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Independence to publish what you want and how you want

Independence to publish what you want and how you want was the message from speaker Mo Tejani at the March 4 Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. This was the primary difference he found when he chose to publish his latest book as an eBook (digital format) and market it on the Internet. Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg introduced Mo as a well known author of several books about his travels and experiences. Currently, he lives in Chiang Mai where he continues to write. He previously spoke to the Club a couple of years ago about his earlier book, “A Chameleon’s Tale.” which briefly describes his life as a global refugee.

Special guest speaker for Sunday was Mo Tejani, who describes himself as a chameleon, a global refugee. “Torn apart from his family and exiled from his continent of birth, Mo was left homeless, and without sense of his own cultural identity.”

Mo has written and published several books in printed format but chose to publish his latest book, “Global Crossroads” in electronic digital format. He said that he wanted to share his experience of switching from publishing in print to digital media. First, he explained some of the restrictions on an author when publishing in print media. The publishers have a monopoly, you are at their mercy. They decide on what they will print. For most author manuscripts they receive, they only read the first 10 pages or so before deciding if they will publish it.

Further, Mo said that this decision is not based on the quality of the manuscript, but is based on their perception of its marketability. Will it sell? What market will it sell in? How much will someone pay? Also, the printed book has to fit in their particular niche. For example, his “A Chameleon’s Tale” was a memoir about his travels. The publisher wanted to know, was it a travel book or was it a memoir? They had to fit it in one or the other niche.

Board Member Al Serrato takes the stage to conduct the Open Forum - where you may find the answers to all those questions that arise, living in the ‘L.O.S.’

However, things have changed with the advent of the Internet and the ability to publish a book in digital format (eBooks). Unlike dealing with a print publisher, with an eBook he described how the author has total control. It is the author who decides on content, illustrations, photographs, book cover, and how it will be marketed. This is what led him to publish his latest book, “Global Crossroads,” as an eBook. Currently it is available only on Amazon for their Kindle reader, but since there are many websites for Internet eBooks, he may decide to also publish it later in their formats and market it from their websites.

Mo briefly explained the process and how it differed from publishing a book in print. Although he had complete control, he said there were two others that an author cannot do without. One is an editor as you do need someone that can read what you have written and make suggested changes. The other is a “technical” guru, someone that knows the ins and outs of how to put an eBook together and make all the parts work.

Frugal Freddy organiser Hawaii Bob kicks off the meeting with a few special discounts for members from some of Pattaya’s better value eateries.

Mo said that you can do so much more if the book is in digital format. In his book, he has embedded two video clips, about 50 photographs, and even audio interviews with the author. He also pointed out that in the digital world of the Internet; you the reader also have certain advantages. You can adjust the font size and type on your “reader.” When you see a book you want, you can purchase it without leaving your home and it downloads and is available within minutes.

Another great feature is the ability to market the eBook to different audiences. For example, Amazon has several categories and you can list your book in many of them. They also have certain tags that you can attach so that your book will appear for certain “search” terms that the prospective reader may use. Mo also pointed out that an author spends months and maybe years writing their book for which the print publisher will set the price and pay them 10% as their share. Whereas, with Amazon, he sets the price and receives 70% of the amount paid. Mo concluded by reading some of the prologue from “Global Crossroads.” He then answered several questions from the audience.

Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg called on Al Serrato to conduct the always informative Open Forum where questions are answered about expat living in Thailand, recommendations made about movies and restaurants, and occasionally the telling of a joke or two. The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday at the Amari Orchid’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Read more about the Club’s activities on their website at www.pattaya cityexpatsclub.com.


Movers & Shakers hits Bangkok

Paul Strachan

A little more than three years ago, Cees Cuijpers of Town & Country Property created Movers & Shakers, a networking group with a difference: great venues, a diverse mix of people and a splash of glamor. It became an annual event, last held in Pattaya at the Centara Grand Mirage Resort in December.

Over the last couple of years Cuijpers also was appointed to the position of chairman of the Lighthouse Club, which also brought networking to a wide group of people monthly.

Armed with such experience, Cuijpers has created Movers & Shakers Bangkok, with the first event held Feb. 24 at the R Bar in the Renaissance Hotel, with Heights Holdings - a longtime Pattaya function sponsor - being the sole sponsor for the first Bangkok meet-up.

Networking parties in Bangkok run Mondays through Thursdays, so there was something of a risk staging the first M&S on a Friday. But it was one that paid off, with more than 250 people attending.

With many media types also showing up, the staff of the R Bar ensured that guest glasses were never empty.

Nigel Cornick, CEO of Binswanger Brokers, started with a welcome speech and an overview of how M&S had developed over the past few years.

Cuijpers also spoke briefly, welcoming everybody and thanking the staff and management of the Renaissance Hotel and Heights Holdings.

The Bangkok event also drew the glam crowd, with mingling and posing for photographs with the guests.

The evening brought all the highlights of Movers & Shakers Pattaya to the capital, but with a twist: Networking is a serious business in Bangkok and for this first event, at least, it felt a bit like “speed networking” as people were there to meet others and have a good time.

The next M&S Bangkok will be held at the Astor Ballroom of the St Regis Hotel on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the Tulip Group.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/Movers ShakersCharity.


Ladies Development Group hosts lunch for Garunyawet Foundation

Naowarat Khakhay (standing, center right) presents a donation of 20,000 baht to Athapol Suriya representing the GFPD.

Manoon Makpol

The Pattaya Ladies Development Group hosted lunch for 420 residents of the Garunyawet Foundation for Persons with Disabilities and aided the home with a donation of 20,000 baht.

Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn and group President Naowarat Khakhay led the March 5 field trip to the Banglamung facility, along with 30 Development Group members. KFPD representative Athapol Suriya welcomed them and accepted the cash donation.

The meal, dessert, milk and ice cream were followed by singing and birthday celebrations for those born during March. Activities and games rounded out what proved to be a fun day for the disabled, facility staffers and the ladies.

Garunyawet was founded in 1990, taking in 60 disabled people in 1994. That year it was honored by HRH Princess Sirindhorn, who changed the name to Garunyawet Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, meaning “a home with kindness.”


British man wins free wedding at Amari

Stephen Alexander (4th left) poses with organizers and sponsors of the event.

Warunya Thongrod

A British man will be able to wed his Thai girlfriend for free, after winning the Amari Orchid Pattaya’s Valentine’s Day wedding contest.

Stephen Alexander, 35, was awarded the 180,000 baht wedding package March 3 by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Max Sieracki, resident manager of Amari Orchid Pattaya. His 34-year-old bride-to-be Walaiporn was not present. The couple plans to marry Oct. 15.

The contest was launched at the hotel’s Jan. 21 “Amari Loves Weddings” festival, which was aimed at enticing couples into booking weddings at the hotel. The Amari’s ballroom hosted booths highlighting every facet of its wedding service. To be eligible, Alexander had to book his wedding before Feb. 28.

The promotion included free catering, photos, wish book and lodging up to a maximum 500,000 baht. The couple’s initial deposit was also refunded.

“I already planned to marry my girlfriend in Thailand so we chose the Amari,” Alexander said. “We thought the promotion was fun and applied and I’m delighted to have won.”


HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]

Independence to publish what you want and how you want

Movers & Shakers hits Bangkok

Ladies Development Group hosts lunch for Garunyawet Foundation

British man wins free wedding at Amari
 

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