December Quote of the Month - There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as..... - Charles Dickens

Dicken's Dream by Robert William Buss/Wikimedia

Recently I was talking to a friend, who mentioned that while he had been on hold calling a company, their telephone greeting was offering  information about the company's services. I was intrigued by the idea. It made me think about Cosimo's telephone greeting - although I thought it would take too long to explain our activities, an inspirational message might be appealing. We decided to select a monthly quote from one of our authors, and include it in our voicemail and present it on our blog.

As we're heading towards the holiday season, our quote for this month is by a great author, Charles Dickens, and comes from a truly classic book, A Christmas Carol. The quote is very appropriate as we are approaching the holiday season and something we all need during these dark winterdays:

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."
- Charles Dickens, 1843


Cosimo presents as part of its 30 volume set, The Complete Works of Charles Dickens, a volume with "A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books" both in hard cover and paperback.

Bombing in Cosimo's Chelsea Neighborhood

Chelsea neigborhood in Manhattan

Last Saturday no one  from Cosimo's staff was in Chelsea, the New York neighborhood where our office is located. Luckily no one of us had been wandering around either on 23rd Street, while a self-made bomb exploded on that same street at 8:30pm, a bomb that injured 29 people.

Almost before anything was officially announced, Presidential hopeful Donald Trump already called it a "bombing". He was initially admonished by Hillary Clinton for mentioning the "b" word, but later on she too used it. Later that evening New York Mayor Bill de Blasio referred to it as "an intentional act" and Governor Andrew Cuomo said it was "obviously an act of terrorism." Bottom line was that a senseless bomb exploded in a nice quiet area in Manhattan, known for its restaurants and cafes, its small businesses, its galleries and its gay community. The damage was obviously bad for the injured and, fortunately, not that terrible for the neigborhood. Still, the shock was great.

View of 23rd Street towards 6th Ave.

Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio reviewing the damage

That same evening another bomb was found on 27th Street. Whoever was behind it seemed to have a grudge against the neighborhood or what?  Due to some good police work and not a very smart "terrorist", the latter was arrested two days later in New Jersey: Ahmad Rahami, American citizen and born in Afghanistan.

Thanks to all who expressed their concern and interest in us. Fortunately, we all are fine.

Damage at Orangetheory Fitness
close to our office

Damage at La Maison du Macaron
next to our office 

    

COSIMO ATTENDS NAIBA CONFERENCE: BOOKS, INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES AND MUCH MORE

Cosimo table at NAIBA conference

"People don't read anymore. The printed book will be dead!" Well, these statements have been made for many years now, but the facts seem to tell otherwise. According to Nielsen Book Scan, total units of print books in the U.S. sold to outlets reporting to Nielsen, were 635 million in 2014, an increase of 2.4% over 2013 and the best numbers since 2010.

"Bookstores are disappearing, especially the independents." That too seems not to be the case - although I have a hard time finding one in my Manhattan neighborhood -.  A New York Times article earlier this year stated that:  

"...in the U.S. independent bookstores have rebounded strongly from the financial crisis, increasing their numbers by 27 percent since 2009. ......The American Booksellers Association's chief executive, Oren Teicher, said American indie bookshops have filled the vacuum left by big box bookstores like Borders (which went out of business in 2011) and Barnes & Noble (which has closed hundreds of stores). They have also capitalized on a spirit of localism and urban renewal that is coursing through some American cities. “The enthusiasm and optimism is pretty staggering,” Mr. Teicher said. “Despite all the quantum leaps in technology, the fact is nothing beats a physical, bricks-and-mortar store to discover books that you didn’t know about.”

Against this backdrop of revitalized book sales and growing independent bookstores, Cosimo attended this weekend the New Atlantic Book Sellers Association ("NAIBA") Conference in Somerset, New Jersey, a regional trade show that celebrates independent bookselling, Even though....

The Changing Role of Publishers

Every day there are new views and discussions about the changing role of publishing, While browsing for the latest developments, I found this August, 2014 article "Authors should back Amazon in the battle with Hachette" by John Kay in The Financial Times. Kay's article is about change, the value of publishers and the strengthened role of authors. He describes the ebook controversy between Amazon and Hachette, which last summer was still unresolved after months of negotiations, and he disagrees with a group of leading Hachette authors who wrote an open letter intervening in that dispute. Kay believes the authors should understand that they are benefiting from Amazon's technology and distribution capabilities. Although the dispute between Hachette and Amazon has been resolved (see this November article in The New York Times,) Kay makes some worthwhile points. In his view it's all about change and how publishers and authors - and readers for that matter - deal with this ongoing change in the publishing landscape. He states (underlining added by undersigned):

"....Established companies in all industries are inhibited in their response to radical change by vested interests inherent in their existing business models. Music publishers tried to block new technologies, and were marginalised by better-run businesses: Apple, Walmart and Spotify. Book publishers responded initially with dismal reproductions on screen of their printed books. When these failed to sell, they retired into protecting the status quo........... 

