COLUMNS FOR SALE
By Ruby Bayan
Self-syndication -- an old idea trying to make itself work in the online medium. I thought I should give it a try. Why not?
Of course, I could sell my columns through a syndication house -- there are a number of them on the Web. But they take half of the proceeds, for marketing the columns.
Now, if I market my columns myself, I can have the flexibility to split with the publisher what the middleman would have taken away. Simplify -- take out the middleman. I heard that somewhere.
So, here I am, publicly offering the columns I write; plus a few ideas on new series, which I would launch in a heartbeat, if the motivation is good, so to speak. In short, and in effect, here's my first try at self-syndication.
If you're interested in running my columns and/or column ideas in your publication, please leave a note in my Message Page.
"Simple Joys" was my very first paid column (launched in 1996), and it ran in the leading advice magazine in the Philippines for several years.
The column focuses on inspiring and motivating readers to appreciate the beauty and blessings of the simple joys in life; to look at the glass as half full; to stop and smell the flowers; to dance like no one is looking; to learn something new everyday.
The special value of the Simple Joys column is its "straight from the heart" approach. I touch on personal experience, express genuine feelings, and speak as a friend rather than as a therapist or preacher.
I've employed the same format in my Suite101.com Inspiration/Motivation topic (now on its third year), and in a short-lived column (entitled "Inspired!") in a local newspaper.
Sample Content:
* What Goes Around Comes Around
* Dreams Come True
* How Many Lives Have You Saved?
* Thanks for Adversities
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I created "Paradigm Shift" in a self-publishing online venue a couple of years ago. I reprinted relevant articles I had written for New2USA.com -- mainly about my impressions as a migrant adjusting to a life in America.
I had planned on adding more content but the self-publishing venue changed direction and lost its viability.
The articles focus on the appreciation of America's people and environment through the eyes and sensibilities of an Asian -- a cross-cultural type of discourse.
A dash of humor; a touch of naivete... definitely a learning experience.
Sample Content:
[Note: these articles used to appear in New2USA.com, now offline. Please request for copies.]
* Face-to-Face With an Immigration Officer
* Spring Cleaning With Friends
* We're Moving Out!
* Adjusting to a New Life in the USA
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"Culture Shocked" ran in BastaPinoy News, a Filipino-American newspaper distributed monthly in many parts of the US.
With a candid and lighthearted tone, I shared my "firsts" in the Land of Milk and Honey. Mostly funny, sometimes embarrassing if not enlightening, or yes, maybe even shocking, my stories should strike a chord with Asian/Filipino American readers.
If nothing else, my insights would be... well, amusingly thought-provoking.
Sample Content:
* "Hey! Hahyaduin?!"
* "Paper or Plastic?"
* "How's the Weather, Brother?"
* Waste Not Want Not... Or Not
* Multi-Colored People
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COLUMN IDEAS:
* The Funny Thing About Pets [or Relationships, Housekeeping, Being a Writer, Being a Mother, Travelling, Container Gardens, Backpacking, etc.] - humorous stories and essays about my personal topics of interest
* Lessons I Learned the Hard Way - inspirational and lighthearted essays about life's profound lessons
* Learning From the Masters - thought-for-the-day type of essays translating time honored quotes into modern day context and perspectives
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