Hey musicians! We just launched WordPress.com/music with two new features to help you rock the web: playlists and upcoming events.

We know that you need specific features to create a killer experience on your band’s site. You need a calendar so fans can keep track of your gigs, an easy way to embed your music, and lots of social media options to share the love. Oh, and all this on a tight budget? Check, 1-2-3.

WordPress.com has a symphony of tools you can use to keep fans in the loop and share music with them, the media, labels, and venues.

• Mobile-friendly, HTML5-based playlists (Extra Storage upgrade required)
• Upcoming Events widget and shortcode
• Social media cross-posting to Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and more
• Embed music from SoundCloud or Bandcamp
• Videos embeds via YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler, and more
• Show off your photos with tiled galleries
• Plus, turn it up to 11 with WordPress.com upgrades like Custom Domain and Custom Design

Join artists like Snoop Lion, Xzibit, and The Gap Theory and harness the power of WordPress.com to help take your band from the basement to the big time. Head over to WordPress.com/music to get started.

Today, we have three fantastic themes to introduce you to.

First, take your readers on a journey – be it soaring through the skies or blasting off into space – with The Great Adventure, a fun premium theme with playful illustrations from Seth Gerard.

Now, here is a theme that lets you choose your own adventure — do you prefer to travel by plane or by rocket? Do you prefer your airplane-style theme in green, purple and pink, or yellow? Do you prefer your space-style theme in blue, grey, or red? Would you like a right sidebar? Footer sidebars? How about a sidebar that your readers can open and close? The choice is yours. Start your journey by heading over to the Theme Showcase for more details on The Great Adventure, or take the demo for a test flight. Happy travels, wherever your blogging adventures may take you.

Next, The Columnist is a grid-tacular, magazine-style theme to cleanly share your posts with the world.

Designed by Ben Martineau and utilizing bold typography and minimalist principles, The Columnist focuses on your content first and foremost. Featured images are creatively used as thumbnails in the home, archive, and search views, and if wide enough, as large banner images over the single view of a post. Subtle CSS3 animations provide an added level of interactivity to the theme without cluttering the design. Learn more about The Columnist by heading over to the Theme Showcase or testing out its demo.

And to round out our introductions today, I’m proud to present Vintage Camera, designed by our very own Caroline Moore!

It’s hard to imagine a better way to share your lomo or polaroid scans, than with a theme designed with just those classic cameras in mind. Offering six different retro-camera header illustration and color scheme combinations to choose from, you’ll be able to stylishly show-off your inner photographer with ease. For those of us that are a little more “faux-retro”, a responsive design will allow you to seamlessly view your filtered phone photos on any device! Head on over to the Theme Showcase to find out more info about Vintage Camera, or focus your viewfinder on its demo site to see it in action.

Hello hello hello friends

Hope all of you are having a good and prosperous new year.  Ours did not start so well with some very sad news from my sister.  I hope that she gets the strength that she needs to deal with this misfortune.

On a more positive note, I had two interviews in the month of January for the Jazzy series.  The first one is a written interview on a Britain based publisher/author.  the link to that one is http://www.tebookwormreads.blogspot.com and the second one is a podcast and the link to that site is http://[email protected] . Thankfully, both interviews went very well.  Please check out the above sites as there is a lot of great information on it. 

As for the Jazzy series, the next book in the series is slowly getting ready.  This one is going to be a funny one called “Do Princesses Toot?”  I am also working on a book for father’s day.   I am very excited about both these.

Also, I have two school visits booked for the month of February….. I think Jazzy is going to be famous Yeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Check out the sites and stay in touch

Hope all of you had a great new year.  In the near future I will be having an interview posted on blog from United Kingdom.  Also, I will be having a podcast interview on Tuesday January 12th at 2:00PM central time.  So, needless to say….I am thrilled!!!!!

I will post both these links on my site once it is all available

Live in brie

happy holidays dear friends.

Hope you all had a great holiday filled with fun and laughter and surrounded by friends and family.

Jazzy had a great christmas.  the third book in the Jazzy series, Jazzy’s Lovely Christmas, got great reviews and sold a few copies.

Next in agenda for the new year is a reading session of Jazzy books at two MN schools, Countryside Elementary and Creek Valley Elementary, both in Edina.  The boys are very excited since they both attend Creekvalley and their “author” mum, will be reading a story there.  Hope it goes well.

