Monday, January 14, 2013

The Albert Pujols of Publishing


Every rookie strives, not to win the MVP trophy, but to be acknowledged as a real player on the field. Though independent press, Tin House Books, may be perceived as a rookie in the world of publishing, their award winning titles and authors have captivated readers worldwide for the better part of a decade. In fact, some of your favorite titles may unknowingly be a result of this phenomenal Portland based publisher.

Such was the case with avid reader and 2012 New York Times Notable Author, David Abrams. Unaware of the fact that he already had several Tin House titles on his bookshelf, Abrams encountered Tin House title, Glaciers at a local Barnes and Noble. After immediately falling in love with the intriguing opening line, Abrams could not help but to continue following the peculiar story of lead character, Isabel. The author of the acclaimed Iraq War novel, Fobbit, was pleasantly surprised to find Tin House was responsible for publishing the title. Moreover, upon re-examining some of his favorite reads, Abrams found that Tin House was the press behind a number of titles he intended to include on his Best Books of 2012 list. Abrams had come to the realization that Tin House Books, an independent press in Portland, Oregon, was no longer a rookie, but a true player with an undeniable presence in the field of publishing; one he regards to be the 2012 Publisher of the Year in his blog.

However, Abrams was not the only one who noticed the literary quality of Tin House’s titles. The New York Times has recently given praise to author, Christopher R. Beha's, title What Happened to Sophie Wilder. In which critic, D.G. Myers, is quoted saying the Tin House title contains 'what is perhaps the best conversion scene in an English-language novel since [Graham Greene's] 'The End of the Affair.' " With the continuous praise and recognition Tin House is receiving from top names in the literary industry, it is safe to say the publisher has solidified their spot on the field as a seasoned starter. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Tax Turmoil Tips

Are you pulling your hair out trying to gather your 2012 financials for your accountant? Or wondering what to do for 2013?

When it comes to your business financials and taxes, the Boy Scouts are right: Be prepared!

Even though 2012 is over, you still have a few action items available before you file taxes:

  • Contribute to retirement accounts (IRS & Roth). You can still get an extension to contribute to your Keogh or SEP by 10/15.
  • You have until 1/15 to make estimated 2012 tax payments and avoid a penalty for the 4th quarter of 2012.
  • Adjust your withholding. If you normally get a tax refund each year, you can adjust your withholding to get more take-home pay in 2013.
Most important: Stop beating yourself up about 2012 and resolve to manage your financials proactively in 2013.

Do What You Do Best, and Let Benay Do the Rest! 


Benay clients are NOT pulling out their hair over 2012 tax documentation. That's because we covered all the bases last quarter with their accountants.

So instead of scrambling to gather 2012 records, our clients are planning business success for 2013 and beyond.

Here at Benay, we still have a lot of work to do to close our clients' 2012 books so they can focus on making the New Year a successful one.  By the end of this month all our clients will have a final review of 2012 business performance. They will also have a 2013 budget, cash flow projection, and other data needed to manage their business successfully.

Stop worrying about the state of your business and start managing for success. Benay can help - just give us a call.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Rucci Law Group : Home of the Best in the Biz



Joseph J. Rucci, Jr., founder of Rucci Law Group of Darien, CT, has recently been named one of the top business lawyers in the area by Fairfield Living. The magazine gathered professionally conducted surveys which asked local attorneys and members of the judiciary to rate the work of their peers. Rucci’s rating as “AV Preeminent,” the highest possible peer review, comes as no surprise.
His firm, Rucci Law Group, will soon be celebrating its first anniversary serving clients in Connecticut and around the world from their office in Darien. Though Rucci, Jr. has recently been acknowledged for his outstanding legal know-how, his fellow attorneys at Rucci Law are equally as talented. Co-founder Amy Zabetakis is an outstanding zoning and real estate attorney that has litigated Administrative Appeals, Tax Assessment Appeals, and Land Use Disputes in Connecticut Superior Courts. Kathryn (Kate) Diehm, business lawyer and co- founder of the firm, recently received a “BV Distinguished” Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, ranking her amongst the most talented in her field. Every attorney at Rucci Law possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to handle any legal roadblock businesses and individuals may encounter.
The legal services provided at Rucci Law Group are second to none. Their expert attorneys help entrepreneurs to select the legal structure that's right for their business. Services include ensuring that bylaws and filings comply with applicable laws, documenting secured and unsecured loans and mortgages for real estate assets, and protecting trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets from competitors. And there's no firm better at handling commercial and residential real estate, zoning and trust and estate matters.

Furthermore, Rucci Law Group uses cutting-edge technology to provide better communication with their valued clients, such as providing clients with password-protected, online access to important documents. Learn more about how Rucci Law Group can help you and your business by clicking
here.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Benay Has the Law on Our Side

Benay's client, Rucci Law Group, will soon be celebrating its first anniversary serving clients in Connecticut and around the world from their office in Darien, CT.

Founded by Joseph J. Rucci, Jr., Amy Zabetakis, and Kathryn (Kate) Diehm, Rucci Law handles the legal roadblocks that small businesses and individuals may encounter.

Entrepreneurial Spirit


Rucci Law Group's expert attorneys help entrepreneurs to select the legal structure that's right for their business. Their services include ensuring that bylaws and filings comply with applicable laws, documenting secured and unsecured loans and mortgages for real estate assets, and protecting trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets from competitors. And there's no firm better at handling commercial and residential real estate, zoning and trust and estate matters.

