Category Archives: Careers

Minds, Metaphor and Imagination

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Have you ever wondered why we use metaphors in writing and speaking and the influence the imagination has on clearly understanding concepts?

children-quoteIn James Geary’s book, I is An Other: The Secret Life of Metaphor and How it Shapes the Way we See the World, Geary explores how children think differently than adults and thus their perceptions of the world are different. Intuition and pattern recognition also may play a part in children’s comprehension of concepts that are too big for them because they have not yet experienced certain ideas in life. Geary’s book is an interesting read for anyone who wants to know more about how children learn and think.

Metaphors are interesting. If you want to know more about the use of them in communication, http://www.brainpickings.org/  is a site that will stretch your mind and imagination. A summary of Geary’s book is posted on the site www.brainpickings.org, as well as other things for your brain to digest and to conjure about.

The beautiful child was the center of attention, with his golden curls and tuna fish complexion. – Author Unknown

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, the blog of www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

E-Books: A Vital Option

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“The freedom to move forward to new opportunities and to produce results comes from living in the present and not the past.” ~ Brian Koslow

Shopping-CartIf you are ready to publish your manuscript, there are many choices to consider. Offering an electronic version of a book has become a necessity if you are an author who wants to reap the benefits in the digital marketplace. More often than not, potential book buyers want to know if a title “is available as an e-book?”

According to a recent article in Publishers Weekly Magazine, sales in e-books have dipped a little from when the Kindle and the Nook were initially rolled out. However,  e-book sales have remained strong, jumping a total of “4,456% since 2008.” That is a big deal and e-books have become a “billion dollar industry” according to the article. Here is a link so you can see all the e-book selling statistics from 2008 – 2012. http://bit.ly/Hc3JVq. We won’t see the 2013 book sales results for a few more months.

In my opinion, there will be more technological developments coming that will blow away any remaining doubts that e-books are just a passing trend. Especially as digital publishing becomes integrated into more classrooms and library catalogs.

Authors don’t miss out on a stream of income by failing to offer an e-book version of your title. And remember “if you are selling over the internet, you must be marketing over the internet” because that is where your potential book buyers hang out!

Speaking of hang-outs, thanks for frequenting this website. Do return tomorrow to www.AllThingsFulfilling.com tomorrow, the blog of www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Film Friday: Patching Up Families

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“Remember laughing? Laughter enhances the blood flow to the body’s extremities and improves cardiovascular function.” ~ Patch Adams

Happy Film Friday! Today’s featured movie is a throwback to 1998. Do you remember the film Patch Adams patch adams bookfeaturing Robin Williams?  The movie brought big smiles to a lot of faces, including sick children.

Did you know Patch Adams is not a fictional person? He is a doctor with a bigger than life personality – also a social activist, clown and an author. He also helped develop the Gesundheit! Institute in West Virginia. The Gesundheit! Institute is a “project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself.” 

Patch adams house-callsThe Gesundheit! Institute does global outreach, and it is in the midst of planning a  Teaching Center that “will bring together artists, medical students, care practitioners, parents, and reformers to design positive ideas of health care systems, and ways to implement these ideas,” according to their website.

If your family hasn’t spent much time together lately due to the demands of life, mend things up by watching Patch Adams together, you’ll be in stitches. Robin Williams’ performance is wonderful – I highly recommend this film. Click here for info and ordering Patch Adams

Visit http://patchadams.org/campaign to read more about the concepts in holistic healing that are gaining in popularity all over the world, thanks to the Gesundheit! Institute.

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Have a good weekend. Return to http://www.allthingsfulfilling.com on Monday!

Quick Delivery, Read it & Enjoy!

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On Friday, I read an interesting article in USA Today about business and entrepreneurship. The article described how the co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohaninan, was fueled by rejection. “True failure,” it was pointed out in the article ” is not to persevere and learn from setbacks.”

The article also mentioned how the Millennial generation has grown up in an environment so different than what older Americans have experienced before. There is no longer a predetermined path for the American dream, thus in today’s world “there aren’t a lot of conventions to be conventional about.”

