John Schmidt

About the Author

Here are a few lines about John Schmidt and part of a glowing professional review of “Tips to Writers from a Book Publisher: Making Book Publishing a Fun Adventure.” The reviewer was not able to post this on the book’s sales page due to health reasons. John waited three weeks for the review to be posted by him or someone in his office, then contacted another reviewer he greatly respects, who said to try to place it here. Following the review is a list of his current titles for adults and a short article to read.

John Schmidt has published more than two dozen works, through his publishing company, Path Publishing, and six others. For more than two decades he has been the editor of Path Publishing, releasing the works of more than twenty authors. In addition, he has earned Master's Degrees in English and Drama; spent several years teaching college and high school English; penned more than 5,000 poems; developed skills for writing in several genres, from nonfiction books to plays to poems to short stories; and has always encompassed a great love for creative expression and the human experience.

Now for the book review…

Jim Cox Report: September 2021

Here is a definite and useful book that deserves to be drawn to the attention of all aspiring (and experienced) authors wanting their projects to be published.

Synopsis: Comprised of hundreds of ‘real world’ practical tips based on and drawing directly from author/publisher John Schmidt’s fifty years of experience and expertise, “Tips to Writers from a Book Publisher: Making Book Publishing a Fun Adventure” is no ordinary ‘how to’ compendium of ‘tips, tricks & techniques’. Rather it is a impressively informative combination of instructional and instructive insights into writing, publishing, and getting published.

The subjects covered are as practical as they are informative, ranging from General Advice about the Publishing Business; Submissions; Marketing; and Self-Publishing; to Computers and Tech Support People; Encouraging Other Authors and Yourself; and an Appendix (Definitions of Poem Forms) — along with so much more!.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, “Tips to Writers from a Book Publisher: Making Book Publishing a Fun Adventure” is impressively ‘reader friendly’ in tone and commentary style — making it an especially and unreservedly recommended reading for any and all aspiring writers and novice publishers — as well as community, college, and university library Contemporary Writing/Publishing collections.

Jim Cox

Midwest Book Review

Here is a list of his current titles for adults and a short article to read.

If you would like to help John in some way promote any of these books, go to the landing page at PathPublishing.com and let us know what you could do. Please leave your e-mail address so we can better respond.

Tips to Writers from a Book Publisher: Making Publishing a Fun Adventure, $9.99.

Rays of Truth for a Stellar Life: Short Prose Selections to Take the Mystery Out of Life, Volume 2 in the Successful Living Series, $8.99.

Making Life Work for You: A Training Manual for a Fulfilling Life, Volume 1 in the Successful Living Series, $7.99.

Poems for God: For Joy and Enlightenment, $5.99.

A Life to Share: Two Hundred Poems for Living Life to the Fullest, $7.99.

Winner's Wisdom: Eight-Week Devotional Using Poetry and Journaling to Express the Real You, $8.99.

Friends Forever, You and God: A Coloring Book for Adults and Children, $5.50.

Rock Solid Concrete Poems: Art Poems for the Heart, $7.99.

My Return to the Future, 2350: Our Next Great Civilization Revealed, $9.99.

Forty Tips for Church Growth: A how-to guide for practical expansion, $4.99. Also an ebook for the same price at Smashwords.com.

The following article is from “Tips to Writers from a Book Publisher.” See if it gives you ideas for speeding up the creation of your next book project; by putting on paper a more specific idea of what you are after, your goal will be more clear to you.

Describing the Ideal Product

So what kind of book do you want to write? Would it help us as writers if we clearly define the book we are attempting to write? At least generate a few characteristics that make the book worth creating?

Since I am currently pretty heavily involved with nonfiction, here are some ideas to brainstorm about…

Well written: does the copy flow from idea to idea in a logical manner, and perhaps be at least mildly entertaining?

Has the book been well researched? Are the facts valid and true?

Does the book keep reader attention? Are the ideas helpful or original?

Is the book well organized, in a way where a reader can later revisit an idea or section that proved worthwhile in starting?

Has the book been carefully proofread, and is now totally free of typos?

Is the book formatted properly and do graphics on the inside of the book further understanding or hinder readability?

Does the cover meet these requirements?

Attractive

Colorful

Informative on the back cover, giving a good taste for the book without revealing too much?

Is there author biographical data that piques interest?

About the title:

Is it effective?

Have you made sure, by using Internet searches and perhaps contacting your local reference librarian, that the title has not been used as a book title by somebody else?

If someone has used that title, think of something similar but not repetitive in the marketplace. You don’t want people to do a search for your book and find something completely different.

Always use a subtitle that further explains the book in an original way, or at least in a brief way. After reading your title and subtitle, the reader should know what the book is about and have no qualms.

Back matter...

Does the back of the book contain a description or history of the author?

You might consider giving a brief list of your other products you would like to sell and tell readers how they can purchase them. If you only give information on the copyright page, they are going to have to write you to find out about purchasing the book or at least do an Internet search—what a waste of time for all parties. How are they, for example, to know how much to send for shipping and sales tax, which you will tell them in the back of the book?

If you have a website and social media contacts, this is the place to put them.

Having been a publisher for decades, I am no longer shy about telling people what I have for sale. Does a grocery store or department store make their products hard to sell by not giving prices or not putting all of one kind of product in the same area?

I hope I have given you at least a few ideas to work on.

Paperback is available at Amazon.com for $9.99, 143 pages.

https://tinyurl.com/yunjccu3

John Schmidt is very concerned about uplifting the world. To find out more about him and several of the titles, please visit…

His Author Central page at Amazon.com:

https://amazon.com/author/schmidtjohn

Facebook John Schmidt: https://www.facebook.com/john.schmidt.716195

Facebook Path Publishing: https://www.facebook.com/PathPublishing1993

His website is PathPublishing.com.

E-mail him at Path@PathPublishing.com.

Those interested in contacting John about his current work in uplifting the lives of people everywhere may e-mail Path@PathPublishing.com.

For any of these works, you can write to Path Publishing, 4302 SW 51st Ave. #121, Amarillo, Texas 79109-6159. Or e-mail Path@PathPublishing.com. Place "Order" in the subject line. Postage is $3.50 for the first item and 75 cents for each additional. Texas residents need to add 8.25 percent sales tax. Thank you!