Suicide Bombings in Moscow — Dozens Dead, Many Injured

According to the BBC World News, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov told reporters gathered outside Park Kultury, "According to preliminary information provided by the Federal Security Service, two female suicide bombers were involved." BBC also reports the subway system in Moscow "is one of the most-used underground railways in the world, carrying some 5.5 million passengers a day." The bombings were in two different train stations—the first was at Lubyanka station during the peak of the rush hour, the second was at Park Kultury. These trains are six stops apart.

May 1–4

I just found out I'm getting an all-expenses-paid trip to Puerto Rico! It's for writing a travel piece for The Resident magazine. woo hoo!

March & April Magazine Articles

3 more of my articles will be coming out in the first week of April. One is about writer, music-biz advisor, and self-empowerment coach, Daylle Deanna Schwartz. Daylle's ecclectic mix of careers is evidence of her non-stop energy. Check out her website and you'll see how much one woman can get done! Puts most of us to shame! Another April article is about fun NYC Spring activities. The 3rd article is about a luxury resort that offers whale watching and programs that gives instructions—through fun games and interactive events—how to take better care of our environment. I'll post all 3 as soon as the April issue of The Resident magazine becomes available. The current online Resident is the March issue. On the home page, in the 2nd listing, peruse, "Let There Be Art: Spring 2010 Exhibits." 2 additional articles can be viewed by clicking the top left magazine cover icon. When the vicab viewer appears in the window use the scroll bar to visit page 157—an interview with Julie and Madelyn Petrow-Cohen. This piece covers financial planning and the emotional aspects of money stress. The Last Word column in the March issue is on the last page. It's an interview with bestselling author and speaker Laura Fredricks and her new book, The Ask, about getting what you ask for. Hope you enjoy! Comments are always welcome! And please feel free to tell me about any new books or events you'd like covered. I'm always open to your ideas.

Esquire Magazine Augmented Reality Issue

Want to get kinda freaked out in a good way? How 'bout in a gr8 way? Check out startling technology in a special AR issue of Esquire magazine. You can watch the video and see Robert Downey, Jr. pop up and start talking. But that's not the only thing. There are other pages that you hold up to your computer screen and can see #D-looking people talking and moving. Freaky Deaky and FUN! Check it out.

Freelance Writers! Conference of the Year

The 39th Annual American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Writers Conference takes place this year on April 24–25 at The Roosevelt Hotel, NYC. Come hear me speak on Sunday, April 25th at 9am — Panel Topic: Websites for Writers. Learn tips and tricks for driving people to your website, making a strong impression, blogging, social media and more! Hope to see you there!

Make $$ from Blogging

Panel: How to Make $$ from Blogging.
Date: April 15
Time:  6pm
Location: Tribeca Cinemas 54 Varick Street @ Laight Street

Barack Obama Wins! Passes HCR Bill!

After his win, our President Barack Obama said, "We proved that this government—a government of the people and by the people—still works for the people." House of Representatives voted 219 to pass Obama's health care reform bill.Yay! It was a close vote with 212 against the HCR bill. To pay for the necessary costs, taxes will increase to the tune of $400 billion. The good news is that about half of that money will be taxed to folks with incomes over $200,000 and couples over $250,000. So, finally the middle class will benefit — not the wealthy — on something significant. I'm happy about this. Comments?

The Ghost Writer

Just saw this flick at the Chelsea Clearview Cinema. It was full of intrigue and suspense. Powerful ending. Roman Polanski did a good job. It's a well written story too. Ewan McGregor did some fine acting. I give it 3 out of a possible 4 stars.

Career Achievement Award From ASJA

ASJA (American Society of Journalists & Authors) will have an awards ceremony at their annual conference. Sally Wendkos Olds will be a recipient. Yes, we're related. She's my Mom! I'm so very proud—and glad I inherited the writing gene. Can i get a woo hoo for Mom?

SAVE THE DATE!

The 39th Annual American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Writers Conference takes place this year on April 24–25 at The Roosevelt Hotel, NYC. Come hear me speak on Sunday, April 25th at 9am — Panel Topic: Websites for Writers.

Secrets of Publishing Your First Book

Saturday 3/20 Susan Shapiro, author of 8 books and hundreds of articles for major publications, is giving a seminar in Greenwich Village from 1 to 5 pm. The seminar will include speakers Kate Garrick, agent and Paul Whitlatch, editor who are publishing her former students' books.

