Monthly Archives: June 2009

The Seductive Power of Home Staging, written by Susan Victoria Phillips and published by Dog Ear Publishing, tells readers how to stage a home in seven easy steps.
Discover how to make your home more inviting and attractive to potential buyers in seven simple steps! Author Susan Victoria Phillips learned from experience that staging a home before putting it on the market increased the likelihood of a speedy and profitable sale. When viewing a home, buyers are often negatively influenced by small details such as clutter, bad smells and chipped paint. By the same token, carefully chosen accessories, well defined spaces, and simple window dressings can greatly tip the scales in your favor.

In The Seductive Power of Home Staging, Phillips walks readers through the process of preparing their home for viewings by pointing out potential red flags, suggesting worthwhile home improvement projects and listing ways to create inviting color and lighting schemes. She stresses that when staging a home, the goal is to create an atmosphere that is clean but not sterile, lived-in but not cluttered.

Potential buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in the house. Because many home buyers base their decision on feelings and instincts, one should never underestimate the importance of a fresh coat of paint and inviting furnishings! However, there are also some bigger renovations and repairs that might be in order. Phillips helps you determine which of these projects are worthwhile and which are better left undone.

With a unique background in theatrical set design, interior decorating, and home staging, Phillips gives sound advice that can save you thousands of dollars. Whether you are selling your home now or plan to sell it within the next five years, The Seductive Power of Home Staging is a must read!

Visit the author’s website at seductivepowerofhomestaging.com.

The Seductive Power of Home Staging
Susan Victoria Phillips
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-931-3 164 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere

I already created a post about self publishing a textbook – in that post describing the textbook publishing services of Professor Textbook and two specific books from an Indiana University professor, Dona J. Young.

I quoted from a letter by Professor Young – and in thinking about her two self published textbooks further, I decided adding the entire letter to the blog was a good idea and a great way for other authors interested in self publishing a textbook to see her reasoning and thoughts.

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Dear Professor:

As a teacher, I am most effective when I develop my own materials tailored to my students’ needs—does that describe you too?

Only one year ago, I was trying to publish a textbook, and it seemed almost impossible. Then last fall I opened an e-mail from Professor Textbook, and everything changed. Professor Textbook offered self-publishing services that made an overwhelming process suddenly accessible.

Though Professor Textbook was new at that time, its parent company Dog Ear Publishing had been around for years. It didn’t take much research to find out that Dog Ear was among only a few select publishers that were ranked outstanding. Their mission is unique: authors work with experts in the field, retaining the rights to their intellectual property and receiving 100 percent of the royalties to their work.

Professor Textbook not only produces my books but also lists them with major distributors and on Amazon. Anyone in the world can order my books with only the click of a button; Professor Textbook prints them on demand, collects payment, and ships them out. Now I’m free to do what I love best—teach and write.

With Professor Textbook, once your book is finished, you can use it with your own students or market it to a broader audience, if you choose. Though marketing may sound daunting, Professor Textbook provides support with that also. And let’s face it, e-commerce now allows anyone to reach a vast audience with minimum effort and cost.

What is most important, though, is that Professor Textbook helps teachers give students access to high quality books that are cost effective. If you are developing your own materials, you are one of those passionate teachers who has something special to offer. Why not author your own textbook?

Which Comes First, The Comma or the Pause? A Practical Guide to Writing
Professor Textbook, 2009.

The Mechanics of Writing
Professor Textbook, 2008.

Dona Young is a teacher, trainer, and writing coach. In addition to teaching writing at Indiana University Northwest, she facilitates writing programs at companies across the country. She is also the author of Foundations of Business Communications, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2006,Business English: Writing for the Global Workplace, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008.

In God’s Gradual Self-Revelation to Mankind, written by Michael J. Lorenzo and published by Dog Ear Publishing, the teachings of theologians, anthropologists, historians, archaeologists and other scholars are blended to describe mankind’s gradual progression on its journey towards its creator, or in other words, God’s Gradual Self-Revelation to Mankind.

