Showing posts with label Facebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Facebook. Show all posts

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Reading books about to change? You decide.

Have you wondered of changes seen recently relative to newspapers, libraries, bookstores (indie or chains), Amazon, Apple (iPad), and the publishing industry (publishers, agents, authors)? Many of my blog and Facebook friends know of my venture into writing/publishing…so I’m thinking they might enjoy this little post as a matter of ‘news’ about what this linked article proclaims as the ‘state of the publishing industry.’ Also, I’ve made several FB writer-type friendships and they particularly would be interested in this post and link…some may even be surprised.  NookBookCvr

The article used here as the post source is entitled, ‘The Future of Publishing,’ by Ransom Stephens. ‘Ransom,’ that’s his name, interesting, don’t think I’ve heard that name before, let alone an author of some distinction (modest). Just want to clarify my position of Mr. Stephens, Ph.D., (that’s how Ph.D’s are addressed formally, not Doctor), has a science (physics) background and most recently written a novel, ‘The God Patent.’ I’ve not read the book yet, only some reviews, so my interest in Mr. Stephens is of his article on publishing.

From a Google Alert (on eBooks and publishing), directing me to GallyCat (Media Blog) to Scribd, (social publishing and reading site), where Mr. Stephens received accolades for this article – where he speaks of companies who’ve miss-fired, holding to dated business models and foregoing innovation or new market shifts. Stephens predicts enormous change in reading habits (increased) and acquisition of reading material (eBooks and eReaders), and how he see’s current players (Amazon, Google, Authors, Publishers and the reading public), responding to the change.

It’s not for me to rewrite or interpret Mr. Stephens article in this post. I post the link here for you to read and make your own judgment about his thought process and proclamation. The article is eleven pages and an easy read. Below is the link to article: The Future of Publishing By Ransom Stephens.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17243194/RansomStephens-FutureOfPublishing

Here is a link to Stephens book (The God Patent), should you want:

http://www.thegodpatent.com/index.html

It would be interesting to see varied comments from whomever has an opinion. Thanks, –gg

Garry M. Graves, Author, Character Happens! The 5 Most Important – But Fleeting Virtues.

Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 1:20 PM 0 comments
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Friday, March 26, 2010

...'Critique' Character Happens! I dare you...

Yes, it's time. Critics...come one and all. To those of you who have picked up the ebook from Smashwords and those who 'PreOrdered' the printed version, it's time for 'THE CRITIQUE.' Most of you know of my sardonic humor, if not, then now you do. So, this offer today might be just what you've been looking for to reciprocate for perhaps one of my past indiscretions, in your direction. Caution! This is not the place to vent about me...leave it for another time. I ask you now, for those who have purchased the book (ebook or printed), please say what you will about the book, Character Happens! Were the stories entertaining? Did the story 'make a point' with you? Did the story discuss the virtue satisfactorily? Were the characters developed to your satisfaction? I don’t want to tell you how to review the book, say what you will...about the book. Click here to be taken to the book's site feedback page. For those who would like more space for your extensive critique, then please use my email address listed above the form. Thanks so much for your time to do this for me. --gg

Naturally, I apologize to those of you who are put-off by my constant ‘marketing’ of the book, particularly my friends on FaceBook. There may be times when you feel like it’s too much. Sorry. This writing thing has sort of taken over my leisure time, usually spent playing golf. Now it’s writing, reading, reading about writing and even to the extent of starting a publishing business for aspiring writers/authors who want to self-publish. There were plenty of people who helped me in my writing endeavors...now I want to ‘pay it forward’ so to speak. I’ll keep you posted on how the publishing venture is going.

All for now, keep those critiques coming. Maybe I’ll post some on the website for others to review. You should know that I’m totally transparent, even though many would say it's difficult given the amount of body mass making up...ur, me.

For those who want to sample ‘half’ of the book, click on this link:  Smashwords

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Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 2:20 PM 1 comments
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Saturday, November 7, 2009

...here it is...

