September Update is up

[Mimi]

and great as ever! Thank you, Janis!

Mimi

P.S.: You still have a fantastic tan, Janis!

Couldn't get one over here with all this rain we had... and still have

[Dee]

Thanks for the news, Janis. I’ll be interested in hearing more about the special being put together about you, as well as the DVDs for the annual sale.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/hug.gif

[aabram]

I was looking for it yesterday, Mimi, but this is wonderful... :) I love the way Janis treats us as her personal friends... :) and I don't ever mind a day either way :p

[Marcia Drummergal]

Thanks (as always) for the update Janis! I wouldn't exactly say that 1988 means it's almost over with.....but that's just my perspective. Which counts for about ZERO!! LOL

Looking forward to that autobiography!!

Marcia :)

[janisian]

Marcia, I'm looking forward to it being finished!
I'd never have thought I could have gotten to 110,000 words and still not be done... scary.
Now, I have to decide where to end it. Thoughts? I want to end on an upbeat note.

[Fursky]

My Janis you look healthy and tanned!! Writing does you good! ;)

[Chet]

Janis

Agree with you about ending the book on an upbeat note. Between 1988 and now, what do you consider the most significant highlight of your career? Maybe end on that, and use it as the "cliffhanger" for people to come back for Volume 2. I think you have sufficient material for a second book. I look forward to the first book being published, getting my own copy and having you sign it. I've bought a ticket for the Cerritos, CA show in March 2008 -- talk about forward planning, which I've never done much of in my life - so if the book is released by then, I'll be able to have you sign it for me after the show. Provided I'm there ... still need to get the airticket!

[hoops]

Janis,
thank you so much for the update. it's always good to "see" how you are doing. you know, I've heard you tell a bit about it and i've heard you say that "Joy" is your favorite song and i know it qalways leaves me in an upbeat way...how about ending the book with Joy...just a thought
peace
hoops

[Bat]

Upbeat is recent rediscovery by America and newfound awareness by the younger generation! How about a performance at Carnegie Hall in the future?
Think BIG.

[Anna from Dublin]

It's hard to know where to recommend it ending. I think maybe with the making / release of the Club Cafe DVD which encapsulates your solo performance style of the previous decade. That and the release of WWAN are significant career milestones, I think, for such a great live performer. I agree with Bat too about a younger generation's appreciation.

[GodSistah]

Another great update!

Thanks J.

:)

~Andrea~

[Chet]

It's hard to know where to recommend it ending. I think maybe with the making / release of the Club Cafe DVD which encapsulates your solo performance style of the previous decade. That and the release of WWAN are significant career milestones, I think, for such a great live performer. I agree with Bat too about a younger generation's appreciation.
Anna!

I thought of the WWAN CD, too, as one of the highlights of Janis's career to date. It was the CD that brought me up-to-date on what Janis had been up to since I last heard her on Between the Lines, and the CD a lot of us here recommend to newbies.

But I forgot all about the Club Cafe DVD! *slaps hand on forehead*

Yes, together, those two would make a great "intermission" and have readers asking for more.

[lucille]

If you do use a CD to end on the upbeat note, perhaps it could be included in the book as a package, or you could do a signed limited edition book/cd
(1,000?)

I would have thought your marriage would be the highlight. Maybe not of your career, but of your life to date.

[Dee]

Now, I have to decide where to end it. Thoughts? I want to end on an upbeat note.

What about the induction of “Society's Child” into the Grammy Hall of Fame, as sort of an acknowledgement or tie-in to the song that started your music career?

[Marcia Drummergal]

A lot of good ideas here. How about also mentioning "Janis Mania", which brought together fans from all over the world. Many of whom would likely never have met without your website. I think the website is an important part of that "newly found" fanbase as well as bringing back the oldtimers!

Marcia :)

[Rickster]

Janis, The good thing about ending your book on the upbeat is, Your still doing what you love to do, on your own terms and your own time...making music. And making a lot of people happy! :)

[Mimi]

Janis, wouldn't "Breaking Silence" be a wonderful upbeat note? And you've already come quite near to this point... and it would leave enough stuff for volume 2 ;) :D
Just my humble suggestion.

Mimi

[Chet]

If you do use a CD to end on the upbeat note, perhaps it could be included in the book as a package, or you could do a signed limited edition book/cd
(1,000?)

I would have thought your marriage would be the highlight. Maybe not of your career, but of your life to date.
Lucille

I didn't mean include a CD at the end of the book, but to finish the book with the release of WWAN, or Club Cafe, etc.

Setting up of The Pearl Foundation would also be a good way to end the book.

[aabram]

I would go with Mimi's idea personally. Then we'll all have to wait for Volume 2 to get the climactic climax :rolleyes: But find that "convenient break" and then have a rest from working so very hard. We need you back :p

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

My Janis you look healthy and tanned!! Writing does you good! ;)

Hey Fursky!!!!!! WELCOME HOME.... YOU'VE BEEN MISSED.....

Janis as to the ending don't tell us and spoil the mystery !!!! Remember to leave an opening for the sequal... ;)

Best

R. from Pa

[hoops]

"giving myself the 'i shoulda had a v8' slap on the forehead" yes fursky it's great to see you back!!!
peace
hoops

[marjan]

Janis as to end in an upbeat note you might consider mentioning this MB and all the ups and downs Rudies are sharing with eathother and the personal meetings all over the world we all cherish :D

[Anna from Dublin]

Much as we love Janis, we need to live in the real world. I don't think a second volume is seriously on the cards; at least not for another couple of decades! Given this is a one volume biography I would hate to see it end as far back as Breaking Silence - so much good stuff has happened since then - I think 93 to 2004 is a very significant chapter in Janis's life / work.

