Favorite Posts From Recent Blog Reading

www.inkthinkerblog.com — I’m so behind on my reading that I fear I’ll never catch up. But here are a few gems from the last few days that are must reads, even if you’re buried in blogs like I am. :]

From Writer Beware:
Among the more persistent items of writer mythology–agents are likely to steal your work, publishers aren’t interested in first-time authors, you can’t get an agent unless you’re already published–is the notion of blacklisting. Many people fear that there’s some sort of master reference list that agents and editors use to identify troublesome writers, or that agents or editors can turn a writer into an untouchable by passing his or her name around among their colleagues. Read more.

From The Anti-9-to-5-Guide:
Ask the cubicle expat: What are the biggest mistakes that newbie freelancers make? and Nifty freelance rate calculator

From Copyblogger:
The truth is, outside of cutting-edge theoretical science, there is nothing new. And even then, one might argue that scientists are merely discovering relationships amongst things already known. And that’s the key to stealing great content ideas—discovering a relationship between your subject matter expertise and things already known. Don’t worry… it’s not really stealing, but the instant improvement in your content is almost like cheating. Read more.

From BookEnds, LLC:
We hear the word all the time, but I realized today, while talking with an author, that we don’t always know what it means. As anyone familiar with nonfiction knows, a platform is critical to selling a book. I hear it all the time from publishers: “We’re looking for great new business/health/parenting/finance/spiritual/sex/etc. books, but of course the author has to have a really great platform.” So what is a platform? And what’s enough and what isn’t? Read more.

From Home Biz Notes:
Many caregivers must balance job commitments with responsibility for their family member. What happens when these two areas…caregiving and work…conflict? What happens when the home business owner has employees who develop caregiving responsibilities…whether for a child, spouse or parent? Read more.

From Business and Blogging:
Blogging is a transferrable skill. As Web 2.0/social media technology becomes more pervasive in the workplace, more and more business owners and executives are going to be looking for people who have the skills to handle the technology. And as any half-way committed blogger knows, there is a lot of knowledge and skill in this field that you can only acquire by doing it. Read more.

From Contract Worker:
Multiple email accounts: why you shouldn’t maintain them, and what you can do if you already handle lots of them. Read more.

From Declutter It!:
The latest Organize Your Life Blog Carnival, with topics on money management, kitchen organization, beating backlogs, boosting productivity, and more! Read more.

From A List Apart:
Content is the heart of a brilliant user experience. From the body content to the alt text to the footer, the words that shape the page lie at the very center of an engaging visit. If the words aren’t beautiful and meaningful, the sleekest design in the world won’t compensate for it. The body can never replace a missing heart. Read more.

From words/myth/ampers & virgule:
The 2007 Bulwer-Lytton contest winners. Read more.

There are so many more I’d love to share, but seeing as how I’ve been at Panera for about 4 hours already and the manager is glaring at me, I think it’s time to pack up and head out. More to follow at a later date.

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