Welcome to Blog Treasures, my weekly roundup of the best of the blogsphere from the past week.
Featured
Normally, I do a writing or publishing post here. But not this week. Nope. Because – this week I have something even more important to share with you –
– over at the brilliant, quirky and stupendously fun Clay Morgan’s site. Join the contest, leave a comment, read the comments (hilarious stuff in there) and enjoy a blast with your favorite movie heroes.
On Publishing
Every week, Porter Anderson compiles a comprehensive report on the publishing world called Writing on the Ether – hosted by Jane Friedman – this is an excellent way to stay on top of the ever shifting sands of the industry. Give it a look.
From Joanna “the Creative” Penn: The 7 Worst Mistakes of Indie Authors and How to Fix Them.
Agent Fun & Stupidity from Dean Wesley Smith.
Beware of Kings with no Clothing – Calculation on Royalty Fees in Publishing Contracts by Susan Spann posting at Writers in the Storm.
From Kristine Kathryn Rusch: Lies, Damned Lie and Statistics – The Business Rusch.
When Does Fan Fiction Cross an Ethical Line by Jami Gold.
From Bob Mayer: The Secret Handshake of Successful Digital Publishing.
How to Submit to Literary Magazines by Gabriela Pereira.
On Social Media
How To Make LinkedIn Your Happy Place by Jen Hansen
From Dan Blank: Building Your Author Platform Should Be Like Joining Weight Watchers. Lots of great advice in this post.
How to Identify Top Websites & Blogs in Your Category by Jane Friedman.
Not Just Another Writer’s Writing Blog by Susan Bearman at Write It Sideways.
Personality Online – How Much Is Too Much? by Mhairi Simpson.
On Writing Craft
25 Things You Should Know About Word Choice by Chuck Wendig.
From the Bookshelf Muse: Character Trait: Thrifty.
Writing Historical Fiction by Joanna Penn.
Driving the Hero’s Journey by Rachel Funk Heller. This is one of the best analogies of the Hero’s Journey concept I’ve seen – well worth the read.
From Jen Hansen: Using the 12 Stages of Physical Intimacy to Drive Tension in Your Fiction.
What Makes a Character Unique? by Jami Gold.
Understanding and Controlling Pace by Janice Hardy.
On the Writer’s Life
Nine Writing Milestones to Celebrate (And Aim For) by Ali Luke.
From Roni Loren: 12 Writer Woes and How To Cure Them.
The Most Underestimated Key to Success from The Matrix by Marcy Kennedy.
Finding the Right Home for Your Work by Gabriela Pereira (DIYMFA).
From J. A. Konrath: Writing Matters.
So, You Want to be an Author? Part 2 – Genre by Donna Newton.
Finding Writers in Real Life by Kait Nolan. By the way – Did you know Kait’s RED is a finalist in the DABWAHA Tourney? Show your support for a superb indie writer!
Fun Posts!
From the Brilliant Shea MacLeod: Zombies and Romance. What combination could be better then this?
Fantastic post from Catie Rhodes on a deep-rooted paranormal folktale The Pool From Which We All Drink (based on a statement by Stephen King).
Understanding Texicans from David N. Walker.
Research Made Me Do It. Really. by Tameri Etherton.
Doorjamb Found that Proves Fictional Pharaoh Existed by Livius Drusus (The History Blog). Makes one wonder what archeologists will find 500 years from now to prove any of us existed?
When Someone Shows You Who They Really Are by Ingrid Shaffenburg
Embracing Mid-Life: Part 1 by Marcia A. Richards.
Reviews
Movies: Gloria Oliver reviews the Secret World of Arrietty. Jillian Dodd reviews Project X. Catie Rhodes reviews The Thing (1982). Tiffany A. White reviews The Thing (2011).
Books: Jess Witkins reviews Shifting by Bethany Wiggins.
Television: Amber West reviews Dr. Who. Tiffany A. White reviews The River (creepy fun).
Gene Lempp ~ Writer 
Gene,
Your Blog Treasures have become my ‘weekly mental candybar’ – a forbidden pleasure for someone writing on deadline. I open it every week with anticipation and groaning. There goes another hour I should be writing!
Keep up the great work. And STOP it!
Yes, Gene, you do take away writing time but I always learn from this weekly gem, which means inspiration and ultimately, better writing. Someday, I will be on deadline as well. Truly, this is a treasured post every week.
Karen
Sweet Gene! Glad to have ya and anyone else who jumps in. We are down to less than 15 spots so get in and have a blast! Great links. Can’t wait to read about zombies and romance.
Great links as always. I’m off to read and thanks for including me!!
Another fab mash up, Gene. Love the variety of links!
Fantastic, as always (I know you don’t get tired of hearing that 🙂 ) – I second Laura’s comment. Thank you for the double love between Writers In The Storm and my LinkedIn post at More Cowbell. It’s an absolute honor to be listed with this group.
p.s. We loved Susan Spann’s post SO much, we asked her to be a monthly contributor and she said YES. WOOT! Tentatively, the last Wednesday of each month.
Excellent mashup, Gene! I’m saving these for this evening, AFTER I get some writing done! Thanks for including me, pal!
Gene, thanks for the mention and the pingback, and goodness gracious, what a fantastic list of blogs. Thanks so much, you are a treasure!
Thanks so much for including my post! : ) And I’m totally behind this week on blog reading because I’m under deadline, so this list is super helpful. Thanks!
Great mashup. Lots of links I’ve missed this week – thanks, Gene!
Laura: “Weekly mental candybar” – I like the sound of that. Nope, not stopping 😉
Karen: Thanks, I’m glad the treasures are helping you out 🙂
Clay: <- This is Clay GO VISIT HIS MOVIE CONTEST! I entered, by the way – no competition or anything…
Jillian: Thanks 🙂
August: Thanks (*whisper* Got ya covered) 😀
Jenny: Super cool about Susan, loved her Kings Clothes post – very well done. Oh, you are right, I never get tired of "it" 🙂
Marcia: Thanks – writing first, always!
Rachel: Always welcome. You're Driving analogy of the Hero's Journey is fantastic!
Roni: Helping out those on deadlines is one reason I get up Saturday mornings (another is that I use this list too *grin*).
Stacy: Thanks 🙂
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WOW! Your weekly find are always a highlight of my weekend and this week you’ve really outdone yourself! Thank you so much for including me in this incredible mash up of blog awesomeness! I know what I’m doing for the rest of the afternoon ~ catching up on your treasures. Thanks again! You totally rock, Gene.
Thanks for including one of my posts! Your mash-ups are always so great that it’s an honor to be in the company of the other links you’ve included 🙂