Data Mapping for IG

Do you have to provide the Information Governance lead role in your organisation?

Words Worth Reading Ltd can help! Not only do we offer bespoke Information Governance documentation, training and assessment services, we have also produced downloadable templates that can be accessed via our website, and informative articles and news bulletins that can keep you up to date with your national Information Governance responsibilities. Our latest article, 'Understanding the data mapping requirements for your Information Governance Toolkit Assessment' is available online now: http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/images/data-mapping-requirements.pdf

Review site for self published authors

A new review site devoted to self published books and those published through very small presses has been launched. Indiereads (www.indiereads.co.uk) was set up by Ali Cooper, and the site reviews most genres of fiction and non-fiction in print and ebook format (with the exception of Erotica, Horror or anything that might be considered violent or gratuitous).

Authors can submit their work for review, and the site's reviewers will select which books that want to review formally after having considered sample chapters of the submitted pieces.

Words Worth Reading Ltd works with writers every day to help them improve their manuscripts and publisher submission packs.

Online Poetry Group

The Poetry Book Society has introduced an online poetry reading group that is free to join and is open to everyone. To become a member all you have to do is enrol online. Once a member, you'll be automatically sent a monthly newsletter.

This new reading group can be found at www.poetrybookshoponline.com. The group offers two monthly Choices to members, deliberately chosen to provide contrast. Choices could taken from single author collections, anthologies or classics. In addition, articles will be available on each month's Choices and online discussions will take place, stemming out of both the 'Choice' texts of the month and out of the monthly articles that have been written about them.

Interested in learning more about poetry? Check out our website...

Popularity of e-readers soars

It's a debate we've all been having - just how good are electronic book readers, and what are the chances of them ever replacing the good old fashioned paperback?

Certainly at the Words Worth Reading offices we've seen a division in opinion. Some of us see the real benefits of having access to hundreds of publications (magazines and newspapers included) at the touch of a button. The romantics amongst us however just can't see how an electrical device could possibly replace the smell, touch and comfort of a good old fashioned book.

However, throughout the general reading population there seems to have been a real increase in the number of individuals buying and using electronic reading devices. Indeed, a study completed in France and published in The Bookseller reported that by 2015, 25% of books will be sold in a digital format. As long as they continue to be published in a paperback format too, we really don't mind!

The Prix Goncourt is awarded

The Prix Goncourt is one of the most prestigious literary prizes to be awarded in France and the controversial French novelist Michel Houellebecq has been awarded the prize for his novel La Carte et le territoire. Within this novel his lead character, who is actually named Houellebecq is brutally murdered (scary stuff!)

Somewhat disappointingly however, the award, despite being regarded extremely highly across Europe, actually only has a 10 euro (£8.60) cash value!!

Fancy learning more about writers and their masterpieces? Find news, information and forum discussions at the Words Worth Reading principle website.

Unusual poetry and fiction wanted

The UK literary magazine Neon is looking for submissions of poetry and prose that (and I quote) 'is beautiful, shocking, intense, memorable, cold, contemporary and beautifully written.' I think they may have gone a little overboard with the request for beautiful language in that statement but we'll let them off the hook this one time.

Neon is a free magazine that is published quarterly and has a readership of 2,000 - it is available both online and in printed format. The magazine's guidelines state that 'there are no limits on form or word count. Darker pieces are generally favoured over humerous ones, as are free verse poems over those that rhyme. Genre work is welcome and experimentation is encouraged.'

As always, it is advised that you read a copy of Neon first before submitting your work, and all work can be submitted through their website: www.neonmagazine.co.uk

If you're a poetry and / or prose writer then give us a call. We can offer advice, guidance and critiquing support.

New excellence scheme for adult social care

CQC (the Care Quality Commission) announced their plans to develop a new scheme to recognise excellence in adult social care on the 28th February 2011. The scheme is set to be launched in April 2012.

A consultation on how to define excellence in adult social care will launch in May, building on work carried out for CQC by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

The scheme will be voluntary (social care providers can choose to apply for the award) and will involve a proportionate charge. CQC will seek expressions of interest to deliver the scheme in the spring, and will welcome bids from across the private and voluntary sector.

Chief executive Cynthia Bower said: “CQC’s role is to identify and react to signs that people may be at risk of receiving poor care. This means we can say we don’t see signs of risk at a provider, but this is not the same as saying a provider is offering ‘excellent’ care.

“We do, however, firmly believe that care providers should aspire to deliver the best possible outcomes. An excellence award can recognise best practice, be a spur to improvement for providers who already meet CQC’s essential standards, and can help people who need longer-term care to make choices.

“We look forward to working with people who use services, their families and carers, commissioners and providers to develop the scheme.”

The CQC requires all organisations to be registered and assessed by them as 'suitable to practice'. If you need help with your registration, give us a call!