January 2024 MBR The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Writing/Publishing Shelf

How to Draw a Novel
Martin Solares
Grove Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802159304, $15.99, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Draw-a-Novel/dp/0802159303

Synopsis: "How to Draw a Novel" is composed of a series of finely wrought essays in which, Martin Solares examines the novel in all its forms, exploring the conventions of structure, the novel as a house that one must build brick by brick, and the objects and characters that build out the world of the novel in unique and complex ways.

With poetic, graceful prose, that reflects the power of fascination with literary fiction, Solares uses line drawings to realize the ebb and flow of the novel, with Moby Dick spiraling across the page while Dracula takes the form of an erratic heartbeat. A novelist, occasional scholar, and former acquiring editor in Mexican publishing, Solares breaks out of the Anglo-American dominated canon of many craft books, ranging across Latin and South America as well.

He also considers how writers invent (or discover) their characters, the importance of place (or not) in the novel, and the myriad of forms the novel may take. Solares' passion for the form is obvious, and his insights into the construction of the novel are as profound as they are accessible.

Critique: "How to Draw a Novel" by Martin Solares is preeminently book for writers, and an important, significant, and memorable contribution to the study of the craft storytelling for aspiring authors, literary academia, and dedicated bibliophiles. Ideal as a textbook for creative writing classes and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, organization and presentation, "How to Draw a Novel" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Writing/Publishing collections. It should be noted that "How to Draw a Novel" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Martin Solares is the author of the novels Don't Send Flowers and The Black Minutes, which was a finalist for France's most prestigious award for crime fiction, the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere, and for the distinguished Spanish-language award, the Romulo Gallegos Prize. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mart%C3%ADn_Solares)

Self-Promote & Succeed
Julie Broad
Stick Horse Publishing
https://selfpublishandsucceed.com
9781736031513, $17.95, PB, 300pp

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Promote-Succeed-Attract-Audience-Non-Fiction/dp/1736031511

Synopsis: Every nonfiction author dreams of being a bestselling author, having their book flourish in the hands of eager readers. This dream hinges on a well-positioned book and a savvy understanding of marketing. Many authors feel like they have tried everything in the world of self-publishing -- launching mass press releases, designing attractive bookmarks, and attempting to run ads on Amazon. Yet the numbers crawl, the dream stalls, and the frustration mounts.

With the publication of "Self-Promote & Succeed: The No Boring Books Way to Build Your Brand, Attract Your Audience, and Market Your Non-Fiction Book", Julie Broad (the founder of Book Launchers and specialist in promoting/marketing the work of self-published authors) brings her high-energy approach and hold-nothing-back attitude in the form of a comprehensive and compelling guide to successfully self-publish. Julie champions independent authors to achieve book marketing success, revealing that the secret to success goes beyond a narrow focus on book sales. She presents a map to use your book to become an industry thought leader, bolster your personal brand, and leverage your book as a tool for business growth.

"Self-Promote & Succeed" shows how to: Architect a layered marketing strategy, optimizing every aspect of your book production and marketing, for success; Position your author brand to appeal directly to your target audience; Choose your book launch strategy from four proven methods; Enhance your book's visibility with the right pricing and keywords on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing; Leverage speaking engagements to personally connect with readers and boost book sales.

Critique: Simply stated, if you are (or want to become) a self-published author, then "Self-Promote & Succeed: The No Boring Books Way to Build Your Brand, Attract Your Audience, and Market Your Non-Fiction Book" by seasoned and successful book marketing professional Julie Broad is the 'how-to' book for you. A compendium of information, tips, and technique, "Self-Promote & Succeed" is extraordinarily well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for aspiring and newly self-published authors that "Self-Promote & Succeed" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note #1: Julie Broad (www.JulieBroad.com) is the founder of self-publishing services firm Book Launchers and an Amazon Overall #1 Best Selling Author. Her popular YouTube channel BookLaunchers.TV teaches nonfiction authors how to write and market books people will want to read. An expert on writing with marketing in mind, Julie has been speaking on stages across Canada and the US since 2009, providing the best approaches to get results, make an impact, and ultimately, make more money.

Editorial Note #2: As the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review I can attest personally and professionally that Julie Broad is an expert in the field of book promotions/marketing and self-published authors (and anyone who aspires to become one), should add a copy of "Self-Promote & Succeed: The No Boring Books Way to Build Your Brand, Attract Your Audience, and Market Your Non-Fiction Book" to their personal reading and instructional reference list. - Jim Cox, Midwest Book Review

Mid-Century Type
David Jury
Merrell Publishers
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858947075, $55.00, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Mid-Century-Type-Typography-Graphics-Designers/dp/1858947073

Mid-Century Type: Typography, Graphics, Designers is a visual art reference to the history of typography. It gathers some five hundred examples of typefaces, literary ads, signs, book and magazine covers, and more into a survey that captures the style and usage of 20th-century type and graphic design by American and European typographers. Any art library interested in historical reviews of designers, influences, and changing approaches to typography will find Mid-Century Type an essential reference containing captivating color visuals that reinforce its historical survey.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review