Justin Blaney's Blog, page 55
March 25, 2014
Help me pick the title and cover for my new book on being different
Please vote in the comments section at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
The premise of the book is a compilation of essay’s, blogs and other writings of mine on how to think differently about life and business. The advice is pretty practical and while it’s mostly about business and career success, I think there is a fair bit that’s applicable to life in general.
The two title options are: Zero Point Five Percent or Polar
And the cover options are:
The concept behind Polar is fairly self explanatory: Become a polar opposite from conformity.
The concept for Zero Point Five Percent is: You are over 99.5% identical to every human on the planet. What are you going to do with the last 0.5%? If you like this design and name, but don’t like the baby feet, I could easily put a number of different icons in their place.
Want an advance copy?
If you’re interested in providing a quote for my marketing, please email me at justin@justinblaney.com and I’ll get you an advance copy of the ebook.
Thanks! And don’t forget to vote now!
Here’s the introduction to the book
This book is for people who want to be different.
Not different in the middle-school-pick-a-group-of-misfits-to-belong-to sense. Not different in the wear-rolled-up-baggy-jeans-when-everyone-else-is-wearing-skinny sense. And certainly not different in the keeping-your-myspace-because-it’s-not-mainstream-anymore sense.
But really, truly, honestly, different.
This begs the question: Can we really, truly, honestly be different?
Did you know over 99.5% of the human genome is identical? That means that you and I are over 99.5% identical to every human who has ever lived. More specifically, you share 199 genes with your worstest nemesis for every 1 gene that makes you unique. But hey, it’s that one gene that makes them such a horrible excuse for a human being anyway so what does it matter?
I’ll tell you why. Because there really is nothing new under the moon. Reading young adult fiction taught me that.
So if we’re all the same, should we even bother being different?
You bet. Unless you’re one of those sick people who only eats vanilla ice-cream.
Because even if we’re all the same, we can, with desire, hard work, creativity, an open mind and a bit of luck become less the same than everyone else. And being less the same sure beats the heck—in the humble opinion of this writer—than being more the same.
So back to the point of this book: If you want to be less the same, I hope there are a few insights on the following pages for you. These are blogs, essays, and other writings on various topics that all have at least one thing in common: Each describes a way of looking at some aspect of life or business differently than what I’ve witnessed to be mainstream practice.
This book is better read as a parable. The subjects and topics vary greatly, but inside each chapter is a lesson for how to look at the world differently. I’m going to leave it up to you to connect the dots on how that might apply in your life because, let’s face it, we don’t know each other all that well and I just don’t feel comfortable getting that personal given the newness of our relationship.
Of course, this is the point in the introduction where a modest author, or at least an author who is pretending to be modest, points out that most of what is in this book is probably rubbish and that it all should be taken with a shake of sodium. While that’s true, and while you may find yourself feeling that a lot of the rubbish herein is just recycled common sense, it’s been my observation that following common sense might just make you the most differentest person of all.
Here’s to less of the same,
Justin Blaney
March 17, 2014
Smith Tower. Seattle.
Smith Tower. Seattle.
Proudly presenting Fast Wide Open
Discover a panorama of the inspiration for Justin’s postmodern fairytale anthology with this collection of 37 original images that explore character, architecture, setting, texture and visual storytelling. On Kindle, iBooks, paperback, or beautifully typeset hardback.
Want a free signed hardback copy of Fast Wide Open?
I’m giving a free eBook of Fast Wide Open to the first 20 people who agree to leave me a review on Amazon after you’ve checked it out. Email me at justin@justinblaney.com to participate! Plus, if you send me a link to your review when you’re done, you will have a 20% chance of winning a signed hardback copy of the book. You are not obligated to leave a positive review.
If you’re interested in seeing a sample of the photos included in Fast Wide Open, I’ve posted a few here.
Join the conversation
February 25, 2014
Staying fit with cross training
Cross training helps you stay fit by confusing your body with variation rather than doing the same thing every day. Following this strict alternating schedule helps me stay toned and energized.
February 23, 2014
Photos are snapshots of real lives
I’ve been earning a living—though sometimes it’s been hard to call it that—from storytelling since I was sixteen years old selling vacuum cleaners door to door. Funnily enough, some of the stories I told back then were more fictional than the novels I write today.
