Weekend Indie Publisher News

Attention Independent Filmmakers –

Nomads Land www.nomadsland.com is calling for entries for the Washington, DC Film Series. They are seeking 7 social issue documentary films. Films may be submitted between December 2009 – June 2010.

For submission guidelines, please go to www.nomadsland.com.

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Reminder:  Cover to Cover Radio Show for Authors and Publishers

Airs every Saturday morning on www.wnzf.com  with Host Frank Gromling. Tune in on-line and learn about the independent publishing industry.

  • 11:30 am Eastern Time
  • 10:30 am Central Time
  • 9:30 am Mountain Time
  • 8:30 am Pacific Time

Turning Pages

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

For those of you who are returning to this blogsite, you know we have approached the subject of electronic reading devices before. Someone sent me an article from a publishing newsletter the other day that caught my attention. I will share an interesting tidbit of information from the newsletter with you –

Did you know it takes 25% longer to read a book on a digital reading device?

Do you know what the long range consequences of this estimation means?  It means I will read approximately 25% less books in my lifetime. As an owner of a company that serves independent publishers, I am NOT okay with that! I can sum it up real quick, here and now!

I have promises to keep,

and books to read before I sleep,

and books to read before I sleep.

And from a computer, I need relief!!

Get the story?

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Publishing Love Letters

“The love of  a family is life’s greatest blessing.” ~ Unknown

Desktop publishing has been used widely for families to document and share their family geneology and history. Because, let’s be honest, unless you are a member of a notable family, have accomplished something unusual in life, are a hot television personality or politician, a CEO “giant” or have an extreme story to tell, the chances are slim to none of having your book published by a traditional and major publishing house.

Many people find it important to travel to different parts of the world to discover, document and learn about their geneology, but it is not necessary. Tracing your family heritage is made simple in this digital age. Websites like Ancestry.com makes searching for relatives possible and fun.

The purpose of publishing a family history is to pass along stories of family members migrating from one geographical area to another, to teach of ancestor’s struggles and adversities, to record births and deaths, family values and ethnic lineage. A study of our ancestry helps us to identify and connect with those family members who came before us.

A common mistake is to think that only your family members would be interested in your family’s tales. Not so – I just read an independently published book called “Out of Vienna” by Ernie Weiss. www.OutofVienna.com.  The author is not personally known to me, nor is his extended family. But the recounting of his family’s eight year escape from Vienna during the Nazi occupation to the United States was fascinating.

If you are contemplating independently publishing a book about your family’s geneology – take the leap. For your relatives, a book of family history is the inheritance of a love letter written for your children and those not yet born.

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Are you an emerging writer looking to share your work with readers? Are you interested in meeting other writers and building a network of literary friends?

Share your writing by uploading your own book and download  other e-books too through www.bookrix.com.  A great way to begin to build a following as a writer, too!

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Braveheart

“When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into it’s writing.” ~ Enrique Jardiel Poncela

Someone not too long ago made the comment to me that “I am a brave woman to bare my soul through blogging.” Her remark took me by surprise and I began to think about why people write and whether putting pen to paper is an act of bravery.

I came to the conclusion that, yes for many, writing is an act of courage. Therapeutic writing often addresses wrongdoings or failings in one’s life.  Topics of therapeutic writing can be ugly and fraught with raw emotion. Feelings of victimization, being punished or bullied, thoughts of resentment, shame, grief or frustration is often addressed in therapeutic writing. Acts of contrition are often mentioned.  Writing is cathartic and a useful tool of psychological therapy for many.

Writing a memoir takes guts too! Reflecting on one’s own life is not always easy. The act of sharing one’s own life story takes courage.  Deep reflection on one’s own life and it’s purpose often digs up unpleasant moments and times that have been pushed way back, lest they be remembered.

No, I am not a brave woman. I write because it is fun. It gets my fingers goin’ and my thoughts flowin’ and if someone likes my writing, it is all that more satisfying and fulfilling.

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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First things, first!

Tune in This Morning! Poor Frank, he must be feeling ignored! I have been unable to listen to his Radio Show “Cover to Cover” for a few weeks now.  If you have never listened to this radio show for writers and publishers, every Saturday morning is your chance. No need for a radio, “Cover to Cover” can be listened to on line at www.wnzf.com. Host Frank Gromling always has insightful, interesting guests on his show sharing their knowledge of the publishing world.

Tune in at 11:30 am Eastern Standard Time, 10:30 am Central Time, 9:30 am Mountain Time and 8:30 am Pacific Time.

Let’s show Frank our support today!!! Listen in and learn with me!

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Registration is now open for The Association of Writers (AWP) 2010 Conference in Denver, CO!! You can save money now by registering early. Major sponsors, literary partners and patrons make this great three day event possible at the Hyatt Regency form April 7 – 10, 2010. The event includes a book fair, presenters and  exhibitors.

A wealth of information for writers is available through the AWP. They sponsor writing contests, writers conferences, information on writing careers and MFA writing programs. Check it out at http://www.awpwriter.org.

