Bookbinding is already becoming an obsolete, lost art, even before eBooks and eReaders. This was originally a free ecourse on SuiteU. Preserved here for my own interest, before SuiteU is taken down.

Bookbinding
By Kez van Oudheusden

Introduction

Bookbinding can be inexpensive, easy to do and can produce some unique and individual works. There are many basic techniques that you can use to create books and we will be starting with the simplest of all, a single section notebook that you will use for class notes and ideas. These techniques are easy to master. These are the basic techniques that you can use to build on to more difficult techniques. You can research other book artists work and combine with your own techniques to create unique books. This course will show you the basic techniques and help you get started. Once you have finished this course you will have the information you need to tackle your first project with confidence. …more

I discovered the Bookie Brunch while writing a post about book hoarding... I mean keeping, for HubPages. It seems to be about a year since anything new was added to the Bookie Brunch schedule. But, I liked the ideas. I would like to hear the discussions, literary, bookish and readers talking about books too. Bookie Brunch on YouTube:

Special project, founded by Sasha Soren ('Random Magic'). Bookie Brunch is a weekly meet-up, held every Sunday, where book bloggers can have a cup of tea and chat about a particular bookie question of interest. Pull up a chair and feel free to join us! Current series from July 2011 through December 2011. Every Sunday. Feel free to drop by and have a cup of tea and enjoy some good company. Will try to collect all Bookie Brunch videos at the channel, to make it easy to find them, and have separate, special playlist just for BB!

Questions from past Bookie Brunches:

• Question: Are books better with or without love triangles? Related topics: Do you root for a particular character in the love triangle? If so, why? What is your favorite literary love triangle?
• Question: Do you prefer e-books or print copies of novels, and why? Related topics to consider: Do you have a specific e-reader that you prefer? Why did you choose that particular e-reader, did you try any others, and what were your experiences with them?
• Question: Do you think people only read classics because they're classics, or because they're actually enjoyable? Related topics to consider: Is there a classic you don't think should be a classic? If so, why do you think that?
• Question: Fantasy versus realism. People often tackle the issue of characters or plot being unrealistic or not possible in real life. Are you on the book-must-be-believable/realistic side or not? Why or why not? Related topics to consider: Do you prefer books with fantasy elements, or books which stick to the world we know? Do you think it's important that contemporary literature remains true to life or do you welcome deviations from what would normally happen?
• Question: Do you prefer hardcovers or paperbacks and what are the reasons for your preference, either way? Related topics to consider: Would you consider buying a book that wasn't in your preferred format (hardcover vs. paperback) - if so, what would be your reason for doing so?
• Question: Are you likely to select or read an e-book because of an appealing cover or does the description/synopsis of an e-book weigh more heavily? Related topics to consider: Please show us a link to two or three e-book covers that captured your attention recently, and tell us why. -
• Question: Have you ever stopped reading a series due to unexpected or disappointing changes in the characters, writing, etc.? Do you consider going back, or do you give up on the series? Related topics to consider: Do you think series should be never-ending (going well past 10 books), or do you think it keeps it fresher for an author if they stop after a certain number of books in a series?
• Question: What's the most important part of a book for you, the characters or the plot? Related topics to consider: Would you consider buying a book because you liked the characters even though you disliked the plot, and vice versa?
• Question: What is one book that made you cry, and what was it that affected you about that particular story? Related topic to consider: Are you a Happily-Ever-After kind of person or do you like tragedies more?
• Question: What are three songs that remind you of your favorite book? Related topics to consider: Why do the songs remind you of that particular book?
• Question: What is your favorite kind of magical/mythical/supernatural creature to read about? Related topics to consider: Is there any kind of mythical creature you'd like to see more, in fiction? Or less?
• Question: Discussion of all things magical within the book world (would like to take time to include Random Magic). Related topics to consider: Specifically related to Random Magic (if you've read the book): What was your favorite magical place that Winnie and Henry visit? What made it so magical for you? Related topics to consider: Unrelated to Sasha Soren's book (Random Magic): What books would you recommend to those of us in love with the magical world? What types of magic do you gravitate towards the most - spells, enchanting places like Wonderland/Narnia, or magical beings like witches/faeries?
• Question: Which is your favorite classic novel, and why? Related topics to consider: What would your second pick be, and for what reason?
• Question: Are you more of a book buyer or a book borrower? Why? Related topics to consider: Do you lend books or are you too possessive? Do you buy books after borrowing them if you like them?
• Question: What are your thoughts on books that are an unusual size? (i.e., coffee table books, larger than trade paperback or hardback, miniatures, non-rectangular, pop-up books) Related topics to consider: Do you own any unusual-sized books? If so, what was it about them specifically that appealed to you? If you don't own any, do you have any on your wishlist? Please provide title(s) and author(s).
• Question: Since we're close to Halloween, I'm curious - if you could be any magical creature for three days (three's a good number, since it lets you have a fair run at it), what would you be? Of course, you'd be able to turn back into yourself after three days. Related topics to consider: What traits or powers in particular appeal to you about that specific magical creature?
• Question: What's your favorite spooky story? Alternatively, if you don't like spooky stories, why are they unappealing to you?
• Question: Do you like the smell of books? Related topics to consider: Do you have any other odd book-related obsessions? For example - must have matching covers in your series books, must be the first to open the book or crease the cover, or can't stand creased covers or pages, or if you have both paperback and hardcover versions of a series, the cover art has to match, etc.
• Question: Does cover art influence what you read? Related topics to consider: If you aren't familiar with an author, and you don't like the cover art, would you try the book? Have you ever loved the cover art, and didn't enjoy the book?
• Question: How do you discover new books? Related topics to consider: Do you look for recommendations on book blogs, ask your friends, go to the library? All of the above? None of the above? Have you ever received a book recommendation from a completely unexpected source?
• Question: Are relationship-oriented dilemmas (girlfriend-boyfriend relationships, to be specific), important for the success of a novel? Related topics: An example of a book without this particular type of twist, that's still a page turner of a story?
• Question: Has blogging changed your reading habits? If so, in what way? Related topics: Do you read new genres? Are you bothered by them or do you welcome the changes?
• Question: When it comes to the paranormal and the magical - how much do you believe in what you're reading? For you, are your books pure fiction or do you secretly hope that maybe there might be some truth to all of the stories?
• Question: If you could invite three authors to dinner, who would be on your guest list, and why?
• Question: What do you think of festive themed books? Related topics: Do you have a favourite christmas book to read? If so, What is it and why? or will you be avoiding them?

