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The Business Rusch: Lines in the Sand
Here's the bottom line for me today: I'm teaching a writing workshop for professionals. It's the hardest workshop I teach—for them and for me. Tonight I have three hours of work for class, and only four hours in which to complete it, so if anything throws me off, I'll get less than the necessary hours of sleep…which wouldn't be a big deal, except my health has been dicey all spring, so sleep is essential.
Yesterday, I wrote 2,000 words of a blog. Then, as I was describing it to Dean, I realized that the blog topic I had chosen was one of those topics that would get this response: one third of you would ask for clarification; one third of you would think I'm brilliant; and one third of you would tell me to do something anatomically impossible (and half of that group would also tell me to do so while flying, also impossible).
This week, I honestly don't have time to answer all of the responses I will get, so I'm tabling that blog post until either next week or the week after. When I'm rested, no longer post-teaching cranky, and ready to have a great discussion, I'll finish that post.
Which leaves me with a busy day and no time to write a full post—at least of the kind I normally write, filled with research, links, analysis, and all kinds of other goodies.
Instead, I'm going to talk about something that's bothering me, something I can't change.
Just before I entered my office, I got an e-mail from a reader who also happens to write and publish her own work (at least in part). She was deeply upset that one of her favorite writers wrote a long blog post that about the fact that all self-published books are crap. By definition. Self-published equals crap.
The reader got so angry that she not only responded (politely) on the favorite writer's website, she also wrote an answering blog post. It too is reasoned. It too is polite. It is what I would call quietly angry.
And she has a right to be quietly angry.
Just like romance writers and readers get angry when critics say the entire genre stinks.
Just like science fiction writers and readers get angry when critics say the entire genre has no heart.
Just like mystery writers and readers get angry when critics say that the entire genre trivializes crime.
Are there bad romance novels published by traditional publishing houses? Sure. Just like there are bad science fiction novels, bad mystery novels, bad literary novels, and bad fantasy novels.
Surprisingly few truly bad novels get published through traditional publishing houses. I say surprisingly because the volume is high. Traditional publishers publishes hundreds of thousands of books each year. Some stinkers have to be in the mix somewhere.
Usually though, it's just a matter of taste. My biggest complaint with critics is that they often don't know how to separate their own taste from a legitimate criticism. Until they learn that, their comments are essentially useless.
No genre deserves to be dismissed out of hand, just like no publishing method deserves to be dismissed out of hand.
Last month, I left a listserve of professional writers and editors that I've been part of for more than a decade. A goodly portion of folks on the list told me point blank that my blog hurts writers, and that everything I do to help writers is actually destructive.
Of course, I got mad. Dean and I have spent decades teaching new writers and professional writers, often for no money, and always (in our own workshops) at a loss. We bring in other instructors, we bring in diverse points of view, and we strive hard to help writers.
So I was offended on a personal level. On a professional level, I was also rather shocked that everyone who told me I was harming people had not read my blog. After all, a good portion of this blog is for long-term professionals. I try to help them survive the changes in this industry.
One person on the listserve even told me that I should understand people in that person's situation, someone whose life simply does not allow them to learn yet another new thing. That comment made me shake my head, and was the one that convinced me (as others piled on) that the folks on that listserve don't read my blog. Because that very thing had been the topic of my blog that very week.
So these people were judging what I did without reading what I did or even examining it. And then they were attacking me.
If you're going to attack me, do so because we know each other's point of view and disagree. I don't expect everyone to read my blog. But if you have an opinion on my blog, then for godssake, make it an informed opinion.
I'm a grown-up. I can handle this stuff. I've been through worse when I edited The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
But the night of the kerfuffle, I found myself with a new train of thought.
I have friends who are Muslim, friends who are Jews, friends who are Mormon, friends who are Catholic, friends who are Protestant. I am on listserves with them, but those listserves do not discuss religion.
I have friends who are Republican, friends who are Libertarian, friends who are Communists, friends who are Democrats, friends who are Progressives. I am on listserves with them, but those listserves do not discuss politics.
The listserve I was on—the one that had attacked me—was filled with publishing professionals. When I joined in the 1990s, publishing was a uniform game. There was one way to practice it and one way only. We didn't even have to discuss it. It was like the sky. It just was. Sometimes we wondered if the storm clouds in the distance could harm us, and sometimes we discussed how to survive a blizzard, but we never ever questioned the sky.
Slowly publishing changed. Multinational conglomerations started to run it. Friends who worked in publishing houses got laid off. Writers who'd had decades-long careers couldn't sell a book. People on that list serve started to get frustrated, and sometimes we'd talk about it.
Other people on the listserve became bestsellers. Others went to Hollywood to survive. Some went to the gaming industry. Still others gave up writing or editing altogether. We moved along.
In 2008/9, change hit the industry so hard that we all staggered. I started the freelancing blog as a chapter-by-chapter online posting of a book. Eighteen months later, I had finished that book, floundered for a while, and then decided to deal with the changes in publishing head-on.
A lot of folks from that listserve had helped with The Freelancer's Guide. I figured they'd transition to the publishing blog, and perhaps they did. I don't know.
But while I was writing, the publishing community fractured. The discussions about self-publishing and traditional publishing had become fraught with tension.
Hell, we can't even figure out what to call this stuff. I like "indie publishing" because it encompasses everything from the do-it-yourselfer to the small publishing companies that have sprung up from this new wave of technology. Some folks are mad at me for "coopting" the word "indie." I just use it the way musicians do, because my training is partly in music.
I also prefer "traditional publishing" to "legacy publishing." I don't even know what "legacy" means in this context, actually. (And I don't want to. Let it go.) So I leave that word on the table. Really, I often have to revise the blog because I often type "New York publishing" when that's not accurate either. A good third of you read this in countries other than the United States. I've had to move the blog to an international outlook because of you—and because of the way that publishing is changing. So "traditional" is what I prefer.
I don't like any of my options–traditional, legacy, indie, self—because none of them are accurate.
But that's one of those minor arguments people love because it allows them to vent their anger at something else in the blog without addressing that something else. I'm okay with that.
I do want you to note, however, that things have changed so fast, we're waiting for our notoriously quick-changing English language to catch up.
As I kept writing this blog, the tension filling publishing became sides in an argument. The sides in an argument hardened into positions. The positions became entrenched. And I didn't even notice. I was watching the overall changes on a vast industry-wide level. I realized that folks with day jobs inside traditional publishing had a literal vested interest in maintaining the old status quo, and that sometimes led to bad behavior.
But I did not foresee the fact that these entrenched positions had moved beyond both "entrenchment" and "position." They had become religion or political points of view.
And suddenly, I was on a listserve with a bunch of people of varying religions and we were talking about religion.
They assumed that because I discussed indie publishing, I hated traditional publishing. Of course, most of them failed to remember that I've published more traditionally than many of them. On another listserve that I used to be on, I got excoriated for being a traditionally published author. Of course, most of the folks there failed to note that I had published more titles indie than they probably would in the next five years.
The blindness, the anger, the vituperativeness came from having a religious discussion with true believers.
True believers exist in every walk of life. I have a friend with whom I do not discuss computers. That person believes that Apple products are for stupid people and PC products are for smart people. It is a religion for him.
In person, I will not have a political discussion with anyone about certain hot-button topics, because if I do and we disagree and we become entrenched, I will revert to lovely helpful sentences like "What kind of idiot are you?" It will take maybe ten minutes, and my friend and I might come to blows. The fault will be mine.
I like my friends. I prefer not to fight with them over things that we cannot and will not change about each other.
Unfortunately, parts of publishing have become that way.
Some indie writers are like those reformed cigarette smokers who pull a burning cigarette from a stranger's mouth and then excoriate them for their personal habit even though they've never met before.
As a person who reads American history for pleasure, I was appalled at writing bloggers who called traditionally published writers "house slaves." Yeah, yeah, I saw the argument that these bloggers meant Roman history. Fine. Well. Good. But the language is insulting and offensive. No matter what culture you pluck it from, the word "slave," when applied to someone who runs her own business and chooses who to partner with (a traditional publisher? An e-book distributor?) is unnecessarily harsh. It takes the argument from polite to screeching in less than sixty seconds.
On the listerve I left, I got lumped with writers who use "house slave" and other derogatory terms to describe other writers. I never have. I never would. I'm appalled at the folks who do.
But the traditionally published true believers are just as bad. Saying that anything self-published is crap is as insulting as calling another writer a house slave. The terms labeled at anyone who publishes his own work might seem more polite—"unprofessional," "amateur"—but they are just as insulting and just as inaccurate.
Writers have moved from having constructive discussions to arguing out of their prejudices. And once people argue from a place of prejudice, they're impossible to reason with.
So I reluctantly left that listserve. Not because I was insulted—I was then; I got over it within a day or so—but because I don't discuss religion with my religious friends.
I dislike dogma in any form. I avoid it.
If you hand me a history of your religion, some of its texts, and introduce me to its leaders, I'll read the documents and listen to the leaders. Then I'll make my own decision.
If you can still respect me the morning after I've made my decision, even if it's different from yours, we can have tons of religious discussions. They won't occur to change my mind or to change yours. Just to keep each other informed about our beliefs and the way we view life.
I'll respect you if you respect me.
Right now, these lines in the sand, drawn by writers on both sides, disrespect the other side. The sides have devolved into making mud balls and lobbing them at each other.
Those of us who stand on the line, who are trying to watch for more changes in the distance, and trying to follow the correct path for us and us alone are getting pelted from both directions. Those of us who are blogging about it are stupidly standing up, so we've become targets.
I kinda feel like the late Rodney King. I want to go to a microphone and say to the writing world, "Can't we all get along?"
But I'm not that naïve. This battle has become a religious war, and those things go on for years, if not decades (and in some places in the world, centuries).
I'm not going to argue with you. If you want to tell me how stupid I am for any part of this post, and you fail to do it politely, I won't put the comment through. If you want to convince me to join your side of the true believer debate, I won't even if I'm leaning in your direction.
Arguing solves nothing.
Drawing lines in the sand solves nothing.
Writing blogs on your website about how stupid other writers are and how crappy their publishing plan is (whether traditional or indie) won't gain you fans. Readers really don't care what company published a book.
Readers care about a good story. If your story is filled with typos and bad formatting, a reader can't read it.
If your story is priced too high or out of print, a reader can't read it.
If you can't sell a book into traditional publishing, but you refuse to go indie, a reader can't read that book.
It's that simple.
What's going on in publishing right now, folks, is a change in delivery systems. That's all. It's not the War of the Roses. It's not the Crusades. It's not the American Civil War.
So if you want to play soldier in a religious or political war, go ahead. But you won't get me to play along.
I have novels to write. I have students to teach (this evening, in fact). I have books to read.
I don't have time to waste trying to convince someone with a closed mind to listen to someone else with a differing opinion and an equally barricaded brain.
Fight among yourselves, kids. I have a career to run.
Speaking of comments, I will monitor the comments this week, but I'm going to be too busy to answer each. If you have questions or expect me to expound, I won't be able to do so until Sunday or Monday.
The comments, emails, and donations keep this blog alive. I appreciate the links and the opinions. I use the donations to gauge whether or not this blog is useful. If I were a different person, I would have shut down after my realization that talking about the changes in publishing is like talking about religion. But I think those of us standing near that line in the sand, those of us who aren't pelting each other with mud balls, need to continue our discussion.
However, I do write fiction for a living, and if this blog does not pay for itself, I will go back to doing fiction only. So I add the donate button.
Thanks for all the support.
"The Business Rusch: "Lines in the Sand," copyright © 2012 by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
120 responses to "The Business Rusch: Lines in the Sand"
I know the problem. There are things I do not talk about to certain people, and never will.
I was traditionally published once. I'm about to embark on my indie publishing career. No matter what, it's ALL scary, exhilarating, confusing. Thank you, Kristine, for being an anchor writers can tether themselves to.
1st things first: I'm no writer, just a reader. So maybe I shouldn't even reply here 😉 but I do so because I wanted to thank you for condensing so much sanity into a single blog post.
Having said that: I found one of my favourite SF books as en ebook publication. Am I happy about that? Yeah. It was a great read worth standing next to my Asimov's. The book in question has due to it's success found it's way into paper publishing. Am I sad about that? No why. This way it 'll reach people who still/yet/whyever are not comfortable with a digital reader. Giving them a good time and more money to the author. Everyone wins here.
I discovered at least 3 long ago started and paper-published series by established authors due to freebie ebook recommendation. Wouldn't have risked to buy them blindly because of the (IMHO far too narrow) subgenre branding. Some of these weren't even translated to neither my maternal language nor the language of the country I currently live in. I have them in English now and would never have considered to import them in paper, because of the additional cost, just to try a new author. Again: A new fan and forthcoming buyer won by new paths. Instead of getting frantic about how to publish authors should better keep their main concern focused on WHAT and kick it out every way opening to them – because at the end of EVERY distribution channel there are potential readers-to-be. Pouring oil into flame wars about which is the Right! WAY to publish is as stupid as the Liliputanian war about how to crack ones breakfast egg properly. In both cases the answer is: All which get the content into the consumer.
Thanks for your patience, along with my sincere apologies should I have failed expected linguistic standards of this place: English is tertiary language for me.
And then there's a discussion like the one over on The Kill Zone on Friday, with some severe fear-mongering going on in the comments for us poor writers who are too dumb to understand business and why self-publishing will doom us forever!
Kris, I think you're right about the religion comparison. There is some serious zealotry that can creep into conversations like this. I don't get it at all. Can indie publishing give me herpes or something? Do I need to go get myself some cream?
Naw, Rob. It's more of rash. You get used to it, though. =)
Perhaps the distinction between what is being called Traditional Publishing and what has been coined as Indie Publishing, might better be expressed in the terms Corporate Publishing and Entrepreneurial Publishing, respectively. Small Press might fall into either Corporate or Entrepreneurial depending on their business model.
I have to admit, Entrepreneurial Publishing is a mouthful. Perhaps something like EntreP–along the lines of Independent's Indie–would catch on.
Just a thought.
I saw an article that suggested we should call ourselves authorpreneurs.
I prefer just the term 'writer' myself. How these distinctions work for someone like myself Idon't know. I publish my short fiction myself, but I also send it to traditional markets. I have a novel up I published myself because it was not mainstream enough to be worth going to traditional markets, but I expect I will submit a novel to traditional markets. I make money using a web site where I give away content for free, but get money from adverts.
In short I write each project then sell it in the way I think will make the most money for that project.
I don't understand why anyone would commit to only one way of selling their work.
I love "Let's keep it civil" posts that provide a model, through the very language of the post, for how to disagree in a civil manner. Thank you for writing this.
I think both groups are talking past each other and are invested in "their side." The tone has usually been one of haughty condescension from traditional towards indie, and of victimhood from indie towards traditional. However, as the market is changing, the POV from which folks have come at the debate is also changing, and I think the tone has darkened.
