Category Archives: partnering business with non-profits

Weekend Indy Publisher News

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My desk has become a landing field for broadcast information on independent publishing display opportunities, writers conferences and workshops. In fact, it could be a full time job just staying “in the know” with all the happenings on the independent publishing scene.

In an attempt to keep  our independent publishing friends up to date and informed, our weekend blogs, at least for the next few weeks, will be devoted to passing along information regarding conferences, workshops and publishing display opportunities. Bookselling, in part, is dependent upon trade shows, so it is important to get this information out!

Upcoming:                                                                                                            September 25-27                                                                                                   Burlington Book Festival, Burlington, VT                                                          For more details, visit http://BurlingtonBookFestival.com

Baltimore Book Festival, Baltimore, MD                                                            For more details, visit www.baltimorebookfestival.com

Florida Publishers Association presents “Strategies for Success”           2009 Publishing Ed-U-Conference                                                                      For more details, visit www.FLbookpub.org

October 2 & 3                                                                                                               New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA),          Hartford, CT   To register & for information, http://www.ipne.org

The Collingswood Book Festival, Collingswood, New Jersey                    For more information, visit www.collingswoodbookfestival.com

Five great opportunities! Get on Board! Join In and Participate!

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Go, Venture, Explore

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It is rare to find a subject that has not been written about before. It is easy to find all kinds of knowledge on the internet. But, web browsing can not compare to spending time in a library, going up and down the aisles, reading the titles, looking at book covers. Before you know it, “gottcha!” a book will say to you. A book that you can not resist reading. It happens time after time.

Reading can take you to places you have never  been before! It is, no doubt, an escape from reality of our face paced world. What better way to de-stress, relax and visit with some different characters that we don’t hang with in every day life.

September is Library Sign-up Month! If there is a child in your life, whether it is your own child, a niece, a nephew, a grandchild or a neighbor – do them a favor! Take them to the children’s reading hour at a nearby library. You will see expressions of excitement, wonder and curiosity on children’s faces as they are being read to. It could  be your contribution to engaging a life long reader. While you are there, grab a book yourself, find a remote corner and enjoy the journey!

“The more you read,

The more you know,

The more you know,

The smarter you grow,

The smarter you grow,

The stronger your voice,

When speaking your mind,

Or making a choice.”

~ Unknown

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Tall Orders to Fill

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Last night, I attended the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) summer event in Denver. It was a book sale as well as a chance for vendors to share their publishing related services with the public.

I was  happy to see the turnout of young people in attendance. They were there to learn more about their passion of writing and publishing. I spoke with many of the young writers. They were articulate and most already had a vision for their books. Some even had rough drafts in hand. 

They had come to the right place! The CIPA Board of Directors is a seasoned group of professionals, well versed in every aspect of independent publishing. The proof is in their own successes. Their goals are to educate and steer others to success.

From the numbers in attendance, editors, book cover designers, author’s assistants, book coaches and fulfillment companies had better get ready! There are lots of projects coming down the pike! There will be tall orders to fill!

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(As soon as I have photos from my photographer, I will share more highlights from the CIPA event!)

COLORADO INDY PUBLISHERS & THE PUBLIC WELCOME!

BIG BOOK SALE AND OPEN HOUSE – FREE EVENT!!

When:  Thursday, August 27, 2009               6pm – 9 pm

Where: Denver, CO at the Red Lion Inn (Quebec Street location)

Sponsored By: Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc. (CIPA)

This event is open to the public. A chance for CIPA members to sell  books, ask publishing experts your questions and meet vendors promoting their services. Attend this fun social event where you can network and receive free advice. CIPA will provide the food and cash bar will be available.

For more information go to www.ColoradoIndependentPublishersAssociation.com

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Ready, Set, Launch!

Your dream is about to become a reality! Your book or film has been published or produced, and now it is time to think about getting your product into the hands of your audience.

An order fulfillment company is the answer to those nagging administrative and shipping tasks that an independent publisher is faced with.  After all, you are a writer and a publisher. Your primary business is not fulfilling and shipping orders (and that means world-wide shipping in this age of e-commerce). Let someone else handle those tasks so you can focus on what you do best – creating, inspiring, educating and entertaining through the power of books and film.

Without the distraction of processing and shipping orders – you can get ready, set and  DSC_0094 your next creative endeavor!

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles

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“The world has arrived at an age of cheap complex devices of great reliability and something is bound to come of it.”                     – Unknown

There! Maybe that quote explains what I have been pondering on all morning long! My morning meaderings have led me to the thought of the number of packages that are shipped across the country and all over the world on a daily basis. What set my mind on this course this morning, was the order we received from Germany. The customer is half way around the globe, yet his order arrived via the internet within seconds of placing it. Furthermore, the book he ordered will arrive at his doorstep in Germany in approximately 5 – 7 days.

