Get Between the Covers

Sharing the Gift of Literacy

2008-12-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

Readers,

As some of you know, when we wrote Get Between the Covers: Leave a Legacy by Writing a Book, we pledged to give our publishing royalties and click-through revenue for 2006 to a charitable endeavor that supported literacy.

Being from Florida, I didn't have to look very far to find a worthy cause. Kids in Need--Books in Deed, a non-profit housed at the Florida State University Foundation, is dedicated to giving free books to underprivileged children in the state of Florida. Founded by bestselling novelist Julianna Baggott, whose compelling life story we put in Get Between the Covers, and her husband, the organization runs entirely on the efforts of its volunteers and contributors. You can see more about Kids in Need--Books in Deed, which I highly recommend as the year ends and you are looking to help out those who are less fortunate, at www.booksindeed.org.

Our donation is specifically being used for Gadsden County, the most impoverished county in the state of Florida. The books will be given directly to the children in home visits and also as part of a give-away at the library.

On behalf of Neil, I want to extend my thanks to Julianna for making us aware of this opportunity a couple of years ago, and we will continue to support Kids in Need--Books in Deed in the future.

We would also like to thank everyone who purchased a copy of our book to help facilitate this meaningful contribution to our literacy efforts.

Best,
Eric

I Return From My Hiatus

2008-06-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

Readers,

Wow, it has been quite a while. As you might imagine, if you've been keeping tabs on me at my Internet radio show's site, www.creativemindbehind.com, I have had my hands full running The Creative Mind Behind with Eric Spencer. Although, I must admit, I've had so much fun chatting with some of the great creative minds and people, from a range of backgrounds, who are shaping our world in so many positive ways. If you aren't already a listener, I recommend checking it out.

As you can see in the Media Room section at (www.creativemindbehind.com), I've been out on the campaign trail, in a manner of speaking, promoting Get Between the Covers and sharing the message of what Neil and I have created.

Even though I have to balance my time between my job in finance (my priority) and my creative pursuits (writing, radio show, speaking), I plan to ramp up my efforts with Get Between the Covers because I think it is so important to share this message with readers and potential writers everywhere.

So, look for more blog posts soon.

Best,

Eric
Host & Exec. Producer of The Creative Mind Behind with Eric Spencer

The Latest Gadget: Amazon's Kindle

2007-11-28T18:06:00.000-08:00

Readers and Friends,

In case you hadn't noticed, technological advancements are all around us. Even in the sometimes antiquated publishing industry. With Amazon's Kindle, the newest portable reading device, you may find yourself quite a prolific reader in no time--with access to thousands of books, every major newspaper, and even the leading blogs. All in the palm of your hand.

There have been previous reading devices, but the Kindle has made some dramatic improvements, including how the text appears on the screen...it almost looks liked printed writing. Other advancements allow you read it in sunlight. So you can even bring it to the beach. You can plug in headphones and listen to audiobooks if you want. It has a keyboard built in that allows for easy searching for whatever you desire.

It's lightweight and reasonably priced. The Kindle has received rave reviews from users and from many of the leading authors in the industry. Definitely check it out.

We give it two thumbs up!

Eric

Important Updates

2007-11-26T15:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers and Friends,

First of all, we hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their family and friends!

There are some exciting updates in the Get Between the Covers movement. The 2nd edition will be in stores in mid-January. Planned Television Arts will be running a media campaign featuring a number of radio interviews with Eric on February 5th. Five Star Speakers and Trainers will now be representing Eric for his speaking events with corporations, schools, and associations. We will continue to refine and add programs to our online creative community www.cRADIANCE.com.

Perhaps most importantly, Eric will be running his own Internet radio show "The Creative Mind Behind with Eric Spencer" (www.creativemindbehind.com) beginning in early 2008. The show will feature interviews with authors, musicians, artists, actors, entrpreneurs, and scores of other innovators. The stories behind the stories of those that are changing our world and the way we look at it. And, hopefully, one of the most creative websites to go along with the program. More to come on this front.

Best,

Eric

Updates on the progress of Get Between the Covers

2007-11-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

Readers and friends,

Our speaking event at Young Harris College went very well, and Neil and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet the faculty and students. For me, it was a special treat, as I got the chance to leave the big buildings of Manhattan for a pleasant drive through the South Carolina and Georgia foothills.

We are planning a number of speaking events with colleges, associations, and corporations coming up. We will certainly let you know when we are going to be in your area. Please contact us if you have an interest in having us come speak to your group on: why (and how) everybody can write a book, your unlimited futures in life, following your passion in everything (including writing), how to overcome obstacles on the path to achieving your goals, how to take life less seriously even with serious dreams to pursue...of course all with a fair amount of humor mixed in.