Over the years, the mediums I’ve used have changed, but for me, it’s always been about the story. Through blogging and songwriting and photography and speaking and design and sales, I’ve learned that the power of story is universal.
Today, I apply my passion to writing novels and producing films for nonprofits and businesses. Sometimes I’m trying to affect change in the world through fictional characters and magical adventures. Other times, I’m showing the world how my nonprofit and business clients are heroes in the lives of the people they serve. I’m often surprised to find that the real stories are even more magical than the fiction.
And that is why I created Fast Wide Open.
I realized many of the true stories that have inspired me over the last fifteen years were being held captive on my computer’s hard drives. Whenever I see these images, I remember the way I felt when they were taken. I think of the people who allowed me to share for a small time the richness of their lives, the people who live or worship or play or learn in these places, the people who work these machines.
This book is not about pictures. It’s about the fairytales inside the pictures. These pictures are mere snapshots of real lives, but the snapshots give us a window through which we can dream for a short time that we are inside the fairytale. That we are someone else. And sometimes, every so often, a little bit of that dream rubs off on us, and when we wake, we find we’re just a tiny bit changed.
I hope these stories inspire you as much as they inspire me.
Proudly presenting Fast Wide Open
Discover a panorama of the inspiration for Justin’s postmodern fairytale anthology with this collection of 37 original images that explore character, architecture, setting, texture and visual storytelling. On Kindle, iBooks, paperback, or beautifully typeset hardback.
Want a free signed hardback copy of Fast Wide Open?
Reviews are beautiful. Find out how to get a free signed copy of any of Justin’s books just by leaving reviews. Find out more at justinblaney.com/reviews-are-beautiful
If you’re interested in seeing a sample of the photos included in Fast Wide Open, I’ve posted a few here.
Join the conversation
February 17, 2014
Cranes #2. SoDo, Seattle.
Cranes #2. SoDo, Seattle.
Proudly presenting Fast Wide Open
Discover a panorama of the inspiration for Justin’s postmodern fairytale anthology with this collection of 37 original images that explore character, architecture, setting, texture and visual storytelling. On Kindle, iBooks, paperback, or beautifully typeset hardback.
Want a free signed hardback copy of Fast Wide Open?
I’m giving a free eBook of Fast Wide Open to the first 20 people who agree to leave me a review on Amazon after you’ve checked it out. Email me at justin@justinblaney.com to participate! Plus, if you send me a link to your review when you’re done, you will have a 20% chance of winning a signed hardback copy of the book. You are not obligated to leave a positive review.
If you’re interested in seeing a sample of the photos included in Fast Wide Open, I’ve posted a few here.
Join the conversation
February 9, 2014
Proudly presenting Fast Wide Open
Discover a panorama of the inspiration for Justin’s post-modern fairytale anthology with this collection of 37 original images that explore character, architecture, setting, texture and visual storytelling. On Kindle, iBooks or beautifully typeset hardback.
Thank you so much to everyone who helped with input on the title! Your feedback really made a difference.
If you’re interested in seeing a sample of the photos, I’ve already posted a few on my blog here.
I’d love to know what you think of the book! Let me know in the comments.
Do you have a short story you’d like to see published on JustinBlaney.com?
If we like it enough to publish, we’ll enter you in a $250 giveaway and give you a signed copy of Justin’s bestselling novel, Evan Burl and the Falling and a paperback copy of 2013′s best short stories. Plus, your short story may appear in next year’s anthology of best short stories. Email justin@justinblaney.com today with your submission and good luck!
Announcing this week’s Isfits Mega Giveaway. I’m giving away over $1000 in prizes including a $250 Amazon Spree and 100 signed copies of great books.
Last contest’s winner is Gavin Imes
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling and a first edition signed copy of Isfits Volume 1, last week’s winner joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing . Here are the complete rules.
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson, Janae Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn, Hope Clippinger, Rebecca Ann Baker, Lisa Whitten, Gavin Imes
Thanks for your feedback on Fast Wide Open. How do you think it turned out?
