Some of your Fellow Readers…
World News
- US coronavirus deaths near 130,000 amid July 4 fete: Live updatesWHO stops trials of malaria, HIV drugs against COVID-19 as UN body reports highest single-day surge of 212,000 cases.
- Japan floods leave some 20 dead, more rains expectedRescue helicopters pluck more people from their homes in the Kumamoto region as thousands join rescue operation.
- A stunt? Kanye West raises eyebrows over 'presidential bid'African-American rapper and vocal supporter of President Trump writes on social media that he is running for president.
- Tokyo governor favoured to win re-election for handling pandemicThe first woman to head the Japanese capital, Yuriko Koike is also seen as a potential prime-minister candidate in 2021.
- Trump in campaign mode at White House's Independence Day eventUS president uses traditionally non-partisan July 4th event to launch attacks on 'radical left' ahead of November polls.
- WHO halts hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 trials: Live updatesWHO said it will stop use of hydroxychloroquine and a combination HIV drug after they failed to reduce mortality.
- US marks subdued Fourth of July as coronavirus cases surgeIndependence Day celebrations began with daily records in new cases in Florida, at 11,458, and Texas, at 8,258.
- 'Unacceptable': Russian church blasts Turkey's Hagia Sophia planA Turkish court last week heard a case aimed at converting the building back into a mosque with a verdict expected soon.
- Car slams into two protesters on closed Seattle highwayAuthorities said it was not immediately clear if the demonstrators, one who was critically wounded, had been targeted.
- Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases?More than 11.1 million infections confirmed in 188 countries and territories, including more than 526,000 deaths.
- Can Ethiopia bridge its ethnic divide?The killing of an ethnic Oromo singer-activist has led to days of violence in Ethiopia.
Global Voices
- Indians create awareness with #DalitLivesMatterInspired by the activity of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Indians are paying attention to one of the country's most disadvantaged populations.
- How COVID-19 affects education for people with disabilities in GhanaIn Ghana, students with disabilities shifted unexpectedly to online learning and faced several technical, economic, and social challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Nigeria declares ‘state of emergency’ on rape and sexual assaultIn Nigeria, a culture of rape and impunity persists, making it difficult for victims to hold their abusers accountable. Police often dismiss rape cases and blame the victims.
- Justice, inclusion and an economy for all: Australian activists mobilise at Virtual Progress 2020“No matter what ways they break you, you still have to be able to form a fist”
- India bans TikTok, 58 other apps amid rising anti-China sentiment, border clashesThe border clashes and the stand-off between India and China reached naught after India decided to ban video-creation platform TikTok and 58 other apps due to “security issues”.
- Uyghur emojis help spread message of cultural resistance over social mediaEmojis representing Uyghur characters and culture are now available on the encrypted messenger platform Telegram in an effort by the Uyghur diaspora in Russian-speaking countries to raise visibility.
- Everton Weekes, last of the ‘Three Ws’ of Caribbean cricket, dies at age 95"Everton Weekes was a great Barbados champion who epitomised living life to the full."
- Hongkongers braved the newly enacted national security law with a leaderless protestOne huge banner summed up the defiant mood of protesters. "We f***ing love Hong Kong," it read.
- LGBTQ+ community and politicians salute Montenegro's new law on same-sex partnershipsOnly five years ago, police banned the country's Pride March as "too risky" following threats of violence from homophobic groups.
- Made in China: The draconian details of Hong Kong's national security lawBeijing's National Security Office "can do anything, wave an ID at local law enforcement, and walk away. Potential for abuse is infinite."
- Milan Kundera's first Czech biography: Another public dressing-down in his homeland?"An optimist can still hope there will be a time when the debate around Milan Kundera will overcome its long-lasting neurotic phase."
Bahá’í World News
- Design unveiled for first Baha’i Temple in the DRCDesign for the Baha’i House of Worship in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been revealed by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the country.
- Nepalese village develops agricultural capacity as long-term strategyThe Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly of Motibasti, Nepal, is developing strategies to mitigate the economic challenges posed by the pandemic.
- Statement on racial prejudice spurs vital conversation in the USIn a statement by the country’s Baha’i National Spiritual Assembly, spiritual principles are explored in order to illuminate a path forward.
- Distinctive role of teachers comes to light in times of crisesBaha’i-inspired community schools have found creative ways to adapt and continue educational programs for children in spite of disruptions caused by the pandemic.
- In Africa: As one temple rises, anticipation builds for anotherActivities on the sites designated for Baha’i temples in Kenya and the DRC are providing a glimpse of the rising spirit emanating from these spots consecrated to unity.
- Escalation in persecution of Baha’is in Iran: tried in court and imprisoned for their beliefsIranian authorities target at least 77 individuals across the country in recent weeks despite the present health crisis.
- Conversations on social cohesion gather momentum in Australia since pandemicThe Australian Baha’i community encourages an exploration on pressing issues, such as racial and economic disparities, in an online seminar about social cohesion.
- Prerequisites for peace penned 100 years ago reverberate today‘Abdu’l-Baha’s call a century ago for universal peace and for the elimination of all forms of prejudice resounds throughout the world.
- Pandemic highlights need to address moral dimensions of climate change, scholars warnOnline conference held by the Baha’i Chair for World Peace examines environmental concerns in the light of humanity’s heightened consciousness of its essential oneness.
Although the idea has a certain charme I strongly suspect that authors might be fleeced. Nobody doubts that there are a lot of different tasks to master before and after a book can be published. A course would shorten the time to learn about self-publishing. But could a course teach anyone how to implement the newly acquired knowledge? Could a course teach how to adapt to the ever changing publishing scene? A degree might, at this stage at least, give an iIllusion of expertise.
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Martina,
Your bringing up adapting to the ever changing publishing scene is, to me, a valid consideration.
There are many people in other fields who leave college and discover their knowledge is not up to speed with the culture; and, publishing may well be the fastest changing thing on the planet…
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I think the course will do what the self-publishing companies do – sell ideas to authors, a lot of it will be stuff like how to choose a self-publishing company. They would do better to do a course on setting up a publishing company and how to grow from a soft-start.
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Well, Val, here are the course “contents”:
• The Publishing Environment
• Editing Principles and Practice
• Self-Employment in Publishing, Writing and Editing
• Electronic Publishing and the Creation of E-Books
• The Production Process
• Marketing for Writers
• Creative Publishing Project
Perhaps, some of that might contain what you’ve mentioned?
Also, many writers don’t want to actually be a “company”—I feel there will always be room for what I call “Publishing-Aid” companies, like FastPencil.
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