Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A SaleRack Visit...
Whether I'm shopping in my favorite stores at the mall or I'm doing a little online browsing, one of my first stops is always the clearance/sale racks. Why? Because I find so many good deals there! Seriously, why pay more for a product than you have to? Its just silly! Lately Buy.com's weekly sales have had me rivited. External memory is always a must around our house, even though we have huge memories in the desk-and-laptops. Because of the hubster's websites and my writing I'm forever updating our external drives, backing them up or even creating a new drive for a new project. This week, their system memory was exactly what we needed. The big drives. Yay!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A Freelancing Tip...
In my life as a freelancer I've learned many things, but perhaps the most important is that advertising is key. And free advertising - the good kind! - works wonders. Like free web directories. I had no idea these directories existed or that, in many cases, I could advertise my business for free with a listing. Yep, you can. not all directories do this, but even the miniscule fees in most are easy to offset and - you knew it was coming - its a tax write-off. I love me some tax write-offs, as you all know by now!
So, as you're updating your business plans, making goals for the rest of the year or just getting started, check out online directories and see what you can do about listing your business. You'll be glad you did!
So, as you're updating your business plans, making goals for the rest of the year or just getting started, check out online directories and see what you can do about listing your business. You'll be glad you did!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Not Just A Walk Anymore...
I never realized how difficult going for a simple walk could be until I had a kid. Yep, they add to the stress. Now instead of grabbing shoes and a hat, I have to grab a couple diapers (just in case), the baby, the stroller and maybe a toy or some puffs to keep the kiddo occupied. It's still great to get out and she really loves it, but a lot more difficult. So, over the weekend when the hubster and I hit the local amusement park I was surprised to see so many parents without strollers. Seriously. And these were babies - like 6-8 month olds - who were being carried everything. Man, talk about sore and tired arms!
When we got our first stroller, we just got a run of the mill Target stroller. You know the type. But we're on the road so much that I'm seriously considering upgrading to another brand that travels and maneuvers better. I found this quinny buzz stroller, which is a bit out of our price range, and I love the look of it and how it folds up. Ours takes up a lot of room in the cargo area. Still, I can't rationalize spending over $600 on a stroller. That's just nuts! So I think I'll keep looking. Any ideas from you guys?
When we got our first stroller, we just got a run of the mill Target stroller. You know the type. But we're on the road so much that I'm seriously considering upgrading to another brand that travels and maneuvers better. I found this quinny buzz stroller, which is a bit out of our price range, and I love the look of it and how it folds up. Ours takes up a lot of room in the cargo area. Still, I can't rationalize spending over $600 on a stroller. That's just nuts! So I think I'll keep looking. Any ideas from you guys?
A Publishing Update...
...snagged from Publisher's Lunch - subscribe now if you haven't already!
The Key
"nice deal" $1 - $49,000
"very nice deal" $50,000 - $99,000
"good deal" $100,000 - $250,000
"significant deal" $251,000 - $499,000
"major deal" $500,000 and up
NONFICTION
Biography
Actor, former model and longtime friend of Farrah Fawcett, Alana Stewart's MY JOURNEY WITH FARRAH: A Story of Life, Love, and Friendship actress, sharing her personal diaries from her three years by Farrah's side (Stewart helped document Fawcett's three-year battle with cancer in the documentary, "Farrah's Story"), celebrating their bond, the power of Farrah's spirit, and the memories from their thirty years together, promising never-before-seen photos and deeply intimate revelations on life and spirituality, to Lisa Sharkey at Harper, with Matt Harper editing, for publication August 11, 2009, by Frank Weimann at The Literary Group (world).
Cooking
James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and restaurateur Rocco DiSpirito's ROCCO'S GREAT AMERICAN MEAL MAKEOVERS, inspired by his appearances on NBC's The Biggest Loser, featuring favorite dishes like fried chicken and macaroni and cheese transformed into more healthful fare, to Pamela Cannon at Ballantine, by David Vigliano at Vigliano Associates (NA).
History/Politics/Current Affairs
Creator of The Legacy Project and Operation Homecoming, bestselling historian Andrew Carroll's HERE IS WHERE, a 50-state tour d'horizon of America's "forgotten history" locations - spots where, unbeknown to most, the momentous or incredible occurred (a National Geographic Society Fellow, he will blog on "Here is Where" for National Geographic Traveler), to Rick Horgan at Crown, in a two-book deal, for publication in 2010, by Miriam Altshuler at Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency (world).
