Category Archives: Uncategorized

Seeing it Through

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“There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity” ~ Tom Peters 

I love it when I re-read a book and gain more from it the second time around. There are often hidden messages, concepts and all sorts of things that fly over our heads the first time around. 

About a year ago, a book came into my hands called “The Hourglass Principle”  by Ray Kelly III. It is written by a person who has spent a lifetime in sales. The book addresses the issue of building a business and the choices that we have in doing so. He mentions that throughout the process, we may come to a crossroad where a decision must be made of how to proceed. Sometimes there are two choices – we can take the short route, often sacrificing our beliefs and convictions or we may take, perhaps, a more challenging route allowing us to remain true to our selves. As author Ray Kelly III points out, “Integrity is the only thing we carry with us from career to career.” 

I began to think how integrity applies to the reasons why people decide to independently publish. For many, the choice is easy. After talking with a traditional publishing house, the author often realizes what is at stake is the piece of work they have poured their heart and soul into writing. If they hand their manuscript over to a traditional publisher, it could ultimately be sacrificed. Their words may be changed, a rewrite with a different slant may be requested. It may be marketed by people who do not share the approach or the same values. The cover design choice may even be out of their hands. 

What would you do, if given the choice?

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Click Now for Impact!

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After all, creativity comes out of art and creativity is what businesses need.” ~Judi Jedlicka

 Are you person who makes a living either directly or indirectly through the arts? Or perhaps the Arts adds value to your life in some other way. Then listen up! Become an advocate for the Arts.

 On Friday, July 23rd, the U.S. House Interior Appropriations subcommittee approved a 2.5 million dollar increase for the National Endowment for the Arts in its fiscal year budget for 2011. Chairman Jim Moran, acknowledged that the “increase recognizes the value we place, as a nation, on our artistic and cultural heritage.”

 Please take two minutes, and send a message to your members of Congress, telling them to support this funding increase that Chairman Moran supports.

Click on this link http://bit.ly/gMePk and add your name to the list of millions of other Americans who support the Arts Action  Fund.

 Won’t you join me today and ask your members of Congress to vote “YES” for this funding increase?

 

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Send it Packing!

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“Action is the foundational key to all success” ~ Pablo Picasso 

Are you an independent publisher whose story has changed from inspiring, educating, entertaining and informing others to being consumed with all matters related to shipping? Has postage, boxes, tape, labels, pick-up and delivery of orders become the focus of your day? 

In one sense, this is positive! It means your independent publishing business is prospering, and that is, effectively, good news. However, it may be leaving you feeling torn between spending time doing what you need to do and what you love to do. Your life has gone from writer and publisher to maestro of the shipping department, and it is probably making it hard to focus on what you do best! The truth of the matter is, at some point, your labors of love have turned into a labor of dread. 

Perhaps it is time to consider the alternative! An order fulfillment company can help you get those publications out of your basement, garage, attic and car and into the hands of the consumer in the fastest, economical way, leaving you to focus on what you do best – writing and publishing. 

If you have never considered this alternative, maybe it is time! Help is only a click away! Go to your favorite search engine and enter the words – affordable order fulfillment for independent publishers. It is as easy as that!

 Authors and publishers – think outside the box – partner with an order fulfillment company!

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Write or Wrong?

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Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” ~ John Jakes

Writers, have you taken the test? It is called I Write Like.

It goes like this – you enter a short chapter of your unfinished book, several paragraphs of your blog writing, an entry from your journal, a comment you wrote in response to a blog or perhaps, a short letter to an editor. In other words, submit a sample of your writing to http://iwl.me. 

What happens next? Within a matter of moments, your writing is analyzed in terms of your writing style and your word choice.

 How do you get the result? You receive an on-line ‘badge” which indicates which famous author your writing compares with.

 My result?  My writing compares with the writing of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Series! Yeah, right!

 Personally, I think it is only a test to see how many foolish people, like me take it! That’s all!

 What do you think of this test?

Is it a gimmick that leads to false hope for writers?

Does it encourage writers to press on and to continue to hone their craft?

Can statistical analysis based on a sample writing of a few paragraphs be a valid way to assess talent and ability?

Can this writing test really forecast whether or not you have a chance at becoming an accomplished writer like the author your writing has been compared to?

 We would like to hear from you!

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Antique Marquees

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“If people don’t walk out of theatres saying “Yes, something is possible, then you have failed.” ~  Isaac Newton 

There is a movement underway to restore old movie houses and bring new life to them! Fits in with current trends, doesn’t it?  These days, it is all about recycle, renew and renovate! 

Many of the regal, ornate American movie theatres were torn down with wrecking balls, or replaced by modern multiplexes. Those that were spared, sit idle and in disrepair. People across America are putting their dollars and their efforts into restoring the grand old dames of old community theatres such as the Bijous, Roxys and Rialtos! Even in Steamboat Springs, CO a non-profit organization has been formed to try to save the Chief Theatre built in the center of downtown in 1926. For more information on this trend of restoring movie theatres in cities across America, please visit http://bit.ly/cl54Uk. 

Entering the doors of  new modern cineplexes is akin to  walking into chain hotels. They all kind of look alike! There is nothing unique about the architecture – no fancy decorations, embellishments  or fascinating details – just four walls, rows of seats, a large screen and audio surround sound. 

I like the idea of historic preservation! Perhaps restoration of old theatres could help bring new life to downtowns. Not only would marquees be lit up once again, but businesses whose lively hoods have been damaged by malls, outlets and suburban shopping may shine once again, too!

