What Does ISBN Mean? Readers are sometimes confused when trying to order a book from bookstores, Amazon.com or the library and are asked for the ISBN code. ISBN is an acronym for ‘International Standard Book Number’. It is a code used to identify and keep track of books. It is usually printed on the dust jacket or inside cover of a book. History of ISBN In the 1960s, W. H. Smith (one of the lar...

Overcoming Shyness in Public Speaking I am no expert at public speaking, but I have been called upon to deliver speeches to crowds numerous times (at graduations, for accepting awards, as a bridesmaid, etc.) even when I was so shy that talking to people at all, let alone en masse, occasionally brought on panic attacks. Through experience, and by incorporating what worked for me as a salesperson, ...

Making Workshops Work Over a period of thirteen years, I’ve had 31 publications, yet I’ve also quit writing several times. A large part of this has come from involvement in writers workshops and groups. A good experience empowers me. A bad one convinces me to tear up all my ongoing projects and pursue another profession. These things encountered at workshops and groups wasted my time or left me ...

Writing can be managed like everything else I have discovered the ability to make myself sit down and write something fictional on command. I’ve been haunted by “writer’s block” but this last Sunday, I had to conquer it. As I posted earlier, I have been working on my story collection to get it ready for the second round of feedback, before I start sending it out to agents, publishers, etc. I hav...

5 Writing Myths Busted One common element whenever human beings gather is the need to talk and share experiences. Often that need turns into something a little more fun, a little more dangerous — gossip. Gossip is often fun but it can also be dangerous because it spreads quickly (because it is fun) and often distorts or even completely avoids the truth. Gossip creates myths in many fields and pro...

6 Steps To Becoming Your Own Best Editor One of the first important lessons a writer learns is that writing is a process, a series of steps that take an idea from concept to completed work. This is true whether the work is an article, a poem, a report, a short story or a book. Understanding this process — and the role a writer plays in it — is crucial to their success. One of the most important ...

6 Reasons Why Case Studies Are A Terrific Market For Freelance Writers I remember the first time a client offered me a case study writing assignment. I was petrified. It was early in my freelance writing career and I didn’t even know what one looked like. I had a lot of questions. “What the heck is a case study?” “How long is it?” “What is the format?” “How much do I charge?” I didn’t have a c...

10 Secrets For Everyday Writing Success During my 30-year career in a variety of professional positions in both the private and public sectors I have written literally thousands of letters and memos and hundreds of reports. If I had to boil–down everything I’ve learned about practical day-to-day writing for both personal and business purposes into 10 key points, this would be my “Top 10 List”. 1...

7 Deadly Mistakes That Cost You Money and Assignments Sometimes, you just don’t get second chances. Freelance writing works a little that way. If you’ve offended an editor, it’s quite unlikely that she’s going to work with you again. If you don’t muster up the courage and ask for a higher payment rate, you won’t get that chance till the next acceptance. And if you sell all rights for less, you wr...