to nap
    • Clean the house, fill the dishwasher

    Your eyes can be open or closed. Your hands can be busy (not just holding a book or flipping pages) or not. 

    Hands-Free “Reading” with Audiobooks

    2. The Oral Tradition of  Listening to Stories and the Spoken Language

    There is also the age-old appeal of listening to stories. We all have memories of listening to stories from our favorite auntie or uncle, or around the proverbial campfire, or our favorite radio shows (such as Lake Woebegone by Garrison Keilor or Car Talk by Click and Clack and the Tappet Brothers, the commentary from your favorite DJ, or rekindle your love of having stories read to you or (like me) experience it for the first time.

    3. Increase and Develop Vocabulary and Spoken Syntax

    Listening to correctly spoken, grammatically correct language is the best way to improve our language skills—whether it is learning a new language or accent or improving one’s first language skills.

    A research paper on “The Impact of Audiobooks on Reading Comprehension and Enjoyment”

     

    4. Hone Listening Skills and Critical Thinking Skills

    The brain has to process information at the pace that the audiobook is played which gives the listener the time create and process imagery, create versions of characters, and scenes in stories – fiction and non-fiction. Keep in mind that a listener may slow down or speed up the recording.

    One has to listen carefully when there are no visual cues to rely on therefore increasing retention.

    An informative article with links:

    https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/04/podcast-brain-why-do-audio-stories-captivate/389925/

    5. The Growth of Audiobooks is Correlated with the Increase of Use of Voice Assistants: “Hey Siri” (Apple), “Ok Google” (Google), “Alexa” (Amazon), “Cortana” (Microsoft), etc.

    Voice assistants make the transition into audiobooks easy.

    Audiobooks & Voice Assistants
    Voice Assistants and Audiobooks

    Having natural conversations with the AI and technology in our lives is becoming a normal expectation. This has opened up new areas for content. fiction and non-fiction.  The “voice first” revolution reaches new audiences while leveraging a once-in-a-century opportunity to pioneer innovative forms of content delivery and a new opportunity to monetize your content.

    Did you know that Google now sells audiobooks? Those with an Android device can ask “Ok Google” to play an audiobook from your GooglePlay Library. You can ask basic questions, give the assistant a time limit for playing the recording (great for scheduling), and play it over your home speaker system if you would like.

    In Conclusion – The Publishing Industry’s Digital Audiobook Revenue Is Up 32.1 percent in 2018.

    According to this Forbes article, “Audiobooks now earn publishers more than mass market paperbacks—even as ebook sales fell 3.2% in 2018’s first quarter.

    In this article, “…Audiobooks increased their market share by 32.1% and accounted for $98.8 million in sales in the first quarter of 2018.”

    Audiobooks are the fastest growing area of publishing and have opened up vast new opportunities for publishers (and authors) to monetize their content. 

     

    Chanticleer Reviews and Technology – a love affair

    From the inception of Chanticleer Reviews, technology has been our “under-the-hood” superpower under the direction of Argus Brown, CEO of Chanticleer Reviews, and uber computer geek.

    Chanticleer Reviews has always focused on increasing the positive digital footprint of authors and publishers in today’s (and tomorrow’s) age of unbounded publishing.

    You can learn more about how we do this for our clients here.

    Kiffer Brown has just returned from the Digital Book World annual conference held in Nashville, Tennessee where she was asked to moderate two technology panels:

    1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Content Production 
    2. Best Practices in Creation and Distribution of Audiobooks
    Chanticleer Reviews Audiobooks

    Did you know that Chanticleer Reviews Audio Books?

    We do! And our first audio reviews will be posted soon! The reviews will also be available in brief audio versions–for busy people. Links to the audiobook review and podcast will be listed with each Chanticleer Review and also on the Chanticleer Reviews podcast channel.

    Our reviews of audiobooks will also be available with the Chanticleer Reviews Video-blogs channel that will be available on YouTube, Instagram TV, Amazon channels, and other apps.

    Next in the Chanticleer Audiobooks series:

    How to go about creating an audiobook – best practices.  

     

  • Master of Suspense, J.D. Barker, to Keynote and Present at Chanticleer Authors Conference 2019

    Master of Suspense, J.D. Barker, to Keynote and Present at Chanticleer Authors Conference 2019

    Welcome to STORYTELLERS and STORY MAKERS!

    The 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference

     

    This year J.D. BARKER, MASTER of SUSPENSE,  is coming to CAC19 as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. We are THRILLED! 

