tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29894310100611670902024-03-13T05:05:42.290-07:00Publishing CareersAn online "informational interview" for college students, new graduates, and career changers interested in knowing what a job in publishing is like and how they can get one.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.comBlogger541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-30893343252497500322011-03-04T12:56:00.000-08:002011-03-04T13:21:02.059-08:00The Future of Book Publishing for FreelancersToday I had the honor of speaking to the Indianapolis Freelancers Group on the future of publishing. My co-presenter was <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=3257275&authType=name&authToken=Luri">Mary Bednarek</a>, Executive Acquisitions Director, Dummies Tech, for <a href="http://www.wiley.com/">Wiley</a>.<br /><br />Mary and I have both been knocking around the local publishing scene for more than 20 years, but we managed to never meet one another before today. No matter. Our approach to the subject was in sync (“Great minds…,” she told me later). She expanded on and reinforced my points below and added the perspective of a much larger publisher.<br /><br />As promised, here is the outline I developed beforehand:<br /><br /><strong>1. The current situation is difficult for some freelancers. </strong><br /><ul><li>Economic contraction has caused some publishers to reduce their title counts—trying to publish smarter, not harder. </li><li>Everyone is still recovering from the massive publishing layoffs in December 2009.</li><li>Publishers are keeping more work in-house and asking for more productivity from employees—especially in the third and fourth quarters of the year.</li><li>Nonfiction book sales are declining overall because people can get “good enough” information online for free.</li><li>People who have had a steady gig with one publisher are suddenly finding themselves without work.</li><li>Employment for editors, writers, and authors is expected to rise by 8% by 2018; however, competition for these jobs is expected to be fierce (see the U.S. Department of Labor’s <em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.bls.gov/oco/ocos320.htm">Occupational Outlook Handbook</a></em>).</li></ul><p><strong>2. How will the shift to e-books affect freelancers?</strong></p><ul><li>40 million people will have e-readers in 2011.</li><li>Penguin’s e-book revenues were up 182% in 2010.</li><li>Borders bankruptcy means fewer opportunities for people to find and buy printed books.</li><li>Content still needs to be edited and indexed.</li><li>More proofreading may take place in PDFs.</li><li>Book design for text-heavy books will be simplified and more utilitarian for easy conversion to e-books. It will pay to be familiar with XML, Mobi, and how to convert PDFs to other e-book formats.</li><li>More advanced apps and readers (<a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/">iPad</a>, <a href="http://www.blio.com/">Blio</a>) will require richer content, with animation, embedded videos, audio, and so on.</li><li>Everybody thinks they need an app, but nobody seems to be able to recommend a good iPhone app developer!</li></ul><p><strong>3. Networking is still the key to finding freelance work.</strong></p><ul><li>Publishers are reluctant to hire someone they have never worked with before. It takes time to evaluate and train new freelancers. Most have their tried-and-true favorites and don’t need more help beyond them. It’s really a buyer’s market in Indy!</li><li>Look to people you worked with when you were in house. </li><li>Find people for whom you formerly worked who have moved to other publishers. (The “Macmillan Diaspora” has produced an amazing array of connections all over the country. Find them on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>.)</li></ul><p><strong>4. Look to nontraditional markets.</strong></p><ul><li>Custom publishing divisions (<a href="http://www.pearsoncustom.com/">Pearson</a>, <a href="http://media.wiley.com/assets/2212/66/Custom_Publishing_For_Dummies.pdf">Wiley</a>).</li><li>Self-publishing companies (<a href="http://www.authorsolutions.com/">Author Solutions</a>).</li><li>Book packagers.</li><li>Company websites and blogs.</li><li>Content farms (<a href="http://www.demandmedia.com/">Demand Media</a>, <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/">Associated Content</a>, <a href="http://hubpages.com/">HubPages</a>, <a href="http://www.answers.com/">Answers.com</a>, <a href="http://www.about.com/">About.com</a>).</li><li>Individuals (self-published books, doctoral theses, resumes, other small projects).</li></ul><p><strong>5. Follow the experts online to see where they think it’s all headed.</strong></p><ul><li>Joe Wikert: <a href="http://jwikert.typepad.com/">Publishing 2020 </a>blog</li><li>Jane Friedman: <a href="http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/">There Are No Rules </a>blog and her <a href="http://janefriedman.com/blog/">personal blog </a></li><li>Kassia Krozser: <a href="http://booksquare.com/">Booksquare</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/">GalleyCat</a></li></ul><p>Mary urged freelancers to go out and get their hands on the various e-readers and familiarize themselves with how text looks in them. She also provided this great list of resources for editors:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.digitalbookworld.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.digitalbookworld.com/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.writerswrite.com/epublishing/resources.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.writerswrite.com/epublishing/resources.htm</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.elance.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.elance.com/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.electriceditors.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.electriceditors.net/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.fundsforwriters.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.fundsforwriters.com/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.nanowrimo.org/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.guru.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.guru.com/</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.goodexperience.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.goodexperience.com/</a> </li><li><a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/publishing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://radar.oreilly.com/publishing</a> (for Tools of Change website) </li></ul><p>Obviously, nobody can tell you exactly how this tumultuous time in publishing is going to pan out. My former next-door neighboor Andy Harris, a Wiley author, suggests that things in publishing might seem like they are out of order, but it's really just the beginning of a new order. It's exciting (and a little scary) to think where it all might lead.</p><p></p><p></p>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-77872633870209660782010-10-06T12:52:00.000-07:002010-10-06T13:09:35.817-07:00Frankfurt, Komme Ich!The 2010 <a href="http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com/en/fbf/">Frankfurt Book Fair </a>is in full swing. By Friday (as it starts to wind down), I will be in its midst for the very first time. My excuse for never having gone before is that my company does very little international rights business. Most of our material does not translate well to other economies. So it hasn't been worth the effort to pursue translation deals.<br /><br />I wouldn't really be going this year, either, if it weren't for my husband, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">FBF</span> veteran, who thinks I need to see it. This is his 11<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> year at the fair. It does seem strange that he has inhabited this world for so long and I know nothing of it first hand.<br /><br />Frankfurt, however, is just a Teutonic appetizer to the real dish of my trip: Athens and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Santorini</span>, baby! I have always wanted to visit Greece, so finally I get my chance.<br /><br />I have been driven to frenzied distraction trying to make sure everything back home is taken care of in my absence. I'm thankful for my mom and my mother-in-law, who make my biennial Euro-jaunts possible by looking after my kiddo and my home. Just a few last-minute details tonight (like, ahem, not living out my recurring nightmare of leaving my passport at home) and I should be ready to go.<br /><br />You know the best part? I am not taking my computer! My <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPod</span> has a few <em>Community</em> and <em>30 Rock</em> episodes on it, and I loaded up the Kindle with some Nick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hornby</span> (and I still need to finish <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>--am almost to the love part!). But I am hoping to break my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> dependence cold turkey. It will all still be there when I get back. (Won't it?)<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Auf</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">weidersehen</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">und</span> αντίο!Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-57821488451910328812010-07-21T12:13:00.000-07:002010-07-21T12:27:49.209-07:00The Top 10 Most Important Things I’ve Learned from Editing Career BooksLast week I spoke at the monthly meeting of the Indianapolis chapter of the <a href="http://www.execunet.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ExecuNet</span></a> business networking group. When I was invited to speak back in January, I decided that my particular expertise on the subject of job hunting is that I have been reading the collective wisdom of the top minds in the careers business for 11 years. Ten things stood out to me as being the most essential but overlooked secrets to all aspects of job hunting. For your reading pleasure, here's my outline for the speech:<br /><br /><p><strong>1. Keep your network in good repair. </strong></p><ul><li>Don’t wait until you need help to reach out to your network.</li><li>Networking should be a constant reaching out to people you know (former coworkers, family, friends, service providers) and people you don’t (people you share something or someone in common with).</li><li>Networking is about giving, too.</li><li>Networking yields up to 80 percent of all jobs landed.</li></ul><p><strong>2. Treat your job search like a job.</strong></p><ul><li>Spend 40 hours a week on your search.</li><li>Get up on time, get dressed, and work in your “office.”</li><li>Make a search schedule and stick to it.</li><li>Don’t underestimate how long it takes to find a job.</li></ul><p><br /><strong>3. Write a customized cover letter for every opportunity you apply to.</strong></p><ul><li>Resumes can still be more general, but the cover letter must be very specific.</li><li>Write to a specific person—get a name (hiring manager, not HR).</li><li>Show, point by point, how you are a fit for the job.</li><li>Show your enthusiasm for the job.</li><li>Close actively rather than passively.</li></ul><p><strong>4. Emphasize accomplishments on your resume rather than job duties.</strong></p><ul><li>Just one or two lines for your job duties. Use bullets to emphasize accomplishments (six for current job and three for past jobs).</li><li>Accomplishments show how you affected the bottom line: How you made money for the company, saved money, grew customer base, created products, developed procedures, won awards.</li><li>Accomplishments must be quantified with numbers.</li></ul><p><strong>5. Build a professional and appealing online presence.</strong></p><ul><li>Get on LinkedIn, create a professional profile, reconnect with your colleagues, and get recommendations.</li><li>Make Facebook settings as private as possible; still, don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your mom to read. Untag unflattering photos.</li><li>Use Twitter to show your industry knowledge, connect with decision makers, and find out about job openings.</li><li>If you are good at writing and information sharing, showcase your knowledge in a blog. Again, show some personality but don’t ever say anything that makes you look like a bad employee.</li></ul><p><strong>6. Use the Internet the right way in your job search.</strong></p><ul><li>Professional networking</li><li>Company research</li><li>Applying for jobs directly with companies</li></ul><p><strong>7. Don’t waste a lot of time chasing job postings.</strong></p><ul><li>Competition dramatically increases once a job is posted online or in the classifieds.</li><li>Use your network to find the opportunities before they are posted.</li><li>Don’t spend all day hiding behind your computer. Get out of the house and make connections.</li></ul><p><strong>8. Be prepared to back up anything you say about yourself in an interview with an example.</strong></p><ul><li>Behavioral interviewing: Tell me about a time when you…</li><li>Develop a success story to illustrate your top qualities and skills.</li><li>Challenge, actions, result format.</li></ul><p><strong>9. Put off talking about salary as long as possible in the process.</strong></p><ul><li>Most employers that ask for a range in the ad will still consider you without one (except those who state explicitly that they will not).</li><li>Whoever mentions a number first, loses.</li><li>You might name a number that is out of their range, and they will not consider you.</li><li>You might name a number that is lower than they were prepared to offer.</li><li>Defer the question by saying you want to focus on whether you are a fit for the job first. Can talk salary later.</li><li>If you have no choice, name a range.</li></ul><p><strong>10. Hiring experts to help you with your search can be worth the investment.</strong></p><ul><li>Trying to write your own resume is like cutting your own hair—difficult, and it probably won’t end up looking great from all angles.</li><li>Professional resume writers can be objective and cut what needs to be cut, prompt you for accomplishments, and present you in the best light.</li><li>Career coaches help you get to the truths inside you, promote what’s most impressive about you, show you the best ways to search, hold you accountable, and offer encouragement.</li></ul>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-85555597577107416062010-07-07T09:29:00.001-07:002010-07-07T09:29:56.105-07:00In Defense of Prince<span xmlns=''><p>Yesterday we all got a good laugh from <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/05/prince-world-exclusive-interview-peter-willis-goes-inside-the-star-s-secret-world-115875-22382552/'>an enchanting little story</a> written by Peter Willis for the <em>Daily Mirror</em> (UK). In it, he is allowed exclusive access to secretive pop star Prince's enclave and paints him as a modern-day musical Willie Wonka. No such story would be complete without revealing some of His Purpleness' quirks (of which there are many). But what emerged as the main thrust was this quote:<br /></p><p><em>The Internet's completely over.<br /></em></p><p>Prince's statement was, of course, met with as much derision as when Al Gore purportedly said he invented the thing. Yes, it's rather absurd today to try and imagine life after the Internet. But what I think he might have been saying was that as a music-delivery medium, the Internet is over for <em>him.</em> Obviously, he's got some contractual problems with Apple and some copyright issues in general. I always root for the underdog, so I'm hoping he can find a way around it all. <br /></p><p>Prince goes on to say that <br /></p><p><em>All these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you.<br /></em></p><p>Again, hilariously unhip, right? But isn't a nagging voice in the back of your head telling you that he might have a point? Whatever the gadgets are filling your head with (in my case, so many words and thoughts and conflicts that my cerebellum fairly buzzes) is disruptive to society. People are finding it harder and harder to relate to one another IRL. It's easy to sit behind your computer and pull the strings, blaming others for our own problems. I fear we will forget how to get out there and live life and be responsible for ourselves.<br /></p><p>Another of Prince's documented quirks that I think has merit is his status as a "teetotal vegan." Drinking still water and eating raw fruits and veggies is about as pure as it gets. I will probably never break away from my fondness for the occasional seared cow flesh and fermented grape. But if I can eat just a little more like Prince, it sure wouldn't hurt anything. Maybe I'll start asking myself "WWPE?" (What Would Prince Eat?).<br /></p><p>Bottom line: Yes, Prince prances to the beat of a different drum than most of us. But it's that eccentricity that fuels his genius, and I admire his spunk.<br /></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><br/><br/></span> </p></span>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-3499062936406668582010-05-10T08:49:00.001-07:002010-05-10T08:49:27.523-07:00Is It Time for a Resume Makeover?<span xmlns=''><p>If you're like me, your current resume has probably been evolving since you applied for your first job (and for me, that's been more than 20 years—ouch). I've added jobs and tweaked the presentation for lo these many decades, but it's all still based on that first document.<br /></p><p>For a couple of years, I have been writing resumes professionally in my "spare" time. Along with writing, editing, and marketing skills, I've been able to bring my clients something rare and valuable: Brutal objectivity. "It's great that you used to groom poodles. But that has absolutely nothing to do with manufacturing engineering, so let's cut it!" In the back of my mind, I've always known that my own resume could benefit from some of that, too. But something (lack of time, sentimentality, laziness, whatever) has kept that task on the back burner.<br /></p><p>Last week something finally clicked, though. I had just done a couple of elegantly streamlined resumes for friends whose careers have been longer and much more illustrious than my own. If the highlights of their careers can fit on two pages without having to resort to two columns and tiny type, why can't mine?<br /></p><p>Another contributing factor was the arrival of a volunteer resume writing mentor. Just hours after I woke up from a dream with the words "I need a guru!" on my mind, I was contacted by a longtime professional resume writer who offered to mentor me toward formal certification. It was truly cosmic. Her edits have shown me that I am still too profligate with words—most especially on my own resume.<br /></p><p>So I'm doing it now: I'm starting over from scratch. Here are some things I'm changing:<br /></p><ul><li><strong>Adding more white space.</strong> This means, of course, that I'm cutting words. Lots of words.<br /></li><li><strong>Letting go of some earlier jobs.</strong> Although I might mention my experience as a newspaper reporter to support my writing ambitions, it won't get more than a phrase (and certainly not a date).<br /></li><li><strong>Not listing a bunch of specific book projects.</strong> My current resume lists a half-dozen example projects for each job. I think I will instead mention only a few that are particularly impressive in terms of their sales and scope. Maybe I'll create a separate, more comprehensive list of books I've edited and call that an addendum. But maybe adding the quantifying phrase "edited more than 300 books" in my summary will suffice.<br /></li><li><strong>Dropping education details.</strong> I don't need to mention my 20-year-old activities and internships. I'll just give my degree, my major and minor (because it was PR), and the fact that I graduated <em>summa cum laude.</em> I won't be giving the date. I'm not quite old enough to be discriminated against because of age, but it won't be long until I am.<br /></li><li><strong>Tightening job descriptions.</strong> My guru says they can't be more than three lines long. This is tough.<br /></li><li><strong>Quantifying all bulleted accomplishments.</strong> If I can't attach a number to them, I can't use them.<br /></li><li><strong>Adding social media contact info to the header.</strong> My resume now contains my blog address and Twitter handle because the content I've put out there is devoted to professional topics. <br /></li></ul><p>Of course, my work on my all-new resume has ground to a halt in favor of a new freelance editing project. But I vow to complete, polish, and post my new document within a month. What about you? Have you got the objectivity to trash your resume and start over from scratch? I challenge you to start it today! It's something proactive you can do to make yourself feel better in an unsteady economic climate.</p></span>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-74603483384664953812010-04-16T13:09:00.000-07:002010-04-16T13:32:02.811-07:00What If They Had a London Book Fair and the Americans Didn't Come?Earlier this week I was all set to send out another ho-hum blog post about how my husband was once again heading off to the London Book Fair for the 11<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> year in a row. But as most people know by now, something happened.<br /><br />The car service picked Jason up at 3:45am yesterday and took him to the airport to catch his Chicago flight, and from there on to London. At 7am, as my daughter and I were getting dressed, the <em>Today</em> show came on with the news of the volcano eruption in Iceland. I gasped. As my brain was processing how absolute the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heathrow</span> ground halt was, the phone rang. Indeed, Jason had been advised to get off the Chicago flight (which was delayed) and go home. He <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">rebooked</span> through Paris for today, thinking things might improve. (Meanwhile, I drove about 100 miles round trip to fetch him, take him home, and then go to work.)<br /><br />By this morning, of course, the ash situation worsened, and e-mails were flying back and forth among him and his colleagues here and in Upper Saddle River. The group's annual rights summit was scheduled for tomorrow in Dame Marjorie's private dining room overlooking the Thames from The Strand. There was no way they'd make it in time for that. So they decided to cancel it. And they also decided that the travel situation would make it nearly impossible to get there in time for the fair itself on Monday. So they surrendered to Vulcan and cancelled their trips altogether.<br /><br />Jason has spent the entire day undoing all the work and plans that he's been making for months: cancelling dozens of publisher meetings, hotel rooms, flights, trains, dinners, and more. He's absolutely devastated and feels out of sorts to be here and not there. But many of his publishers responded that they, too, would not be able to make it to the fair. What can all of humankind do when Mother Nature kicks over our intricately constructed societal anthills?<br /><br />Fair officials are <a href="http://ow.ly/1zjw4">still planning to go ahead with the event</a>. But periodic searches of the #<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">LBF</span>10 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">hashtag</span> on Twitter indicate that the British will likely end up doing a lot of talking to one another because even their European counterparts can't get across the Channel in time. Still, it will be a great economic loss to everyone. Such a shame.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-12620615275147505112010-04-07T10:58:00.001-07:002010-04-07T10:58:17.790-07:00To Tweet or to Blog?<span xmlns=''><p>For several months, I've been kicking around the thought that the current <a href='http://www.twitter.com/'>Twitter</a> craze is hurting blogs by enticing their writers to take the easy way out and just tweet instead of crafting a more substantial blog post. I know that's what I've been doing.<br /></p><p>And back in November, <a href='http://www.joewikert.com/'>Publishing 2020</a> blogger Joe Wikert admitted that <a href='http://jwikert.typepad.com/the_average_joe/2009/11/the-evolution-of-content-consumption.html'>Twitter is cutting into his blogging frequency:</a><br /> </p><p><em>The time I used to spend reading (and writing) blogs has shifted to Twitter. I find myself less attracted to the long form writing in blogs and more to the short bursts of Twitter. FWIW, I used to write 4-6 posts for this blog every week and now I typically only write one, but I also write anywhere from 3-10 or more tweets per day. Despite that, traffic continues to grow modestly and nobody has complained so it seems like the right approach.<br /></em></p><p>Yo, Joe, aren't you the one who told me I needed to blog every day? Seriously, that was good advice. Posting frequently catapults your content to the top of search engine results because they like to index frequently updated sites. Like Joe, I've seriously cut back my posting frequency to about one post per week. But last time I checked, this blog was still the number-one result on <a href='http://www.google.com'>Google</a> and <a href='http://www.yahoo.com'>Yahoo</a> for the search term "Publishing Careers." So maybe the new advice is blog every day for a couple of years, and then you can rest on your SEO laurels?<br /></p><p>I've noticed a similar trend in readership, too. My "backlist" usually gets a lot more action than my new posts (exceptions being <a href='http://publishingcareers.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-brad-stevens-got-his-dream-job.html'>this post</a> about Butler coach Brad Stevens and <a href='http://publishingcareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/indiana-blogger-gets-discovered-loads.html'>this post</a> about <em>DC Trawler</em> blogger Jim Treacher/Sean Medlock), anyway. And my daily readership stays about the same as it's always been, but without the big spikes I used to get when I got a good mention elsewhere.<br /></p><p>So then Monday on Twitter, I ran across <a href='http://thefuturebuzz.com/2009/05/10/reasons-you-should-blog-and-not-just-tweet/'>this post</a> by Adam Singer on The Future Buzz listing 19 reasons why bloggers should resist the urge to merely pass along information, but to continue creating it in the form of blogs as well. And it must have hit a nerve. I retweeted it and got tons of high-profile retweets to my own fifth-hand retweet. It's as if somebody finally said what we all didn't want to say but knew was true: Creating compelling content does more for you and your brand than if you just share links to other people's content. What a great post. <br /></p><p>Always the catastrophizer, I also wonder whether the decline of long-form blog posts will lead to a shortage of ideas. Will it lead back to old-school journo model of the few writing to the many, and the many just echoing their words in short tweets? And those of us who started blogs just to keep the words flowing will find ourselves with a new case of writer's block.<br /></p><p>Don't get me wrong. I still love Twitter. I learn so much more, so much faster. I've expanded my network and shared laughs with people I have never met. I've got my finger on the informational pulse of the gadget-addicted world. Love it. Can't get enough of it. It fascinates me. But people who can write and who have something to say shouldn't squander it all on tweets. So I promise I will make an effort to write more long posts like this one.</p></span>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-53149735977628714182010-03-29T10:57:00.001-07:002010-03-29T14:05:22.248-07:00How Brad Stevens Got His Dream Job<span xmlns=""><p>It's going to be hard to think about much besides basketball in Indianapolis this week. We already knew we'd be immersed in the Final Four hullaballoo by virtue of the fact that March Madness, as it often does, ends here. But little did we suspect we'd be cheering for the home team--the <a href="http://www.butler.edu/">Butler Bulldogs</a>--as well.<br /></p><p>It's an irresistible story: A small school (4,500 students) led by a young coach (33-year-old <a href="http://www.butlersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/stevens_brad00.html">Brad Stevens</a>) defies the odds and makes it to the <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-baskbl/champpage/m-baskbl-div1-index.html">NCAA Final Four</a>—just miles from their own campus. The national media has already begun to tire of its own parallels to the movie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosiers"><em>Hoosiers</em></a> (part of which, of course, was filmed in Butler's home arena). But perhaps the most fascinating element is the coach himself.<br /></p><p>Brad Stevens played high school basketball in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionsville,_Indiana">Zionsville</a>, where he is still the all-time leading scorer. (My brother-in-law Andrew Hand played on the high school team with him, but I haven't yet managed to parlay that into an introduction.) Brad went on to play basketball in college at <a href="http://www.depauw.edu/">DePauw</a> while majoring in business. Upon graduation, he joined Eli Lilly in a marketing capacity. But his heart was still on the basketball court, and he volunteered as a high school coach and also in administrative roles with the Butler team.<br /></p><p>Within seven years, he had been hired by Butler and moved up the ranks to head coach. And now, just a few years later, he's led the team to its first-ever Final Four.<br /></p><p>I can't help but think of the book I edited, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Dream-Job-Game-Plan/dp/1593576129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269885035&sr=1-1"><em>Your Dream Job Game Plan</em></a><em>,</em> in which sports agent <a href="http://www.mollyfletcher.com/">Molly Fletcher</a> puts forth the five tools you need to get your own dream job:<br /></p><ul><li>Passionate style<br /></li><li>Fearlessness<br /></li><li>A game plan<br /></li><li>Flawless execution<br /></li><li>Managing choices<br /></li></ul><p>I haven't met Brad, but it's obvious that he used all five of these tools to reach—and excel in—his dream job. Imagine how scary it must have been to give up a secure and lucrative business career for a shot at coaching. He had a passion for basketball, he managed his career choices, he had a plan, and he executed his plan flawlessly. And now all of Indiana is cheering him on as his team faces <a href="http://www.msu.edu/">Michigan State</a> (ironically, Molly's alma mater) in the first game of the Final Four. </p><p>Reached for comment this afternoon, Molly had this to say: </p><p><em>Brad Stevens is a “5-tool-plus-some coach." Getting to the final four--as Brad Stevens has done--requires passion, game plans, fearlessness, execution (married with a little luck sometimes). Brad gets it. He is a heck of a x and o coach--but an equally good motivator--and has gelled his guys together to find himself home in Indianapolis living out a dream. But, as a former Spartan, I must add, so has <a href="http://www.coachizzo.com/">Izzo</a>. Go Green!</em></p><p>Brad and his team are already winners in our eyes, regardless of what happens on Saturday.</p></span>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-77499327297962119562010-03-22T13:38:00.000-07:002010-03-22T13:50:10.884-07:00Wiley Posts Summer InternshipsLooks like <a href="http://www.wiley.com/">Wiley</a> in Indianapolis will once again be offering several editorial internships this summer:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=WILEY&cws=1&rid=1452">IT</a></li><li><a href="http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=WILEY&cws=1&rid=1457">Sales</a></li><li><a href="http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=WILEY&cws=1&rid=1456">Consumer Dummies Editorial</a></li><li><a href="http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=WILEY&cws=1&rid=1455">Consumer Dummies Acquisitions</a></li></ul><p>The IT posting mentions a stipend but the others don't (that doesn't mean that they won't pay <em>something;</em> you'll have to ask to find out for sure). Each posting says that the internship is "structured" and lasts 10 weeks. (I'm an ISTJ on the Myers-Briggs scale, so structured is really good in my mind.)</p><p>I've said it dozens of times on this blog, but I'll say it again: An internship is an excellent way to get valuable experience, paid or not. It also can sometimes get your foot in the door for something permanent once you graduate.</p>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-42276806283496799782010-03-17T13:14:00.000-07:002010-03-17T13:28:00.619-07:00Integrating Twitter into Your BlogI'm probably the last person to figure this out. But it's still so cool that I have to share it.<br /><br />For the past year or so, I have been so enthralled with <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> that I have neglected this blog. I found it easier to tweet helpful bits of advice there than to write up a few paragraphs about it here. But I know there are people who read the blog but don't follow me on Twitter, so I worry that they are missing out on a lot.<br /><br />I was poking around on Twitter yesterday trying to verify some stats for an upcoming book. Then I noticed a link at the bottom of the home page that says <a href="http://twitter.com/goodies">Goodies</a>. And well, far be it from me to pass up goodies of any sort. The Twitter goodies are buttons and widgets you can put on your site. I clicked on <a href="http://twitter.com/goodies/widgets">Widgets</a> and found a button that specified that I wanted it on my website (I can't seem to find it today, though!). I was able to pick a widget and customize the colors. Then there was a Blogger button that put it right into my blog. I went into my customization settings and moved it below the AdSense ad (because heaven knows I make a killing off of <em>that</em>! <sarcasm>).<br /><br />So now, voila! Blog readers can see my most recent tweets. One thing I learned, though, is that things I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">retweet</span> with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Retweet</span> button do not show up in my widget. So I'm back to doing manual <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">RTs</span> for a while. It takes more time but it also facilitates networking because people can see that I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">retweeting</span> them.<br /><br />And I am deliriously happy with myself!Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-16556137746534351662010-03-15T11:34:00.000-07:002010-03-15T11:44:57.674-07:00Want to Be a Marketing Assistant/Coordinator?Coincidentally, I ran across two different postings today for marketing assistants at publishing companies. The first is at <a href="http://www.emcp.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">EMC</span> Publishing</a>, our parent company in St. Paul, Minnesota:<br /><br /><em>Educational publisher seeks Marketing Communications Coordinator. This person will be responsible for working with the Marketing Communications Manager to coordinate the implementation of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">EMC</span> Publishing marketing plan through the design, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">copywriting</span>, production, mailing, and tracking of all marketing projects through multiple channels. Assist the Marketing Communications Manager with special projects as assigned. Duties include:</em><br /><em></em><br /><ul><li><em>Develop, execute, and evaluate direct mail marketing materials (including catalogs, brochures, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyers</span>, and letters) for new and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">backlist</span> titles that generate sales leads and product orders, and support the sales representatives.</em></li><li><em>Collaborate with all internal teams involved in the product development process to determine the conceptual and copy direction of branding and advertising initiatives.</em></li><li><em>Develop online web content for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">emcschool</span>.com including new product copy, promotional pages, and event announcements</em></li><li><em>Write and conceptualize <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">emarketing</span> campaigns including emails, web site landing pages, and social media platforms.</em></li><li><em>Proofread and fact-check product information in all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">EMC</span> marketing materials.</em></li></ul><p><em>Bachelor's degree required in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or related degree. Must have at least two years of marketing communications experience with a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively primarily in written form. Must have knowledge of mailings, project management, and promotions. Must have very good knowledge of technology to include computers and software programs such as MS Office. Requires exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail to coordinate phases of projects with others under tight deadlines.</em> Apply <a href="http://jobview.monster.com/MARKETING-COMMUNICATIONS-COORDINATOR-Job-St.-Paul-MN-US-86496097.aspx">here</a>.</p><p>The second marketing job is at <a href="http://www.wiley.com/">Wiley</a> in Indianapolis:</p><p><em>Provides general administrative support to marketing department, including processing bills and monitoring promotion expenses, special sales events [workshops, author tours, conventions, and book fairs], and advertising schedules. Assists in the implementation of marketing plans, including coordination of author promotion initiatives, preparation and distribution of sales tools, including sales sheets, product kits, and competitive information. Provides back-up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">copywriting</span> [space ads and sales letters], proofreading, and basic design support.<br /><br /> Requirements: 1 year of marketing or publishing experience. Proficiency on MS applications. Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Excellent communication skills required.</em> Apply <a href="http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=WILEY&cws=1&rid=1442">here</a>.</p><p>These two jobs are at slightly different levels and have different entry requirements. I found these two postings informative (not to mention encouraging, from an economic standpoint) and thought you might, too.</p><p> </p>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-54911935157725770252010-03-12T12:55:00.000-08:002010-03-12T13:17:50.665-08:00Twitter Job Search Guide Publicity Wins!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/S5qrLSOrgoI/AAAAAAAAA44/mqqGZ--I4Tc/s1600-h/41P4dyv16IL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447854909618356866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/S5qrLSOrgoI/AAAAAAAAA44/mqqGZ--I4Tc/s320/41P4dyv16IL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If you're following me on <a href="http://twitter.com/loricateshand">Twitter</a> (and you should be!), you're probably sick to death of my tweets about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593577915/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=105H9KN6NDVWC5K9VVR1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846"><em>The Twitter Job Search Guide</em></a>. But I swear it's not calculated and shameless self-promotion. I truly adore this book and am so very excited that it's now available in stores.</div><div> </div><div>The book is packed with novel and vital tips for maximizing Twitter for your career purposes. Pick it up, turn to any page, and I guarantee that you will learn something.</div><div> </div><div>A week or so ago, the authors did an interview for the Associated Press that has received wide distribution and iterations of it are turning up all over (for example, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9990703">here</a> on the ABC News site). That has helped push the Amazon rank to a respectable spot for a new book and is spawning new exposure every day.</div><div> </div><div>The authors are spearheading an energetic and innovative PR campaign, beginning with a <a href="http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/2010/03/attn-nyc-locals-join-us-in-celebrating.html">book launch party</a> in New York on Monday. We've never really tried that for any of our other books, mainly because the subject of careers is not usually thought of as glam. But throw in the hottest social networking trend and suddenly, things get interesting. </div><div> </div><div>But here's where it takes a turn for the surreal. Original gossip girl <a href="http://www.wowowow.com/users/liz">Liz Smith</a> just happens to live in an apartment above the restaurant where the launch party is taking place. And today, she gave it <a href="http://www.wowowow.com/entertainment/liz-smith-elvis-and-las-vegas-real-story-452927?page=0,1">a very nice preview</a> in her online column. This is where I got a little woozy. Finally, finally, we've got a book going viral. I am so excited to see what happens next!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-15543998220270520112010-03-05T08:45:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:19:45.831-08:00Libraries and the Job HuntI'm back from Charlotte and have much more that I want to say about what I learned at the Baker & Taylor vendor summit. As you know, B&T is a major library wholesaler. So as I worked the vendor fair yesterday, many of the people stopping by the table were librarians or people who sell to librarians. I cannot count how many people said "Oh, resumes and job search are hot right now. A lot of libraries have job search centers in them." Of course, we've been reading that in the media. But it's good to hear it validated over and over again.<br /><br />After the fair, Tom (our rep) and I had time to kill before our flight. So we drove to downtown Charlotte and hit the streets. Serendipitously, we walked right to the main branch of the <a href="http://www.plcmc.lib.nc.us/">Charlotte <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mecklenburg</span> Public Library</a> (<em>love</em> the reading-related quotes from Samuel Johnson and others on the pillars outside). Immediately we saw a sign pointing us to the <a href="http://www.plcmc.lib.nc.us/jobs/">career center</a>. It was a huge space with lots of resources and computer terminals, as well as a medium-sized collection of job search books (including a good representation of ours, thank goodness). It wasn't overrun with people, but it was being used.<br /><br />We walked around a bit more and found another area with computers for public use. Standing behind 36 users and looking at their screens simultaneously drew a gasp from me. "Tom, they are all on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><em>Facebook,"</em> I said.</span> "I think we've got a national epidemic on our hands. I can't wait to go tweet about this!"<br /><br />I'm not sure what conclusions to draw; maybe only that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebooking</span> was a more popular activity than job hunting in Charlotte yesterday. Certainly, there is value in any sort of networking. But there are so many distractions online. Hopefully all those people already have jobs.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-32971052624798691772010-03-03T18:30:00.000-08:002010-03-03T18:53:59.755-08:00Baker & Taylor Vendor Summit MeetingHello from North Carolina, where library distributor <a href="http://www.btol.com/">Baker & Taylor</a> has spent the day filling me (and hundreds of other publishers) with good food and great information. Our trade sales rep, <a href="http://www.cardinalpub.com/">Tom <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Doherty</span></a>, invited me to come along to the summit to learn more about doing business with B&T, and to talk to librarians about our books at tomorrow's vendor fair.<br /><br />Baker & Taylor is the #1 distributor to library and academic markets, retailers, and international accounts. They do business with 82% of all public libraries, 95% of academic libraries, and 15% of school libraries.<br /><br />The first two hours were overall introductory remarks from the senior management team, where we learned about trends in the library business ("flat is the new up"), value-added services that B&T offers (such as collection development), and other branches and initiatives of the company. Among nonfiction topics, they cited Business & Economics (our category) as the second-largest-selling category. They even went so far as to point out that "Resumes and job search guides dominate, with emphasis on social network[<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ing</span>]."<br /><br />Later we learned about their new e-book reader software, <a href="http://www.blioreader.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blio</span></a>, which works on all hardware platforms and enables publishers to easily and cheaply add video, links, and other amazing interactive features to their e-books. I think it might be just what we have been looking for. So when I get back, I'll start working to get approval to get some of our titles converted and distributed on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blio</span>.<br /><br />It was very interesting to see how they have ramped up their marketing efforts to push our titles into the hands of libraries. This apparently new strategy seems aggressive and sharp, and it was interesting to hear the steps they took toward <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">rebranding</span> the company.<br /><br />Then tonight was the vendor appreciation dinner, peppered with 10 best-selling authors, with <a href="http://davidbaldacci.com/">David <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Baldacci</span></a> topping the bill. His books really aren't my preferred genre, but he was highly entertaining and charming, telling stories of what happens when a best-selling author goes out in the world, mingling with Italian mayors, presidents, and more than a couple loonies. Top it all off with some Baked Alaska and you've got a really great day.<br /><br />Looking forward to meeting our customers directly in the booth tomorrow. I scoped out the exhibition hall earlier and we will be among the who's who of trade and academic publishers. Should be entertaining.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-8881951078250063252010-02-23T07:30:00.000-08:002010-02-23T07:38:52.341-08:00Wiley Seeks eContent Conversion SpecialistI keep Wiley's job postings on my RRS feeds and ran across something very interesting this morning. The Indianapolis office is seeking someone to convert its print materials to electronic formats. Check it out:<br /><br /><br /><em>Responsible for assisting with the production of all eContent produced by the Indianapolis Composition Services department. This will include conversions from the page layout application directly to eContent such as XML, ePub, Kindle, etc. It will also entail the usage of XSLT to transform exported content into the appropriate format for compliance with Wiley’s version of XML and other eContent requirements. In addition, this position will assist with training people in eContent conversion methods as needed.<br /><br />Requirements include a working knowledge of XHTML, HTML, and CSS and an exposure to XML (including schemas and DTDs). Knowledge of XSLT would be ideal. Prior work in a publishing environment would be a plus. Must also have a minimum of a 2-year technical degree. The successful candidate must also be self-motivated and have the ability to multi-task in a deadline-oriented environment. Written and verbal communication skills must be a strength, especially the ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to non-technical colleagues.</em><br /><br />I have been thinking for a while that the brave new world of publishing will begin to require people who can do conversions like these. Now we know what a job like that would look like. The fact that Wiley is hiring someone on staff to do it instead of outsourcing it indicates that they understand the importance of making content available in multiple e-formats--and that they realize there's enough work to keep someone busy all the time.<br /><br />This looks like a good opportunity for a tech/design whiz to get in on the ground floor of something big--and something that is likely to evolve and change a lot in the coming years.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-7174925513758253672010-02-11T06:35:00.000-08:002010-02-11T06:51:46.679-08:00Got a Fever for the Olympics? I Prescribe "State of the Skate"The winter Olympics are almost upon us in snow-challenged Vancouver. So what better time to introduce you to a blog on figure skating?<br /><br />If you want to get some expert analysis of the competition from a true fanatic and meticulous historian, check out <a href="http://stateoftheskate.blogspot.com/">State of the Skate</a>. This week, blogger Kelli Lawrence has been running a series to help us "every four years" fans get up to speed.<br /><br />In the interest of full disclosure, Kelli is my longtime friend and former <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">JIST</span> coworker. As our video manager, she let me do some cameo appearances in her films (you won't want to miss my turn as the caring older sister giving career advice to an earnest teen...). We bonded over '80s music trivia and had our babies within 2 months of each other. She even took me to <a href="http://www.starsonice.com/figure-skating/">Stars on Ice </a>one time.<br /><br />We'll check in with Kelli again in a few months when she finishes writing her book, <em>Skating on Air,</em> about the history of media coverage of the sport (for which she already has a publishing contract). I'm sure she'll have lots of tips and insights from a first-time author's perspective--not to mention great stories of all the skating legends she's been interviewing.