Articles written by Simone Preuss

What Is Book Publishing?: An Overview of Book Publishing Areas and Production Stages

The Association of American University Presses (AAUP) promotes scholarly publishing and furthers members' collaboration to optimize their operations and resources. more...

Oct 11, 2009

Useful German Halloween Vocabulary: Halloween in Germany – Learn Key Phrases and Words

Did you know that book publishing is a high-risk, time-consuming commercial process that requires careful planning and resource management? Find out why. more...

Sep 29, 2009

German Numbers from 100 to 1000: Learn Correct Spelling and Counting of Numbers in German

Kürbisse, Hexen and Geister all belong to a good Halloween party in Germany. Learn more fun Halloween vocabulary in German with this quick guide to a German Halloween. more...

Sep 25, 2009

Category: Learning German

Need to learn German numbers fast? Want to count in German like a pro? Then follow this easy German number guide for numbers from 100 to 1000. more...

Sep 18, 2009

Traditional Pumpkin Carving: How to Carve a Halloween Pumpkin the Old Fashioned Way

Category: Holiday Entertaining

Carving a pumpkin for the first time and not sure how to do it? Just follow this easy do-it-yourself pumpkin carving technique and avoid accidents and mess. more...

Sep 12, 2009

The Man Booker Prize: World’s Most Coveted Literary Prize for Fiction at a Glance

How to Spell German Numbers: Counting in German from 20 to 200

The Man Booker Prize 2009 Shortlist has just been announced. Find out who the six finalists are and what this prestigious literary prize is all about. more...

Aug 29, 2009

Category: Learning German

German numbers beyond 20 follow a regular pattern that makes counting and spelling numbers in German quite easy. more...

Aug 22, 2009

Penguin Group Publisher Profile: Discover the World’s Second Largest Trade Publishing House

Simon & Schuster Publishing Profile: One of the Top Four English-language Book Publishers

More than $1.5 billion in sales, 4,000 titles annually and 1,000 employees in 15 countries - that's the Penguin Group in figures, a subsidiary of Pearson plc. more...

Aug 8, 2009

The Literature Nobel Prize: World’s Most Prestigious Literary Award

2,000 new titles, 35 imprints and 1,500 employees in three continents are just some of the facts behind the enormous publishing operation that is Simon & Schuster. more...

Jul 25, 2009

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award: The World’s Biggest Children’s Literature Prize

In October, the Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced once again. Find out more about this important literary prize, its history and previous literature nobelists. more...

Jul 17, 2009

Frankfurt Book Fair 2009: Quick Reference Guide to FBF 2009 – World’s Largest Publishing Event

Nominations for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award will be announced soon. Learn more about this prestigious children's literature prize and the idea behind it. more...

Jul 10, 2009

Survival Phrases in German: Pronunciation Guide to Greetings and Other Essential German Phrases

From October 14-18, Frankfurt will once again host FBF 2009. China is this year's Guest of Honor and around 300,000 visitors are expected at Frankfurt Book Fair. more...

Jul 5, 2009

Category: Learning German

Bitte and danke, hallo and tschüß and wie geht's are just some of the essential German words and phrases anyone visiting Germany or meeting Germans should know. more...

Jun 30, 2009

How to Pronounce German Last Names: 50 Common Surnames in Germany and Their Meanings

Category: Learning German

Müller, Meier and Schulze are all common German last names with old meanings. Surprise German colleagues and friends by pronouncing their family names correctly. more...

Jun 26, 2009

The Indian Bindi: Meaning and History of Wearing Bindis in India

Category: India

Decorative Indian bindis brighten up anyone's face and outfit. Learn more about this age-old tradition. more...

Jun 24, 2009

Raksha Bandhan 2009: Celebrate Friendship with the Indian Rakhi Festival

Category: Hindu Culture

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi takes place on August 5, 2009. The Hindu festival is a chance for people worldwide to celebrate the bond of protection and friendship. more...

Jun 18, 2009

The PEN Faulkner Award for Fiction: America’s Largest Peer-juried Fiction Award

The New Fussball Bundesliga Relegation System: Understanding German Football League Relegation and Promotion

As a national literary prize, the PEN Faulkner Award for Fiction is awarded annually for the best work of fiction by a published American author. more...

Jun 4, 2009

Category: European Football

Effective with the 2008-09 season, the German Fussball Bundesliga has reinstated an earlier system of team relegation and promotion from Bundesliga 1 to Bundesliga 2. more...

