Russ Greenwald

How cool is the internet? Seriously when is the last time you said, that’s just great, now that’s useful? Honestly we should be saying that everyday of our lives and reflecting on the last ten years in fondness. Truth be told I rarely say that and not because the internet doesn’t deserve it. I think I learn at least 2-5 new things a day because of the internet, that’s incredible, seriously awesome in hindsight. So again, why don’t I feel this way all the time. I chalk it up to expectation and the norm.

“The Norm” is like some evil little creature out of the movie Gremlin, i.e. when they eat past midnight. “The Norm” is basically what we define as average, what we got used to. However “The Norm” now was not even conceptualized 10 years ago and at the pace/rate of change, “The Norm” now is no longer by the time you reach this .

Why do I diverge off, writing about our constant need to be impressed and expect more? That’s “The Norm”, it’s how we improve and push ourselves to do even better. This Month’s “All Things Digital” is dedicated to a friend Dan Yagmin for his talent as an artist and brilliant use of the internet.

Who is Dan Yagmin

• He’s a talented Artist whose art makes me go Wow, that’s just great (Which we know by now is not an easy task to accomplish in a world of high expectations). Check out his art work online at http://www.danielyagminjr.com/DanielYagminJr/Welcome.html

Why is he Awesome

• He wrote a book that he published himself, online, and sells it a very respectable cost via Lulu.com .

What is Lulu.com

• Lulu is great website that helps writers publish, sell, and distribute their books.
• The beauty, as it relates to Dan’s Book “Norton B. Nice”, is you can either buy a hard copy that Lulu prints, binds, ships for $20 or download a PDF version for $6.25.
• Lulu charges the author Price = Production Cost + Royalty + Lulu Commission i.e. For books, the production cost is the materials/base cost ($4.53) + printing costs (# pages × either 2¢/page black & white or 15¢/page color).
• Lulu leaves it up to the author how much they want to markup per book i.e. Distribution introduces two other “prices” — retail and wholesale. Retail price is the price a customer pays for your book without any discounts. When your book is listed in the Books In Print, the retail price is listed. Wholesale price is the price at which Lulu sells your book to a wholesaler or retailer. The distributor, pays for your book and decides what to charge retailers for your book; retailers then decide what to charge consumers for your book. The wholesale price is based on discounts extended to the wholesaler or retailer. When you price your book, the Lulu website sets a minimum wholesale price, but you may always set the price higher.

Enjoy Dan’s site, Enjoy Dan’s book, and if you are an author or inspiring writer, enjoy lulu.com