An Eagle's Nest Homeschool : Frugal and Free Educational, Travel, and Family Resources

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A Wise Steward’s Page for Writers Find Christian writer’s and homeschool educational opportunities, Blogging resources, free writing courses, frugal and free homeschool and educational resources, networking, electronic publishing resources, self-publishing, print on demand, book marketing, web authoring, promotion, free domain names, humor for writers, free web sites and freeware, shareware, software for writers. New: check out our Eagle's Nest Homeschool and Educational Travel Resources BLOG. We’ve been sharing writer’s resources, computer graphics, freeware, shareware and freebies for writers since 1997; also tips for Christian writers, homeschoolers, web site editors, multimedia authors and self-publishers. For several years, I guided a Christian writer’s group in Pataskala, Ohio. In that capacity, probably the question I heard most often is: “How can I get my work published?” There’s more than one way to avoid rejections, whether you are a seasoned veteran, or trying to get your feet wet. Proverbs 15:22 says: “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counselors they are established.” We can all learn from each other. That’s what makes writer’s clubs and networking so essential. Networking only works if we all participate and, well, network. So let me know what you think. Share writing and self-publishing resources, and stop by often. I plan to update the links frequently, include guest columnists, and post regular updates. New: check out our http://eaglesnesthome.blogspot.com . Who am I, anyway? I’ve co-authored two nonfiction books, Educational Travel on a Shoestring: Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home and Homeschooling on a Shoestring (Harold Shaw Publishing). You can read more about me, and my books, at http://www.eaglesnesthome.com/shoe.htm . Frequently Asked Questions 1. How Can I Get My Work Published? I’m Tired of Rejection Slips! Many of you already know, or suspect, that the web is a pretty good place to get published. Creating your own web site represents one obvious way. And the web offers plenty of counselors to help you get started, even if (like me) you’re basically a low-tech type. If you are already an expert on paperless publishing and HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language, used to publish web pages), please bear with us, as everyone needs to start somewhere. Better yet, help us out with your gentle expertise! I’ve been writing with a computer since I bought my first Atari 800XL (back in—what was it--1981?). In those days, Atari personal computers contained cutting edge word processing software. I hooked up a used business typewriter, which worked as a printer, and backed up my work with a tape recorder-like device. I thought, “I’m free! Now I can get rid of my typing mistakes, and no one will know!” In addition to web site development, my publishing credits run the gamut from Sunday school curriculum for children and adults, to newspaper writing, to business letters and stories. I’ve co-authored two nonfiction books, Educational Travel on a Shoestring : Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home and Homeschooling on a Shoestring (Harold Shaw Publishing) . When I work on this site, I like to spend my time researching and writing, not struggling with java script or html code. I generally used web authoring software when I first started. Although I would still prefer to spend my time writing with a pencil and yellow notepad under a tree, I’ve found that route is not conducive to getting published. So I curtail my instincts, bite the bullet, get lots of help, and work with this computer stuff. If I can do it, so can you! (I’m even starting to—shudder—customize web forms in notepad!) I’m learning to keep a pocket computer with me (a Compaq Ipaq) when I’m on the go. “Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:2-3. Looking for Writing Jobs? Try the following Freelance Writing Information and Opportunities: Creative Freelancers, http://www.freelancers.com/ Freelance Writing Job Bank, http://www.freelancewriting.com.fjb.html/ JobLink, http://www.newslink.org/joblink.htm l Writerfind.com—Freelance Jobs, http://www.writerfind.com/fleelance_jobs Writerswrite.net, http://www.writerswrite.net/teljlist.cfm Writing Jobs—Writersdigest.com--101sites, http://www.writersdigest.com/101sites Telecommuting at About.com, http://www.telecommuting.about.com/smallbusiness/telecomuting/msub.29.htm Jobs at Gospelcom.net, http://www.gospelcom.net/epa/jobs.html JobSwarm.com, http://www.jobswarm.com/50476569-2593 Writing Employment Center, http://www.poewar.com/jobs.htm Editorial Freelancers Assoc., http://www.the-efa.org/ http://www.religionnews.com http://www.anthologiesonline.com Rosedog—connects writers, agents and publishers, http://www.rosedog.com Assist News: National and International News Media source, http://www.assistnews.net/ Free Ads: Publishers Looking for Writers Study Guide Writers Needed! Reconciliation Press, http://www.reconciliation.com is the creator of The Century War Chronicles, a historical fiction series about the spiritual war for the hearts and minds of America’s young people. Capable and interested? Check the web site for more information. Seeds