Category Archives: Careers

It’s A Perfect Fit!

Leave a comment

“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?

 

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

It Hit a Nerve

Leave a comment

“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.

Oh, the Angst it Caused

2 Comments

“Worry gives a small thing, a big shadow.” ~ Swedish proverb

The other day, I was thinking about the progress I have made in no longer worrying about things that probably will never happen. I am very proud of myself and a lot of what I used to worry about was related to raising a child. When God gives us a child, he also gives us tremendous responsibility. Responsibility that I took very seriously.  All I knew was that I was given a gift, and I had only one chance to do it right – to raise our child in the best way I possibly could.

A few weeks ago I watched as young authors, 4th and 5th graders, received acknowledgement that their written work had been published in a book called “Making the World a Better Place.” I thought back to the days when my son was in grade school. I reflected on my needless worry as he was learning to write. You see, he kept writing everything backwards. At the end of every week, all his school papers would come home signed CRAM instead of  MARC!! (Note: the C and the R also faced  in the wrong direction, however, I can not reproduce it on the computer).  Oh, how I would worry! Oh, how I would toss and turn! The teacher assured me, that given time, Marc’s backward writing would most likely straighten out. And straighten out, it did!

Now that I have done a little research, I have learned that  “right brain/visual kids often will write backwards. The image is recognizable to them at any angle. It is their gift.” Now this makes sense! My son, who will be graduating from college next month, is all about visuals! He, in fact, is a visual effects artist! His career will be  devoted to  filmmaking.  I am so proud that he will be using his gift to create a form of artistry that will educate, inform, entertain and inspire!

All along he probably knew just what he was doing – adding one extra dimension to the worries  of parenthood!

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

Artist’s Predictions

3 Comments

“In all things, it is better to hope than despair.”  ~ Joann Wolfgang von Goethe

Someone sent me through the internet, an article about Vatican researcher, Richard Owen who has stated that daVinci predicted that the world will end on November 1, 4006 by a “universal flood.” (“The Times”, March 15, 2010). In daVinci’s “Last Supper” mural, the half-moon window above his painting of Christ with his disciples, contains a “mathematical and astrological” puzzle which has been deciphered to mean the flood will begin on March 21, 4006 and end the world, as we all know it now, on November 1, 4006. At which time, there will be a new start for humanity.

4006? Wow – we have a lot of generations to go before that time comes! I am happy to hear the world will not be ending before my time of natural death, whenever that may be. I have a lot of dreams to fulfill in my lifetime and humanity has a lot to accomplish in working towards a better world!

What gives me great hope is this generation of college graduates. Many of them have their eyes wide open to living and working in a more global world than past generations. There are brilliant students who have spent their college years studying foreign relations, international trade, e-commerce, other cultures and global environments as part of their curriculums.

Even some architectural students are thinking globally! My niece is a mid-year graduate of The Roger Williams University School of Architecture. For her masters thesis, she decided to plan and design a global project. She designed The Ocular Orientation Center, for those suffering from blindness and visual impairment, young and old. The Center was designed for a site in Chittagong, Bangladesh. She took into consideration every variable, such as climate, soil, topographical layout, local natural materials of the region and more, so that the school can be viably built. Her dream is to see this project come to fruition.

If daVinci’s predictions are correct, that is music to my ears! I want to see what is in store for this generation of college graduates. Despite the less than ideal economic situation at this moment, I think the up and coming generation of college graduates have a lot up their sleeves!

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

Counting Down

1 Comment

“The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you.” ~Tom Bradley

Isn’t it fun when you get together with others that speak the same language as you do? Networking with communities of people who like to converse about the same things as you do is fulfilling and definitely has it’s rewards. For an independent publisher, attending workshops and publishing conferences is especially valuable. All the tricks of the trade can be learned in this ever evolving, fascinating world of independent publishing.

Only two days left until the Colorado Independent Publishers Association “College” begins in Denver, CO. Each spring, the Board members of this publishing trade association of 450 members brings together vendors that are “the best of the best” in the business. Book printers, editors, copywrite/trademark experts, book marketing companies, producers of book trailers, leaders in creative writing workshops and other freelance professionals who support authors and independent publishing, through their services, will be present. Folks who can give  you advice on partnering with order fulfillment companies for independent publishing success will be there. Outstanding keynote speakers will even rev up and wow the crowd!

The “College” will culminate with a dazzling event! The best independently published books of the year, by Colorado residents, will be recognized with an EVVY award! For more information, please visit www.cipabooks.com.

When you come, look  me up! See you there!

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

Shedding Some Light

Leave a comment

“One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter.” ~ James Earl Jones

A week or two ago, I blogged about men. I wanted to know what things men like to write about.  My point that men, I suspect, like to write about entirely different subjects than women, could very well be proven if only I could open wide the doors of communication on this issue.

One of my loyal blog followers wrote to me to say that her husband likes to blog all about his skiing adventures, he also writes about the rules of Australian football and is tinkering around with the possibility of delving into science fiction writing. Ok – that is a start! And then there is my acquaintance , Jon! Jon Katz is the best communicator I know who writes about his relationships with four footed creatures (canines!). Now he has decided to try his hand at writing children’s books. For more information, see www.Bedlamfarm.com.

I have been taking particular note of the men folk in our writers group- we’ve got a poet among them, a writer focused on young adult (teen) literature using a very creative approach, and a few other interesting subjects that I can forsee the target markets as being male readers.

Don’t for once think that women can’t write about men’s issues! Jon’s daughter, Emma, has decided to jump into the publishing world, and she has written a book about baseball, of all things!

Come on, guys, don’t be shy – let’s hear about your writing endeavors. How are you going to sell your books if you won’t talk about them? It just does not work that way – bookstores don’t sell books, people do! If you aren’t hyped up about your publications, how do you expect others to be? Get out there, sell yourself as an author and perhaps with a little help from your friends, we can get the job done!

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

Weekend Indie Publisher News

Leave a comment

Happy Saturday! Did all of you know March is Youth Art Month? Well it is! Invite a child and his or her parents into your studio this month, and share your passion for your craft. Maybe they will even want to go home with a souvenir – a piece of your work!

Art education teaches children about shape, color and form.  Children are able to articulate their feelings, their dreams and their expressions of perception through drawing, painting, writing, dance, film, pottery and every other medium of art.

Art education is often misunderstood and underestimated. Take a few minutes, watch this video and learn more about the important  part Art plays in the development of a child.

This  blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Weekend Indie Publisher News

Leave a comment

 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

————————————————————————————–

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!

—————————————————————————————

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

Leave a comment

“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!

This blog  brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

What Would Your Eden Be?

3 Comments

“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?

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