A Site for Indie Book Reviews

February 23, 2012

Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” ~ Robert Bresson
 
I have never had a good system for keeping track of the books I want to read. Believe me, working in the independent publishing industry I always have a grand and growing list of books to read, films to watch and music to listen to. I make mental notes, filing my “want to read /watch/listen list” among all the other things stored in my brain. Often prone to forgetting the titles, I am reminded when I see a book review or receive a recommendation from someone else. 

A few weeks ago, I made progress in establishing a good system of making of list of books I want to read. After picking up a copy of Book Page at our local library, I carefully went through it circling the all books that interest me. My Kindle came in handy when I downloaded sample copies of each of the books that are available in e-book format. 

After reading the e-book samples, I make a decision whether to scrap the book on my list, download the full e-book or check whether the book in-print is available through our interlibrary loan. 

Although this system is better than none at all, most of the books in Book Page are traditionally published books. Until now the gateway into public libraries has, in large part, been open to only traditional publishers.

How do you find what books are available in the independent publishing world?After doing a little research, I have found a new on-line site, called Review Direct: Exciting New Titles from America’s Emerging Authors. It is a way for the independents, to become visible to libraries and independent bookstores. For more information, please visit this site http://bit.ly/1DpnK4

If you are an independent publisher, consider having your book listed in Review Direct. It is an economical and efficient way of getting information about your book to libraries digitally. 

Come on back tomorrow!  This site is dedicated to providing fulfilling resources and help for independent publishers. 

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Keeping a Marriage Intact

February 22, 2012

Marriage is a promise. Not just between the couple but to the community at large, to generations past and to those yet to be born. ~ Heritage.org 

Why do people decide to independently publish a book? Often times it is because they want to educate and inform. The author of Out of Focus …Again, Ann Kochenberger had exactly that motive in mind, when she decided to publish her book. 

Ann wanted to share, with others, her struggles with depression and how she has found personal success in living a fulfilling life despite having bi-polar disorder. This disease affects more than 17 million people, in the United States alone. 

Unabashedly, and with good humor too, Ann describes how her bouts of depression have affected her relationship with her husband of more than 30 years, her parenting and with her family, too. 

Finding My Way Back from Depression, Ann’s new e-book directly speaks to the coping strategies that saved her from debilitating symptoms of depression. 

Gary Kochenberger, PhD has much of value to say in his companion e-book Depression…A Guide for Caregivers from the role of being a protector and nurturer of a loved one with the disease. He shares his perspectives on how their marriage has survived, how the caregiver can be pro-active in learning about the disorder, some of the mistakes Gary has made, trigger points that a partner can watch for and help their loved one avoid.

If someone you know suffers the effects of bi-polar disorder, these companion books are great resources. The books are written from very personal and non-clinical points of view. The book in-print Out of Focus…Again as well as Ann and Gary’s e-books can be ordered on-line through www.outoffocusagain.com. The e-books are also sold through Amazon.

Both Ann and her husband Gary are dedicated to helping others who are trying to cope with a loved one with bipolar disease. As a couple, they frequently speak to groups and families about depression and bipolar disorder.

Check in on author Ann Kochenbergers’s blog on www.outoffocusagain.com. She  shares all kinds of information about living a fulfilling life with bi-polar disorder.

This blog brought to you www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Steamboat Selected for World Book Night

February 21, 2012

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” ~Sir Richard Steele

This is the third Tuesday of  February. A lot of independent publishers in this town know exactly what that means. It is time for our monthly meet-up group to gather and network about all things independent publishing here in Steamboat Springs,Colorado.

For those who may not be able to attend our get together at 4:00pm today, I am going to release some important news.  

I am so pleased to announce that Steamboat Springs, Colorado has been chosen as a select community to be involved with UNESCO’s World Book Night on April 23rd. 

At a meeting two months ago, I brought the idea forward of joining in with World Book Night.  SHe Writes Steamboat members were enthused.  I submitted an application  along with a short essay about why our community should be included in this event designed to encourage literacy among light or non-readers.

The organizers of World Book Night have determined that  Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a community that values literacy , reading and writing. We will be included in this world-wide event.

