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A Monthly Zine & Online Community For Emerging Writers Published & Edited By Christina Katz |
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Writers On The Rise Inspiration, Insight and Ideas For Emerging Writers
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Dear Fellow Writers... Welcome Back To Learning Preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, grad school – I love school! Always have and always will, so it’s no wonder I have a hybrid career, half-writer and half-teacher. In this month’s back-to-school issue of Writers On The Rise you will hear what back-to-school means to some of our columnists. For me, one of the most powerful aspects of going back to school is making my mind receptive to new input and ideas. I am positively giddy when I think of all of the new things my daughter, Samantha, will be absorbing when she starts school next week, all because her mind is so open to new ideas. She’s a little sponge brain! How open is your mind as a writer? Do you stubbornly cling to what you think as though it’s set in stone? Do you keep trying to make unproductive habits work for you, even though they haven’t worked in the past? And here’s a really tough question. Do you focus more on what others are (or aren’t) learning than you do on your own growth and professional development? All of these are time-wasters for anyone, not just writers. The cure for any of these mental sand traps is an open mind, a pristine notebook and pen, a wrinkle-free folder (perhaps one with cartoon characters on it) and registration in a class with a teacher, professor or instructor you are enthusiastic to learn from. It’s like the first day of school all over again! Thanks to the Internet you can specifically find the perfect class to fit the next stage of growth in your career. Who have you learned from in your online and e-mail classes? Please e-mail us and describe any classes you would like others to know about. Include a link and I will consider posting your recommendation on our resources page. When we were younger, school was a concrete place to go and learn much more than simply what happened in the classroom. And online and e-mail classes can be just as educational. Every class has a group mind, a synergy, and a teaching-learning x-factor that is spontaneous and energizing. Similarly, I like to think of every issue of Writers On The Rise as an opportunity to learn from my peers and this month is no exception! We have an interview with marketing expert Penny Sansevieri, author of From Book To Bestseller and a feature called “Blogging Basics” by columnist, Sage Cohen. Personally, I think it’s our best issue ever (But, hey, I think that every month!) In the writing spirit, Christina Katz Table of Contents: Features: Blogging Basics by Sage Cohen A Three-Book Success Story with Penny Sansevieri
Ask Wendy by Wendy Burt Fit To Write by Kelly James-Enger Turn Your Writing Hobby Into A Writing Career by Gregory Kompes Got Tech? by Sharon Cindrich Making Order by Pamela Kim Conference Confab by Kelly Huffman Good Reads For Writers by Cathy Belben Sustainable Office by Susan C. Clark Polish Your Prose by Elizabeth Short Lively Writing Tip and Exercise by Kristin O'Keeffe Closing Words by Kristin O'Keeffe
Upcoming Classes:
Christina Katz Appearances & Events
Our columnists live all over the world! Find out what we're up to right here! Oh my goodness...I almost forgot (yeah, right). The cover design for Writer Mama, Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids (Writer's Digest Books) has been finalized. Ta-da! Hope you like it as much as I do. Visit www.christinakatz.com to check it out in all its outstanding glory. You can click on "Book Cover" to see the larger image. Kelly James-Enger has six presentations coming up in September, all in Illinois, where she lives. And one is in Wisconsin with columnist Sharon Cindrich! Check out the complete list here. Christina is offering a new class this fall especially for moms, called "Writing and Publishing the Short Stuff," along with the two classes already scheduled. Based on the enthusiastic response to her presentation at the PNWA Conference in Seattle, she will be offering another class, "Get Known Before the Book Deal" in winter 2007. Check out all of Christina's classes at http://www.writersontherise.com/classes.html. My sister-in-law, Lisa Perry, contributed our lovely fall photographs, which offer this issue a little flavor of the season, don't cha think? She lives in Floyd, Virginia, with my brother Scott, a blues musician, my nephews, Spencer and Emerson, and assorted dogs, cats and ducklings. The family also owns The Pickin' Porch, a cute little music shop "committed to fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of traditional music and creating a community of acoustic music makers and music lovers." Your Publishing Questions, Answered By Wendy Burt
