Category Archives: Education

FFA Sponsors Writing Contest for Students

Posted on November 25, 2006 by Aurel

Students are encouraged to select a risk management strategy relative to their supervised program, analyze the risk, indicate tools used to minimize risk, and explain their application of these tools in an essay of no less than 1,000 words.

Ten national winning essays will be selected on the basis of content, adherence to the assigned topic, grammar, organization, originality and creativity. Each of the 10 winners and their advisers will travel to Washington, D.C., all expenses paid, for a special USDA Risk Management Agency/ FFA Day in April/May 2007. Students and advisers will meet with USDA officials and members of Congress for a special ceremony.

More information is available here.

Posted in Contests, Education, Uncategorized |

More Than a Million Invited to Write and Edit First Collaborative Book on Management Best Practices

Posted on November 16, 2006 by Aurel

Taking a page from Wikipedia, publishing giant Pearson, under its Wharton School Publishing imprint, has embarked on a new book publishing project with two innovative collaborators that could involve thousands, if not tens of thousands of authors and editors.

Full press release available here

Posted in Authors, Education, Non-fiction, Publishers, Upcoming releases |

WINNING WRITING ON THE WEB

Posted on November 15, 2006 by Aurel

The menu for this year’s Science Journalism Awards, served up by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, has something for everyone: light fare, such as lizard evolution for kids or the quest to build a better banana … classics with a twist, such as a look at how climate change is changing the American West … and heavy dishes such as the state of the search for Alzheimer’s cures and a look back at San Francisco’s killer earthquake of 1906. And the best thing is, all of these award-winning selections are available on the Web.

The winners are selected by an independent panel of scientific journalists, and honored at the annual AAAS meeting, scheduled next February in San Francisco. Financial support is provided by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development. Since 1945, 400 science journalists have received the awards – and I’ve had the honor of being one of the recipients as well as a judge and an emcee.

“Outstanding science writing is essential if the public is to better understand complex issues such as climate change or genetics,” Alan Leshner, the AAAS’ chief executive officer and executive publisher of the journal Science, said in Monday’s announcement. “The awards this year honor some superb work that is both informative and engaging.”

Full article and list of winners, Alan Boyle, Cosmic Log

Posted in Articles, Authors, Awards, Education, Non-fiction |

History of Writing Researched Along the Silk Road

Posted on November 15, 2006 by Aurel

 Turkish and Swedish scholars are setting out to research the history of ‘Runic writing,’ which is thought to have formed the base of the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets.

During the journey which will take three months, the researchers will delve into the mysteries of time in 25 countries; all on the route of the historical Silk Road.

Planning to begin their scientific journey in April 2007, the researchers will study in a wide range of countries such as Mongolia, Russia, Iceland, Norway, England, and Kazakhstan.

 

The project team will act on the thesis that the Silk Road advanced into northern Europe carrying writing along with it. They will initially and primarily examine Runic writing.

Full article, Muhenna Kahveci, Zaman Daily News

Posted in Articles, Education, Events |

Nobel winner recounts tumultuous writing career

Posted on November 15, 2006 by Aurel

Orhan Pamuk, this year’s recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, spoke about his personal experiences as an author and the importance of freedom of expression at the kickoff of “Strange Times, My Dear, A Freedom-to-Write Literary Festival” Tuesday in a packed Salomon 101.

Pamuk, a Turkish author, was one of a handful of authors and literary activists participating in a roundtable discussion that preceded a conversation with Pamuk moderated by Robert Coover, adjunct professor of literary arts and director of the International Writers Project, which sponsored the event.

The festival, which runs until Friday, is sponsored by the Program in Literary Arts and the Watson Institute for International Studies and includes lectures, readings and an Iranian film festival.

Each year, the IWP awards a fellowship to one writer who is unable to practice free expression in his or her own country and sponsors a festival to increase awareness of the situation in the IWP Fellow’s homeland. This year’s fellow is Iranian novelist Shahryar Mandanipour.

Full Article, Hannah Furst, Brown Daily Herald, here

Posted in Articles, Authors, Education, Events |

API offers comprehensive list of writing resources

Posted on November 5, 2006 by Aurel

The American Press Institute website (www.americanpressinstitute.org) offers an astounding list of resources for writers.  Geared towards journalist, the list is a treasure trove of information gathering sources for all writers.  Containing everything from reference materials and handouts to works by Shakespeare and essay’s on the art and business of writing.  If it’s about writing, it’s listed.

Visit the official resource page here

Posted in Education, Resources, Websites |

Call for Submissions

Posted on November 5, 2006 by Aurel

Inkwell Newswatch (IN) is actively looking for fresh, new content on the “how-to” of writing. No matter what you specialize in, whether it be script writing, poetry, business, journalism, novels, legal, we’d like you to be involved. For full details please email: submissions@fwointl.com
SUBJECT: Writer Overview and send some details within the body of the email about yourself, what you do and what “how-to” article(s) you’d like to write for us. Not to fear, we’ll get back to you as soon as humanly possible.

Posted in Articles, Education, Non-fiction, Publishers, Websites |

Maine Humanities Council announces writing contest for students

Posted on November 5, 2006 by Aurel

The Maine Humanities Council is sponsoring an essay contest entitled, “Letters About Literature.” This free annual contest is open to all students in grades four through 12.

Students are invited to write a short letter to an author, either living or dead, explaining how that author’s book changed their way of viewing the world and themselves. The deadline for entries is Friday, Dec. 8.

Applications, samples of winning letters and tips and resources for teachers are all available online at www.mainehumanities.org, or by contacting the Maine Humanities Council at 773-5051.

(more…)

Posted in Children's books, Contests, Education |

Weeklong festival celebrates, probes nonfiction writing

Posted on November 5, 2006 by Aurel

The folks at Creative Nonfiction are worried that nobody believes authors anymore.

It’s the fallout from disclosures that autobiographer James Frey exaggerated his life story and that journalists Jason Blair and Stephen Glass found it easier to make up stories than write the truth.

To get writers back on course, the Pittsburgh-based foundation and literary journal is holding a weeklong look at “Ethics in Writing” during its third 412 Creative Nonfiction Festival, “Can You Handle The Truth?,” at spots around the city.

“It’s the responsibility of all nonfiction writers to tell the truth,” said Lee Gutkind, foundation director.

(more…)

Posted in Education, Events, Non-fiction |

Soul of Travel Workshop offers Opportunity for Travel Writers

Posted on October 31, 2006 by Aurel

The editors of Spirituality & Health magazine invite you to a week long retreat with travel writer Judith Fein, her photographer husband Paul Ross (see their website at www.GlobalAdventure.us), and Editor-in-Chief Steve Kiesling, at a remarkable eco-resort, Rancho Encantado (www.encantado.com), in the heart of the Yucatán, in Mexico, near Belize.

We will go to remote Maya archeological sites, cook with Maya people, swim, go kayaking, get a massage, take a boat trip, enjoy breakfast and a three-course candlelight gourmet dinner each day, explore the remote tropical lagoon where the resort is located, and learn to transform all these experiences into travel articles and travel stories. For those interested, travel photography will be demystified.

The best story will be published in Spirituality & Health. No experience in writing or photography necessary. Space is limited to 26, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All costs are included, except airfare to Cancún. The resort is three and one half hours from Cancún, and transportation from the airport is provided.

Price per person is $1,895.
($100 discount for booking before December 15.)
To reserve, call Rancho Encantado at 1.800.505 MAYA (5292).

Soul of Travel Writing Workshop
March 8–15, 2007
Rancho Encantado eco-retreat & spa
Laguna Bacalar
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

Posted in Contests, Education, Events, Non-fiction, Publishers, Websites |