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JennGM
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| Posted: April 21 2008 at 6:55pm | IP Logged
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Some comments in this thread, A Year with God has spurred me to thinking:
Michaela wrote:
| I haven't looked at in a while, but I remember thinking that most of the info is what's being shared on many blogs. I'll have to look to refresh my mind. |
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Lorri wrote:
| Our group does better with coming up with liturgically centered crafts from the internet. I really like Seton's Art 1 for young Catholics that follows the liturgical year. |
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RenB wrote:
| However,I personally feel, if the goal of most Catholic publishers is to "get these goods in the hands of families for use in building their Domestic churches",and subsequently recognizing many Catholic homeschooling families are one income earners, affordability is the key to supply and demand, at least I know my married children would find this item off their wish list just from the price alone. The family price from CHC then seems over the top to me especially when compared to other fine books available from Catholic homeschooling families these days. If lowered, more would purchase it and use it, or at the very least it can be budgeted for more easily. |
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A recurring theme is that there is already so much FREE information available to families, especially ideas to incorporate in the Domestic Church, particularly the Liturgical Year. There is reluctance to pay for something that is already out there.
I was thinking of the free websites, like
Catholic Culture
Domestic Church which has also opened Lent and Easter and Marian Devotions
Women for Faith and Family
Catholic Mom
And then all the personal blogs, that share the brainstorming for all the crafting, cooking, devotions, reading, etc., and then open the door to their homes so we can have a glimpse into their own domestic churches.
And then there are some group blogs, collaborative efforts, sharing more ideas, like:
Catholic Cuisine
First Heralds
CGS Moms
Personally I love learning more about our Faith, the Liturgy, and then learning about the traditions that link the Liturgy to the home, the little church. It's been my favorite subject for years. I could gab on and on about it. It was so hard to find materials years ago. I tracked down many out-of-print books and pamphlets way before there was Amazon and eBay. 
Over the years the interest has spread, and with the internet more people have incorporated many similar practices in their home. And while I think there are nuances or twists to old ideas, there rarely are *brand spanking new ideas*. That old adage, "Nothing new under the sun" seems to apply here.
But I'm always looking (and buying) the old and the latest in books on the Liturgical Year. I love looking at it from different perspectives.
I love the generosity of so many, who have shared their time and talents to enhance our own celebrations at home.
When I look at some of the original female writers of the "Liturgical Movement" in the home, such as Florence Berger, Therese Mueller, Mary Perkins Ryan, Mary Reed Newland, Maria Von Trapp, Helen McLoughlin...I wonder what was their motivator to publish their ideas? Word of mouth led to giving talks, then magazine articles, then finally booklets or books? Were they doing it for the money or trying to evangelize? Did they make a profit with their work?
We now live in time where we have the internet, a new phase of information. It's not a replacement for the written word, but it's an awesome tool for apostolate and evangelization.
I'm just typing out my thoughts, and they are quite jumbled. I don't have conclusions, except for me personally, I know at this time writing a book isn't an option. But I'd just about burst if I kept all my ideas and discussion under wraps until (and IF) I ever write something for print. Besides, my favorite part is bouncing off ideas and seeing how you clever women elaborate and make things happen!
I buy materials, but also am always looking for the *free* ideas.
Any thoughts, if anyone can follow me?
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Maryan
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| Posted: April 21 2008 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
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All I know Jenn is if you ever published a book - I would be first in line to buy it and be your biggest publicist. 
I for one like to support anyone publishing these ideas as well however I can (ie. donate to Catholic Culture, etc.). I bought the Domestic Church books, etc. (that said, I haven't bought A Year With God or seen it because it looked more like a workbook to me.)
JennGM wrote:
Over the years the interest has spread, and with the internet more people have incorporated many similar practices in their home. And while I think there are nuances or twists to old ideas, there rarely are *brand spanking new ideas*. That old adage, "Nothing new under the sun" seems to apply here.
But I'm always looking (and buying) the old and the latest in books on the Liturgical Year. I love looking at it from different perspectives. |
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Ditto to both. I've seen new versions of a lot of my moms old crafts etc. And I love seeing/buying new liturgical year books etc. -- but my collecion is definitely not as big as yours!!
