Accessing information is so much easier nowadays

Writing and submitting now is so much easier than pre-Internet days. Do you remember having to go to the library or bookstore to get reference books to find out who the publishers are, where they are located, what type of books they publish and who their editors are? Then, because the books couldn't be updated daily like the Internet, we'd have to make a phone call to make sure that editor was still with the publisher or to find out who the current editor was? If we needed to research a book, we'd have to haul our heines to the library again and find a bunch of books on our subject. We might have to put some of those books on reserve and wait weeks to get them. We might have to call or drive to interview someone. About the only time we ever got insight into publishers' and editors' minds was at writing conferences and in industry magazines. And then it was a few here and there. Fast forward to October 2008 and all the advantages we have now. We can log online from our bedrooms 24-7 and access a ton of information and industry news daily. We don't have to wait for a month or more to meet with our writing groups or go to a conference or get our monthly writers' magazine to get new information. With the flip of a switch and a few keystrokes, we merely sign online and start reading articles and chatting with fellow authors and other industry professionals. Editors post daily blogs now about what they like and don't like. They're very helpful and the insight is amazing. We meet with our critique groups online and can get help within days, sometimes within hours or even immediately. We definitely live on the information highway. I found a new editor's blog tonight and added it to my favorite links list. I found her on Twitter. Not only has our writing and publishing world become easier, but our social networking has an added dimension. I chat with people across the globe, daily. I've become friends and business partners with many people I've yet to meet face to face. Two of my cousins met their spouses online through E-Harmony. One is already happily married. The other is engaged and has yet to meet his fiancee face to face. I'm sure there are many more things we can do online that are good (and not so good) that we couldn't do before. Personally, I get sidetracked by visiting blogs, mahjong, and scrabulous too much. And as wonderful as it is to have more knowledge about my career, it means my competition is larger and fiercer because they too have all these added bonuses. Don't misunderstand: I still love books and libraries. We don't always find everything on the Internet. I have reference books on my shelf. But I'm in awe that I can look up editors and read their thoughts and tips so easily. You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Google Alerts - Another Big Brother?

Nothing is private anymore...at least if you're on the Internet much. You know how we think the government knows everything about us? How they supposedly watch, listen in, and know every little thing we do? They're not the only ones. Have you heard of Google Alerts? If not, check it out at: http://www.google.com/alerts It's an awesome way to know if someone is talking about you or something close to your heart, on the web. It's the easy way to google yourself daily without having to waste time. Thus it can be a very valuable tool if you're an author or somebody who needs PR to help their livelihood. You know what is being said about you and who's saying it - daily. It's also a neat tool for bloggers to know which blogs or groups may be talking about you so you can pop in and join the discussion. On the surface, this is excellent, no? On the other...well??? I found a not-so wonderful review of one of my books yesterday. Believe me, I wasn't so thrilled to see it. However, I know reviews are subjective so it'll give me an excuse to drown myself in chocolate, soak in a warm bubble bath, and get over it. I can taste a chocolate Cold Stone ice cream right now... Everybody's allowed their opinion. (and I get an excuse to have ice cream) Stuff like finding a not so wonderful comment about you is one thing, but what if someone is spying on you for nefarious reasons unlike writing a book review, such as spying on competitors and enemies?

So, if you're dying to know what people are saying about you, or you want to spy on someone (not that I'm advising you to, just saying it's possible) visit the Google Alerts and follow simple instructions. It will ask for your email address, but hey, it already knows far more about you than that anyway.

Be aware it's not perfect - yet. Some of the alerts I receive are about other people named "Ashley" (with another last name) or "Ladd" with another first name. So you will probably have to wade through some unimportant info (to you) to get to the gems. I wouldn't be surprised if the government consults Google for information, when they want to check up on someone.