Jun 3, 2009

German Fussball Bundesliga Teams: Names and Meanings of German Soccer Clubs

Category: European Football

Ever wondered about abbreviations like FC, FK, BSC and SV when checking German Bundesliga standings? Find meanings and explanations behind German football club names. more...

May 27, 2009

Hong Kong Book Fair 2009: Asia’s Leading Publishing and Copyright Event

Tokyo International Book Fair 2009: Asia’s Leading Publishing Trade Event

Hong Kong Book Fair is a week-long book event that attracts publishing professionals and the general public alike. more...

May 13, 2009

UNESCO's City of Literature Model: What It Is and What Criteria Interested Cities Need to Fulfill

From July 9-12, Tokyo International Book Fair will attract many international publishers and booksellers because of its access to the Japanese and Asian book market. more...

May 1, 2009

Indian Baby Girl Names: Unique Indian Names for Girls

The City of Literature program by UNESCO is a great way for qualified cities to bolster and promote their cultural assets on an international scale. more...

Apr 26, 2009

Category: Infants & Toddlers (general)

Finding the right name for a baby girl is not easy if it should be original yet simple. Indian baby names have beautiful meanings that guide the child throughout life. more...

Apr 24, 2009

Pronunciation Guide to German Animals: Learn German Pet and Farm Animal Vocabulary

Category: Learning German

Hund, Katze and Maus are just some common German animals. Learn more names of farm animals and popular German pets and then finish by singing "Old MacDonald" in German. more...

Apr 20, 2009

Category: Learning German

Careful when using German proverbs in English or vice versa! Few meanings correspond, so check this list of common German sayings and meanings before translating. more...

Apr 6, 2009

World Book Fair 2009 in Singapore: Singapore’s Biggest Book Selling Event

The World Book Fair from May 29-June 7, 2009 in Singapore is a book lover's delight that attracts more than 500,000 visitors every year. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1988: Best Dance Songs at the End of the Eighties

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Alphabet Street," "Father Figure," "Kokomo" and "the Loco-motion" are just some of the best 80's songs of 1988. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1986: The Best Eighties Songs Ever Released in 1986

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Papa Don't Preach," "Take My Breath Away," "the Final Countdown" and "Kiss" are just some of the best 80's songs of 1986. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1984: German Eighties Bands Climb the Charts

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Forever Young," "99 Red Balloons," "Holiday" and "Karma Chameleon" are just some of the best 80's songs of 1984. more...

Top 80's Songs from 1980 to 1982: The Best Eighties Songs at the Beginning of the Decade

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Funkytown," "Biko," "Rock with You" and "Rosanna" are just some of the best 80's songs from 1980-1982. more...

Mar 20, 2009

Bollywood Star Shahrukh Khan: The Life and Movies of Indian Superstar SRK

Category: India

The movies of Indian Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Chak De India and Om Shanti Om - have been worldwide successes. more...

Mar 16, 2009

Learning Vegetables in German: How to Memorize German Vegetable Names and Their Plurals

Category: Learning German

Brokkoli, Okra and Zucchini are German vegetables that are easy to remember. Grouping German vegetables by article and plural form will simplify learning further. more...

Mar 13, 2009

How to Pronounce German First Names: 40 Popular and Common Names for Girls and Boys in Germany

Category: Learning German

How to pronounce common and popular German first names such as Michael, Jürgen, Andreas or Julia, Beate and Sonja? Find out here. more...

Mar 7, 2009

Key German Easter Vocabulary: Discover Easter Greetings in German and Germany's Easter Traditions

Category: Learning German

With Easter just around the corner, learn about German Easter traditions, useful German Easter phrases and how to wish Happy Easter in German. more...

Feb 27, 2009

March is Small Press Month: About Independent Publishing Today

Top Indian Wedding Songs: Popular Bollywood Songs for Baarat, Sangeet and Wedding

What are some of the challenges of independent publishing today? What creative solutions have the 72,000 small press book publishers in the US come up with? more...

Feb 20, 2009

Category: India

What would an Indian wedding be without song and dance? Regardless if baraat, sangeet or the wedding reception, Indian pop music and bhangra tunes are always present. more...

Feb 14, 2009

London Book Fair 2009: The Leading Spring Fair and Rights-Trading Event

Buying Bread at a German Bakery: Discover Different German Bread Types

From 20-22 April, it's not only spring time but also book fair time again in London, the place to meet the global publishing industry. more...