Hope you all have a fantastic new year.

Brie

Shelina Ishani

http://www.jazzyseries.com

Hola amigos!!

I am very happy to  announce that, Jazzy’s Lovely Christmas is finally available on  Amazon.  This is a great book for the kiddies for the holidays as it teaches them the true meaning of Christmas.  Also, once again, the book can be purchased directly through my website at http://www.jazzyseries.com.  So, please show your support and help make Jazzy a success this season.  Finally, I would really appreciate some feedback on this and the previous two books.  I have used different mediums of illustrations and would like to know which one is the best…so, please, do use the contact us tab in the website to make some comments. 

I wish all of you a happy thanksgiving. 

Shelina Ishani

So much time has passed since the last entry.  We were busy with other important things like being invaded by the H1N1 virus.  Finally, all is well and the kids and mum, dad and grandma are well again. 

The bookfair in October went so well.  I was able to sell a few copies of the books despite being surrounded by 105 other authors.  So, needless to say, I was thrilled.  The great thing was, Jazzy made two little BOYS her fans.  I was very happy to know that the Jazzy series does not only appeal to little girls, but little boys also.

As for the christmas book… It is finally ready.  the slide show is posted on the website at http://www.jazzyseries.com.  Once again, any feedback will be appreciated.

Well, that’s all for now.

Live in brie

Shelina Ishani

Hello there once again

I am so happy to announce that the third book in the Jazzy series is finally ready and will be available on Amazon soon.  This is  truly a great book and would be a wonderful gift for any kid for christmas.  In this book, Jazzy learns the true meaning of christmas , once again, with the help of her pets.  As soon as the book is available on Amazon, I will post it as a slide show and as a pdf file on my site.  So, please feel free to check it out.

The Rain taxi book fair is coming up quickly.  This seems like a great event for both adults and kids.  The website depicting the details of the event are posted on the site http://www.raintaxi.com.  Please, check it out and attend this event.

Shelina Ishani

http://www.jazzyseries.com

Hello guys,

Hard to believe that the first week of school is already over.  My middle son started kindergarten and is totally loving it. 

With regards to the Jazzy series, I just completed the third book in the series.  It is called, Jazzy’s lovely christmas.  In this book, Jazzy learns the true meaning of christmas.  Once again, Jazzy’s pets, Puppy, Snowflake, Kit, Kat and Goldie are an integral part of the book.  I decided to get this book ready now, so that it is available at the raintaxi bookfair for those who are attending or that it would be available at Amazon long before Christmas 2009.  So, please, check it out as it will soon be posted on the website. 

Last week, I joined a thread on Amazon and met a great bunch of authors of children’s books.  These authors, as myself, are incredibly hard working individuals and very passionate about their books.  So, please, when you can, support these authors since their main goal is to make your kids happy with their writing.

Thanks a ton once again and please check out the website and offer any advice that you can.  My ears are always open!!

Live in brie

Shelina Ishani

http://www.jazzyseries.com

hello hello once again

Both books are selling well both on Amazon and privately.  I have a great fan named Lexie who lives in CT.  I am so grateful to all those who have taken the time to write reviews about the books on Amazon and to all those who have purchased the books.  I am still working hard to get the third book in the Jazzy series published.

The next thing I am looking forward to is the Raintaxi Bookfair that is to be held on October 10th in Minneapolis.  I will have a table set up with lots of freebies such as coloring pages, crayons and candy for all to pick up and enjoy.  All three books will be on sale there and I will also be a part of a children’s story time.  Am I nervous?  You betcha!!  Am I excited?  like you wouldn’t believe.  Besides selling the books, I am also hoping to meet other children’s authors and illustrators.  If any of you have any ideas to improve traffic to the booth, please let me know.  I will really appreciate it.

Until then…

Shelina

http://www.jazzyseries.com

Hello once again

We just returned from a 2 week vacation in Toronto, Canada.  Everybody there really enjoyed the Jazzy books and we were able to sell quiet a few copies…Yeeeeee!!!.  Unfortunately, I was not able to hold the story time at the library as they were completely booked and I had to return back to Minnesota.   Well, there is always another time.  My sister, Kheirun, has however agreed to drop off a copy of both the books at the Pickering library.

