Tag Archives: Independent Publishing

Having “The Talk”

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“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages that you have been.” ~ Unknown 

Hundreds of adult children every year are faced with having to have “the talk” with their parents, about long term care planning and their needs. Unfortunately, this subject is often put off all too long, making it necessary for adult children of aging parents to get involved in the process. 

According to Mike Campbell, a dedicated consumer advocate for families searching for long-term quality care options, besides dealing with this issue early on, there are four more ways to make having “the talk” about long term care easier. 

  1. Be honest and direct.
  2. Be a good listener.
  3. Take advantage of ice breaking opportunities to broach the subject
  4. Never make promises, because you do not know what is ahead. Health and other conditions can change with time. 

Having “the talk”, and many other issues that are relevant to eldercare are addressed in Mike Campbell’s new book “When Mom and Dad Need Help.” Mike has worked in the eldercare business for 18 years. Mike is a CPA with a Batchelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University with a major in accounting and pre-law. He has visited hundreds of senior housing and care communities across this country. 

From his experience and background, Mike recognizes that each person’s set of financial, mental and health conditions are unique. This book helps adult children to work together with their parents to find the best senior housing and care option for their needs. 

For more information about this very valuable resource on eldercare, please visit www.iffenwen.com.

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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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Add them Up!

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“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase ‘to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy” ~ Stephen R. Covey

Hey! It’s a good day! 

I have just gotten word that my article on E-Marketing: Moving Books from Basement to Marketplace will be published within the next twenty four hours. http://bit.ly/ateGw7. 

That’s not all that is fulfilling in my life! There is so much more! Sometimes, when our lives are taken up with responsibilities in the workplace, in the home, as members of families and communities it is difficult to find quiet in the storm of life and remember that each and every day is a blessing, even during our most hectic times! 

For the next week, I am going to be completely engaged in some of the things that fulfill me the me most –volunteering for several events at Strings in the Mountains www.stringsinthemountains.org  which affords me the ability to enjoy the Arts, spending Sunday with precious, open-minded children learning about the value of faith and planning how I can best share the spirit of independent publishing with the writing community of Steamboat Springs, CO. 

Today, is fabulous Friday and I would like to share with you the miracle of nature. I have much to do this day, so rather than share words, I am going to share an image. Enjoy! 

See you in a few days!

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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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Send it Packing!

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“Action is the foundational key to all success” ~ Pablo Picasso 

Are you an independent publisher whose story has changed from inspiring, educating, entertaining and informing others to being consumed with all matters related to shipping? Has postage, boxes, tape, labels, pick-up and delivery of orders become the focus of your day? 

In one sense, this is positive! It means your independent publishing business is prospering, and that is, effectively, good news. However, it may be leaving you feeling torn between spending time doing what you need to do and what you love to do. Your life has gone from writer and publisher to maestro of the shipping department, and it is probably making it hard to focus on what you do best! The truth of the matter is, at some point, your labors of love have turned into a labor of dread. 

Perhaps it is time to consider the alternative! An order fulfillment company can help you get those publications out of your basement, garage, attic and car and into the hands of the consumer in the fastest, economical way, leaving you to focus on what you do best – writing and publishing. 

If you have never considered this alternative, maybe it is time! Help is only a click away! Go to your favorite search engine and enter the words – affordable order fulfillment for independent publishers. It is as easy as that!

 Authors and publishers – think outside the box – partner with an order fulfillment company!

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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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