Wednesday, April 29, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 29th, 2009

On tonight's show I will share a recent blog post and personal struggles of my own, common to every artist. I have struggled lately to come to terms with my own journey, my place and purpose in the world with relation to my gifts and after many long hours of solitude, moments of anger, frustration and doubt and many more instances of deep prayer...I have concluded that I can go no further in my journey without recognizing the significance behind my gifts...



The article mentioned tonight (which you can read here) has sparked such hope from my fellow artist and more so from others, people just like you and me who are looking for encouraging support. I will discuss it tonight in detail and I am calling on each of you to submit your comments, feedback and questions in relation to the topic tonight. Unless my guest comes through before 7PM CST, then it will be "open mic" night for Bobby Ozuna...

Show Date & Time: 7PM CST, The Soul of Humanity via the Artist First Radio Network
URL to listen LIVE: The Soul of Humanity
*Click the LISTEN LIVE button to stream the show*



~Bobby Ozuna
www.OzunaPub.com
Bobby@Ozunapub.com

Monday, April 27, 2009

"The Independent Author"--April 28th, 2009

"The Pursuit of a Dream; The Bain of my existence"

I read a quote once by a man named Albert Camus. I apologize for not knowing anymore about him--or researching any further than this simple mention here in this article; but what's relevant is this: He was once quoted as saying, "It's not the struggle that makes us artists, but art that makes us struggle." I considered those words heavily when I first found them and more so as my career has progressed along with my personal struggle to come to terms with my life as an artist--my life in acceptance of my gift. I am fond of quoting Mr. Paulo Coelho, author of my favorite literary tale: The Alchemist, when he said, 'We who fight for our dream suffer far more when it doesn't work out, because we cannot fall back on the old excuse: "Oh well, I didn't really want it anyway.' We do want it and know that we have staked everything on it and that the path of the personal calling is no easier than any other path, except that our whole heart is in this journey." He ends this magnificent passage with, "...we warriors of light must be prepared to have patience in difficult times and to know that the Universe is conspiring in our favor, even though we may not understand how."

I cannot tell you how many times I have mentioned this passage, either on my show or in written word, or even more so when I am face to face with someone asking me about my life as an author. It's the most common question I get with relation to my life: What is it you do? I usually laugh and tell them I'm a writer or an author. I tell them I do many things, most of which is study, research and practice learning to perfect a gift--a God given gift. I believe that great gifts come from Heaven above and never once have I denied this simple truth. I am thankful for the gifts I was given and in a sense I pat my own back for having the courage to follow the passion of my heart. I am blessed in a life that at times I would not wish on those I love. To live a life of servitude to the very heart of your existence, --a slave to your trade--is a lonely life indeed. For years I tried to understand what it was that made me so different, such an oddity. What was that special something if you will that singled me out in a crowd or secluded me from the masses entirely? It can't be in any way that I am better than the next man or woman, for if I truly believe my gift comes from God, then I have to appreciate that I have no right to boast of my abilities without acknowledging that I am nothing without my gift or of little significance without recognizing the One who so graciously bestowed this gift within my life. I would cease to exist in a world of committed excellence if I chose to ignore this simple truth. And for every day that passes that I am thankful and happy in my state of being, I am tormented for simply being a creative soul.

Life is a struggle and the battles and wars that are waged within our lives are all necessary steps towards progression and growth. We can spend a lifetime learning how to become our very best and that would not be a wasted life. I don't believe in overnight success but rather I am committed to dubbing the phrase of Mr. Jeff Olson who says, "Success is a process, not the destination." I consider the actions of men who preach, of men who teach the holy gospel. I consider also those who work in professions where you are required to give so much more of yourself than those who opt to live a normal life. I have been blessed in my life with the people who have come to call me friend. I am as open and naked as a book and still as private as a locked door with no key. I choose very carefully who I will share my inner secrets with and then throw those same secrets in the face of the world when I feel the world has turned its back on me. I have come to call a new friend special to me. And in recent conversation with her we discussed this very concept of struggle and balance and what she calls the ionic forces that stabilize our lives. In getting closer to her, she has come to know sides of me that aren't apparent on the air with relation to my show, The Soul of Humanity or within words on this blog. I have struggled to be completely honest with people as I hide behind my laptop and the colorful layout of my websites. With poetic flair and passion I have tried to inspire the masses to believe, for I struggle with my own relentlessness and desires to press forward, one more step, one more try, within the journey of my own life. And for every small feat of accomplishment, there is a new hill, a new mountain of struggles waiting to be overcome, all in the name of success in pursuit of a dream that is also the Bain of my existence.

I cannot tell you why I am writing this particular article except I felt obligated to be honest, more so than usual with those who follow my words, my story, my journey as an author, a talk radio host and an artist. I share every accomplishment as though it were truly great and I hide those setbacks and mountains of doubt that tower over me like a storm cloud meant to rain on only me. And for as much as I try to be a good salesman, promoter and marketeer for the efforts of my career, my life, my business and my future, there is still a dire need to tell the complete truth. There is a desire to say that for every moment of success I create with the wholehearted efforts of my being, there is an exact moment I wish I could throw it all away, quit, and pretend it never happened. There is a side of me that wishes it ignored the call of the Lord, the beckoning of my soul to take a stand for what is right, what is pure and what is good. Because to follow the true path of our purpose in this world, means we have to strip away everything we have ever wanted in lieu of the struggle that will chip away, tear down and rebuild us in the image of what we were meant to be when we were born. And that is the hardest part of it all.

