An Inside Look at the Savas Beatie Author Newsletter

View the Fall Author News!

Every couple of months, the Savas Beatie marketing department puts together a newsletter that is sent to our authors. It contains tips on how authors can help market and sell books, publishing industry updates, and news on fellow authors. I thought you might be interested in taking a look at this newsletter. And who knows, if you’re an author maybe you will find the tips helpful as well!

Are you tech savvy?

Book publisher Savas Beatie has been talking about QR codes a lot recently, those funny looking black and white square symbols. Not exactly sure what one is yet? Well, once you know what they are, you'll start seeing them pop up all over. Keep an eye out for Savas Beatie's traditional book ad in the November issue of the Civil War News, where they will be featuring a QR code with a special free book offer. You won't want to miss this contest, so keep your eyes peeled and have your phone ready! If you are not a subscriber to the Civil War News, click here to view the ad.

New Project: "The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Final Official Reports Filed by Union Civil War Generals"

I wanted to share some news about an exciting project we are working on, a digital collection of official reports filed by Union Civil War generals after the war. This project has been in the works for many years (I remember hearing about it years ago when Savas Beatie was just a baby!), and the digital platform is a perfect way to present the compilation. All of the details can be found on Ted Savas’ recent blog post. We will keep you posted as the work progresses.

Also be sure to cast your vote in the poll on the left hand side of the page linked above.

Robert J. Wynstra Wins the 2010 Dr. James I. Robertson Literary Prize for Confederate History Award for The Rashness of That Hour

PRESS RELEASE: The Rashness of That Hour by author Robert J. Wynstra was selected as the winner 2010 Dr. James I. Robertson Literary Prize for Confederate History award.

The Rashness of That Hour: Politics, Gettysburg, and the Downfall of Confederate Brigadier General
Alfred Iverson
By Robert J. Wynstra (Savas Beatie, 2010)

Chairman Lawrence Korczyk says, “Our prize committee selected Mr. Wynstra's volume due to the superb level of research, rich detail, and lively writing. We, at the Robert E. Lee Civil War Library & Research Center, congratulate Savas Beatie for publishing this excellent study. We would also like to extend our personal congratulations to Mr. Wynstra.”

The Rashness of That Hour is a deeply-researched brigade and battle history about the defeat of Iverson's brigade at Gettysburg on Day 1, one of the most popular topics Gettysburg students and readers discuss.

Drawing on a wealth of newly discovered and previously unpublished sources, the book explores the story behind one of the Civil War’s most notorious blunders. An in-depth analysis of the events at Gettysburg is balanced with an insider’s examination of a brigade that was in turmoil long before its final rendezvous with its July 1, 1863 destiny.

"I am pleased and gratified to receive such a prestigious award. I would like to thank the award committee and the Robert E. Lee Civil War Library and Research Center for selecting my book. Best of all is the confirmation that others find the story behind the demise of Alfred Iverson just as fascinating and informative as I do,” says Robert J. Wynstra.

The Dr. James I. Robertson Literary Prize for Confederate History award is named for Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor in History at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Founded in November 1997 and funded by corporate, foundation, and individual donations, the library is staffed entirely by volunteers and is open to the public. It features one of the largest single collections of Civil War material in existence.

About Author Robert J. Wynstra

Robert J. Wynstra recently retired as a senior writer for the News and Public Affairs Office in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and a master’s degree in journalism, all from the University of Illinois.

Rob has been researching Alfred Iverson’s role in the Civil War for more than ten years. He is finishing work on a study of Robert Rodes’ Division in the Gettysburg Campaign.


The Rashness of That Hour: Politics, Gettysburg, and the Downfall of Confederate Brigadier General Alfred Iverson

By Robert J. Wynstra

List $32.95
ISBN: 978-1-932714-88-3
Published September 2010 by Savas Beatie LLC

Available at bookstores nationwide and online.

For more information, visit Savas Beatie or the The Rashness of That Hour website.

Why surveys are important, and how to best use them

Everyone knows what a survey is and most have taken at least one survey in their life. But what actually makes a survey valuable? A survey is a means for a business to collect data about their products and their customers likes and dislikes. Surveys allow a business to quickly collect data from consumers and put a plan in action to improve products.

