Bombadil Publishing´s official blog now also in Spanish!

Or very first blog in Spanish was published on Monday and it was the Peruvian Lady Maggy Jacinto, mentor and assisting Coordinator for Latin America who wrote from El Salvador, and talked about the wonderful work of our youngest writers.

But I want to shed light on the voyages we are doing in Latin America, Bombadil Publishing is working right now in El Salvador and get contacts with diverse people here which are active in the literature world, people whom help young writers, people whom carry on Bombadil Publishing philosophy, to create communication between young people but between adults too.

The young Spanish writers are many in Latin America now, from Canada to Argentina there are numerous young Bombadilians writing a book with the help of a mentor and together with us developing a great legacy to the world, a legacy of love, hope and faith to future generations, all over the world!

We are very proud to assure that our presence in Latin America will get the results we are looking for, which is to publish books by youth who want to express themselves!
Yesterday was we in a TV channel in El Salvador and we told about our work in Spanish, the TV people was very impressed about our wonderful work, can you imagine? Tom Bombadil has become a celebrity here in El Salvador, because the literature, because the young people whom are writing together with Bombadil Publishing and sent their messages to the young whom want to be a part of our world, a part of the future, a part of the really true wonderful life!

Best regards to Bombadilians all over the world from El Salvador!
Melvin Gonzalez

History of English

The diversity in cultures, customs and norms that had initially taken birth from the five civillizations to become more diverse with the passage of time has been the main cause of the creation of different languages in different corners of the globe alone with different accent of speaking.With the tremendous globalization and theory of wiring the world into a global village the need to accept a common medium of verbal and written communication arose.Among almost over 1000 languages spoken all over the world English was accepted as the common and global language for communication. Inspite of being a young, English had gone through many phases of transformations from the old period to the modern period.English is originally a West Germanic language.During 5th century AD three west Germanic tribes namely the Angles, Saxon and the Jutes invaded Britain.The language of the British people was Celtic language. During these invasions most of the Celtic speakers were pushed to the west and north which comprises of the modern day Wales, Scotland and Ireland.The Angles belonged to Englaland and their language was Englisc from which Englan and English originated.

Old English
Period:-450-1100
Initially Old English comprised of a varied group of dialects representing the origins of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England. The original Old English was further influenced and afffected by two invasions-The Scandanavian branch of Germany who conquered parts of Britain in 8th and 9th century followed by the Normans in the 11th century. Ultimately these conquests made English a Mixed and Borrowing language.

The introduction of Christianity added another wave of Latin and some Greek words. The Old English period formally ended with the Norman Conquest, when the language was influenced to an even greater extent by the Norman-speaking Normans. The use of Anglo-Saxon to describe a merging of Anglian and Saxon languages and cultures is a relatively modern development. According to Lois Fundis, "The first citation for the second definition of 'Anglo-Saxon', referring to early English language or a certain dialect thereof, comes during the reign of Elizabeth-I, from a historian named Camden, who seems to be the person most responsible for the term becoming well-known in modern times".There were great differences between today’ english and Old English.English speaking people nowadays will have great problem in understnading them.

Middle English
Period:-1100-1500
In 1066 England was attacked by William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy (part of modern France.He conquered Ebgland. The new conquerors (called the Normans) brought with them a kind of French, which became the language of the Royal Court, and the ruling and business classes. For a period there was a kind of linguistic class division, where the lower classes spoke English and the upper classes spoke French. In the 14th century English became dominant in Britain again, but with many French words added. This language is called Middle English. It was the language of the great poet Chaucer (c1340-1400), but it would still be difficult for native English speakers to understand today.

Modern English
Early Modern English (1500-1800)
Towards the end of Middle English, a sudden and distinct change in pronunciation (the Great Vowel Shift) started, with vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter. From the 16th century the British had contact with many peoples from around the world. This, and the Renaissance of Classical learning, meant that many new words and phrases entered the language. The invention of printing also meant that there was now a common language in print. Books became cheaper and more people learned to read. Printing also brought standardization to English. Spelling and grammar became fixed, and the dialect of London, where most publishing houses were, became the standard. In 1604 the first English dictionary was published.

Late Modern English (1800-Present)
The main difference between Early Modern English and Late Modern English is vocabulary. Late Modern English has many more words, arising from two principal factors: firstly, the Industrial Revolution and technology created a need for new words; secondly, the British Empire at its height covered one quarter of the earth's surface, and the English language adopted foreign words from many countries.

