A Woman of Wisdom

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I am feeling most appreciative for time spent writing a memoir for an inspirational woman. As her memoirist, it was my duty to get at the heart of her life story and I hope I have adequately done so. There is a certain level of trust which goes along with this honor and privilege.

Yesterday one proof copy of the book arrived on my doorstep, which will give me one last chance to go over it before it goes to print. Hopefully, between myself and the editor, we have found all the oops between the dots and the dashes.

My client’s request for privacy is important to both of us, so the publication will not be sold in the market place, but, I’d like to give you a little insight into her story. So, I will share the summary which appears on the back cover.

My takeaway from her narrative is exactly as John Dewey stated it, “…education is life itself.” I gained insight into how very important it is to keep learning new things and growing throughout one’s lifetime.

 

Insightful Storytelling

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Today marks the very near conclusion of a writing project I have been working with a client on for about two years. The manuscript has just gone to the printer for a proof copy. It is a publication which you will not be able to find through internet searches because it was written to not to gain fame or draw attention, rather to share a retrospective look at one’s life with a select group of people – family, friends and personal connections.

The advantages of independent publishing led my client to chose this option because she has come to understand after a long life, the words of Robert T. Kiyosak who once said, “You and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.” These wise words are reflected throughout many of my client’s personal recollections.

Independent publishing allows for a book to be published and sold (or not) perhaps more uniquely and creatively without regard to certain traditional publishing standards. I am an advocate for it’s flexibility and I thoroughly enjoyed working with my client on this independent publishing project. I am most grateful for the time spent together.

My client and I look forward to holding the book in our hands and celebrating together when we receive it.

 

 

The Spring Outing

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Today, I’d like to share a piece of my writing, which has never been published, titled The Spring Outing! May you feel refreshed, renewed and encouraged by every new dawn during the Eastertide Season.

The Spring Outing

©Sue Batton Leonard 2004

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Winter’s chill has passed

I shall no longer shiver

Today, I am off to the river.

I’ll scamper

along with my hamper.

Go to the weeping willow

where there will be a soft pillow.

A mound of moss,

for my clean linen cloth.

 

Before me I’ve strewn,

A canteen of steeped tea

a silver fork, knife and spoon.

A spring onion tart

with ‘shrooms and cheese,

and a tasty salad of caprese.

A square of dark chocolate

is in the pocket.

I’ll save one cup

for after I’ve supped,

while watching spring erupt.

 

With the yellow forsythia branches

I’ll weave in tender pussy willows

dotted with long stemmed violets.

A crown to place on my head

before I lay on my makeshift bed.

 

Amidst snowdrops, 

little bunny hops,

and silly daffodillies,

I’ll  nap and dream

of summer’s August.

When aside the garden

I’ll sit in the long grass

Among the wildflowers mass

drinking chilled sassafras.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bringing Culture to Rural Areas

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I recently revisited the 1861 Greek Revival building in Stowe, Vermont which is shared by the Stowe Free Library and the Helen Day Art Center, a non-profit arts education organization “deeply committed to eliminating socioeconomic barriers by bringing a comprehensive education program into the Gallery and out into community. “

The establishment of this multi-use space in 1981 has done much to bring art appreciation to a town which, at one time, was primarily visited for it’s ski culture.

“The Helen Day” is one of 45 Vermont Museums and Galleries which make up the Vermont Curators Group.

The black and white photographic  exhibit I visited displayed the works of Dona Anne McAdams.

I couldnt help but notice how the pictures of avante-garde individuals, social justice and poignant every day life were so similar to the kinds of images photojournalist Cherel Ito chose back in the 1960s. In my eyes, if Ito was still alive she and McAdams would be kindred spirits. Ito’s photographs now live on at the National Women in the Arts Museum in Washington D.C.

Here is a very small sampling of McAdams photos which I enjoyed because the viewer can find the story in each of them.

 

 

 

Indie Bookstore Day

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A few Saturday’s ago was celebrate Independent Bookstore Day. In many states  COVID-19 has restricted the opening of brick and mortar stores over the past 6 months but regulations have relaxed just a little allowing a celebration with social distancing. Many bookstores held sidewalk  celebrations.

As I participated in a book signing in Bel Air, MD I couldn’t help but think how selling books by e-commerce and also the development of electronic books (e-books) and audio books were made for a time such as this. Had it not been for the vast changes in the publishing industry over the past 12 or 15 years, bookselling would have come to a complete and utter screaming hault during these challenging times.

It felt so good to be able to participate in a bookselling event and to meet and greet other authors who share a passion for writing.

Here’s a few images of Independent Bookstore Day in 2020! Books are already being written about this unique time in history.

Featuring a Newly Published Artist

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Today’s blog post is written in honor of artist Richard Galusha, a Colorado Artist who I am so very excited for. Galusha Studios has a new publication hot off the press. Although giclee prints of Galusha’s vast collection of original artwork have been published, there has never been a book about the artist’s life and his work. Here is more about “An Artist’s Journey: Richard Galusha.”

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When you are a prolific painter like Richard Galusha, at some time in one’s long career, an artist’s collectors are interested in seeing a Retrospective Show. This means gathering a lifetime of the artist’s work for the public to view.

In the year 2020, two separate exhibitions will hang in art galleries in the United States giving collectors the opportunity to see nearly every canvas of Colorado artist Richard Galusha. The Steamboat Art Museum, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is currently playing host to Galusha’s Retrospective Show until April 11, 2020.