Personally I think the Maria von Trapps probably got tired of handwriting their ideas for inquiring friends, so wrote a book!
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amarytbc
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Most of those blogs and sites were not available the first year that AYWG came out. Although I don't publish myself, a friend does and she says that publishing is tremendously expensive when you are only printing several hundred. CHC is the family's only source of income and I believe they are just asking a just wage for their work. This is just my opinion from reading their site and reading different comments on message boards over the years.
In terms of price, I don't think it is over the top. AYWG runs about $54 with color and is almost twice as thick as Mosaic which is at $24 without color. Lingua Mater is about the same size at $46 and if you look at Protestant programs like Our Father's World they run about $100 for the teacher's manual that contains less information and is thinner (less paper and ink.)
The Johnson have posted on their site that they pay a royalty for the rosary pictures, so we can imagine that adds at least $5 to the price of the books.
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Carole N.
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Maryan, you may have to move over and let me be in line with you! Oh, I know, I could be Jenn's publicist overseas!
When I first started homeschooling, AYWG was not even available. In fact my first copy was an abbreviated version of what it is today. I have always admired the Johnson family for all they have done with CHC. It has truly been a blessing to our family and to our curriculum and I anxiously await any new material they may have (although it is my understanding that they do not ship overseas anymore).
I was not using the internet when I first started, so I relied on a group of homeschooling Catholic moms in my community. As the years went by, I became the only from that group who continued to homeschool. There were plenty of protestant moms however, so I had to look for sources to learn about my faith. And over the years, I was joined by a few other Catholic families who also wanted to teach their children about the liturgical year.
One of the things that I prize so much about Jenn is her knowledge of the liturgical year. Through this forum, she has steered me to so many lovely sites with good solid information. And so many of the ladies here have shared information on their blogs about crafts, cooking, etc.
But I do have many of the books that Jenn mentioned (however, not Maria Von Trapp). I started gathering these and I add to my collection as I go. However, I always find that the internet is quick and easy when it comes to finding information about liturgical events.
So I would say that I rely on both published authors and the internet. I so appreciate all that is being done and I hope that celebrating the liturgical year becomes even more central in our family.
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JennGM
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amarytbc wrote:
Most of those blogs and sites were not available the first year that AYWG came out. Although I don't publish myself, a friend does and she says that publishing is tremendously expensive when you are only printing several hundred. CHC is the family's only source of income and I believe they are just asking a just wage for their work. This is just my opinion from reading their site and reading different comments on message boards over the years.
In terms of price, I don't think it is over the top. AYWG runs about $54 with color and is almost twice as thick as Mosaic which is at $24 without color. Lingua Mater is about the same size at $46 and if you look at Protestant programs like Our Father's World they run about $100 for the teacher's manual that contains less information and is thinner (less paper and ink.)
The Johnson have posted on their site that they pay a royalty for the rosary pictures, so we can imagine that adds at least $5 to the price of the books. |
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Oh, I merely took the quotes from the AYWG thread, but I'm not specifically targeting their book, I promise. I just mean the information in general. How does it evolve from word of mouth, to blogs, to internet sites, to written word, free to for profit? How do you find ideas? Do you buy books and magazines?
And when does a person jump to that level of writing for profit? And once writing, do you keep ideas under wraps until it's published? Do you just represent ideas that you've already shared before?
I know, I'm hard to follow. That's why so few have commented. And I'm not completely directing at myself, I'm just looking at the new way of passing on information, and how that changes our seeking the information!
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 8:14am | IP Logged
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Maryan and Carole, thank you. 
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Maryan
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Well... if we are going to ramble with no direction -- I can do that too. So here goes my uncut rambled thoughts to your ramble thoughts:
Truly I think there is merit in sharing on the internet (why... in fact, I think that free sharing has heavenly merit), but I think publishing is not mercenary. (I think I'm using the right word -- I'm not done with my coffee yet)
I guess I'm of the opinion that most folks prefer a book that they can hold, peruse, take to bed as night reading to discover liturgical ideas (but maybe I'm passe!) So I see publishing is a service as well.
