My Thoughts on Life by Kelly Hayenga

My Thoughts on Life | Kelly Hayenga

My Thoughts on Life

Kelly Hayenga

Pages: 138
ISBN: 978-145750-734-2
List Price: 14.95
Category:
Available: November 2011
Edition: Perfectbound

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This is a collection of some of my thoughts on what I have seen and lived so far in my life. Hopefully, somewhere in here is an inspiration for others to do likewise or maybe examine how things are going in their own lives. I try to make people think a little, and then maybe they’ll be willing to admit some things are fun in life, even though we seem to trudge through daily. My poems will hopefully make people smile and laugh, and maybe sometimes cry. Just like a good novel, these poems are here to touch and enjoy.

Hello, my name is Kelly Hayenga. I am a middle-aged man who loves to write poetry, to express myself and for the enjoyment of others. I have long written poems for people for many different occasions. I love to make people think and smile by what they read. I draw my inspiration from the things around me and my life to this point, hence the title, “My Thoughts on Life”. It is but a small collection of my musings on how life can be spent. If I have made a few people think a little, and or cry, then it is a job well done.

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The Long Way Home by Bonnie Ridley Kraft

The Long Way Home | Bonnie Ridley Kraft

The Long Way Home

Bonnie Ridley Kraft

Pages: 252
ISBN: 978-145750-729-8
List Price: 13.95
Category: Fiction
Available: November 2011
Edition: Perfectbound

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Sylvia Duncan has recently departed post-communist Czechoslovakia to come to Amsterdam, at the invitation of Nico DiCapelli. Instead, she runs into Salvadore San Martín and his motorcycle. Literally.

So begins a long and perilous chase across The Netherlands and Belgium, as they find themselves once again tangling with the deadly and unscrupulous Colombian drug lord, Eduardo Fuentes.

But this time, there is another player in this dangerous contest, Salvadore’s brother, Raúl San Martín. There is no mistaking whose side Raúl is on, as he has earned the sobriquet “la mano izquierda” – the Left Hand of Eduardo Fuentes.

How does Salvadore figure into all this? And will Nico be able to untangle the conundrum before Sylvia once again falls under the control of the drug lord? It’s a long way home, indeed. But some won’t make it home at all.

Bonnie Ridley Kraft was born and raised in the tiny hamlet of Buffalo, Wyoming in the United States. She left Wyoming at the age of eighteen, and has rarely looked back. She was imbued with her love of travel, cultures and languages by her two sons, Adam and Jesse, and this is reflected in her writing. She has traveled all over the world, sometimes for work, but always with pleasure. At the moment, she is living in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Guardian of the Light: The Angel Series by H. A. West

GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT: THE ANGEL SERIES | H. A. West (Holly A. West)

GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT: THE ANGEL SERIES

H. A. West (Holly A. West)

Pages: 128
ISBN: 978-160844-043-6
List Price: 11.95
Category:
Available: June 2009
Edition: Perfectbound

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This novel will take you back to a time, (the early 1700’s) when death and disease was a rising commonality, and though the growing chaos had somewhat dissipated, something remarkable had developed and surfaced for a time. Angela Fheathers was not aware of who she really was, until that great battle. She all along was an angel from heaven, intentionally woven into the lives of the other established human orphans. Angela’s unique abilities progress with time, along with the understanding of how to use and project her powers. The characters in this novel are primarily of a younger sort, and will confront and help Angela overcome those expected rising evils that continually seek to capture her. Though this book is fictional, this is a story told for spiritual up-lifting. I often wonder that if angels became known to us in a human form an allowed to offer their heavenly gifts to us, and its profound affects it would have on those selected, and their ability to project these gifts and the understanding of how to use them wisely.

