I'm getting the emails that you all are sending me, but when I come here I can't find the 'flow' of the posts. What I'm picking up as to the conversation is coming from the email notification, so I don't know where to go to specifically reply to an individual. Hopefully, Jerry and the 'gang' organizing this will be able to iron out some of the wrinkles as time goes on. This entire site is such a new and groundbreaking venture. Spiritual, in itself! I'm one of those that think the entire experience of the physical realm is "Spiritual". Not in the schoolroom, testing and reward and punishment sense, but in the 'living' and experiencing this Dimension sense. My goal is true 'awareness' of the Energy of the ALL. I see that all you have non-fiction philosophy type books and I will be checking out all of your profiles here. I love this stuff! My book, however, although 90% autobiographical is presented in a fiction novel format. The living of a "Spiritual" trek. Makes marketing a bit more difficult as people insist on depositing it in a 'romance' genre. Yikes!! I so agree that Spirituality and 'organized' religion are not only in differing playing fields, but that often 'organized' doctrine and dogma is actually the 'enemy' of a true Spiritual quest. I'd relate it to the 'those that have eyes that see and ears that hear' premise. That is so not 'literal', but metaphorical in the truest application of the word. I wish I could find the post of who wrote that "Leaving the church . . . May You Always Have Rainbows . . . Susan

Thanks! Congrats, too, on being featured author! Okay I've got friends started. Next question. :)) If I go to 'read your groups posts' on my personal page, the list of only UNREAD posts comes up with no indication of how to read old posts or follow a specific topic discussion. Somewhere there has to be a chronological listing of topics and posts in a topic. What if you read something and want to come back and reply later? Then you can't find the post again because you've already read it. May You Always Have Rainbows . . . Susan

You have a great big 'congratulations' coming! Your perseverance, is indeed, inspiring. It's interesting, too, that POD books fight the same types of battles in the UK as they do here in the United States. I do feel that as more and more POD books know success, these issues will be less rampant. First, we have to work hard to overcome the 'shroud' of 'vanity press' and show people that POD does not equate to no talent writers that couldn't land a 'publisher'. Thank you, for working so hard on that path! May You Always Have Rainbows . . . Susan

I agreed to review this book as part of an Authors-Helping-Authors Team effort in a Writing Organization. It is not a book I would have picked as a 'read' of choice simply because I've never considered any cosmetic procedure for myself. What a loss that would have been!! Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery is filled with deep insights and honesty, yet provides many moments of sheer entertainment. Any woman, regardless of age, stands to be enlightened by the devotion to detail and the courage exhibited by Lois Stern in bringing this work to women and the reading public. Any man, attempting to figure out the 'quirks' of the lady in his life stands to gain a revelation into the female psyche! Facts are backed up with credible research. Myths are dispelled. Priceless guidance is given anyone wrestling with such a decision, or a spouse or family member needing to support or understand. The entire spectrum of emotional impacts are thoughtfully presented, a result of countless hours of interviews with over 100 women. All this, and an entire wealth of follow-up information and additional sources are presented in the best 'Appendix Section' I've ever seen in an 'informative nonfiction' book. Like any compelling book of any genre, SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY qualifies as one of those books that is hard to put down. As a fellow author, I sincerely wish Lois Stern the best of success, and I thank her for caring about women. You will, too. Susan Haley, Author RAINY DAY PEOPLE

I'm getting the emails that you all are sending me, but when I come here I can't find the 'flow' of the posts. What I'm picking up as to the conversation is coming from the email notification, so I don't know where to go to specifically reply to an individual. Hopefully, Jerry and the 'gang' organizing this will be able to iron out some of the wrinkles as time goes on. This entire site is such a new and groundbreaking venture. Spiritual, in itself!

I'm one of those that think the entire experience of the physical realm is "Spiritual". Not in the schoolroom, testing and reward and punishment sense, but in the 'living' and experiencing this Dimension sense. My goal is true 'awareness' of the Energy of the ALL.

I see that all you have non-fiction philosophy type books and I will be checking out all of your profiles here. I love this stuff! My book, however, although 90% autobiographical is presented in a fiction novel format. The living of a "Spiritual" trek. Makes marketing a bit more difficult as people insist on depositing it in a 'romance' genre. Yikes!!

I so agree that Spirituality and 'organized' religion are not only in differing playing fields, but that often 'organized' doctrine and dogma is actually the 'enemy' of a true Spiritual quest. I'd relate it to the 'those that have eyes that see and ears that hear' premise. That is so not 'literal', but metaphorical in the truest application of the word. I wish I could find the post of who wrote that "Leaving the church . . .

May You Always Have Rainbows . . .

