How The Independent Publishing Magazine Can Increase Your Profits

How The Independent Publishing Magazine Can Increase Your Profits If youre an indie author, in addition to writing gripping prose, you are required to make difficult and costly business decisions in a rapidly changing, digital industry. Many authors find the myriad choices available to be utterly baffling. The Independent Publishing Magazine (TIPM), an online affiliated website, guides authors toward making smart choices through ratings and reviews of publishing services, and meaty trade news.Founded by Netherlands-based editor/journalist/author/publishing consultant Mick Rooney in 2007, the blog averages about one post per week, comprising a newsy and analytical resource for authors and small publishers who are developing a brand.Commended by Writers Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers, and Feedspots Top 100 Self Publishing Blogs and Websites for Independent Authors, among other fans, TIPM is listed among scores of websites that review publishing resources. It is unique, however, in featuring the originally researched and synthesized Publishing S ervice Index.The Publishing Service Index not only rates and reviews publishing services, it ranks companies over time, providing a picture of overall industry trends, and enabling the author to evaluate a company like a stock. Hey, you might as well hitch your fortune to a star! For instance, a trip through the archives shows the closure of CreateSpace was foreseen by TIPM analysis at least a couple of years ago. Armed with this knowledge, the savvy and efficient indie author might have opted to invest resources with Ingram Spark or Smashwords. (More about the Publishing Service Index later.)Photo by rawpixel on UnsplashA roadmap for accessing TIPM intelWriters new to self-publishing should immerse themselves in the New to Publishing articles under the Author Resources tab. A seven-part series entitled The Future of Publishing 2020 makes an excellent primer of industry dynamics. Rooney discusses the evolutions of traditional and self-publishing business models with an entertaining, insider voice. Guest posters provide step-by-step How-to articles and videos to quickly get the new indie author up to speed. Or progress more quickly with searches for key topics by using the red-boxed tags.After digesting the fundamentals, assess your own skill set before deciding what services you are going to need. How much of the publishing work do you want to take on yourself? Do you want to design your own cover, or prepare an entire book file for publication? Which jobs do you want to contract out? There is no right or wrong answer. There may be as many logical choices as there are writers.Its important to articulate your requirements and expectations, then match your needs with the best services and companies for the project. Some companies offer a whole gamut of services presented in packages. Others specialize in particular services from an a la carte menu.In addition, you can use TIPMs powerfully informative Publishers Service Index to identify the companies that will b est meet your objectives. Launched in June 2010, the Publishing Service Index is now released twice a year.Service providers such as Matador, Ingram Spark, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kobo Writing Life, and about eighty or ninety others are rated according to TIPMs proprietary algorithm. The formula considers both anecdotal author feedback and objective, weighted criteria, such as (not listed in any particular order):Volume of titlesYears in existenceFees chargedTIPM review ratingService rangeDistribution rangeCustomer support and transparencyThese factors produce an index rating, which determines each companys rank.Remember that the companies profiled offer differing services. So, to avoid comparing apples to pears, reviews focus on what a company claims it will do, and the extent to which it delivers the promised service to customers.Photo by Edho Pratama on UnsplashMore about The Publishing Service IndexThe Publishing Service Index is not presented as an exact science, nor is it ex haustive. There are hundreds of self-publishing service providers in the USA alone. But the Index is a powerful mass of information in one website. Check out the November 2018 Publishing Service Index.Results are ranked in a clickable table that links the author to detailed, in-depth reviews and updates for each publishing service listed. First, survey the Index to decide the kind(s) of service(s) that best fit your needs. Then drill into the individual reviews.Be sure to read or scan all the way down to the Comments section, where real live authors who have dealt with that company may flag a warning, or sing praises to other authors who are considering using the same service.Dont feel you need to choose a company listed in the top five. Some authors will find it optimal to use a combination of