Hurray! I just learned yesterday that SERVAL SON will be catalogued in the Public Library System sometime very soon. As soon as it is, all library systems in North America will be able to order it for their various branches. This is HUGE!!!
The cataloguing will be done in Issaquah and copies will be ordered for five of the King County (Washington State) public library branches: Shoreline, Burien, Bellevue, Renton and... Seattle? (I can't remember the fifth branch. Grrr...)
I hope those of you who have read and liked SERVAL SON will call your local public and school libraries and ask them to order the book when it appears in the catalogue. That would be fantastic! Many hands make light work.
I can't do this alone. It takes a village.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
RIPOFF ALERT. WRITERS: GET YOUR MONEY BEFORE YOU DO THE WORK.
I have more than a handful of regular clients but one of them (a long-time semi-regular) just lost his access to me entirely. He told me to spend ONLY two hours on a brochure and then decided he wouldn't pay for it because he was dissatisfied with the results.
I should have refused the project the moment he directed me to spend just two hours: I wanted to, but I didn't want to disappoint him; he has been a good customer and a fun guy to work with. I knew that rushing an important job like his brochure was stupid: rushing a project doesn't produce excellent results unless the project is a no-brainer (and brochures are BIG brainers)!
I'm actually "madder" at myself than I am at him. I was trying to give the guy a decent product on his budget; almost 3/4 of what I did was great; about 1/4 was not up to par, because I ran out of time.
And I got the shaft for it. I got NOTHING for it. I could redeem it, given another half hour or 45 minutes, but he'll probably do that himself--or have someone else do it--and then get a 100% great brochure that converts like made for NOTHING.
This won't happen again. Not to me. That's for sure. I'm going to get hard-nosed even with regulars and demand the money before I put fingers to keyboard and head to task. That's the way Elance and other freelance websites work. I have to be that way, too, it looks like, for reasons like this. You can't even trust the people you've done business with for a couple of years, it occurs to me now. (Sadly!) (He actually owes ME some services that I haven't redeemed yet.)
I need the money. I spent the time he allotted, not a minute more (after rounding down other projects I'd done for him previously to save him money).
What has just happened is a disgrace--but it's not my disgrace, except that I trusted someone I shouldn't have. THAT won't happen again!
I should have refused the project the moment he directed me to spend just two hours: I wanted to, but I didn't want to disappoint him; he has been a good customer and a fun guy to work with. I knew that rushing an important job like his brochure was stupid: rushing a project doesn't produce excellent results unless the project is a no-brainer (and brochures are BIG brainers)!
I'm actually "madder" at myself than I am at him. I was trying to give the guy a decent product on his budget; almost 3/4 of what I did was great; about 1/4 was not up to par, because I ran out of time.
And I got the shaft for it. I got NOTHING for it. I could redeem it, given another half hour or 45 minutes, but he'll probably do that himself--or have someone else do it--and then get a 100% great brochure that converts like made for NOTHING.
This won't happen again. Not to me. That's for sure. I'm going to get hard-nosed even with regulars and demand the money before I put fingers to keyboard and head to task. That's the way Elance and other freelance websites work. I have to be that way, too, it looks like, for reasons like this. You can't even trust the people you've done business with for a couple of years, it occurs to me now. (Sadly!) (He actually owes ME some services that I haven't redeemed yet.)
I need the money. I spent the time he allotted, not a minute more (after rounding down other projects I'd done for him previously to save him money).
What has just happened is a disgrace--but it's not my disgrace, except that I trusted someone I shouldn't have. THAT won't happen again!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
SERVAL SON YOUTUBE VIDEOS--My Nieces Have Spoken!
To my complete surprise, my two grand nieces, 7 year old Jamie and 10 year old Casey, prefer the longer version of our two SERVAL SON YouTube videos.
That surprises me because I was thinking the shorter, "flippier" video would appeal greatly to the younger set. When I asked them why they preferred the more sedate version, Jamie said, "It touches my heart better."
***awwwwww***
Now I know why so many advertisers take time to gather and listen to focus groups! What we think someone will prefer is often based on the broadest of assumptions.
Kids want to feel something, too. It isn't all about razzle dazzle and cutaway shots.
I thought the song BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN would create the emotion. I thought that because Karen Carpenter is singing about beasts and children in the song, kids would prefer it.
All righty then. I stand corrected.
