An Old Piece Made New

Sometimes it’s just as rewarding to bring new life to something old as it is to create something entirely new – as both efforts work that magnificent tool called imagination.

Here’s a pencil drawing I did a few years back, made new with color.

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Week 20: "52 Weeks of Peace"

A slam-dunk? … or maybe you just dribble and pass it around for a while.

All peace designs are shown together under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above.

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A Few Words About The Self-Publishing Buzz

There’s lots of talk out there about the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing. And as long as people are still reading actual books (as opposed reading everything digitally), a conversation on “how to publish” rages on.

It’s a hot topic, and valid for anyone interested in seeing their work in book form. Having published both ways, I’m often asked for my opinion – so thought I’d take the time to elaborate a bit.

Traditional publishing, in my opinion, still wins out in terms of quality, marketing and yes, credibility. For the majority of people, however, it’s very hard to find one. Partly due to the sheer volume of proposals they receive, the big houses won’t so much as blink at your work unless it comes from a respected agent. Finding an agent can be as hard as finding a publisher. And while all this doesn’t make it impossible, there’s no doubt it’s a challenge. Which is why so many people want to self-publish …  and that is a viable path– just be aware that it’s not necessarily “an easy fix” or trouble-free.

Self-Publishing “Pros”:

Probably the biggest “plus” in the self-publishing world is its having opened up a whole new realm of possibility for thousands of people frustrated by the daunting task of finding a publisher. What seemed an insurmountable hurdle is now a skip and a jump away. Instead of wallpapering one’s bathroom with rejection letters, one can hold their very own book in their very own hands and feel an enormous sense of accomplishment.

Self-publishing has also provided an alternative to its older cousin, “vanity publishing”, where books are published entirely at the author’s expense.

That said, it’s important to note that with self-publishing (also called “On-Demand” publishing) the author still puts up their own money – the key difference being that the outlay is usually significantly higher with a vanity press. Vanity presses are also known to seduce would-be authors with wildly compelling, beautifully written, very thoughtful, very flattering commentary about the author’s work which may or may not be true, but can certainly be enticing.

Another positive that several people, myself included, have experienced, is that a self-published piece has the potential to bring your work to the attention of a traditional publisher who can then take the reigns and produce a higher quality product.

Here’s another: Self-publishing is perfect for non-fiction or business writing. A growing number of professionals seem to feel a pressing need to publish something. Having a book or two on their resume somehow makes them more credible. (Perhaps driven by the fact that because self-publishing makes publishing so accessible, “everybody’s doing it” – so that those who haven’t feel that they should.) Regardless, as these kinds of books aren’t necessarily geared towards heavy commercial sale, self-publishing is an excellent fit.

So, yes, self-publishing allows folks to publish their own book using their own brilliant ideas, their own words, their own illustrations, and their own gumption to either work or not work the marketplace.

Self-Publishing “Cons”:

Self-publishing allows folks to publish their own book using their own brilliant ideas, their own words, their own illustrations, and their own gumption to either work or not work the marketplace. Yep, this belongs in both the pro and the con column.

The same “plus” that opens doors of possibility, opens wide enough for all the good, the bad and the ugly. There isn’t a great deal of quality control in place, which means any Tom, Dick or Jane can publish a book that’s basically awful. Blood, sweat, tears and all, your own book might actually be awful, but without any checks and balances in place (unless you pay extra for that), you might not know it.  Your mother will still love it. The ego can be very blind.

Of course, if you’re not concerned about what the public thinks, and you really just want to see your book in print, none of the above matters. That can be just as fulfilling, and that’s perfectly okay. Just as long as you know that’s what it’s about.

If you’re interested in selling your book, be prepared, at least in the current marketplace, for your book to be priced too high. Although self-publishing allows you to print very few at a time, making it relatively easy on your wallet, the price per copy goes up, up, up.

Your book will not find its way to a Barnes & Noble near you. Amazon, yes. Physical bookstores, no. Partly because the cost makes it prohibitive, partly because there’s a system in place. Amazon may be all you need or want. Just be aware.

There’s no real marketing machine behind you. You’re it. Some people find this motivating and learn to be great at tooting their own horn. Some hire marketing guru’s. People find all kinds of creative ways to take their book to market, and selling venues definitely aren’t limited to “a bookstore”.  But it’s not a road made easy just by having a book in your hand, good bad OR ugly.