God’s Gradual Self-Revelation to Mankind is based on the teachings of many scholarly experts yet it is written in an easy-to-read conversational style. The result is a coherent and rational book about mankind’s relationship to God. Lorenzo is of the Roman Catholic Faith and stresses that the Bible is of upmost importance to anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God and Jesus. However, he believes that the Bible should not be taken literally but rather as the history of Mankind’s salvation.

Throughout God’s Gradual Self-Revelation to Mankind, Lorenzo contrasts various systems of belief and thought, such as pagan practices and other world religions, intertwining them with the Christian tradition. He places a lot of emphasis on historical knowledge, which he believes is essential in order to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible.

God’s Gradual Self-Revelation to Mankind provides a unique synthesis of many scholarly findings, and its easy-to-read style makes it accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about the Christian faith.

God’s Gradual Self-Revelation to Mankind
Michael J. Lorenzo
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-712-8 236 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere

Choosing Sanity, written by MJ Sawyer and published by Dog Ear Publishing,
offers an unprecedented guide to alternatives to psychotropic drugs.

If you or someone you love suffers from a brain chemistry disorder (otherwise known as mental illness), don’t miss this inspiring story of how one mentally tormented woman overcame insurmountable odds and found the secrets to sanity!

Choosing Sanity is part memoir, but more importantly, it is a guidebook filled with alternative therapies for treating mental illness and emotional and physical imbalances as well. Author MJ Sawyer won a 36 year battle with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, panic and social anxiety disorder, OCD and symptoms of autism. Sawyer’s inability to tolerate medications compelled her to use her body as a laboratory to find solutions for healing without drugs. This achievement combined with 20 years of experience as a private practitioner has led to Sawyer’s international acclaim as an expert in transmuting and alleviating symptoms of mental disorders.

In Choosing Sanity, the life-changing techniques that Sawyer discovered for healing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering are presented and clarified through personal stories and various case studies. Sawyer, a pioneer in balancing brain chemistry through the use of vibrational sound therapy, effectively explains how sound can restore biochemical balance. Choosing Sanity also contains a resource list of popular alternative therapies, a glossary, a chart with symptoms of mental disorders, and diagrams that indicate brain structures that are implicated in specific mental disorders along with instructions for healing them.

Choosing Sanity provides hope and solutions for those who have not found relief with or have been unable to tolerate psychotropic drugs. This book is also is a valuable guide for those who work as healers, doctors, therapists, or advocates and for those who have loved ones who are considered mentally ill.

For more information about Choosing Sanity go to: www.healbrainchemistry.com

Choosing Sanity
M J Sawyer
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-700-5 160 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere.

Written by G.E. Bryant and published by Dog Ear Publishing, Nirvana’s Sunshine Babies uses beautiful illustrations to teach children the importance of love and acceptance.

Nirvana is a dragonfly who lives in the magical land of Lotusport, where all dragonflies live. Lotusport has no sunshine and as a result, there is hardly any color there and very little food to eat. One day a wise dragonfly named Shaman tells Nirvana that she is going to have very special babies who will help the town. Everyone is shocked when Nirvana’s babies are born because unlike other dragonflies, they have bright yellow heads! Poor Nirvana and her children are shunned everywhere they go for being different.

Finally something amazing and magical happens and Nirvana’s babies bring sunlight to Lotusport. In the end, all the dragonflies are grateful to Nirvana and her “sunshine” babies for bringing color and food to the town.

Nirvana’s Sunshine Babies by author G.E. Bryant, is a whimsical tale with a deeper message about how people react to diversity. Young readers will question why the other dragonflies are so mean to Nirvana and her babies, which will open the door for a conversation about love and acceptance of others, even when they are different from everyone else.

Children will love the bright and colorful illustrations in Nirvana’s Sunshine Babies. Each page is pleasing to the eye and invites you in to the magical world of Nirvana and the other dragonflies of Lotusport.

Visit the author’s website at nirvanassunshinebabies.com.

