Tag Archives: Independent Publishing

Displaying Heart and Soul

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“All forms of self expression are linked.”  ~ Alexandra Stoddard

On a very basic level, the reasons for independent publishing are to educate, inspire, inform and entertain others. But independent publishing provides an avenue for writers, filmmakers, musicians and artists to share their craft with others on a much deeper level too. Through independent publishing you are able to:

  • Share unique perspectives on the world
  • Craft uniquely stylized compositions of writing, music or visual self expression
  • Express oneself truthfully – baring heart and soul.
  • Capture the human condition and the world through words, pictures and sounds.
  • Translate emotion, feelings, thoughts and ideas.

These very deep needs for self expression are often lost in the editorial process through traditional publishing. Although sales are important to the independent publisher and traditional publisher alike, the need for authentic expression is often the force behind the reasons for independent publishing.

What are your reasons for composing, writing or otherwise artistically expressing yourself? Perhaps the independent publishing industry can help you reach your goals and dreams.

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Rewarding Regional Writing

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“I’d rather have an aggregator than a filter – 100 different viewpoints from all over the world”  ~ David Weinberger

My vantage point today comes from atop a lighthouse overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. This point of view has led me to consider how our experiences in life lead to the subjects we write about and how independent publishing provides the perfect opportunity to share our knowledge, experiences and subjects we know best, with others.

Last night, I read about writer Tom Horton, who for 35 years has been documenting the decline of the Chesapeake Bay’s wild places. His regional writing has earned him a reputation for eloquent environmental reporting. Tom attributes his love of words from  having witnessed the life a reporter, his mother, who spent her career as a Baltimore Sun news reporter and also from his love of Marvel and Disney comic books. Also the son of a poultryman, he has experienced life on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay first hand. These experiences have led to numerous books and copious articles filled with a rich and deep understanding of the subjects he knows best.

Whether you are from the Bayou of Louisiana writing about recent environmental issues concerning oil spills, a Western writer sharing stories about ranch life, an international traveler  documenting cultural differences, or an author writing about the California art scene, independent publishing is possible and can be rewarding both personally and financially.

Sharing thought, views and perspectives is what independent publishing is all about! Do you have a book in you?

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Catch-up Time

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“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius

The most fulfilling thing as a parent is to know that the child you have raised is successfully moving along in his or her own life. This blogsite will remain quiet for a little bit as my husband and I witness our son graduate from college! I don’t know where the last 22 years have gone, but it has been an honor and a priviledge to raise our son, from newborn to an independent filmmaker! Wow!

If you are a first time visitor to this blogsite, don’t turn away so fast! There is a lot of independent publishing help and hints on this blogsite provided especially for you! Check out our previous blogs about –

  • Developing a great, absolutely free marketing technique for selling your book or film – Your Elevator Speech.
  • Check out the video on our Blog News Page about the gowing independent publishing industry.
  • Learn from our blogs, the latest trends in on-line marketing for independent publishers.
  • Find out how independent publishers can focus on the tasks of writing and publishing by outsourcing order fulfillment and e-marketing.
  • Consider the words of wisdom provided on this site about living a fulfilling life through the creative industry of independent publishing.
  • Check in on some independent books & films featured on this blogsite.
  • Last, but not least, there is some good tutorial information on the internet about independent filmmaking. To check it out, visit: 

            http://bit.ly/b0Rind            http://bit.ly/2mPX

When I return, there will be lots to share about order fulfillment for independent publishers and some exciting upcoming events! Stay tuned and until then, keep writing, reading, watching independent films and fulfilling your life through creative industry!

 

 Photos of our son Marc R Leonard filming his first documentary film in 2005 – Slidell, Louisiana  “Louisiana Lives: Life in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.”

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Do you all have the 2010 Christian Writers Market Guide? If not, you better grab a copy while there are still some left! This is a top resource for writers, revised yearly, to stay current with up to date essential information such as:

  • Listing of Book Publishers
  • Greeting Card and Gift Marketers
  • Christian Writing Contests
  • Order Fulfillment and E-Marketing for Independent Publishers
  • Editorial Services
  • Card/Game/DVD Software Developers
  • Pastor/leadership Markets
  • Christian Writers Groups
  • Literary Agents

This invaluable resource, by Sally E. Stuart, is one of the most comprehensive resource guides I have found. Sally is the author of 34 books.

