Why Christian Retail Book Market Self-Help Books Get Attention of Wal-Mart, Target, & Grocery Stores

Christian retail is a hot market. Mainstream stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and even grocery stores throughout the nation are profiting from the sale of Christian books, music, and DVDs.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com – author of God vs. Religion

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, brings in annual sales from Christian merchandise in excess of $1 billion annually. It shouldn’t come as a surprise from both a business and values based perspective. Wal-Mart’s founder Sam Walton always wanted to reflect the values of his customers and uphold morality to support their local community.

With Wal-Mart, Target, and grocery stores such as Publix in the south selling Christian books and merchandise, consumers have more options. That means the some 8,000 small Christian retailers scattered across the U.S. can no longer charge obscene retail prices for wholesome God fearing merchandise. This is good for consumers. Furthermore where the big retailers like Wal-Mart and Target fail to have product depth, smaller retailers can provide additional attention to Christian customers seeking enriching spiritual materials and music.

Why are Christian self-help books and music flourishing across the country and getting the attention of major retailers?

1. People are spiritually hungry and not being sufficiently fed on Sundays at church.

Most people physically eat three meals a day. How then spiritually can we be expected to live on one small snack a week spiritually? Many churches don’t allow for very long sermons any more. Pastors are afraid people will leave and therefore have shortened their messages. Many in the pulpit are trying to be entertaining and thereby have minimized their ability to equip and empower God’s people.

Those who are spiritually hungry are therefore running to Christian bookstores to obtain edifying and enriching materials to empower them to serve God. Beyond churchgoers are those spiritually desirous of a relationship with God who never attend church. They too are seeking stimulating spiritual material to awaken and feed their spirit.

2. As the world gets increasingly troublesome and America becomes all the more engrossed in a global war on terror, people are fearing for their lives.

As life becomes more precious and sacred once again, people are awakening to their mortality and becoming spiritual. People want to know about the end-times, the end of the age, how they ought to live, and want to be adequately prepared for major global occurences lest they be caught unaware.

3. Marriages and families are falling apart like never before.

As marriages and the family structure is disintegrating due to increased immorality throughout the land, many are running back to the Bible and its ageless truths. When your life, marriage, and family begins falling apart you will humble yourself and seek help. Many are doing so through self-help Christian books with timeless truths.

4. Parents are having a difficult time rearing their children in a secularized culture that is trying to swallow them up.

MTV, hip-hop music, dance clubs, ghetto dress codes, and foul talking youth are frightening parents. Many are seeking guidance from spiritual authors who address issues they face on a daily basis. Tough talk is needed and when Pastors shun their responsibility, mature parents run to bookshelves seeking answers and guidance.

The Christian retail industry is estimated to be a $3 billion business annually, according to the Christian Booksellers Association. Beyond Bibles and books, retailers are doing very well selling Christian apparel, music, videos, gifts, artwork, software and a variety of children’s products.

Christians want to follow the great commandment given by Jesus to love their neighbor and seek to begin by showing them the way to salvation through Christ. Creating a culture of our own, Christians and retailers are successfully impacting the world and awaking the lost to the reality of the risen Christ. Nothing is more satisfying than to see people excited about the love of God and newness of life in Christ.

Invite worldwide minister Paul F Davis and author to speak in your city!RevivingNations@yahoo.com (or) gmail.com

If you liked what you read, check out Paul’s books: http://paulfdavis.com/booksvideos.htm

Paul is the author of several books including Update Your Identity; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery 101; Are You Ready for True Love?; Stop Lusting & Start Living; and many more!

Paul’s new book “Update Your Identity” clarifies quotes from Jesus used in Eckhart Tolle’s and Oprah’s highly promoted ‘New Earth”. Paul seeks a publisher and distributor for this 200 page book to alleviate confusion in the body of Christ and point people down the narrow path that enters into life.

Paul Davis is a highly sought after worldwide minister who moves in the miraculous to touch and transform humanity.

Paul has a unique ability to hear the voice of God, naturally bring forth the supernatural in a playful and heartfelt fashion, unlock and simply explain divine mysteries, impart life changing revelation, and usher in powerful manifestation bringing heaven to earth.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

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http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Paul F. Davis is a savvy political consultant creating and engineering breakthrough communication campaigns to transform business enterprise, alter an election, ignite a movement, and improve your quality of life!
 
