Shaun Fawcett's Articles

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You Too Can Write A How-To Book (or eBook)
I am a firm believer that 99% of people who have specific knowledge of ANY subject, coupled with a passion to share that knowledge with others, are natural how-to authors. This article explains why and how you can write "how-to" too.
When To Say Thank You In Writing
The purpose of this article is to tell you the whole story on when to write “thank you letters”, as they apply to a wide variety of situations — both personal and business.
Resignation Letters: Don’t Let Yours Backfire
A resignation letter is one of the most emotionally- charged letters you will ever write. The sentiments behind it are invariably volatile because of what it represents. In fact, studies have found that leaving a job can be as stressful as the breakup of a marriage. Here's how to resign with class.
Online Book Publishing: The Many Benefits of the OPM
This is another in my series of articles that explain the Online Publishing Model and how small-time authors and/or self-publishers can use the OPM as a more profitable alternative to the often archaic and dysfunctional traditional book publishing model. OPM - The Many Benefits...
Online Book Publishing: Sales-Mini-Sites Are Mandatory
This is another in my series of articles that explain the Online Publishing Model and how small-time authors and/or self-publishers can use the OPM as a lucrative alternative to the often archaic and dysfunctional traditional book publishing model. Channel 1 - the Sales-Mini-Site.
Online Book Publishing: Print-On-Demand Will Double Your Sales
This is another in my series of articles that explain the Online Publishing Model and how small-time authors and/or self-publishers can use the OPM as a lucrative alternative to the often archaic and dysfunctional traditional book publishing model. Channel 3 - Print-On-Demand (POD).
Online Book Publishing: Digital Fulfillment Delivers
This is another in my series of articles that explain the Online Publishing Model and how small-time authors and/or self-publishers can use the OPM as a lucrative alternative to the often archaic and dysfunctional traditional book publishing model. Channel 2 - Digital Fulfillment Dustributors.
Online Book Publishing: Boost Your Sales With Online Publishing
This article explains the three primary channels that make up the Online Publishing Model: 1. Sales-Mini-Sites, 2. Digital Download Distributors, 3. Print-On-Demand (POD) Distributors.
Letters of Reference – Writing Tips and Strategies
In addition to standard letter-writing dos and don'ts, there are a number of basic guidelines that apply specifically to most situations related to the writing of letters of reference. These are usually more "situational" than "how-to" in nature. Here's how to write reference letters.
Letters of Reference Defined
There is a great deal of general confusion about the differences/similarities between letters of reference and letters of recommendation. For instance; which is which, and why? How are they different? In what ways are they similar? This article explains and demystifies letters of reference.
Letters of Reference - Writing Power Phrases
These reference letter "power phrases" are grouped into three major categories: opening statements, assessment statements, and closing statements. These are the key components of any letter of reference. Formulate these phrases well and you are guaranteed to have an excellent letter.
Letters of Recommendation – Writing Tips and Strategies
In addition to standard letter-writing dos and don'ts, there are a number of basic guidelines that apply specifically to most situations related to the writing of letters of recommendation. These are usually more "situational" than "how-to" in nature. Here's how to write a recommendation letter.
Letters of Recommendation Defined
There is a great deal of general confusion about the differences/similarities between letters of recommendation and letters of reference. For instance; which is which, and why? How are they different? In what ways are they similar? This article explains and demystifies letters of recommendation.
Letters of Recommendation - Writing Power Phrases
These recommendation letter "power phrases" are grouped into three major categories: opening statements, assessment statements, and closing statements. These are the key components of any letter of recommendation. Formulate these phrases well and you are guaranteed to have an excellent letter.
Letter of Recommendation or Letter of Reference – Which Is It?
It so happens that there IS a lot of confusion about the differences and similarities between letters of recommendation letters and letters of reference. For instance; which is which, and why? How are they different? In what ways are they similar? This article clarifies that confusion.
How To Write Cover Letters That Work
Many people are confused about the term "cover letter". That's because most people don't realize that there are two main types of cover letters. There are "document transmittal cover letters", and there are "resume cover letters". Here's the difference; and how to write resume cover letters.
Go With the Flow: Write With Transition Words and Phrases
One of the most common weaknesses I see in day-to-day writing is poor logical flow from one idea or point to the next, with little or no sense of sequence, continuity, or relativity. Here are some tips to get some "flow" into your writing.
E-Mail 101: The Dos and Don’ts
When sending e-mail, some folks seem to think that because they aren’t dealing directly with another person, all forms of civility and basic respect for the recipient (and the English language) can go out the proverbial window. Here are some dos and don'ts for proper e-mail etiquette.
Business Letters: Keep Them Short and To The Point
If you ever draft letters, or any other documents where brevity is important, you'll want to pay close attention to these little practical "tricks of the trade".
Business Letters: Do You Really Know What They Are?
Based on the many requests for business letter help and info that I get at my writing help Web sites, ther is a lot of confusion about business lettyers. The fact is; “business letter” is a very general term that can mean one of many different specific letter types.
Book Publishing: Vanity Publishers Will Take You To The Cleaners
If you’ve surfed around the Net looking for help getting your book/ebook published you’ve probably run across one or more of the so-called “vanity” publishers. Since you’re reading this, there’s a chance that you haven’t yet signed up with one of those outfits; that’s good news for you! Here's why:
Book Publishing: There Had To Be A Better Way
I have detailed at length in both articles and books the many problems with the traditional book publishing model for the small-time author or publisher. Here’s a quick overview of the more significant downsides of the conventional publishing model.
Book Publishing: Problems With The Traditional Model
As many small-time authors and self-publishers have discovered the hard way, the traditional book publishing model is fraught with problems that conspire against authors/publishers making a decent living from their work. With the advent of the Internet, some better alternatives now exist.
Beware of Automatic Letter Generators
If you’ve spent any time online looking for letter writing help you have no doubt come across software programs that “automatically generate” various types of letters. There can be problems with these. Here are two typical ways in which these software letter generators work.
Admission Essays: Don’t Shoot Yourself In the Foot
Prior to writing my book on how to write college admission essays, I conducted a lot of research into the whole subject of admission essays. One thing that really struck me was how many people seem to go out of their way to sabotage their own college admission efforts. Here's what NOT to do.
9 Tips For Writing Better Business Letters
It’s quite amazing how often business people fail to follow basic guidelines when it comes to writing their business correspondence. Just as businesses need to be focused and efficient to thrive and succeed, so too does the primary tool of most businesses — the business letter.
7 Tips For Writing Thank You Letters With Class
In reality, thank you letters are among the most important letters we will ever write. Whether business or personal, an effective thank you letter needs to be written with sincerity, tact and sensitivity. Here are 7 Tips that will help you do just that.
7 Secrets For Beating Writer’s Block
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block". It is a well-known phenomenon that just about everyone has faced at least once in their lives. I used to suffer from writer's block, big time! Over the years I have developed a number of sure-fire ways to beat writer's block.
10 Tips For Writing A Winning Resume
Your resume (or curriculum vitae), combined with the cover letter, are the master keys to opening the prospective employer's mind and door so that you can proceed to the next step in the process - the big interview! Here are 10 Tips for writing a top resume.
10 Secrets For Writing Killer Complaint Letters
Here are 10 strategies I have learned over the years, by trial-and-error, for writing complaint letters that are guaranteed to get you attention and action.
10 Secrets For Everyday Writing Success
During my 30-year career in a variety of professional positions in both the private and public sectors I have written literally thousands of letters and memos and hundreds of reports. Here's my "Top 10 List" for mastering your day-to-day practical writing tasks, both personal and professional.

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