Thank you in advance to members of SHe Writes Steamboat who have volunteered to participate on the night of April 23rd. More information will follow soon about the title of the book our members will be distributing in our town and the organizations that will benefit from this literacy event. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of SHe Writes Steamboat, join us this afternoon at 4pm at City Café on 10th Street. Or  email me at SheWritesSteamboat@gmail.com. We will add you as a Facebook friend of SHe Writes Steamboat.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Are ARC’s becoming Archaic?

February 20, 2012

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly. ” ~  Richard Bach 

At our weekly meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Steamboat Springs,Colorado http://bit.ly/w1qdgz a staff member from the local Indie Bound Bookstore came to update us on a program that our organization supports. 

Thousands and thousands of Advance Reader Copies and galley copies are sent to bookstores and libraries all over the country each and every year. ARCs are uncorrected proofs that can not be resold in retail in environments or placed on shelves in libraries. They serve as advance promotion and advertising for publications soon to be released. 

The Kiwanis Club of Steamboat assists with funding shipping costs to send Advance Reader Copies of books to families of military troops. www.operationpaperback.org   For those who do not have access to a variety of books ARCs are a perfect way of fulfilling a need for literature for children and adults in far off places of the world. 

As we discussed this wonderful program, that saves hundreds of thousands of books from ending up in landfills each and every year, I began to think how a complete systemic change in the way ARCS are delivered would save a lot of postage and delivery charges for publishers and as well as time and money for those disposing of the ARCS once they have been read and reviewed. 

Making wise choices and changes from printing to marketing is all a part of sustainable publishing. Do you think sample chapters of books on-line is enough to make an informed decision as to whether a book is worth purchasing or not?  We would like to hear from you.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Being Receptive to Messages

February 15, 2012

On Monday  I posted a blog called the Art of Listening. I promised to share more information on All Things Fulfilling about H.A.Levin’s book “A History of Horses Told by Horses: Horse Sense for Humans.” So here it is ~ 

This book is told from the perspective of a horse. Thoughts are communicated from horse to human (the author) telepathically.  Essentially – What would horses say about humans and their world if they could talk? 

Hal, the author, is a spiritual healer who communicates with animals. Through his telepathic capacities he points out from a horse’s point of view, that our society has grown too complex, leaving a detachment between people and the natural world. The reason women and horses form particularly close relationships is that women are more open to inspiration and enlightenment. Horses want women to gain self confidence through their relationships with equines, so they will feel the ability to change the course of the world. How about it women? Are you up to the task?

Author H.A. Levin (Hal) travels to many countries to learn about various species of horses and how man and animal have accomplished  things together  throughout civilization. There are chapters on the history of numerous kinds of equine species, such as: 

  • sporting horses
  • work horses
  • war horses
  • race horses
  • performance horses 

This author has planned a series of books about the history of animals and their place in our world, please visit  http://bit.ly/AuzEE3 Habitat for Humanity is a publishing partner in the The History of Horses Told by Horses

For non-animal lovers,  ”Letters to An Angel: How to Love Life and “ Quotations for Successful Living“  are more books from H.A. Levin. They share with the reader how Hal has “learned to look for a rich and fulfilling life despite obstacles or fear of failure.” 

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Life. Live it, Love it.

February 14, 2012

Valentines Greetings from me to you on this winter white February Day from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 

Love comes in all kinds of forms and unexpected ways, meaning something different to each of us. Today, I simply wish to quote one the brightest stars in history on the business of living life and finding personal fulfillment ~Albert Einstein. He said it all.  “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

“Make this day and every day about all things fulfilling in your life!

More independently published thoughts, words and views tomorrow from  www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

 

 

 


Fulfilling Needs in Community

February 8, 2012

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. ~ Lao Tzu

One of the activities outside of my work life that I really enjoy is volunteering at a community Thrift Store in Steamboat Springs, Colorado on Saturdays.  I help sort the goods and wares that come in. Some of the donated items are put in the Thrift Store for sale, and others are passed along to The New Horizons Mennonite mission in Canon City and Pueblo,Colorado. http://bit.ly/x5n7Fw.

Last week, I was given a flyer that evidenced the fruits of the labor of approximately 100 people that help out on a volunteer basis.  In 2011, the volunteers logged in 9,800 hours. Impressive in its own right, but what is most evident among the statistics was the diversity of help and assistance Lift-Up gives to people in the community. 