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Looking to submit your manuscript to book award contests this summer? Poets and Writers Magazine www.pw.org has put together a calendar of contests for all months of the year. To keep informed, please visit http://www.pw.org/submission_calendar/2010/7/all.

 Submit your independent short film into a contest! Submissions are now being accepted for the 4th International Indie Short Film Competition. All submissions must be received by November 15, 2010. This is an on-line short film and short script competition. The ISFC is looking to identify a new generation of talented filmmakers and screenwriters and to create exciting opportunities for outstanding talent. For more information on this contest, please visit http://www.indieshortfilms.net.

Winning awards adds value to your work, and creditability to you as writer, screenwriter or filmmaker. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and more! There are lots of contests and competitions to be found, hunt them down!

Wipe It Out!

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In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.” ~ Alexander the Great 

 Last month at the 2010 Kiwanis International Convention, a historic decision was made to partner with UNICEF in an effort to eliminate all neonatal and maternal tetanus (MNT) around the world.

The $110 million dollar effort has it’s sites set on reaching it’s goals by the year 2015. The project will utilize 600,000 Kiwanis volunteers to help raise resources and awareness about MNT. This project helps in fulfilling the mission statement of Kiwanis International by “changing the world, one child and one community at a time.”  

 The first initiative to wipe out tetanus began in 1989. Kiwanis International contends that in this new century, no child or mother should have to suffer the devastating effects of MNT. This highly fatal disease is preventable.The partnership between Kiwanis and UNICEF will have the power to reach the 40 remaining countries where the disease is still a risk. 

I am proud to be a Kiwaniian! This is a very important project aimed at providing critical health services to some of the world’s most neediest countries. For more information on this important service organization, visit www.kiwanis.org.

  

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Journalistically Speaking

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“I like putting my thoughts out there. Sometimes it is just a relief to get things out.” ~ Sarah Whitfield

Have you ever used a personal shopper? I haven’t, I am a good decision maker and I like to be in control of my own destiny! Besides, I know all that I like and all that I don’t like – usually.

The other day, I began browsing the shelves for a new journal. It’s time, my other one is filled with oh so brilliant ideas! But, gone are the days when a simple diary, with lock and key, will do!  Before I even start my search, I had better decide what kind of journal toting person I am!

First, I need to decide whether it will be leather(english bridle, croc, italian, suede), hand-tooled, silk covered, canvas for the rough and tough, hardbound, envelope wrap, softbound, lockable, a zero carbon notebook, a mini or a maxi or somewhere in between!

Secondly, how about the paper inside it? Lined, blank, recycled, tibetan paper, rice paper, replaceable/refillable, handmade, colored, white?

Not to be esthetically incorrect,I had better match my genre of writing style with my choice of journal style. Shouldn’t a person who writes about cowboy adventures carry real leather? Someone who writes about the arts certainly does not want to tote anything too serious and business like – what would people think?

Next, what are my reasons for keeping a journal? To capture my life story? Enhance my creativity? Help me focus? Gain better organizational skills, help me get in touch with my feelings? Reduce stress? Improve my health?

Not any old journal will do – I had better think long and hard. My choice  could effect the way I am able to come up with so many of those oh so brilliant thoughts! I don’t know, I don’t know!  Shopping for a journal these days is enough to drive you mad! It could consume a whole day! This whole process of selecting a journal has me in a tizzy! I think I will, for the first time ever, call on a personal shopper – perhaps she can tell me what to write too!

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Summer Screens

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“There’s a certain drive in me that won’t allow me to do certain things the easy way.” ~ Johnny Depp

Drive-in movie theatres were at the height of popularity in the 1950s. Since then, almost all have slowly disappeared. Movie goers have traded in their Chevy or Ford bench seat viewing posts for singular, cushy, indoor theatre seats complete with 3D glasses and air conditioning.

Thanks to jumbotron screens, outdoor movies are making a resurgence. There is also a New York non-profit organization www.rooftopfilms.com that is helping to advance this resurgence in their own way. This non-profit’s claim to fame is to screen feature and short “underground” movies outdoors. They also provide youth media education and rent film equipment at low cost to artists.

Interested? You had better be quick! Their summer season runs every weekend from May 14 to August 14. The films screened are as diverse as those shown in movie theatres – everything from documentaries, to fiction to drama, comedy and more!

For more information on outdoor screening locations, the history of the non-profit and films they will be showing during the summer of 2010, please visit www.rooftopfilms.com.

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Authors, Build your Whuffie!

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“Friendships are fragile things, and require as much handling as any other fragile and precious thing.” ~ Unknown

What’s your whuffie, you say? Why, it is the way of the world, these days! Something that all authors and business people need to include in their marketing plans.

Whuffie is built through forming relationships with communities of people on-line. By developing an audience and customer base on-line, you will build support and increase visibility for your products. That means sales of  your independently published books, cds and DVDs.

One of the best resources I have stumbled upon is “The Power of Social Networking” by Tara Hunt. www.threeriverspress.com. This book provides great stories of on-line business successes through building whuffies!

Make no mistake, building your whuffie on-line takes time. But, building a business does not happen overnight. Even after reading this book, the concept is still very foreign to many. Where do you start? Call on an expert, a company who specializes in e-marketing for independent publishers. While you are at it, you had better ask whether they handle order fulfillment for independent publishers too ! You will be needing that !

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