Make a Profit with Your Passion: Starting a Home-Based Art Business

Average customer rating:
Make a Profit with Your Passion: Starting a Home-Based Art Business
Diane Dobson-Barton
Manufacturer: Artist-how-to
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

Small Homes & Cottages | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist, 5th ed.: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul

ASIN: 0977113418
Release Date: 2005-08-26

Book Description

Whether you are an artist just considering a career in art, or have been doing it for a number of years, giving direction to a home-based art business can be a huge challenge. In Profit with Your Passion, Diane breaks it down for you in manageable steps, and helps to direct you to the art career that is right for you. This encouraging step-by-step guide explains how to Explore and decide the art career path that is right for you Set up a home-based business work area Create goals to give yourself direction Write a business plan Explore marketing avenues to find the path that works for you Put together a clear and impressive artist’s packet, resume, and webpage Deal with time management and stress Filled with humor, insight and the knowledge of practical experience, Profit with Your Passion helps you to make the right career choices to fit your life. Here are the practical questions and worksheets to simplify the process.

Book Description

The curse of the bloodworm is what keeps Manji alive -- slit his throat or stab him in the heart and those mystical worms will force his body to heal. This immortal curse will not be lifted until Manji has killed one thousand evil men. Manji`s female companion, Rin, finds the treasured sword of her destroyed Mutenichi-ryu dojo (school of swordsmanship). The ronin who has it must have been involved in the destruction of the school -- and that means that Manji could be one step closer to ending his curse. If you like ninja action, Hiroaki Samura`s Blade of the Immortal will keep you on edge.

Customer Reviews:

The Burden of Forever.......2002-10-15

Having been introduced to Rin and Manji in Volume 1 ('Death of a Thousand'), and given a taste of the nature of their confrontation with the Itto-Ryu sword school, we now enter the real rhythm of the story telling. At first glance, we are tempted to write this off as yet another samurai slasher, with its clear-cut division between good and evil. But Hiroaki Samura has other plans, and 'Cry of the Worm' is his first step in muddying the waters.

In the first episode ('The Fanatic'), Rin sees Magatsu Taito, one of the assassins, having her dead father's sword sharpened. When she voices her outrage, she catapults Manji into another fight sequence, this time to recover the weapon. Manji's method of regaining the sword is painful (to say the least), and young Rin begins to understand that her desire for vengeance has a price.

Manji's immortality depends on a type of bloodworm that cares for its host by healing all wounds. Manji has yet to deal with the long-term effects of gift, and is not completely prepared when he meets Erika Shizuma, another Itto-Ryu at a way station inn. Shizuma tries to involve Manji in a plot to overthrow the leader of the Itto-Ryu. Properly suspicious, Manji refuses, and in the following scuffle discovers that Shizuma is also infected with the worms.

The conflict between Manji and Shizuma become an inquest into the realities of immortal life. He is a mirror that forces Manji to look at own commitments. In addition, he provides a somewhat different insight into the Itto-Ryu than we have had so far. If their tactics are grim, their motives are not completely selfish. They are a natural reaction to the excessive complexities of the sword school system and the excesses of the samurai class, which is more about show and politics than it is about the disciplines of fighting.

In this second volume of the series, we are not so much asked to resolve the questions as to take note of them. As this series builds, the violence of the quest will play in counterpoint to these musings about meaning. Gradually the inner dialog will play a more and more vital part.

AMAZING.......2002-03-07

This is a beautiful manga. It is very interesting and the art is spectacular. It has a pencil sketched quality to it and is very unique. The plot is also one of the best I've ever read. . This may be a manga for guys but that doesn't mean that females can't enjoy this as well. The fight scenes are detailed (though sometimes confusing with the sketch pictures) and really fun to read.

WARNING Blade of the Immortal is about a guy that is....umm....immortal. That means he won't die. That means the bad guys are gonna do all in their power to kill him, slash him, decapitate him, stab him and so forth. VERY GORY is what I'm getting at.

The story is basically about Manji who had these worms put in him that make you immortal. They won't go away until he atones for his sins of killing 100 of the good guys (self defense I swear) by killing a thousand bad guys. He meets Rin who needs his help to avenge her parents who were murdered right before her eyes.

The thing that really holds this series together are the characters. Even the ones that are supposedly evil u find are not really evil but human. You almost don't want them to fight and get killed by the main guy, but then again u do because they are responsible for something horrible. You also feel immediately at home with nearly every other character introduced even after only a couple of pages.

