Groundwaters Publishing, LLC

The “Journey” Issue is Out!

Well, the Fall 2009 issue of Groundwaters is printed and distributed. We’re finding it really hard to keep our distribution sites stocked this time and I’m afraid that we are going to run out of our allotted issues before this month is even done. That’s a two-edged sword… I’m certainly glad that it is so popular, but it also means that the racks will be empty for two more months before a new issue comes out.

We’ve used all of our grant funds provided us by the Oregon Country Fair this past year and until we can get additional grant funding, we need to strictly adhere to our limits on the number of copies we print each issue. We’ve allotted ourselves three toner cartridges for each at a cost of ~$170 per cartridge. I usually get about 600 copies out of the three cartridges, depending on how well they stretch. We’ve printed all 600 of them and have distributed over 500 of them through subscriptions, distribution sites and restocks. The remaining ones aren’t going to last much longer. I can maybe squeeze another 30-50 copies out of the remaining cartridge.

So, we’re counting on our readers and supporters to help us once again with letters of support, subscriptions, advertising and donations to keep us going. We could also use a few more sales of our poetry chapbooks. They make wonderful inexpensive Christmas and holiday gifts for friends and family. The 2-volume set is $10; individually, the books are $6 each. They can be ordered directly from us on-line (http://www.groundwaterspublishing.com/Poetry_chapbook_ad.html) or via mail at P.O. Box 50, Lorane, OR 97451. They are also available at the Broadway Events Center in Veneta or at the Groundwaters production office in Lorane (call ahead at 344-0986).

Thanks to all of you for your great help and support in keeping Groundwaters in print!

What’s Pat Been Doing?

Well, now that you’ve had a chance to catch-up a bit on what we missed posting in the last two months, I want to bring you up to date. I still need to report on the Groundwaters‘ sponsored Chateau Lorane Fine Art and Wine Festival Authors’ Table, but I’ll have to do that in the next post.

The last two months have been extremely busy and stressful for me and I’ll be glad when things can settle down a bit. Some of the things — the poetry chapbook, the author’s table, preparing the July issue of Groundwaters and submitting a new grant application — have all been very enjoyable, too; but, with them all being overlaid, one upon the other, without any break in between, it kept me jumping. Add to all of that was the fact that a very special brother-in-law has been very ill for the past two months, in almost constant pain and misery. Our whole family has been trying to help John and his wife Vicki keep their animals fed and their yardwork done so that when he returned to good health, their home life would not be in ruins. I’m glad to report that John is home from the hospital and although he’s not well yet, he’s on the road to recovery. Thanks to all of you who have been sending your prayers his way.

Haying season is now upon us, as well. In fact, I’m using a little time to write this blog before heading to Coastal Farm Store to buy some baling twine. Then, I’ll climb aboard our tractor for a day of raking hay in our Lorane fields.

We finished folding and stapling our July issue on Tuesday and I dropped them off at most of the distribution points that same day. We still have to make runs to Cottage Grove and Creswell. The subscription and contributor mailing has gone out, as well. This issue is jam-packed with poetry this time… much of it submitted as “extras” by those contributing to our book of poetry. I was very very impressed by the quality of the the submissions, poetry and prose alike, and I think that you’ll enjoy this issue. We have several new contributors and many of our regulars. I must apologize for the print quality of this issue. We are experimenting with using some “compatible” or “remanufactured” toner cartridges. The authentic HP cartridges which we have always used are skyrocketing in price… $180 to over $200 each when you add in shipping… and we use three cartridges each issue. Our regular supplier, in fact, did not even have any of the HPs on hand this time and most are going to the compatibles. The compatibles sell for half that price. Some of them work just as well as the HPs, but many do not. The one we tried this time was not one of the good ones and the pictures are not as sharp and the print is lighter than I like. Fortunately, it was used for only one-third of the printing. So, if your copy looks a little dim, that’s why and I apologize! I promise to figure out something that will maintain our normal high-quality print standards.

Well, it’s time to head for town. I’ll see if I can do a better job of keeping you posted on what’s happening with Groundwaters. And, please send us your feedback on the July issue. We love to hear from you!!

Come see Jen and I at the Art in the Vineyard celebration at Alton Baker Park on Friday, July 3. We’ll be at the author’s table!

Blog Clean Up

Because my blog went off-line sometime ago, there were some things that I wanted to share with you that didn’t get posted. To transition to the new blog entries I will begin making shortly, I will add these posts now. One of them is a short blog that tells about our ART Poetry Night presentation of our grant award by members of the Oregon Country Fair board. The other is a wonderfully detailed feedback provided by Judy Hays-Eberts of our April issue…

The ART, Inc.’s “Open Mike Poetry Night” and the Oregon Country Fair of the presentation of the $1,500 grant award to The Groundwaters Magazine Project was a big success. We had more than 20 people in attendance. The Oregon Country Fair was represented by Clare Feighan, who presented the check, Charlie Ruff and Steve Wisnovsky. Jen Chambers, Pat Broome and I represented the Groundwaters staff. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the board of the Oregon Country Fair who demonstrated their support in our efforts.

Since our last blog entry, a lot of things have been happening with Groundwaters. We have been wanting to put together some chapbooks to promote the magazine, showcase some of our contributors and provide a means to raise funds towards the costs of buying a new printer for use in producing the magazine. When we accepted the job of sponsoring and organizing an author’s table at the Chateau Lorane Fine Art and Wine Festival in Lorane on Memorial Day weekend, we decided it was the perfect time to design a book of poetry – The Best of Groundwaters – that we could introduce to the public. (Please note: I will write a separate blog on our fun experience at the Chateau Lorane Fine Art and Wine Festival.)

We contacted our poet/contributors who had published more than three poems with us over the years to ask their permission to use some of their poems. We had such a good response, that by the publication deadline, we had enough to fill two-volumes of the book. The books are now available for sale. See the ad for them in the July 2009 issue of Groundwaters or the ad on the home page of our website at http://www.groundwaterspublishing.com.

After a short hiatus, we are now back on-line with our blog. It was necessary for us to restructure the blog on our own website instead of on Pat’s Sawdust and Cider site where it was set up. The former blog entries are not lost, however… if you want to read all of what went on previous to this entry, please go to http://sawdustandcider.com/blog1/

We’re Back On-Line with Our Blog!

We’re Back!!!….

After a short hiatus, we are now back on-line with our blog. It was necessary for us to restructure the blog on our own website instead of on Pat’s Sawdust and Cider site where it was set up. The former blog entries are not lost, however… if you want to read all of what went on previous to this entry, please go to http://sawdustandcider.com/blog1/

Please send us your comments and feedback on not only this blog, but on Groundwaters Magazine, Groundwaters Publishing, LLC and on our services. It’s always good to find out how what we are doing is being received by our readers. Thanks always for your support!