Happy New Year: LLBR in 2010

Happy New Year!

2009 was a great year for LLBR.  We started off by adding Dan Marvin to our review team.  We celebrated our one year anniversary. We changed the look and name of our blog. We broadened our short list to include a handful of other POD companies outside of Lulu.  Then, we threw the short list out the window and opened ourselves up to all POD books!  Oh yeah, and we reviewed 77 titles this year too, not counting Julie’s Quick Picks.

So what’s next?  How could we possibly top 2009?   Well, we’ll definitely keep the reviews coming as long as authors out there need us.  So, keep the queries coming on the Pick Me! Page.

I’m also launching a new monthly post of my own which I’m calling “Book Synthesis.”  Synthesis is defined as “the combining of the constituent elements of separate material or abstract entities into a single or unified entity.”  No matter how much the reviewer in me preaches about proper formatting of manuscripts and appealing book covers, I still see manuscripts each month where the author has obviously not sought out information or assistance in formatting their book for publication. It’s those little “elements” that often get overlooked when we are working on publication.

So, from the title page to the copyright page, to page numbering and margins, I’ll dissect a book for you page by page and give you the steps you should consider when it comes to formatting your manuscript properly. Front matter, back matter, chapter titles, page numbers, title pages, dedication pages, table of contents, and more!  Each of these separate “elements” make up your book as a whole, and for one author who is juggling the hats of writer, editor, publisher, and marketer, we all know it can get very overwhelming.  “Book Synthesis” is here to help!  Look for the first post in early January.

Besides these tips, we’re looking forward to providing you more information about the industry in general.  Book raffles, marketing tips, interviews, and more!  2010 is going to be a great year for us!  And if you have something you’d like to see on the blog, tell us about it.

Happy Writing and Happy Reading!  See you next year!