SPARK Publication v1

v1.n1

publication

SPARK

A

a quarterly glimpse at SPARK publications

Self Publishing

101

5 contents

facebook

twitter

Project Profile

Project Profile

Meet a SPARKler

Stacey Kroghie Amy

6 email us

7 12 share this

Page 1

ďƒœ

Best if viewed using Adobe Reader.

You can pick it up for FREE here.

Easy

Click here to view in full screen mode.

Viewing tips

What do these do?

HOME

CONTENTS

FACEBOOK

And this little piggy goes wee wee wee all the way home... to the cover.

Just in case you get lost, this little button will take you right back to the contents.

Of course we have a Facebook page!

Click on this to be a fan. We like fans and if you’re cool, we’ll like you back.

TWITTER Click here to join our twitter following and be fed the SPARK tweets. Not too many, not too few... just right.

EMAIL US

SHARE THIS

Let us know what you think of our work, or if you have a burning desire to be an author and tell your story.

Use this button to spread the love.

Send a link for this newsletter to all your friends. They’ll love you for it.

Go to the previous page.

You know it was your favorite.



Go to the next page.

It’s better than the last page.

home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 2



Welcome For the past twelve years, SPARK Publications has provided creative and effective publication design and production services to our clients. We have received over 50 national industry awards and in 2009 received the International Stevie® Award for Best Business Turnaround. Beyond business, however, we are a team of five creative, funny, intelligent (and sometimes wacky) individuals who love to laugh and poke fun at each other. So when the idea arose to start a quarterly SPARK newsletter, we decided to create some creative edu-tainment.

If you are just tuning in: SPARK Publications is a publication design

The result: a SPARK Publication Volume 1: Number 1.

firm specializing in the design and production

Our mission is not only to educate current and future clients about our company and our capabilities, but also to let our hair down, spark some creativity and have a little fun, too. We hope that you will have as much fun reading this newsletter as we have had in creating it.

of custom publications including custom magazines, catalogs, selfand custom-published

A Summer Salute to Self-Publishing The self-publishing process can be confusing and at times overwhelming for new authors. So, for our first issue, we’ve chosen to focus on this area of our expertise to answer some frequently asked questions about the process and highlight some past self-pub successes.

Read carefully — you could be our next success story!

books and marketing materials. We help professionals, publishers and corporations attract, educate and communicate to their audiences through

Have a question about SPARK Publications, customor self-publishing or life in general? We’d love to hear from you. info@SPARKpublications.com (704) 844-6080



home

contents

facebook

twitter

creatively designed and marketable publications.

email us

share this

Page 3



Contents 2

Welcome

Our mission is not only to educate current and future clients about our company and our capabilities, but also to let our hair down, spark some creativity and have a little fun, too.



The good stuff:

5

Self-Publishing 101

13

All Gussied Up Out on the town with the SPARK Team

6

Project Profile I Can’t Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can by Stacey Simms

15

Fabi Preslar: Publications Diva

7

Project Profile Gunnin’ Birds by Kroghie Andresen

16

Fun Facts about Self-Publishing

9

Self-Publishing vs.

Custom-Publishing What’s the Difference?

19

HELP I want to write a book, but I can’t write!!

11

12

14

17

18

WE WIN!

Introducing Amy Trainor:

Happy Birthday to SPARK!

Sofia, Sophia, Sofia

Fruitaholics Anonymous

SPARK Publications Wins 3 National Apex Awards

home

Writer, Editor, Organizer and Hand-holder (Extraordinaire)

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 4



Self-Publishing 101 Facts don’t lie; the self-publishing model is on the rise…

published books that are excellent – a growing number of which have been nationally or internationally recognized as such.

Fortunately for self-publishers, many within the industry have begun to argue that digital publishing is changing the way that self-published books are both received and perceived. Recently, when interviewed by a writer for Mediabistro, Debbie Stier, SVP and senior associate for HarperCollins, commented:

But why?

“The fact of the matter is that the Internet is the ultimate tool for allowing the cream to rise, and I do believe that this will ultimately lead to the stigma diminishing. I don’t think we are there yet, but we are well on our way.”

Why Self-Publishing?

• Self-published authors receive 100% of their books’ profits.

• Self-publishers decide how their books should look and how their books should be marketed.

• Self-published authors have complete control over their book rights – in other words, who uses their work and how.

• It’s a great idea for authors whose books cater to a specific niche market.

• It’s an ideal option for authors who require a small print run to share with friends and family or for business people and entrepreneurs who want books to promote their businesses.