Feb 10, 2009

Category: Learning German

Pumpernickel, maybe Germany's most famous bread export, is just one of the many types of bread available. Learn about different German breads and how to buy them. more...

Feb 2, 2009

Sari Versus Lehenga: How to Choose Traditional Indian Festive Wear for Women

Category: India

What to wear to an Indian wedding - sari or lehenga - is probably the most pressing question women ask themselves, regardless if they are the bride or a guest. more...

Jan 28, 2009

Free Holi Greetings: Wish Family, Colleagues and Friends Happy Holi in Style

Category: Hinduism (general)

Holi, the festival of colors, marks the beginning of spring and is a chance to connect with each other. Find free Holi greeting cards online and select popular messages. more...

Jan 19, 2009

Holi, the Festival of Colors: How to Celebrate the Indian Holi Day

Category: Hinduism (general)

Holi, India's most colorful festival, is just around the corner. Find out about Holi origins and traditions and how to celebrate. more...

Jan 11, 2009

DTP Paper Terms and Folding Styles: Choosing Paper and Brochure Styles for Desktop Publishing

Learn Colors and Shapes in German: Memorize Common German Shapes and Colors Together

Successful desktop publishing projects require careful planning that includes paper choice and brochure folding considerations. more...

Jan 5, 2009

Category: Learning German

Learning related topics together often helps memorize new vocabulary faster. Try it out with colors and shapes in German! more...

Dec 31, 2008

What to Wear at Indian Weddings: Indian Wedding Attire for Bride, Groom and Guests

Category: India

Invited to an Indian wedding? No clue what to wear? Look no further, this article will give a few ideas and explain Indian wedding outfits. more...

Dec 22, 2008

Survival Guide to Indian Weddings: Traditions and Ceremonies at Weddings in India

Category: India

Remember the Indian hit movie Monsoon Wedding? Find out how much truth and fiction there is to Indian weddings. more...

Dec 16, 2008

Working as a Desktop Publisher: Profiles of Desktop Publishing Jobs

At the German Christmas Market: Specialized Christmas Vocabulary in German

Desktop publishing requires creativity, software knowledge and good interpersonal skills. Find out what else it takes to become a successful desktop publisher. more...

Dec 12, 2008

Category: Learning German

What is Christstollen? And who can drink Glühwein? Are Lebkuchenherzen like fortune cookies? Find out more during this linguistic Christmas market stroll. more...

Dec 8, 2008

Desktop Publishing Software: What Are the Popular DTP Programs and How Do They Compare

Typing Special Spanish Letters Fast: How to Use Shortcuts to Type Spanish Accents and ñ

Choosing desktop publishing software depends on the program's intended usage - personal or professional. Here's a comparison of the six best DTP programs. more...

Dec 3, 2008

Category: Learning Spanish

Tired of inserting special Spanish characters like á, é and ñ from the symbol menu? Learning and using their Alt-shortcuts is a faster way to correct Spanish spelling. more...

Nov 27, 2008

How to Count in German: Learn German Numbers from 1 to 100

Category: Learning German

Eins, zwei, drei - who doesn't know the most famous words in German? Learn counting in German in a fun and easy way. more...

Nov 24, 2008

Days, Months and Seasons in German: Learning German Days of the Week and Months of the Year

Category: Learning German

What day is today? What is the day before yesterday called? Learning weekdays, months and seasons helps when conversing and asking for information. more...

Nov 19, 2008

How to Pronounce German Vowels: Learn the Pronunciation of Umlauts and Other German Sounds

Category: Learning German

Pronouncing German vowels, especially the umlauts, is difficult at first. But unlike in English, individual vowel sounds in German do not change. more...

Nov 17, 2008

Keyboard Shortcuts for Writers: Useful Windows Shortcuts When Writing and Researching

Category: Freelance Writing (general)

Don't lose concentration or the red thread because of performing operations in Word. Use shortcuts and keep the hands firmly planted on the keyboard, eyes on the screen. more...

Nov 12, 2008

Free Publishing Resources Online: Publishing Websites That Industry Insiders Use

Building German Vocabulary: Using Cartoon-Strip Textbooks to Learn Spoken German

Anyone interested in book publishing can find lots of useful, free information online when starting with the right key resources. more...

