Category Archives: book publishing

EVVY Book Awards: A Big Year

Leave a comment

“I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.” ~ Jonas Salk

2014 CIPA awardsThis is a big year for the EVVY Book Awards presented by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. It is a special event because it is the 20th year of the contest, and it has grown more prestigious than ever. After all, CIPA is one of the largest and most active independent publishing associations in the country.

The word of the contest is spreading and last year submissions came from all over the country, and for that matter as far away as Dubai! You no longer have to be a CIPA member to enter and win! However, there are great benefits to being a CIPA member including their educational opportunities to learn more about what it takes to becoming an award-winning author! Their monthly educational presentations cover all facets of the publishing process including selling in the marketplace.

Here is a link that will provide you with all you need to know about submitting your publication to the 20th annual CIPA EVVY book awards!  http://www.cipacatalog.com/pages/CIPA-EVVY-Awards.

Some key deadline dates to mark on your calendar:

  • February  1, 2014 submissions begin
  • May 17, 2014 Last day to receive entries
  • July 26, 2014 Finalists announced
  • August 23, 2014 Awards Ceremony – The big night!

You can’t win if you don’t submit! Here’s your chance to become an award-winning author of an award-winning book!

Hope to see YOU at the EVVY awards in August. Good luck to all who submit.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

My Winter Olympics Race

2 Comments

“Starting your book is only the first five miles of a twenty-six-mile marathon that’s one-third of a triathlon (authoring, publishing, and entrepreneuring).” ― Guy Kawasaki

I’ve been so busy I really haven’t watched much of the Olympics.  For a few minutes I looked in on the ice skating. Lately, I’ve felt like a participant in a speed skating relay race – going back and forth with the publisher to make very minor, but necessary changes. Every last detail has to be in place so it is smooth sailing and there are no trip-ups to having the manuscript published. Thank goodness I finally did a hand-off and gave my manuscript to the publisher. It was time to let go, and let someone else carry the composition to the finish line.

energy goes where attention goesMost people would think now it’s a straight glide to the end point ~  not quite! The marketing, promotion and advertising is a completely  different dimension to a publishing project. Many authors loose steam, big-time, when it comes to that part.

It’s not just the independent publisher who has to carry the load of marketing, promotion and advertising. A traditional publishing house  is committed to putting  big resources behind a top selling author but, most authors are now expected to carry a good portion of the marketing load themselves. It’s understandable. After all, no one can promote a story as well as the one who wrote it because they have an intimate relationship with the characters!

Like any job, writing and publishing is not without it’s challenges. But for me,  it is very personally fulfilling. Thankfully, I went into the project with realistic expectations since I had worked in the independent publishing industry long before starting my own race.

The prize for me will come as each book is sold in the marketplace. Now, it’s back to more work. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Coming Full Circle

Leave a comment

“The honeysuckle is learning to appreciate all the small drops of sweetness in life.”

 ~ Sue Batton Leonard

testcart-2Last summer, when I was in Cambridge, Maryland I walked into Walmart. I selected what I wanted to buy and took it to the check-out counter. The sale was rung up and the cashier asked if I wanted to donate to the sick children in JohnsHopkinsHospital.

“Of course,” I said. “How could I not?” I thought.

The cashier thanked me for donating to the cause and said “Have a Blessed Day!” I smiled at her and thanked her back. As I walked out of the store, all I could think was “Have a blessed day? I’ve had a blessed life!”

You see, long ago I was a sick child in JohnsHopkinsHospital. And because the doctors and nurses did not give up on me and gave their time and expertise in caring for me, they saved my life.  Several events have taken me on a journey of realizing the blessings that I have been given, and it is all is told in my upcoming memoir.

It was such a simple thing to donate to the Johns Hopkins children and the monetary value was little compared to what I’ve been given – decades of  fulfilling and vigorous livin’. But a large group of compassionate people donating to a great cause can make a big difference.

The next day, I entered Walmart once again because I had forgotten something, and again I was asked if I wanted to make a meager donation. I answered in the affirmative.