Do you keep new ideas under wraps? I don't know. For me personally, even if I can read about ideas on the internet, I'd rather have the book. I mean many of Elizabeth's ideas are on her blog... but her book is what I read over and over again, mark up with pencil, etc.
As you say, there's nothing new under the sun, --- even if you write about ideas that have been published previously... the Church has been around for 2000 years -- even the person who published it was probably not the person with the original idea. However, a repetition of ideas shouldn't be a reason not to publish necessarily. (Come on... there are 5,000 time management/organizational books out there and most of them overlap ideas).
What is different is that very time period brings a need for a certain refocus on the liturgical year from varying perspectives. For example, Jenn, I just found myself nodding my head to the thread where you suggested starting with a family altar and WHY this was so central etc. To me your perspective is more valuable than the activity itself. IMO your analytical gifts shine when it comes to perspective!!
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Maryan
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Mackfam
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Jenn,
I'm going to offer a perspective from a Catholic author of a book whose market is primarily (but not exclusively) homeschoolers. The author sought the answer to the question you pose above - and still seeks it. "For free? Or for profit?"
My mom began homeschooling way back when homeschooling was still pioneering, Catholic Charlotte Mason homeschooling was practically unheard of, and before Al Gore invented the internet . She slowly began compiling this list of living history books for her own use. Because she's very organized, she started sorting this list. And the list started growing, and growing. She started sharing this list with other homeschoolers around her and speaking to other families about the use of living books. Everyone encouraged her to write a book. She completely shunned the idea thinking her little list wasn't useful enough for a book, but with my dad's encouragement she slowly began putting together a book with an explanation of Charlotte Mason philosophy followed by her booklist. She printed it and published it herself. Very, very expensive!$$$ Then, there is the additional bonus of having to send a grotesque amount of any profit you make to the federal government in the form of taxes so that THEY  can save YOUR MONEY for your retirement. Enough of that. Anyway, the book never made much for her after paying for printing costs and setting aside money for taxes. She agonized over how much to charge for the book - knowing that the families who purchased the book were just like her - on a really, really tight budget. She barely made any money, but it was enough to pay for my brother's medical expenses, so she was grateful for it.
Last year, everything changed. She's needed to revise the book for a long time and update it, but my brother's needs have increased and there was just no time. She called to re-print only to find that the small printing house she used had gone bankrupt and destroyed her printing plates without telling her. She let the book go out of print. She felt sure that with the internet, there was really no need for the booklist anymore. And Catholic Charlotte Mason homeschooling had caught on, no one really needed to be educated on that front anymore she thought. I think she was happy to let the book go. BUT...she kept getting calls from Adoremus, All Catholic Books, CHC, Rainbow Resources and others asking when it would be available again. She looked into putting the book online for free, but it turns out (and this is the part that answers your question and hers) that in the end, people want something tangible in their hands to hold. A book with a pretty cover to pull off the shelf. A book that they can write notes in, scribbling ideas in the margin. A book to go to again and again. A book with paper between two covers becomes a friend, and printing that book isn't cheap. So in the end when you have enough ideas to put between two covers, you have to charge something.
I search the web for information on the liturgical year all the time. It is a treasure of a resource in that respect. But, I usually only search for one piece of information. After a while I feel like I'm hopping from one tangent to the other. It begins to get disconnected in my mind. Then, there's my sad, lone brain cell that gets overtaxed remembering everything I saw online. I too enjoy pulling one of my favorite books off the shelf late at night after the kids are in bed - perusing for ideas, landing on something that seems do-able, and leaving the book out to come back to when I've forgotten something. And, I'm happy to pay that author for their time, because I know how valuable that time is.
So...I guess what I'm saying is that I find both free resources of information valuable as well as a book. But, in the end, I go to my books. 
Have I rambled completely off-topic? This feels too long, and I need to go find the toddler who just wandered off with my favorite blue pen! 
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JennGM
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Jennifer, Nothing off-topic at all, and rambling thoughts allowed in this thread, because it's just a rambler!
