In From a Legend to a Kingdom of Darkness into Poems of Hope, Xulon Press author Antionette Campbell displays her gift of writing in a collection of poems about God’s grace and love. Reflecting back on the long path to publication, however, the author says she never imagined her writings would one day become a book. “My heartfelt aspirations came from my trials and pains,” the author explains. “Which in turn compelled me to stay on course, and my hope came from my desires.”

After eight long, laboring years spent crafting the book, Campbell turned to self-publishing to help get the word out about her new title. She recalls attending a book signing in Tampa for author Pastor Paula White’s new release, and it was then that she had an eye-opening epiphany that led her to Xulon.

“I mentioned that I had someone else look at my manuscript so they could get it published,” the author recounts. “She said, ‘No, get the book back. I know of a company that will for you.’ And then she told me about Xulon Press! I felt a leap in my spirit and a kick in my womb.”

Once her book had been published and distributed by Xulon Press, the author began utilizing three of the most important tools in her marketing arsenal: word of mouth, networking with friends who were willing to listen to her story, and giving away copies of her book to others who needed inner healing and restoration in their life. From there, the buzz surrounding her book began gaining momentum, culminating most recently in an interview with Cornerstone Network’s Focus 4 (which the author landed after contacting the CEO, Ron Hembree, about her book). Additionally, the author has a book signing lined up for December in her home state of Pennsylvania.

The public’s response remains equally positive, with reviewers calling it “inspirational” and “very touching.” “[They say] that they can’t stop reading it,” the author says. “I’ve received gifts and letters of how God has transformed their lives through the book.”

“Thanks again, Xulon Press, for your utmost professionalism, dedication, and most importantly, the team work it took to complete this project,” Campbell adds. “I will use you again for future publishing.”

After almost succumbing to a near-fatal incident, Xulon Press author Dean A. Braxton was transported to heaven, where he was given a fleeting glimpse of the love of God. But when Jesus sent him back to earth with the parting words “No, it is not your time. Go back,” the author resolved to write a book about his experiences in order to tell others that His love is accessible to all who believe. Thus, In Heaven! Experiencing the Throne of God was born. This eye-opening book—written over the course of three years—consists of the author’s own memoirs as well as Bible verses to support his experience.

“I use a statement in the testimony that [readers] can have experiences like I have, where someone dies and goes to heaven or has an out-of-body experience or a vision, but it must filter through the Word of God,” the author explains. “I want people to see that God is not hiding heavenly things from us. It is in His Word.”

Working alongside a dedicated team of eleven volunteers, the author put together plans to get the word out about the book while it was being written. This plan, which went into effect 12 months before the book’s release, allowed for the book to reach an even greater readership than it would have had he only focused on marketing post-publication.

“The first step in the plan was for me to find people who would help me to get the book published,” he recalls. “I asked a number of people from my local church who believed in what I had to say. These people helped to brainstorm with me on ways to get the word out about the book being published. They helped me in many different way s to make sure other people knew this book was coming out. They helped with coming up with the best title for the book and many other creative ways to advertise. They even gave input into the colors on the cover.”

Before selecting a publisher, Braxton’s PR team also undertook a number of other projects to create “buzz.” They researched other books of the same kind to see how to improve on what they had done to get their books out, they gave out free CDs of the story with the book title on it (and gave people permission to copy, share, and distribute these), they passed out flyers and business cards about the book to prospective readers, they created and maintained an email list of almost 500 people who they updated with the book’s progress over the span of five months, they set up Facebook and Myspace accounts to interact with readers, they prepared a website to showcase the book and garner donations as well as set up a “pre-sell” option, and they did a Facebook interview for a local ministry where they talked about the book and how people could buy it when it came out—all in anticipation of the book’s release.

“Each of these people invested time and energy in making this book a reality,” the author explains. “So they did everything they could to get the word out about the book. After doing all of this to get people interested in the book coming out, people were emailing me asking when the book was going to be released. We had built a strong base of people who wanted to read the book before it was released.”

Out of his dedicated team of eleven, the author selected one to become the point person. All the information for the book to be published went through him. “He started the research on ways to get a book published,” he says. “After he looked at a number of publishers, he reported back to the team and me. He stated that Xulon Press looked like the best way to get what we wanted for this book. We did look at another self-publishing company, but after reading all the information, I decided to take his recommendation and go with Xulon Press. One of the major reasons was the Christian values.”

At first, working with Xulon Press was a challenge. “Not because of Xulon Press, but because of my lack of knowledge of publishing a book,” the author recalls. “There were times Xulon had to be patient with me. As I look back and see what had to be done, and what Xulon has done and can do, I will be asking them to publish the next book we put out.”

