Mark Binder's Blog: Transmitting the Joy of Written and Spoken Word, page 7

Stink Bomb War… back in play

Last year, while courting an agent, I started writing a piece of “middle grade” fiction with certain specifications. It had to be about 10,000 words long, and aimed for grades 3-5. If you know my work, you know that I try to write multigenerationally — which is to say that I want something that everyone will […]

What happens when you ask a professional to work for free?

There’s a common internet meme that says, “If you give it away, they’ll pay for it.” Really? Let me ask you… how often does “freemium” turn into something you pay for? That said, if you do sign up for my newsletter, I’ll send you a story, because I believe that tasting a delicious dish makes you want […]

What’s the best ghost story for a festival?

A festival recently asked for an audio demo of a ghost story. The problem is, which to send them? “It Ate My Sister?” “Fat Charlie and the Witch”? “The Haunted Playground”? “Runninghead”? “Sid Sophie and the Demon.” Would you like to help? You don’t have to buy anything. Just listen to the stories, and then let me know which you think is […]

It Ate My Sister

Kids often ask, “What’s your favorite book?” I sigh and say, “That’s like asking, ‘Which of your kids do you like best?'” The truth is that “It Ate My Sister” is one of my favorite stories to tell and retell. The first version was funded by a US Department of Education grant to model “Science Stories” for […]

Give to me some cookies! – A Baker’s Dozen

One of the things I love best is to take an old story and turn it sideways (if not upside down.) This is a fairly traditional story, retold as a spooky/new year’s eve tale. It has two of my favorite ingredients: baking and magic! http://transmitjoy.com/audio/give-to-... “Give to me some cookies” is from a live performance and can […]

Video Shoot-Out

I need your help. The visual of this video was filmed at the Andy Warhol museum a few years ago, but it didn’t have any audio. I’m putting together a demo reel.  Below are two current options for music. Please email me, tweet, post to facebook, or comment below your suggestions: Video #1 with Audio Video […]

Question for people redesigning public education…

I recently wrote an op-ed for the Providence Journal about Education. The question that I’ve begun to ask folk (politicians, consultants, etc) who want to change public education is this: Would these changes be sufficient for you to send your child to this school? If not, then get back to work… http://www.providencejournal.com/arti...  

Awesome Books For All Ages at Pawtucket Winter Market THIS Saturday from 9am-1pm

Last CHANCE! Buy Local for Less than you’ll pay on Amazon. Personalized signed copies. Support your local word-farmer! Get a book. Get a FREE TATTO Across from the Crepe Makers Next to the Pretzel Guy! 1005 Main Street Pawtucket RI

Einstein’s Theory – made simple(ish)

Ok, so this is very cool. From the NY Times, things I never knew about Einstein’s theory of relativity.  http://nyti.ms/1PLt3Ty

An old Thanksgiving joke…

When I was a kid, this was one of my favorites. Q: What international catastrophe happened when the waiter dropped the platter on Thanksgiving? A: The downfall of Turkey, the overthrow of Greece and the destruction of China. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving! – Mark