Hmmm...sounds like your mother's book would be wonderful! But you bring up a point that I was going to discuss, too. Maryan used the word "mercenary" -- and truly in the small Catholic homeschooling world, one rarely makes much profit, it seems. It's almost more work, time and money to get something published then to just offer it gratis.
Maryan wrote:
Do you keep new ideas under wraps? I don't know. For me personally, even if I can read about ideas on the internet, I'd rather have the book. I mean many of Elizabeth's ideas are on her blog... but her book is what I read over and over again, mark up with pencil, etc.
As you say, there's nothing new under the sun, --- even if you write about ideas that have been published previously... the Church has been around for 2000 years -- even the person who published it was probably not the person with the original idea. However, a repetition of ideas shouldn't be a reason not to publish necessarily. (Come on... there are 5,000 time management/organizational books out there and most of them overlap ideas).
What is different is that very time period brings a need for a certain refocus on the liturgical year from varying perspectives. For example, Jenn, I just found myself nodding my head to the thread where you suggested starting with a family altar and WHY this was so central etc. To me your perspective is more valuable than the activity itself. IMO your analytical gifts shine when it comes to perspective!! |
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Maryan, thank you. This was extremely helpful to me! I reread my sources quite frequently, and come away with different perspectives and highlights and ideas each time. And I agree, I'd still buy and read something even if I read them before elsewhere (like Elizabeth's works).
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happymama
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Jenn, interesting thread, I do understand what you're pondering. I've always thought that I was a "writer". But I also think about things way too much. And as soon as I get an idea for a book (and I've got lots!), the pessimist in me starts to say, "no one would buy this. There's nothing ingenious here. Who would publish this?!"
Plus I'll never forget the words of the Opus Dei priest to me on retreat a few years back: "If you only have time to read one book, it should be the Book of the Gospels." I'm quite certain that most people today fail to read the Scriptures enough... and would benefit infinitely more from Them than from anything I could write.
There's only been once that I actually had a strong inspiration for a book _during prayer_ and I did write that book. It took about 2 years of research and 2 years in-between babies to write. Last year I had Kinko's print and bound a few copies of the manuscript, and I sent it to a few trusted people for editing and also out to a few publishers... and the readers gave glowing reviews, but the publishers either ignored it all together or said there was no market for it.
There's no way I'm going to pay to have it properly edited and printed. So now what?
I've gotten emails from people who want to quote something I've written on my blog in their own works. I just basically say "fine, whatever" but in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "hey, I'm unemployed, you know!" Who couldn't use a small second income these days? And wouldn't it be nice if it was from a passion, instead of like waitressing or something?!
I look at the ROWS AND ROWS of STUPID books at the library, and I think - each of those books represents a "triumph" for one person's life. Something each author is likely proud of. It is surely way more important to write our "books" into the lives of our children... I figure, if God really wants me to write a book, He will provide the inspiration, the talent, the time, and... THE PUBLISHER!
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Mackfam
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happymama,
You can publish yourself...have you looked into that? I do want to warn you though - it is a real expense to publish and print that first year. You should expect to take a loss on the book for year 1. Or you could look into lulu.com for printing. Cay sweetly suggested that option to my mom, and it is by far a promising option. They print and ship for you! A big plus! Cay used lulu for her book "Picture Perfect" and it came out beautifully.
Just some thoughts for you if you feel the Holy Spirit is calling you to get that book out there! I'll buy!!
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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happymama wrote:
| I look at the ROWS AND ROWS of STUPID books at the library, and I think - each of those books represents a "triumph" for one person's life. Something each author is likely proud of. It is surely way more important to write our "books" into the lives of our children... I figure, if God really wants me to write a book, He will provide the inspiration, the talent, the time, and... THE PUBLISHER! |
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I feel the same way!!! I keep waiting not for the small still voice but the loud neon signs and megaphone pointing the way and how to do it!
