Category Archives: order fulfillment for independent publishers

Hip, Hip Hooray! An IPPY!

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“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters.” ~ Colin Powell 

It’s shout out loud day! We are sending our congratulations to our client, Mike Campbell of Iffenwen Publishing for winning an IPPY Award in the Aging/Death and Dying category for his book When Mom and Dad Need Help. For more information on this book, please visit http://bit.ly/9CxyII or http://bit.ly/iSzqLz. Mike’s publication was also finalist in the Foreword Reviews’ Book of the Year Awards in the Family and Relationship Category. Great job, Mike! 

A few months ago, we also featured on this blog site another 2011 IPPY award-winning author, Paul Wainwright and his photographic book A Space for Faith. If you did not get a chance to read about Paul’s book, please visit two blogs entitled All For the People http://bit.ly/fbMoWc and the blog entitled All for Tourism http://bit.ly/fCuZV0.  

What is an IPPY Award? The IPPY Awards are open to independent authors and publishers worldwide. The awards are given to independently owned and operated presses that sell to the North American market. University Presses or publishing  presses operated by foundations, publishing less than 50 titles per year are also included.

Books in many, many genres and categories are awarded “the IPPY” for excellence in independent publishing. Tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, we will be featuring more 2011 award-winning IPPY book titles that, I think, viewers of this website will find of particular interest. Come on back!

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New Matrimonial Movie on Film Friday

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“In the opinion of the world, marriage ends all, as it does in a comedy.  The truth is precisely the opposite:  it begins all. “         ~Anne Sophie Swetchine

Magazine publishers are determined not to let us forget about the wedding of the Century between the Brits, William and Kate. “Collector’s Issues” of magazines featuring the Royal Wedding now line the racks of drugstores, grocery stores and news stands everywhere. 

Being released in just in time for the busiest month of the year for weddings, is the latest movie about marriage called “Bridesmaids.” It is opening in theatres today! From the sound of it, June brides may want to take time from putting the finishing touches on their plans for the big day, to go see it. It may put what seems like abnormal strain and stresses of planning and carrying off a wedding, into prospective. To watch a trailer of “Bridesmaids” or to listen to film critic Richard Roeper’s review of this new cinema release, please visit http://bit.ly/kJaobE. 

Matrimony is a very serious commitment, yet hilarious and unexpected circumstances do sometimes occur even though every minute by minute detail has been organized and planned. Wedding day bloopers and blunders are the basis of many funny film parodies about this day of celebration. 

On this Film Friday, let’s mention a few other films about marriage that are popular picks:

      • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
      • Princess Bride
      • My Big Fat Greek Wedding
      • Father of the Bride (Spencer Tracy)
      • Father of the Bride (Steve Martin)
      • The Bride of Frankenstein
      • The Wedding Planner 

      Have a fun weekend! Put your feet up and watch a movie about what is a very fulfilling “institution”, as long as the relationship turns out to be right!

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She Writes Steamboat

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“We can begin by doing small things at the local level… like looking out for our neighbors. That is how change takes place …from many local actions occurring simultaneously.” ~  Grace Lee Boggs 

One of the very best ways to build business is through networking – building communities of like-minded people! This applies to building independent publishing businesses, too. Self-publishing authors, micro-presses and small presses, do not have some of the benefits and the marketing advantages of traditional publishing conglomerates at their dispose. Therefore, it is important to join independent publishing trade associations and writers guilds. Cooperative efforts can be very effective in supporting the non-traditional publisher.

What self-publishing authors, micro-presses and small presses do have, to their advantage, is the flexibility of doing business any way they see fit. Many decide to independently publish for this very reason.  Publishers who go the independent route are fulfilling a need by providing unique publications that readers are looking for. Non-traditional publishers often opt for tactics of selling and marketing their books that traditional publishers may reject. 

There is a new networking group called She Writes www.shewrites.com  being established inSteamboat Springs, Colorado. This meet-up group’s goal is to heighten awareness of independent publishing projects that creatives in Steamboat Springs and the surrounding Routt County are engaged in and to support those efforts. Anyone who is starting or is in the process of independently publishing a book, film, music or other media can attend. 

She Writes Steamboat’s first objective is to establish a time and a regular place to meet and to connect with those in the community who would like to collaborate and network with other independent-minded publishing folks. In the coming weeks, more information will be available on our first gathering. Keep your eyes open to future blog posts on All Things Fulfilling about the She Writes Steamboat Meet-up group. Excitement is in the air!

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Play on Words Appreciated in D.C.

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Tonight is Poetry Night at the White House. The President and Mrs. Obama are hosting some of the most prominent contemporary poets of our time. The poets were recognized for the influence they have had on today’s American culture.The poetry event also includes an afternoon workshop designed to educate children on the art of poetry. 

Like opera and ballet, poetry is not always recognized for the beautiful art form that it is. This form of writing is not fully appreciated or understood by many. To fully comprehend poetry is to understand all that goes into the writing of it – the use of diction, syntax, imagery, irony, symbolism, connotations and more. An accomplished poet incorporates many of these writing complexities into their written piece. 

