Hot for Words: Origins of the word Christmas

by Sheila Tofflemire December 23, 2009

And Marina explains where “Xmas” and “Santa Claus” came from, as well…

Visit Marina’s website here: Hot for Words

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Great tips for getting the most out of an eReader

by Sheila Tofflemire December 21, 2009

Read: 101 Tips for All Your eBook Reader Needs
There really are 101 tips in this article with lots of links to provide you with information in the following areas:

Selecting an eReader
Downloading eBooks
Free eBook locations
Reading tips
eReader accessories
Security and protection

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Our eBook selection of the week: Friday, December 18, 2009

by Sheila Tofflemire December 18, 2009

Write Where the Money Is
From the author:
“I don’t have a boss. I set my own schedule. I don’t drive to work. I take time off whenever I want. Magazines pay me to travel all over the world, have cool experiences, meet amazing people, and then write about them.”
More from the website below:
Write Where the Money [...]

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Grammar Tips: Choosing ‘a’ or ‘an’

by Sheila Tofflemire December 17, 2009

Many people think that choosing to use the indefinite article a or an depends on whether the word that follows starts with a consonant or a vowel. However, many people are wrong.
It’s not spelling that matters. What counts is the sound of the word that follows. Use a when followed by a consonant sound, including [...]

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Hot for Words: Conundrum — a made-up word?

by Sheila Tofflemire December 16, 2009

Apparently so…Who knew?

Hot for Words website

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Warning to traditional publishers: Adapt or die

by Sheila Tofflemire December 14, 2009

The publishing industry news is all abuzz with word that several major publishing houses have announced that they will be delaying the release of their eBook versions until four months after the release of hardcover books. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking this: What are they smoking?
Seriously, do they really hate their customers so [...]

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Especially for men: Hot for Words

by Sheila Tofflemire December 11, 2009

This philologist is the reason my husband started to take an interest in words. Here is her introductory video:

Marina explains “Pusillanimous”

You can visit her website here: Hot for Words.

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Our eBook selection of the week: Friday, December 11, 2009

by Sheila Tofflemire December 11, 2009

Screenwriting Goldmine
From the author:
“I’ve been a professional screenwriter and story editor at the very top of the UK television industry for nearly fifteen years. I’ve poured all my experience into this intensive, highly readable, intensely focused, super high quality screenwriting system…a simple step by step method to guide YOU all the way from blank page [...]

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GalleyCat gives birth to eBookNewser

by Sheila Tofflemire December 7, 2009

Great news! GalleyCat, dedicated to reporting on the book publishing industry, has launched eBookNewser — a site blog for covering anything eBook related.
This site will cover eBooks, digital reading devices, publishing technology, smartphone reading applications, digital self-publishing, and the rapidly evolving future of digital publishing.

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Grammar Tips: Lie or lay?

by Sheila Tofflemire December 6, 2009

The proper use of these verbs creates quite a conundrum for most of us. I often have to look them up just to remind myself of the proper usage.
First, let’s define them:

Lie¹ – to tell an untruth
Lie² – to recline; to rest in a horizontal or recumbent position
Lay – to put or place something

For the [...]

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eReaders: To buy or not to buy…

by Sheila Tofflemire December 1, 2009

That really is the eReader purchase question.
I know in the past I’ve said, “Wait!” But perhaps I need to rethink my position. Should we be holding out for better eReaders? Should we wait until dual colour screens are available? I know there’s better selection coming, but is waiting really worth it?
What’s got me reconsidering an [...]

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Exposing the “science” behind the theory of evolution

by Sheila Tofflemire November 29, 2009

I came across the following book while reading a favourite book publishing blog: View From the Publishing Trenches. This is not a review, but rather just a notification of a book that caught my eye. This is one I’ll have to read; it has me intrigued.In light of the ongoing scandal involving the “scientific consensus” [...]

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Christmas gift ideas for book lovers

by Sheila Tofflemire November 27, 2009

For the reading enthusiast on your shopping list: The New York Times Book Review has made its selection of 100 Notable Books for 2009.

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Duty calls

by Sheila Tofflemire November 26, 2009

Unfortunately I haven’t had much time for posting lately. I’m in the middle of two large projects: developing an instruction manual for an anxious client, and writing an eBook — details about that at a later date. So, for the next little while, posts will be intermittent at best.
And, before I forget…Happy Thanksgiving Day, America!

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Amazon’s Kindle comes to Canada: I say, “Big deal!”

by Sheila Tofflemire November 18, 2009

So much buzz surrounding the announcement that Amazon’s Kindle is now available in Canada – but why?
I’m an avid reader, and as discussed before, I love eBooks: for the space they save and the portability factor. So, you might think that this announcement by Amazon would fill my heart with glee. Nothing could be further [...]

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