In addition to “allowing the cream to rise,” the Internet and the rise of social media have allowed self-published authors to market their books in increasingly creative – and effective – ways. Does that mean that digital publishing makes it easy to market a self-published book? Of course not; marketing is never easy.

But digital publishing does make it easier (as does SPARK) and selfpublishing allows writers the freedom to decide exactly how to market their books, while communicating with their audiences and maintaining control of their projects 100% of the time.

Digital Publishing and the Self-Pub Stigma For years, traditional publishers and authors have pooh-poohed the very idea of selfpublishing, claiming that too many cooks would spoil the pot. While it is true that many books published through online selfpublishing companies are unedited and poorly designed, there are just as many (or more) self-



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 5



Project Profile:

I Can’t Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can

by Stacey Simms

Cookbook with a cause: Stacey Simms, a Charlotte radio celebrity, wanted to publish an unconventional cookbook that would appeal to the local community and reflect her unique personality. All profits from her book would be used to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Charlotte.

Simms had a specific timeline in mind and needed a publisher or company who would work within her schedule.

26

w w w. s t a c e y s i m m s . c o m

ICC-FINAL.indd 26

7/29/08 1:04:08 PM

Why self-publishing? My research led me to believe that finding a publisher would take longer than I had in mind for my project. I wanted the book in hand in nine months from start to finish. The only way to make that happen was to self-publish.

From first spark to SPARK Publications: What was the timeframe from when you first had the idea for your book to manuscript completion? I had the idea on August 16, 2007 (yes, I remember the exact date!).

After a few months of research I began actual work in January of 2008. I completed the manuscript and began to work with SPARK Publications in May 2008. I had the book in my hand in late September 2008.



“SPARK Publications acted as my general contractor, turning my emailed notes, word documents and general scribbles into an actual book. SPARK pulled together an editor, photographer, proof-reader, indexer and printer, showing me how the project would look at each step. I had a lot of doubts and fears, but Fabi listened to me and gave me the confidence to see my project through.”

home

going to

extremes t

here are few things more wonderful than waking to the smell of something delicious baking for breakfast. But when things go wrong in the oven, you just want to pull up the covers and hide.

For a long time, Slade and I have worked opposite schedules. My alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m. and Slade often works late into the night. One morning, I woke early to the smell of baking bread. At least I thought that’s what it was. There was something a little off about the smell, but I couldn’t place exactly what was wrong.

I followed my nose down the stairs and into the kitchen. I looked in the oven and there they were: a dozen muffins, just beginning to blacken. And in the living room just a few feet away: my loving husband, asleep on the couch, just beginning to snore. I guess he was making breakfast for me.

If I had slept a few minutes later, we would have been saying hello to my friend from the fire department again.

We’ve needed to use our kitchen fire extinguisher only one time.

Amazingly, it wasn’t my fault. Slade was browning some very thin tortillas in our counter-top toaster oven. There is a fine line between a warm tortilla and a flaming one. That line was crossed when the toaster-oven caught fire.

Slade grabbed the little red fire extinguisher from our pantry and put the flames out before I even realized what had happened. He even thought to unplug the toaster before he doused it with foam. That’s what someone with real restaurant experience knows to do. If I ever set a kitchen appliance on fire, you can bet it’s not going to end that well.

But I rarely burn anything. Okay, I rarely do anything in the kitchen, so that’s not really so impressive. Actually, in my case, it’s more likely that the food isn’t cooked enough. For a holiday dinner, I once tried to cook a still-frozen turkey. It was just a turkey breast—how long could that take to defrost? Apparently, one more day.

Usually though, if the meat is raw, nobody’s going to actually serve it, let alone eat it. That is, unless I’m in charge.

When my daughter, Lea, was a toddler, she and I ate dinner alone quite often (that opposite schedule thing). I do an excellent job cooking for a twoyear-old because I can boil pasta and grill chicken and make all sorts of other

— Stacey Simms 26

w w w. s t a c e y s i m m s . c o m

26

w w w. s t a c e y s i m m s . c o m

ICC-FINAL.indd 26

ICC-FINAL.indd 26

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

68

w w w. s t a c e y s i m m s . c o m

68

w w w. s t a c e y s i m m s . c o m

7/29/08 1:04:08 PM

ICC-FINAL.indd 68

7/29/08 1:04:08 PM

ICC-FINAL.indd 68

share this

7/29/08 1:05:52 PM

ICC-FINAL.indd 69

I Can’t Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can 69 7/29/08 1:05:58 PM

7/29/08 1:05:52 PM

ICC-FINAL.indd 69

I Can’t Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can 69 7/29/08 1:05:58 PM

year-old because I can boil pasta and grill chicken and make all sorts of other often (that opposite schedule thing). I do an excellent job cooking for a twoWhen my daughter, Lea, was a toddler, she and I ate dinner alone quite alone eat it. That is, unless I’m in charge.

