What are people talking about over on the mediabistro bulletin boards?

"The request for a second interview came along with a release for a background check to sign giving the prospective employer access to credit reports, criminal records et al." What's up with that?

Is Whorepresents.com any good?

You've got the stones to drop off your resume unannounced at a magazine, but you don't have the brains to ask the name of the person you're talking to. How to recover?

"Does anyone know where or how I should go about finding an agent who, if they choose to represent me, can get me the best deal for African American Fiction?"

Young grasshopper seeks advice from a Columbia J-School alum.

And finally, the MBToolBox sponsored topic of the week: Can you learn to write from a book? What have been some of your favorite books that have taught you to write better--or, what have you wished you'd never wasted your money on?