Rights: LKaplan@randomhouse.com
How-To
Designer and MAD MEN actor Bryan Batt's home decor book, that explores Bryan's favorite spaces and, through his own witty commentary and design techniques, shows readers how to create their own stylish and enchanting spaces, to Angelin Borsics at Clarkson Potter, for publication in Fall 2011, by Eric Myers at The Spieler Agency (World).
Humor
A team of former and current Daily Show, The Onion, Vanity Fair and The Tonight Show writers' SEX: Our Bodies, Our Junk, a humorous compendium of all the things you did (and didn't) want to know about modern sexuality, ranging from touching for beginners to proper orgy etiquette, to Laura Swerdloff at Broadway, at auction, by Michelle Brower at Wendy Sherman Associates (NA).
Memoir
Mother of NBA superstar Shaq, Lucille O'Neal's WALK LIKE YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO: A Journey from Mental Welfare to Mental Wealth," written with Allison Samuels of Newsweek, about the story of a woman who would one day have it all, but not before fighting the public battles and personal demons that would threaten to shatter the very foundation of her life, to Joel Miller at Thomas Nelson, for publication in May 2010, by Steve Troha in his first deal at Folio Literary Management (world).
Carlos Eire's sequel to the National Book Award-winning Waiting for Snow in Havana, LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI, continuing his personal, bittersweet memoir of moving without his parents from Cuba to the US in his early adolescence, to Martin Beiser at Free Press, for publication in November 2010, by Alice Martell at Alice Martell Agency.
Former trader Jared Dillian's STREET FREAK, a colorful account of the final years of Lehman Brothers, including vivid portraits of the author's often volatile co-workers, 9/11, the financial meltdown, and Lehman's collapse - all of which contributed strongly to the author's mental breakdown and harrowing descent into bipolar disorder, to Stacy Creamer at Touchstone Fireside, at auction, for publication in Spring 2011, by Dan Conaway and Stephen Barr at Writers House (NA).
Artist, producer, DJ, and lead MC of hip-hop's A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip's INDUSTRY RULES, a creatively constructed telling of his life story, including never-before-told stories about his family, inspirations, career, and personal experiences in the entertainment business, to Porscha Burke at Ballantine, for publication in 2010, by Jay Mandel at William Morris Endeavor (NA).
George Carlin's posthumous memoir LAST WORDS, completed with the help of bestselling author Tony Hendra a look at his 50-plus year performance career, his body of work, and his personal life story, ten years in the making between the two prior to Carlin's death in 2008, based on hours of taped interviews, drafts, and polished chapters from their sessions, to Dominick Anfuso at Free Press, by Jonathon Lazear at The Lazear Agency (world).
Pop Culture
Musician Jay-Z's DECODED, in which he will "decode all the lyrics from my records; I'm going to pick the select ones and reveal the double entendres that people may have missed or may have got and want confirmation on it," to Chris Jackson at Spiegel & Grau, by Matthew Guma at Guma Agency.
The Key
"nice deal" $1 - $49,000
"very nice deal" $50,000 - $99,000
"good deal" $100,000 - $250,000
"significant deal" $251,000 - $499,000
"major deal" $500,000 and up
NONFICTION
Biography
Actor, former model and longtime friend of Farrah Fawcett, Alana Stewart's MY JOURNEY WITH FARRAH: A Story of Life, Love, and Friendship actress, sharing her personal diaries from her three years by Farrah's side (Stewart helped document Fawcett's three-year battle with cancer in the documentary, "Farrah's Story"), celebrating their bond, the power of Farrah's spirit, and the memories from their thirty years together, promising never-before-seen photos and deeply intimate revelations on life and spirituality, to Lisa Sharkey at Harper, with Matt Harper editing, for publication August 11, 2009, by Frank Weimann at The Literary Group (world).
Cooking
James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and restaurateur Rocco DiSpirito's ROCCO'S GREAT AMERICAN MEAL MAKEOVERS, inspired by his appearances on NBC's The Biggest Loser, featuring favorite dishes like fried chicken and macaroni and cheese transformed into more healthful fare, to Pamela Cannon at Ballantine, by David Vigliano at Vigliano Associates (NA).