This book Volume two, Cry of the Worm is my personal favorite. It was at my public library and the first I ever read of this great series. Rin finds a sword that once belonged to her father being owned by some (really cool, kinda looks like Vagita from DBZ only more realistic looking) samurai and she'll do anything to get it back. Later on they meet up with another immortal guy who wants Manji dead and being immortal himself he knows just the thing to do Manji in.

A great story.......2002-02-02

Plot wise, this is perhaps the strongest of the BOTI series. The villain is almost likeable, yet thoroughly hateable, and the end fight is imaginative. Kudos to Samura for this one.

The best manga translation on the stands........2000-08-15

I stumbled onto "Blade of the Immortal" translations in comic book format. Attracted by the art, and the unusally deep dialogue between the opponents (as dramatic as Kazou Kioke's "Lone Wolf and Cub", but much more up-to-date in sensibility and subject matter) I immediately began looking for back issues, which was difficult. Many retailers don't seem to order many issues of this book. Fortunately the trade paperbacks started coming out soon after.

"Blade of the Immortal" starts off as a fairly typical samurai revenge story, with some unusual horror movie twists. We meet Manji, a guilt-ridden outlaw and expert swordsman, who is cursed with an odd form of immortality. No matter how grievously he is injured, he cannot die. Manji makes a deal with a magical buddhist nun. He will gain the release of death, if he slays 1000 evil men. Soon we meet Rin, a young girl, the daughter of a swordsmanship teacher who witnessed the horrific murder of her parents at the hands of the Itto-Ryu, a renegade sword school. Tortured by nightmares, she seeks revenge, but realizing she has no hope of surviving a direct confrontation with even one Itto-Ryu swordsman, she convinces Manji to serve as her bodyguard and stand in. Taking up Rin's quest seems a perfect confluence of both of their desires: her need to put her parents memory to rest, his to earn his redemption.

The stories take you through dramatic encounters with various members of the sword school. All are dangerous swordsmen with unique styles of combat. Some are quite literally monsters. Each has a unique story, an unique reason for having become a renegade, and this becomes the source of much thought provoking drama before, during and after the battles. All are memorable characters, in particular Shimuzu (Book Two: "Cry of the Worm"), a fellow immortal and Maki, a swordswoman forced into prostitution who fights like the wind (Book 3: "Dreamsong").

Harioki Samura has great timing, the panel layouts make the fight scenes breathtaking and exciting. Also wonderful is the developing relationship between Manji and Rin, a kind of older brother, little sister dynamic that lends the book much humor and necessary warmth (given the bloodiness of the battles).

Beginning with "Rins Bane" (Book 4) Rin's internal debate about the morality and human costs of her quest, takes center stage, and make this one of the deepest and most interesting books to cross the Pacific in years. There's still plenty of action, and the relationship between Rin and Manji continues to deepen, but it's the debates about the sanity of the bushido code, about memory, about filial duty, and hints of political intrigue to come, that make this book an thought provoking and engrossing read.

If you have any taste for the high drama and action, as well as the deeper issues running through comic books like "the Authority", you have to give "Blade" a try. This is the best dramatic manga translation I've read, and it compares favorably with "Lone Wolf & Cub" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion". I really don't think you will be disappointed.

Manga Collector.......2000-06-02

Blade of the Immortal: Cry of the Worm, was the first manga I read in the series. It is also one of the first manga I started out with when I began my collection of Japanese anime. I find that the artist is decent and respectable, not to mention suspenseful. Despite that I came upon the second in the series of the trade paperbacks, did not ruin the plot at all. All elements are revisited enough so that the words have depth behind them, but not too much that it ruins the current story and takes to much time. Every character seems well thought out and intricate, each with thier own history to bring to the main plot. Not all bad guy/ good guy roles are clear cut. Which makes this the thinking person's manga. The mix of tradition, history, fantasy, comic relief, and superb art pulled me out of this world and into that one. The art is so visually effective that one will realize that it's not just drawings in a book. Subtle morals in the book make the reader parallel feudal Japan with the modern world. The translation is good, but I can just imagine the effect each panel would have in the original Japanese. I recommend this for anyone who is looking for a masterpiece of work to become the trophy of thier collection.

