Updated Information: If you missed “Cover to Cover” Radio Show and want to learn more about order fulfillment for independent publishers
Go to www.oceanpublishing.com/podcast.html
Look for April 3, 2010 Show featuring Sue Leonard
Category Archives: shipping
A Box, is a Box, is a Box?
Leave a commentIf you think a box, is a box, is a box, you are mistaken! The importance of the strength of a box for shipping purposes, came clear to me when a delivery of books arrived from China, and all the books were nearly destroyed. The cartons were clearly marked for 25 lb. test weight, but the books contained within weighed almost 40 lbs. By the time the boxes arrived at the fulfillment house, they were all riped and torn. If they had had to be moved one more time, that would have been the end.
I recently read a statistic that a carton can loose 50% of it’s strength in one week, in a high humidity environment. So, you can imagine how cartons break down when they are being exported on a container from a place like China to the United States. Knowing how cartons will be stacked while in transit and while in storage, needs to be taken into consideration. Each time a shipment is moved, the integrity of the carton can deteriorate if a box is filled beyond it’s test weight, and even more so if it has been subjected to a high humidity environment. The compression strength of a carton can be compromised if boxes are stacked higher and wider than designed for.
Thankfully, there are lots of professionals in the packaging industry who do their homework and know about carton-drop tests, carton test weights, board weights, etc. Most book printers discuss their need for appropriate cartons for shipping wtih their packaging vendors, too.
The point of this blog: A box, is a box, is a box – NOT! One size does not fit all! From experience, I know, that poor outer packaging can turn perfectly good products into unsaleable items. It is never a good idea to skimp when selecting exterior packaging for shipments, large or small! Being pound wise and penny foolish, just does not pay!
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
Walk the Walk
Leave a comment“The most important thing about goals is having one.” ~ Geoffry F. Abert
Today is World Health Day! It marks the beginning of a week long world-wide health campaign called 1,ooo Cities, 1,000 Lives. The World Health Organization calls upon all cities worldwide to open up portions of streets to people to promote health activities. For more information visit http://1000cities.who.int/
I love to walk, and it is a form of exercise that costs nothing. For me, daily walking eases any stresses in my life. I walk and ponder! It is how I keep my mental attitude healthy! I can go out the door as Oscar the Grouch and return after 20-30 minutes of brisk walking, as little Miss Suzy Sunshine. That’s not a bad trade off, is it?
Every month, almost all of the women’s magazines on the news stand tout articles about the benefits of walking. It is hard not to be informed about the issue. Although many people mention the lack of time to exercise, walking can become a fulfilling habit, with little change to your regular routine. Research has shown it takes 21 days to form a habit. Set a goal to walk a little more each day. It will help you to stay focused along the way. By reaching your goal, your self-esteem will be boosted and you will feel confident that when the tough gets going, you can overcome.
When it comes to walking, it is hard to find excuses “why not”, no matter where you live. Even in cities, you can take to the streets and get in your daily dose of exercise. The largest cities around the world have some of the most gorgeous public parks! Go see what they have to offer!
Springtime is the best time to establish a walking routine. Start today by becoming part of a global health campaign! Celebrate each extra step you take, knowing you are one step closer to your goals of becoming fit and healthy. Have fun!
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
Rallying the Troops
4 Comments“One of the things we desperately need is spiritual renewal in this country. We need a spiritual renewal in America.” ~ Billy Graham
It is Spring! What better time for Kiwanis International to have their new member campaign drive. May is coming up, and Kiwanis International of Steamboat Springs, CO is on a mission! As an organization, we are all going to put our focus into recruiting new members who have energy, heart and a common interest in “improving children’s lives, one child at a time.” Kiwanians believe “through guidance and example, we can work together to develop future generations of leaders.”
Guess what? We have started already! We have sprung ahead a month early by talking with prospective new members. To some people, spring means warming temperatures, longer days, crocuses, tulips, daffodils, baby chicks and a re-awakening of the earth from a long winter’s sleep. Those are all beautiful things!