The traditional world is not used to seeing those once considered not worthy as actually having some success with readers, and this has some feeling threatened(either monetarily as the market changes or through ego as they are forced to question whether their worldview was wrong to begin with). At the same time, a lot of indie folks are reveling in flipping the bird to the traditional market, thus closing off a potential avenue down the line and pissing people off for no reason other than to assuage ego. What makes it even worse is that too many who choose to go indie assume that now the path to success is assured because they've escaped the "oppression" of traditional. It takes hard work in either route.
Traditional or indie is a very personal decision for each writer, and one that must be made with deliberation, not out of misplaced loyalty to one or the other. Some will see it as an artistic decision, while others will see it as a business one. To get so worked up over which way one person decides seems a bit silly to me.
"What's going on in publishing right now, folks, is a change in delivery systems."
Precisely so.
I'm scientist, so in new unknown areas my instinct is to do experiments. That's why I published my new story collection, ANOMALIES, reissued HEART OF THE COMET with David Brin, and will reissue novels like COSM soon — by myself. While also publishing BOWL OF HEAVEN this October with Larry Niven, through Tor. I can track all these sales and yields and see what parallel experiments teach me.
Phrase it similarly, Kris, and I think even those on the listserve (which you were smart to leave) might understand.
I had to comment on the "House Slaves" thing. I was so offended when people compared writers who willingly jumped through hoops to get and stay published, to 100 million+ people who died in the slave trade.
My ancestors were raped, hanged, beaten, burned alive, and killed…Traditional publishing can't be that bad, can it? Just leave.
As someone who writes books set in Ancient Rome, I thought the analogy wasn't that bad – IN CONTEXT. The problem is people skipped the context. In Rome, servus (slave) was a legal status with its own set of laws and protections. Some people actually did voluntarily become slaves, either to clear a debt or because it was a path to citizenship. (One of the very few paths open to non-Roman women, in fact.) Many more did not volunteer, but again, context. We're talking about a small subset of slaves, not ALL of them.
This is why I love your blog so much, Kris. Posts like these.
Not everybody feels the necessity to draw lines in the sand. Just last week, I picked up Cathrynne M. Valente in my cab at the Asheville Airport–she was in town for a writer's workshop.
She's a hugo-nominated writer, with eleven novels out and a hugo noinated novella this year, and I'm a hopeful indie writer just starting out on smashwords.
But she treated me with friendly camaradarie, and she even mentioned me positively in her twitter feed.
Of course, she's talented enough to feel secure in her own situation without external validation, so she can afford to be gracious to others. That's probably the key to the whole mess right there…
I share that perspective with her, to some extent. My writing may still be a little rough around the edges, but I genuinely think I have something to offer.
You have to have a bit of ego to be a writer, perhaps.
But that's a whole 'nother discussion…
Always late to the game, lol. Ah well.
Writers have moved from having constructive discussions to arguing out of their prejudices. And once people argue from a place of prejudice, they're impossible to reason with.
I belonged to a writers board for several years; it felt like a family. I would go there to see people's triumphs and their downtimes (being passed on by agents or publishers). I shared their elation and their blues. For those questioning about scam agents and/or publishers, I would actually go out of my way to see if I could dig for some info and save the money in their wallets.
It all started to change when the ebook evolution came along. All for the worse, unfortunately.
I soon, sadly, came to see that board as a war zone. Still plenty of helpful people, but it just wasn't the same.
And, just as sadly, I decided to leave and have not gone back. ::sigh:: It didn't have to happen, but it did, and it continues on other blogs and sites to this day. I want no part of it. As you have said numerous times, Kris, what a lot of these flame throwers are missing is that lovely word CHOICE. Writers, newbies and professionals alike, now have a choice as to what they want to do with their writing. They can go trad. They can go indie. They can go with regional presses. They can do all three if they want.
Is it any wonder that professionals like you, who have a lot of titles, love all this? When there was only one path, you had to take the good with the bad, and if you didn't like it, too bad. Try to publish books on your own, and have that proverbial garage filled with dusty books.
For me, I will look at everything with open eyes and decide for myself which route I will take with any particular book. For now, it makes sense to go indie, because I don't (yet) have enough product up. But we'll see. Just like I don't want to put all my eggs in the Kindle basket, I don't want to feel I have to cleave onto being an indie just because I started that way.
Thanks, Kris, for letting me go on with this longish comment. This has been a tough week. And thank you again for this site and Dean's site. 🙂
Your story gave me images of scabs, is that what they're called, who refuse to strike along with their fellow union members. This is a swirling, hot topic everywhere in the literary world. In fact, I was directed toward your blog because of ANOTHER blog that mentioned your article (in a flattering way). I'm going to subscribe to your blog, as I'm interested in workshops. I wonder if you offer webinar workshops. I attended one last weekend, and it was phenomenal, so I'm craving more.
My experience has been that people arguing from prejudice (immovably, fiercely, blindly) are experiencing fear.
It's a big scary world, and it's changing.
Some people find fear more bearable if they have an enemy they can see and name(call).
I think you're right to leave them to it. Your efforts to grapple with their fear will not change their minds. You're addressing the change by trying stuff, being persistent, and sharing. They're frozen with fear. They can't imagine doing what you're doing. Their loss. Move on.
"people arguing from prejudice (immovably, fiercely, blindly) are experiencing fear.""
And here's what I don't understand about (yes, I agree) the fear we see ricocheting all over the industry these days, including among writers: Was I the only one among us who has ALWAYS been scared and who is therefore completely accustomed to fear being a normal daily part of my profession?
I've been a full-time, self-supporting writer for 24 years, with no other professional and no other real form of income or maintenance. It has ALWAYS been scary. Unstable. Changing. Unreliable. Full of challenges.
That's the professional writing life. (And, having grown up in a writer's house, I knew this–and it was precisely why I tried really hard NOT to be a writer. So much for my sane intentions.)
Why are people suddenly scared NOW–or behaving as if NOW is the FIRST TIME they've ever been frightened or felt their livelihoods threatened as writers? I've been frightened and feeling my livelihood threatened as a writer since the day my first-ever editor left the company without telling me and my first-ever book was orphaned…. Oh, wait, no, I felt threatened before that, when I realized before even making my first-ever sale that the literary agent who'd offered to represent me was a crook (albeir a prominent and legitimate literary agent) and I refused to sign his egregious agency agreement; his associate threatened me with legal action and promises that I'd never work in this town, etc. (Blah blah blah.)
Where was -I- during the halcyon era which apparently existed when, uh, other writers did NOT feel scared and find their livelihood constantly threatened? Have people behaving badly now REALLY never been scared before or wondered how they were going to keep paying the mortgage? I've spent -24- years feeling scared and wondering how to pay the mortgage… so I guess I'm just used to that feeling–and therefore I know not to panic. This state of stressed-out anciety and doom is perfectly normal, nothing to get my knockers in a knot about.
But I'm nonetheless so envious of people who are just frightened NOW for the first time. Having felt threatened and on the verge of disaster for, oh, 24 years, I'm sometimes a little tired. It must be so reserful to have spent the past 2-3 decades totally oblivious to the daily fiscal risks of being a writer and only give thought to that subject NOW, for the first time.
Laura, I just have to say this here.
Rejection, Romance, and Royalties was, when I first read it, the scariest freaking book I'd ever read. 'Cause I was just getting started in publishing short fiction (I was shopping a novel), and it really made me look hard at the myths I had accepted as truths. This was before I found Dean and Kris, and PG wasn't blogging yet.
So thank you. It made me realize I'd been scared of all the wrong things.
Yes, it's a scary world all right.
Some of us, perhaps, might take a little comfort from the folloeing anthem:
What's going on in publishing right now, folks, is a change in delivery systems. That's all. It's not the War of the Roses. It's not the Crusades. It's not the American Civil War.
This. It's not a religious war, it's a change in how our books reach our readers. My choices needn't be your choices, and your choices certainly don't need to be mine. Let's show each other a bit of respect and get on with our writing.
Publishing as religion? All I know is that I write books. Sometimes I publish them. So long as I can make a living at it, I'm happy.
Thanks for another great post! I look forward to next week's. 🙂
Excellent post, one that definitely needed to be said.
My morning blog crawl has shifted quite a bit over the last few months as more and more of them have been drifting away from being informative, and instead are becoming little more than rants. Some have become outright commercials for their choice of publishing path. It makes me wonder if the promotion was part of their publishing contract. That's a bold accusation and I shouldn't make it so lightly, but the intensity in which some make their arguments can't help but make me question it.
Religion is the perfect analogy and I can't agree with you more. What I'm seeing is a shrinking amount of pleurisy. This lack of an ability to accept more than one point of view will only hurt those who adopt it. The fear of change is tantamount with a lot of these bloggers. Many of the views expressed seem to be leading to the natural reaction to form a group or pick a side. Some have already made a choice and are looking for followers while others are actively looking for a gang to join. It's the whole safety in numbers thing. It reminds me of the military in a way. A group of new soldiers will cluster together when shot at for the first time, while the veterans will spread out. They know they are better off keeping their options open and not drawing the fire that a group will. The veteran soldiers die one at a time; the new soldiers will all die together.
A lot of people in history were unable to accept more than one point of view; Hitler, the Taliban, the Klan, Stalin, Bin Ladin. It doesn't seem to work out very well for them.
I'm still in the beginning stages of my self-publishing career, but I'm keeping my eyes and ears wide open. Making sure that I never close off an option or burn any bridge on the way.
And I'm watching what the veterans do with an open mind.
Thanks Kris.
You know, I think you got to me straight away with a line in an email "write for your fans." Since then I've oriented my work that way. I actually don't yet have any novels indie. I intend to, but the books I've written, including the on spec ones, when I asked myself the question "Where will this book find its fans" the answer was traditional publishing, so they went that way. I have other novels in the works that will do better indie, and they shall go that way.
Now, yes, there is a point at which I have to sit back and go "Do I want to sign this terrible contract just to get the book to the fans it deserves?" And the answer is "Depends. Can I live with the consequences?" For some books, in some ways, I judge the benefits to be more than the admittedly terrible consequences. And I reserve the ability to change with the next book. (Which means a clause owning me forever is a no-no.) For other books — say in genres in which I don't already have a footprint or in genres in which the houses I'm willing to work with won't get me much lift — I won't even consider traditional.
BUT that's basically what I'm doing. "How will this book best reach its audience." And yep, so far I've got it from both sides, though my favorite are the idiots who can't be bothered to look me up on google or amazon and refer to me as "indie published trash" or other charming terms. When you consider even the short stories I have out indie WERE published in magazines before, that's delicious irony.
I'm not sure it's really a religious war. I'd say it's a political war. A lot of people – we almost had to, as hard as it was to break in — invested their PRESTIGE and their thought of themselves as "worthy" in being traditionally published. Just as many invest their view of themselves as "sharp business people" in being indie published. So when anyone attacks either side, they're attacking their sense of self.
I might even have fallen into it, without that advice "Write for the fans." Really, that's what we should have been doing all along, isn't it? It's just that the need for distribution, and there being only one way to do it obscured THAT part.
If in each circumstance you try to reach the most fans, you'll probably come out okay, even through the inevitable mistakes, which, yes, you will make. (At least if you're human. If you're a super-human you're exempt.)
Of course I entered the field to tell stories and to make a living, more or less in equal parts. People who entered the field for fame and prestige (And yes, they exist. I know at least one unpublished author who refuses to consider indie even in a minor way because it's not "prestigious") will have different priorities. And that's okay with me. I'm not their mother, their father, or even their older sister. I'll continue to be friends with them and wish them well in attaining their goals. WHY should I care HOW they achieve them, or even what their goals are (provided they don't harm me or mine?
I chuckled when you said it's political not religious.
Too much politics strikes me as "religion". [Sad Smile]
Thank you for that, Kris. As someone who is just trying to start his career, understanding all the market changes is made more difficult by all the vitriol. It's good to read that there is still sanity in the profession.
It hurts being right, doesn't it? So glad you've got clear vision and are concentrating on getting a good story to the reader. Isn't that what it's all about?
And I personally don't feel "damaged" by any of your advice, in person or on the blog. Keep up the good work, Kris! We need people like you and Dean who aren't afraid to call it like it is.
This is the absolute best article I've read about the publishing industry in ages. Thank you. 🙂
People get so angry about this stuff. I do sometimes but mainly when I see someone else is being attacked. I just had a huge argument on a forum about someone who called Dean a scammer for a recent blog post which made me furious and the funny thing was I didn't particularly agree with part of what Dean said, but the attack made me SO angry. Not that Dean needs someone to defend him which also makes it ironical. I doubt he would have cared what was said by someone who knew nothing about him.
Anyway, my point is that this whole topic gets just overheated.
It would be nice if people could have differences of opinon about publishing or take different paths without getting angry. I am strictly indie. I intend to stay strictly indie. But that doesn't mean that I don't respect you while you have a foot in both camps. No so much the ones who are totally traditional because so few of them give me any respect and that's a problem. I avoid trad published writers pretty much at all costs because it's not worth the grief.
*sigh* Anyway, I have a novel to work on so good luck with your class!
A wonderful post — thank you. Even as some of your former communities have apparently become unwelcoming, new writers like me are just discovering your contributions to the publishing community, and are appreciative!
Needed to be said, and said well. Five stars.
Nicely said. I was a traditionally published mid-list author who got dumped by my publisher, ended up with a very small press with a different sales model (libraries only) for 10 years, and recently signed with Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint just so I could get my books back in front of a reading audience.
Does my deal with Amazon make me self-published? No. Does it lessen my value as an author? Some would say yes. But I'll probably make more money than I've ever made as an author because readers will finally be able to find my work.
Professional groups like the Authors Guild and MWA should be supporting these alternate forms of delivery, not condemning writers for using them to reach readers. The whole point, people, is to get people to read. More books, by more authors. Digital delivery has made that possible.
I enjoyed reading the post and the comments from the posters. I'm getting ready to launch my website and self published books soon. The idea of starting up from scratch, marketing your own brand, and all that sounds exciting to me. It is almost but not quite as exciting as having a reader entertained by a story you've written.
I think a contributor to the resentment is jealousy. Each side wishes they had all the perks of the other, though neither wants to admit to it.
Someone who is fishing from both sides of the boat.
GAWD I love it when someone uses logic effectively.
Arguing solves nothing.
Drawing lines in the sand solves nothing.
Well said.
Kris, you and I think so much alike on this stuff. I've addressed this same issue of people's seeming inability to understand nuances and live with ambiguity on my blog and in responses to people's posts. It does no good. People would rather die being right than accept change, it seems. You did well to leave the listserve.
The core problem, I think, is that in changing times people feel their actual identity, their sense of self, of who they are and what their place in the world, is threatened. They cleave to the old, can't adapt. It's fear. And our society is geared up to reward dualistic thinking and 'sticking to your guns', when the smart thing to do is adapt to reality. Holding onto a rock in a tsunami ain't gonna save you.
Don't stand in the doorways! Don't block up the halls!
That said, the problem of quality in self-published work is a very real one. Maybe the market will take care of it, but in the meantime it doesn't help those of us who self-publish. In an ideal world there'd be some kind of minimum standard gate, a low-cost (to the author) one-star rating or something that you can slap on your title and which guarantees the reader that the work meets minimum standards of formatting, readability, and maybe even content; can of worms, ain't gonna happen. But in the meantime, it's impossible to even get reviewed if you're self-published–literally impossible, at least until you get so big you hardly need reviews. This is IMO an ugly state of affairs.
It's a big problem.
UGH, sorry about the italics, formatting error.