A Next-Generation Law Firm


Rucci Law Group uses cutting-edge technology to provide better communication with their valued clients. For example, the firm gives clients password-protected, online access to important documents.  Rucci Law Group achieves operating efficiency through another innovation: outsourcing non-core, back-office activities to Benay Enterprises.

The results: Rucci Law Group's clients benefit from great legal service and improved control over legal expenses.

Do What You Do Best, and Let Benay Do the Rest!


Much like Rucci Law Group, Benay prides itself on providing clients with the peace of mind that comes with knowing their companies are in good hands.

Today's entrepreneurial business owners need dedicated and knowledgeable professionals on their side in order to succeed. Benay has been honored to provide small businesses with outstanding back-office and financial services for over 25 years, allowing owners to focus on the growth of their businesses.

Your business can have yet another ally in Rucci Law Group. Check them out and tell them Dawn sent you. Better yet, I'll introduce you personally - just give me a call!

Octopus in a Tin House


Independent publishing company and Benay client, Tin House Books, has recently announced an exciting new partnership with Octopus Books. The marriage has resulted in a co-published collaborative series of poetry books, the first of which will be released March 2013.  Though they both call the edgy city of Portland, Oregon home, the two visionary publishing companies share more than an area code. Both emphasized their concern for the lack of poetry books being published in the current market and see their new collaboration as a potential model for   other publishers that have shied away from the poetic genre.  
Matthew Dickman, poetry editor at Tin House magazine, and Zachary Schomburg, editor at Octopus Books have chosen Portuguese to be the first title released in the series. Authored by Brandon Shimoda, the pen responsible for O Bon (Litmus Press 2011), The Girl Without Arms (Black Ocean 2011), and The Alps (Flim Forum 2008), Portuguese brings together the collaborating publisher’s two distinct visions in a model that “meets at the edges” rather than in the middle.
The exciting new title will be in book stores on March 12, 2013, but it is currently available for pre-order on the Octopus Books site as well as Amazon. However, the two publishers won’t stop there. They have already agreed to collaboratively publish another work, Bianca Stone’s new collection, Someone Else’s Wedding Vows, in 2014. Look forward to some great new literature from Tin House and Octopus Books in the years to come.
-Mike Iovino, Intern

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Soho Crime Announces New Crime Trilogy


Benay client, Soho Crime, has released a thrilling new crime novel that is certain to steal your attention. Crashed, written by Edgar and Macavity Award nominee, Timothy Hallinan, takes readers on a wild ride through the life of Junior Bender, a keen criminal whose smart mouth, witty humor, and robberies-gone-wrong land him in trouble with the Los Angeles mafia. Blackmailed into working for an L.A. crime boss, Bender finds himself escorting an adult starlet in this comedic yet thrilling textual glimpse of old Hollywood. As of November 13th, Crashed has been available for purchase both on line and in local book stores.
However, the action and adventure don’t stop there; the intriguing character and criminal mind of Junior Bender proved to be so enthralling, Soho Crime has agreed to publish two more titles in what the company believes to be a soon-to-be hit series. The story of Junior Bender continues with Little Elvises, to be released January 29, 2013, and the last of the trilogy, The Fame Thief, which will go on sale in June of 2013. Benay is proud to call Soho Press, an outstanding independent publishing company that has been releasing exciting titles for over 25 years, one of our clients. Visit their site, www.sohopress.com, to browse their catalogue for even more enjoyable reads.
                                                                                            


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Happy Holidays: "Like" Us on Facebook, and We'll Donate $1 to Help Needy Students Graduate from Poverty!



There are so many reasons why the holiday season is truly the most wonderful time of the year. 

Though the temperatures are chilly, there’s a certain warmth felt by all during this special season. The twinkling lights lining the neighborhood brighten even the darkest nights, and the sweet aroma of pine greets you at every door. The magic of the holidays is so infectious, it even possesses otherwise fashionable people to wear the most terribly tacky knit sweaters.  

While many of you are out shopping for the perfect gift, and most likely hiding from the fashion police (which is really difficult to do while dressed up like gift wrapping), it may be difficult to find the time to give to those that are less fortunate. 

The staff at Benay knows that the holidays can be equally as hectic as they are enjoyable. For that reason, Benay has made it easier than ever to give back.  All you have to do is “Like” Benay’s page on Facebook, and the company will donate $1 for every “Like” we receive from now until the end of the joyous holiday season to Vittana.org, an exciting new philanthropic website giving those less fortunate the once in a lifetime opportunity to get the education they truly deserve.

In true holiday fashion, Benay will donate to this uplifting cause on behalf of our friends, clients and colleagues. “Share” our cause with your friends and relatives, and help Benay reach our goal of raising up to $3,000 for the students striving to chase their dreams via Vittana.org. Join Benay in our quest to make a difference, and “Like” us on Facebook. 



ABOUT VITTANA
Nilsa Benitez lives on $22 a day and dreams of opening a dental clinic in her small town in Paraguay. She can't get a  higher education without student loans! But in most developing countries, student loans do not exist, preventing young people from getting the education they need to rise out of poverty. Help us spread the word about  Vittana: "Like" us on Facebook and follow the links to Vittana.
The entire staff at Benay wishes you health and happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year.  We thank you for your support this year, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the coming year.


All the best to you, your family, and your organization!