Life's too short to play it safe
Since most of us are at home on this Memorial Day, I thought I would share some quick videos from my trip to Paris and Copenhagen. I took these a few days ago.
#1
Shopping at a market in the suburbs of Paris.
#2
A typical French metro with accordion player and a view of the Eiffel Tower on my way to The American Library in Paris.
#3
Happy Danes dancing on the pedestrian street in Copenhagen, A gold statue of a real person, and biking is a way of life in Denmark.
Everything in Paris is a mixture of style, luxury, perfume, great food and cigarette smokers.
There is of course history in each building and the department store, Galleries Lafayette (more photos) is no exception.
Purchased in 1896, the beautiful glass and steel dome was designed by architect, Georges Chedanne and his pupil Ferdinand Chanut and finished in 1912.
Only in Paris will you find a museum that covers the history of perfume. I discovered the “Musée du Parfum” also known as the Fragonard Musée du Parfum. This museum was created in 1983 by the Fragonard perfume company within a Napoleon III town-house (built 1860.) I was not allowed to take photos inside the museum, however, here is a photo of the orgue à parfum (perfume organ) with tiers of ingredient bottles arranged around a balance used to mix fragrances.
The museum sells perfumes and is located close to the Place de L’Opéra.
As you can see, we’re wearing winter coats in May 2013.
And finally the beautiful upscale store “Printemps.” I have never seen so many Chinese tourists buying Luis Vuitton, Chanel and other luxury goods. At the Chanel store, a rope blocked the entrance, and the women were only allowed to go in two at a time. The look of anticipation on their faces reminded me of kids waiting for their favorite ride at Disneyland. I heard it’s the same at Harrods in London.
Do you like shopping at luxury stores? I don’t feel comfortable in this type of environment.
NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®.” Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.
You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here
How do you choose a book cover that appeals to your readers?
After much thought, a poll, and discussions with 1106 design company, here’s why I decided the above “My Gutsy Story®” Anthology is the right cover for the first and subsequent series.
The #1 reason to have a great book cover is to grab people’s attention.
A book cover has to cause an immediate reaction within a potential reader; either interest, intrigue or familiarity with the author, and in order to do this, certain “rules” apply.
I’m not a book cover designer which is why I believe in learning as much as I can about this topic, before leaving the task in the hands of those who do it for a living. From what I’ve read on Joel Friedlander’s informative blog: The Book Designer, authors need to think about the following aspects when determining the best covers for their books.
Name recognition is important to authors with a large fan base. They are a “brand” and often have a series of books with a similar design or font. Readers subconsciously tune into the author’s brand. I’m sure you’ve noticed how a particular font, color scheme or logo is associated with a specific author or series. Take for example, Nicholas Sparks. All of his books have the same concept with his name in the exact same bold font, with the title underneath. This is enclosed within a box.
Another example of a series is the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. The font used for the title is the same on all their books. You instantly recognize their brand.
So I decided to take a poll to the public, listen to the pros and cons, and then make a sound decision. I polled other authors on our Facebook Group: Gutsy Indie Publishers, which any indie author is welcome to join. I also polled readers on my Facebook Page: Gutsy Living, as well as other groups I belong to.
I showed two cover concepts based on my first book: Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of Gutsy Living on a Tropical Island, which I owe to 1106 Design, and which won the TheBookDesigner.com’s April e-Book Cover Design Award for Nonfiction.
I received in total around 80 comments on the covers
Here are some of the responses which I listened to and thought made sense. I went with my gut and with what the majority thought was the best. Of course not everyone agrees, but I’m happy that my friend Maggie Dodson from the UK, made the suggestions of reversing the yellow and white colors in the title, to make the “My Gutsy Story®” stand out, and anthology in white, and smaller.
What do you like to see in a book cover?
Congratulations to Carol Bodensteiner, winner of the May 2013, “My Gutsy Story®.” She wrote an inspiring story about giving up her career and following her passion. I love her phrase:
“It’s more important to be satisfied than to be successful.”
In 2nd Place, we have the wonderful “My Gutsy Story®” of Jason Matthews. Another motivating story by Jason who took a major risk, leaving his lucrative career as a paint contractor, and followed his passion to write.
In 3rd place we have the amazing story of Julia Prosser, written by her husband David Prosser. Julia passed away a few days before we posted his story, and she was true inspiration to many.
In 4th place we have the wonderful “Gutsy” Win Charles. Her message is to not focus on her disability, but on what we have in common.
Win’s energy and passion shines through everything she does. She is truly a “go-getter” and an inspiration to everyone.
In 5th place, we have an extremely “gutsy” Linda Kovic-Skow
Linda shares a great story about how she took a major risk as a young woman, and how it paid off.
Thank you so much to all five of you. You are all winners and have some wonderful stories and books to share with us.
NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®.” Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.
You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here
I was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and whenever I return to this beautiful city, I’m drawn towards The Little Mermaid. She brings back warm, childhood memories spent in Denmark with my best friend, Lilian.
Those who see The Little Mermaid for the first time are always surprised by how small she is; only 4.1 feet.
She is to Copenhagen what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, and has been a major tourist attraction since 1913. Since the mid-1960s, this poor statue has been subjected to vandalism for various political reasons, but has each time been restored. Her head was sawn off and stolen in 1964, and was never found. It was replaced, and in 1998, the poor Little Mermaid was decapitated once again. This time her head was returned anonymously to a local TV station. In 2003, explosives knocked her off her base and she was later found in the harbor’s waters.
She was then draped in a burqa in 2004, as a statement against Turkey joining the European Union.
She’s endured several traumatic events, including green paint poured all over her, a dildo placed in her hand, and the words March 8 written on her. It’s believed this vandalism was connected to International Women’s Day, which is on March 8th.
Here are some photos from my one day touring Copenhagen.
Close to The Little Mermaid is the Queen’s winter residence, Amalienborg Palace with her guards marching in front. I’ve often wondered what those guards must be thinking of while standing still for hours. Here is a YouTube video of the changing of the Royal Guard.
There are several wonderful pedestrian streets in Copenhagen. Illum is a favorite department store with an open air restaurant on the rooftop.
Most Danes love their bikes. Here is how young people transport their kids. I cannot imagine father’s taking their kids to the grocery store in one of these where I live in California.
I shall be in Paris on May 16th to announce the winner of the May “My Gutsy Story®,” and since we are taking a break from the “My Gutsy Story®” series in May, I hope all of you will submit your own “My Gutsy Story®.”
Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?
NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®.” Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.
You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here