Product Description

The comic-spawned Spider-Man franchise, despite its pop status, demonstrates important trends in literature. It raises numerous key questions for developing a better understanding of literary elements and devices. How, for example, do writers involved with the franchise reconcile divergent plotlines and characterizations that appear in multiple serials, and in a number of concurrent depictions of the hero in comic series, television series and films? Readers may be surprised to realize that Shakespeare grappled with similar topics in his Henry VI series, and, for instance, in the character Falstaffs reemergence from death in The Merry Wives of Windsor. This textbook inspires a greater appreciation for literature by studying important literary themes found in comics. By deconstructing comics, it raises critical thinking about literature, a crucial skill for understanding language and composition. Chapters discuss DC, Marvel and other comics varied attempts at portraying race, politics, economics, business ethics and democracy; responses to the Cold War and the events of September 11; and portrayals of prisons and capital punishment. Each chapter offers a series of questions that stimulate further reading, writing and discussion. Photographs are included as well.

Customer Reviews:

Marvel'ously Unique.......2007-02-07

A delightful read for English majors, I should think, as it proceeds much like a very long essay with all the intellectual humor of an "A" student. While sometimes long-winded and repetitive, the publication maintains interest through what is perhaps the most academically under-assessed literary genre in our pop-culture. Kahan and Stewart's knowledge behind comic books and graphic novels impressively highlights the historical, political, social, religious, and sometimes philosophical themes behind past and present forms of the most renowned superheroes. Movies, television series, cartoons, and recreations are all brought out to the challenge of what themes changed and which stayed the same.

Some desireables would be: to improve the organization of ideas and to add more current comic book titles to those reviewed.

With proper permission and research, I think there's room and interest for a sequel.

Book Description

As luxurious as it is decadent, it is host to lush and extravagant galas, aglitter with the rich and famous, overrun by exotic cars, rife with crazed body builders,peopled by agents scoffing at nine-figure deals, and haunted by greed, ambition, and despair. Devastated by earthquakes, it is even more gloriously rebuilt. But beneath it all echo the cries of infants murdered by drug addicted parents, husbands who kill themselves in hotel rooms, and marriages broken over bank accounts. From the best to the worst, Donald Rawley offers it all up in a sprawling book that captivates the reader with its devastating honesty.

Customer Reviews:

The Good, The Bad and The Incoherent.......2006-07-26

I picked this book up in a dollar store after reading the first paragraph and being amazed at the evocative, sensual prose.

But after the twentieth paragragh, I was completely disillusioned. The author presents himself as a near-god, a cream-of-the-crop Hollywood insider so removed from his readers as to make them feel unappreciated and less than privy to the wonders of the Hollywood backstage.

The prose is littered with erotic, beautiful descriptions and poetic concepts, but those parts are often drowned out by the din of other, less coherent passages. In short, it was a challenging book to finish.

You have to live in LA to understand this book..........2006-03-09

That's basically the bottom line. I've lived in Los Angeles all of my life. I've frequented Hollywood and some of the other star studded places glamorized all over the movie star scene. I was even lucky enough to attend a party at a famous movie stars house. Donald hit the nail on the head with this book. It describes the rich and the famous of Hollywood to a tee. I found it to be a great read since I am an avid reader of Hollywood and celebrity gossip columns. I think some people are just a little curious about how their lives tick. I think he covered just about every aspect of the Hollywood elite. In my opinion, it was a well written observance of life in the shoes of the rich, famous, infamous, and those striving to be as such. I wouldn't expect a grade A review from someone who lives somewhere other than Los Angeles or CA for that matter.

How good is the book? I couldn't even finish it........2000-05-11

While on vacation, I picked up this book looking forward to one of my favorite subjects. Frankly, I was so disappointed I didn't finish the book and went back to my others. For that reason, don't look at this review as conclusive. But I love to read and this is one of the few books I ever started and didn't finish so be forewarned.

Book Description

Easy-to-read, simplified arrangements of music from well-known ballets. Eleven melodies for piano with chord symbols.

Average customer rating:

Utter rubbish

Good way to define and expound one's Character and Campaign

Interesting idea that fell way short

Better than 2nd Edition, but could have been more.

Your either Love this, or you hate it

Player's Option: Skills & Powers (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Rulebook)
Dale Donovan , and Doug Niles
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Player's Option: Combat & Tactics (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd Edition, Rulebook/2149)

Player's Option: Spells and Magic (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd Edition, Rulebook/2163)

TOME OF MAGIC (Advanced Dungeon and Dragons/2nd Edition : Accessory Rule Book)

Monstrous Manual (AD&D 2nd Ed Fantasy Roleplaying Accessory, 2140)

The Complete Fighter's Handbook

ASIN: 0786901497

Customer Reviews:

Utter rubbish.......2000-12-17

I`ve played AD&D for many years and I must say that this is one of the worst books I`ve ever seen published by TSR.