companies, particularly if you are publishing in both e-book and print formats. Just because a company and their services dont fit with your requirements, doesnt mean its a bad company. That said, the further down the Index your choice falls, as an author, the more likely you may be to find a company with mixed or negative feedback, and less flexibility.TIPM Editor-in-Chief Mick Rooney expounds on the November 2018 Publishing Service Index with this analysis:With CreateSpace shuttering and Amazon continuing with its longer-term strategy to merge and streamline its print and ebook platforms, I have dropped CreateSpace to the bottom of the index ahead of its imminent closure.The recent indices reflect something of a mini-resurgence for some of the top-rated Full-Service Providers. While IngramSpark maintains third position, Kindle Direct Publishing has now slipped to second, and Matador for the first time hits the top spot.I am finding it increasingly difficult to suggest a large and varied pool of reputable full publishing service providers to authors looking to go in that direction, particularly if an author wants both print and ebook editions of their book.We are movin g to a publishing landscape where authors need to take greater control in the management of their book projects, and that means looking to publishing marketplaces to connect with professionals, whether an author is looking for a book designer, a skilled book formatter, an editor, or marketing and promotional assistance.IPM Editor-in-Chief Mick RooneyIf thats the case, trustworthy reviews and ratings of a la carte publishing service providers remain essential.Beyond the publishing service indexAdditionally found within the site, robust articles, not promotional puff pieces, are catalogued under the headings of Self Publishing, Traditional Publishing, and Digital/Traditional Marketing. From News and Opinions, to Advice and Technology, Forums,TIPMs editorial scope thoroughly covers independent publishing, as well as its intersection with traditional publishing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe.Going back to 2013, frank reporting covers innovations, and merger s and splits, from notable industry players down to startups that have already gone bust. Penguin imprints, Vantage, Kobo, Reedsy, prestigious awards to self-published authors, the London/Frankfurt Book Fairs, Blurb, Lulu, Nook, BookBaby, Bowker, Liberty Hill, Barnes Nobel, WattPad, BooksAMillion, Pronoun/Vook, Fast Pencil, Blurb, Troubadour, Unbound, Google Playbooks and PubSlush, are among many more subjects.You can read, for instance, the Author Solutions exposà © as events unfolded resulting in the first class-action lawsuit filed against Author Solutions in the summer of 2013, by several authors who charged the company with fraud. The Author Solutions model of gouging and exploiting authors (often new writers) was denounced in a second lawsuit alleging deceptive practices and the exploitation of seniors. The cases were dismissed in 2015.A rigorous education for authorsTIPM archives trace the exciting evolution of independent publishing and offer the website user a rigorous ed ucation. Authors turn to The Independent Publishing Magazine for extensive knowledge of all aspects of self-publishing, for consistency, and for passion on the part of its Editor-in-Chief.In the November 2018 Publishing Service Index, Mick Rooney stated:I rarely now review new companies in the full-service provider arena and even updating existing provider reviews takes a significant amount of time and effort. I continue to have a backlog of reviews that need updating or a complete rewrite. I appreciate that companies keep me up-to-date on their development plans, but if I am brutally honest (and you know I often am!), I dont see the innovation in publishing I experienced going back over the past five years. Also, bear in mind that TIPM is no longer a full-time occupation for me and Im very grateful to our many guest posters.IPM Editor-in-Chief Mick RooneyWith this admission, its fair to ask if TIPM will continue to provide the timely and critical decision-making information credite d with by this review, and that serious indie authors have come to rely upon. It is certainly feasible for the Magazine to continue with quality, efficient delivery of industry news on the strength of its guest posters, because we need a lot of perspectives to really see the field of indie publishing.As it stands today, the blog can have a huge, positive impact on your self-publishing success by serving as at least one guidepost to help you find the most fitting service, and saving you from falling into the hands of scammers and companies not keeping their promises.You worked hard to write that book. You deserve to profit from its sale. Transform yourself from a dreamy creative into a savvy indie publisher in the time it takes to thoroughly study The Independent Publishing Magazine and its archives.