Holly A West

Holly (H.A.W.) and those are my initials and though being named after a bush, has been somewhat of a thorn to me. This un-traditional biography will offer the important pieces of who I am. I joined the military right out of High School and ignored my inner hearts intuitions of what I needed to become. As my heart was telling to “one” join a religious college, and then become a Missionary. From there, I would be allowed to spend the rest of my days writing in the remote fields of some distant land. After fours years in the Navy, one path after the other cropped up, it wasn’t easy, and the disappointments of life appeared dismal. Much dissatisfaction of what I needed to do had already rooted deeply within my soul. I felt defeated and needed rest and pulled away from those often intentional pit stops. I went on to college in search of who I wanted to be, and studied law and found yet a pre-established path had broadened. It had a sense of familiarity, perhaps yet another purpose and from there, I wanted to start writing again. Good or bad, that’s what I wanted to do. I’d write poems, sing terribly and converse with people in passing, and would expound on life experiences, dreams and the realities of those hurts was easier to reflect on. I knew in my heart there was much more to life that needed to be discovered and finding joy in the mist of things, proved easier than I thought. I found that people are similar in many ways, and know that our tears have healing powers, because I’ve learn to ask God for help. I’m not overly religious, and what I mean by that is, I don’t believe in pounding people with religion. I immensely enjoy writing and prefer to write fiction, woven with verbal expressions, as I find the connections of the two can often impact the hearts tears along with the terms of love that can often unleash those inner conquering spirits. I am hopeful that my writings will offer something much greater, the opportunity to contribute something positive and perhaps life changing. Ultimately, in my own experiences, I believe- where there is faith, miracles will harvest.

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Unyielding Light: The Angel Series, Book II by H. A. West

Unyielding Light: The Angel Series- Book II | H. A. West  (Holly A. West)

Unyielding Light: The Angel Series- Book II

H. A. West (Holly A. West)

Pages: 128
ISBN: 978-160844-582-0
List Price: 11.95
Category:
Available: July 2010
Edition: Perfectbound

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In book one: The Angel Series (Title: Guardian of the Light): Evil sought after Angela Fheathers because of her angelic influence over her newly inherited family of orphans. Nevertheless, the evil chaos would continually seek to disrupt their lives, neither Angela nor her family would succumb to darkness an uphold victory. Evil lost in that war, and certain it would further initiate strategies against all that represents the right of good.

In book two: The Angel Series (Title: Unyielding Light): Sarah Willow’s suspected she had contracted an aging disease from the last war, but before her age took hold of her inner self, she would by divine direction be reunited with her family, as well as the many other children at Mrs. McFlarety-Randall’s wedding celebration. But those evil temperaments had remained steadfast for a time, anticipating a new strategy called, “The Shift,” which divided the earth temporarily with vile temperaments and mystical wonderments, causing the earth to become clouded an unpredictable for a time. It was evils predications that, “The Shift” would cause pandemonium and force a premature end.

Despite that Sarah had aged beyond her preteen appearance, she would not allow evil to distort her faith or attempt to define her heart. Evil had lost as a result of precedence, because the establishment of life and love had been set long ago. Although, it is said that our world will come to an end some day, it would not have been that day.

Holly A West

This untraditional biography will offer the individualities of who I am and what I’ve become. I have become a person who believes that kindness and a smile promotes joy. I’ve met the poorest of people, and yet they still smile, many are not at all dangerous, but charming and interesting. They just needed a friend for the moment, someone to be kind to them, perhaps buy them a cup of coffee or what have you (as you never know when you are entertaining angels). Rarely, did I get a thank you, but that didn’t matter, because it was my heart that thanked me, and that particular feeling was between me and God. I appreciate the sun, moon and stars and all the wonders that this world holds. I have also discovered in my growing maturities, that life is not just a profession, it’s a journey. I believe, if you take the time and help others, you in-turn, are helping yourselves. Lastly, my books are generally novellas comprised of supernatural elements and what I call spiritual elevations- may you enjoy them.

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Gathering of Light: The Angel Series, Book III by H. A. West

Gathering of Light: The Angel Series - Book III | H. A. West (Holly West)

Gathering of Light: The Angel Series – Book III

H. A. West (Holly West)

Pages: 124
ISBN: 978-145750-594-2
List Price: 11.95
Category: Fiction
Available: August 2011
Edition: Perfectbound

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War was yet again nearing and evil declared to infect the human race, by inducing horrific strategies to paralyze our position before the gathering arrived. Not knowing our way of approach, evil did not fathom that we would unite as one, even through our religious diversities and stand together in this spiritual agenda. Our choice weapons were not of the physical arena, but devised from a spiritual standpoint- flooded with faith, hope, unity, and even the animals came to serve as nature’s representatives. Evil suspected that Sarah Willows-O’Malley held an ordained secret, which could finalize evils strongholds forevermore. Nevertheless, what was meant to harm Sarah in the first war would turn in our favor. Sarah nearly delivered that secret note, but found the strength from her core, and sang through the chaos until one of heavens’ prominent gates was activated, releasing warrior angels to aid in this fight. But before that had happened, many families fell to the ranks of evils persuasions at the gathering. But those who did not faint, held strong in their determinations to seize our survival, by allowing our spiritual weapons to hold untarnished in the sight of God. Again, evil had lost in what they thought to be their scattered victory and for reference sake; with God- all of our victories will be evident, when peace and unity is at hand.

