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WritersNotes.Net: Helping Writers Follow Their Dreams Through Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement!
A Nice Matters Award Version I Wasn't Aware Of
A little while back, I awarded the Nice Matters badge to a number of bloggers whom I considered to be some of the more friendly and kind bloggers I'd "met" during the past year that I've been blogging. (See my earlier post, Nice Matters Award: A Blogger's Gift.) At the time, I was aware of only one version of the award--the very feminine-looking version which I have in my blog's sidebar. I therefore made my apologies to the fellas and offered it to them anyway. However, I'm now happy to report that, thanks to Krissy Knox of Sometimes I Think, I now have the masculine version to offer the guys I nominated for the award back then.
The Guys' ReAward, If You Will
I'll repost the list of guys to whom I gave the award, so they can come on by and pick up the new (to me, at least) "Gentlemen's version" of the Nice Matters Award badge.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Dan, at dcr Blogs
Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
Robert Hruzek, at Middle Zone Musings
Michael Martin, at Pro Blog Design
K-IntheHouse, at ShanKri-la
Raven, at Alaska Chronicle
Tom Colvin, at Becoming a Writer Seriously
The "New" Badge
Here's the new badge, fellas. Hope you'll like it better than the other one--and hopefully this will mean that those of you who didn't post it to your blogs because of the feminine style/color will be inclined to do so now that you've got a more gentlemanly version.
The Guys' Badge:
Here you go, guys!
A Note to My Readers
Be sure to check out the blogs of the above Nice Matters Award recipients. You'll find much to like there--not the least of which will be the bloggers themselves! Also, check out my original Nice Matters post, where you'll find links to the female bloggers to whom I presented this award, as well as those to whom I would have presented it, had they not already received it. Like the guys, these women will make you feel welcome whenever you visit--and also offer you a great deal of "food for thought" to make your visit a pleasant one.
Always remember: Nice Matters!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Know of any other similar awards? Have you received them? We'd love to hear about it!
The Perfect Group Writing Project to Cap 2007
I just had to get in on Robert Hruzek's end-of-year WILF (What I Learned From) group writing project, Blogapalooza: What I Learned From 2007. One reason was that I needed to make up for all the WILF's that I've missed over at Middle Zone Musings due to excessive busy-ness. I've felt bad about missing them, and I wanted to show Robert that I really do care. Another reason: This is a really fantastic project, bringing together the lessons learned by a whole spectrum of bloggers over the past year: What a wealth of wisdom is there for the taking for those who take the time to read this group of posts!
What Blogapalooza Is All About
The best way to explain to you what Blogapalooza is all about is to let Robert do it! So, without further ado...he-e-e-e-re's Robert!
Looking back at your archives for the year 2007, choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging that best represents a lesson learned. And you don’t have to use your old (should you *ahem* have any) WILF entries; it’s your choice (you can, of course; but you don’t have to).
So what was the most amazing, profound, surprising, whacky, etc. thing you learned in the month of March? How about July? Anything in October? Hey, you get to choose something different from each month! Now that’s a blogapalooza!
Here’s all you have to do (please notice the procedure is a bit different than usual):
1. Choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging in 2007. (For example, if you’ve been blogging all year, you get to choose up to 12; if only since July, choose up to 6. Got it?) Use whatever criteria you like: your favorite post, most commented upon, the funniest, most outrageous, or “what you thought was your best work but ended up being a huge flop”, etc.; hey, knock yourself out!
2. Write a sentence or two describing each post you’ve chosen and why. Don’t forget to include the post title and imbed a link to it (you may laugh at that instruction; but if I don’t spell it out, well…). Compile it all into a single article. Please (and if you want to) also include a few sentences about yourself and your blog (and again, don’t forget the link).
3. Choose how your entry gets posted (here’s where it gets fun!)
3.1. The Blogapalooza Way (sound of crowd cheering): Instead of posting it at your blog – allow me to host it for you right here at Middle ZoneMusings! Here’s how:
3.1.1. Send your post to me anytime (in .doc or .rtf format only – please don’t send a .pdf!) at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net right up until the end (operators are ‘standing by’) and I’ll post it here at the Zone, including all the links. (NOTE: I will edit if necessary, but as little as possible, and only to make you look better.)
