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Michael R. Drew's blog on the book publishing industry. Includes categories such as building your own promotional platform.

The publishing industry is changing as are reading habits. Paperbacks are out, ebooks are in; bookshops are closing, Internet sales are booming. So where does this leave the poor old reader? How does he find the books he really wants to read and once he has does he need to do anything about it? Can a reader be content that he's done his bit if he's bought and read a book? Does an author have any right to expect more from him?

All of us spend way too much time online. The big question is: How well is that time spent? We read things and, five minutes later, couldn't tell you what we've read. We post blogs and update our Facebook status and imagine there are people who are really interested but are they-and we, of course-only going through the motions of showing interest? And woe betide you if you're trying to sell something to your peers because the odds are they're trying to sell something to you and if they buy what you're offering and you buy what they're offering isn't that all a bit pointless? Step back, take off the pink-tinted glasses and have a fresh look at your online habits.

"Writers don't have lives. They have ongoing research. Every day is a work in progress. Nothing's sacrosanct. No one's exempt. You can't hand them a note from your mother to leave you alone. It doesn't work like that." - Scottish novelist, Jim Murdoch, talks about writing his first two novels, now available as a single ebook, and explains why his target audience is himself.

There is a simple explanation for the fact that some writers claim to have never used modern writing tools: they are lying! With all those awesome technological inventions that make a writer's work easier and more productive, it would be madness to remain stuck to the conventional typewriter.

"My secret weapon is using a two screen layout for my PC. This allows me to work on the story on one monitor, while researching on the other. If you're curious as to what writing tools great authors prefer, you may refer to the excellent infographic below, which was prepared by Robert Morris and the lovely people over at NinjaEssays.com. "

"The creative writing process is not usually associated to great organizational skills, diligence and perfection. Sometimes your mind patterns are so chaotic that you're the only one who understands the words you write. When you're done with all that work, the last thing you want to think about is editing."

"ARE YOU TRYING TO WRITE an amazing short story or an ambitious novel? Maybe you just want to start writing better blog posts that would attract more readers and comments? Whatever your goal is, you can always rely on technology that will unleash your creativity."

"Ask any author which part of his job he would like to avoid, and you'll hear the same answer: editing. The writing itself is a torturous process, since writers are struggling with a torpedo of confusing emotions and thoughts."

7 people share how a certain book changed their lives. Inspiring stories that may have you running to the library or ordering a book!

To work as freelancer is becoming very much common now days. There are many people who are doing 9 to 5 jobs but still they want to get freelancing projects. A freelancer is basically that person who provides work independently without any fix timing. Do you want to become a part time freelancer...

This year, authors Keith Donaldson and Steve Swatt placed finalists in two major categories in the recent 2010 Indie Book Awards.