I really don't know which of the two trailers I like best. Except for Casey and Jamie, no one else has let me know which is their favorite. I wish y'all WOULD. Then I would know which one to show in public. I have them both on DVD.
Right now I just alternate them every 10-15 minutes or so.
Will you give me your opinion? Teens and adults are my target audience for the book, so I hesitate to move based on my grand nieces' preferences! I need some older folks to chime in and let me know your favorite of the two...
Ready, set, go! I stand by to note your responses. And if any of you feel you can do a better job, I can give you access to the photos and my One True Media account and you can have at it. (There's no payment. I want to make that clear!) That would be cool!!!
That surprises me because I was thinking the shorter, "flippier" video would appeal greatly to the younger set. When I asked them why they preferred the more sedate version, Jamie said, "It touches my heart better."
***awwwwww***
Now I know why so many advertisers take time to gather and listen to focus groups! What we think someone will prefer is often based on the broadest of assumptions.
Kids want to feel something, too. It isn't all about razzle dazzle and cutaway shots.
I thought the song BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN would create the emotion. I thought that because Karen Carpenter is singing about beasts and children in the song, kids would prefer it.
All righty then. I stand corrected.
I really don't know which of the two trailers I like best. Except for Casey and Jamie, no one else has let me know which is their favorite. I wish y'all WOULD. Then I would know which one to show in public. I have them both on DVD.
Right now I just alternate them every 10-15 minutes or so.
Will you give me your opinion? Teens and adults are my target audience for the book, so I hesitate to move based on my grand nieces' preferences! I need some older folks to chime in and let me know your favorite of the two...
Ready, set, go! I stand by to note your responses. And if any of you feel you can do a better job, I can give you access to the photos and my One True Media account and you can have at it. (There's no payment. I want to make that clear!) That would be cool!!!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
CATCH MY INTERVIEW ABOUT SERVAL SON AT WWW.THEAUTHORSSHOW.COM
http://www.theauthorsshow.com/
Scroll down in the playlist until you see the SERVAL SON title, then click on it...
Scroll down in the playlist until you see the SERVAL SON title, then click on it...
Sunday, September 11, 2011
SEPTEMBER 11TH -- NOT a Good Day in History!!!
T'was Sept 11th, 1996 when I had Deaken (the subject of SERVAL SON) euthanized.
T'was Sept. 11th five years later when terrorists scarred America in ways those of us who were alive and old enough to understand will never forget...
Today I stayed busy at church longer than usual talking to people who wanted and needed to talk: kids, adults. It was a poignant morning.
I wish Sept 11th 2001 had brought us together for far longer than it did. Instead, the decade since seems to have pushed us farther apart. The terrorists are probably happy about that. They like people becoming fearful of "the other"--it serves their cause just fine.
But there should be no "others" in this great land of ours. We should all be deemed worthy of love, listening to, and honoring, even when we disagree with each other. I don't see that happening... I see a lot of fear out there--not of terrorists, of each other!
It began before 9/11 but 9/11 just showed us we aren't ever united for very long. We only huddle and cuddle when we're ALL attacked. Otherwise, we seem to like attacking each other. It keeps life from becoming boring.
It also keeps life from becoming satisfying, relational, and Christ-like.
I will redouble my efforts to disagree agreeably when I do disagree. I will try not to "react" with equal vitriol to the myopic, vitriolic, unfounded and unfair attacks of others. I will try to "turn the other cheek" as Jesus taught.
That's a fitting tribute to 9/11.
T'was Sept. 11th five years later when terrorists scarred America in ways those of us who were alive and old enough to understand will never forget...
Today I stayed busy at church longer than usual talking to people who wanted and needed to talk: kids, adults. It was a poignant morning.
I wish Sept 11th 2001 had brought us together for far longer than it did. Instead, the decade since seems to have pushed us farther apart. The terrorists are probably happy about that. They like people becoming fearful of "the other"--it serves their cause just fine.
But there should be no "others" in this great land of ours. We should all be deemed worthy of love, listening to, and honoring, even when we disagree with each other. I don't see that happening... I see a lot of fear out there--not of terrorists, of each other!
It began before 9/11 but 9/11 just showed us we aren't ever united for very long. We only huddle and cuddle when we're ALL attacked. Otherwise, we seem to like attacking each other. It keeps life from becoming boring.
It also keeps life from becoming satisfying, relational, and Christ-like.
