Baby Memory Books

The hardest part of being a new mother is taking the time to simply enjoy your new child and store away all of the precious memories. New babies require a tremendous amount of time and energy

Preserving Those Precious Memories

The hardest part of being a new mother is taking the time to simply enjoy your new child and store away all of the precious memories. New babies require a tremendous amount of time and energy. You are completely consumed caring for your infant, when suddenly, your baby is a toddler, and you never had a chance to start, much less finish his baby memory book. This scenario is so common that it’s actually embarrassing to mothers everywhere. There are ways to be sure those memories are preserved, however.

Plan Ahead

The best plan of attack, especially if you are expecting your first baby, is to fill out the baby book before he is born. Obviously you don’t know his birth weight or have those tiny footprints yet, but a significant portion of most baby books contain information seemingly unrelated to your little bundle of joy. Family trees, information about Mom and Dad, grocery store receipts, popular movies, and the like can all be dealt with before baby’s arrival.

As the third trimester draws to a close, young mothers-to-be are left with a great deal of anticipation with no outlet. You can only fold tiny clothes so many times, after all. Why not use that time to work ahead? Assemble the photographs of baby’s first house, the nursery, and family members. Write amusing anecdotes about your pregnancy and baby showers. Find those ultrasound pictures and paste them onto the right page. Do as much as you can, because you will never have this much spare time again – or at least not for eighteen years.

The Early Days

Immediately following the birth of your baby, follow your doctor’s advice and sleep as much as possible. Hopefully, you will feel much more rested a week or two after baby’s arrival, and can start using his sleeping time as your work time. During the long naps of a newborn, assemble the materials from the hospital. Birth weight and length, birth certificates, wristbands and hospital photos are now ready to take their place of honor in the baby book.

Write as much of the birth story as you can, or even simpler, print out the email you sent to all of your friends and family and paste that into the book. Reading an email designed for others to read, your grown child will truly get a sense of the love and pride his mother feels for him, her new baby. After the birth information is recorded, there are surprisingly few pages left to fill. These involve monthly updates, teething, and milestones. Unfortunately, these are actually the hardest to finish.

The Rest of the Year

After a couple of weeks, newborns realize it is much more fun to be awake than asleep, and the real work of motherhood begins. As you spend the next twelve months exclaiming over every burp, coo, smile, and step, jot a note about important dates or milestones and throw them into the baby book as they occur.

Don’t try to find the time now to fill the book in, just stick the occasional note, especially those from the doctor with height and weight measurements, into the book. Descriptive emails should be printed out and shoved into the book as well as extra copies of your digital pictures. When you print your pictures, get a few extras of your favorites and throw them into the baby book, too.

Someday, when your child is sleeping through the night, and before you have another newborn, you will find the time to actually fill in all of the little blanks. The notes, emails, pictures, and doctor statistics should cover most of the necessary material. As for the few remaining spots, leave them blank, take a guess, or make it up. Don’t worry, every mother does it. After all, your focus is on loving and reveling in your little miracle, not the exact moment his third molar came in.

Benefit From 50 Books Each Year.

Benefit From 50 Books Each Year... Without Creating Any Extra Time To Read

I didn't believe it the first time I heard a friend of mine say -

"I benefit from the reading of 50 books each year... in my spare time".

Knowing how demanding her time was because of her top position in her job and being a single mom, I was certain she was lying and I told her so.

Smiling, she insisted that it was the truth. I would have continued arguing with her until she pointed out to me that she didn't have to physically "read" them, but they were "read" to her while she listened... in her spare time.

Not giving me any opportunity to argue, she went ahead and played an audio book on her CD player for my perusal.

She explained that this was how she had almost any book she wanted read to her as audio books while she prepared for work in the morning, while she prepared her daughter for school, while she did her exercises each day, while she commuted to and from work and any free time she had on hands that didn't involve using her mind.

I was surprised, to say the least, that I could have been doing the same thing in my spare time.

From what this friend of mine explained to me, I knew I had to give audio books a try.

I did and was very impressed.

Now, I can proudly say I also benefit from the reading of up to 50 books each year.

Still don't think it's possible?

Fine, let's do the math:

For an audio book that takes 4 hours, you can have it read to you in just two days - 1 hour each day while preparing for work in the morning and 1 hour each day while commuting to and from work. That's 4 hours in 2 days.

So, if it takes you 2 days to have one audio book read to you, that will be 365 days in a year divided by 2. That will equal about 133 books each year!

That's over double the original 50 audio books we were targeting, right?

Audio books are indeed the secret formula that many people use to get the value from the best books they want to read. With audio books, you can forget the frustration you always had whenever you force yourself to read any book.

For the bookworms back in college that want to continue reading but can't afford the time anymore, you now have a solution in audio books.

Whether you want to use your PC, CD player, MP3, it is now possible and within your reach for peanuts.

Use Children's Books

Use Children's Books to Encourage Kids to Read

As most parents know, reading skills are critical for preschool learning and childhood development. Studies have shown that children that are diagnosed with reading problems during their early school years, will continue having reading and learning problems through the 9th grade and beyond. Even more troubling, almost 50 percent of adolescents and young people with criminal records have reading difficulties.

Sadly, many of today's kids would rather watch TV or play video games than read a book. Being a bookworm, or even showing an interest in reading, is percieved as a “nerdish” activity. Most of the heros in today’s society are professional athletes, actors, or music icons.

But don’t despair, all is not lost. Getting your kids to read can be a challange, but with the use of quality children's books, it doesn't have to be an insermountable one. Here are some steps you can take in order to encourage reading in children:

The first step to read to your child at an early age. Many adults have fond memories of their parents reading them bedtime stories when they were toddlers, and reading to your child will help foster a love of words and reading.

Be a good reading "role model" for your children or grandchildren. Let them see you reading on a regular basis, and how much you enjoy reading books and magazines.

Another good idea is to fill your child's room with books. Kids who grow up surrounded by books learn to think of them as friends, and allies in their pursuit of reading, learning, and wonderful new adventures.

As your child grows and matures, introduce him or her to books that match their interests and hobbies. Show them how an informative book can deepen and expand their knowledge on a particular topic--and expand their horizons as well.

Make sure your child or grandchild has a library card. Libraries are wonderful resources for reading and learning. Show your children how libraries can be places of wonder and excitement, and can open up new worlds of learning that will last a lifetime.

And lastly, consider setting limits on the amount of time your child spends in front of a TV or video game console. While there's nothing wrong with playing video games or watching TV, those activities aren’t going to do much to develop your child’s reading and language skills. For that, you need to set them down in front of a good children’s book, and make sure they spend at least 30 minutes per day reading it.

They might not like it now, but chances are they'll thank you for it later on in life.

Collect Science Fiction Books

It all begins with sense of wonder, an almost magical attraction to books by a particular author, a distinctly engaging concept or theme, or the sheer joy of holding a unique volume with a compelling physical appeal. It is important to keep in mind that almost all book collectors begin as readers. Readers become collectors when they find that the books themselves have become important objects in and of themselves. The book has transcended the state of being merely a vehicle for passing on the author’s stories and thoughts and becomes an object with intrinsic beauty and value. Object and content enhance each other, heightening the unique experience the book brings to its owner.

By most accounts, the origin of Science Fiction as a distinct literary genre dates back to 1926, when Hugo Gernsback started publishing what he called "scientifiction" in a new magazine known as Amazing Stories. Gernsback said, “…sense of wonder comes not from brilliant writing, nor even from brilliant conceptualizing; it comes from a sudden opening of a closed door in the reader's mind.” Collecting the objects that initiated that amazement is the best way to keep it vivid, alive and immediately accessible.

Almost all SciFi book collectors begin as readers. This is an important point for by far the largest numbers of SF readers see books as consumables. They are content with reading a library copy or a paperback reprint and think of the book as simply a medium for conveying the author’s subject matter. They use, and often abuse, the book as they please, dog-ear corners, make notes in the margins, bend the covers back and break the spine. For them, books are as disposable as a McDonald’s hamburger wrapper. They are book consumers.

For such readers things like the edition of a book, or its condition don’t matter. They perceive little difference between a hardcover first printing and a paperback reprint. The joy they receive from a book, and one must acknowledge that very real pleasure, comes from the author’s content alone. All other considerations are inconsequential.

For those of us who are not book consumers but book collectors, the joy of the text is but one of several delights in a book. Look, feel, the very tactile uniqueness of a volume elevate the book from simple container to an object of physical beauty and romance which augments the thoughts and ideas of its author. We take care of our books like we would other valuable objects. We treat them gently, store them properly and do our best to protect them from injury. The very act of owning our books, being able to take them down off the shelf, turn them over in our hands and take pleasure in their presence, enriches our lives and gives continued delight.

Most collectors of SciFi books begin to do so because they have found something in the genre that is inspiring. Science Fiction stretches your imagination, introduces you to a future of endless possibilities and creates a sense of wonder. Included within the realm of Science Fiction are also Fantasy books that take you into the world of magic and myth and Magic Realism books where everyday life is transformed into the supernatural, while yet remaining grounded in reality.

There are other reasons to collect Science Fiction and Fantasy books, the economic value among them. As the popularity of science continues to grow at an astonishing rate the value and desirability of first edition and limited edition Science Fiction books continues to intensify as well. First editions and limited runs ensure that availability decreases over time. There exists a large expanding market for books. A carefully assembled collection of first edition or limited print volumes will become increasingly valuable.

Why collect books? Collect them because they engage your sense of wonder. Collect them because they are beautiful. Collect them because they are valuable. Most important of all, collect them because you love them.

Create Residual Income With E-books

Electronic books, or e-books, have been used as an internet marketing tool for several years. Electronic books can be purely informational or they can have a sales message that promotes your product or service. The many benefits of using electronic books for internet marketing include becoming known as an expert in your field, having a product that attracts visitors to your site, and having something you can give away to new subscribers or customers. In addition to providing your customers with solid information, e-books can also be used to create residual income and boost your income over time.

What is residual income?

Residual income is income that continues to flow even after you have already provided a product or service. The simplest way to think of residual income is “do the work once, get paid forever.” Residual income used to be limited to just a few professions such as voiceover artists and musicians. Each time their songs or voice tracks were used in commercials or at events, these professionals were paid a royalty. Now that Internet and in particular marketing on the internet is so popular, you can earn residual income by selling products that can have automated sales.

What is an electronic book?

An electronic book is a short book containing information or a sales message that can be used in a number of ways. You can use these e-books to create awareness of your brand, provide an added incentive for visitors to stay at your site, as a giveaway to provide added value for customer purchases, sell valuable information on a particular topic, and to distribute as a free gift with sign up to your newsletter or members only area. These books are usually done in PDF format, but there are software programs that can create books that have turning pages like a real book.

How can I use electronic books to create residual income?

Writing an electronic book may be time consuming, but once the book is written, you can set it up so that the sales and marketing are automated. This means that the time you spent writing the book and setting up your sales systems will continue to pay off again and again. In order to make the sales process automated, you can hire someone to market your e-book and take care of sales. Or, you can save yourself some money and purchase a software program that will allow you to sell your book even when you’re fast asleep.

These software programs make it possible to accept credit card payments and have each customer download your e-book as soon as the payment transaction is complete. Not only does this allow you to make money while you’re sleeping, it also increases customer satisfaction. People love instant gratification, so being able to pay and immediately receive the book download is an added bonus and a great customer retention tool.

These are known as “shopping carts” and many of the great ones have additional features like, auto-responders and an affiliate management platform. Yet another way to create residual income with an e-book is to embed your e-book with affiliate links. If you don’t have any additional products to sell you can make even more monthly income by adding links to affiliate programs that you belong to in order to sell other products.

So…not only did you just sell your own e-book but you now have other income opportunities embedded in your ebook.

How can I get started with using e-books to make residual income?

If you’re not a writer, you can find a freelance writer to develop an e-book for you before you market it as one of your products. Marketing can be accomplished with your web site, affiliate marketing, and special promotions. Once you have your book and marketing plan ready to go, you can set up an automated sales program so that you can start building residual income that will continue to grow as your sales increase.

Effective Are Poker Books

Recently playing poker has become very popular all around the world. One of the main reasons for that is because there are many international poker tournaments and celebrity poker events shown on television. In case you want to learn how to play poker or simply make your poker skills better, then I suggest you to find some poker books. There are many wonderful poker books that can teach you everything about poker, even how to play as a professional.

If you have never played before and you want to take a few basic lessons then it would best for you if you purchase poker books for beginners. They will teach you the basics - the rules, the etiquette and the card variations. Even if you are really interested in poker and you would like to become an expert in it, if you are a novice, you should get poker books and get down to studying.

Once you get started, the game will enchant you and you would want to learn everything about the different card combinations and the best way to play them. Of course, poker as many other card games is a game of chance. However, there are many things you can do after the cards are dealt, so that you will have better chances at winning. Poker books will provide you with information what you should and shouldn't do when playing the game. Many books have explanations how you should play every possible card combination. Whether you will pass on or go "all in" depends on your cards and if you want to take the right decision, you should read some poker books.

There are also many poker books for advanced players who wish to learn the more difficult and tricky moves and techniques. Many of the books we are talking about are written by famous professional poker players. If you get a book from a pro and you learn it, then no matter on what table you sit in, you will not look like an amateur. Apart from the poker tips and moves, these books often include interesting stories from the poker tables.

Poker is a wonder game that everyone enjoys. Being such a popular game, there are many stories to be told about poker games. Some of the poker books contain only stories but they can be interesting for both beginners and professionals. Reading about how a complete beginner participated in a poker tournament and got a million dollar award winning first place will make you put more efforts into learning how to play poker. It will also give you hope that maybe one day if you practice long enough you could also win a big tournament.

Writing Children's Books

Rejection is never easy. But some authors can't separate themselves from their work, and take rejection letters very personally. I get many emails from disgruntled writers who can't get past their anger to figure out why their work was turned down in the first place. So before you spend hours sticking pins in your editor voodoo doll, see if you recognize yourself below:

The complaint: "Editors practice age discrimination. I'm over 50 and editors believe only young authors can write for children."

The truth: Editors are interested in finding good books, period. It doesn't matter how old the author is. Take a look at the lists of award winners (ask your librarian, or do an Internet search for Caldecott or Newbery Awards) and note the ages of the authors. Many didn't start writing until their kids were in school full time, or took up writing as a second career. Editors also know that the best stories come from years of life experience, and older writers have more to draw from. Yes, occasionally a book written by a teenager will make the news, but more often than not it's the novelty of the author's age that gets the publicity, not the quality of the writing. And why does the editor know your age in the first place? There's no reason to mention it in your cover or query letter, unless it has direct bearing on the story. If you're writing historical fiction and you actually lived through the events in the plot, or your nonfiction book is based on years of study in the subject, then your age is a plus.

The complaint: "I'm a man, and editors think only women can write children's books."

The truth: Sorry guys, but this one's a little ridiculous. Again, look at that list of award winners. Men are well-represented. Glance through the names of editors in Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market published by Writer's Digest Books. Lots of men there too. The only time your gender might be an issue is with the readers themselves. For example, teenage boys might not buy a science fiction/adventure story written by a woman, or middle grade girls may think a man can't possibly pen a series featuring four adolescent girls at summer camp. They're wrong, but you can always use your first initial instead of your name to fool your audience.

The complaint: "They're just wrong about my writing! All editors want these days are famous names, not quality books."

The truth: Yes, many editors (especially those at larger houses) have to be concerned with making money for the publisher, and so rely on a certain number of established authors each year to pay the bills. But they also know they need to find new writers, because those standbys aren't going to be writing forever.

Sometimes it's almost impossible to interpret a rejection letter, and one or two form rejections does not mean you're a failure. Editors are people too, with personal tastes and the need to balance each list by subject matter and age group. However, several rejections in a row deserve a closer look. Are you submitting to appropriate publishers, who actually publish the kind of book you've written? Have any of the houses on your list recently published a book very similar to yours? Is your manuscript riddled with typos or grammatical errors? Even though a copy editor will fix these before the book's published, sloppy presentation can give an editor reason to reject a manuscript when she's got 50 others sitting on her desk waiting for her attention.

In most cases, though, it's the writing that gets the manuscript rejected. And since it's the editor's job to recognize good writing and help those authors make their books even better, there is a chance (admit it!) that the rejection is deserved. How can you tell? First of all, if you get personal comments about your manuscript in the rejection letter, take those to heart. Play devil's advocate and assume the editor's right, and see if those changes improve the work. Secondly, get objective input. Join a writer's group, get a professional manuscript critique, or pay for a personal critique session at a writer's conference (most Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators workshops--http://www.scbwi.org--have optional one-on-one critiques). Take writing classes, read books on writing. Do whatever you can to learn how to judge your work and make it better.

The complaint: "Publishers aren't interested in publishing books that will help kids."

The truth: Whoa! If children's book publishers didn't produce books that benefit kids, they'd go out of business in a heartbeat. Of course, we can all walk into a book store and find books that aren't worth the paper they're printed on, but that's true of any product. (Have you ever bought a T-shirt that disintegrated in the first wash, or a DVD player that self-destructed in a week?) I'm not saying that's a good thing, but our society seems to tolerate a certain amount of drivel in the marketplace. However, all publishers prefer commercially-appealing books that also have substance. This complaint consistently comes from writers whose goal is to "help kids," or teach them how to grow into solid, caring citizens through their books. This is admirable and even desirable, but very often the message is heavy-handed and preachy. The message smothers the story, and the book ends up sounded like a lecture. It's simply not good writing. Try reading several popular books wit h a message embedded in the plot (ask a teacher or librarian for recommendations) and work on the writing-improvement suggestions above.

The complaint: "I'm disabled/poor/have had a hard life and want to share my story, but no one will listen."

The truth: I imagine it's difficult for an editor to reject a manuscript that comes from someone who has struggled with adversity and is still determined to follow their lifelong dream of becoming a published author. The tough circumstances themselves don't work against the writer (very often they contribute to powerful stories) but an author's unique situation cannot outweigh less-than-stellar writing. What's on the page is what matters the most. If your story is too personal (it's about your life as an adult, or you haven't extracted the universal feelings and crafted them into a story that will be relevant to a wide audience), the book simply won't sell in the children's market. Again, learn what makes a quality children's book and get objective feedback on your manuscript. Remember, no one owes you a publishing credit just because you took the time to write a book. Writing is hard work, and requires self-education, practice, and persistence. There's no shame in p utting aside a manuscript that simply won't sell and writing something new. Every published author has a drawer full of those, and enough rejection letters to wallpaper an office. So join the club– it's worth the price of membership.

Create E-Books For Income

Writing your first E-Book may be seemingly impossible for anyone. For some, writing is natural and they can weave stories, articles and books in a short time frame. But the majority of the population would be dealing with the popular ‘writers block’; they might write a chapter or two and then face shortage of ideas. But like most of the tasks writing an E-Book will be a child’s play if you divide the entire work into tiny convenient parts.

We have provided some tips which will help you to write your own E-book:

·To begin with, you will have to choose a subject in which you have a keen interest or some area which you are expert in. For you the subject might be interesting but care should be taken that it also appeals the audience too.

·Writing the first sentence seems to be a Herculean task. Brainstorming for the title would seem easier to most of the beginners. You might even stumble upon some new ideas while searching for a topic of your book.

·A catchy title can prove to be extremely helpful in boosting your E-book sales.

·You can divide your E-books into various sections or chapters and then go on adding details to it; this way the work seems easier and more systematic.

·If you have some ideas on some topic then you can elaborate it to form an entire chapter or section.

·If you are short of chapters or ideas then you can add in introductory and concluding chapters.

·It is recommended to keep the E-book short and information packed unless the topic demands more concise information.

·If you are working on a computer then take regular back ups on storage media like CD’s or DVD’s to avoid data loss in case your hard disc crashes. You can even upload it to your mail box.

·Using short sentences and keeping lots of white space will make it easy for readers to read your E-book. Make sure that your readers won’t find it difficult to read the E-book.

After you finish writing your E-book, edit it to maintain the flow of ideas. Also check the grammar and spellings and if you are willing then you can go for proofreading it from a professional proofreader. If there are mistakes in your E-book then it will get negative reviews and comments even if you will provide a highly information packed and useful E-book.

After you are satisfied with the quality of the content of your E-book you will have to create a professional book cover for it. If you are not a graphic designer then its recommended to hand over the book cover creation task to some professional artist or publishing company since it is the book cover which grabs the attention of the readers. Choosing the format of the E-book is also important and will depend on various factors of the convenience of the readers. After the book is ready you can distribute some copies to some friends and relatives for their comments which can be used as testimonials for increasing your credibility.

There are many online services which will help you to prevent others from copying data from your E-book. If you feel your E-book has data worth to be protected, then you can opt for such services from various companies.If your first few E-books are not successful then do not feel disappointed. Failures are stepping stones to success and you will attain success with some dedication and hard work.

Being a Parent Books

Being a parent is considered the hardest job in the world, and everyone needs a little help and advice from time to time. There are many books written by parenting experts and doctors to help guide you through your baby's first 12 months. It's okay to get advice and help from other people when it comes to raising your child. After all, babies don't come with an instruction manual. You'll find many books that can help you with such issues as breastfeeding, teething, nutrition, and parenting.

Parenting Books for the First 12 Months

These books are all great tools for parents who want to do a little research, or get some tips when it comes to raising children:

Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby's First Year

Mayo Clinic

Hardcover, William Morrow & Company, 1994, ISBN # 0688117619

This book delves into the world of motherhood, exploring issues such as breastfeeding and the changes in a woman's body. Family issues and parenting advice are also offered.

The Contented Little Baby Book: The Simple Secrets of Calm, Confident Parenting

Ford, Gina

Paperback, New American Library, 2001, ISBN # 0451202430

This book discusses what's best for the baby, delving into sleeping and nutritional information to help guide you. Many simple strategies are featured in this book that will help parents establish rules and patterns to ensure the continued health and happiness of their child.

The Everything Get Ready for Baby Book: From Buying the Right Gear to Learning the Best Lullabies

Jones, Katina

Paperback, Adams Media Corporation, 1998, ISBN # 1558508449

This book is filled with invaluable advice about selecting a name, a pediatrician, and proper feeding methods. You can start preparing for your baby's arrival in advance with the advice found in the pages of this guide.

The Mother of All Baby Books

Douglas, Ann

Paperback, Hungry Minds, 2002, ISBN # 0764566164

This book explores healthy infant development, feeding, sleeping, and medical advice for the first year of your baby's life.

The Joy of Fatherhood: The First Twelve Months Expanded 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Marcus Jacob Goldman MD

Even fathers need help when it comes to raising a child, and there's no reason that new fathers should be left out. This book offers invaluable advice and tips for fathers who want to have a hands-on role in their child's early development.

Your Baby's First Year Week by Week

Glade B Curtis

ISBN: 1555612326

This book takes you week-by-week through your child's development, offering advice and tips through the earliest stages of your baby's development.

Rookie Dad: Fun and Easy Exercises and Games for Dads and Babies in Their First Year

Susan Fox

For fathers who want to find ways to connect with their child, this book offers great advice and activities. You want your child to get to know you as soon as possible, and some fathers feel a little left out of the special mother-child bond that arises. This book helps fathers get close to their children, beginning at an early age.

Keeping the Baby Alive till Your Wife Gets Home

Walter Roark

This humorous look at fatherhood is one that new fathers will immediately identify with. This book can serve as a guide to fathers who are inexperienced when it comes to babies – as so many of them are.

When it comes to raising your baby, you can never learn too much. Check out some of these parenting books for the first 12 months of your baby's life to get started on the right foot when it comes to parenthood.

Selling E-books for Revenue

Can you get rich selling e-books? Huge profit is not guaranteed, but you can build a nice income for sure and you can also create some nice links for your website. Improving your links will help create better search engine ranking and more visitors to your site.

E-books are electronic versions of printed material that can contain text, sound, and images. The profit potential from selling them is high because start up and operating expenses are very low. The biggest expense is purchasing books for sale.

You can earn even more money if you write some of your own e-books. Your writing skills don't have to be stellar. There are online sources that will take your research and craft an e-book for you. Some of these companies even take care of marketing, payments, and shipping.

Buying e-books for Sale

You can purchase e-books from authors online. eBay is another source for e-book buying. Purchase e-books with resell rights. This allows customers to sell the e-books they buy from you themselves thus providing an incentive for them to do business with you.

Make sure the e-books you buy (or write yourself) are full of useful information and resources. Some e-books are nothing more than ads and sales pitches for the writer's products. These "ad books" will turn off customers and decrease repeat business.

Do your research to determine what types of information people are seeking. Getting rich selling e-books will depend on the topics covered, customer base, and marketing campaign.

Before buying an e-book for resale, do an online search for the title. If lots of web sites are selling the book, it's probably a popular title and will be a good seller. It also helps to sell e-books that cater to a specific market niche. Search online forums and other group sites to locate potential target markets for niche titles. Contact these groups with a short email inviting them to visit your site. Offer an incentive such as 20% off first purchase to increase site traffic.

E-books about current trends or hot topics will generate more income. Your income will really get a boost if you can spot the "next big topic" and write or purchase e-books to sell before the competition saturates the market.

Marketing Extras

You can use a common template for your e-books web site or sell them on an existing site you already have. However, to stand out from the competition, create you own web site to sell e-books. Always add new titles to your stock to keep old customers coming back and to attract new ones. Use email to notify customers of new titles and special sales. Offer discounts on slow moving titles.

Affiliate programs are another way to get rich selling e-books. The affiliate pays you a commission for of its e-books you sell. To earn extra cash from e-books you write, start your own affiliate program.

There are plenty of online and print books that will help you learn how to get in on the e-book sales bandwagon. A good place to begin reading is "Make Your Knowledge Sell," by Ken Evoy and Monique Harris.

Sources

"About Making Money with E-Books," (about-the-web.com)

"Make Money Selling Ebooks," (christianet.com)

"Make Money Selling Ebooks," (homebusinessmag.com)

"Is Your Dog Selling eBooks Too?," (marketingsource.com)

Look At Science Fiction Books

Science fiction books have been my favorite reading since my childhood days. I was introduced to the world of science fiction at the good young age of eight, when I was introduced to a science fiction book club. We children enjoyed good time reading classics like ‘The Time Machine’, ‘Invisible Man’, Journey to the Center of the Earth’, and a whole lot of science fiction books. The experience of reading them was so unique that I cant really forget the story line and characters in space operas like ‘Citizen of the Galaxy’ by Robert A. Heinlein, ‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card, etc.

I always liked to anticipate the unpredictable, see the future. It is the epic scope of the science fiction books that attracted me. The books of a specific kind called speculative fiction try to tell today what the world looks like tomorrow. Space opera captured my childhood fantasy and still continues to. Whole galaxies lining up for a war, one party to establish supremacy and the other one defending their ground; there is suspense, thriller, unpredictability, and everything you need to unleash your fantasy. Alien races from a different dimension, prophecies, betrayal, love, honor, etc made science fiction books playing with my emotions for many years now.