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It is All in the Details

ice cream sundae

Can you imagine a company like Ben and Jerry’s ice cream deciding to sell a new flavor without tasting the concoction first? It would never happen!  Before they even begin to create a new flavor, the company often canvasses ice cream lovers for flavor suggestions. A lot of research and development goes into a new flavor before it goes to market. The company mixes and tastes, mixes and tastes, mixes and tastes, until they are completely satisfied with the test batches. Then they come up with a name and packaging for the new flavor that will excite discerning palates and make customers want to scream for the new ice cream.

If you are a self publishing author or independent publisher, the same kind of consideration needs to go into your book. Talk with those whom you think would be your prospective readers and get a feel for whether your book would be saleable or not.  Research how many books have been published on the subject you want to write about. Think about who your market would be (main and ancillary). What would your strategy for reaching those markets be? Would you sell the book on-line? Do you know the most economical and quickest way to ship and how to keep track of the business end of shipping? What title and book cover would grab the attention of your reader? These are all  details you would need to think about.

The most successful independent publisher has crafted not only their manuscript carefully but they have designed a complete plan for their publication from concept to market. They know their strengths and limitations and seek help for the parts of the plan they know little about.

No, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream would not think of selling a new product without taste testing. A writer would not think of placing their book on the shelf without editing either.

It is all in the details!

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More Indie Publisher News

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Did anyone listen to the Saturday weekly radio show for writers and publishers called “Cover to Cover” hosted by Frank Gromling on www.wnzf.com?  Copywrite information was the subject of the day and the guest was Christopher Kenneally from the Copywrite Clearance Center in Boston, MA. Chris is also host and moderator for “Beyond the Book” www.BeyondtheBook.com. The programs are often broadcast on C-Span’s Book TV and in Canada on BookTelevision.

There is alot of confusion and legalities regarding copywrite issues due to the ways in which we publish in today’s world.  We publish on paper, on-line, through electronic digital files, through movies (DVDs) and on cd’s in the music industry. For intellectual property protection,  best course of action is through copywrite registration through the Library of Congress www.loc.gov. Registration of your publication is not mandatory, however, it is the best way to protect your intellectual property rights.

The Copywrite Clearance Center www.copywrite.com in Boston, MA is a good resource for non-fiction publishing, where fact checking is essential for business, academic,research, medical and economic related publishing.

If you missed yesterday’s radio show “Cover to Cover” with Frank Gromling and wish to hear what was discussed regarding the issue of copywrite, please go to the archive section of  www.wnzf.com for “Cover to Cover” and look for October 10, 2009.  The broadcast will also be available on Ocean Publishing’s website www.OceanPublishing.com.

It is not too late to listen and learn!

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Attention Non-Fiction Writers!!  If you have a book relevant to better living, enter it into the book award contest sponsored by www.livingnowawards.com.  This contest is looking for books which relate to living fulfilling lives. There are 28 categories offering gold, silver and bronze medals.

Some of the categories include:

  • Cooking – general, organic and holiday
  • Personal Growth
  • Health and Wellness
  • Enlightenment/Spirituality
  • Hobbies and Crafts
  • Wedding Planning
  • Gardening/Landscaping
  • Pets/Livestock
  • Green Living
  • Home/Remodeling/Decorating
  • Travel
  • Finance/Budget
  • Charity
  • Style/Shopping
  • Charity
  • Mature Living

For information on all categories and entry guidelines, please visit www.livingnowawards.com.

Enter Early and Save!

$70 per title until November 7, $80 per title from November 8 to January 8, 2010 and $90 per title from January 10 – February 14, 2010 (deadline date).

Books that win contests SELL! ENTER NOW!

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Do I have to practice?

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart”                                   ~       William Wordsworth

I was a clarinet player once. Until my ear drums nearly burst from the squeeking sounds I produced from the musical instrument and my tongue became blistered, splintered and sore from biting on the reeds.  I knew it was time to quit when my Dad nearly went broke buying new clarinet reeds for my twin sister and me. As I have aged, I have often looked back on my days as a clarinet player.  I came to realize the issue was not the reeds, it was my inability to play well. What it boiled down to  was, I did not practice.

Blogging is a great way to practice your writing skills.  The more you write, your skills will improve and the easier it will get – supposedly.  I often ask “when can I call myself a writer?” Probably now, of all things!  I am suffering from the very thing that all writers loathe – writers block. 

How do I overcome this cloud that seems to be hanging over my head?  From my days of clarinet playing, I know that practice is critical if you want to become accomplished in the Arts.  I will have to break from the norm and change up my routine.  But, I promise you all –

  • Je vais ecrire!
  • Ich schreibe, wid!
  • Ik zal schrijven!
  • Voy a escribir!
  • Budu psat!
  • Lo scrivero!

And perhaps some day, I will learn WordPress well enough to use diacritical marks where they are needed, so that all of our global clients can understand what I am trying to say!

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