The hottest book publishing trend today: less is the new more.

"The first time I saw a 73-page 'book' offered on Amazon, I was outraged," says New York Times best selling author Michael Levin.  "But I thought about how shredded the American attention span is.  And I felt like Cortez staring at the Pacific."

The trend in books today, Harry Potter notwithstanding, is toward books so short that in the past no self-respecting publisher?or author?would even have called them books.  But today, shortened attention spans call for shorter books.

Levin blames smartphones and social media for what he calls "a worldwide adult epidemic of ADH...ooh, shiny!"

"Brain scientists tell us our brain chemistry has been transformed by short-burst communication such as texting, Tweeting, and Facebook posts," Levin adds.  "Long magazine articles have given way to 600-word blog posts.  And doorstop-size books have been replaced by minibooks."

This sudden change in attention spans changed the way Levin approaches ghostwriting.  "Even five years ago, we aimed for 250-page books.  Today we advise our business clients to do 50-page minibooks to meet impatient readers' expectations for speedy delivery of information."

Levin, who runs the ghostwriting firm BusinessGhost.com and was featured on ABC's Shark Tank, says that people are looking for leadership disguised as a book.  "Today," he asserts, "people don't want you to prove your assertions.  They just want to know that you have legitimate answers to their questions and that they can trust you.  If you can't get buy-in with 50 pages today, you won't get it in 250."

The trend toward shorter books caused Levin to offer what he calls the "Book-Of-The-Quarter Club," which creates four 50-page hardcover minibooks a year for BusinessGhost's clients.  "This allows them to address four different major issues, or four different sets of prospects, and provides quarterly opportunities for marketing events," Levin says.

How short will books eventually run?

"Can you say 'haiku'?" Levin asks.  "We're waiting for a three-line, 17 syllable book.  It could happen."

About Michael Levin

Michael Levin, founder and CEO of BusinessGhost, Inc., has written more than 100 books, including eight national best-sellers; five that have been optioned for film or TV by Steven Soderbergh/Paramount, HBO, Disney, ABC, and others; and one that became "Model Behavior," an ABC Sunday night Disney movie of the week. His new minibook, "The Financial Advisor's Dilemma," teaches how to create trust and distinctiveness in the highly competitive marketplace.

Families can enjoy a brunch buffet on the Sky Deck before the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 18, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits will host their second annual Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12. Individuals and families can now reserve tickets for a special brunch buffet on the Modern Woodmen Park Sky Deck before the 2 p.m. game between the River Bandits and the Peoria Chiefs.

The pre-game brunch buffet will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Modern Woodmen Park Sky Deck overlooking downtown Davenport and the Mississippi River.

"Families in the Quad Cities area can make so many memories at Modern Woodmen Park throughout the year, and the Mother's Day Brunch is another great way for families to share a special day at the ballpark," said team owner Dave Heller. "The River Bandits are excited to see this special event return after last year's memorable event, and we are delighted that families can treat their mothers to brunch and a baseball game - all in one fun-filled, affordable package!"

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat brunch must be purchased in advance by Monday, May 6, and are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 10 and under. The ticket includes Sky Deck admission for the River Bandits' 2 p.m. game against the Peoria Chiefs as well as the pregame brunch. The brunch menu includes waffles, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits & gravy, garden salad, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, glazed ham, meatloaf, macaroni & cheese, french fries, chicken nuggets, assorted cookies, fresh fruits, mini desserts and muffins, water and orange juice.

The Sky Deck, which was completed during the 2011 season, is a climate-controlled environment that features large glass windows offering a beautiful view of the ballpark, downtown Davenport, and the Mississippi River.

"It's very exciting to be able to celebrate a holiday as special as Mother's Day at Modern Woodmen Park and include it with a baseball game," said River Bandits General Manager Harold Craw. "Our ballpark is a great venue for annual and special occasions, such as our Bandits Race to Home 5K, Frost Fest and Valentine's Day Dinner, and it is great to make the Mother's Day Brunch one of those occasions for a second year in a row."

Reservations must be made by Monday, May 6, for the Mother's Day Brunch by calling 563-324-3000. Please ask to speak to either Amy, Andrea or Shauna.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 25, with Manti Te'o Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9, the Quad Cities' CW, and the River Cities' Reader. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits will make one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is scheduled to open in early June, along with a dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft this June and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

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April 18, 2013 - The Bemidji State University women's track team is competing with 37 members on its roster for the 2012-2013 season. The team was ranked 11^th in the preseason NSIC coaches poll.

In his 23 years as head coach for track and field at Bemidji State, Craig Hougen has earned six NSIC Coach of the Year honors.

For more information about Beaver track and field, visit bsubeavers.com.

Members of Bemidji State University's women's track and field team are listed below, by hometown

MINNESOTA

Alexandria |56308| Tess Boucher, sophomore, nursing; distance

Andover |55304| Mackenzie Haupert, junior, exercise science; distance

Argyle |56713| Nicole Crummy, freshman, undecided; distance

Becker |55308| Nikki Anderson, freshman, elementary education; hurdler, multi

Bemidji |56601| Mikayla Connell, freshman, nursing; distance

Big Lake |55309| Sara Churness, senior, physical education; distance, jumper

Bingham |56118| Emily Turner, sophomore; biology; distance

Blaine |55434| Kayla Alexander, sophomore, sport management; hurdler

Blaine |55449 | Marisa Olgrady, junior, sociology; pole vault

Braham |55006| Austyn Eng, freshman, mass communication; distance

Chisholm |55719| Tia Lindberg, junior, criminal justice; sprinter

Coon Rapids |55433 | Emily Paquin, sophomore, biology; distance

Crookston |56716| Ciara Brewster, freshman, nursing; thrower

Cyrus |56323| Tina Larson, senior-captain, early childhood education; distance

Dawson |56232| Sara Melom, freshman, elementary education; sprinter, jumper

Duluth |55811| Sonja Barr, freshman, nursing; sprinter

Elk River |55330| Dani Detloff, freshman, undecided; sprinter, jumper

Esko |55733| Jolynne Denman, freshman, english; distance

Faribault |55021| Jessica Meyer, sophomore, elementary education; distance

Faribault |55021| Sammie Taube, sophomore, physical education; distance

Floodwood |55736| Ashley Larva, senior-captain, social work; hurdler

Fridley |55432| Carly Schwint, sophomore, nursing; sprinter, jumper

Grand Rapids |55744| Jessica Cagle, junior, criminal justice; thrower

Grand Rapids |55744| Brittany Koss, freshman, nursing; distance, jumper

Grand Rapids |55448| Gina Padrnos, junior, exercise science; thrower

Grove City |56243| Denna Hegg, sophomore, undecided; thrower

Hutchinson |55350| Caitlyn Quast, sophomore, marketing communication; pole vaulter

Owatonna |55060| Bethany Thompson, senior, physical education; jumper

Rosemount |55068| Kaneeshia Johnson, freshman, business administration; sprinter, jumper

Tamarack |55787| Taylor Sautbine, senior-captain, exercise science; hurdler, multi

DELAWARE

New Castle |19720| Jamie Piatt, sophomore, biology; thrower

IOWA

Davenport |52803| Melissa Youngblut, freshman, elementary education; sprinter

NORTH DAKOTA

Grand Forks |58203| Sydney Lund, freshman, undecided; sprinter

Wahpeton |58075| Kasey Lasch, sophomore, undecided; distance

Williston |58801| Hailey Horob, freshman, psychology; pole vault

PENNSYLVANIA

Thorndale |19372| Stephanie Price, junior, biology; thrower

ARIZONA

Scottsdale |85260| Phuong Dy Le, sophomore, exercise science; pole vault

About Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota's lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling approximately 5,000 students, the University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate programs encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. The University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.

For further information about the University, visit http://www.bemidjistate.edu.

Become a fan of Bemidji State University on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BemidjiState or follow us on Twitter at @BemidjiState.

Q:        Why do you support the Keystone XL Pipeline?

A:        The crude oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast called the Keystone XL pipeline would provide 830,000 barrels of crude oil a day and help to counteract insufficient domestic oil supplies and reduce America's dependence on less reliable foreign sources.  The way I see it, the energy and economic development benefits of this pipeline are too important to delay any longer.  Keystone XL contributes to a necessary, three-pronged approach for America's energy policy.  We need to develop traditional oil and gas resources in America.  We need development, production and use of alternative renewable fuels.  We need to conserve energy.  What's needed now is an increased supply of oil.  The Keystone XL pipeline would help maintain adequate crude oil supplies for U.S. refineries and let us decrease dependence on foreign crude oil supplies from the Persian Gulf and Venezuela.

Q:        What have you done to advance this pipeline?

A:        In March, I voted for an amendment offered by Senator John Hoeven to the Senate budget resolution.  The amendment expressed support for the approval and construction of the pipeline and passed with a bipartisan vote of 62 to 37.  It was mostly a symbolic vote because the budget resolution does not become law and isn't binding.  But the vote demonstrates strong support within the Senate for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Q:        How has President Obama delayed the Keystone XL?

A:        Authority for siting oil pipelines generally lies with the states, but the construction of facilities at the U.S. border for exporting or importing petroleum or other fuels requires a Presidential Permit issued by the Department of State.  In this case, consideration has been drawn out, most likely to try to stop the pipeline from being built.  In 2008, TransCanada applied for a presidential permit from the State Department to construct and operate the pipeline.  In January 2012, the State Department recommended that the Presidential permit be denied.  The same day, the President stated his determination that the Keystone XL pipeline project would not serve the national interest.  This year, in January, the Governor of Nebraska approved a proposed reroute of the Keystone XL pipeline to avoid the Sand Hills due to the area's unique soil properties.  So, TransCanada reapplied to the State Department in May 2012, along the new route through Nebraska.  This year, in March, the State Department released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the new Presidential permit application.  The report basically found that the pipeline would not accelerate greenhouse gas emissions or significantly harm the environment along its route.  A final decision from the State Department and the Obama Administration on whether to grant the Presidential permit is expected after expiration of the comment period for the draft SEIS at the end of this month.