Weekly Roundup – Halloween Costume Showdown

If you’re getting busy planning Halloween events this season, don’t miss AC’s official Halloween 2009 guide here. Contributors have also created some great content about Halloween costume trends and make-at-home costume ideas. Here’s a roundup of some of the latest and greatest picks:

5 Unique Halloween Costumes for Kids and Teens 2009 by Lori Lane

Women’s Plus Size Halloween Costumes for 2009 by Teresa Wilson

Time Saving Creative Halloween Costumes for Trick-Or-Treating by Tara Melancon

Best Halloween Costumes for Adults 2009 by R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen

Cheap Halloween Costumes for Kids by Jolynne M. Hudnell

Quick Halloween Costumes for People Who Forgot Their Halloween Costume by Anne Wright

Hottest and Newest Halloween Costumes for Kids 2009 by Angel Vee

Five Cheap Halloween Costumes for Kids by Meg C.

Best of AC: Sexy Halloween Costumes by Eoin O’Neill

Have some Halloween costume content to share? Leave the link in the comments below!

Weekly Roundup: Summer Vacation Tips

Summer vacation is finally here, so it may soon be time to pack those bags and hit the road for an unforgettable trip. Here are some vacation-planning tips and ideas from Sources this season:

Tips for Rolling a Summer Vacation into Summer Relocation by Aly Adair

Have a Smokin’ HOT Summer Vacationa and Stay Cool by Talibah Fields

Planning Your Summer Vacation at Walt Disney World by Matthew Steed

Summer Vacation Safety Tips by Angie Shiflett

College Students and Summer Vacation: 10 Ways to spend Summer Vacation by Amy Brantley

Help Your Kids Beat Summer Boredom by T. Hillukka

Extreme Weather Vacation Destinations by Eisla Sebastian

Celebrate Summer with a Moonbow! by Sammie A.

Announcing: The AC Source Book

It’s official!

The AC Source Book is now available for purchase as an eBook download and in paperback!

I’ve written this book to help anyone succeed with Associated Content; you’ll learn everything you need to know about SEO, formatting your articles, keyword research, and article promotion.

It’s all laid out in an easy-to-read guide.  It took me well over a year to learn everything in this book, but you can learn it all within a few hours!

Check out the promo video for more information (you may need to turn up the volume):

Don’t miss out on the introductory offer to snag the FREE Social Media Report and FREE subscription to the AC Writing Tips newsletter.

Click here to head to find out more about the book and jumpstart your writing success with AC!

Who in the World is Jennifer Wagner?

She’s a down-to-earth Mom with two sons, and says she’s drawn to people who don’t take life too seriously.  Jennifer Wagner is a prolific AC Source who’s been busy writing about parenting, baking, cooking and books, and uses Associated Content primarily as a creative outlet. I caught up with this Mom on the go, to find out what inspired her to join AC, and to glean some insights about writing:

SK: How did you get started with writing for AC?
JW: I’ve always enjoyed writing, but was afraid to show others my work. One day I was reading my local newspaper and read an article about a woman in my town that wrote for a website called, Associated Content. I investigated, saw it was something I could do well, and decided to jump in with both feet. It’s been a great experience.

SK:  What inspired you to join?
JW:When I was looking over the AC website, I was impressed by how many ordinary people have had their work published. I was looking for a way to earn a little extra money and AC provided a fun way to do it.

SK: Your favorite content category to browse at work is:

Who in the World is Rose Kitchen?

She’s a musician, illustrator and writer who loves life and all its challenges. R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen has been making waves on AC with over 350 articles on medicine, health, history, travel, teaching, and a myriad of other topics.  You may have ‘met’ her on the AC Forums, but I had a chance to catch up with this talented CP to find who in the world is the mysterious Rose…

SK: How did you get started with writing for AC?

RK: I was just searching the internet for some writing opportunities and AC popped up.  I signed up and the rest is history.

SK: Your favorite content category to browse at work:

RK: Definitely, Diseases and Conditions.

SK: Do you write for other online sites or publications or only on AC?

RK: Yes, I write for BrightHub, eHow, DietSpotlight, Constant Contact and Textbroker as well as for private clients.  I am currently working on a few articles to submit to medical journals.