Nov 10, 2008

Category: Learning German

The thought of cramming words is keeping many from improving their German vocabulary. Here's a vocabulary builder that uses cartoons to impart German slang in a fun way. more...

Oct 31, 2008

Writer's Best Friend: the Acquisitions Editor: What Editors Do and How to Help Them as a Writer

Category: Manuscript Submission

Trying to get your manuscript published but keep getting rejection letters? Changing your approach and understanding how books are acquired can help. more...

Oct 21, 2008

Women on the Edge Comic Strips: Women Through the Eyes of Argentinean Comic Artist Maitena

Category: Graphic Novels/Comics (general)

Maitena's comic strips are honest, funny, biting and satirical, yet tender and subtle stories about the tragedies and comedies in the lives of women. more...

Oct 13, 2008

Diwali, the Festival of Lights: Significance and Origins of Diwali

Category: Hinduism (general)

On October 17, just a couple of weeks before Halloween, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains the world over will celebrate one of their most important festivals - Diwali. more...

Oct 5, 2008

Book Review: One Night at the Call Center: Chetan Bhagat's Novel about Six Call-Center Employees in India

Category: Asian Literature

Read Chetan Bhagat's bestselling second book before watching its star-studded Bollywood movie version "Hello," releasing worldwide on October 10. more...

Sep 26, 2008

Usage and History of German Umlauts: Learning and Pronouncing German Umlaute

Category: Learning German

When learning German, using and pronouncing umlauts correctly is one of the more trying tasks. Here's a quick overview of umlaut pronunciation, history and usage. more...

Sep 24, 2008

Special Letters in German: ß: Usage and History of the “Sharp S”

Category: Learning German

Ever wondered what that funny looking, beta-like character is in German? Well, it's ß or 'ess-zett,' signifying a sharp "s" sound. more...

Sep 17, 2008

The Book Production Process: Preparing a Manuscript for Publication

How Sputnik Helped Academic Publishing: American University Press Publishing in the 1960s and 1970s

Copyediting, proofreading, typesetting and project management provide crucial steps in preparing a manuscript for publication. more...

Nov 9, 2009

The University Press as a Publishing Model: What University Presses Are and How They Operate

Scholarly publishing does not happen in a vacuum but is highly influenced by world events. Find out how the launch of Sputnik indirectly supported university presses. more...

Oct 24, 2009

What Is Google Wave?: An Introduction to Google’s Latest Online Communication Tool

What is a university press and how can it be distinguished from a commercial publishing house? Find out more about the origins and purpose of university press publishing. more...

Oct 3, 2009

Category: Internet (general)

Google Wave is here - as of September 30, 100,000 invited users will get a preview of Google's latest communication tool. Here's an overview of Google Wave's features. more...

Sep 27, 2009

Scholastic Corporation Publisher Profile: World’s Largest Children’s Book Publisher and Distributor

Guadalajara International Book Fair: A Quick Guide to the World’s Second Largest Book Expo

Who wouldn't know Harry Potter publisher Scholastic? Millions of books in print and $2 billion in revenue make Scholastic the world's largest children's book publisher. more...

Sep 19, 2009

Freelance Writing and Productivity: How to Profit From Slow Seasons as a Freelance Writer

From November 28- December 6, Guadalajara in Mexico will once again host FIL 2009. Los Angeles is this year's Guest of Honor and more than 600,000 visitors are expected. more...

Sep 14, 2009

Category: Freelance Writing (general)

Have your writing assignments slowed down? Are you in between clients? Here's how you can use downtime wisely to further your freelance writing career. more...

Sep 5, 2009

Harper Collins Publisher Profile: From Harper & Row and William Collins & Sons to News Corporation

Do It Yourself Plumbing – Drains: How to Unclog a Drain in the Bathroom

HarperCollins is a subsidiary of News Corporation, one of the world's largest media conglomerates, with 30 imprints, 9 offices worldwide and $1 billion in revenue. more...

Aug 24, 2009

Category: Home Plumbing

Why wait for a plumber? Use these easy-to-follow instructions for unclogging a sink, bathtub or toilet and save on home repairs. more...

Aug 16, 2009

What is Project Gutenberg?: More About the World’s First Digital Library

Random House Publisher Profile: World’s Largest General Trade Book Publisher

With 28,000 e-books and audio books, Project Gutenberg provides an online book catalogue of public domain literature from poetry and the classics to health and science. more...

