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The Fast Fingers Blog

The Structure Of National Book Winning Award And Its Operations.

Written by   |   Friday, 08 March 2013 16:07

The American National Book Award, legendary price administering, was founded by the National Book Foundation in 1950. A number of writers such as Ralph Ellison, Katherine Anne porter, Lillian Hellman, Bernard Malamud, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Walker Percy, John Updike and many others are among the authors who were awarded.

Who are eligible for participation?

Invitations are open to authors who receive entry forms each year with guidelines, who wish to participant in the contest. These National Book Awards are officially posted every year in the month of April on the foundation’s main database. In case an author has no access to those invitations or hasn’t received any; they can have access by emailing or calling the foundation and will instantly receive a copy.
However, authors should make their submissions through their publishers thus can’t submit their own books for the contest. On the other hand, it is to be noted that, these entries are only open to the Americans.

The award involves a number of things;

On the Awards eve, a private medal ceremony is held where the finalists are given a medal, a citation from the panel and a $ 1,000 each. All being in total 20 finalists, each read at the Finalist Reading from their nominated books. Four nominated winners are awarded each a bronze sculpture and a whooping $10,000 during the national book awards the following evening in the categories; Nonfiction, Poetry, Fiction and young people’s literature.

The panel is presented with books to read over summer and the number is about 500 of the finest editions of that year. They then select a total of 10 titles which are further thinned to 5 top books which are announced in fall.

Criteria for choosing winners.

Until mid-November in New York where the winners are unveiled, they remain unknown even to the Awards stuff. A winner is categorically chosen in unison by a panel after they collectively agree on the winner.
The foundation appoints judges who include a total number of 5 in each category. The judges are published writers who have made it and are still waxing great in their genre. Although initially these judges constituted of and were limited to writers, anyone can presently be accepted. One of the judges in the group of five is selected to chair the panel. He then in turn becomes the foundation in liaison and the panels’ spokes person. Their sole role is to deliberate on the proffered candidates and confirm or reject them.

Those winning the awards obtain permanent membership to the foundation. The foundation then keeps in contact with them, promotes their new books and also invites them to such ceremonies in future. Get the best book formats with, The Fast Fingers today and publish your book to increase your chances to win the awards next.

A good book is not measured only by its content but by the total well being of that book including design and format.

The format of a book is important in that;

A professional editor has experience and knows what is appropriate and what is misplaced concerning both technical and stylistic elements of your book.

Technical elements include:-

Spelling - A wrongly spelt word can fit in the context perfectly and change the intended message entirely. Other wrongly spelt words are likely to be conspicuously misplaced thus distorting the message intended. When reading your own writing, you are not likely to note some wrong spellings because you are familiar with the context and you might read what the mind already expects. Therefore a professional editor is highly recommended.

Punctuation - Proper punctuation is very important in that it ensures smooth flow of your wording. Wrong punctuations make it hard for the reader to get the message because the message will lack proper flow. It also becomes hard to locate where two ideas are separating.

Consistency - You must ensure that your ideas are relevant to each other in a free flowing manner. When ideas get mixed up and they don’t follow one another then the reader gets confused and will definitely lose interest to read on.

Stylistic elements:-

Characterization should be made with precision to portray the intended impression in line with the theme of your book. Misplaced characterization will only serve misplaced purpose.

Concept - Each concept you introduce should be built on the previous one in order for your book to flow well. If your concepts do not rhyme; then you will have failed in deliberating on your intended message.

Intended word use must be precise to bring out the intended message. If a different word is mistakenly typed in its place, not only could the message be altered but could get distorted completely too. A skilled and experienced eye will note what you may be able to note on your own work.

Tone is crucial in delivering a message to a particular target audience and it varies to express different mood changes. Tone will often be characterized by specific wording accompanied by special characters such as exclamation or question marks. A misplaced exclamation or question mark can alter or all together distort a message.

