It’s that time of year again: back to school season. For those of us in college it also means hunting down textbooks for new classes. Some of these can cost over $100 per book. That is, if you purchase them new. Which is why you’ve got to be creative and hunt down used copies. In the end you could save a bundle of money!
First, check with your college to find out which books you’ll need. Visit your school’s website, as many post a list of books needed for each class. Cut this information into a fresh document of your computer. Pay special attention to the Title, Author, Year Published and ISBN #.
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Bergdorf Blonds by Plum Sykes and Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella are two fast paced Chic Lit books that follow the exploits of twenty-something girls. The books are similar in several ways. Each main character begins the story with a boyfriend, who is gorgeous but inattentive. The main characters are British, although the unnamed narrator of Bergdorf Blonds resides in NYC and is a part of high society. 
Both books are fantastically funny, each tapping into the naivety of the main character. Sykes brings more of a sardonic wit, writing things like, “mascara clots are a federal crime here,” and “a fashion tantrum was brewing” (39). Meanwhile, Kinsella keeps the humor mixed in with a ping of compassion. Can You Keep a Secret’s main character, Emma Corrigan has to over come many obstacles including an awful attention-grabbing cousin and the desire to succeed at work.
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Similar to about.com, suite101.com is a site that publishes content from freelance writers and makes it’s revenue from banner advertisements and Google ads, but unlike about.com they don’t pay writers a base monthly fee. 
At suite101 (a Canadian site) writers are encouraged to dole out as many articles as possible (the minimum being ten articles every three months). Yet, suite101 frequently displays the “Hiring Freelance Writers” link. It’s no wonder, the more writers they have -> the more content they build -> the more traffic they can lure in -> the more ads to be clicked. However, it’s my belief that the writers get a raw deal. Here’s why . . .
Continue reading "What Writers Need to Know Regarding: About.com and Suite101.com (Part II)" »
Most young, contemporary writers have an interest in taking their craft online. In fact, it seems like internet publications are sprouting up everywhere on a variety of subjects. Consider one reason why, the lead time for print magazines averages about four months, meaning after an article has been accepted, it will take about four months till publication. Yet, online, the lead time is significantly less. Despite this positive attribute, I feel several online sources have taken advantage of writers.
Some smaller home-grown e-zines can’t afford to pay writers; people contribute because they are passionate about a particular topic and want to make a difference. This is a writer’s choice and the majority of these sites state these terms up front. Some offer an exchange of advertising; others provide high ranking positions on a staff list. What concerns me the most aren't specialty e-zines but content driven, ad-centered sites like About.com and Suite101.com. These two large companies work hard to portray themselves in a positive light, all the while I believe they manipulate writers’ expectations and degrade their work. How do I know? I’ve had direct experience with both sites.
Continue reading "What Writers Need to Know Regarding: About.com and Suite101.com (Part I)" »
It’s that time of year again: back to school season. For those of us in college it also means hunting down textbooks for new classes. Some of these can cost over $100 per book. That is, if you purchase them new. Which is why you’ve got to be creative and hunt down used copies. In the end you could save a bundle of money! 