Christian Tracts: One of our goals has been to be able to offer tracts written by other authors and tract publishing companies. We would very much welcome any submissions and would be glad to format and publish any and all good Christian tracts that are meant to lead people to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Any help you could offer in this area would be of great help to us. http://www.tracts.com . PrayerWorks was started in 1988 as a ministry to people living in retirement centers. These older folks often feel that they are no longer useful to themselves and to others. PrayerWorks teams have encouraged these elderly people to recognize their value to God as prayer warriors. Since its inception, the PrayerWorks audience has grown until it now reaches 2,000 to 3,000 people. The increase in readership has brought a greater age span. Nearly 40% is now under 50 years old. PrayerWorks publishes a weekly prayer letter which includes a devotional to get the thoughts headed toward God. Then prayer requests, praises, and answers are listed. The devotional needs to be 350 to 500 words...with a strong take away. It needs to be crafted so as to say the most in the least space. Subject matter may include anything which will build a relationship with the Lord. Prayer, ways to pray, stories of answered prayer, teaching on a Scripture portion, articles that will build faith, or poems will all work. We even use a series occasionally. There is no pay—except we’ll send you as many copies as you would like. You retain all copyrights to your work. The letter is not copyrighted. We will respond within three weeks and will publish as space permits, usually within a month. Whether you submit or not, PrayerWorks would still be happy to add you to our mailing list if you would like to receive the letter. There is no charge. In His Service, VAnn Mandeville Editor PrayerWorks is a ministry of The Master’s Work. Please send requests to: P.O. Box 301363 Portland, OR 97294 Phone: (503) 761-2072 Fax: (503) 760-1184 E-mail Jay4Prayer@AOL.com or 76753.3202@compuserve.com . “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to Heaven” is looking for your original Christian-themed jokes, humorous short stories, and funny proverbs, $25 per item used. Send submissions to Bruce Hood, 311 9th St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648; (714)536-8950; CHOOD31@AOL.COM . Do you have something to say to Christians in Media in your segment of media? Say it NOW!!! Send your editorials to CMNMail@aol.com . They will be considered for the CMN site. CHRISTIAN MEDIA NEWS, http://www.christianmedianews.org . This also gives you an opportunity to advertise your business, free, through your editorials, etc. Visit http://www.prisoneralert.com , through The Voice of the Martyrs monthly newsletter, and learn how you can write to the prisoners for Christ in their own language. Hidden Manna, http://members.tripod.com/~hiddenmanna/index.html : Do many stories in the Bible leave you with more questions than answers? -Do you think a new form of Christian fiction needs to emerge? -Does the art and theology of story fascinate you? -Are you compelled to tell the story of one person’s journey? -Would you like to read interviews with the outcast instead of the famous? Then you should write for Hidden Manna! Hidden Manna is dedicated to the belief that a faith nurtured by stories is a faith that endures. Hidden Manna is an eclectic quarterly journal written by people of diverse faiths. Hidden Manna launches its first issue Fall 1998. We are now accepting submissions of: innovative Christian fiction, imaginative retellings of Bible stories; essays on narrative theology, essays on Bible stories, interviews, Christian poetry, book reviews-and more (see website) You may submit manuscripts and queries via email to: hiddenmanna@yahoo.com .Or via regular mail with SASE to: Hidden Manna Editor 17914 Valley Knoll Houston, TX 77056. For links about self-publishing, in various format, scroll down to the links at the end of this page. 2. Where Can I Get Web Authoring Software, On a Shoestring? I’ve checked out AOLpress, which is freeware, even if you’re not on America On Line. I’ve tried Hot Dog and WebMania, and dozens more can be sampled from the internet as full featured demos (Follow the links from this page.) Some of you with plenty of space on your hard drive might like Netscape Navigator Gold, (Some say it’s great, and easy to use. Other web developers disagree) Home Site or Microsoft’s Front Page. Please let me know what you think, web developers. What’s the easiest, full-featured software for web authoring? Also, I welcome constructive critiques from qualified persons, and your suggestions to improve this site. I am still trying out demos myself, so I am open on the subject of “the best” web authoring program. I beta tested (previewed to catch the “bugs”) the free beta version of Atrax. It didn’t eat my computer; however, it self-destructed. That’s how the publisher gets you to download the updated version. It included wizard features for the novice, as well as every current advanced feature known to man. Finally, I actually purchased a web authoring package called Submit This! I bought it at the Incredible Universe 50% off Going Out of Business Sale. It included CGI forms, a database, and Hot Metal Light. The