Organization of your content is important as it brings variety so as to appeal to the reader. Paragraph breaks and other formats like listings characterized by numbering or bullets, makes your writing interesting. Breaking monotony especially in informative books gives the reader breathing space thus it doesn’t become boring to read continuously.

Genre choice is important and more so in relation to the target audience. Choose a genre in which you have a passion and can delve into without much constraint to avoid the use of far fetched ideas for lack of content. Remember that an author must have a direct connection with his or her audience and writing a book is just a means by which he or she reaches out to individuals to share his world with them.

In case you need a professional editor for your book then The Fast Fingers will do it for a fairly considerable price.

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If you will let children walk into a library or bookstore, they would tend to pick out those children’s books that would capture their fancy. It may be good to let them choose books on their own but there would always be times when your intervention would be needed in choosing books that contain the right information for their age.

Parents and teachers often share the same dilemma when choosing informational children’s books. Here is a quick guide that will make the whole process a whole lot easier.

The Book Cover

Children can enter into another world using their imagination. The book cover must be inviting enough to motivate children to explore an intriguing new world of information that the book holds. What appeals most to young readers are bright cover illustrations that use primary colors and enticing titles.

The Content or Topic

Interesting content is one of the items that must top your checklist when choosing informational books for children. We are already in the digital age and children must get truthful and reliable content from the books that they read. While browsing through the pages of the book that you intend to buy, take time to look for proof of reputable background research, references and sources.

 The Quality of Illustrations

A book can easily stir a child’s interest through its amazing visual display. Meaning, you have to choose books that have clear and large illustrations but not overly crowded. The illustrations must also be effective in enhancing and explaining the content in general. Kids can easily understand if they can picture out what is being described in the book and the illustrations must be able to do the explaining which the text may fail or miss out on.

The Font Type and Size

Especially for younger kids who have just learned to identify the letters of the alphabet, it is of utmost importance to choose simple and large fonts that they can easily read. Avoid those books that use small and unusual fonts because they may interfere with the comprehension of your inexperienced reader.

Book selection does not have to be a difficult task. By ensuring that all the above-mentioned features are present in your chosen books, you already have the guarantee that the money you spent on the purchase will not go to waste.


The Issues on Children’s Book Censorship

Written by   |   Tuesday, 05 March 2013 23:04

Obscenities, swear words and witchcraft. These are just some of the top targets on children’s book censorship these days. According to experts, this trend is currently on the rise and it has become worse over the last decade.

Children’s literature gets a sizable share of the pie in the book market worldwide. With censorship operating at many different levels and in many different forms, book experts fear that the problem might blow out of proportion.

The non-selection of librarians has been identified as the most surreptitious form of censorship. Incidences that have driven censorship often root from the concerns about perceived anti-Christian, satanic and occult themes which parents and teachers consider as unwholesome to a child’s development.

Even if one particular book has received positive reviews and awards, some schools may even ban it from their libraries due to one of the reasons mentioned above. And with parents who are seemingly going to great lengths to protect their kids from the issues that the world is facing, there is no wonder why such censorships are prevalent nowadays.

It is a fact that parents have more control on what kind of books their children can read. Compared to the internet where children can access random information about drugs, terrorism, and many other dark aspects of today’s world, books are on the older and more controllable side of the technology scale.

But then again, there will always be a darker side to life and children may benefit from a little perspective of what is really happening around them. A good sense of proportion could help in maintaining a balance between the ugly and the sweet and light aspects of real life. No matter how much parents would want to protect and preserve the innocence of youth, the young ones would always come to a point of knowing the real score.

Words can be very powerful. This is the main point that parents and librarians always stress on. And if children will be allowed to read books about wizards, ghosts, profanities, obscenity and anti-social behavior, it could be a cause of their worries and may lead to nightmares during bedtime. So who could challenge this kind of reasoning?

