Category Archives: Building community through partnerships

The Arts & Alzheimers

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“Art therapy is all about the moment, all about the process, all about happiness…”  ~ Valerie Kent

Art enriches the lives of so many Americans and people all over the globe. Much research has been done regarding the effects of art therapy with Alzheimer’s patients. Among the positive effects are reducing stress, aggression, anxiety, apathy and anxiety.

For persons in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease, viewing art and listening to music often brings back memories, and has calming effects. Participating in the arts through dance, stimulates neuron activity in the brain, improving concentration and focus.  For those in the later stages of Alzeheimer’s when communication is more difficult, art therapy provides an outlet of expression, when words can not be found.

Not only do professionals in Alzeheimer’s facilities use art therapies , it can be used by caretakers of Alzeheimer’s patients in private homes. It provides a quiet, peaceful activity for patients and caretakers alike. By engaging the patient in a creative activity, it can provide relief for caretakers who are often subjected to repeated questions and demands that are placed upon the caretaker.

For more information on the field of art therapy for Alzeheimer’s patients, please visit:

Although scientists are still trying to determine the cause and risk factors of Alzeheimer’s disease, research shows intellectually stimulating activities, such as Art, may lower the risk of developing the disease.

 To me, this sounds like good reason for artists to paint up a storm! If someone tells you to put down the paintbrush and go do something else, tell them you are working on your “mental health.”

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Looking for good Mother’s Day gifts?

It is critically important to our society and all of our world to have decent homes and families with decent values. This Mother’s Day, order your wife, your mother, or any woman raising a family, a copy of  the book Building Materials for Life by Millard Fuller, Founder of Habitat for Humanity. The three volumes of this book are filled with short essays about raising families with common sense, good values and giving children a solid, strong foundation. Proceeds from the sale of this book and other books and DVDs from the Fuller Center will be used to purchase building materials for Habitat for Humanity houses.

Thanks to the Fuller Center, hundreds of children around the world have decent housing and brighter futures!

You can also honor the Mother in your life by donating to the Fuller Center or win free flowers for entering your essay of what your mother means to you! For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/c9S9cG.

Hurry, Mother’s Day is only 9 days away!

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Cultural Understanding

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“Things go wrong because people build walls instead of bridges”   ~Unknown

For those who do not work in the arts industry, understanding the value of a creative industry is difficult to understand. When you understand the scope of how many are employed in creative industry, how the Arts help to build the fabric of community life, how arts education touches the lives of children and how Art provides for cultural exchange between countries, supporting Americans for the Arts Action Fund www.artsactionfund.org is not a hard pill to swallow.

Mayer Michael Nutter recently testified about  the importance of the Arts in his city of Philadelphia. His testimony and arguments for the importance of the Arts, could be echoed by cities, big and small, across America. To listen to Mayor Nutter’s testimony, please go to http://bit.ly/bZetCV.

Even in small cities, like Steamboat Springs, Colorado (population 9600), the Arts are very important. The Macedonian Mission for Humanity (Colorado based non-profit organization 5013(C) is focused on humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange between Macedonian and U.S. artists.

On May 15, the non-profit will be hosting a Concert, at the United Methodist Church in Steamboat, between an international award winning concert pianist, Kalina Mrmevska from Macedonia, and soprano soloist, Keri Rusthoi from the U.S. It is bound to be a beautiful evening of entertainment between two artists who come from very different backgrounds.

All proceeds from the concert will go toward the expense of shipping no longer needed medical supplies from the U.S. to Macedonian children’s hospitals. For more information on this non-profit, please visit http://bit.ly/askllQ.

The Macedonian Mission for Humanity is building bridges between culture and humanitarian needs. What vision this represents!

 

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Seeing the Light

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“All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs”                    ~Tony Robbins

It is interesting, now that spring has arrived in most parts of the country, it seems independent publishers are beginning to emerge out of their hiding places. After being cooped up and in the dark all winter long, many have decided it is time to be seen and heard from!

