NEW YORK, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon is launching the Verizon Author Series to connect expert authors to small businesses across the country.  Every month from April through December (with a break in August), one featured author will offer advice, tips and insights to businesses.  

Each author will host a live webinar hosted by the Verizon Small Business Center and also conduct a live Twitter event (#bizbooks) for one hour to engage with businesses or fans.  The Verizon Small Business Center is a one-stop online destination with easy access to news, resources, professional networking, free webinars, the Verizon Small Biz Blog and much more.  

"Verizon's Author Series directly brings additional experts not only to our small- and medium-sized business customers, but to businesses across the country," said Mary Yarbrough, vice president of small-business marketing for Verizon.

Each month Verizon will give away the featured author's book to a limited number of individuals who interact with the Verizon Small Business team via its blog; on Twitter or on the Verizon Small Biz Facebook page.

"As a business owner, I know that when I want to learn something new I get back to the basics and read a book," said Gene Marks, a business owner, best-selling author and weekly online columnist for The New York Times, Forbes and American City Business Journal, who is also one of the featured authors. "I urge all businesses to take advantage of this opportunity and get the most out of it."

The featured authors and their books are:

• April -- Alan Gregerman, "Surrounded by Geniuses."
• May -- Don Tapscott, "Macrowikinomics: Rebooting Business and the World," co-authored by Anthony D. Williams.
• June -- Phil Simon, "The New Small: How A New Breed of Small Businesses Is Harnessing The Power of Emerging Technologies."
• July-- Jennifer Prosek, "Army of Entrepreneurs."
• September -- Frank Swiatek, "Managers, Can You Hear Me Now?" co-authored by Denny Strigl.
• October -- John Jantsch, "The Referral Engine."
• November -- Tanya Brockett, "The Loan Solution."
• December -- Gene Marks, "In God We Trust: Everyone Else Pays Cash."

John Jantsch, marketing consultant, award-winning social media publisher, and best-selling author of "Duct Tape Marketing" and "The Referral Engine," said: "While small-business owners are all busy, we can all make the time join a live webinar or a Twitter event; the one-on-one interaction with the authors will be invaluable. It's a treat for small businesses that Verizon is putting resources behind this program and offering access to these business experts; so, get your questions ready."

In addition to Internet, TV and phone service, Verizon also offers small businesses many cloud-based, or online, services such as encryption and security solutions, plus easy do-it-yourself website design, and additional discounts on supplies and shipping.

For news, tips and exclusive insights from Verizon, follow VZSmallBiz on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.  More information on Verizon's products and services for small businesses is available by calling 888-481-0387 or visiting www.verizon.com/smallbusiness.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE,NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon