Approached from page one, writing a book appears to be a long, steep climb. And once you reach the summit, you have to hunt for an agent or a publisher. With the larger publishers concentrating on potential best sellers by well-known authors, it is virtually impossible for the new writer to catch the attention of a publisher—or even an agent. But the situation is not hopeless; on the contrary, there is an easy solution because the book writing-publishing model just changed. ‘Writing Nonfiction’ by Dan Poynter describes the New “Book” Model: the technology has finally arrived to enable us to write, produce, sell and promote books faster, easier and cheaper. You will discover how to build your book rather than just write it. You will multipurpose your “book” into downloadable, CD and eBook versions. You will wring maximum value out of your work by spinning off audiotapes, videotapes, magazine excerpts, foreign-language editions and more. In fact, Writing Nonfiction will be your constant reference on writing and producing books as well as marketing your manuscript. With specific instructions included, Poynter recommends and shows how to cut out the middlemen by doing it yourself. You will learn how to select a salable subject, gather material and break down the book into easy-to-attack pieces. Writing Nonfiction is full of tips and tricks for writing your book.

Price: $14.95 USD

Everyone knows which books people buy; they can just look at the best-seller lists. But who knows which books people steal? Who, for that matter, knows that authors ruin the book market by writing too much? Or why book critics are not critical? Or why librarians need to throw out more books? Who, indeed, knows the answer to that all-important question in our democracy: should presidents and presidential candidates write books? (The answer is no.) In this irreverent analysis of the book industry, John Maxwell Hamilton — a longtime journalist and public radio commentator — answers these questions and many more, proving that the best way to study books is not to take them too seriously. He provides a rich history of the book — from the days when monks laboriously hand-copied texts to the tidal wave of Titanic tie-ins — and gives a succinct overview of the state of the industry today, including writing, marketing, promoting, reviewing, ghostwriting, and collecting. Throughout, Hamilton peppers his prose with spicy tidbits of information that will fascinate bibliophiles everywhere. For instance, did you know that Walt Whitman was fired from a government job because his boss found Leaves of Grass, and its author, immoral? Or that the most stolen book in the United States is the Bible, followed by The Joy of Sex? How about that Dan Quayle’s 1989 Christmas card read, “May our nation continue to be a beakon of hope to the world”? Or that Casanova was an ardent lover of books as well as women? Hamilton offers an inside look at the history and business of book reviewing, explaining why, more often than not, reviewers resemble “counselors at a self-esteem camp” and examining the enormous impact of the “Oprah effect” on the market. As the self-appointed Emily Post of the book world, he advises publishers, authors, and readers on proper etiquette for everything from book parties (“Feel free to build a party around a theme in a book, no matter how tacky”) and jacket photos (“You should not show off your new baby unless [your] book [is] about raising kids”), to book signings (“Just because an author has given you an autograph does not mean they want to become your pen pal”) and promotion by friends and relatives (“They should carry the book at all times on public transportation with the cover showing”). Both edifying and enjoyable, Casanova Was a Book Lover fills a Grand Canyon–sized void in the literature on literature. It is indispensable for book enthusiasts who want to know the naked truth about reading, writing, and publishing.

