writer's block
Need some inspiration so you can finish your novel? Or do you want tips on how to improve your writing skills? No matter what aspect of writing you are interested in, this section of inSITES will cover it.
Featured in this Issue
Writer's Block Resources
- Helpful Links
- Writing Books I Recommend
- Current Bestsellers in Literature & Fiction
- Current Bestsellers in Non-Fiction
- Marketing for Artists CD
- Share Your Ideas
Are Books Becoming Obsolete?
Amazon just launched the latest generation of wireless reader, the KindleDX. It holds up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and documents in a body that is only 1/3 of an inch thick. The cost is hefty at $489 (not including the books, of course), but Kindles are selling well. So, do electronic readers like Kindle spell the end for good old-fashioned books?
For years I’ve heard that books will soon disappear. It isn’t too hard to imagine, especially with so many newspapers going the way of the dinosaurs. Now that we can listen or download texts, can the book’s demise be far?
I don’t think so. See, here’s the thing: I’m an avid reader and part of the fun of reading is holding a book in your hand; a real book, not an electronic device. If I were a student, I would undoubtedly prefer to download my textbooks to a reader to lugging the hefty tomes from class to class. And for books that I use for research like dictionaries or thesauruses, those can all go in my electronic reader too. With a product like Kindle, I can annotate, look up words, bookmark sections and more. Fabulous! Sign me up for that. But for a book that I want to read, one I’ve been waiting for, there is no way I’m reading it through a device.
When Amazon introduced the Kindle, I must admit my heart jumped a bit. I was excited and suspicious. Oprah sang its praises on her show and soon Amazon started selling out of Kindles. Another version of Kindle was launched and now another. It is an obvious success.
I haven’t bought a Kindle…yet, though I reserve the right to do so when they reduce the price. Aside from its obvious benefits there are other perks: less space, no need for paper, no ink, etc. I see how that would benefit us as a society. It is greener and less wasteful.
To the powers that be: I want to propose a compromise. I will continue to buy real books by authors I love: F. Paul Wilson, Janet Evanovich, Dean Koontz and many others. After I finish reading them; inhaling their sweet smell, fingering their pulpy pages, and handling their covers, I promise I’ll recycle SOME of them (no way I’m giving up my signed, special edition of Black Wind) and download the electronic version of that book to a Kindle. I also pledge to download all articles, reference texts and periodicals to the Kindle as well. Okay? Does that work for you? I hope so, because if you take away my books, I don’t know what I’ll do. And if what my fellow readers are saying is any indication, there’ll be a revolution.
Blog About It: What are Your Views on Books vs. Electronic Readers?
top of page Upcoming Writing Contests
ABZ Press- First Book Prize
Deadline: June 30, 2009
Entry Fee: $25
Web site: www.abzpress.com
E-mail address: editorial@abzpress.com
A prize of $1,000, publication by ABZ Press, and 50 author copies will be given annually for a first poetry collection. Mark Halliday will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 80 pages with a $25 entry fee by June 30. Call, e-mail, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines.
ABZ Press, First Book Prize, P.O. Box 2746, Huntington, WV 25727-2746. (304) 733-5054. John McKernan, Editor.
The Writer Short Story Contest
Deadline: May 31, 2009
Entry Fee: $10
Web site: www.writermag.com/2009contest
A prize of $1,000 and publication in the Writer magazine will be given annually for a short story. Submit two copies of a story of up to 2,000 words with a $10 entry fee by May 31. Visit the Web site for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
The Writer, Short Story Contest, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612.
Emergency Press
Deadline: June 1, 2009
Entry Fee: $20
Web site: www.emergencypress.org
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Emergency Press will be given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or a hybrid of genres that explores a single topic. Jayson Iwen will judge. All entries will be considered for publication. Submit a manuscript of at least 80 pages with a $20 entry fee by June 1. Visit the Web site for complete guidelines.
Emergency Press, Book Contest, 533 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001. (206) 331-7477. Bryan Tomasovich, Managing Editor.
Full list of Grants & Writing Contests from Poets & Writers Magazine
Helpful Links for writers
- Grants & Awards: Your Guide to Writing Contests
- New York Foundation for the Arts
- University of Chicago Writing Program
- Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Reference
- Guide to Literary Agents Blog
Writing Books I Recommend
Current Fiction Bestsellers
Current Non-Fiction Bestsellers
Marketing for Artists CD
Based on Susan Lee's successful Marketing for Artists presentation, this highly informative CD can be viewed on your pc or printed. It includes the following sections:
- Marketing for Visual Artists
- Public Relations for Visual Artists
- Marketing & PR for Writers (information for published and non-published writers)
- Photoshop Tutorials
- How to Photograph Your Artwork
- Portfolio Creation and Organization (hard copies and online galleries)
- Complete clickable links to recommended instructional videos, marketing books and software
- Clickable links to artists resources on the web including grants, mailing lists, benefits for artists & more
Order your Marketing for Artists CD now for only $15 (+$5 S&H)
Share Your Ideas
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