forms are great, but it seems easier to alter them myself in Notepad, than it would be to learn Hot Metal Light! Hot Metal Light is Heavy, not light, on features. I think it will be great, if I ever find time to learn it! 3. Where Can I Put My Page? I assume you’re already on the Internet, or you wouldn’t be reading this. Many of the Internet service providers give you free space for your site, once you pay their regular monthly rates. If yours doesn’t, check around; there are plenty of free trial offers out there. If you haven’t received dozens of discs in the mail already, look in any web site guide at the library (Dewey number 651, for technology) for the section on Internet Providers, and call their 800 numbers. Books remain indispensable for many of us. Hey, don’t feel guilty; just don’t cut down any 200 year old oaks. If you cut down a tree, remember to replant. Here are a few hard copy, floppy, and CD ROM resources for your paperless publishing ventures, either on or off the web (see below). 4. Where Can I Get Print Resources For Publishing On the Web? • Idiot’s Guide to Creating an HTML Web Page, Paul McFedries. 1996. I don’t mind if they call me an idiot or a dummy, if they help me understand this computer stuff! If you call someone a “nerd,” please say it with respect, in an awed, hushed voice. We need our nerds! Some “nerds” are worth $12 Billion! The book contains a free disc with HTML Editors, utilities, sample graphics and a graphics converter. • Creating Web Pages For Dummies (for absolute beginners), and HTML For Dummies (for beginners and intermediate): I wish I knew about these before I wasted a lot of valuable time on my own. The best beginner’s guides I’ve seen. You really don’t need to be a techie to understand hypertext; I’m living proof! Both books include CD ROMS with authoring programs for MACs or IBMs. These programs are available on-line, but some people prefer not to download off the internet. The book is useful, even without the programs. • Low-Cost, High Yield Strategies For Small Business & Professionals Marketing Online, Marcia Yudkin. Just a book, but no hype; the title says it all. • Building the Successful Internet Business: The Essential Sourcebook For Creating Businesses On the Net, David Elderbrock, Nitin Borwankar, published by IDG Books. “Includes CD ROM packed with trial versions of commercial authoring, database, and server application software.” • Infopreneurs: Online and Global, H. Skip Weitzen and Rick Parkhill, published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. “Money-making secrets of successful online entrepreneurs, Step-by-step instructions for launching an online information business, Innovative ideas for gathering and selling information online.” • Yahoo! Unplugged: Your Discovery Guide to the Web, by David Filo and Jerry Yang, published by IDG Books. It contains addresses for over 80,000 web sites. In addition, it comes with a compact disc, (CD ROM), and contains information such as where to register your domain name (such as http://www.yahoo.com , or http://www.mypage.com , or whatever you want to call it). • Harley Hahn’s Internet & Web Yellow Pages, Harley Hahn: Make sure you buy or borrow the 1997 edition. Helpful research resource, for the most part. 5. Where Can I Get Electronic (Paperless) Publishing Resources? • EBooks and Bytes, http://www.ebooksnbytes.com , includes reviews of electronic book creation software. • Welcome To...Multimedia, by Linda Tway, published by MIS: Press. It includes a CD-ROM with Multimedia ToolBook software, for creating multi-media graphics, animation, and sound. • How to Make a Million Writing for the New Interactive Multimedia and CD ROM Market, by Carole Marsh, Exaggerated hype aside, the book contains useful and down-to-earth information in tutorial, visual format. Good for beginners. • Multimedia: Making it Work, Tay Vaughan, published by Osborne McGraw-Hill. Serious textbook stuff; not for the timid. Don’t be scared off. If you use this for a reference, it can make you a multimedia expert on cutting edge multimedia tools and techniques! It also includes “two hybrid CD ROMS from Macromedia and Allegiant packed with demos and working trial versions of the hottest multimedia development tools around: Director, Authorware, Shockwave, Freehand, Action, SuperCard, and Marionet.” • If you already own a copy of Microsoft Word for Windows, you might want to download the Microsoft Viewer before you shell out actual cash for any multimedia authoring software. Viewer is freeware, and can help you distribute your multimedia work of art cross platform (people can view it on any system). Also, you can author web pages with later versions of Microsoft Word. Check it out! Click here to go to http://www.Microsoft.com ; then navigate to their freeware area . • How To Sell Your Software, by Bob Schenot, published by John Wiley and Sons, Useful information for authors, not just programmers, on how to develop, distribute, market, and sell software through shareware and retail channels. Bob Schenot is a shareware author and business consultant. • Entertainment In the Cyber Zone: Exploring the Interactive Universe of Multimedia, Chris McGowan and Jim McCullaugh, Random house, includes hundreds of reviews of the best electronic media. People do publish real books on CD and disc—even real novels. What will you write about? That’s a hard one. The only limits are good taste and your imagination. You’re the publisher, and you don’t have to give yourself a rejection letter! • Web Publishing with Hot Metal, James Jaworski, SYBEX, includes Hot Metal Light 2.0 web utilities, and graphics. 