One caveat: whether self-published or traditionally published, some responsibility for marketing will fall on the author. There’s a great myth that being traditionally published alleviates the need for an author to be involved in promoting their book. Perhaps now more than ever, the author will play a major marketing role. Unless you’re Madonna.

Advice:

If you’re not a highly experienced writer and you think you want to go the self-publishing route, you should probably consider joining a writer’s group, where you can hear unbiased critiques of your work. Be willing to accept brutal honesty … although it’s fair to say that most people there will have compassion and therefore not be cruel – after all, they’re in the same boat. You might also find the camaraderie inspiring, as well as enjoy applauding others’ successes along the way.

If possible, hire an editor who’s smart as a whip and unafraid to tell you the truth. (hint: a family member is not the best choice.)

And whether you can hire an editor or not, be willing and prepared to edit like crazy and then do it again – and again – so that when you do go to press, you’re confident that it’s as close to the very best it can be. Once it’s in print, there’s no going back.

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Week 18: "52 Weeks of Peace"

2009 has been many things, but one word that comes immediately to mind is “tiring”. There’s been the good and the not so good, and all seemed to require lots of energy.

It also seemed like a year of great drama for many people – at home, in business, as well as on the world stage … much of which helped launch new levels of uncertainty and insecurity, fear and frustration. But, as if ordained by nature, these same attributes raise a fierce desire for their opposing equals ~ those of confidence, hope and success ~ and I’d personally prefer to focus on the latter as the new year approaches.

So let’s all get our rest (ah, to sleep like a cat!), and here’s hoping for some individual and collective peace, rejuvenation and cause for grand celebration in 2010!

Cheers to all.

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Exquisite!… Type, Art & Design

Thanks to a spontaneous visit and a link on the I Love Typography blog, I stumbled upon one of the most exciting and inspiring pieces of design I’ve seen in a long time. It’s absolutely fantastic. And entirely fun.

According to the “One Hundred” website (celebrating 100 years of Australia’s State Library of New South Wales), a Design Agency by the name of Frost collaborated with and utilized the treasures of the collections of the State Library of New South Wales and the Mitchell Library to create an entire alphabet. It’s nothing short of exquisite.

The One Hundred site itself is impressive too, with letters A-H explained in glorious, color detail, showing the elaborate art, history and sheer cleverness that lovingly went into each creation. This is the kind of thing that given the chance I would drool over with eagerly rolled-up sleeves. It’s a pure slice of design heaven, and marvelously executed.

Enough teasing. Here’s a look at the art. (I admit I wish the whole alphabet were available ~ but to see more, it looks like one might have to go to Sydney.)

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Week 17: "52 Weeks of Peace"

“Peace on earth.”

During this season of hustling and bustling, of bright red bows and snowmen, when angels sing and church bells ring and children listen for reindeer on the roof, I also like to remember what it’s fundamentally about – which to me, is love, and joy, and peace.  And when you find a moment to be still (in my experience, the magic usually takes hold sometime in the evening of December 24), you may actually feel what this holiday yearns for, sings to and praises … Peace on earth; goodwill towards men.

And wouldn’t it be wonderful if peace could stretch itself across the land beneath our stormy, hopeful skies…   and for all of us to feel that peace, in heart and mind and deed.

This particular piece takes a bit of a design detour from the rest of the series ~ but given the season, and the heady sentiment of “peace on earth” I figured a style deviation would be okay. :  )

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"Mosaics of Art" Exhibit ~ Thursday, December 17

I’m pleased to be a part of this group exhibition featuring nine dynamic, colorful fine artists whose works reflect varying styles and techniques. All are welcome to attend. Come and enjoy!

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Art, Books & Red Rocks

Horsethief Basin. Happy Valley. Snowflake. Deadmans Wash.  Bloody Basin. Rainbow Trail.  Bumblebee. Cornville. Dead Mexican Creek. Dead Cow Gulch. Deadman Creek. Skull Valley Wash. Jackass Basin (am I allowed to say that?). Rattlesnake Canyon (yea, I want to go there, don’t you?). Yankee Doodle Trail. Moonshine Spring. Onion Mountain. Monkey’s Eyebrow. Big Bug Mesa.