There is a reason artists struggle so much. We struggle so that we can identify with a world that only knows struggle. No one would believe or encourage or support the person who was given everything only to compare a struggle when they couldn't have more. The world identifies itself the most with those who rise up from the ashes to meet ruin in the face and overcome it with mere tools and simplicity as if somehow we too have slayed the dragon. My life won't always be this way but it is what it is. I live a life of the artist who struggles to come to terms with a purpose and a plan for my life. I cannot hold down a 9-to-5 job because it isn't in me to be caged within a cubicle or confined to time limits on my performance. I cannot share in the delights of a steady paycheck within the world of false securities. I am only normal when I write. Meals are something I earn and I am overly gracious when I get them, for they aren't steady. Someone asked me recently, how will you know when you are becoming more successful? I answered simply: When I can eat three meals a day, pay my rent and afford the lifestyle of contribution that has been set before me, the lifestyle required of me now that no longer comes free. When I can sleep and rest at night because I am not afraid of how I might survive the next day, after having spent hours upon hours working for free. When I can survive in this lonely solitary world utilizing the gifts and talents I have been given and fend off the word loser, then I suppose I would have crossed that hill, stumbled through the mountain and washed off the rains that have covered the sunlight within my life.

There is duality that is Bobby Ozuna. There is the man who stands for what is right, built only to inspire a world to believe in a cause of Good. Then there is the other side of him, the one that wishes only to tear down the walls of the world around him and throw it all away for spite. I believe our greatest artists of the world, the deep thinkers, the poets, the writers, authors, painters, sculptors, musicians and dancers have all suffered greatly. They had to. For without the suffering they would not appreciate the harmony and balance that comes with overcoming the struggle. I suppose now the question is: How long will it last? How long will I be a slave to my heart's blood? Only God knows and only time will tell. See there, I already feel better...

~Bobby Ozuna




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"PS: We Wanna Know"--April 27th, 2009

I was featured on "The Perceptive Marketing Hour" on Monday the 20th, with CEO and host of Perceptive Marketing, Sandy Lawrence. Being an Internet Radio Host is wonderful and for as much as I LOVE promoting the efforts of others, it was great to sit on the "other side of the microphone" and discuss aspects of my work in relation to my career as an author, public speaker and talk radio host.

If you missed the LIVE interview with Sandy Lawrence, you can now listen to the archived broadcast by following the URL below. There is about 5 minutes in the show where I was cut off--beauty of LIVE Internet radio, but our session was restored by the wonderful staff at Artist First Radio Network almost instantly.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback on the show!



...supporting the independent arts...

~Bobby Ozuna



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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 22nd, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 22nd, 2009



I have made social networking a part of my everyday life and in doing so, I have subscribed to, participated in and argued various blogs, articles and experts along the course of my four-year journey within the world of indie publishing. But it was not until recently that I began following author discussions within the Amazon community. For reasons beyond my own understanding, I never felt inclined to join discussion boards on an online book forum, full of other writers. Weird huh? Well, I did it and since then I have collected a great many new friends and followers, supporters of my efforts to support the dreams and aspirations of others, like myself.




Tonight I will feature one of the many contributing indie authors found within the various discussion boards on the Amazon community. Tonight's guest, Edward C. Patterson, is the author of (at least) 11 books and is a contributor to the support, efforts and passions indie authors bring to the collective world of literature.

Join us tonight for our LIVE, commercial free discussion via the Artist First Radio Network as we discuss aspects of his life as an an artist. Don't forget to leave comment, question or feedback HERE on this blog tonight (or direct to me during the show here) and you could be the recipient of a free autographed copy of his novel, "The Jade Owl" featured below and on my right-hand sidebar of this blog.


Show Time: 7PM CST, on "The Soul of Humanity" show with Bobby Ozuna

*Click this URL @ 7PM CST to stream LIVE via your computer's media player*



To learn more about tonight's guest, Edward C. Patterson or view more information about his work as an indie author, follow the URL's below:

Edward's Homepage: http://dancaster.com/
Edward's Book Bibliography on Amazon:
Edward's Blog: http://writerslife4me.blogspot.com/


***
FURTHER READING:

1.) GREAT POST FOR INDIE BOOK PROMOTION ONLINE: Allan Mayer on WordPress
2.) Self Publishing Book Expo in NYC, November 2009 / Read more HERE
3.) "Do you write for pleasure or money?" on Book Marketing Buzz blog


...supporting the independent arts...

