These tips for getting a book deal are mostly aimed at a business audience publishing a non-fiction book, but they're good things to keep in mind for any author looking to get published. 

Come one, come all! Glad someone is addressing the lack of women leaders in the tech industry. 

Normally, I steer clear of the mega store that runs small businesses into the ground. However - Walmart has made a new commitment to source its products from women entrepreneurs. I can hardly believe it. I applaud. Tell me who they are, Walmart and I shall buy them. I hope they get a special label. I'm a sucker for specially labeled products. Mostly I like the "local" and "vegan" label, but a "women owned business" label might grab my attention too. 

You'll see this thread a lot as the 2016 election picks up. The female candidates will be painted as "cold," "unapproachable," "bitchy" or any number of other unfair attributes while the men march around debate stages declaring that their going to build a huge wall around the country or they're on a mission to convert everyone to one faith. 

How can all women find a balance between being a "bitch" and being too passive to be a good boss? This article in the Huffington Post has some great tips!

​SPIRIT OF THE HARVEST

By Gary Kowalski (taken from UUA.org)

Each of us will be grateful this Thanksgiving in differing ways,

Gathered in our separate families,

Each with our own distinct recipes, customs and traditions;

For some will have pies of mince,

And others of pumpkin or apple;

And some will dine early

And some sit down late to the meal,

Passing on the wisdom of the elders

As to the question of whether the stuffing

Should have raisins or currants,

And whether to add sage to the gravy.

For such differences of opinion,

Make us truly appreciative,

Realizing that as there is no one right way

To celebrate the gifts of life,

So there is no wrong way

To share in love or friendship.

But amid our diversity,

Let us also be united

In our gratitude

For a world in which there are many faiths,

A nation in which there is freedom of worship,

A community in which people of many backgrounds

Can gather in mutual care and respect.

Amen.

I'm quite fond of the new female leads that are sweeping across the silver screen and TV. Detective Beckett in Castle is pretty badass. I'm a fan of Emma in Once, who's so good she's gone bad. And now, women are elbowing their way into the superhero role. Could we be entering a new era of female empowerment for Hollywood? I sure hope so!

For me, the pitch fests on Twitter got me a publishing contract on my debut novel, and my second novel. Yep. That's write. I got two publishing contracts by crafting very nifty Tweets. But see what the Huffington Post writer recommends if you'd like to get your novel published. 

Well, it looks like the presenters and hosts are! The Iowa Women Lead Change organization is gearing up for the conference and defining its themes. It will be in February, and registration is open. 

This is great first step for Pakistan. Let's hope they have a whole lot more of these!

This popped up on Facebook. Couldn't resist sharing with you all! The Collision 2016 has made a commitment to let 10,000 women attend free. What a great idea!