“Ask the Librarian” – Electronic and Print Resources

First of I want to thank everyone for their support in this new venture.  I am excited for the opportunity and hope that everyone supports their local library.

Ever need an article from a newspaper or magazine?  Your son/daughter need information for a research product?  Or you would like to print out an obituary?  Your local librarian can help you out.  There are many resources that your library may have access to, both in print and electronic format.

Every library has a different budget but most all should have access to online databases.  For example here in Texas, libraries who are a part of Texas Library System, have access to something called TexShare.  One of the many services that they offer is access to online databases.  From general information and periodicals, to health and medical, or homework and education, there are online databases specializing in different the various fields making it easier and faster to find the information you need.  For example, Academic Search Complete provided by EBSCOhost, one of my favorite databases, is a one of the most comprehensive and scholarly full-text database.  This is an excellent resource for high school and college students who need peer-reviewed or scholarly journals.  Once you find what you’re looking for you can either print it or save a copy.  On a side note, for students who are going to use the article, a simple click of the mouse will you give the full citation in several major style and writing guides.  When working on a major research paper, this tool is very handy.  Just make sure to look over it and make sure everything is correct.  So if you need an electronic resource, ask your librarian what they have access to.

Print resources are almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.  Some of the more specialized print resources are law, medical, and repair guides are some of the more popular books requested.  How to Do Your Own Divorce is a book that was heavily requested at one of the libraries I worked at so we always had it handy on the reference desk!

A word of advice: please make sure that you do not wait until something is due and expect the library to have it available.  I can’t tell you how many people wait until the day before an assignment is due, and then ask for assistance.  Some searches take longer than others so we may not be able to give you what you need that same day.

Ever wonder why some librarians ask you lots of questions when you ask for help? Stay tuned for the next installment and I’ll explain why a good reference librarian always performs a reference interview.

Don’t forget to submit any questions you may have.  I will be answering the question what makes a good dictionary for my next post.

“Librarians don’t look like librarians all the time.”
Pamela Rush
(“Checking Out At the Library“)

Article on how to get published, by Zetta Brown

Zetta has a new article up at Night Owl Romance blog, entitled “If you can get a job, you can get published”

http://nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/if-you-can-get-job-you-can-get.html

Introducing – “Ask the Librarian”

LL-Publications would like to introduce “Ask the Librarian.” This is a new feature to our blog where we would like both readers and writers to ask our resident librarian questions on how to get the most out of that wonderful resource–your local library!

Please leave comments below, in the normal way. If you have specific questions or would like to suggest a topic for our librarian to cover, please send them to:

editor(at)ll-publications.com with “Ask the Librarian” in the subject line.

“Ask the Librarian” will come at you twice a month. Here’s the schedule for the rest of 2009:

November 9 & 23
Dececember 7 & 21

So be sure to mark it on your calendar and come back!

Now, everyone be quiet! The librarian is about to speak ;D
—————

Hi! My name is Laura Guevara, and I want to thank Zetta and Jim for giving me the opportunity to be part of the “Ask the Librarian” segment of the LL-Publications Blog.

When Zetta approached me about doing this column, I was ecstatic because I want to let people know all about the different types of librarians, libraries, and how the library can help everyone. I will be giving tips and answering questions. I really do love my job and believe that libraries benefit everyone.

I am also an erotica romance writer and avid reader. My first story was published last year and since then I have had several stories published through Beautiful Trouble Publishing and Shara Azod, LLC. I write solo and with my partner in crime Drėa Riley.
We also share a blog.

OK, so who is Laura and what does she know about libraries?

I wish I could say that I have been going to libraries all my life. That as a little girl I wanted to become a librarian. But that’s not what happened. I was working at my hometown library when a librarian, who was training the staff on a new database, suggested that I should give library school a try. At the time I was working on my master’s degree in History and Politics, two classes and a research paper away from finishing my degree having just returned from a study abroad program, when she suggested this. The more I thought about it, the more the idea appealed to me. Sure it would mean starting a completely new program, but I was already doing a librarians job but was so not getting a librarians salary. So I applied, got accepted into the program, and in 2008, I received my degree in library science.