To Kiwanians, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, spring means:
- Stewardship
- Possibility for New Members
- Recruitment
- Interest in Improving the Lives of Children
- Non Profit Work and the Fulfillment it Brings
- Growth and Renewal
Membership in Kiwanis International requires little time, and it brings great rewards in personal fulfillment! Join in, meet new community members who share some of the same values, and re-awaken the spirit in your step and guide by example, future generations of leaders.
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
Weekend Indie Publishing News!
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Tune in this Morning, Saturday April 3, 2010 to radio show for authors and independent publishers. “Cover to Cover” with host Frank Gromling will have as his guest, Sue Leonard of Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC. Today’s discussion will be order fulfillment for independent publishers. Tune in to www.wnzf.com on-line at 11:30 am Eastern Standard Time, 10:30 am Central Time, 9:30 am Mountain Time and 8:30 am Pacific Time. If you miss it you can go to Archived shows at www.wnzf.com or www.oceanpublishing.org.
Last weekend at the Colorado Independent Publishers Association Collge, I learned something I was not aware of. Scott Flora, Executive Director of the Small Publishers Association of North American (SPAN) informed me that it is springing into new territory. This non-profit publishing trade association is establishing a new on-line presence! For a period of time, a one month free trial membership is available.
The mission statement of SPAN is “Advancing the Success of Independent Publishers and Authors.” There are so many member benefits to joining publishing trade associations fromm education to discounts on writing software, discounts on printing and discounted advertising rates. For more information on SPAN, please visit www.spannet.org.
Join this non-profit trade association and take advantage of all the benefits this organization has to offer!
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
Frank Calling
1 Comment“Reputations are made by searching for things that can’t be done and doing them.” – Frank Tyger
I need to talk to Frank and discuss this passion of mine, independent publishing! The subject has occupied all the nooks and crannies of my mind for the past 10 years. Trouble is, Frank’s last name has escaped me! I have been searching all over my digital files, in my rolodex, in my address book and in my file cabinets- to no avail. It is the most foolish thing because he is not the kind of guy that disappears. Since the day we met, when I have been searching for an answer to a question about the independent publishing industry, Frank has been there. Maybe some day, I can return the favor and answer his questions!
It is so difficult when you are trying to think of the name of someone and it evades you! I resorted to the internet to search for Frank’s last name, but that wasn’t much help either! I came across so many Franks – Frank Morgan, Frank Sinatra, Frank Capra, Frank Zappa. My friend Frank is, in a sense, an entertainer too. I used search engine keywords like Florida Publishing Company Owner Frank and all I came up with is a book called “Way Out West Lived a Coyote Named Frank.” No, it is not that Frank! I read that book to my kid, umpteen times, when he was young.
Perhaps I ought to drop it for today, if Frank does not hear f rom me, I know he will call. I better stay close to the phone, I wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to discuss helping authors get their books out of basements, attic and garages and into the hands of readers. If I hear from Frank, I will let you know what he says tomorrow – so stay tuned, I might have some information I may want to reveal.
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
All the Pieces in Place
Leave a comment“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they have gotten lost.” ~H. Jackson Brown
True enough, Mr. H. Jackson Brown! But it just so happens that the subject of my blog writing today, lives on a road I travel all the time and she resides in my community! Last weekend, one of my fellow Steamboat Springs community members brought home an award and the reward for her labor of love of writing historical fiction. Author Kathleen Cunningham Guler won her third EVVY award of her writing career as an independent publisher for her book A Land Beyond Ravens. This is the fourth and final installment of her Macsen’s Treasure Series which take place in the Dark Age of Celtic Britain!
Kathi competed against 26 other writers to win 2nd place in the fiction category. Her award comes as no surprise to me. I have followed her weekly readings of the work in progress, at our writer’s group meetings. Kathi knows how to craft a fine story with all the necessary elements. She has become an expert on the time in history about which she writes, her books are written in a voice that is appropriate to time and place, her excellence in writing consistency throughout the series keeps her audience craving for more; and her character development is to perfection.
That is not all Kathi has going for herself as an independent publisher. She knows her niche market and how to reach it, too! She has even taught herself to produce a book trailer that grabs the attention of potential readers. To read more about the other installments of her Macsen’s Treasure Series and other awards she has won, please visit www.bardsongpress.com and her blogsite http://kathleenguler.blogspot.com.