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text: Email Story Print Story National Jewish Launches Weight-Loss Program DECEMBER 03, 2008 DENVER — Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) will be first to use unique telephonic and Internet program Building on more than 20 years of experience with telephonic and behavioral change programs, National Jewish Medical and Research Center has launched a unique weight-loss program that relies on customized personal coaching, Internet education and support, and wireless activity monitors and scales. The program builds on a successful prototype previously offered to residents of rural Colorado. Five thousand members of the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) will be the first customers to benefit from the program, called PERAFit. "Our program is more than just a diet," said David Tinkelman , MD, Vice President of Health Initiatives at National Jewish. "With coaching, education and electronic in-home objective feedback, we help people achieve long-term behavioral change and sustainable weight loss. We know of no other program that combines all these elements in this way." For more than 20 years National Jewish has operated the National Jewish Lung Line, a toll-free medical information service staffed by registered nurses. National Jewish was also one of the pioneers of telephonic disease management with successful programs in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Currently, National Jewish operates tobacco quitlines for Colorado, Ohio, Iowa, Idaho and Montana. "The weight-loss program was a natural extension of our previous efforts," said Dr. Tinkelman. National Jewish tested a prototype program, called GetFit Colorado , for residents of rural Colorado. It was free to participants and funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with revenues from the Colorado tobacco tax. After completion of the six-month program, 90 percent of participants had lost weight, with an average loss of 11.75 pounds or 5.88 percent of their body weight. Numerous studies have indicated that health benefits begin when people lose 5 percent of their body weight. The new program is an expanded version of GetFit Colorado, lasting a full year and including several extra elements. Counselors help participants create a customized weight-loss program, then coach them with 15 phone calls during the year. Participants follow a self-paced educational program on the Internet, which helps them understand the links between diet, exercise, health and weight. Patients also receive a scale and an activity monitor, which they clip onto their shoes. The monitors and the scale send radio signals to a small device plugged into their computers, which then document their daily activity and weight on a personalized Web page. Participants will know all day long how much activity they have done and how many calories have been burned that day. Participants can also list foods they have eaten into a food journal, and the Internet site will automatically count up the calories they have consumed. The program also has specialized information for participants with type II diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Up to 5,000 PERA members who are Anthem Blue Cross clients will have access to PERAFit program. National Jewish expects to expand its program in the future by offering it primarily to health plans and large employers. "We are excited to partner with National Jewish in offering the PERAFit program to our retirees who participate in Anthem," said Meredith Williams, PERA's Executive Director. "We hear from retirees that they want us to help them manage their healthcare costs. PERAFit will assist retirees in achieving their weight-management goals and that translates into healthier retirees with lower healthcare expenses." Colorado PERA offers a voluntary retiree healthcare program called PERACare to over 77,000 retirees. Colorado PERA, with assets of $41 billion, provides retirement and other benefits to over 410,000 current and former employees of over 400 government and public entities in the state of Colorado. Media Resources We have many faculty members, from bench scientists to clinicians, who can speak on almost any aspect of respiratory, immune, cardiac and gastrointestinal disease as well as lung cancer and basic immunology. Accomplishments & Awards Annual Report Financials Media Contacts Our team is available to arrange interviews, discuss events and story ideas. Adam Dormuth 303.398.1002 office 970.222.5034 mobile email@example.com Jessica Berry 303.398.1082 office 303.807.9491 mobile email@example.com