I was going to suggest Lulu.com, also. Musica Sacra has been reprinting various works -- gems of sacred music. They also offer them in .pdf file on their site.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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RenB
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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(Golly, a little precursor; sorry this is long here...maybe too much coffee this morning? LOL)
This has been an interesting thread. Jenn, I too admit to being a person who runs around looking for new and interesting ideas to present the liturgical year and incorporate new traditions or ideas into our family life, even after all these years, for I have grandchildren now to do that with/for. I remember when I got my hands on a used original copy of Mary Reed Newland's book, and thought I'd melt on the spot! :-)
Since a little blurb was used about one of my posts above, I wanted to add my two cents in here, if only for additional thoughts to get cogs turning and viewpoints from several angles on the table. My intentions are good, so just pretend this is a food for thought post, okay? :)
Because this topic thread is about the AYWD as an example, here's a starting point. I too have always admired the Johnson family and never meant to create a controversy with my post reply on the question of whether or not the pricing of AYWG was over the top. As I stated, there are items in the book out of print, thus yes, I agree they likely pay royalties to keep getting them out to families like us. As well, many of the other items inside are original ideas, with photo inserts of their very sweet children inspiring others. Their ideas came out long before blogging ever did, some were the only WONDERFUL (smile) ones available at the time, unless you paid outrageous money for out of print books (like me, but oh it was like treasure when finding one!)
Fast forward to today and see how much the wonderful cyber world of blogging has become a treasure trove for gold mining with fantastic ideas and photo journaling to inspire anyone! Where were blogs when I had a younger family, well all of the older ones still unmarried and living at home for instance? Simple. There were none, only early efforts from folks like CHC families. We have different information highways today than in years gone by, like apples and oranges to compare them at all in my own humble opinion. All still hold their value today. And more and more are coming out of the woodwork, like lovley Margot from Hillside Education and Cay Gibson as another for sure!
That said, if you do not have the financial ability to purchase the many wonderful items available for families today, and only find yourself able to peruse the blogs from even just the ladies on this very forum (hundreds maybe now?), you'll become rich with enough sharing of faith traditions to fill your years plentifully from this day forward.
If sharing is the goal without expecting something back monetarily, and we all know free is good (free is always good! Thanks for all your links Jenn, you're fantastic here), in reality we would have to admit that it would still cost money to print off and compile our own faith binders, or books from all the paper pile we'd accumulate in the end. I know I would prefer a book format to browse away from the screen myself, so yes, a cost would be incurred, but whatever. But you know, there is a season in everyone's life when money gets tight, or there just isn't any at all, and what we should want is for others to reap the benefits from all the sharing for sure. I know I would want this for my young married children, if only to keep inspiring them and allowing them to purposefully continue to grow in their faith! It soon becomes part of passing on the baton of faith to them, the younger generation with all the cyber world has to offer. This is similar to what our homeschooling group's mother evenings were all about, show and tells, presenting a plethora of ideas to share and glean from. No one ever wanted to miss those meetings, believe me! Today, we can substitute the blogging world for this same purpose if we can't be there in person. Being like minded with others is such a blessing and never would I have ever imagine being able to sit in my own home on the computer with so much available at my fingertips. You younger bunch have no idea how much this has opened up for families today! Or maybe you do...LOL
amarytbc; I notice you mentioned the AYWG was a color print version compared to the Catholic Mosaic black and white book. I just went through my entire copy of the book and every page is in black and white. Only the front and back covers are colored. Might we have different copies? Does anyone else have colored pages inside their book? If we use this particular book as an example only, I figured the cost for making a book such as this one in Canada would run me about 20.00 - 25.00 at the very most myself, with covers and spiral binding (at an Office Supply or Staples store (because they offer a discount for photocopying large amounts), so let's say this is the case for me. If I was producing a book like this in bulk, the price becomes less with discounted charges for the photocopy part, though what is the value to the "time" spent at the copier? Do we do it ourselves or have someone else do it. For bulk purchases, there is no charge for this extra service here. Overall then, the price for me to purchase my copy from CHC was 58.95 plus shipping to Canada, plus the dollar exchange at the time, which wasn't at par, believe me. I also paid duty because of the cost noted on the parcel. That all adds up to a very cushy chunk of change for me, likely different though in comparison to anyone in the USA due to extra expenses for me living in another country.