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-87423958095824279302010-02-02T08:38:00.000-08:002010-02-02T09:17:09.780-08:00Good Connections and New Experiences at the Wisconsin Careers Conference<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/S2hasrV9OCI/AAAAAAAAA4o/B7zOydOmibY/s1600-h/19470_1206275119787_1315937789_30498672_3934992_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433692674018064418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/S2hasrV9OCI/AAAAAAAAA4o/B7zOydOmibY/s320/19470_1206275119787_1315937789_30498672_3934992_n.jpg" /></a> Last week I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel north for the University of Wisconsin's <a href="http://www.cew.wisc.edu/careersConf/default.aspx">Careers Conference </a>in Madison. Now that I think about it, after nearly 11 years at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">JIST</span>, it was my first conference aimed at the people who serve institutional job search customers--such as students and workforce development clients. <div><div><br /><div></div><div>My main purpose in going was to watch several of our authors in action: <a href="http://shatkin.com/default.aspx">Dr. Laurence <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shatkin</span>,</a> <a href="http://careers.asp.radford.edu/dir1/Contact%20Us.html">Dr. John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Liptak</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.worklifedesign.com/">Dr. Richard Deems</a>, in particular. <a href="http://www.wizardsofwork.com/catalog/">Dick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gaither</span></a> and Dr. <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=38460151&authToken=3hYo&authType=NAME_SEARCH&locale=en_US&srchindex=1&pvs=ps&goback=%2Efps_robert+orndorff_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_true_G%2CN%2CCC%2CI%2CPC%2CED%2CFG%2CL%2CDR_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2">Bob <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Orndorff</span></a> presented <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-conference workshops; and sadly, I didn't get to see much of them. But it was great to see three of our authors doing well-received presentations. I also enjoyed the two keynotes and several other featured speakers.</div><br /><div></div><div>For the first time ever, I decided to live-tweet this conference (since I finally have a laptop with a battery that lasts all day and working <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">wifi</span>). What an interesting exercise that was! It was hard work keeping on top of the most relevant and interesting points from each speaker, packaging them into tweets, and trying not to make any errors of fact or grammar. I think I'd give myself a solid "B" for my efforts. I realized that it takes a lot of skill to do it well. And I wondered whether there might be a market for freelance tweeters to go around publicizing conferences. I think I would enjoy doing that. You can get a feel for what I learned by taking a look at <a href="http://twitter.com/loricateshand">my Twitter stream</a> from last week.</div><div></div><div>A side benefit from the firehose of tweets I was sending out was that it raised my Twitter profile. A dozen or more people retweeted my tweets, asked questions, and made jokes while I was in the midst of reporting the conference. It made it an interactive exeprience for me, and it informed a lot of others who couldn't be there. I think I even got a few more followers as a result.</div><br /><div></div><div>Unlike the other conferences I've been to, people were not as open to networking and didn't necessarily know who I was. That was kind of nice. Sometimes letting a bunch of professionals know that an acquisitions editor is in the house is like throwing chum on the waters. But I did make one new friend: Leslie Bell, associate director of the career center at <a href="http://www.hamilton.edu/">Hamilton College </a>in upstate New York. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coincidentally</span>, Leslie is starting a blog for her career center; so I was able to offer some tips. She said I inspired her; and if that were the only good thing to come of my trip, it would totally be worth it.</div><div></div><br /><div>I also connected with at least one potential author and talked about book ideas with an existing author. And you know what else was fun? The six-hour drive to Madison with my co-worker Bob <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grilliot</span>. He was there to connect with customers at our booth, so he had to rent an SUV to haul the books. It just so happened that the SUV was equipped with heated seats and satellite radio. So we cruised in comfort while reveling in New Wave tunes, deliriously oblivious to the certain death that would await us should we break down or slide off the road in the frozen tundra of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Minonk</span>, Illinois. For me, an enduring image of the trip will be watching the wind turbines turn to the rhythm of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Smiths's</span> "How Soon Is Now?" Pure poetry.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-48258029554311064442010-01-22T05:59:00.000-08:002010-01-22T06:19:57.405-08:00Indiana Blogger Gets Discovered; Loads Up Truck for D.C.Today I write to offer hope to the millions of us who labor in obscurity on our blogs. One of our ilk has just hit the big time. And he's my co-godparent.<br /><br />For close to a decade, Sean <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlock</span> anonymously (and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">unbeknownst</span> to us all) wrote a right-leaning political blog under the pseudonym of <a href="http://www.jimtreacher.com/">Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Treacher</span></a>. Then one recent day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_Carlson">Tucker Carlson</a>, editor-in-chief of <em><a href="http://dailycaller.com/">The Daily Caller,</a></em> came calling. The grapevine has it that he flew to Indy to meet Sean, liked him, and then immediately flew him to D.C. to meet the staff.<br /><br />So as of January 10, Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Treacher</span> has his own column, <a href="http://dctrawler.dailycaller.com/">"The DC Trawler,"</a> on <em>The Caller</em>'s site. Nobody is more amazed about his good fortune than Sean himself. "Isn't this crazy?" he asked me over Twitter last night. "It's happening to me and I don't even believe it."<br /><br />I asked Sean to share a tweet of advice for all of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> who aspire to go big with their writing, and he responded in classic Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Treacher</span> style:<br /><br /><em>Write every day. Or as often as you can. Okay, at least once a month. If possible. Maybe. Crap, I'm no good at advice.</em><br /><br />But it sounds solid to me. I look forward to reading more of his adventures as the self-dubbed "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Farmy</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">McRube</span>" acclimates himself to the beltway. But I don't plan on talking politics with him at Zack's next birthday party. Looks like we've got a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carville</span>/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Matalin</span> problem going on (in which I am the scary <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">cajun</span> Jack Skeleton lookalike).Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-21976123678569889312010-01-18T12:27:00.000-08:002010-01-18T12:50:34.595-08:00Gearing Up for the Wisconsin Careers ConferenceA week from today I'll be hitting the road with my coworker <a href="http://publishingcareers.blogspot.com/2007/09/bob-grilliot-library-cataloger-and.html">Bob</a>, bound for Madison and the <a href="http://www.cew.wisc.edu/careersConf/default.aspx">Wisconsin Careers Conference</a>. This will be my first time at this conference (nay, my first time to even set foot in the state), even though it's been buzzing along happily without my presence for the last 24 years.<br /><br />The thought of heading north in January has always made me seize up. But ever since I took over our workbooks a couple of years ago, I have felt that I wasn't quite in touch with the people who use those books. This conference is aimed at K-14 teachers, HR professionals, counselors and guidance staff, college and university educators and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">advisors</span>, career counselors, career center personnel, and many others. So this is a great opportunity to immerse myself in their community.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">JIST</span> will be well represented there in addition to Bob in the booth and me in the sessions. Coworker/author <a href="http://shatkin.com/default.aspx">Laurence <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shatkin</span> </a>will be one of the <a href="http://www.cew.wisc.edu/careersConf/featuredspeakers.aspx">featured speakers</a>, sharing his research on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/200-Best-Jobs-Renewing-America/dp/1593577273/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263847596&sr=8-2">Best Jobs for Renewing America</a>. Author <a href="http://www.worklifedesign.com/">Richard Deems</a> will be leading a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">roundtable</span> on his Job Loss Reaction Cycle (which is featured in his book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Make-Job-Loss-Work-You/dp/1593577400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263847285&sr=8-1">Make Job Loss Work for You</a></em>). Our assessment guru, John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Liptak</span>, is hosting a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">roundtable</span> on integrating spirituality into career counseling. And authors Bob <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Orndorff</span> and Dick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gaither</span> will be presenting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">preconference</span> workshops. I'm looking forward to taking them all to dinner or lunch at some point in the conference.<br /><br />I'm planning to bring along my laptop and tweet up a storm about what I'm learning. So look for me on Twitter next Tuesday and Wednesday (<a href="http://twitter.com/loricateshand">@<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">loricateshand</span></a>).Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-65137831605933309312010-01-13T07:52:00.000-08:002010-01-13T08:09:26.220-08:00Why I'm Now Moderating Comments on This BlogI'll start by saying that this blog has never been a hotbed for comments. Sure, there have been some great comments by loyal readers and many good discussions have arisen. I also enjoy the occasional anonymous tipsters who drop by with a little inside info on the industry--very illuminating. And some of the best discussions have occurred over e-mail and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> with people I met through this blog that I now consider personal friends (Katharine, Mark, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Krisan</span>, I'm talking about you!). So comment moderation really hasn't been much of an issue.<br /><br />Right off the bat, I did set up a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">captcha</span> so that only real people--and not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">spambots</span>--would be commenting. That has helped tremendously. But what I didn't count on were the so-called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">SEO</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> who are real people that go around comment-spamming relevant blogs. For a long time, I just went in and deleted these types of comments.<br /><br />But back in November, an industrious <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">spammer</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> took a fancy to Publishing Careers and was daily posting the same spam on different entries. One day he or she was posting them faster than I could delete them, and we were doing battle in real-time. I decided to turn on comment moderation, which means that I get to reject comments before they are posted. Immediately, my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">spammer</span> went away. I might never find and delete all of that spam, but at least I've stemmed the tide.<br /><br />With this new "power" comes responsibility, of course. Do I go ahead and allow comments that are critical of me? And what do I do in cases where I really can't tell whether the commenter is sincere or just a very sly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">spammer</span>? I promise to post all but the most obscene criticism, and to do my best to separate the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">spammers</span> from the true <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">commenters</span>. And I promise not to let comments sit too long in moderation limbo.<br /><br />Thanks for reading. Sorry I have been a lax poster as of late.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-75831000180443418602009-12-17T09:57:00.000-08:002009-12-17T10:37:01.044-08:00Don't Forget Your Clients at the Holidays: Eight Tips for Freelancer GiftsOne of the happier moments in the work days leading up to Christmas is when a package arrives from a freelancer or vendor. Coworkers swarm in like termites to snatch a sugary goody before they're all gone. Everyone gets a sugar buzz and thinks happy thoughts about the contractor who took the time and trouble to show how much they care.<br /><br />We have a faithful indexer who always sends us something fun from <a href="http://www.harryanddavid.com/gifts/store/home___?ref=yahoo_search_tm&cm_mmc=Yahoo-_-TM%2520-%2520Harry%2520and%2520David%2520Brand_Harry%2520and%2520David%2520-%2520Broad-_-harry%2520%2526%2520david-_-Standard_45410076512">Harry & David</a>, and a printer that never fails to send yummy cookies from <a href="http://www.cherylandco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=10202&catalogId=10102&cm_mmc=paidsearch-_-yahoobrand-_-otherdessert-_-wwwcheryl_co">Cheryl&Co</a>. In fact, it was while I was happily munching a chocolate cookie with peppermint <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">buttercream</span> frosting that it occurred to me: I did a lot of freelance work for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frommer's</span> this year. Perhaps I should show my gratitude.<br /><br />And so I did. Online ordering made it relatively easy (despite a couple of bugs in the site). Within three days, a big box of little cookies found its way into the hands of the grateful Wiley production editors. Before I even got arrival confirmation from UPS, they were e-mailing me to thank me. Now I'm not saying that this is going to guarantee me more work next year (doing a good job, of course, is more important); however, maybe it makes them smile a little when they think of me. And that can't hurt.<br /><br />Here are a few tips on freelancer gifts, from someone who both gave and received this year:<br /><br /><ol><li><strong>Time it right.</strong> Make sure your gift will arrive before most people take off on vacation. You still have a little time to get a gift out to your best clients--but not much. There won't be a lot of people in offices past next Tuesday.</li><li><strong>Avoid perishables.</strong> I've gotten sausage and cheese a few times and wondered whether it had been refrigerated adequately. It kinda ruined it for me.</li><li><strong>Don't be too chintzy.</strong> If you file Schedule C, you can deduct the cost as a business expense, anyway. So why not get something nice?</li><li><strong>Packaging isn't so important. </strong>The adorable gift towers are fun. But people are really just interested in the food. Opt for more food over fancy packaging.</li><li><strong>Tie it to your personal or company brand.</strong> If you have a logo for your business, send a gift or card that communicates it. <a href="http://www.debrand.com/shop/logo/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeBrand's</span> Chocolates </a>will even make custom candy in the shape of your logo. (I'm not sure I followed this rule. Maybe my brand is traditional, dependable, and sweet. And what says that better than cookies?)</li><li><strong>Be sensitive.</strong> Don't send something that will offend or exclude anyone. If you know that any of your recipients has allergies, avoid sending them something they can't eat. And those packages of sockeye salmon are always revolting-looking to me.</li><li><strong>Don't forget a note.</strong> Make sure they know who it's from and that you are grateful for your working relationship.</li><li><strong>Keep it up.</strong> If your gift is a hit, send the same thing next year. Your client will look forward to getting your gift as the holidays approach.</li></ol>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-6004536283975135572009-12-08T10:09:00.000-08:002009-12-08T10:54:21.868-08:00Indiana Historical Society Holiday Author Fair: A Whole Lotta Awesome!A while back I mentioned my intention to drop into the<a href="http://www.indianahistory.org/"> Indiana Historical Society</a>'s Holiday Author Fair, in which 80+ local authors were on hand to autograph copies of their works. Could an event be more tailor-made for me, who lives in the past and subsists on books? The event was Saturday and it lived up to all my expectations.<br /><br /><br />Immediately upon arrival I was asked whether I would like to join the society. As a matter of fact, I did want to. I want to support history in Indiana; but I also want to learn more about the historical society's press, which seems like a dream employer to me.<br /><br /><br />The next stroke of good luck was running into my longtime friend Gayle (yes, just like Oprah, I have a friend named Gayle), whom I hadn't seen in some time. We did our catching up as we weaved among the many authors, asking about their inspirations and their publishing experience.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Sx6ZfJTgHTI/AAAAAAAAA4A/X_iRNvjTmXw/s1600-h/IMG_2103.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412932562498624818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Sx6ZfJTgHTI/AAAAAAAAA4A/X_iRNvjTmXw/s200/IMG_2103.JPG" /></a>It was an interesting mix of the self-published and those with the backing of major publishers. Our first mandatory stop, of course, was to meet <a href="http://www.bentobjects.blogspot.com/">Terry Border</a>, author of the quirky <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bent-Objects-Secret-Everyday-Things/dp/0762435623/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260296619&sr=8-1"><em>Bent Objects</em></a>. We'd already corresponded via Twitter, so he knew I was coming. We enjoyed hearing about his creative process later during his presentation. He's a former commercial photographer and baker who went from the mundane to doing what he really loves: Making funny scenes with everyday objects and taking photos of them. I predict big things for him.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Sx6bNVj9ZnI/AAAAAAAAA4I/qVubegGNn30/s1600-h/IMG_2101.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412934455574488690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Sx6bNVj9ZnI/AAAAAAAAA4I/qVubegGNn30/s200/IMG_2101.JPG" /></a><br />We also visited with Larry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sweazy</span>, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Noblesville</span> author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rattlesnake-Season-Larry-D-Sweazy/dp/0425230643/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260296872&sr=1-1"><em>The Rattlesnake</a></em><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rattlesnake-Season-Larry-D-Sweazy/dp/0425230643/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260296872&sr=1-1"> Season</em> </a>with Penguin. He's got a four-book deal, so he's working on the next installment. (He then chided me for not keeping this blog updated lately. Duly noted.) Next to him was another fellow Macmillan/Pearson alum, Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Katsaropoulos</span>, who told me he is serializing his entire novel, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Chris-Katsaropoulos/dp/193546227X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260297178&sr=1-1">Fragile,</a></em> over Twitter to promote it. Wow.