6. Help! I’ve notified the search engines about my site, but I think my web page is getting lost! How can you get it noticed? Be notorious! Conventional wisdom says to submit your URL to all the major search engiines, such as http://www.Excite.com , http://www.InfoSeek.com, http://www.Lyco.com , http://www.Webcrawler.com , and http://www.Yahoo.com . Let’s be honest. It is an excruciatingly painful process. You can make the process of publicizing your site somewhat easier if you utilize free web promotion services. I would suggest starting with Yahoo, if you want to do the hardest first. A hint—you need to figure out your subcategory, and then go there to submit your URL (Uniform resource locator, you web address.) I browsed around Yahoo for a couple hours before I figured it all out. You can probably figure it out more quickly! Another hint: you can speed up the process if you check the “no pictures” option on your browser before you start. Yahoo rewards you when you finish. They give you a loooong listing of links to auto submission areas; most of them offer free submission. It’s up to you, of course, if you want to pay for any additional advertising. Try a free submission service, such as http://www.Addme.com . You just fill in one form, to submit to a number of search engines and directories. We list more in our resources, below. I heard the other day that people actually charge for this service, one even claiming you could “Beat me, hurt me, make me type URLs!” Now that my fingers are about to fall off and my eyes are crossed, I know what they mean! You can also insert meta tags to make sure the search engine spiders categorize your site correctly. The tags are the commands in your HTML document that look like: <META>. I’m certainly no expert on HTML, so I won’t try to explain how to use meta tags. Instead, I’ll refer you to the experts, listed in our links. Probably the quickest way to get noticed is to offer, and ask for, reciprocal links. Use the search engines and internet yellow pages to find dozens of interesting and relevant links to other sites, and post them on your page. For instance, I recently exchanged links with http://carltonross.tripod.com/ , which offers information for writers and self publishers on e-Bay marketing, as well as software for publishing e-books. Check the links, to make sure they work. While you’re visiting the other site, click on their “mailto” button, if they have one. E-mail them something like: “Hi. I loved your site, and listed you on my page. I would appreciate reciprocal links to my site at (URL).” Usually people agree, if they include links on their site already, and your site is relevant to their topic. Even if you don’t see any external links on their site, go ahead and ask anyway. I did, and received a response of “I never had links before, but will start with you.” You never know! You can tell your family and limitless supply of friends about your site, and ask for their feedback. Include your web address on your checks, stationery and business cards. If you advertise off the web, always include your web address in advertisements. Also, you can submit your site URL to newsgroups, appropriate online forums and announcement sites, but check the Frequently Asked Questions at each area first to make sure it’s okay. The major service providers have Internet Publishing Forums you can visit, and some allow you to announce your site. You can also learn a lot, and find helpful resources. You can increase the traffic to your site if you include more web pages, with different topics, and advertise each one individually. If you specialize in more than one area, you will be able to list your site in Directories under many different categories. Some sites will want to link to your home page; some to your separate pages. Just make sure the pages don’t get rearranged when you update them, or people will get lost. Finally, try blogging. Why do I blog? Let me count the ways: 1. I blog because people like to read blogs. 2. People can search the blogging hosts by keywords, for instance “homeschool freebies,” and find my blog. 3. Blogs are fresher, and updated more often than most web pages. 4. My life is already an open book, and blogs are personal—it’s like peeking into someone’s private diary. 5. People can “talk back” to blogs, so they get immediate satisfaction out of them. 6. Blogs are “hot” right now, and the blogging host advertises my blog for free. 7. The blogging host made it easy for me to create and update my blog—no coding necessary. 8. Blogging takes information out of the hands of the media filters and makes it free, accessible—and testable. 9. Blogs are the future; the mainstream media elite, the past—at least I hope so. 10. Blogs are fun! Judith Allee shared the following links to compare Blogs vs. Ezines: Read 4 reasons why ezines are better than blogs. http://emailuniverse.com/ezine-tips/?Why-Ezines-Still-Beat-Blogs&id=1287 7 reasons why blogs beat ezines: http://emailuniverse.com/ezine-tips/?Why-Blogs-Are-Beating-Out-Ezines-...