Publishing Through the Heart

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“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”  ~ Kahlil Gibran

Yesterday, I attended our monthly W.I.N. (Women in Networking) – Steamboat luncheon and meeting. We are a group of women all fired up and fulfilling our working lives by being passionate about what we do. I spoke with members of the group about possibilities…. possibilities of sharing their passions and expertise through the medium of independent publishing.

So many of the W.I.N. Steamboat members could be successful as independent publishers! Do you know why?  They have fire in their hearts, and in their bellies too, for what they do in life – whether it is in their careers, in their family lives or through other causes they are associated with, such as supporting non-profit organizations. Is this not what it takes to be successful in anything we do in life, as women? A half-hearted approach is not the way to go about the business of our lives!

Independent publishing is an industry that allows the heart to speak words that the mind may not be able to communicate. It allows what is inside of us to be understood by our audience. It deepens connections between communities of people.

As I told the women at the W.I.N. Steamboat networking event yesterday, people independently publish for all the same reasons these women are in business “it fulfills a need to inspire, educate, inform and entertain others!”

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Mo’ and Mo’ of NaNoWriMo

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“Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement…”                    ~ Gary Gygax

Isn’t it terrific? Last month, writers of all abilities took on the National Novel Writers Month challenge to write as much as 5,000 words all within 30 days. The kids in Steamboat Springs, CO participating in the contest said they aren’t done yet! They want to write some more. They are having too much fun to quit!

The idea behind the contest is to inspire writers, of every age, to create stories, and have fun in the process. Sounds like the contest hit the mark. Young, emerging writers in this town have found that writing is a fulfilling way to spend their spare time. Can’t argue with that!

The kids are right. Writing with reckless abandon means there will be more work to be done. The fulfillment of a well crafted story means editing, rewriting and evaluating, sometimes many times over, until the finished result is organized and cohesive. An imaginative novel must include underlying meaning, well-developed characters and dialogue that supports and compliments the storyline.

Encouraging and developing young writers who don’t just fantasize about writing books is the ultimate goal of this contest. Now, kids in this town say “I’m not done yet!”  But, I anticipate hearing some reports of stories that have been brought to completion. That will mean ultimate success.

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Sleighbells…Are you Listening, Booksellers?

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I decided to take a trip yesterday, through the powers of my intuition, into the fulfilling world of publishing! What my intuition told me is that some print shops all over America are busier at work this year. How can they not be? Non-traditional publishing grew a whooping 181% from 2008 to 2009, according to Bowker  http://bit.ly/cp3anL.The trend, my intuition tells me, has risen again this year. Wish I knew for sure. But, only Bowker will be able to tell me, after they have tallied their reports at the end of the year. It’s just one of those things! 

Do you know what this could mean for the holidays? Santa may have a lot more stops this year – picking up books at companies that offer POD (print on demand) and short run printing. My intuition tells me the machines are cranking. More than ever, people want books (and films, too) that inspire, educate, inform and amuse that are not run of the mill. 

When Santa makes his rounds, my intuition tells me the sleigh bells will be ringing a lot louder this year, in support for the non-traditional publishing industry. If the trend in independent publishing stayed on the up and up again in 2010, is it what may be  keeping the publishing industry afloat? 

Hope Jolly Old St. Nick, has a stash of inspirational stories set aside for me this year. Ah well… if they sell out before Santa arrives at my door, they can easily be reprinted! No longer does the publisher need to print by the 10’s of thousands. That’s the beauty of independent publishing!

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Books to Film

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“Everyday, things change for me…you make the necessary adaptations.”  ~ Craig Thomas 

I went on a quest today to fulfill my need for information about how many books are adapted into films each year? So, it’s time for all of you to guesstimate what I found out! 

According to one source, Variety Magazine, market conditions have reduced the number of literary adaptations from books to film in recent years. Approximately 30 books are adapted by major film production studios for screen each year. A small number, given the large number of books that are published each year! To see a list of books that were adapted for cinema release in 2010, see this article. http://www.chasingthefrog.com/moviebooks.htm. 