Road Workouts for Truck Drivers Part 2

Road Workouts for Truck Drivers Part 2 If you missed our last post, be sure you go back for Part 1 of Road Workouts- it covered some preparation steps you shouldn’t skip before launching into a new regimen. This post will focus more on specific exercises and muscle groups as suggested by the folks at Roadmaster.com. This list of exercises should provide you with about two weeks worth of regular workouts–if you move from one exercise to another quickly, you can also score some cardio benefits! ShouldersFor many of these exercises, you’ll need only very light (if any) weights–shoulders are delicate, so go easy until you know you won’t be in danger of tearing or  too sore the next day.Swimmers: Laying on your stomach, lift your arms out to the side a few inches and move them forward in unison as though swimming. Optional extension: Make small circles and slide your shoulder blades down your back.Lateral Extensions: While sitting upright or standing, bend your elbows so your hands point f orward and your elbows are tucked in at your waist. Raise your elbows until they’re almost even with your shoulders, then back down–almost like you’re imitating a chicken. Use moderate weights if you’d like.Delt Extensions: (Front) With your arms held straight at your sides, thumbs facing forward, raise your hands straight out in front and back down. (Rear) Reach back and out while raising your arms behind you in the same motion. This exercise may benefit from appropriate use of weights–just make sure you’re not locking your knees.Shrugs: Easy to do even while stopped in traffic, â€Å"shrug† with exaggerated motions. Raise your shoulders all the way to your ears and drop them back down, seeing how far you can slide your shoulder blades down your spine. Holding tension in the shoulders is very common, and shrugging and releasing can help you realize when you’re unconsciously clenching, which can contribute to upper and lower ba ck pain, and even headaches.ArmsOne temptation to avoid with arm exercises is using your torso to gain momentum or rock towards the weight being lifted. Instead, remain still and focus on the specific muscles you’re trying to flex.Bicep curls: Just like it sounds.Overhead Tricep Extensions: Stretching up and over your head to either side–if you practice this stretch against a resistant surface it can be a great side and back stretch too.Dips: Supporting your weight on your arms, raise and lower your body from a variety of angles.Forearm Curls: Same as with your bicep, just emphasizing the wrists.Grips: Think of it as arm wrestling prep–and don’t burn out your joints so it’s too hard to steer.ChestForm is especially crucial with chest work because it can lead to working arms or shoulders instead–when attempting any kind of push-up, make sure to also flex your core so you don’t strain your back muscles.Push-ups: Make this classic more c hallenging by moving your hands closer together (even attempt a diamond formation!) or further apart. Try having toes or knees on the floor, or clapping between each push.Incline push-ups: Place your hands on a surface that’s higher than your feet, so even on the â€Å"down† of the pushup, your upper body is at an upward angle from the ground.Decline push-ups: The opposite of the last version–put your feet up higher than your head and hands. Stand up gradually after this one so the blood doesn’t drain out of your head all at once and leave you dizzy.Uneven Pushups: Put one hand on a raised surface or platform and the other on the ground–make sure you even back out by swapping sides halfway through.BackSuperman: Similar to the swimmer, while laying on your stomach reach forward and up, and back and up, so your limbs are off the ground while flexing your torso. Extend past the ends of your fingertips and toes, and straighten your neck by looking at t he ground and reaching through the top of your head.Pull-Ups: Full disclosure I have never done a pull up in my life or a flex-and-hang for longer than a few seconds, but I do know they make portable bars you can install and easily take down, if you’re into that sort of thing.AbsIf you have a chance to take a pilates class (great for men especially, since they often don’t get the same kind of training that isolates abdominal muscles), focus especially on how to contract your core. Essentially you want to keep your lower back on the floor and contract your abs in order to â€Å"sit up† with your ribcage and upper torso.Sit-ups/Crunches: Practice holding your hands behind your head or straight up in the air (try holding a ball or other small weight), bringing your elbow to your opposite knee for an oblique crunch, or pulling your legs up to a 90 degree angle while you crunch toward your knees.Planks: With your hands planted on the ground or bracing on your elbows, planks are great for stretching after crunches–check out some beginners yoga online or in a studio near you for how to embellish with twists or stretch into upward-facing dog to counter all the crunching.Holds/Flexes: This one is great because you can do it sitting down, while driving or while standing around. Keep your abs flexed while you inhale, or make a game out of it while you’re behind the wheel.LegsBuild on the legwork that occurs during your cardio exercise with these additional stretchesWall-sits: With your back against a stable surface, slide down until your knees are over your toes (don’t let them go past!). See how long you can hold it, or for a more intense stretch, step away from the wall and bring your arms over your head.Lunges: Hands on hips, step forward and bend one knee to get both a leg and a groin stretch. Don’t forget to pay attention to the back leg–come onto your back toes and straighten that leg too.Calf raises: This is a great quick rest-stop stretch–find a curb and step on to it, then move your heels back gradually until they touch the ground. Lean forward into the stretch.Step-ups: Use the step of your truck or that   same study curb–raise your knees higher for an extra boost, and match it by moving your arms together in a large circle beginning to the right, raising over your head and coming down on the left, then reversing. Alternate which foot you start with for each repetition.Squats: Make sure your knee doesn’t bend in front of your toes–if it does, you’re going too far down and can start damaging your knee cartilage.As always, don’t forget to stretch out before and after every workout session, and rehydrate regularly. Pick an area to focus on each day, take a day off in between, and soon you’ll be feeling better on the road, and off.