-And-Matter-So-Much-to-Your-Platform&id=1286 New: check out our Eagle's Nest Homeschool and Educational Travel Resources BLOG. Finally, you will need a domain name that doesn’t contain little thing-a-ma-jigs and do-hickeys, like ~ and /. I started looking for alternatives. Click here for Domain Registration information. FYI (For Your Information), many web host services and Internet providers do this for you. 7. What Do You Mean By “Electronic Publishing?” Is It the Same Thing As “Desktop Publishing?” You’re right; the term electronic publishing is pretty ambiguous. Usually people don’t mean desktop publishing, though. Perhaps a better term would be “Paperless Publishing,” the title of a book on the subject of creating your own electronic (not paper) books. Also, anything you publish on the web, or upload to an electronic publishing archive (either on the internet or a BBS—electronic bulletin board), could be considered electronic publishing. Don’t blame me; I didn’t plan this. 8. Doesn’t Electronic Publishing Mean You don’t Get Paid? Why Would Anyone Want To Give Away A Book Or An Article As Shareware Or Over the Internet? Some people just want to share their ideas, give a little information back to the web, or become a recognized, published expert in their field. Statistically, most people “forget” to register and pay for shareware. If you would like to receive some compensation for your work, you will want to protect your file with an encryption program, to lock out the data you want your readers to pay for. You leave the parts of your file unlocked that would offer a taste of your masterpiece, and make them so hungry for more that they send you money. If your know any good encryption programs, please let us know. You can find reviews of electronic publishing software (such as Activ E-Book Compiler) at http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/compiler_review.shtml , which gives information about security. If security is your concern, you may need to put out more money for electronic file creation software. 9. How Much Will It Cost Me To Get Started In Electronic Publishing? How Can I Save Money? Carefully check out our link, below. You’ll find some services that will help you publish for little or no money upfront. If you already have the use of a computer and Internet access, or can borrow it from a friend, you can easily learn to use free authoring software, and upload your files to a free website or print on demand service. We list some possibilities in our links. If you have a computer, you can also get started in electronic publishing for as little as nothing, using freeware or the word processing program you already own. In its very simplest form, you can produce your work on any computer capable of word processing, in RTF (Rich Text Format) or ASCII, so that it can be viewed cross platform (on any system). If you want to add multimedia effects, you’ll need a more advanced, faster computer. Still, remember that all computers are obsolete, as soon as you get them out of the box. You don’t need the latest equipment, since you are producing material for the vast majority of the market, which uses outdated computers. (Until only a few years ago, I used a Laser 386 with Windows 3.1, hardly the cutting edge of technology.) Try out software extensively before you buy anything. If your library doesn’t own a book or CD that you want to borrow, ask your librarian to buy it. If you really find it helpful, and need it for reference, you can order it yourself later. And of course, as authors, we sympathize with the plight of other authors, and register our shareware. See our links, below, to find free and shareware self-publishing software. 10. How Can I Put Forms, music, Java, CGI and video On My Web Site? Even writers and poets can learn simple HTML. After all, if I did, you surely can. It’s an old joke, but I’m not kidding—I really can’t program my VCR. But I can do this, a little. So you’re ready to try some exotic and fancy stuff. If you want to use advanced features, such as CGI scripting (for browser-compatible forms), check to make sure your web host supports it. I found out the hard way that my free web host didn’t, and I had to pay for a server. The major internet service providers, such as AOL, Compuserve, and Prodigy, do not provide support for CGI scripting, or they only allow very limited use. If you require advanced features in your web site, such as playing MIDI (sound) files, or think you may need them in the future, you might want to look around for a web host who will support them. It pays to plan ahead. If you outgrow your present web site, and need to move later, you might lose your audience. Most of the freeware or inexpensive HTML editors work great for simple HTML editing, but fall short when it comes to adding sound, video, CGI scripting, JAVA applets, and other things that go bump in the night. By the way, to learn HTML by studying other pages, click on view in your browser’s menu, and then source (in Internet Explorer). If you find anything you like, and it’s a public document, you can then highlight the section you want to borrow, click on Edit and then copy. Then you open up your own home page (you can open it in an HTML editor, Notepad, or your browser) and paste in the code! Aren’t you proud? Try these print resources: How to Publish and Promote Online, by