Usually though, if the meat is raw, nobody’s going to actually serve it, let defrost? Apparently, one more day. still-frozen turkey. It was just a turkey breast—how long could that take to the food isn’t cooked enough. For a holiday dinner, I once tried to cook a so that’s not really so impressive. Actually, in my case, it’s more likely that But I rarely burn anything. Okay, I rarely do anything in the kitchen, on fire, you can bet it’s not going to end that well. with real restaurant experience knows to do. If I ever set a kitchen appliance unplug the toaster before he doused it with foam. That’s what someone flames out before I even realized what had happened. He even thought to Slade grabbed the little red fire extinguisher from our pantry and put the a flaming one. That line was crossed when the toaster-oven caught fire. our counter-top toaster oven. There is a fine line between a warm tortilla and Amazingly, it wasn’t my fault. Slade was browning some very thin tortillas in We’ve needed to use our kitchen fire extinguisher only one time. friend from the fire department again.

If I had slept a few minutes later, we would have been saying hello to my couch, just beginning to snore. I guess he was making breakfast for me. in the living room just a few feet away: my loving husband, asleep on the oven and there they were: a dozen muffins, just beginning to blacken. And I followed my nose down the stairs and into the kitchen. I looked in the place exactly what was wrong. what it was. There was something a little off about the smell, but I couldn’t morning, I woke early to the smell of baking bread. At least I thought that’s alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m. and Slade often works late into the night. One

Page 6



Project Profile:

Gunnin’ Birds

by Kroghie Andresen

A collector’s vision: Kroghie Andresen, a retired bank executive, wanted to document a hobby in which he’s been involved for 30 years. He decided that a self-published book would provide the best way to showcase his prized collection of 1,100 duck decoys, as well as to chronicle interesting stories from duck hunters and decoy collectors along the North Carolina coastal region.

From first spark to SPARK Publications: What was the timeframe from when you first had the idea for your book to manuscript completion? 8 years of interviews on the coast, meeting with family members of carvers and hunting club caretakers was necessary to get the old pictures and family histories that the book required.

Why self-publishing? My decision to selfpublish was made due to the complexity of the book; number of images; number of subjects covered in the book; etc. Also, due to the targeted audience, a limited number of retail outlets would be able to sell my book. I chose museums, bookstores, sporting good stores and fishing centers from Virginia Beach, VA to Georgetown, SC as well as along the NC Outerbanks to sell it. I visited each retail outlet personally to establish business relationships. I also used normal national magazines like Decoy Magazine and Hunting & Fishing Collectibles to advertise and sell my book.

I used normal book signing and Waterfowl and Decoy festivals to sell personally. In essence, the marketing required personal involvement.

“The creative team at SPARK Publications took painstaking care with every detail to make sure the design and style were just right. I’m very pleased with the end result.”

— Kroghie Andresen

TULLS CREEK, VILLAGEBODIE & BELLS BODIE ISLAND ISLAND ISLAND TO TO VIRGINIA’S OUTERCURRITUCK BANKS

LOWER BACK BAY &

Jammie Carroll standing outside his shed in the 1940s.

James a. “Jammie” carrOll ( July 17, 1906 to January 3, 1976) was the son of Peter Carroll, a noted guide and market hunter. Peter worked at the Pocahontas Fowling Club in the southern waters of Back Bay. From 1928 to 1940, Jammie worked as a guide there. He was a commercial guide for outside sportsmen for almost thirty years. In total, he hunted the waters of the southern Back Bay over a fifty year period. Jammie knew the waters around the Pocahontas Fowling Club like the back of his hand. He operated two bush blinds in Back Bay called the Carroll Point blinds. One of these locations was very sought after by the Pellitory Club members. They sued him for the rights to the blind, but lost. Jammie also had two blinds on North Landing River. At one time he had over two hundred decoys in his stand. According to family members, he made several stands of “blue pete” and canvas geese.

Sydney White was Jammie’s father-in-law. He borrowed Jammie’s coot decoys in 1977 while hunting the shore blinds east of Knotts Island. Some of these decoys got mixed up with Sidney’s personal stand. Sidney’s relatives sold the entire rig, including the Jammie Carroll coots. Jammie made these decoys during the 1930s and may have made other wooden decoys that haven’t yet been identified. In 1977, some of his canvas geese were recanvased by family members.

It is not known if his father made decoys, but he probably did. Peter’s brother, Malachi Carroll, was known as Three Thumbs since he had two thumbs on one hand. Three Thumbs also made some decoys.

