Friday's Interesting Links

Books I Recommend

Walking Dead by C.E. Murphy

The fourth in her Walker Papers urban fantasy series, Walking Dead offers a wonderful look into how Joanne is maturing into her shamanistic powers, though she still has doubts. I must admit, when I saw zombies, I was curious how she'd tackle one of the popular genre tropes in a way that is unique. Let's just say that while her zombies are traditional, everything surrounding them is not, from what brings them to life to Joanne's reaction and solution. Even if you haven't been following the series, this one is a fun read. And when you're done, go back and read the rest of them :).

Promoting/Submitting/Publishing

Some thoughts and examples of bad and good author websites.
http://thefutureofpublishing.com/blog/2009/09/what-makes-a-great-author-website/

A look at author promotion successes:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/23/AR2009092304603.html

A look at what a publicist can and cannot do:
http://heydeadguy.typepad.com/heydeadguy/2009/09/what-does-a-publicist-go-for-these-days.html

Dealing with rejection letters:
http://www.gabrielle-edits.com/2009/09/24/dealing-with-rejection/

Tips on researching agents:
http://www.migwriters.com/2009/09/28/targeting-to-find-your-agent-mate/

Editorial acquisitions process explained:
http://helpingwriters.com/newsletter-archives/the-biggest-and-most-common-misunderstanding-about-book-publishing

A solid examination of copyright infringement's costs and excuses.
http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/writing/pirate.shtml

Questions to ask interested agents:
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2009/09/next-set-of-questions-to-ask.html

The ten commandments of blogging. I'm still working on this one.
http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2009/09/ten-commandments-of-blogging.html

Tips on oral performance of written work
http://writeforyourlife.net/stand-and-deliver-five-ps-for-a-perfectly-acceptabl-performance

I've included links to instances when authors fail to respond appropriately. How fun to have one that is the reverse:
http://saturdaywriters.com/best-author-response-ever/

Writing

The nuts and bolts of creating sympathetic characters.
http://www.sff.net/people/alicia/artsympathy.htm

Techniques for overcoming procrastination:
http://alisonwells.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/five-ways-to-procrastinate-your-procrastination/

When an editor requests a rewrite...
http://helpingwriters.com/newsletter-archives/when-an-editor-wants-a-rewrite

Some good observations about querying:
http://johannaharness.com/Johanna_Harness/Blog/Entries/2009/9/25_Seven_things_Ive_learned_from_querying.html

Suggestions for managing writing projects:
http://menwithpens.ca/how-to-finish-a-writing-project

On writing characters that are different from you:
http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/09/26/damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont/

A great evaluation of the value in a crit and how to find that value:
http://pattyjansen.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/please-dont-tell-me-its-wonderful/

Social

Mastering Twitter:
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/32-FE3-TimeToTwitter.html

Handling anxiety:
http://zenhabits.net/2009/09/survive-and-thrive-how-to-transform-anxiety-into-inspiration/

Reading

A manifesto against censorship:
http://bannedbooksweek.org/BBWManifesto.pdf

Science

A look at a 4.4 million-year-old ancestor:
http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/dn17894-ardi-an-in-depth-look
http://www.world-science.net/othernews/091001_ardipethicus