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Getting Started.
It is now accepted that technology has enabled the online tools available for self-publishing better than ever.
By self publishing online using the Blurb publishing suite, I will have total and complete freedom over the way Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will look because the publishing industry is rapidly changing and self publishing has never been easier.
Someone asked why did I not get an established publishing company to publish this book.
I tried but there are now fewer major publishing houses in existence than there used to be which leaves new authors like myself in a difficult position and because of the advance of online technology, self-publishing became the best opportunity to get this book out and into the universe to be read.
I must also learn to become the agent of my own success.
I have been blessed once again to have found someone who is knowledgeable in design programs who will greatly assist with the designing, creating and producing Portrait of a Legend and other Folks.
Also in this small team is someone who is capable of publicizing the book through press release to all relevant world wide media contacts, including the press, consumer and trade publications, broadcast media and online agencies such as Facebook and Twitter.
Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will be published on a relatively fairly low budget and shortly we hope to have sufficient funds to begin work in January, 2013.
I believe that I have an audience ready-and-waiting to buy Portrait of a Legend and other Folks and with the grace of the Almighty and more positive thinking, I intend to give this book the best chance of succeeding.
* I recently presented a framed copy of the above portrait taken backstage at Madison Square Garden in 1980 to Ms Donisha Prendergast, the Grand Daughter of Mr Robert Nesta Marley during her recent visit to London promoting RasTa: A Soul’s Journey, a documentary in which she appeared.*
Let us shine the light!
This portrait of Mr John Lydon, left, also known by the former stage name, Johnny Rotten, and Mr Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, was taken at the Pinewood Film Studio complex in July, 1987, at a gala party to celebrate Island Record’s then 25th anniversary.
This shot was taken by the sound stage door shortly before Mr Eric Clapton went on stage with Sly & Robbie. It was an absolutely brilliant party/ concert and the list of stars playing together was unbelievable .
Aswad with Troublefunk, Lee Perry with Jon Martyn just to name a few.
Keith and Mick were lounging nearby and I was to grab a couple of shots of Keef, who I saw brandishing a mighty Big Head spliff.
The book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will be adorned by memorable portraits such as this and I will soon be asking some of my dearest and closet friends to help fund this important book which will be made available to the general public by April 2013.
I will be sending messages to a select and trusted few who have been waiting to be involved in what will probably become the title of the year.
You know who you are.
This is our chance to show the light we have buried in the bush because the world is in dire need of a few shining lights.
The Bigger Picture!
In February 2012, I traveled with friends to Jamaica in the hope I would secure the needed finance to self publish 10,000 copies of the book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks. Self publishing a book is faster than publishing with a traditional publisher and with the rapid development of online services available on the Internet and after much researching, I have found an online publishing house for Portrait of a Legend and other Folks. The book will be designed, printed and bound and will be available for worldwide distribution within the next four or five months.
Online publishing houses allow a much wider latitude and as such, I will be able to print one or one hundred thousand books at the click of a mouse. Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will be published in paperback and Limited Edition hardcover with dust jacket, and much later an eBook version will be inserted.
Although I do not know a lot about computer software and because of the robust technological infrastructure involved with online publishing, I will be joined by an expert who will assist with the technical aspects involved in self publishing Portrait of a Legend and other Folks.
Very shortly I will begin copy editing the over 40,000 word of text which will accompany the over 200 black and white photographs to be included in this work and my Publicist will begin work on promotional press releases for the promotion of this book in the coming new year.
For now, I am elated and am filled with joy knowing that at last I can become a small publisher. I will call the shots and retain the rights to this book but not only that, I can take home a much bigger royalty than I would normally get from a traditional publisher.
Naturally, I will have to sell some books.
A New Day!
Once our mind is free and open we can somehow try and impose a temporary order to a world of controlled chaos.
Temporary is the key word because nothing stays the same as is, always.
In in my quest to have the book Portrait of a Legend and other Folks be published, I had found myself taking roller coaster rides from brilliant highs to nervous lows and beyond.
