Category Archives: Businesses supporting independent filmmaking

Top of the Morn’ – My Beloved!

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May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside a fire. Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart might desire ~ Irish prayer

How could I ever forget and make a statement to all of you, a few months ago, in my blog writing that my Uncle  John was the only known published author that I knew of in my family? That is so not right!!

From the time I was a little girl, my Dad would sing to us four kids in his oh so awful voice, the words of a song called Kathleen Mavourneen. And now, his eight grandchildren have to suffer through it! It has gotten to the point that we roll our eyes, we grin, we outright laugh when he starts in. He sings the song to remind us of his and our family roots. You see, Frederick Crouch is his namesake and his great-great-great Grandfather. Professor Crouch composed the song Kathleen Mavourneen in 1837. “Mavoureen” is a term of endearment derived from  the Irish Gaelic mo mhuirnin meaning “my beloved.”

Irish soprano Catherine Hayes (1818-1861) was the first Irish woman to sing at La Scala in Milan. She learned the song Kathleen Mavourneen and it became her signature tune during concerts. She, in fact, sang it for Queen Victoria and over 500 royal guests at Buckingham Palace in June 1849. The song, gained popularity with American audiences as a result of the extensive touring of Catherine Hayes.

The song became a popular camp-fire song during the Civil War period and in fact, it plays a prominent role in Michael Shaara’s historical novel the Killer Angels and it’s film adaptation Gettysburg. 

I have never heard the song sung in it’s entirety, only a  few verses in my Dad’s less than outstanding rendition. Perhaps, some day, I will hear the song in a more memorable voice that can do it justice but until then, it is just a family joke, every time my Dad starts in.

Top of the morning to my beloved family! Wish we could all  be together, share a dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Who would bring the green beer? Erin? Kyle? Kara? Devon? Marc Ryan? Holly? Taylor? Maggie – no definitely not Maggie!

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Come on Out from Hiding!

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“We look at each other wondering what the other is thinking but we never say a thing.” ~ Dave Matthews Band

I decided to do a little research over the weekend. I wanted to know what things men most frequently write about. Guess what – my research fell flat! I searched all over the internet with terms such as – subjects men like to write about, most frequently published subjects by men, most popular genres of books published by men.  I could not find one thing that gave me insight into my inquiry.

Being of the other gender, I am truly interested in this subject. What do men like to write about? I have my suspicions but, don’t go there! Men and women are on two different planets when it comes to communication, thus the subjects male independent publishers like to write about is almost guaranteed to be different than the subjects women like to write about. After all, due to our differences in genetic make-up, the way each gender is raised and the chemistry of our brains, we go through life with completely different points of view.

I want to be an equal opportunity blogsite! My slant has been far too focused on women and women’s issues. Having grown up with two brothers, I can converse on a number of subjects, you would be surprised. But, please of all things, do not ask me to blog about car mechanics, football or nuclear particle accelerators!!  Ask me about fishing! I have done alot of that in my lifetime, and I even know how to clean them!

Help me out here, what do men most frequently like to write about?

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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 First things first! Reminders to Independent Publishers!

If you have never attended a Publishing College – your chance is coming up in two weeks. Register for the Colorado Independent Publishers Association College (CIPA). Denver, CO will  be the site and the dates are March 26 & 27! Basic and advance track education! For more information, please visit www.cipabooks.com

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More no cost knowledge on the publishing industry is available every Saturday morning on Frank Gromling’s radio show “Cover to Cover.” Tune in on-line to www.wnzf.com.  Eastern time 11:30 am, Central Time 10:30 am, Mountain time 9:30am and Pacific time 8:30am. Be there!

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This month’s Poets and Writers Magazine www.pw.org  has a calendar filled with writers contests. 46 writing contests between March 15 – April 15 are listed.

Any gardeners out there who like to write poetry on the subject? Horticulture Magazine is sponsoring the 2010 Garden Verse Poetry Awards. For more information, pick up a copy of this months Poets & Writers Magazine www.pw.org!

Have a great weekend – Spring is not too far away!

Things that Mean the Most

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“Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things.” ~ Peter F. Drucker

As Americans live longer and continue to work well beyond what used to be retirement age, the world has become a “melting pot” of four generations in the business world. Decision making can be complex. All four generations bring their own ideas of what they value, a different range of attitudes, expectations, habits and motivational thinking. No wonder it is difficult to reach a consensus on what matters most!

All of us get exhausted by hearing the squabbling between political parties. It concerns me that we can not come to a consensus on so many issues. Perhaps we ought to discard Republican, Independent and Democratic ballot voting!