After the book was released, Braxton and his team worked tirelessly to continue promoting through a variety of ways. Their first step, he says, was to send out an email to the list of almost 500 letting them know the book was done and how they could buy one. Next, they made an announcement on Facebook and Myspace to keep people apprised of all the necessary details. Additionally, they texted friends and family about the book and began releasing new flyers featuring the book cover and back cover on it—along with ordering information. For every book order, they sent a free CD along with it.

“We came up with a plan on who were the people we were going to give a free book to,” Braxton says. “Family members, some friends, people in media, and anyone who helped in making this book happen. We had planted seeds in a number of places.”

Now it was time to reap what they had sown; within weeks, they were receiving calls for a TV interview on a local public station. The interview went so well that the promoter of the TV interview is currently working on playing the show on other public stations around the country. As for the response from the public—Braxton and his team were inundated with an outpouring of support from readers all over the nation.

“The book is so powerful; I have been impacted deeply. After reading the book I have been left electrified, and more aware of Him,” a reader from Tacoma, Washington, said. Another, from Federal, Washington, raved, “The book is wonderful I just finished it this week end, it is truly a blessing. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with the world.”

If these uplifting words weren’t enough to bolster support in his book, Braxton also landed an appearance on TBN’s Praise the Lord program—before the book had even been published! “One of the people who helped with the book’s pastor hosts the show here in the Seattle area,” he explains. “He also knows the station manager of the local TBN. From the time we announced the book, he advocated for us to be on the show. This person gave them one of the CDs, and the pastor and station manager listened to the CDs and decided to set up a meeting to talk with me. After this meeting, they made up their mind to have me come on. This happened just before the book was released. As soon as the book came out, they both received a copy.”

The interview, recalls the author, went very, very well. And, he adds, the same person who helped set up the TBN appearance also sent in information on the book to Sid Roth’s show. “They are in the process of investigating me for this show. Please pray for both shows.”

Reflecting back on the publishing process, the author explains, “Since this is my first book, there were a lot of unknowns; it was not easy. There were times me and the main person who did most of the proofreading and editing stayed up to three or four in the morning. I am so glad now that we did it because of the number of people who are being impacted by this book, along with the number of people who will make it to heaven because of this being written.”

When it comes to advice for other aspiring authors, Braxton has many tips and hints to help them navigate the publishing and marketing process in its entirety. “Find a team of two or more people who believe in you and what you are writing about,” he says. “Ask them to help you get your message out. Out of this group, have one person you can relay on to help you head up the whole process. I found out these people who helped me prayed and put everything they could give into making this happen. They believe in our Lord Jesus, my family, me, and the story in this book. What we are seeing in sales and knowledge of this book is God using each of these people who helped to get the word out.”

This past Saturday, the Xulon Press staff had the honor of supporting one of its own cancer survivors, Gail Pelletier, in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. This walk is just one way the society helps people fight back; society volunteers work year-round to defeat cancer and they fight back in a variety of ways through the American Cancer Society. Please read below for Gail’s heartfelt words about this wonderful cause:

“I want to thank all of you for supporting me in the ‘Strides Against Breast Cancer’ walk on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and there were so many people that it stretched the entire three miles. [There were] men, women, pink dogs, men on stilts, funny t-shirts, lots of hugs, and—best of all—my husband. This was the first time he’s walked in this event. He was very surprised at all the guys out there.

“We raised $800 this year for the Xulon Press team! That is awesome! Just think, we helped a woman [without insurance or finances] who’s been diagnosed to get the surgery or the treatment she needs to help save her life!

“I love you all and work for the best group of people anyone could ever ask for! You all rock!”

After reaching more than 1,000,000 visitors to his personal website, www.richardshanereinert.com, Xulon Press author Richard Shane Reinert decided to compile many of the poems found on his site into a book—He’s the Pen, I’m the Paper—in the hopes that he could reach many more people and encourage them with his God-given message. One poignant experience, in particular, prompted the author to think seriously about penning the book—a project that took nearly a decade to complete.

“There was a young woman who contacted me who was really down, and she said she found my website, which has some of the poems on it, [and] that it helped her turn her life around,” the author explains. “I had no doubt then that I had to reach more people who [were] hurting.”

After putting the finishing touches on his manuscript, Reinert scoured the Internet and began reading blogs, contacting other authors, and visiting websites to see who could give him the best coverage and opportunity to be successful. He eventually ended up selecting Xulon Press as his publisher of choice, and within 90 days he had a copy of his printed book in hand. From there, it was a long process of reaching out to potential readers through a variety of ways.

