According to Chautauqua’s website (http://www.ciweb.org/), “Chautauqua Institution is a community on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York state that comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 170,000 visitors will stay at Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages—all within the beautiful setting of an historic lakeside village.”

Theodore Roosevelt described Chautauqua as “typically American in that it is typical of America at its best.”

You enter Chautauqua through an imposing gate by showing your “pass.” Very few cars are permitted on the “grounds,” so you as you walk the brick streets, you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

Physically, Chautauqua is dotted with picturesque cottages, most of which have been brought back to their former glory. It’s nothing short of charming. The avenues are named after people who were instrumental in the development of Chautauqua. Read more

I uploaded my self-published novel Zemsta to Amazon on May 11. The next day, the paperback was available through CreateSpace. At first, my friends and family kept the sales numbers moving in the right direction. But after three weeks had gone by, sales were down to a dribble.

I researched the Kindle Direct Publishing Select program, but originally was hesitant to sign up. I figured I’d get in on it later in the summer. The general rule of thumb is if you have more than 30 percent of your sales on sites other than Amazon, the program might not be cost-effective. Since I had sold a whopping total of six books on Barnes & Noble and Smashwords, it was a no brainer for me. What did I have to lose? Read more