I worked as a children’s librarian for almost two years. I learned so much from that experience. For the most part I loved working with kids, seeing their cute little faces smile at a story I read to them or enjoying a silly dance that we did, or receiving small gifts, or finding the perfect book for them. I had one little boy who loved everything bugs. Anytime I received new books on bugs, I always saved it for him. It got to the point that he would ask me what new book I had for him every time he came to the library. I started a new Lap Sit program that catered exclusively to babies and their caretakers. It didn’t matter if they were fussy, as soon as they heard the opening song, they would stop crying and dance along with me. That always put a huge smile on my face. It might sound corny, but putting a smile on their face was the best part of my job. I miss those days.

Part of my job also included working the Reference Desk at the central library one Sunday a month. Let me just say that was a learning experience. We see all types of people at the library. For many of them, this was the first time they visited the library, and they had no idea what the library had to offer. They were usually at their wit’s end because they couldn’t find what they wanted on the Internet. But when they left my library, they left knowing that there were resources other than Google to get the information they needed.

Even though I loved my job as a children’s librarian, I wanted to try something different. Right now I am in charge of buying materials for our library and the processing and cataloging of them. I stay on top of what’s new, hot, and in demand. I am more behind the scenes, but I still have some contact with patrons. And I am just fine with that!

Next time on “Ask the Librarian,” I will show you how you can learn more about what kind of resources are available at your library both electronically and in print.

Laura Guevara

“Libraries are brothels for the mind. Which means that librarians are the madams, greeting punters, understanding their strange tastes and needs, and pimping their books.”
Guy Browning
(The Guardian column, 18 October 2003. Submitted by Lynette in Queensland)

New iPhone app tops 1 million downloads

The B&N eReader iPhone app now has over one million downloads.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=7629

Short url: http://bit.ly/7dWeP

Best

–
Jim Brown (EPIC Secretary)
E-BOOK CONVERSION SERVICE
Free up your time! http://www.jimandzetta.com
LL-Publications http://www.ll-publications.com
Logical-Lust Publications http://www.logical-lust.com

Opportunity knocks – for young authors!

They say we all have a book in us, and while that is a sentiment we totally agree with, the biggest problem for most people is the motivation and opportunity to actual sit down and write that book!

Use your voice - enter New Voices 2010!

Start them young, is what we at EPIC say, and with a commitment to the promotion and encouragement of writing amongst young people, EPIC runs the annual contest for aspiring young authors; NEW VOICES.

Listen to what Danielle Thorne, co-chair of New Voices has to say about this year’s contest in a summary faq of what New Voices is all about.

Have You Heard the Voices?

Sponsored by the Epic Authors organization (www.epicauthors.com), New Voices seeks to provide winning and publishing opportunities to budding authors through competition. To find out more about New Voices, read on for some answers about the contest from one of the contest’s co-chairs, Danielle Thorne, who is happy to share information from the 2009-2010 New Voices Brochure.

What exactly is New Voices?

New Voices is a writing competition sponsored by EPIC–the Electronically Published Internet Connection–a global membership of authors, publishers, and other industry professionals. It encourages young writers to submit their work and pursue publication.

Who qualifies to submit to New Voices?

Any student between the ages of 11 and 18, who is educated in a public or private school, or home-schooled, may submit essays, short fiction, or poetry to the competition. We welcome entries from all over the world.

What about the judges? Who are they?

The New Voices competition is judged by educational and publishing professionals (including published authors). Submissions are scored and returned with constructive comments in a first round. A final round determines the winners.

The contest is free? How does that work?

New Voices is run by volunteers from the EPIC organization. Many professionals donate their time to organize, promote, judge, teach (Conference classes), and donate funds and prizes for the winners. Entering the contest costs nothing.

What are some of the prizes one could receive?

Prizes depend on sponsorship participation and generosity. Past awards have included e-readers, gift certificates, and money orders. Winning entries are published in EPIC’s annual New Voices Anthology, and winners receive a free copy.

Also, students are welcome to attend EPIC’s annual conference with adult supervision. The 2010 conference will be in New Orleans the first week of March. Attendees will meet industry professionals and have the opportunity to attend classes on Saturday. They are also invited to a special luncheon to honor New Voices winners. Winners who cannot attend will have prizes mailed to them after the conference.

You mentioned the contest is running now. Where would one submit?

Yes! New Voices opened August 1st and will continue to run through October 20th of 2009. All of the submission information, including guidelines, is available at our site:
www.newvoicesyoungwriters.com

After a student submits his work, when should he expect to hear back?

Final scores will be tallied during the last weeks of December. Winners should expect a response in late December or right after the New Year.

Where can previous anthologies be seen or purchased?

Previous contest information can be found at: http://www.epicauthors.com/newvoices.html
A sample anthology can be found at the same page. Just scroll down to EPIC 2009 NEW VOICES ANTHOLOGY and download the free PDF.

What if our readers have questions? Is there a person or place to contact?

The best place to find information is to visit our website: www.newvoicesyoungwriters.com
If that doesn’t answer your question, feel free to contact one of the co-chairs by emailing
Newvoices.chair@gmail.com

New Voices is a wonderful opportunity to promote writing and publishing for young writers around the world. It is both an awarding and educational experience. We encourage all qualifying students of any experience to submit their best work and learn about the world of writing and publishing, both online and off.

~Danielle Thorne
2010 New Voices Co-Chair
Newvoices.chair@gmail.com

Another ebook survey poll result

Recently, you’ll be aware we did two surveys on ebooks and ebook readers

http://www.ll-publications.com/survey.html

http://llpublications.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/ebook-reader-price-survey-results/

http://llpublications.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/ebook-survey-results/

Well, here’s another survey done by Joe Wikert with some interesting results and conclusions.

Jim Brown

LL-Publications

An Interview with Sid Tillsley – The (Anti) Hero of Middlesbrough

Sid Tillsley - in action

Local Northeast journalist, Gavin Townsend, interviews the one and only Sid Tillsley.

Gavin: Hello, Sid, how are you?

Sid: Me back is giving me gip, but I’ll live…well, if me heart don’t go on me, like. I’m a sick man, ya see.

Gavin: Oh, OK. Well, it appears that you are a local celebrity at the moment.

Sid: Eh? What you on about, kidda?

Gavin: There are a lot of people talking about you at the moment.

Sid: I don’t like the sound of that.

Gavin: It’s all good, Mr. Tillsley. You must be excited knowing that a book has been written about your escapades in the Northeast of England?

Sid: What? Who’s written a fooking book?

Gavin: An author called Mark Jackman.

Sid: Who?

Gavin: Mark Jackman. He describes himself as England’s foremost author, hunk, scientist, musician, and virgin.

Sid: What a wanker.

Gavin: Yes, I’ve heard others say similar.

Sid: I remember him, actually. Strolled down the local pub, The Miner’s Arms, thinking he was the fooking man. Was going well for him until Ladies Night.

Gavin: Why? What happened?

Sid: Haha! One of Maggie’s lot got hold of him when he went to the gents. Those lasses are on heat at the best of times, and they sensed fresh meet. Poor lad.

Gavin: What happened?

Sid: Well it turned nasty for him. The lad should know to use the cubicle when sporting that calibre of weaponry.

Gavin: Sorry, I don’t know what you mean?

Sid: Tiny pecker. Anything that ridiculous is best hidden away in the cubicles, especially when a horny lass from the ‘boro is stalking ya.

Gavin: What happened to him?

Sid: Well he was run out of town after that. No woman in the ‘boro would stand for it. That’s the worse fax piss a man can commit.

Gavin: Faux pas?

Sid: You ought to watch yourself son.

Gavin: …OK, sorry. Well how did he finish the book?

Sid: I don’t fooking know. He probably made it up…actually…yeah, he would have made it up. Saying I fooking work, the lying twat! I canna work! It’s me back…me ’eart and me back!

Gavin: Yes, you said. So all the vampires? He made those up?

Sid: Aye, stupid git. All those fellas who write that fairytale bollocks are the same. Who’s that fella who wrote Dracula, again?

Gavin: Bram Stoker.

Sid: Eh?

Gavin: Bram Stoker, he wrote Dracula.

Sid: One of the lads who drinks down the Miner’s Arms said he wrote it. Peter Rathbone. That’s what he told us, anyroads. He’s got a small one, as well, which is me point.

Gavin: And why hasn’t he been run out of town?

Sid: No woman has seen it yet!

Gavin: Jackman is going to be in Borders in Gateshead on the 23rd August. Flogging the book about you. It’s called The Great Right Hope. You don’t want a cut?

Sid: The bastard! I canna take a cut! I claim benefits for me disabilities! I am a lawful citizen and will not break the law!

Gavin: Really?

