The First-Time Author's Playbook: Navigating the Publishing World


Book Description

The First-Time Author's Playbook: Navigating the Publishing World Chapter 1: The Journey Begins: Why Write a Book? Writing a book is often seen as a monumental achievement, a rite of passage for many aspiring authors. The journey begins with a simple yet profound question: why write a book? For some, the motivation stems from a desire to share personal experiences or insights that have shaped their lives. Others may feel compelled to tell a story that has been brewing in their minds for years, eager to engage readers with characters and plots that resonate deeply. Understanding the underlying reasons for writing can serve as a powerful driving force, helping new authors navigate the often challenging path from idea to publication. Many first-time authors find that writing a book provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. The act of creating something from nothing can be incredibly rewarding, allowing individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and creativity. This process not only fosters a connection with oneself but also with potential readers. By articulating ideas and narratives that matter to them, authors contribute to the larger conversation within their chosen genre or field. This sense of contribution can be a motivating factor, pushing writers to commit to their projects despite obstacles.




Mapping Innovation (PB)


Book Description

Map the innovation space—and blaze a path to profits and growth Countless books, articles, and other advice promise leaders solutions to the complex challenges they face. Some offer quick, silver-bullet remedies—a straight line to success!—and some are so technical that readers get lost before they begin. Now, there’s Mapping Innovation, a refreshing alternative in the crowded business innovation space. Engaging and informative without sacrificing substance and expertise, this groundbreaking guide provides thorough background on some of the greatest innovations of the past century as well as . It details the processes that advanced them from inception to world-changing products—and shows you how to replicate their success. Business innovation expert Greg Satell helps you find your way by revealing the four models of innovation: Basic Research, Breakthrough Innovation, Sustaining Innovation, and Disruptive Innovation. One size does not fit all, so he provides a framework—the Innovation Matrix—for discovering which “type” of innovation process best suits the problem you need to solve. It’s about asking the right questions, so that you can apply the right strategies to the problems you need to solve. In the end, you’ll have a crystal clear model for disrupting the marketplace, scaling your efforts to propel your enterprise forqward, and leverage digital platforms to your advantage. Mapping Innovation offers a simple and accessible but powerful approach to developing a strategy that will put you light years ahead of the competition!.




The New Dad's Playbook


Book Description

When it comes to the unknown territory of having a baby, moms-to-be have nearly unending resources to plan and execute a healthy pregnancy and navigate those first months and years as a parent with confidence. New dads? Not so much. They want to get in the game too, but, says Super Bowl champion Benjamin Watson, "I could find clearer direction for putting together a baby swing than for taking care of a newborn child." The New Dad's Playbook is every man's game plan to being the best partner and the best father, from pre-season (preparing for fatherhood) to Super Bowl (birth) to post-season (after baby is home). It helps men understand what their wives are going through physically and emotionally during and after pregnancy, allowing them to support their most important teammate. It tells men what to expect when their baby is home--and what to do when the unexpected happens. This tell-it-like-it-is book will take men from just winging it to winning it.




Kindle Author's Playbook


Book Description

Become a Self-Publishing Pro and Turn Your Manuscript into a Bestseller Are you dreaming of becoming a successful self-published author? Imagine your book topping the charts on Amazon Kindle, reaching scores of eager readers around the globe. This isn't just a fantasy–it's within your reach with the right guidance and tools. In "Kindle Author's Playbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Publishing Success", you'll discover the secrets behind becoming a flourishing self-published author. This meticulously crafted guide walks you through every step of the process, from understanding Amazon's KDP platform to keeping pace with the latest industry trends. Learn the essential strategies to prepare your manuscript for publication, including impactful editing tips and cost-effective methods to polish your work. Master the art of designing a captivating book cover that grabs readers' attention, and get insider advice on hiring professional designers to elevate your book's visual appeal. Craft a compelling book description that piques interest and draws readers in. You'll gain crucial insights into incorporating keywords and optimizing for SEO, ensuring your book stands out in a crowded marketplace. Uncover effective pricing strategies and learn how to adjust prices for various markets and promotional events, maximizing your reach and revenue. Step-by-step upload instructions and solutions to common issues ensure a seamless entry into the Kindle marketplace. Understand the pros and cons of KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited, and how to leverage these programs to your advantage. Develop a powerful promotional plan using Amazon's tools, and build an online presence that keeps readers coming back for more. With guidance on generating reviews, engaging your audience, and exploring additional e-book platforms, this playbook opens the door to endless possibilities. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest industry trends, and turn your publishing dreams into reality. Don't just dream of success–make it happen. Your journey to bestseller status starts here.




The Decision Maker's Playbook


Book Description

The Decision Maker's Playbook is an easy-to-use, “how-to” toolkit to improve managers' decision making, using visualisations, relevant examples and actionable checklists that cater to its main target group: analytically interested, busy managers and entrepreneurs. The Decision Maker's Playbook will help readers navigate a complex world. Along the four chapters of the books, it will help you in: 1. Collective Evidence 2. Connecting the Dots 3. Crafting the Approach 4. Complete the Mission The Decision Maker's Playbook is your personal toolbox to help you make better decisions. It offers practical advice to help you understand, analyse and shape your world. As simplified representations of reality, the models portrayed in this book allow us to see patterns, identify relationships, and view the world from different vantage points. They help us understand and break up complex phenomena into tractable pieces. From Unknown unknowns over Fat Tails to Counterfactuals, this book will make lesser known but highly relevant models available for immediate use – in a visual way, supported by applicable case studies and without jargon.