History/Politics/Current Affairs
Creator of The Legacy Project and Operation Homecoming, bestselling historian Andrew Carroll's HERE IS WHERE, a 50-state tour d'horizon of America's "forgotten history" locations - spots where, unbeknown to most, the momentous or incredible occurred (a National Geographic Society Fellow, he will blog on "Here is Where" for National Geographic Traveler), to Rick Horgan at Crown, in a two-book deal, for publication in 2010, by Miriam Altshuler at Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency (world).
Rights: LKaplan@randomhouse.com
How-To
Designer and MAD MEN actor Bryan Batt's home decor book, that explores Bryan's favorite spaces and, through his own witty commentary and design techniques, shows readers how to create their own stylish and enchanting spaces, to Angelin Borsics at Clarkson Potter, for publication in Fall 2011, by Eric Myers at The Spieler Agency (World).
Humor
A team of former and current Daily Show, The Onion, Vanity Fair and The Tonight Show writers' SEX: Our Bodies, Our Junk, a humorous compendium of all the things you did (and didn't) want to know about modern sexuality, ranging from touching for beginners to proper orgy etiquette, to Laura Swerdloff at Broadway, at auction, by Michelle Brower at Wendy Sherman Associates (NA).
Memoir
Mother of NBA superstar Shaq, Lucille O'Neal's WALK LIKE YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO: A Journey from Mental Welfare to Mental Wealth," written with Allison Samuels of Newsweek, about the story of a woman who would one day have it all, but not before fighting the public battles and personal demons that would threaten to shatter the very foundation of her life, to Joel Miller at Thomas Nelson, for publication in May 2010, by Steve Troha in his first deal at Folio Literary Management (world).
Carlos Eire's sequel to the National Book Award-winning Waiting for Snow in Havana, LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI, continuing his personal, bittersweet memoir of moving without his parents from Cuba to the US in his early adolescence, to Martin Beiser at Free Press, for publication in November 2010, by Alice Martell at Alice Martell Agency.
Former trader Jared Dillian's STREET FREAK, a colorful account of the final years of Lehman Brothers, including vivid portraits of the author's often volatile co-workers, 9/11, the financial meltdown, and Lehman's collapse - all of which contributed strongly to the author's mental breakdown and harrowing descent into bipolar disorder, to Stacy Creamer at Touchstone Fireside, at auction, for publication in Spring 2011, by Dan Conaway and Stephen Barr at Writers House (NA).
Artist, producer, DJ, and lead MC of hip-hop's A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip's INDUSTRY RULES, a creatively constructed telling of his life story, including never-before-told stories about his family, inspirations, career, and personal experiences in the entertainment business, to Porscha Burke at Ballantine, for publication in 2010, by Jay Mandel at William Morris Endeavor (NA).
George Carlin's posthumous memoir LAST WORDS, completed with the help of bestselling author Tony Hendra a look at his 50-plus year performance career, his body of work, and his personal life story, ten years in the making between the two prior to Carlin's death in 2008, based on hours of taped interviews, drafts, and polished chapters from their sessions, to Dominick Anfuso at Free Press, by Jonathon Lazear at The Lazear Agency (world).
Pop Culture
Musician Jay-Z's DECODED, in which he will "decode all the lyrics from my records; I'm going to pick the select ones and reveal the double entendres that people may have missed or may have got and want confirmation on it," to Chris Jackson at Spiegel & Grau, by Matthew Guma at Guma Agency.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Helium and Rand Partner on New Series...
Interesting news, freelancers, interesting news... online content hub/writers community Helium and publisher Rand are partnering to find 25 new authors for the "Skinny on" series... here's the press release...
RAND Publishing Taps Helium to Source Writers for New Skinny On™ Books
Selected Authors will Earn up to $5k per Title
ANDOVER, MA – July 21, 2009 — Helium, the world’s largest writing community, today announced a partnership with RAND Publishing, publisher of The Skinny On™ series of illustrated non-fiction books. Under the partnership, RAND Publishing will leverage Helium’s social publishing platform to identify the most appropriate authors for up to twenty-five new titles, such as The Skinny On Finance for Young Adults and The Skinny on Social Networking. Selected writers will be chosen by Helium and paid between $3,500 and $5,000 per title.