Nostalgia

Writing can be many things; nostalgia, therapy, expression of crazy thoughts of happiness or frustration. To me writing is all of those things.

Have you ever gone through old note books? Old texts written long ago? I did the other day, and I was overwhelmed by how those words written long ago brought all those feelings back again... The mind is funny in that way, how feelings can be brought back into daylight just by reading a couple of old poems, written not to be read but just for being written. It´s dangerous, because it get at least my head spinning in high speed, wondering “could I have acted differently?” “Could I have made a better choice”. And in the same time I absolutely love the fact that I have note books and note books laying around to remind me of periods of my life which are now lost, maybe not always lost, but buried if you will. The album "Tigermilk" by Belle&Sebastain makes me nostalgic.

Today´s blog is a tribute to old times and to nostalgia, many people fear to touch nostalgia because many times it hurts to bring back old memories to life. In my opinion it´s a wonderful thing to be nostalgic (once in a while, not always) because it reminds me of whom I am and who I have been. And thanks to writing those feelings down in the past I can now remember why I made certain choices and why I didn´t make others and I realize that I have always made the right choices. It´s easy to remember things in a different light than i actually was; better or worse. Therefore I am happy that I have written these feelings down because in that way I can skip the hurtful thoughts of “what if”, based on my old poems and texts I remember how things really were.

So today I want to pay attention and tribute writing as a reminder; write for the sake of get a chip of your shoulder but also to be able to one day look back and remember, do not put a gloomy face on and feel bad about old and lost relationships or situations. Be glad about the fact that you have done it. Never regret, learn from your mistakes and greet the times you have done wrong because you have gained a new experience! And don´t forget to keep writing about it. This is most likely the only way to keep an accurate memory.

Sara says Over&Out.

Hmmm late blog

Not Wednesday but Thursday.

Well I'm late to blog this week, I know I should have done it yesterday (Thursday) but I totaly forgot it, hmmmrrffff. The truth I don't have clue what to write. But I put in a picture, as usual :-) and talk a bit round that.



Well this is my two much loved dogs. They are of the dog race Basenji, one of the oldest races in the world. It is an African dog race from the Congo area, central Congo. I could talk a lot of the history but that will defenitely be to much :-). So if someone is intrested to know more just google "basenji" and you get a lot if info :-).
The tricolored one is my 12 year old "Luppe" his real name is Lucky Swede's Mr Lupus. The red one is my little sweet bitch "Sunny" her full name is Triad's Summer Dream, I actually got to choose that name :-). Well she is hmmm not that funny right now because she has just started her "season" thing!
They both love the sun and as soon as it is a sunny spot outside or inside they are there. Like in the picture it was one of the first sunny and warm days this summer. So this turning to autumn and winter we all three have the same thoughts about, brrrr. We want sun, warm and nice weather.

I will end with two quatations that fits so good to my dogs. First the one that fits "Luppes" spirit in his youger days. Then one that fit "Sunny" when she was a puppy (she is 8 years now).

"Only the tame birds have a longing
The wild flies"
~Elmer Diktonius

"A single sunbeam is enough to
drive away many shadows"
~Franciscus av Assissi

Hmm maybe my translation from Swedish to English in these two is not that correct but I hope you understand it anyway, hmm maybe I already have put it out once but sometimes the memory is a bit short :-).

bye bye for this time
Mari + my dogs

Inspirational meetings and making new friends.

Last week I got really inspired, more inspired than I have felt in a long time. Because last week on Thursday night I met up with one of those friends who are more a friend of a friend, although I can´t remember whose friend he was to begin with. I think we played in the same amateurs football team last summer, maybe that´s were where I first met him, he who gave me waves and waves of inspiration.

I am a hard nut to crack at times, especially when it comes to writing and to feel inspired, I don´t really think inspiration can be forced, although it´s no use just to sit around and wait for it to come and knock your door. Very carefully it need to be pushed and pulled at the same time, and for me who is a hard nut to crack the periods filled with nothing but inspiration seems to be quite irregular and nowadays quite rare even… And I have seriously started to consider if my inspiration has gone off to Greece in order to sunbath ridiculously much, or perhaps skiing in the Austrian alps. Who knows? It´s been missing, and I have surely missed it.