I was certain at one time that a publisher was found but things have not gone to plan because a mainstream publisher traditionally assumes the risk of publication and production costs for works to be published.
And such a publisher normally pays the author a fee.
It is called an advance.
“Money should always flow toward the author”, sometimes called Yog’s Law.
Once we have freed and opened our mind it just might lead to new ideas.
The idea that I could at one time benefit from my many Facebook friends to have Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, is now redundant and against the advice I gave myself ten years ago I will now begin the quest of perusing the big publishing companies’ Web sites and evaluate what they have to offer.
* This portrait was taken in Coconut Grove, Miami, in 1981, in the home of Mother Booker and shows from left: Cedella, Stephanie, Karen and Rohan Marley.*
It is never over until the Fat Lady sings!
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” ~ Mr. Albert Einstein.
John Doe has reached an impasse with the publisher concerning his forthcoming book.
Why?
Mr. Doe wisely asked for an advance as none was written into the contract he had and was rightly refused.
But can that be the end of the drama?
No way.
Mr John Doe like most struggling authors is broke and cannot afford the costs involved in preparing a concise manuscript to deliver to the publisher.
Mr. Doe was under the assumption that if the publisher was of a high caliber it would be seen as prudent to make an advance in order that the manuscript be delivered on the date requested.
Publishing a book involves costs from all angles.
Most wise publishers view costs as part of the game and as such should have foreknowledge when submitting a contract to be signed by any potential author they would wish to publish.
It must also be said that Mr. Doe is willing to rescind on the full amount of an advance but an advance will still be needed for the manuscript to be delivered.
This is where we will now see if some are educated and foolish whilst others are simple yet wise.
In the creation of a product to be sold in any market, a gamble is being made whether an advance was made or not.
Many corporations make prototypes of a product before it reaches the market and as such, spend millions on things that sometimes never see the light of day.
With that in mind, any publisher who wants to MASS MARKET a product should be wise enough to see things before they happen.
Unless they be blind.
And should they be blind, then only a publisher possessing an acute vision will be utilized for the publication of Portrait of a Legend and other Folks.
“Portrait of Yolanda taken in 1989 in London.”
Making The Right Choice.
Ok, let us imagine this scenario.
Mr John Doe has found a wonderful publisher for his book, and it’s time to negotiate the contract.
Yes, it can be a very exciting time, but Mr Doe must not allow the excitement to blind him into ignoring the many details involved in what is undoubtedly the single most important transaction that will take place in the life of his book.
Even if Mr Doe has an agent, he will need to overstand the issues, so that he knows exactly what he is agreeing to when he signs on the dotted line.
Otherwise, as we are all aware, Mr Doe may find out much too late that there are unexpected or unfair consequences.
From where I stand I have made certain enquiries concerning book contracts and have drawn up a Hit List of some of the most fundamental points which must be addressed before pen is attached to paper.
1] Rights granted (form, language, market, time):
2] Amount and schedule of advance and royalties:
3] Delivery Issues;
4] Acceptance of manuscript;
5] Exclusive commitment to particular editor;
6] Editor obliged to edit (written editorial guidance, line-editing, proofreading);
7] Publication Issues;
8] Author Approvals;
9] Advertising and promotion commitment;
10] Cost of permissions, illustrations, photographs;
11] Accounting and payment.
12] Warranties, Indemnities and Liabilities;
13] Remaindering.
14] Revisions;
15] Reversion and termination of contract; out-of-print provision; reversion of unexercised rights;
16] Assignment of Rights/Obligations;
17] Agency clause.
18] Option;
19] Free Copies;
20] Conflicting Publications;
21] Mediation/Arbitration;
It is established that each book publisher has a standard publishing contract but once Mr Doe has fully overstood those twenty one solid principles that are the stock of any book contract, he is then free to sign on the dotted line.
If Mr Doe’s book acquires significant commercial success, the copyright law could mean Mr Doe and heirs and his publisher will be bound together for a very long time plus 70 years.