Nirvana’s Sunshine Babies
G.E. Bryant
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-903-0 28 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere

Why We Look at Art, What Happens When We Do, written by author Sherrye Cohn and published by Dog Ear Publishing, brings world famous paintings to readers in a visually stunning format.
Have you ever found yourself viewing a world-renowned painting and thought to yourself, “What is all the fuss about?” Or perhaps you appreciate works of art but can’t help but wonder “What does this have to do with my life?” In Why We Look at Art, What Happens When We Do, author and art historian Sherrye Cohn takes us gently by the hand, accompanying us on a journey through a pictorial museum of some of the world’s most famous paintings. Throughout the tour, she shows us how to view the paintings in such a way that makes them relevant to our own experience.

The book begins with portraits. From the mysterious Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci to the tender self-portrait by Rembrandt, to Frida Kahlo’s bold “Self-portrait with Monkey,” Cohn explains why people have been so fascinated by portraiture throughout the ages. She writes, “They elicit a silent communion with someone we will never meet which carries us beyond the narrowness of our own lives.” The next chapter is devoted to landscapes, with works by Van Gogh, Hopper and Dali, to name a few. Following landscapes is “still life”, then “the female nude” and finally “abstraction.” Cohn has chosen her selections carefully and mixes world famous masterpieces with lesser known works.

Throughout Why We Look at Art, What Happens When We Do Cohn urges us to forget about historical knowledge and go with our gut instincts when viewing works of art. Always patient and never condescending, Cohn is the perfect teacher for anyone who wishes to learn more about art appreciation. She focuses on the importance of the viewer’s eye, whether novice or expert, as she writes, “Our own response is the beginning and the enduring basis of art’s appreciation.”

Visit the author’s website at whywelookatart.com

Why We Look at Art, What Happens When We Do
Sherrye Cohn
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-709-8 128 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere

I am Timour, World Conqueror, written by Babur Rashidzada and published by Dog Ear Publishing retells the exciting story of a man who shaped 14th century central Asia.

When author Barbur Rashidzada came across a copy of this remarkable book written in Persian, he decided to translate the book from Persian into English so that more people could learn about this larger than life figure from Central Asia. I am Timour, World Conqueror, is the autobiography of the infamous 14th century Muslim Conqueror Amir Timour.
Amir Timour, or Tamerlane, as he is known in the West, was of Turkic descent and lived from 1336 to 1405. This autobiography begins shortly after Timour’s birth and continues up until his death, after suffering a stroke on his way to conquer China. During his lifetime, Timour would be second only to Alexander the Great in terms of lands conquered.

While it is true that Amir Timour was ruthless and committed many atrocities during his conquests of Central Asia, there is more to him than violence and warfare. Timour was a man of considerable intelligence, who had memorized the entire Koran in his youth. He held scholars and poets in high esteem and surrounded himself with men of learning. Timour was a military genius who was ahead of his time. He also had a remarkable memory which helped him during his many military conquests. His military tactics alone were commendable but more significant was the ability he had to inspire and motivate his Mongol-Turkic army, a mighty force of strong warriors who would die for the fearless leader who fought alongside them.

Sometimes one person rises from the masses and changes the course of history. Amir Timour is one of those individuals. Anyone who is interested in history or influential leaders will be inspired by the larger than life figure of I am Timour, World Conqueror.

Visit the the author’s website at Iamtimour.com.

I am Timour, World Conqueror
Barbur Rashidzada
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-679-4 504 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere

A Relationship is a Living Thing, written by Dr. Russell Crescimanno PhD and published by Dog Ear Publishing reveals the art and science to love and intimacy.

Today in our society, more people than ever have been affected directly or indirectly by divorce. Why are so many couples facing failed marriages today? What are the keys to a successful long-term relationship? In A Relationship is a Living Thing, author Russell Crescimanno Ph.D. suggests that a relationship is like a garden. The flowers of a well tended garden will blossom and thrive while those of a neglected garden will wither and eventually die. The same holds true for long-term relationships. If we are to maintain a loving relationship over a long period of time, we must constantly tend to our intimacy for it is like a living thing.
In A Relationship is a Living Thing, we learn that the journey to a successful relationship begins from within. First we must move away from our “ego” and towards our “Self.” In other words, we need to set aside that selfish part of us that reacts defensively in an argument, lashing out in self-preservation, and allow the true and reflective nature of our spirit to emerge. When we operate from the Self rather than the ego, “fighting” becomes “constructive conflict,” and we learn to listen to our partners with our hearts rather than with our ears. When we set aside the ego and treat one another with kindness, a deep friendship takes root and the soul of our relationship is nurtured. By following the principles set forth in this book, you will learn the secrets to achieving a long lasting relationship that can stand the test of time.