3.1.2. So your readers know how to find your entry, post a notice (write a teaser, summary, whatever) at your blog and point to your entry here at Middle Zone Musings (I’ll provide the link for you).
OR -
3.2. The (ho-hum) Usual Way: Post your entry at your own blog and send me the link as usual. Please include the phrase “What I Learned From…” in your post title.
My Entry Added at the Eleventh Hour
Well, I barely made it into the project, e-mailing my entry at pretty near the eleventh hour! But, as they say, "Woo-hoo, I'm in!" (Do they really say that?) At any rate, if you'd like to read it, you'll find my entry, What I Learned From 2007--Jeanne Dininni, at the Zone. I highly recommend you check out the other entries, as well--and while you're at it, bookmark Robert's site, because it's definitely one you'll want to visit again and again. Why that rascal is already planning his next WILF project, which you won't want to miss. Maybe you might even decide to join in the next time around! If you do, I guarantee you'll have a ball!
Here's to learning!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Sure hope so! Have you checked out Robert's Blogapalooza Extravaganza? (See, I told you it was fun!) We'd love to hear your thoughts about the project!
A Nice Surprise!
You may have noticed the Nice Matters Award badge which appeared in my sidebar recently. I was very honored to be presented with this award by Lillie Ammann in her recent post, Nice Matters (12/7/07). This was a very sweet gesture on Lillie’s part, and I truly appreciate her very kind assessment of me!
Kindness Counts: It's as Critical as Content
As most bloggers know, creating a place where our readers feel welcome and appreciated--by doing such things as responding to comments and treating them with friendliness, kindness, and respect--goes a long way toward turning casual readers into loyal ones, making them want to return to our blogs again and again. Our readers are every bit as important as our ability to write engaging content or our expertise in our chosen niche; because, after all, it is they who make our blogs successful.
Bloggers Who Epitomize Kindness
Many bloggers have a real knack for making their readers feel appreciated, and I’d like to let you know who some of them are. My list is rather long; but there’s a reason for this: There are just so many wonderful people in the blogosphere! In fact, my list would have been even longer if several other bloggers to whom I would have presented the award hadn’t already received it. (They will be listed at the end of my post.)
My Nominees for the Nice Matters Award
My list of bloggers who fit the “especially nice” category—and therefore my list of those to whom I’d like to present the Nice Matters Award--follows, in no particular order:
Dan, at dcr Blogs
Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
Robert Hruzek, at Middle Zone Musings
Michele Tune, at Writing the Cyber Highway
Lis Garrett, at A Writer’s Woolgatherings
Amy Derby, at Write from Home Blog
Michael Martin, at Pro Blog Design
K-IntheHouse, at ShanKri-la
Krissy Knox, at Sometimes I Think
Cindy Nichols, at Kaleidoscope
Danielle, at The BiPolar Diaries
Kerith Collins, at Freelancing, My Road Less Traveled
Sharon Hurley Hall, at Get Paid to Write Online
Courtney Ramirez, at Web Writing Info
Amy Huang, at Travel String
Raven, at Shifting Realities
Sylvia C, at Sylvia's Insight
Tom Colvin, at Becoming a Writer Seriously
To each of the above nominees: Feel free to grab the Nice Matters Award badge* before heading back over to your blog to do what you do best: engage your readers in your own inimitable way! Then, please consider carrying on this noble tradition by passing this award on to some of your favorite bloggers. (My apologies to the guys: This is not the most masculine-looking badge in the world! Nevertheless, I didn't want to leave you fellas out. You are, after all, some of the nicest bloggers I know.)
Bloggers I Would Have Nominated Had Someone Else Not Beaten Me To It
Bloggers to whom I would have presented the award, had they not already received it, follow:
Lillie Ammann, at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts
Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business
Joanna Young, at Confident Writing
A Note To Those Who Are Also Worthy Of This Award
There are, of course, many other fantastic bloggers out there, in addition to these, who undoubtedly deserve this award—so please forgive me if I’ve left you out! But I can’t hog up all the best bloggers; I have to leave some of you for someone else to present the award to! However, let me say a hearty “Thanks” to each of you--You know who you are!--from all of us for being the kind of blogger who makes your readers feel at home and loved! I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before you, too, are nominated for this award!