    J.D. Barker successfully published his debut novel as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

    J.D. Barker:  International Bestselling Author whose works incorporate elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural…

    J.D. Barker is the internationally best-selling author of THE FOURTH MONKEY and FORSAKEN. As a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award and winner of the New Apple Medalist Award, his work has been compared to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Thomas Harris.

    His third novel, THE FIFTH TO DIE, released in June 2018.

    He has been asked by the Stoker family to co-author the forthcoming prequel to DRACULA due out in fall 2018. His novels have been translated into numerous languages and optioned for both film and television. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We first met JD in New York at the Writers Digest Conference this past August. Clearly thrilled to hear about Dracul, we were also quite impressed with Mr. Barker himself. He struck us as professional (serious), engaging (doesn’t take himself too seriously), and approachable (willing to share what he knows about writing with those who are working hard on their own craft).

    In other words, JD Barker is a #SeriousAuthor who, when asked to join us at CAC19, not only did he graciously accept, but said to count him info all 3 days!  April cannot come soon enough for us because we cannot wait for you to meet him.

     

    Below are a few samples of J.D. sessions for #SeriousAuthors.

    MAKING THE LEAP FROM INDIE TO TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING 

    J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

    He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen.  His sessions are not to be missed by any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

    CROSSING GENRE and WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT! 

    From the moment you send out your first query letter, your work will be labeled by agents, publishers, and booksellers. Instead of resisting the urge to be labeled, J.D. will teach you why you should consider labels a way to make your books, and your author platform, more marketable.

    Learn how to avoid the genre box and tell the story you want to tell to the largest possible group with the help of J.D. Barker who has successfully crossed over from horror, to paranormal, to thriller, and back again.

    DID WE TELL YOU HOW EXCITED WE ARE THAT JD BARKER IS KEYNOTING at CAC!

    You’ll want to check out his website, but here is a little bit from his bio:

    While in college, one of his writing assignment found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson.  Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture and by 1991 Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications.

    In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine-tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.

    Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others including a New Apple Medalist Award.

    After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.

    Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television.

     

    Save the dates – April 26-26, 2019 – for 3 days that will change your life. #CAC19 #SeriousAuthors

    We have the perfect registration packet for you! 

     

     [Editor’s Note of Interest: Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), stage name was formed by combining and juxtaposing the names of two American pop cultural icons of the 1960s: actress Marilyn Monroe and criminal Charles Manson… Commentators have referred to the band’s lead singer as being one of the most iconic and controversial figures in heavy metal music, with some going so far as to call him a “pop culture icon.” Paste magazine said there were “few artists in the 90s as shocking as Marilyn Manson, the most famous of the shock-rockers.” – Wikipedia citing]

  • CREATING A UNIQUE NICHE MARKET: Adventures in PUBLISHING, #3: by Gail Noble-Sanderson – Marketing, Book Promotion, Self-Publishing

    CREATING A UNIQUE NICHE MARKET: Adventures in PUBLISHING, #3: by Gail Noble-Sanderson – Marketing, Book Promotion, Self-Publishing

    The online Merriam-Webster defines the word niche as:

    a: a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted 
    b: a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species
    c: the ecological role of an organism in a community especially in regard to food consumption
    d: a specialized market

    This is an apt description as we explore and determine the perfect “habitat” for our books, our “organisms.” While we need and want our books available in bookstores, online, etc., creating niche markets—those unique and special places that perfectly align along the path that resonates with our readers—can be critical in creating our platforms, generating sales, getting our books read, and encouraging consumers to write reviews.

    Whether you write romance or horror, science fiction or historical fiction, with a little research, you too, can create and expand your niche. Below we hear from three award-winning authors who have very successfully created and worked their niche markets. And we conclude with how I discovered and created my own niche market for books at the end of this article.

    Susan Conrad spent the last two summers working with Princess Cruise Lines traveling on their voyages to Alaska, including the Inside Passage. She is part of their award-winning “North to Alaska” program on ships that exclusively sail up the Inside Passage from Puget Sound to SE Alaska. On board ship, Susan engages with hundreds of passengers on each cruise, speaking to large audiences and connecting with travelers one-on-one about her unique first-hand experience. This is Susan’s current niche, the place she and her book have captured to perfectly mesh the readers’ interest and Susan’s passion.

    Susan, author of the award-winning book Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage, says we must ask ourselves, “Why is my book important and who cares? It’s those ‘who cares’ answers that you’re now soliciting.”

