Breeding Readers from a Garden of Books

April 10, 2012

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. ~Cicero 

It is National Library Week. A city or town with a strong, vibrant library breeds a community of readers. The Bud Werner Memorial Library in our town of Steamboat Springs,Colorado is a beautiful gathering place and it’s resources include not only what is housed inside, all the books, music and DVDs, but also a variety of events, programs and book clubs. One can be kept busy attending the special offerings almost every day of the week. 

If someone were to ask me what the top reason for residing in this town is, I’d have to say aside from the natural beauty of the environment, our state-of-the-arts library facility ranks very high – perhaps at the top of my list. 

Today, as part of National Library Week, we honor library workers everywhere – the Director and the staff who tend to cataloging and purchasing; media specialists, researchers, archivists and more. 

On Wednesday, we celebrate Bookmobile Day and the Six Word Story Contest!. Bringing books into remote areas is a wonderful service that libraries in many communities offer. Bookmobiles promote literacy. 

Check with your local library to see how to participate in the Six Word Story Contest; sounds like an interesting challenge to me. Join in by writing your own! 

Thursday is geared toward teen literature. A good idea! During adolescence, an interest in reading generally declines.  A library that draws strong patronage from the teen population is probably staying current with technology and multi-media offerings. 

Make a point to visit your local library this week and show your support! For more information on National Library Week, please visit this site. http://bit.ly/z06jxM.

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Artist’s Interactive Magazine Keeps Publishing Green

April 3, 2012

This winter, a new quarterly art magazine, independently published,  was launched. It is called Artists on Art. Although it is not supported through ad space, it is available digitally and by PDF download at a very fair price. Not only is the magazine published in a “green” format, sparing a lot of trees, it is an interactive magazine with step by step guides to painting techniques; a way for art students and connoisseurs of fine art to connect with master painters. 

Each issue contains fulfilling articles, written by artists, sharing ideas, philosophy and knowledge that can be read on mobile phones and touch screen devices such as the iPad and on personal computers, too. As the magazine continues to issue new content, archived issues will be available to download for a small additional price. 

To explore and discover why this innovative idea in magazine publishing gives a leading edge to artists, because of it’s interactive qualities, visit this website and watch the video designed to help you to decide whether or to subscribe or not. http://bit.ly/HBnq6k.

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International Need for Children’s Books

April 2, 2012

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” ~ Jacqueline KennedyThanks go out to my friend Vesna, in the country of Macedonia, for bringing my attention to the importance of this day in children’s literature. 

Beloved author Hans Christian Anderson was born in Odense, Demark on this day, April 2nd, in 1805. His books for children have been translated in more than 150 languages. Some of his best known titles include: 

  • The Ugly Duckling
  • The Little Mermaid
  • The Snow Queen
  • Thumbelina
  • The Little Match Girl
  • The Steadfast Tin Soldier 

In Zurich, Switzerland in 1953, in honor of the birthday of Hans Christian Anderson, a non-profit organization, The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) was formed to encourage and promote children’s literature worldwide. This organization has been active in fulfilling the need for quality publications to children in developing countries. The International board of this organization includes authors, publishers, illustrators, booksellers, journalists, translators. Even parents, social workers and teachers comprise the list of people dedicated to bring literacy to children with few resources. 

Each year The Hans Christian Anderson Awards are given to authors whose books support the mission of the excellence in children’s literature. To read more about the 2012 winners, announced last month, and for additional information about The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), please follow this link. www.ibby.org.

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Individual Integrity in Publishing

March 22, 2012

I received an interesting blog comment two weeks ago from a reader regarding the post “Paranormal Book Sales.”  The response from the reader was that if “he was going to put his work out there,” meaning publish it, “he wanted his book in-print.” I respect that! Deciding whether to publish an e-book or a book in- print, or audio book  is an individual decision, there is no right or wrong. Depends on your purpose and objectives for publishing and what feels right.  

The same reader went on to say that not only does he want his book in print, “he wants the second opinion of an editor.” My reply to his remark “publishing an e-book does not preclude you from having a book edited.” This brings up a good point for our blog subject today. 

