Author Spotlight

by AJ
August 31, 2010
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Focus: Books That’ll Make You Grin

In Author Spotlight, Lulu Blog — Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Working at Lulu can introduce a person to tons of new books and authors, as you’d probably imagine.  Since I have been here, I have hoarded some of my favorites from the rest of the office at my desk.  They are the ones that have caught my eye walking by as they peek out from our bookshelves. Some are about music, some about food, but mostly, ones that make me laugh.  Below are just a few recommendations for anyone looking for a grin.

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Never Iron When Your Are Naked
by Trevor Perry

Advice your mother should have given you, but never did. Trevor Perry has a gift for taking the complicated things in life and turning them into good advice.  While ironing naked may be dangerous, Perry also reminds us to live with passion, to laugh often, and to constantly stand in awe of life itself.

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The Things Your Don’t Know You Don’t Know
by Harland Williams

Get ready to laugh yourself silly, scratch your head in wonder, and perhaps even cry as you delve into the hilarious and often bizarre mind of renowned actor/comedian Harland Williams.  Here, Williams shares his ridiculous and sometimes poignant observations on…well…everything. Some are things you may have overlooked, others you just not have cared to notice.  But with Williams unique spin on life and the things we interact with, you’ll start second guessing how you take things in.

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The Torture Device Coloring Book
by Erik Ruhling

You might feel slightly guilty as you snicker at this coloring book clearly not intended for children.  This coloring book’s irreverent humor is reminiscent of artwork by one of my favorite artists Brandon Bird. In Ruhling’s book, colorers can explore all sorts of historical torture devices, each with an accompanying rhyme. Stay within the lines or you will be punished.

by AJ
June 10, 2010
Comments (1)

Focus: Illustrated Books

In Author Spotlight, Lulu Blog — Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Whenever I talk to someone about Lulu, they’re normally surprised to learn that Lulu lets you publish just about anything – not just black and white, text-based books, but full-color photo books, cookbooks, and calendars too.  I especially love the expression on people’s faces when I explain that Lulu can even help make a book with beautiful, vibrant illustrations too.  In fact, hundreds of authors and artists have created and sold their graphic novels, children’s books and art collections on Lulu.  Below are just a few of my favorites.

Through Tiger’s Eyes

Written by Judy Kamilhor with Illustrations by Edward B. Snyder

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Available in both hardcover and paperback, this  is hands down one of the most beautifully crafted I have ever come across on Lulu.

What does Tiger see as he walks through the forest? In this delightful blend of dazzling color and gentle poetry, children learn how to observe the world around them. Artist Edward B. Snyder and poet Judy Kamilhor have created a captivating book filled with color, personality, and love.

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Zombies Hate Stuff

By Greg Stones

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I keep a copy of this book on my coffee table because it is funny, cute, original, and illustrated very well.

The product description for this book says it all:  “An illustrated list of things that zombies hate.”  Artist Greg Stones takes us on a page by page guide through all the things zombies apparently don’t care for.  Each page is accompanied by a humorous illustration that  will surprise and delight you as you think to yourself:  “yeah, I could see why they’d hate that.”  And just for the record, my favorite is “balloons.


Peter & Company

By Jon Ponikvar

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A collection of strips and pages from the online comic strip by Jon Ponikvar. The book includes 75 strips in their original grayscale tones, 25 comic pages in full color, and a book-exclusive color comic detailing the events leading up to the online comic.

This collection is very well put together and is available in hardback, paperback, or as a download.  The illustrations are clean and sharp, and I particularly enjoy the illustrated introduction of the characters.  The strips follow the misadventures of Peter, a 12-year-old boy that faces daily issues, we can all relate to.

by Annie
June 2, 2010
Comments (2)

Focus: Netiquette – The Art of Poise Online

In Author Spotlight, Howto, Lulu News — Tagged: , , ,

In the tradition of all Good Southern Grandmothers (GSG), my piano teacher forced me into an etiquette lesson once a week, every week, for twelve years. The fact that I was there for piano lessons and that she was not actually my grandmother did not matter a bit. She was a GSG and so all of her students were hauled kicking and screaming into her school of elegant manners. (Later we learned that the proper way to decline is “No thank you, ma’am.” not that it would have made a difference.)

Over the years I learned everything from posture and poise, to setting a table and serving punch, to writing timely and thoughtful thank you notes. (I also learned how to play the piano, but that’s another blog post.) But recently I have found an etiquette void- The Internet. Blogs, email, messaging, forums… they are all so informal and deliciously anonymous. It is easy to forget your manners, or heaven forbid not know what the manners are at all!!