M.J. Rose and Angela Adair-Hoy, St. Martin’s Griffin, New York, 2001 101 Ways to Promote Your Web Site, Susan Sweeney, C.A., Maximum Press, FL. 1999 Increase Your Web Traffic In a Weekend, William R. Stanek, Prima Publishing, CA., 2000 Resources and Links: Tips and Courses for Writers, Information on Electronic Publishing, Self-Publishing, Print On Demand, Book Promotion, E-Books, Marketing, Free Web Hosts, Directories, Online Writing and Publishing Magazines, Software, Shareware, Freeware for Writers, Web authoring, Web evangelism, Web Graphics, HTML, and Web Tools Internet surfers, here’s the fun part! For starters, opportunities on the web abound for both published and unpublished writers. (Please note: I haven’t personally used all these resources. Please remember to carefully research them yourself, before committing time and resources to a project.) Know any other helpful or unusual resources? Please share them with us. Add us to your favorites now, so you can find us again easily. Or use your back button to return here Please note: Some of the following sites can’t offer return links. •http://www.inc.com •http://www.angelfire.com •http://www.mallpark.com -Mallpark’s Free Site (commercial) •http://www.cybercity.hko.net , free web sites, includes CGI script hosting, non-profit and personal pages only •http://www.switchboard.com -Search switchboard, and get criminal records and other information for research projects •http://www.clickable.com -Clickable—free web host •http://www.iugm.org/links/dir.html ,Christian Internet Resource Directory •http://www.licium.com ,Licium’s Multimedia Newsletter and Resource Directory—related to the creation or publishing of multimedia, provides a standard listing in resource directory free of charge. •http://directory.crosswalk.com , Christian Directory •http://www.exis.net/story , Story Craft Fiction Writing, free newsletter •http://www.tucows.com ,Tucows is too cute, with lots of links to software freebies and demos. •http://www.netsurf.com/nst ,Netsurfer Tools, free ezine about technology •http://www.brigada.org/today/articles/web-evangelism.html , Christian Web Evangelism helps •EvangeLinks http://www.cforc.com/EvangeLinks •http://www.pittstop.com/index.html , Bill Pitt’s Web Site •http://www.download-freeware-shareware.com/Free-Clipart-And-Gif.php , download freeware clipart and Gifs •http://www.animfactory.com/index.html , paid membership entitles you to graphics. •Andy’s Art Attack http://andyart.com , some animations are free. • http://billpentz.com/animated.htm , free use animated GIFs •Have your URL submitted to up to 200 secondary indices, free. http://www.i-studio.com/entity •http://www.webdeveloper.com , Comprehensive guide on web site creation and software from WebDeveloper Magazine. •http://www.doveministries.com , A unique Christian ministry from New Zealand, with video clips. •http://www.israelshope.com , Israel’s Hope Christian Resource •http://www.clipart.co.uk , Clipart Warehouse, royalty-free, free to use for whatever you want •http://www.webplaces.com/html/clipart.htm ,Webart, check for permission to use. •http://www2.imagiware.com/RxHTML , Doctor HTML, Tools to validate your site. •http://www.winplanet.com/file/11568.htm , Free download of free HTML WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) software, AOL press, a full-featured HTML editor •http://webreference.com , Webmaster Reference Library, Forums and technical information on web development •http://www.islandnet.com/~vicky/sites.html ,HTML Writer’s Sites •Free e-mail newsletter from http://christianmedianews.org •http://worldwidemart.com/scripts ,free CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts •http://www.dimensionx.com •http://www.gamelan.com , web development tools and scripts •http://www.autoscripter.com , more web development scripts and tools •http://www.jorika.com , Freeware virtual books include Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mysteries, Poetry and Non-fiction textbooks for the grown-ups. Children's classics include Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as well as Frank Baum's Oz books. Virtual music CD's include classical, religious and holiday favorites •http://www.pma-online.org , Publishers Marketing Association •http://www.parapublishing.com , Dan Poynter (The Self-Publisher’s Manual) ; Information on publishing and marketing your book yourself. •http://www.agentresearch.com , Information on finding and researching an agent •http://www.stuartmarket.com , Christian Writer’s Market Guide •http://ifc.gospelcom.net/recommend/ •http://www.barna.org , Barna Research Group, polls, trends, statistics •http://www.nilesonline.com/data , Research Statistics Source (find the facts and figures to prove what you write) •http://www.pewforum.org , The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life •http://www.inter-mission.net , Christians involved in the media and the arts •http://www.christianmusicconnection.com •http://www.christianmedianetwork.com •http://www.angelfire.com/ks/kingwrit/index.html#Contents ,Kingdom Writers Email Critique List •http://www.write4kids.com/info.html , Free articles on Children’s Writing •http://www.christianfantasy.com , Christian Fantasy •http://www.christian-fandom.org , Christian Science Fiction •http://www.christianreader.net , sponsors annual writing contest •http://www.winsomewit.com , Christian satire, writing contest •Booklocker JR., http://www.booklocker.com/getpublished/published.html seeking submissions from young (under 18) authors •http://tayloru.edu , professional writing courses and degree, from accredited Christian university. •http://learn.wisconsin.edu , inexpensive University of Wisconsin Manuscript Editing course •http://www.ACWriters.com , Christian Writer’s Institute, correspondence courses for writing, with goal of publishing work •http://www.christiancommunicator.com •Writing courses, http://www.lifewrite.com •http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianSelf-Publishing/files •http://www.christianpublishers.net •POD publishers list, http://dehanna.com/database.htm , compare print on demand prices and services •http://www.LighteningSource.com •http://www.Unlimitedpublishing.com •http://www.Equilibriumbooks.com •http://www.Yourbookpublisher.com •http://www.bewrite.net •Booksurge, http://www.booksurge.com •Authors Den, http://www.authorsden.com •PayPal, (one way customers can pay you) https://www.paypal.com/refer/pal=BH2CTDYDK8RPW •Barnes & Noble Publisher FAQ , http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ •Bob’s Print Guide Glossary , http://www.bobs.co.uk/print/glossary.html •Bookbinding Tutorials, http://www.tutorialfind.com/tutorials/artscrafts/bookbinding •BookWeb.org: Member Directories, http://www.bookweb.org/bookstores/browse.html •http://www.bookwire.com , publishers, publicists, online bookstores •http://www.bowker.com •http://www.booksinprint.com •http://www.copyright.com , download Form TX to register copyright •http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/distrib.htm •Directory of Organizations for Small Presses and Self-Publishers, http://www.laughingbear.com/directry.html •The Economics of Publishing Your Book, http://www.sciencehumanitiespress.com/pubeco.htm •ForeWord, http://www.forewordmagazine.com/ , publication for small presses and self-publishers. •http://www.speakernetnews.com/post/fulfill.html Fulfillment companies •Go Publish Yourself.com, http://www.go-publish-yourself.com/ •How to Publish Yourself, http://www.devce.demon.co.uk/h2pub.htm •InfoPublishing , http://groups.yahoo.com/group/infopublishing/ •http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/ebook/articles2/index.php ,Information Biz articles •ISBN User’s Manual, http://isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/international/isbnmanual.asp •Judy Cullins’ Book Coaching, http://www.bookcoaching.com/freearticles.shtml book development and promotion. •http://www.laughingbear.com/library.html , Free downloadable list of libraries that buy from small presses •Media listings, searchable newspaper and magazine links, http://www.gebbieinc.com •McNaughton & Gunn, http://www.bookprinters.com •Midwest Book Review: Writers Publishers, http://www.midwestbookreview.com/ •Publishing Central, http://www.publishingcentral.com , book reviewers, publishing tools, distributors, networking, more. •http://www.pma-online.org ,Organization for self-publishers and small presses. •http://www.pneumabooks.com/smart.htm , Free downloads on preparing your manuscript for publication •Publishing Poynters, http://ParaPub.com/news.html , Dan Poynter’s Book Marketing Newsletter •Reading’s Fun/Books Are Fun, http://www.booksarefun.com , specialty sales, now apparently owned by Reader’s Digest •http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Self-Publishing/ •http://www.spawn.org ,Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network •SPAN http://www.SPANnet.org , organization for self-publishers and small presses •TEX, free, open source program for page layout, http://www.miktex.org/setup.html , MiKTeX (pronounced mick-tech) is an up-to-date implementation of TeX and related programs for Windows (all current variants) on x86 systems. •http://www.worldoutreach.ca/DearGod , Find out about free use of "Dear God" cartoons •http://www.bangprinting.com , Bang Printing, Sales Rep, Todd Vanek, 800-328-0450. •http://www.centralplainsbook.com , self-publishing book printer, Steve Sirlin, 888-411-3285. •http://www.datarepro.com , book printer for self-publishers, Nick Janosi, 734-426-1229 •http://www.Lulu.com •http://www.frugalmarketing.com/freemediacoverage.shtml , frugal marketing, and how to get free media coverage. •http://www.prweb.com/pressreleasetips.php , tips on how to write press releases. •Viral marketing, http://www.sethgodin.com/ideavirus/01-getit.html •http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com •http://www.writing-world.com/promotion/index.shtml •http://www.ecpa.org , X.NET was created by the Evangelical Christian and Protestant Church-Owned Publishers Association/Christian Booksellers Association/Gospel Music Association to provide electronic data interchange service (EDI) to publishers within the Christian community. X.NET results in faster turn-around, improved accuracy and lower operating costs for Christian publishing, music, gifts, and other aspects of the industry. •http://www.parentingpublications.org •http://www.kartoo.com  ,Search for your name and/or the title of your book, at Kartoo •http://www.elwinsoft.com/submit_shareware.html  free marketing submissions for e-books, software •Market your book through e-mail, using autoresponders, http://www.aweber.com  . •Or set up