The New Rules of Work


Book Description

The world of work has changed. People in previous generations tended to pick one professional path and stick to it. Switching companies every few years wasn’t the norm, and changing careers was even rarer. Today’s career trajectories aren’t so scripted and linear. Technology has given rise to new positions that never before existed, which means we are choosing from a much broader set of career options—and have even more opportunities to find work that lights us up. However, we don’t discover and apply for jobs the same way anymore, and employers don’t find applicants the way they used to. Isn’t it about time we had a playbook for navigating it all? Kathryn Minshew and Alexandra Cavoulacos, founders of the popular career website TheMuse, offer the definitive guide to the modern workplace. Through quick exercises and structured tips, you will learn: · The New Rules for finding the right path: Sift through, and narrow today’s ever-growing menu of job and career options, using the simple step-by-step Muse Method. · The New Rules for landing the perfect job: Build your personal brand, and communicate exactly how you can contribute and why your experience is valuable in a way that is sure to get the attention of your dream employer. Then ace every step of the interview process, from getting a foot in the door to negotiating your offer. · The New Rules for growing and advancing in your career: Mastering first impressions, the art of communication, networking, managing up and other “soft” skills – and make it obvious that whatever level you’re at, you’re ready to get ahead. Whether you are starting out in your career, looking to advance, navigating a mid-career shift, or anywhere in between, this is the book you need to thrive in the New World of Work.




The Passing Playbook


Book Description

Love, Simon meets Bend It Like Beckham in this feel-good contemporary romance about a trans athlete who must decide between fighting for his right to play and staying stealth. “A sharply observant and vividly drawn debut. I loved every minute I spent in this story, and I’ve never rooted harder for a jock in my life.” – New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother, and a David Beckham in training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio. At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boys' soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans—he's passing. But when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even though it would mean coming out to everyone—including the guy he's falling for.




The New China Playbook


Book Description

“Keyu Jin is a brilliant thinker.” —Tony Blair, former prime minster of the United Kingdom A myth-dispelling, comprehensive guide to the Chinese economy and its path to ascendancy. China's economy has been booming for decades now. A formidable and emerging power on the world stage, the China that most Americans picture is only a rough sketch, based on American news coverage, policy, and ways of understanding. Enter Keyu Jin: a world-renowned economist who was born in China, educated in the U.S., and is now a tenured professor at the London School of Economics. A person fluent in both Eastern and Western cultures, and a voice of the new generation of Chinese who represent a radical break from the past, Jin is uniquely poised to explain how China became the most successful economic story of our time, as it has shifted from primarily state-owned enterprise to an economy that is thriving in entrepreneurship, and participation in the global economy. China’s economic realm is colorful and lively, filled with paradoxes and conundrums, and Jin believes that by understanding the Chinese model, the people, the culture and history in its true perspective, one can reconcile what may appear to be contradictions to the Western eye. What follows is an illuminating account of a burgeoning world power, its past, and its potential future.




Bringing Math Students Into the Formative Assessment Equation


Book Description

Make formative assessment work for you—and your math students! Finally, formative assessment that adds up! Bringing Math Students Into the Formative Assessment Equation is the ultimate resource for helping teachers implement formative assessment in the middle school mathematics classroom. And it’s much more than that. With this research-based, teacher-tested guide, you won’t just learn effective teaching strategies—you’ll turn your students into self-regulated learners. They’ll monitor and assess their own progress—and communicate to you about it! Features include: A clear and manageable six-aspect instructional model Detailed strategies for helping students own their successes Real-life examples from middle school mathematics teachers Useful resources and a companion website to help you implement formative assessment in your classroom Formative assessment isn’t just for teachers anymore. With the help of this essential resource, you’ll work together with your students toward a common goal of math success. "This book is outstanding. I would recommend it to any math educator. The depth of research integrated into practice is extensive and, as a result, it is the most practical book I have come across related to formative assessment and mathematics The self-regulation aspects, as well as the ownership and involvement emphasized in the book, went beyond the traditional cognitive strategies endorsed in most books." Marc Simmons, Principal Ilwaco Middle School, Ocean Beach School District, Long Beach, WA "The ideas in this book are brought to life with examples of teachers and students in the classroom. The teacher voices, comments, and quotes lend credibility and are a big component of the book’s strengths as well as the visuals and graphics." Rita Tellez, Math Coordinator Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX




Taking the Short Tack: Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction


Book Description

Are you a short fiction writer wondering what opportunities are open to you? Are you a long-form fiction writer wondering if short fiction is worth the investment of your time? Short fiction is enjoying a resurgence and provides both independently and traditionally published authors opportunities for creating income and connecting with readers. Matty Dalrymple and Mark Leslie Lefebvre will show you where those opportunities lie and how to take advantage of them. CREATING INCOME Traditional Publishing Market Anthologies & Collections Mechanics of Indy Anthologies Standalone e-books e-book Collections Serials Foreign Language Markets Audio Patron Support Getting Unstuck CONNECTING WITH READERS Offering Your Story for Free Reader Funnel Reader Magnet Video Author Readings Market Research Flash Fiction and Micro-Fiction Chapbooks Bonus Material Custom Story Location-based Apps When the Reader Is an Agent BEST PRACTICES Editing and Proofreading Cover Design Links and QR Codes Being an Active Member of the Community Create Once, Publish Everywhere Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts and the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers. She writes, speaks, consults, and podcasts on independent publishing as The Indy Author™. Mark Leslie Lefebvre (as Mark Leslie) has authored numerous horror short stories and edited horror anthologies. He writes, speaks, consults, and podcasts on topics related to writing, publishing, and bookselling. He was the founder of Kobo Writing Life and is the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital.