Blogs

In the still buzzing world of "Seth Godin versus print publishing" much has been said in favor and against Godin's announcement that he will no longer publish books traditionally. I've been fascinated with the debate. I'm an unabashed neophyte in the world of agents, editors, publishers and book retail, and I profess to know little as a still-hopeful in the world of publishing. But I'm a fan of Godin's ideas, energy and quasi oracular vision, and I've been fascinated with digital storytelling in its diverse and perennially morphing potential for a decade. Back in the shadow of Y2K I lead a workshop in Paris for teachers called Storytelling in the Digital Age that explored the merits of (and methods for) embracing new narrative media in the classroom.

What is the "rhythm of stillness"? An oxymoron? An invitation to pause and ponder? A whimsical poetic conundrum?

Annie Q. Syed is drawn to the rhythm of stillness experienced in those "quiet hours of the early morning before a city, town, or village takes a big yawn and stretches itself into your routine". She dubs these rare but sacred moments Still Sundays:

Brett Clay interviews Clint Greenleaf (via youtube.com)

Clint Greenleaf, CEO of Greenleaf Book Group, discusses the future of the publishing industry with Brett Clay, author of Selling Change. Greenleaf disagrees with the popular assertion that publishing is dead, and instead emphasizes the sorts of changes we can expect to see in the coming year as ebook sales eclipse printed book sales and traditional publishers struggle to adapt their ecomics to new consumption and distribution trends.

I'm glad that self-publishing has evolved from stigma to respectability. I love that worthy authors who might be overlooked by the major houses can now be read. It's great that writers with a special niche, an established following or an entrepreneurial bent can make more money self-publishing than they would in royalties. But I'm also concerned about the future of books and the larger issue of assuring the flow of reliable information.

Here are just two reasons for that concern, based on my own recent experience.

This isn't a new question (or a new answer, for that matter), but Misty Belardo (@mistygirl on Twitter) underscores her affirmation with five pointers for how to stack the odds in your favor.

Twitter is a great social networking platform. It lets you communicate with people from all over the world 24/7 real time. We are always told that you cannot have real friends online and that it is impossible to have meaningful friendships with your Twitter friends. I would like to disagree. I believe that you can have real friends. There are a lot of people that I have become close with that I met on Twitter. They are a source of encouragement and a true source of joy. You may think I am nuts... It is really not hard finding wonderful people on Twitter, you just need to know how to be open to friendships as well.

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. (Anatole France)

New York Times bestselling author and marketing guru, Seth Godin vows to never publish traditionally again. After over 12 books with a legacy publisher, Godin says he's had enough.

Video via YouTube.com

Ever wonder how Depot Theatre performers spend their off-stage time in the Adirondacks? What I hear again and again from the parade of professional actors, directors, musicians, etc. who grace us with their talents each summer is that they love to perform at the Depot Theatre because they love the Shami and Chris, they love the audience, the old train station, the community, the Champlain Valley.

The Story of Ferdinand (Written by Munro Leaf; Illustrated by Robert Lawson)

It’s the sweet story of a bull named Ferdinand who doesn’t fit the typical mold of other young male bulls: he doesn’t like to fight or butt heads.  All he wants to do is enjoy the meadow and smell the flowers.