<br /><br />We enjoyed chatting with Scott Sanders about his <a href="http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/">Arcadia</a>-published book devoted to the history of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Burger-Images-America-Scott-Sanders/dp/0738560987/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260297365&sr=1-1">Burger Chef</a>. Cool! I also had a nice discussion with Andrew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stoner</span> about his book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Notorious-92-Indianas-Heinous-Counties/dp/1600080243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260297610&sr=1-1">Notorious 92, </a></em>chronicling the most heinous murders in each of Indiana's 92 counties.<br /><br />It was also great to finally meet Julie Young in person after having some online interactions with her last year. She's the author of an Arcadia book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/HISTORIC-IRVINGTON-Images-America-Julie/dp/0738552119/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260298179&sr=1-1">Historic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Irvington</span></a></em>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Belief-Providence-Saint-Theodora-Guerin/dp/0871952556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1260298272&sr=1-1-fkmr1"><em>A Belief in Providence,</em> </a>about Mother <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Guerin</span>, Indiana's only saint. Turns out, Julie is writing a video script for my company and invited me to be her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> friend.<br /><br />Last but not least, I had a private audience with Philip <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gulley</span>, author of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Miss-Huddleston-Inappropriate/dp/0060736593/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260297794&sr=1-2">I Love You, Miss <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Huddleston</span></a></em> (and quite a collection of other highly successful books with Harper). I'm sure he wondered at some of my questions, but I was sizing up his book's appropriateness as a gift. He convinced me. I bought it.<br /><br />Looking back, I enjoyed that the event wasn't overrun with people. But now I hope they had enough book buyers to make it worth their while. I know <em>I</em> came away some $200 lighter in the pocket.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-62991398825690838392009-11-17T12:48:00.000-08:002009-11-17T13:09:13.036-08:00Spotting Kindles in the Wild<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/SwMMaqJw2CI/AAAAAAAAA3w/G_q5UHSdC0w/s1600/3489343632_748b992264.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405177629906098210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/SwMMaqJw2CI/AAAAAAAAA3w/G_q5UHSdC0w/s320/3489343632_748b992264.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Last weekend we went on a little family trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puerto</span> Rico. At the last minute I decided to take along my neglected company Kindle, just to give it a trial run. I charged it up and downloaded Elizabeth Gilbert's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Everything-Indonesia/dp/0143038419/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258491080&sr=8-1"><em>Eat, Pray, Love</em></a><em>,</em> thinking it might be hedonistic and fluffy enough reading for such a trip. I also discovered that you can download the complete works of Shakespeare for 99 cents, and a fairytale tome for free. So those came along too (maybe in case we ended up stranded on an island and I needed reading material for a decade or so? and the Professor [or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Macgyver</span>] would also be there and charge up the battery with coconuts and pennies?).</div><div> </div><div>We also brought along my new laptop so that Cate could watch videos. A trip to the lavatory revealed that close to 75% of my fellow passengers were also passing the four-hour flight with an electronic gadget of some sort. But the only Kindle I saw was a first-gen model in the possession of a guy sitting just ahead of us in first class. (And he used it for nearly the whole flight.) Personally, I felt more like listening to my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPod</span> and looking at the clouds.</div><div> </div><div>One day at the hotel beach/pool, my husband asked: How many people here do you see reading Kindles? Practically everyone was reading something, but it was always a battered paperback thriller or a hardback borrowed from the towel kiosk. Of course, I thought. Who would risk getting sand in their Kindle or having it swiped while they were out being buffeted by the relentless waves?</div><div> </div><div>One night Cate was horrified that I had not brought along any books to read to her at bedtime. Jason stepped in as the hero with the Kindle full of fairy tales. (She found <em>Hansel and Gretel</em> somewhat upsetting, as did I.)</div><div> </div><div>Going through security on the way back home, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">TSA</span> agent in San Juan was quite taken with the Kindle, noting how handy it was. The implication was that she didn't see many of them in a day's time. Switching planes at the purgatory that is gate E35-A-F at Miami International, I saw a guy reading a Kindle <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">DX</span>. Now <em>that</em> was exciting!</div><div> </div><div>Our last flight of the trip was again consumed with DVDs and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPods</span> (as well as leftover Halloween candy I had taken along to appease our young traveling companion). So the Kindle got only brief usage. Maybe if I were on a business trip and had a different mindset, I might have used it more.</div><div> </div><div> </div>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-91093055724525962102009-11-12T08:48:00.001-08:002009-11-12T09:00:50.840-08:00JIST Book Gets Library Journal Review<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Svw8glhQg7I/AAAAAAAAA3o/3PfCUp-0PTc/s1600-h/51Wy5FTo3RL__SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403260183462839218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Svw8glhQg7I/AAAAAAAAA3o/3PfCUp-0PTc/s320/51Wy5FTo3RL__SL500_AA240_.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Nothing dulls the pain of having to return from a beach resort vacation to the frigid Midwest like a big publicity coup. I was excited to learn just now that one of my books got a coveted review in the latest edition of <em><a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/">Library Journal</a>.</em> You can read it in its entirety <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6704056.html?industryid=47110">here</a> (scroll down to the third review). But the money quote is this:<br /><br /><em>Covering all the basics, this work is recommended for job seekers, including those who have been laid off, and is especially appropriate for professionals and management-level workers.<br /></em><br />Many thanks to Diana <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lekus</span> of the Queens Library for her excellent insights!<br /><br />It's been quite a while since we got a <em>Library Journal</em> review. It will be interesting to see whether this will translate into increased sales. This really is an excellent book and the authors (father-daughter duo Richard and Terri Deems) have a distinguished history of helping people get jobs and deal with the emotional aspects of losing a job. Plus, they are so very nice! I'm thrilled to see them get this recognition.Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989431010061167090.post-28647000776073580552009-11-02T13:59:00.001-08:002009-11-02T14:14:11.983-08:00Book Review: Bent Objects<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Su9WWfE45-I/AAAAAAAAA3g/RD4_Q4T3KoE/s1600-h/51ZotQKedFL__SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399629422539630562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iP-4ltnCI2o/Su9WWfE45-I/AAAAAAAAA3g/RD4_Q4T3KoE/s320/51ZotQKedFL__SL500_AA240_.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday, after finishing my freelance editing project for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frommer's</span>, I ran out to B&N to buy (oh the irony) a travel book. See, we are leaving for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puerto</span> Rico in less than a week and I have done very little in the way of preparation. (Note to my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frommer's</span> friends: I gave all the competition proper consideration and still walked out with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frommer's</span> book.)</div><div> </div><div>But once I get into a bookstore, I get lost among all the wonderful ideas, colors, paper textures, and trends. On a table near the middle of the store, I happened to see the picture book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762435623/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=193ZXDH7AWYFQM3ZTKR9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">Bent Objects</a>.</em> I was drawn in by its cuteness (ha--a cheese doodle with arms and legs!). But when I started to absorb the jokes behind each photo in the book, I realized its true subversive and many-layered genius. There was even a most wonderful scene involving a Kindle and <em>Gulliver's Travels</em>--but you will have to look for that yourself.</div><div> </div><div>I vowed to find the author, Terry Border's, blog (and <a href="http://bentobjects.blogspot.com/">here</a> it is) and to come back to buy the book as a gift for someone (or maybe more than one person) on my list.</div><div> </div><div>As I rifled through Terry's posts, I made the startling realization that he is a fellow Hoosier and lives someplace nearby. And then I saw that he will be signing books and doing a hilarious presentation on December 5 at the Indiana Historical Society's Holiday Author Fair (details <a href="http://www.indyarts.org/calendar.aspx?id=11176">here</a>). Oh, what could be more fun? I love Indiana history and authors and books and shopping! So I plan to be there. Can't wait!</div><div> </div><div> </div>Lori Cates Handhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07768475768656302512noreply@blogger.com2