The Age of Conversation

http://stores.lulu.com/ageofconversation
If ideas are the currency of our times then this is, undoubtedly, the Age of Conversation, for without the art of dialog, the cut and thrust of debate and discussion, then the economy of ideas would implode under its own heavy weight. Instead, the reverse is true. Far from seeing an implosion, we are living in a time of proliferation — ideas build upon ideas, discussion grows from seeds of thought and single headlines give rise to a thousand medusa-like simulations echoing words whispered somewhere on the other side of the planet. All this — in an instant. In what began as a half dare, the editors, Gavin Heaton and Drew McLellan challenged bloggers around the world to contribute one page — 400 words — on the topic of “conversation”. The resulting book, The Age of Conversation, brings together over 100 of the world’s leading marketers, writers, thinkers and creative innovators in a ground-breaking and unusual publication.

The Age of Conversation 2: Why Don't They Get It?
New 2nd edition:
This book is a daring challenge to the business community. Gone are the top-down, command and control messages that held sway through the 20th Century. In are a raft of new techniques that start with listening, responding and action that set the scene for a continuing and evolving dialog about brands, experience, business and community.

Brush up on the basics

Not sure if they used this when you were at school, but my mum and teachers used to bash us over the head with a book called the First Aid in English.
I thought I’d see if it’s still around and guess what ... it is!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-First-Aid-English/dp/0340882875

It’s a no nonsense, easy-to-use guide to grammar, punctuation and English Language basics. Even if you think you know everything, it’d probably do you no harm to have this handy and use it to keep bad habits in check.

Save the words!

Ben found this fab new site from Oxford Dictionaries.
An initiative to save the 1000s of words that are dropped from the dictionary each year.

I've adopted the word 'jungible' :-)

http://savethewords.org/

The art of oratory

If you missed it on Sunday night, I highly recommend you watch this fab programme on speeches and speech writing...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jt42v/Yes_We_Can!_The_Lost_Art_Of_Oratory

Some really good principles you can apply to copywriting, like considering the character of the person who's writing and finding key words/phrases that your audience responds to.

Article worth reading too:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7981471.stm

This programme is being followed by a new series for young speech writers. Look out for it on BBC.