Now that the vacation is over, my goal is to get ready for the book fair that is going to be held in October.  The goal is to get another book published by that time.  It is a great book, focusing on the meaning of Christmas.  I will keep all of you posted.

Now I need some advice from all you great people out there.  Any ideas on how to improve sales at the book fair?  I am going to hold a story time for the kids.  I am also planning on giving out freebies like coloring pages, crayons and bookmarks.  I would really appreciate some other ideas.   You can post them in the “contact us” section of the website or you can email me directly at [email protected].

Thanks once again

Shelina

Hello friends,

The second book in the Jazzy series is now available through Amazon.com and can be found using the following link.  http://www.tinyurl.com/shelina2.  In this book, Jazzy, who is a great animal lover, convinces her parents to get her a dog.  Once again, this book is also full of bright illustrations and minimal text and is perfect for a beginner reader.  Also, I have once again attempted to have the illustrations be such that they can stand on their own without the accompanying text for the kids who are in the pre reading stage. 

I am glad to announce that the Jazzy series has begun to find it’s niche in Canada.  I am currently on vacation in Toronto, Canada and have sold quiet a few copies of both books.  Next week, I plan to visit some Canadian libraries and hopefully hold a story time there.  I will keep you guys posted.

Other than that…

Live in brie

Hooray!!!

Jazzy Gets A Dog, the second book in the Jazzy series will soon be available on Amazon.com.  We just approved the proof a few days ago.  In this book, Jazzy, pleads to her parents to get a dog.  She succeeds and eventually gets a dog.  This is a great book for kids who love animals.  Please check out the slide show of the book on my website and once again, any feedback or reviews of the book on Amazon will be greatly appreciated.

The project that I am working on currently is a book about Jazzy and Christmas.  This book will hopefully be ready in time for the book fair in October. 

Now, I have a questions to all you great friends out there.  When my puppy died a few weeks ago, I had written a book.  This book has nothing to do with Jazzy and is for kids who are slightly older.  I love the story but I am not sure if I should pursue it any further now or wait until I have established the Jazzy series,  Any ideas??

Thanks again in advance for any feedback about the new book or advice on the puppy book.

Live in Brie

Shelina Ishani

http://www.jazzyseries.com

So the other day, I was working on the illustrations of my fourth book, Jazzy’s lovely Christmas, at a Starbucks store, when a little girl, who was four years old stopped by.  She was very intrigued by the illustrations and asked me if I could teach her how to draw as well.  I thought that was so sweet.  So, I spent some time with her teaching her how to draw simple objects using the three basic shapes, a circle, a square and a triangle.  She had such a blast and was actually very good at it.  This gave me a great idea.  I decided to put these simple drawing lessons on my website for all the other kids out there who also want to learn how to draw.  The lessons are located under the activity tab.  I hope that you check them out and that the kids in your life like them and find them useful.  I would really like some feedback from you guys on these lessons so that I can post some more.  Also, I would love to hear some ideas about other fun stuff that the kids you know would like to see, so that I  can post them as well.

On another note, the new book that I am currently working on is called, Jazzy’s lovely Christmas.  This book will hopefully be ready by the time the bookfair rolls around in October.  I still have not received any details from the fair.  As soon as I do, I will post it on the blog and I hope that you guys can be there and be a part of it.

Well, until next time,

live in brie

Shelina

http://www.jazzyseries.com
. 

Hear yee! hear yee! Jazzy and Puppy was accepted to be displayed in a bookstore in Minneapolis, MN.  The bookstore is called Magers and Quinn and is located in uptown Minneapolis.  I have contacted other bookstores and am awaiting to hear from them.

Also, the Jazzy books (Jazzy and Puppy and three other Jazzy books – yet to be published), are going to be on sale at a bookfair on October 10th in Minneapolis.  I will also be doing a story and craft time and give away some freebies to the kids.  I am so excited.  Once I receive more details about the fair, I will be sure to post it on the web.

Jazzy gets a dog, the second book in the Jazzy series, is now posted as a slide show on the web and will soon become available on Amazon as well. 

Another week has flown by….where is the summer going??  It has not been much of a summer in Minnesota.  Hard to believe that the kids will be returning to school soon.

The writing business is going very well.  After the update of the new website, we have had many visitors.  We have also had a good success in the number of people printing the activity pages.  For this week, we have posted the new book, Jazzy gets a dog on the site as a slide show.  In this book, Jazzy convinces her parents to get her a dog.  The inspiration of this story is once again, my own three year old daughter, Jenna. 