....The role of the book publisher has been based on control of access to channels of distribution. The ambition of the aspirant author has always been to “get published”. Along with the decision as to what should be published, the company has traditionally provided a collection of associated services: identification, support and finance of the underlying literary project, editing of the draft manuscript, and marketing and promotion of the finished work. But the large conglomerates that have come to dominate publishing are run by people who love money more than they love books. These support-activities have been cut back in the interest of maximising the revenue, from control of access to distribution. "

Kay continues by saying:

"......Today’s bestseller lists are filled with imitations of books that have already been successful; footballer’s memoirs, celebrity chefs, vampires and female-oriented erotic literature."  I couldn't agree more, how many more celebrity chefs and recipes do we actually need?

".......Such publishers are ill-placed for the new environment. I do not know the extent to which the printed book will remain extant in two decades. But enough eBooks are already being sold to signify that being published by a company such as Hachette or Penguin Random House  is no longer critical."

In my view, Kay would be surprised to see how many printed books will still be sold and read twenty years from now, but at the same time it's clear that authors increasingly will find multiple ways to get published, also thanks to the advent of eBooks.

"What matters to the success or failure of a book is the quality of conception and execution of the underlying project, the competence of the editing, and the effectiveness of marketing and promotion. Most new self-published titles fail these tests; in particular, the lack of a competent editor is often obvious. But this is also true of many titles now published by established houses.

Some existing publishers will thrive on the basis of their strengths in author support services. But most will not. Savvy and well-advised authors, often helped by agents, will be able to buy editing and marketing skills with the receipts from a much larger share of the sales proceeds than the traditional royalty model allows. "

Kay ends as follows:

"Change is rarely an unequivocal benefit. But the (Hachette) authors who signed the open letter have missed the most significant business consequence of the evolution of the book industry. The author will now be placed where he or she should be – in charge."


Notwithstanding my agreement with several points Kay is making, I don't believe that every author wants to do everything by themselves and I believe they will need support and expertise from professionals. Neither is every author a Stephen King who can fund and execute his own publishing activities better than even big publishers. Biased and hopeful as I am, I believe that Cosimo is one of those publishers that are well-placed for the future and will continue to expand its role as publishing partner and supporter of our authors, new and old.

What do you think about the changing role of publishers and the future of publishing? Have a look at what some publishers said at last year's London Book Fair, and let me know what you expect for 2015 and beyond.

Dialogues praised as "excellent source of insight and wisdom"

Author Alvaro Bizziccari published Dialogues with My God Self with Cosimo in October of 2012. We were delighted to see someone post their review of the book on Amazon's and Barnes & Noble's store pages.

After providing a brief summary of Bizziccari's approach to his subject matter, the reviewer then explains why he finds Dialogues to be such a useful addition to the philosophical discussions it takes part in.

As a Doctor of Philosophy, Bizzicccari is erudite on these essential mysteries of humanity; mankind has asked the questions found in Dialogues with My God Self for as far back as history records, and probably much farther.  Philosophers, mystics, teachers, wise men, have all done their best to provide answers.  Bizzicccari draws from the many works provided by these pilgrims in metaphysics to organize and document the wisdom of the ages into ‘Dialogues.’ And, based on the excellence of this undertaking, perhaps Bizzicccari also incorporates a bit of his own dialogues with his god-self.  

We hope that if you are asking God and yourself big questions, you pick up Dialogues with My God Self and are equally inspired by this "excellent source of information, insight, and wisdom."

The Dissector in the News

Danny Schechter has been busy lately, promoting his new books, talking about the upcoming election, the economy, and in general forcing us all to pay attention to what's really going on in the world.

In case you haven't gotten your media fix, here are two more offerings from Mr. Schechter. The first is an article he posted last week to the Huffington Post about money's influence in politics, particularly on election campaigns.Check it out for the scoop on how Republican and Democratic candidates are using--and making--those bucks.

Second is a radio interview about Danny's new book, Blogothon: Reflections and Revelations from the News Dissector, on AM 1510's Revolution Boston. You can download and listen to the entire interview here.

Be sure to stay tuned next week for more info about Danny's new book!

Cosimo’s Classic of the Month: A book from the 19th Century Martha Stewart.

In the interest of spring cleaning Cosimo has chosen a classic that would make Martha Stewart proud: Mrs. Beeton's Cookery Book and Household Guide by Isabella Mary Beeton.  Mrs. Beeton was the 19th century's Martha Stewart, and she is responsible for organizing the rules of domestic life into the first easy-to-follow guide. She was a British writer who caused a sensation in 1861 when she published her guide to proper Victorian housekeeping, known under various unofficial titles, including Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management.

