Writers' Roundup: April 2

I’ve noticed something about my weekly roundups: when I include a ton of links, readers don’t click through them all. So from now on, I’ll only include the best of the best, my absolute faves.

And my list is never just about writing. Maybe it’s time to change the name of this weekly feature?

Without further ado… Links!

• Love this WorldHum interview with Stephanie Elizondo Griest (author of Around the Bloc, a coming-of-age travel memoir that I really enjoyed), who edited recently released The Best Women’s Travel Writing 2010: True Stories From Around the World. It’s interesting to hear how she selected stories to include in the collection.

• Literary agent Jenny Bent writes about confidence in publishing. “There are a million and one ways that this business can make you feel like a loser,” she says. “Act like you believe in yourself until one day you’ll find out that you actually do.”

• An excellent list from Marian Schembari, who specializes in social media for authors, on what people really notice about your blog. She says design and functionality and popularity matter. She’s so right.

• Politics Daily brings us The Making of a Bestseller: Rebecca Skloot and a Great Obsession, about what this first-time author did to get The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on the bestseller list. “It took her 10 years, three publishing houses, four editors, one divorce, a freelance stint in New York, school loans and credit card debts..” the story reads. I just bought this book and plan to start it tonight!

Have a great weekend!