Majo: Featured in local newspaper in Japan

Author Colin O'Sullivan proudly holds his new release "Majo"

Featured in a local newspaper in Japan- Colin O'Sullivan, author of Anhedonia, and Majo holds his newest release "Majo"

Majo is available for purchase in Japan, Ireland ( O'Sullivan's Homeland) and select bookstores in Canada, and on line at www.rainbooks.com, and www.amazon.com

Clarity with Intrigue

Balancing Clarity with Intrigue

An author’s balancing act-deciding how much to spell out and how much to leave up to the reader to infer.

Pittsford (NY)-In a recent interview with author Susan Baruch of “Paternity” a fiction novel, she expressed that the most difficult part of being an author is the balance between clarity and intrigue. She obviously found the line for “Paternity” offers the reader both-and much more.

The main message in her novel Paternity about a man who wants to, and does, produce offspring before he dies is that readers will come away with the understanding that people, whether Jewish or Christian, black, white, bi-racial or Asian, gay or straight, vegetarian or omnivorous, are more the same than different; and that all are worthy of love.

Paternity will appeal to sensitive males and anyone who enjoys a good page-turner about family relationships, who adopted an open mind. Parents of all stripes, Jewish readers, interfaith couples, people with strong ethnic family ties, liberal-minded Catholics and African-Americans, same sex readers and vegetarians will especially identify with this story.

When asked; “Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?” Mrs. Baruch said; “I know you will love this story as much as I do and share it with your friends. I look forward to hearing your feedback.”

CEO- Tilly Rivers of Rain Publishing Inc. states “It is Rain Publishing’s mission to deliver compelling titles that resonate with readers of all ages-Susan’s Paternity is not only an enjoyable read that you will ‘not’ want to take the chance of loaning to the neighbor- but will proudly introduce to so many!”

Baruch, originally from Cleveland Ohio appears in a documentary entitled “The Muslims I Know” – by Mara Ahmed- pending acceptance into Rochester’s High Falls Film Fest.



Paternity will be released in the spring of 2008- ARC’s are available by request. Paternity will be available for purchase at select bookstores, and http://www.rainboooks.com/ & http://www.amazon.com/ upon release.

Author Sonia Birch-Jones Nominated for Qualicum Citizen of the Year

Sonia Birch-Jones, current resident of Qualicum B.C. has been nominated as Citizen of the Year. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Feburary 20 2008.

Sonia originally is from South Wales, born in Pontypridd in the Rhondda valley. Now she lives in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island- very different from Ponty as the Welsh call it.

At the young age of 86-she has just signed on to instruct a Writers' Workshop for seniors interested in writing their memoirs or even fiction. This is her second writers workshop-the first resulted in a book titled Times Remembered.

"I loved the interaction of the people who took the workshop and the enthusiasm and skills they developed in their writing." States Mrs. Birch-Jones, "I didn't really begin writing until I was 48 when I was the Director of Alumni at the University of Victoria. Divorced and in the marital twilight zone I was seeking something to keep me occupied. The School of Creative Writing at UVIC was offering courses. I decided to take one but found it disappointing. One day I was talking to a journalist friend Bill Thomas who had read one of my short stories. He asked if I'd be interested in sitting in on a Masters Program in Creative Writing which was given by Rain Skelton, a brilliant poet, writer, teacher who was head of the school. There were only three students on that course, and Robin agreed that I could audit it. What an experience. The students, including my friend Bill (as Welsh as I was) studied with Robin for two years and during that time I wrote my first published story. Later Robin published several of my stories in The Malahat Review a famed international journey edited by him."

It was also Bill who inspired Sonia's first book A FIRST CLASS FUNERAL (Oolichan Press). A Globe and Mail critic once described one of Mrs. Birch-Jones' stories as "one which de Maupassant would envy"

Continue to deliver compelling titles!

When Rain Publishing opened its doors to a new publishing concept and, “boldly went where no publishing house has gone before” so many other large corporate publishing houses looked down and said we were foolish, that the formula in which publishing was meant to be would ‘crush’ us within a year.

We are still here, not only are we here, but we are growing and we continue to deliver compelling titles that resonate with readers of all ages!

