Ebooks and Ecourses

Talking about helping yourself to write, I've purchased Mike Gerrard's ebook called 'So you want to be a travel writer?' The book was written in 2005, but it could do with updating as things have changed a lot, especially with reference to technology. Otherwise, it is a wonderful 62 page guide on how to get started in the business. The ideas and tips can work for any aspect of writing, not just travel. The book contains interviews with travel editors and tips on what they want - a handy insight!

I've also signed up for an e-course through Writers Weekly called 'Local magazines and newspaper markets : Tap into yours'. With my third feature coming out this week in my local paper, this is a niche market that I'd like to explore further. Let's see if the course makes a difference.

And before you think I've got a lot of spare cash to be spending online, let me tell you that both these purchases were cheap ones. With the pound stronger than before, it barely makes a dent in the credit card. The e-book cost me a little over £2 and the course £12 . I've more than recovered the cost of the e-book with the advice in it. The course begins next week - will let you know how it goes.

Freebies for writers

E-books

• Newbie Writers Resource book (free e-book when you subscribe to the Newbie Writers newsletter)
• Take the bull by the horns and confront the dreaded cliches - Andrea Rains Waggener
  
• 83 Ways to Make Money Writing by Beth Fowler (available as a free download when you subscribe to the Writing for Dollars.com newsletter)
• Power Queries by Beth Erickson (when you subscribe to the Writing, Etc newsletter)
  
• Eponymous Contests (when you subscribe to the Practicing Writers newsletter)
  
• Become a Freelance Writing Success (when you subscribe to the Writeaholic News newsletter)
  
• Becoming a Professional Writer (free gift for subscribers of the 'Easy Way to Write' newsletter)
• The Lousy Writer's Guide to writing persuasively by Janice Jacobs
• The Active Author's Copyright Compendium by Richard Cunningham
• The Active Author's Guide to Copyright basics by Richard Cunningham
• The Copyright Chronicles by Richard Cunningham (audio)
• The Active Author's Guide to Copyright Research by Richard Cunningham
• The Inspired Query - How to grab an editors wandering attention by Valentina Rae
• A career in fashion journalism by Alicia Anselme
• Creating your book cover by Ron Miller
• 3 keys to making your writing pay by Anne Wayman
• How to be a freelance writer by Angela Hoy (free when you subscribe to Writersweekly.com)

Planners and Calendars

• Writers Calendar - Organised writer.com
  
  
  
  (If you have any more to add to the list, please let me know.)

Free E-books - for June 2007 only

Erika Dreifus (of Practicing Writer fame) is retiring four of her ebooks at the end of June 2007. The books, in the meantime, are available to download, free of charge from Lulu.com.

Take advantage of this offer and save a copy of those books today. Having ready-made listings makes your life much simpler. All you have to do is verify them when you have a chance :)

You'll find all four e-books here.

1) WRITERS' MARKETS: Where To Sell What You Write When You Write About Writing
2) The Practicing Writer's Literary Contest Directory for Writers of Book-Length Fiction
3) The Practicing Writer's Directory of Paying Poetry Markets
4) The Practicing Writer's Directory of Paying Short Story Markets