The Life and Times of a Publisher

My life as a publisher today was good. I met with my team to discuss ideas, changes, upcoming events and improvements that need to be made. I have a good team and we work hard to make improvements and stay ahead of the game. Working to be the best is hard work, but things worth having, always mean hard work. We are working on the June issue, which we are putting together. Because it is only myself and the managing editor writing all the articles, we work hard to meet our deadlines along with everything we have to do to keep it going. Whew! I wonder sometime how we do it, but we always get it done. The May issue is late coming out but hopefully it will be ready tomorrow. An untimely family emergency caused the production to be delayed, but when they come out they will be worth the wait. 

After the meeting, I worked on things that need to be done for our Anniversary issue. How exciting. I spent tonight looking for a Evite site that I can work the task for the Wine Tasting Event on June 26th. I have a lot of my plate and I hope I can keep it all in order. It's not easy but I can do it. This week should be fairly easy because it's our proof and marketing week. I have to generate some dollars so I really need to work on Marketing. So much to do and not enough time in the day. 

The good thing is tomorrow is a new day! See ya tomorrow and thanks for reading.

The Life and Times of a Publisher

Saturday, May 9th

Yesterday, I had a long day. But it was a good day. I started with the photo shoot and the three dads did a great job. My vision came out and I know the cover photo will be great. I'm so excited about taking my pictures  to a new level. I then went to my coffee house office and instead of writing I messed around on Facebook and Twitter. I really do see how these two social media's can become sort of addictive. It didn't start that way for me but now... 

I then went to WineStyles to enjoy wine tasting with the Sistah Wine Club. We had a great time as usual. We sipped our Reds and Whites and decided on a nice Riesling for the June issue of the magazine. I am really the only member who likes Red wine. But we all agreed for last night the Riesling was the best choice.

Today, I'm writing. I will take a break and then return. Have a great day, and thanks for reading.

Life of a Publisher

I did not get to post yesterday because I got tired. Yesterday I had a good day. I started with an interview with a ballet dancer. She is starting a dance company as well as a studio. We had a good discussion about how black children in our community are not moving forward in this arena. They get to a certain point and then they stop or have no options to continue. She will provide this continuous road. I had coffee with my marketing assistant and then I headed to my coffee shop office Java. I got some things done, I even attempted to write my articles for the June issue. But I got phone calls and emails done so that was good. 

I am excited about this morning. I have my photo shoot with three fathers for the Father's Day issue. It is the first time, the photo's will be staged. Each month I learn something by observing other magazine's and studying photos, etc. So, I'm going to make my photos look better by using the surroundings in Austin to bring out wonderful covers and inside photos. I'm very excited. I will let you know in the next blog how it goes. Thanks for reading.

A Publisher's Life

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

I have been writing a blog/journal on my Ujima Facebook Page and I thought I might start the same type of blog here. 

Today, I had a nice working day. I didn't have any interviews so I went to my coffee shop office Java and tried to get some writing done. However, the Managing Editor and myself ended up working on marketing. We worked on how to make money for the magazine. We have to generate some revenue. So it wasn't a total loss. I have to stop this procrastination I go through. When I know I have a deadline, I wait until the end before I start working. This whole week is called our writing week, but I have yet to finish one article for the for the June issue. But tomorrow's another day. I do have a interview tomorrow but after that I'm heading to my coffee shop office do some writing. See ya tomorrow.

Becoming Liberated

I did get a response to my question of making my blog interesting. The response was sometime it is finding the right words. Well, that is what I will work on. Finding the right words. I wish it was an easy task. Why am I making this so hard? Why? I know I need to relax because there is not a right or wrong way to do it but I feel like it is. Why? I don't know. So, I will write what I feel and be done with it. No more obsessing about it and wanting something to be what I can't make it be. Just write Damita. That is all I need to do...

I already feel liberated.

Making Things Exciting

The thing I continue to struggle with is making my blogs interesting and exciting. When I read other blogs, they are interesting and informative. Am I really that boring? I don't feel I am but I cannot seem to put my words down to make people interested. It's driving me nuts! I have spoken to people and I have read books on blogging. One thing I have read is find a theme or something of interest to write about. Well, that sounds easy, but I can't find a theme to write about it. What am I going to do? Am I thinking about it too much? What?!?

If anyone reads this and do not become bored, please let me know what I may could try to increase my readership and not be so boring to where there is not any interest. Looking forward to hearing from someone....

Damita

April Issue On Stands

      The April Issue of Ujima Magazine is finally on stands.  I hope you have picked it up by now. It has been out since the first week but I was not able to get the notice out until today.  I learned that when you have your own business even though you can work from wherever you are, it does not always happen that way. This is what happened to me.  I do know that the next time I have to leave town,  I need to make sure most, if not all, my work is done so I can relax and not become overwhelmed. 

But I'm back and working hard to get back on track.  I hope you enjoy the April issue.  Please send me any comments you may have.  I am always working to make improvements along the way. Again, thanks for your support.

Damita