The PEN/Faulkner Foundation will announce today that E.L. Doctorow has won its 2006 fiction award for his novel "The March." It is the second PEN/Faulkner award for the much-honored Doctorow, who won in 1990 for "Billy Bathgate" and whose 1975 novel "Ragtime" established him as a writer capable of combining literary ambition and commercial success. Article continues
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Short story competitions - enter now
~Spring 24-Hour Short Story Contest Now Accepting Entrants~Start time for the Winter 24-Hour Short Story Contest will be12:00 p.m. (noon) central time on Saturday, April 29, 2006!Participation is limited to 500 entrants. Contests alwaysfill up, so don't delay if you want to sign up! You can seethe list of prizes (first prize is $300) and sign up here:http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.html
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest - Closing NextMonth March 31 deadline. 14th year. $3,000 in prizes. Submitany type of short story, essay or other work of prose. Bothpublished and unpublished work accepted.http://www.winningwriters.com/
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest - Closing NextMonth March 31 deadline. 14th year. $3,000 in prizes. Submitany type of short story, essay or other work of prose. Bothpublished and unpublished work accepted.http://www.winningwriters.com/
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Reading is fundamental, UK
Reading Is Fundamental, UK is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust that helps children and young people (aged 0 to 19) to realise their potential by motivating them to read.
We promote the fun of reading, the importance of book choice and the benefits to families of having books at home. Our projects provide motivational activities, opportunities for family and community involvement, and free books for children to choose and keep.
We promote the fun of reading, the importance of book choice and the benefits to families of having books at home. Our projects provide motivational activities, opportunities for family and community involvement, and free books for children to choose and keep.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Chorus of protests against China editor's demotion
BEIJING (Reuters) - A group of 13 Chinese academics and editors have written to President Hu Jintao and other Communist leaders, joining a chorus of protest against a decision by censors to demote the top two editors of a progressive weekly.
Reading challenge to challenge illiteracy
A national reading program to tackle the problem of illiteracy in Aboriginal communities is set to be launched at a major literary conference in Melbourne.
The Australian Readers' Challenge will be launched during the Writers at Como conference in front of Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt and prominent Australian writer John Marsden.
The challenge is a project encouraging readers from preschoolers to adults to read 10 books, including seven from a set book list.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Pulp friction
Internet companies are racing to get books online, but publishers are understandably wary
“INFORMATION wants to be free,” according to a celebrated aphorism from the early days of the internet. Yet this ethos has been creating new headaches recently. As search-engine firms and others unveil plans to place books online, publishers fear that the services may end up devouring their business, either by bypassing them or because the initiatives threaten to make their copyrights redundant. Article continues
“INFORMATION wants to be free,” according to a celebrated aphorism from the early days of the internet. Yet this ethos has been creating new headaches recently. As search-engine firms and others unveil plans to place books online, publishers fear that the services may end up devouring their business, either by bypassing them or because the initiatives threaten to make their copyrights redundant. Article continues
Saturday, February 11, 2006
MSN Search announces MSN Book Search
MSN is working with the Open Content Alliance to bring millions of publicly available print materials worldwide to the Web.
2005 —MSN Search today announced its intention to launch MSN® Book Search, which will support MSN Search’s efforts to help people find exactly what they’re looking for on the Web, including the content from books, academic materials, periodicals and other print resources. MSN Search intends to launch an initial beta of this offering next year. MSN also intends to join the Open Content Alliance (OCA) and work with the organization to scan and digitize publicly available print materials, as well as work with copyright owners to legally scan protected materials.
Read the whole article
2005 —MSN Search today announced its intention to launch MSN® Book Search, which will support MSN Search’s efforts to help people find exactly what they’re looking for on the Web, including the content from books, academic materials, periodicals and other print resources. MSN Search intends to launch an initial beta of this offering next year. MSN also intends to join the Open Content Alliance (OCA) and work with the organization to scan and digitize publicly available print materials, as well as work with copyright owners to legally scan protected materials.
Read the whole article
Censorship struggling in China
Despite Web Crackdown, Prevailing Winds Are Free
"The Internet is open technology, based on packet switching and open systems, and it is totally different from traditional media, like radio or TV or newspapers," said Guo Liang, an Internet specialist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "At first, people might have thought it would be as easy to control as traditional media, but now they realize that's not the case."
If the Internet is at the center of today's struggle over press freedom, it is only the latest in a series of fights that the government has so far always lost. Under the veneer of resolute state control, one sector after another, including book publishing, newspapers and magazines, has undergone a similar process of de facto liberalization, often in the face of official hostility. The first wave came in book publishing, where beginning in the 1980's censors found themselves unable to suppress books that were critical of state policy or expressed divergent views on ideological matters. A big part of the reason for the weakening of the censors was the introduction of a market economy, where publishers had to seek profits to support their activities. Turgid, politically correct books that delighted the censors sold poorly, so profit-seeking publishers sought to get bolder, often provocative writing into print.