     

     

    Janet Oakley, an award-winning author of historical fiction, has written many books to her credit. Along with her mystery series, her novel Tree Soldier, set in the Great Depression in a Civilian Conservation camp, won the 2012 EPIC e-book award for historical fiction as well as the 2012 grand prize with CIBA, the Chanticleer International Book Reviews. 

    Janet says, “I have a Northwest niche with Tree Soldier, Timber Rose, and Mist-chi-mas: A Novel of Captivity (with its Pig War story and Hawaiians immigrants of the 19th century Pacific NW), and a Scandinavian niche in Jøssing Affair. Tree Soldier is my unexpected platform with connections to local history, parks, and the environment.”

    Janet is active in talking about the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington State and utilizes her knowledge of history and skill in creating characters from various times to write powerful stories bringing history to life. She has created niche markets within niches!

    Another excellent example of an author who is creating a niche for herself is Janet K. Shawgo, award-winning indie author for her Look for Me Series. Janet has been a nurse for over 32 years and the last 20 of those years as a travel nurse. She infuses her novels with the history of nursing and the experiences of nurses as they travel across the North and South to heal. Are nurses, as well as others, avid readers of her books? You bet they are!

    When Janet wrote her last book, Archidamus, she created another clever niche.

    She says, “I have been selling my books at Brushy Creek Vineyards since 2011.  I received their support from the very beginning of my author career.  When Archidamus was written I worked with them to support their winery in two of my books.  They, in turn, had a vat of wine with no name inspiring them.  I approached with the book.  The owner chose “Archidamus” as the name for of  the wine.” She now sells Archidamus wherever wine lovers congregate: vineyards, tasting rooms, wine bars, and, of course, book clubs!

    Find Me Again Janet Shawgo

    Janet overjoyed with her Chatelaine Grand Prize win! We love this photo!

    These are great examples of thinking out-of-the traditional boxes to create a plan to promote and sell your books!

    And a final example of creating a niche is my own.

    It took me a while, but I realized that my historical novels, The Lavender House in Meuse and The Passage Home to Meuse, though about a women’s experience in and after WWI in France, really appeal to people that love all-things-lavender and the places where lavender is grown. This last year I began contacting lavender farms around the country and have placed my books in tens of lavender farms and shops across the United States.

    They sell very well throughout the year and in the summer during the lavender festivals, I do events at local farms in the Pacific Northwest.  I found a unique niche.  And for the first time since starting Noble Press in 2017, I am making a profit.  What put me in the black was not my Amazon or bookstore sales, but the sales from the lavender farms and shops, a niche market especially suited to my books.

    HOW DO AUTHORS PROMOTE THEIR NICHE?  

    with Meta-Data for Authors

    As you begin to envision where your book will live in the world, determine what attracts readers to your writing and why. Use this information while you create your meta-data; keywords that are used to indicate what your book is about and in what sub-categories it belongs. Meta-data information should be listed on the copyright page of your book and is critical in effective search engine optimization for buyers and retailers.

    Meta-data information should be listed on the copyright page of your book and is critical in effective search engine optimization for buyers and retailers.

    [Did you know that each one of Chanticleer’s reviews comes with a custom SEO package that is automatically uploaded with the review? It is true! Just another way that Chanticleer Reviews increases the digital footprint of authors.]

    Use this list of meta-words to spring-board into creating niche markets unique to your book. Niche markets can evolve, expand, change and grow. And as you revise your already published books and write subsequent new books, keep in mind what you already know about attracting readers to your specific genre, topic, time period and style. The creation of niche markets is only limited by our imagination and willingness to put ourselves and our work out there.

    Be daring, be bold!  Go forth with confidence and find those readers who are just waiting to find your work! Gail Noble-Sanderson, Author

    Next month’s article from Gail will discuss aspects of successful marketing and promotion.

    Remember, “Keep falling in love with the potential of what you are doing!” – Gail

    Gail Noble-Sanderson is the author of two works of historical fiction, both of which are self-published under her own Noble Press.  The Lavender House in Meuse is an emotional, intriguing, and sensitive account of the crises of World War I and one woman’s journey towards recovery and growth. 

    Her second novel, The Passage Home to Meuse won 1st Place in the 2017 Chatelaine Awards, the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs)  for romantic fiction.

    Both books are available through Amazon and Village Books.

    We invite you to visit Gail’s homepage at http://gailnoblesanderson.com/ and follow her on social media.