|
|
|
July 4th, 2009
11:19 am - Politics
Sarah Palin - I'm pretty sure we haven't seen the last of her.
|
10:57 am - PIXIU Press - website work
I got a spam email from Broderbund (software company) a few days ago. They've been sending me spam for years and I always delete them without opening them. But last week the subject line caught my interest -- it advertised Print Shop Web Design.
I've been using Broderbund's Print Shop since I was a kid -- it's the perfect program for un-savvy Photoshop folks like myself who occassionaly need to do design work. One of things I really like about Print Shop is that you don't have to be a genius to use it.
SO when I saw the ad for Print Shop Web Design, I was intrigued. I've struggling the last few weeks with Dreamweaver and been unhapy with the results. PSWD was only $49.99 (a fraction of the price of Dreamweaver) so I figured what the hell, why not give it a try? I can't possibly frustrate me any more than Dreamweaver does.
The software just arrived yesterday and I am already in love. It is SO easy to use. If you can imagine it in your head, you can do it with this program -- and you don't need to buy how-to books or take classes at the JC to figure it out. It's very intuitive. It also has a whole built-in tutorial aspect, so if you want to know how to do something, you just scroll down the tutorial list until you find your subject, and then it shows in very simple steps how to do it. Anyone out there looking for web design software, I highly recommend this one.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/happy.gif) cheerful
|
June 28th, 2009
10:43 am - PIXIU Press: Lightning Source vs. Create Space
I've been researching PODs for full color books. Particuarly, I am interested in PODs who own their own presses (not so much into the idea of paying a broker when I can go direct) who give me access to Amazon. The two I found are Lightning Source Incorporated and Create Space.
LSI is owned by Ingram and will allow me to sell books directly to bookstores, libraries, Amazon, etc.
CS is owned by Amazon and will only allow me to sell books Amazon and CS.
I'm figuring the bulk of my online sales will be through Amazon, so it behooves me to find the most profitable way to sell through Amazon. But I also want the benefit of being available to bookstores and libraries. There's a definite hurdle when it come to producing and selling full color books -- they are EXPENSIVE to make. If I sell through Amazon with LSI, my profit is about 40% of the cover price. If I sell through Amazon with CS, my profit is 60% of the cover price.
The good news is that both LSI and CS offer a non-exclusive agreement. Basically, both allow me to print/distribute books with other suppliers. My plan (as of today) is to use CS to sell through Amazon, and use LSI to sell to everyone else.
Of course I still have to review book quality. The paperstocks or printing quality of either of these printers might not be what I'm looking for. I'm working with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) joeyink to set Raggedy Chan up for these 2 printers. Then I'll order a copy from each and see how they look. I'll keep you posted.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/thoughtful.gif) contemplative
|
June 22nd, 2009
07:36 pm - PayPal - Grrr
I'm so annoyed with Pay Pal. I got 2 really strange notices, suppoosedly from them, saying that a hold had been placed on my account until I verified myself. I clicked on the link, and I was taken to this form that asked a lot of personal stuff -- SS#, driver's license, birthday etc. -- just the kind of stuff people use to steal identities. I emailed Pay Pal twice to verify the emails had been sent from them. Never heard back, so I figured it was spam. Today someone tried to send me money, and Pay Pal tells them: Sorry, account is blocked.
?!?@?#?$>!!!!!!
WHY OFFER AN EMAIL HELP LINE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO USE IT???
WHY IN THE WORLD DO THEY NEED ALL THAT INFO ANYWAY???
Pay Pal is officially on my LIST. I'm traveling tomorrow so I will have plenty of time to call them and tell them exactly what I think. (Though I will do my best to try and remember that the person who answers my call isn't the person who ignored my emails and doesn't necessarily deserve my wrath.)
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/angry.gif) annoyed
|
June 21st, 2009
12:31 pm - PIXIU Press - the story of PIXIU
Pixiu is a mythological creature from China who is rumored to bring good luck to businesses.
Pixiu eats and eats and eats -- but never poops or pees. So basically, he brings in lots and lots of abundance, and never lets any of it go.
Does anyone else find that hilariously cool? When I heard that story, I completely fell in love with Pixiu. So now he's my publishing logo.
Pixiu logo designed by the wonderfully talents joeyink.
