|
Dear Friends,
I'm feeling nostalgic today as the onset of summer reminds me of how Bedside Reading began.
I consider myself an entrepreneur. I work hard, am generous, kind, and hopefully forward-thinking. I am also lucky! (Remember, I can get parking spots in NYC anytime!).
Whether I was born with or learned it, I have the "drive," which is probably embedded in my DNA by now. (Thanks, Dad!).
Although I spent two decades as a TV/Film producer, I have never looked back. I could not have taken this journey had I not been "trained" as a producer (GMA, ET, WSJ-TV, etc).
Being a producer means that you do it! You get the job done because there are no alternatives. The TV show goes on LIVE whether or not you have done your job. Taking "no" for an answer or not delivering is unacceptable.
In 2002, I began "Buzz Bags," a goodie bag company with my late partner, Debra Scott. The concept was simple: we wanted to promote books and products to New Yorkers who were going to the Hamptons on the Hampton Jitney (the buses shuttling passengers from NYC to the Hamptons). Fortunately, we gained immediate traction with mentions in The New York Times and a full page in Entrepreneur magazine. As soon as those articles appeared, we were approached by the GRAMMYS, Hollywood Studios, Broadway, and United Airlines (not bad for having a business two months old!).
|  | |
Fun Fact: Simon & Schuster was our first publishing partner. (They are still a partner all these years later!
In 2004, I went solo, launching Madison & Mulholland, a key player in the celebrity gifting world. The business was exciting and lucrative but overall exhausting. Something had to change.
Years later, on Marcy 27, 2017, my dear friend Noreen Fraser, my former boss and BFF, passed away. That was the catalyst that jolted me into changing my life. I knew I had to create something that lifted my soul, helped others, and was gratifying. I dreamt of Noreen often. I believe she was and still is the inspiration for Bedside Reading.
A few months later, as luck would have it, Rick and I were meeting the Mandarin Oriental New York's CFO for drinks. While there, I suggested placing books by the bedsides in each guest room...and yada yada yada...
On August 15, 2017, I launched Bedside Reading. I started placing books in hotels in the Hamptons and the Mandarin Oriental New York. Can you imagine? My first authors were Salman Rushdie and Fiona Davis. Not too bad!
|  |  | |
Bedside Reading is celebrating seven years in August. Our hotel list is extraordinary and expanding. We offer guests complimentary books during their stays, enhancing their experience and uniquely promoting literacy and authors.
Of course, reading is also one of the healthiest activities you can do for your brain to relieve stress, enhance sleep, and improve overall health.
We are forever grateful to our authors, publishers, hotel partners, their guests, and the media, who work with us every day and in every way.
| |
Conrad Nashville (above) - Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs (below) | |
|
Hotel guests have embraced our books by the bedsides, poolsides, and lobbies. Whether guests prefer physical books or audiobooks/ebooks, everyone is covered.
And it's all thanks to our amazing authors, publishers, and new digital partner, Lyrasis/Biblioboard. Lyrasis excels at hosting digital books for 2000+ libraries nationwide, keeping books safe and secure. They are hosting our Bedside Reading digital library, which offers a one-click option for hotel guests to access our curated collection on or off-property.
Looking back--can be a good exercise.
And as my father still says, "The harder you work, the luckier you get!"
Hotel News: A warm welcome to:
Capri Southampton, Conrad Washington, DC, Kimpton Palomar Philadelphia,
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection, The Morrow Hotel, Washington, DC, and
The Tennessean, Knoxville, TN.
Thanks to Jennifer Blankfein, Bedside Reading Editor in Chief, for helping us publish the 2024 Best Books of the Summer issue. Click below, or if you prefer a print edition (let me know!)
| |
|
Memorial Day - Bedside Reading Books! Our Books can be found at: Baker House 1650, East Hampton 1708 House, Southampton | Capri Southampton |Journey East Hampton | Marram Montauk and
Mill House Inn, East Hampton.
| | |
|
|
Mill House Inn, East Hampton | |
Baker House 1650, East Hampton | |
|
What inspired you to write this book?
A quote by Albert Einstein, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
It’s a humorous quote. I smile every time I read those words. I have always been intrigued by this succinct perspective. Especially with the speed of advancement in science throughout the 20th century, and into our modern day world. As I contemplated how one would reconcile science and human culture in the contemporary world, ALL THE DARK VOICES arrived as a story. I challenged myself to write it. Turns out, it is a love story.
What was your writing process like?
It may sound cliché, but the best way to describe the process is organic. I had no outline, no developed characters. I never dreamed of being a writer. I simply started writing one day. I had an opening scene and final concept scene in mind. I wanted the story to move with pace so that if anyone ever read the book, they wouldn’t get bored.
I wrote at every opportunity. On airplanes, on different continents, before and after work, late at night, weekends. I developed the characters, scenes and the story arc on long-walks, jogs, and of course in the shower. It was a busy couple of years but I never once regretted sitting down to write it. Meanwhile, I was raising three boys and running a company.
What do you hope readers will take away from reading this?
I hope readers enjoy the ride and take away a feeling of hope and optimism about the world we live in. Einstein’s words are not very flattering to the human species. But there are billions of good human beings all around the world. We are all more alike than perhaps the different cultures would suggest.
Do you have any other books in the works?
I have the sequel to VOICES in process. There is much more for the protagonist’s to accomplish. There is also a prequel that I think readers will enjoy. On the drawing board there is another story trilogy to be told, and other unrelated standalone stories in the idea box. Much more to come.
What is it like to be a writer?
I suspect I would have never written the first story if I hadn’t worked in a science and technology driven industry around creative and inspirational people. I never dreamed of
being a writer. But I’ve always filled empty space by telling myself stories. Capturing those thoughts in words, is work that is relaxing and personally enjoyable. If others can find enjoyment, well that is about as good as it gets.
| |
We'd like to welcome our newest hotel partners! | |
Placing books in the media. | | |
|
|
Tools for all Authors!
Bookmarks!
We use them and you should too!
An inexpensive way to constantly promote yourself and your books!
Meet our friends at BookMarks Store.
They are giving all Bedside Reading authors a discount!
Use Code: BEDSIDEREADINGJ
Please note:
BookMarks Store has generously offered us an affiliate commission, we are open to receiving and we will donate any commissions to a children's literary charity!
| |
|
-Jane Ubell-Meyer, Founder
| | | | |
