Books to Prisoners

Books To Prisoners is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a love of reading behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge, self-empowerment, and break the cycle of recidivism.

Founded in the early 1970s, Books to Prisoners is headquartered in Seattle with three associate organizations. As one of the largest and oldest prison book projects in the country, Books to Prisoners works in partnership with other groups that supports prisoner literacy and promote social justice. This organization relies on books donated by community members to answer these requests, so please consider making a donation (monetary or donate books) to help a few of the thousands of individuals who request books each year.

Did you know that more than 2 million people in the United States are incarcerated. Most of those 2 million have extremely limited access to something most of us can’t imagine living without: Books!

For prisoners, whether in your local jail or in state or federal prison, a book may be the only thing that keeps them sane. The ability to learn a new language, about history, or just to travel to other worlds, can help engage a mind and prevent it from spiraling into depression and despair.

As a self-published author this is a great opportunity to get my book into the hands of yearning readers who do not have easy access to a bookstore, library, or the internet. I would recommend all authors, regardless of how their literary work has been published, to donate a few copies to this organization. At the end of the day, an author’s main goal is to have their written work read and appreciated by like-minded readers.

Although Books to Prisoners only accepts books from their priority list, I strongly suggest visiting their website to get more information before donating. Their donating books web page provides clear and concise instructions on how to donate books which includes their commonly requested list.

I donated 7 autographed copies of my book PNĔUMÄ – The Celestial Beings Trilogy in hopes that a reader’s mind gets lost in the pages of a parallel universe rooted in supernatural forces.

IN THE MEDIA:

In March 2019, the Washington State Department of Corrections (WA DOC) prohibited state prisons from accepting used books mailed to individuals, alleging that they could be used to smuggle drugs. Books to Prisoners successfully challenged this decision. Support from local media was invaluable in rallying public opinion behind incarcerated people’s right to read.

Writer’s Block

Although the definitions may vary in hindsight, it really all boils down to the same concept – the unproductivity of writing. Many authors and writers have or will face writer’s block for one reason or another which has or will delay their craft from being published. It is important to identify the triggers early on and intercept them so that the circumstance that is causing writer’s block doesn’t drag on. So, let’s explore some of the common triggers that author’s face when writing their literary work.

One of the most common reasons that a writer experiences unproductivity is due to lack of time. The majority of writers either do not make money or make enough from their published literary works (unless they become NY Times Best Seller and receive a movie deal from producers) to support their household, therefore their first priority is to their employer. Having a job that is not related to an author’s writing can place a strain on their craft. And not to mention attempting to find the time to write after an 8-hour shift seems nearly impossible. It is crucial for the writer to find balance and reorganize their priorities by being realistic with their time.

Distractions is another nuisance that can also derail a deadline or target date for anyone and not just writers. It’s imperative for the writer to remove themselves from instances and stay focused on the task at hand. In addition to this, the feeling of inadequacy can easily place any writer in the hotseat by making them question their ability to continue writing. As a published author we sometimes feel overwhelmed and begin to wonder whether our writing is good enough or if anyone would even read the material. Word of advice, the author should stay true to themselves and remain passionate about writing. No one can ever take that away from them!

Now, once these triggers have been identified, what can a writer do to avoid them? Do not avoid them because they are inevitable. Instead, intercept and adjust by practicing the following methods:

Find that muse to continue writing. The author should think about what inspired them to write in the first place.
Change tactics or scenery by moving to a different location from their regular writing spot.
Attempt some relaxation techniques to assist with stress or doubts. Yoga and taking deep breaths will usually do the trick.
Read a book that will reset their mind and attitude.
Create an outline of the chapter that is causing the writer’s block which will elevate the author’s perception and get them back on track.

At the end of the day if the writer is proactive and prepares in advance for when the trigger might occur then intercepting it will be much easier to handle which will save time, assist with impeding the distractions and fulfill any perception of inadequacy.

Little Free Library

Little Free Library? What is this? I asked myself the same question as I passed a few in my own neighborhood and wondered what their purpose was.

Per littlefreelibrary.org, they are the world’s largest book sharing society that not only inspires readers but also expands book access to all communities. Their mission is “To be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries.”

According to literacytexas.org there are more than forty-three million adults in the US alone that cannot read, write, or do basic math above the third-grade level. A rise of just 1% in literacy scores leads to a 2.5% rise in labor productivity.

I have outlined a few more facts so that we can all appreciate the importance of reading and book sharing across our neighborhoods.
• If all adults could reach the equivalent of a six-grade reading level, up to $2.2 trillion additional income could be generated annually for the United States.
• An estimated $106 – $238 billion in health care costs every year are linked to low adult literacy skills.
• Around 75% of people currently in prison have low literacy skills.
• When people who are in prison participate in education programs, they are 43% less likely to re-offend, compared to people who do not participate.
• The reading skill of a child’s main caregiver – usually their mother – is the greatest determinant of that child’s future academic success, more significant than other factors like neighborhood or family income.

So, what does Little Free Library offer to the community and why are they integral in supporting literacy? This organization offers free book-sharing 24/7 and is accessible to everyone. Yes, I said FREE! The best part is that a membership is not required. Simply leave a book at one of their locations and if you’re inspired to read then pick one up as well. Millions of books are exchanged each year, thus increasing book access to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Now for the fun part, how can Little Free Library assist self-published or indie authors? Well I’m glad you asked. A few thoughts come to mind when I see one of these libraries – Marketability and Publicity! Think of it as a free marketing tool without barriers. Any reader at any given time can walk up to a Little Free Library and skim the spines to determine which book pique’s their interest.