Many that become sci-fi lovers asked me suggestions on science fiction books. My advice to them is to browse through collections. Science fiction books are the best categorized form of fiction writing. There come dozens of new collections every year. You can find them in different combinations. While making you choice from among the variety of available science fiction books, always make it a practice to skim through the content. At first read excerpts from all science fiction genre, and without much delay you will identify the science fiction books that are really suited for your taste. Just go with your heart – do you find it interesting to read a story? Pick it. Do you find the storyline tough? Drop it. It is that simple to make your choice.

Fantasy books sometimes overlap with science fiction books, although they are always not the same. If you have a taste of fantasy, chances are higher that you have a heart for sci-fi too and vice versa. You can clearly distinguish between fantasy and sci-fi in most cases, but there are no rules to distinguish them. Harry Potter series is pure fantasy while Time Machine is purely sci-fi. Fantasy books come with some magic, supernatural powers etc, while sci-fi characters are made more believable by defining technology, timelines and possibilities and the topics sci-fi writers choose generally will be of interest by common man.

Books for Writers

Books for Writers: "The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers," by Betsy Lerner

In her lengthy career, Betsy Lerner has been an MFA student, an award-winning poet, a book editor at major publishing houses, and a literary agent. So in her wonderfully insightful book about writers and the business in which they struggle, she provides a myriad of wise and knowledgeable perspectives. Whether you are working on your first novel or your fifth, you'll read Lerner's book and think, She's writing about me.

You may not think so on every page, especially if you have an oversize ego. Lerner shares a wealth of anecdotes and opinions about the essential makeup of writers, not all of them flattering. (Words such as "neurotic" and "insecure" come up a lot.) But, because of her obvious love of writers and books, even the brutally honest stuff doesn't come across as insulting. After all, how insulting can it be to be compared to Philip Roth? Her observations are simply honest, and deeply affectionate. Lerner's stories about the enthusiasm she has felt over the years for particular writers and projects, and for the world of books in general, is infectious.

"The Forest for the Trees" is not a long book, but it covers a lot of territory. The book's first half speaks mainly to the process and the personality of the writer... This is the part that'll make you think she's writing about, or to, you. The chapters are peppered liberally with quotes from Roth, John Updike, Edith Wharton, and dozens of others about what inspired them to begin writing and what prevents them from stopping; about their process; about how they deal with criticism. All writers are different, but you'll identify with much of what you read, whether it's William Styron's comment that "I certainly don't [enjoy writing]. I get a fine warm feeling when I'm doing well, but that pleasure is pretty much negated by the pain of getting started every day"; or the story that Hemingway always needed twenty sharpened pencils on his desk before starting to write. (Gore Vidal's less romantic variation: "First coffee. Then a bowel movement. Then the muse joins me.")

In the book's second half, Lerner turns to more practical matters, pulling back the curtain on what, even if you've been published, may be a world of mystery to you: the publishing house (and, by extension, booksellers, reviewers, etc.). She provides wisdom on dealing with your agent and/or publishers ("Don't make the mistake of writing to publishers in what I call a proposal voice; this isn't a grant you're applying for"). She demystifies what goes on at sales meetings and what makes for a good author/editor relationship. ("Call before sending chunks of manuscript... It's like having out-of-town guests show up uninvited for the weekend.") She explains the importance of the book publicist.

What struck me about "The Forest for the Trees" is that it's not only helpful, not only insightful, but also an engrossing and entertaining read. Lerner is witty and big-hearted, literate without being snobbish, brutally honest without discouraging writers from pursuing a career. It's a book that belongs on the shelves of every writer and every editor (I first read it in a manuscript editing class). I always say that writers should do all the research they can into the book industry before approaching it. This book is a source of knowledge on the book industry, the people who work within it, and, perhaps most important, on the inner life of any writer who ever sat down in front of a blank screen.

5 Good Reasons For Choosing An Audio Book

Did you know that audio books are becoming more and more popular by each day? For example, in 2004, over $124 million worth of audio books were sold in the UK and $120 million in Germany during 2005. Experts say that this year the market is expected to rise by 20% in Europe, and audio books seem to be even more popular in the USA.

But why are audio versions a convenient way to "read" a book?

1) You save time, because you can listen to an audio book anywhere and everywhere, and you can even do other things at the same time. You can listen when driving to and from work, when walking the dog, cycling, working around the house or at the computer, exercising, and so on. The possibilities are endless.

According to a recent survey, in the USA a person is driving an average of 1 hour and 13 minutes daily, which means over 440 hours a year for each driver, or 11 full-time work weeks. This is huge! Imagine how many things you could learn during this time by simply having your MP3 player with audio books at hand.

2) If you love reading but don't have a enough time, audio books can give you the opportunity to read many more books that you would otherwise have time for. Audio books are a great way to fill the "dead" moments we all have in our lives.

3) Audio books are good for older, ill or recovering people and can be a wonderful gift for someone in a nursing institution. This is a gift they can remember and enjoy time after time.

4) Audio books can be a blessing for blind people, disabled people or people with impaired vision. Everyone should have the chance to experience and enjoy a book and in many cases, this is the only way for such persons to do it.

Spoken books can help these people improving their education, help them developing new hobbies and habits and greatly enriching their life, both personally and professionally.

5) The most important skill a child can ever acquire is probably the ability to read, and audio books can be easily used to stimulate literacy in children. Books can be listened to by children while following the story in the paper book. Or they could listen just to gain and improve vocabulary and communication skills. If you want to instill in your child the love of reading, audio books can be a excellent start.

There are many more benefits of using audio books, but even these few reasons should be enough to convince you to enter the exciting world of the spoken books.

Literacy Related Problems of Education books

Will Audio Books Help to Solve The Literacy Related Problems of Education?

The arrival of multimedia initially pushed the use of audio books as an educational tool into the background. Seen against the backdrop of a generation of young television addicts, it is hardly surprising that the already beleaguered literacy-related abilities of children were subject to yet another setback when audio books disappeared from the scene.

Several educators soon started adding two and two together, and came to the conclusion that in order to address the myriad of challenges associated with the decline in literacy, the underlying problem of listening skills needed to be addressed. As a result, audio books have yet again stepped to the fore and have regained recognition as valuable contributors in educational terms.

Many educators are downloading audio books from the web to address this issue. All the latest titles ranging from Narnia to Harry Potter are available as audio book downloads today. Because of the popularity of these stories, children need not be coerced into listening to these audio books. They look forward to story time – regardless of whether it is a part of the curriculum or whether it is the reward for a day’s work well done!

What is the educational value of audio books to children?

The very first value that comes to mind is listening skills. The first contact an unborn babe makes with the outside world while she is still in her mother’s womb is through hearing. After her birth, she uses hearing to acquire the skill to verbally communicate with others. This language skill she develops over the first few years in her life is her first step towards literacy.

The second contribution made by audio books, revolves around language ability. Children are bombarded with visual stimuli. Television, movies and the majority of educational toys available today, are all visual. In the absence of aural stimuli, such as those offered by audio books, listening skills become under-developed, impacting both language and literacy.