The massacre they`ve done with those subabilities is downright silly.In my opinion it`s nothing more than an excuse for some minimaxing.

The new character point system - well, I really need to say a few words about this.Halflings with detect magic innate ability, getting extra points for not using certain armor types - that is really absurd.This also goes for the new mastery rules.(In fact this mastery stuff is a much more complicated question.If you use PHB rules that only fighters can specialize and,hence, become masters with a weapon, you get vastly more powerful fighters in comparison to other warriors.But if you allow all warriors to become masters, then the balance is shifted to the other side.Not to mention what happens if you use that absurd optional rule that ALL classes can specialize in a weapon).

The only reason I gave this book one star is the new proficiency system.I think it`s much more logical than the old one - the checks don`t depend solely on the abilities anymore.

All in all - look at the title.

Good way to define and expound one's Character and Campaign.......2000-08-26

This Book is great, yes there are errors but that is to be expected in a large book. You have to push past all that look too the content. This book has so many possibilities that every time you create a character you can make it different. Also it has great spells for priest and Wizard a like. Advisory to GM's I being a player and a Fledgling GM have found with skills and Powers you can Minmax a character fairly quickly. You can also personalize a character too where they are completely different and unique. Lets face it, new players want to play characters that are unique and have depth. This book is a must for all it's aspects from armor info, crit tables and extra combat rules. ENJOY!!!!

Interesting idea that fell way short.......2000-06-28

I bought this book, thinking it would help my character creation and turn out some amazing and fun characters. Unfortunately, the character point system is confusing, and unimaginative. You may, if you'd like to, buy these character points! The psionicist section is the only part of the book that interests me. It is a vast improvement from the complete psionicist handbook (although you'll have to buy that is you want all of the powers and devotions). If there are psionicists in your group but you didn't like the psionic handbook, get this book. Otherwise, don't bother.

Better than 2nd Edition, but could have been more........2000-06-01

My gaming group owns two different copies of this book. One is a first printing and the other is a second printing, both in hardback. The second printing is more concise than the first, but there are still plenty of ambiguous paragraphs where you simply hand the book to a lawyer and ask for an interpretation. But it's still better than the first printing of the book, which we use under the short leg of the table. There are more errors, omissions, and conflicting passages than in the US tax code. Example: first printing does not give a limit to the number of points that can be gained from taking disadvantages. Second printing, if you read far enough, eventually says that the limit is 15 points. When this discrepency was found, half of our group had used one printing and the other half had used the other, and the differences in the characters created was fairly extreme.

Despite the problems, we still use Skills and Powers more than the Player's Handbook, mostly because of the ability to customize the characters with different abilities. One note however, when customizing wizards and clerics, I've found that you're better off using Spells and Powers as your primary source.

The updated psionics chapter was a nice touch, and I realize it was meant for Dark Sun more than anything else, but it would have been nice if they had updated to a system that was still mostly compatible with the Monstrous Compendium entries, as opposed to having to completely revamp a psionic creature so that it is consistent with our psionicist PC before being able to use it.

Your either Love this, or you hate it.......2000-01-24

Seems like you either LOVE this book, or you HATE it. It is one of the few supplements that has anything on Psionics, which is rather nice since I am a Psionicist in in a Greyhawk (not Dark Sun) campaign. However, no matter what your view on the book, you have to be careful not to allow super characters. Also, you might want to take a look at Player's Option: Combat and Tactics.

Book Description

This book will guide marketers into the world of positioning and selling products and services. The authors lead the reader step by step through the process of developing a marketing campaign. They offer detailed descriptions of more than a hundred marketing tools from contests to affinity programs, from direct mail to billboard advertising. Anecdotes, graphics, and rules of thumb are also included.

Customer Reviews:

this is NOT true guerilla marketing.......2006-12-13

The authors' use of the term "guerilla marketing" is completely inaccurate. This book is about TRADITIONAL media -- guerilla marketing is the complete opposite. It was also written in 1994, before the advent of the commercialized Internet, so it's a very very very old school approach to advertising. It has some good information about traditional advertising for small businesses, but most of the reference information is way out of date. If you're looking for subversive, alternative approaches to marketing, read "Under The Radar" by Bond & Kirshenbaum instead.

Timeless tactics for small businesses.......2005-08-05

The beauty of this book is that most of the tactics inside it are as relevant and useful today as they were 20 years ago. I first got this book when my professor (a highly succesful multi-millionaire) recommended it to me. He said it was as good as any Marketing degree. Well I have my Marketing degree and would have to agree with him. The best promotional campaign is the one that costs the least but gets the most results. That is what you have here. This is especially helpful for small niche businesses. Those types of businesses can really take advantage of this book.

