Trafcom News

Terry Fallis wins Leacock award for humorous novel

Terry Fallis of Thornley Fallis and the Inside PR podcast has won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for his novel about Canadian politics, The Best Laid Plans.

Why is this something I’d blog about? Well, Terry has become a friend of mine in Toronto’s social media world. And, he self-published the book after he couldn’t get a publisher to bite, then he podcasted podcast the novel, a chapter at a time, making it freely available. So if you’re trying to get your novel out there for the world to notice, take a page from Terry’s book (OK, not literally).

I loved the story, which I consumed over the Christmas holidays, laughing out loud at times.

Congratulations, Terry! Three questions: When will The Best Laid Plans become a major motion picture? What’s your next book about? Why does everyone think Dave Jones is the funny one on Inside PR?

Book review: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book in 60 Days

In this guide to writing a non-fiction book quickly and painlessly, Paul Lima outlines the entire process step by step, emphasizing that:

• It takes an idea.
• It takes purpose.
• It takes knowledge of your reader.
• It takes time.

But that’s not all. He goes into great detail, with an engaging and highly readable approach, sharing his hard-won advice on how you can get organized, conduct your research, produce an outline, and then start churning out copy. He also shares his successful experience with publishing on demand through Lulu.com.

I wish I’d had Paul’s How to Write a Non-Fiction Book in 60 Days when I wrote a parenting book about 10 years ago. I stumbled my way through the process, and I happened  upon some of the techniques that he describes in the book. However, if you have a book in you – waiting to get out –  I’d advise that you avoid the trip-ups typical of the first-time author, and follow Paul’s guidance instead. You’ll be glad you did.

Paul Lima is a freelance writer, author and writing trainer. You can read more about his books online at www.paullima.com/books. You’ll find this particular title here.

Book review: Podcasting for Profit by Leesa Barnes

Over the last three years, I’ve read just about every book on the market about podcasting; many deal with the subject from a technical angle.

Today I’d like to tell you about a podcasting book that’s a little different. In Podcasting for Profit, Leesa Barnes has done a thorough job of sharing her knowledge about generating income with a podcast, whether audio or video. As far as I know, hers is the first book in this particular niche. She covers advertising, sponsorship, affiliate programs and even podcast consulting as moneymakers.

Leesa brings the topic alive in her approachable and very readable style, using real-life case studies -- Screencasts Online, The Engaging Brand, the Jet Set Show and others.

If you’re a marketer or a budding podcaster, or if you run a small business, Leesa’s book is definitely worth a read. Right now she’s offering two free chapters online. Check it out.

One quibble: This book could have benefited from another round of proofreading.;-)

Tips for writing a book in three months

Sallie Goetsch, the Author-izer, shares her advice for writing a book in three months. She even serves up some real-life examples from her experience as a writer and ghostwriter.

Here’s the money quote:

…generating reams of text is not a problem -- as long as I know in advance what I want to say.

To me, that’s the key: knowing your message and having so much enthusiasm that the content just pours out of you.

Don’t buy this book!

My copy of How to Do Everything With Podcasting, by Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson of For Immediate Release fame, landed in my mailbox last week after an interminable wait. Neville and Shel have done an astounding job of demystifying podcasting. The nerve! After reading this book, you’ll know how to find podcasts, listen to them, produce them, and use them inside and outside the corporation.

We podcasters will no longer hold the keys to the kingdom now that Shel and Neville have unlocked this knowledge. How could they? How can I impress anyone with my ability to edit audio files or create ID3 tags? Now everyone will be able to do it. Sheesh. To make matters worse, Shel and Neville have built a companion Web site, so that they can keep the information in the book up to date.

Honestly, Shel and Neville, you did not disappoint. I knew the book would be an invaluable resource to podcasting newcomers and pros alike, and indeed it is. Congratulations!

A chat with Shel Holtz

Here's a chat with Shel Holtz about his new book (co-authored with Neville Hobson), How to Do Everything with Podcasting; plus a few words about Podcasters Across Borders 2007.

You'll hear all of this and more in Trafcom News Podcast #59 (just 26 minutes long), available right now from iTunes or from the Trafcom News Podcast blog. You'll find the shownotes on the podcast blog too.

Meet Hugh McGuire, founder of LibriVox

My latest podcast is an interview with Hugh McGuire, founder of LibriVox, which offers free public-domain audio books. You'll find this 22-minute podcast on the Trafcom News Podcast page. Hugh and I discuss the origins of LibriVox; the concept of volunteer readers; the availability of multiple versions of these public-domain books; and how LibriVox is a good place for budding voiceover artists and podcasters to learn. We also explore the potential broader applications of this type of project.

Listen and then let me know what you think!

Authors finding audiences through podcasts

Here’s an interesting article in the New York Times about authors finding audiences – and publishers – through their podcasts.

Hat tip to Sean Moffitt. Normally I read the Times, but my head is so muddled from a cold that I'm not in the mood for my usual diversions.

Co-author of Wikinomics to speak in Toronto

This month’s Third Tuesday Toronto meeting will feature Anthony Williams, co-author of Wikinomics, a great read for those interested in social media, communities and collaboration.

Visit Joe Thornley’s blog for more info, then register for the February 20 event. See you there!

:::::UPDATE: Please visit the Meetup page, because the venue has changed to the Bier Market, 58 The Esplanade, Toronto.

My naked conversation with Shel Israel

No, not that kind of naked. It's my latest podcast, an interview with Shel Israel, author of Naked Conversations, as he embarked on a global research tour for his new book, tentatively titled Global Neighborhoods. In this 27-minute podcast, Shel, whom I met last month at ThirdTuesdayToronto, talks about b5media, Google’s acquisition of YouTube, the effect of social media on society, and Canadian winters.

Go to the Trafcom News Podcast page to download the show and read the shownotes. On that page, you can also subscribe to the podcast so that you won't miss a single episode.