It is therefore up to Mr Doe to limit what he is selling.
One thing is certain. If a publisher will not make changes in a contract, Mr Doe must decide if he can live with it as it is, or whether the refusal to make changes will cause Mr Doe to walk away from the agreement.
We all have choices in our lives and whichever one we choose, it will all be an experience.
*Portrait of reggae legend Bob Marley with Lip taken in 1980 at 56 Hope Road, Kingston. This portrait was prominently featured in the Kevin Macdonald film, MARLEY.*
A sign of things to come
Most authors would give their Fantail Goldfish for readymade tips on publishing a best seller.
Naturally, those tips would actually have to work.
Like many other creative occupations, the publication of a best seller is a difficult discipline and there are no tablets written in stone stating how to achieve that end, yet in my mind, to reach that goal, requires a little forethought.
The past five years have been devoted in getting Portrait of a Legend and other Folks into print.
I have begged, cajoled, borrowed and thought of every means conceivable to getting this book published and at this juncture, I am pleased to say that my journey may soon be at an end.
Due to certain legal obligations I am not at liberty to discuss what is taking place at this precise moment.
What I can say, is this.
If everything is as it should be, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will be in a bookshop near you by next summer.
A major publisher has shown great positive interest towards the publication of Portrait of a Legend and other Folks and although many more bridges must be crossed, I am positively hopeful that a fruitful outcome will be achieved.
When I began this project the first thing I did was to figure out my market.
Although I am not writing the ultimate English romance novel, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will be geared towards the 500 million Bob Marley, reggae and photographic loving fans worldwide.
I regularly take a peep at the New York Times bestsellers list online to see what kind of books are selling because I must know what books are getting readers’ attention and most importantly, their money.
What I have also learnt is books have a tendency to go in cycles.
The Harry Potter, Fifty shades of Grey types of book, does climb and stays at the top of bestseller lists.
But Portrait of a Legend and other Folks is not a fantasy, witchcraft book.
Also, it must be learnt that the Harry Potter author, Ms J.K. Rowling, submitted her novel to dozens of publishers and none showed her any interest, until she got lucky and is now a billionaire.
I am not aiming to follow Ms J.K. Rowling.
My aim is that someone will follow Lindsay Donald.
The title, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, will get attention and it will make this book stand out from the rest of the pack.
I have put a lot of thought into this and for any publisher, it will be worth the effort.
*This portrait will adorn the book Portrait of a Legend and other Folks*
Exclusive Limited Edition Bob Marley Photographs
For a limited time only a set of six original and exclusive Bob Marley black & white hand printed photographs will be on offer.
Again, this could not be simpler.
The photographs were taken by Bob Marley’s former house photographer at 56 Hope Road, Kingston, Lindsay Donald, who has created this small gallery and suggest that if you like one or all of these photographs, kindly order up an exclusive hand print or the full set to place in your living room, bedroom, your study or in your office space.
It has recently been established that there is too little a supply from other photographers over the past thirty-five years in possession of original photographs taken by themselves of reggae legend Robert Nesta Marley.
Some of these exclusive original photographs were featured in the acclaimed Kevin Macdonald documentary MARLEY and will also shortly be seen in the book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, due to be published in the Spring of 2013
The price for these 8×10 prints are easily affordable:
£50 = [$80] each.
£225 = [$360] full set of six prints ONLY.
Postage is included worldwide and each print will be numbered and signed by Lindsay Donald.
Until the publication of Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, this will be a limited offer ONLY.
For more information please contact Lindsay Donald via;
- email: linkuplindsay@yahoo.co.uk
- Facebook: linkuplindsay@facebook.com
- Skype: lindsay.donald1
- Telephone: +44 0753 590 1630
THIS SPECIAL OFFER IS FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!
Something is in the air.
This week’s blog comes because after some 14 months, I have finally found my own living space.
It is perfectly suited for the next six months after which I will renew my contract for another six months.
