Having spent over 20 years in the publishing trenches, I can speak firsthand to the sea changes which have occurred in this venerable industry…ones which having resulted in so many authors and would-be authors feeling adrift -- or downright shipwrecked(!). It’s all become quite bewildering indeed...
And just as each written work is unique, so too is each client’s need for assistance -- so a CUSTOM map needs to be charted accordingly. Perhaps you’re a newbie to the publishing arena and have NO idea how to get started -- a perfectly reasonable response in light of the now-staggering variety of choices, by the way! And given the very complex maze of decision-making involved at a variety of upcoming junctures inside this process, you're feeling like you don't want to go it alone. OR are you an established author interested in having your titles promoted? Maybe you're intrigued by the possibility of reaping the financial rewards of higher royalties via today's game-changing self-publishing route but don't know how to get underway, or how to best leverage this sizable marketing opportunity -- especially if you also have an established audience of readers. For
any of these scenarios -- or whatever YOUR specific needs -- I’m here
to help in providing a truly comprehensive scope of services.
Also offering bespoke Life Journey books created for personal gifting (vs. retail purposes) in capturing, celebrating & preserving yours and/or your family's unique journey.
OR send email NOW!Cheers & I'm looking forward to hearing from YOU ~  S.A. "Sam" Jernigan Director of Business Development
Renaissance Consultations has been serving entrepreneurs, authors,
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CALL 530.362.1339 (PST)
Just published
November 2020
This slim, how-to volume, No-Risk Day Trading, was created for San Francisco businessman, Thomas Lum. Using a marketing strategy of mine, this new title debuted with the designation
Here too is the website (single webpage) I created for the book:
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In addition to the glowing endorsement by the Music Director & Conductor of the National Philharmonic on the book's back jacket, here's this review from a longstanding resource relied upon by booksellers and librarians nationwide since 1976, the Midwest Book Review:
"Critique: An inherently fascinating and surprisingly detailed memoir, "One Maestro's Journey: A Celebrated Life of Music & Ingenuity" is an extraordinary account that is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library American Biography and American Music History collections."
And here's the stellar review the book received from Publishers Weekly, known as "the bible of the publishing industry".
Learn more about this step-back-in-time memoir and read vintage newspaper articles featuring the author from the Washington Post, Washington Times, Los Angeles Times and others:
NOTE: his new title debuted at #11 in its main genre on Amazon during its initial launch period -- quite an accomplishment given the tough competition inside this category which includes biographies on venerable composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and the host of other long-established classical music giants -- (screenshot will open in new window)
This title is available via all major bookstore chains and independent bookstores nationwide, and also libraries.
Developed in its entirety for a client based in Sonoma County (where so many of my referrals still originate): Tornados, Rattlesnakes & Oil -- A Wildcatter's Memories of Hunting for "Black Gold". This was the second from-scratch title created for this client, author Thomas E. Cochrane (see Shaping the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast below).
Along with other stellar pre-publication reviews this new title obtained (including the one featured on the book's back jacket by the Oklahoma Historical Society), here's this review from a longstanding resource relied upon by booksellers and librarians nationwide since 1976, the Midwest Book Review:
Critique: Exceptionally well written, exceptionally candid, impressively informative, and a simply riveting read from cover to cover, "Tornados, Rattlesnakes & Oil: A Wildcatter's Memories of Hunting for Black Gold" is unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Contemporary American Biography collections. -- Midwest Book Review, published in Small Press Bookwatch magazine, October 2018 (link will open in new browser window)
Tornados, Rattlesnakes & Oil was also named a Finalist for the da Vinci Eye in recognizing:
"...superior cover artwork. Cover art is judged on both content and style. The da Vinci Eye is given in honor of the historic artist, scientist, and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. This is an additional distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella. The Eric Hoffer Award honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers. Since its inception, the Hoffer has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic, and independent presses."
This title is available via all major bookstore chains and independent bookstores nationwide, including several museum gift shops, and also libraries. And here's the now-comprehensive website I've created for the three books I've now published for this author:
Shaping the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast -- Exploring the Coastal Geology of Northern California by Thomas E. Cochrane, Geologist. This book is a complex nonfiction title which also includes nearly 50 diagrams, maps, and color photos.
Obtained pre-publication endorsements ideal for this title which is now being retailed in 45+ regional retail locations including all 8 locations of the top indie bookstore chain, Copperfield's Books, as well as a CA Welcome Center, numerous regional Visitors Centers, and two CA State parks thus far, plus it's also available on Amazon -- on the day it was published, the book had already received a sizable feature article in a local newspaper and my author was a guest on a (PBS) news/talk radio show for an hour-long interview. The first week the title was in distribution, over 60 people attended a standing-room-only event for the author at a local bookstore.
Read about this title's comprehensive launch including major regional publicity during its launch and roll out. As a result, first, it made it into the TOP 25 on Amazon's bestseller list in one of its genres -- and then, in conjunction with back-to-back author events, it hit #5 in Coastal and made it into the top 100 Geology books (competing with titles nationally even though it's solely a regional book for two N. CA counties).
NOTE: all marketing efforts have been designed to drive sales solely to the 4+ dozen local retailers carrying this book -- so this significant Amazon bump was just an add-on benefit vs. "the goal."
Also see the growing roster of public speaking opportunities I secured for this author plus learn more about this ideal primer for those interested in the often mysterious interplay of water, wind, earthquakes, and other geologic events, processes, and stressors at work in the natural world…(on this website I also built):
"Tractors, Trains & Shipwrecks -- Yesteryear Recollections of Sonoma County": developed this entire book from scratch on my client's behalf (ms. development, copyediting, title, cover artwork/back jacket text, interior layout, all graphics + publication) as she initially just brought me this collection of her late father's handwritten stories -- he was an accomplished community leader (incl. County Supervisor) and they're members of one of Sonoma County's founding ranching families.
LEARN more about these vintage tales set in the 1920s, 30s & beyond:
Have setup all specialty retail distribution (30+ stores) for this gift book in the Sonoma County region (including three museums, one in Sacramento). Also secured
pre-publication high profile endorsements and acquired extensive
publicity/promo, plus created the book's website. NOTE: this client's goal was exclusively a focus on local retail distribution vs. driving online sales.
Non-fiction genres including business, memoirs, and personal growth/self-help books are my forte. Of keen interest are unique themes created for niche specialty audiences.
Audiobooks also represent another vibrant option for reaching key audiences, especially younger (e.g. 20-something) demographics who frequently prefer to listen vs. read.
Regardless
of the medium(s) selected, projects will be assessed for commercial
viability if desired -- non-commercial memoirs or family stories meant
for limited personal distribution are also welcome.
Media
representation is dependent upon a variety of factors and an offer of
representation will be made following an evaluation process to determine publicity viability.
READ other author "reviews" of my work on their behalf throughout the site...additional feedback from [most of] these & other clients also appears on:
as part of their routine background check. Alas, as a result of the
notoriety Dr. Papillon had gained as a key witness in what was known as
Texas's "trial of the century" -- a fact I had been unaware of when
commencing work on her book's behalf -- her invitation to appear on the
show was subsequently withdrawn. Thus Lucy's reference to a "tough media tour" as it was her decision to return to Texas and engage in extensive media interviews. But you can well imagine how disappointed we both were!