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Lately I've been divulging a lot of hobbies of mine with you all... Carolina basketball, fantasy football, geeky scavenger hunting... Well in addition to all of this, writing my own blog, and playing WOW of course, is reading other blogs.
Do you know about PostSecret? It is one of my favorite blogs and is updated every Sunday with all sorts of secrets that strangers send in. Some are funny, some are sad, some are a little disturbing. In the spirit of Post Secret, here are two from me.
Its funny how real life and WOW overlap. Driving around this weekend seeing all the trees turn made me think about K in tree form! Must get out more... lol
I know deaths aren't always the healer's fault. Maybe its from having grown up Catholic with all that Catholic guilt, but I still can't help feeling guilty and bad/sad. I sort of feel like I'm being a bad healer when people die. :(


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"The goal of a mini-habit is to be consistent. In fact, consistency is much more important than what you accomplish with this daily habit."
The Mini-Habit
The idea behind mini habits is that you can get to a larger habit if you start small, create simple goals, and aim for consistency.
In his book Mini Habits: Small Habits, Bigger Results, Stephen Guise gives the example of "The One Pushup Challenge."
He was doing what a lot of us do. Feeling guilty about not working out, he tried to fit years' worth of exercise into the first workout which created an all or nothing attitude (not to mention a focus on goals and not process.) Well, one day he decided to do the opposite. He did only one pushup.
This allowed him to check the box that he did his activity. Only he didn't stop at one, he did 14 more. Then he did one pull-up and guess what? He didn't stop at one. His workout went on like this and when he was done it was a pretty decent effort. It started with one pushup.
In Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less, author S. J. Scott writes:
The core idea behind the mini-habits concept is that you can build a major habit by thinking small enough to get started. Most people don't need motivation to do one pushup, so it's easy to get started. And once you get going, you'll find it's easy to keep at it.
The purpose of habit-stacking is to create simple and repeatable routines (managed by a checklist). The goal is to get this out of the cognitive load, "because all you have to remember to do is follow the checklist," and not each individual habit. You do this by doing the same set of actions in the same order and way each day. Checklists, do more than simply tell you what you need to do next, they help you deal with complexity and increase productivity.
"Linking habits together is a way of getting more done in less time, resulting in a positive change in your life. As you perform the stacked actions every day, they become part of your daily routine."
According to Scott there are 8 Elements of a habit-stacking routine.
- Each habit takes less than five minutes to complete.
- It's a complete habit.
- It improves your life.
- It's simple to complete.
- The entire routine takes less than 30 minutes.
- It follows a logical process.
- It follows a checklist.
- It fits your life.
17 Small Productivity Habits
All of these habits are from Scott's Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less.
I don't agree with all of them; Most of these seem like common sense.
Scott argues that if you add them to a routine, "you'll see a dramatic improvement in both the quantity and the quality of your efforts." I think a lot of that improvement will be from simply bringing awareness to how you spend your time and what you're doing.
#1 Drink a Large Glass of Water
Even mild dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue, affect your concentration, impair short-term memory and impede mental function. If you want to be at your most productive , it's important for your brain to be firing on all cylinders. Therefore, you should make sure you are sufficiently hydrated before starting work.
#2. Schedule Your Day and Prioritize Your Tasks
Without at least a basic schedule, it's frighteningly easy to get to the end of the day and realize you've achieved nothing of importance. At the very least, you should make a list of the tasks you want to accomplish during the day and decide where your priorities lie.
If you're lost on how to make this change or what it looks like, let Peter Bregman explain.
#3. Focus on Your Three Most Important Tasks
Another way to plan out your day is to focus on your Most Important Tasks (MITs). With a daily schedule, it's easy to try to do too much. Then, when you get to the end of the day and haven't completed everything, you feel like a failure . Picking your MITs each day gives you something to focus on so you don't waste your day on tasks of low importance. If you manage to complete your MITs, you'll feel productive— even if you do nothing else on your list.
#4. Turn Tasks into Manageable Steps
For each task on your schedule, consider how it can be broken down into smaller steps.
#5. Create Accountability by Telling Others
If your tasks don't have accountability built into them (like a client deadline), creating accountability by letting others know your intentions is a great way to discipline yourself into staying on task. You won't want to embarrass yourself by admitting you didn't get any work done, so you're much more likely to achieve your goals if you make them public.
#6. Reward Yourself for Task Completion
To keep your energy up and motivation high, alternate your work tasks with small treats. These treats not only act as a break to replenish depleted levels of concentration, but also work like a carrot on a stick— you'll work faster and with more enthusiasm when you have something to look forward to at the end of it.
#7. Remove Distractions Before Working
Rather than struggling against your brain's natural inclination to procrastinate, save yourself a lot of time and hassle by simply closing your email tab and banning social media during work time.
#8. Clear Your Desktop
Clear all paperwork off your desk except what you will need that day. Put everything else into physical folders, file boxes and drawers— out of sight, out of mind.
#9. Play Music or White Noise to Improve Focus
Low-level background noise helps muffle any distracting sounds that could interrupt your work and has been shown to improve creativity and focus for many people.
#10. Do the Hardest (or Most Unappealing) Task First
Look at your list of MITs (Most Important Tasks) and underline the one that you know you'd put off indefinitely if you had the chance. Get started on this task before you have a chance to think about it. Don't work on your other tasks until it's finished.
#11. Commit to a Very Small Goal
Look at your hardest task and plan a small, easy first step to completing it that will take only a few minutes. Pick a simple metric that you know (without a doubt) you can complete.
#12. Work in Small Blocks of Time
The Pomodoro technique is probably the most well-known version of this technique. It involves working for twenty-five minutes and then taking a five-minute break.
#13. Track Time for Different Activities
Most people overestimate the amount of time they spend doing actual work and spend a surprisingly large amount of time doing mindless tasks. By tracking your time, you become more aware of how you're spending it, and you can start to spot patterns in your schedule that are reducing your productivity.
#14. Use the Two-Minute Rule
If a task will take you two minutes or less to do, deal with it immediately and move on.
Keep in mind that this type of framework is how the urgent trumps the meaningful.
#15. Capture Every Idea
Our minds tend to wander. Despite our intentions, they drift off from the task at hand. Rather than a drawback, this is one of the fascinating ways that we gain insights. Pull out a notepad and write them down. You can come back to them later and, who knows, it just might be a great idea or the solution to a problem you've been working on.
#16. Write a Done List
Most people are familiar with to-do lists, but these lists can easily make you feel overwhelmed and demotivated if you try to plan too much. A done list has the opposite effect. By writing down everything you achieve each day, you'll feel motivated to continue.
#17. Review Your Goals
Everybody has goals. Whether they are big or small, we all have things that we want to accomplish. Sadly, the daily hustle and bustle of life can make us get off track. You need to review your goals so that you can create plans to reach those goals, put your day in perspective and know what's important to accomplish.
Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less goes on to offer small habits in six other areas: relationships, finances, organization, mental well-being, physical fitness, and leisure.