The list of Arizona’s colorful geographic names goes on. While there seems to be a propensity for dead things, you have to admit they’re original.

Fresh from another journey to Sedona, I’m reminded that I never come away uninspired – not necessarily by the unusual names, but the rugged, compelling landscape. The drive from Phoenix to Sedona being one of my favorites, you go from Phoenix’s palm trees and rather uneventful, flat urban sprawl towards rolling hills and twisting roads, scrubby bushes and tall cactus, past black mountains and on up and up to the rich red and green gem that is Sedona.

This trip was no different in terms of my spirit soaking up the magical air, but different with respect to my agenda. There was little time to do to more than drive by the gorgeous rock formations, as most of my time was spent inside the Andrea Smith Gallery in Sedona’s famed Tlaquepaque Art Village. Different, but well worth it.

Friday night was the opening reception for my book signing and exhibit of limited edition prints from A Book of Fairies and The Book of Mermaids. Bitter cold by Arizona’s standards, it was warm inside the gallery with lots of great people coming in, a wonderful spread of yummy hors d’oeuvres provided by Ashley, one of the gallery’s gracious keepers, and beautiful guitar music provided by my very gifted brother, David Saxton.

Saturday was also cold, but the chill still didn’t keep away the nice crowds who made the event a success. In fact, we sold out of Fairies books … one woman even joked that I was giving some stiff competition to Sarah Palin. It was certainly a good kind of competition.

My thanks to everyone who came – I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. As for the rest of you, if you’re ever in Sedona, and can drag yourselves away from the natural outdoor beauty, stop at the Andrea Smith Gallery where they’re sure to treat you well.

But of course, all good things come to and end. Driving east out of Sedona, saying my good-byes to one of my favorite spots – Cathedral Rock – I felt that sense of renewal emanating from the morning sun-tinged clay-red temple  … and knew I was already looking forward to another visit.

And I’m thinking, maybe Arizona should add another name to its grouping of unusually named things; something like  “Mermaid Mesa” or “Fairy Dust Springs”. Has a kind of charm to it, don’t you think?

(you can read more about my past travels in Arizona at http://www.saxtonstudio.com/patriciasaxton/arizona.html )

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Alphabet Books Rethought

Maria Popova of “Brain Pickings: curating eclectic interestingness from culture’s collective brain” (gotta love her blog name!!) posts endless varieties of creative workings from all walks of thought. Hers is a blog definitely worth a visit, a follow, maybe even a subscription. So, not to steal from you Maria (how do you actually find all this neat stuff?), but I too thought the alphabet books you posted were absolutely brilliant. They’re candy for designers. I want to make one. But in the meantime, here’s the link for the rest of you to take a look, and feel inspired.

Alphabet Books Rethought

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Sharing the Gift of Reading: Saxton Book Tour Happenings

Tis the season! … and there’s a lot in store for Fairy and Mermaid fans in New Jersey, New York and Arizona.

Skip the malls and head to Sussex, NJ on Saturday, November 28, for what sounds like a terrific showing of talented artists and craftspeople selling some top-quality American-made items at the Sussex Elks Lodge Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair.

The event runs all day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  I’ll be there with Fairy and Mermaid books, signing special notes for unsuspecting recipients.

The Elks Club is an active supporter of both Veterans and Disabled Children. Support the good causes and join the fun at: Sussex Elks Lodge, 152 County Route 565, Sussex, NJ. For more information call: 973-875-3990

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Next, I’m excited to be heading west to Sedona for the opening of my art exhibit / book signing event at the Tlaquepaque Andrea Smith Gallery. (Read more here.) The opening reception is Friday, December 4 from 5 – 8 p.m.. I’ll also be at the gallery on Saturday, December 5 from 12 – 4 p.m. Here’s the invitation in case you’re in the vicinity, or know someone who might be.

After Sedona, I’ll make a couple appearances in New York City at the much anticipated and highly rated  “Holiday Market at Union Square“. My publisher, Shenanigan Books, has a wonderful booth set up there through Christmas Eve – so if you’re going to the city, this would make a great, festive stop.

I’ll provide NYC book signing dates soon. In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview of the NYC Union Square booth. Hope to see you at one of these great events!

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