| SUNOASIS 2004 PUBLISHING and WRITING BLOG
NEW!
"Writing is a dog's life, but the only life worth
living."
-- Gustave Flaubert
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
- [Editor Notes]
- [The Writing Life]
- [The Professional Life]
- [Writing In The News]
- [Resources]
- [Sunoasis Opinion]
- [Career Advice]
- [At C/Oasis]
- [Markets]
- [Community]
- [Acknowledgments]
E D I T O R N O T E S
Don't forget to get your free preview issue
of Sunoasis X 2004 here.
This month we focus on researching and how it can
improve your writing life. We stick with this basic
unit of writing skill because writers who learn
to use the beast effectively will have enormous
competitive advantage. It's that simple.
The higher paying markets are filled with educated
readers who expect more than run-of-the-mill information.
You need to bring considerable resource to convince
them you can solve their problems. And the editor,
deciding on what to buy for his publication, is thinking
along the same lines.
T H E W R I T I N G L I F E
When journalists blog, editors get nervous, according to Steve
Outing of Editor and Publisher.
Writer Harry Harrison told students interested in careers
in writing about his 50-year career and what impacted
his writing.
T H E P R O F E S S I O N A L L I F E
A few years ago I found myself a contributing editor for
a small energy magazine that published electrical power
articles for engineers, managers, and CEO's. The experience
of writing at that level of expertise sharpened my research
skills. It made me humble as well.
What do you want to know and where can you get it?
The art of research is like any other art; look deep
and wide between the simplicity of boundaries you've
established around the project.
In the process of writing the articles I talked to
experts, tapped into electronic databases, read primary,
secondary, and tertiary sources. I read informational white-
papers from governments and the United Nations; accumulated
enough resource material to make 50 articles but wrote
only a few.
I discovered one of the magic moments of being a
writer. I was considered an expert by the non-experts
and a credible communicator by the experts. I learned
there is a difference between an expert and one who
possesses a lot of information.
I was good, however, at gathering information, presenting
it, and knowing who had the best sources. That is not only
the key for writers, it is the key to the future in which
we will be made dumb by the sheer volume of information
available.
Beginning Research:
Approach it with a problem to solve. A topic has been picked,
there are innumerable problems associated with the topic; now
pick one problem and begin to research all the solutions to
the problem.
There's no reason to research everything about a subject.
And that is especially true if you are trying to sell an
article to a magazine. Research enough to make a credible,
interesting piece of writing. One that tries to solve
a problem shared by the audience you are trying to reach.
R e s e a r c h L i n k s :
-----------
Information Please
Starting Points for Internet Research from the Online
Writing Lab from Purdue University.
RobertNiles.com can help you.
Ulrich's International Periodical Directory: This indexes
magazines by subject.
You can get the more extensive article from Sunoasis X 2004
by subscribing today. It's only $10 for a whole years worth
of resource. Try the preview!
--------------------------
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W R I T I N G I N T H E N E W S
Auckland writer-illustrator Pamela Allen has won this
year's Margaret Mahy Medal for children's literature, it
was announced today. ...
If there was not a body of literature, then Native people
would be invisible. Sometimes the term 'Indian' is an
abstract idea. ...
Translating great works of literature is an art and a science.
The story of a small mouse in love with a princess has won
the top honor in children's literature from the American Library Association.
A writer's book of days.
The Poetry windfall.
R E S O U R C E S
As we have noted elsewhere, librarians are among the
first heroes of the Internet literary system because
they compile and sort out the terabytes of information
locked up in the Net database.
C r a f t :
-----------
Interviewing techniques.
Interviewing techniques from a psychologist.
Query letters.
Writing query letters that sell by Alex Keegan.
Conjugate verbs in 100 languages!
---------------------------
O r g a n i z a t i o n s :
---------------------------
American Literary Translation Association
LitLine
Outdoor Writers Association of America
-----------------------
e p u b l i s h i n g :
-----------------------
If you think e-books are dead you should read this article.
The cell phone is "way past being just a phone" in Japan.
The device is commonly used to transmit e-mails, link remotely
to PCs, download music and read newspapers and even novels.
