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I decided to extend my book reviews and such onto my own blog where hopefully I can make a little money using adsense. My blog is called Bookish Blogging and I’m doing this in baby steps. I’d like to use it as an extension of the Suite101 Literary Culture articles. Maybe use it to write short reviews, exchange books with others, start an online reading group, the possibilities are endless.
Stop by and check it out. Also, share any comments or suggestions, they are always helpful.
I am curious to see if it is worth using. Primarily it would be geared toward books and movies about books, so nothing too pricey (don’t even know if that matters?). It wouldn’t be for this blog, but another book focused blog. Share your experiences, good AND bad.
Gawker has a fun piece up today about people who blog for free. You can also substitute the word “blog” for “write” and it still resonates the same message. Read it and then let me know your opinion. I think you already know mine (JUST SAY ‘NO’).
It’s no surprise that print media has been on a continuous downfall for a while. But looking at these numbers from Portfolio regarding the first half of the year are very saddening:
So how do you feel about seeing these numbers? For me, it kind of gives the concept some solidification. You hear people talk about how magazines are on a decline and you don’t really buy into that until you see the facts.
How does this affect you as a writer? Again, for me, it’s very discouraging. It’s obvious that mags are going to be cutting back due to these numbers and that trickles down to two things for freelancers: 1) less opportunity and 2) lower pay.
How does this affect you as a mag reader? Truthfully, I don’t subscribe to many mags anymore (though truth be told I just did re-subscribe to The New Yorker and Vanity Fair but only because I got a killer deal). If there is something particularly intriguing I see if the website has the same story (about half the time they do).
For anyone who is interested, I have updated the Literary Culture Topic page on Suite101 to meet my ideas and plans for content. As always, your feedback is welcome.
Ok, so we want to be taken seriously as writers. We want to command big pay and reputable jobs. We need to come off in all aspects as professional. We need to ooze serious, professional and business-mindedness at ALL times. So how to we do this?
Create an email strictly for business use. No more cutesy email address when dealing with anything and anyone with the potential to see us as less than serious about what we do.
I’ve FINALLY gotten around to creating a “for business use only” email account that sounds 100% professional.
Do any of you have multiple emails for your different “personas”?
I am pretty excited that I decided to go for it and pursue the open FW position on Suite101 that I was interested in. So, without further ado, I’d like to announce that I am now the Literary Culture Feature Writer on Suite101. I’m pretty excited since it gives me something to focus my writing on. I am really passionate about the topic, so I am thrilled to research new stories and plan out an agenda for the topic. I’ll let you know when I have created and updated the page to fit my ideas and you can let me know what you think.
It may be entirely possible that I am the only person who does not Twitter. I am also kind of ashamed to admit why that is. Truth be told, I don’t really get it. I mean I know that it basically lets your friends or those who “follow” you, know what you are up to, but how does that really help me? Socially, it’s a way to let people know quickly and concisely what’s going on, I get that. But why else would a person Twitter?
Let’s discuss:
1. Do you Twitter?
2. If so, what is the purpose of it for you?
3. What should I know about Twitter?
UPDATE: I am now twittering (as an experiment, of course). If you want to follow me click on my Twitter link on the bottom left hand side of this blog, or here.
How amazing would it be to land this gig as a literary assistant intern at Playboy magazine? Come on, regardless of what you think of the magazine’s photographic content, you can’t argue that it’s published some of the most famous writer’s works since it’s Marilyn Monroe beginnings. But I digress. Here is the job I wish the 10-years younger version of me had the chance to land:
Playboy Magazine fall ‘08 literary intern
Job/Internship type:Unpaid InternshipCompany/Publication Name:Playboy MagazineLocation:New York, NYDescription:The literary editor at Playboy Magazine is seeking an undergraduate intern
to work 1-2 days a week beginning in early to mid August through the fall
semester. This is a paid, non-credit internship. The intern will primarily
be responsible for assisting the literary editor in reading unsolicited
fiction submissions, managing galleys and advance proofs sent from
publishers for the purposes of review or excerpt, and general office
duties. In addition, the intern will have the opportunity to read material
(fiction and nonfiction) by established authors whose work is under
consideration for publication in the magazine. Applicants should have
strong organizational, reading, and writing skills, be familiar with the
magazine’s history and character, and, ideally, be studying English,
creative writing, or journalism.
Lately while working at my desk, my cats have become a bit eager to “help”. This translates to eight paws walking all over the desk including keyboard. Then it dawned on me, I need this:
Ok, I wouldn’t actually spend money on this but it is an interesting idea. I especially like how it attaches to the side of the desk and swivels outward, what a space-saver!
Do any of you have a similar problem with pets while trying to work?
