How to Write a News Release

Back when I was a journalist, I saw more attempts at eye-catching news releases than you could shake a stick at. Releases in color-coordinated folders, accompanied by a pile of color brochures on slick paper. Releases accompanied by little giveaway items, like a pen or paperweight graced (of course) with the sender’s corporate logo. Sometimes we’d get really good swag, like a t-shirt or a CD, with a news release.

But tchotchkes don’t make a story newsworthy. If you want a reporter to do a story about your announcement or event, the only thing you have to send is a good news release. (I’m using the term “news release” instead of the more common “press release” because I worked in broadcasting, and broadcasters – ahem – don’t have presses.) Continue reading “How to Write a News Release”

Congrats to Flash Fiction Winner Yvonne Hertzberger

Our flash fiction champ this week is Yvonne Hertzberger. Congratulations to Yvonne, and thanks to everyone who participated – excellent entries!

The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.

Without further ado, here’s the winning entry: Continue reading “Congrats to Flash Fiction Winner Yvonne Hertzberger”

“I’ve been resting for this testing, digesting every word the Ancients say…”

That title is from a really, really old Genesis song (Counting Out Time, 1974), and it came to mind only because of the word “digesting.” Because really, if you’re not going to engage in some Black Friday madness, how better to spend the day after Thanksgiving than by letting your innards assimilate those pounds of poultry you consumed yesterday, while you lie around the house? In other words, I’m going to guess not an awful lot of people are going to read this column today, unless you just happen to be feeling too bloated to head down to Best Buy to watch some Mortal Consumer Kombat. 😉 Continue reading ““I’ve been resting for this testing, digesting every word the Ancients say…””

THE BOOK OF JOBS: what Steve is doing on The Cloud

THE BOOK OF JOBS: what Steve is doing on The Cloud
by Skye Atman
Available from Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

NOTE to Apple fans: Steve made a successful transition to The Cloud and is doing well! Despite the arduous journey, he’s impressed by the design of the place, and thrilled when John Lennon does his orientation—he gets the Magical Mystery Tour.

Steve is a reluctant resident, however, not happy to discover that he is subject to the same rules as all the other Cloud residents and must do his time, despite his secret plan to return to Earth immediately. His mighty, but futile, efforts to circumvent the reincarnation eligibility edict lead to lasting friendships and spiritual growth.

Future Fiction Press, Oct 2012, available in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu, author’s website, and ebook for Kindle, Nook, Adobe Digital Editions.