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http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
 
Politically, a thoughtful moderate with an open mind about every angle to an issue, Paul is not emotionally attached to parties and platforms. This enables Paul to be inwardly congruent and outwardly objective when developing a strong communications campaign for his clients.

Paul F Davis has over 15 years experience as a worldwide professional speaker in over 50 countries and is the author of 14 books. Touching, teaching, and transforming lives is Paul’s passion.

Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy.
 
Playboy Radio host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an “awesome” relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.
 
Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).
 
Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.
 
http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

  

Xulon Press Publicity – Beware and Do Your Homework with Xulon and Townhall Press

Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.

Xulon Press is a Christian publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems.

Upon making some inquiries, I learned that Xulon Press uses PRWeb to do its press releases. PR Web offers four press release packages:

– Standard – $80

– Social Media – $120

– SEO – $200

– Media Visibility (includes all of the above) – $360

Xulon Press only did a press release for one of my three books they completed, while engaged in publishing my fourth. Upon thoroughly researching why Xulon’s press releases and publicity I paid for weren’t producing any press for me, I made a shocking discovery.

It seems two of my three books done with Xulon never received a press release done for them at all. Upon doing my homework, I learned that the one press release Xulon did for my book on Adultery 101 was under the “standard” package.

My fourth upcoming book with Xulon, Poems that Propel the Planet, I asked them not to do the press release as I feel Xulon publicity and press releases are weak and leave much to be desired. Any PR obtained by their authors as they advertise “Christian Book News Alert” does not necessarily mean it came as a result of Xulon’s efforts. Popular, famous, and noteworthy authors who diligently market their books can generate press without Xulon’s help.

The purpose for this article is to warn authors of what they are buying, or thinking they are buying when they pay for press and publicity at Xulon Press or any other publisher for that matter. Do your homework and ask several questions before assuming what you are getting. Many selling publicity packages and press releases are essentially merely selling an illusion.

Upon asking the publisher’s representatives, I learned Xulon always uses the PRweb’s standard package, though they don’t tell their authors that on the front end. On the Xulon Press website for the “best-seller’s package” costing around $2,000 – authors are told that Xulon’s “media publicity” press release could get them on Oprah or Larry King.

This is very unlikely considering the press releases at the “standard package” are not released nationally, preventing national exposure to be seen by such high level talk show hosts and producers as Larry King and Oprah. I know because i’ve been on Oprah & Friends Radio three times, plus Fox News Radio, Playboy Radio and several other top media outlets.

When a publisher like Xulon promises the possibility of national media attention as a result of buying their publicity package, but fail to mention no national press release will be given; it’s a bit misleading and unethical.

Xulon Press however only saw fit to refund me $287 as they claim it takes time to write a press release and allege their press release will put authors in front of national media. It’s interesting I never got a single inquiry from the Xulon Press release.

The way I see it, my refund for the press releases needs to be in the amount of $1,440. Each full publicity press release costs $360 with PRWeb. (4 x 360 = 1,440)

Considering I chose Xulon primarily based on the publicity pacakage they offered, the opportunity cost lost of publishing with them is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars considering my expectation was getting on Oprah & Larry King where an author can sells millions of copies of books. Yet at $2,000 per book, I should at least be able to recooperate $8,000 for the four books published.

My argument against the “Christian Publisher” is very solid both morally and legally.

1. Xulon Press states their press releases provide media exposure to TV and radio. This however is not accessible with the “standard” $80 package you use at PRWeb. Such media publicity comes with the $360 package at PRWeb labeled “media publicity.”

2. PRWeb archives all press releases. Neither the Supernatural Fire book, nor the Are You Ready for True Love? press releases were archived. Hence the power of the ongoing press release accessible by the worldwide web is non-existent.

3. The Supernatural Fire attachment Xulon Press initially sent me claiming a press release (which can’t be found at PRWeb) was poorly written. “Catch the only seasonal bug worth keeping” adorns the headline which has nothing to do with the book, neither is desirable to read.

4. Opportunity costs lost for me as an author by reason of press releases not sent (though promised) far exceed the cost of the releases themselves. My life consists of time which Xulon Press has greatly robbed me of personally and professionally.

5. Selling an illusion of being on Oprah or Larry King when you are merely doing “standard” press releases that cannot reach such people is unethical, immoral, and by no means Christlike for a Christian publisher.