Susan

Thanks! Congrats, too, on being featured author! Okay I've got friends started. Next question. :)) If I go to 'read your groups posts' on my personal page, the list of only UNREAD posts comes up with no indication of how to read old posts or follow a specific topic discussion. Somewhere there has to be a chronological listing of topics and posts in a topic. What if you read something and want to come back and reply later? Then you can't find the post again because you've already read it.

May You Always Have Rainbows . . .

Susan

You have a great big 'congratulations' coming! Your perseverance, is indeed, inspiring. It's interesting, too, that POD books fight the same types of battles in the UK as they do here in the United States. I do feel that as more and more POD books know success, these issues will be less rampant. First, we have to work hard to overcome the 'shroud' of 'vanity press' and show people that POD does not equate to no talent writers that couldn't land a 'publisher'. Thank you, for working so hard on that path!

May You Always Have Rainbows . . .

Susan

I'm somewhat aghast reading the comments about Jerry Simmons' motives here. I've never known Jerry to be anything but exemplary in his dealings with Independent authors. I'd venture to submit that the same holds true in his dealings with people and life in general. I'm an Independent author and have had the pure pleasure of meeting, working, and talking with him over a two year period. He's never too busy to offer help, answer questions, and tirelessly offer all of us a stage here at Nothing Binding as well as in his Tips For Writers Newsletter. I know for a fact that Jerry has offered his speaking services to writers conferences free of charge in his local area. His heart is, and has been, with the authors. I do agree with a previous comment that perhaps this new program was announced prior to having adequate answers to questions as to fees, royalites, and distribution to shelves. That being said, Jerry has not faltered in stating up front what he knows now and what decisions haven't yet been determined. As for practices insuring quality, I feel that is imperative, as yes, some POD publishers have given all Independent authors a less than quality shroud to carry around by accepting anything on a page for a fee. I welcome quality control. Any successful business has such practices. There is no charge for submitting a query and a synopsis which will immediately hone the crop. If an author is accepted and chooses to pursue, I'm sure all further details will be provided. And then, yes, the choice is with the author sans high pressure and empty promises. As always, Jerry Simmons is the champion for Independent authors. And, IF the day comes that this program is successful and he earns some money, I'd say it's about time. He's worked for free long enough. Would anyone here fault a fair compensation for their efforts? Susan Haley, Author RAINY DAY PEOPLE - A Novel (Independently Published) FIBERS IN THE WEB (Traditionally Published) http://www.sucarha.com/

I was checking back in here tonight to get any updates and happened to click on the podcast link instead of the blog link. I then became engrossed in the broadcasts on blogspot radio co-hosted by Jerry and Penny. Those, too, are very informative and give a bit of 'direction' on the goals of this program, in particular, and the movement of the entire industry in general. I have questions relating to already published books but I'm sure that the answers will come as Jerry and Penny put this all together. I'd suggest calmly forming a list of the questions we as individuals will need answers to and when the wrinkles are ironed out Jerry will let us know when to start asking them. Perhaps, even an open discussion here will help as several of us may have the same questions and that would save Jerry answering everyone in individual emails. I'm sure Penny will help as well. I do understand, if correct, that this program would mean changing publishers, not just distribution and marketing, so many questions may lie in the area of maintaining our books as they are. Especially those of us who, in addition to the print, have invested in the audio and e-book formats as well. Susan Haley, Author RAINY DAY PEOPLE - A Novel FIBERS IN THE WEB http://www.sucarha.com/

Thanks, Penny Just trying to think of things that would make it easier for both you and Jerry as I'm sure many questions will be redundant. I'm rather used to functioning in a 'forum' type setting in some of my other projects and it does work well in a discussion that affects everyone, even the 'silent' readers. I've got questions already! :) The way the comments follow in chronological order here helps as well. I'm not too fond of the 'beta' format with all the indents and replies to specific posts stacking up. I'm old - need to keep things simple. :)) Hope you are well. Say hi to Alex for me. I miss him! Glad he's with you, though. Best, Susan

Hi Donna I may be in error, but I believe 'review' and 'reading fee' are being confused here. If we decide to apply for Jerry's new program and our query and synopsis nets a 'reading for review', that is only to see if the book meets standards for the new publishing program. It doesn't mean, I don't think, a written review that may used elsewhere. The "Book Review" program is something else again. What was being discussed in relationship to this new program was a 'reading fee'. I think! :)) The only 'review' we'd get is either 'accepted' or 'rejected' just like any other publisher. Possibly it would include some reasons as to why if rejected, but I don't think it would be a 'review' we'd want to use in promotion. You do understand, don't you, that you would be changing publishers with this new program? This is not just a distribution or marketing program. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong on this. Jerry's Book Review program, on the other hand, is free and another Nothing Binding service. Best, Susan Haley RAINY DAY PEOPLE - A NOVEL FIBERS IN THE WEB http://www.sucarha.com