This statement made me think about publishing and how it is almost unrecognizable from where it was back in the late 1990s, when I began my company. At that time, only a few brave souls with spirit dared “buck the system” and publish independently. Now, we have moved into a whole different publishing model, where the independents have gained substantial market share which includes e-books (digital publishing).  Whether we can predict whether a time will come when books will only be available in digital form, it is too early to tell.

sprout greenThere are those who say they will never read an e-book, but my  question to doubters is “What is wrong with progress? Is that not what brought about the printing press?” And, I will always maintain my position that “a good read, is a good read, no matter how it is delivered. E-books are just one more way you can say you’ve read it and enjoyed it!

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

Publishing Message Of Importance

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 It is good to rub, and polish our brain against that of others. ~Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

This morning I’d like to send a shout out to two smart cookies –  Joyce Miller of Integrated Writers Services, LLC and to Jon R Tandler of Ryley Carlock and Applewhite for sharing their knowledge of copyright issues with the Colorado Independent Publishers Association members and guests. On Saturday, I came away feeling better informed. However, I am more convinced than ever that it is a good thing there are experts who can navigate the copyright laws for their publishing clients’ protection. Laws change, evolve, and are also constantly developing as we transition into world that is ever more reliant on digital media.  Here is a link to a very important resource for anyone in the creative field on copyright issues. http://amzn.to/19Uh3a0

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 Image source – http://funlava.com/thank-you-quotes/

Now to a different subject but still within the realm of publishing – this year, the Colorado Independent Publishers Association has begun “focused forums” as part of their commitment to educating authors and publishers. These are great opportunities to hone in on a specific topic and learn from experienced publishing experts. Until the first of the year, these sessions are free for CIPA Members and non-members alike. Beginning in January there will be a charge to non-members of $25. It is necessary to pre-register on-line at www.cipacatalog.com  because space is limited.  See more specifics on the CIPA website.

The next focused form will be November 5th and the subject will be publishing children’s books. CIPA members Benjamin Hummel, Nancy Mills and Julie Federico will be leading the discussion. Anyone who has ever dreamed of writing for children should sign-up – it is free education!

On November 11th, Karen Saunders of MacGraphics Services will be talking about branding. If you are an author who is planning on writing more than one book, brand development is very important and can help sell books. (Think Chicken Soup for the Soul Series).

That’s my message for today. Have a fulfilling week ahead. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com .

Copyright: The Godfather?

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“Yes, God made man first, but there’s always a rough draft before the final copy.”~Unknown

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I already know what is on my plate for the weekend – I’m headed into Denver for the monthly meeting of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. http://www.cipacatalog.com/ . Copyrighting will be the focus of the day tomorrow, and “our” own in-house expert, Joyce L. Miller, co-author of Copyright Clearance for Creatives will be speaking.   I’ve found Dr. C. Daniel and Joyce L. Miller’s resource so helpful, and it recently received an excellent review from Esther Sinofsky of the Booklist Review. http://thecopyrightdetective.com/guide/ .

There is so much to learn about copyrighting. I just read a cleverly written article that initially made me think the movie The Godfather had something to do copyright permissions and laws, the kind of copyrighting the Millers are experts in. As it turns out I had the wrong kind of copyrighting on my mind. The article by Peter Michaels was about the value of watching The Godfather because of the copy that was written. The brilliance of the screenwriters, Mario Puzo and Frances Ford Coppola is evident as the audience is led through the movie with a brilliant opening scene, dealings of the characters and their standings in the community. The narrative is not necessarily all told through dialogue.

After reading the article, I have been persuaded that I need to watch The Godfather again this weekend for completely different reasons – paying close attention, this time, to how the movie communicates and convinces.

So, what are you doing this weekend? I If you are person who is considering publishing, I encourage you to join a regional or state-wide independent publishing association, such as the Colorado Independent Publishers Association or a local writers group. Joining and networking with a groups of other writers and publishers is where you will learn all kinds of tips of the trade.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business. Do return to All Things Fulfilling on Monday.