It seems independent publishers took time this winter to think and mull over their publications, their marketing plans and strategies, and now they have decided they have been inactive long enough. It is time to take action! Many have decided to take the plunge in to the world of e-marketing/social media marketing!

For more information on how marketers are using social media to grow their businesses, please visit http://bit.ly/YbyEU.

Sometimes, it takes time to readjust our thinking, adapt new ways of being. Social media marketing/e-marketing is a bit scary for those who have only used traditional methods of marketing – such as print advertising, bulk mailings, hiring a traditional publicist or agent, doing book appearances. All of these marketing techniques are still valuable but marketing trends do change. Life is so interesting when we decide to let go of old ideas and follow new paths!

What is it they say about growth? “Do the thing that scares you the most” ? Don’t let fright stop you from drawing closer to becoming more visible and fulfilling your dreams!

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Wisdom Comes from Living It

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“All men make mistakes, but only the wise men learn from their  mistakes.” ~ Winston Churchill

There is nothing worse than having a deep concern and not wanting to share it because you know others will not understand. I am talking about something that only those who have lived it can relate – such as having a child struggling with drug and substance abuse.

Out of her experiences of living with a teen hooked on drugs, public speaker, author and Mom, Mitzi Rudderow has written a book called “Coming Clean: Drug Addiction – help and hope.” This book should be in the household of every family with children. For a parent, learning how to identify addiction before it becomes a crisis is of paramount importance.

Through this book, you will learn how to avoid the mistakes this Mom made, what the red flags of substance abuse are and parenting do’s and don’ts. This book is made very affordable for every parent because Mitzi is truly committed to helping other parents learn from the mistakes she made with her teen.

As a radio broadcaster, Mitzi learned so well how to communicate with others and she has used her skill to communicate about an issue, through her book, that is all too pervasive in today’s world – drug and alcohol abuse.

Take your first pro-active step, as a parent of a teen, by educating yourself rather than denying that your child could very well face these struggles in his or her teenage years.

For more information on this book, please visit www.mitzirudderow.com and visit her blog http://www.comingcleantogether.wordpress.com

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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It is a big day for all the participants of the Young Authors League of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA). Today they will be premiering their new publication “Making the World a Better Place.”  The group premieres it’s book at Southlands Mall Barnes and Noble in Aurora, Colorado from 4 – 8pm today! Head on in, and support a new generation of young authors! www.cipabooks.com

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Guess what has gone viral? Painters Workshops! Join classes without having to leave the comfort of your studio.  For more information, please visit Workshop Magazine, a great magazine resource for Oil and Acrylic Painters. Workshop, a magazine published by American Artist Magazine will take you into the classes of top oil and acrylic instructors. Learn from them and from their critiques of students work. For more information, please visit www.artistdaily/workshop.com

Flip of a Coin

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“The most splendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of  your own approval.”            ~Denis Waitley

Rumor has it there has been a softening of the hearts of those who typically review traditionally published books only. I have heard that book reviewers employed by trade magazines, such as Publisher’s  Weekly www.pw.org are now more accepting of putting their declaration of approval on books that are independently published. To me, this is a sign that independently published books have gained respect and a prestigious place in the world of booksellers and reviewers.

From all that I have read, movie goers and book buyers are now more frequently seeking advance information on books and films through the internet. Readers seem to be relying less and less on traditional review resources like trade magazines. Potential book buyers and movie goers are heading for blogsites and websites to catch all the latest “buzz” on books and films.

Some books and films that come highly recommended “crash and burn,” in my opinion. Sometimes it can be attributed to all the over-rated “hype”, leading to dissapointment. My personal opinion is that “one man’s treasure is another man’s trash.” A good book or film review never guarantees anything, as I see it.

What do you think? Do  you think book and film reviews influence what people buy and watch? Do you like knowing other’s notions and opinions of books and films, or would you rather rate them yourself? Do you think word of mouth has more power in selling books and films to their potential audience? Let us hear from you!

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It’s A Perfect Fit!

