Okay, here’s our usual Friday round-up of publishing news, contests, resources, etc. But first: I just signed up for National Novel Writing Month, and I want to invite all WLT members to join me in writing at least on
e page a day for the month of November. We’ll be hosting member write-ins throughout Texas — if you’re interested in hosting or finding a write-in, sign up on the Writers’ League Facebook page!
Tip of the Week
This one comes from Reel Social Media’s Weston Norton, who was our featured guest at the Oct. 21 Third Thursday program. We all know that videos posted on YouTube and then linked to your website or blog can be huge traffic drivers. But Weston pointed out something you may not know: “Audio matters more than video.”
Most video cameras (such as the Flip), however, do not have jacks for microphones. Weston recommends the Kodak Zi8, which is comparable in price to the Flip and other simple camcorders, and a simple lavolier microphone to ensure great audio quality for your videos. Weston mentioned the Azden wired mic, such as this model for $19.32 on Amazon.
And keep those videos SHORT — he says 90 seconds to 2 minutes is the max!
Of course, we’ll be violating that rule next week, when we post our Flip-camera recording of Weston’s talk on the WLT YouTube channel!
Publishing News
A Bookish Twist on Apps: Author Stephen Elliott develops an app for The Adderall Diaries.
Amazon vs. Texas: Now, this is one to watch: The State of Texas is duking it out with Amazon over sales taxes. Which is bigger — Texas or Amazon? Guess we’ll find out!
Let’s Hear It for the Red Pencil: Oxford professor reveals that Jane Austen needed an editor in a fascinating piece from NPR. I knew it — all writers need a good editor!
Website of the Week
Just in time for National Novel Writing Month: One Page Per Day, a site designed to help writers write — you guessed it! — one page a day. All you have to do is login via Google or Twitter. Once you set up an account, you’ll receive a “gentle” reminder to write your page every day!
Contests
Smoke City Narrators Annual Novel Pitch & First 5 Pages Contest
Entry Fee: $8.50
Deadline: Postmarked or Emailed by November 15, 2010.
Prizes: $150, $75, or $40. 6 HM.
Contest guidelines are here
— Posted by Cyndi Hughes
