Tag Archives: independent publisher help

An Adjustment

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“The winds of grace are always blowing; all we need to do is raise our sails” ~ Unknown  

Ok, so I couldn’t post the blog that I really wanted to post today. I had written a blog that I really wanted to share with all our readers. It was important and it needed to be said! But the image I wanted to post came to me in a format that does not want to cooperate. 

So, rather than pout, and fuss and stew, I decided to move on and I will share what I have to say, in due time. Hopefully tomorrow I can share it, but if not, we have until August 31st to share the news. 

I have been caught a little off-guard today, since what I had planned needs to be postponed. I will follow the words of a friend who has been a mentor to me for 10 years or more. As she says, “There are no problems, only solutions.” She has set a great example in finding grace during the most trying times, and has taught me to turn to Art for fulfillment and enjoyment! 

So, that is what we will do. Join me in a moment of sharing and caring.

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Plotting the Course

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“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate”                                           ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The words of poet, philosopher, orator and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson have endured because of the wisdom and insight he had into the independent spirit. Transcendentalist and idealist that he was, he well understood how we are all fulfilled by different things in life. He also “got it” when it came to literature, too! His comprehension of how to eloquently use words to move us, worked well. 

One of the biggest advantages of independent publishing, is the ability to plot an individual and “private chart” for marketing a book or film. However, in order to be successful, one must have vision, understand capturing an audience, know how to market and how to tap into it. In this day and age of internet selling, the willingness to step into marketing tactics that are creative and non-traditional is important and necessary.  

If you are a person who enjoys the writing process, but do not consider yourself e-commerce (internet) savvy, there is no reason to be concerned. There are freelance consultants that can help design a course of sales and marketing action for your book. The aim will be to become more visible to your potential buyers so you can increase opportunities for sales.  

Wisdom dictates that it is never too early to begin plotting the course for your voyage for your independently published book or film. Be smart – start right now! Search the internet for companies who specialize in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers.

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Stretch Your Face!

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“Friends have all things in common.” ~ Plato

 Geezum, Crow! Did I ever have my hands full on Friday! It was my birthday and I got inundated with “Happy Birthday Greetings” from  friends all over the globe!  One from Germany, several from Canada, Paris, Norway,  a few from the U.K., New Zealand, Boznia, Australia and even Macedonia, what more could I want? There were messages written by  friends from all across these United States, too!  

My point is really not to crow about my number of  friends. My point here is the value of e-marketing and social media marketing for business. You can reach communities of people, with like interests, all over the universe, through the power of the internet.  My  friends include people who through their own creativity have independent businesses. They are writers, filmmakers, painters, printmakers, independent publishers, just to start the list.  

Some are just friends, caring not that my company provides services for independent publishers, but about me. And you know what? Never underestimate the value of others when it comes to helping to spread the news over the internet! Viral communication travels far, wide and fast – through computers, cell phones, digital cameras and the like.  

In case you are not aware – business has taken on a whole new dimension through the internet! If you are an independent publisher who has not yet become comfortable with the new age of e-commerce and e-marketing, won’t you feel better to be moving ahead into something exciting, fresh and new, rather than feeling stagnant and stuck in the past? 

Even if you are some other kind of business owner, it does not matter! The principles are still the same – becoming more visible to a community of people who share the same interests as you do! What are you waiting for my friend, what are you waiting for? Low cost – far reaching is what it is all about.

 

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Heads UP!!  A lot coming up on the docket on the independent publishing scene. Put all the events on your calendar, so you won’t be caught unaware! 

***The NEIBA Fall Conference (New England Independent Booksellers Association) is October 1st and 2nd at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI. For a small fee, your publication can be displayed at the Independent Publishers of New England display table, whether you are a member or not. For more details, visit http://www.ipne.org/Events. 

***Between now and September 15th, there are 20 writing contests you can enter. Time is running out, so act now if you are interested. For more information on the contests, requirements and entry fees, go to http://www.pw.org. 

***Don’t miss this article in American Artist Magazine – “How to Build An Art Business You Can be Proud Of.”  Subscribe now, and you will receive six (6) free issues! Every month this magazine provides a wealth of articles, features and stunning images from some of the most prominent artists around. Order Now! www.interweave.com 

***The Museum of Modern Art in NYC will be screening during a 10 day period, The March of Time. There are 40 different episodes in this series of films that have never been screened before! Opening Night will be September 1st and panel discussions will follow all screenings. For more information, visit: Facebook.com/themarchoftime. 

***PLAN NOW!!! The 7th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival is scheduled for January 17-22, 2011 in Delray Beach, Florida. Six days of workshops, events, poetry readings featuring notable poets. Deadline to apply November 2, 2010! For more information on this festival www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org. 

Check in again next weekend – there will be more to share!!!

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Two Hearts Beat As One

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“All who joy would win, must share it; happiness was born a twin.” ~ Lord Byron  

The psychology behind raising twins has been studied and written about for decades. The newer studies suggest that behaviorisms of parents raising twins, should be different now, than years ago. All the do’s and don’ts in today’s world of parenting twins looks like this:  

  • “Don’t treat them as a unit”
  • “Separate them into separate classrooms in school.”
  • “Don’t dress them alike.”
  • “Make play dates with separate groups of friends”
  • “Spend time with each twin, individually”
  • “Look for and encourage independence.”
  • “Don’t dress one in pink and the other in blue”  

The list goes on and on. Mighty tall orders to fill for parents of multiple births, who are just trying to get through the day without pulling out their hair!  