Xulon Press advertises their “Press Release Service” saying:
“Let our professionals craft an effective press release for your book. It’s not easy to grab the attention of the media, but we’ll separate your book from its competitors with copy that sizzles. Our one-page press release gives the media all the information they need to contact you for news stories, columns, articles – even for TV and radio interviews. You never know, you might end up on Oprah or Larry King Live!”

Xulon Press says, “You never know…” Well, as an author of 4 books with Xulon Press, I do know! Don’t buy the lie.

Incidentally, I have only received a check for $64 for royalties – again indicative of their poor publicity. When I inquired about my royalties, I was told the checks would be sent out two months late this year. I suppose they don’t cncern themselves with authors living off of those royalty checks. I guess their press release doesn’t generate much PR, nor sales anyhow.

My last book done with Xulon was another nightmare as they nickled and dimed me trying to charge me $75 to change the back cover which I as the author never got to see before it went to print. How does that work when a paying author can’t even see his own back cover before it goes to print. Thankfully they waived the $75 fee for changing the back picture, but not before some unpleasant exchanges by email.

That being said it is awfully difficult to figure out what picture to use on the back cover when the publisher won’t even show or tell you the color combination their are going to use. If you later see your first 10 books in a box at your house and don’t like the back cover, Xulon charges its author’s $75 to correct it. If you want to change your picture on the back cover and text summarizing your book thereon the cost is $150.

Such practices don’t make for a great publisher, nor a pleasant experience for an author. Therefore before dealing with any publisher, be sure to ask crucial questions about the above mentioned.

Writing a book is one thing, publishing it can be a daunting task.

Though Xulon Press is not great, they certainly are good and very cost effective considering what else is out there in regard to publishers. The staff will not talk to or deal with you over the phone, mostly through email only. If you can endure that during the creative process, than perhaps Xulon would work well for a first-time author on a low budget.

I’m still hunting for more publishers myself. I’ve used a total of four publishers thus far to publish the ten books I’ve written. All have their pros and cons. If you know of a great publisher, write me and tell me more!

The business of publishing is a painful process and certainly not for the faint in heart.
Paul Davis is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, purpose coach, and change master transforming organizations and empowering individuals to live their dreams.

Paul is the author of several books including United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; and many more!

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Contact Paul to speak at your event or for consulting:

RevivingNations@yahoo.com
407-284-1705

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

Zoolon, Zulon, or Xulon Press – Spell it However You Want, Pay More, and Get Less

Publishing Confessions from a Xulon Press Author Who Encountered Conservative Hypocrisy

The ancient Greek word Xulon (zoo’ lon) is talking about revelation and I’ve got some profound revelations about Salem Communications publisher Xulon Press for you. Hear ye, hear ye all you authors because this is for you!

Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.

Xulon Press is a “Christian” publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems, many related to their purported publicity packages – which essentially make or break a book’s success.

I recently received an email blast advert from Xulon Press and Townhall Press (“where your opinion counts”) promoting political candidate Fred Thompson’s new book Government at the Brink.

Xulon Press e-blasts are rare and apparently only given to very influential and powerful people who can sell more books and increase profit margins. I don’t recall getting any other promos for books besides Thompson’s, which of course reveals what a conservative owned publisher is capable of when it really wants to properly promote its authors books.

When I spoke to Xulon’s director of acquisitions and operations about receiving the same kind of E-blast for the 4 books I published and purchased publicity for with Xulon, I was told Fred Thompson’s book was a “special case”. In other words, though I published 4 books with Xulon, I wasn’t important and politics and profits are prioritized over fair treatment of all authors. Thompson, a political candidate with more visibility, is more financially promising and conservatively leaning. Hence Fred, unlike other Xulon authors, got the extra publicity push.

Founded by Christian author and publisher Tom Freiling, Xulon is now a part of Salem Communications Corporation. Salem claims to be the country’s leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing. This does not mean you as an author with Xulon or Town Hall can rest, because my experience is Xulon’s connections and publicity never gives you as an author its best. If you’re not a big name or a conservative cash cow like Thompson, expect far less.

Tom Freiling founded Xulon Press and Town Hall Press with a group of Conservative entrepreneurs (perhaps that explains why the little author doesn’t get a fair chance).

Freiling’s political ideology is rather obvious in the books he has written: George W. Bush on God and Country, and Reagan’s God and Country. Incidentally last time I checked God never said he was a Republican or an American. Perhaps that explains the hypocrisy of American democracy and our present failed foreign policy.