Some updates on the book:

--The 2nd Edition will be available in bookstores in January (it's already available online)
--Planned Television Arts will be representing us and the book in a media campaign in January
--We are forming partnerships with several corporations and associations that have a shared goal of helping thousands, if not millions, to write books.

And, perhaps most importantly, I promise to maintain this blog on a much more regular basis.

Best,

Eric

Young Harris College Speaking Event

2007-10-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers and Friends,

Neil and I will be heading to Young Harris College in Young Harris, GA on November 5th to speak to students, faculty, and members of the community.

We have plans to speak at a number of schools, particularly colleges and universities, as we spread the message of Get Between the Covers. What better place to start than with the next generation of writers?

But have no fear AARP members. We promise that we haven't forgotten about you, and that we will develop a number of programs catered to assist you and steer you in the right direction, as you share your life experiences with millions around the world.

We will be sure to post pictures and possibly video from the event at Young Harris College.

Best,

Eric

AARP National Convention

2007-09-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers and Friends,

We hope that everyone had a great summer. It always goes by quickly.

We wanted to post a blog to follow up on an unbelievable speaking event at the AARP National Convention. Our room in the Boston Convention Center held just over 200 people and it was completely full (they had to turn people away). The latest edition of our new book sold out in an hour at Barnes & Noble downstairs.

But the best part of the entire event were the people. AARP is a first-class organization and put on a great event. AARP's membership, who proudly made the trip to Boston, were so inspirational. They talked with us for hours after our event. They told us their stories and of their newfound desire to write books. People who were new to writing and those who had been waiting 20 years to finish off their projects.

It is for AARP's membership in particular that we wrote Get Between the Covers. We want to empower the everyday person...the one who has done a lot of living and now wants to spend time sharing their experiences, knowledge, and creativity and to truly "leave their legacy."

We look forward to seeing the completed books of so many at the speaking event.

Best,

Eric and Neil

Introducing the Concept of Creative Collaboration

2007-07-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Even though we have readers all over the globe, for those of you in the United States, Happy 4th of July! We would like to extend a special thanks to all of the men and women serving overseas in the Armed Forces, protecting not only our liberty, but also the liberty of millions of citizens in other countries.

We wanted to take this chance to discuss our new collaborative website, http://www.cradiance.com/, which some of you have read information about on the homepage. Through cRADIANCE, which was created and optimized by some of the top web designers in the world, we play to run writing contests, experience sharing or group collaborative efforts, and even to eventually pair seniors with students. Seniors have stories to tell and knowledge to pass on, but sometimes need help with the physical writing. There are many students out there eager to write their first book, but perhaps need some material that they can mold into a finished book. Pairing the two is ideal...if we truly want to help people to leave a legacy, as the subtitle of our book suggests.

In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, we attempted to run our first program as a collaborative effort for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and parents or spouses of any of the three groups. The program was to consist of each person submitting up to 300 words meant to inspire or offer hope in the face of tragedy. We would then select around 100, which we would edit and then package into a book, with all of the proceeds going back to Virginia Tech to the victims and their families. Unfortunately, we ran into some difficulties with the program. Because of the worry with legal matters, Virginia Tech didn't want any of their staff or faculty members to contribute material. Also, it was tough for many of the students close to the incident to put things into words. So, sadly we had to cancel the program in its early stages.

We did received some truly excellent submissions, and Eric found one in particular that he had to share through this site.

Jenni Boastfield, an alumna of Virginia Tech submitted the following poem. She wanted to be sure to let everyone know that while she was far from Blacksburg on April 16th, her heart was and is with everyone hurt by this tragedy.

A cold, indifferent wind blows ruthlessly today.

Monday, April 16th, 2007. The place I love is crying.
Her frostbitten voice echoes across many a mile—
My house moans to hear her story.

And while I’m sheltered inside, my eyes well with wind-seared tears
That I so often lovingly associate with
Standing at the top of Brush Mountain’s ridge…
But today is different.
And might change how some view
Our beloved hamlet midst the mist of clouds,
Where so many dreams walk
Right ‘mongst the townsfolk.
But my heart knows the spirit
Of the mountain-encircled valley
Of the ancient New River
Cannot be diminished.