The non-profit, Lift-Up, http://bit.ly/yPtOqb goes about fulfilling financial needs in so many ways. Here are just a few: 

  • Emergency Food and Personal Products  9,248 bags of food, personal products and perishables were given to those in need
  • The Emergency Lodging, Fuel and Transportation fund gave $8,608 in donations
  • Special Needs Funds – 127 households were assisted, totaling $50,014 in aid.
  • Energy Outreach to households needing utility assistance to 170 families
  • Community Coat Drive distributed 222 warm coats to people needing clothing.
  • Healthcare fund – emergency medications and medical help came to 122 people. 

This is only a small list from a much longer list of aid that was given. The statistics evidenced on the yearly report, indicates there is real need and real purpose in the services this non-profit, Lift-Up provides. 

Before you discard unwanted books in print, audio books, DVDS, cds, clothing or other household items into a landfill, remember that there are people in communities all over without or needing to rebuild their life. Seek out a community thrift store in your area and give.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Teaser, Pleaser

February 7, 2012

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it. “ ~Buddha 

Have you noticed that the way we select reading material has changed with the arrival of e-books? Now we have more to go by than just reading reviews on the back cover and the flaps of the book. Many authors are offering sample chapters or abbreviated versions of their books on-line to get us hooked. It works! 

Last night I searched Google i-books and downloaded a sample of a non-fiction publication by Susan Cain. The title of the e-book is Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. A monkey is now on my back! 

Being a life time consumer of self-help books, the sample left me wondering whether I am truly an introvert. Just prior to the end of the sample book, is a brief test that is designed to determine if you are a true introvert. It is similar to a Myers-Briggs personality test. My score indicates that perhaps I am an ambivert. In other words, I have tendencies toward being both introverted and extroverted. 

 I must read on to begin fulfilling my need to examine the degree of introversion that I possess and how to best use my traits for success.

Good job, Susan Cain. Your book sample grabbed me enough to want to finish the book. Now, I must just find the time to purchase it and carry on. 

For more information on this fascinating read that analyzes the psyche and how an introverted personality can be used to your advantage in life and business, please follow this link. http://bit.ly/ywojam.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Appreciate and Value Libraries

February 6, 2012

 Last Thursday evening I was welcomed to the Hayden Library in Hayden, Colorado with wonderful hospitality and the aroma of good food, too! Their library Director, Ana Feldhake Lash invited me in to speak with a book club about the dynamic and growing industry of independent publishing. 

The discussion of the evening was about the changes that have evolved  in publishing  over the past 10 or so years and the possibilities that are now available for ordinary people to tell extraordinary stories through independent books, films and music. Of course, e-books, the newest platform for reading and publishing was on the agenda for the night, too! 

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Ana and the Hayden Library inviting me to speak to the group. It fulfilled my need to share with others my excitement about this ever changing, exciting industry of independent publishing. 

All of us at SHe Writes Steamboat, a meet-up group of independent publishers extend a hearty welcome to any library patrons and community members from Hayden interested in writing their own story to our monthly meetings. The mission of our group is to “provide networking opportunity and foster independent publishing success.” Our February meeting will take place on the 21st at the City Café on 10th Street in Steamboat Springs. Anyone is welcome aboard the Fast Track of Independent Publishing! http://bit.ly/oIkV2g.

Again, thanks to the Hayden Library.http://bit.ly/ylD6zu.

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


20 Fabulous Bookstores in the World

February 2, 2012

Today on All Things Fulfilling, we are going to veer from the norm. Instead of communicating through words, I offer up some views of twenty outstanding  bookstores in the world. 

On this blog site we do a lot of chattering about selling books through e-commerce. It is the most effective way for independent publishers to sell their books. But, I, for one, hope bookstores never disappear. 

The experience of entering into the doors of these featured bookstores can not even be described. You have to see for yourself. Take a tour because most of these brick and mortar bookstores are in far off reaches of the world. It may be the only chance you will get see what is inside! Here is a preview picture to draw you in. This bookstore is the Livravia Lello in Porto, Portugal.

If I have whetted your curiosity for more, enter through the doors of more bookstores through this link!

http://bit.ly/y6ChhU 

Happy Travels everyone, while you are there, pick up a book for me!

It is just another day of independent thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

 


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