POD People get help!

Remember Jeremy Robinson, the dude who wrote the intense, thought-provoking novel (and Needle finalist) THE DIDYMUS CONTINGENCY? If not, then you have a homework assignment. So far, the book has sold some 4,000 copies--more than a lot of traditionally published books.

Well, he's got another book out. And if you're a PODer (God help you) or thinking of becoming a PODer (move to the front of God's line) then you need to check this book out. POD PEOPLE is a manual for grabbing success with your POD title. Seriously, this is a solid reference. It is not full of hype on the glory of self-publishing; it actually brings you down to earth quickly, and explains how you can make the best of the world of POD--and how Jeremy turned his novel into a popular product.

And if you look at the cover closely, you'll see something that is unprecedented: a blurb from yours truly. That is how much I think the content of this book will help you. In fact, even traditionally published authors could get something from POD PEOPLE, for stuff like understanding Amazon and making the most of the digital marketplace.

Now, don't get carried away; I'm not going to blurb your novel, okay? I know some authors hand out blurbs like Halloween candy, but that is not me. This was an exception since it was a book about the POD world--and it earned it.

Also of note, Mr. Robinson has set up his own imprint, Breakneck Books, which he used to release POD PEOPLE and two other titles. If you look closely, he is accepting submissions for novels (thrillers, I would suspect). Another PublishAmerica? I think not. Check it out.

Elsewhere in the PODosphere (argh), A.C. Crispin has a nice little investigative piece on iUniverse's book placement in B&N stores. Excellent info here, proving once again that you need to get the details before spending money on getting published--and also proving once again that Susan Driscoll is a stand-up gal.

Also, Rice University re-opens it's academic press (closed ten years ago) under a more reasonable, promising, and profitable model. What model is this? Print-on-demand, of course.