Price: $15.95 USD

Most diets don’t work for men because men don’t eat the way women do. Men don’t like to go hungry, they don’t like to live on salads, they don’t like excluding food groups and they don’t like counting calories. Luckily, The Eat-Clean Diet for Men isn’t like any other diet. Originally developed by and for men, Eating Clean allows men their meat and potatoes in man-sized portions and keeps them satisfied, with no calorie counting. It also helps with some very manly issues, such as sexual health and avoiding prostate cancer. Get:. • Simple plans with great-tasting food. • 50 man-friendly recipes. • Training for muscle. • Use food to improve your sex life. Author Residence: Robert Kennedy is the publisher of MuscleMag International, Reps! and Maximum Fitness and has been an advocate for men’s health and fitness for over 50 years. Tosca Reno has helped millions of people lose weight permanently and develop the bodies of their dreams. Tosca is the author of the very popular Eat-Clean Diet series of books, and writes for Reps!, Clean Eating, Maximum Fitness and Oxygen magazines. Robert and Tosca live north of Toronto. Marketing:. • Co-op available. • Full-scale marketing, including editorial and advertising, in the following glossy international magazines: MuscleMag International, Maximum Fitness, Reps!, Oxygen, and Clean Eating. • Jane Wesman commissioned publicity. • Appearances on local and national TV and radio. • Promotion in major newspapers, magazines and websites. Sales Handles:. • 60 percent of men want to lose weight. • Men don't like buying women's diet books. • Robert Kennedy is a highly trusted name in men's fitness. Audience:. • Men wanting to lose weight and/or get in shape.

Price: $19.95 USD

A powerful business fable that shows you how to spread Lean business practices to every function of your business Pascal Dennis is a Lean business learner and practitioner who has written four books on the subject of Lean business practices. In The Remedy, he shows how Lean business practices can be expanded from manufacturing to all the other areas of your business-including design, engineering, sales, and marketing and all processes in between-and how doing so builds a more efficient organization at every level. This story follows Tom Pappas and Rachel Armstrong, senior leaders at a desperate automotive company as they try to implement a Lean management system across an entire platform, the Chloe, a breakthrough "green" car. The future of the company is at stake. Can Tom and Rachel, supported by Andy Saito, a retired, reclusive Toyota executive, regain the trust and respect of the customer? Can a venerable but dying company implement Lean practices to every part of their business and learn a new, more effective way of managing? Shows you how to use the Lean quality improvement method to fix not just a manufacturing system, but an entire company, including management, design, marketing, and supply chain Written by Pascal Dennis, author of four books on Lean practices and winner of the coveted Shingo Prize for outstanding research contributing to operational excellence Originally developed by Toyota, the Lean approach to quality improvement has gained a worldwide following and helped turn around enumerable struggling businesses If your business is treading water-or sinking in the waves- The Remedy will show you how to put Lean processes to work in every functional area for long-term business survival and success.

Price: $24.95 USD

Praise for Exceptional Selling. "Thull's leading-edge thinking makes this book extraordinary. This straightforward guide to communicating across all cultures with credibility and respect will give you a significant competitive advantage in a complex and crowded global marketplace.". —Guenter Lauber, Vice President, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., EA Systems. "Exceptional Selling may be one of the most important books written on sales and marketing communications for high stakes sales. It shows you how to stand apart from your competition, communicate with great clarity, and position your solution as the most compelling choice for the long term.". —Rob Mancuso, Senior Vice President, Investors Financial Services Corp. "Thull has taken consultative and collaborative sales to new heights. The knowledge in this book is priceless. The trust and respect created by the diagnostic process is a must-have for success here in Asia and around the globe. It enables us to differentiate ourselves early and achieve long-lasting success.". —Tay Chong Siew, Major Customer Director, North Asia, BOC Gases. "Having achieved exceptional success by working with Thull and implementing the strategy and process in his first two books, I'm astounded that his leading-edge thinking is captured in yet more detail in another brilliant book. The conversation examples of his powerful diagnostic approach will bring even greater success to our organization. Truly exceptional!". —Alberto Chacin, Director of On Demand Services LAD, Oracle USA. "Exceptional Selling is a dramatic departure from the vast majority of sales books. It scares me to see all the ways in which we can self-sabotage our sales opportunities-but that's only chapter one. Throughout the book, Thull describes compelling examples of how to succeed in a cluttered marketplace.". —Steven Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Ceridian Corporation. "Thull has again extended the concepts and thinking he developed in The Prime Solution and Mastering the Complex Sale. This is an essential read for anyone working to understand his customers in a complex world.". —Wayne Hutchinson, Vice President of SalesMarketing and Consulting, Shell Global Solutions International B.V.

Price: $24.95 USD

This is the eBook version of the printed book. Microsoft Expression Design on Demand   FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE SHOWN HOW THAN TOLD HOW   SEE HOW TO • Create, open, and save Expression Design documents • Navigate documents easily by zooming and scrolling • Understand how to use the Expression Design interface controls • Align objects by snapping to grids, guides, and points • Select objects, path segments, and points with the various selection making tools • Arrange, align, distribute, and stack objects on the artboard • Control object visibility and position using Layers panel controls • Draw shapes and paths using the various drawing tools, such as the Pen, B-spline, and Polyline tools • Apply object attributes such as fills, strokes, and effects • Incorporate bitmap images and graphics into your designs • Create and format editable text objects • Export in various formats such as XAML, GIF, JPEG, TIFF, and PDF   On the Web This book uses real world examples to give you a context in which to use the task. This book also includes workshops to help you put together individual tasks into projects. The Expression Design example files that you need for project tasks are available at www.informit.com/title/0789738260   Ted LoCascio is a professional graphic designer who served as senior designer at KW Media and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) for several years. He has created layouts, graphics, and designs for many successful software training books, videos, websites, and magazines. Ted is the author of numerous books and has contributed articles to Photoshop User magazine, Creativepro.com, the Quark Xtra newsletter, PlanetQuark.com, and InDesign Magazine. He has also taught at the Adobe CS Conference, the InDesign Conference, the Pixel Conference, the Vector Conference, and PhotoshopWorld. A graphic designer for more than ten years, Ted’s designs and illustrations have been featured in several national newsstand and trade magazines, books, and various advertising and marketing materials.  

Price: $27.99 USD

Microsoft Expression Design on Demand. FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE SHOWN HOW THAN TOLD HOW. SEE HOW TO. • Create, open, and save Expression Design documents. • Navigate documents easily by zooming and scrolling. • Understand how to use the Expression Design interface controls. • Align objects by snapping to grids, guides, and points. • Select objects, path segments, and points with the various selection making tools. • Arrange, align, distribute, and stack objects on the artboard. • Control object visibility and position using Layers panel controls. • Draw shapes and paths using the various drawing tools, such as the Pen, B-spline, and Polyline tools. • Apply object attributes such as fills, strokes, and effects. • Incorporate bitmap images and graphics into your designs. • Create and format editable text objects. • Export in various formats such as XAML, GIF, JPEG, TIFF, and PDF. On the Web. This book uses real world examples to give you a context in which to use the task. This book also includes workshops to help you put together individual tasks into projects. The Expression Design example files that you need for project tasks are available at www.informit.com/title/0789738260. Ted LoCascio is a professional graphic designer who served as senior designer at KW Media and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) for several years. He has created layouts, graphics, and designs for many successful software training books, videos, websites, and magazines. Ted is the author of numerous books and has contributed articles to Photoshop User magazine, Creativepro.com, the Quark Xtra newsletter, PlanetQuark.com, and InDesign Magazine. He has also taught at the Adobe CS Conference, the InDesign Conference, the Pixel Conference, the Vector Conference, and PhotoshopWorld. A graphic designer for more than ten years, Ted’s designs and illustrations have been featured in several national newsstand and trade magazines, books, and various advertising and marketing materials.

Price: $27.99 USD

Dedicated to transparency scanning, this unique offering approaches the topic from the photographer’s viewpoint rather than that of the graphics guru or PC hardware maniac. While other books touch on these topics, David Busch delves into digital imaging with slides, film, and transparencies to provide a full understanding of the newest tools available in this market. Film scanning used to be very expensive but has suddenly come within the reach of everyone. In March, 2003, Minolta introduced its new DiMage Scan Dual III AF-2840 film scanner at a price of $279. Epson's Perfection 2450 scanner is one of the first flatbed scanners to do an admirable job scanning film from 35mm to 120 roll film. Instead of paying $800 to $1500 for a dedicated film scanner, just about anyone who does film scanning regularly can justify a scanner for the job. According to the Photo Marketing Association's 2003 Review and Forecast, 988 million rolls of film will be sold in the United States alone, along with another 210 million one-time-use film cameras. We're as likely to see filmless photography anytime soon as we are to work in a paperless office. After reading this book, users will have comprehensive knowledge of everything from outside services for scanning to do-it-yourself solutions, like slide copy attachments for digital cameras (a widely available but almost unknown accessory) and building back-light sources for flatbeds.

