Paying Market

A market suggestion for our readers. Vision Magazine http://www.lazette.net/Vision/ is looking for reviews of books or websites for writers. From the call for submissions:

"Is there a resource you go back to frequently for research, because the writing articles are especially informative, or because the market information is up-to-date and reliable? Share your favorites so other writers can benefit. Our greatest need in the review section is for web sites, but we are also interested in reviews of writing books and products. For the September-October issue, we currently need both a book and web site review."

A web site you return to for information? Gee, how often do you come here? And what keeps bringing you back?

There are a lot of sites/books for writers that you might like to review for this PAYING market. Occasionally, it can be helpful to ask questions of the site owner. You know, if anyone ever needed to ask me any questions, I would be more than happy to answer!

Again, from the call for submissions:
"Review Caveats: The reviews must be for web sites, blogs, products, or books that aid in the process of writing whether through providing world building information, writing techniques, marketing resources, or other writing-oriented information. The review can focus on a single site, product, or book, or provide a comparison of resources available around a specific topic. However, you must not have any affiliation with the resources you review. This is to share resources, not for advertising.

"The back issues of Vision are available online. To see previous offerings click here: http://fmwriters.com/Visionback/Index.htm. To see if a book or website has already been reviewed, use this search:http://www.fmwriters.com/cgi-bin/search/search.pl?nocpp=1&Match=1&Realm=Vision+back+issues&Terms=

"Query or submit articles to Vision AT lazette DOT net and reviews to margaretfisk AT fmwriters DOT com.Full guidelines can be found here: http://www.lazette.net/Vision/submission.htm "

Go share resources, and get paid!

SEO for Dummies

We all know that the Dummies books make life easier for us...er...dummies. Did you know Wiley Press has a book on Search Engine Optimization for Dummies?

Here are some potential problems:

Having a (usually pointless) Flash intro on your site

Embedding much of the text on your site into images, rather than relying on readable text

Banking on flashy visuals to hide the fact that your site is light on content
Using the wrong keywords

If you have these types of problems, there are ways to overcome them.


You can read more of this article at http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-4853.html?cid=etipArticleLink?cid=articleFeature .

It's Muse Time!

DEADLINE: September 1st, 2008.

Don't miss this annual FREE conference offering you tons of FREEworkshops and chat workshops for one entire week.

HELD: October 13 - 19, 2008.

SITE: http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com/

Please click on REGISTRATIONS and register today.

If for some reason you have difficulty registering, feel free to emailme at:
museitupeditor@yahoo.ca

Lea Schizas
http://www.leaschizas.com

Introducing Sheri McGathy and Shannah Blondine

Born in the Buckeye state, Sheri McGathy was uprooted in 1971 and replanted amongst sunflowers, tornadoes, and college football. she says it's a good life.

During the weekdays, Sheri is a Graphic Arts Coordinator/Copy Editor in prepress. In the evenings and weekends, she's a writer (or tries to be. Sometimes that's debatable.) She is also Managing Editor at The Fractured Publisher online.



Sheri's work:



Besides TWICE UPON AN EVENTIDE, she has short stories and/or novellas in various anthologies:

OMNIBUS ­ A Collection of Fantasy Stories (Contains Dream Realm Winner: The Birth of Spring)

TRESPASSING TIME ­ Ghost Stories from the Prairie (Ravenstone Press or Double Dragon)

TWILIGHT CROSSINGS

TWILIGHT CROSSINGS II

FROM WITHIN THE MIST

THE STYGIAN SOUL



Sheri's novels include:

WITHIN THE SHADOW OF STONE

SEASON OF GOLD -ELFEN GOLD Book One

SEASON OF SILVER -ELFEN GOLD Book Two


--------------------------------------



Shannah Biondine is the author of several novels of historical and paranormal romance as well as three fantasy novellas. She's published with Double Dragon Publishing. Originally a California native, Shannah now lives in Colorado with her husband and children.