However, what makes me smile, is a recent study done by Morkes and Nielson, Below) a study that validates that what we are doing is the way of the publishing world, and that those in whom refused to see the new trends are reporting constant declines in their bottom lines!

My mother recently told me that the world seems to be part of the herd system, (follow the herd at all costs- and we all know where they end up-on the white styrofoam dishes in the supermarket), that if you a different and step out of the herd, all the little eyes watch and whisper behind your back, until one by one they see that you are on the side with not only the greenest grass but lots of it, and the whispers turn into shame, and the eyes are cast down, for they see that if it was not for those in whom knew when to step out of the line, and form their own-saw a new path, a better way,-the miracles in life would not be, no inventions would be created, no medical breakthoughs would be possible.

The recent study was conducted by John Morkes and Jakob Nielsen; Statistics were taken from the study by Morkes and Nielsen.


1) You will sell more books and make more money by selling to nonbookstore markets. In fact, most publishers selling to special markets, wither fiction or non-fiction, have found they can reduce – if not eliminate – returns and distribution discounts, increase their profitability, improve cash flow, make their marketing efforts more effective, and lower their risk of publishing unsaleable books.

2) With about half the word count and less “hype” selling books to special-sales markets can help authors/ publishers work together in several ways. It’s possible to reduce returns and distribution discounts, increase profitability, improve cash flow, market more effectively, and publish saleable books.

This data recognizes that people don’t want to sift through “hype” to find out if the offer will benefit them in some way.
It also demonstrates that marketing copy must be customized for the intended readers, offering them specific benefits. For example, literature directed to the buyer at a gift shop might show that your sales history and promotional efforts could increase store traffic and inventory turns. However, this copy would be of no interest to librarians looking to provide useful information to their patrons.
That the best way to promote, sell and market your book in through a combination of bookstores, and nonbookstore niche markets, with heavy emphasis on nonbookstore channels.

Stop selling your books. Instead, concisely and objectively communicate – with concise, scannable and objective copy and layout -- ways in which the people who buy your books will benefit. In Catch-22 fashion, you may secure more reviews, attract more readers and sell books as a result.

Author Margaret Watson featured in Home Cooking Magazine

Congratulations to Author Margaret Watson, Blokes with Stoves for her four page spread in the "Home Cooking" Magazine. Be sure to pick up your April 2008 edition of Home Cooking Magazine. To purchase Margaret's great cook book "Blokes with Stoves" go to http://www.rainbooks.com/, or http://www.amazon.com/ today!

Time Warner Cable Presents Michael Anthony Cywink

It's showtime!

Your PhotoShow titled 'AllRightsReserved' is now LIVE on PhotoShowTV.

To see the PhotoShow, tune to Time Warner Cable digital cable channel 1111, featured in the Art category.

Tune in now to see Michael Anthony Cywink on Time Warner Cable!
Show title:

"AllRightsReserved"

Michael Anthony Cywink

Artist, Author

Adventures of Crazy Turtle, Without the Language

Interview with Jeff Yosick

Children's Author interview on "The Gathering Space."

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search.aspx?query=jeff%20yosick
Jeff says: "I greatly appreciate you listening!!"

Author: Madison's Special Dolly, Timmy and the Storm, purchase today at http://www.rainbooks.com/, or http://www.amazon.com/

Bryanna and the Sand, When Daddy Comes Home, Spring 2008

One Penny, One Hope, Fall 2008

Coming Soon: Thorndancer

Two Dreamers In search Of Adventure

Somewhere in our time there exists a large field. In this field live generations upon generations of a species of animal referred to as: Skunks.

They live very simply and happily within the boundaries of this field and are ruled by a Council of Elders who see to it that each and every individual of the race is provided for and protected against any outside influence or invasion.

But one wanted more; and began a journey to experience that which lay beyond his home…his name is Thorndancer!

Gary Petras was born and raised in the wild, untamed wilderness of the eastern-half of Pennsylvania. He credits the reading and collecting of comics as helping him to survive the first half of his existence. He heartily accepts that writing and creating his very own works of wonder have helped him along the way on this, the second plateau.