Q: What are “fillers” and are they worth my time?A: Fillers are those little snippets and one-paragraph factoids you often see in consumer magazines. Sometimes they run them next to larger articles (almost like sidebars or “Did you know?” blurbs), sometimes they’re scattered throughout the magazine, and other times they’re listed in groups in their own section. A magazine like “Woman’s World” might run a whole page of tips from readers (“I clean my toilets with denture tablets because it’s cheap and safe for my dogs to drink from the toilets!”) and pay $25 or so per idea. I used to write short blurbs for “ePregnancy Magazine” on newsworthy pieces of interest to pregnant moms. The pay wasn’t much – I think $15 for 100 words or so – but each one only took me about 15 minutes, so that’s $60/hour. Other than greeting cards, fillers might have the highest per-word rate of all the types of writing you can do as a beginner. (Ad copy writing pays great per word too, but you usually need more experience.) I highly recommend trying your hand at fillers. It’s great, easy money and you usually get paid faster than you do for longer pieces like feature articles. * * * Q: I’m working on a nonfiction book proposal and am wondering how important a marketing section is. Don’t the publishers do most of the marketing for you?
A: I wish! Marketing is actually one of the most important selling points in a nonfiction book proposal. Even the bigger publishing houses have limited budgets and what they do have for book tours and publicity is generally saved for big-name, established authors. Your marketing section needs to show that you’ve got a platform to sell your own books. They want to know that you’ve already got a way to reach potential buyers: a blog, a mailing list, a Web site, a newsletter or e-newsletter, a class, etc. You’ll also need to show that you’re willing to do the legwork to get yourself seen. Talk about how you’ll contact local, regional, national and international media: newspapers, magazines, TV shows, online forums, radio shows, ezines, major Web sites (like iVillage.com), and the like. Be sure to mention any self-funded travel that you’ll do for book tours, contacts you have with booksellers, workshops or classes that you’ll be teaching (where you can either sell books or use them as required curriculum) or groups that you’re involved with (such as book clubs). Read other successful marketing proposals online or pick up “How to Write a Book Proposal” by Michael Larsen. It’s one of the best books available on the topic.
Wendy Burt is a full-time freelance writer and editor in Colorado Springs, Colo. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, Byline and Family Circle. Autographed copies of her two books, Oh, Solo Mia! The Hip Chick’s Guide to Fun for One (April 2001, McGraw-Hill) and Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick (June 2003, McGraw-Hill) are available through http://BurtCreations.com. 
Featured Writer On The Rise Blogging Basics By Sage Cohen As the online trend of blogging gains momentum, many writers are asking themselves: Should I blog? The Q&A below can help answer some of your basic questions about blogging and how you can put this fun online forum to work for you. What’s a blog? A blog (or weblog) is a special kind of website that is easier to update and less expensive to maintain than a traditional website. Blogs consist of a series of entries or posts that users can publish online almost instantaneously. Many blogs are updated regularly – often daily. A typical blog entry includes a short blurb of text with links to other websites or blogs. A blog may also include photos, audio and video. One of the most unique and interesting features of blogs is the ability for readers to comment on the information posted. This can result in the development of communities and dialogues involving people from all a wide range of backgrounds and locations.
Why do people blog? There are as many reasons to blog as there are types of people. Probably the widest use of the blog is as a kind of personal journal or diary that’s made public to be shared with family and friends. People also blog to share information and opinions about politics, celebrities, cars, food, knitting, gossip, sports, sex – you name it! Some use blogging as a forum to showcase their professional expertise; others use blogs to engage communities around social issues; artists use blogs as a gallery space to showcase their craft; businesses use blogs to communicate with their prospects and customers.