[Fursky]

What about the induction of “Society's Child” into the Grammy Hall of Fame, as sort of an acknowledgement or tie-in to the song that started your music career?

Hey everyone, it is good to be back! I am on summer break until October so I can pop in now and then!

Back to the topic: I believe that everyone so far has a great idea, but I really like the "Society's Child" idea, a full circle item (even if it may not be true).

;)

[SongDragon]

High Note: "Life--To Be Continued."

Hehe...

1988 is wrapping it up?! DANG!

:D
:p

That's when I was born!!!

It's even too far over my head for me to express it... Really...

~Song

[Dee]

The induction of “Society's Child” into the Grammy Hall of Fame came in 2002. I wasn’t suggesting the autobiography should not go beyond then, only that mentioning this at the end of the book might be logical. This was a major acknowledgement and recognition of the merits of that song by professionals in the field of music!

"The Grammys (http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Overview/) are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position."

[SongDragon]

I didn't mean to disagree, Dee. The Grammys would be a good high-note.

I was just startled that 1988 was wrapping it up. Time stretches and shrinks in perception. A week just flew by me a second ago, but I know this next one is going to drag...

~Song

[Bat]

Yes, Dee, a Society's Child climax would be great, with a follow up chapter to bring us up to date...sort of a touch-and-go leaving it open for a follow up.

[Roady]

It's so great to start a new month with Janis' Updates. A big high five for taking top Celtic Song with your "Mary's Eyes"!

A good place for Janis' autobiography to end would be the release of Folk is the New Black because this is where Janis starts spreading the word about her autobiography with her song "My Autobiography." At least that's where I first heard about it. Also, and this is quoted from Janis' MySpace.com:
Folk Is the New Black is a songwriters tour de force. Never mind that it took decades for her to come full circle; Ian is right back where she started, in the bosom of folk music at its best older, wiser, her talent honed and sharpened until it cuts so fine, we barely feel the blade slicing through us.

Since with the release of this album, she's right back where it all began, it's a good time to bring the book to a conclusion.

[lucille]

Chet, you misunderstood me. IF Janis ended her book with a CD (that is - if), I made the suggestion that it be included as a special limited edition.

...and if she did use a CD, I agree with Roady. FINB would be a great one to end on.

...but, I still think Billie's Bones is the best :D

[Dee]

Interesting isn’t it that Janis would ask us for suggestions on how to wrap up this book? It suddenly reminds me again this morning how fortunate we are as Janis Ian fans to have this level of connecting with her. Not many other artists would go the extra mile for their fans, so however she decides to end the book I just know it’s going to be well worth the wait!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/biggrin.jpg

[janisian]

Just FYI, the projected release date won't be untl sometime between Oct-Dec, 2008.

[Anna from Dublin]

OK - good Christmas present then - next year! We can wait. We're patient........ anticipation is half the enjoyment ;)

[Dee]

That's more or less what I was expecting, Janis. I know it's an “instant” world nowadays but the writing and publishing of a book is not.

Well, not yet. :o

[Mimi]

So glad you aren't "knitting" your book with a "hot needle", Janis! - Like too much other artists have done!

Mimi

[Rickster]

Janis, Just in time for the holiday sale...cool.

[Dar]

Janis,
The DVD shoot might be a fitting place to close out the autobiography.
I think that the airings on PBS have introduced new fans to you as well as reminded old, long lost fans that you are still around.
I'm sure you're mentioning your website in some way, if only to highlight what a great tool it's been to you for promotion and for connecting with fans.
As someone who was at JanisMania, I certainly consider it the highlight of MY career as your fan, but I guess it's up to you to decide where it fits in on the scale of everything else in your life.

congrats on such great progress. Phew, you must be relieved to be to the Pat portion, now you have two sets of memories to help you recall what you did when. As someone who doesn't remember yesterday, I'm often checking in with people to tell me what I did. :rolleyes:

[Anna from Dublin]

Amen Dar. My feelings exactly. Just wasn't sure this was too much of a fan-view of things so put a slightly different slant on it when I post above, but I totally agree with your sentiments.

[MARILYN/GEMINI]

Ok...this may be a dumb idea or suggestion :confused: but Janis, any chance of putting say a rough draft of maybe a chapter or two up for auction/sale to benefit the Pearl Foundation....kind of like you did with the rough draft/making of Billie's Bones cd (that I have :D )

[SongDragon]

Oh I can wait... I may be biting my nails, but I can wait!

Ah well. I knew it would be a while before we saw the books for sale, so I'll stop teasing now.

I'll be waiting as patiently as possible, and trust you to get it out to us as soon as humanly (you might, possibly, be human :p afterall) possible.

~Song

[Anna from Dublin]

Oh Marilyn......now you're talking! Great idea! I think we should read the book first so we know which are the "juiciest" chapters which might garner a higher price! Ooooh, I like it; I like it!!!:D

[janisian]

Actually:
1. I'm ending it with my marriage to Pat (so far, anyhow), and a day I spent on the porch afterward, being grateful.
2. I'm planning to auction off several rough drafts with my own hand-written corrections, but I have to coordinate that with the publisher. I'll be turning the book in by October 1, so we'll see what the release date becomes...

[Anna from Dublin]

Yippee.........an auction!!!

So, will the auction be before or after the release?

[DaveM]

Geez....letting people read your rough drafts....you're very brave, Janis.....very brave indeed.

[Dee]

Actually:
1. I'm ending it with my marriage to Pat (so far, anyhow), and a day I spent on the porch afterward, being grateful.

I think those would both be fantastic high notes to end the book on, Janis, especially having read about your health scare and the subsequent awareness your "day on the porch" brought into your life.

[MARILYN/GEMINI]

An auction?? Rough drafts hand written...??? How cool..... !! :)