Category Archives: world wide shipping

Stirrings

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“All humanity is passion; without passion, religion, history, novels, art would be ineffectual” ~ Honore de Balzac 

My field of study throughout college was economics and psychology. Therefore, the study of art history was not within my radar screen of classes to take. Many years of fulfilling internet orders for art books and films, stirred within me a deep seated interest in Art that I barely knew was there. 

In the past few years, I have stumbled upon several books that have brought me closer to knowing more about art history. “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” gave me insight into Vermeer, “The Painted Kiss” led me into life in Vienna during the late 1880s  and into the life of artist Gustav Klimt.  The other day, I began my journey into learning more about the life of Vincent Van Gogh through the book “Sunflowers” by Sheramy Bundrick. Fictional stories about artists have drawn me in and whetted my appetite for art history. I’d like to learn more!  

The other day I began to think how independent publishing is the perfect conduit for artists and art historians to teach others who would have no interest otherwise, about the finest masters of Art. Fictional stories provides an interesting way to explore art history without having to sit through classes filled dates, facts and figures.   

Artists, does your palette of creativity and knowledge include the ability to write and illustrate? If so, a unique opportunity stands before you! You can share your talents and knowledge of Art through independent publishing. Your market even includes people like me, who ordinarily wouldn’t be drawn to learning art history, but love a well told story. How about it, artists?

 P.S. Something I never took notice of before – Van Gogh signed all his paintings simply “Vincent.”

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A Different Kind of Breed

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“…turn a critical eye and ear to what we are offered by the mass media as well as the independent media“~ David Wilson

The filmmaking industry conjures up thoughts of the red carpet, glitz, glamour and buzz! Cropping up are a different breed of filmmakers working to craft outstanding stories with great vision. They do not necessarily have landing on the Hollywood walk of fame as their first priority. Enter independent filmmaker extraordinares!

Independent films are usually made with considerably lower budgets, yet they can be as notable in quality as their counterpart – productions by major film studios. Their content and artistic dimension often sets them apart. Designed to reach specialty audiences rather than mass market, these films are equally as fulfilling to the audience. They win awards at film festivals such as Sundance, Raindance, Silverdocs, IDFA, Durango, Toronto and other places far from L.A.

Apparently, there is a new breed of  independent filmmaker who is centered around “business plans, business models and business books.” He is determined to responsibly manage his  independent film production company and to bring his personal artistic vision to reality. Filmmaking has been “who he is” since the age of 15! His lack of interest in parties and all things Hollywood has landed him and his film company in Albuquerque, NM.

For more information on this up and coming breed of independent filmmaker phenoms, please visit http://bit.ly/bWB1LV.

I hope you will join me in following this filmmakers production company in the coming months and years. I think they have alot in store!

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Crossing the Finish Line

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“When the goal is in sight, all your physical pain disappears, and your mental determination shall carry you the rest of the way.” ~ Trey Patty 

At 6:30am, Saturday morning,  my fellow Kiwanians and I were perched by the side of the road at Rabbit Ears Pass. We were on the look out for athletes who where running in a relay race all the way from Fort Collins, CO to Steamboat Springs, CO – a 198 mile trek, over multi-mountain pass terrain!! 

Although participating in a race of athletic endurance is not something I can quite relate to – I can appreciate how each of these athletes were examples in courage and in not being stopped by the thought of defeat. Throughout my five hour stint of helping on the sidelines, I was inspired by a group of runners who despite extreme circumstances, had set personal goals, and had dreams of reaching the finish line first. 

Each of us has our own interpretation what is fulfilling, meaningful and satisfying in life. Whether you are an athlete struggling to cross the finish line, or a writer in the final stages of a book project, completing the task requires many of the same character traits.

 It takes passion, planning, motivation, enthusiasm, focus and a determined spirit to continue on despite challenges and setbacks. If you are a writer whose manuscript has been rejected through the traditional publishing world, don’t let rejection defeat you! Learn all you can about why your manuscript was rejected, take all the necessary steps to correct, rewrite, improve or enhance your writing. Don’t loose the passion for your manuscript. Use your enduring spirit to continue on. Always consider the alternative – independent publishing. That way, you can be in charge of the end result using those character traits that you already possess.