What can a blog do for me? There are many reasons writers may enjoy – and benefit from – blogging. For example, a blog can help you:
How do I get started? You can literally start blogging in a matter of minutes. All you need to do is choose a blog host, sign up, and go! I have provided some basic information about the three most popular blog hosts.
Blogger (www.blogger.com) Free, easy, with comprehensive resources, Blogger is ideal for the first-time blogger.
TypePad (www.typepad.com) I chose TypePad for its well-designed, easy-to-use templates that I could customize to match my Web site. There are three levels of service: Basic, Plus and Pro, which range from $4.95 to $14.95 per month, each offering a range of services and tools.
LiveJournal (www.livejournal.com) Known for fostering communities, LiveJournal makes it easy to participate in blogging groups. Accounts cost $3 a month, $15 for six months, and $19.95 for a year.
Check ‘em out and see which feels right – and most affordable – to you. You may also want to cruise around the blogisphere and see who’s using which host. This may help you decide what feels like the right home for your blog.
How can I learn more about blogging?
The Rough Guide to Blogging by Jonathan Yang This quick read offers a friendly, accessible overview of blogging – from histrionics to how-to.
The Weblog Handbook: Practical Advice on Creating and Maintaining Your Blog by Rebecca Blood This book is focused on the mechanics of blogging.
Blog!: How the Newest Media Revolution is Changing Politics, Business, and Culture by David Kline, Dan Burstein, Arne J. De Keijzer, and Paul Berger Here you’ll find a more sociological overview of what blogging means today.
This online community is focused on creating opportunities for women bloggers to pursue exposure, education, and community. It hosts an annual conference where international women bloggers come together to learn from each other.
Sage Cohen is founder of Sage Communications (www.sagecohen.com) where she has been writing and editing marketing content for companies such as Blue Shield, Microsoft and Intuit for over a decade. She writes a monthly column for Black Lamb and has published her poetry, essays and fiction in journals including Poetry Flash, Oregon Literary Review and San Francisco Reader. To discover where everyday events meet poetic resonance, visit Sage's blog at: http://sagesaidso.typepad.com/sage_said_so/. WRITING AND PUBLISHING NONFICTION ARTICLES BEGINS SEPTEMBER 6TH — SPACE LIMITED! Want to learn how to write for publications on topics that engage you? In this e-mail course, you will develop confidence by writing and submitting an article at the end of our six weeks together. You can try your pen at the three most marketable types of nonfiction articles – personal essays, how-to articles and interviews – and polish and submit one of your drafts by the end of the class. The class workbook is 60 pages long and includes weekly questionnaires, check-ins, resources, inspiration and assignments to advance your writing career. Two detailed reviews of your draft-in-progress are included at weeks three and six. Visit http://www.writersontherise.com/classes.html for more information. Download a printable class list for Fall 2006.
One way to make your query stand out is by having a time peg – something recent or upcoming that makes your story relevant, especially when you’re querying with evergreen ideas. However, many writers fail to consider the lead times of publications – only to miss out on windows of opportunity.
"Lead time" is how far in advance a publication works. The more frequently a market is published, the shorter the lead time. For example, a weekly magazine is likely to have a much shorter lead time than a bimonthly mag. On average, national monthly magazines work about three to six months ahead of time, sometimes more. That means that if you have a great holiday idea right now, you’ve missed the boat – at least this year. (A weekly or a daily publication, however, may still be interested.) Remember to keep a publication’s lead time in mind when pitching ideas. It’s just one more way to help you sell your work.
Author, speaker and consultant Kelly James-Enger is a certified personal trainer and the author of books including Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life (with Ellie Krieger, R.D.) and Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer’s Guide to Making More Money. Visit http://www.becomebodywise.com for free articles about freelancing and more information about her.