Sid: Oh aye, lad. In fact, because it is illegal, I will not be driving up there, landing the big right on the stuck-up Southern twat, taking his money, and having several pints in Geordie-land before driving home pissed up. I will be doing none of those things on the 23rd August as they are against the law.

Gavin: I see.

Sid: Fooking reet you do!

Gavin: Jackman is half-way through the sequel, you know?

Sid: You better be fooking kidding me.

Gavin: I’m not. Apparently you become a vampire-hunter.

Sid: Firstly, there are no such things as vampires. Secondly, how can I become a vampire-hunter if I am already claiming disability allowance?

Gavin: I don’t know.

Sid: Fooking reet you don’t!

Gavin: So what does the future hold for Sid Tillsley.

Sid: Well as soon as you fook off, I am gonna get meself down pub, and get ten pints of Bolton Bitter down me.

Gavin: Then off for a spot of dogging?

Sid: I don’t think you should start playing silly buggers, lad.

Gavin: Sorry, Mr. Tillsley. I was told you were into a spot of late-night adult action in carparks.

Sid: I canna be shagging in a Ford Fiesta with me back the way it is! And, young man, it is a filthy habit. Not the sort of thing that you expect from an upstanding citizen like myself. Why were you asking? Do you know any lasses who are up for it?

Still time to enter the 2010 EPIC ebook competition!

EPIC – home of the premier ebook awards competition

We’re pushing the EPIC contest hard in the last few days of the entry period. Because we brought the contest forward to a new time in the calendar, this year is a foreshortened year and entries aren’t quite as high as previously. Entries are healthy, but to keep momentum going we’d like as many late entries as possible!

I’m looking for a favour from you all and asking if you can forward this to all your groups, loops, and anyone you think might find it interesting! Also consider entering yourself!

Please copy and forward to all!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

EPIC’s premier eBook competition needs YOU!

How you may ask? Let me tell you how…there are a few ways you can help this wonderful ebook contest out.

First, this contest is in need of entries. Last year you knew the contest as the EPPIEs but with the ever changing field of ebook publishing, EPIC has decided to revamp the contest and rename it more in line with what it has come to be to the industry as a whole. This is the best ebook competition out there and there are those within the finalist ranks who have gone on to become NYC authors. EPIC has been seen as an innovator in the ebook industry for more than ten years and wants to continue to do so for each and every ebook author!

With over 30 categories to choose from there is a category specific to your genre in the ebook field. This includes categories in children, poetry, fiction, romance, erotic romance and many, many more.  Entries are still being accepted until August 15, 2009 for ebooks published between October 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009. Full details, plus entry forms here: http://bit.ly/M9NUc

Finalists will be announced November 2009 with the awards presented to the receiptents at EPIC’s 2010 conference in New Orleans, March 4-7, 2010.

Second, EPIC needs judges and if you feel you can qualify as a judge, please sign up immediately for participation! Only industry professionals need apply. Contact Anne Douglas at epic.competition.coordinator@gmail.com for more information. You will read some of the best books in the field…and love doing it!

And finally, don’t forget to sign up for EPIC’s 2010 Conference in New Orleans. We have a host of great people this year with agents, editors and authors alike. The conference is still small enough that you will get the special attention you need as a writer but large enough that you’ll be rubbing elbows with industry professionals in the eBook field. Just some of our schedules guest include Debra Dixon, Deidre Knight and Holly Jacobs as well as industry professional such as Daniel Reitz of Mundania Press with more signing up every day!

The information for EPIC can be found at http://www.epicauthors.com/, so don’t hesitate to stop by today!

Thanks!

Jim Brown
&
Carol MacLeod

NEWS: The Great Right Hope – official #1

LL-Publications announcement

Big Sid, Middlesbrough's answer to garlic...

It’s official! After being an ebook since Jan 1st this year, we released Mark Jackman’s utterly hilarious vampire comedy, THE GREAT RIGHT HOPE in print on Aug 1st, and it is already officially our Best-Selling book – ever!

Check out the great  FIVE STAR customer reviews it’s been getting on both Amazon and Amazon UK:

“Well what can I say, I’ve read a fair few vampire books in my time, but NOTHING could have prepared me for this. The book has some pretty dark bits but coupled with the absolutely brilliant humour, I’m hoping that there’s more of the great Sid Tilsley to come!! A Fantastic book.”