Business Owners often say, "I Don't Have Time for Social Media."

What they don't realize is that they're saying, "I don't have time to tell people about what I do." It seems to be a generation gap. People who are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and up, are used to the old way of marketing and promotion. They believe in advertising that costs a lot of money, i.e., TV, radio & print ads. The number of people that can be reached on social media platforms is staggering. 

Here are some of the latest stats: As of Oct. 2009 Twitter grew 200% from 2008. About.com predicts 26M Twitter users in 2010. Softpedia.com states, "175 Million People Use Facebook Every Day." Today on blog.linkedin.com the headline reads, "LinkedIn: 50 million professionals worldwide." How can a business owner, in this hot social media climate, refuse to spend an alloted time every day on social media? If the owner has no time, they need to be smart and create a social media budget and hire people to write blogs, and post to the main 3 social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. Many businesses also create videos and post them to their website and YouTube, while also linking to videos from their other social media accounts.

Many business owners are getting the wrong idea when they hear "social." They think that means people are only using social media to joke around and shoot the breeze. What they are missing is a powerful marketing tool to help spread the word quickly about their brand and services. Word-of-mouth referral has always been, and remains, one of the best means to reach new clients.

Today I'll write 3 magazine articles while the rain pours down in Chelsea, NYC.

Eye-Opening Internet Stats

The State of The Internet [VIDEO]. Great to show clients who are dragging their feet with social media. Many of my clients have said "they don't have time." My opinion is they better make time or they'll be left in the dust!

Twitter Users' Grades

List of the "Twitter Elite" includes the top 1 - 1000 users. The top 3 are chrisbrogan, nytimes, guykawasaki.

Next 3 Stories

i'm going to write about an author named Daylle Deanna Schwartz. She writes books about the music industry and self-empowerment and making your dreams come true. I'll also be writing an article about upcoming NYC events. The 3rd article will be about whale watching. Yup, you heard me right. Articles will be posted first week in April. Don't forget to check out March articles by clicking on the thumbnail links in the left column. Let me know what projects you're working on!

3 New Articles Just a Click Away

In the left column the 3 new "thumbs" to click on are:

1. Profile of Author Laura Fredricks' The Ask
2. "Take a Deep Breath and Do Your Taxes"—a double interview with financial advisor, Julie Petrow-Cohen, and psychotherapist, Madelyn Petrow-Cohen
3. Spring Art Exhibits in Manhattan

Comments always welcome!!

Stay tuned!

I'll be posting 3 newly published articles later today. But for now I must write up 3 new contracts for web design and social media consulting. What is it they say about good luck coming in 3s?

37 Lectures for Writers

One of my blog readers sent me a link to 37 Lectures for writers. Check 'em out! Here's a teaser ...

"There are few people more qualified to offer advice to writers than those who are authors themselves, and that’s just what these lectures do. Tune in to hear big names and critically acclaimed authors give their advice on writing."

Authors included are Stephen King, John Irving, Ray Bradbury and Gore Vidal.

Please write to let me know what you think!

New Mac Pro Computer

Good morning! I am back from a long strange trip into the land of a comatose computer. My worst fear happened. My computer died yesterday. I was cut-off from my world. Spent the day at Apple store on 67th Street and Broadway. I was led around by kind sales people who understood my pain. I walked out of there with a Mac Pro tower and laptop on a hand cart borrowed from my superintendent. My Apple sales dude got me to one of those nice big cabs and we fit everything in and off i went to return to my home/office where i began my ardent task of setting up all the new toys. Ay yi yi. Not easy. Not. But here I am triumphant. Writing to you from my new keyboard. My computer techie dude had the nerve to be away on vaca in France this week. I'm going to wring his neck upon his return. I have spoken.

Oh, and Good morning!

How Small Business Is Using Social Media

University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business conducted a study that found 1 in 5 small business owners are integrating social media. Facebook and Linkedin were the most popular sites. 45% surveyed believe their social media efforts will pay off financially in 12 months or less.

Half of those surveyed found the time it takes to use social media sites more daunting than expected, 61% are still putting in the hours and making active efforts to identify new customers.

Clearly social media has become a valuable tool for small businesses... read more

(source: Mashable)