Trina Boice's Blog: The Boice Box, page 14

What Legacy do YOU want to leave?

 Maurice Sendak, widely considered the
most important children’s book artist of the 20th century, who wrenched
the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and
plunged it into the dark, terrifying and hauntingly beautiful recesses
of the human psyche, died on Tuesday in Danbury, Conn. He was 83 and lived in Ridgefield, Conn. The cause was complications from a recent stroke, said Michael di Capua, his longtime editor.



When the book first came out, parents and reviewers criticized the scary images.  Now they are a beloved addition to many family's libraries.  A movie was made about the book a few years ago, although it did not achieve great recognition.



If you're an author, what one book will you most be remembered for?  What is it you'd like to be remembered the most for?  My father-in-law's funeral was this past weekend, so I'm especially feeling introspective lately.  Our time on this earth isn't very long, and of course, none of us knows how much time we have left.   What things are most important to you in life?  Family? Relationships? Career? Legacy? Stuff?



After we attended the funeral of my husband's sweet father, the family went to the Huntington Library to take pictures and see beautiful artwork and gardens to bring peace to our hearts.  The Huntingtons left a wonderful legacy of artwork to share with the world.  



Most of us would readily say that we'd love to leave the world a better place by having been in it.  The question is "How?"  Find what you're passionate about and bring about good in that realm.  Share.  Give.  Serve.




The books I love to read the most are the ones that aren't purely for entertainment, but ones that leave me truly feeling enriched, inspired, and motivated to do and be better myself.   I try to write those kinds of books too.




What can you do today to leave your stamp on the world and make it a better place?

Common misspelled words

I teach classes for Workplace ESL Solutions.  We specialize in English as a Second language, Spanish for workplace managers, citizenship, and business writing tips.  There is a super helpful article we posted on our Linked In group that lists the 100 words most commonly misspelled
('misspell' is one of them). Dr. Language has provided a one-stop cure
for all your spelling ills. Each word has a mnemonic pill with it and,
if you swallow it, it will help you to remember how to spell the word.
Master the orthography of the words on this page and reduce the time you
spend searching dictionaries by 50%.



Here are just the words that start with the letter "A" to get you started...


A

acceptable
- Several words made the list because of the suffix pronounced -êbl but
sometimes spelled -ible, sometimes -able. Just remember to accept any
table offered to you and you will spell this word OK.
accidentally
- It is no accident that the test for adverbs on -ly is whether they
come from an adjective on -al ("accidental" in this case). If so, the
-al has to be in the spelling. No publical, then publicly.
accommodate - Remember, this word is large enough to accommodate both a double "c" AND a double "m."
acquire - Try to acquire the knowledge that this word and the next began with the prefix ad- but the [d] converts to [c] before [q].
acquit - See the previous discussion.
a lot - Two words! Hopefully, you won't have to allot a lot of time to this problem.
amateur - Amateurs need not be mature: this word ends on the French suffix -eur (the equivalent of English -er).
apparent - A parent need not be apparent but "apparent" must pay the rent, so remember this word always has the rent.
argument - Let's not argue about the loss of this verb's silent [e] before the suffix -ment.
atheist
- Lord help you remember that this word comprises the prefix a- "not" +
the "god" (also in the-ology) + -ist "one who believes."

To see the rest of the 100 words, go to:

   http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/spelling-and-word-lists/misspelled.html

Amazon Talks About Cutting E-Book Prices

A news release just announce the following:  Moving swiftly to gain the upper hand after the Justice Department announced a suit against Apple and major publishers for price-fixing on e-books, Amazon lowered prices on major titles from $14.99 to $9.99 or lower. The charges against Apple put Amazon, which once controlled 90 percent of the e-book market, back in a powerful position to set prices. 



The government has accused Apple of colluding with four major publishers to charge consumers more than they would have paid otherwise. But publishers and sellers say readers won’t be any better off in Amazon’s hands, since the online seller already dominates the market and will now have even more control.

Win moola with your writing

 Calling all writers!