On May 11, 2020 a second exhibition, will open in Abiline, Texas at the Center for Contemporary Arts. Paintings from the Wachter and Bradley collections comprise most of Galusha’s art being showcased for the month of May. Paintings include western art as well a varied mix of landscapes from mountains to oceans and faces of people from all over the world. The oils are representative of the wide range of the artist’s talent.

Many art aficionados and collectors are eager to know about the background of an artist whose work they are viewing and purchasing. Thus, Galusha Studios offers a newly released book which compliments the two Retrospective shows and allows the art enthusiast to have a more meaningful experience. “Through the very personal biography included in “An Artist’s Journey” and the art in the book, one feels he or she knows the artist more intimately,” says the author of the publication, Sue Batton Leonard.

The hardcover 12” X 12” coffee table sized book has two-hundred-twenty-eight pages of paintings in full color. Art educator, painter and Colorado art gallery owner Galusha’s retrospective exhibition catalog also incorporates photographic images of unique lifetime experiences he’s had that many people only dream about.  For instance, says Sue Batton Leonard, “a fortuitous meet-up with a football legend presented the artist with the opportunity to paint the athlete. What a thrill for Galusha who as a young man on the high school football field held the quarterback in great regard and wanted to be like him some day. The artist has had a storied career well worth writing about.”

Richard Galusha: An Artists Journey, allows the reader to walk through the door into the life of the painter from the time he was a child and spend time with his family. The biography covers his life until present day. The author states “If you have ever wondered why an artist becomes an artist, this biography is for you.” Galusha’s narrative is as entertaining as it is informative. The West Texas boy was raised in a large colorful family and as the story unfolds one begins to connect his heritage and his familial environment with how it has influenced him to live life “the artists way.”

For twenty years as a teacher this artist passed on his knowledge to his high school students and gave them an understanding of what it really takes to be an artist. His impressive design of a well-outfitted art department and classroom is a great example of how Galusha puts his professional best into everything he has ever done. What better example could his young students have had in seeing how one develops an admirable art career?

From reading the biography one will understand why Galusha connects with the subjects he paints, whether it is a landscape, a portrait, or wildlife. He has traveled the world, often far off the beaten path. His biographer says, “Once he is smitten with what he is seeing and experiencing, he prefers to capture it immediately on canvas “en plein air” rather than in his studio.”

Those with an appreciation for art and the creative life who are unable to travel to the Retrospective shows will enjoy looking at the treasure of images between the covers of the publication and reading about “Richard Galusha: An Artists Journey.” Ahhh…the beauty of a colorful art exhibition catalog that can be ordered by calling 970-819-2850 or (970) 870-1755.

That’s all for today from AllThingsFulfilling.com! See you back here soon as we go roaring into 20’s!

She’s Got the Whole World in Her Hands

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Independent publishing has turned the whole publishing world nearly upside down because if you have the will, now there is a way! There is no longer the need to get the “green light” from a mainstream publisher to move forward with getting a book into the market place. Every tool is now available to anyone of any age to write, publish and sell through e-commerce or through any portal an author is willing to pursue. What is needed is a mature level of stick-to-it-ive-ness to accomplish such a goal.

Today, I’d like to share a story about a young girl from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. At thirteen years of age, she recently independently published her first book. I can well remember the fulfilling feelings when I birthed my debut publication which became an award-winning memoir. But, I was decades older than the girl featured in today’s story. Read more about this story of outstanding accomplishment here because it may inspire you to step up and write the story you’ve had inside of you.

God Blessed you, Mackenzie Ostrowski, with a creative spirit filled with powerful motivation and dogged perseverance to inspire others. At your youthful age, you’ve got the whole world in your hands and you’re going for it already in your young life! Good for you! Make the most of all your interests.

I can’t wait to read Mackenzie Ostrowski’s debut novel and it sounds like her success has encouraged her to write more.

Thank you to Laurie at the Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church for sending me this story!

“Be open to God’s novelty.”

On this Independence Day 2019

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On this Independence Day, we at AllThingsFulfilling.com have decided to take stock by looking in on some of the latest statistics regarding independent publishing! Indeed the publishing paradigm has changed enormously over the past ten years.

Did you know in 2017 alone, over 1,000,000 books were independently published? That’s right!

Go right to the source for the report from, Bowker!

That’s not even to mention 266 million e-books that were sold. Read the full reports here!

For the fifth straight year the number of books in print have grown. According to Beat Barblan, Director of Indentifer Services at Bowker, independent publishing “shows no signs of slowing down and it continues to grow at a steady rate.”‘

Of course, in this digital world, intellectual property piracy continues to be a huge concern and at issue.

Since 2012, there has been 156% increase in ISBN#s issued, says Bowker.

What can that be attributed to? You might ask. Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Increase in number of publishing associations which serve authors.
  • Technology
  • Growing author communities
  • Increasing products and services for authors
  • Resources to market books independently and digitally

On this Independence Day 2019, I’d like to point out freedom of press has been a cornerstone value since our country began! It is our belief at AllThingsFulfilling.com that with freedom comes great responsibility. Use and choose your words carefully to help unite rather than harm.

In short, practice the golden rule “Treat others as oneself would wish to be treated.”

Happy 4th of July!