A Note to All My Readers
Please take the time to visit these blogs, read their fascinating content, and show these excellent bloggers how much they are appreciated. Connect with them via comments. I can assure you that you won’t regret it!
And, once again, let me thank each of you for taking the time to visit Writer’s Notes, read my posts, and share your thoughts, ideas, and insights with us! You’re the best!
With gratitude,
Jeanne
* If you don't have enough room in your sidebar for the badge--or don't prefer to put it there for whatever reason--consider placing it inside the post in which you nominate your chosen bloggers for the award. Others have done this, but I've chosen to use my sidebar instead.
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Please feel free to share in comments!
End-of-Year Assessment
As the New Year approaches, our thoughts turn to goals. We ponder the progress we’ve made over the past year. We assess our achievements…study our setbacks…and mull over the lessons we’ve learned from both. And we begin thinking about how we might turn those lessons into new and greater successes in the coming year.
Discover Your Deepest Aspirations
To inspire us to reach for lofty goals, I’d like to post a link to a list found on a very intriguing blog called To-Do List Blog, which posts scanned copies of actual handwritten to-do lists created by various people. This particular list might be considered more of a “to-accomplish list,” as it expresses the many and varied things its author hopes to achieve during the remainder of his life. My hope is that the enthusiastic optimism of its author will be contagious and that the refreshing spontaneity and almost wild abandon with which he approaches life will inspire you to search deep within yourself to discover who you really are and develop a new understanding of your true heart’s desires.
A Truly Inspiring List of Life Goals
Here’s a link to the list:
Things to do before I die . This is the enlarged version, which is the only one that's actually readable. If you'd like to see the list in its original post, though, you'll find it here: 110 Things To Do Before He Dies (written 1998).
Check it out. If this list of 115 items doesn’t spark your imagination and inspire you to reach for all that you’ve always wanted to do and be, nothing will!
As 2007 comes to a close, may you truly get in touch with the things that mean the most to you, and may your deepest aspirations be realized in 2008 and beyond!
To your future success!
Jeanne
P.S. #1: This list is part of To-Do List Blog's Craziest Lists Contest. (Details can be found on the blog.)
P.S. #2: Along the lines of our topic, To-Do List Blog has published a post called How to Take the Self-Flagellation Out of New Year's Resolutions, which makes some great points.
P.S. #3: Discovered To-Do List Blog while reading a post on another blog recently, but can't remember which blog it was. If you are the blogger who "referred" me to this most intriguing blog, please step forward and let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Has it inspired you? Have any of your own inspirational thoughts to share? We'd love to hear them!
A Seriously Resourceful Site
Becoming a Writer Seriously is a blog written by Tom Colvin that's loaded with authoritative and helpful info, advice, and resources for writers. This is one blog you'll definitely want to bookmark for quick, easy access whenever you're in need of anything writing related or are simply curious to find out what the latest bit of writing wisdom from the authoritative T. Colvin camp happens to be.
At Becoming A Writer Seriously, you'll find info and advice about writing, blogging, document formatting (and de-formatting), HTML coding, website design, and technology as it relates to writing, publishing, and general productivity. You'll also find links to many, many other resources that can help you in so many different areas of writing/blogging/publishing that you'll soon begin thinking of this site as your one-stop source for anything writing-related.
Google Reader Shared Links: An Added Dimension
One section I found particularly fascinating was Colvin's Google Reader Shared Links, which provides articles on helpful sites, online tools, and products, and offers advice and instruction on a variety of topics that can make your writing life easier.
As alluded to in the previous paragraph, one tip (and link) Colvin shared, via his Google Reader Shared Links, explained how to easily remove the formatting from text when copying and pasting it into MS-Word, to avoid having to reformat it after pasting to make it fit into the document into which it's being inserted. While many may already know this technique, I'd venture to say that just as many probably don't. (I didn't.) It's practical tips such as this one that can really save a writer a great deal of time and trouble, making for a more productive writing session.
While I haven't tried this yet, I'm wondering whether this technique might not also work when copying and pasting info into G-mail. G-mail is notorious for doing very strange things with fonts when items--including entire articles--are copied and pasted into e-mails. So, this is one I definitely plan to experiment with!
Do yourself a huge favor and check out Becoming A Writer Seriously. You'll be very glad you did.
Seriously.
Till next time,
Jeanne
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any questions? Please feel free to comment!
A Great Article on How You Can Develop Confidence as a Business Writer
The following article was written by my friend and fellow blogger, Joanna Young, of Confident Writing. This article is offered for free distribution by EzineArticles.Com; so I thought I'd share it with my readers to help you become a more confident business writer, as well as to highlight the wonderful content you'll find on Joanna's blog. (Many of Joanna's tips and techniques also apply to other types of writing, as well; so bear that in mind as you read, and look for places in your own writing where you can practice these helpful principles.)
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Business Writing with Confidence - An ABC Guide
By Joanna Young
Confident writing is an essential part of effective business communication. Most people would agree with this statement but how many of us have the skills or the confidence to put it into practice? Anxiety about grammar rules can leave people tongue tied. All too often business writing is seen as a barrier, a stumbling block rather than something that can add value to your contribution at work.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to learn the rules of a grammar book to write with confidence at work. You just need to work on three basic elements of good business writing: authenticity, brevity and clarity. It’s what I call the ABC guide to confident writing at work.
Writing with authenticity
Writing with authenticity means being real, sounding human, sounding like yourself. It’s great for creating rapport with other people, whether that’s your colleagues, customers or potential clients. Most people want to do business with another human being and it’s even better if that’s someone they feel they can get to ‘know’ and trust.
To make your writing more authentic:
* Make use of plain, everyday words: go for short, simple words; avoid jargon and clichés; use everyday words rather than corporate or business speak
* Use a conversational style: this doesn’t mean slang – it does mean feeling free to use short sentences and contractions like “I’m” or “we’ll” or “let’s” (all great for the flow)
* Find your own words: spend a little bit of time jotting down your own words for the things that are most important to you (ideas, your business purpose, your values) and start to work them into your writing. This is a great way to sound like you really mean business!
Writing with brevity
Most people are drowning in information overload. So much for the paperless office – most of us are suffering from too much paper, a deluge of e-mails and more reports than we’ll ever have time to read. You’ll really start to win friends and influence people if you keep your writing short and to the point. Your readers will thank you for the time and effort saved, and you’ll also make your message more punchy, powerful and memorable.
To write with brevity:
* Keep each sentence short: aim for an average of 18 – 25 words a sentence. This is good writing practice and will get you into the habit of writing less
* Cut out excess words: go back and edit your work once you’ve written a draft. Cut out as many excess words as you can. Then do it again (and again till it’s done.) Enjoy seeing your message emerge more clearly!
* Write within limits : set yourself a word limit and practice working to it. It’ll improve your skills of writing with brevity and help you stick to the point
Writing with clarity
You’ve got something important to say so you want your writing to stand out. Clear writing makes it easier for people to read, follow and understand what you’re saying. Now this is the place where grammar does come into play because there are some rules – whether you like it or not – that are there to help us understand your meaning. You need to master these basic rules if you want your message to be clear and easily understood.
To write more clearly:
* Know your point : be clear what you’re trying to say, and why, before you start to write. Boil your message down to no more than 10 words. That’s your message: focus on that and it will shine through your writing
* Manage your writing: work out which grammar points are stopping you from writing with clarity (like use of apostrophes). Ask a colleague or friend to help identify them. Then take responsibility for learning and applying the rules. There are plenty of books, websites and writing coaches who can help with this
* Keep it simple: use short sentences, cut out excess words, use plain, everyday language
I don’t know if you noticed some common themes running through these writing tips. Keep it short, keep it simple, use plain language, know your point and stick to it. These are the fundamental rules of good business writing and if you apply them you will find it easy to write with authenticity, brevity and clarity. Effective business writing needn’t be hard – it can be as easy as ABC.