To make your book marketing a success, you need to make your cover captivating. This can be done by making your cover attractive. Good color combinations are key in making your cover design attractive. This should be coupled by an image which sends out the message of your book vividly from a simple glance. Both the colors and image on your cover should be able to appeal to a reader shopping for a book to pick your book and buy it.

Mostly, your online publisher will provide you with cover design services for your convenience although you are at liberty to hire any other person to design your book cover. A cover design will cost you a considerable amount of money, however, it’s worthwhile. You definitely need to make your already written book a success and cover design is one tool whose effectiveness you can’t afford to underestimate.

What you need to do to get a great cover design.

A good cover designer needs to have outstanding characteristics such as;

  • When selecting a cover designer for your book, you need to consider his capability in deliberating your intentions.
  • You need a professional who can interpret your thoughts into a pictorial message in an attractive yet captivating and promotional art.
  • A highly skilled graphic designer who is experienced in designing book covers.
  • He should be able to portray your book’s credibility in a way that the cover design can speak volumes about your book.
  • He should be a person who can bring out the theme of the book through the cover design, portraying originality and uniqueness.
  • Your designer should be able to place different elements on your cover with proper formatting and the whole combination should be able to strike a harmonious combination.

How do cover designers work?

Once you have settled for a designer, you will need to;

  • Explain to him or her what kind of a cover design you need.
  • The designer will offer you some options depending on your needs.
  • You will choose one of the designs depending on your taste.
  • You can change any elements of that particular design in case there is any which you don’t like.
  • The original cover file is yours and you can modify it in future if you so desire.
  • Varying from one designer to another, you can pay a fixed price or on hourly based rate.

One way to cut down on your cover design is to come up with an image of your own and have the designer adjust it making additions such as the title and other necessary text to suit your interests. Do you have a book ready for publishing? Do not hesitate to contact, The Fast Fingers for a pocket-friendly budget and get a great cover for your book.

March Madness RevisitedSoul Shaping Publications (SSP), a well-established publication company, has officially launched an adult fiction line with the book “March Madness Revisited”. The book is the story of a woman who faces a financial crisis and needs a miracle to regain meaningful employment. It also contains inspirational words that would motivate anyone pursuing a dream.

The book was written by Teirrah McNair and was released on Wednesday, 27th of February 2013. Its tale revolves around the pressures accompanying job loss. The book is the first fiction book published by SSP and was released to encourage job seekers and dreamers to pursue their goals no matter what the cost.

“March Madness Revisited” is suitable for anyone who wants to bolster their courage and root for a lovable underdog. In “March Madness Revisited”, Tiny Lafayette is challenged to the core and McNair uses the backdrop of the NCAA college championships to parallel Tiny’s battles. “March madness is not about ten big legged boys running up and down a court chasing a basketball. March madness is in my mind. It’s about a bunch of buck wild thoughts running amuck in my mind. I need a miracle this March. I’ve got more month left than money again and I am about to lose it. Now, that’s March madness.”

“March Madness Revisited” is available at Amazon and it can be accessed at this link. Anyone who wants to know more about its author may visit amazon.com/author/teirrahmcnair.

Teirrah McNair, the author of “March Madness Revisited”, is a dedicated people builder with an outrageous sense of humour and unstoppable energy. She is also an award winning author. She garnered an Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Contest award as well as a Western Access Video Excellence award. Throughout her many years of experience in entertainment, publishing and ministry her goal was to encourage diverse audiences to speak out and step up. McNair’s most recent focus has been on equipping youth and adults with employment barriers to achieve success in their workplaces or chosen fields. McNair also blogs regularly for www.bencouraged.net.

To get more information about the launch of SSP’s adult fiction line with the book entitled “March Madness Revisited”, visit http://amzn.com/B00BL6RJFQ


 

Contact: Teirrah McNair
Company: Soul Shaping Publications
Address: Hayward, California
Telephone No.: 415-908-6711
Website: http://amzn.com/B00BL6RJFQ
amazon.com/author/teirrahmcnair 
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


How to Identify a High Quality Children’s Book

Written by   |   Tuesday, 05 March 2013 11:47

If you will walk into a bookstore, it is quite easy to spot which section holds children’s books. Of course, the bright colored covers and elaborate illustrations will definitely capture your attention even from afar.