Earl Snowden in the 1950s.

The Jammie Carroll canvas duck and goose decoys had a very distinctive pinched tail. The canvas under the tail was pulled into the vertical structural board tightly, giving the decoy its unique appearance. His coots are outstandingly folksy and appealing to the eye.

At one time Earl Snowden had close to one thousand decoys that he made like these, virtually all were given away.

Jammie Carroll coots, 1940s.

Chapter 2-Gunnin.indd 46

46 | Gunnin’ Birds

8/7/08 4:27:25 PM

| Chapter Two

136 | Gunnin’ Birds Chapter 2-Gunnin.indd

46 | Gunnin’ Birds

Chapter 2-Gunnin.indd 46

| Chapter Two

8/7/08 4:27:25 PM

1940s.

Carroll coots, Jammie



norman BallanCe was born on December 16, 1894, on Bells Island. He became a noted hunting guide and ran the Bells Island Club from 1925 to 1938.

Prior to his employment with the club, he market hunted with his brothers and other hunters on Bells Island. Norman made a few decoys, but his family members have not identified any with certainty. At one time, there were 5,000 decoys in the Bells Island Club decoy shed, stacked up in a long line, almost to the ceiling. Many of them were made by Stant White and his brother Bode White, neighbors of the Ballance family and other makers. The decoys that are left from this stand are in bad shape. The better decoys vanished many years ago. Hopefully, they will surface again and be recognized by admiring collectors.

Pharoah Midgett shorebirds on the beach near Pea Island Refuge.

PhAroAh fArroW midgett

Clayton earl snowden (May 10, 1895 to October 28, 1966) was born and raised in the Currituck County community, Maple, just south of Currituck village.

As a young man, Earl took a job with the Lighthouse Service in Baltimore. He worked there for twenty years until his retirement. He then took his young Drake canvasback. girlfriend, Florence Cramer, back to Maple, where they were married. In 1937, his new wife convinced Earl to build a nice farmhouse. They raised two sons, Aubrey and Richard Gene.

During the 1930s, Earl was a commercial hunting guide and carpenter. He was a good carpenter and worked for several local hunting clubs, including the Bode White Lodge on Churches Island and the Bells Island Hunting Club. Earl worked as a maintenance man with the local school during the off- season. When hunting season started each year, he returned to being a guide. He had several licensed blinds that he used for commercial guiding in Currituck Sound. He carved an estimated one thousand decoys from the mid-1930s through the 1940s. Earl carved canvasback, redhead, and scaup decoys for his personal use. He carved diving duck decoys, because his licensed blinds were out in the open water where the big water ducks would usually go.

When Earl guided at the Bells Island Club during the 1930s and 1940s, Pat O’Neal was also a guide there. According to Aubrey Snowden, Earl and Pat hunted and guided together frequently. They usually hunted together out of Pat’s sinkbox blinds. Their favorite place to deploy the sinkboxes was just north of Monkey Island.

During the 1940s, Earl made fine canvas-covered swans to use as confidence decoys. None of the swans has been identified in collections yet. During his later years, his decoys were stored in a shed behind his house. According to his son Aubrey when anyone came by and wanted an old decoy, he would say, “Go back to the shed and get some decoys.” By the late 1960s he had given away all of the one thousand decoys.

(September 29, 1848 to August 23, 1917) was born and raised in the small community of South Rodanthe, later named Salvo. He married Martha Ann O’Neal, and they had nine children. Several of his sons continued the family tradition and had successful careers in the Coast Guard.

Pharoah was a waterman and carpenter. He did local carpentry work, fished, and clamed commercially for many years. He enjoyed hunting shorebirds, geese, and ducks. He made several stands of shorebird decoys in the late 1800s. The stands were made many years apart, resulting in differing styles. His shorebird hunting took place on the beach, several hundred yards from his house. The marshes and Pamlico Sound were the hunting grounds for geese and ducks. Pharoah probably made geese and duck decoys for this sport, but family members haven’t identified any to date.

A Kill Devil Hills decoy dealer bought the Pharoah Midgett shorebirds found in collections today, from family members in the early 1980s.

| Chapter Three

346 | Gunnin’ Birds

47

Chapter 3-Gunnin.indd 136

Pharoah and wife, Martha Ann Midgett, in the 1870s.