Slated for novel to cinema adaptation in 2011, is a film that I can not wait to see. The novel “Water for Elephants” was one of my most memorable reads in recent years and I look forward to seeing how the cinema version of the story compares. I flat out loved the book! It is being adapted for film along with several other popular literary works. Wondering what other popular literary works are scheduled for upcoming film release in the New Year? Visit http://amzn.to/93TjmI to take a sneak peak. 

In order to turn a novel into a successful cinematic release, all the right elements must be there. Are you interested in learning more about how to get your book turned into a film, please visit http://bit.ly/9TzhzP.

 If anyone out there has inside information about what else we can look forward to seeing in theatres in 2011, we would love to hear from you, if it is not top-secret information.  Perhaps in 2011, I’ll see you at the theatre – I’ll buy the popcorn if you save me a seat!

 

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Fits, Starts and Floods

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“Thinking is the enemy of creativity…you can’t try to do things, you simply must do things.” ~ Ray Bradbury 

Ever since I entered into the blogosphere, I have become very cognizant of writing patterns and creativity – my own, that is. What has become apparent is the fact that my ideas for writing comes in fits, starts and floods. The search for fulfilling blogging subjects is perpetual and my creativity, unpredictable! 

The fits start as this:

  • Words and phrases come quickly out of nowhere and then evade me. Just like that. As if someone snaps their fingers and says “be gone with you!” Poof – what was just the right notion flees faster than a flea can jump.

                                 OR

  • An elaborate schematic pops up in my head – clear and concise. Putting pen to paper, suddenly it vanishes into thin air – gone. Never able to be recovered in the exact same state again. 

The starts begin like this:

  • All begins well – words flow, creativity is rolling then suddenly my mind takes a detour and detaches. A real and senseless casualty.

                               OR

  • The ideas arrive like a farm delivering fresh eggs to a bakery – by dozens at a time. Each idea with a rich, central point –  the binding ingredient for many a sweet creation. The ideas overwhelm to the point that is difficult to know which concoction to make first. 

The floods begin when:

  •  An idea starts and runs rampant. The idea unfolds and flows, unfolds and flows, and flows, and flows and flows some more and on and on it goes. With no stopping point in site. Hardly suitable writing for the blogosphere. The result -having to rein my blog writing in. 

What have I learned about my writing from this?

  • To be patient and wait, if the ideas or creativity does not flow.
  •  If I can’t create it today, try tomorrow.
  • Clarity eventually returns and often resumes better than ever.
  • Do not trash anything! Rework!  The result can be unexpected and different.
  • Maintain tough minded optimism that eventually a fulfilling story will come around. 

Let’s see what tomorrow’s writing brings. Will it begin with a fit, a start or a flood? As overwhelming as it may seem, I like when the ideas arrive by the dozen. Through creation, the central point of an idea eventually becomes all things fulfilling!

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Taking Inventory

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“The best thing you’ve got going for you is individuality.” ~ Richard Thompson 

I decided to do something different today – take inventory – my own! After working with artists for many years, the words “right and left brain” have been flung around in my presence quite a bit. I have always assumed that I am what artists are NOT. Fulfilling the duties of what artists find to be tedious, difficult, frustrating and overwhelming has earned me kudos time and time again, so naturally I assumed my brain inventory included the things that theirs lacked. 

After taking inventory of how my brain processes information, my intuition has served me well. Intuition is one of the few right brain traits that I can claim as being what I am all about. Although, when my intuition does not lead me, I do tend to fall into my left brained way of thinking – logically and sequentially.

 My left brain inventory also includes being able to focus on details and being organized. I like making lists and am good at keeping track of time (until all mediums of e-marketing entered into my life!) Lately, I can feel an unfamiliar heaviness on the right side of the skull due to this new occurrence of letting time get away from me, as I utilize my e-marketing skills to assist others become visible in communities. 