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Helping Teachers Explore Possibilities

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“Give all you have…teach what you know and learn what you don’t. Stay open to all” ~ Unknown 

Last night at the Epilogue Bookstore, we had some bright, intelligent people who came to learn why non-traditional publishing is on the fast track to becoming the leading sector of the publishing industry. After all, independent publishing (non-traditional publishing) already represents over 50% of all publishing revenues! According to Bowker, the industry grew a whooping 181% between 2008-2009! http://bit.ly/cp3anL. 

Folks everywhere are asking the same question – how can they take their ideas for books and film, and turn them into reality? “On the Fast Track: The Independent Publishing Industry” will be repeated in September at Colorado Mountain College www.coloradomtn.edu.com.  Stay tuned to this blogsite, for  more information, in the coming weeks. 

Colleges are breeding grounds for professionals who are highly educated, have career expertise and love to share their knowledge with others through teaching! Sometimes, teaching means standing in front of a classroom, sometimes teaching means sharing knowledge through the form of a book or film. 

If you are a professor who has been interested in sharing your career knowledge through a book or film, the time has never been better to share that knowledge. Join in on the discussion and learn why independent publishing may be the perfect choice for you. You can be “the boss” of your book, and I can guarantee you this – it will be published, when it is up to you!

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Exploration of A Dream

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“Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible.” ~Unknown 

Do you have a book in you? Why not join in on the conversation! The independent publishing industry is boasting figures that are easy to understand once you hear what the buzz is all about!  

 “On the Fast Track: The Independent Publishing Industry” will be presented tonight at the Epilogue Bookstore in Steamboat Springs, CO at 7pm.

  • Learn how you can fulfill your dreams of becoming a published author!
  • Hear a first hand story of a choice that an independent publisher had to make.
  • Gather some resources so you can start down the path to independent publishing
  • Listen to how the passion of one mom has become a ministry of sharing a relevant topic with all parents through indie publishing.
  • Learn who to partner with for independent publishing success.  

Take the first step toward making your dream a reality. See you tonight!

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Having “The Talk”

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“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages that you have been.” ~ Unknown 

Hundreds of adult children every year are faced with having to have “the talk” with their parents, about long term care planning and their needs. Unfortunately, this subject is often put off all too long, making it necessary for adult children of aging parents to get involved in the process. 

According to Mike Campbell, a dedicated consumer advocate for families searching for long-term quality care options, besides dealing with this issue early on, there are four more ways to make having “the talk” about long term care easier. 

  1. Be honest and direct.
  2. Be a good listener.
  3. Take advantage of ice breaking opportunities to broach the subject
  4. Never make promises, because you do not know what is ahead. Health and other conditions can change with time. 

Having “the talk”, and many other issues that are relevant to eldercare are addressed in Mike Campbell’s new book “When Mom and Dad Need Help.” Mike has worked in the eldercare business for 18 years. Mike is a CPA with a Batchelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University with a major in accounting and pre-law. He has visited hundreds of senior housing and care communities across this country. 

From his experience and background, Mike recognizes that each person’s set of financial, mental and health conditions are unique. This book helps adult children to work together with their parents to find the best senior housing and care option for their needs. 

For more information about this very valuable resource on eldercare, please visit www.iffenwen.com.

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Gather Support and Reap Rewards

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“Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found” ~ James Russell  

Raising money for independent films has gotten much easier. It can be attributed  to the internet and an innovative,creative idea. Thanks to a new funding platform, www.kickstarter.com, artists, filmmakers, writers, illustrators, performers and creators can inspire others to become fans of a project, and pledge their support.  

This website allows project developers to “test the waters” to determine whether the response to their project makes it viable. In other words, before a creator is in too deep, there is chance for honest evaluation from the public as to whether a project is worthy or not.

Kickstarter.com also provides a convenient way to find out about films, publications and other projects  that are in various stages of development. The creator posts a “pitch” of the project, and also posts the targeted funding level that is needed in order to see the project through to completion. Interested parties can commit to providing a donation, as small as $1 or as large as the pocket book and heart will allow.