HATTERAS HATTERAS INLET INLET

8/11/08

3:21:17 PM

8/11/08 2:53:18 PM

Back Bay and Knotts Island | 47

Chapter 4-Gunnin.indd

Cecil Midgett in his Coast Guard uniform in 1929.

cecil lAnce midgett ( June 26, 1905 to October 18, 1982) was born and raised in Waves. He grew up hunting and fishing. Cecil enlisted in the Coast Guard in the mid-1920s and left the area for a brief period. Cecil was stationed at the Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station in the late 1920s. He recalled the story about the abundance of shorebirds at the inlet. “The shorebirds were so thick there that all you had to do was throw heavy seashells into them to get a mess to eat. You didn’t need decoys or a gun!”

In 1932, he returned to Waves and married Cedric Miller. Cecil was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1938. He settled down to raise a family and became quite proficient as a carpenter and commercial fisherman.

Times were tough in this remote village, so Cecil carved decoys and built anything to make extra money. According to his son Lance he sometimes had to leave the Outer Banks in the winter to find work.

Pharoah Midgett shorebirds in Pea Island Refuge.

Some Pharoah Midgett shorebirds have a forward sloping head position. Some of these decoys have almost full bodies while some were just flatties. There is an unusual variety of shorebird styles, which was common for the old stands, that were handed down over the years.

The Pharoah Midgett stand may have been carved over a 70 year period.

Dare County | 347 8/8/08

2:16:25 PM

8/8/08 2:16:25 PM

Chapter 4-Gunnin.indd

347

8/8/08

Chapter 4-Gunnin.indd 347

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

the 1940s. shed in outside his Carroll standing Jammie

2:17:04 PM

8/8/08 2:17:04 PM

Dare County | 347

| Chapter Four

The form resembles the John Cannon Waterfield wooden swans. was never delivered. It received little use throughout the years.

This canvas swan was made for use at the Barbers Hill Club but

outstandingly folksy and appealing to the eye. board tightly, giving the decoy its unique appearance. His coots are pinched tail. The canvas under the tail was pulled into the vertical structural The Jammie Carroll canvas duck and goose decoys had a very distinctive

home

These sanderling shorebird decoys have been misidentified as being made by Ammie Hamilton of Carteret County. Cecil Midgett made a stand of these shorebirds for a Raleigh sportsmen in the 1930s. They were never used and later sold at the Raleigh flea market in the late 1970s. Cecil made similar decoys and shorebirds for others from the 1930s to the 1950s. His shorebirds have the typical Outer Banks form but are more stylish than most. It is not known why some of the shorebird decoys are dark brown and others are lighter in color. This is also true for the yellowlegs, so maybe the paint variations were to mimic seasonal plumage differences.

| Chapter Four

346

Chapter 4-Gunnin.indd 346

346 | Gunnin’ Birds

Cecil Midgett, left, and friend in the early 1920s.

one hand. Three Thumbs also made some decoys. known as Three Thumbs since he had two thumbs on probably did. Peter’s brother, Malachi Carroll, was It is not known if his father made decoys, but he canvas geese were recanvased by family members. that haven’t yet been identified. In 1977, some of his 1930s and may have made other wooden decoys Carroll coots. Jammie made these decoys during the relatives sold the entire rig, including the Jammie got mixed up with Sidney’s personal stand. Sidney’s in 1977 while hunting the shore blinds east of Knotts Island. Some of these decoys Sydney White was Jammie’s father-in-law. He borrowed Jammie’s coot decoys and canvas geese. in his stand. According to family members, he made several stands of “blue pete” two blinds on North Landing River. At one time he had over two hundred decoys Club members. They sued him for the rights to the blind, but lost. Jammie also had Carroll Point blinds. One of these locations was very sought after by the Pellitory Club like the back of his hand. He operated two bush blinds in Back Bay called the over a fifty year period. Jammie knew the waters around the Pocahontas Fowling for almost thirty years. In total, he hunted the waters of the southern Back Bay Jammie worked as a guide there. He was a commercial guide for outside sportsmen Pocahontas Fowling Club in the southern waters of Back Bay. From 1928 to 1940,

share this

years. They are unaccounted for today. at the local markets. Vernon made wooden decoys that he gave away over the stop him from carpentry work or raising vegetables and berries which he sold accident in his carpentry shop and cut off four of his fingers. But, this didn’t that were very sought after in the area. During his later years Vernon had an continued to do carpentry work. He specialized in custom-built cabinets When Vernon retired, he lived on Back Landing Road where he these swans became known as the Barbour Hill Club swan decoys. since eight of them surfaced in the 1960s. In the collecting community, to the Barbour Hill Club. Evidently, these were never delivered or used were in the alert position. He made at least ten canvas swans for delivery characterized by his use of heavy canvas and straight up-right heads that canvas geese and swans for his own use and for sale. These decoys were When he got out of the Army in the 1940s, he made a stand of beach and mainland prior to going into the U. S. Army. but his real passion was carpentry. He helped build several houses on the He initially made his living on the water, working for the local hunting clubs, born and raised on the beach side of Back Bay in the community of False Cape. vernon Lee eweLL (February 18, 1918 to February 20, 1983) was

family members in the early 1980s.

