Since 1985, veteran publisher Linda F. Radke, owner of Five Star Publications, has been ahead of her game--self-publishing before it was commonplace, partnership publishing before the rest of the world even knew what it was and producing award-winning traditionally and nontraditionally published fiction and nonfiction manuscripts for adults and children.
Radke's odyssey to becoming one of the nation's leading consultants in the areas of book production, marketing, publicity and distribution began simply enough with the desire to print a few books to complement the household employment agency she owned. For Radke, who, on more than one occasion, has been teased about having "printer's ink in her veins," the experience of publishing the books was exhilarating, prompting her to change careers and launch Five Star Publications without looking back.
Eventually, Radke added services and acted as a publishing consultant for other self-publishers, ventured into traditional publishing and pioneered partnership publishing to allow her to publish more authors and make them a more integral part of the creative process of publishing.
Among her many accolades, Radke is author of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing (a Writer's Digest Book Club selection that is now into its second edition) and Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show (a Doubleday Executive Program Book Club selection). She is a founding member of the Arizona Book Publishing Association and was named Book Marketer of the Year by Book Publicists of Southern California.
<p>Does your child have ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?</p><p>Meet David, one of award-winning author Sherrill S. Cannon's "Classroom of Kids," who manages his ADHD with the help of classmates.</p><p>David discovers ways to cope with his hyperactive brain, while learning how to calm and soothe his ADHD. Solutions include setting daily schedules and following simple rules that regulate behavior. His teachers and therapists encourage using the computer for academic advancement, and to establish a pattern for study as well as for occasional recreation. David not only learns self-control and communication skills, but is able to fit into the classroom and make friends.</p><p>Once again social values are emphasized in the author's latest illustrated children's story, and classroom friends from previous books are featured. In fact, David has been part of the class for a long time!</p><p><strong><em>"David's ADHD</em></strong><em> is a timely topic for parents and children. A story in rhyme that demystifies ADHD. It explains a youngster's behavior in terms of his inattentiveness and impulsivity and how it impacts those around him. A sensitive way of creating understanding for children with ADHD and their families."</em> - <strong>Dr. Valerie Allen, licensed school psychologist</strong></p><p><strong>Author Bio: </strong></p><p>Former teacher Sherrill S. Cannon has won 76 awards for her previous 11 rhyming books. She is also the author of seven published and internationally performed plays for elementary school children. The author has been called "an absolute master of rhyming" and "a modern-day Dr. Seuss."</p>
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) <br /><br /><strong>5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone aspiring to publish their own work, April 13, 2009</strong> <br /><br />Even in the present economic climate that has compelled the major publishing houses to cut back the numbers of titles they produce, it has never been easier to publish a book -- or sell one. In "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing: How To Produce And Market Your Book On A Budget", Linda F. Radke draws upon her more than 24 years of experience and expertise as a publisher whose Five Star Publications has produced award-winning and commercially successful books that were traditionally published, self-published, and published through limited partnerships. The result is a compendium of solid, practical, step-by-step information that takes the aspiring author from manuscript to published book, and then on to the tasks of marketing, promotion, publicity, and sales. "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" covers such issues as transforming a manuscript into a typeset book; recruiting illustrators and editors; obtaining copyrights, ISBN numbers, and bar codes; getting printing bids; publishing as a home business; developing mailing lists; even handling interviews. Of special note is what "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" offers by way of strategies and tactics for effectively marketing a book on a limited budget. Enhanced with an appendix listing useful publications and associations for the self-published author, <strong><em>“The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing.”</em></strong> is highly recommended reading and an invaluable resource and 'do-it-yourself' reference for anyone aspiring to publish their own work.