Mr. Freiling claims to have published dozens of best-selling Conservative books, selling more than 2 million copies worldwide, and proudly mentions his appearances on CNN, C-Span, and many other television and radio programs. Being connected to Salem Communications has its benefits.

Why than can’t Mr. Freiling and Xulon Press produce the same publicity for me its author of 4 books? Possible reasons could be:

– I’m not conservative enough. Certainly my new book United States of Arrogance attests to that, though I am a registered Republican.

– It’s more fun to adequately publicize your own books when you run a publishing company than the authors paying for publicity.

– Getting paid for books published and publicity promised is more fun than actually producing the finished product.

– Maybe Xulon Press prefers selling the illusion to its authors of getting on Oprah and Larry King even though they have no intention of providing national publicity with PR Web the company it uses to do press releases.

Xulon purchased for my books the cheapest of the four tiers offered for press releases from PR Web (which does not offer nationwide exposure), but made me to believe I was getting a shot at national publicity to be discovered. It takes years to write a book. The 4 books I wrote and published with Xulon (those they lied about adequately publicizing) certainly left me feeling quite betrayed by the Christian and conservative publisher. I do believe punitive damages for the years of my life lost are in order. Before proceeding with that I think it is proper however to give Xulon a taste of what good publicity can accomplish so they never lie to future aspiring authors again. Unfortunately I continue to get emails from disgruntled Xulon authors who agree with me and have issue with various items pertinent to the publishing of their books.

Mr. Freiling claims Writer’s Digest magazine featured him as one of the world’s leading experts on self-publishing. What’s the problem than in generating adequate publicity for his authors?

Interestingly though Xulon Press has an Author Audio Blog page, I have never been asked to be interviewed by Mr. Freiling for any of my 4 books. Xulon Press and Town Hall Press like to sell the illusion of “strength in numbers” belonging to conservative and Christian groups. I have found however none of this really matters once you publish with Xulon because after they collect the cash from you, my experience has been the author is basically forgetten about and provided very poor publicity.

Perhaps the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) should evaluate the publicity packages Xulon Press sells and reconsider how reputable the company really is or is not.

Paul F. Davis – worldwide minister who has touched 50 countries and author of 14 books

Xulon Press published 4 books Davis wrote: “Supernatural Fire”; “Poems That Propel The Planet”; “Are You Ready For True Love?”; and “Adultery 101”

The fiery minister says of Xulon, “I guess some people don’t see the light until they first feel the heat. Indeed they will feel the fire of the Holy Spirit in me as I have many bones to pick with Tom Freiling and Xulon Press. I shall be heard and will not be silent!”

http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Interestingly, I found two complaints about Xulon Press here below:

http://www.topix.com/com/salm/2007/11/zoolon-zulon-or-xulon-press-spell-it-however-you-want-pay-up-and-get-less

Apr 18, 2008

I have recently used Xulon and I’m overall disappointed. I found the language of services offered for the bestseller’s package was very misleading (bordering on dishonest). For instance, they presented the following when I purchased the more expensive package (a little over $1900 several months back), “We will promote your book at a host of other conferences and conventions, including the annual Book Expo America with Catalogs! You will have the opportunity to spotlight your book at each conference.” (exact quote). In the column where additional fees are stated, NONE are listed — there was only a checkmark indicating that this service is included. A reasonable person would buy this package believing their book would be represented at the convention… however, UNLESS you are willing to pay an ADDITIONAL $149, this is not true. Your book will only be represented in a catalog (and who knows where that will be, under the table??). In the end, it didn’t matter, because my concerns were not addressed in a timely enough manner to take advantage of the program — the rep curtly emailed me stating that all the spots “were taken.”

Other issues I encountered included: 1) not having my book posted on their online store until I called to complain about it not being there (over 1 mth after it was completed) 2) press release accompanied by an excel dump (with over 1,000 listings — many out of date, most just simply websites, but no email addresses) requiring that you notify organizations yourself. 3) Spacing format throughout my book was not consistant. 4) High author prices for book purchases…#100 copies of a 200 page book cost me approx 75% more than another very reputable POD.

They did however deliver a good cover and had the book put on several online bookstores — but stated to me that they only guarantee 4 websites: Amazon.com , Borders.com , Amazon.co.uk ( United Kingdom ), and Btol.com . I’m not certain how they will handle it if Amazon does disable the “BUY” button for POD’s in the future.

