Promotion

Ezra Barany talks about his promotion efforts on Amazon and the effect, or lack thereof, on the site’s bestseller lists: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2011/12/28/7-ways-i-got-on-the-amazon-bestsellers-lists/

Reading

A surreal look at office politics turned flesh and blood in masterful hands, this short graphic piece is entrancing: http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/01/the-situation?WT.mc_id=undefined

Research

This article offers tips for discovering what is going wrong or a weakness with your process. Its audience is the chief technology and/or information officer, but the techniques are applicable to any circumstance where you interact with others, and could even be applied to story research: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tech-manager/how-to-find-out-what-you-dont-know/7273?tag=nl.e101

Science

A new possible source for biofuel is something to be aware of, but this article takes it a step further by considering not just the benefits but also the potential risks and difficulties in exploring this path: http://www.livescience.com/18018-seaweed-biofuel-ethanol.html

Writing

Deborah Nemeth, avid reader and editor for Carina Press, talks about how to catch, and hold, her attention with the beginning of your book: http://carinapress.com/blog/2011/12/confessions-of-a-lazy-reader