Scott Birch

Dear fellow writers, If you are tired of formatting issues, “name on top left, name on top right, name in subject line, no identifying information on the submission, etc.”, if you are tired of paying $3.00 Submittable for the privilege of providing the very content that justifies the reason there is a publication in the first place, if you are tired of themed submissions, you might like us at Better Than The Times. We are interested in your poetry, your short fiction (or excerpts from your novel, published or upcoming), your social, political, economic, and other essays, your food, restaurant, travel, book, art, theater, and movie reviews. Note: we are a left wing anti-establishment, in every sense of the word, publication, so we aren’t a home for right wing stuff, we publish ALL poetry and fiction we find to be good enough. Good enough means we like it, not whether you have won a Pulitzer, or Pushcart, etc. There is a form you fill out, and if we like your stuff, we publish it, if we don’t, we don’t. No hoops to jump thru. We publish 4 times per year and take submissions year round. The deadline is a moving target, depending on how much good content we already have, currently we are still taking submissions for our July 31 issue. Go to our website and fill out the submission form at: https://lnkd.in/eNWwkWkR

٣

Tourism has been one of the pillars on which the UAE has been building its economic diversification strategy. Read my analysis of a Knight Frank report here - https://lnkd.in/d_RwQW2e

١٢

١ تعليق واحد

Company head of editorial/thought leadership at tech-focused companies. Business to business tech PR agencies*. - Are you struggling to produce enough poised and authoritative long-form content (blogs, White Papers) in house? - Are your ad hoc, last-minute collaborations with freelancers hit and miss? - - Are your exciting plans for content let down by limited brainstorming, writing and editing skills/resources? Maybe you don't yet need to hire another senior content marketer. Or your prudent CFO hasn't signed it off. Hiring an experienced freelance content consultant can help you plug gaps in your content pipeline and stop being reactive. I've just begun one content/media retainer for a growing US tech PR agency that has won a slew of new business in the past six months and needed editorial/media support. I've capacity for one, possibly two more retainers this year and early next year. (The retainers can range from the equivalent of a couple of days per month to a couple of days per week.) The retainer can cover: - Content strategy (reviewing your content, working out how to improve it), - - Writing - Editing - Training your staff in writing/editing/content planning …. plus media relations - how to pitch news stories that journalists are actually interested in! For this training, I draw on my 25 years' journalism experience for some of the top trade and national media organisations. Retainer benefits for clients: 1. Guaranteed content/media support 2. The freelancer can build a deep knowledge of your business and market = better thought leadership content and ROI 3. You get to know how each other works, saving time and money, reducing stress 4. The freelancer becomes a "thought partner" - able to advise you on all aspects of your content marketing and media *You can call yourself "integrated" if you really want *** If you think your company may benefit from a content/media retainer, DM me or email me - [email protected] - and we can arrange a call. If I don't think I'm the right person to help your business I'll try to recommend someone who can ***

٧

What is Speculative Fiction? Here’s a little primer just for you. Click to enjoy a short digital reader’s guide to answer the question -

١

Copyeditors are an integral part of the publishing industry, but few outside the industry know what their work entails. Fewer still know how to go about becoming copyeditors. Given this, the Indian Copyeditors Forum has released "Discover the Editor in You," which is meant to educate people about this profession. "Discover the Editor in You" is an introduction to copyediting and the skills required to thrive in this profession. The Kindle version is available for free today and tomorrow. Download and make India's first book on copyediting the number one bestseller on Amazon. Download at https://lnkd.in/gRn8jtAR #ebook #editing #copyediting #training

١٩

What makes an effective call to action? - It is an ACTION – Subscribe / Donate / Download / Email / Call - It has URGENCY – Use commanding words to imply the risk of waiting - It has VALUE – Download this free guide / Discover the power of XX / Book a demo Read more CTA tips here: https://lnkd.in/gEsfUHfM #writing #freelancewriting #writingtips

٣

PUBLISHER'S COLUMN: If you’re like most of the people in this business, you rely on spreadsheets for just about everything you do. In fact, I’d wager that most of you reading this column haven’t a clue as to how many spreadsheets are in use in your organization. (Count the number of people in your organization who would tend to be spreadsheet creators and users. Now multiply that number by the average number of spreadsheets most of those professionals have built and use on a regular basis. That’s a lot of spreadsheets.) In fact, the people in your organization most likely are using hundreds — if not thousands — of different spreadsheets to accomplish various analytical and reporting tasks.