a list at http://www.yahoo.com, make sure only list owner can post. •http://www.cgpp.com/bookland/isbn.html , Free bar code •http://www.bowker.com •Free PDF file conversion, http://www.pdf995.com ,PDF995 –also free e-book editing with active hyperlinks, through PDFedit. •Self-publishing tip: Use the free office suite, OpenOffice, which is similar to (and compatible with) Microsoft Office. OpenOffice includes the ability to export to pdf (which is often used in publishing). Or convert files to Pdf format for free at http://createpdf.adobe.com/index.pl/3576023547.67261?BP=IE • http://www.oakworth.demon.co.uk/gymnast.htm  , use Gymnast, free software, to turn text files into Pdf. •http://www.maxracks.com , Electronic post cards •http://www.delorie.com/game-room/chess/free-game.html  ,GNU Web Chess •http://www.startrekker.net  , just for fun •http://www.unitedmedia.com  , United Media: Daily comic strips and cartoons. Perhaps this will help with writer’s block, or at least make it more interesting. •http://www.asp-shareware.org/pad/padgen.asp , Try the e-book Marketing tool, Padgen - free program to create a PAD file, which is an XML file (computer-readable file) describing your product. Use this to promote your e-book at the free submission web site, above. You’ll need a free book chapter to give away. Check out print resources for young writers: Writing Smarter Not Harder, Kaleidoscope Press, by Colleen Reese, and Young Writer’s Contest Manual, Young Writer’s Market Manual, and Young Writer’s Manuscript Manual, Kaleidoscope Press, by Penny Lent. Warning: The following is a shameless promotion of a new, self-published book co-authored by two homeschool graduates (a family friend, Alex Markley, and the webmaster’s son, John Morgan). Just to be clear, the authors bear full responsibility—or credit—for the book. Hey, but a lot of other people think the book is peculiarly funny—and although the humor is off-beat, it’s family-friendly (believe it or not)! Take a break, and have a laugh—read The Unlikely Adventures of Malex and Icepunk. In the words of the authors, “Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s stupid, but it’s always just plain weird. Our best advice is to read it and either get addicted or run screaming just for sanity’s sake.” Read free excerpts of The Unlikely Adventures of Malex and Icepunk at: http://mai-adventures.com The author of this website, Melissa L. Morgan, co-authored two nonfiction books, Educational Travel on a Shoestring : Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home and Homeschooling on a Shoestring (Harold Shaw Publishing). Read more about them, at Homeschooling on a Shoestring. Disclaimer: As with all our web site pages, we work hard to make this a family-friendly site. Please don’t ask us to include any material promoting occult, new age or so-called “adult” material or philosophy. Although we try to check each link, if we’ve inadvertently included something contrary to the guidelines in Exodus XX, please let us know. Receiver of a Heavenly Learning Website Award - for an exceptional Learning Page on the Web The Eagle's Nest: " As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings..."--De 32:11

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Homeschooling on a Shoestring
A Jam-packed Guide
Written by Melissa L. Morgan and Judith Waite Allee
Family & Relationships - Parenting | Shaw Books | Trade Paperback | March 2000 | $17.99 | 978-0-87788-546-7 (0-87788-546-X)

ABOUT THIS BOOK

So you want to homeschool but don’t think you can afford it.

This book is a compendium of ideas for the family that wants to start or continue homeschooling on a tight budget. You’ll find it all here:

• Ideas for making money while staying at home.
• Sources for an inexpensive curriculum.
• Thousands of ideas for affordable teaching tools.
• Hundreds of suggestions for low-cost field trips.
• Ways to save on everything from housing to utilities.
• Ways to get free or low-cost computers.

Find detailed information on frugal, free, and wise family education, Homeschooling, educational travel and stewardship:

• Educational Travel on a Shoestring : Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home "Practical, frugal, witty and wise, Educational Travel On a Shoestring is one of those rare books folks will not only delight in reading but delight in using...Don't leave home without it."--George Grant, author of Just Visiting
• Enjoy a short sample from our new book, "EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL ON A SHOESTRING." Enjoy these sample freebies, links, and tips from two frugal moms who love to travel. If you them helpful, please send this to travel and education-minded folks. When you do, please share the entire letter. Free Tips for Educational Travel on a Shoestring
• Homeschooling on a Shoestring, written by Melissa L. Morgan and Judith Waite Allee . Pick up Homeschooling on a Shoestring: "This book is the most original and helpful homeschooling book I've read in years. Highly Recommended."--Mary Pride, publisher of Practical Homeschooling magazine
• For review copies, contact WaterBrook Press at info@WaterBrookPress.com or 719-590-4999. If you would like to place bulk orders for either Homeschooling on a Shoestring or Educational Travel on a Shoestring, contact WaterBrook Press through Random House, 800-733-3000.