Irreantum, the literary magazine of the Association for Mormon Letters, will be accepting submissions to their 2012 literary contests until May 31, 2012.  Prizes range from $100-$300 and include possible publication in Irreantum.  Their fiction and creative nonfiction contests are supported by a grant from the Eugene England foundation, and the poetry contest is supported by a grant from Mary Ann Taylor. Because Irreantum is a journal dedicated to exploring Mormon culture, submissions that relate to the Mormon experience will be given preference in judging. Authors need not be LDS. Please visit http://irreantum.mormonletters.org/ for contest rules and further information.

Want to make more money as an author?

Have you discovered Steve Harrison yet?  He's awesome.  I've been listening to his teleseminars for over a year now and am so impressed with the great quality content he shares for free.



Are you where you want to be as an author, speaker or expert in your field?

Are you getting as much publicity as you should?

Are you selling as many books as you should?

Are you getting the recognition you deserve as one of the top experts in your field?

Are you making the level of income you should?

Are you having the impact on others you should?

Are you hearing from lots of people about how your work has changed their lives for the better?



If not, let Steve Harrison, show you some faster -- often MUCH faster -- ways to get where you want to be.

Join Steve on Wednesday, March 21st for a free webinar (or telephone seminar) on which he'll be revealing

'Fast Track Promotion Strategies for Authors, Speakers and Experts.'

https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/QL15FT/A12889





Here's just some of what you'll discover on Wednesday:

* A proven way to land speaking engagements much more quickly. Steve used this strategy to speak to over 1,000 people at a conference with Brian Tracy.

* A key strategy the author of 'Skinny Bitch' used to make her book a New York Times Best Seller with over

2 million copies in print.

* What to write in your subject header when emailing the media. Steve will reveal a 'magic phrase' which got a producer from the Today Show to call a few hours later wanting to book the guest.

* How a job search expert was able to stand out from all the other job experts out there and sell 10,000 books in three weeks by using one technique Steve taught him.

* How to overcome any fear or hesitancy you have about promoting yourself. Steve will reveal a simple but profound principle which changed his life and has helped him generate millions of dollars over the last 20 years.

* How to get on your local TV in a matter of hours, not weeks or months. Steve will share how one of my clients didn't even know who to contact but three hours later the local news crew was interviewing him.

* Years ago when Steve and his brother/partner Bill were first working together in their two-bedroom apartment, struggling to pay their bills, they discovered an important marketing lesson which took them from struggling to successful. He'll share it with you because he knows it will help you too.

* How to write and publish your books much more quickly. The surprising difference that allows million dollar authors to be much more productive and achieve success faster than everybody else.



Again, go here now to register for Wednesday's webinar or telephone seminar:

https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/QL15FT/A12889

 

 I'll be listening to it too!

Smashwords Helps Secure the Future of Indie Publishing

The founder of Smashwords, Mark Coker, and I are tight friends.  Well, not really, but he just sent me this important email that illustrates how the publishing world is rapidly changing:



"Great news.  Yesterday afternoon I met with PayPal at their office in San Jose, where they informed me of their decision to modify their policies to allow legal fiction.



Effective last night, we rolled back the Smashwords Terms of Service to its pre-February 24 state.



It's been a tumultuous, nerve-wracking few weeks as we worked to protect the right of writers to write and publish legal fiction.



I would like to express my sincere thanks to Smashwords authors, publishers and customers.  You stood up and made your voice known.  Thank you to every Smashwords author and publisher who wrote me to express opinions, even if we disagreed, and even if you were angry with me. You inspired me to carry your cause forward.



Smashwords authors, publishers and customers mobilized. You made telephone calls, wrote emails and letters, started and signed petitions, blogged, tweeted, Facebooked and drove the conversation. You made the difference.  Without you, no one would have paid attention. I would also like to thank the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC). These three advocacy groups were the first to stand up for our authors, publishers and customers. Their contribution cannot be overstated.  We collaborated with them to build a coalition of like-minded organizations to support our mutual cause. Special kudos to Rainey Reitman of EFF for her energy, enthusiasm and leadership.



I would also like to thank all the bloggers and journalists out there who helped carry our story forward by lending their platforms to get the story out.  Special thanks to TechCrunch, Slashdot, TechDirt, The Independent (UK), Reuters, Publishers Weekly, Dow Jones, The Digital Reader, CNET, Forbes, GalleyCat & EbookNewser and dozens of others too numerous to mention.



I would like to thank our friends at PayPal.  They worked with us in good faith as they promised, engaged us in dialogue, made the effort to understand Smashwords and our mission, went to bat for our authors with the credit card companies and banks, and showed the courage to revise their policies.