SK: Your most popular/most commented/newsworthy article?

Weekly Roundup: Black History Month Greats

Black History Month is in full swing, and CPs have been writing up some great articles about celebrations, events and, of course, the history of Black History Month.  Here are a few highlights from this month’s published lineup:

5 YouTube Videos That Teach About Black History for Black History Month by Rachel Carpenter.

Top Ten Famous Quotes to Celebrate Black History Month by Kassidy Emerson.

Black History Month Poems by W. Diane von Zwol.

Celebrating Black History Month in Oregon by G.L. Morrison

Free Black History Websites for Black History Month by Momma J.

King’s Dream by Dave.

Black History Month: A New Journey Begins by John Gugie.

Are you doing anything special to honor Black History Month?  Share below!

Who in the World is Linda StCyr?

When she’s not painting up a storm or diving into her antique book collection, this talented writer is busy sharing her unique point of view on a variety of current topics and newsworthy items.

Linda StCyr is a professional freelance writer and freelance artist who’s been with AC since May 2008 (she’s an AC young’un!). We’ve been enjoying her articles ever since, and you’ll probably catch her in the Forums more often than not.

I swung by Linda’s world to find out who in the world this CP really is:

SK: How did you get started with writing for AC?

LS: Accidentally, I was bored at home and decided I needed to find something to do at home in my spare time. I couldn’t get a regular job because my youngest was in school although I work as an Administrative Assistant to a real estate firm it is only a weekend job. Since I needed to earn more money to cover some extra expenses like cable I browsed the internet. I was delighted to find AC and really thrilled that they paid me for my first article. That was a lesson though, it was sent back 2 times before it was accepted.

SK:Your favorite content category to browse at work:

LS: Religion and Spirituality. I love hearing other peoples views on Religion so it is among my favorite categories to browse. You can learn a lot about people by the way they write about their spirituality. Although I am Pagan I really enjoy everyone’s diversity on AC.

SK: Do you write for other online sites or publications or only on AC?

LS: AC opened doors for me that I didn’t think were possible to walk through. I can now call myself a Freelance Web Writer because of the start AC gave me. I write for Demand Media, Bright Hub, Helium, AC, Textbroker and currently am actively sending stuff out to print magazines.

SK: Your most popular/most commented/newsworthy article?

LS: Right now my most commented on article is Michael Phelps Caught Smoking Pot- Torn Feelings from a Previous Pot Head.

AC Nuggets: Fun February Holidays

Having trouble coming up with unique article ideas?

Set your sights on any of these fun holidays coming up in February; get them in now so they enter the queue well before the end of the month!

February Is…

• International Friendship Month
• National Snack Food Month
• National Embroidery Month

Associated Content Rejoins the Blogosphere

If you haven’t noticed it yet, AC has re-launched the *official* Associated Content blog.

Some great new additions to AC include:

The AC Staff Content:  Browse this fresh lineup of articles written by the AC team.  (Gasp), there’s actually some good stuff in there .

Not-to-be-missed content:  Top Ten People I Hate Tipping by AC AndrewB; and Dating Tips from the Slightly Sarcastic by AC Valerie; and some helpful writing insights in The Top Five Most Common Writing Mistakes by AC James.  I’ll be busy rounding up some of these avid writers for the Who in the World section…stay tuned.

Friday’s Featured Content:  Just like The AC Daily’s weekly roundup, this weekly post puts the spotlight on some unique finds.

Reader Polls – Look at the top left for a poll question; right now, the All Important question is ‘Why Do You Publish on Associated Content?’  Cast your vote!

The blog is another great place to catch some editor-picked reading treats from AC’s media-plex.

Writing Tips – 7 Reasons Why Twitter is a Great Tool for Writers

Have you joined the Twitterati yet?

Twitter has become an increasingly popular social media application that lets you post nuggets of information – your ‘Tweets’ – at random moments of the day.

If you’re already blogging, you’ll find Twitter to be a great addition to your online publishing antics.

If you’re a newbie to Twitter’s micro-blogging service, give it a whirl and sharpen your writing skills in the process.

How?

Read up on the Seven Reasons Why Twitter is a Great Tool for Writers.

You can also join me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sabahk

Go on, Tweet your heart out