Pay it ahead or pay it back, it’s all good. What is important is that we remember those who give us the sweetness from the vine of knowledge, friendship and love.

Those are my independent thoughts, words and views today on All Things Fulfilling.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

At the Heart of the Story

2 Comments

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest of souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~ Khalil Gibran

“Holy Mother, Full of Grace,” I said suddenly to myself when I saw the International Serial Book Number (ISBN) attached to my story “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.” This dream I have had of publishing a book is about to become a reality!

Every heart has a story to tellI‘ve felt the presence of someone much greater than I watching out for me throughout my whole life. It’s all part of my character driven story. I am so grateful to those who have been beside me throughout all my lifetime of experiences including the publishing process.

Tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling I will tell you a brief story of just a few paragraphs of something that happened to me this summer that brought my thoughts about gratefulness full circle. Do come back!

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

Help with Polishing the Craft

Leave a comment

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so when you do it it’s not all mixed up.” ~ A.A. Milne

“If had known then what I know now” is all I can think in this moment. Years ago, had I known I was going to write a book, I would have begun keeping my picture files in my computer well-organized. “Oh well,” I think, “hindsight does me no good. I have to move forward and wade through the mess. Focus on the objective: Get my photos to the publisher, so we can finish up.

determined, passioned and engrossedAfter all, what good is a memoir without any pictures? People want to see pictures of the characters in the story. A memoir, biography or autobiography without any images is like going to the zoo when the monkey cages are cleared out. The ones who make you laugh and provide you with the entertainment are not in plain sight. What fun is that?

Just like the words I mentioned last week in my blog about the book Stands with Fists, “when we know better, we do better.” From here on out I will make changes to how I organize my picture files. That way if I write another book I will not delay the Bookcrafters from completing the publishing process. So far, except for the difficulties on my part of locating the pictures I need in my computer, the process has been very seamless!

I  have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) now. Once I saw that, “Holy Mother, Full of Grace!” I said to myself, and I am not even Catholic! My excitement began to rise, and I lost a night of sleep.

We are getting down to the wire and I am working hard to wrap things up.  Thanks to Jan and Joe McDaniel, they are putting the polish to my craft  www.bookcrafters.net.  Thank you also to graphic designer Karen McLane of Post Net http://www.postnet.com/ for working so hard with me to find the perfect cover design that I am just thrilled about. coffee image with heart

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Do return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow!

Story of Attachment

2 Comments

“Because everything of value that we will know in this life comes from our relationships with those around us. Because there is nothing material that measures against the intangibles of love and friendship.” ― R.A. Salvatore, Passage to Dawn

twin babies picture, one not expected to livejpg

Medical research institutions and psychologists have put a recent emphasis on studying what love, friendships and positive living have to do with good health and the outcome of surviving illness. I am deeply interested in this subject. It is just one of the reasons I have chosen to share my experiences through this blog and in an upcoming memoir.

Here is an insightful article from the Mayo Clinic about the value of love and friendships, check it out. http://www.mayoclinic.org/friendships/art-20044860.

February is a good time to share our heartfelt sentiments, so on this day I’d like to say to all of my family and friends.  “I am grateful for the wonderful support systems I have had in my life. I believe they make such a valuable difference.”

This video is especially for my twin sister because I know she will enjoy it. Warning: Be ready to clap your hands and tap your feet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh7YyoDD138. This video was produced by artists collaborating with one another from all over the world.

There are other important contributing factors besides love and friendship that I believe have led me to enjoy a fulfilling and vigorous life. I will relate them to my readers when my book is ready.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Health Perspectives with Karen Gilroy

Leave a comment

Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. ~ Buddha

karen gilroyThere is a new blog talk radio show called, Living a Richer Life that will be premiering on Thursday, February 6, 2014. The first show will be featuring one of our We Write Steamboat authors, Karen Gilroy, author of Nourishing the Healer Within.

Gilroy has her Master’s of Science degree in Holistic Health and she will be speaking with listeners on the power of the body to heal itself and the interconnectedness of the mind, body and spirit. In order to have good health, she says “all three must be in balance.”

