Virtual Zen

Where the Wild Things Are: The Movie

I always loved this classic book but had no idea it would become a movie. It looks like it will be awesome! (I Couldn't embed it so just click the link to view on YouTube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM

Enjoy!

Amazing Twitter Book Sales Success Story

Last Friday, Steve Ouch did something amazing - he sold 200 copies of his children's book, SteamPotVille, in 15 hours using only the power of Twitter!

As a self-published author looking to fund a book tour next summer, Steve was given a challenge by his banker.  "Sell 200 books in one day and I'll approve your financing," his banker told him. This would seem a daunting task for a new author with a debut book both written and illustrated by himself.

But not Steve. The wildly creative (and maybe eccentric) author turned to his followers on Twitter - over 10,000 of them. For a period of 15 hours he posted info on his book and pleaded for his followers to buy it that day. Followers cheered him on and he publicly thanked everyone who stepped up to the challenge. He just about tweeted himself silly (if he cold get any more silly) but in the end, he did it. He sold 200 books in one day. Take that Mr. Banker!

And SteamPotVille? It's wonderful! I bought a signed copy for my daughter from Steve when I first joined Twitter. He was after all, my very first follower; I owed him that. It's an eclectic, eye-popping, quirky, and magical book. Kind of like an I-Spy book on acid.  Its silly characters, unusual visual elements, and bright colors really appeal to kids (and I like it too).

Would a Twitter campaign like this work for everyone? Probably not. Steve already had a well-established group of followers (a captive audience of sorts). They already liked him and didn't get offended by his blatant requests for orders. As a fledgling Twitter junkie, this wouldn't work for me (yet!). Still, it's a great demonstration of the power of Twitter.

Congratulations Steve!

10 Helpful Work-From-Home Tips for Work-Life Balance

Last week, Ali Brown was a guest blogger on The Wealth Spa. The very first paragraph of her post really resonated with me as a work-from-home Mom:

"Ah, working at home sweet home… Visions of leisurely days, conference calls in comfy sweatpants, increased productivity with fewer interruptions. But the distinctions between work life and home life soon blur. You really should throw some laundry in the wash before you write that proposal. You have an hour before a meeting: Should you balance your books or clean the kitchen? And remember to call that client back right after you empty the cat box."

Has she been peeking through my window?

Ali goes on to provide 10 very helpful tips for those of us who work from home.
Each one is a great tip - enjoy!

Interesting Take on POD Publishing from Mr. Ingram Himself

As a publisher who utilizes POD (print on demand) technology through Lightning Source (LSI), I found the following note I recently received to be very interesting. I never really thought about POD in this way. Can POD publishing be considered a more green and economically smart choice?

"A message from John Ingram
Thoughts on POD and the role it serves in the publishing industry
 
I started Lightning Source with the belief that print on demand was an essential part of the future of publishing. Twelve years later we are living through extraordinary economic times. Our industry is facing enormous challenges. We find ourselves at what I believe to be a tipping point of change for the way in which we publish, print and distribute books. 
 
Now more than ever, I believe is the time for publishers to use print on demand to its full potential. This is no longer an optional novelty; nor is it just about the long tail or self publishing. I believe that it is at the heart of a book's life and the lifeline between a book and the modern consumer.
 
By matching supply to demand perfectly, publishers can be both bold and green in their decision making. They can reduce the restraints and uncertainties they are facing now and will continue to face in the future.
 
I would like publishers to seize the opportunities and stability that the Ingram Content companies have to offer. A single source of services where publishers can explore new content formats, reach more customers, explore new markets, and sell more without taking huge risks. More choices and revenue opportunities while eliminating substantial operational costs. Keeping books alive for consumers to buy and read. "

What do you think?