Current Mood: cheerful
|
12:05 pm - Raggedy Chan - Asian Wine Event
Friday, June 19th was San Francisco's Asian Wine Event. I had a Raggedy Chan table there. It was held in the Veteran's War Memorial building in the Green Room. It was a gorgeous venue. It's hard to catch the full grandeur of these old buildings, but here's my attempt:
I got some neat ideas table displays at my last RC event. I incorporated a magazine stand for my teaching curriculum display and a brochure holder for my Educational Programs. I was able to cram a whole bunch of stuff into only 4 feet of space, and I think this is one of the best looking tables I've had to date. The best part is that now that I've figured out how to go "up" with my displays instead of "out," I can rent smaller tables and save money. Here's some pics of the table display:
Of the 500 or so attendees, I would say that about 90% were Asian. It was kind of like being at a family reunion -- black hair everywhere I looked. Heh. I tried to capture the "Asianess" of the event, but the pics all came out blurry. Most of the crowd were young Asians in their 30s.
This wasn't an event to sell books; this was an event for networking. I handed out more business cards than I ever have before. The cool part is that people were genuinely interested in my book and education programs. This is the first event I've gone to where I had people walk straight up to me because they wanted me to tell them about me and my product. We did lots of business card swapping. I met lots of very nice people. Hopefully some opportunities will arise. There were quite a few other Asian organizations there -- Asian magazines and newspapers, Asian health organizations, Asian performing arts group, and Asian education groups. Very, very cool! Asians unite and drink wine!
My wonderful mother, as always, accompanied my on this adventure. we don't usually get any photos of us together, but one of my friends from work was there (pouring wine from out winery) and she was kind enough to snap these 2 excellent mother-daughter photos:
Another happy RC event! I don't have anything coming up for a while, though I've got a pretty intense schedule beginning in Sept. Should be fun!
Current Mood: cheerful
|
June 17th, 2009
07:43 pm - PIXIU Press - more research
Does anyone know of any good books that talk about publishing contracts with authors and illustrators? I'm trying to get a feel for industry standard (though I know "standard" covers a wide range).
I also wish there was a way to photo graph my nugget while she is sleeping without waking her up. She is so CUTE when she sleeps -- she does this thing my husband calls the Iron Cross. Basically just throws both arms wide open and sleeps with her body in the cross position.
She fell asleep in her stroller so I am taking these few precious moments to blog...
Current Mood: content
|
June 16th, 2009
09:02 pm - PIXIU Press - research
I figure before I start publishing books by other authors, first I need to experiment with my own and figure out the best ways to sell them.
My free teaching curriculum program seems to be generating some interest, though I do need to do a better job at getting the books in front of educators. That means more education conferences. I've got my eye on a few for the next school year.
I just finished reading Aiming at Amazon by Aaron Shepard -- good stuff! He outlines in detail strategies at selling your book specifically through Amazon. His book is mostly aimed at people selling non-fiction, but there's enough juicy tidbits for those selling fiction as well. Now I just need some time so I can start implmenting them. This is when I wish I had a laptop with wireless -- I could do this work while breast feeding the baby. Have I mentioned her feedings last anywhere from 45 minutes to 1-1/2 hour, 5 times a day?
Current Mood: cheerful
|
June 14th, 2009
04:16 pm - PIXIU Press
Check out this nifty website banner:
I had so much fun producing Raggedy Chan that I decided I'm going to start my own publishing company. PIXIU (pronounced pee-shoo) Press will specialize in fully-illustrated speculative fiction for children and adults. I'm chunking away at the website between dirty diapers, breastfeeding, and work (and sleep, whenever possible).
This is an ongoing work in progress. Right now I am only publishing my own stories, though I hope to start publishing stories by other authors in a year or 2 (though I've got lots of research/work to do--and did I mention diapers to change?--before that happens). I want take it slow with the hopes of doing it right.
I'm in the process of setting up an account with Lightning Source, so the books I publish will be available internationally.
Current Mood: cheerful
|
02:45 pm - i miss lj
I miss blogging on LJ, but since I have gone back to work, my free time has evaporated.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/sad.gif) disappointed
|
April 12th, 2009
07:01 pm - Baby's First Hike
Okay, I made it through my first week of work. I had no idea that being away from your child could be so HARD. It's actually great to be back at work, I really enjoy it, but I am so SAD to leave Kylah every day. When I get home I just can't huge her and squeeze her enough. I get a knot of anxiety in my stomach every day when I leave her. The girls at work all sympathize and tell me it will get better.
One of my dreams of motherhood was to put my baby in a pack and take her out into nature. This weekend, I took her for her first hike. It was as awesome as I imagined it, even though she slept most of the way. When she was awake, she could not stop swiveling her head and staring at everything. We hiked for about 2 hours. I carried her this nifty Snuggli pack. Today I am nice and sore -- I think from lugging all the extra weight.