Joanna Young is a writing coach who helps people to write with confidence - to realise the power of their own words. You can find out how to work with Joanna or read more of her writing tips at Confident Writing.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com expert=Joanna Young
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Hope you've enjoyed these great tips on confident writing by a very confident writer! Don't forget to visit Joanna's blog for more great content on writing confidently!
Happy writing!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Was it helpful? Have anything to add? If so, please feel free to comment!
And, while you're at it, why not visit Joanna' s blog and do the same?
Remembering My Commenters
Last month, I started a tradition here at Writer's Notes of writing a post on the first of each month listing the names of all the previous month's commenters, complete with links to their blogs, and I want to welcome you to Volume 2!
September Link Love
It's that time again: time to send some link love out to everyone who commented at Writer's Notes during the month of September. Thanks, everyone! I truly appreciate your feedback!
Here's the list of September commenters, in no particular order:
Yvonne Russell, Grow Your Writing Business
Laura Spencer, Writing Thoughts
Lillie Ammann, A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye
Calvin Warr, CalvinWarr.Com
James Rickard, Angling Fish
AmyHuang, Travel String
Louie, Climate Red
Jon, Tech News
Tracy, Movies and Life
Lilla, Enviro Warrior
Danielle, The Bipolar Diaries
Brad Shorr, Word Sell, Inc.
Bob, Every Every Minute
Michael Martin, Pro Blog Design
Sharon Hurley Hall, Get Paid to Write Online
Rosemary, Alpaca Notes
Julee Ann, Write of Passage
JoH, Persistent Parent
PetulaW, It's a Woman's World
AdTracker, AdSense Tracker
Keep Spreading Your Comments Far and Wide!
Thanks for your comments, everyone! Each one is greatly appreciated, and each has helped to make Writer's Notes just that much more interesting for its readers! You've all added so much to the Writer's Notes conversation, and your generosity in doing so is hereby recognized! Thanks again!
You're welcome at Writer's Notes anytime! So be sure to stop by again very soon! And remember to keep visiting as many other blogs as you can and passing along the comment-kindness--not to mention the link love! You'll enjoy it as much as the other blogger will!
Keep those comments coming!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? You know what to do!
September 22nd 2007 07:34
Alienation ABCs
I've been tagged by Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business, to write a post giving my tips for making other bloggers hate you and driving your readers crazy. Check out Yvonne's own list in her highly entertaining post on the subject, Tips to Make Other Bloggers Hate You - Comment Crazy. I think you'll not only mentally savor the delicious dish of sarcasm she skillfully serves up, but that you'll also totally relate to the points she makes, as you recall some of your own blogging misadventures.
Are you back yet? Good! Didn't I tell you her post was great! And now, without further ado, I present my list of tips and techniques, which, if conscientiously followed, will help you successfully alienate bloggers and non-bloggers alike, causing them to avoid your site like the plague. (It's OK, though, because you'll be revealing your superiority in this way, which is critically important to you in achieving the greatness you obviously deserve.)
My List of Blogger Alienation Techniques
1. Whenever you visit another blog, look for as many errors as you can possibly find there and point them out publicly every chance you get. Be sure to leave them in comments, discuss them on other blogs, and even mention them in your own posts. (Better still, devote an entire blog post to them. After all, it's important for everyone to know that you knew they were wrong. And, of course, we all know that you've never made a mistake yourself.) Be sure that you don't contact the blog owner privately when the error is significant. He or she might think you were too unsure of yourself to mention it publicly.
2. Copy other bloggers' content and post it on your own blog, passing it off as your own, as often as you can. After all, similar content is floating around all over the internet, so no one will ever know. Since it happens often enough that two bloggers just happen to innocently write about the same topic--and sometimes even say much the same thing about it at roughly the same time, no one will be the wiser; and even if they are, they won't be able to prove a thing.