Learning to tend to our relationships is not an instantaneous process but Crescimanno breaks down the journey into simple steps. A Relationship is a Living Thing reveals the art and science to achieving the love and intimacy that we all crave. This book is for anyone who wants to find happiness and contentment in their relationship as well as within themselves.

The author’s web site is www.Nurturingrelationship.com

A Relationship is a Living Thing
Russell Crescimanno Ph.D.
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-159858-936-8 220 pages US

Available at Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Borders and fine bookstores everywhere

Dog Ear Publishing – Greening Up Publishing

Dog Ear Publishing, a leader in publishing, is going green.

“Our approach has always been to be the best and smartest choice for authors” says Miles Nelson, partner of Dog Ear Publishing. “Building beautiful books doesn’t have to be harmful to the environment. We only use recycled papers with a minimum of 20% post consumer waste.”

In addition to recycled papers, Dog Ear Publishing has retrofitted its entire office with energy efficient light bulbs. “That’s not all, our equipment is energy star rated. They use less energy, save money and help protect the environment.”

Dog Ear Publishing has implemented an office wide recycling program as well. “Very little of anything is simply thrown away” says Nelson. “We believe in reducing and recycling everything from paper, aluminum to our equipment.”

Dog Ear Publishing has also created “Dog Ear CARES”. A portion of sales goes to support environmental organizations that fight to reduce global warming, protect natural habitats and foster alternative and renewable fuels.

“We make sure that our carbon footprint is as small as possible with every book we publish. We only print books as they sell. No need for a garage full of books. That’s the beauty of Print on Demand – no waste and never any unwanted books. In the past, traditional publishing required large print runs with lots of spoilage. Unwanted inventory wound up in landfills.”

Print on Demand or digital printing is brand new technology whereby books are printed quickly one ones and two’s to fulfill orders. “Once an order is received we print and ship within 12 hours to anywhere in the world.”

Dog Ear Publishing is a self publishing company located in Indianapolis, Indiana. They publish children’s books, fiction, non-fiction books and offer worldwide distribution.

Dona J. Young, a professor at Indiana University Northwest, produced two new writing textbooks through Professor Textbook.

Dona chose to independently publish her textbooks for a number of reasons, not the least of which being the control she could exercise over the content. “As a teacher, I am most effective when I develop my own materials tailored to my students’ needs. The more I think about it, the more I realize how the traditional textbook model deadens the learning environment, leading not only to student failure, but also teacher burnout: when people aren’t empowered to solve their own problems, the system doesn’t work.” commented Professor Young.

Young is an accomplished textbook author, having published two books ‘traditionally’ with McGraw-Hill. She chose to produce her next two writing textbooks with Professor Textbook.

Which Comes First, the Comma or the Pause? takes the mystery out of how to produce correct, clear, simple, and concise writing. Though the title is catchy, this book is meant to build skills rather than to entertain: so if you want to transform your students’ writing skills, expect them to roll up their sleeves and get to work! This book will help your students develop an effective writing style.

Paperback | 6×9 | 284 pages | $22.95 | ISBN: 978-159858-920-7

The Mechanics of Writing was written for a specific purpose: to help writers at all levels improve the quality of their writing —students and professionals alike. Unlike most handbooks, this book is meant to be read from cover to cover. Though it covers the basics, it covers them in a fast-paced and highly focused way. Thousands have used this approach to improve their writing, producing higher-quality writing in less time and with greater confidence.

Paperback | 6×9 | 232 pages | $16.95 | ISBN: 978-159858-817-0

Extracts from both books can be downloaded at the Professor Textbook site.