Since my return from Jamaica in May 2011, I have been shacking and sometimes the stress was overwhelming.
Now, I have my own 20′ x 16′ [shoebox] Studio flat complete with walk-in shower, kitchenette, a view through a window and after scrubbing, painting and instilling minimum amount of furnishing, it will be habitable by the end of this month of October.
Am I ecstatic?
Nice.
It is very frustrating to see how many people forget entirely that I am in the process of getting the book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks published.
After three years, I can readily say that frustration is as much a part of this process as having one million copies sold online in twenty four months.
The past six months have been the worst because I have had to learn first hand how to cope with day-to-day frustrations and the struggles involved trying to get this book published.
I have had to learn that every prospective author needs to keep hope alive.
Constantly.
For those who are unaware, there are many excellent self-published books on the market.
Twenty five years ago, I had the good fortune of being involved at the high end of journalism when I became picture editor at the Caribbean Times in London. Being online now, I see the publishing industry, like journalism, is undergoing a shift in the status quo and because of the upsurge in the use of the Internet, I can safely say we are in a wild, wild, west, situation.
Every man for himself.
Look, no one tells a budding golfer they can’t play and enjoy golf just because they’re not playing in the U.S. Masters, and after watching the recently concluded Ryder Cup match in Chicago last week, I easily saw a few excellent multi-millionaire golfers who played like classic amateurs.
I am certain there are thousands of excellent authors who have not had their first book picked by a publisher and like them, I am only an amateur because I have not been recognized by the book publishing industry, the critics and most importantly, by the buying public.
What makes some books great is that the content of that book sells well.
Think Fifty Shades of Grey.
Whether that content has substance, is a completely different matter and to those authors who are lucky to sell millions of copies of fast food rubbish, good luck to them
During my time I have seen a lot of bestselling photographic books that have a strong concept, but mediocre text.
At the end of the day, it’s like most things in life. We buy and read what we enjoy and forget the masses.
Portrait of a Legend and other Folks is not just a great idea, it will have aesthetically strong images, great text and this book WILL spread.
So far it has taken I a long time to be at this point and it may take longer to get to the finishing line, but most people who love a book tend to share it.
One day, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks will become a legend in its own way, whether I write this blog or not.
Peace.
*Photo caption*
This is a rare colour portrait I took in 1984 of a young Ziggy Marley one cold night in Mandeville, Jamaica, when he played at a concert with his Grandmother, the late Ms Cedella Marley.
Bound For Glory.
Hello interested peeps.
A promise is a comfort to a fool.
Aside from eating roast Mongoose with guava jelly there is only one other thing I’m allergic to.
A time wasting bullshitter whose head is stuck up his/her ass.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I am praying that things are really going well getting the book Portrait of a Legend and other Folks published.
I am aware that some people are making money daily and I know that not everyone can see that I have not moved from where I was three months ago.
Well, some things are happening and nothing is happening.
Nice paradox, eh?
But things are happening and I will explain why it may seem like it is not.
When it comes to doing something out of the ordinary most people are completely passive.
Not only can they not think for themselves, they cannot do anything for themselves.
That is fine because that is their plan for their lives.
But it leaves I as the only one building for a future that we can share.
If some of us decide to be involved with the financing, production and promotion of Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, mountains can disappear.
I work to put people in almost daily contact with what I am doing but many are not yet on my level.
I am sorry but that is my reality.
There are 4,200 people on my Facebook list and most are on level 1.
40 people are probably on level 5.
I am on level 10 because I sit with the Golden Egg that has yet to be hatched.
I am now fully aware that it takes considerable time to fill the top level where every one can see the same egg.
It is also important that people overstand what I am doing also what we can build and achieve.
Portrait of a Legend and other Folks was spawned from the Marley Project which is an on-going permanent project and because I am not going anywhere, kindly have total confidence that we have time to construct a book that will last longer than our childrens grand children.
After 30 years I intend to wait patiently for the train because this project has something for every one, including you.
One Love.
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