Midgett shorebirds found in collections today, from A Kill Devil Hills decoy dealer bought the Pharoah but family members haven’t identified any to date. probably made geese and duck decoys for this sport, the hunting grounds for geese and ducks. Pharoah from his house. The marshes and Pamlico Sound were hunting took place on the beach, several hundred yards years apart, resulting in differing styles. His shorebird decoys in the late 1800s. The stands were made many and ducks. He made several stands of shorebird for many years. He enjoyed hunting shorebirds, geese, local carpentry work, fished, and clamed commercially Pharoah was a waterman and carpenter. He did careers in the Coast Guard. continued the family tradition and had successful and they had nine children. Several of his sons later named Salvo. He married Martha Ann O’Neal, raised in the small community of South Rodanthe, (September 29, 1848 to August 23, 1917) was born and

The Pharoah Midgett stand may have been carved over a 70 year period. was common for the old stands, that were handed down over the years. were just flatties. There is an unusual variety of shorebird styles, which position. Some of these decoys have almost full bodies while some Some Pharoah Midgett shorebirds have a forward sloping head Pharoah Midgett shorebirds in Pea Island Refuge.

Cecil Midgett in his Coast Guard uniform in 1929.

PhAroAh fArroW midgett Pharoah and wife, Martha Ann Midgett, in the 1870s.

Pharoah Midgett shorebirds on the beach near Pea Island Refuge.

seasonal plumage differences. paint variations were to mimic for the yellowlegs, so maybe the are lighter in color. This is also true decoys are dark brown and others known why some of the shorebird more stylish than most. It is not typical Outer Banks form but are 1950s. His shorebirds have the for others from the 1930s to the similar decoys and shorebirds in the late 1970s. Cecil made later sold at the Raleigh flea market 1930s. They were never used and for a Raleigh sportsmen in the made a stand of these shorebirds of Carteret County. Cecil Midgett being made by Ammie Hamilton decoys have been misidentified as These sanderling shorebird

Page 7

leave the Outer Banks in the winter to find work. anything to make extra money. According to his son Lance he sometimes had to Times were tough in this remote village, so Cecil carved decoys and built proficient as a carpenter and commercial fisherman. from the Coast Guard in 1938. He settled down to raise a family and became quite In 1932, he returned to Waves and married Cedric Miller. Cecil was discharged didn’t need decoys or a gun!” that all you had to do was throw heavy seashells into them to get a mess to eat. You about the abundance of shorebirds at the inlet. “The shorebirds were so thick there at the Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station in the late 1920s. He recalled the story Guard in the mid-1920s and left the area for a brief period. Cecil was stationed and raised in Waves. He grew up hunting and fishing. Cecil enlisted in the Coast cecil lAnce midgett ( June 26, 1905 to October 18, 1982) was born

friend in the early 1920s.

Cecil Midgett, left, and



To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a SPARK. ­Victor Hugo

We’ll help you with your book (spelling and all), but please don’t light it on fire…



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 8



SELF-PUBLISH

VS

What’s the Difference?

CUSTOM-PUBLISH

Self-publishing is defined as the publication of a book, magazine or other print media exclusively by the author without the aid of a traditional publishing company.

Custom-publishing combines the marketing needs of a company (or businessperson) with the information needs of its clients or customers. This occurs through the publication of written content in the form of a book, magazine, online publication or other media.

SPARK Publications happily offers both services.



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 9



You’re only given a little SPARK of madness.

You mustn’t lose it.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams and Fabi Preslar share the same birthday (July 21st.)

Hmm…coincidence??



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 10



SPARK Publications wins 3 National APEX Awards for client projects 2010 Apex® Award for Publications Excellence

This national publications industry competition is held annually by the “Writing that Works” Business Communications Report and the Apex awards are recognized nationwide as mark of excellence. The SPARK Publications team and its clients are celebrating the following awards:

Most Improved Magazines Ballantyne Magazine

Best Covers May 2009 PRIDE Magazine

The Bissell Companies’ Ballantyne Magazine was recently restructured and SPARK Publications had the great opportunity to do the redesign.

The redesign and new layout was lead by Larry Preslar, Creative Director. The cover image was photographed by Mark Hanson and Art Directed by SPARK Publications. We congratulate J.J. Bissell for his vision in the re-launch of Ballantyne magazine.