Holly A West

I have authored three titles in The Angel Series; a masterful journey guided by hope, and the desire to fulfill a longtime dream. I was born in a village of Canada, in which my family later immigrated to the United States, to persevere in their quests to find our place, in this vast world. Even now, I gaze into my lively childhood, searching to find that moment when I found God, or did He find me first? No matter, I was found and hung-on to that memory, which lifted my soul to those often revealing tears, which still surface and comfort my heart. I have learned in my maturity walk that wealth is not always monetary and love holds opportunities and riches; use your spiritual and physical identities to build those accounts. Treasures can often be found in others, just look at the expressions of what your heart and tears yearn to seek, and reveal the hidden greatness that waits to be unleashed. I believe each step you take with God is filled with promise and maturity, defeat can not hold while the light of your souls, dwell in God’s shadow. Lastly, I write generally novellas and in the framework of my writings, I am hopeful they will inspire you to not faint and to find joy with determined hearts- despite.

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Private Clubs in America and Around the World by Clive Endive Ogive IV

Private Clubs in America and around the World | Clive Endive Ogive IV (Norm Spitzig)

Private Clubs in America and around the World

Clive Endive Ogive IV (aka Norm Spitzig)

Pages: 212
ISBN: 978-160844-013-9
List Price: 25.00
Category:
Available: July 2009
Edition: Perfectbound

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Private Clubs in America and around the World is a VERY funny and perceptive look into the unique world of private clubs. Private clubs are inextricably woven into the very fabric of America’s history, traditions, and culture—and for that matter, the histories, traditions, and cultures of ALL free societies around the world. Members, employees, and guests alike will enjoy the author’s penetrating insights, off-beat humor, blatant irreverence, and sarcastic wit. The author’s obvious extensive knowledge of and deep affection for the world of private clubs permeate all nine chapters and deal with topics ranging from Boards of Directors to committees, employees to members. Be prepared to laugh your socks off at this must-read.

Clive Endive Ogive IV belongs to at least 17 exclusive private clubs—certainly all the ones that matter. The fact that he has a Roman numeral IV after his name and is exclusive heir to a trust fund with annual interest sufficient to pay all his annual club dues in perpetuity—and also somehow manages to write all this money off on his taxes as “legitimate business deductions”—is more than enough to qualify him to author this groundbreaking and awe-inspiring book. For more information—and to order additional copies for your fellow club members, club employees, friends, and enemies—please visit www.CliveEndiveOgiveIV.com. You may also to send your thoughts directly to Clive at CliveEndiveOgiveIV@hotmail.com.

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My Roots, My Destiny by Gabriel Groszman

My Roots, My Destiny by Gabriel Groszman

My Roots, My Destiny

by Gabriel Groszman

Pages: 232
ISBN: 978-145750-574-4
List Price: $16.95
Category: Nonfiction
Available: October 2011
Edition: Perfectbound

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My Roots, My Destiny, based on a profound historical investigation and the personal recollections of the author Gabriel Groszman, describes the fate of his family in the context of the history of the Central European Jews during two centuries. The narration takes us from the Jewish Enlightenment and Emancipation through the World Wars and their shattering consequences, culminating in the loss of millions of European Jews in the Holocaust. The family history, narrated through several generations, reflects the shared destiny of Austro-Hungarian and German Jewry and their achievements in spite of discrimination and open persecution leading to exile, survival or death. The story, which unfolds without resentment, takes us with irony and humor from the age of the Hapsburg Empire through the author’s own coming of age in an increasingly anti-Semitic Hungary, the Nazi terror, a brief period of democracy, communist dictatorship and, finally, life in Austria under the occupation of the victorious allies.

Following a brief description of life in a small Jewish community in his native village, the author confronts us with the predicament of defining Jewish identity in the face of anti-Semitism. The bitter experience of “not belonging” and the barriers to patriotic participation left an indelible mark on his personality. Most of his fellow Jewish citizens carried on this burden stoically, while others tried to assimilate, “hungarianizing” their Jewish sounding names and even converting.

