The Boomer Muse

24 Hours before Unofficial Summer

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-25T05:12:00Z

In New York the eve of the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. I was in the city for multiple celebration with family and the clock at grad central station marked time. A grand time was had by all but I was painfully aware of

time passing today in the rain with the irises already past peak. Too soon, too soon.

Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy every moment, rain or shine...

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

Window To Inspiration

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-24T05:12:00Z

Photo quote de jour

Inspiration is knocking on your window every day. Will you answer? A few scant words from one of my favorite blogs inspired me to create this imagery. It takes so little to step beyond our comfort zone to a deeper level of happiness of being our true selves. Fear is our only limitation. Feel the fear and do what you long for. Look outside your small window to big, blue limitless skies. It's waiting for you.

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

The Last Straw

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-23T05:12:00Z

Photo quote de jour
Even the compost bin provides inspiration. Think about how you can do an unexpected kindness today. It just might make all the difference in the world.

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

Slaying The Dragon Called Stress

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-22T05:12:00Z

It's Zen Tea Tuesday. Like a cuppa? This is an extra personal pairing. The wonky dragon teapot is the one and only teapot from my collection made by yours truly. Hey, you can't be talented in everything. The teacup and saucer is my all time favorite, an antique Staffordshire brimming with dragons. The saucer broke and I rarely use it anymore, but sometimes you just have to live a little and share. When I began Zen Tuesdays I had no idea someone else might like to post a Tuesday tea meme, but I'm not alone. I found a fun blog called Antiques and Teacups and they have a feline office assistant named Tinker. Sounds like my cup of tea!

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

A Very Important Appointment

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-21T05:12:00Z

There's a clump of irises in my garden that take my breath away every spring. They don't stay long which makes them more dear. The summer-warm air on a sunny Sunday made the green leaves dance and I joined them in a barefoot hula dance to the lounger swing in the secret garden behind our barn. There were piles of lists and things to do but I stretched out on a pillow and inhaled the honeysuckle and raspberry blossoms until my blood slowed to molasses. The sun baked my winter-white legs, as I watched and listened. Painted Lady butterflies floated past, on their way to Canada. Unfamiliar bird song. Thoughts. Ideas. Rustling in the tall, weedy grass. Mental checklists. Branches to prune, weeding. Forget it. Everything can wait. Excuse me, I have very important appointment, with mother nature. Stillness wrapped in a whispered breeze. No regrets. I have a feeling I'll be using that excuse to get out of work more often this summer.

To my Canadian friends: Happy Victoria Day!

A Sneak Peek at a New Publishing Model

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-20T05:12:00Z

The publishing industry has gone through major changes since we began reviewing books four years ago. Not only are book formats and platforms changing but the reading experience is diversifying from bound paper to audio, e-readers, tablets; there's even a Twitter book club @1book140 with 65,000 members.

We have a double treat for you dear reader. We have a book review plus a behind the scenes look at a new publishing model.

As lovers of book cover design, we've always posted our books splayed open to reveal the front and back covers and the spine. A cover should capture the graphic soul of the book and we think this one does. It's an ARC (advanced reader copy) sent out by publishers and publicists for book reviewers to read and review a book before being officially published. This one was sent by one of my favorite publicists from Blue Dot Literary. What makes this book different?

It's the first book to be launched by an exciting new publishing concept from Astor + Blue. We're delighted to share a Q & A with Astor + Blue's CEO, Tony Viardo.

Q & A with Tony Viardo.

LMW: It’s a brave new world in publishing. Tell us a little more about the synergy of your new enterprise Astor + Blue Editions. Is it a multi-pronged approach to publishing as an integrated unit like a family, where the literary agent, production, manufacturing, distributing and PR are all under one umbrella?

TV: I think your words are right on, certainly in synch with mine: Publishing is a brave new world. Personally I describe it as a “wild-wild west”, at least in the space A+B is trying to fill. Technology has re-written all the rules, and as a result an exciting new frontier has opened. Ebooks are exploding, but this format, because of its inherent ease and availability, looks deceptively simple to exploit. People think, “Well, just convert the text into a computer file and voila, book! Buy it! Sell it!” But the best and brightest in the industry understand—no I’m not counting myself among them!—that even though an author writes his/her book, it takes a team to make it the very best it can be and get it ready for publication.

All of that set-up to say this: Yes, at Astor + Blue, we want to fully embrace the Digital Revolution and all its benefits (speed, versatility, limitless reach) but we want to preserve the indispensable aspects of traditional publishing (Editing, nurturing). We believe we’ve come up with the model to accomplish that. And thus our company catch phrase: Digital Publishing. Classic Publisher. The kind of publishing we envision can only be achieved with strong relationships in every phase of the process. (If the person/relationship is not directly within our team, then we rely on people whom we know well). So you actually hit it on the head. “Family” is the best description for it. Because ultimately, books are a labor of love, and therefore producing them and preparing them for the general public should involve love as well. Don’t want to get misty now.