Jenna is the shyest person you have ever met.  Once we went to a friend’s house for dinner.  This friend had two small dogs and we saw a new side of Jenna.  She left my side, played with the puppies and other kids.  That night, Jenna asked if we too could get a puppy.  My husband was reluctant but we agreed.  Since that day  Jenna has found a new friend and has become more confident. 

I truly believe that having pets calms you down and teaches you how to love someone unconditionally.  Please feel free to check out the slide show of the new book Jazzy gets a dog on the website.  I have also decided to add some word puzzles to the activity site this week.  I have tested them out on some kids who have really enjoyed them.  Please feel free to also download those and share with friends.

Once again, your feedback is appreciated.

Live in brie

Shelina Ishani

http://www.jazzyseries.com

Hello friends

So, here we are again.  With regards to the book, Jazzy and Puppy, I am glad to announce that I have sold a few more copies.  Also, I was mentioned in the community news paper whoo hoo!!!.  Really, it is a great experience to write a book, illustrate it and then seeing someone else reading it.  Yesterday, a friend of mine and I were discussing my book and she told me the most amazing story that truly illustrated the book Jazzy and Puppy and the love that can form between a little girl and her pet.  Here goes.

My friend has a 14 year old cat who a couple of months ago, started throwing up and acting strange.  My friend did not think much of this.  Then, a couple of days ago the cat started throwing up blood.  So, my friend took the cat to the vet who said that the cat probably had stomach cancer and did not have long to live.  The day before yesterday, the cat became very lethargic and quit eating or drinking.  My friend called the vet, who said that the end was probably here and that they should take the cat in to get euthanized.  My friend was almost out of the door when her 5 year old daughter intercepted and pleaded that she hold the cat for a few minutes.  The little girl sat with the cat for an hour, talking and singing to her.  After an hour, the cat actually got up, stretched, went over to her food bowl, ate the whole bowl, drank water and waked around as if nothing was wrong!!!.  My friend was shocked and asked her daughter what she said to the cat while she was holding her.  The little girl said, “ I didn’t say much.  I just told her how much I loved her and reminded her all of the wonderful times we had spent together.”  I was in tears when I heard the story.  Now, I am a true believer that love can conquer all.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little blurb.

Until next time,

live in brie!

Hello friends,

To my great American friends, happy 4th of July.  To, my Canadian friends, happy Canada day!!!

So, after some hard searching, I finally found a baby sitter so I could take a moment and work on the book.  It is insane how much work is involved in promoting your own work.  The writing and illustrating part is easy.  It is the marketing part which is a killer.  Having said that, hard work does pay off.  I sold 5 more books this week!!!!   The second book is now at the publisher and we are waiting for the proof.  Once that is done, the book will be available on Amazon and we will post it on our site.  The illustrations and the text for the third book, Jazzy goes to the doctor, is in its final stages.

If you recall, approximately 3 weeks ago, our puppy died in a canoe accident.  It was a devastating experience and I vowed to myself never to get a puppy again.  But, the kids were having a really tough time, especially my oldest one.  So, last Saturday, we went and got ourselves a new puppy, Snowball!!!.  Once again, the smiles have returned on kids’ faces and chaos has returned to our home.   What would we do without the chaos?????

Until next time,

live in brie

So, here we are again.  So much has happened since the last update.  I never realized how much work is involved in self publishing and marketing a children’s book.  I have continued working on getting a publisher and locally marketing the book.  The other thing that I have decided, is to donate 10% of all the profits from the sale of all Jazzy books to a Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) http://www.akdn.org the goals of this organization is to promote educational opportunities in the developing nations.  Since I feel that kids of all ages and backgrounds deserve the same educational opportunities, I decided to make this move.  I hope my small contribution makes a difference in a child’s life.  As for the Jazzy series, the new book Jazzy gets a dog is almost on the market (Amazon and target.com).  It is a slightly longer book, once again appropriate for kids ages 2-6 years and full of colorful illustrations.  The PDF version of  this book will also be on the web site.  Please feel free to download it.  Finally, I will also be posting some free, printable coloring pages of Jazzy.  Please feel free to print them out for your kids.

Well, that is all for this week.  I will be in touch soon.

until then

live in brie