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“The only thing that will redeem mankind is  c0operation.”        ~                       ~Bertrand Russell

In Steamboat Springs, CO and in places all across the country, there are so many non-profits that are quietly contributing to the betterment of others and to the world, in their own special way. Many of these non-profits are unheard of to the “average Joe.” With funding and grant opportunities being cut, it is never more important for non-profits to become visible and to demonstrate how they are helping others to fulfill their needs.

There is a way! To bring visibility and awareness to a non-profit, independent publishing can help. An independently published book or film, about your non-profit, may provide a way for non-profit organizations to spread the word about their mission and obtain corporate sponsorship. Also, it is a creative way for others to learn and see how satisfying it is to volunteer for a worthy cause and to increase your volunteer base by recruiting others who will commit to an exciting project or mission.

Independent publishing is a perfect fit for alternative marketing for non-profit organizations. One of the most successful global non-profits  has chosen independent publishing to advance their visibility throughout this world. To watch a preview of a great example of non-profit work and independent publishing joining together to bring visibility to a mission, please visit www.MillardFullerMovie.com.

Is your non-profit doing all it can to be recognized in your community, in your world?

 

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Fast & Fascinating!

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“All positive change in the world comes from our ideas of what we believe is possible.” ~ Alexandra Jamieson

Over the past few months, I have done some public speaking about order fulfillment for independent publishers and also about the independent publishing industry in general. One of the questions that I have posed to my audience is “Can you imagine that a manuscript can be downloaded from a digital file, printed, pages trimmed, bound and covered with a custom-designed book cover, all within 15 minutes time?”  All eyes meet mine with a look of disbelief!

Well, it is true, folks! Learn about the Expresso Book Machine! No longer do you have to print 20,000 copies of a book at at time, have them sit around in warehouses waiting to be sold and pay for excessive warehousing fees. Books can now be printed in small batches and be reprinted as they are sold. The Expresso Book Machine is evidence that there is a revolution taking place in the publishing industry, specifically the independent publishing industry. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/NQWc.

The independent publishing industry has taken responsibility in their approach to a green economy. By printing only what will sell, a whole lot of trees will be spared and dollars can be spent on publishing and marketing rather than unnecessary warehousing. Makes green sense, doesn’t it?

Furthermore, people without big name visibility as writers, but with great stories to tell, now have a chance at becoming publishers! As I have spoken with groups over the past months, it has been interesting to see the eyes of disbelief turn to eyes of excitement! Almost everyone has a story to tell, educational information to share,  inspiring thoughts or a wish to entertain – what do you have  under your hat?

To begin your journey into the world of independent publishing, start with a few minutes of education about the Expresso Book Machine, documented in this short, 2-3 minute, independently published film. The independent publishing industry is growing and fulfilling the dreams of many “want to be published,” who through traditional publishing would not ordinarily have a chance. It is exciting – now readers get to decide whether a book is any good, and not editors!

It Hit a Nerve

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“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” ~ John Maxwell

Last week, I received an e-mail from a frequent visitor to this blogsite. The correspondent stated that independent publishing is a hobby,  and nothing more. I found it interesting. I guess then, from her statement, we can all surmise that she thinks the independent films that are shown all over the world every year, are produced only as “hobbies?” Hardly!

I couldn’t  help but take quiet offense to her statement. I assured her that if she were to attend a professional publishing trade association conference with me, she would quickly realize that independent publishers are no different than those who seek to have their books published through traditional publishing houses. That by attending an independent publishing trade event, she would see that there is a huge network of professionals and vendors working hard to support each other in business, helping each other to succeed and are passionate about educating, inspiring, informing and entertaining others through their independent publishing.

What  I decided was that perhaps I needed to educate her about the fact that the independent publishing industry now represents almost half of all publishing revenue. In fact, between 2008 and 2009, the indpendent publishing industry has grown by 40%! I project that the independent publishing industry will grow even further this year.

It’s funny how people criticize what they do not understand. I am posting this video in hopes that the frequent reader of this blogsite, who hit a nerve within me, will return again and become better informed. There is so much excitement in the independent publishing industry. It keeps me engaged each and every day.