Category Archives: Resources

Internet writing resource of the week: poetry writing workshop by Tim Liardet

Posted on November 14, 2006 by Keren

Tim Liardet has some interesting and useful comments on writing poetry:

In this workshop, I want you to tackle a similarly risky subject which you know will challenge a range of sensitivities, even political correctness. I want you to choose a subject which will be intrinsically difficult to write about, a subject for which you will probably need to test out a range of approaches before you strike the most appropriate one. It can be any subject, as long as it is risky, fraught with pitfalls. Striking the right approach is the preeminent purpose of the exercise.

Having isolated the pitfalls, now try and establish a list of the possible approaches. At this stage you must have the pitfalls uppermost in your mind if you are going to achieve the most effective means of avoiding them. You might then interrogate the approach:

a) does it assume knowledge of a subject you do not have?
b) does it take advantage of someone else’s misfortune?
c) does it diminish something serious or tragic, for the poem’s sake?
d) does it set out merely to be eye-catching or sensational?

Link to the Guardian Unlimited article

Posted in Articles, Authors, Poetry, Resources |

New Website Helps Writers Find Freelance Jobs

Posted on November 6, 2006 by Aurel

(PRWeb) November 6, 2006 — Freelance writer Brian Scott has launched Online-Writing-Jobs.com ( http://www.Online-Writing-Jobs.com ), a new website that helps writers find freelance writing jobs and helps clients find freelance writers for current projects.

Online-Writing-Jobs.com offers several jobbank sections to help writers find different kinds of freelance work. Writers can browse through freelance jobs according to pay-level (high-paying, low-paying or non-paying writing gigs); or writers can search for a specific writing job, such as copywriting or SEO writing, by using Online-Writing-Jobs.com’s search feature. Clients can post help-wanted-ads for free to find writers for their projects; or clients can search for specific writers using Online-Writin Jobs.com’s search feature.

Online-Writing-Jobs.com is an active community of writers and clients networking, posting, and finding the right job or right candidate. Job opportunities are updated in real-time and writers can freely reply to any job posting.

Online-Writing-Jobs.com is stripped of flashy design and is optimized for speed. Clients and writers can breeze through job postings very quickly without waiting.
(more…)

Posted in Resources, Websites |

Book Release: Teach Yourself Travel Writing

Posted on November 6, 2006 by Aurel

Teach Yourself Travel Writing
By Cynthia Dial

• Get it: McGraw-Hill, $12.95.

• Basics: Dial, a travel writer since 1988, has journeyed countless miles across the globe, has published hundreds of travel articles and teaches a class on travel writing in Southern California. Teach Yourself Travel Writing is the result of her experiences.

• Tips: Dial discusses how to get started, trip preparation, the elements of a good article, finding a market and the importance of keeping accurate records. What separates the traveler from the travel writer? She says anyone who pursues the profession should be creative, resourceful, self-motivated, organized, adventurous and broad-minded.                         -CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Posted in Book Release, Resources |

NY Times Bestsellers, (week of Nov. 6th, 2006)

Posted on November 6, 2006 by Aurel

Hardcover Fiction

HARDCOVER FICTION

Top 5 at a Glance
1. LISEY’S STORY, by Stephen King
2. FOR ONE MORE DAY, by Mitch Albom
3. THE COLLECTORS, by David Baldacci
4. ACT OF TREASON, by Vince Flynn
5. ECHO PARK, by Michael Connelly

Complete Hardcover Fiction List »

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, by Barack Obama
2. THE INNOCENT MAN, by John Grisham
3. CULTURE WARRIOR, by Bill O’Reilly
4. STATE OF DENIAL, by Bob Woodward
5. I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK, by Nora Ephron

Complete Hardcover Nonfiction List »

(more…)

Posted in Articles, Newly Released Books, Non-fiction, Resources |

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 |

Internet writing resource of the week: the NaNoWrimo forums

Posted on November 2, 2006 by Keren

And, in keeping with the November spirit, our writing resource this week is the NaNoWriMo forums.

NaNoWriMo.org has one of the largest writing communities on the internet.  On its many and varied boards, you can find answers to questions about setting, help with your plots, writing games; even adoptable characters, titles and plots.

Even if you’re not taking part in the NaNoWriMo challenge this year, the forums are still a great resource and community throughout the year.

Link to the main forum page (register here).

Posted in Resources, Websites |

New Zealand Writing Fellowship Doubles in Value

Posted on October 26, 2006 by Aurel

Law firm Buddle Findlay is celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of New Zealand’s most successful literary fellowships by doubling the annual financial grant it makes to the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship from $20,000 to $40,000 a year.

The award, offered each year in partnership with The Frank Sargeson Trust, also allows an outstanding published New Zealand writer to live and write rent-free in the Sargeson flat, located next to Auckland University.
Well-known writer Emily Perkins is the current holder of the fellowship. She took up her year-long tenure at the Sargeson apartment in February where she has been working on her new book, Novel About My Wife, for Bloomsbury Publishing.

The fellowship was established in 1987 to commemorate Frank Sargeson and provide assistance for New Zealand writers. Next year will also be the 10th anniversary of Buddle Findlay’s sponsorship. Applications for the 20th anniversary fellowship close on November 3.

(more…)

Posted in Articles, Awards, Contests, Resources |

Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students

Posted on October 25, 2006 by Aurel

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation announced the 2007 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is accepting submissions from U.S. high school students. A first place cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded.

The annual Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites students to write an essay about a political issue at the local, state or national level and an elected official in the United States who is acting or has acted courageously to address that issue. The contest is a companion program of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, named for President Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Profiles in Courage,” which recounts the stories of American statesmen, the obstacles they faced and the special valor they demonstrated despite the risks. The essay contest is sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and generously supported by Fidelity Investments.

Students and teachers may access the contest’s Web site at http://www.jfklibrary.org. The deadline for entry is Jan. 6, 2007.

(Read the original article here)

Posted in Awards, Education, Resources, Websites |

Article Explores Benefits of Writing Groups

Posted on October 25, 2006 by Aurel

The following article in The Republican asks the question, What to look for in a writing group?

Many writers prefer to write in a secluded, quiet space without interruption. And sadly, all too often, the writing is then tucked away in some dark drawer or private journal and never read by anyone other than the writer, leaving the writer wondering, “Is it any good?,” “Should I cut that last line?,” “Should I use a comma here or a dash?” 

Writers can benefit from having others read and critique their work before the final polished version.

Good writing ought to be shared. Not-so-good writing can be improved (and then shared). That’s where writing groups come in – a good writing group will support your efforts as a writer and offer suggestions on how your work might be improved.

(Read more)

Posted in Articles, Resources |

NEA Launches 'The Big Read'

Posted on October 23, 2006 by Aurel

The National Endowment for the Arts has launched a nationwide program to help bring reading back to the forefront of American Culture.

“The Big Read answers a big need. Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, a 2004 report by the National Endowment for the Arts, found that not only is literary reading in America declining rapidly among all groups, but that the rate of decline has accelerated, especially among the young. The concerned citizen in search of good news about American literary culture would study the pages of this report in vain.”

“The Big Read aims to address this crisis squarely and effectively. It provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities. The initiative includes innovative reading programs in selected cities and towns, comprehensive resources for discussing classic literature, an ambitious national publicity campaign, and an extensive Web site providing comprehensive information on authors and their works.”

“Each community event lasts approximately one month and includes a kick-off event to launch the program locally, ideally attended by the mayor and other local luminaries; major events devoted specifically to the book (panel discussions, author reading, and the like); events using the book as a point of departure (film screenings, theatrical readings, and so forth); and book discussions in diverse locations and aimed at a wide range of audiences.”

(More from the Official Site)

Posted in Education, Reading, Resources, Websites |