Category Archives: Uncategorized

Wake Up and Jump In

sunrise

Are you ready to self publish but not quite sure to where to begin? There is a wonderful guide published by Tri-State Litho called Self Publishing: A Writers Guide. It will help you make the transition from manuscript to a printed, published book. It has information on applying for ISBNs, copywriting, Library of Congress Catalog Card numbers, page design, fonts, paper weights. Other useful information includes offset vs. digital printing, book binding options, and a super glossary for all publishing terms. It is a resource that beginner independent publishers should not be without.

To obtain a copy of this book contact Frank Compagna at Tri-State Litho, Phone #800-836-7581 or see their website www.tristatelitho.com. While you are at it, ask them about their short run printing services and tell them Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC said to call.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

 

 

 

 

Rough and Ready

We ship our client’s independently published films and books all across the country, and all over the world, from sea to shining sea. This morning, an order will go out to an artist in New South Wales, Australia. Give me the name of a town, and I can probably tell you what state it it is in. I have seen them all.

A few years ago, we received an internet order and the shipping address was Rough and Ready.  Rough and Ready, California that is. I almost thought it was “junk mail”, an order from someone submitting a bogus address just because they had nothing better to do. So, I looked it up – sure enough, it was a real address and a real town! As it turns out, Rough and Ready, California is a mining town between Grass Valley and Penn Valley. If my memory serves me right, named by a bunch of Wisconsin goldminers that had gone out to California to seek their fortune.

Maybe someone ought to produce a film, a  western perhaps, on Rough and Ready, California.  Share it with those interested in seeing just what this Rough and Ready California is really all about!

Until I get to Rough and Ready myself, I will just have to look at the view out my window in Steamboat Springs, CO. It is a pretty nice place to be!

IM002945

A Friend, Indeed!

IM002228

“Happy is the house that shelters a friend”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson  When searching for an order fulfillment company for your independently published films or books, look for many of the same qualities you would in a friend.

  • A company that is dependable – will ship in a timely manner.
  • A company that is trustworthy – will get the job done!
  • A company that understands your needs.
  • A company that is fair – is affordable.
  • A company that goes the distance – is adaptable.

If you find a fulfillment company with these attributes, you will have found a friend worth it’s weight in gold. 

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Before……Not After

heavy thunderheads storms

Many independent publishers make the mistake of concentrating on the writing of their book foremost. Marketing should not be thought of after the book is written. For the best outcome for book sales, it should be considered before a word is written. Think of  your audience – who you are writing to and for. It is often easier to identify target markets for non-fictional publications, and you can often market to wider, broader markets. 

With fiction, ask yourself, is your publication more age appropriate to adults, children, ‘tweens, young adults, preschoolers? Throughout your writing, keep your writing age appropriate to your identified market. Are there any special interest groups within the age group you have identified?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

 

 

Three Candles

 

Three CandlesI just read the sad news about Farrah Fawcett loosing her battle with cancer. She was an inspiration to us all, battling a devastating disease with such grace and determination. Makes me grateful for my own wonderful health and sad for  all those stricken with cancer. For Farrah,  for my friends Amy and Brian , and all the others that are so courageous in their battle, I light three candles.

Planning to expand your fleet?

Leave a comment

Cars - expanding fleet #3

Were you successful in finding a traditional publisher for your manuscript first time around but after sending a deluge of query letters for your next publication, each one was met with a letter of rejection? Have you considered independent publishing? It is an option and there are advantages as well.  You have greater control over your written word, there are lots of freelance professionals to assist you and you may even retain a greater percentage of the profits.

Begin by talking with others who have made the transition from traditional publishing to independent publishing. Local writers groups often have author members who have experienced both traditional and independent publishing. See how the two compare. Gather information from freelance professionals – editors, book printers, cover designers, book marketers, order fulfillment companies and the like.

Knowledge is power!

Set Your Alarm and Listen Up!

Leave a comment

bb55s9006.jpg Bldg with broadcastingREMINDER: EVERY SATURDAY MORNING

COVER TO COVER RADIO SHOW

www.wnzf.com

  11:30AM est   8:30AM pst

Tune in to the Place to Be ! New Radio Show for Publishers/Authors!

For listeners in Colorado –  9:30 AM Mountain Time! www.wnzf.com

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

It is not just about Books!

Leave a comment

Broadway in NY street sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have been talking alot of about books these days, but independent publishing isn’t always just about books. There are many screenwriters who have written great stories and those stories have been adapted for live theatre!

My first passion in the arts is for live theatre! For 25 years I ushered at the Weston Playhouse in Weston, VT. Three talented men have taken a community theatre and elevated it to world class stature. If you are ever in Vermont in summertime – you can’t miss a stop in Weston, VT to see a performance at the Weston Playhouse. Weston is also home to the infamous Vermont Country Store.

We have not even gotten to the subject of independent filmmakers, that is a whole other group of independent publishers that we aim to serve in our business of order fulfillment .

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Listen Up, Publishers!!!

4 Comments

bb55s9006.jpg Bldg with broadcastingNew Radio Show for Publishers

www.wnzf.com  “Cover to Cover”

Saturday mornings  11:30 ET  8:30 PT

TUNE IN AMERICA!!!      Frank Gromling’s New Radio Show is Terrific! This is one great resource for all you publishers (traditional and independents alike). Jam packed with information on the publishing world, interviews with selected authors (NY best sellers as well as local), what it takes to be successful in publishing, getting started, book marketing. Give up a 1/2 hr of your Saturday morning and listen, it will be worth it. And anyone can listen on line!

For those of you who don’t know Frank – he’s  one heck of a nice guy! Past President of the Florida Publishers Association and Board member of IBPA – Independent Book Publishers Assoc. Thanks, Frank, for sharing all your knowledge  on the publishing industry with the world!

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Mix it Up Marketing!

Leave a comment

Key to any kind of business is a good solid marketing plan. In this day and age, there are so many options available – traditional print advertising, social media marketing, multimedia promotion, ezines, podcasts, rss…the list goes on and on. Trying to keep up with the latest and most effective methods is almost mind boggling. A variety of methods is often a good idea.

Lately, our focus at Cornerstone Fulfillment  Service, LLC has been to research and explore permission based email marketing. We are getting ready to launch our first attempt into this very exciting trend.

We will see! Being a traditionalist in many ways, I am not quite ready to put to bed the direct mailing method quite yet!

This blog brought to you  by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com