I propose we start anew! Let’s form an alternative party  called the “New Party V.” Voting would be based on fundamental principles of what fulfills us most, as individuals. “The New Values Party” members must work within the truths of their conscience, and take an oath of no lobbying allowed. The new ballot would read something like this.

Choose 6 values which most resemble your own and rank them in importance. #1 being top priority, # 6 being the lowest.

  • Respect for elders and authority
  • Unquestioning and silent
  • Traditional (nuclear) family
  • Individuality
  • Being adept in technology
  • Flexibility
  • Work/Life Balance
  • Family – Centric
  • Achievement Oriented
  • Team Oriented
  • Attention Craving
  • Emphasis on Call me at Work
  • Communication through Technology
  • Instant Gratification and Satisfaction
  • Merged Families
  • Accepting of Intrusion of Space

I am not sure the outcome of an election using the new ballot would be much different than the situation we have right now. There could be some disturbing results using the new ballot, too. Personally, I feel the priorities and values of the American people need to be re-aligned.

Who are you and how do you define and express yourself in this world? What principles do you most closely identify with? Be honest!

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Amy’s Angels Remember

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“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.”                          ~  Jeremy Irons

I am going to be in hot water with our regular blog followers if I do not mention the outcome of “Relay for Life: Nordic Style”  that “Amy’s Angels” participated in last weekend at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT. It is hosted by the American Cancer Society as a fundraiser for cancer awareness and also as a way of remembering and honoring all those who have lost their lives to breast cancer.

The team we established in memory of our friend Amy, won the prize for the largest contribution in fundraising. How awesome is that? With our friend, Kathleen (Chatter as we call her) at the helm, we managed to raise almost $14,000!! Can you believe it? Well, I can! With little Miss Chatterbox at the lead, she chatted up the event to every person that she has ever encountered in life! She knows, first hand, the importance of finding a cure for cancer, and the need for raising the funds. Chatterbox- thanks for leading the way and remember “In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.” ~ unknown

It was a bittersweet weekend. It was a chance for our sisterhood of more than 30 years to have a reunion and to be there to support Amy’s surviving daughter during the weekend of remembering Amy on what would have been her 58th birthday. We had promised Amy two years ago, at our seaside reunion, that we would carry on with  the race, with her or without. Sadly, her absence was greatly felt and her presence greatly missed.

Next year, and hopefully every year,  “Amy’s Angels” look forward to reuniting and remembering our friend. While we, “the sisterhood” are apart fulfilling our daily routines, we will spend time in quiet reverence for all those who have fought the battles of breast cancer.

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Closer than You Think

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“A new baby is like the beginnings of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” ~ Eda J. LeShan

Over the years, at publishing conferences and writers groups, I have spoken with many first-time publishers in various stages of the publishing process. I have noticed an attitude of uncertainty that seems to prevail. The attitude is somewhat understandable, because with any new venture, there are always the unknowns. But rather than focus on doubt and skepticism, what about all the possibilities? This is where your attention should be!

Granted not every independent publisher has the financial ability or the time to zip across country on promotional book tours, so naturally, many think only of the local possibilities of book selling. But this is a  mistake. Book selling opportunities are far greater now than they were years ago. With the power of the internet, on-line networking and social media marketing,  your book can now be promoted in ways that were never available to independent publishers before.

With e-commerce, your potential buyers are now closer than you think!  Anyone can get a glimpse of what your book is all about through book trailers, blog tours and e-marketing! This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for bookselling. Never under estimate all the possibilities! Leave no stone unturned when putting your marketing plan in place. Remember, sales are a function of your marketing efforts!

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A Reason for Celebration

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“A little consideration, a little thought for Others, makes all the difference.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

American women, you are all missing out on a reason to celebrate! Yesterday, my women friends from Macedonia and Australia wished me Happy International Women’s Day. Little did I know March 8th was a holiday! I felt terribly uninformed. I even felt that  by letting such an event slip by unnoticed, I was not fulfilling my obligation as a friend!

Any excuse for a party is a good one for Americans, but I am not aware of many women in this country that even recognize International Women’s Day. In a number of countries, including Bulgaria, China, Russia, Ukraine and Vietnam, it is even a national holiday. It provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the roles women play within the community.

I am told that women across the globe even give little surprises to one another on this day of celebration. But, Americans being Americans, can’t usually settle for a little token of remembrance. They go way overboard!! It is precisely how Christmas and many other holidays have gotten to be so commercialized. We could perhaps bolster this sagging economy if America got behind the idea of promoting International Women’s Day to it’s population of women. Women love to shop! But, I’d much rather not have one more occasion to buy gifts for. I would much rather follow the words I have heard so often from my mom – “Really, it is just the thought that counts.”