First launched in 2008 by acclaimed author, attorney and motivational speaker Jim Randel, The Skinny On series is designed to provide time-starved and information-overloaded readers with "the skinny on life's most important lessons."
“The Skinny On series offers a new breed of book, striving to disseminate information to an audience increasingly used to consuming content on the internet and cell phones,” said Jim Randel, founder and Chairman of RAND Publishing. “Helium’s unique community of talented, motivated writers presents a gold mine for us to source the best authors for our future titles.”
Inspired by the Japanese literary form, Manga, a whimsical, illustrated modality for story-telling, and easily read in about an hour, each Skinny On subject is explored through the lives of ordinary people - normal in all respects but one: they happen to be stick people.
“The Skinny On™ books challenge the traditional publishing model for non-fiction works,” says Peter Newton, vice president of business development for Helium. “We look forward to helping such an innovative publishing company quickly and cost-effectively source new authors so they can continue to grow and scale their business.”
Those of you already active on Helium may have a better chance than someone just starting out, but who knows? It's all about voice and the information provided...so why not give it a shot?
RAND Publishing Taps Helium to Source Writers for New Skinny On™ Books
Selected Authors will Earn up to $5k per Title
ANDOVER, MA – July 21, 2009 — Helium, the world’s largest writing community, today announced a partnership with RAND Publishing, publisher of The Skinny On™ series of illustrated non-fiction books. Under the partnership, RAND Publishing will leverage Helium’s social publishing platform to identify the most appropriate authors for up to twenty-five new titles, such as The Skinny On Finance for Young Adults and The Skinny on Social Networking. Selected writers will be chosen by Helium and paid between $3,500 and $5,000 per title.
First launched in 2008 by acclaimed author, attorney and motivational speaker Jim Randel, The Skinny On series is designed to provide time-starved and information-overloaded readers with "the skinny on life's most important lessons."
“The Skinny On series offers a new breed of book, striving to disseminate information to an audience increasingly used to consuming content on the internet and cell phones,” said Jim Randel, founder and Chairman of RAND Publishing. “Helium’s unique community of talented, motivated writers presents a gold mine for us to source the best authors for our future titles.”
Inspired by the Japanese literary form, Manga, a whimsical, illustrated modality for story-telling, and easily read in about an hour, each Skinny On subject is explored through the lives of ordinary people - normal in all respects but one: they happen to be stick people.
“The Skinny On™ books challenge the traditional publishing model for non-fiction works,” says Peter Newton, vice president of business development for Helium. “We look forward to helping such an innovative publishing company quickly and cost-effectively source new authors so they can continue to grow and scale their business.”
Those of you already active on Helium may have a better chance than someone just starting out, but who knows? It's all about voice and the information provided...so why not give it a shot?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Writing Up A Vacation...
One of the things I love about being a freelance writer is that everything I could potentially do has the potential to become a paid assignment. Take the Orlando vacations we just returned from. For the first three days we did the Disney thing and then we really wanted to see some local color, so we skipped out on the Disney hotel and found our own fun - on a budget. There were two reasons I wanted to do this: First, there has to be more to Orlando than Disney and second, an editor friend at a budget magazine had expressed interest in 'alternative vacations in high-traffic cities'. So we took in the sights, took tons of pictures and now I'm putting together my pitch for the article - which actually has several different angles - the potential for 3 or 4 different articles! If this publication doesn't want it, I'm sure I can find one that will!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Know Me Before You Call...
First, I must say the national no-call registry doesn't work. Why? When our phone number changed three months ago, we entered it in the no-call...but we're still getting telemarketer calls. Bleh! Last night is the perfect example. A company called to tell us we qualified for a lower interest rate on our mortgage. Good deal, right? Well, the kicker was that their mortgage only covered about 75% of our home price. Ummm, we just bought this home. Hello! 75% is going to leave us with 2 mortgages. Yeesh, I hate it when they don't to their homework.
I did, however, like one thing about the offer - it included mortgage life insurance, something out current mortgage doesn't. So we're doing some research on our own today to see what kind of rates we can get and how that will benefit us. Will report back later!
I did, however, like one thing about the offer - it included mortgage life insurance, something out current mortgage doesn't. So we're doing some research on our own today to see what kind of rates we can get and how that will benefit us. Will report back later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)