Editors Weblog
The pong of electronic publishing
-----------------------
M e d i a:
-----------------------
Blogs are being created that actually monitor reporters on
the campaign trail.
A blog by journalism educators.
You leave one of the most successful, best-paying jobs in
journalism and you walk away cold turkey and you've just
turned 35.
S U N O A S I S O P I N I O N
The fascinating irony is that the book is a superior technology to the Internet or
Computer.
C A R E E R A D V I C E
Sunoasis Career Newsletter is free and is full of interesting stuff,
Q and A, links, and other resources you've expected from Sunoasis.com
the past six years. To subscribe just go here.
Ask a question about your career!
A T C/ O A S I S
Hey, we even have a new literary newsletter and you can get it free
if you click here!
M A R K E T S A N D L E A D S
Managing Editor of Best Friends Magazine
Location: Kanab, Utah
Manage and edit Best Friends magazine and other literature
for the sanctuary and the No More Homeless Pets campaign.
You have wide journalistic experience, and you can't wait
to get your hands on Best Friends magazine! You can cover
all the bases, from writing and editing materials, to
copy-editing the text as it comes in, to managing the
schedule. You're a hound for news, have a nose for detail,
and are almost as passionate about rescuing stray commas
as you are about stray dogs and cats. Programs like InDesign
and InCopy are a breeze to you.
You've done it all in the professional journalistic world,
and now you want to do it for the animals. Read full ad.
* * * * * * * *
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Copywriter, Freelance
Monarch Design, a design and advertising agency, is in need
of writer for websites and brochures. Copywriter must have
advertising/design agency experience. Must be located in
Los Angeles, CA area.
Please submit Resume and PDF or URL of samples to:
jobs@monarchdesignsite.com
* * * * * * * *
On Sunoasis X 2004 there are market listings for Lifestyle
publications that pay very good rates. Subscribe today
and get a year's worth of resource for only $10.
Job Links for new leads!
* * * * * * * *
Colossal Directory of Children's Publishers
How to find foreign writing markets.
The National Writer's Union has a list of markets
that pay $1/word and up.
Job Links for new leads!
If you have any suggestions about markets you want
guidelines for, just drop a line
C O M M U N I T Y
Shaw Guide for Writing Conferences in March.
The American Society of Journalists and Authors has
announced the dates and program information for its
2004 event. Scheduled for April 24 through 25 at
Manhattan’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, the 2004 ASJA Writers
Conference will feature an exciting line-up of editors
and writers from around the country. For more info click
here.
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S
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Thanks to Lynda Lester from the Digital Information Group
of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder,
Colorado for her generous contribution to
Sunoasis! Thanks Lynda!
F Y I
Put an ad in Sunoasis 2004 and reach its 4,400 subscribers.
Just $25 a month!
Contact mailto:eide491@earthlink.net
* * * * * * * *
Have a story you want to tell--and sell--but don't know where
to start?
Let me help!
Award-winning writer/editor will help you harness the power of
your words and make your stories sing! Call or e-mail for your
free consultation:
J&J Publications
(630) 889-1979
E-mail: jjpub1995@aol.com
* * * * * * * *
What's the difference between good writing and great writing?
Professional editing. Let me help you get your book-length
manuscript into shape for submission to an agent or for
self-publication. Structural, stylistic and copy editing are
my specialties; inspiration is the energy my clients say I
bring to the process. Reasonable rates, timely service!
Email me at gaylv@yahoo.com
* * * * * * * *
Team of experienced professionals, which includes a
Pulitzer Prize nominee and several published authors,
will edit your fiction or non-fiction
manuscript for today's tough market. Reputable firm.
References. First-time writers our specialty.
See us at http://www.a1editing.com
* * * * * * * *
Sunoasis--You're amazing! A mere five hours after I sent in
the text for my classified ad I got a call for a writing
project, and within two days, the project was mine. Thanks
so much for your invaluable services!
Debbie Lerman, freelance writer
http://www.sunoasis.com/classif.html
E T C/ E T C/ E T C
Editor/Publisher: David Eide
C/Oasis
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Please do if you have any advice; anything you'd want to
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Let's all meet again in March 2004!
David
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