For example: If people are excited about an independent film project they learn about on Kickstarter.com, they will spread the word, and donations will flow. If the needed funds are not raised, this is a great indicator that perhaps there is not enough interest garnered to proceed.

To read more about this new way of research and development testing for independent filmmakers, artists, writers and illustrators please visit www.kickstart.com.

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Grassroots Spreading Globally

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“We are all functioning at a small fraction of our capacity to live life fully in it’s total meaning of loving, caring, creating and adventuring.                            ~ Herbert A. Otto  

It is inspiring when a simple message and concept begins to grow beyond wildest dreams. When Salley Gibney, founder of You Are Never Alone Foundation, a Vermont 501(3)C voluntary, non-profit began her efforts to foster caring, connection and hope through Caring Coins, I doubt she envisioned her efforts would spread so quickly, globally.  

The message of  You Are Never Alone is passed along from person to person through Caring Coins. These simple wooden coins inscribed with the words “You are Never Alone” were first given to troubled teens, to senior citizens, to hospice patients and to troops from Vermont headed to war in Afghanistan. Little by little, “the good news of hope” began to gather momentum. These coins are now available in Spanish, too and have traveled to places far beyond Vermont. They have traveled to children in Uganda, Guatemala and Ecuador!  

A few months ago word spread even further when the You Are Never Alone Foundation was invited to Bangladesh to spread the news and share caring coins with children in India! Please take a few minutes to watch this video and you will see the joy that this simple concept is now bringing to children on the other side of the world!  

This non-profit organization is a wonderful reminder of how one person’s vision and passion for changing the world can bring fulfillment to others. Salley is so fortunate to have the assistance of volunteers. There is much work to be done and funds are needed to continue to share this valuable message with others who are so in need of knowing, that despite life’s hard knocks, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!

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Fabulous and Fulfilling!

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The artist does not see things as they are, but as he is.  ~Alfred Tonnelle 

Now that’s what I call a talented artist and that’s what I call making it all worthwhile! I spent a few hours of my evening, last night, volunteering as an usher at Strings in the Mountains – a beautiful venue set high in the mountains of Steamboat Springs, CO. www.stringsmusicfestival.com. We were treated to a fabulous concert of jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and his extarodinarily talented company of musicians.  

It is no mystery why Chris Botti has become such a successful artist at the young age of 47!  What a charmer he is! And so too, is his music. Three of his albums have reached #1 position on the Billboard of jazz album charts. He holds Gold and Platinum  and Grammy Awards and travels the world entertaining audiences 300 days a year. Just last week, he played to a sold out audience at Carnegie Hall and his August tour schedule includes stops in Victoria, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa. Now that’s one busy artist!  

 Kudos to Strings in the Mountains for attracting an artist of this quality to Steamboat Springs, CO. Thanks to Mary Brown and John Tomasini for sponsoring this evening of art and entertainment.  

Can’t wait till Sunday when “Classical Meets Jazz” in a free community concert – available to all!  

For more information on jazz musician Chris Botti, and to listen to a sample of his music, please go to  http://www.chrisbotti.com.

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Add them Up!

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“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase ‘to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy” ~ Stephen R. Covey

Hey! It’s a good day! 

I have just gotten word that my article on E-Marketing: Moving Books from Basement to Marketplace will be published within the next twenty four hours. http://bit.ly/ateGw7. 

That’s not all that is fulfilling in my life! There is so much more! Sometimes, when our lives are taken up with responsibilities in the workplace, in the home, as members of families and communities it is difficult to find quiet in the storm of life and remember that each and every day is a blessing, even during our most hectic times! 

For the next week, I am going to be completely engaged in some of the things that fulfill me the me most –volunteering for several events at Strings in the Mountains www.stringsinthemountains.org  which affords me the ability to enjoy the Arts, spending Sunday with precious, open-minded children learning about the value of faith and planning how I can best share the spirit of independent publishing with the writing community of Steamboat Springs, CO. 

Today, is fabulous Friday and I would like to share with you the miracle of nature. I have much to do this day, so rather than share words, I am going to share an image. Enjoy! 

See you in a few days!

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