LMW: Who came up the name: Astor + Blue?

TV: There’s actually a log funny story to that, but I’ll spare you. Part of that story is actually on our Facebook page if you’re interested. The short answer is, my partner and I came up with it, after several tries: Our office in NoHo lies right next door to the historic Astor Library. So in the long tradition of naming publishers after their locations (Green Street Press, etc.) we adopted Astor, for nearby cross street Astor Place. The name is intimately tied to the classic history of New York, and my partner’s name is Robert Astle also, so there were those connections too. My contribution was “Blue” (We toyed with “Viardo,” but that was pretentious, come on). “Blue” has a very deep meaning for me. I used it in the name of the PR Firm I helped found (Blue Dot Literary) and marketing/ publicity is one of our company’s main strengths. I also used it in the title of my first novel (not yet published)… but the true meaning of “Blue” to me personally? I’m really not yet prepared to reveal that, so let me just go with the mechanics and process of it, and say that’s how we finally arrived at Astor + Blue Editions.

LMW: One of the complaints of debut writers is that their publishers spend little to promote them unless they have celebrity status or established platform. How will A & B market their clients?

TV: A+B has a very unique marketing program. We offer a marketing program to our authors that they will not be able to find anywhere else (even from large publishers) without having to pay for it themselves. This may sound self-aggrandizing, but I don’t mean it to be, we worked hard to have this advantage, so I have to tout it.

We provide this specialty as part of our publishing package at contract signing. It’s pretty much our bread and butter so I can’t reveal specifics. But let me just say that we make a long term commitment to every title we sign. One of our company’s principles is to obliterate the “3 – 6 month shelf life” mentality. I believe this mindset--accepted as conventional wisdom in the publishing world--is meaningless in the Digital Age; And, as authors can attest, it is damaging for the average title. How many authors have complained that their books were “dropped,”--gone from the shelves--before their real audience even had a chance to find it! We’ve made the commitment that every title we publish will receive our very best marketing over the long term. Thus, A+B’s other company motto: “We widen each book’s readership, and keep it alive indefinitely.”

LMWigital-first publishing makes good fiscal sense. Can you describe how the A + B revenue sharing will differ from traditional publishing or other forms of digital publishing?

TV: We operate as a proper publishing house, not a digital e-book vendor. The difference? When we sign authors we don’t charge them anything. Digital book vendors survive either by charging authors, or by sheer volume. (Publish all comers, and make a few cents per book). This is fine for self-publishers and I’m not knocking that at all. But as I said, we want to be a publishing house, with a strong commitment to content, editing and quality. As a publishing house though, I’m very open in that we do not compete as most do, on the size of author advances. (Establishment publishers have always operated this way). But I say, both authors and publishers have to learn to make money new ways, or risk getting left behind.

A+B’s revenue sharing model is forward thinking, common sense, and I think the most fair to everyone involved. We’ve bet our survival on the notion that we can make money on the back end, through sales, and we think authors should take that risk along with us, so we’re truly publishing “partners.” Again, I can’t reveal specifics, but let me just say, we offer the highest revenue split in town (I’m talking NYC here) and that’s not false advertising.

LMW: What do you anticipate to be a reasonable time lag between an e–book and its subsequent print format if sales are strong?

TV: The beauty of Digital First publishing as we define it is freedom and flexibility. If I believe in a book I have no problem putting the ebook and print book out together. But again, taking advantage of Digital Publishing’s benefits is putting out the ebook and letting the market talk to you about that book. Is it selling. Who’s buying it? Where? The data can even tell you why… immediately. So optimum case? Can’t really say, we’re breaking into new territory every day. But I would think that if an ebook performs, in an ideal world you can put the print version out after a 30 – 60 days.

LMW: Traditionally, authors have little input in the design layout/cover design. Would that be any different with A + B?

TV: I wouldn’t presume to know better than another person what should be the “correct” visual concept for their book. However, I do have industry experience and observation on my side, as well as the most talented/trained visual design professionals working for our shop. So on that basis my partners and I would be confident in asserting that we would know best about a cover, and we reserve the right to have final say on the what the cover will look like. Having said that, I listen very carefully to the author, and try to capture their heart about the essence of that book. Why wouldn’t I? She/He has created this world, or for nonfiction, he/she is living that world. So far, we’ve usually found a way to work together, but knowing how important the cover is in the market, I understand we have to be quite authoritative about it.

LMW: Can you take us through step-by-step time frame of publishing and marketing a promising author over the course of one year using “The Blue Dot Method”?

TV: Don’t know if I can quite do that, again, that’s our bread and butter. But for a promising author we can put the full force of digital technology to work. If an author writes well, and a manuscript is in good shape, we can bring a book to market in 6 – 8 weeks. But editing is an art, and we do not want to take short cuts. So to answer your question, the author goes through an acquisition process with us, (vetting), if we sign the book goes through rigorous editorial process. Then the manufacturing kicks in, and we work with the best production and manufacturing people in the country at Bookmasters, Inc., our strategic partner. Timing is entirely dependent on the condition of the manuscript, and how much editing it needs. Once the book is distributed, (again through Bookmasters, Inc., we deploy full distribution to all major retailers) we employ the Blue Dot Method marketing program. We stick with it at least for a year.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of The Car Thief by Theodore Weeser from the publisher but as always, it never influences my opinion. Now, if they'd sent me a new sports car, I might reconsider. Just kidding.