Tina – Houston, TX

Thursday Apr 24

My experience was nearly identical to Tina’s in many respects, additionally, it’s been nine months and the book still hasn’t been listed at either Spring Harbor or Ingram’s for retailers to have access. Has anyone considered a class action against Xulon? Their’s is not a Christian way to do business.

Diane – Sitka, AK

Paul F. Davis is a world-changing leadership & diversity speaker who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an “awesome” relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Xulon Press & Townhall Press – Beware & Do Your Homework with Publicity & Press Releases

Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.

Xulon Press is a Christian publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems.

Upon making some inquiries, I learned that Xulon Press uses PRWeb to do its press releases. PR Web offers four press release packages:

– Standard – $80

– Social Media – $120

– SEO – $200

– Media Visibility (includes all of the above) – $360

Xulon Press only did a press release for one of my three books they completed, while engaged in publishing my fourth. Upon thoroughly researching why Xulon’s press releases and publicity I paid for weren’t producing any press for me, I made a shocking discovery.

It seems two of my three books done with Xulon never received a press release done for them at all. Upon doing my homework, I learned that the one press release Xulon did for my book on Adultery 101 was under the “standard” package.

My fourth upcoming book with Xulon, Poems that Propel the Planet, I asked them not to do the press release as I feel Xulon publicity and press releases are weak and leave much to be desired. Any PR obtained by their authors as they advertise “Christian Book News Alert” does not necessarily mean it came as a result of Xulon’s efforts. Popular, famous, and noteworthy authors who diligently market their books can generate press without Xulon’s help.

The purpose for this article is to warn authors of what they are buying, or thinking they are buying when they pay for press and publicity at Xulon Press or any other publisher for that matter. Do your homework and ask several questions before assuming what you are getting. Many selling publicity packages and press releases are essentially merely selling an illusion.

Upon asking the publisher’s representatives, I learned Xulon always uses the PRweb’s standard package, though they don’t tell their authors that on the front end. On the Xulon Press website for the “best-seller’s package” costing around $2,000 – authors are told that Xulon’s “media publicity” press release could get them on Oprah or Larry King.

This is very unlikely considering the press releases at the “standard package” are not released nationally, preventing national exposure to be seen by such high level talk show hosts and producers as Larry King and Oprah. I know because i’ve been on Oprah & Friends Radio three times, plus Fox News Radio, Playboy Radio and several other top media outlets.

When a publisher like Xulon promises the possibility of national media attention as a result of buying their publicity package, but fail to mention no national press release will be given; it’s a bit misleading and unethical.

Xulon Press however only saw fit to refund me $287 as they claim it takes time to write a press release and allege their press release will put authors in front of national media. It’s interesting I never got a single inquiry from the Xulon Press release.

The way I see it, my refund for the press releases needs to be in the amount of $1,440. Each full publicity press release costs $360 with PRWeb. (4 x 360 = 1,440)

Considering I chose Xulon primarily based on the publicity pacakage they offered, the opportunity cost lost of publishing with them is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars considering my expectation was getting on Oprah & Larry King where an author can sells millions of copies of books. Yet at $2,000 per book, I should at least be able to recooperate $8,000 for the four books published.

My argument against the “Christian Publisher” is very solid both morally and legally.

1. Xulon Press states their press releases provide media exposure to TV and radio. This however is not accessible with the “standard” $80 package you use at PRWeb. Such media publicity comes with the $360 package at PRWeb labeled “media publicity.”

2. PRWeb archives all press releases. Neither the Supernatural Fire book, nor the Are You Ready for True Love? press releases were archived. Hence the power of the ongoing press release accessible by the worldwide web is non-existent.

3. The Supernatural Fire attachment Xulon Press initially sent me claiming a press release (which can’t be found at PRWeb) was poorly written. “Catch the only seasonal bug worth keeping” adorns the headline which has nothing to do with the book, neither is desirable to read.

4. Opportunity costs lost for me as an author by reason of press releases not sent (though promised) far exceed the cost of the releases themselves. My life consists of time which Xulon Press has greatly robbed me of personally and professionally.

5. Selling an illusion of being on Oprah or Larry King when you are merely doing “standard” press releases that cannot reach such people is unethical, immoral, and by no means Christlike for a Christian publisher.