PRIDE Magazine’s Men’s issue featured Richard “Stick” Williams, the YMCA’s first black chairperson on the cover. Mr. Williams’ photo was taken by Greg Briley. Larry Preslar, SPARK Publications’ Creative Director, generated the “Y” logo pedestal as a 3D illustration.

Best Catalogs, Directories Ventures Superbook The Charlotte Chamber’s Melisa LaVergne consolidated several of the 2009 Chamber publications into this wonderful directory and resources guide for Chamber members as well as newcomers to Charlotte. SPARK Publications designed and produced this 256 page Superbook and created the 3D illustration of the complex concept of the Char-lanta region.



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 11



Introducing Amy Trainor Writer, Editor, Organizer and Hand-holder (Extraordinaire) While SPARK Publications still has an excellent core of outsourced talent for large projects, we are now happily offering writing, editing, organizing and pre-production services inhouse thanks to Publications Assistant, Amy Trainor.

Many new authors or companies face the same question when beginning a new publication project: “Where do I begin?”

That’s where Amy steps in.

How she can help you with your project: • Copy writing • Copy-editing and proofing • Pre-production project organization (Organize that stack of photos!)

• “Hand-holding” from “Where do I begin?” to photo organization to final proofing

A LITTLE ABOUT AMY Her past industry experience includes working at a small publisher where she served as both Editor and Client Services Representative.

Notes Amy, “I’m used to wearing many hats.”

QUICK BIO Hometown: West Orange, NJ Hobbies: Taekwondo (black belt!), guitar, acting, hiking, kayaking, writing articles in the 3rd person Fun fact: Prior to working in the publishing and publications industry, Amy worked as a stagehand backstage at some of Charlotte’s largest concert venues. She still thinks authors are cooler (and crazier) than rock stars and would love to talk your ear off about it.

Photos by Deborah Triplet



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 12



I should have worn a dress...

Ooooh... bright shiny object...

When’s dinner?

I can’t believe today ’s my first day at work.*

I’m so hot.

REALLY HOT! ...with this jacket on.

PHOTO BY

MICHAEL

LOBIONDO

*It really was.

All Gussied Up Out on the Town with the SPARK Team

This spring, the SPARK team put on our Tuesday best for a night out on the town. We had a great time chatting with friends and dining in style.

(And we behaved ourselves, we promise.)



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 13



Happy Birthday to SPARK!

12 years o ld

SPARK Team Summer Birthdays: Fabi Preslar July 21st Mindy Kuhn August 6th Larry Preslar August 24th

Gluten free cupcake

SPARK was founded on July 4th, 1998 as SPARK Enterprises and was a home-based business for six years. In 2007, SPARK was repositioned with a new dba–SPARK Publications–to focus on publication design. Today, we are a thriving publication design company proudly celebrating our pre-teen years.

*SPARK Publications: Gluten free since 01/2010.



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 14



Fabi Preslar | Publications Diva My work: SPARK Publicationsdesigning magazines, books, and catalogs.

The most important thing I ever lost: that little part of my brain that made me child-like.

I love: the gal I’m becoming.

The best thing I ever won: independence.

I’m thinking about: my next possible hobby...sewing? fencing?

Bermuda?

I still can’t get the hang of: dressing in-style and social media.

I can’t live without: trees, laughter, love, protein.

One thing I never want to do again: get too close to an alligator or a monkey.

If I could be totally wild, I would: drive off on a Harley crosscountry wearing purple leather pants.

The one item that has changed my life: waterproof mascara.

If I were a superheroine I would be: Ms. FABIulous!

The nickname I wish I had: Ms. Billionaire.

My first job: picking watermelons and cantaloupes in 115 degree S.C. heat.

Best one-liner you ever heard: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

–Margaret Thatcher Early bird or night owl?: Hoot Hoot!

courtesy of skirt magazine photo by Deborah Triplett It all started with a banner decorated with our magazine covers, for Fabi to sit on or wear as a skirt. The final photoshoot resulted in Fabi wearing nothing but a banner. What a trooper!

At the end of a long day, the first thing I want to do is: jump into my pajamas.

Always… Listen to your inner voice.

sometimes she gets…



wrapped up in her work

cover

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 15



Fun Facts about Self-Publishing

1

Book sales currently e represent only 5-10% of the book sales market. That number is expected to increase to 25% by 2012…largely due to the increased popularity and profitability of selfpublishing.

2

Amazon.com is now giving all selfpublished authors 70% of their e-book royalties. (The average royalty received by authors from traditional publishing houses: 10%…and that’s generous.)

3

Bowker Books in Print estimates that 275,232 books were traditionally published in the U.S. in 2008, down from 284,370 in 2007. That’s a decrease of 3.2%.