An Interview with Penny Sansevieri By Christina Katz No doubt you've heard about self-published authors getting picked up by mainstream publishers. But have you heard about self-published authors getting picked up for a three-book deal? Penny Sansevieri shares a bit about the path that lead to hers. Penny, you wrote the incredibly helpful, From Book To Bestseller, An Insider's Guide to Publicizing and Marketing Your Book! Isn't this one of your books that was recently picked up by a traditional publisher?
Yes, From Book to Bestseller was picked up by a traditional publisher. The book teaches marketing and PR for the beginning author and focuses on different and innovative ways to market.
What I most appreciated about your book is the way you condensed a huge amount of information, which might otherwise be overwhelming, into short, quick and easy to read chapters. That's a big help for this busy mom! Was this part of your original intention for the book?
Absolutely! I decided to write this book because so many authors I teach said they needed a book that palatable and easy to understand. This book is a step-by-step guide that literally walks the author through the marketing and PR of their book.
I'd like to back up a bit to ask your advice on what writers who are not yet authors, but would like to be, can do to establish their expertise and start getting known even before pitching a nonfiction book idea. How much do you think writers need to think about this, and why is it important?
This is a great question. Writers absolutely need to think about this - it's what the industry refers to as your "platform" or your area of influence. It's not what you know but who knows you. Getting dialed into these industries and getting known in your market is very important and can definitely influence a publisher.
In the same vein, what steps can writers take to establish their platform before landing a book deal?
They can do anything from getting a web site and promoting themselves on the Net to public speaking. It's all about getting known in your industry and positioning yourself as an expert. Keep in mind that if you're in an industry, like dieting for example, you'll have to work twice as hard to get noticed because there are so many authors vying for the same air time.
You also wrote a book called No More Rejections, Get Published Today! In a nutshell, what is the message of this book?
It's about the print-on-demand industry and why it works and also, sometimes, why it doesn't. Having been a literary agent before, I can tell you that it's a tough marketplace out there – publishers want established authors but you can't become "established" until you have a book. Now authors can control their future and see their work in print in 90 days or less! Congratulations, Penny, on your three-book deal. Can you tell us more about that and what you've learned from the experience that can benefit anyone who wants to publish nonfiction books?
I think the thing that made a difference to me was the platform I'd built. I spend a ton of time on the road speaking, so my business dials into what I do and I also promote myself on the Net. Getting and keeping my message out there is very important to me. People say all the time "I see you everywhere on the Net" which is a good thing because it means I'm focused on my market and getting my name out there. This is what happens when you build your platform.
Let's say that someone reading this is focused on a parenting topic. The first thing that author will want to do is research who else shares this "pond" with her and get to know these other experts. She'll want to share her message with as many websites as possible and make sure that her message differs from everything else that's out there. Why? Because if you've heard the same thing a million times, a fresh, innovative voice will get noticed that much quicker.
If you would like to purchase From Book To Bestseller , please click on the cover photo, above.
WRITING AND PUBLISHING THE SHORT STUFF – BEGINS SEPTEMBER 6TH – SPACE LIMITED! Finally, a writing workshop that fits into the busy lives of moms! The focus is on getting you into print sooner, rather than later, and without pulling all-nighters or paying a fortune in babysitter fees. You will learn how to write and publish short, easy-to-write articles before you work your way up to longer, more time-consuming articles (like features and profiles). Try your pen at tips, fillers, short interviews, list articles, how-tos, and short personal essays. Have fun in the little time you have to write and submit what you complete for publication. The best way to prove you can make money writing is to start doing it! Two detailed reviews of your drafts-in-progress are included at weeks three and six (you choose one piece each time). Busy dads and non-parents are also welcome.
Class worksheets are brief and get right to the point, while providing plenty of encouragement and examples from moms who have been where you are. Two detailed reviews of your draft-in-progress are included at weeks three and six. Visit http://www.writersontherise.com/classes.html for more information. Download a printable class list for Fall 2006.
Turn Your Writing Hobby into a Writing Career Create a Learning PlanBy Gregory A. Kompes It's back-to-school time, and that's not just for the kiddies. Writers working to turn their writing hobby into a career need to constantly improve their skills. Take advantage of the fall back-to-school momentum and design a plan to continue working on your writing craft through further education. Here are a few suggestions:
Take a class. Classes come in many forms. There are formal degree programs (BA in English or writing, MFA programs), continuing education offerings from local colleges and online courses and seminars geared to improving specific skills. Course offerings range from beginner to advanced and occur at all price ranges. For economical, yet compelling choices, check out the writing courses at EdToGo (EdToGo.com).
Attend a conference or writing seminar. Weekend writing conferences and one-day seminar events are excellent ways to improve your writing skills. As an added bonus, you'll be able to network with fellow writers and writing professionals. Find events by visiting Shaw Guides (www.shawguides.com/writing).
Read. There are thousands of books written to help you improve your writing through self-study. From improving your writing style and technique, to learning interview and research skills, to finding new ways and places to market your work, you'll discover scores of books to help you. Spend some time at your library or favorite bookstore.
Write. One of the best ways to improve your writing skills is to exercise your writing muscles, every day. Set a word goal or time goal, schedule it for the same time every day, and get in the good habit of writing daily.
Join a writer's group. Writer's groups offer several opportunities for writers, including feedback for our work and social opportunities with like-minded writers. If you aren’t getting your words down on paper, a writing group that gives you regular deadlines can help.
Gregory A. Kompes (Kompes.com) is a writer, photographer, and professional speaker. He is the author of the bestseller 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live (fabcities.com) and The Endorsement Quest (endorsementquest.com), founder of The GLBT Authors' Project (glbtauthors.com) and Fabulist Flash Publishing (FabulistFlashPublishing.com), editor of The Fabulist Flash (FabulistFlash.com), an informative newsletter for writers, and produces a line of art cards and gifts. Gregory is a graduate of Columbia University, NY.
REGISTER TO WRITE SIX QUERIES IN SIX WEEKS You've taken freelance writing classes, you've read writing and marketing books, you've published a few articles. Now all you need are assignments, deadlines and more checks made out to yours truly. In this class, pitching is all we do. Over the course of six weeks, you crank out six queries. This is exactly the kind of practice you need if you want to get in the habit of landing regular assignments. Designed for writers with a basic understanding of query writing who want to take their career to the next level. Space is limited. For details visit http://www.writersontherise.com/classes.html. For more infomation about how e-mail classes with Christina Katz work, download a Word Doc on How Pitching Practice Works. Download a printable class list for Fall 2006.
Smile, You're On Digital Camera By Sharon Miller Cindrich
A picture’s worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean a digital camera can put a writer out of business. In fact, it may actually help you land more assignments.
Add credibility to your pitch If you’re trying to sell a story about your experience in Ireland, why not throw in a photo? If you’re writing a personal essay about your garden, pass along a shot of your best begonia.
Demonstrate a process If you’re writing an article about building a pond, include photos of the process. If you’re writing about creating a garden, take a before and after shot. Using photos to illustrate your writing doesn’t take away from the written word – it only enhances it.
Use the movie feature Many digital cameras have a simple movie feature that allows you to record short bits of video AND SOUND. Use this feature to do a quick interview, get comments from a crowd or tape your own reaction.
Offer to take pictures Digital cameras can make even the most average photographer look good, and small publications are often happy to pay a little extra for a writer and photographer in one.
Create a headshot Most writers are used to the anonymity of a byline, but there may be an opportunity for your face to accompany your writing. Take a good photo of yourself just in case.
Don’t forget... Make sure to get permission from anyone you are taking a photo of, especially if you plan on e-mailing the photo or if you think the photo may appear in print.