Editors are key players when it comes to putting quality publications and productions into the market place. Authors use editors. Filmmakers use editors. Music producers use  audio editors. 

 From the point of view of a person serving the independent publishing industry, putting quality publications out into the marketplace is of foremost importance, if non-traditional publishing is to continue to grow. Having a publication edited is all part of the process. 

The Colorado Independent Publishers Association www.cipacatalog.com has been a leading force in getting high quality independent e-books into library catalogs. Excellence is crucial in order to advance this trend. I endorse this position whole heartedly! 

Eric Leppert’s words about fulfilling a responsibility to an industry in my opinion, is spot on. “Professionalism is not about adherence to the policies of a bureaucracy. Professionalism is about having the integrity, honesty, and sincere regard for the personhood of the customer, in the context of always doing what is best for the business.”

More independent thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com will be posted tomorrow. Please return!


29 Cities of Creative Industry

March 19, 2012

“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes time. Vision with action can change the world! ~ Joel Arthur Barker 

Today, we are returning to a subject we shared on Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day – UNESCO’s designated Cities of Creative Industries. There are 29 cities that play integral roles in developing new technologies in publishing, cinema, design, culinary arts, music and crafts. Opportunity for opening up new prospects for globalization of exchange, cultural diversity and economic development has put these cities in the lead:

There are many reasons urban hubs are identified by UNESCO as outstanding places for creative industry including excellent libraries and bookstores along with their experience in hosting festivals and literary events. The promotion and preservation of foreign literature and cities with publishing houses also make them top contenders. Existing educational arts programs and initiatives and the involvement with new media also  may qualify a destination for the international dimensions that UNESCO is looking  for. To read more information on the Creative Industries Network, please visit this link http://bit.ly/wX0CNg.

At the local level, there are many small cities across the globe that are looking at their own arts and culture as ways to bring more tourists and economic development, including where I live –Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Visitors from all over the globe come here to experience the natural beauty in a mountain resort. While they are here, tourists want to gain an appreciation for  fulfilling things that are found in the Art of the West.

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Book Awards Spring Forth

March 15, 2012

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at worth doing” ~ Theodore Roosevelt 

I’ve been walking with more pep in my step, lately. Spring is on the way!

Winter’s wild ways force writers to hunker down inside. In retrospect, often a blessing and mandatory discipline needed to finish a book. As spring approaches, while winter’s memory begins to melt, the stirrings of voices are heard saying “Rejoice, I have finished my book!” 

 What ensues for many independent publishers is the process of submitting their publications into contests, then waiting and watching mailboxes for the arrival of treasured prize notifications from the EVVYs, the IPPYS, the Eric Hoffer Awards plus many more. 

Whether you covet becoming an award winning author or not – writing a book is a huge task! Sit back, relax and take a well deserved break but not for too long. Your obligations to yourself and your book, as an independent publisher, are not over yet.  Successful sales are a function of marketing efforts. 

“You don’t like fooling around with that marketing stuff. You’ve reached your limit.”  you say? You are not alone in your thoughts. Many authors like to focus on what they do best – write! 

Perhaps it is time to have someone else take a fresh look. There are freelance professionals who can help you develop a full range of marketing strategies – from traditional promotion and advertising to a non-traditional approach that incorporates tactics that are far reaching and more affordable through the internet. Look for a company that specializes in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers. 

Enough talk about that!  The real purpose of this blog today  is to honor and celebrate those who are fulfilling their goals of completing their publishing projects. Way to go!

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Itchy Niches for Books

March 14, 2012

Look, all you can do when you find your niche is go with it.” ~ Vincent D’Onofiro

Independent publishers, have you put any creative thought into selling your goods in out-of-ordinary places?  Many independent publishers have great success when they find the proper niche market and then capitalize on that. Non-fiction, in particular, lends itself well to selling in non-traditional places where your publication compliments a main line of business. For instance: 

  • If you are an independent musician who has produced a CD of music that leads a listener into quietness, meditation and contemplation, a massage therapist may welcome having a reinforcing product to offer his or her clients.
  • A home goods store selling refurbished or salvaged furniture and accessories may be itching to get their hands on a book to sell in the store about creating a beautiful home by “turning trash into treasure.”
  • Realtors may want to purchase publications on “How to Ready your Home for a Successful Sale” as a premium product to offer to their prospective clients. 