There are many different kinds of children’s books which cater to the different needs of children of all ages. Whether you are going to look for bedtime stories, books for reading practice or picture books for toddlers, you would most certainly want to get high quality in exchange for the money you will spend on the purchase.

Imparting a positive experience

Because kids are easily attracted to colors and illustrations, children’s books must feature bright drawings of the characters and content. Books play a vital role in a child’s development so it is only essential that they will make reading or studying sessions more fun and engaging.

Appropriate themes and topics

Some of the most favorite topics among children include the importance of friendship and family, using imagination, overcoming fear and animals talking as if they are humans. One reason why Dr. Seuss rose to stardom in the world of children’s books is the way he injects fantasy and humor so flawlessly to his published works.

The length of text on the pages

Depending on the child’s age, the amount of text on the book’s pages must be appropriate to the child’s development. Wordless books use pictures to present the story and those containing few words would still need illustrations to a certain extent. To most children, especially the younger ones, books would not make sense if not for the pictures that they will see on the pages. Texts would only be appreciated when the child has already learned how to read skillfully.

As a parent or teacher, it is your role to choose the right book which is appropriate to the child’s age. And as the child grows older, it would be his time to make choices on which books he would want to get. The books you have introduced earlier would surely influence his choices of books someday. So let children start with high quality books and they will soon learn the value of making wise book choices by the time they would learn to pick out books on their own.

Bringing Out the Genius In Isaac Marion

Written by   |   Monday, 04 March 2013 12:17

Two words: Warm Bodies.


Isaac Marion

Our next featured author only needed these two words to let himself heard all over the world. His debut novel entitled Warm Bodies has climbed its way to the Most Read Novels at a dramatic rate. Maybe because readers are already getting weary of vampires that they started to rave for other imaginary creatures like zombies. Yes, this book is not for the faint-hearted. It contains a lot of brain-eating, slurry-talking, hideously created beings. It is a story involving the undead. However, there is more to it than the grotesqueness it offers. It is a story built around a seemingly impossible friendship between two different creatures. One is with a beating heart, pulse, memories and human tendencies while the other is a relentless beast who feeds on flesh and brains.

Isaac Marion who was born somewhere near Seattle in the year 1981 has commenced his career in writing during his adolescent years (probably in high school). Even before he garnered an unexpected success with Warm Bodies, he already made his way around the world of book authorship by allowing his three preceding books to be self-published. His idea of a zombie and a human being sharing something deep like friendship which eventually blossomed into a deeper thing like love came out of the blue; like how other writers really give birth to powerful characters like Harry Potter or Edward Cullen perhaps. His curious mind fed his desire to write something in the point of view of a lurking undead. There is more to it than a zombie saving the life of a woman because of his fondness of her. Marion made sure that there are two redemptions which really took place by letting R’s (the zombie protagonist) character rediscover the purpose of living… of breathing… of loving. He did a great execution of finding the equilibrium between two things: love and life.

So what is really Isaac Marion’s secret to his success at being a novel writer? None. He often says to the public who are yearning for tips and writing advices that the only thing he did to achieve this level of accomplishment is that he prioritized his writing. He loved joining indie bands and getting busy with his canvases (he was into painting) for quite some time but he realized he can never have the best of both worlds. He chose writing among other things he really wanted. He was smart enough to pick something which he obviously does great at. Apart from prioritizing his writing, he also puts a great deal of passion to whatever he does because according to him, writing is not just some ordinary and lifeless hobby which a person should do in his leisure time. There should always be an intense attitude a writer applies to it. This is how an Isaac Marion does it. What is your way of doing it? Feel free to share your story at The Fast Fingers.


Why Book Reviews are Crucial in Making Your Book Do Better.

Written by   |   Monday, 04 March 2013 09:45

Can a book review help in making your book better or sell better in any way? If this is something which has been pestering you, then here are the facts.

People will read a review whether good or bad. Many people want to get the opinion of others before they settle for a book to read. Therefore, in that quest, whether the review is positively or negatively inclined to your book, you will find them reading.

A review will definitely draw readers to your book, some wanting to get the positive proclaimed aspects about your book and others trying to verify whether the concept about the negative aspects of the same book is true or not.

What are some of the most key-issues to consider when writing a review to make it effectual in the favor of your book?

A synopsis (summary) of your book is very important because it provides a broad picture of what your book entails. This is where you mention the key players and get your reader informed of the happenings in your book. This can be written as a different version of what the reader gets on the back cover of your book.
Keep the suspense by not giving away the very thread that holds things together; the ending of your book. Especially for Novels and thrillers, the end is critical for a reader as he or she digs into your book to get every detail yet eager to get the ending. There is nothing as bad as spoiling the excitement created by the mounting anticipation of suspense.

Highlight your key characters drawing attention on them and this might as well turn out to be very effective. Talk about each of your character’s motivations and outstanding personality in relation to their role in the book. Also relating them to each other, making them stand as a team.
Delve into the deeper meaning of your book in regard to how it reflects human condition, the society in general and its role in influencing the society positively. You can also analyze the entertainment aspect part of it and give the reader a reason as to why he should choose to read your book in the first place.
Balance your perspective keeping it non-inclined to either positive or negative. In reality, perfection is non-existent thus being unconditionally positive will be as disadvantageous as being overly negative to your book. Striking a balance is ideal as it’s only natural for anything good to have the counter side too.
Need a professional hand to make your review more appealing? Get help with your invaluable partner, The Fast Fingers for your review, typesetting and formatting. It won’t cost you much yet you will obtain a professionally written and good review for your book.

Some readers will dismiss a book right away if it’s characterized by negativity in a review they read; nevertheless, a good number of readers understand that different people have their own unmatched interests and tastes, thus will go ahead and read your book. However, there is one thing that captures the reader’s attention even long before he or she starts to think about your book; that is its appearance. Even as readers shop for books in stores with probably a particular book in mind, they still shop with their eyes wide open and anything striking will definitely catch their eye.

In essence, the cover design of your book matters a lot. The cover is what meets a reader’s eye before he or she gets to see the list of content or whatever is in chapter one of your book. The cover design of your book is one sure and critical entice in capturing the attention of your potential readers.

For one to create a book cover design capable of winning readers and potential buyers, it has to be a combination of a number of aspects; which only an experienced expert may be capable of. These include; branding, creativity, marketing and most of all insight on how to capture the attention of the target audience and appeal to them to buy your book.

The process of publishing a book is not an easy task but rather a tasking one and at times quite frustrating yet equally rewarding if done well. The most challenging part of this process being the cover design, it doesn’t come with any laid-out guidelines but entirely depends on the message of your book.


Qualities of a good book cover design.

  • Beautiful; beauty is powerful and it demands attention. Beauty is characterized by; balance, harmony, synthesis and elegance reflected by the colors and features of your cover design. Therefore the cover of your book should look good to attract the attention of your potential readers.
  • Impact emotionally; your cover design should convey a clear message in accord with the title of your book. Any illustrations or photos used on your cover design should be aimed at portraying the message of your book with clarity. Your cover design should be an instrument of telling the reader what to expect on the inside of the book.

How to get a perfect cover design?

Creating the right design for a book is a big challenge and should be faced with equal force. It would be wise of you to let a professional graphic designer do the job for you. Expertise combined with experience will make the work perfect. The Fast Fingers are such professionals who will put-in their best; paying attention to every detail to give you unparalleled end-result of your book cover design for a reasonable price.

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