Read the whole article
"The Internet is open technology, based on packet switching and open systems, and it is totally different from traditional media, like radio or TV or newspapers," said Guo Liang, an Internet specialist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "At first, people might have thought it would be as easy to control as traditional media, but now they realize that's not the case."
If the Internet is at the center of today's struggle over press freedom, it is only the latest in a series of fights that the government has so far always lost. Under the veneer of resolute state control, one sector after another, including book publishing, newspapers and magazines, has undergone a similar process of de facto liberalization, often in the face of official hostility. The first wave came in book publishing, where beginning in the 1980's censors found themselves unable to suppress books that were critical of state policy or expressed divergent views on ideological matters. A big part of the reason for the weakening of the censors was the introduction of a market economy, where publishers had to seek profits to support their activities. Turgid, politically correct books that delighted the censors sold poorly, so profit-seeking publishers sought to get bolder, often provocative writing into print.
Read the whole article
Self publishing
By Ken Rubino
Whether it be ego, passion, or just a desire to disseminate information on a topic we believe we’re knowledgeable about, there is an opinionated writer inside a lot of us. The relatively recent proliferation of individual Web sites and blogs certainly demonstrates this. -->http://www.infotoday.com/linkup/lud011506-rubino.shtml
Whether it be ego, passion, or just a desire to disseminate information on a topic we believe we’re knowledgeable about, there is an opinionated writer inside a lot of us. The relatively recent proliferation of individual Web sites and blogs certainly demonstrates this. -->http://www.infotoday.com/linkup/lud011506-rubino.shtml
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Do it yourself media production
Someone call Karl Marx
The means of production is in the hands of the masses and a revolution is under way
Documenting your existence used to be simple. Snap some photos. Keep a diary. Memories would gather dust in an attic, to be dug up by a future generation like lost scrolls. But now you can shoot a home movie in high definition on a small camcorder, cut it with the same software used by Oscar-winning editors, get your son's garage band to lay down a soundtrack, burn the video onto a DVD, post it on a website, send it to friends by cellphone, and promote it in a podcast that you record while driving to work. If you happen to pass a plane crash on the way home, as a "citizen journalist" you can shoot the accident scene and get it on the evening news.
Read the whole article
The means of production is in the hands of the masses and a revolution is under way
Documenting your existence used to be simple. Snap some photos. Keep a diary. Memories would gather dust in an attic, to be dug up by a future generation like lost scrolls. But now you can shoot a home movie in high definition on a small camcorder, cut it with the same software used by Oscar-winning editors, get your son's garage band to lay down a soundtrack, burn the video onto a DVD, post it on a website, send it to friends by cellphone, and promote it in a podcast that you record while driving to work. If you happen to pass a plane crash on the way home, as a "citizen journalist" you can shoot the accident scene and get it on the evening news.
Read the whole article
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Internet power
'Little Red Book' story gets wide publicity A Standard-Times story about a UMass Dartmouth student who was visited by federal agents for requesting a copy of Mao Tse-Tung's "Little Red Book" has received worldwide attention, thanks to the Internet. (image placeholder)The story, which appeared Saturday, discussed a student's claim that he was visited by federal agents after requesting the book through an interlibrary loan. The account was immediately picked up by numerous Web logs and chat rooms, and by Monday had reached a world-wide audience.
Article continues
Article continues
Jewish book week
‘fast-becoming one of Britain’s leading literary festivals’.
Jewish Book Week 2006
25th February – 5th March 2006
Jewish Book Week 2006
25th February – 5th March 2006
Lagardere to buy Time Warner books
Lagardere to buy Time Warner books for $538 mln
LONDON/PARIS, Feb 6 (Reuters) - French media group Lagardere has agreed to buy Time Warner's book publishing arm for $537.5 million, fulfilling its long-standing ambition of entering the U.S. book market.
Article continues
LONDON/PARIS, Feb 6 (Reuters) - French media group Lagardere has agreed to buy Time Warner's book publishing arm for $537.5 million, fulfilling its long-standing ambition of entering the U.S. book market.
Article continues
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Ability for grammar hardwired into humans
Scientists Find Ability For Grammar Hardwired Into Humans
Researchers have long wondered why certain fundamental characteristics of grammar are present in all languages, and now a team of scientists at the University of Rochester has found evidence that these properties are built into the way our brains work. The report, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examines deaf individuals who have been isolated from conventional sign, spoken, and written language their entire lives, and yet still developed a unique form of gesture communication.