١

Perplexity's Pages really nails down an issue that is central why journalism is a difficult business. No one can own the facts. Nor should they be able to. If a journalist spends months digging into a subject, anyone else is free to immediately summarize and report on the facts of what they said. And "anyone" includes people using artificial intelligence. Perplexity arguably steps over the lines at times. Is the use of images scarped from sources ok? Honestly, no, I think they could get sued for that. Is the copy sometimes too close to the source material? Honestly, probably so, though also I don't think in a way that's, like, legally actionable. But this is re-arranging chairs on the deck of the Titanic. The specific issues with Perplexity are solvable. The fundamental problem is the same. No one can, or should, own the facts. This is a big problem—for journalism as a business, at least. But I'm not doom and gloom, because it's also the same problem journalism has encountered since at least the dawn of the Internet. We still have journalism, as well as many other new forms of expression we didn't have a few decades ago. https://lnkd.in/gfRua9uv

٤

٢ تعليق

Reading habits around the globe has changed, whether due to the rise of digital media or innovation of technology. That has not only reduced the attention span but has also marked a huge influence on the books or pieces of writing we pick to read. To know more, check out the blog below. Happy Reading!

٣

The publishing world has changed dramatically over time, but especially since online self-publishing became popular. Viewed by many as inferior, publishing your own work can be intimidating. However, all those myths floating around about it don’t help the situation. To uncover the truth about self-publishing, we should explore some of the most prevalent myths... https://lnkd.in/dZZUS_Dt #writing #publishing #writerslife #misconceptions #MisconceptionsDebunked #selfpublishing

٩

٨ تعليق

Something that disappeared in the haze and hubbub and tin-foil hats around adopting (or shunning) AI into content and editorial processes are the ways passion and empathy contribute to clear, effective writing. Put another way, for all AI offers, it won’t “know” how to make those “tough to explain but intuitive” decisions a writer makes because she’s passionate about the topic and can put herself in her reader’s shoes. Passion and empathy, when steered by craft, produce their own kind of clarity—and you know it when you read it. #writing #writingcommunity #generativeAI #artificialintelligence

٢٢

٢ تعليق

Chasing Likes, Losing Touch? Remember when being an 'influencer' meant having a real impact on people's opinions, like a trusted leader? Today, it's a full-blown profession, especially for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, complete with workshops and agencies. While some influencers genuinely enhance online platforms with useful and entertaining content, others leave us questioning how we got here — think 60-second dance videos with questionable choreography. Running a successful Instagram page is hard work. It's no longer just about pretty pictures; it's a full-time job demanding creativity and resilience, especially with shrinking attention spans. For literary communities, it’s even tougher. We rely on words, not skits or selfies, and getting people to stop scrolling long enough to read is a challenge. Monetisation adds another layer. People are quick to pay influencers with large followings, but do those influencers really value your content? Is the investment worth it? Often, there's no clear answer, and it’s ironic that people are willing to spend on ads or influencers but hesitate to support authors or artists by simply buying a book. As influencer culture grows, so does the need for guidelines on content. Real connections are being lost, replaced by superficial online ties. The boundaries of what's appropriate are blurring, and this can lead to negative consequences, especially for younger audiences. Boundaries matter in all aspects of life, including the digital world. We’re caught between the digital and real worlds, struggling to keep up with trends while holding onto authenticity. In the rush to keep up, let’s not lose sight of what truly matters: genuine connections and integrity. After all, you can't pay your bills with likes. https://lnkd.in/dbQrjdSs

٤

GoldenGatePR is thrilled to serve as a media partner for the Global Family Office Investment Summit - Dubai Edition Summit, happening in #Dubai this 10-11 December 2024. This prestigious event unites investors, business leaders, and family offices from around the globe, fostering collaboration and innovation in one of the world’s leading financial hubs. Dubai’s strategic position as a gateway to diverse markets and its entrepreneurial spirit make it the ideal setting for this summit. We’re excited to spotlight the invaluable connections and groundbreaking insights that emerge from this dynamic gathering. #GoldenGatePR #GlobalFamilyOfficeSummit #Dubai2024 #FinanceInnovation #NetworkingOpportunities #GlobalInvestments #FamilyOffice #WealthManagement #BusinessGrowth #InvestmentSummit #GlobalFinance #FinancialLeadership #InvestmentOpportunities

١٦

١ تعليق واحد

What do you use in your speech to support the main point you are trying to make? Here are some examples. #publicspeaking #rulecommunications #freelance https://lnkd.in/e-YfcgTM

٢

So, you want to be a writer? The first thing that you might consider doing is start to write regularly. The Organised Writer #writing #book #review https://lnkd.in/e5s7xpVR

١

Our founder engaged in insightful conversation with Wimbledon Wealth today! #DubaiPodcast #Podcast #teamSOCIATE #WimbledonWealth #MarketingAgency #PRAgency #Agencylife #DubaiAgency

١٨

We at Saif Al Shamsi Advocates & Legal Consultants highlight the recent decision by the Sharjah Executive Council to regulate family businesses in the emirate. This legal framework aims to ensure smooth transitions across generations, enhance governance, and strengthen the contribution of family businesses to Sharjah's economy. It includes regulations on ownership, dispute resolution, and procedures for dissolution and liquidation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dExaG8GW #UAE #Dubai #DubaiLawyers #LawFirm #Lawyer

٨

٣ تعليق