For more information, please visit www.stuartmarket.com

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Seeking the Unknown

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“My task which I am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel–it is, before all, to make you see.”     ~ Joseph Conrad 1897

Living life with clarity can be as difficult to achieve as writing with clarity. From time to time, we live with absolute clarity knowing where we want to go and what we want to achieve. At other times throughout our lives, we are in a state of disarray, not knowing exactly where we are headed or how we are going to get there. Writing with clarity sometimes alludes us. At other times, there is no fuzz, we are lucid and free of ambiguity. For those who think in abstract terms, clarity in writing is more difficult to achieve.

When you write without organization, your message is unfocused, the reader has to do too much work to grasp and interpret the message, and the reader often looses interest. In business writing, in essays and in non-fiction writing, abstract writing is infrequently used and clarity is needed most.

Sometimes, however, it is good to live our lives spontaneously! When every detail of our life is not planned, we become engaged in experiences that are exciting, unexpected and delightful. Such is the case with creative writing! Letting our thoughts swirl and soar can result in writing with novelty and artistry.

I have a plan in mind! I have made a promise to myself that I intend to keep. As soon as I can, I am going to take a creative writing course. It is a little bit scary, a lot exciting! It will be like letting the dog off the leash, not knowing where she is going to roam!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.              

Do You Know How to Grab Them?

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“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” ~ George Washington Carver

Not all small business owners, and that includes many independent publishers, are able to hire a public relations firm. There is a basic PR tool that every entrepreneur, speaker, author, CEO or other business professional should know how to use,  and how to write. It is the staple of the PR industry and it is referred to as a news or press release.

If you do not know how to write a press release, there are many articles on the internet that are valuable and free. You can learn how to write a press release that is compelling, how not to turn off the media by being too self promotional, why writing a good headline matters and why size counts. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/bqeTi5.

For authors, speakers, CEOs and entrepreneurs who handle their own public relations, there is a wealth of information available in Pam Lontos’ and Andrea Brunais’ book “I See Your Name Everywhere.”  This terrific resource is concise, easy to understand and is filled with tips on how to get your name and your product out there, through newspapers, magazines, radio appearances and television. To order this softcover book, and to read about the credentials of these two seasoned public relations professionals who have written this book, please visit www.ISeeYourNameEverywhere.com.

Isn’t it time you used the media to your advantage to jumpstart your sales, your career and attention to your product? Learn how!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Shutterbug Surprise!

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“Our dreams are made of real things, like a shoebox full of photographs.” ~ Jack Johnson

Go ahead – have a crack at it! Jump on the Shutterfly sensation, and publish a print-on-demand, hardcover family photo album! The other day, I received one that my sister had compiled for a Mother’s Day gift. It chronicles, through family photographs, our family tree. The gift was originally meant for our Mom, but she decided to have extra copies printed, one for me and one for each of my brothers and our families. That is the beauty of print-on-demand. Print as few or as many as you wish!

Although the work in putting together a Shutterfly photo album can not be compared with a full scale independent publishing production of text writing, it is still a worthy project for those who are not inclined to write, but love to be creative with photography and scrapbooking. Shutterfly provides the perfect opportunity to combine both! You incorporate your favorite digital images and design with creativity, the empty spaces around the photos, much like you would a scrapbook, as extensively or basically as your skills allow. What a nice surprise gift for family or friends and to commemorate a significant event. For more information, please go to www.shutterfly.com/photo-books

While we are on the subject of surprises – Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC will have a number of surprise events coming up this summer! We will reveal the details to all of you when the final plans are put into place. Stay tuned, and thanks as always, for  your interest in this blogsite and in our company. The industry that we serve is ever changing, improving and evolving – keeping us on our toes and knee deep, in serving the needs of independent publishers!

 

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Artists Designing Money

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“Many fine things can be done in a day, if you don’t always make that day tomorrow.” ~ Unknown

The United States Postal Service enlists the help of artists to design postage stamps, but did you know that the US Mint is calling for help from all professional artists to assist with designing the next generation of American coins? The next deadline for artists to submit their artwork is only a few months away, July 6, 2010.