It is admittedly weak on the web side of things but I have never really found that to be a very useful avenue for anyone but the major players that can afford to buy costly advertising. No this is for small businesses that do most of their deals face to face.

Easy money.......2005-08-04

This book is great. It's easy enough to follow for the complete layman but inciteful enough for the experienced entrepreneur. I would recomend this book to anyone with a business of their own or just a passion for sales and marketing.

original marketers.......2005-04-17

there are countless copycat books on publicity and marketing. if you can't learn pr traditionally, then this is the next best thing. levinson and godin practices what they preach. both are well known around the world. their books are well known and classes are well attended. do not be fooled by others claiming they are pr experts when they are not well known or do not have any well known students or products.

Too Old.......2004-06-09

The information in this book is too old.

Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians and Bands on a Budget (Revised & Updated)

Average customer rating:

Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians and Bands on a Budget (Revised & Updated)
Bob Baker
Manufacturer: Spotlight Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Business | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 097148385X
Release Date: 2007-04-02

Product Description

The classic guide to independent music promotion -- now revised and updated! With this manual, you'll discover that music marketing doesn't have to be expensive or flashy to be effective. Whether you're promoting a fast-growing indie band, record label or solo act from your basement, the "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" gives you the tools you need to get the most out of your music career. Within these pages you'll find: - Dozens of simple, high-impact ways to promote yourself, your band or your new release - Tips on how to double your music sales (in 90 days or less) - 25 ways to finance your next recording project, music video or major equipment purchase - The 29 most important elements in creating sizzling music publicity materials. Don't create great music in the dark. Get the "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" today. It's already helped thousands of artists get more exposure and generate more gigs and CD sales. Now it's your turn to soak up these ideas and put them to work for you.

Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands

Average customer rating:

Get's you going
Some good advice
Not worth it
This Book Is A Must Own For Aspiring Musicians
A MUST HAVE for all musicians!

Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands
Bob Baker
Manufacturer: Spotlight Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Business | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0971483809

Book Description

201 Do-It-Yourself Music Promotion Tips

With this manual, you'll discover that music marketing doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. Whether you're promoting a fast-growing indie band or a one-man or one-woman act from your basement, the "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" gives you the tools you need to get the most out of your music career.

Within these pages you'll find:

• Dozens of Simple, High-Impact Ways to Promote Yourself, Your Band or Your New Release • Tips on How to Double Your CD Sales (in 90 Days or Less) • 25 Ways to Finance Your Next Recording Project, Music Video or Major Equipment Purchase • The 29 Most Important Elements in Creating a Killer Press Kit • And Lots More

Customer Reviews:

Get's you going.......2007-08-08

I do a lot of local promotion in the detroit area and had borrowed this book from a friend a couple months ago and it was very helpful. It gave me a lot of great ideas how to promote one of our upcoming releases which did a lot better than the previous. The book is kinda inspiring too which is really helpful to keep you up beat and rocking the city about what you're doing.

Some good advice.......2006-12-21

This book gives some good advice but like the previous reviewer said it doesn't go into enough details. I would much prefer a book that would give more step by step instructions (I guess I am just a linear thinker). I also think there could have been more on internet marketing as that seems to be the best way to go these days.

All in all a good resource but you will probably need more than just this to really get going.

Not worth it.......2006-11-10

I was originally looking forward to the new ideas to promote myself when I purchased this book but many of these ideas have nothing to do with promotion so this book could have served a better service had it only had 100 ideas and gave a little more detail into each.

This Book Is A Must Own For Aspiring Musicians.......2006-11-04

If you are in a band or you're thinking of starting one, this is the book for you. However, if you're a songwriter/composer like myself, it mainly serves as a good resource to have for web site ideas and some marketing ideas. Most of the content in this book is in reference to bands and the needs of a band. Still, I highly recommend it to anyone that's looking to boost/add to their musical aspirations.

A MUST HAVE for all musicians!.......2006-07-10

Bob Baker is the guru of Music Marketing--the Business part of Music Business.

Too many musicians create a great cd and put on a great show but nothing ever becomes of them and they give up early--is this you?

And we all know of bands with minimal talent who have major success and make some major cash--and wonder why.

Bob Baker has the creative ideas to take your band from struggling to successful. Just one idea will pay the price of this book.

I have been helping with my own brother's musical career--and Bob's ideas are part of the reason that he is able to be a full time muscian and not work that boring job at the mall. Thanks Bob!

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books