Shannah won the 2002 Eppie for Best Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, and has seen her works final in the prestigious PRISM, Aspen Gold, and Dream Realm Awards. A complete list of her titles and more information is available at her author site: http://biondine.homestead.com . Readers may contact her at: sbiondine@ yahoo.com .


---------------------------

Award-winning fantasy authors Shannah Biondine and Sheri L. McGathy team up again, delivering twice the mystical adventure in this enthralling duet, Twice Upon an Eventide. Here are faraway worlds of danger and intrigue, where dark mirrors hold strange and dark secrets.



A Varlet's Bond by Shannah Biondine

Captain Praxis, wyvern rider, former slave turned royal reeve and bounty hunter, has never forgotten her brief partnership with Prince Zavend of Glacia. Years have passed and now find Praxis a wealthy woman and sometime comrade of Zavend's disreputable brother, Vitus. A twist of fate draws all three back to the heart of Glacia, where an evil is spreading across the land. Can anyone or any sworn oath be trusted? Will Praxis find her heart soaring higher than a wyvern or crushed once and for all?



Summersong by Sheri McGathy

Summersong, a magical border Keep created to maintain the fragile peace between Man and Faery, has lost its glory, its grandeur, and its loyal guardians. The land is dark, filled with turmoil. Yet, one bright glimmer of hope still exists. Long ago, Myree, daughter of a proud nobleman, made a childish vow of undying love in a secluded garden to an equally as young Connair. Now grown, both have not forgotten their pledges. When Myree is abducted into a realm of shadows, Connair risks everything in his quest to save her and recover the heart of Summersong.



Twice Upon an Eventide contains two superbly woven fantasy tales of magic, intrigue, and suspense. If you haven't read Biondine and McGathy before, this book is an excellent place to start! Very enjoyable and highly recommended!

~ Jeanne Allen, author of Orphilion Dreams




DOOR PRIZE

Sheri and Shannah have donated two books. These will be award to two lucky chatters during the chat. Remember, you MUST be present to be eligible!

Please feel free to pass this announcement on to anyone or any groups that you think may be interested. Thank you.


WHEN?

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Eastern USA Time..........................7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Don't forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

TWC T-shirts!

You asked, we (finally) deliver!

It's been a long, drawn out process, but you can finally show your love for The Writer's Chatroom in your everyday life. T-shirts, mousepads, mugs, hats, etc, with the TWC logo and our catch phrase.

You DO want to be in style, don't you? What could be more fashionable than a TWC logo?

Visit the store here! http://www.cafepress.com/writerschat


Audrey

Critiques, Anyone?

Man, I need to be careful what I ask for! The TWC Spotlight just came out yesterday morning, but readers have swamped my inbox with comments and suggestions. It's pretty clear that my original idea (to do a one-page critique in the Spotlight each month) isn't going to touch the demand. It looks like nearly EVERYBODY wants me to slice them up...I mean, give them a critique. lol

While I get ready for my trip and sort through all your suggestions, I'm considering moving this idea to the Forum and doing something weekly or semi-monthly. I'll let you know more in a couple weeks.

Some people have made other good suggestions for TWC Spotlight changes. The team is discussing these, and you may see some other changes in future issues.

Speaking of the Spotlight, do you realize you can get YOUR name in there too? We're always interested in articles. We can't afford to pay yet, but we are a published clip, and we give a generous bio box with links. (Submission Guidelines)

People commented that they enjoy our book reviews, and would like to see more. So if you write reviews, take a look at the Schedule page. Have you written a review for any of our upcoming guests? If you'd like another place to post it, I'd like to see it. Again, we offer a bio box with links.

Right now the Spotlights are archived here but it's not the best set-up. I'm working on moving the archive to our own site where the Spotlights will be easier to find and read.

Lots of work to do! But first, I'm going to have fun in tonight's Open Chat. Then I'm going to pack my clothes and go away for the weekend.

Have a great Fourth!

Audrey