Artists whose work is selected will be named as designer in historical documents, in all promotional materials and on Certificates of Authenticity. Each coin will carry the artist’s initials as well.

Applicants in the Artistic Infusion Program must be US Citizens, professional artists, illustrators or designers who will meet deadlines, and be willing to make edits to their designs. Knowledge of computer based techiques such as Photoshop or Illustrator is also required.

Act now, this year’s deadline is coming up! For more information on this exciting opportunity for professional artists, please visit : http://bit.ly/lBrzc.

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Volunteer & Vacation All at Once

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“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion as the things which renew humanity.” ~ Buddha

Schools will soon be letting out, and millions of Americans will be taking to the highways and byways for their annual summer vacation. One of the hottest trends in vacationing, voluntourism, is becoming a subject that many want to read about! Independent publishing is a great way to share, with others, unique experiences you have had through travel.

Voluntourism is becoming increasingly popular for those who are looking for a vacation experience unlike any they have had before. Volunteer vacations can be fulfilling, fun and sometimes, a less expensive way to travel. Retirees and senior citizens represent a large segment of people who have jumped on the bandwagon and are participating in this new travel trend.

Service vacations are often good values for seniors on a tight budget. They provide unique and active vacations rather than spending time on golf courses, on beaches or on a cruise ship. The travel living conditions may include shared accommodations or family style food arrangements, but, for those that ordinarily would not be able to travel, it is a great alternative to staying home and growing old. For more information on this growing trend of service vacations, please visit http://bit.ly/bQ4X9j.

Retirees, is becoming a published writer on your “bucket list” of things to do? Perhaps you have been part of this new trend in travel aimed at renewing humanity,  having fun and seeing the sights, all at once! Share with others, through independent publishing,  how a service vacation enriched your life. Anyone can become a published writer, thanks to the independent publishing industry! What are you waiting for?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Embracing Love

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“Because I am a mother, I hold God’s greatest prize. And he expects great things of me -with a task of such size.” ~ Grace Atkins

I am one of the blessed ones! My Mom was the best example of a mother a child could ever have. She always had her priorities straight in life. She passed along to all of us – her four kids and now her eight grandchildren, the importance of a close family, by always being there for us – no matter what! And although we didn’t always like it, she enforced rules that gave us boundaries and feelings of safety and security that every child needs.

It pains me when I hear a child or teen say that they “Hate their Mother.” When I was raising  my son, I would often ask him not to be flinging that “H” word around lightly. I would explain that some very strong emotions and actions are attached to the “H” word.

Sure, my Mom and I have had some differing opinions throughout life, but I can never remember feeling the “H” word towards her, never – not even as a teen. It’s funny, as an adult, I can only remember one time, in all the years of growing up, that I was absolutely, completely and totally furious with her!

It was the day after Easter, and I was 11 or 12. My twin sister and I asked our Mom if we could walk to “Pettit’s Store.” She asked “what for?”  We said “we want to go buy some candy with the coins we had found throughout the house.” She said “No, you can’t go! Yesterday was Easter and you each have an Easter basket filled with candy. You don’t need anymore!”

Right then and there, we decided we would take our Easter baskets and run away! We were livid! We went down into the woods behind our house. There was a stream and a huge, huge, fallen tree. The tree had a cavity just large enough for the two of us to curl up in it together and hide. (Our house almost still within sight, mind you). We felt free as the birds! We were exercising our independence and we would show our mother who was boss! We were a united front! My twin sister and I!

The long and short of the story was that we ran away from home just long enough to gorge ourselves on all the candy in the Easter baskets and return home with tummy aches, and new attitudes, to boot! Perhaps our mom knew best!

Returning to the real point of the story, how can  you feel anything but love for a person who always has your best interests at heart? How can you feel anything but love for a person who sustained you in your littlest, weakest days? How can you feel anything but love for a person who has been there for you through good times and in bad?

Mom, I could go on at great lengths about the extraordinary Mom you are. But I would like to end this blog by saying “I hope I can be there for you, when you need me the most. Happy Mother’s Day!”

 

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