Despite the changes in recommendations for raising twins, a lot will always remain  the same for two people who were born on the same day, sharing the same mother. I can vouch for that! My twin will always be my best friend, we will always have our own form of “twin speak”,  our “twin intuition” will always be on the radar screen and that magic bond will always be there!  

Happy Birthday, Jan! Our hearts will always beat as one! With each passing year, mine gets larger for you.

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August Rules

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“Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” ~ May Kay Ash  

It is already August! The first eight months of this year are almost gone! Let’s see what fulfills all those born under the Zodiac sign of Leo the Lion.  

Character Traits of Leos – “I WILL” is the motto of Leos.  They are born leaders and good organizers. Leos have a strong sense of pride, are loyal and honest. It is very important for Leos to put their hearts into something they love!  

As I  did research for this blog post, I came across a fact that I never knew before! My husband shares the same birthday as Saint Francis DeSales! For anyone who knows my husband, he has always lived his life – as a Leo – in the truest sense of the word.  

Saint Francis DeSales (born August 21, 1567) is well known for his words “be who you are and be that well.” Over three hundred of years ago, St. Francis had astounding  insight into what it takes to become successful artists, writers, publishers, musicians, screenwriters, filmmakers, journalists and great human beings. (Note: Mother Teresa was also an August baby). Without doubt, it takes character traits that Leo’s possess in order to pursue the creative path. 

Can you imagine living in a household with two Leos? Our Pisces son can! And he can well explain just what it was like! A Pisces born on the 25th is “in tune with the world around them and they may possess an amazing psychic sensitivity! They are most powerful when they put their talents into a cause much greater than themselves.” http://bit.ly/8XNTFh. 

Yikes! Now this is scary, fascinating stuff! The stuff of compelling films! Do you have any good stories of one Zodiac sign meeting another zodiac sign and the fascinating combined result? If so, share it with us! 

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Mind Reader

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“Seek the spirit in all you do. Keep it with you continually. That is our challenge” ~ Ezra Taft Benson  

Uh- oh, the minister of the church I attend has me all figured out!! He can read minds, too!!  

This Sunday, as I sat in church, the Reverend Tim said  “let’s bow our heads for a  Prayer of Clear Vision!”  It was followed by the song “Open My Eyes, That I May See.” After his beautiful and very heartfelt sermon (it truly was) on “An Unclenched Life”, we then sang “Be Still, My Soul.” 

How in the world did he know that every day, this is what I ask for? This is what I request? With over 400 blogs written, it is more difficult then you might imagine to come up with fresh, interesting material to post on this blogsite each and every day day. When I wake up each morning, I ask to “go through the day with my eyes and ears wide open, so that I may learn or find something of interest and of value to share.” Every night, these are the prayers I ask – “help me, help me, help me to think of what to write tomorrow.” Bingo! Somehow, in some way, in the quiet of the night or in the early dawn of the morning, my prayers are answered! My mind opens up, clarity sets in and I find my way to the computer with an idea of what to compose for my blog of the day.  

See that, all things are fulfilling, when you seek and ask for help! Yes, there is a God, and he helps me with this blogsite,  too!

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Fulfillment from Books and Art

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“Joy is but the sign that creative emotion is fulfilling it’s purpose.”                   ~ Charles DuBos

The other day, I read an article in the Artist Daily www.Interweave.com/Magazines  titled  “Why Does a Painting Move Me?” I began to think of the similarities between the points made in the article and how they apply to the question “Why does a book or film fulfill me?” 

I came up with a list of questions that I ask myself when I am looking for a book on the shelf that will strike a chord within me. Many of these questions are also asked when books are being considered for book group discussions: 

  • Is there psychological intensity to the subject?
  • Are there multiple ways of reading into the content?
  • Can I connect with the writer?
  • Will the style of writing immediately draw me in?
  • Can I relate to the subject matter or genre?
  • Will the story evoke an emotional response from me? 

These questions, when considered throughout the process of writing of a manuscript, can be useful tools for evaluating or critiquing one’s own writing. Successful writing means taking these points into consideration when crafting a story. As a writer, you must fulfill the needs of the reader, otherwise you have no audience.

 

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Weekend Publishing News

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“In life, all that’s really needed to to make any good choice, believe in it, go through with it, and accept the consequences.”

If you are a writer who is contemplating whether or not to independently publish your book, there exists a great opportunity to sort things out! In Denver, CO on Saturday, August 28th from 8:30 am to 2:30pm, the Colorado Independent Publishers Association www.cipabooks.com will be presenting a summer workshop The Road Map to Publishing Your Book. Learn the pros and cons of traditional vs. independent publishing from other authors who have been through the drill.

Immediately following the workshop will be the CIPA summer book sale from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. The book fair is free and open to the public. Check out independently published books from Colorado’s wealth of talented writers and buy some books, too!

Both of these events provide a great way to learn about one of the largest and most active non-profit independent publishing associations in the U.S. CIPA is all about opportunity and education for independent publishers. Take advantages of these two events. For more information and location, please visit www.cipabooks.com.

Hope to see you there!

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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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