...here it is—the blog posting that hopefully will trigger my FB friends to “Follow this blog” You should find this “follow” link at the bottom of this posting. Needless to say I’m most grateful for you taking the time to do this for me. As I understand from all this...NetworkedBlogs, a partner with Facebook, will allow my blog into a display of other blogs of worthy note (many of which have thousands of followers). They will only allow this “exposure” for a blog who has at least 20 followers. Hence, the reason for my pleading email to you earlier in the week. Anyway, all for now...FYI, the last chapter “Humility” is coming along and hopefully it’ll be stridently poignant as the final chapter to the book. Thanks for visiting my blog and for those of you who discover the blog without a FB introduction...please click on the appropriate link below to aid my cause. (Link down right side of page where space with small pics are shown). –gg

...here's a direct link to the blog.... http://characterhappens.blogspot.com/ should you need it.
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 9:52 AM 2 comments
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What are "The 5 Most Important--But Fleeting Virtures?"

Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion and Humility.

.....this is a portion of the "introduction" or prologue to the book (not yet completed)...email with your comments.

The books title; Character Happens! The 5 Most Important—But Fleeting Virtues, describes my belief these five important virtues (Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Humility), are sporadic in use and diminishing in personal character. The books message is in recognizing this “fleeting” nature and from that reinstitute a more virtuous choice in your decision making.

The paradox of the two words; Character Happens, with another two words: “S### Happens”* (decorum prevents use of actual word) is not without merit. My belief is that observed human character is much like, well...s###! This kind of observation can be disconcerting at times. So confusing that society can hardly make the distinction between the two words and there obvious different meaning. Individuals make virtuous and un-virtuous choices/decisions for innumerable reasons, both consciously and without deep thought. If we postulate; can an individual make a 'more' virtuous choice in life’s decisions should they want to do so? Answer—perhaps. How does one 'reinstitute a more virtuous choice' into their personal makeup...making the response more automatic? Answer—practice. With a concerted effort at 'practice' I believe...an individual might just develop a more 'repetitive' decent response...much like grooving a golf swing.

I love golf. I think the game is like no other. The five stories that make up Character Happens! have a golf storyline. Some readers may not be able to relate to the game of golf or its vernacular or for that matter, why people...a large number of people...love golf. Too bad! You should try it sometime...because it’s more than a game...it can be a life experience. The golf course environment alone is enough to put most people at ease.

Golf is a game played by the individual as opposed to being a member of a team, like baseball. Baseball has umpires who enforce the rules of the game. In golf you are the umpire. Because of this unique method of enforcing the games rules—golf is a “hotbed” for testing the players character...their honesty, their integrity, their courage and sometimes their compassion. And, because all golfers started from knowing nothing about the game; like how to swing, how to putt or chip... they also learn of humility. Now doesn’t it make perfect sense that a book about character would juxtaposition a storyline with the game of golf? Anyway, I thought so.

There are five stories, one for each virtue. The book has six main characters that make up a group of what I call 'golf buddies.' The storyteller, Spencer Madison, in reality is me. Well, somewhat like me...as I have a better golf game than Spencer. The five others vary in age, gender, education, religious beliefs and definitely personality. The 'binder' of the group or what brings them together; golf.

The reader will hopefully discover in their own lives a similar incident with one of the story’s in Character Happens! If not, that’s okay too...as the stories are earnest while humorous, carefree yet compelling. And, I believe each chapter or story makes a 'point' in this wonderful, wacky, dynamic world in the 21st century.

The stories are fictional as are the characters. Names, personalities or incidents are fictional and in no way resemble or refer to a living person. I’ve used paraphrasing of many authors’ ideas and concepts and have referenced them in a special section. Because of these references and the specific genre where the book is to be found, it’s categorized as a non-fictional, personal development book.


*...sorry for the language but this word best describes the thought I want to convey. In Forrest Gump the term was used to describe situations that happen to all people for no particular reason.