My saving grace? In order to use e-marketing effectively, good writing skills and logical thinking are heavily called upon, which utilizes once again the strong, left side of my brain. Result – balance! 

Curious? Do you know how your brain processes information? Take the right brain /left brain quiz and find out! It can help you determine whether a career path will fit into your way of thinking too! http://bit.ly/cyztTe.

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Shelf Sitting

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“Keep constantly in mind how many things you yourself have witnessed change.” ~ Marcus Aurelius 

Interesting! Lately I have been hearing more and more about something that I have suspected for a long time.  Bookstores are not the best places to sell books! I dislike even making this statement, because bookstores are my “safe haven.” A place to go when I want to relax, spend some quiet time and browse the vast selection of books until my heart is content. Almost all of us would say it is fulfilling to step into a bookstore. It is unadulterated bliss, as far as I am concerned. Rarely do I come out empty handed. It is hard to control my impulses in a bookstore.  

But, in terms of authors selling books, there are other ways. More specifically, by selling individual orders through e-commerce, and at other places besides the bookstore. Eliminated is the scenario of not knowing whether books, films and other media will be sold by a bookstore or they will be returned as unsold. 

The trend of internet buying is here to stay. If you are a writer who has not yet explored the possibilities of selling your book on line, what is stopping you? If you are not mired in contractual agreements with a publisher who has you locked into the traditional way of bookstore bookselling only, it may pay to look into a company that specializes in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers. Don’t sit there not knowing how to move your books from basement, garages and attics into the marketplace. Be pro-active! http://bit.ly/bFnEGZ.

 

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Press On

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

Just learned of two artists whose books are in the coffers of the printing press, right now. Without hang-ups or glitches in the process, the books will be ready for holiday selling.  Hopefully, advance promotion of the book has been done, so that potential buyers know the book is on it’s way to the marketplace, and it is soon to be available. I’ll bet the beautiful publications will fulfill some holiday dreams of artists all around the world. 

How about your independent publishing project? How is it coming? Hitch up your britches and get to work in finishing up those final details, so that you can have it ready in time for Christmas selling or by the start of the New Year. Success means starting off the New Year right!  

Are you facing challenges in the process?  If so, here are a few tips: –

  • Focus on what is easy first, get it done so you can concentrate on problem solving.
  • Reorganize for better work flow
  • Don’t avoid challenges – step into them and view them as part of the process rather than as “hang-ups”
  • If the problematic can be quickly and easily solved by someone else, hand over the task. It will free you to focus on the work you can handle and the parts you do best.
  • Seek the advice and counsel of professionals, for the steps of the publishing process that you are unsure of. 

Good luck, hang in there and focus – visualize your finished book. It will energize you along the way.

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Novel Writing Challenge

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“The most beautiful things are those that madness prompts and reason writes.  ~André Gide,

Heads up, novelists! November is National Novel Writing Month. Do you have what it takes to beat the challenge and fulfill the goals of  “thirty days and thirty nights of literary abandon?” 50,000 words (175 pages) in 30 days is the goal and NaNoWriMo will have novelists all over the world participating in this fun literary challenge. 

Do not procrastinate, do not stall, write your heart out and win, above all!

 What’s this I read?

  • Worry, not about content, only quantity?
  • Allow your work to be unedited?
  • Write wrecklessly? Scary!
  • No writing experience needed?
  • Kids can participate in their own challenge! 

Join in this on-line writing challenge! For more information, please visit: http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Weekend Indie Publishers News – For Artists

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Are you an artist who envisions a future venture of independent publishing your sketchbook of drawings? If so, build on your skills and grow as an artist. Begin fulfilling your dreams through one of the top drawing programs in the country: 

Study: 

 Sell your published work: A company that is dedicated to excellence can help you achieve your goals – for artists, writers, filmmakers and non-profit organizations. http://bit.ly/c5v8Qa

 Market your work with the help of professionals! http://bit.ly/d0DN3K

Create, grow as an artist, strive and thrive!!!

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