Finishing at the top of your class is pretty prestigious on an individual basis. We are all about measuring and evaluating performance and accomplishments when we hire and fire employees. Fortune magazine completed a survey that gives the top 10 in performance for organizations. Take a peek. You might want to consider some of these organizations as you consider employment options. Do some research for your self and see if any of these organizations tickle your fancy!
For the 50 most admired companies overall, FORTUNE’s survey asked businesspeople to vote for the companies that they admired most, from any industry. According …read more

Darn, drat, sniff and a few snivels!
The Golden Pencil did not make Michael Stelzner’s list of Top Ten Blogs For Writers.
Right now I want you to know that I’m feeling everything every rejected writer feels. Hurt. Anger. And not a small amount of frustration because I truly don’t know why my blog made it two years running and failed this year.
Sure I’ve got more competition and some of the newer blogs are darn good. But what am I, or rather what is my blog, chopped liver?
No, it’s not. I get far to much positive feedback to feel worthless or …read more

You know how I’m always telling you to market yourself? Well, here I am, giving you an example by asking you to nominate me for Michael Stelzner’s of Writing White Papers 3rd Annual Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest.
It’s simple enough. Just go to the Contest Entry Post and, following the instructions, nominate The Golden Pencil. Your nomination is also your vote, so the more the better.
You’ll need the url of this blog: http://www.thegoldenpencil.com and a reason why you think this blog should continue… you know, jobs, my sage advice, etc. etc. etc. (Can you see me blushing?)
By the …read more

I’m loving what I’m finding working my way through the Top 10 Blog Posts for Writers.
Today I read JCM Enterprises’ post, 11 Tricks Brian Gardner Can Teach You to Attract New Clients. Although I’m a bit confused about whose tips these actually are, I love ‘em all.
My favorite is, in part: Self-Respect – Brian didn’t offer me a low price…
Charging what we’re worth is a matter of self-respect; there’s no percentage in charging less for our writing than we might.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With …read more