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Time + Space launches Sale offering discounts of up to 70%
Time + Space has launched a sale offering discounts of up to 70% on hundreds of sample libraries and virtual instruments from Best Service, Ueberschall, Toontrack, Big Fish Audio, Power FX, SoniVox and many more.
For example, you can save £496 on the Virtuoso Series String Orchestra from Ilio or £381 on SoniVox's Symphonic Brass Collection. Ueberschall's Drum 'n' Bass Resonance library is now just £7.95, Nu Tec Grooves from Best Service is £9.95 and Big Fish Audio's Complete Funk is down from £29.95 to £10.95.
Prices start at just £6.95.
To view all sale items visit: timespace.com/sale


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Polka Symposium Schulenburg, TX 2014 Audio
On February 22nd, 2014, Texas Folklife and Texas Dancehall Preservation presented a polka symposium and festival at Senglemann Hall in Schulenburg, Texas, sponsored by Humanities Texas. Please find the schedule and audio recordings of symposium proceedings below. Stay tuned for summaries and complete transcriptions of all audio recordings.
10:00 AM – Texas Dance Hall History & Architecture by Patrick Sparks, Stephen Dean, co-founders of TDHP, and architect David Bucek
11:00 AM – Czech and German Food traditions presented by Dawn Orsak and Lori Najvar of PolkaWorks, with Connie Krause and Dorothy Rother
1:00 PM – Polka Music History by Dr. John Novak, Frances Barton and Theresa Parker
3:00 PM – Folk and social polka dancing in Texas by Rachel Murray, Thomas Salas and Valina Polka
4:00 PM – Sustaining polka music in Texas by Mark Halata, Frank Motley, and Dr. Dan Margolies


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IKEA's digital chief on how tech can tackle COVID and the climate: Meet The Leader
Barbara Martin Coppola, Chief Digital Officer, IKEA Image: IKEA
Explore and monitor how SDG 13: Climate Action is affecting economies, industries and global issues
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September 20, 2023


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Mushrooms Baggu Reusable BagPersonify Shop
These best-selling reusable bags are not only so stylish, but also very useful. Use at the beach, for the gym, while traveling, as a tote bag, diaper bag, etc and fold back into a 5 x 5" in square when done.
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'Real Housewives' Husband Really Arrested
Reality has set in for "Real Housewives of Orange County" husband Matt Keough. The former MLB star was popped by cops Tuesday afternoon in Newport Beach, Calif., after officers found him drinking at the bar at a local Marriott, thus violating his probation. Classy!
The 52-year-old Keough pleaded guilty to felony DUI charges in 2005, after crashing his SUV into another car and causing a chain reaction which seriously injured a bicyclist. Keough left the accident scene and was found at a nearby store. He reportedly blew almost three times the legal limit. Wow -- that's drunk!
The judge sentenced Keough to probation. The terms indicated he was not to consume any alcohol -- not even a drop. Cops arrested him after a Newport Beach police officer recognized him -- and knew he was not supposed to be drinking.
Marty Keough, Matt's dad and his uncle Joe all played professional baseball. His douchebag son Shane is currently playing minor league ball.
He'll be arraigned on the probation violation tomorrow.
UPDATE: TMZ spoke with OC Sheriff's Dept. spokesperson, Jim Amormino, who confirmed that Keough was arrested in 2005 for DUI and that "the Oakland Athletics as well as Matt Keough's family are working together to get Matt into a treatment center to obtain the help that he needs."


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Not every post has to have an over-arching theme. Today we offer a "Mulligan stew" of various pictures that interest us, in hopes they will have the same effect on you. (Mulligan stew was something hobos prepared. Anyone who wanted to eat had to put something into the pot.)
In golf parlance, to "take a Mulligan" means to get a do-over without penalty. How this term originated is not known, but perhaps you will be able to help us solve a few mysteries without needing more than one shot.
-David Sadowski
The next three images are from the Tipton Genealogy photostream on Flickr.