From vvb32 Reads:

What's Bookie Brunch all about?: Bookie Brunch is a weekly meet-up, held every Sunday, where book bloggers can have a cup of tea and chat about a particular bookie question of interest. The discussion is open from Sunday through Wednesday, and you're welcome to drop by any time to add your opinion or read what other people have to say. This discussion is open as well to general readers or bloggers in a different field, authors, publishers and publicists. Find Bookie Brunch You're invited! Feel free to join us every Sunday for great company, fun discussions, and occasional goodie giveaways. Some upcoming dates are listed below, it'll be great to see you there. Calling all bookies - grab a seat and let's talk books. We'll be talking about... e-readers vs. print editions fantasy vs. realism in books characters vs. plot and lots of other cool and bookish questions

Originally posted to SuiteU, part of Suite101. SuiteU is being removed from the site. I wanted to save the ecourses so this resource would not disappear.

Writing Therapy

By Tom Bell

Introduction

You may have always thought you couldn't write a poem if your life depended on it. It turns out you can and you'll find out how. It may also turn out that it will improve your health. It's certainly more fun than visiting doctors. Or maybe you've always wanted to write poetry but have never done it. This course will help get you started writing a poem or two. It will also teach you to play with forms so you learn how to write what they call "experimental" poetry since playing, action, and expression are important in "experimenting" or trying to write a poem. While there has always been speculation that writing has health benefits, it is only recently that a solid body of good psychological evidence has appeared which is starting to document how / why this is true! You will get an introduction to this growing body of research and some thoughts on what health issues it affects. In brief, you'll get a few tools and prompts. You'll get a chance to play with words and feelings and come up with a poem. You then can (if you like) share it with the instructor and other students for feedback. If you like you'll have a chance to comment on others' _{and the instructor's} work. You might want to revise it or try another. If you like, you also have the option of keeping a journal. Your poems may not get 'published' but there is a good chance at the end you'll have some that you've done, along with an appetite for doing more.   …more

Originally posted to SuiteU, part of Suite101. SuiteU is being removed from the site. I wanted to save the ecourses so this resource would not disappear.

Writing a Children's Book

By Sally Odgers

Introduction

Do you enjoy writing for children? Have you often read books to children and thought you would like to write one? Do you read some books for young people yourself, just for enjoyment? Have you kept up with the success stories and the controversies surrounding different juvenile titles over the past few years?

Do you often pop into the children's section at book shops or the local library? Do you look at the books your kids bring home to find out what they're reading? Have you recommended books to your children, or to any other young people?

Do you have an active mind? How about a good ear for dialogue? Can you quote two or three catchphrases kids use now? Do you enjoy the company of children and young people? Have you ever read stories to a child, or children, apart from your own? Can you remember the stories you enjoyed most when you were young? …more

Originally posted to SuiteU, part of Suite101. SuiteU is being removed from the site. I wanted to save the ecourses so this resource would not disappear.

Writing Mysteries

By Janet Blaylock

Janet Blaylock writing on Helium

Introduction

What are your favorite genres? Romance perhaps? Maybe it's Adventures or Comedies? How about the more intense genres of Mysteries, Detective Fiction, Suspense, Horror, or just good old Thrillers? Have you ever wondered how they are written? How the author builds up the suspense and the excitement that keeps you turning those pages right to the very end? If you do, then you will probably find "Writing Mysteries" intriguing. In the previous course, "Mysteries," you learned about the different writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie; or the later writers such as Catherine Coulter, Nevada Barr, Sara Paretsky; or the famous authors of suspense or thrillers such as Mary Higgins Clark, Tess Gerritsen, Stephen King, and John Grisham. They have learned the essence of a good thriller/suspense book. When you first pick up a book and you say to yourself, "This looks like a great book." They have already captured you and will now hold you hostage until the plot is inevitably revealed. Finally, you say to yourself, "Wow, I wish I could write a book like that!" Well, you can! You will learn about the elements of fiction writing such as settings, themes, characters, plots, etc. You will also learn how to write mini-mysteries and short stories. The information you receive in this course will help you to write your first novel, so lets climb on board and let the suspense begin!   …more