3. "Adopt" a breaking story that you read about on another blog, but don't give the other blogger credit as your source. After all, that blogger and blog are your competition. Who would expect you to credit your competitor with providing your "product" for you? And besides, if that blogger got the info from yet another blog (and was foolish enough to admit it--and link to the other blog, no less), what's to stop you from bypassing that blog completely and going back to the original source? And why shouldn't you? The original source is the one that counts, anyway. And who would know?
Besides, why gum up the works with too many links? (Everyone knows how time-consuming it is to create a lot of links.) And wouldn't things become too confusing with so many different credits? It's simply a more efficient method of creating blog posts--and it doesn't confuse your reader with too many facts!
4. Never write posts on your own blog either commending or recommending other blogs or bloggers. That should be your regular rule of thumb. It's a sure way to lose your readers to them! By writing posts that highlight the knowledge or expertise of other bloggers--particularly those in your own niche--you make yourself seem less knowledgeable or talented than the blogger you are plugging.
And by sharing "link love" with other bloggers, you are laying out the red carpet--or is it the "flying carpet"--that makes it devilishly easy for your readers to "fly the coop." Wouldn't you much rather have a captive audience--to the extent that that's possible on the internet, anyway. (Since it's already so easy for readers to click away from your page, why make it any easier for them?)
5. Always be argumentative and unpleasant when leaving comments on others' blogs. Forcing bloggers to defend their positions regularly will keep them on their toes. (They'll thank you one day.) And, if nothing else, when they've deleted your comments as spam, you can go around bad mouthing them behind their backs--which should obviously make you look better, while casting doubt on their sense of fairness in refusing to air honest debate on their blogs. In fact, be sure to be downright rude every chance you get; it will show them who's really in charge, earning you their deep, if grudging, respect.
6. Never recognize, appreciate, or thank your readers, even when they leave comments on your posts--and especially when they are other bloggers who leave comments on your posts. In fact, don't even bother to reply to their comments. After all, you've already given them enough by deigning to share your extreme wisdom with them via your sterling blog posts. The least they can do is comment, after all you've done for them!
Are You Ready to Take Charge?
Well, my list is a trifle shorter than Yvonne's was: only six items here. But, I think I've covered each tip fairly extensively, so I'll let it go at that. I'll leave it to you to decide whether or not you have what it takes to be a take-charge blogger--a blogger who knows exactly what's required to show the world who's the best: YOU!
Do You Have Any Alienation Inducing Tips to Share?
I won't tag any specific bloggers to write on this topic, but I will invite any who would like to write about it to feel free to do so. (If you do, be sure to let me know in comments and link to this blog post.) Anyone else who has any tips on this topic is also welcome to share your ideas with us in comments. We'd love to hear them!
Satirically yours,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any questions? Feel free to comment!
September 13th 2007 21:34
Join Yvonne and Other Fellow Writers for a Great Time of Sharing Each Weekend!
On Friday, September 7th, Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business, kicked off her new Writers (and Bloggers) Cafe. In her own words, her purpose for instituting this writers' gathering every Friday through Sunday is to share "marvellous mini milestones and super successes," as well as links to writing- or blogging-related articles or websites that might be helpful to your fellow writers, your plans and goals for your writing/blogging--in short, anything relevant to writing or blogging.
For Further Info About the Cafe, Visit Grow Your Writing Business
You may read more about Yvonne's new weekend gathering in her Writers and Bloggers Cafe--Now Open at Grow Your Writing Business post. (Also, check out Share Your Marvellous Mini Milestones and Super Successes, the post in which she first introduces the Writers and Bloggers Cafe.) Sharing these small and large successes will be the focus of the Writers Cafe during the month of September.
Visit Yvonne's Site During the Week, As Well, for Other Helpful Writing-Related Content
There are many other reasons to visit Yvonne's blog, in addition to the Writers and Bloggers Cafe. At Grow Your Writing Business, Yvonne offers a great deal of valuable info and many helpful resources for writers and bloggers that can move you closer to the realization of your writing goals.
What Are You Doing This Weekend?
Why not drop by Grow Your Writing Business this weekend and check out the Writers and Bloggers Cafe? (It starts tomorrow, Friday.) Pull up a chair, grab a muffin and a cup of coffee, and enjoy a great time of fellowship with other likeminded creative people, as you share your own goals, aspirations, and accomplishments, relate to, celebrate, and learn from theirs.