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I am so excited and thrilled to share our giveaway sponsor this week!
- You must be a follower of this blog....thanks so much!
- You need to leave a comment on any post from today through Sunday, Augus8th, 2010.
Your cards are amazing as always. I love the glitter on them.
Emily C
Love your rose. Your projects are always so beautiful and a work of art.ReplyDelete
Very pretty! TFS!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous, simply gorgeous, this is why I am a follower, your creativity gives great inspirations!!!!ReplyDelete
The medallion looks like it came right from the paper! I love it and the rose is so beautiful love the way the sparkle shines through!ReplyDelete
The card and tag are beautiful! This seems like a cool product. I look forward to seeing more.
Very cute cardsReplyDelete
OMG Melin this is gorgeous, love all that glitter. So what font did you used for that gorgeous sentiment? It just writes so well w/ the pens!
-- dalis
Beautiful cards. Just awesome.ReplyDelete
Those are great projects, I love how those pens really shimmer....beautful! StaciReplyDelete
I love,love,love this card. I thank you so much for your time and talents that you share with us.
You are appreciated.
Beautiful card and tag. Heard about the gel pens for the Cricut but never saw anything using them. Still haven't gotten my brain wrapped around how they work. Similar to the Cricut markers? Did you do a different "cut" each time you changed pens?ReplyDelete
I would love the cri kits gel pens. Your card and tag are so pretty. Like you I have allot of pens but nothing works the way it should. I've never won anything so I'm hoping. Thanks for the chance
Gorgeous cards-could you make a tutorial on drawig and cuting?, thanks JustjoanReplyDelete
Beautiful Card and Tag. I Especially love the medallion. Thanks TerriReplyDelete
Your work is always so beautiful!ReplyDelete
Beautiful card! I would LOVE to win a holder and pens!ReplyDelete
Ooohhh!! Oooohhh!! Thank you for the chance at these! I'd love a set of my own. :)ReplyDelete
Absolutely gorgeous! I would love to try these!ReplyDelete
Oh WOW! So very wonderful. My cricut would love to meet new friends to play with. I would love to introduce these to my cricut! tytyty for the chance.
This is decinately a wow card! I love all the glitter on the rose. It shows up beautifully. Thanks for the cut files and thanks for the chance to win these awesome pens. I want them!ReplyDelete
Right up my street! I can't seem to make cards WITHOUT bling and glimmer and glitz!!
I'm definitely off to try this out. The possibilities are endless! And you make it (sound) sooooooooooo easy:-) Thanks for the files!
Hugs, Joan
Great cards - roses are always so versatile in cards making
Thanks Cherie
I love the distressing and the torn paper! The glitter is a nice touch, also. Great work!ReplyDelete
Love the look of those pens. The rose is so beautiful.LindaReplyDelete
Gorgeous examples, especially your rose. Thanks for the chance to win these pens!
Absolutely beautiful. What a great job!ReplyDelete
Love the rose and medallion. Thanks for the inspiration.ReplyDelete
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave in the Cutting category today [03 Aug 12:00pm GMT]. Thanks, MariaReplyDelete
Gorgeous projects!! I would love a chance to win these awesome pens! Thanks!ReplyDelete
Love your projects! And awesome giveaway! I keep seeing wonderful projects with these pens and I would love to try them out! Thank you for the chance to win!ReplyDelete
Great designs. I still haven't tried gel pens in my Cricut. Winning would make that easy! Thanks.ReplyDelete
this card is awesome!! I would love to try these pens, so keeping my fingers crossed!!ReplyDelete
Just discovered your site...beautiful work!! I've been skeptical about trying these gel pens, but you've changed my mind!ReplyDelete
Beautiful card especially love the way the glitter shines throughReplyDelete
I love your cards, thanks for sharing them with us.ReplyDelete
I am loving these pens!! I think they would make a great addition to my stash ;-) ! Thanks for offering this giveaway!
dvwayne at gmail dot com
WOW! Fabulous card and these look like wonderful pens! Thanks for offering this giveaway! I'd love to win!ReplyDelete
Beautiful Example of using your cricut as a multitasker! At the moment, I use mini gel pens and a rubber pen grip, and though it works, it isn't as smooth as the cri-kit pens are. I love the look you created!ReplyDelete
These are really pretty - I have wanted to try these out so thank you for the opportunity to win them!ReplyDelete
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!! I have their pens and holder too and LOVE LOVE LOVE them...I think they are the BEST on the market!!!!! Hands down!!ReplyDelete
wow...i just bought a cricut expressions and i thought i loved it, but i suppose that i really don't know all its capabilities yet. these pens are the exact reason why i'm still hanging onto it...i am happy to join this site with the hopes i will learn how to navigate my way through this. thank you for the opportunity to win the pens.ReplyDelete
Amazing cards and love the glitter! I would love to win some pens to use with my cricut!ReplyDelete
Thanks for all your great projects. You are truly an inspiration to me!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Denise in WA
I absolutely LOVE your BLOG. You are so very creative and generouos to share your ideas with us.
Love your card and bookmark they are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing and the chance at winning the gel pens.
angel hugs
wow, how beautiful.
Ann W
Your card and tag are just beautiful.
The card and tag are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I got some of those pens for my daughter and she hasn't used them yet. Guess I need to light a fire under her.
Carole Miller
This would be so great to win. I have been wanting to try these pens but don't have any yet. Your card and tag are very pretty.ReplyDelete
Your cards are beautiful. I have wanted to try these pens but right now it's not in the budget.ReplyDelete
TYFS & the chance to win these. I would love to try them, but am a little skeptic to spend the money. Winning would be terrific!!ReplyDelete
this all is so awesome, I would love to have the gelpens!! I hope I can win some, thanks for the chance, JeanReplyDelete
As always your work is beautiful. Wouldn't mind seeing a tut on how you achieved this effect -- I'm visual so to see it as you explain works best for me. Of course "winning" the pens so I can put into practice what I've learned would be the icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing.ReplyDelete
Your card and tag are absolutely beautiful. I love the colors and paper that you used. I had tried previously to become a follower on your site but it just wouldn't work. I finally made it today! Thanks for the chance to win those Cri-Kit gel pens.ReplyDelete
Love your card and tag, thank you for sharing. And thank you for the opportunity to win the CriKit gel pens.ReplyDelete
Your cards are just so beautiful and thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us!ReplyDelete
Your card is lovely...and all the elements are gorgeous as well. I haven't played with pens or markers in my cricut, and would sure love to win the set plus the holder!! Oh goodie...more stuff to tempt me with!!! I need that like I need a 3rd eye in the middle of my forehead!!! Hugs, Rockin Robin CReplyDelete
This is just such a beautiful card and tag! I love the glitter effects on it. Thank you for once again sharing your talent and files and the opportunity to maybe win a CriKit set..ReplyDelete
Your work is so inspiring. I have learned more from visiting your site than I ever did on the Pazzle site. I have a new lease on creativity and I love your new card.ReplyDelete
What a lovely card. Thanks for the chance to win the pens.ReplyDelete
Wow, lovely projects!! You are so creative and now I HAVE to have these pens!!! Thanks for a chance to win!ReplyDelete
Beautiful work! Thank you for the chance to win the cri-kits pens!ReplyDelete
Love your work. The cards are just gorgeous.ReplyDelete
I'm a follower and this card is gorgeous. I love the colors you have chosen.
Would love to win the pens.
Really cute, you always have such cute files.ReplyDelete
going to look at the gel pens now. Thank you for the information and for sharing your creatvity.ReplyDelete
Great cards! Thanks for the free cut n draw files!!ReplyDelete
I am enamored of the medallion! I so want these pens. I tried using the markers with my elementary students working on States projects and it was just not satisfactory. I think these would work ever so much better!ReplyDelete
I love your cards! They truly rival any that I have seen on the commercial market, so much better!! I would love to have a set of pens to detail my work too!ReplyDelete
Thank you for sharing the medallion, rose and text files and also the chance to witn the Crikit set. Your card and tag is awesome.ReplyDelete
Looks like I didn't complete my comment so will start over. I mentioned your awesome talent and thanked you for the chance to win your give-away.ReplyDelete
I see I have my work cut out for me once the boys go back to school. Great projects. Thanks so much for sharing.ReplyDelete
I usually get your posts through a group I am on. I am now a follower. Would love to win these pens.ReplyDelete
These pens are awesome. I love the way the images glitter.ReplyDelete
Beautiful work! Thanks so much for opportunity to win a set!ReplyDelete
Your work is amazing and inspirational! I love these new pens! They would have been a terrific asset to have for a tag project I had. I always look forward to your posts!ReplyDelete
You are one talented lady! I love your work it truly is inspirational.ReplyDelete
Love the stuff you make you got the art part for sureReplyDelete
I love the simplicity of the flower - its beautiful with the slight shimmer. Nicely done :)ReplyDelete
WOW! That card is BEAUTIFUL!!!
carriedan1 at live dot com
wow, these are really beautiful. Love the glitter look alot. really need to get these pens.
shanasewing at yahoo dot com
must get me some of these markers. love the cardReplyDelete
These pens look awesome!!! I cannot wait to see the fabulous profects you do with them!!!ReplyDelete
I just spent two hours on your webpage and have only scratched the surface! Thank you for your generosity of time and talent.
(ututo at verizon dot net)
Wow wow wow what a lovely card and effect, I cannot believe how much glitter shine you get from these pens. Thanks for the chance to join in, I am already a follower.
Kim xXx
Very lovely! I'm liking these pens!!! Hope I win!ReplyDelete
Just beautiful... that rose is to die for.
tahoe_luvr at yahoo dotcom
I love your designs thanksReplyDelete
How beautiful! Love the rose.ReplyDelete
Just beautiful, and I would love to see a tutorial on this technique if you could share.ReplyDelete
pretty pretty..............how cool
I love the rose and medallion card. Absolutely lovely.ReplyDelete
Love 'emReplyDelete
Thank you for so generously sharing your ideas and files! Your card and tag are stunningly beautiful!ReplyDelete
OMG - I just love your work, You do an amazing job. Very creative. Makes me want to make some cards. Thanks for sharing all your awesome projects. I would love to win the pens so I can make one of these projects.
Love the card, such a great job and the glitter pens just add the final touch!ReplyDelete
Awesome card - love the colors. JackieReplyDelete
Stunning! Breathtakingly beautiful!ReplyDelete
Lovely - I haven't tried drawing on the pazzles (or cricut) yet so hope to give it a try soon.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it so very much. Due to excessive spam, all comments are moderated. -Melinda


