Review for 7 Weeks to a Better American Accent for Native Mandarin Speakers- Volume 1
by David Yontz
7 Weeks to a Better American Accent for Native Mandarin Speakers- volume 1, published by Sovereign Language Press, is a fantastic resource for native Chinese professionals and students hoping to improve his or her English pronunciation. The series is divided into 16 tracks specifically targeted towards rectifying common struggles that Chinese speakers face when learning how to effectively speak English. The audio delivers helpful speaking exercises designed to improve aptitude and confidence.
Professionals will enjoy the series as they polish their business English skills, while students will be able to use the series to improve their daily interactions with Americans. This 16 track audio follows along with the 70 page workbook that is available from the publisher or Amazon.com. As author Tracey Ingram, M.A., M.S., states in the introductory track, this audio book promises to “…increase your understanding of the American accent, but encourage you to do the talking.”

7 Weeks to a Better American accent breaks down the basics of American stress patterns, vowels, consonants, and idiomatic expressions in a step-by-step model that allows the user to work at his or her own pace in developing a competent command of American English. Upon successful completion of the seven week program outlined in this audio publication, Native Chinese speakers will have internalized a foundation of basic tools to help them improve business relations, personal interactions, and day-to-day understanding of American English.

Greater presentation skills and a stronger command of business English will open the door to native Mandarin speakers searching for increased job opportunities, and, more importantly, provide a renewed since of confidence. In short, 7 Weeks to a Better American Accent for Native Mandarin Speakers is an accessible and comprehensive audio guide along with the 70 page workbook to speaking American English with confidence. This affordable series is worth exploring by any Mandarin speaker wishing to improve their American accent. For more information, visit www.7weeksbetteramericanaccent.com

Happy Writing and Reading!
Sue Balcer, JustYourType.biz

“Bo loves books and stories, but sometimes everyone is so busy they do not have time to read to Bo.
What can he do? How can Bo hear the stories he loves so much when everybody is so busy?
Find out how Bo solves this problem!”

Visit the Wee Bee books website
http://weebeebooks.com/aboutus.html
to find out more about “read to me bo” and other wonderful books.

Sue,
JustYourType.biz

You can read more about Sandra’s books and her valiant efforts to help better the Canadian Justice system at her site:
http://thelastsixminutes.com/cry-for-justice

Congratulations, Sandie!
Sue, www.JustYourType.biz

Go to this link to read Ms. Cantrell’s review of Sandra Martins-Toner book, “The Last Six Minutes” about her son’s brutal burder in Canada in 2005.

The sequel to the book, “Cry For Justice” is also review by Ms. Cantrell.

Cover and Interior book designs by Sue Balcer
www.JustYourType.biz

My book is titled, “Apparently Sarah” and is in the Young Adult fiction readers category but would be great for ages 11 to 99+.

I read a lot and lately much of it has been Young Adult Fiction – the books are easy reading, much of it we can all relate to in some fashion, and they’re often filled with life lessons that are not preachy.

I am writing this post also to tip my hat to every author with whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the years — writing is a daunting process, particularly in the wee hours of the morning when you’re looking at a deadline and your brain or fingers just won’t co-operate! I have a great respect for you all!

The next step will be to have my book thoroughly edited and then for me to decide if I want to publish it publicly to the open market or for now, just have it be my personal “winning story” for the 2010 NaNoWriMo challenge.

Happy Reading and Writing!
Sue, book design and typesetting
ww.JustYourType.biz

Often long before I begin the actual process of designing a book and typesetting it, there is a process I go through with the author, editor and/or publisher, right through to the illustrators and printer.

This process helps take the guesswork and headaches out of getting your manuscript to print. Good communication by all parties who will have a hand in putting the book together is a must. I begin by finding out who each is and making initial contact.

Having a “Go-To” person is also a great idea so that emails don’t get lost or forgotten and changes and additions during the process make all those that need to know about them.

The basic plan that I follow is:

1. Initial contact with purchaser of my services, be it the author, Project director, or publisher. At this time, the “go-to person” or Project director should be established.

2. Contact information exchanged for all persons involved in the book project. Best to have both emails and phone numbers.