Sometimes, a poet’s work is not made public until after their death. Many poets are “closet writers” and never intend to publish their work. Poetry fulfills a need to express innermost feelings and emotions. It is used as a channel for soul searching and release. Because deep-seated emotions and difficulties in personal lives are often reflected in poetry writing, many poets are uncomfortable with revealing their vulnerabilities, and decide to keep their compositions private. The pick of words can sometimes bring distressing feelings to the reader too. 

In a town that seems to thrive on debate, even last night’s White House literary event was not without controversy. The invitation of a successful Chicago poet and rapper brought criticism. His work has been a source of contention due to the choice of words he uses in his poetry. For more information about this controversial poet, visit http://bit.ly/mKy7eQ. 

Perhaps William Butler Yeats said it best about poetry “We make out of the quarrel with others, rhetoric, but of the quarrel with ourselves, poetry.”

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The Art of Mastery

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“The problem is that we humans are compelled to understand things and use words in an attempt to do so. All of those words cloud an experience that is seen and felt on an individual basis” ~ Unknown

What is mastery? “Possession of consummate skill and full command of a subject of study.” Mastery comes by way of many forms and subjects. Just when we think we know it all, we often find, there is always more to learn! Education is a life long process. Such is the art of living. 

There is an event in September that artists around the globe have looked forward to for the past three years. It is a coming together of some of the most prominent representational artists of the 20th and 21st century, to share their knowledge and expertise with others. The event, this year, will be held in Monterey, California at the Portola Hotel and Spa. It is the Weekend with the Masters, http://bit.ly/iaoxhp scheduled for September 7th to September 10th. 

Richard Schmid www.westwindfineart.com whom many celebrate as the most masterful representational painter of our time, is scheduled to be the Keynote Speaker. This event has gained international recognition for drawing other top artists to lead discussions, give painting demonstrations and workshops about the revival of representational painting. It is no wonder, just a few notables that will be educating and sharing their expertise in representational art are: 

To view the full list of participating master artists, please visit, http://bit.ly/iaoxhp. Each artist is extraordinarily gifted and is so generous in sharing their knowledge, with others, in this weekend event. 

For more information on the outstanding accommodations at the Portola Hotel and Spa, please visit http://bit.ly/klpIlz. The facility is Monterey’s first and only LEED Hotel. It’s water-front views provide artistic inspiration as well as a wealth of other activities available to conference attendees. 

If the hospitality is as masterful as the artists attending the event, it will be no doubt, be a fulfilling weekend to remember!

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Words and Images Haunt

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“It is not a bad thing that children should occasionally, and politely, put parents in their place.”  ~Colette, My Mother’s House, 1922 

Yesterday I met with a client at the Bud Werner Library in Steamboat Springs, CO. www.steamboatlibrary.org .  As I sat in the library café waiting for my client to arrive, I began to leaf through Book Page. There was an article in it on how to raise readers. As I browsed the article, I began to laugh out loud!  One of the tips was some thing like  “when reading a book to a child, don’t necessarily keep to the script. Feel free to use editorial control.” 

How, may I ask, “Can a parent get away with that?” I never could! I was caught in the act, every time!  My son would scold me, as if I was raiding the refrigerator, taking out all the good stuff, in the middle of the night. 

“No, Mom, that is not right! That is not how the story goes!” he would say. Even as a little toddler, he could sense every time I strayed from the storyline, skipped a page or two, or ad-libbed just a wee bit. He knew when my words did not exactly match the pictures. Could this be the reason he has become a film editor and filmmaker? Now he is fulfilling his need for perfection – making sure the story told in pictures, matches the script! 

So, what is the point of the blog? One of the very best ways to raise a reader is to be a reader. But, caution, parents – even when you think your kids aren’t watching they are. Take heed, children notice and remember parent’s independent words and deeds as well as lessons learned from books. 

To read the full article on How to Raise a Reader, stop by your local library. Pick up a complimentary May issue of Book Page.  Most libraries have the publication available for their patrons or go on-line to www.bookpage.com.

 By the way, Happy Mother’s Day to Moms everywhere!

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Learning New Systems and Methods

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“You just don’t luck into things as much as you’d like to think you do. You build step by step…” ~ Barbara Bush

 Yesterday’s blog about the Library of Congress, the keeper of all things published, in Washington, DC brought to mind how things have changed in libraries since the days of wooden card catalog boxes. Ever since index cards were replaced with the On-Line Public Access Catalog (OPAC) new search methods have been developed for identifying publications people are seeking to find. 

 It is essential that  independent publishers can found through the On-Line Public Access catalog. http://bit.ly/pug0x. In order to be a successful independent book seller, there are four user tasks that must be incorporated into e-marketing your book. Potential buyers must be able to identify, find, select and obtain your book or other published media. Without understanding and utilizing the tools that are used in today’s computer cataloging systems, it is difficult for your publication to be visible among all the rest. 