Reader Recognition on All Things Fulfilling

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Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.  
~Marcel Proust

Dear Blog Reader, 

Book-BloggerToday is READER RECOGNITION DAY ON ALL THINGS FULFILLING. Whether this is the first time you’ve stumbled upon this blog or if you are one of our regular subscribers who requests that the daily blog posts be delivered to your inbox, I’d like to say thank you for your interest. You are the people who make blogging worthwhile and fun.

Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC has been empowering independent publishers since 1998. Since then, e-Commerce and e-Marketing has taken the publishing world out of the box!  A new generation of digitally published books, films and music has excited us about all kinds of things, including the future.

As you have probably noticed, there have been some changes to the visual appearance, and the services offered on this site. Hang tight… we are not finished yet! We like the new energy of the graphics but we have not yet rolled out all the changes.

Just as a baby does not suddenly become an adult overnight, that kind of change would be too drastic, we’ve decided to take a step by step approach, so our readers can gradually get used to seeing something new and different.

Our commitment and dedication to providing fulfilling content for our readers is as steadfast as ever. But, please pardon our appearance, as we blossom with change.  We are spiffing up our website, .

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. The place where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.  See  you on Thursday, this week is zooming by fast.

Filled with Essentials

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Every child born has innate goodness.” ~ Chinese proverb

President of Bucket Fillers, Inc. is a title that Carol McLoud proudly wears along with her designation of award-winning author of six publications that teach individuals how to fill themselves up with fulfilling things in life.

Bucketfillers, Inc. independently publishes children’s books  and they include:

  • Have you Filled a Bucket Today
  • Fill a Bucket
  • Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness
  • My Bucketfilling Journal
  • Will You Fill My Bucket
  • Bucketfilling A to Z

Bucketfillers, Inc has won 58 awards. The author of these publications, Carol McCloud is also an energetic professional public speaker who uses creative storytelling in her presentations to all ages. Mccloud is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Talent SmartTalent Smart® Emotional Intelligence Certified Trainer, and the National Association of Professional Women, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

bucket filler“For the past five years, Bucket Fillers, Inc. has been busy creating bucketfilling schools, families, workplaces, and communities” through presentations and workshops, books and through other downloadable resources available through their website.  http://www.bucketfillers101.com/about-us.php .

As former educator, McCloud understands that happy kids grow into well-adjusted adults, who deal well with challenges when their buckets full of happiness get knocked over and depleted due to the  stresses of life. Learning how to gather a bucket full of happiness as a young child has life-long advantages.

Parents, help fill your child’s bucket full of happiness by sharing these books with your family. They have won the prestigious Mom Choice Awards and they have gained a top 5 Star ranking on Amazon.com.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService. com

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfulling!

Do the Words Fit?

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“As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. ~ Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of Wind

The other day I was doing some research on student’s involvement with National Novel Writing Month. I came across a good article. Unfortunately, I did not bookmark it and now I can’t find it. It shared some helpful information about involving children in the contest. But to my way of thinking, there was a concern with the title of the article. It read, “How to Make Your Child Write.”

“Hmmmm,” I thought, “there seems to be something not quite right about that approach.” Renaming the article to something like “Help your Child Find the Joy in Writing” sounds friendlier and more fun, doesn’t it?

My point is word choices matter! One of my biggest challenges as a blog writer is making sure I am using appropriate words  when I communicate my thoughts. I spend a lot of time working them over to make sure I state things just right.

I am taking a course in public speaking, and the professor has been communicating to the young college students that  language that might be appropriate among their peers may be inappropriate in other situations (such as in public or in a business or professional situation). She said to the young adults: “You want to make sure your words convey a true story about who you are as professionals.”

IMAG0778I say “Amen to that!” And as a person who uses social media extensively, these principles should apply to on-line communications as well. For some of the younger folk, learning to eliminate inappropriate language in their public speaking has been a challenge.

There is a book that ever so gently but effectively reinforces these and other viewpoints on professionalism and becoming the best person you are meant to be in life. I mentioned the publication a few weeks ago, but I want to repost the book because I highly recommend it.

For more information on this publication, please visit www.revrobertkirkley.com

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