“THE GREAT RIGHT HOPE should come with a seat belt because it’s a fast-paced story with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the page, but you gotta hold on because you will be laughing out loud at how Sid copes with this vampire menace.”

“This book is full of wonderful characters, pastiches on people you will have met, and genuine belly laughs as well as being a gripping page turner. Anybody that enjoys a beer and a laugh with their mates will love this. Buy it, it could well become a cult classic.”

“Best book I’ve read all year. Not my normal tipple but had me in fits of laughter. Cracking stuff!”

“A much needed breath of fresh air for the genre when every vampire film/ series/book seems to be doing ‘Buffy, but not quite as good’!”

“This book is awesome. Gritty, dramatic and brilliantly funny! Top marks Mr Jackman”

“Cracking book. Looking forward to the sequel… lets hope they turn it into a film too! Bruce Willis to play Sid!

“Really great book – how many other books mix vampires and dole cheats? Top quality humour from start to finish – definitely recommend it to anyone.”

“At last, another great British comedy! If you love Shaun of the Dead, you’ll love this. Absolutely hilarious.”

“This book made me laugh, cover to cover! Highly original and smart! Nice work for a first timer! Cannot wait to see what he puts out next!”

Forget Twilight … The Great Right Hope is THE vampire release for 2009!

From the Editor’s Desk – The best way to approach a submission

The following post may read like a rant, but it’s actually meant to help. I like to call these things “disser-rants” because it’s part dissertation, part rant.

When I first started trying to get my work published, I was intimidated by the many different guidelines various places required. From subject matter to word count and everything in between, publishers were very particular in their requirements.

Now I can understand why.

Publishing companies come in varying sizes from one-(wo)man operations to corporations employing thousands of people worldwide. For the beginning writer, or the established author venturing out into another area, if you are considering approaching a new (or new-to-you) publisher, I have three pieces of advice to help you get a contract, and I feel fairly confident that I speak for a majority of editors and publishers.

1) Write an entertaining/informative/interesting/must-have piece of work.

2) Follow ALL of the submission guidelines.
These guidelines are not optional. Someone, most likely the person dealing the submissions, has taken a lot of time to map out exactly what they want. Ignore these rules at your peril. Not only will you get a rejection slip, you also risk getting on the publisher’s S-List.

Yes, we do have our S-Lists.

3) Be professional and businesslike in your approach.
Treat your submissions like you would treat your resume. You are introducing yourself and your best work to a company or their representative in order to hire you, or in this case, offer you a contract. If you can get a job, you can get published.

Do not say you are submitting a piece you had “lying around,” or that “no one else seems interested in so I thought I’d approach you.” This may be true, but keep it to yourself!

Think about it. Would you go to a job interview and tell the interviewer: “I was just lying around, looking for a job,” or “No one else seems to want to hire me so I thought I’d approach you.”

No you wouldn’t. Don’t approach your submissions in the same way.

Despite what anyone says, writers have all the information they need right in front of them.

Publisher websites contain the books they publish and displays their likes and interests.
Does your work fit in?

The submission guidelines tell you how to present your best work in the best way to gain attention.
Can you follow instructions?

The contact information tells you exactly how and whom you should direct your query/submission.
Once again, can you follow instructions?

It doesn’t get much clearer than that.

The smart, savvy, PUBLISHED authors can do all of the above.

Can you?

On a more personal note, if you are considering approaching LL-Publications or Logical-Lust, I think it’s only fair to warn you that I do have a business background. I have worked with frontline staff to senior management. I have written training manuals and have groomed people to take over vacancies in the office.

In short, I have professional expectations when it comes to queries and submissions because this is what we give in return. This is our business, not our hobby.

Don’t get cutesy and “creative” when submitting or sending a query. We may do 99% of our work via email, but that doesn’t mean that you should write to us in “email speak.” Do not write to me in all lowercase/all uppercase. I do not care if this is your signature “style.”

Also, do not come across as pompous. We do not offer contracts to divas.

First impressions are important. We pride ourselves with the coopertaive and supportive relationships we have with our authors. Once–if–we establish a working relationship, we are a lot more informal, but until that happens, if I feel that you have not taken your approach to us in a serious or professional manner, I will not waste my time in considering your work.

I hope this little “disser-rant” has been helpful.

See you in the inbox!