Xulon Press advertises their “Press Release Service” saying:
“Let our professionals craft an effective press release for your book. It’s not easy to grab the attention of the media, but we’ll separate your book from its competitors with copy that sizzles. Our one-page press release gives the media all the information they need to contact you for news stories, columns, articles – even for TV and radio interviews. You never know, you might end up on Oprah or Larry King Live!”

Xulon Press says, “You never know…” Well, as an author of 4 books with Xulon Press, I do know! Don’t buy the lie.

Incidentally, I have only received a check for $64 for royalties – again indicative of their poor publicity. When I inquired about my royalties, I was told the checks would be sent out two months late this year. I suppose they don’t cncern themselves with authors living off of those royalty checks. I guess their press release doesn’t generate much PR, nor sales anyhow.

My last book done with Xulon was another nightmare as they nickled and dimed me trying to charge me $75 to change the back cover which I as the author never got to see before it went to print. How does that work when a paying author can’t even see his own back cover before it goes to print. Thankfully they waived the $75 fee for changing the back picture, but not before some unpleasant exchanges by email.

That being said it is awfully difficult to figure out what picture to use on the back cover when the publisher won’t even show or tell you the color combination their are going to use. If you later see your first 10 books in a box at your house and don’t like the back cover, Xulon charges its author’s $75 to correct it. If you want to change your picture on the back cover and text summarizing your book thereon the cost is $150.

Such practices don’t make for a great publisher, nor a pleasant experience for an author. Therefore before dealing with any publisher, be sure to ask crucial questions about the above mentioned.

Writing a book is one thing, publishing it can be a daunting task.

Though Xulon Press is not great, they certainly are good and a viable option if you’re willing to pay a bit more. The staff rarely spoke with or dealt with me over the phone, mostly through email only. If you can endure that during the creative process, than perhaps Xulon would work well for a first-time author.

My passion is writing and speaking internationally. Sometimes I consider a prospective author for serving his or her publicity needs, providing they pay well for my valuable time. Otherwise you’ll just have to kiss some frogs and figure things out the hard way over some years because I don’t give free advice, nor let people “pick my brain” without compensating me for my intellectual property.

I’m still hunting for more a special publisher myself for my 200 page Christian alternative to Oprah & Eckhart Tolle’s “New Earth”. I’ve used a total of four publishers thus far to publish the 14 books I’ve written. All have their pros and cons. Publishing is meaningless however without adequate publicity, that’s my passion without which a book will go undiscovered.

The business of publishing is a painful process and certainly not for the faint in heart.

Paul F. Davis is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, purpose coach, and change master transforming organizations and empowering individuals to live their dreams.

Paul is the author of several books including United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; and many more!

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & endeavors to reconcile nations.

Contact Paul to speak at your event or for book consulting:

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

Xulon Press, Townhall Press, & Salem Communications – Not All Authors Are Not Created Equal

Xulon Press and Townhall Press reveal that for Salem Communications all authors are not created equal.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

It’s not about family, but the money. Hence some authors get better publicity than others, though all pay the same. Government at the Brink, Fred Thompson’s new book is such an example.

I received an email blast advert from Xulon Press and Townhall Press (“where your opinion counts”) in October, 2007 promoting political candidate Fred Thompson’s new book Government at the Brink.

I know little about Thompson, but concerning Xulon Press (who has published 4 of my books) I know they don’t treat all of their authors equally. Xulon and Townhall Press are owned by parent company Salem Communications, which says it treats everyone like family.

Here’s why I disagree.

1.) Xulon Press authors must deal with people by email rather than over the phone throughout the editorial process when developing their books. The one exception is the guy who ships out book orders, when a sale is involved.

2.) When you pay for a press release with Xulon, which they tell you could get you on Oprah or Larry King, you are being lied to.

The press release is web based only and the cheapest of the 4 packages PRWeb offers meaning there is no national exposure whatsoever. Xulon doesn’t tell its authors that when they sell the illusion and grandeur of publicity.

3.) E-blasts are only given to very influential and powerful people who can sell more books and increase Salem’s profit margins.

When I spoke to Xulon’s director of acquisitions and operations about receiving the same kind of E-blast for the 4 books I published and purchased publicity for with Xulon, I was told Fred Thompson’s book was a “special case”. In other words, though I published 4 books with Xulon, I wasn’t important and profits are prioritized over fair treatment of all authors. Thompson, a political candidate with more visibility, is more financially promising. Hence Fred alone, unlike other Xulon authors, get the extra publicity push.