He has written and created several novels, screenplays and comic books. He is also a singer/songwriter and an avid hiker. The hikes in the wilderness, and along the many trails throughout many different states and national parks, have always sparked within him the many and varied stories and characters that populate his mind and his storytelling.

His books range from works for children to tales for all ages. Fantasy, horror, drama and true life adventures are the genres he tries to capture and explore.

Release: Fall 2008, The Legacy of 13

The Legacy of 13, Fall 2008
Sheila Roy
Thriller


A legacy emerged in 1692, created by evil. An allegiance with the devil formed a coven of citizens, who craved power and riches. A town rallied as their children began to disappear. Thwarted by good, the coven fled to avoid persecution. The power which defeated them forged a second legacy – The Brave Man’s Legacy. Meanwhile, the coven’s legacy survived on the tips of bantering tongues and in the heartbeats of their descendents.

In 2005, six adventurous kids unlock secrets to the past when they discover a cave. They had no idea that they would also awaken ghosts from another time. Greg hears voices, Casey has night terrors, Megan draws pictures she doesn’t remember drawing, Takoda dreams of flying with a ghostly girl, Jasper is attacked by an unseen force, and Hazel fears a dark apparition.

They must welcome their fate if they hope to defy the coven’s next generation. The moon is swollen with light and a confrontation is imminent! They must be brave in order to save an oblivious town from the coven’s intentions. Twists and turns will shock and chill as these two legacies collide!

Sheila Roy earned her 2nd degree black belt in karate, in 1995. She is currently using that knowledge in some of her novels. She is the author of “Igniting the Spark to Trigger It All: One Memory Away” and “Dancing With My Imagination”. Since the release of her first two books, she has written seven more novels – five of which are part of a series.
Sheila Roy lives in New Hampshire, where she shares her writing space with her husband and two mini-Dachshunds. She is a member of several writing websites. She also enjoys reading, watching movies, and walking her dogs.

Intelligent Design or Darwin's Evolution?

Intelligent Design or Darwin’s Evolution?
DNA, a new Novel by Craig Reed, Uncovers the Truth


January 30, 2008, New York, NY—Rain Publishing announced today, at the AWP Conference and Book Fair, the release of DNA—the long awaited novel from bestselling author W. Craig Reed. Based on six years of genetic, historical and psychological research, Reed’s new thriller plunges readers deep into the most controversial topic of our time: Intelligent Design or Darwin’s Evolution?

Exploring the topic from an entirely new angle, Reed has infused DNA with accurate and intriguing details obtained from numerous technical, military and historical sources fostered over the past three decades. As evidenced from the first “high altitude” page, Reed also brings to bear his own military experience as a decorated SEAL-trained Navy Diver. While weaving interesting facts into a fast-paced thriller, Reed compels us to continue turning pages until the very end—where he brings us face to face with our true genetic identity. And our genetic destiny.

Malcolm Boyes, former associate producer for Entertainment Tonight, states that, “DNA is an enlightening and terrifying journey into the impact of the discovery made by one of the most baffling personalities in history. Based on six years of solid research, it’s a riveting story that will compel you to read the other books in the series.”

Just after the Gulf War, Ensign George Anders parachutes into Iraq with a Navy SEAL team to hunt down Fahkir Kaseem—an impassioned fanatic bent on continuing his own private war against the West. After finding evidence that Kaseem has commandeered a group of Russian scientists and bio-weapon production equipment, George is thrust into a battle between two opposing forces that each have their own agenda for the future of mankind, and have manipulated world events for centuries to fulfill their plans.

During a brutal encounter, Russian bio-scientist Annelia Salenski is taken captive by Kaseem—who plans on exploiting her expertise in genetics. She soon discovers Kaseem’s true agenda—one that involves using a terrifying technology developed by the Soviets during the Cold War. A technology that could alter the definition of what it means to be human.

Racing against time to rescue Annelia and prevent Kaseem from unleashing the most horrific genetic weapon imaginable, George comes face to face with his true identity and unravels an astonishing truth behind a discovery made by an eighteenth century scientist—a man that Voltaire once claimed “knows everything and never dies.” Through the words and formulas recorded by this enigma from the past, George discovers the answer to the most important argument since the dawn of man: Intelligent Design or Darwin’s Evolution? And the proof is hidden in the twisting turning bundle of phosphate atoms that determine the destiny of life.