3. Establish scope of work. The page count of the book, trim size, types and number of graphics; who will do the cover design?

4. Proposed deadlines are established. When will the final manuscript be “final” and ready for the designer/typesetter; when will Sample Pages be presented for approval; when will first full proof be presented; what is the proposed to-Print deadline; and finally, what is the established Publication release date?

5. Present cost/quote for the project and define payment terms. It’s important to have all costs known upfront so there are no surprises or delays due to change in scope or delay in payment. Once the above are accomplished I then work with the “go-to person” to go over the specifications for manuscript submission, photograph and/or illustration file formats, and what to expect during the design and typesetting end of the process:

6. Present Sample Page Designs for approval. I usually present two page layouts of a sample chapter to show what I plan to use for text, headings, running headers, folios, front matter, page and/or part treatment, picture and caption placement, and all the elements that go into making your book the best it can be.

7. Design is approved for typesetting. This is a critical stage of the process. Once the design is approved, the book is then typeset from title page through final page. This involves text and paragraph formatting, insertion of headers, folios, TOC numbering, and often Chapter and/or Parts page elements and graphics, charts, and illustrations. Typesetting is a very skilled process and when done professionally is labor-intensive so that care is taken to watch for widows, orphans, bad line or page breaks, proper spacing, and formatting.

8. Full proof of book is submitted to client for review. A PDF proof is presented to the client for proofreading. This is not the time to rewrite the book. This is the stage where the client checks for any formatting errors or missed typos or grammatical errors from the manuscript that was submitted for typesetting. No matter how many eyes look at a manuscript, there are ALWAYS a few things missed that “jump off the page” once it is professionally typeset. The changes are submitted to the typesetter in a variety of ways: 1) Mark up the actual PDF document using Adobe Acrobat’s editing feature; 2) Print a hard copy of the PDF print, mark it up “the old fashioned way” using a red ink pen and proofer’s marks, or 3) Create a list in a word document with explicit instructions for the changes.

9. Revised proof is submitted to client for final review. If the book is approved and ready to go, we move on to step 10. If there are further changes or fixed, repeat steps 8 and 9 until the book is officially approved for print.

10. The final high resolution PDF file (Hi-Res) is prepared according to printer’s specifications and sent to the client.

11. Follow up with client and/or printer. You are not alone once you have the file in hand. I am here to work with you and your printer for any special needs or modifications that may arise.

My job is to present your book in the best possible light for you and your intended audience. I have a deep and long-standing love of books and typography and believe a well-stocked book shelf is a beautiful sight!

Happy Writing, Publishing, and Reading!

Sue Balcer, owner, www.JustYourType.biz

———-
In today’s age of electronic media and social networking, finding a nanny seems easy, but as many families have learned, any nanny is not the right nanny. The Nanny Factor, A Parent’s Guide to Finding the Right Nanny for Your Family gives you the edge in interviewing, hiring and keeping a nanny that is perfect for your family. As a former nanny herself and now as a working mother with a nanny for her own children, Candi knows and shares the qualities of both the business and personal side of the nanny business. With over 20 years in the Nanny Industry, author Candi Wingate reveals her secrets on:

• The health benefits for your children of having a nanny in your home
• The myths about nannies and the real truth
• How to hire the right nanny for your children’s needs
• What to pay your nanny (and it’s less than you think)
• How to stay in touch with your children while you’re at work
• How to check references and what background checks to run
• How a nanny can keep your household running smoothly
——————
Candi Wingate is athe founder and President of Nannies4hire.com, Care4hire.com and Babysitters4hire.com. These online data-bases match families with experienced nannies, caregivers and babysitters in their geographic area. Not only does Candi consult with families needing a nanny, but she has also provided her expert advice to the Dr. Phil show, Kate Gosselin of TLC’s Jon & Kate plus 8 and ABC’s Supernanny casting service. Nannies4hire.com was honored by being named as one of Inc Magazines
500 fastest growing private companies.
———

The book is 6×9 and 150 pages, paperback.

You can purchase and learn more about the book and its author, Candi Wingate by going to:
http://www.nannies4hire.com/index.asp

Happy Reading, Writing, and Publishing!

Sue, www.JustYourType.biz