Fortunately, Lulu is here to help you fill in the gaps where Emily Post and GSG left off.

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If all else fails, treat people how you would like to be treated, and do not behave any worse online than you would in person. You’ll be just fine.

Happy reading, and remember – as all GSG will tell you- the point of manners is not to give you mindless rules, but to make everyone else around you as welcome and comfortable as possible.

by Jonathan
May 14, 2010
Comments (1)

Wideman Contest Winner to be Named Tuesday

In Author Spotlight, Contest — Tagged: , , , , , ,

John Edgar WidemanOne thing we’ve learned from the Wideman flash fiction contest: There are many talented writers out there. We’re thrilled to have received a large number of entries for the contest. But that volume of quality work combined with Mr. Wideman’s travel schedule have caused a bit of a delay in announcing a winner.

Check back Tuesday when we will reveal the winning entry. Good luck!

by AJ
May 7, 2010
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Focus: Books Your Mom Will Love

In Author Spotlight, Lulu Blog, Lulu News — Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Books Your Mom Will Love

Mother’s Day is this weekend and I’m sure you already have everything planned out and are completely ready to honor the special women in your lives come Sunday, right? No?!  Well, worry not, there’s still time to get mom an awesome gift from Lulu to show her some love.  And I’m here to help narrow down some of the choices.

Mommy Confidential:  Adventures from the Wonderbelly of Motherhood

by Melinda Roberts

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For years, Melinda Roberts has chronicled her adventures in motherhood and life on her Mommy Blog that she adapted into this book.  She has gained a very loyal following of fans because she tells a story that any mom can relate to, but makes it wildly entertaining with her unique mix of brutal honesty, optimistic humor, and sarcastic wit.  Roberts shows readers what happens when you take a woman fresh out of college, plop her down in Silicon Valley, saddle her with a mortgage, let her ride the tech boom, give her three kids, disintegrate her marriage, end her career, and then hand her a computer.  Mommy Confidential is an endearing tale of family life beset by disaster on many fronts. And Roberts keeps her family together through it all.  Roberts has since appeared on Oprah and Mommy Confidential is one of Lulu’s top sellers.

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by Nick
April 22, 2010
Comments (2)

Focus: Celebrating Earth Day With eBooks!

In Author Spotlight, Lulu News — Tagged: , , , ,
Today is Earth Day and one great way to celebrate is to order an eBook instead of a print copy. You’ll save paper and still enjoy a great reading experience! To help you find some great content, we’ve selected a few picks from our catalog.
Rain: A Graphic Novella
By Ami Blackwelder
Rain is a highly advanced genetically engineered human designed by the future corrupt government and used to keep control and order. When dreams remind her who she really is, she goes rogue and takes the government down.
The Basic Art of Pizza
By Maria Liberati
Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati gives you step by step instructions on making different types of pizza.
Cheating Death: Life On The Highway
By Keith May
For most folks, spending a month on a Harley-Davidson exploring rural America, is at best, only a dream. In the Spring of 2001, however, photojournalist Keith May did exactly that. On assignment for an Adventure magazine, his mission was to go where the wind blew him and let pictures tell the story. 6,500 miles later, Cheating Death: Life On The Highway was the result.

Today is Earth Day and one great way to celebrate is to order an eBook instead of a print copy. You’ll save paper and still enjoy a great reading experience! To help you find some great content, we’ve selected a few picks from our catalog.
How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet
How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet
By Betsy Franz
Hybrid automobiles and reusable shopping bags are great ways to go green. But the best way to have a positive effect on the environment is to start outside by learning to Take Care of Your Share of the planet. If you are a property owner, you own a share of the planet. If you are a renter, you rent a share. Do your part for the planet. Learn to Take Care of Your Share.

Go Green, Live Rich
Go Green, Live Rich
By Hillary Rosner, By David Bach
David Bach is the author of seven consecutive national bestsellers, including the number-one New York Times bestsellers The Automatic Millionaire and Start Late, Finish Rich and, most recently, the number-one bestseller The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner. There are over five million copies of his books in print, and they have been translated into fifteen languages. He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show six times and is a featured columnist on Yahoo! Finance.

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by Jonathan
April 5, 2010
Comments (4)

Some names you know on the iPad

In Author Spotlight, How to Publish, Howto, Lulu News, New Features, Promotions — Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

WidemanSampleBookshelfThe iPad hit shelves over the weekend and is already sending ripples through the book world. On the first day, Apple says customers downloaded more than 250,000 eBooks — it calls them iBooks — in its iBookstore.