When one of these aspects of our lives is out of sorts, symptoms of illness may occur. Gilroy contends that we need to listen to the messages our bodies are sending us because “the inner intelligence of the human body is constantly assessing and analyzing all the cells.” When we are not well, we need to rest which allows our bodies do the work it needs to do in order to self-heal. Positive results will follow.

Gilroy will also be focusing on how the mind plays an important role in the self healing process on the February 6th radio show. I encourage our readers to listen in to this 45 minute talk to learn more about how to be in charge of your own health, and understand the body’s natural healing abilities. Gilroy says “You can stop fearing illness and lead a more fulfilling life with mind, body and spirit in balance.”

Living a Richer Life with hosts, Dr. Charlotte Grant-Cobb and Ervin (Earl) Cobb will air every Thursday, featuring a diversity of guests who will have inspiring and motivational things to say to Americans who are looking for positive change in their lives. Listeners should tune in at 9pm from the East Coast, Central time zone at 8pm, 7pm Mountain Time and 8pm Pacific through this link.

Bookmark it! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/richerlife

Look forward to your return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow! This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Counting my Blessings

Leave a comment

Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery.  It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.” ~  Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway

Did you know that being grateful has health benefits? Researchers have found positive scientific health results when people focus on pleasurable things rather than thinking about every day hassles, challenges and headaches that come with life. If you are interested in reading more about the science of positive thinking, here is a link to an article by Robert A Emmons. http://bit.ly/KSy1i4.

gratitudeWhen I  took down the last of the Christmas decorations  I decided the canister that was filled with red and gold decorative Christmas ornaments will serve as my Gratitude Jar. Each day a daily note about the small things I am thankful for has been put in it.  I use only “mini” pieces of paper so I will not be verbose in my writing. Short, simple words to describe a sweet and simple thing that I found to be fulfilling throughout each day is the goal. I’ve also decided to drop a penny into the pot for each good thought and for extra luck. It won’t amount to much over the course of a year but saving for another day is a good practice to get into.

I  began to fill the jar on January 1st, so it contains a month’s worth of daily entries into the jar and I have a lot more to be grateful for! Some of my last week’s entries stated this:

  • I am grateful my manuscript in in the hands of a capable and knowledgeable publisher
  • I am grateful I am almost finished recording the audio book
  • I am grateful the cover design is almost nailed down
  • I am grateful – looks like I may have found an audio editor!!!

Look forward to your return tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

 

Join in, Neighbors

2 Comments

In most vital organizations, there is a common bond of interdependence, mutual interest, interlocking contributions, and simple joy.” —Max DePree

neighborhoodA few years ago I started a networking group called We Write Steamboat. The mission of the group is to provide support for independent publishers and to foster independent publishing success. This week we reached a new landmark. We now have 51 members.

I  live in a community where arts and literacy is highly  valued.  The Bud Werner Memorial Library, is a stellar resource in town. Artists  in this rural community find support from several organizations here including the Steamboat Arts Council and the Steamboat Writers Group which serves a great purpose of helping authors to develop their writing through very valuable critique.

Members of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (aka CIPA) www.cipacatalog.com in Denver is also very beneficial in terms of educating and connecting writers with freelance professionals in all parts of the publishing process.

It never ceases to amaze me what a diverse group of writers there are throughout the State of Colorado, and it’s always a fulfilling to see our We Write Steamboat members’ projects come to fruition. Over the next few weeks, several Steamboat Springs authors will be featured on radio talk shows and television. I will be  blogging about our We Write Steamboat members who will be in the media spotlight so the public can learn more about their publications, their careers and their interests.

bookWe Write Steamboat will also be offering a new writers’ series called “So, You Want to Write a Book? beginning in February 2014. Next week on All Things Fulfilling, I will be posting more information on this educational opportunity for those who are considering writing a book or for those who are already in the process and want to know more about taking a rough manuscript to a polished, saleable and marketable independent publication.

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