I'm already planning our next outing together. We are so lucky to live in a county with so many beautiful parks. Sometimes I think we live in the most beautiful place in the world.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/anxious.gif) anxious
|
April 6th, 2009
07:08 pm - Back to Work
Now that I'm back to work, not sure how much time I will have for LJ. I will probably be on Facebook, though, if anyone wants to find me there. Because of the "micro-blogging" that takes place there, I can puruse much more quickly and get back to my baby.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/working.gif) busy
|
April 4th, 2009
06:41 pm - Back to work...
I am seriously despressed about leaving my baby on Monday. Trying not to be. I just can't hold her and cuddle her enough today. Just thinking about it makes me teary-eyed. I went to a pot-luck with my swim team last night. I knew people would want to hold her, but I wanted her all to myself, so I put her into the Baby Bjorn. Of course they finally managed to get her away from me, but only in the last 30 minutes or so before we had to get her home for bed. It's not rationale to want to hog your baby, but I can't help it right now.
Current Mood: depressed
|
April 3rd, 2009
09:59 am - Happy Baby!
I am happy to report that the nap training regiment is going very well!
About a month ago I blogged about my baby throwing horrible, uncontrollable tantrums. Well, I figured out they were due to her being totally exhausted. Apparently, you have to teach some babies how to sleep; they like to stay up and be with their parents, so they fight sleep. Then their little bodies kick out this hormone that amps them up, and then it becomes really hard for them to sleep at all, even though they are exhausted. This is what was happening with my baby. And me, being a new mom with zero experience with infants, had no idea what was going on.
Now that I have her napping regularly, my baby is happy! No more hours of unconsolable crying. Now she usually only cries when her diaper is dirty, or if she is hungry -- and of course when I put her into her crib, because she'd rather be in my arms. But each day, she falls asleep more and more easily. And when she gets up, she is happy! We play, go for walks, even cook dinner together. She is alert and content, already chattering to me, practicing sitting up, standing up, and propping herself up. It's so wonderful to see, and I feel very proud that I am helping her to be at her best. Because those first few days when I put her in her crib and she screamed bloody murder for 30 - 45 minutes were very hard on both of us. But we persevered, and we conquered.
I also learned that sleep begets sleep. The more she sleeps, the better she sleeps, and the longer she sleeps. Last night she slept for 7-1/2 hours straight! Yay!
Notice the wrinkled brow. She came out of the womb doing that. It's so cool to see her little personality already.
A sleeping baby is a happy baby! Geronimo doesn't seem to care that he has to share his daddy with the baby, so long as he gets his fair share of love.
Current Mood: happy
|
April 1st, 2009
11:26 am - Technical Question
A SEQUAL is the second consecutive story in a series.
A PREQUAL is a story that takes places before the ORIGINAL/FIRST story.
Do they have names for other books in the series? What do you call the third book in a series? The forth book? Or what about a prequal to a prequal? Is there any technical jargon out there?
Just wondering...?
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/confused.gif) curious
|
March 31st, 2009
09:23 am - World Fantasy!
I just realized Halloween will fall on the World Fantasy dates! I think that means I have to find a cool costume.
Current Mood: excited
|
09:22 am - World Fantasy
I just realized Halloween will fall on the World Fantasy dates! I think that means I have to find a cool costume.
Current Mood: excited
|
March 30th, 2009
12:17 pm - Back to Work
Still having anxieties about going back to work and leaving my baby...know I should not, nothing to worry about with Mom taking care of her, but the idea of being away from her all day makes my stomach hurt.
I would really like a Winnebago full of un-marked bills to land in my backyard.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/stressed.gif) stressed
|
12:04 pm - Baby Talk
So I turned to one of my best friends, who has 3 wonderful children, for advice on how to help my baby nap. (Who better to give advice than a mother of 3?) She recommended the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I recomend it for anyone who needs help figuring out how to get their child to sleep (especially for those folks who don't want to resort to, you know, drugging your kid with bourbon, like they did in the olden days). Of course, the actual process of teaching your baby how to nap (especially one as stubborn as mine) is still a hard process, but this book really helped me to understand what I need to do and why I need to do it.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/aliens/sleepy.gif) exhausted
|
March 29th, 2009
12:25 pm - World Fantasy Convention!
I just bought my membership. Who knows when it will be this close to home again? I figured it would just be silly not to go. I am so excited!
And I will be leaving baby with the hubby! ::evil laugh:: But he is leaving for 9 days in May for a work trip, and he is going to a high school reunion this summer, so I figure I will earn my little 3-day get-away.
Anyone else going to WFC in San Jose, California?
Current Mood: excited
|
|
|