Happy Belated International Women’s Day to all of you who did remember me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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Educating Women

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“Life is a big canvas, throw all the paint on it you can.” ~ Danny Kaye

On Friday, I had the honor of speaking to the Yampa Valley University Women. The title of my presentation was “On the Fast Track: The Independent Publishing Industry.”  I kept the presentation to the basics, but wanted to share with all the University Women the fact that the independent publishing industry was grown 40% since 2008 and it now represents almost 50% of the publishing industry revenues. I mentioned that desktop publishing software has become user friendly, short run printing is now available and freelance consultants are readily available to help with every part of the publishing process. We talked of the power of the internet and of selling books worldwide through e-commerce.

I set up a display table with examples of independently published books, DVDs and cds. After the women had a chance to see the publications, a remark was made that years ago, independently published books were quite “amateurish” in appearance. The group was astonished to see that,  now, there is nothing that distinguishes an independently published book from a book produced by a big-top traditional publishing house.  My comment was that “we could thank the advances in desktop publishing software for that.”

As I spoke, I looked around the room, and realized that there was not a woman in the crowd that did not have an interesting story to tell. I determined they were all “artists in life and living.” All were well educated and many have had extraordinary experiences throughout their time on this earth. Many have traveled the world – far and wide, and have parenting words of wisdom to share. Some have interesting multi-ethnic heritage, family histories or information about their own niche interests they could write about.

Women love to communicate, women love to share – is there a  “book inside of you?”

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A Life in Balance

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“All well-regulated families set apart an hour every morning for tea and bread and butter.” ~ Joseph Addison

Ok! It is time for a come-uppance. I have a bone to pick – with myself, that is. Ever since I began blogging, I feel like I have been all out of sync. I have always been one who awakes and goes at full speed ahead. But I have always taken advantage of the quiet of the morn to sit, have a cup of tea, and gather my thoughts for the day. The thing is, ever since I began blogging, I don’t even allow myself the luxury of  sitting quietly for a few minutes of solitude before I start my day. Isn’t that the reason I rise so early?

I live according to the Mountain Time watch, but I have an obsession of posting all my blogs by 8 or 8:30 Eastern Standard Time. That way, my blogs can be seen by all my friends and associates on the East Coast when their work day begins. This means, I am front and center of my computer by 5:30 to 6 am every day.  What bothers me is the fact that I actually feel like The Big Kahuna is hovering over me, in a fancy gray suit, looking at his watch, waiting to catch me off guard and scold me if I am late. There is no reason why I should feel this way. It is just my work ethic speaking to me, thats all. Do I really think someone will give me demerits or slap me on the wrist if my blog is not posted  by exactly 8:30 am EST? Does someone care that much?

Come on, get a grip! From now on, I am going to get back to my pre-blogging routine of allowing myself some time to sit with a cup of tea and let my creative mind wander for a few pre-sunrise moments before I am drawn into the world of digital communication. Don’t I owe that to myself? Furthermore, I will take a break, mid afernoon, for 15 minutes to have another tuppa tea, so that I can get through the rest of the day refreshed and renewed.

I need to get my life in balance! And it begins with me!!

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What Would Your Eden Be?

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“All of us do not have equal talents, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.” ~ John F Kennedy

Last week, the National Medals of the Arts were conferred on American citizens who have made outstanding contributions in the field of humanities. An architect, screenwriter, an actor, a dancer, a political speechwriter and others deserving of special merit in their fields were among the honorees. As I listened to the achievements of all those being recognized, I began to think how fortunate this group of Americans were. All have had the opportunity to work in fields that fulfill their need for creative lives. Each were highly respected for having advanced the understanding of the humanities and for having opened up opportunities in their fields for others. For more information, go to www.nea.org or www.arts.gov/honors/medals.

Wouldn’t it be a different world if no one was forced to take a job just for the sake of a paycheck. We would all be living in a Garden of Eden if each person’s talents and gifts could find outward expression through a truly satisfying  job. How could you not excel in the workplace and personally,  if you love what you do and are doing what you love?

I like the idea of a creative economy. No individual would have to find the courage to create, nor would you need to dare to believe you could create. Self expression of talents and gifts would naturally be utilized as people work. What better way to spend 50 or 60 years in the working world. Our quality of life would be greatly improved for many Americans. Working harder would be replaced with working happier. Would this not lead to employees really caring about their jobs and those they serve?

Is there some way you can nuture your talents through your daily work? If you could work in the Garden of Eden, how would you better utilize your innate gifts? How would you change your life’s path if you could?

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