Article continues
Researchers have long wondered why certain fundamental characteristics of grammar are present in all languages, and now a team of scientists at the University of Rochester has found evidence that these properties are built into the way our brains work. The report, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examines deaf individuals who have been isolated from conventional sign, spoken, and written language their entire lives, and yet still developed a unique form of gesture communication.
Article continues
Men and women behave differently on the internet
Men Find Experiences on the Internet; Women Prefer Human Connections
In a recently released Memo/Report on the use of the Internet by both men and women from PEWInternet, Deborah Fallows, Senior Research Fellow at the Pew Internet Project and author of the new report, writes that men pursue many Internet activities more intensively than women, and that men still try the latest technologies first. Fallows continues, though, noting that women are catching up in overall use and are framing their online experience with a greater emphasis on deepening connections with people. Read the whole article
In a recently released Memo/Report on the use of the Internet by both men and women from PEWInternet, Deborah Fallows, Senior Research Fellow at the Pew Internet Project and author of the new report, writes that men pursue many Internet activities more intensively than women, and that men still try the latest technologies first. Fallows continues, though, noting that women are catching up in overall use and are framing their online experience with a greater emphasis on deepening connections with people. Read the whole article
Communication sucess Tip - the value of snail mail
Writing a letter to someone who is personaly important to you is a chance to give them a little more of your personality than is possible in an email and a little more to remember you by than is possible in a telephone call.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Norman Lindsay Festival of children's Literature
The Norman Lindsay Festival of Children's LiteratureSaturday and Sunday 25th and 26th March 2006Norman Lindsay Gallery 14 Norman Lindsay CrescentSpringwood, Blue Mountains NSW Featuring: Andrew Daddo, Kim Gamble, James Roy, Mark Macleod, EmilyRodda, John Hockney, Bruce Whatley and Suzanne Gervay. There are workshops for adults and children included in the cost ofadmission. For more information and to download a copy of the registration formvisit the NSW Branch of the National Trust's website:http://nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/
Short story contest
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest - Closing NextMonth March 31 deadline. 14th year. $3,000 in prizes. Submitany type of short story, essay or other work of prose. Bothpublished and unpublished work accepted.http://www.winningwriters.com/
Short story contest
~Spring 24-Hour Short Story Contest Now Accepting Entrants~Start time for the Winter 24-Hour Short Story Contest will be12:00 p.m. (noon) central time on Saturday, April 29, 2006!Participation is limited to 500 entrants. Contests alwaysfill up, so don't delay if you want to sign up! You can seethe list of prizes (first prize is $300) and sign up here:http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.html
Cooee! Aussie books
Get lost in Aussie books
Cooee! website live all year
www.connectqld.org.au/cooee
The Cooee! family summer reading club 2005/6 was developed by the State Library of Queensland in collaboration with Qld Public Libraries to engage children and young people in the discovery of great Australian books, reading, writing and art activities during the summer holidays. The program was conducted in public libraries throughout Queensland and via the interactive website www.connectqld.org.au/cooee
The website will remain online for use in schools as curriculum support.
In levels 1, 2, & 3 you can access:
In the ‘for the whole family’ section you will find:
Cooee! website live all year
www.connectqld.org.au/cooee
The Cooee! family summer reading club 2005/6 was developed by the State Library of Queensland in collaboration with Qld Public Libraries to engage children and young people in the discovery of great Australian books, reading, writing and art activities during the summer holidays. The program was conducted in public libraries throughout Queensland and via the interactive website www.connectqld.org.au/cooee
The website will remain online for use in schools as curriculum support.
In levels 1, 2, & 3 you can access:
- Choose your own adventure stories by Queensland authors Jill Morris, Rebecca Johnson, Anita Bell, Josie Montano and Pat Flynn
- What happens next? Continuous stories by Narelle Oliver
- Book Reviews
- Activity sheets
In the ‘for the whole family’ section you will find:
- Reading Compass – young readers can match a book to their interests
- Transcripts of online chats with Andy Griffiths and Meme McDonald
- Pirate Plunge fun interactive game
- A-Z: know your library
- Celebrity readers
- …..and test your own knowledge of Aussie books, play the adult book quiz.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Picturing language
Picturing language: Does it help or hinder?
Clicking on the image below will take you to a short Quicktime movie. Make sure you have your sound turned up, because I’ve recorded a few sentences that play along with the movie. Your job is to determine, as quickly as possible, if each sentence is grammatically correct — while you focus your vision on the animated display.
Clicking on the image below will take you to a short Quicktime movie. Make sure you have your sound turned up, because I’ve recorded a few sentences that play along with the movie. Your job is to determine, as quickly as possible, if each sentence is grammatically correct — while you focus your vision on the animated display.
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