Society of Indexers looking for paper submissions

The Society of Indexers is looking for papers for the 2011 conference which is entitled Index-Linked Futures and is to be held at Keele University in September 2011.

The conference theme is indexers' professional development and adaptation to change within the publishing industry, and papers related to this subject are welcomed.

To have your paper considered, send an abstract by 31st January 2011 to the Secretary of the 2011 Keele Conference Committee by email at: 2011conference@indexers.org.uk

To find out more, check out their website: www.indexers.org.uk

Does writing professional papers float your boat? Find fellow fans at the Words Worth Reading forum!

New online community for lonely bookworms

Readers and individuals who love their books can make new friends online thanks to the launch of a new social networking site from Scholastic, which links up people who have a compatible taste in books and reading tastes. This new social networking site can be found at www.YouAreWhatYouRead.com and it is free to access and use.

The website builds a profile based on the five books that you say have influenced you the most. These are known as 'Bookprints'.

Users can log into the site either via Facebook or directly through the site's designated website.

There is even a section called 'Names You Know', which lists all of the celebrity users of the site. So far this section includes; Bill Gates, Arianna Huffington and Daniel Radcliffe.

Sleeve magazine seeks music writers

A new London-based magazine titled Sleeve is looking for contributors. The magazine places an emphasis on guitar-based indie and alternative music and has been set up by Mike Regan and Joe Burnham; both are former editors of the York University student magazine York Vision.

Sleeve is a free magazine and the duo are looking for live music reviewers, feature writers and album reviewers. The focus should be on how enjoyable music is as opposed to the technical side of music. As Mike explains, "The magazine is for people who love to listen to music rather than those who love playing it.'

Contributions to Sleeve are unpaid, but this is a great opportunity to sharpen your writing, to see your name in print and to push yourself forward for other paid pieces of journalism within this genre.

For more information, take a look at their website; www.sleevemagazine.com

Do you have a non-fiction piece that requires an editorial or proof-read? Find all the services you need at the Words Worth Reading website.

'Rejected' novels find a new home

The Publishing company BareBone Books is set to launch in January 2011, and the company's ethos is very different to that of most 'traditional' publishing bodies. David Wilson, the founder of BareBone Books wants his publishing catalogue to be filled with titles that have been rejected by publishing companies in the past. So if you have a previously rejected manuscript sitting in that top drawer of your study desk, now is the time to locate it and breathe some new life back into it.

There are conditions around the type of manuscripts that BareBone Books will go on and publish in the future. Wilson states; "we wish to deal with manuscripts that have received a minimum of three rejection letters by authors with a track record." So you need to have had at least one other manuscript fully published before you can be considered as a writer for BareBone Books. Wilson also urges interested writers not to send unsolicited manuscripts in. Instead he wants to see a summary of the book (aka a synopsis) and copies of the rejection letters you have received for the manuscript first.

BareBone Books can be found at: www.barebonebooks.com
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Words Worth Reading Ltd's December newsletter

The latest monthly Words Worth Reading Ltd (WWRL) newsletter is now available for download from the WWRL website.

This month's newsletter includes:

- An interview with Emma, one of the team members

- Information on Writing Retreats

- An update on what's happening with the Information Toolkit Version 8 release

- The latest stories from Twitter

- Our monthly 'things we like!'

Enjoy the read :-)

Interactive book apps to look out for

As Christmas approaches, we are all on the look out for different presents to buy for the kids. Where as books used to be the best gift to purchase if you wanted to buy a child a story, the launch of itunes and subsequent applications that can be viewed on computers, ipads and even mobile phones has meant that stories can now be purchased in a multitude of different formats other than paperbacks.

There are some great visual applications out there, which have turned classic children's books into interactive stories. Here's some of our favourites!

1. Alice in Wonderland by Atomic Antelope: A digital version of Lewis Carroll's story made available for the ipad, where readers can make Alice grow or shrink, and they can throw tarts at the Queen of Hearts!

2. Cathy's Book by Running Press: A reality game book for young adults to interact with. Great for teenagers.

3. The Amanda Project by HarperCollins: A fiction series aimed at girls over the age of 13. The story unfolds for readers over an interactive website.

4. Moshi Monsters by Mind Candy: A online game where you adopt a pet monster. The book publishers Penguin are now developing Moshi Monster books to accompany this online game.

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Nigella set to top the charts this Christmas

Nigella Lawson is favourite to be the number one Christmas book released this year, according to odds announced by Waterstone's and William Hill. The Guiness Book of Records is favoured as number two in the charts, followed by Stephen Fry's 'The Fry Chronicles'. Other book in the running for the number one position are titles from Jeremy Clarkson, Michael McIntyre and the X Factor's Cheryl Cole.

A William Hill spokesperson said that they are expecting a lot more bets to be placed on the number one book title spot than were seen last year; with last year pulling over 1000 bets. He stated that the book race has 'replaced the race for the number one Christmas single.'

Interested in books? Visit the Words Worth Reading book store.