Working for nearly a year at the Ojai Valley News I came to love writing about this valley. I am now taking on the task of being an editor and publisher of my own fledgling and homespun publication: The Ojai Bubble.
On Thursday, May 20, The Ojai Bubble will be available for $3 at the following locations:
Casa Ojai Hotel
Georgio’s Subs
Ojai House
Java N Joe
Bonnie Lu’s
Ojai Village Pharmacy
Right Click computer repair in Oak View
and Watkins Cattle Company and possibly Ojai Olive Oil at the Ojai Certified Farmer’s Market
Other locations are in the works, and if you are a business owner and would like to carry this fresh new publication, the way I work is for every copy you sell, you keep $1. At least that is my initial and simple business plan. No up front cost to take it on, but some gain if it sells.
There are articles, and there is local literature. There are splendid contributions from other writers. I am full to the brim of ideas for future editions and am already beginning to tap into some remarkable literary talent that is all around us. This first issue will be out until the end of June (unless they sell out sooner), with hopes I’ll have another one breaking on the shore at the start of July. Like Aphrodite who was born from the froth of the sea (if you know that whole myth, try not to apply it in its entirety), the bubble is coming.
Nancy Gross
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
An exciting development for Ojai indeed!
…probably qualifies to be carried at “Made In Ojai,” too, one would think…
Whatever happened to selling newspapers in the streets?
I hope Made in Ojai will carry the bubble. I’ll be leaving a copy for consideration. I forgot to mention Around the Corner, and as of late today have added Fred’s Tire Man and Ojai Spring Car Wash.
I will be leaving a copy for Made in Ojai to consider. I forgot to mention Around the Corner. And as of late Wed. afternoon Fred’s Tire Man in Oak View, and Ojai Spring Car Wash in Mira Monte have chosen to carry The Ojai Bubble. If some other tentative yeses turn into for sure yeses I will post another comment to let people know.
And I mean that sincerely. How will this compete with Bret’s new magazine? Is there a risk of over-saturating this tiny market with publications spun off by former OVNers?
That’s why I think we need to peddle papers to the tourists, like the Berkeley Barb (yes, it’s true, I used to peddle that paper)…or at least sell these unique local blurbs at the Oaks,the Inn and all the hotels…Hey! that’s it Nancy! Get hotels to buy The Bubble in bulk for their guests…I had an out of town friend this week staying at a local hotel. When I brought her a copy of the Visitor’s Guide she read it cover to cover…
My great ideas for peddling these unique local publicatios got held but just wanna say Nancy, I like the cover!
I sincerely wish you luck too! Have seen many papers come and go over the years…
Sorry my last comment was more or less doubled. It did not appear to have posted. Can someone delete the first of those? I’d appreciate that.
My sincere hope is that this journal and Bret’s magazine will be complimentary, rather than competitive. Different approaches, different distribution schedules. We had a similar idea at the same time and by the time I contacted him with thoughts of collaboration, he already had something near completion.
I’m expecting the displays to be set up in shops by late this afternoon, as The Ojai Bubble is expected to be finished at Ojai Printing at around 1 p.m.
Suza, thank you! and Robert, thank you!
I keep forgetting to mention Around the Corner, one of the first shops to offer to carry The Ojai Bubble.
****I meant complementary, not complimentary****
Forgive my comments here being repetitive and full of errors! A combination of being a bundle of nerves on coffee, while multi-tasking with two different internet windows open. I’ll leave everyone to experience my publication and respond to it honestly without my interference. Have fun with it, I hope.
I think that is a great idea and I wish you the best of success! Having lived in different communities over the years it always has crossed my mind that these communities needed a local publication, more than a newspaper, more of a creative rag. I’m sure cost is an obstacle and lots of other factors make it hard but I think if it is presented and marketed right it could work!
Congratulations on your launch – and for taking the plunge and following your heart. Can’t wait to see it!
Thanks for encouraging words. . .
Dear Nancy,
My congratulations to you on the launch of the Ojai Bubble!
Best,
James
The Gormley Files
http://www.thegormleyfiles.blogspot.com/
Made in Ojai, Artists and Mercantile will carry The Ojai Bubble. I’m so happy about that.
At least 50 copies have sold around town, mostly because I walked around the Arcade and The Farmer’s Market this weekend. I’m so grateful to live in this warm and gracious community.
Made in Ojai, Artists and Mercantile will carry The Ojai Bubble. I’m so happy about that.
At least 50 copies have sold around town, mostly because I walked around the Arcade and The Farmer’s Market this weekend. I’m so grateful to live in this warm and gracious community.
Nancy, don’t forget the yoga centers like Sacred Space Studio, Lulu Bandhas
52-Weeks of Peace, The Oaks…out of town students especially enjoy reading Ojai authors…
Thank you, Suza!! I plan to get around town a little more tomorrow, talk to some more businesses.
I’m still mortified that I made certain errors in my posts on this site. Yikes. After announcing to the world that I am now an editor! That still small voice told me that I was using the wrong version of complimentary /complementary. Trust the still small voice! Well, I’m fallible, anyway.
Nevertheless, Ojai we have lift off.
Don’t worry, ha! ha! even those who are world famous authors confuse “advise” and “advice”, “lie” and “lay” and recently the OVN slapped a headline on one of my bicycle editorials that said “peddle” instead of “pedal.” I still don’t know if they were trying to be clever or if in their haste didn’t catch the difference between pedaling a bike or peddling them!
Nancy,
I forgot to say,
am looking forward to reading a copy today!
Let me know what you think, sweet Suza.
Good golly. I thought I had only pressed post once and another of my comments is doubled.
Ventured out in search of the Bubble today…is it in Meiners Oaks or Miramonte?
Hi Lisa. I hope this posts. It is at The Farmer and the Cook, Coffee Connection and Ojai Spring Car Wash. The July issue will be out in about a week and a half, a thicker one with a little better production quality, thanks to some people who made suggestions and helped out. (I love all the inclusions, and had fun with bubble #1, but also learned a few things). The next one will have a French theme for Bastille Day, with submissions from and stories about French members of the Ojai community, and it will be sold at The French Festival in Santa Barbara, as well as around Ojai. (I suppose I sound like a proud mother. . .just happened to catch your post. . .I guess I need to send an update to Demitri. Thanks again!)
Just discovered the delightful Ojai Bubble – Heartiest Congratulations
Texas visitors delighted and want to subscribe. I am going
out this morning to get another copy since I mistakenly showed my
issue to a friend and he won’t give it back.
Best Wishes.
Carol
Thank you so much for encouraging words, Carol. I am working on getting subscriptions going. People can use the contact info in the magazine, theojaibubble@yahoo.com or my phone number. Right at this moment I am fortifying myself with some Ojai oranges in order to go out and do some more stocking around town!. . .Hope your Texas visitors get to taste some oranges or some fresh-squeezed juice. Bonjour to all.
VC Star: Publishers in Ojai offer more to read
The Ojai Quarterly and The Ojai Bubble arrive at newsstands and retail stores.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/jul/09/publishers-in-ojai-offer-more-to-read/?partner=newsletter_dailynewsletter
Just read the first two issues tonight. My applause to all parties, particularly Nancy.
I especially enjoyed reading the second issue with all the French connections, including the bilingual poem by de Dadelsen.
JPMD, I’m glad you enjoyed the Bubble, and thanks so much for your comments! I haven’t been on the Post in weeks – so just saw this now. I agree that de Dadelsen is a fine poet. I’m working on Volume 3, which is also themed, but something different….