Its peaceful wisdom enlightens through
Bright green sun dappled hills and dales
Secret waterfalls beyond mossy trails…
But this wind speaks of sadness beyond my comprehension
Which sits itself heavy in my stomach…
And I am caused to wonder who thought
They could deliver cold winter’s bite in the month of blossoms…
Shaking such sweet souls from their lofty bloom-filled branches
Before they ought to ‘ave fallen.
The wind is playing its thoughts out in the wind chime outside my window and proves itself a comforting sound on a gale that reminds me of walking across an eternally breezy Drillfield, dodging into East Campbell-
my shelter, my home, surrounded by shade trees and stairways.
Safe.
But I blow back at the wind—
I blow kisses—
For Virginia Tech
& For all the mountain village
& For all those who know her
& Forever for those Bright Blossoms,
Who will return with every spring and every sunrise in my heart.

With much love and heartache,
Jenni L. Boastfield, Virginia Tech Class of 2004, Early English Lit.

Book Promotion Truly Starts Anywhere

2007-03-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

I’ll admit it. Having spent most of my life in the relatively small town of Naples, FL, on the Gulf of Mexico, just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the Miami metro area, I’m relatively inexperienced in the ways of the “big city.” Except for brief stints in D.C. and Atlanta, you might call me a novice.

As a result of this upbringing, I’m used to the more small-town, traditional means of book promotion—primarily giving talks or seminars, doing book signings at bookstores or libraries, and using the Internet to reach readers around the world. In the course of writing Get Between the Covers, I came across many creative means that have been employed by authors to sell copies of their books, such as individuals selling shares of their book (as if it were a stock) or driving hundreds of thousands of miles on self-funded book tours. But I had yet to witness the creative spirit in action firsthand as it applied to book promotion.

I recently moved to New York City to become the CFO of a hedge fund out of New York and Santa Monica. On one of my first subway rides as a new Manhattan resident, what should I witness, but perhaps one of the most creative grassroots book promotion methods…a man simply walking around with a backpack of his books, talking about his different titles, and even reciting poetry from one edition. All of this to a hundred complete strangers in the 2-3 minutes between subway stops on the 6 train.

I must admit that he was quite convincing and a born salesman. Ironically, one woman walked all the way from the other end of the subway car, announced that she had bought one of his books on a similar subway ride in a different part of the city 6 months ago, raved at what a great writer he is, and then purchased two of his latest titles on the spot.

Unfortunately, he hopped off at the 34th St. stop, ready to sell on the subway platform, before I could catch his name to include in this post. But, readers, rest assured, I will find out who this mysterious “subway promoter” is and will even grab a copy of one of his books because I applaud his bravery in promotion.

Best,

Eric

It's been a crazy few weeks!

2007-02-12T18:23:00.000-08:00

Dear readers and supporters,

So much has happened since the last post. First of all, Get Between the Covers launched on December 28th on Amazon.com and climbed the charts...all the way to #7. This was simply a result of the grassroots marketing that we did and letting a select group of individuals know about the book's release.

The mass market PR campaign for the book is about to begin, and the book will be available in bookstores very shortly (in addition to just online). Both Neil and I are speaking in a variety of venues and to a range of audiences in the coming weeks. Neil just finished speaking to thousands of college students, and I spent the past two weeks speaking to about 1000 public school students in South Florida. It's amazing to see how positive the reaction teachers, parents, and students have for this project...even when they are in 2nd grade! It's truly invigorating after our hard work over the past 5 years.

We are developing some programs that are large in scope to spread the message of the Get Between the Covers movement, starting with college campuses, and then moving on to senior associations and national charitable organizations.

The website will be updated within the week with all of our recent and upcoming events, in addition to some opportunities for you to share your thoughts and feedback with us.

We hope that all of you are well.

Best,

Eric Spencer

December 28th--Official Launch Date on Amazon.com!!

2006-12-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

Dear readers and viewers of this site,

Tell all of your friends and family:

Dec. 28th Amazon.com Launch Date for:

Get Between the Covers: Leave a Legacy by Writing a Book

By: Neil Shulman, M.D. and Eric Spencer

Mark your calendars! On Thursday, December 28, 2006, Get Between the Covers will have its official launch on Amazon.com with one goal in mind…to get to #1 on the Bestseller List.

We’ve put over 5 years of work into this book, which will hopefully lead tens of thousands, if not millions, to write a book in their lifetime and thus be able to share their knowledge, creativity, and experience with this generation as well as future ones. It’s been endorsed by nearly all of the top people in the publishing industry—many of whom contributed material because of the influence they believe it will have. When people think about writing books, reading, or the publishing industry, we want them to think Get Between the Covers!

Why should you purchase Get Between the Covers on the 28th?

As part of purchasing this book on December 28th, you will be supporting several endeavors, including: a literary grant/scholarship program for both high school and college students that we are establishing which will encourage and enable them to write and publish books and a program that donates books to children who are less fortunate, so that they might develop a love for reading.

