Tag Archives: independent publishers

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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Seeing it Through

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“There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity” ~ Tom Peters 

I love it when I re-read a book and gain more from it the second time around. There are often hidden messages, concepts and all sorts of things that fly over our heads the first time around. 

About a year ago, a book came into my hands called “The Hourglass Principle”  by Ray Kelly III. It is written by a person who has spent a lifetime in sales. The book addresses the issue of building a business and the choices that we have in doing so. He mentions that throughout the process, we may come to a crossroad where a decision must be made of how to proceed. Sometimes there are two choices – we can take the short route, often sacrificing our beliefs and convictions or we may take, perhaps, a more challenging route allowing us to remain true to our selves. As author Ray Kelly III points out, “Integrity is the only thing we carry with us from career to career.” 

I began to think how integrity applies to the reasons why people decide to independently publish. For many, the choice is easy. After talking with a traditional publishing house, the author often realizes what is at stake is the piece of work they have poured their heart and soul into writing. If they hand their manuscript over to a traditional publisher, it could ultimately be sacrificed. Their words may be changed, a rewrite with a different slant may be requested. It may be marketed by people who do not share the approach or the same values. The cover design choice may even be out of their hands. 

What would you do, if given the choice?

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An Eagle Eye Approach

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“He is a great communicator and teacher. He knows how to fix things when they go wrong.” ~ Kevin Steele 

Over the past week or two, my son and I have had a running conversation about deadlines, and how they become the all consuming focus for so many writers, filmmakers and artists. 

Sometimes in the rush to meet a deadline, details that are critical to the success of a project are often overlooked. Yes, rewriting or redoing is arduous and laborious, but, it is not worth risking quality for the sake of just getting the project done and out the door. Presenting a project that is representative of your capability as a talented artist is vital. 

Before the deadline, it is wise to have someone take a hard-line objective look at the project you have been so deeply engaged in. An opinion without bias can serve you well! This step should not be ignored, nor should it be left as a final detail. Suppose there are things that need to be reworked? 

Meticulous does not mean being inflexible. It means caring and putting your very best forward. Think of it this way, what do you look for when you are at the other end? Quality, probably!

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Click Now for Impact!

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After all, creativity comes out of art and creativity is what businesses need.” ~Judi Jedlicka

 Are you person who makes a living either directly or indirectly through the arts? Or perhaps the Arts adds value to your life in some other way. Then listen up! Become an advocate for the Arts.

 On Friday, July 23rd, the U.S. House Interior Appropriations subcommittee approved a 2.5 million dollar increase for the National Endowment for the Arts in its fiscal year budget for 2011. Chairman Jim Moran, acknowledged that the “increase recognizes the value we place, as a nation, on our artistic and cultural heritage.”

 Please take two minutes, and send a message to your members of Congress, telling them to support this funding increase that Chairman Moran supports.

Click on this link http://bit.ly/gMePk and add your name to the list of millions of other Americans who support the Arts Action  Fund.

 Won’t you join me today and ask your members of Congress to vote “YES” for this funding increase?

 

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Writers from all over the world will be converging at The Edinborough International Book Festival, just weeks away. Beginning August 14th, you can join legendary writers and thinkers at this festival. Four Nobel laureates and four Booker winners will be in attendance. As well as, over 40 authors making their debut!

This 17  day international festival is jammed full with workshops, readings, educational information for writers. A few of the activities include:

  • Storytellers
  • Oxford University Professor, Robin Dunbar – about social networking
  • Bookmaking for kids
  • Rosie Allen – producer of arts documentaries
  • Brother & sister due from Poland – on Writing a Book with your Sibling
  • Culinary Writing Workshop

For more information on this International Book Festival, visit

http://www.edbookfest.co.uk.

 

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An Indie Bound Meeting!

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“The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the same books” ~ Katherine Mansfield 

If you visited this website yesterday, welcome back! I am glad you returned! Our paths seem to cross a lot on this blogsite. Obviously, many of the same things are fulfilling to us! We share an interest  in independently published words, thoughts and views.

There is more information that I would like to share with you all about Indie Bound. Across America, there are bookstores who support and believe in the growing trend of independent publishing! That is right, and there is more! 

Did you know Indie Bound even has a bestselling list of independently published books? http://www.indiebound.org/indie-bestsellers. This list is updated weekly. Here are a few picks from their list: 

  • The Help – Katheryn Stockett
  • Faithful Place – Tana French
  • The Passage –  Justin Cronin
  • Fly Away Home – Jennifer Weiner
  • Matterhorn – Karl Marlantes
  • The Cookbook Collector – Allegra Goodman 

Let’s try to meet another way – in person!  How does meeting at an Indie Bound bookstore sound? Let’s meet at  The Epilogue Bookstore in Steamboat Springs, CO on August 5th at 7pm, because they are Indie Bound! Let’s discuss “On the Fast Track: The Independent Publishing Industry.” I know we will find a lot of common ground! Author Mitzi Rudderow of Dallas, TX has already sent me her RSVP. She wants to add to the discussion and introduce her book “Coming Clean: Drug Addiction Help and Hope.” Sounds like a plan to me! 

Need more information the location of The Epilogue Bookstore? Please visit their website http://epiloguebookco.com/ 

See you there! 

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Organic Writing?

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“And all writing is creating or spinning dreams for other people so they won’t have to bother doing it themselves” ~  Beth Henley 

I am not so sure  Bowker would concur with Beth Henley! According to Bowker’s April 2009 statistics http://bit.ly/cp3anL, the independent publishing industry which includes small publishing houses, micropublishers and self publishers grew a whopping 181% in 2009. While the traditional publishing industry remained flat! 

This indicates, to me, that people are crazed with creating or spinning their own dreams these days. Many writers are fulfilling their vision of becoming a published writer through independent publishing. Perhaps they don’t care to mess about with the “big guys” who claim there are 17 reasons why most books get rejected.  One of the 17 reasons for rejection is that the writing is “not organic.” Sorry, that only sounds like an inane buzzword to me. 

If you have received rejection time and time again, and you are loosing faith in the publishing game, perhaps knowing why books get rejected could be of value! There must be very valid reasons why Janet Reid says “99.2% of all manuscripts that pass by her desk get rejected!” To learn more about what doesn’t get through the standard response button of “no”, please visit http://bit.ly/VygcF.

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Antique Marquees

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“If people don’t walk out of theatres saying “Yes, something is possible, then you have failed.” ~  Isaac Newton 

There is a movement underway to restore old movie houses and bring new life to them! Fits in with current trends, doesn’t it?  These days, it is all about recycle, renew and renovate! 

Many of the regal, ornate American movie theatres were torn down with wrecking balls, or replaced by modern multiplexes. Those that were spared, sit idle and in disrepair. People across America are putting their dollars and their efforts into restoring the grand old dames of old community theatres such as the Bijous, Roxys and Rialtos! Even in Steamboat Springs, CO a non-profit organization has been formed to try to save the Chief Theatre built in the center of downtown in 1926. For more information on this trend of restoring movie theatres in cities across America, please visit http://bit.ly/cl54Uk. 

Entering the doors of  new modern cineplexes is akin to  walking into chain hotels. They all kind of look alike! There is nothing unique about the architecture – no fancy decorations, embellishments  or fascinating details – just four walls, rows of seats, a large screen and audio surround sound. 

I like the idea of historic preservation! Perhaps restoration of old theatres could help bring new life to downtowns. Not only would marquees be lit up once again, but businesses whose lively hoods have been damaged by malls, outlets and suburban shopping may shine once again, too!

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