DNA has nothing to do with DaVinci or his code, but will appeal to Dan Brown’s audience of 70 million readers that seek thrillers containing shocking and enlightening spiritual truths. Craig Reed is the author of Crazy Ivan: A True Story of Submarine Espionage and Tarzan, My Father with the late Johnny Weissmuller, Jr.

326 pages, ISBN 13: 978-1-897381-46-5


Publicist contact: Jocelyn Kelley of Kelley and Hall, 617-680-1976, kelleyandhall @ comcast.net
Publishing contact: Sarah Hylton, Rain Publishing, 905-592-2122, sarah @ rainbooks.com
www.rainbooks.com, info @ rainbooks.com, wc @ wcraigreed.com

Back in The Saddle

Back in the saddle

Ottawa country-rock heroes the Cooper Brothers jam again
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, February 08, 2008

Photo Above: Ottawa band the Cooper Brothers, Brian Cooper, centre, and Dick Cooper, right, are making a comeback with the help of old friend Les Emmerson, left.
Chris Mikula, The Ottawa Citizen

The release of the Cooper Brothers' greatest-hits disc a couple of years ago made Dick Cooper realize his rock 'n' roll dream was still alive.

The disc marked the first time that Cooper Brothers' songs could be purchased on CD, and it sparked a flurry of interest from long-dormant fans. E-mails poured in to the band's website as people rediscovered great tunes like The Dream Never Dies and Rock 'n' Roll Cowboys from Ottawa's country-rock heroes of the 1970s.

And after a wildly successful CD-release gig at a Centretown tavern, it finally dawned on Cooper that it might be a good idea to get the band back together and play music again.

"It was too much fun," Cooper says, describing the line to get in that stretched around the corner, and how all their friends dropped by to jam. By all accounts, the Cooper Brothers' first taste of the music biz in 20 years was a blast.

Enter Todd Littlefield, the Ottawa-based booking agent and manager, who knew Cooper through tennis. He eventually persuaded the singer-songwriter-guitarist to wade a little deeper into the waters of the music biz by tackling a gig at Barrymore's Music Hall. The show is tonight.

Although there were a couple of rural fair appearances for the Brothers last summer, it's the band's first headlining role in ages, and their first in 28 years at the venerable Bank Street club.
It's also shaping up to be the first step in a somewhat serious comeback effort that's getting some extra prodding by the band's old friend Les Emmerson, who joined Cooper for a recent interview with the Citizen. Emmerson, a fellow Ottawa rock star from the late-psychedelic era, produced the Cooper Brothers' first two singles, and used to play regularly with them, though he's best known as the creative force behind the Five Man Electrical Band.
Emmerson, of course, wrote the 1971 Five Man classic, Signs.

Thanks to a 1990 versions by Tesla and a prominent sample on Fatboy Slim's 2005 track, Don't Let the Man Get You Down, the royalty cheques never stopped and he has stayed in music. These days, Emmerson plays and sings in both Five Man and the Cooper Brothers, and will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame during a gala in Toronto on March 1.

Cooper, meanwhile, has worked in television, designed video games, raised a family and written two novels. The first, Jukebox, the entertaining tale of an aging musician, came out last summer; the second is due this year. He left his full-time job as a creative director for Artech last year.
"It was a great break from the music business because now I'm actually excited about it again," he says. "These guys are all buddies. It's kinda weird to be back playing with everybody again. At this stage of the game, there's really not much pressure on us."

(The band's other Cooper Brother, Brian, is a civil servant who ducked out of the interview in order to get back to his desk.)

Both Cooper and Emmersen feel they still have something to offer fans. Holding up the recent success of the Eagles' new record, Emmerson says it shows there's a market that's being overlook

"I've always been under the impression this demographic is not being served very well," Emmerson says. "I want to cut another album of new songs, done in the style that everybody loves. Guys like the Eagles are doing it and they're selling a ton of records. The audience is there."