On the flip side, the financial aspect as well, we need to take a hard look at the purpose of being an author, working hard writing and creating to the point of birthing a new book. Likely there are many authors who aren't writing for the sole purpose of sharing for free, unless of course they only want to break even, and/or they have a special ministry offering their work for the sole benefit of others. With folks like the Johnson family, they are a homeschooling family like us, relying on their income to feed themselves. Their business requires a profit, so this is where the fine line in the sand has to be drawn. They truly need to profit with their items.
Yes, it would be grand to have more things offered at a lowered price, but as I also stated, a unique work like this one (and Catholic Mosaic which I LOVE!) are priceless. They will continue to always grace our own family library here.
Another flip side; I also feel it would be great to have more items offered at reduced prices because it gets the books into the family home, and I know many businesses who offer substantial discounts for this reason and still make a tidy profit, homeschooling families themselves, but most are selling other people's products...something to think about.
So, what to do?
Keep on blogging! Keep on writing! Keep on sharing! Keep on birthing new books (keep them secret if you desire, I won't care, but tempt me with plenty of pre-order write ups okay?)!
I for one will still prefer a book, make my own if I have to with the sharing online, but *I* will buy your books if they benefit our family for sure. And heh, let's get real here, if you only have a certain amount budgeted for purchasing valuable books and other miscellaneous, these can't just be "collected" either, they must be "used", not gathering dust somewhere for some special moment to come in the future (this is where I said some were "frills" instead of necessities, not meant as a negative either). They need to be in plain view,flipped through often, remembered for resource gathering, or why not just sell them to another family who will love them, and benefit from your reduced sale price. :-)
Do I smell a used book fair in your area? I know there are some coming up in mine. I for one do "collect" these things, okay there, I admitted it! It's my greatest weakness and I have a huge library to prove it for my progeny in the future to inherit. I'm happy to admit this is what I do. I support all you out there, if not financially in my purchases, prayerfully for you when I visit your blogs.
Just continue to remember one sweet thought - Everyone here on these boards is special, your thoughts, your traditions and your tender shared moments with your families are all yours alone to share, or write about for others to glean from whether in a blogging format or in a book. No one is here to critique your thoughts at all, just glean from and pray for each other if at all possible.
God bless you all!
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Blessings;
Renee
Mommy to eight, cherished treasures sent to us 22 years apart. Nana to seven lovelies...so far.
"Go East," they said
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RenB
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 10:15am | IP Logged
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Oh my, guess I was cross posting with several of you.
Jennifer, Tell your mother to be encouraged, and if she did make a book , tell her to contact me because I'd buy one!  You are right though, the first year of financial output is the toughest. And a small business is hit hard with tax expenses that we don't have to pay ourselves.
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Blessings;
Renee
Mommy to eight, cherished treasures sent to us 22 years apart. Nana to seven lovelies...so far.
"Go East," they said
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 10:22am | IP Logged
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Great thoughts! Self-publishing also requires self-promotion, which is a lot of work. Smaller companies don't get the advertising and widespread recognition, and self-published even less. A lot to think about.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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margot helene
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 4:31pm | IP Logged
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This thread has been of special interest to me. I can't tell you how many times my husband has said to me in the last 3 years, "Can't we just once do something for another reason than simply 'because it is good.'"  And I constantly have this little debate: are we a ministry or are we a business. Many times I make decisions that don't make money, but take a lot of my time. Now . . . I feel generous with my time . . . but my husband doesn't. He doesn't want me to have a ministry.
For you, Jenn, I think if there is a desire in your heart to put things together into book form you should follow it and let God take care of where it goes. If the work doesn't take away from your family duties, it's a great outlet for what is bursting inside you and has the potential to bless others. (I prefer a book to hold as well. I become very irritated trying to read things on line and end up printing things out to read.)