Aug 1, 2009

Using Twitter for Beginners: An Easy Introduction to Twittering or Tweeting

120 imprints, 11,000 new books and 500 million sold copies annually contribute to $2.5 billion in sales - just some of the figures behind publishing giant Random House. more...

Jul 24, 2009

Category: Social Networking/Tagging

Tweet, twitter, retweeting - it's all a mystery? Worry not, here's the Twitter cheat sheet that will demystify Twitter lingo and make that first tweet so easy! more...

Jul 16, 2009

Free Raksha Bandhan Greetings: Send a Virtual Rakhi on Brother-Sisters Day

Category: India

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters, cousins and friends. Find free Rakhi greeting cards and select popular Raksha Bandhan messages. more...

Jul 5, 2009

German Language Phrases for Beginners: Basic Conversational Phrases in German with Pronunciation

Category: Learning German

Using du and Sie correctly, asking questions in German and clarifying and applying conversational phrases will ease the flow of that first conversation in German. more...

Jul 3, 2009

Beijing International Book Fair 2009: One of the World’s Top Four International Publishing Events

Top Michael Jackson Songs: Discover the King of Pop through His Hit Albums

Beijing International Book Fair, September 3-7, is the world's fourth most important book fair and attracts publishing professionals and book enthusiasts alike. more...

Jun 28, 2009

Category: 80s Pop Music

Regardless if reminiscing about the King of Pop's most famous songs or discovering them only after his early death, here's a quick list of Michael Jackson's biggest hits. more...

Jun 26, 2009

Moscow International Book Fair 2009: Meet Russian Authors and Translators at MIBF 2009

How to Make Indian Chai: Indian Masala Tea Recipes, Spices and Ingredients

From September 2-7, the 22nd Moscow International Book Fair will take place again in the Russian capital and attract publishers, authors and readers alike. more...

Jun 23, 2009

Category: Indian Food

Regardless if monsoon or rainy summer day, nothing like sipping a hot cup of chai. Learn how to make Indian masala tea and what spices and ingredients are needed. more...

Jun 12, 2009

The Strange Book Titles Award: The Bookseller Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2009: Discover the World’s Largest Literary Festival

Ever wondered about strange book titles? The Bookseller Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year annually crowns the weirdest book name. more...

Jun 4, 2009

Essential German Soccer Terms: Learn Basic German Football Vocabulary

From August 15-31, 2009, Scotland's capital will once again host the popular Edinburgh International Book Festival, a book carnival for young and old book lovers. more...

May 30, 2009

Category: Learning German

What do Tor, Elfmeter, Abseits mean? Not only for followers of the German Bundesliga, this list of German football terms will come in handy when watching the next game. more...

May 21, 2009

ALA 2009 Annual Conference: The American Library Association’s Meeting in Chicago

World eBook Fair 2009: The Fourth Annual Free EBook Event

From July 9-15, the American Library Association's annual meeting will take place in Chicago, IL, one of the largest gatherings of librarians in the country. more...

May 7, 2009

Indian Baby Boy Names: Unique Indian Names for Boys

Want to get free ebooks? The World eBook Fair takes place every year from July 4 to August 4, aiming to provide free access to more than 1.5 million e-books for a month. more...

Apr 26, 2009

Category: Infants & Toddlers (general)

Finding a name for a boy that is creative yet easy to pronounce can be tough. Indian baby names have beautiful meanings that will accompany the child throughout life. more...

Apr 24, 2009

German Animal Vocabulary: Pronounce Forest Animal and Wild Animal Names in German

Category: Learning German

Kamel, Elefant and Tiger are just some easy-to-guess German animal names. Learn more German jungle and forest animal vocabulary including pronunciation and plurals. more...

Apr 21, 2009

World Book and Copyright Day 2009: Celebrate Reading and Intellectual Property With UNESCO on April 23

Book World Prague 2009: 15th International Book Fair and Literary Festival in Prague

Enjoy the UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day on April 23 by learning more about intellectual property protection or by simply reading a good book. more...

Apr 16, 2009

From 14-17 May, the beautiful city of Prague will open its doors again to international visitors for the 15th Book World Prague. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1989: Best Dance Songs in the Last Year of the Eighties

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Eternal Flame," "Like a Prayer," "the Look" and "Straight Up" are just some of the best 80's songs of 1989. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1987: The Best Eighties Dance Songs in 1987

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Litte Lies," "Notorious," "La Isla Bonita" and "Bad" are just some of the best 80's songs of 1987. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1985: The Best Love Songs in the Mid-Eighties

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Material Girl," "Private Dancer," "Take On Me" and "We Are the World " are just some of the best 80's songs of 1985. more...

Top 80's Songs of 1983: The Best Eighties Pop Songs in 1983

Category: 80s Pop Music

"Beat It," "Down Under," "Flashdance" and "Sweet Dreams" are just some of the best 80's songs of 1983. more...

Mar 25, 2009

BookExpo America 2009: America’s biggest publishing and bookselling event

Avoiding Self-Publishing Scams: How to Distinguish Legitimate from Unprofessional Vanity Presses

Learn more about Book Expo America, the largest annual book trade fair in the country, including special events, ticket prices and show timings. more...

Mar 17, 2009

Category: Self-Publishing

Self publishing can soon lead to disappointment if authors don't research publishers carefully, especially vanity presses. more...

Mar 15, 2009

Learning Names of Fruits in German: How to Memorize German Fruit Names and Their Plurals

Category: Learning German

Apfel, Banane, Feige - English equivalents of some German fruits are easy to guess. Learning German berries and exotic fruits in groups will simplify learning further. more...

Mar 10, 2009

How to Find Publishing Internships: Searching and Applying for Summer Internships in Book Publishing

Indian Wedding Invitations: Invite Guests with Stylish Cards to Weddings in India

Looking for an internship in book publishing? Find out where to get information about publishing internships and what publishers are looking for in an application. more...

Mar 6, 2009

Category: India

Indian wedding cards are colorful and important parts of any Indian wedding. The wedding invitation design conveys the theme, style and grandeur of the wedding in India. more...

Feb 26, 2009

Film Review: Dev D (2009): Anurag Kashyap’s modern remake of Bimal Roy’s Indian classic Devdas

Category: Asian Films

Dev.D, director Anurag Kashyap's contemporary take on the classic Indian film Devdas, pushes the boundaries and works for Indian and western audiences. more...

Feb 19, 2009

Accessorizing Indian Wedding Dresses: From Bridal Accessories to Shoes, Jewelry and Makeup

Category: India

Got the perfect outfit for an Indian wedding but not sure how to accessorize? Find out how to pick the right shoes, jewelry, makeup, bangles and bag. more...

Feb 11, 2009

Pronunciation Guide to German Sausages: How to Distinguish and Pronounce German Wurst Varieties

Category: Learning German

Frankfurter, Nürnberger, Bamberger and Wiener! Not cities and people, it's all about German sausages. Learn to distinguish and pronounce these German delicacies. more...

Feb 8, 2009

Leipzig Book Fair: Germany’s Second Largest Book Event

Typesetting Essentials for Desktop Publishers: About Typography and What Specific Parts of Letters are Called

From 12-15 March, Leipzig will once again open its doors for the annual Leipzig Book Fair, the first chance for book enthusiasts worldwide to catch a hold of new titles. more...

Jan 31, 2009

Essential Printing Terms for Desktop Publishers: About Page Proofs, Trimming, CMYK and Color Separation

Which letters have beaks and what is a cat's ear? Find out why typesetting terminology uses body parts like arms, legs, chin and eye to describe parts of letters. more...

Jan 23, 2009

The Tamil Thaipusam Festival: Meaning and Thaipusam Traditions in India

What are the different kinds of page proofs? What is trapping? And what is the difference between a contact proof and a contract proof? more...

Jan 14, 2009

Category: Hinduism (general)

Ever wonder why some Indian devotees pierce their bodies or hook objects into their flesh, apparently without pain? Witness Thaipusam, India's most spectacular festival. more...

Jan 8, 2009

Indian Henna or Mehndi Art: All About Mehndi Designs and the Henna Tradition

Category: India

In India, women can often be seen with intricately decorated hands and feet. Find out more about the tradition behind henna tattoos and the art of mehndi designs. more...

Jan 2, 2009

Image Editing Terminology: Essential Image and Photo Editing Terms for Desktop Publishers

Desktop Publishing Terms: Essential Page Layout Terms and Definitions

Want to create professional-looking images on your desktop? This handy guide to image editing terms and definitions will provide the basics. more...