Price: $33.49 USD

Six Sigma is an incredibly powerful tool for trimming the fat from business processes and increasing operating efficiency to a point of near-perfection. But the days of cutting costs to create shareholder value are quickly coming to an end. In order to compete in today's super-hot global economy, companies like yours need radically new tools for connecting more closely with customers, identifying emerging market trends, and seizing opportunities for growth. Enter Customer Value Creation (CVC). In this breakthrough guide to driving profitable growth, authors Gary Plaster and Jerry Alderman introduce CVC, a revolutionary customer-centered business paradigm that marries Six Sigma tools to the sciences of marketing and strategy. "Beyond Six Sigma is practical, useful, and readable. The linkage of Six Sigma to customer processes is truly the next phase in achieving a competitive advantage with sustainable results. A must-read for every COO and CMO looking for the formula for profitable growth." —Robert T. Cancalosi, Chief Learning Officer, GE Healthcare "An insightful, practical, step-by-step approach to achieving profitable growth through a focus on building customer value." —R. Craig Breese, President, Maytag International "Plaster and Alderman have applied real-world principles to create a disciplined approach to growth that will truly become the next Six Sigma. Brilliant!" —Darrell Graddy, Vice President, Lockheed Martin "This is a book that speaks management's language. It shows us a straightforward approach to profitable growth by starting outside-in, i.e., with the customer. What a novel concept!" —James E. Goodwin, former chairman and CEO, United Airlines "This is one amazing book. Easy to read, easy to digest, and easy to implement. It's loaded with insight, novel ideas, cases, and breakthrough recommendations." —James A. McClung, former senior vice president and executive officer, FMC Corporation "This groundbreaking book clearly defines the growth agenda for all companies and provides the tools needed to deliver results! Plaster and Alderman get it!" —D. Keith Pigues, Vice President, Marketing, CEMEX "It would take a dozen marketing books to cover the ground that Plaster and Alderman cover with this new book. Building and sustaining growth is today's top priority and the authors hit this mark. Interesting, thought-provoking, and definitely on-target." —Michael Preston, Professor, Columbia University Business School

Price: $69.99 USD

Full color, completely current, and packed with practical applications, the sixth edition of the market-leading RETAILING delivers the inside track to the fast-moving retail industry. RETAILING is written by one of the most seasoned author teams in the market. Professor Dunne has more than 40 years of university teaching experience, nine books, and countless hours of consulting work to his credit. An authority in the area of marketing strategy and distribution systems, Professor Lusch has published 15 books. While others may focus on lackluster descriptions of retailers and their most mundane tasks, Dunne and Lusch bring retailing to life, covering the latest developments in the field and detailing behind-the-scenes stories in a conversational style filled with pictures and exhibits. It emphasizes the impact of technology and the Internet, as well as gives solid coverage to international topics and issues unique to service providers. This text also illustrates how retailing as a career choice can be fun, exciting, challenging, and rewarding. This excitement arises from selecting a merchandise assortment at market, determining how to present the merchandise in the store, developing a promotional program for the new assortment, or planning next season's sales -- all in an ever-changing economic environment. And the reward comes from doing this better than the competition. Helping students achieve their personal bests, RETAILING includes a thorough in-text study guide, which includes review questions, writing and speaking exercises, cases covering the gamut of retail operations, a computer spreadsheet case involving a small retail shop, and more. In addition, "Planning Your Own Retail Business" exercises give students experience grappling with the challenges managers/owners face in day-to-day operations, allowing readers to see firsthand the financial impact of retail decisions.

Price: $212.99 USD