“I immediately put out the word on my website, blog, and on a Youtube channel I had created,” he recounts. “I sent out a press release online and had a book signing. I did all of that in the first few weeks.”

The press release he submitted via a very popular newswire has now been read more than 25,000 times in a very short four days—and, says the author, “AOL, USA Today, and many other fantastic news organizations have found out who I am and it’s opened a lot of doors at stores to set up book signings.”

As a result of all the added exposure, the author’s book has been picked up in seven countries and rave reviews have been flooding in en masse from readers all over the United States. Of his plans for the future, the author says, “It’s my hope to build upon this for a second book.”

In the recent issue of Midwest Book Review’s monthly online book review magazine, MBR Bookwatch, Xulon Press author Andy Deane’s Learn to Study the Bible was featured by Able Greenspan. The book—which teaches readers 40 different step-by-step Bible study methods to help them discover, apply, and enjoy God’s Word—received top marks from reviewer Greenspan, who declared it “a must for any Christian who wants to be informed and armed with the knowledge of God’s Word.”

Additionally, Ivan Sugarwood’s gripping novel of good and evil, The Judges Chronicles: Rebirth of Shavron, was praised by reviewer Paul Lappen, who declared, “I was very prepared to not like this book (religion and talking animals usually do not bode well), but it’s good. It’s not just a good religion story; it’s also a good fantasy story.”

The Midwest Book Review, which gives priority consideration to small publishers, self-published authors, academic presses, and specialty publishers, enlists the aid of its expert review team to promote monthly reads for recommendation to the general reading public—via its “Reviewer’s Bookwatch” column.

All reviews will be archived on the Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at http://www.midwestbookreview.com

Book reviewer Richard R. Blake, who regularly writes for Midwest Book Review, recently sat down with a copy of Dr. Steven Mentzer’s book, Broken Vows Shattered Lives. In his glowing review, Blake proclaims the book is an encouragement to those experiencing the pain of divorce or in the midst of a family crisis. He also discusses at length the content of Mentzer’s book—from the effects and casualties of divorce to the painful process of grief and ultimate healing.

“This book is timely, relevant, and important in a day when traditional God-ordained families are being threatened,” he writes. “The book is ideal for use individually, as a couple, in support groups, or by pastors and counselors as a resource tool.”

Mentzer’s book may be purchased online at the Xulon Press bookstore: http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781607918844

After ten years of marriage—and following his ordination—Xulon Press Dr. Steven Mentzer suddenly found himself faced with the pain of an acrimonious divorce. Saddled with thoughts of unworthiness, he soon left the ministry and began focusing his energies into finding the reasons for his downward spiral. Not long after, Mentzer felt compelled to write about his difficult journey through divorce—and how God ministered His healing touch to him—in order to encourage others not to feel God is angry with them because their marriage failed. Broken Vows Shattered Lives is the product of those preliminary writings, and thus far it has been used in counseling with other believers and is the basis for a seminar on divorce.

“The research lasted eighteen months and the writing and review lasted about three years before I felt comfortable with the product,” he says. “I also needed to save the money, and as a pastor of a small church with a family, it took a while.”

Once a complete draft of the book was finished, the author turned to self-publishing to get a copy of it in readers’ hands. He began by reviewing many different self-publishing companies, but eventually he selected Xulon Press because of the service and costs. “I needed it to be edited, and [they] gave me the name of a professional editor,” he explains. “[They] helped me to get into the electronic media such as Amazon.com, and I have even seen it advertised with a company in India.”

Immediately following publication, Mentzer utilized the power of direct marketing by announcing to his Facebook contacts and the members of the churches he has pastored that his book was available to order. He also employed the help of Bostick Communications, an electronic news distribution service, to send e-mail alerts to Christian magazine and radio sources. One publication—Christian News Weekly—contacted Mentzer after the company referred his book to them, and now they are currently in the process of evaluating the book to submit reviews to newspapers and electronic media.

Thus far, the author has been inundated with positive feedback from readers who enjoyed his refreshing openness and honesty. “The people who have read the book are impressed with the process I went through and [the fact] that I share my ups and downs during this time to remind others that while I was a pastor, I was also human and suffered just like many others,” he says.

Recalling the long path to publication, he reminds aspiring authors that “the only way to generate interest is if you have the interest to get it out there. Before ministry, I was involved in marketing and sales within the hospitality industry, so making phone calls and walking into bookstores is easy for me. It must be direct because mailings have a low percentage of return. However, prayer and asking God for help and believing He will do it is extremely important as well.”

