Self-publishing plus me

You cannot imagine how many times, in the decade plus that I have been a designer, people have asked me about publishing their book. Maybe that's all some people think designers create. My friend who is an author tells me that almost everyone she comes in contact with tells her about the "book" they've been working on or are going to write and then they continue to ask about publishers, assuming it's just like looking in the yellow pages to find one. Ha. Not that easy. Of course we all wish it were just a phone call away to get our glossy-covered novels right there on the shelf at Barnes & Noble--but not so.
I am currently working on a project with a client who has prepared an academic research document and has been trying to decide on how best to disseminate the findings and generate some revenue at the same time, sans publisher.
Thanks to them, I am now engrossed in the service that is Blurb.com. This is amazing stuff! With either some graphic design templates or a creative like myself you can create amazing books, like coffee-table photo books and novels and more. Blurb.com takes it a step further and allows you to print beautifully bound, full color books from one to infinity. They even let you share, market and sell them right from their site so you can send it out to the masses and let them order and get their own copies shipped right to them. It's on-demand printing at it's finest quality, one glossy dust jacket at a time.
Now, when you come to me with your requests for book design and printing I have a great solution. It's by far the best one I've seen to get retail-quality book printing one at a time.

Win, win, win - if you're worthy!

For those of you who have been following my flog for some time now, first, let me say I'm sorry for wasting your time with this nonsensical blabber. Second, let me refresh your memory on last year's contest to win United Way benefit tickets for the Gem Beach Rock & Roll party event. Some of you were lucky enough to get some sweet tix in the mail from aha creative and I know you enjoyed the day. I am proud to be a sponsor again this year.
The Gem Beach Rocks...Again event is coming to you again live on Catawba Island, August 15th, 2009. I have a sweet little stack of tickets right here on my desk just waiting for you to write in. Please send me either an idea for a new flog entry--something crazy, silly, fun, inspirational and always creative--or write to me and tell me why you're worthy of these tickets. Make sure you include your name and mailing address, or I can't send the paper tickets very successfully! Please send your entry to amy@aha4creative.com, stand on one foot, twirl in circles and chant "color creates a memory" twelve times.

Identi-what?

Apparently, today is the day of the informative email. I received another good one I just MUST share with all of you. If you've ever spent a few moments talking with me about the fundamentals and foundation of successful image work, you'll know that it all starts with the properly planned, well-thought-out, market-appropriate and unique identity.

The email I received today just slaps that all in the face....and to that I say, ha! Try a cookie-cutter approach and see how well that works out for you. I will not name the gigantic corporation that sent this email, but PLEASE. Get real.

And I quote....

"Easily create a professional brand identity with free templates

Incorporate color into your business cards, letterhead, envelopes, and other collateral to further promote your brand with our free, customizable business identity suites."

FREE TEMPLATES! Identity in the format of a template? Seriously.
Identity Template = Oxymoron

Calling All Tourism-Driven Businesses

I haven't been on here for a while, and for that I do deeply apologize. However, today's post is a matter of function over fun or frivolity. I wanted to re-blog an email I received today from the Ohio Dept. of Tourism. If you're a tourism-based business, I suggest you get your free listing in. Not very often are there FREE opportunities in advertising, especially one so well-distributed as this:

2010 Travel Planner Listing Deadline July 23
Be part of the 2010 Ohio Travel Planner! All Ohio travel and tourism entities are invited to submit/update their organization's information in the Buckeye database by 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, to have your free listing considered for inclusion in the 2010 Ohio Travel Planner (400,000 printed). The planner is Ohio's primary tourism information fulfillment piece and is sent to anyone requesting Ohio information from DiscoverOhio.com or 1-800-BUCKEYE.

If your database entry is current, there is no need to re-submit. Please review your entries to ensure information is current and accurate. Due to space limitations, not all listings submitted and approved will appear in the Travel Planner, however, all approved listings will be available on DiscoverOhio.com.

The planner features listings for convention and visitor bureaus and visitor service organizations, attractions, recreation, restaurants, lodging and shopping. Each listing includes business name in bold, address, city, ZIP code, phone number and Web address. Enhanced listings and advertising services may be purchased by contacting Jillian LaManna, Great Lakes Publishing advertising coordinator, at jlamanna@ohiomagazine.com or (216) 377-3655. The ad close date is Nov. 19.