Audio books impose the need on the child to listen to the spoken word (language). In addition to improving the child’s grammar, it also improves vocabulary and elocution all of which underpin literacy. Audio books allow children the opportunity to create images in their mind’s eye. By stimulating a child’s ability to imagine, her ability for lateral thinking is also greatly enhanced.

The third benefit of audio books as an educational tool falls within the ambit of reading and comprehension. These are critical learning skills. Reading centers and laboratories report that as many as 80% of all students tested not only read at speeds 2 years or more below the levels required for their specific age groups, but also show a comprehension / retention of 65% and less. There are many different methods employed to assist enrolled students with recovering the ‘lost years’. Of note is the fact that some of these centers make use of audio books in conjunction with the readers they provide.

The students follow the written text in time with the audio books being played back to them. A visual / aural link is forged between the written word and the spoken word. Once this divide is crossed, tangible progress is made both in terms of reading speeds and comprehension. In addition to the hour or two spent at these centers per week, twenty minutes’ supplemental reading is required per day. Instead of issuing a student on the read-along program with a CD, many centers offer the student access to the appropriate audio book online.

How can parents help?

The answer is simple: Get them listening to audio books – sooner rather than later. Opportunities for listening to audio books abound. For smaller children, parents can play audio books in the car. For teens, consider allowing audio book downloads to their iPods and other Media Players. Compared against the printed medium, audio books procured in this way are relatively cheap. The range of titles available means that there is something for anybody. Even for the most ‘difficult’ of teens!

Although buying audio books may not be the biggest investment a parent can make in money terms, investing in audio books may well turn out to be the biggest in terms of value.

Evolution of Books

A Book is anything that is in written, printed, or blank pages format fastened along one side and encased between protective covers. In other words, a book is a collection of leaves of paper or other material, bound together along one edge within covers. A book is also a literary work or a main division of such a work. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book.

In the words of Cicero, "A room without books is like a body without a soul". Books and mankind have been tied together for centuries. Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

Books are on the second rung of evolution of communication - first being oral communication. Early era books weren't in printed form, but were 'inscribed'. Use of Papyrus was the next technological advancement in this area. Egyptian and Greek ancient histories find frequent mention of usage of Papyrus for books. These books, particularly Greek ones, were very large sized books, measuring 30 feet length and one foot width. Over a period of time book writing shifted to parchments during the middle age.

China is credited with printing of books with the help of blocks (even today this technique is deployed). Europeans, in particular Italians and French developed this book printing into a huge book printing industry. Some archeologists and historians attribute this to their love for art. Britain came to the fore with industrialization. Manual process of printing the books were replaced with printing machines. Today book printing technology is extremely different from the techniques deployed during 20th century. Computers have made it very easy, flexible and interesting to printing of books. Modern day book printing technology heavily depends on computers whether it is the design, concept, cover or for that matter the final stage of printing. It has possible because of computerized technology that book printing span has reduced, quality has improved and huge quantities are a matter of few hours. Latest to be added to books is the concept of e-books. E-books are the electronic form of books. These books, while being made available on traditional paper, are also available in soft format.

Some of the interesting facts about books are been laid here. The world's biggest book (3,604 pages weighing 12 kilo) has been written about Croatian president Franjo Tudjman by Croatian author Hrvoje Sosic. Guinness World Records has confirmed that Mark Palkovic is the owner of the smallest book (0.9 millimeters by 0.9 millimeters, 30 pages) titled Chekhov's Chameleon. According to one claim, the oldest book can be viewed at Bulgaria's National History Museum in Sofia. This book is claimed to be belonging to year 600BC.

No write up on books is complete without the mention of Amazon and Barnes & Noble. While Amazon carries over four million titles over its counter, Barnes & Noble boasts of a wide chain of 842 retailers using its trade name. Amazon, in particular has been very successful and had a rapid growth in its business since its inception.

Rare Books At Auction

Rare and antique book collecting is a hobby that any person can easily learn, it is fascinating and can turn your hard earned pounds or dollars into hundreds (sometimes thousands) literally overnight. The skeptics out there will be thinking surely this is not the case. In a Pygmalion fashion let me tell you a true story:

I was with a work colleague who started talking about hobbies, he informed me of his passion for rare and antique books. During the discussion he told me how easy it was to spot first editions and that if you were fairly savvy you could actually make decent money from buying old books at charity shops, car boot sales, garage sales and jumble sales. Admittedly being an avid reader and wishing to earn extra money, putting the two together seemed like an ideal pastime. I was fascinated and wanted to know more, he took me to a local second hand bookstore, then on a web tour of the major book sites just to show the money being asked for some of the rarer first editions. I was taken aback by the difference in price from the second hand bookstores to the cheapest available on the web; I realized (as all collectors know) that a profit can be made relatively easily and quickly, given the right selling medium. So it would seem a protégé was in the making. Over the next few weeks I spent my time scouring the web and visiting charity shops in the local area. To my surprise and his, one of the first finds was a true first edition first impression by Mario Puzo for which I paid the princely sum of one pound (Yes £1.00) for. I listed the book on a niche auction site for rare and antique books and ten days later the book sold making a whopping seven hundred and fifty three pounds (Yes £753.00) profit. Needless to say I am now a convert to being a rare book auctioneer in my spare time.

Try it yourself, read the various articles out there on how to identify first edition books, go to your local charity shops and car boot sales and see what you can find. You never know what you will come across, or, how much you could sell it for.

Writing Children's BooksTo Get Published

Writing Children's Books: Take Chances To Get Published

In an editorial several years ago, I described a tree house in the backyard of a local restaurant. I wrote, "The entire structure has been pieced together from recycled lumber, much of which still bears the paint, logos or posters of the original walls from whence it came. The generous platform is ringed by a sturdy fence that includes branches of the tree itself, random two-by-fours, wooden signs, and even a pair of moose antlers. The 'house' is more of a lean-to, tall enough for kids (but not adults) to stand up inside, with a screened door and two screened windows positioned so occupants can easily spy on the diners below or out over the adjacent parking lot. A green padded bench that looks like it had once belonged in a diner adequately furnishes the space. Underneath the tree house hangs a rope swing, from which kids can fling themselves into a thick layer of hay on the grass."

Fast forward to this summer. The restaurant revamped their backyard, including the tree house. The railing now consists of uniform boards about three inches apart. The house is reached not by a ladder and trapdoor, but via a bona fide staircase. The screen door is gone, the windows are covered in glass, and several of the tree's branches have been pruned back to discourage climbing. But the worst part, according to my 10-year-old, is that the rope swing has disappeared. Matthew declared the whole structure "boring." In today's world, kids have far less freedom than in previous generations. Their lives are more controlled–sometimes because of parents' fears of an increasingly dangerous society, but often because we've somehow come to believe that to grow into successful adults, children's activities must be channeled, scheduled and programmed from infancy.

