May Issue of Ujima

The May issue is final out. I know it's late but production was delayed due to a family emergency. But even though it was delayed it is still a good issue. The young girl on the cover is Simone. Her story is incredible. She started college at 15 years old. She is now 17 years old and is attending University of Texas, graduating next year. She will then apply to medical school. She is an inspiration to young people and old. She made me want to do better. I love meeting people who are young and know what they want to do and make plans for their future. She's amazing.

Although I was very happy to get the issue out, I had somewhat of a small glitch. I found out that the cafe I was going to use for the Wine Tasting event was double booked, leaving me out. So, I'm now looking for another venue. But I did not freak out and I calmly started looking for another location. I did contact the fundraiser assistant and she will assist with this task too. I have to keep the date because I have gotten the speaker locked in and I just do not want to change. I spent tonight updating my database with names, numbers and addresses. So, that's today. But tomorrow will be editing day for the June issue so it will a day of concentration. Yahoo!

Be back tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

The Life and Times of a Publisher

Today has been a difficult day. It was the day technology decided to stop for me. I went to my coffeehouse office to write. I have most of my June copy done, however, I needed to go back and listen to some of my notes. That's when I realized my audio pen would not work. I sat at the table hitting the pen against the paper trying to get it to pick up the sound. But of course, it would not budge. I was screaming inside. Then instead of the May issue being delivered from the printer in San Antonio, my husband ended up having to drive and get them. This did not make me happy. But on the bright side, they will go out to the community tomorrow... Yea! Finally.

So I have sat looking to see if I had any other options for a audio pen and haven't found any. I'm also trying to decide will I invest in a new pen or just use the traditional recorder. But I love technology and love to find the next best thing. But I am worried about the interviews I cannot go back and listen to for information. But I learn today, I better use a back up when I interview someone because even with sketchy notes it is hard to remember everything. That is what makes the audio pen so great. Ugh!!!!

Now I can move on to the June issue and all of the things I have to do for my year issue.  Between planning for the fundraiser, writing, interviewing, and all the other things that happen in life, I should have plenty to keep me busy. Tomorrow is a new day and I'll be ready for it. Thanks for reading.

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.