Some familiar titles appearing on iPad’s virtual bookshelves are Lulu’s very own: PhotoSecrets 101 Tips for Travel Photographers, Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application, Briefs, and Memories of the Future.

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A few Lulus purchased iPads. Here are a couple screen shots of Briefs and Memories of the Future.

To get on the iBookstore yourself, here are the details.

by Carol
April 2, 2010
Comments (3)

Focus: Autism Awareness

In Author Spotlight, Lulu News — Tagged: , , , ,

Today, in honor of World Autism Awareness Day, I’m showcasing Lulus whose lives have been touched by Autism. While Autism affects more and more families each year, there is still very little known about it. Below, I’ve selected a wide range of books about Autism. Lulu has provided these authors, and many more, an outlet for their voice which may have otherwise been overlooked.

My brother is not specialMy Brother Is NOT Special!
by Samantha & Tyler McLeod

Samantha wonders why her brother, Tyler, is always called “special.” Although he has Autism, she sees him as no different than anyone else. She observes him and comes up with a very interesting conclusion.

This is Samantha McLeod’s second book following the popular award winning book “Normal.” She continues to write about her experiences with a brother who has Autism.

Kids with autism can

Kids With Autism Can
by Katie Murwin

This book wasn’t written to create false hope. Just hope.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will benefit Kids With Autism Can, a not-for-profit organization aimed at helping children with Autism work toward independence through therapy and education. Please visit our website at kidswithautismcan.org.

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by Jonathan
April 1, 2010
Comments (4)

The John Edgar Wideman Microstory Contest

In Author Spotlight, Contest — Tagged: , , , , , ,

John Edgar WidemanWith his latest book, Briefs: Stories for the Palm of the Mind, two-time Faulkner award-winning author John Edgar Wideman has broken with tradition to partner with Lulu for greater control over the publishing process and a more direct connection with readers.

Briefs is a masterful collage of “microstories” that challenges assumptions about the genre. With a variety of voices, characters and compass points, Wideman unveils a unique structure—hip-hop Zen—where each story provides a single breath, to be caught, held, shared and savored.

Now Wideman is taking publishing innovation with Lulu one step further. With The John Edgar Wideman Microstory Contest, he’s inviting aspiring writers everywhere to submit their own microstory for possible inclusion in future copies of Briefs. What better way for a literary master to connect with readers than to share space with them in his latest book?

Here are the details: You can learn about Wideman’s storytelling style by getting a copy of Briefs and reading his introduction to microfiction. Then, starting today, submit your own microstory (up to 600 words) to pr@lulu.com. The submission period ends May 1. Anyone can enter. Just summon your creativity and show us your literary prowess in microstory form.

After the contest, Wideman will choose his favorite story. The winning entry will be announced on the Lulu Blog May 14 and include in a special edition of Briefs. The winner will also receive a complimentary signed copy of the book from Wideman.

Have a story to tell? Let us hear your voice and enter the The John Edgar Wideman Microstory Contest for a chance to be published alongside a literary giant.

by Carol
March 16, 2010
Comments (3)

Focus: eBooks

In Author Spotlight, Holiday reading material, Lulu News — Tagged: , , , , , ,

You may have noticed that eBooks are quickly becoming a very popular option for readers. They offer instant gratification and can conveniently be read on portable eReaders, computers, and in some cases, even on your smart phone. eBooks are a great option for authors too, sometimes even allowing for higher royalties. Some authors even use eBooks to market their print books by providing a free sample of their work – a great technique sure to get new readers hooked.

One of the reasons I love Lulu eBooks so much is the content. Without a doubt, we have a unique selection that can’t be found anywhere else. Below, I’ve chosen a few that caught my interest. Take a look at my top eBook pics for the week!

Fight On! #7 Fall 2009 PDF VersionFight On! #7 Fall 2009

Deep under the misty mountains, the proudest and toughest keep Fighting On! Join us in those days of blood and plunder by picking up a copy of issue 7, dedicated to M.A.R. Barker and featuring EIGHT adventures, tables, settings, reviews, encounters, monsters, spells, magic items, new classes, non-canonical expansions to Empire of the Petal Throne, and much, much more!


The Crochet Dude's Flying AfghanThe Crochet Dude’s Flying Afghan!

Download version – As seen in the Accord Crochet Pattern-a-Day Calendar, here are all the patterns you’ll need to create this sampler afghan by The Crochet Dude. In no time you will have a wonderful gift (perhaps for yourself).

Included are the instructions for twelve large squares and sixteen small squares. Mix and match to create your own layout! Oh, and you also receive the Dudessembly instructions to put it all together!

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