Some companies prefer one shipping method or carrier over another, and that is fine. Everyone has their preferences. Usually the choice is strictly about economics, which carrier can get it there faster and cheaper! After all, as a fulfillment company, we must be guardians for our clients to make sure they retain the highest profit margin on their sale.

But when it comes to reliability, I think all major carriers are about as reliable as they can possibly be. It is amazing how few shipments are “lost” on a yearly basis. The percentage is infinitesimal compared to the number of parcels, packages and letters that criss-cross the world every year.

Global shipping is a complex chain. The logistics of getting the job done is something that I can not even wrap my mind around!

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What is Under Your Umbrella?

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“What is  your name?” and “What do you do for a living?” I am routinely asked being an unknown face in a new community. When I answer question #2 with “I own an order fulfillment company specializing in e-Commerce for independent publishers,” I am looked at like I am a space alien. To redeem myself, I usually go on to mention some of the services our company provides for independent publishers:

  • Order Processing
  • Order Fulfillment (pick and pack)
  • World wide shipping
  • Warehousing
  • Providing sales and inventory reports
  • Social Media Marketing for our clients (the alien look sets in again)!

Our company is definitely a niche market kind of business. But, anyone seeking our services knows what they are looking for.  They know to google “order fulfillment for independent publishers” to find us on the internet.

Sometimes when asked question #2 “What do you do for a living? ” I just put everything under one big umbrella and answer -“We assist independent publishers with the business and shipping aspect so they can focus what they do best – writing and publishing!”

Does that clear things up? I will keep my umbrella handy incase things get cloudy again.

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Early Warning!

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The name of this blog is a bit ominous sounding. There is nothing foreboding about this notification. I am writing to remind all writers, emerging and experienced, that the weekly radio show “Cover to Cover” with Frank Gromling is broadcast on Saturday mornings. Tune in to www.wnzf.com on line. The show is filled with information on getting started as a writer, marketing yourself as a writer, interviews with NY Times best selling authors and local writers exposing their new publications to the public.  It is educational, enlightening and fun to listen to. Broadcast times in the various parts of the country are :  

 11:30 am Eastern                                     10:30 am Central

9:30 am Mountain                                     8:30 am Pacific time

If you haven’t tuned in before, you are missing it!

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To Market,To Market, To Buy A…….

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A few years ago, my husband and I saw a show on the Travel Channel about teardrop travel trailers. They are the cutest little june bugs! These camper trailers came on the market after World War II and were made out of surplus materials. The exteriors were made from the wings of World War II Bombers. They are making a come back and every so often, you will see one being towed behind a car, if you are alert.

This weekend at Arts and the Parks, we saw this little turquoise teardrop travel trailer being used as part of a booth display. The exhibitors were selling a line of cosmetics, soaps, hand lotions designed and packaged for the “rodeo girl.”  The products being sold were not exactly art, but what was art was the entire brand identity this company had built. The packaging of the products had an outstanding southwestern “rodeo” theme,  all highest quality of packaging, the company owner was dressed in her rodeo wear(complete with cowboy hat) and even the teardrop trailer was decked out inside with towels appliqued with western motif  and the galley table in the trailer had tableware settings of western design. The entire booth “worked” to sell their unique line of products. I remarked to the company owners that I liked their booth very much. They told me they had won best booth awards about 6 or 7 times from various arts and crafts events they have participated in. I can see why!

How does this relate to independent publishing you may ask? Well- products don’t sell themselves. People sell products. With independent publishing, critical to selling products is the author’s involvement in the process. You will need to sell yourself  as an author and that, in turn, will sell your publication. Polish up your “shoes” and know what you are passionate about as a writer. Visit bookstores, libraries, and other venues. Convey that passion about your publication to your potential readers. If you can find something “gimmicky” that will set you or your genre of writing apart, great!

Independent publishing is not just about the writing process!

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Let’s be Frank

Owning a business that serves independent publishers, I am often asked my opinion about the Kindle reader and e-books.  I can see the convenience of both. But,  after sitting in front of a computer all day writing business prospecting letters, business proposals and now blogging, I can tell you the last thing I want to do is read a book on an electronic device.  When the day is done, I want to be as far away from an electronic screen as possible!

I like to curl up in a comfy chair, wrap myself up in a blanket, sit in front of a fire, enjoy a cup of tea  and hold an honest to goodness real book. I like feeling the weight of the book, the smell of the paper and seeing the print on the pages.

Curl up with an electronic reading device? I don’t think so!  But, that is only my point of view.

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