Become a Better Martial Artist by Applying Lessons from the World's Greatest Military Strategists from Sun Tzu to Von Clausewitz Lessons in the Art of War investigates the theories and philosophies of the most prominent military thinkers in Asia and Europe and examines the combat roots of a variety of fighting styles from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean martial arts to the fighting arts of the ancient Greeks and modern Israelis. It also demonstrates how the martial arts, whether Asian or Western in origin, were historically about brutal fighting, often to the death, and how ancient attitudes and beliefs can be adapted for success in today's MMA steel cage, judo or karate tournament as they were in ancient armies. Including an introduction to Asian and Western military thought, chapters include: The Nature and Conduct of Combat What is Combat? Preparing for Battle Elements of Tactics and Strategy Imposing Your Will Destroying the Enemy Force Strength of the Defensive Position Failure Moral Quality of Courage Securing Victory

Martial arts, combat, fighting, whatever you call it, goes hand-in-hand with courage, toughness, dedication, and focus. What sets the formidable fighter apart from other martial artists is that he or she approaches the training with the intent to develop an edge that allows him to dominate the opponent physically and psychologically. The goal of the formidable fighter is to retain the initiative by interfering with the opponent's ability to counter an attack or defensive technique. The greater physical shape you are in, the less likely you are to sustain an injury, because your body is better prepared to handle the stress of combat. Superior strength and conditioning give you an edge that can act as an equalizer against a bigger opponent. Powerful punches and grips are the product of proper training and conditioning. Good training also makes allowances for failures and prepares you to win. On the field of battle, you command the fight by force, not finesse. The formidable fighter knows how to approach a scenario with the appropriate mindset that allows him or her to act rather than react and beat the opponent to the punch. Know how to play the cards you are dealt. Martial arts techniques are not complicated; it is the surrounding situations and how we think about them that complicate how we use them. Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series is the print version of the full series of 14 e-books, and includes also a bonus section; a quick reference to all concepts discussed in the text.

Self-publishing used to be the last resort when an author had exhausted all other channels. Self-publishing meant that your book wasn't good enough for a traditional publisher. Even if you knew your sales would be virtually nil, you self-published because your vanity required it; you self-published so that you could say that you had published a book, even if it never sold a single copy. Since the e-book explosion, self-publishing no longer carries the stigma it did a few years ago; it is no longer considered equivalent to vanity publishing. If you choose to go independent, your luck is that self-publishing has become a whole lot easier in the last few years since the advent of the digital age. Self-publishing is no longer a last resort, but a conscious choice that comes with many advantages over traditional publishing. The technology available today has made it possible to self-publish in both electronic and paperback versions, even if you don't have a penny to invest in the process. The electronic book market is growing, and publishers have traditionally paid lousy royalties on electronic books. Despite your lack of publishing experience, you might have a better chance making money if you self-publish rather than pursue a traditional publisher. But knowledge is power, and it is crucial to educate yourself on the process and be aware of the factors that might influence your decision. Going Indie: 25 Things You Should Know Before Self-Publishing Your Book, offers a number of tips that will raise your awareness of the benefits of self-publishing over traditional publishing. To learn about traditional publishing, look for Confessions of a Published Author: 47 Truths About What Can Go Right and Wrong When Selling Your Book to a Traditional Publisher, also by Martina Sprague.

You are an unpublished writer with a long and impressive background in your field of expertise, and you've got an idea for a great book. You write a proposal, and send it off to a publisher who has stated a need for this type of book. It seems like a perfect match. Three weeks later you receive a rejection letter: "Thanks for your interest in us. Unfortunately, your idea doesn't meet our current needs." You are puzzled. Or, you look through the advertisements in Writer's Digest magazine, and find several publishing houses "now seeking new and established authors." Having waited for an opportunity for years, you print the manuscript that has been gathering "dust" in your computer folder and rush it to the post office. Don't If it sounds too easy, it is. Or, you just landed your first book contract with a legitimate publisher. Instant fame, right? Wrong Confessions of a Published Author: 47 Truths About What Can Go Right and Wrong When Selling Your Book to a Traditional Publisher, talks straight about the publishing experience, with focus on asking, "What if?" What if you don't want to write your manuscript in the recommended format? What if you have no credentials or can't state your qualifications for writing this book? What if you don't like the critique you're getting? What if you can wallpaper your office with rejection slips? What if you want more than the standard 10 percent royalties? A number of common issues are explored, such as what to include and what to leave out of your query letter; what matters and what doesn't, and what you must be careful with when signing the publishing agreement.