Back to the point; last week I met up with this friend of a friend, but now he is not a friend of a friend no more, now he is "just" a friend =). He writes lyrics and music for his band "Holmes", very, very talented, and we have been saying for quite a while that we should try to do something experimental and creative together. Or rather I have been saying. So at last we did and it all turned out something like this: I have been trying to interpret, unravel and rewrite some of his lyrics, in order to turn them into poems with my way of writing. Then he played his songs that I had rewritten on his guitar. And it all turned out to be pretty fabulous! And because of this energy boost I´ve got from this creative meeting I now have seem to found my inspiration! Didn´t take much; couple of cups of coffee, a new friend and his guitar. That´s the magic recipe. Full stop.

To summarize it all: Get out there and make some new friends, share your thoughts with someone, dare to show yourself, put your heart on your sleeve for a while, you might like it. It might even inspire you, or someone else, who knows?

Over&OutSara

A promising Journey

Hello to you all!

I kept contemplating about what to write on my very first blog, spent over 15 minutes wondering over a variety of subject matters. Then I asked myself: “how about my journey with Bombadil?”

I thought and things started floating in my mind, a series of events, one after another. It’s been over four months, one of my best stints with such a rapidly evolving organization. “A promising journey with a number of things learnt by now and many more yet to learn.”

Bombadil has helped me connect myself to the literary world and I feel privileged assisting these young authors who intrigue me with their literary skills. The mentoring experience of various geniuses gifted me a distinguished sense of smelling fragrance of individual’s creativity. “A youth to youth Publisher!” “You’ll also provide me with a mentor!” Such encouraging responses make my each day bright. Besides, getting phone calls at the middle of the night and listening to the newly born thoughts from an author as young as 13 is a kind of experience I can’t quantify in a couple of words or sentences. The feelings that youth today are becoming advanced and mature frantically grasp all my veins and boom cheeringly beneath the crushing victory that how youth are evolving with gracious creations. I take vicarious pleasure in their hunger for excellence that increasingly inspires me to drag all my inward thirst for gaining knowledge. Isn’t is surprising that a 12 year old has finished reading V.S Naipaul, Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie and Anton Chekhov apart from reading novels such as Harry Potter or Twilight?

I strongly feel that Bombadilians are striving for a noble cause and someday, pretty soon, each youth will eagerly look forward to us irrespective of their geographical locations. The feeling is tantalizing and I’m enjoying every bit of it.

What a promising journey which has fed the dells and hollows of my intellects not only with astonishing delights but also with newly-sensitized amusement and wordless emotions beyond expression.

Best,
Alex

Excitement and social networks

At the moment the office is buzzing with excitement: summer is nigh with its wonderful long nights and we are presently working on the author school. Well I am not really, but my colleagues are. They certainly make me smile when I see their antics :-D

We are also working on something amazingly original and innovative. We are taking our social network into a new phase, which will be released as a Zeta version - perhaps. Or alpha because it is truly unique and amazing. We will be planning it in more detail tomorrow and I hope we will soon be able to send out a press release about it. So stay tuned… Sorry about the suspense, but we do not want anybody else to run away with the idea before we are completely on track. But I hope you will all be as excited about it as we are.

Bloggin' on time

Last week I forgot to blog. Sorry! I guess my blogs aren't the funniest anyway, so perhaps no one minded. My ego hopes so, of course.

Anyway, most of this week has been spent organising the structure of the company, and handling the expansion and sorting out the changes to the social network. I am pleased with the way it is going, and also pleased that so many people have sent me messages off line saying what they want. Keep them coming please! We are listening, and really like your ideas.

One of our authors suggested a short story competition and our very first one will be on the theme "A smile" and in three languages: English, Swedish and Spanish. I am very much looking forward to the outcome, and I like the idea that the first competition is so positive.

Another of our authors has started a group for well being and encouragement. I think we all need it, and can all be inspired by it. Do take advantage of this, and I hope this group as well as the competition brings many smiles!

The first bath of the year(?!)

It has been an absolutely lovely day at the Bombadil premises today, 1st of June and summer seems to have arrived!

Me and John are working with the visual part of the Bombadilian author school which includes a bit of filming... Naturally it goes a bit bonkers when you combine a few Bombadilian coworkers, a video camera, a horse and a kayak. I´m not going to tell anything about the theme of the author school film but I can reveal that I´m kayaking and sitting on a horse back to front. The horse in question is named Sunny and is a very calm and reliable Fjording which made her the perfect horse to be sitting back to front on. I shall probably also mention that I was not holding Sunny in the same time as resting my head on her backside, Mari very kindly held her whilst Sunny was quite happily eating lots and lots of grass. I figured I should be a bit responsible and explain this so no one thinks that it´s a neat idea to go out in the forest with a back to front horse. Or sitting on ahorse back to front is what I mean, really. It´s not a good idea, unless you bring Mari of course.

