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Rosy Reflections

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“Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes.” ~               Sara Teasdale “The Philosopher”

Despite many trips to the mirror, have you ever looked into your reflection and observed some new things about yourself that you have never discovered before? All of us have experienced this phenomenon called self-discovery. Maybe you just noticed there are a few new freckles, that your eyes sparkle a little brighter than they did before or perhaps your mouth is more turned up than you thought.

Sometimes it leaves you shaking your head and wondering – it is an aura, my imagination or is it for real? It happened to me this week. Rather than explain exactly what I saw, I thought I would share the image that appeared before me, in my own mirror’s reflection, that way, there will be no distortion of the facts.

At the risk of being narcissistic, I am going to keep checking back with my mirror, because you never know what other changes can occur.  All of us feel good when we can share what we see with others, that is why I am sharing this reflection with you!

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Antiquarian Advice

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“The finest eloquence is that which gets things done”~ David Lloyd George

Guess what I did? Purchased my first antiquarian book! Thanks to the internet, I located and purchased the book through e-commerce! Interesting thing is , I located the book through Abe Books in British Columbia, Canada, yet the book was published in 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland.

To get to the real point, I wanted this book because it was authored by my uncle, Dr. John C. Krantz, who was professor of pharmacology at the University of Maryland. In fact, he is the only published relative that I know of! Not only was he a brilliant medical research doctor, who was widely published in medical journals, he was also a wonderful storyteller!

My uncle, Dr. Krantz, was a pioneer in medical research, and in my opinion, he was also a pioneer in teaching others about the art of public speaking! Today, there are a plethora of books on the subjects of career coaching, public speaking and professionalism in the workplace but, when this book was published in 1952, I doubt many books on these topics existed.

The book, The Art of Eloquence: A Governor and Scientist Look at Public Speaking was co-authored with Governor Theodore R. McKeldin of Maryland. The forward of this book was written by Lowell Thomas, an American writer and broadcaster who made the film Lawrence of Arabia famous.

Dr. Krantz and Governor McKeldin cover such topics in their publication as public speaking on radio, stage, giving welcome speeches, commencement addresses, speeches of acceptance and even as a toastmaster using humor. Tips on things such as how to dress for success, enunciation and proper modulation of the voice, protecting your voice from the cold and the importance of women removing their hats prior to television appearances are covered.

As a child, I knew my uncle was a greatly respected man of high integrity and intelligence. In the prime of his career, I was just a child, so I never witnessed “Uncle John” making a speech. What I have discovered inside the covers of this book, are transcripts of many of the speeches he made throughout his life. My intentions are to sit down soon, and read each and every one and to learn. After all, you never know when you could be called upon to address a group of people!

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Switching Gears

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“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things  in  a different way.” ~ Edward de Bono

I am amazed at the versatility of  some artists! Last week, a few members of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra came to our weekly Kiwanis International meeting to give us all a short presentation on their programs, upcoming events and to showcase the talents of a few of their professional violinists. There before me stood two women, who produced a magnificent range of harmonious sounds that were representative of the classical music they play in concert with their other symphony members.

Later that week, my husband and I went out to dinner, and performing at the restaurant was one of the very same artists playing her violin. This time, of all things, it was lively, foot stompin’, fun lovin’ blue grass music. Could she ever play! The joy and intensity with which she played was evident on her face, while she played the music of both genres. During one performance, very serious yet beautifully engaged as she gently stroked the violin strings and during the other, broadly and brightly smiling as she plucked and strummed . Two separate manifestations of expression.

Musicians are not the only multi-faceted artists. Writers too, do not always adhere to the same genre of writing. Writers often have the ability to switch from adult to children’s literature, from fiction to non-fiction to poetry or other structure of prose.

Artists by definition are practioners of creativity, ever expanding their repertoire of skills. Switching gears makes life interesting for all of us, artist or non-artist!

