Good Morning World.  

This morning I have an itch to talk about independent publishing on the internet.  This came from a conversation me and a coworker were having the other day, reminiscing about the days when Mtv still played music.  In the mid to late eighties, when a major artist released a new video on Mtv it was a really big deal.  People got excited and when it was finally released you kept the television on all day and night in hopes of getting to see it.  

You youngsters have to understand that music videos were a big deal back then, combined with America's Funniest Home Videos it was the closest thing we had to YouTube.  The best were mini-movies, often ten to fifteen minutes long.  Ever seen the entire Thriller video?  It nearly has a plot it's so long.

 Anyway, enough of the way-back machine.  The point is, the system back then told you what to watch and listen to because you didn't have much choice.  Especially in a small town.  Mtv, the radio and what was stocked at KMart was all you had access to.  It was sad really.

Now, it's all changed.  Yay!  For the better right?  Well....not really.  Yes, anyone can publish their stories and music anytime they want.  Anyone.  Anytime.  That adds up a TON of material out there that is impossible to sort through.  At least in the old system we had a vast middle ground of indie-publishers that refused the obvious crap and offered up styles and artists that were passed over by the big time outfits.  There was a filtering process because the consumer needs one.  Now there is no filter, no crap by-pass valve and it's all mixed together in one big pot.  

There is still really good stuff out there though.  Good books, good music, good art.  We just have to work a little bit harder to find it but I think it's worth it.  Skip the cat pictures today, they honestly haven't been that funny for the last few years.  Go find some self-published music or a independently published book and give it a chance.  If it's good, or even just not-too-bad, tell people about it.  Be the Mtv of the future.  Help sort the crap.  

Good morning!

The blog is up but not exactly running as of yet.  I had grand dreams of coding this blog into a finely crafted web experience but as I dusted off the old web design knowledge I found it was a bit rusty.  So...free service it is!  

Blogging for prizes?

Yes.  Not good prizes mind you but prizes all the same.

How does it work?

Each week I will endeavor to post daily something that will inform or inspire the masses.  In addition I will post a clue about something, someone or someplace that will need to be identified to claim the prize.  The first person to correctly solve the identity of that weeks mystery will receive a prize!  

Gold?  Jewels?  Rare artwork from the lost Medici vaults?

No.  Prizes will be small with little to no cash value.  

Seriously?  What a rip-off!

What?  Really?  You're getting mad about a free prize from a blog?  

Yes.  I demand iTunes gift cards!

Well screw you.  I hate iTunes.  So there.  

*sniff*  But...my iPhone...my iPad...my MacBook pro...they, they need apps!  

I don't care.  App monster.  I've got a Windows Phone and I don't get cool apps.  Just useful things like spreadsheets and Angry Birds: Star Wars.  So go play with your Temple Run mini-game in the corner and leave me alone.  

Wait!  I'm a good, open-source, free thinking Linux loving guy!  What about me?

Oooh...well then.  You get a book, or a toy.  If you're really lucky maybe you'll get one of my many hand-made craft projects!  Dice bag anyone?  

I love dice bags!

Of course you do.  

So when is the first contest?  I want a dice bag for all my d6!  So many d6....Shadowrun you monster!

The first chance to win will start next week on Monday, February 4th.  The first clue will be at the end of that days blog post.  Each day a new post and a new clue will be added.  The first person to leave a comment on  a post with the correct answer wins the prize!  It's that simple.  

Wait...wait one second.  How am I supposed to get this fabulous prize?  I live in Wales!  

You lucky fool!  Why would you need prizes when you already live in paradise?  Prizes will mailed via super-duper discount USPS mail.  If you live within my local area, prizes will be given to you when I see you at the pub.  International winners will receive something digitial via email such as an e-book or some music or something.  

Alright, sounds fun.  Let's get it on!

Whoa...not until we've gotten to know each other a little better first.  Sheesh.  Seriously though, thanks for taking the time to visit and I hope you're interested, perplexed or even just mildly entertained.  Tune in tomorrow for more details and feel free to comment on how insane this might be.  

Until next time...