If your published book happens to be in said library, then chances are that it will land into the hands of an avid reader that otherwise you would not have been able to reach. Not everyone has time to go to the public library or the resources to obtain a membership/library card. And not every published book is available in the public libraries. Little Free Library eliminates the hassle of getting your book into the right hands.

How do I find one of these libraries? First download the app and find a local Little Free Library in your neighborhood. Next, drive to said location (this can be a public place or home) and leave your book in their library which should be visible to everyone (usually in their yard near the sidewalk). After I downloaded the app and registered as a user, I located at least five Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. I drove over and dropped off my book at each location. It was easy and hassle free!

Reasons to market your book with Little Free Library:
• Available in almost all neighborhood and communities (both rural and suburban).
• They collaborate with school, public libraries, local businesses, and organizations to foster reading and influence literacy while removing barriers to access more books.
• Currently there are 25K Little Free Libraries in 100K countries with 42 million books shared annually.
• One book is shared daily in Little Free Library (which can include your book).
• Increase visibility (free publicity).
• Promote literacy in your own neighborhood.

Want to start your own Little Free Library while also marketing your book? No problem! I have outlined the steps required in order to get started and begin managing your very own library.
• First go to www.littlefreelibrary.org
• Next, click on the “Get Started” icon to the right.
• Watch the 30 second video to learn more about how the program works and what it has to offer.
• Sign up with the “Free Insider’s Guide” that will provide tips and benefits.
• Download the app and locate a library close to your home so that you can schedule a visit with one of the volunteer stewards and have them share their experience while providing some valuable advice.

Additional Resources/References:
https://littlefreelibrary.org
https://literacytexas.org

Prologue

What is a Prologue? When would it be applicable to a literary work? Is a Prologue necessary? These are all very important and valid questions that every writer should ask themselves before diving into this section of their book.

Per Merriam Webster, a Prologue is defined as “an introductory (preface), preceding event or development. It provides content and background information which often serves as setting the stage for the main narrative.”

The purpose is to engage the reader and prepare them for when the plot begins to unfold (think of it as bonus material for the reader). Look at it as attention grabbing that would otherwise stir the readers’ imagination, leaving them wanting more. A prologue should be relevant to the current storyline and not divert from the characters or plot.

So, how can someone determine whether they should utilize a Prologue within their story. It will depend on why a writer intends to pursue one to begin with.

First, the writer will need to establish what the Prologue intends to set the stage for. Will it aid as a teaser? Establish a conflict? Is it introducing a different POV (point of view)? Or will it simply take the reader back to a different timeframe? If the answer is no to all of these then there is no point in adding one.

If the writer determines that they intend to introduce one of these points then one must ensure that the prologue is crafted carefully (focus on the purpose – what is it setting the stage for and what will be the takeaway for the reader) and not give too much information away. Additionally, this section should not be too lengthy nor too short.

Next do your research! Read blogs on this topic (Reedsy Blog is one of my favorites) and hear what other writers are saying so that you may determine if it’s even worth your time. All in all, a Prologue is not necessary but rather an option. TIP: For the traditional publishing route, agents do not like manuscripts with Prologue’s therefore do not even waste your time in crafting one.

A Book’s Copyright Page

What is a copyright page, and do I need one? Well, if you want to protect yourself and your literary works from book piracy then you will definitely need one. A copyright page not only provides helpful information to book distributors, retailers and librarians but also discourages plagiarism and protects your literary works from being copied without your permission.

Now keep in mind that your literary works is automatically copyrighted the moment you write it. However, without a copyright page then your ownership of said works will be difficult to prove in the court of law.

The copyright page is most commonly found on the back of the book’s title page and is standard in any book. And although there is no set format, there are specific components commonly included which I have outlined below as reference.

1. Copyrights Notice – State the copyrights symbol, the year of publication, and the name of the copyright holder.
3. ISBN – Your book should have an ISBN issued by Bowker and it should be included here (ISBN for each publication type i.e. paperback, e-book and/or audiobook).
4. Disclaimer – You may add a disclaimer regarding the content of the book.

There are templates online that may utilized to make this process easier or you can simply look at any published book to use as an example. Research thoroughly before adding information that is relevant to your literary work.

Book Metadata

When I first decided to independently publish, I heard the term “book metadata” quite often and immediately became confused. As I continued to research the definition of this word it became abundantly clear that it was the most vital piece of information available to my readers, librarians, books stores, book retailers, schools and even universities.

So what is a books metadata? The basic concept of a books metadata is to make your book more discoverable and includes elements such as the title, series, categories, contributors, reading age, book description, author name, author biography, publication date and any keyword search. This metadata allows online stores to direct potential readers to a specific genre that they are searching for. It even assists search engines to find your published literary works and will return it as a search result based off of these metrics.

For me personally, the most challenging aspect of my books metadata was the selection of my keyword search. The selection of keyword search must be searchable, must standout and should not limit your book to a specific category. I would recommend taking your time and research other books in your genre to see what keywords would best fit your literary works before publishing.

If you would like to read additional information pertaining to a books metadata, then I would recommend Ingramspark. Their website contains a detailed blog post on what metadata is and why it’s important.