That’s right, we will give ALL of the income received from book sales on the 28th to support these efforts! So, in addition to getting a copy of a book that you will enjoy if you have ideas for books and want to translate them to paper, or know a friend, family member, or co-worker who does, you will also be helping us to give back.

It’s as simple as:

1. Going to our website www.getbetweenthecovers.com on December 28th.
2. Clicking the link to purchase Get Between the Covers on the homepage.
3. Completing your purchase on Amazon.com after it clicks through.

For more information, please visit us at www.getbetweenthecovers.com.

We are reminded every day...

2006-12-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

When you look around you in the world each day, you are reminded just how many opportunities there are for us to share our knowledge and creativity, offer our assistance, and relate our experiences for the benefit of others. Writing a book could be your chance to make your mark and change a reader's life or at least keep them entertained and provide a diversion for a few hours.

A perfect example of a call for one of the generations to leave their mark for posterity and improve society can be found in AARP CEO, Bill Novelli's, new book, 50+: Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America. There are millions of people that Novelli is appealing to with his message, and it is our hope that we can inspire many of them to try their hand at writing a book of something of interest or importance to them.

As we've spoken to people about our upcoming launch date of December 28th on Amazon.com, we realize just how many people really do want to write books...they just need a helping hand to get them started and guide them through the process. We hope to personally assist you in your endeavor, both at our future in-person events (with help from other authors and publishing insiders) and also with our book.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm! If we get this book to #1 on Amazon.com on December 28th, there's no telling how big a movement this could become.

Looking forward to enjoying the ride,

Neil and Eric

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

2006-11-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the time spent with family and friends and the plentiful amounts of delicious food. Also, we wanted to extend a "thank you" to all of our troops and service personnel who are overseas and couldn't be home for the holiday.

There are exciting updates on the book and the plans for it, and we will post information about it in the next couple of days. Thank you to all for your support and for helping us to make this project as big as we thought it could be when we started roughly 5 years ago!

Best,

Neil and Eric

Great New Book for Writers

2006-09-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,

As you will note in the "Important Links" section of this website, we feature what we regard as the leading titles for writers of different levels to reference, in order to improve their skills and gain publishing industry knowledge.

Perhaps one of the best recent books to come around is Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose, an author who has been a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award. Prose emphasizes the point that many other successful writers make--to improve one's writing, it is vitally important to study the works of critically-acclaimed writers, or, at a minimum, the books of authors who inspire you or have subject material similar to your own.

Prose emphasizes her message early on in the book when she writes, "Like most, maybe all, writers, I learned to write by writing and, by example, from books." The more we practice anything in life, the better and more efficient we become at doing it. Prose believes that our minds are able to hone in on individual elements of the books that we read--the sentence structure, narration, dialogue, and paragraph format--the more frequently that we perform this activity. She also makes the point throughout that we should not be intimidated by reading the works of some of the greatest writers in history, perhaps due to the feeling of interiority when comparing them to our own writing, but rather we should embrace the opportunity. Maybe some of their skills or "magic" will rub off on us, or, at least, inspire us as we put pen to paper.

Without revealing too much of the structure of the book and Prose's advice, we strongly recommend that you read this book if you have time, as it is a very interesting read, in addition to being useful.

Many more updates soon to come on the Get Between the Covers project...there are exciting developments, and we look forward to sharing them with all of you.

All the best,

Neil and Eric

Remembering September 11th

2006-09-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

To all,

We wanted to be sure to post something on this important day for America. Today, we remember the tragic events of 5 years ago, the innocent victims who lost their lives, and the heroes who emerged from all walks of life. It is a day that none of us will ever forget in our lifetimes.

We salute all of those who continue to protect our country, our way of life, and our freedoms, which we sometimes overlook. You are truly selfless and brave. You make your families, your country, and all of us proud.

Best,

Neil and Eric

Are you the next John Kennedy Toole?

2006-08-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I apologize for the time between blogs, but we have been quite busy wrapping up the editing of the book--a feat which I am pleased to announce is just about complete. There are a lot of happenings on this project behind-the-scenes and we look forward to sharing our message with you in many different ways once the book is released.

I wanted to post this blog because I recently read A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole. I had often heard the incredible tale of the novel's birth...a novel that went on to win The Pulitzer Prize. But how close it came to never seeing the light of day.

John Kennedy Toole wrote the original manuscript for this novel in the 1960's, but unfortunately he passed away at the age of 32 and it was never published while he was alive. In 1976, a professor at Loyola, Walker Percy, busy teaching budding writers, began to get phone calls from a woman that he had never met. Her request was simple: she wanted Percy to read her son's novel. And when Percy wavered as to whether or not to acquiesce, she wouldn't take "no" for an answer, firmly stated that it was "a great novel," and even showed up in person to hand him the manuscript.