I think you'll enjoy it!
See you there!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have any thoughts? Don't leave me lonely--Please comment!
September 11th 2007 05:24
The Realities of Book Publishing
Lillie Ammann has written a post, on A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye, that any writer planning on becoming involved in book publishing anytime in the foreseeable future would do well to read. It's called, The Realities of the Publishing World: Traditional, Subsidy, and Self-Publishing. Lillie has eight years in the publishing industry to her credit, which eminently qualifies her to write this piece.
Self-Publishing Explained
Lillie's post discusses the ongoing debate over the three types of book publishing and provides links to a few other helpful discussions of the topic. In addition to these resources, she links to her 14-part Self-Publishing Primer, where, in her own words, she offers readers "a more in-depth review of these different kinds of publishing and the advantages and disadvantages of each."
Gain A Bit of Publishing Knowledge
Lillie's Self-Publishing Primer is, itself worth the visit, with the other offsite resources she mentions providing the icing on the cake. So, if you have a book-length manuscript lying around waiting to find a home, and you're at all interested in learning a bit about the ins and outs of the book publishing industry--as well as the various options open to you in getting your own book published--visit Lillie's blog and have a read. You'll come away with a great deal more knowledge about publishing your book than you've ever had before.
Knowledge is power,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have any questions? Please feel free to comment!
A Write-from-Home Reminder
Write-from-home.com is a website that I've written about before. In my May 11th, 2007 post, Write-from-Home.Com: A New Site for Freelance Writers, I introduced this site to my readers, as the excellent resource that it is for writers.
Recently, Amy Derby, who runs the site, purchased a reprint of one of my articles, which appeared on my blog back in June and which she has just published in her September online e-zine. And, although this isn't really the reason I'm bringing her site up again (since my blog's readers have likely already read the post in question), it's as good a reason as any to remind everyone of a great site where writers will find helpful writing-related articles, writing markets and contest listings, and even a blog with some really great content.
The Write-from-Home Blog
With all the other helpful info on the site, it would be easy to overlook the Write-from-Home blog--but don't, because it's loaded with helpful tips, information, advice, and resources that can help you succeed. One post even contains a warning about a possible scam currently being advertised on Craigslist. So, check it out. I know you'll get a great deal out of this blog, as well as the rest of the site.
Some topics covered on the blog, in addition to the possible Craigslist scam, are these: dealing with stress as a freelance writer, the freelance workload "rollercoaster," setting up a home office on a budget, getting published as a new freelance writer, and freelance writing terms explained (quite a long list of them, too).
The Write-from-Home Market
So, if you've never been to Write-from-Home.Com--or haven't been there lately--drop by for a visit. You'll find a great deal of helpful information there.
And, if your forte just happens to be writing about selling your writing, you might just be able to sell some of your writing right there--since Amy buys both original articles and reprints for her Write-from-Home e-zine. (She pays $75 for unpublished articles and $30 for reprints.) Check out her Guidelines to find out what she's looking for.
Stop by Write-from-Home.Com--and give your freelance writing career a boost!
Happy reading!
Jeanne
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DataBanq: The Blog of DataBanq Media Network
The DataBanq Media Blog covers topics such as technology, social networking, and SEO. These are all subjects that affect not only businesses that market their products online, but also writers of online content--or writers who market their writing online.
Posts on this relatively new but popular Internet Blog are informative and well-written. One that stands out in particular was penned by DataBanq president David Bayer and presents an in-depth assessment of the current and future realities of social networking.
Another fascinating topic addressed by Bayer on this insightful Technology Blog is "orphaned pages" (i.e., pages that, due to changes made to a website, no longer have other pages linked to them) and how such pages can negatively impact a website's other pages in search results.
The Databanq Blog presents highly informative content for anyone who is interested in knowing a little more about the inner workings of the often-mysterious world of the internet. And there are few people today who aren't in some way affected by the realities of the WorldWide Web--writers included.
Thanks for reading,
Jeanne
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