4

285,394 On Demand (self-published) books were printed in 2008…up from 123,276 in 2007.

That’s an increase of 132%! (And a 462% increase over 2006.)

5

James Joyce, Mark Twain, Margaret Atwood, William Blake, e.e. cummings, W.E.B. Dubois, T.S. Eliot, Walt Whitman, Virginia Woolf, Stephen King, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allen Poe and Ernest Hemingway all selfpublished books during their careers.

It’s your turn! 

home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 16



, ,

... ...and grant.

A

s some of you may know, Larry and Fabi have a daughter named Sofia and Mindy has a daughter named Sophia, as well. It was therefore only appropriate that we hire our newest team member, Juliana, after learning that her daughter’s name is (surprise!)

Sofia. Even more surprising is the fact that Juliana’s Sofia shares a birthday with Mindy’s Sophia. Clearly, it’s a match made in heaven.



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 17



Fruitaholics Anonymous Hello.

We are the SPARK Publications team and we are fruitaholics. It has been approximately two hours since our last “fruit break” and already the troops are getting restless.

All jokes aside, this summer has been one of the hottest on record for the Charlotte area. When it’s so stifling outside that our shoes start melting, the SPARK Publications team reaches for our favorite gluten free* snack: fruit. Whether it’s in raw form, dipped in chocolate (and sprinkles!) or blended up in a smoothie, we just can’t get enough of it.

Recently we sparked (pun intended) a debate about which summer fruit is the most delicious and most refreshing. Fabi felt that blueberries and watermelon were the best, while Mindy argued that peaches were even better. Amy cheered for plums, while Juliana defended melon and mangos. Larry chimed in with peanut M&M’s…realized that those are actually a “vegetable” (his words)…and ultimately settled on kiwis as the best summer fruit of all.

of the five SPARK team * Two members are allergic to wheat.

factoid



home

contents

Can you guess who??

Answer: Fabi Preslar & Mindy Kuhn

interesting

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

What’s your’s?

Help us end the fruit debate once and for all by voting for your favorite summertime fruit:  Blueberry  Watermelon  Peach  Plum  Melon  Mango  Kiwi  …Peanut M&M’s

Page 18



I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK BUT I CAN’T WRITE!

Ghostwriting not in your budget?

That’s ok. Ask a friend or relative to ghostwrite for you. And no matter what, always have your work professionally edited.



home

contents

facebook

twitter

Growing up, I always pictured writers as these really cool, artsy, (moderately crazy) shutins who sat at cute little desks with huge stacks of beautiful parchment sitting next to them as words effortlessly trickled from their frilly pens to paper…

In reality? Writing is hard. And at end of the day, some folks are just not writers. (It’s ok. I’m not a dancer. Seriously, take a look at page 12.)

Should you find yourself suffering from feelings of writing inadequacy, don’t panic. It’s a challenge for more people than you’d think. Just because you’re not a writer doesn’t mean you can’t be an author. In fact, a tremendous percentage of books are ghostwritten – the industry estimate is 50% for nonfiction! – so it’s definitely not uncommon.

A few tips about working with ghostwriters:  Samples: View multiple samples. One is not enough.  Reliability: Ask for a list of references/past clients who can recommend his or her work.  Background check: You don’t need to know a place of birth or credit score, but you should make sure you know who you’re working with.  Make a friend: If a person is going to write in your voice, you better get to know them! Have fun and show your personality. You’re interviewing each other.  Editign Editing: Always have your work professionally edited – even if it’s ghostwritten!

SOUND GOOD? SPARK Publications offers ghostwriter matchmaking services and professional editing services.

Give us a call. We’d love to help make you an author.

email us

share this

Page 19



The artist must create a SPARK before he can make a fire and before art is born, the artist must be ready to be consumed by the fire of his own creation. ­Auguste Rodin

SPARK Publications, feel the burn.



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 20



i WANT ONE!

Where’s Your Newsletter?

SPARK Publications can design and produce a print or online newsletter just like this one for you or your company, event or product.

Contact us at: info@SPARKpublications.com or (704) 844-6080

Do It Now!



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 21



publication

SPARK

A

a quarterly glimpse at SPARK publications

Chief SPARKler/ President1

Humor Coach/Director of All Things Creative:

Head Cheerleader/ Director of Artsyness:

Writer/Editor/ PR and such:

Diseñadora de Producción:

Fabi Preslar

Larry Preslar

Mindy Kuhn

Amy Trainor

Juliana Lievano

700 Matthews Mint Hill Road Matthews, NC 28105 • 844-6080



home

contents

facebook

twitter

email us

share this

Page 22