Links

Best of the web for writers: 26 September

Books on a bookshelfHere’s a new regular feature for you. I read lots of other blogs and websites (you should see my Google Reader – it’s stuffed fuller than a busy Ryanair flight). So now I’m going to share the best bits with you.

I won’t restrict it to sites solely by or about other writers. I’ll include anything that looks interesting, as long as it seems vaguely relevant. I read a fair few tech blogs and do a lot of small business writing, so expect a bit of a bias in those general directions too.

Right, here goes…

  • Michael Stelzner has put together his 2009/10 list of top ten blogs for writers. As with most lists of this sort, it seems pretty subjective (and it’s rather US-biased), but I reckon most of the sites on there are worth a read. Good place to start if your reading habits need a bit of a shake up.
  • Microsoft has launched what I can only describe as an interesting marketing push for the new version of Windows. Seriously, watch this video, then see if you can work it out. If you do decide to hold a party (you’ll see what I mean), please invite me.
  • I really rate Fritinancy, Nancy Friedman’s blog about naming, writing and other related gubbins. She’s done a great round up of sites that dissect Dan Brown’s latest book. They’re highly critical, but perhaps that’s just because everyone’s jealous of his enormous success. I am.
  • Creative Review spotted a surprisingly honest set of ads from Dixons on the Tube. Nice copy – and I admire their straightforwardness, but my recent experience of buying a new laptop suggests there are much better value retailers out there. Which sort of undermines their point.

Finally, listen up London start-ups: TechHub, which aims to create a physical space for new tech companies in the city, is coming. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a less-formal place to get some work done, I recommend Londonist’s free Wi-Fi map.