After shooting the horse scenes we continued with the kayak and as I was the bravest one in the group I jumped into the kayak and paddled 35 kilometres and back again, turned out that I was a kayak talent!! Eeh, at least this is what could have been, but it was not what actually happened. Since I was the one who were acting in all these scenes, I HAD to get into the kayak, I was not overly excited to be honest. But once I was out on in the water, in the kayak I happened to enjoy it quite a lot, and I actually was a bit of a talent, I could turn!! So I´ve decided'; Kayak is cool!

After kayaking me and Mari thought that the water looked extremly inviting so we had a dip! Which kind of explains the title since I have not been having a bath outside before today. Both of us was very happy with the first dip of the year and agreed that the water was warm enough and very refreshing! The summer is here!

And don´t forget stay tuned for the Bombadil author school video!

Over&Out,
Sara

Businesses of tomorrow

We are expanding, and taking in strong and capable artillery to get there to give best value to our authors and our ideology. The cornerstones are in place and the goal is in sight. We will let you know all the details soon, but it is still a bit too early to say anything. And yes, for those of you following our blog, it was all decided in Stockholm last week and the troops are marching at full speed.

I see Bombadil as a peaceful, democratic company, so it is interesting that I feel we have the need for artillery, a word that has war-like connotations. But artillery is also used for protection, and I sometimes think we need protection from the old world, the 20th century economic business model which has brought so much grief to so many during the past months. I read a very interesting article by Umair Haque, Director of Havas Media Lab and contributor to Chris Anderson's Long Tail. He wrote that we now have a tectonic global shift. It is not a recession; it is merely that there is no more growth because a structural transformation is needed in the world. I hope I am not misquoting in anyway, but I read it as if he says that there are four pillars of smart growth, four pillars that distinguishes the winner from the loser. Google him and read more if you are interested in economics, or why the world is in the state it is in. Or just read about him if you want to check my facts. Comments are appreciated. Anyway, I am sure there are many more answers, and many more shades of grey, but his reasoning nevertheless fascinates me. He says companies of the future should concentrate on:

1. Outcome, not income. I could not agree more. There needs to be an ideology and a passion. Like our authors and our readers. We do not publish books just to make money, we publish books because we want young people to be heard, and certainly because we want young people to have a choice. And then there is freedom of speech leading to democracy. But it has very little to do with money. Most of my struggles with "the other generation" are that many believe that money should be the driving force, and not a by-product. Of course a business - as well as authors - should make money, but if they only do business - and write books - to make money, then there is no passion and no future. It felt good to read Umair Haque’s reasoning and to have such an acclaimed person write about the need for outcome not income. Bombadil Publishing is now in 17 countries and it is because of young people's ideology and trust in the future that we are there.

2. Connections, not transactions. I really like that one and it fits well with our philosophy. It is essentially about co-creation and collaboration, not about getting one up on the neighbour or competitor. I often get asked how we protect ourselves from the competitors and very blank faces when I say that we open our doors to them. They are welcome in. Collaboration is better, peace not war. Not many of the traditional publishing houses agree, most are protective and believe that if an author is young, the quality is bad. And they say this without even having read one of the books. I used to get so upset, and try to want to convert them. Now I just tell them that the door is open when they want to come in. Might sound condescending, but it is not. I mean it. We would reach our goal much faster if we all cooperated, than if we spent time trying to eliminate each other. So we don't! We don't walk over people - we run around them. Why spend energy where energy should not be spent :-D

3. People not product. How I agree. A product is a good product if the people behind are right. It is not just about products anymore, people are what count and I am so pleased to hear that such a future is alive not just in my mind but in others’ as well. Bombadilians of the world unite! Show your worth!

4. Creativity, not productivity. I like that a lot too. It is about new value and economic creativity. And we have so much creativity, which is great. I have been spending time trying to analyze our growth, mainly to aid it, but also to protect it. And it seems that we are here for the long haul: we are a company of the future. Our new partners are here for the future as well, and they will help protect our growth and our expansion, not start wars against other companies or people. Though mind you, we are starting a revolution, albeit a peaceful one, and we keep our doors open to all who want to join. But we also wish those that don’t, all the best in their worlds.