Marketing over the internet is more complex than just having a website presence. Becoming visible as an author through e-marketing is as important as bringing visibility to the publication itself. Publicity and marketing of both product and “supplier” will greatly increase your publication’s chances of being found and sold! 

If you do not understand the strategies behind selling and marketing your publication over the internet, seek help. Contact a company that specializes in e-marketing for independent publishers.

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Spring Poetry

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“It is always the simple things that change our lives. This is how God does things.” ~ Donald Miller 

Although warm weather has not yet arrived here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, http://bit.ly/O9KMI there was a renewal of spirit, on Saturday evening, inside the United Methodist Church http://bit.ly/lAT08q  . The Yampa Valley Singers presented an event that was the very definition of poetry “an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response.” 

The beautifully poetic production, Spring Awakening, was produced and directed by the talented, Marie Carmichael. It was an orchestration of all things fulfilling  –  a multi-media production of art through the compilation of inspiring photographic images, magnificent music and even a little dance between flames up and down the center aisle of the church. Although indoors, the lovers light and lively interplay was interpreted in my mind, to a dance in a garden-like setting between flowering blossoms of spring. 

The musical arrangement of Time to Say Goodbye brought a little tear to my eye but it was quickly forgotten as the Yampa Valley Singers launched into tunes from my favorite form of art – musical theatre. A lively Broadway Medley of some of the most well-known songs of stage productions, such as Oklahoma, the Sound of Music, Carousel, the King and I, State Fair and South Pacific brought a huge smile to my face.  I was delighted and charmed by two precious little children singing Do-Ri- Me,  too!

There are so many ways people can bring light into their own lives during this season of rebirth. The most celebrated writers in history have put their interpretation of this season into the literary form of poetry. To read a collection of 114 poems about spring from Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, Katherine Mansfield, Henry Van Dyke, Carl Sandburg, Emily Dickinson and more, please visit http://bit.ly/li8miV. 

Thank you, Marie Carmichael and the Yampa Valley Singers http://bit.ly/jph2do for ushering in spring. My spirit has been rejuvenated, in earnest, by your inspirational interpretation of art and culture. As for the warm weather, bring it on Lord, bring it on. We are ready and prepared for the arrival and we will be extremely grateful, too!

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Ergo! Readers Reign Supreme!

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“Consider the postage stamp:  its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”  ~Josh Billings

When I began this blog site, All Things Fulfilling, I had arbitrarily set a goal of reaching 10,000 readers. Guess what? Yesterday I hit the mark! What a fulfilling day this is!

 I knew before starting this blogsite  there were folks searching for  specialists in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers. I was also well aware that writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, educators, professionals and other “creative types” were becoming ever more interested in the industry called “independent publishing or non-traditional publishing.” But, I really was not sure how this blog site would be received. The result has been very gratifying!

I owe a huge Thank You to every reader of All Things Fulfilling. Each of one of you make blogging worthwhile. Whether you live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado or reside somewhere else around the globe, we are essentially one big community of people who believe in the power of independent thoughts, words and views. 

 I’ve enjoyed the journey of reaching 10,000 readers. I appreciate the comments and  discussions I have had with a community of people who share the same interests as I do. There will be more exciting news from All Things Fulfilling in the coming months so stay tuned!

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Sculpture Artist Works Every Minute, Every Day

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“Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were big things.” ~Robert Brault

 I wasn’t kidding last week when I said “I might just go find something fulfilling to do this spring, like play in a big sandbox, so I can once again view the world through the eyes of a child.” This Easter weekend, my husband, our adult son and I had a reunion  in southern Colorado, not too far from the border of New Mexico. We visited San Luis Valley to see  Great Sand Dunes National Park  http://bit.ly/e6KfIw. 

There is an artist in residence at this National Park who works 24/7. She is assisted in her sculpture work by her helpers, the wind, the rain, the freeze and the thaw of the Colorado snow. The changing climate and seasons and the sub-surface aquifer also help to chisel and carve the sand sculpture created by the artist, Mother Earth. One only needs to stand amid this enormous natural sculpture for moments to realize that the sweeping winds change the shape and form of  nature’s art work  from moment to moment. 

The sand dunes at this National Park, surrounded by majestic 14,000 ft mountain peaks are the tallest sand dunes in North America. They measure 750 feet high covering more than 330 square miles. One of the most diverse parks in the country, the elevation ranges from 7,515’ to 13,604.’ It includes one of the rarest natural eco-systems on earth. From mountain peaks to sandy deserts to wetlands, this National Park leaves no doubt in one’s mind that God, the greatest architect in the World, created this glorious site for mankind to enjoy. For more information on how this vast area of sand was deposited in a very remote mountainous area of Colorado, visit http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm. 

In a place where there are not many things to do other than witness the beauty of the Sangre de ChristoMountains(meaning blood of Christ) and the awesome Great Sand Dunes National Park, we filled our Easter baskets with remembering how nice it was to be all together again, as a family of three.

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