Though you may have your doubts this book is still highly useful today. Beeton's tome is a masterly compendium of practical information, and covers such essential topics as:

• recipes of cooking all manner of meat, fish, vegetable, pudding, and pastry
• hints on the proper arrangement of a functional kitchen
•  ideas for table decorations (including the correct way to fold napkins)
• tips for carving poultry
• charts on the seasons and prices (in the 1800s, of course) of all manner of edibles

This charming replica of the "new and greatly enlarged" 1890 edition features all of the original diagrams, illustrations, menus, lists, and other particulars and minutiae that made this work so beloved in its day, and continues to ensure its popularity today. Organizers, neat freaks, home makers, and Martha Stewart enthusiasts will love this easy to follow guide into Victorian home making.

Joining the 1% for the Planet Family

Cosimo is always looking for new ways to help the planet and reinforce our mission to create a smart and sustainable society by connecting people with valuable ideas. So our decision to join 1% for the Planet and it's beneficial work was a simple one.  Read our formal announcement about joining the 1% for the Planet family.

Book review Dare to Care: Why Our Current Financial Crisis is a Crisis of Consciousness

Dare to Care: A Love Based Foundation for Money and Finance has received yet another review. Maddy Harland co-founder and editor of Permaculture Magazine (www.permaculture.co.uk) has written the review which can be found here.  The review discusses confronting the world's financial issues and what a care based economy would look like, based on what Louis Bohtlingk describes in his book and comes to a positive conclusion that not only is Bohtlingk's system a possibility, it would serve the greater good. Read it!

Message from Author Louis Bohtlingk

We recently published the book Dare to Care: A Love Based Foundation for Money and Finance by Louis Bohtlingk. While the book discusses a financial system in which caring is more valuable than monetary gain, Louis and his organization Care First World, continue to uphold and teach this method. If you'd like to know more check out his newsletter or watch the video above. 

March's Book of the Month Falls in Line with National Reading Month and Women's History Month

March is women’s history month and national reading month. Combining both of those themes, Cosimo picked The Power of Yin, Celebrating Female Consciousness by Hazel Henderson, Barbara Marx Hubbard, and Jean Houston. When three of the most influential feminist philosophers of the 1970s meet over two weekends to discuss the challenges facing society in the late 20th century, it’s an event that should be documented. Their revelatory, inspiring conversations were reproduced into a fresh and relevant book.  This book has an uplifting spiritual perspective on the human experience and uniquely feminine approach to interacting with the universe, which fit perfectly into this month’s overall celebrations. 

The Power of Yin is more than a brilliant conversation. It is an invitation to women and men everywhere to express their own genius and empower their highest values and goals, to seek out others who attract them in this quest for personal development, to form ever deeper friendships, and to join together in spirit and in action to help evolve the human community on planet Earth. 

HAZEL HENDERSON is a world-renowned futurist, evolutionary economist, and consultant on sustainable development. JEAN HOUSTON is advisor to UNICEF in human and cultural development, and a principal founder of the Human Potential Movement. BARBARA MARX HUBBARD is president of the Foundation for Conscious Evolution and a cofounder of Washington D.C.'s Committee for the Future.

Collection of Books on the Rich Culture and Heritage of the Middle East

While the Arab Spring is still unfolding, tensions with Iran rising, the crisis in Syria deepening, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan only winding down, the media hardly pay attention to the Middle East as a region with a rich culture and a long history.  With this cultural richness in mind, Cosimo in cooperation with Fanack, an independent website providing information on the Middle East, is proud to announce the launch of a collection of classic books about the Middle East.

The titles cover a range of genres, such as Ancient Egypt, Ancient Near East, Islam, History, Literature, and Biography, and include popular and also less well-known authors. Among the many titles offered by Cosimo to interested readers and Middle Eastern experts alike, some of the titles are:

- Baghdad:During the Abbasid Caliphate by Guy Le Strange

- The Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80 by Archibald Forbes

- Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petraea and the Holy Land by John Lloyd Stephens

- Sir John Chardin’s Travels in Persia by Sir John Chardin

-  A Literary History of the Arabs by R.A. Nicholson

- The Codes of Hammurabi and Moses by W.W. Davies

- The Story of the Moors in Spain by Stanley Lane-Poole

- The Alchemy of Happiness by Al-Ghazzali

With newly designed covers and an array of subjects covered the Middle East Collection will intrigue any reader of history, literature, language, or ancient text. Visit Cosimo's website to find about more about the titles offered in this extensive collection.

ABOUT FANACK

FANACK, Chronicle of the Middle East & North Africa, is an independent organization which aims to provide facts and analysis on the Middle East and North Africa, its history, politics, society, economy and culture. Fanack emphasizes the importance of knowledge and easy access to information. Its website, fanack.com, offers texts in both Arabic and English.

ABOUT COSIMO CLASSICS

COSIMO CLASSICS offers distinctive titles by the great authors and thinkers throughout the ages. Cosimo Classics, based in New York, is an imprint of Cosimo, a specialty publisher of books and publications that inspire, inform and engage readers. Cosimo’s mission is to create a smart and sustainable society by connecting people with valuable ideas. We offer authors and organizations full publishing support, while using the newest technologies to present their works in the most effective and timely manner.