Sharon Miller Cindrich is a freelance writer whose work has been published nationally in magazines and newspapers around the country including The Chicago Tribune, Parents Magazine, and The Writer. She is a Contributing Editor at FamilyFun Magazine and writes a bimonthly humor column for West Suburban Living Magazine in the Chicago Suburbs. She is a regular contributor to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Lifestyle section and Metroparent Magazine. Her book E-Parenting: Get Plugged In to Raise Safe, Smart Kids is due out from Random House at the end of the year. Read more about Sharon at http://www.mediabistro.com/sharoncindrich.
Continued from Blogging Basics By Sage Cohen
Where can I find great writing resource blogs? Here are just a few to get you started! As you’ll see, most blogs include links and suggested resources that will take you deeper into whatever topics interest you most. Have fun exploring the blogisphere!
www.diaperstodeadlines.typepad.com Writing and Publishing Success Stories CATHY BELBEN’S article on her post-mortem plans to visit the Body Farm will appear in the October/November issue of BUST magazine.
LORI RUSSELL published “Raising the Azure Standard” and “Mike Klinger: Mastering Melody and Megabyte” in the fall issue of Columbia Gorge Magazine. Her feature, “Making a Clown of Himself” won the Story of the Month award for the August issue of Ruralite magazine. “Cider Season” appears in the September issue of the same magazine.
LAUREN FRITZEN published "Summer Sounds Abound At Fairhaven's Village Green" in the August issue of Entertainment News Northwest.
SUSAN CLARK published "Longing for the Land" in the Sept/Oct issue of Touch the Soil and "Farmers Teaching Farming" for In Good Tilth.
CINDY HUDSON published "Vintage Memories: Susan Sokol Blosser Reflects on a Lifetime of Winemaking" in the August/September 2006 issue of Edible Portland. Her byline also appears each week as the Cedar Mill Neighborhood Correspondent for The Oregonian.
LAURAL RINGLER published "IronParenting: Race Day with the Kids" (and accompanying photos) in the summer issue of Adventures NW Magazine, as well as "Bard on the Beach in Vancouver" in the June issue of Entertainment News Northwest.
PATTY CLEMENT had the first chapter, "Learning to Breathe Underwater" of her travel memoir accepted for publication in VoiceCatcher, an anthology of Portland women writers, to be published in November.
JOANNA NESBIT published “Artists Paint the Town—La Bella Strada Arts Festival & 14th Annual Chalk ArtFest” in the August issue of Entertainment News Northwest.
Success happens in clusters, writers! Keep the announcements coming and keep inspiring us!
Research for Fun & Profit By Pamela Kim Good research adds zing to your submissions all year long, but instead of taking a scholarly approach, why not take a fun approach instead? Unlike when you had to do term papers in school, you don’t always have to spend hours at the library. You can make profitable strides from the comfort of your own Internet connection!
Eight Cool Reference Links
With these reference links at your disposal, plus the others you’ll surely find during your Web travels, you’re ready for semester after semester of prolific productivity.
An office-supply junkie obsessed with managing stuff, Pamela Kim is a freelance marketing consultant who arranges words on paper so companies can communicate more effectively with their customers and each other. Her writing has appeared in Nephrology News & Issues, Strategic HealthCare Marketing, Bay Area Girls Center, and a collection of corporate publications. She lives in bucolic Northern California with her 5-year-old daughter. Three Places To Meet and Greet Industry InsidersBy Kelly HuffmanAuthors of the Flathead October 13-15 This smallish Montana conference attracts high-profile presenters from across the country, including Pam Houston, author of Cowboys Are My Weakness. Carolyn Campbell, a professional freelancer with over 700 magazine articles to her credit, will anchor the nonfiction track. A Hollywood screenwriter/playwright will shed light on the craft of dramatic writing, and publishing professionals will make the trek from the east coast to lend their expertise. http://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference.asp
North Carolina Writers’ Network November 10-12 The rich literary atmosphere of Durham, North Carolina provides the backdrop for this annual inquiry into all things writerly. A fine roster of presenters will offer professional insight on everything from query letters with bling to conducting oral history interviews. Editors and agents will be on hand to help move your work out of the slush pile and into the production line. There’s also a poetry track and forays into travel writing and screenwriting. http://www.ncwriters.org/programs/conferences/fall/fc2006/
Kelly Huffman is a freelance writer based in Seattle. She contributes reviews and arts news to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the website Theatermania.com, and writes for the local lifestyle publication Destination Issaquah.