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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A great way to introduce yourself as a writer or gain recognition as a writer is to submit your writing to contests. There are many contests that are open for submission during the winter months. Here are just a few:

2010 Leap Frog Press Fiction Contest. Submissions accepted beginning Jan 15 for adult literary fiction and childrens fiction. For more information, please visit www.leapfrogpress.com

2010 Women of Mystery Haiku Contest. Submissions accepted from now until the end of March. Results during National Poetry Month in April. For more information, please visit www.womenofmystery.com

Hurry! There is still time Writers League of Texas. Deadline for Manuscript contest February 24. Prize announced during the Writers League of Texas Agents Conference. June 25-27, 2010.  For full details visit www.writersleague.org.

Tupelo Press Contests – now accepting submissions for Chapbook Awards and First Book of Poetry Awards.  The Snowbound Series Chapbook Award is now accepting submission until February 28, 2010.

The 11th Annual Tupelo Press Press Award for First Book of Poetry now accepting submissions ! $3,000 prize money! Entries must be postmarked or submitted on line before April 15. For more information go to www.TupeloPress.org.

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Following Tradition

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“Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things.” ~ Author Unknown

Oh, how sweet it is! Isn’t that the truth? Pop was the best! He loved us all so unconditionally that he even loved us when he shouldn’t have. The four of us grandchildren were the apple of his eye, the light in his day, and we knew it!

I recently joined Kiwanis International. This service organization was established in 1915, when my Grandfather was a young man in his early twenties. Several months ago, I mentioned to my Dad that I was contemplating joining this fine service organization.  He reminded me of a few things – that my Grandfather, who was a fine custom homebuilder and my uncle, who was a medical reseach doctor, both were Kiwanians. Once I was reminded of this fact, I did vaguely recall that my Grandfather had a Kiwanis plaque hanging in his office.

Many might wonder why a person would join a service organization. It is simple! I was given so much as a child, in ways that have nothing to do with material goods, that if there is some way I can give back by being involved with this great organization, it will be my pleasure!

Kiwanians are involved in all sorts of service projects which benefit children. They aid in providing for homeless children, building playgrounds, raising funds for pediatric research, mentoring disadvantaged children, and much more. Great things come out of stepping out and giving a child a chance in life! I am going to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps, because being a Kiwanian is a tradition worth following!

This short trailer will give a little insight into what Kiwanis is all about! Take just a few minutes to watch fellowship, caring and community happen!  For more information on Kiwanis International, please visit http://www.kiwanis.org.

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It’s All Good!

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“We immediately become more effective when we decide to change ourselves rather than asking things to change for us.” ~ Stephen Covey

You all must think that this blogsite only focuses on independent publishing. Not so! I will read any book or watch any film so long as it adds value to my life, independently published or not!

Although we all stop growing physically at a certain age in life, that does not mean our intellect and self improvement skills need to stop growing, too. Growth from that perspective should be never ending.  Our evolution as human beings should be ongoing, especially if we are to live the kind of life we want for ourselves.

Last week, I stopped by the library and picked up a book that I never expected to be as useful to my own life and business as it is. It is called “Daily Reflections for Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, published by Franklin Covey Company. What a treasure chest of writings this book contains for a values based business. If every business operated with the same synergy suggested in this book, we would all be living in a diamond mine.  Every company and organization would shine so brightly, we would all need blinders on! There is no “preachiness” in each short daily reflection in this book, only empowering principles for living life effectively and with great integrity.

We are all diamonds in the rough. This helpful book may add polish to your life, and contain the very things you have been searching for along your path to an enriched life. Check it out!

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Prepping for An Event

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“The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation.” ~ Unknown

The buzz has begun, excitement is in the air, things are  beginning to transition and I am getting ready!

A few hints won’t hurt a soul-

  • The location could be here or elsewhere
  • It will be worth the wait
  • The anticipation is more than I can stand
  • It will all come, in due time
  • You won’t  be left out

What is it you may ask? That is for me to know, and for you to find out! In the meantime, I am getting dressed. We all hate to be left waiting. Come on back, anytime!