Of course the goal is not just to administer the survey as quickly as possible. It takes some time to weed out questions that aren't important. When creating a survey, always ask yourself if the questions will benefit you. In other words, don't ask questions that won't give you valuable feedback. Ask questions where customers give more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer. In some cases, a one word answer is fine, but you should always offer a place for comments. One good comment out of a hundred could make the difference in selling a particular product or not.

Savas Beatie recently released a customer survey. The goal of the survey is to improve upon our books in general and the Savas Beatie website in particular, in order to meet customer's needs. All feedback from SB patrons, whether positive or negative, is valuable. We always want to know what we are doing right and what we can do better. The goal of our survey was to encompass a wide range of topics that customers can think about, but the questions mostly pertain to the Savas Beatie website.

Take a look at the survey here, or simply scroll down to the last post. Stay tuned for a results update!

Take our website survey for 50% off any one title!

Greetings from Savas Beatie. We appreciate your taking a few minutes to complete this survey. Your thoughts and suggestions are very important to us. Please feel free to use the "Other" field after each question for your comments, additional information, and explanations.

As a way of saying thank you, within 48 hours of completing the survey, you will be emailed a coupon code for 50% off any one title that we have in stock and receive free media mail shipping as well as an author signed bookplate! Thank you very much! Take our survey here.

Mark Wilensky Awarded 2011 Gilder Lehrman Colorado History Teacher of the Year Award

Watch the Common Sense book trailer!

PRESS RELEASE: Mark Wilensky Awarded 2011 Gilder Lehrman Colorado History Teacher of the Year Award and is in Top 5 Finalists for National Award by Sarah Keeney, Marketing Director, Savas Beatie LLC
Monday, September 19, 2011

El Dorado Hills, CA, September 19, 2011 -- The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine author Mark Wilensky was awarded the 2011 Gilder Lehrman, History Channel, and Preserve America’s Colorado History Teacher of the Year Award.

The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine: An Interactive Adaptation for All Ages by Mark Wilensky (Savas Beatie, 2008)

"I am so thankful to work for a school district that allows teachers the freedom to teach meaningful history curriculum in creative and individual ways," said Wilensky, a teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History awards the National History Teacher of the Year title each year in its effort to promote the study and love of American history. State winners received a $1,000 prize and an archive of classroom resources and all state winners are finalists for the $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year Award. The national winner will be announced in fall 2011.

Mark Wilensky teaches 5th Grade at Wheat Ridge 5-8. The award ceremony will take place October 6th at 6 pm at the Jefferson County Board of Education Meeting.

“Mark Wilensky provides a rich classroom learning environment that includes authentic learning activities and differentiation. He is successful in having his students meet and exceed our district curriculum standards as demonstrated by academic growth. Students are highly engaged in learning and students feel welcomed and supported. Students and parents know that Mr. Wilensky will be their educational advocate and that he is there to help them succeed,” said Warren Blair, principal at Wheat Ridge 5-8.

Wilensky's interactive Common Sense offers an array of colonial history sprinkled with audio, video, and text graphics linked to a dynamic online website. This adaptation includes the original Common Sense, a new adapted version in plain language, an extensive chronology of pre-revolutionary events leading up to the publication of Paine's pamphlet, and adapted versions of the Olive Branch Petition, A Proclamation For Suppressing Rebellion And Sedition, and the Boston Port Act. Wilensky also includes a wide variety of insights on colonial coins and mercantilism, and many humorous illustrations designed to convey the important concepts of independence and liberty.

About the Author: Mr. Wilensky is a fifth-grade teacher in Jefferson County, Colorado, where he has been accused of teaching his Colonial America and Revolutionary War classes with enthusiastic zeal. Mark holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. He has taught expelled and court-ordered students in coordination with the District Attorney's Office, and worked with the Colorado Department of Education on a national study to find ways to eliminate gaps in education for homeless and highly-mobile children.

The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine: An Interactive Adaptation for All Ages

By Mark Wilensky
List: $18.95
ISBN: 978-1-932714-36-4
Published September 2008 by Savas Beatie LLC

Available at bookstores nationwide and online.

For more information, visit Savas Beatie or the Common Sense website.