Vist www.christinakatz.com for more information. Christina hopes to meet you in-person at an upcoming writers conference! And did you know that many of Writers On The Rise columnists are also speakers on a variety of topics? Take a peek at their outstanding Bios. I think you will agree that Writers On The Rise has a pretty darn impressive line-up of contributing writers. America's Report Card by John McNallyReviewed By Cathy BelbenJohn McNally's newly published novel, America's Report Card, is creating a buzz for its satirical examination of standardized testing and politics. Told from two viewpoints – that of a troubled teen who answers the test's essay question in a flippant, yet honest way – and a test reader who reads her response and seeks her out to help her. Insightful and funny, America's Report Card is the perfect back-to-school read.
McNally is also an accomplished short fiction writer, widely published in literary magazines and the author of The Book of Ralph, a hilarious collection of interrelated stories about two boys growing up and getting into mischief in mid-70s Chicago. This is the perfect choice for fiction writers who need inspiration. McNally's language, characterization, and timing are beautiful, and the ending of each of his stories is a mini-lesson in how to create a moving, thoughtful, and memorable conclusion. I turned the last page and immediately went to work on a new short story.
Cathy Belben lives in Bellingham, Washington, where she earned early fame for her award-winning fourth grade essay, “What the flag means to me” and later wrote bad rhyming poetry for the Whatcom Middle School Warrior Express. She recently survived a year in Hollywood writing for the show Veronica Mars. She’s returned to her normal life as a high school teacher and librarian, a triathlete, a weightlifter, a yogi, a dog’s mom, a cat’s slave, an artist, a napper, a nanny and an auntie. She’s thankful every day for everything. Share The Electronic Wealth By Susan W. Clark Fall is such a luscious time of year, vibrating with back-to-school energy. Someone in your family may need a computer upgrade as they return to school, or perhaps you will, as you're taking your writing to a new level. Don't let your old computer join the millions that aren't recycled.
Regardless of where you live, you'll probably find a nearby recycler who takes computers. I found over 15 million results on the web. Here are some tips on making sure your discard is as useful as possible to a charity or the next user.
Is your computer over five years old? Give it to a recycler. Recyclers remove hazardous materials and separate plastics and metals, selling the remainders to specialty businesses who will re-use many elements of the equipment.
Less than five years old? Your computer goes to a refurbisher. They'll check the machine and peripherals, clear the hard disk, make sure the machine works, and then get it to a charity, school, or other end user. This can save the charity up to $400. Check the details provided by the refurbisher to make sure you are comfortable with where their products end up.
The most useful way to give a computer away is to package all the media and documentation that came with it, including the operating system.
If you ever etched a social security number on it for identification, deface that number. Also, check the refurbisher's policy on hard disk destruction or wiping, as a single deletion doesn't really clear the disk. If you feel safer wiping the hard disk yourself there are commercial and freeware programs available for Mac and PC computers. Some can be downloaded from the Web.
Be sure to keep a receipt for tax time. Have a happy fall and enjoy that shiny new computer.
Susan W. Clark is a freelance writer and photographer. Her work regularly appears in publications such as Capital Press, In Good Tilth, Permaculture Activist, the Canby Herald, and Small Farmer’s Journal. She was recently recognized as Author of the Year by the editor of In Good Tilth. She co-founded Oregon Sustainable Agriculture Land Trust (OSALT) and is editor of the quarterly journal SALT of the Earth. She lives with her husband near Canby, Oregon.
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