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Beyond Ourselves

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“Compassion is the basis of all morality” ~ Arthur Schopenhauer

Yesterday, we had a very timely speaker at our Kiwanis International weekly meeting. Dr. Dawn Obrecht and her husband Erik Landvik were there to speak with our group about the disaster relief work they have done all over the world. They set up a medical clinic to assist the victims of the Indonesian tsunami, Dr. Obrecht doctored the injured after Hurricane Katrina and has in fact, volunteered her time to five other calamitious events resulting in great loss of life and widespread destruction.

As we watch all that has happened in Haiti over the past week, it gives me pause to think, what this world would be like if Doc Dawn and her husband Erik and thousands of other extraordinarily compassionate individuals did not exist in this world.

Dr. Dawn Obrecht has chronicled her experiences through the writing of her independently published book, Mission Impossible: A Missionary Doctor’s Journey of Healing. http://www.docdawn.com/book1.php.  The perils that she has been up against in her work as a missionary doctor will leave you with an increased understanding of the compassion, kindness and unique human qualities that exist in individuals that are so willing to put themselves, at their own expense, on the line for others.

Dr. Obrecht’s work is not done, she has gotten calls to help in Haiti, however, until there is more order and structure with the relief efforts, she has been advised to wait. Hopefully, Erik will be at her side as this extraordinarily gifted couple work together to fulfill the work that is so important in their lives and to the survival of others.

It has been an honor to begin to know Dr. Obrecht, who like me, was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland! We will  be working together with the Macedonian Mission for Humanity, to help raise funds through an international dinner,  to ship a container of much needed medical supplies to children’s hospitals in Macedonia.

What small thing can you do to help your community or another community of people who are in dire need of help?

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What Am I Getting Myself Into?

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“The value of many men and books rests solely on their faculty for compelling all to speak out the most hidden and intimate things.” ~ Friedrich Nietzshe

How many times have you had a book in your hands ready to buy, but then put it back on the store shelf because you didn’t know if you would like it or not? I don’t know about you, but I have done that frequently! The text on the back or inside flap covers gives us a glimpse into what the book is all about but sometimes that is just not enough. With just a little more insight into the book, perhaps you would be pushed over the edge into buying!

Guess what? Like movie trailers, which tease us into seeing a film, many independent publishers are now offering book trailers for the books they are selling on-line. I like that idea! For me, one extra flash of information about the book helps me discern whether to buy or  not.

Have you as an independent publisher put a book trailer on your list of ways to market your book? It may be the very thing that will grab the attention of a potential buyer and turn interest into action! As consumers, whether we are purchasing clothes, shoes, a book or a film, we all  want to know whether it “fits” prior to purchasing.

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Opportunities Lead to Choices

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“You just don’t luck into things as much as you’d like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it is friendships or opportunities.” ~ Barbara Bush

Over the past years, I have made a concerted effort to stop living in the “what if” frame of mind, at least from a negative point of view. I have decided we are all better off if we look at “what if” from a perspective of opportunity and possibility, instead.

Have you ever stopped to think how e-commerce (on-line, internet selling) has opened up a whole new world of possibilities?  Orders can be placed from all reaches of the globe. Such are the advantages of e-commerce.

Independent publishing lends itself quite naturally to  niche publishing and social media marketing provides great opportunities for reaching those niche markets. A war historian in the U.S. can publish a book on WWI or WWII and a history buff in Europe seeking out the lastest book to add to his collection, will order with little regard of where it is being shipped from.

You will need to figure out how to get the order to your customer, in far off reaches of the world, the most reliable and economical way possible. Global shipping means a conundrum of options with customs forms to match! Each country has it’s own regulations to deal with, too.

Don’t be caught unprepared! Knowing how to get the order across the globe so that it does not go astray, can be part of the battle, too. When contracting with an order fulfillment company, of all questions, ask whether they ship worldwide. It matters!

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