Need to polish your pitch? Erin Caldwell, the public relations executive we interview in this week's "Candlepower" feature, recommends these blogs for improving your PR communications skills:

Better Communications Results

Communication Overtones

The Flack

Diva Marketing Blog

Micro Persuasion

PR Studies

When Erin Caldwell was a senior at Auburn University in Alabama she wanted to learn more about public relations, her major, than what she got from the classroom. So she launched a website called Forward-Moving that brings together PR novices with the salty veterans of the trade. The website was a hit, popular with students and young PR professionals who use it to gain practical, real-world advice on all sides of the business -- including writing for public relations. Which, naturally, is what we discussed with Erin, who now works at a major public relations firm in Washington, DC:

 Continue reading...

Want to write a better press release? PR professional Erin Caldwell suggests you read Public Relations Writing: The Essentials of Style and Format by Thomas H. Bivins. While they're not books, per se, Erin also recommends you listen to these podcasts: For Immediate Release and Inside PR.

Write a Novel is "a form of open courseware," says the website's creator. His goal is to "give you some basic information on topics related to writing fiction in general and a novel in particular." The site includes 18 downloadable guides that discuss everything from story synopsis to plotting to writing habits. Wondering what comes after, "It was a dark and stormy night?" This site can help you. (And help you write a better open!)

We're all aflutter in the Lounge this month, and hope that what we're crowing about doesn't stick in anyone's craw.  Continue reading...