According to Percy, he hoped to indulge her by merely reading a few pages and offering some feedback; however, a strange thing happened. In Percy's words from the foreword to the book:

In this case I read on. And on. First with the sinking feeling that it was not bad enough to quit, then with a pickle of interest, then a growing excitement, and finally an incredulity: surely it was not possible that is was so good.

Percy eventually helped package the novel and upon its publication it received the highest literary distinction.

So the question for the day is this: are you the next John Kennedy Toole? My bet is that there are many of you out there, true talents, brilliant writers with the ability to captivate readers, and you are just waiting to be discovered. It's time to share your gift with the world.

Wishing all of you the best (and waiting to read your masterpieces),

Eric

How far the publishing industry has come...

2006-06-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

How many potentially great works, written by writers just like you, have never seen the light of day and made it into the hands of the public? For many years, with traditional publishing being the primary option for a writer and with rejection being an inherent element to that option, many works failed to find a home with a publishing house after 5, 10, 50...attempts.

Perhaps you wrote a book years ago, attempted to have it published, and due to rejection from editors, you gave up on the notion of publishing and giving readers some insight into your world.

As you will learn in Get Between the Covers, on this website, and through the in-person programs we are developing, there are several innovative publishing options for you these days that ensure you can get published. The fear of rejection or the hassle of dealing with submitting over and over should no longer stop you. We will show you the full spectrum of your options and help you to share your gift with the world.

Thanks to all of the people who have read drafts of Get Between the Covers and provided useful feedback. Your desire to help us reach the masses and spread the message of this book once it is published is greatly appreciated!

Best,

Neil and Eric

Updates on our efforts

2006-06-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Dear readers and visitors,

We wanted to update everyone on all of the happenings with the project. Currently, we are in the final stages of editing the book, and we should have it completed and printed by early July. As you noticed on the main page, we are building in the credit card processor and distribution system. For those of you who have expressed interest in copies already, we will be in touch with you shortly and can give you an update on the exact date that you may submit your purchase.

While we are working on the book, we are simultaneously putting our business plan and strategic marketing plans into action and there are many exciting developments. You will see significant changes to this website as we begin to execute our plans and we look forward to the opportunity of providing you with one of the better "web portals" to the important individuals, companies, and resources in the publishing industry. It's part of us helping you publish the book that we know you have in you.

Best,

Neil and Eric

Our Mission Statement

2006-05-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,

Thank you for visiting the website and the blog that accompany Get Between the Covers: Leave a Legacy by Writing a Book. Neil and I are currently working on the final revisions of the book and we will be making copies available for sale on the website within the next month. In the coming months, we will be working with our many strategic partners, both individuals and corporations, to design in-person events around the country and ulimately the world to help drive a wave of new authors that has never been witnessed in the history of the publishing industry.

When we originally sat down and conceived the idea for this book in November of 2001, we both realized that there had been many books written that were generally meant to assist individuals as they attempted to write their own books. Many of these titles are very well written and are useful tools for writers. But, what we believe the market is truly lacking is a user-friendly and interesting book that not only helps people work through the writing and publishing of a book, including explaining the new and innovative publishing options, but also gives them the motivational push that they need at each step of the way. There are millions of everyday people, scattered all over the world, who have the knowledge, creativity, and the passion to write at least one book in their lifetime. While they may not consider themselves to be true "writers" like their favorite authors on the bookshelf, there is absolutely no reason why they shouldn't share the elements of their persona with a small market of friends and family (including future generations) or with thousands of readers everywhere.

The bottom line is that there is so much information that is being lost or opportunities to entertain the literate world that are being squandered because individuals don't take that step and attempt to write and publish their own book. With Get Between the Covers and the many programs that we plan to develop as a result of it, we will help you--no matter where you are starting from in the world of writing--to complete and publish your book, thus giving you an opportunity to leave your legacy, big or small, in a printed and bound form.

Feel free to send any questions along and we will do our best to answer them promptly. Once the site is up and running, be sure to check back frequently, as we will continually feature the most important sources and Internet resources for writers, a schedule of our appearances around the country, the latest information about the book, and we will post success stories of people just like you who have successfully written their own books.

Best regards,

Neil and Eric

Welcome to our site

2006-05-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Get Between the Covers blogger. We are working on completing the rest of this website as we begin to spread the word about Get Between the Covers: Leave a Legacy by Writing a Book. We will add several posts later on this week.

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Eric