Writers and photographers beware the rules are changing incredibly fast. It appears we must keep up with the electronic world of the future. What I have read and heard made me disappointed. Some of the answers I need are difficult to find on the internet, in books or from friends.

For several years one of the writers groups I belong to had speakers who knew their craft as authors, editors, publishers and agents. It has slowly moved toward having speakers where I rush to Preditors and Editors website, click WARNINGS to check their credibility. A speaker may have a long list of credits and degrees attached to his or her bio, but I am learning you can't always rely on it.

POD Print on Demand, E-Publisher or self-published by a printer are some of the companies you pay or the company will publish your book free. I may be wrong it may be the world of the future. But, I question if they are well written books and will any endure for generations to enjoy. By going the instant route an author doesn't have to abide by rules or need to worry about changes to their manuscript. But, are they misleading the writer who comes to hear them speak or give workshops. Be careful not to become involved where it allows an editor from a trade publisher to question your credibility.

Editor is another title that can be misleading. When an author mentions editor we think of someone at a big reliable publisher not a book doctor or someone who edits books for a fee. There are good book doctors and freelance editors. If you are having one as a speaker it needs to be explained in the brochure before people are mislead. Do not pay an agent or a publisher. To learn more about the writing profession check out the different authors websites, read how-to books at the library, ask published authors and join the Writers Digest book club.

On Friday, Novemeber 24 on Book TV C-Span2 I listen to the program,"The Google Print Project and the Future of the Written Word." The panel members were Marvin Kalb, Allen Adler, Paul Aiken, Jonathan Band, Andrew Glass, David Robbins and Sidney Verba. The decussion is, will Google's print program protect the authors and the publishers from theft. Go to ww.booktv.org

I have to learn more about the updates in black and white negative and slides developing. Can they be saved or will I have to toss them.