The captivating narrative is delivered from a teenager’s perspective of his family history, his friendships, and his emergence into manhood during a period of disruptive change. As a consequence of the anti-Jewish laws, when Gabriel Groszman was barely 10 years old, the family was forced to move from a relatively benign small village environment to the capital, Budapest. A short time later, his country, allied with Nazi Germany, was at war with the Soviet Union.

At the end of 1943, most of the European Jewish communities had been destroyed by the Nazis, but even as anti-Semitic laws took hold in their country, Hungary’s Jews remained oblivious to the surrounding tragedy. Everything changed when the German forces occupied the country on March 19, 1944. The author quotes Elie Wiesel: “Cursed be that day…From that day on, the shadows, din, and flames of enemy destiny would rule the rhythm of our existence.” Six hundred thousand out of a million Jews were murdered in the few months which followed.

Gabriel Groszman survived thanks to Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg’s safe-houses, followed by life underground. The author’s vivid description of liberation by the Soviet Army, the time he spent under communist rule, and his fortuitous emigration takes the reader through the panorama of sweeping political changes shaking Central Europe at the time.

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What is Copyright Registration and do I Need it?

Copyright Registration Basics

In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of the basic facts of a particular copyright. However, registration is not a condition of copyright protection. Your manuscript, painting, music, anything you’ve created, is fully protected by copyright law from the moment you created it – even if you don’t file for a copyright registration. Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright law provides several advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration.

Among these advantages are the following:

  • Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.
  • Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U. S. origin.
  • If made before or within five years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.
  • If registration is made within three months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.
  • Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies.

For additional information, go to the U. S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import and lick on “Intellectual Property Rights.”

Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright. Unlike the law before 1978, when a work has been registered in unpublished form, it is not necessary to make another registration when the work becomes published, although the copyright owner may register the published edition, if desired. This means you can apply for your certificate of registration at any time in the self publishing process – even after your book has come to market.

Registration Procedures

Filing an Original Claim to Copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office

An application for copyright registration contains three essential elements:

  1. a completed application form
  2. a nonrefundable filing fee
  3. a nonreturnable deposit—that is, a copy or copies of the work being registered and “deposited” with the Copyright Office

A copyright registration is effective on the date the Copyright Office receives all required elements in acceptable form, regardless of how long it takes to process the application and mail the certificate of registration. The time needed to process applications varies depending on the amount of material the Office is receiving and the method of application.

The fastest and most cost-effective way to apply for your registration certificate is online through the electronic Copyright Office (eCO). This is the preferred way to register basic claims for literary works. To access eCO, go to the Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov and click on electronic Copyright Office.

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How to Publish a Book

All too frequently the question of how to publish a book (and how to self publish a book) deteriorates into a discussion of whether or not an author should use self publishing companies or go it completely alone. I, personally, believe that, all things being equal, the simpler of the two is to use a high-quality, price competitive self publishing company. We review a tremendous number of our self publisher competitors on a regular basis and maintain a large database of each of their publishing services. All too many self publishing companies seem to focus efforts on NOT disclosing fully those things that an aspiring author needs to know. I really feel that accumulating all the available data will help authors make better publishing decisions regarding how to publish a book.

The goal of our discussions on the site center around providing information to authors about how to publish a book. Many publishers talk about their up front publishing package costs and how inexpensive they are in relation to everyone else in the market. The author pours sweat and tears into writing the book. Now this author brings it to light in the market for a very reasonable fee. However, the book is instantly condemned to sit stagnant on the bookshelf. Why? Because to reduce the up front publishing costs, the book publisher had to significantly raise the costs charges for book printing. The number one factor impacting book salees – even beyond the quality of your writing – is the price you have to charge your readers! The more book printing costs from your publisher, the higher your retail price – often beyond what someone will be willing to pay (except of course for Mom and Aunt Martha… )

How to publish a book – that someone will buy….