This is a big, bold move by PayPal.  It represents a watershed decision that protects the rights of writers to write, publish and distribute legal fiction.  It also protects the rights of readers to purchase and enjoy all fiction in the privacy of their own imagination. It clarifies and rationalizes the role of financial services providers and pulls them out of the business of censoring legal fiction.



Following implementation of their new policies, PayPal will have the most liberal, pro-First-Amendment policies of the major payment processors.  Will Google Checkout and Checkout by Amazon be next now that the credit card companies have clarified their positions, and have essentially given payment providers the permission to adopt more enlightened policies?   Finally, thanks to Selena Kitt of Excessica and Remittance Girl for helping me to understand and respect all fiction more than I ever have before.



This is a bright day for indie publishing.  In the old world, traditional publishers were the arbiters of literary merit.  Today, thanks to the rise of indie ebooks, the world is moving toward a broader, more inclusive definition of literary merit. Smashwords gives writers the power and freedom to publish.  Merit is decided by your readers.  Just as it should be."





Thanks Mark!

Is Apple in Trouble?

 Apple didn't get to bask in the glory of its new iPad for long. The Justice Department has warned the company—along with five of the biggest U.S. publishers—that it plans to sue them for allegedly colluding to raise the price of electronic books, sources tell The Wall Street Journal.



The case alleges that just before the release of the first iPad, Apple worked with publishers to adopt a retail model in which the publishers set a price and Apple took a 30 percent cut of sales. The move was a reaction against Amazon, which had frightened publishers by selling e-books at $9.99.

 

After Apple adopted the pricing model, the publishers were able to demand a similar one from Amazon.

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss!

On this day in 1904, Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, the author and illustrator of such beloved children's books as "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham," was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.   You can actually buy that book for 1 penny on Amazon!  Click here: http://tinyurl.com/7ojsm3r   







Geisel, who used his middle name (which was also his mother's maiden name) as his pen name, wrote 48 books–including some for adults–that have sold well over 200 million copies and been translated into multiple languages. 



Dr. Seuss books are known for their whimsical rhymes and quirky characters, which have names like the Lorax and the Sneetches and live in places like Hooterville.  The movie, "The Lorax" opens today in theaters!  Did you ever see the original made back in the 90's.  It was pretty cute, but it's going to be hard to beat Danny Devito.  You can get the classic book for cheap on Amazon as well at: 



http://tinyurl.com/6w4zfad 

















Happy birthday Dr. Seuss!

Powell's Puddly Awards

While I dream of having one of those cool personal libraries so large that it requires a ladder to reach the top shelves, my husband is in the anti-clutter mode, so I have been selling my old books online, using www.bookscouter.com to find the best prices.



One of the companies that buys back books is Powell's, creator of the "Puddly Awards", their version of the Oscars for books. They ask their readers to determine which titles were their favorites during the previous year. Here are the results for their 2012 awards:



Best Fiction: The Help by Kathryn Stockett





Purchase The Help Deluxe Edition here















Best Nonfiction: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand









Purchase a copy of Unbroken here















Have you read either of those two books? I have to confess that I only had time to see the movie "The Help" but I absolutely loved it. Some of the actresses in the flick are already slated to win an Oscar. What did YOU think of the book? How did it compare to the movie?



How about "Unbroken"? I haven't talked to anyone who has read it. Have you? What did you think? Do I need to carve out some time to read it because it's that good?



If we were the one to decide the book awards, which books would YOU choose to win?

LDStoryMakers Knows How To Throw a Conference

LDStorymakers





The excitement and buzz about the LDStoryMakers Conference this May has begun! It has been a few years since I've been able to attend and I'm sooo excited that I get to not only attend this year, but also teach a couple of classes! Woohoo! So much fun!



You won't find a group of more fun, passionate, enthusiastic writers as this group. In attendance will be high profile agents, successful authors, and those wanting to hone their craft and be a part of this exciting industry. You get to participate in pitch sessions, Writing Boot Camp, contests, yummy meals, networking, brainstorming, and so much inspiring information that your head will explode by the end of the conference.



To learn more about the conference and register, go to:

http://ldstorymakers.com/conferences/...



I hope to see you there!