~Bobby Ozuna
www.OzunaPub.com
Bobby@OzunaPub.com


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Monday, April 20, 2009

"PS: We Wanna Know"--April 20th, 2009


Tonight I will be featured on "The Perceptive Marketing Hour" with host, Sandy Lawrence of Perceptive Marketing.com. I had the pleasure of meeting Sandy at a book publishers conference in Houston, Texas at the beginning of this year and since then we have worked to establish a wondeful business relationship. Her organization, based out of Houston, Texas, specializes in author book promotion and work as a publicist firm. Tonight we will discuss the various aspects of my literary career--from my work as an independent author of PROUD SOULS, to updates about my follow-up novel, BORDERS, my vision for lectures within the literary community and lastly my efforts to support the world of independent artists on my Internet Talk Show, "The Soul of Humanity."


You can catch the show LIVE tonight @ 7PM CST via the Artist First Radio Network by navigating to the following URL and clicking the Listen Live/On Air button @ 7PM CST.
Don't forget to post your comments, questions or feedback HERE on this blog or if you wish to have your comments read tonight over the air, send them here.

The Perceptive Marketing Hour on The Artist First Radio Network

...supporting the independent arts...

~Bobby Ozuna






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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 15th, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 15th, 2009

Tonight's edition of "The Soul of Humanity" will feature contemporary/pop musician, singer and songwriter Misha Williams. She is a native Texan and promotes a modern, fun, contemporary, hard-hitting guitar pop, through which she expresses the frustration and humor of being a young woman. She promotes a positive self-image for girls and encourages them to work hard and believe in themselves.

Tonight we will discuss aspects of her musical career, from her early stage performances when she was very young, to her musical abilities and lastly her CD--Take It Like It Is--and future endeavors within the music industry.

Be sure to listen LIVE tonight @ 7PM CST and share your thoughts, questions and feedback here on my blog... Misha will be giving away one free autographed copy of her CD to a lucky listener.

*Click HERE Listen Live @ 7PM CST*

TO LEARN MOR ABOUT Misha Williams AND HER MUSIC, FOLLOW THE URLS's BELOW:

Misha's Homepage:       http://mishawilliams.com/index.php
Misha's Blog:                 http://mishawilliams.com/bio.php
Misha's Music on Youtube:  http://mishawilliams.com/av/music.php
BUY HER CD:      http://mishawilliams.com/av/music.php
Misha on MySpace:    www.myspace.com/mishawilliamsmusic








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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 8th, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 8th, 2009

On tonight's edition of The Soul of Humanity, I am going to discuss a recent "hot" topic with relation to Amazon.com and their policy on author reviews and product links. If you have not yet read the article, please navigate HERE to read it; it was posted by author, Cheryl K. Tardif and I received the forwarded message/posting via John Kremer's Book Marketing network on Ning. I also received a forwarded email from my friend Rita Mills and my author friend, Melissa M. Williams of Longtale Publishing.
Also featured on my show this week will be Jan Roelofs of PersonalJaz.com. She has donned herself a "lecture agent" which in a nutshell means this: She is a lecture & presentation coach, connecting speakers with venues appropriate for their skillset. She helps with editorial work and other aspects of the self publishing process and I believe plays a critical role in the successes of authors, especially independents like myself.

You can learn more about Jan Roelofs and her organization, PersonalJaz.com by following this URL.




Be sure to listen LIVE tonight @ 7PM CST via the Artist First Radio Network as I discuss this policy enforcement and its uproar within the indie author community and also meet Jan Roelofs and learn how she and her organization might help further your career.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO BOBBY OZUNA ON "The Soul of Humanity" tonight @ 7PM CST. SIMPLY CLICK THE LISTEN LIVE BUTTON....

I want your thoughts and feedback on the recent uproar with relation to Amazon's enforcement policy on reviews and signatures!!!


...supporting the independent arts...

~Bobby Ozuna
http://www.ozunapub.com/
Bobby@OzunaPub.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--April 1st, 2009


Hello everyone. Tonight I will feature author Cleo Dunnit and discuss the story-behind-story of her work as a Forensic Psychiatric Nurse in a maximum security prison for males in New York State. It seems most of us are somehow affected by the prison system, and at times we choose to ignore the chaos of that world. Listen tonight as author Cleo Dunnit details some of her experiences within the world of the American prison system on her side of the bars...

I have applied the Amazon widget (above) to help link directly to her book's storefront page on Amazon.com. Be sure to tune in tonight and share your feedback, comments and even pose questions right here on my blog to win a FREE auto-graphed copy of her book, "My Side of the Bars."

Also, remember I am taking author contributions via PayPal to help promote your book and your work as an indie author. So, if you want your book plugged to my average weekly listening audience of 6,000 listeners, contact me here for more details.

I am also looking for sponsors to help support my efforts to support the world of independent publishing. This show is not only meant to help authors, but once already I featured a musician and on April 15th, I will feature pop music artist: Misha Williams of Nashville, Tennessee.

Tonight I will discuss literary options for indie authors AFTER they have created their bound published work and also introduce a new concept to me: the lecture agent.

Show Time: 7PM CST
Location: "The Soul of Humanity" on the Artist First Radio Network
*click on the Listen Live button to stream via your computer's media player*

SPECIAL THANKS TO THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR, Jan Roelofs of Personaljaz.com FOR HER SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT MY EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE SOUL OF THE WORLD...!!!
You can contact Jan and learn more about her business to support the efforts of authors here.

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