A Slightly Late Friday Round Up

Yeah, yeah, I know, it's Saturday here in Australia, but it just seems wrong to have a Saturday round up. So you'll just have to live with a very late Friday round up. Think of it like you are in another country which lags behind the rest of the globe (maybe on a bit of string) so it is always more than 24 hour behind.

Anyway...what's happened out in the world this week?

Image thanks to icanhas.cheezburger.com

 

Well, I don't really know, as I've been sick in bed (yeah, great for all you Americans talking about the arrival of summer, but some of us are heading into flue season). However, here are some of the great things from the Interwebs.

Competitions:

The Writer's Digest writing competition is open again but closing in a week, final deadline 14th June.

What makes it so interesting? Check out these prizes:

• NEW-An announcement of the winner on the cover of Writer’s Digest
• A 30-minute Platform Strategy Consultation with Chuck Sambuchino
• A one year subscription to Writer’s Digest eBooks
• A chance to win $3,000 in cash
• Get national exposure for your work
• One on one attention with four editors or agents
• A paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City!

 And last of all, more practice and exposure! 

Need Some Help?

The Huffington Post gives you the anatomy of a query letter, a useful breakdown of the important elements of a query letter. Having trouble in your first drafts? Take a break and practice writing the query letter for it, you will find that it helps you sought out some of your overarching ideas about the story.

To Make You Think:

As you know, I'm battling with my job and trying to find time to write. Therefore, this article really stood out to me: 10 Reasons Why 2013 Will Be The Year To Quit Your Job. 

It is aimed at the American market, but I think it pretty much holds true for more people than would like to admit it. It's not specifically for writers, but it includes us. 

Just For Fun:

 

Highly recommend the New Yorker's 8 simple rulers for being a writer, it will set you straight on a lot of things you thought you understood (such as making your characters three dimensionally, obviously it was talking about height, width and depth).  

Well, that's it for another week. Have fun!

Friday Writing Feast

Welcome back to Friday! Yah!

Continuing on with the Smile Writers, It's Friday theme of rounding up great stuff from around the interwebs...


Favourite quote:

'Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.' - E.G. White,

tweeded by Bethanne Patrick @TheBookMaven


People I wish I was right now:

B.J.Novak (actor in The Office).

Why? He's just signed a two-book deal with Alfred A. Knopf as a first time author for a seven figure advance. He had nin publishers bidding on the poposal.

What this means? First, Comedy memoirs are hot property right now.
Also, become famous first helps in becoming an author. Hollywood, here I come!


I'm Sure I said this first:

Steam Feed has just released a post about why students should start blogging.
Their argument is that during studies it will keep your writing skills sharp, and that afterwards it will help graduates stand out.
They then give some tips for students wanting to start blogging.

I'm sure I said this a few months ago. Or at least thought, which should count because I know I did it.
I think it is a great idea for students, even if they don't blog, to build up a strong portfolio of articles on article directories. It will help them summarise what they are learning (yes, that's the University tutor in me coming out), and can help them earn some extra money. And finally, it will make them appear more of an expert in the field.

So go for it!


Great Deal For Poetry Readers:

Coffee House Press have teamed up with a few others and for National Poetry Month (every April, in case you didn't know like me), they are offering a free book to give to someone for every book of poetry purchased via their website. So, for anyone who wants to get educating the masses, start buying!

So, that's some of the stuff happening around the web.

Anyone got any other good links to share?