Before I crack open any book, I peruse the covers, inside flaps (if any) looking for clues: an author photo, bio, publisher, any acknowledgements. It's like entering into a relationship. If I'm going to be spending hours or days with a book, I want to know who am I getting in bed with. From the first glance of The Car Thief by Theodore Weeser, I knew this coming-of-age tale wouldn't be a cozy Sunday drive. A troubled teen from a broken Motown home in the '50s steals cars as a cry for help. His already bleak life with his blue collar alcoholic dad sours after an arrest and stint in a Dickensian detention center. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does and your heart sinks from the gritty reality of this poor kid, Alex Housman, who can't catch a break until the unthinkable happens.

Written with an unflinching look at lives in flux, Weeser's plain but riveting prose sings true.
Americans love stories of second chances and second acts. Alex has a second chance at a better life once he joins the military. What's remarkable is The Car Thief, first published and well received in 1967 is largely autobiographical. If written today, it might be a memoir. This is Weeser's second act and a rare opportunity as a writer to speak to a new generation. The beauty of well written literature is its ageless quality. The theme of alienated youth and identity in The Car Thief is as fresh and current as ever. It transcends age and gender with multi-generational appeal from baby boomers to their kids or grand kids. Hop in and be prepared for the ride of your life.

To learn more about The Car Thief including the latest news about it being made into a feature film. We'd love it if you would like the Astor + Blue Facebook page.

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

Beginnings Redux

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-18T05:12:00Z

Photo quote de jour redux

And so the cycle begins again or in this case, recycled. I got back too late from the city to creae anything new. Sometimes it's good to be happy with what we already have in our drawers, closets or online files. Have a gorgeous weekend!

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

Big Dreams, Small Steps

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-17T05:12:00Z

Today's photo quote de jour is a perfect example of why I love blogging. Serendipity. Accidental discovery. Out of the blue insights from the least expected places. I'm going to the city today for a book launch party and frankly ran out of time for any scintillating blog subjects. I trolled through some old photo files looking for something I couldn't find but instead I found this odd shot of my cat Odin. He's stretching out his leg like a ballet dancer which reminded me of First Position, an astonishing documentary about ballet dancers competing for high stakes scholarships. It was the best doc I've seen all year and I'd heard nothing about it. The only reason, I ended up going to see it was the film I'd wanted to see was sold out.

You see where I'm going with this? Good comes out of bad. Creativity is born from serendipity. If a rejected crappy photo can yield a little treasure, think what wonderful thing might is hiding in plain sight, in your life. Little discoveries are stepping stones to bigger things. As big as your imagination.

If you need a spark, watch these kids from the film and get moving with your first step.

How You Begin Your Day

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-16T05:12:00Z

Photo quote de jour

I believe in a good cup of coffee in bed or on the porch in the summer with no email, or Internet, just quiet time to set the intention and mind map the goals of the day. Some days it works better than others, but anything is better than a frazzled beginning.

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

Liquid Wisdom

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-15T05:12:00Z

Photo quote de jour

People who blog about their lives in a public forum are exposed in a way that leaves them as vulnerable as crabs at low tide. It's been a weird time lately of incredible good fortune mixed with a creepy Facebook stalker, a reshuffling of people, places, projects and plans, learning who my true friends are while opening the scabs of old losses. My intuition says my current tears are salting the path for new losses of the two and four legged variety. Right now, I feel like retreating into my shell to consult my inner guru. You'll know when I do by what I post, even if it means digging for the hidden meaning.

One of the reasons these Zen Tea Tuesday posts have a nostalgic and yet comforting vibe. In these turbulent times, simple rituals like a cup of tea in a fine bone china cup, listening to favorites songs of an earlier era or looking through old family photo albums are old-fashioned antidotes to stress that work.

But ever the optimist I like to remember the tea kettle - it is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings!

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012

What Goes Around Comes Around

Layla Morgan Wilde — 2012-05-14T05:05:00Z

Sometimes, it's insightful to see images taken at the same time but on different years. This is my neighbors' Japanese maple last year. Odin is still with us. The tree is not.

SOMETIMES

Sometimes, when a bird cries out,
Or the wind sweeps through a tree,
Or a dog howls in a far off farm,
I hold still and listen a long time.

My soul turns and goes back to the place
Where, a thousand forgotten years ago,
The bird and the blowing wind
Were like me, and were my brothers.

My soul turns into a tree,
And an animal, and a cloud bank.
Then changed and odd it comes home
And asks me questions. What should I reply?

Copyright Layla Morgan Wilde 2012