When discussing the various strategies of how to publish a book, we try to discuss target markets and where the author should focus his or her book.  Quite often authors will tell us their book is for everyone – every reader needs this book, but all for a different reason. One of your core tasks as an author, when learning how to publish a book, is that you must target a specific audience and pursue them relentlessly. “But what about the sales I’ll lose from the other segments?” is the next question we get. Successful book sales are a long pursuit that requires consistent and persistent effort – and has quite a bit to do with the pursuit of targeted audiences and very little to do with reaching out to ‘everyone’

How to publish a book – chasing best-sellers…

We all dream of conquering the world of publishing. We can’t do it without learning how to publish a book. Authors often fall within two camps – some start off very conservative, with realistic expectations and desires, while the other camp dashes in with the wild expectation of book sales in the tens of thousands of units. These authors head into the market chasing the bestseller lists, with the thought that ‘my book can sell just like X.’ Chasing a best-seller list is an exercise in futility – in only the rarest of cases do books make the best-seller lists without spending tens of thousands of dollars in marketing and placement fees (often more like hundreds of thousands…) Don’t put yourself in this position – it’s frustrating and unlikely to create any meaningful success.

How to publish a book – it’s about the marketing…

Last, but not least, in our segment on how to publish a book is the fact that often authors are not as willing as they need to be to spend time marketing their own books. All too often they want to throw money at the problem rather than time and effort. We’ve addressed this is our articles before — self publishers who are willing to spend more money than time on marketing techniques. This just doesn’t make sense, since self publishers are almost always short on cash and more than likely to be publishing a first book to make some money. You can hire someone like Dog Ear to perform ‘technical marketing’ programs, but you ultimately are the number one advocate and marketer for your book. Miles and I spend a lot of time speaking with authors about book marketing and their book marketing plan ideas. And, all too often, the marketing plan is unfocused and aimed at ‘everyone’ so that they can sell a million books in a hurry. I’m sorry, but you need to focus and target – if you can’t identify a specific reader and why he or she might buy your book, don’t do it…

How to publish a book – traditional or self publish…

So lets go back to the original question about how to publish a book – using a self publisher or starting your own publishing imprint or publishing company.

The difference between being a self publisher and using a self publishing company to publish a book is who performs each of the publishing tasks. I use the example of building a house – most of us hire a contractor to build our houses. There are the occasional few (like my father) who build their houses themselves or act as the general contractor. But it’s not the norm. A self publishing company should merely act as your general contractor for the building of your book. For most authors, who may publish one, two or even three books, it is much more advantageous to use a self publishing company than to go through the processes themselves.

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How much does it cost to publish a book?

And why publishing costs are less important than printing costs in trying to figure out how much it costs to publish a book.

All too often, authors are lured by a low upfront cost – only to discover that it’s not the publishing fees that ruin their profits, but the book printing costs! If you think your book will sell 100 units or less, then going with the least expensive option for publishing services is your best choice. Are you approaching your book publishing experience, and want to have a chance to sell a few books? Read on to see why it is your cost of book printing that makes the MOST difference when you ask ‘how much does it cost to publish a book?’

What kind of books can I create?

Self publishing gives you the freedom to create any kind of book you can imagine – 1 color, full color, hard cover, paperback, and many book sizes. Each has its own benefit, and each will affect the cost to publish a book.

EVERY book gets a FULL COLOR cover at no extra charge. Please review our list of standard book sizes and page counts. Remember, your book will end up being a different page count than your manuscript – we’ll help you determine how many pages your book will have. At Dog Ear we believe you should be able to easily find the answers to the question “how much does it cost to publish a book?” Each of the links to your left is meant to create a better understanding of the total cost to publish a book.

Black & White – 1 color inside with a full color cover
48 to 740 pages in length (this ISN’T your manuscript length – but we can help you estimate your final page count)

- Paperback
5×8, 5.5×8.5, 6×9, 6.14×9.21, 6.69×9.61, 7×10, 7.44×9.69, 7.5×9.25, 8.25×11, 8.268×11.693
- Hard Cover – with or without a dust jacket
5.5×8.5, 6×9, 6.14×9.21

Full Color Books – FULL COLOR internals with a FULL COLOR cover
24 to 80 pages in length (this ISN’T your manuscript length – but we can help you estimate your final page count) – Paperback or Hard Cover
8.5×11 or 8.5×8.5

This information is meant to help with the question “How much does it cost to publish a book?” – to reiterate the statement at the top of the page – your book printing prices are the most important part of the cost to publish a book. It is the book printing cost that will affect your long term profit – and you ability to actually sell your book. If we can answer other questions about how much does it cost to publish a book – please send us an email using the link below.

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