Congratulations, Kathi! What is on the horizon for your next writing project?
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
Find Meaning in the Journey
Leave a comment“Experience is the best teacher of all. And for that, there are no guarantees that one will become an artist. Only the journey matters.” ~ Harry Callahan
Whew! What a whirlwind of a weekend! It was satisfying, fun and intense. Just as I had anticipated! I arrived dehydrated and wanted to drink from the fountain, all the knowledge that I possibly could! The Colorado Independent Publishers “College” took care of my needs! I came parched and left sated with all the information one could possibly take in over a 48 hour period. Thank you, CIPA!
There is much to share, but I don’t quite know how or where to start. I have not even had a chance to absorb all that I ingested. You can be sure however, once I have had a chance to assimilate all the information, process it and pinpoint what I need to share, I will! I will be sharing the names and titles of the EVVY book award winners. On my list are words of wisdom from keynote speakers who took us through their travels into the publishing world. And there is useful, general publishing industry information that needs to be dispersed.
As a speaker/presenter at the CIPA College, I came away with a wonderful gift. It is a gift that will take me on many beautiful, inspiring travels into an area of Colorado referred to as South Park. It is a high country paradise near Fairplay, Colorado where author Bernie Nagy lives. For three years, Mr. Nagy captured exquisite color photographic images of the landscape, in all seasons. His book won two 2010 EVVY awards the other night, for cover design and illustration. For more information and to order this book, please visit www.ColoradoSouthParkBook.com.
I came away a winner, too! Not only did I receive an award winning, beautiful photographic book for speaking at the Conference, I had a chance to speak with independent publishers who are saying “out, out, out!” to all of the boxes and books sitting in their basements, attics and garages. I say “put them on their journey into the hands of readers.” And I know just who independent publishers can call to help them fulfill their wishes.
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
Spirit of Adventure
Leave a comment“A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.” ~ Eugene Ionesco
There is a commonality that I have found among all independent publishers. It is the spirit of adventure. This should not be a surprise to anyone! The creative mind knows not where it is going or what the end result will be. It is the sense of the unknown that keeps the creative process going.
Daydreaming, engaging in fantasy, reliving old memories and creating new, are all part of the creative process. The artist does not exist to support the mind, the mind exists to support the artist. Paying attention to the little nuances of life creates the experience that an artist draws from. To the artist, mindfulness is not judging, rather it is simply observing and then letting the creative process take hold, meander, carry and go with the flow of energy.
Are you a person who is considering joining the ranks of independent publishers? Don’t let fear and uncertainty hold you back. Take action, jump aboard and embrace the opportunity! Your creativity, your knowledge, your inspiration and your tales of entertainment will take your readers to places they have never been before. Enjoy the creative travel and welcome to the wonderful world of independent publishing!
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Rx for Independent Publishers
Leave a comment” By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” ~ Christopher Columbus
Have you ever tried concentrating on and keeping track of 10 or 12 book manuscripts at a time? Wow – it is a trip! All I know is that some people can do it. And for those that can, I am truly impressed. But I am not one of them.
I had been attending the Steamboat Writers Group on a regular basis. I had been listening to and following 10 or 12 works in progress. Too many things had been begging for my attention and it had been far too many weeks since I had attended. Yesterday, I took a little time out of my day to sit in on the group. It was as if I had started reading 10 or 12 books, put them down and I am now trying to pick them back up again. I am paying for my absence and neglect now! Trying to re-enter the stories was nearly impossible! The narratives have moved forward, character traits have morphed, I’ve missed critical junctures in the storyline, the settings have changed and the plots have developed in ways that I never expected. Some manuscripts are even drawing to a conclusion. I can no longer remember who is doing what!
Whether you are a writer or a reader, when you are distracted, it is hard to get back on track. Being able to work on a publishing project, without diversions can make all the difference in the quality of the end result.
If being able to concentrate is a challenge, seek first to understand what it is that is distracting you and preventing you from moving forward with your project in an efficient manner. Research what right options will help you clear the way. Order fulfillment for independent publishers may be the perfect prescription for what ails you. As an independent publisher, what would it mean to be able to focus on your primary business at hand?
This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
All Things Fulfilling 