Independent publishers are known for publishing books, films and music that is different than what can be found in bookstores and in traditional retail environments. You never know, your publication may be just “the thing” a catalog company, an association/organization or a retail environment (other than a bookstore) is scratching to find.

Leave no stone unturned when putting your marketing plans together for your independent publication. As an independent publisher and independent business-owner it means researching non-traditional spaces and places to sell your book.  Start locally and find what works, then expand your visibility into other communities where your niche publication fits. 

Remember, packaging and branding is important too. Corner your niche market with a quality ,desirable and unique publication, market it well and you will see fulfilling, positive results.

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Theatre for Japan in Steamboat

March 12, 2012

Last night the Bud Werner Memorial Library, shook things up with a theatrical performance called Shinsai Steamboat: Theater for Japan. www.steamboatlibrary.org.  It was just one of seventy like events that are happening on stages in the United States to honor the victims of the earthquake that devastated Japan a year ago. However, the library in this town was the only library in the world to host the event.http://n.pr/A1e8TC.

A local contingent of readers quickly brought the performance together after having heard about the event through Anne Cattaneo, of the Lincoln Center Theatre. www.lct.org  when she was visiting Steamboat last week.

The pressure was on the readers for this last minute event.The five 10 minute plays were staged with focus on the dialogue, rather than other elements of theatre such as set and costume design. The short plays effectively communicated the concerns of Japanese government and their citizens in rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of these two back to back natural catastrophes.

 Kudos to the organizer of this fundraising  event, Stuart Handloff and to the readers, too! Well done.

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Paranormal Book Sales?

March 8, 2012

“I think that it is very good for people to talk about their paranormal experiences and share stories about things that they cannot explain.” ~ Rosemary Ellen Guiley 

Evidently paranormal romance is big among young-adult fiction readers. Amanda Hocking will attest to that. 

Amanda Hocking was not previously known as an author until April 2010, approximately two years ago. In fact, she was a group home worker until she began selling 9,000 e-books a day. Yes, that is right… a day! Her 17 novels were written in her free time and she has sold over one million of nine of them, earning  two million dollars in just a few short years. Some of  Amanda Hocking’s books, because of their initial popularity as e-books, are now being sold as perfect bound paranormal romance paperbacks. What is para-normal romance? Visit this site http://bit.ly/zx6KqT.

While many might say – “No wonder why she has sold so many, she is only selling some of them for $.99 cents,” my reply is “That is great! She has made some bucks and has found her niche market, too. She is fulfilling a need and her objectives of selling books that people want. Not every author, traditional or independent publisher,  can tout that!” 

This may be an example of out of the ordinary sales for most e-book authors, but in my own opinion, with the growth of e-book fans, we may be seeing  more very successful e-book publishers coming down the pike. 

What do you think? Don’t be too quick to judge unless you have checked out the new generation of publishing in – e-books. There is some fascinating stuff that just can not be found elsewhere.

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Platforms for Readers include Laps

March 7, 2012

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald

Book buyers base their decisions on feelings. Yes, they look at the ink and the quality of paper but the ultimate decision comes down to what is in this book for me?  If a consumer is buying fiction – they may ask “Will his book send me on a grand adventure, a magical fantasy or a romantic interlude?”  If the buyer is purchasing non-fiction, the decision is based on whether the knowledge, inspiration or help that they need is inside the cover of the book. 

Decision-making in book buying now includes another yet another option. Shall it be hardcover, a perfect bound soft-cover book, an e-book or audiobook?   E-books have seen spectacular growth. The Wall Street Journal http://on.wsj.com/hZCMtj is predicting e-book revenues in 2012 of 2.0 billion dollars. 

Why? Because people are discovering it does not matter what kind of platform you read on as long as you find fulfilling content. It is as plain and simple as that. 

With the arrival of e-books, young people have all kinds of digital content at their dispose on the devices that never leave their hands. Will this new generation become life long readers with the help of e-books? It is difficult to forecast, only time will tell.

Foster a love of reading in your home. Parents, when buying books consider what kind of reading platform would best engage your child.

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