Danger comes in many forms, from a stranger encountered on the way to school (who may be a neighbor out walking his dog, but you never know), to free time not filled with "enriching" activities. But, in my opinion, kids need a little danger in their lives. They need to test their boundaries, to learn how to climb a ladder and squeeze through a trapdoor. They need to hurl themselves into a pile of hay and learn it's best not to land on your face. If grown-ups clean up their world too much, kids will never learn how to push themselves. They'll never have the satisfaction of trying things that are a little scary, a little off their parents' radar, and accomplishing something that belongs just to them.

One of the few places kids can still push their limits is with books. It's possible to step outside your safe life with a story, or try new ideas on for size. But many adults want to clean up their kids' reading choices as well. I know parents who abhor Barbara Park's perennially popular Junie B. Jones chapter books because the spirited Junie isn't a good role model, or won't read Winnie the Pooh because Christopher Robin can't spell very well. I also know a lot of authors who are afraid to write books that are slightly subversive because they worry editors won't publish them. But for every parent who insists on only "safe" reading for their child (and it's every parent's right to do so), there are at least two parents who believe it's okay for kids to wade into the danger zone through fiction. I'm not advocating murder mysteries for preschoolers here, just books that might be considered slightly uncivilized, or more entertaining than educational. Let's look at some popular examples:

When I first saw Walter, the Farting Dog by William Kozwinkle and Glenn Murray, illustrated by Audrey Colman (a picture book whose plot needs no explanation), I was worried that children's publishing might be sinking a little too low. But as it started winning awards and spawning sequels, I changed my opinion. Let's face it: farting makes kids laugh. And if your child finds this book hysterical, you should be glad. In order to get the joke, kids need to know that noisy bodily functions are considered impolite. Laughing about them is one of the perks of childhood. Don't worry, they'll outgrow it.

A picture book coming out this December that's already creating a buzz is 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. The heroine utters such statements as "I had an idea to staple my brother’s hair to his pillow. I am not allowed to use the stapler anymore." She also glues her brother's bunny slippers to the floor, and shows Joey Whipple her underpants. Both big No's. This ingenious story should satisfy two camps of parents; those who want kids to see consequences for inappropriate behavior, and those who don't mind letting their kids live vicariously through a curious, mischievous character. A pop-up book due out later this month from three publishing powerhouses–Maurice Sendak, Arthur Yorinks and Matthew Reinhart–lets young children face the monsters hiding in their closets and come out on top. In Mommy?, a young boy wanders into a haunted house looking for his mother and encounters creatures like a goblin, a mummy, and Frankenstein. Instead of running scared, the boy pulls pranks on each monster, deflating their power and showing how humor conquers fear every time.

Speaking of scary, if you haven't read any of the enormously popular Series of Unfortunate Events middle grade novels by Lemony Snicket, do so. With titles like The Bad Beginning, The Miserable Mill, and The Penultimate Peril, and cautions from the author such as, “If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book,” these are clearly stories where adults dare not tread. But children brave enough to venture between the covers will find hilarious plots full of nail-biting twists. The intelligent Baudelaire orphans have unusual skills (Violet for inventing, Klaus for reading and researching, and baby Sunny for biting) that make them admirable heroes.

Lauren Myracle enters the private world of teen girl talk in her young adult novels TTYL and TTFN. The titles alone might raise some parents' suspicions because unless they're well-versed at IM (instant messaging), they won't know what the abbreviations stand for. In fact, the entire novels consist of conversations between three high school girls written in emails, text-messaging and IM's, using the standard computer shorthand that includes abbreviated spelling and quirky syntax. If you're not an IMer yourself, you'll find the books somewhat difficult to read. But you and I aren't the target audience here. And though the format might keep adults from examining the books too closely, the plots are standard upper young adult fare–relationships, family trauma, peer pressure, even drugs and alcohol–handled in a believable manner that conveys growth of character by the end of each story.

As an author, if you're inspired to delve into the slightly dangerous, dark or subversive corners of childhood with your books, feel free to do so. Don't limit yourself to all that's bright, safe and up to code. Allow kids places where they can wander away from their parents' watchful eyes and have an adventure. If the adventure's in a book, they'll always come home safe and sound. And if you're still not convinced, consider this: In the backyard of the restaurant, the tree house now sits empty. But the books I've described above are flying off the shelves.

Learning Through Audio Books

Books on tapes, audio books, and other audio learning devices are fast gaining popularity in the education field. In using audio book learning systems for the purpose of education, parents, teachers, and educators are relieved that its benefits are numerous. The increasing success of starting and struggling readers is often credited to using audio books as part of their learning process. Aside from this, there are other advantages in using audio materials not only in schools, but also in homes and other places.

In education, it is generally cheaper to provide a single set of books on tape, audio books, and other audio learning materials for the class to share. Money is saved because individual books are not needed. Plus, the teacher will be able to do more with his or her time while the class listens to audio lessons. Researches also show that a large percentage- 85%- of our learning and knowledge actually comes from listening. Another plus factor for using audio books is the improvement of the students' listening and comprehension skills. They are compelled to listen attentively since they cannot follow what is being played on tape with a book. In addition, studies have proved that reading beginners see printed words as disconnected symbols. Through the aid of audio learning, the rhythm of the speech and its patterns are made distinct, thereby making the printed material flowing and easily absorbed. What's more, early readers can learn the pronunciation of words through listening to books on tapes. This minimizes the risk of losing interest in reading. Difficulty in pronouncing words and the pressure of pronouncing words correctly are two of the most common reason why people lose interest in reading. Also, even if the reader does not understand the definite meaning of words or of what they're hearing, they will have an idea about its meaning depending on how it is said on tape.

The importance of books on tape, audio books, and audio learning devices are not confined to the classroom. Homeschoolers often use audio books during their classes at home. Advantages for using audio books include the development of interest for literature. It is common knowledge that children loved to be read to. Audio books and learning are a great way to expose them to literatures other than the traditional fairy tales. The danger of them being bored is very minimal as professional actors usually narrates and portrays the characters. Interesting sound effects are also added for additional enjoyment. Plus, children at an early age will learn to associate literature with a fun activity. For adults, books on tape, audio books, and audio learning devices are great ways to learn a foreign language. It is proven that learning a new language is easier if you hear it often. Also, the need to enroll in a language course is not necessary unless it is a certification that you want.

Reasons for using books on tapes, audio books, and audio learning devices are many; but still, education is the greatest. These reasons should and hopefully will provide readers with ideas on how important, and fun, audio learning is when used for education. A hoped-for and expected effect of books on tape and audio books are that children and students read at home with willingness and interest.

Interactive Electronic Children's Books

Did you know there are numerous authors that have published children's books in electronic format? What is electronic format? Well, that is when a book is available from the computer as a download or on CD or on diskette.

If a customer purchases a book as a download, then the publisher sends them the book through email sometimes with a link where they can go to download it themselves, or as an attachment. If the customer purchases the book on CD or diskette, then the book will arrive through the mail with cover art, spine, author information, ISBN (International Standard Book Number, which is a ten-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products that are published internationally. It identifies one title or an edition of a title from one specific publisher), and instructions on how to open your book.

Here are a few fabulous children's electronic book, many of which come with sounds and animation. CAPTAIN ANGUS, THE LIGHTHOUSE GHOST by Wendy Laing, published by Wendave, http://wendave.com/wendaveaudiobooks.html, is a book written using The Cape Otway Lighthouse in Victoria, Australia. Laing's book, creditable as a teaching aid, educates readers about pioneer history in Australia. Readers follow along with two children, exploring through a magic time travel tunnel with an old Scottish sea captain.

BECAUSE I SAID SO by Dotti Enderle, published by Writers-Exchange EPublishing tells the story of little Logan and his mother. Every time his mother asks him to complete a task such as pick up his toys or to take a bath, Logan asks her why. His mother's response is clear and simple"BECAUSE I SAID SO." In the end of this delightful illustrated book, Logan surprises his mother with a reply to her why question.

Perhaps you are looking for a book that teaches your children about marriage. BICYCLE: A STORY ABOUT MARRIAGE by Rod Lenfest is just the book you need. Published by Writers-Exchange EPublishing, this book comes complete with comical illustrations. It is a story about marriage written so children of all ages can understand. It is an amusing and easy-to-read book. The helpful information in the back section enables readers to get the most from the story. Lenfest uses a bicycle as a metaphor to teach readers the many parts a marriage needs to succeed.

Book number two in the Green Heart Series, BLUEGUM CHRISTMAS: A MIRACLE AT SASSAFRAS CREEK by Marlies Bugmann, published by Zumaya Publications is a quick, satisfying read. This book teaches children the importance of taking care of our ecosystem in a fiction plot using a little eight-year-old boy named Ben Arthurson and a little ten-year-old girl named Samantha Hogan. Together they learn the uniqueness of the rare and beautiful Christmas birds; save the bluegum trees from destruction, and learn to appreciate nature and their surroundings.

Remember, just because some books are electronic (e-book) books, doesnt mean they arent fantastic! Open up an electronic book today and get to know some talented new authors.

Ten Books Every Boy's Gotta Read

Boys don't read - hundreds of reports and newspaper articles have made that clear.

The mantra of the literary community is to just get boys to read anything, even the back of a cereal box.

This message ignores the fact that literacy is not the real problem. Boys can read - they just choose not to. The dumbing-down of literature will not solve the problem of boys not reading. We need to inculcate a love or reading. Let's not lower the bar and endorse mediocrity. Let's raise it. Are you happy when your kid is reading a comic book? Or would you prefer he bury his nose in Tom Sawyer?

Below is a list of great books every boy should read before they're twelve, books that will capture their imagination and motivate them to read more. It's a mix of old and new, and guaranteed to get a big thumbs up.

1. Chasing Vermeer

A terrific action and mystery story surrounding the disappearance of a priceless work of art. Two kids find themselves at the centre of an international art scandal. Boys will be drawn to the story's dramatic conclusion, as the heroes solve a crime that left the FBI baffled.

2. Tiger, Jeff Stone.

Five young monks in China, trained by a kung-fu master, are forced to flee the safety of the temple to find some secret scrolls. Each monk has mastered a different form of fighting, all of which comes in handy as they battle their way closer and closer to their goal. Tiger is full of action, but also speaks to such issues as self-reliance, friendship, loyalty, and truthfulness. The author does a fine job of incorporating Chinese culture, an element that many boys will be attracted to.

3. Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer.

I have included these two masterful tales from Mark Twain as a single entry, but each deserves its own spot. Tom Sawyer is the lighter of the two , although the book's ending involves an accused murderer whom Tom confronts in a cave. Carefree adventures are combined with humour and drama to make it a perfect read for any boy. You might want to wait until your son is 10 or 11 before you introduce Huck Finn. Huck drifts down the Mississippi with Jim, a run-away slave. Again, action, adventure, and humour are combined, this time against the backdrop of American slavery. Tom Sawyer makes a guest appearance.

4. The Time Machine, H.G. Wells.

Younger readers will miss the subtleties of this classic allegory of time travel and the decay of English society. They will certainly love reading about the Morlocks, the subterranean descendants of the working class, and the Eloi, the simple-minded representatives of the bourgeoisie. Wells was a master storyteller, and his clear, easy style make this book very accessible. Boys won't put this one down, as they learn, along with the time traveler, the truth about London's strange inhabitants.

5. Operation Red Jericho, Joshua Mowill.

This book is written as a spy-journal, with lots of detailed maps and secret clues. The story is somewhat complex, which might make it more suitable to readers 10 and up; it's lots of fun, however, and there's never a dull moment. It's also a very beautiful book. You might need to pay a bit more, but your boy will like the look-and-feel.

6. Touchdown Pass, Clair Bee.

Touchdown Pass introduces readers to one of the great characters in American fiction - Chip Hilton. Clair Bee wrote the Chip Hilton series in the fifties and early sixties. This is the first book. Under no circumstances buy the new edition - stick with the original. You won't find the original in book stores. Go to AbeBooks.com or the used book section of Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble, and it's easy to find (and cheap). A bit Pollyanna in tone, and perhaps dated, Clair Bee practically invented the genre of the sports series.

7. Hockey Stories, Leslie McFarlane

Leslie McFarlane was the best-selling author of many of the Hardy Boys books. He wrote these stories in the 1930s, and they have just been re-released. The tone and terminology are slightly dated, but the themes are timeless . All the short stories have a quirky, humorous side that makes them fun and worthy of a read. This one is suitable for younger boys, even strong-reading eight-year olds.

8. Tarzan of the Apes, Edgar Rice Burroughs

Who hasn't heard of this one? Yet, it's not easy to find in bookstores. This is the first of a series. The rest of the Tarzan books are definitely B-list material. This one is not. It's a magnificent book - compelling and exciting. The romance elements are vague enough to be appropriate for any kid. The length suggests a reader who is 10+.

9. Holes

A young boy, wrongly accused of stealing, is sent to a youth detention centre. He is forced to dig holes in the ground, along with his fellow inmates, supposedly to build character. Instead, the evil warden is using the kids to find a priceless treasure. This is a story about friendship and loyalty, and the character development is noteworthy. It is also a major motion picture (not as good as the book!)

10. Off the Crossbar, David Skuy

Perhaps this is a biased entry, since it is my own. The main character is Charlie Joyce, a boy who arrives in a new town after the tragic death of his father. A terrific hockey player, he tries out for the school team. This marks the beginning of his troubles, as some of the kids don't want the 'new kid' to play. It's full of fast-paced action, climaxing in a hockey tournament. Charlie battles - on and off the ice - first for a spot on the team, and then to keep everything together, as infighting and rivalries threaten to destroy the team's chances. A book for boys who love sports.