Xulon Press author Carla D. Chapple recently published her first book, Seek His Face: Speaking God’s Joy and Peace into Your Life—and already the author has completed several interviews and has many more planned. Most recently, Chapple appeared on the Community Central Radio Show as well as WEOM 103.1 FM and WSRF 1580. Additionally, the author will make appearances on WTAL 1450 AM—a gospel talk radio station—Friday, September 25, at 10:00 a.m. and THEA TV/Radio on Sunday, September 27, at 7:00 a.m.

For an autographed copy of her book—or to listen to her first radio interview—please visit her website, www.carladchapple.com.

In the September 2009 issue of Midwest Book Review’s online magazine, Xulon Press author A. G. Green’s release, Why Faith? was featured. In the review script of Cowper’s Bookshelf—the personal review site of MBR’s own Mary Cowper—the author spoke positively of the book’s high notes.

Says Cowper, “[This book] is a pastor’s discussion of why faith is vital to tough out the bad times in one’s life, and how faith helps these people find their way. Inviting readers to look inside themselves for their own faith, [it] is of interest to anyone who has lost their way and is having trouble.”

The Midwest Book Review, which gives priority consideration to small publishers, self-published authors, academic presses, and specialty publishers, enlists the aid of its expert review team to promote monthly reads for recommendation to the general reading public—via its “Reviewer’s Bookwatch” column.

All reviews will be archived on the Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at http://www.midwestbookreview.com

For Xulon Press author and Senior Chief Petty Officer Anthony R. Sanders, becoming a published author was simply the logical next step in a progression that started years ago when he began writing additional commentaries for Sunday school and a weekly Bible study for members onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. His book, Start Your Day with God, started to take shape one day when the unction of the Holy Spirit moved him to begin penning a daily devotional.

Says the author, “The first Start Your Day with God [devotional] was on October 24, 2007, and it has grown to several hundred people receiving this devotional daily via email. Each morning I wake up and write and send it out in order to draw interest and encourage all to start their day with God.”

Not very long ago, Sanders made the decision to compile a book full of these devotions—a feat which would take about 18 months to complete. Once he had a final draft of the manuscript in hand, the author set his sights on finding a publisher to meet his needs. “My friend Otis Tyner sent me the link to Xulon Press and I reviewed the agreement contract for about two months and decided to go with [them],” he explains. “I have been pleased with each step of the process.”

Following publication of his book, the author was so excited at seeing his title online at Barnes & Noble that he shouted, “Thank You, Lord!” and literally ran around to each office in the building where he worked to tell everyone the good news. From there, he began sending out e-mails, text messages, and phone calls to interested parties, determined to grasp hold of any opportunities for marketing. The author says a good friend of his also made more than 500 flyers—without even asking him—just to be a blessing to him. Using these flyers and social networking websites such as Facebook, the author began attracting interest in his newly published book.

Thus far, Sanders has received an outpouring of positive feedback—all from people he has never met who are eager to comment on how impressed they were with the book’s cover and the writings. “My family and friends were extremely excited, and some have said, ‘I now know an author!’” the author says. “Also, some stated, ‘How can you be a Senior Chief in the Navy and have time to write a book?’ I stated I got up early in the morning—sometimes at 3:15 a.m.—and trusted God to do the rest.”

Additionally, his book has not gone unnoticed by the media—the author recently landed a coveted guest appearance on The 700 Club and a radio interview on Faith 1090 AM. “I received a call from a friend of mine in Greenwood, South Carolina, saying that he had set up an interview at noon for me on Faith 1090 AM,” he explains. “As for The 700 Club, I hired a marketing strategist who has gotten me in the door with a great possibility of giving Dr. Miles Monroe a copy of the book. This was just arranged yesterday, and we will go by faith and see where this will lead us. This is a window of opportunity, and I am trusting God to be God.”

Speaking strictly to fellow authors, Sanders has great advice about how to “make it” as a writer: “At every moment mention your book,” he stresses. “Have cards and flyers at the ready. Also have copies on you; keep them in your car and in your briefcase. You will have to give some books away in order to generate interest. Do not be afraid to reach out to other authors for guidance and suggestions. Do not give up; when things seem slow, trust God to bring things around. Put the word out via word of mouth in churches and the malls, and speak with owners and shops. From experience, [I know that] most will allow you to put flyers in their stores. Have family and friends spread the word. Know that people are your greatest asset. Network; be resourceful; and most of all, trust God even when you get tired and weary. Faint not, only trust and believe.”

As for the future, Sanders is working on a second book titled 90 Days: A Journal Between You and God—and he hopes to continue to bring more people to Jesus so that they will know and fall in love with Him as much as he has. “My book will do just that—inspire, encourage, and motivate all people to desire and want to know the Lord Jesus better,” he says.

To visit the author’s personal website, please click on the following link: www.anthonyrsanderslive.com