January 27, 2014
Help me pick the cover to my new photography book
Please vote in the comments section at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
The two title options are: Aperture or Fast Wide Open
And the cover options are:
If you’re interested in providing a quote for my marketing, please email me at justin@justinblaney.com and I’ll get you an advance copy of the ebook.
Don’t forget to grab a copy of Best Short Stories 2013.
Get it free: Enter this week’s giveaway for $1000′s in prizes and earn a free download of Best Short Stories 2013 just for entering!
Get it for a buck: Purchase the Kindle eBook from Amazon for $0.99
Get it for six bucks: Purchase the paperback for the sale price of $6.19 (regularly $6.99)
Praise for Best Short Stories 2013
“Heart renching” – April Reynolds
“Jaw dropping” – Mary Beth King
“Amazing” – Burma Turner
“Beautiful” – Jessica Bejot
“Awesome” – Deborah Bean
“Intense” – Katherine Russell
“Fantastic” – Kathleen Feuerstein
“Loved it” – Elaine Evans
Do you have a short story you’d like to see published on JustinBlaney.com?
If we like it enough to publish, we’ll enter you in a $250 giveaway and give you a signed copy of Justin’s bestselling novel, Evan Burl and the Falling and a paperback copy of 2013′s best short stories. Plus, your short story may appear in next year’s anthology of best short stories. Email justin@justinblaney.com today with your submission and good luck!
Announcing this week’s Isfits Mega Giveaway. I’m giving away over $1000 in prizes including a $250 Amazon Spree and 100 signed copies of great books.
Last contest’s winner is Lisa Whitten
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling and a first edition signed copy of Isfits Volume 1, Rebecca joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing . Here are the complete rules.
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson, Janae Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn, Hope Clippinger, Rebecca Ann Baker, Lisa Whitten
What title and cover do you like best?
January 21, 2014
Cranes #1. SoDo, Seattle.
Cranes #1. SoDo, Seattle.
January 14, 2014
Announcing the new eBook and Paperback from our short story contest: Download free for a limited time
Enjoy 5 award winning short stories in the new eBook and Paperback
You voted and helped choose the best short stories of 2013. Now you can download them all in an eBook or purchase a beautifully typeset copy in paperback.
Includes stories from J.M. Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn + a bonus short story from Justin Blaney.
Three ways to get your copy
Free: Enter this week’s giveaway for $1000′s in prizes and earn a free download of Best Short Stories 2013 just for entering!
A buck: Purchase the Kindle eBook from Amazon for $0.99
Six bucks: Purchase the paperback for the sale price of $6.19 (regularly $6.99)
Praise for Best Short Stories 2013
“Heart renching” – April Reynolds
“Jaw dropping” – Mary Beth King
“Amazing” – Burma Turner
“Beautiful” – Jessica Bejot
“Awesome” – Deborah Bean
“Intense” – Katherine Russell
“Fantastic” – Kathleen Feuerstein
“Loved it” – Elaine Evans
Do you have a short story you’d like to see published on JustinBlaney.com?
If we like it enough to publish, we’ll enter you in a $250 giveaway and give you a signed copy of Justin’s bestselling novel, Evan Burl and the Falling and a paperback copy of 2013′s best short stories. Plus, your short story may appear in next year’s anthology of best short stories. Email justin@justinblaney.com today with your submission and good luck!
What do you think about the Book?
Announcing this week’s Isfits Mega Giveaway. I’m giving away over $1000 in prizes including a $250 Amazon Spree and 100 signed copies of great books.
Last contest’s winner is Rebecca Ann Baker
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling and a first edition signed copy of Isfits Volume 1, Rebecca joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing . Here are the complete rules.
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson, Janae Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn, Hope Clippinger, Rebecca Ann Baker
January 3, 2014
The love triangle teenage heroine cage match: Bella Swan vs Katniss Everdeen
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the main event of the night
In the category of the love triangle teenage heroine, we have Bella Swan, the champion, vs Katniss Everdeen, the challenger.
Which conflicted female character would win in a cage match?
Cast your vote, then discuss in the comments below.
Solving humanity's greatest questions part 1
Should people wear pajamas outside the home?
Never
On the weekends
Anytime
Other
Vote
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