text:
- 6 oz. egg noodles
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. Sirloin Steak
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 lb. button mushrooms (optional – for the picky eaters in your life)
- ½ c. Dry white wine (optional)
- ½ c. low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ c. lowfat sour cream
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Chopped parsley, for serving
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steak with 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and cook, in 2 batches until browned, 1 minute per side; transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion, bell pepper and 1 Tbsp oil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms (if using), 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and the remaining Tbsp oil. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, tossing, until the vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 minutes more.
- Add the wine (if using) and simmer for 1 minute. Return the steak to the pan along with any accumulated juices. Add the broth; simmer until slightly reduced, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the sour cream, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon over the noodles and sprinkle with the parsley, if desired.
Extra Tip: To create extra-thin strips, place the steak in the freezer for 20 minutes before cutting—the chilled meat will be easier to slice into.
Recipe Provided By: WomensDay.com


text:
In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, a technician mounts a model of the Apollo Launch Escape System (LES) in the Unitary Wind Tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. The LES was a tower like structure consisting of four solid propellent motors mounted atop the Apollo Command Module.
In the event of a contingency, (booster failure or some other imminent failure) the LES would be commanded to ignite, subsequently removing the Command Module from the Saturn launch vehicle.
Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).


text:
ENALAPRIL MALEATE- enalapril maleate tablet
Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.
See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
- •
- When pregnancy is detected, discontinue enalapril maleate as soon as possible.
- •
- Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. See Warnings: Fetal Toxicity
Enalapril maleate is the maleate salt of enalapril, the ethyl ester of a long-acting angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalaprilat. Enalapril maleate is chemically described as (S)-1-[N -[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]-L-alanyl]-L-proline, (Z)-2-butenedioate salt (1:1). Its molecular formula is C20 H28 N2 O5 •C4 H4 O4 , and its structural formula is:
Enalapril maleate is a white to off-white, crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 492.53. It is sparingly soluble in water, soluble in ethanol, and freely soluble in methanol.
Enalapril is a pro-drug; following oral administration, it is bioactivated by hydrolysis of the ethyl ester to enalaprilat, which is the active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Each tablet, for oral administration, contains 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg or 20 mg of enalapril maleate. In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, maleic acid, microcrystalline cellulose and zinc stearate. Also, the 2.5 mg tablets contain ferric oxide (yellow), the 10 mg tablets contain ferric oxide (red) and the 20 mg tablets contain ferric oxide (red & yellow).
Mechanism of Action
Enalapril, after hydrolysis to enalaprilat, inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals. ACE is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex. The beneficial effects of enalapril in hypertension and heart failure appear to result primarily from suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Inhibition of ACE results in decreased plasma angiotensin II, which leads to decreased vasopressor activity and to decreased aldosterone secretion. Although the latter decrease is small, it results in small increases of serum potassium. In hypertensive patients treated with enalapril maleate alone for up to 48 weeks, mean increases in serum potassium of approximately 0.2 mEq/L were observed. In patients treated with enalapril maleate plus a thiazide diuretic, there was essentially no change in serum potassium (see PRECAUTIONS). Removal of angiotensin II negative feedback on renin secretion leads to increased plasma renin activity.
ACE is identical to kininase, an enzyme that degrades bradykinin. Whether increased levels of bradykinin, a potent vasodepressor peptide, play a role in the therapeutic effects of enalapril maleate remains to be elucidated.
While the mechanism through which enalapril maleate lowers blood pressure is believed to be primarily suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, enalapril maleate is antihypertensive even in patients with low-renin hypertension. Although enalapril maleate was antihypertensive in all races studied, black hypertensive patients (usually a low-renin hypertensive population) had a smaller average response to enalapril monotherapy than non-black patients.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism
Following oral administration of enalapril maleate, peak serum concentrations of enalapril occur within about one hour. Based on urinary recovery, the extent of absorption of enalapril is approximately 60 percent. Enalapril absorption is not influenced by the presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract. Following absorption, enalapril is hydrolyzed to enalaprilat, which is a more potent angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor than enalapril; enalaprilat is poorly absorbed when administered orally. Peak serum concentrations of enalaprilat occur three to four hours after an oral dose of enalapril maleate. Excretion of enalapril maleate is primarily renal. Approximately 94 percent of the dose is recovered in the urine and feces as enalaprilat or enalapril. The principal components in urine are enalaprilat, accounting for about 40 percent of the dose, and intact enalapril. There is no evidence of metabolites of enalapril, other than enalaprilat.
The serum concentration profile of enalaprilat exhibits a prolonged terminal phase, apparently representing a small fraction of the administered dose that has been bound to ACE. The amount bound does not increase with dose, indicating a saturable site of binding. The effective half-life for accumulation of enalaprilat following multiple doses of enalapril maleate is 11 hours. The disposition of enalapril and enalaprilat in patients with renal insufficiency is similar to that in patients with normal renal function until the glomerular filtration rate is 30 mL/min or less. With glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min, peak and trough enalaprilat levels increase, time to peak concentration increases and time to steady state may be delayed. The effective half-life of enalaprilat following multiple doses of enalapril maleate is prolonged at this level of renal insufficiency (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Enalaprilat is dialyzable at the rate of 62 mL/min.
Studies in dogs indicate that enalapril crosses the blood-brain barrier poorly, if at all; enalaprilat does not enter the brain. Multiple doses of enalapril maleate in rats do not result in accumulation in any tissues. Milk of lactating rats contains radioactivity following administration of 14 C-enalapril maleate. Radioactivity was found to cross the placenta following administration of labeled drug to pregnant hamsters.
Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Effects
Administration of enalapril maleate to patients with hypertension of severity ranging from mild to severe results in a reduction of both supine and standing blood pressure usually with no orthostatic component. Symptomatic postural hypotension is therefore infrequent, although it might be anticipated in volume-depleted patients (see WARNINGS).
In most patients studied, after oral administration of a single dose of enalapril, onset of antihypertensive activity was seen at one hour with peak reduction of blood pressure achieved by four to six hours.
At recommended doses, antihypertensive effects have been maintained for at least 24 hours. In some patients the effects may diminish toward the end of the dosing interval (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
In some patients achievement of optimal blood pressure reduction may require several weeks of therapy.
The antihypertensive effects of enalapril maleate have continued during long term therapy. Abrupt withdrawal of enalapril maleate has not been associated with a rapid increase in blood pressure.
In hemodynamic studies in patients with essential hypertension, blood pressure reduction was accompanied by a reduction in peripheral arterial resistance with an increase in cardiac output and little or no change in heart rate. Following administration of enalapril maleate, there is an increase in renal blood flow; glomerular filtration rate is usually unchanged. The effects appear to be similar in patients with renovascular hypertension.
When given together with thiazide-type diuretics, the blood pressure lowering effects of enalapril maleate are approximately additive.
In a clinical pharmacology study, indomethacin or sulindac was administered to hypertensive patients receiving enalapril maleate. In this study there was no evidence of a blunting of the antihypertensive action of enalapril maleate (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions).
Heart Failure
In trials in patients treated with digitalis and diuretics, treatment with enalapril resulted in decreased systemic vascular resistance, blood pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and heart size, and increased cardiac output and exercise tolerance. Heart rate was unchanged or slightly reduced, and mean ejection fraction was unchanged or increased. There was a beneficial effect on severity of heart failure as measured by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and on symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue. Hemodynamic effects were observed after the first dose, and appeared to be maintained in uncontrolled studies lasting as long as four months. Effects on exercise tolerance, heart size, and severity and symptoms of heart failure were observed in placebo-controlled studies lasting from eight weeks to over one year.
Heart Failure, Mortality Trials
In a multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 2,569 patients with all degrees of symptomatic heart failure and ejection fraction ≤35 percent were randomized to placebo or enalapril and followed for up to 55 months (SOLVD-Treatment). Use of enalapril was associated with an 11 percent reduction in all-cause mortality and a 30 percent reduction in hospitalization for heart failure. Diseases that excluded patients from enrollment in the study included severe stable angina (>2 attacks/day), hemodynamically significant valvular or outflow tract obstruction, renal failure (creatinine >2.5 mg/dL), cerebral vascular disease (e.g., significant carotid artery disease), advanced pulmonary disease, malignancies, active myocarditis and constrictive pericarditis. The mortality benefit associated with enalapril does not appear to depend upon digitalis being present.
A second multicenter trial used the SOLVD protocol for study of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients. SOLVD-Prevention patients, who had left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and no history of symptomatic heart failure, were randomized to placebo (n=2117) or enalapril (n=2111) and followed for up to 5 years. The majority of patients in the SOLVD-Prevention trial had a history of ischemic heart disease. A history of myocardial infarction was present in 80 percent of patients, current angina pectoris in 34 percent, and a history of hypertension in 37 percent. No statistically significant mortality effect was demonstrated in this population. Enalapril-treated subjects had 32% fewer first hospitalizations for heart failure, and 32% fewer total heart failure hospitalizations. Compared to placebo, 32 percent fewer patients receiving enalapril developed symptoms of overt heart failure. Hospitalizations for cardiovascular reasons were also reduced. There was an insignificant reduction in hospitalizations for any cause in the enalapril treatment group (for enalapril vs. placebo, respectively, 1166 vs. 1201 first hospitalizations, 2649 vs. 2840 total hospitalizations), although the study was not powered to look for such an effect.
The SOLVD-Prevention trial was not designed to determine whether treatment of asymptomatic patients with low ejection fraction would be superior, with respect to preventing hospitalization, to closer follow-up and use of enalapril at the earliest sign of heart failure. However, under the conditions of follow-up in the SOLVD-Prevention trial (every 4 months at the study clinic; personal physician as needed), 68% of patients on placebo who were hospitalized for heart failure had no prior symptoms recorded which would have signaled initiation of treatment.
The SOLVD-Prevention trial was also not designed to show whether enalapril modified the progression of underlying heart disease.
In another multicenter, placebo-controlled trial (CONSENSUS) limited to patients with NYHA Class IV congestive heart failure and radiographic evidence of cardiomegaly, use of enalapril was associated with improved survival. The results are shown in the following table.
Six Months
One Year
Enalapril Maleate (n=127)
Placebo (n=126)
In both CONSENSUS and SOLVD-Treatment trials, patients were also usually receiving digitalis, diuretics or both.
Clinical Pharmacology in Pediatric Patients
A multiple dose pharmacokinetic study was conducted in 40 hypertensive male and female pediatric patients aged 2 months to ≤16 years following daily oral administration of 0.07 to 0.14 mg/kg enalapril maleate. At steady state, the mean effective half-life for accumulation of enalaprilat was 14 hours and the mean urinary recovery of total enalapril and enalaprilat in 24 hours was 68% of the administered dose. Conversion of enalapril to enalaprilat was in the range of 63 to 76%. The overall results of this study indicate that the pharmacokinetics of enalapril in hypertensive children aged 2 months to ≤ 16 years are consistent across the studied age groups and consistent with pharmacokinetic historic data in healthy adults.
In a clinical study involving 110 hypertensive pediatric patients 6 to 16 years of age, patients who weighed < 50 kg received either 0.625, 2.5 or 20 mg of enalapril daily and patients who weighed ≥ 50 kg received either 1.25, 5, or 40 mg of enalapril daily. Enalapril administration once daily lowered trough blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The dose-dependent antihypertensive efficacy of enalapril was consistent across all subgroups (age, Tanner stage, gender, race). However, the lowest doses studied, 0.625 mg and 1.25 mg, corresponding to an average of 0.02 mg/kg once daily, did not appear to offer consistent antihypertensive efficacy. In this study, enalapril maleate was generally well tolerated.
In the above pediatric studies, enalapril maleate was given as tablets of enalapril maleate and for those children and infants who were unable to swallow tablets or who required a lower dose than is available in tablet form, enalapril was administered in a suspension formulation (see Preparation of Suspension under DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.