I personally don't care for Lulu and businesses like them, but they do provide a service. They are like using a convenience store on the corner. Sure it's close, but you only have a few packaged items to choose from and you will pay a higher price. I think they take advantage of self-publishers. However, I know one small publishing house that uses one (not Lulu) exclusively. Whether you self publish with or without those print-on-demand companies, you have to be determined that you'll MARKET yourself which can be daunting.
Thanks Renee for your kind words
That's enough to keep me going this week. Lots of new things coming up and I'm like a hamster on a treadmill right now!
There is so much more I could say on this topic! It's something that I keep close in prayer quite often. I think you have to charge a fee to pay for what it costs to put something together, whether that cost is tangible or not. But do we do it in order to make money??? There is nothing wrong with that, but I find it near the bottom of my list of priorities in looking at a new project. (See what a bad business woman I am!!) I work to make money so I can afford the next good project. But it sure would be nice to pay for the kids' shoes, too!!
Love
margot
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stefoodie
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 9:20pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, you don't have to use Lulu, you know -- there's Blurb!
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stef
mom to five
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guitarnan
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 10:09pm | IP Logged
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You know, there are e-books out there that do sell. And, Jenn, if you do publish that book, I am planning to shove Maryan and Carole aside (gently - I like them both!) and do my best to get the word out on your behalf.
Another way to publish your ideas is through magazines, websites and diocesan papers, so you might want to consider a monthly column format. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, no one writes a liturgical year or homeschooling column for the weekly diocesan paper, and I'd love to see one or both there.
I am a freelance writer, so it's obvious that I think it's OK to make some money from your God-given talents and ideas. Sharing help, ideas and support on message boards, in professional groups, etc., helps writers give back to the communities that support them, so there's a balance to consider. I spend a fair amount of time on the freelance writing message boards and email lists that have helped me, hoping I can pass something useful on to aspiring writers.
Having said that, if you can create a book worth reading (duh, this is Jenn!) and contribute to your family's well-being, that's more than OK. Only you know how quickly you research and write, and how much per hour would make that work worthwhile. I have no doubt that you could sell your book here...
I'm another lover of printed books. I write for the Web, but you won't find me buying a Kindle any time soon.
It might be time, I'm thinking, to promote once again the excellent work our 4Real folks have created - I've used Margot's study guides and loved them, for example - so we all know what's available. As daily life evolves, it's hard to remember who's written what.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Erin
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| Posted: April 26 2008 at 2:57am | IP Logged
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Well both fulfill a need, books and blogs/websites. To tell the truth I prefer the blogs of you dear ladies to the websites as they are more realistic and visual, I find websites overwhelming, that's just me. Oh and one hampering thing for me in the Southern Hemisphere is my saints day is celebrated before you so by the time you post it it too late for me. Although the new Catholic Cuisine is posting sometimes just in time.
However I would prefer an 'all in one book' flicking from blog to blog, book to book is time consuming and frustrating and even overwhelming and so often stops me from actually doing anything.
'I have a dream' one I am praying that Jenn (or another dear friend here in Australia) fulfills, so ladies I will be first in line My dream is a book that follows the liturgical year in detail, with background info, activity ideas, cooking, traditions etc. Fancy that I want something fully planned for me am I lazy or what. Jenn to answer your question I believe there truly is a need for a comprehensive liturgical book. I see the wonderful blogs as a stop gap until a book is written that pulls it all together.
Footnote: Regards price, I truly appreciate that these books are expensive and no money is made, however for those of us outside of America the price is even more prohibitive. Take Catholic Mosaic as it was mentioned above, to give you an idea, here in Australia it cost $50 plus postage. I know of no solution short of praying for the stock market to improve but it is something to be aware of. I know that I really and truly weigh up every book because of this and in the end buy few of the liturgical resources generously recommended here due to shear costs. It has to be really good for me to buy.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: April 26 2008 at 5:22am | IP Logged
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My two cents here:
I love being able to research and find what I'm looking for on the internet. It's all free, and I can just cut and paste and save to my heart's content.
Then, when I need it, I need ink for my printer, and paper, and I need to organize it, and drive to Kinko's and pay for it to be bound.
It is cheaper for me to buy all-inclusive books!
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Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Liturgical Year Ideas for Free or Profit?