Both men have been writing songs, and they're planning to unveil a few new tunes tonight. Though Cooper insists tonight's show is for fun, he admits he was curious to see if anyone would buy tickets. Selling out two weeks in advance was an encouraging sign -- he's already looking forward to the prospect of playing a few more shows this summer.

"I don't think there's any big game plan. This was kind of an experiment, this Barrymore's gig," Cooper says. Is it a comeback? "Kinda, I guess," he says, not sounding convinced.
But then Emmerson jumps in: "You get tired of reminiscing and you get tired of looking back so sometimes you just gotta bring yourselves out there and make yourself play," he says, "because fans want to see it and they'll come."

The Cooper Brothers play Barrymore's Music Hall tonight, with an opening set by Becky Abbott.

The Ottawa Citizen 2008

Sun Media- Cooper Brothers

Cooper Brothers living the dream
By ALLAN WIGNEY -- Sun Media

"My dream," proclaims Les Emerson, "is to put out an album of great, quality music and not play down the fact that we're a bunch of old farts. I'm not going to apologize for our age and experience. I think it's something you should take a bow for."

A quick survey of the faces dotting the tables at the Prescott on this snowy afternoon suggests there are many here who would doubtless be heartened by Emerson's words. Not least among them, Brian and Dick Cooper, brothers enjoying a beverage and sharing with Emerson tales of how these old farts earned their right to take a bow.
And how a dream never dies.

For these brothers Cooper were once, and are once again, better known to locals as eponymous leaders of The Cooper Brothers, a country-rock band big on harmonies that 30 years ago scored a deal with the prestigious Macon, Ga.-based Capricorn Records label, home to southern-rock luminaries The Allman Brothers Band.

The Coopers cut two albums for the label -- and presented them with the enduring radio-staples Rock & Roll Cowboys and The Dream Never Dies -- as well as a third independent release (with long-time supporter Emerson onboard) before calling it quits in 1983. Band members Emerson, Brian Cooper and Terry King continued to play together as a trio until King's death in 1998. But save for a 1986 reunion for a benefit concert, The Cooper Brothers band was no more.
"I used to go and see those guys all the time," Dick Cooper says of his life after The Cooper Brothers. "But I hardly picked up a guitar during those years, to be honest. I'd had it. I'm still not crazy about a lot of it. The music is fun, though."

And it was the music that 16 months ago brought the band together in celebration of a long-overdue Best of The Cooper Brothers CD release. A reunion concert was held in October 2006 at the Prescott, and the results were encouraging enough to spawn a handful of shows last summer and now a high-profile gig at Barrymore's.

"Everybody seems to be excited about us playing again," Dick Cooper says with pride. "You feed off that."

"Plus, it's different when you don't have to make your living at it. There are pretty well no negatives. Back in the day when you were relying on it and you were out on the road playing bars every night, it was rough."

Dick and Brian Cooper tell of playing Toronto on a Thursday, Ottawa Friday and Toronto again Saturday, driving back overnight. Rough. But for the band that had gone from playing local church halls and community centres to touring arenas with Capricorn stars, it was all part of the job.

Emerson, who produced the Coopers' first releases, had been there and back with The Five Man Electrical Band by the time he became a bona fide Cooper Brother in 1981. At the time, The Cooper Brothers had been left stranded by the demise of Capricorn. And Emerson was eking out a living in Los Angeles, following the success of Signs.

"I'd been friends with these guys and I was really struggling down there," Emerson recalls. "These guys called me to ask if I'd come on up and join them and it couldn't have come at a better time. Getting out of L.A. was a wonderful move. It's a terrible place to be going around in circles." Twenty-seven years on, the veterans seated around the table at their favourite watering hole talk only of going forward. Dick Cooper is writing songs again. The CD is selling well. And it's likely The Cooper Brothers will return again this summer.

"We do miss Terry, though," Dick Cooper says. "He would have loved this."

Certainly, he'd be proud. As proud as the Coopers' biggest fan Les Emerson.

"These old boys are still doing it, because they still can," Emerson enthuses. "We're even still doing the songs in the same key, which I think is pretty remarkable.

"Sometimes it hurts, but we're doing it." Still living the dream. Not bad for a bunch of old farts.


~Dick (Richard) Cooper is author of Jukebox by Rain Publishing!