I will redouble my efforts to disagree agreeably when I do disagree. I will try not to "react" with equal vitriol to the myopic, vitriolic, unfounded and unfair attacks of others. I will try to "turn the other cheek" as Jesus taught.
That's a fitting tribute to 9/11.
Remember to Tune In Sept 14th to THE AUTHORS SHOW...
My interview with Don McCauley at THE AUTHORS SHOW (www.theauthorsshow.com) will air ON DEMAND for 24 hours on Wednesday Sept. 14th. Don't forget to tune in and let me know whether you think I should buy a copy to post on my own pages and at Amazon to tout SERVAL SON. Do you think I did a good enough job?
Also please send ME a reminder to listen to it. I'm more than a little brain dead after this amazing week and fear I may forget to tune in MYSELF!
Thanks!
Kris
Also please send ME a reminder to listen to it. I'm more than a little brain dead after this amazing week and fear I may forget to tune in MYSELF!
Thanks!
Kris
Friday, September 9, 2011
Remembering 9/11 on the Tenth Anniversary Weekend
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 09, 2011
Presidential Proclamation -- National Days of Prayer and Remembrance
Ten years ago, a bright September day was darkened by the worst terrorist attack on America in our Nation's history. On this tenth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we lift in prayer and remembrance the men, women, and children who died in New York City, in Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, and we honor the countless heroes who responded to senseless violence with courage and compassion. We continue to stand with their families and loved ones, while striving to ensure the legacy of those we lost is a safer, stronger, and more resilient Nation.
Since that day, a generation has come of age bearing the burden of war. The 9/11 Generation of service members and their families has stepped up to defend our security at home and abroad. They volunteer, knowing they might be sent into harm's way, and they uphold the virtues of selflessness and sacrifice that have always been at the center of our Nation's strength. We pay humble tribute to all those who serve in our Armed Forces, and to the thousands of brave Americans who have given their last full measure of devotion during this difficult decade of war.
First responders, law enforcement officials, service members, diplomats -- the range of Americans who have dedicated themselves to building a safer world is awe-inspiring. We have put unprecedented pressure on those who attacked us 10 years ago and put al-Qa'ida on the path to defeat. Around the globe, we have joined with allies and partners to support peace, security, prosperity, and universal rights. At home, communities have come together to make us a stronger country, united by our diversity, our character, and our enduring principles.
Today, our Nation still faces great challenges, but this last decade has proven once more that, as a people, we emerge from our trials stronger than before. During these days of prayer and remembrance, a grateful Nation gives thanks to all those who have given of themselves to make us safer. And in memory of the fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and friends and loved ones taken from us 10 years ago, let us join again in common cause to build a more hopeful world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11, 2011, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States honor and remember the victims of September 11, 2001, and their loved ones through prayer, contemplation, memorial services, the visiting of memorials, the ringing of bells, evening candlelight remembrance vigils, and other appropriate ceremonies and activities. I invite people around the world to participate in this commemoration.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
UPDATE: SERVAL SON IS #2 AT AMAZON IN ANIMAL RIGHTS;#4 IN NATURE>FAUNA!
We have two hours on the west coast to take it to #1!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! YOU'RE MY HEROES AND HEROINES!!!
SERVAL SON IS IN THE TOP TEN AT AMAZON IN ONE CATEGORY/TOP 30 IN ANOTHER! WOO HOO!!!
...and it's still early--there's seven hours to go until midnight!
Have you bought YOUR copy (copies) yet??? DO IT NOW TO HELP PUSH IT UP THE FLAGPOLE AT AMAZON.
#6 in Books > Outdoors & Nature > Ecology > Animal Rights
#26 in Books > Outdoors & Nature > Fauna
Have you bought YOUR copy (copies) yet??? DO IT NOW TO HELP PUSH IT UP THE FLAGPOLE AT AMAZON.
#6 in Books > Outdoors & Nature > Ecology > Animal Rights
#26 in Books > Outdoors & Nature > Fauna
FUNDS FOR WRITERS IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH ME TOMORROW
Stay tuned. I'll let you know it if happens...
It happened. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fundsforwriters.com%2Fcopywriter.htm&h=BAQBobc9CAQAM1XsjW9xnwz_jHL_g8_ZfqlYkFcI_4l4Dww
It happened. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fundsforwriters.com%2Fcopywriter.htm&h=BAQBobc9CAQAM1XsjW9xnwz_jHL_g8_ZfqlYkFcI_4l4Dww
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