text:
I am a public commentator, community change agent, well known feminist, on a postage stamp, Boyer Lecturer 1995, and active social and political researcher. I have taught policy, advocacy and research methods, run research consultancies, worked as a public servant, political adviser and consultant. My professional expertise is policy and research issues. I am working on evidence bases for social policy with Jumbunna with an emphasis on income management at present. I have written widely on a range of political and social issues.
AO , distinguished Alumni UNSW, Centenary Medal, Australian Legend postage stamp


text:
4 November 2015
Christina Aguilera For One Future, #ZeroHunger
"Despite conflict, climate change and population growth, we can achieve Zero Hunger in 15 years. We have the knowledge and power today to build a world free of hunger and malnutrition but it's going to take all of us acting together, right now," says WFP Ambassador Against Hunger Christina Aguilera. In her role as an Ambassador, the American singer-songwriter has visited WFP operations in Guatemala, Haiti, Rwanda and recently, Ecuador and uses her immense following on social media to advocate and seek support for WFP's work.


text:
Subhas Dutta has spent the last three decades perfecting the dying art of active citizenship. He is the son of refugees from Bangladesh and calls the grand old city of
Subhas Dutta has spent the last three decades perfecting the dying art of active citizenship.
He is the son of refugees from Bangladesh and calls the grand old city of Kolkata his home. One could mistake this unassuming Chartered Accountant for a harmless 'Aam Admi' who's just trying to live his life and 'get by'. But underneath those thick rimmed glasses, are a pair of ever watchful, resolute eyes. Keenly observing the changing face of the city he lives in.
For thirty years Subhas Dutta has fought to preserve and protect what's left of Kolkata's fading environment. In the early nineties, the volume of PILs being filed by Dutta eventually led to a special Green Bench being established in the city's high court. It was also the first dedicated bench of its kind in India.
Subhas Dutta has filed more court cases on environment and heritage protection issues than anybody else in India. His day job has certainly lent to his meticulous approach to his activism.
"I do all the research my self, I go to every location personally on a fact finding mission, I take pictures, I talk to all the stake holders and then decide what's in the best interest of the people and the environment before filing each PIL", he shares. Currently, he has 10 cases in the Kolkata high court.
His dogged determination makes him a formidable foe and favourite punching bag for all those inconvenienced by his stand. Wielding great political and financial resources, they have tried to malign his reputation by insinuating his involvement in a molestation and an attempt to murder case. But the man remains undeterred.
"I'm not bothered by this slander. It's no surprise that they want to discredit me, it must mean that I'm doing something worthwhile", he quips.
Each of Dutta's successes is actually a success for the city of Kolkata. He has ensured the phasing out of 1.2 million old and polluting vehicles from the city's roads- which caused 2/3 of the city's air pollution. The annual book fair that used to trample and pollute the main Maidan has now been shifted to a another venue. "The Maidan is Kolkata's lungs and comprises 60% of city's green cover. It was littered with filth and uncared for, parts of it were used as parking space and rubbish was being burnt daily", Dutta explains. His campaign to protect Rabindra Sarobar saw thousands of citizens protesting and writing letters seeking funds and a mandate for its restoration. Dutta's work also ensured that there shall be no private functions in the Shibpur botanical gardens that leave behind a trail of empty bottles and paper plates.
Dutta laments the poor prioritization of environmental issues by our countries political parties. "No surprises here, since the government is the biggest violator of our country's natural resources; either to pursue its own short sighted goals or by allowing environmental degradation by the private sector".
In response to this predicament, Dutta has launched India's first Green Political Party. He was invited to Brussels and London to learn how a small but dedicated group of Green Party members are safe guarding their country's environment and the interest of the citizens in the long run.
"Creating a green political party is the best way to tackle the situation nationally. But no one wants to fund or align with a party that might be a stumbling block to their capitalist agendas." Dutta struggles to keep the green party afloat, even as the citizens of West Bengal pledge their allegiance to him. Internet forums are gushing with support for his work.
The West Bengal Government gives hundreds of crores in kerosene subsidy for the rural poor. Yet, no significant investment is made in solar power. Dutta is also worried about the construction of a Nuclear power plant in an earthquake prone area. "There is a lesson to learn from Japan's recent disaster. Even in the past we have seen poor disaster management by government authorities with the common man bearing the brunt, how can I support a nuclear power plant given these circumstances".
Dutta also feels that the nation is failing it's young with it's lop sided education. "Education of life, community and service" according to him are topics being taught neither in a classroom or at home. "A child today is taught only to be a competitive, self indulgent professional and the few who do go off the beaten path to study environment (care and management), for example, are unable to find jobs". Dutta suggests that taking care of the environment needs to become a mandatory part of Corporate Social Responsibility in India.
West Bengal, like the rest of India; is plagued with public apathy and a contagious sense of impotence among citizens, to change the situation. Subhas Dutta is living his life as an example and a cure, powering through every obstacle, equipped only with his moral discernment and a vision for a better India.
Read all articles by Tithiya Sharma here.
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