Tag Archives: shipping

Penny Here, Penny There

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 “Literature is an investment of genius which has dividends to all subsequent times.”  ~ John Burroughs 

Believe it or not, it is getting time to pull out the fall jackets, pants and coats here in Colorado – I love that time of year! Invariably I come across a little pocket change that I didn’t know existed. Finding a few crumpled dollars, or handfuls of coins left in my clothing from the season before is such a fulfilling feeling – it is like finding an extra paycheck – no matter how big or small. 

We all work hard for our money, and we should work hard at keeping it too! Are you an independent publisher guilty of overspending on postage and delivery each year? Well – you are not alone! It is no wonder though – keeping current with changes in postal and delivery service rates and fees is a never ending job.

Independent publishing means being smart, making wise decisions and not spending money needlessly, so you can retain a higher profit margin on your product. Isn’t that one of the reasons why you decided to independently publish in the first place? Adding an extra stamp here and extra stamp there “just in case” and “for good measure” can really add up! And it will affect your bottom line too.

As an order fulfillment company, we must be guardians for our clients to make sure they retain the highest profit margin on their sale. We strive to stay “in the know,” so we can ship the quickest, most economical, and reliable way possible, all over the globe. It is all part of getting the job done!

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

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!

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

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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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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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! 

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

Right Shoes, Right Occasion

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 “Without faith a man can do nothing; with it all things are possible.” ~ Sir William Osler 

How is your day going? Life has it’s up and downs, doesn’t it?  To be able to travel the path of life without getting your shoes dirty and distressed would be a real gift, wouldn’t it? 

More times than not, staying out of the dust of life means making good decisions, thinking before acting impulsively, and not putting self gratification at the top of the list. It also takes changing our shoes and attitudes for the occasion! Then, we are prepared for whatever comes our way. 

Deciding what pair of shoes is appropriate for the occasion can be distressing enough for those who own many pairs. To help get you started, think what your journey will be this day. Do you need:

  • Hiking Shoes to Climb New Heights?
  • Soft Shoes to Deal with Hurt?
  • Strong Shoes to Lead the Way?
  • Tennis Shoes to Court New Clients?
  • Handmade Shoes for Creative Ventures? 

Sometimes we need assistance from higher beings to help us decide what kind of shoes match the mission. There is help available when we call! If you are faced with ambiguity or indecision in your life, there is a book that may help clear the dusty path. Arrive at your destination with shiny shoes! 

For more information on this book, please visit http://shinyshoesondustypaths.wordpress.com or http://www. joannemahar.com.

What am I wearing today? I decided to put on elastic shoes…expanding with trust. Why? I have a lot of work to fit into this day! If  put my nose to the grind, I can get it all done! There is more time in the day then we think, especially if we forge ahead and stay focused. 

We never know what is just around the corner, though do we?  

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

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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Out of the Valley!

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…all the pleasures prove, that valleys, groves, hills and fields, woods or steepy mountains yields.” ~ Christopher Marlowe  

Boy, do I ever feel better! I had been suffering from some low-lying, lackadaisical fog. It was like I was stuck in the muck! It had been hanging over me for a while.  Ten days ago, I decided I was going to change up my daily walking routine and no longer be at the command of my elderly, sixteen year old dog. My daily walks had gotten slower and shorter, all because I was at the mercy my walking companion’s aging needs. I decided it was time for me to go it alone, and leave her behind, and do what was best for me!

Yesterday, I got a sign from the heavens that my decision, made ten days ago, was a right one!  As I climbed my much more strenuous route from my place down in the valley, to the height of the mountaintop, it began to rain. As I reached my highest destination, I was huffing and puffing, all out of breath. I turned around to look at what was behind me, and across the valley was a magnificent double rainbow! It made the climb all worthwhile! 

A few moments later, I passed by a woman out walking her two dogs. I said to her “did you see the double rainbow ?” She said “I did, indeed! One for each of my dogs.”  I answered back,” yes, and you are the pot of gold. You feed them, love them and walk them. What more could they need?”

Later in the day, I reflected on my morning’s conversation with this woman. I decided I had made a statement, that was perhaps in my case, not true. The rainbow is my husband and son, and at the end, is the dog – teaching us lessons about life and aging, each and every day.

 

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Meaningful Morning Menu

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“All people should spend one third of their time in recreation which is rebuilding, voluntary activity, never idleness” ~ Brigham Young

Morning is my cup of tea! As far as I am concerned, it is the most fulfilling time of day. My energy is at it’s peak, and before the world even begins to stir, I walk and ponder.

What glory nature provides in the dawn’s early light. The grass glistens with dew, the wildflowers stand at attention, birds cry out their excitement, the sun rises up from it’s night sleep, and the world comes alive before my very eyes.

Breakfast of nature’s most beautiful provisions feeds my soul, during the hush of the day,when I can appreciate the unfolding of the new dawn. The menu put before me, as I walk and observe, is there to celebrate and enjoy each and every day, as long as I rise to greet it.

Sunrise is the appetizer! The main course of the day for those who reside, work, live and play in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is what God has created for us – the river, the mountains and the scenic vistas. We can recreate till our hearts are content in this wonderous place!

Let’s see – what shall I do today, after the work is done? What ever it is, it is bound to be good!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

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Offer it Up

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“There is no such thing as a ‘self made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us or spoken…”                                    ~ George Matthew Adams

How many times throughout your life have you heard the expression “you never know until you try” ? So many times throughout my life, when I have been pondering “I want to” or “ought to”, this little adage has popped up in my mind, forcing me to take action. As much as I dislike hearing it time and time again, I am glad it has been my constant companion! I try to always remember – all things serve their own purpose!  Without remembering this adage, often I would never have taken action and opportunities would have passed me by.

A few days ago, I blogged about the freedoms we enjoy in this country and about the importance of legal immigrants obeying the letter of the law. I received a comment to this blog, Striking Gold, from a faithful reader of this site. She shared that she and her Mom want to share their family’s story of immigration. Her relatives have built successful careers in their new lands and have tales to tell.

I would like to encourage my faithful blog reader to take advantage of one of the freedoms of our country, independent publishing, to share her family’s tales, not just for her own family’s sake but for the sake of others. There will be many others interested in learning of her family’s accomplishments, their strife, opportunity and their feelings as they arrived in this country and Australia, trying to start life anew.

And like every thing in life “you never know until….” So, go for it, Marie, go for it!  Your relatives did, and so can you!

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