Dec 26, 2008

Christmas Baking Terms in German: Baking Traditional German Christmas Cookies

What is the difference between an alley and a gutter, and pica and point? Is a page bleed painful? Find answers to these and other questions in the DTP glossary below. more...

Dec 17, 2008

Category: Learning German

Bake authentic German Christmas cookies with this easy recipe and improve your German Christmas baking vocabulary at the same time. more...

Dec 12, 2008

Key German Christmas Vocabulary: Discover German Traditions, Christmas Greetings and Carols

Category: Learning German

When is Christmas celebrated in Germany? What do the lyrics of O Tannenbaum mean? Who is der Nikolaus? Find answers to these and other questions right here. more...

Dec 10, 2008

Decoding Text Messaging Lingo: A Beginner’s Guide to SMS Etiquette

Category: Media Literacy (general)

IMO, NE1 Cn Txt - Does that look like gibberish for now? Don't worry; by the end of this article, it will all make sense. Let's learn how to text like a pro! more...

Dec 5, 2008

What Is Desktop Publishing: About WYSIWYG, DTP Software, History and Documents

What Publishers Do From Concept to Feedback: How Authors and Their Books Profit from Publishing Services

Typesetting and page layout done at a desktop computer is called desktop publishing. It can be used to design graphic material from brochures and flyers to whole books. more...

Nov 28, 2008

Book Review: The 3 Mistakes of My Life: Chetan Bhagat’s Latest Novel about Business, Cricket and Religion

Far from being just intermediaries between authors and audience, publishers provide a host of invaluable services at all stages from book production to distribution. more...

Nov 26, 2008

Category: Asian Literature

Chetan Bhagat's third book became an instant hit in India, selling the first print run in just a few days. Find out why it's no mistake to read The 3 Mistakes of My Life. more...

Nov 23, 2008

How to Uniquely Identify Information: Distinguishing ISBN, ISMN, ISSN, DOI and EAN

How to Pronounce German Consonants: Examples of German Consonant Pronunciation

Imagine identifying any published information - print or online; book, article, abstract or printed music - with just one simple, universal and permanent number. more...

Nov 19, 2008

Category: Learning German

Achtung! Think that German is a real tongue twister? Learn German pronunciation with these examples. Many German consonant sounds are similar to those in English. more...

Nov 14, 2008

What is the International Standard Book Number?: A Complete Guide to Understanding the ISBN

Learn Spoken German with Cartoons: Best Comic Books for Studying German Slang, Vocabulary and Culture

Ever wondered about the mysterious number combination at the back of a book? This inconspicuous number revolutionized the way books are ordered, stocked and moved around. more...

Nov 10, 2008

Category: Learning German

Need to practice German for a trip or to converse with friends and colleagues? Reading comic books is a fun way to study spoken German and German idiosyncrasies. more...

Nov 6, 2008

Do It Yourself Cork Flooring: How to Lay Cork Floor Tiles

Category: Home Flooring

Few flooring options are as versatile as cork flooring. After buying cork tiles, make sure to get the most out of them by laying them correctly and maintaining them well. more...

Oct 26, 2008

Publishing 101: Key Publishing Terms Explained: How to Communicate Like a Publishing Professional

Five Reasons Why Not to Buy Pirated Books: What are Bootlegged Books and How to Identify Them

Knowing and using key publishing terms correctly can make all the difference when approaching publishing professionals such as literary agents and editors. more...

Oct 14, 2008

Book Review: Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow by Faiza Guene: Growing Up Immigrant in the Paris Projects

Bootlegged book copies are available everywhere; from sidewalk hawkers and vendors at traffic lights to secondhand bookstores. Here's why it does not pay off to buy them. more...

Oct 10, 2008

Category: European Literature

Faiza Guene's first novel Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow paints a realistic picture of life as an immigrant, adolescent girl in suburban Paris of the '90s. more...

Oct 1, 2008

Ordering Beer in German: How to Pronounce the Names of German Beer Types

Category: Learning German

Practice German pronunciation and learn about German beer types by trying to order drinks in a beer garden or restaurant. more...

Sep 24, 2008

Typing Special German Letters Fast: How to Use Shortcuts to Type Umlauts and ß

Category: Learning German

Tired of inserting special German characters like ä, ö and ü from the symbol menu? Learning and using their shortcuts is a faster way to correct German spelling. more...

Sep 23, 2008

Breaking into Publishing: Why Even Unpaid Publishing Internships Pay Off