4.) Your time and lost opportunities (time is money you know) don’t matter to Xulon.

I only learned of Xulon’s shady “publicity” packages through the back door when months later I inquired as to what PR firm they were using and proceeded to buy a press release. While examining PR Webs services and my former press releases done by Xulon, I learned Xulon Press had only bought the lowest and cheapest of four publicity packages offered by PR Web when marketing my books.

Upon confronting Xulon and requesting a full refund for all books by reason of opportunities lost (like I never found myself on Oprah or Larry King, which would have made my book sales extremely profitable), they merely appeased me and gave me a $120 for each press release they didn’t properly fulfill.

In other words they threw chump change at me to make me go away. Xulon never acknowledged I as an experienced author chose them in the first place because of the promised publicity — which if done properly I deem invaluable and priceless. When Xulon falsely purported and misrepresented their publicity package to create a hopeful illusion, I considered the publicity sufficient to generate ample sales to recuperate my publishing investment.

That never happened. Instead years of my life have been wasted and countless opportunities squandered by publishing with Xulon.

I am therefore warning all authors lest you too be suckered and seduced by false advertising. Ask questions and do your homework. Publishing is a profitable business and the buyer must beware.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Paul F Davis – author of “Supernatural Fire”; “Adultery 101″; “Are You Ready For True Love?”; and “Poems That Propel The Planet” all published with Xulon Press

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Paul F. Davis is a worldwide minister who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Thanks to his own genius and publicity, Paul has appeared on Oprah & Friends, Fox News Radio, and Playboy Radio among many other shows to promote his books.

Paul builds dreams, transcends limitations, and reconciles nations.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Contact Paul for a book consultation if you are a serious author willing to invest in your future. Knowledge is power, time is money and your life’s work is precious. Design a publicity package that will produce for your book and maximize your message.

Paul’s primary passion is writing and international speaking, but will consider helping a few promisng authors with projects of interest who pay him well.

Paul is the author of 14 books emowering people to love passionately & live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br&gt;

RevivingNations@yahoo.com <br>

Wedding Minister – A Priest & Officiant Who Can Dance & Celebrate!

Who said wedding ministers can’t be creative, dance, and celebrate? Mr. Miagee on the movie Karate Kid said, “Never trust a spiritual leader who can’t dance.”

The last wedding I officiated, after the dinner everybody headed to the dance floor. Many were surprised to see me the wedding minister dancing and rejoicing. Though I got many compliments for the wedding ceremony I performed and was warmly received by everyone, I guess dancing is not the norm for most traditional religious guys.

As for me, I believe a wedding is meant to be an unforgettable celebration to be enjoyed by all. Therefore I did not hold back and went straight out to the dance floor with my wife in hand. We had a blast dancing beneath the stars, while we soaked up the cool spring breeze.

The Bible exhorts us to dance, make merry, and rejoice in the Lord. We should praise the Lord with every available instrument holding nothing back. Let everything that has breath rejoice in the Creator (Psalm 149).

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). That being said it is right and proper that we should exuberantly celebrate every wedding with joy and dancing. Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where He turned water into wine (John 2).

A couple deserves to have a personalized and creatively tailor made ceremony. Anything less is average and borders mediocrity. A wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should be extraordinary in every detail, the most important being the minister who officiates and speaks to the hearts of all present.

Contact Paul to officiate your wedding and more!
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
407-284-1705; 407-967-7553

http://www.itietheknot.com

Paul Davis is a wedding minister who officiates marriage ceremonies and vow renewals. Paul has been in ministry for over 15 years, blessing people around the world. He has traveled to over 50 countries and 6 continents having a worldwide impact.

As a relational coach, Paul’s compassion for people and passion for transformation makes him very successful. His depth, understanding, experiential wisdom, and disarming sense of humor makes Paul a personal favorite of many couples. Highly celebrated and sought after, Paul has authored several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart and Are You Ready for True Love?

Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Ministries is making a difference throughout the world building dreams, breaking limitations, and reviving nations. Paul’s interpersonal and unprecedented experience engineering breakthroughs for individuals and organizations is revolutionary.

Contact Paul to officiate your wedding and more!
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
407-284-1705; 407-967-7553

http://www.itietheknot.com

http://www.PaulFDavis.com