Showing posts with label Self Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Development. Show all posts

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Book Review: APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch


APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch

Many people love reading books but few of us know the hardships that authors face in the long journey that starts with their putting down their thoughts electronically/on paper.

This book offers an author’s perspective on the publishing industry and what factors go into making each decision in the publishing cycle. Authors make considerable sacrifices to give us the end product. The book provides an honest look at the hard and gritty reality of the publishing industry.

Click on the link below to buy the book:


But would-be authors need not fret – the latest book from Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch gives us a comprehensive tour into the publishing cycle. Guy and Shawn have coined a new term: Artisanal Publishing. Here is a sampling of the topics covered:

  • Writing tools to create content
  • Tips to proofread the finished product
  • Raising money to finance the whole process
  • How to convert our script in the Word document to the format of eBook resellers
  • Reaching the customers through online book resellers or direct sales or author-services companies
  • How to sell directly to readers
  • International translation of books and audiobook versions
  • How to take steps to precautions against frauds and rip-offs
  • The need to check up with relevant authorities about taxes and legal requirements.
No book on self-publishing or eBooks can be complete without a detailed look at Amazon.com, the online retailing giant. I do not have the statistics on hand but Amazon’s Kindle is probably the most popular and the bestselling eBook reader. There is much more to Amazon and a separate chapter appropriately titled “How to Navigate the Amazon” is focused on the wide services and features provided by Amazon.

As a bibliophile, I enjoyed the chapter on the history of publishing. It was very informative and gave a good insight into the technological changes that have happened over the passage of time.


Guy Kawasaki APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book
Guy Kawasaki
The book is extremely well-researched and has numerous links (or “Hat-tip” to quote Guy) to source materials. This lends a high degree of credibility to the book (and the authors).

I also liked the chapter on how to price one’s book. Specifically, I liked the pricing philosophies suggested by the authors. I also learnt a couple of new things – using serial commas, and the meaning and importance of ISBNs.



The techniques advocated by Guy and Shawn are applicable not only to book writing but also to blogging. Each blog post can be compared to a book chapter. I was humbled to know that I have been practicing a few of these methods. One example: I follow the second school of thought, when it comes to revising mistakes. I would leave it to the readers to learn more from the book itself!


Shawn Welch APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book
Shawn Welch
In a nutshell: The book contains a wealth of practical information. In addition to the numerous tips and techniques from Guy, the book lists a number of online resources that can be utilized right away. The best part is that many of these resources are free of charge.

I would recommend the book to aspiring authors, bloggers and bibliophiles.

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Friday, February 24, 2012

Persistence




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Thursday, January 26, 2012

How to Improve Your Vocabulary

As the world becomes a Global village, a strong command in English can be a great asset. Irrespective of whether we are using English in spoken or written form, strong vocabulary is the main weapon in one’s arsenal to compose and convey his/her thoughts in an easy-to-understand style. In addition, studies indicate that people with an impressive vocabulary enjoy greater respect among their peers.

How to Improve Your Vocabulary


I am sharing some tips with the readers to increase their vocabulary.
  • One of the most common and effective ways to improve vocabulary is to use the all-present Dictionary. Make the Dictionary your friend and spend some time every day to learn at least 3 new words. In addition to learning the meaning of the word(s), readers should try to understand the correct context(s) in which these words are used. It is also recommended that the reader use the words in their everyday conversations, as I am a firm believer in the adage: “Practice makes Perfect”.
  • Use only an English-English dictionary. Avoid a dictionary that gives the meanings in a language (probably the reader’s mother-tongue) other than English. While it might help in the short term, the reader unwittingly starts thinking in his/her mother-tongue and this invariably will hinder the reader from developing fluency in English.
  • Vocabulary Builder at Number2.com is an excellent resource to build one’s vocabulary. Users are provided with a word and 4 choices. Before you write off this as another one of umpteen websites that has a bunch of multiple choice questions, here is the clincher. When we click the wrong answer, Number2 provides the meaning for that as well. Readers can keep going through as many words as possible, the only limitation being their time and interest. Registration is free.
  • Dictionary.com is another excellent online resource that I find highly useful when I am browsing online and need to quickly look up a word. The site also provides a free ‘Word of the Day’ service that the readers can sign up for with a valid email id.
  • Start reading books. This is the single most effective way to improve vocabulary. I would not recommend that the reader start reading Shakespearean works right away. The reason being, they might contain outdated words and the reader will be stuck up with words not in circulation right now. I recommend books by John Grisham and Thomas Hadley Chase, as these authors use words that are used in everyday conversations.
  • Read Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.  It is an extremely effective book that teaches the reader how to use the correct words in the appropriate context. I learnt quite a bit from this book and thoroughly enjoyed the process.
Click on the link below to buy the book:


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Image Sources: GGILinkLink 

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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Book Review: What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People by Joe Navarro


What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People by Joe Navarro


Joe Navarro does a splendid job explaining the intricacies of the body language.

The book starts with an example of how Joe solved a case by noticing a subtle change in the body language of a suspect under interrogation. He gives many examples from his career as to how lives were saved by observing and interpreting subtle messages AKA the body language.

Click on the link below to buy the book:


Joe takes a scientific approach to explaining body language by explaining how the brain works and has been instrumental in controlling our innate responses to external causes of stress/danger. His writing style is quite lucid, so that even the layman can understand the intricacies of the body language.

Highly recommended to people interested in reading Body Language books.


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Image Source: PokerNews

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APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur


Book Review: Peoplewatching by Desmond Morris



Peoplewatching by Desmond Morris



Desmond Morris has created a classic with his book Peoplewatching.


This book has and will stand the test of time as an enduring classic. One will be hard put to find any book on Body Language that does not cite Peoplewatching.

Click on the link below to buy the book:


Simply put, if there is only one book to be read on Body Language, this IS the one.

Desmond Morris, the author of Peoplewatching
Desmond Morris, the author

Desmond Morris's book provides a wealth of information that deserves to be read and re-read.


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APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur
How to Improve your Vocabulary

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Albert Einstein


Albert Einstein

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."


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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Book Review: Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun


Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun


This is a review of the Kindle version.

Scott Berkun lists various techniques to deliver presentations the right way. He also provides tips on how to prevent and rectify several commonly repeated mistakes in public speaking.

Click on the link below to buy the book:


Scott also provides examples of actual mistakes done by speakers, to inspire confidence in aspiring speakers.

Way to go, Scott. Looking forward to more outstanding work from you.


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Image Source: Speaking About Presenting 

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Monday, November 7, 2011

Swami Vivekananda


Swami Vivekananda

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Friday, November 4, 2011

Life - Mother Teresa



Mother Teresa


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Positivity


"The shell must break before the bird can fly." - Alfred Tennyson



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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Happiness





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