The Writers Network News April 18, 2004 http://ezezine.com
April 18, 2004
The Writers Network News
“No Rules; Just Write!”
Editor: Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com)
NOTE: Next Roswell meeting date: Friday, May 7, 2004
12:00 noon at Wok & Chops Gourmet Restaurant
See bottom of newsletter for directions
In This Issue:
1. Kudos: We need more! Send yours!
2. From the editor’s desk: April is Poetry Month!
3. Q and A: Freelance questions and much more
4. Subjects of interest to writers
5. Jobs, contests, grants, agents and markets
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quote of the Day: "If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing." --Benjamin Franklin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One: Kudos
[Kudos: noun: praise or honor: praise, credit, or glory for an achievement (takes a singular verb) • The president deservedly got the kudos for the success of the negotiations.]
This space left intentionally blank. What a shame! Send in your best personal accomplishment that’s happened within the last two months, and let us share your success.
Do you have good news? Please send it to me at Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Two: From the editor’s desk:
April is Poetry Month!
Without poets, we would have no songs. Without songs, we would have no romance. Without romance, we would have no love. Whatever would we do without poets, songs, romance or love? Poets are the ultimate creative writers. Many of us are poets, but knowing poetry has little chance of bringing in money, we keep our verse tucked away. This is the month to flaunt it, find markets for it, and enjoy the music in our words.
On a personal note I just fulfilled an assignment for the July/August issue of HomeBusiness Journal. The article teaches business owners how to write more powerful proposals and promotional material, and it is based on my upcoming book, Write In Style (slated for a June 15 release). The assignment was the best of all possible worlds. I wrote on a subject dear to my heart, I was able to put in a solid plug for my book, and I got paid for the process. This is the life, folks.
In parting, a word of wisdom: Never doubt yourself. I just learned that in 1895, a Swiss schoolteacher told one parent that his son would never amount to anything. The student was Albert Einstein.
Yours in writing,
Bobbie Christmas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Three: Questions and Answers:
Q: What advice do you have for someone wanting to break into freelance work?
A: Build a portfolio of published articles by volunteering to write for nonprofits and volunteer organizations. Most organizations have newsletters and need free articles. Once you have two or three good articles with your byline on them, you can go to paying publications with copies of your clips.
Q: What’s a typical price paid for magazine articles?
A: The prices run the gamut from zero to upwards of three thousand dollars. If you have to ask, though, you are probably at the zero end. Build a portfolio, and soon you can find some jobs that pay $10 to $100. Later you can land larger jobs. I’ve found that trade publications pay reasonably well, from $500 to $1,000 per 2,000-word article. Five cents a word is good, in the industry.
The following Q & A comes from FictionAddition.NET:
Q: I self-published a novel and would like to get an agent for my next one. Is it wise to send a prospective agent a copy of my book? -Rob
A: It really depends. Agents tend to steer clear of self-published books. If your first book was really beautifully done, and sold pretty well (I'd say a couple thousand copies), maybe. But I probably wouldn't even mention the self-published book unless there is some kind of "wow" factor involved (selling a lot of copies, great endorsements, incredible promotion, etc.). Your new manuscript will have to sell on its own, and your own, merits.
Jeff Kleinman
The Graybill and English Literary Agency, LLC
Do you have a question? Send it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Four: Subjects of interest to writers
In the last newsletter the Q & A section touched lightly on why to avoid sentence fragments and passive voice. It stirred a great deal of interest and response from members.
Mark Diamond wrote: “Great answer, Bobbie. I don't allow my elementary school writers to begin sentences with And, So, But, Because or Then, unless they are accomplished and are using it for a specific reason. Most beginning writers use these sentence starters rather unwittingly.”
Hmm. Teachers are telling elementary students not to start sentences with And, But, So, Yet, Because, and Then, so why would adult writers want to write like pre-elementary students?
George Weinstein wrote, “Regarding Margo's question, sometimes the cadence of the sentence, the style, trumps every rule. My favorite example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Repetition, passive voice, and an indefinite pronoun! None can deny the power of Dickens' immortal line, however.
”Binding oneself to rigid rules can yield a stream of clean, unassailable sentences that follow theprecision of a geometric proof, correct and utterly forgettable, but learning the magic of rhythm, the power of repetition and alliteration, creates memorable prose and wins devotees who will be anything but passive when your next book hits the stands.”
I answered him that he’s correct, that passive voice has its place, but we must remember that Dickens was paid by the word, so he had incentive to write long, rather than short. Novelists no longer get paid by the word.
Member Cec Murphey, author of more than 90 published books (can we call him an authority?) sent the following detailed article that he wrote on passive voice:
It’s Okay to Use the Passive Voice
We refer to verbs as having tense (such as past or present) as well as voice. Voice means they are active or passive--they act or they’re acted upon. We urge writers toward the active voice because the prose sounds stronger, more vivid, and uses fewer words.
In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: “Sally ate the cake.” In the passive voice, the subject is not the do-er or the be-er, but is acted upon by someone (or thing): “The cake was eaten by Sally.” We identify the passive voice by its form. The main verb consists of a form of “to be” followed by a past participle: “They were defeated and the law was rescinded.”
Even though it’s not wrong to use the passive voice, some intimidated writers fear to use such constructions. Cheer up! The rule reads: Prefer (not eliminate) the active voice. At times, wise writers choose to use the passive voice for the effect they want to create. Here are a few instances when we might use the passive voice:
1. When we want to make the sentence a command or give the words authority: “Smoking is not permitted in this building.”
2. When we want to emphasize the receiver and not the actor. St. Paul uses the passive voice to refer to the Savior’s resurrection: “Jesus was raised from the dead.”
3. When we want to make the actor obscure, unimportant, or we don’t know who acted: “Convicted smuggler JoAnn Wray was arrested at the airport.” (Who apprehended Wray isn’t important.)
4. When we want to achieve a desired cadence. Robert Frost could have written, “I took the road few people traveled.” Instead, the meter fits better by using “I took the one less traveled by.”
5. We use the passive for impact by saving that information until the end of the sentence: “The gold medal in the 10K race was won by a seventy-year-old man.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writer's Mentor is a critique group for writers serious about developing their craft. We specialize in short fiction, memoir, essay, and novel. Join with us on the 2nd and 4th Mondays every month from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Regular attendance at meetings is expected. 1911 Cliff Valley Way, NE, Come share and learn. Visitors are welcome. Call Jack Cooley, 404-312-9072, or cell 404-762-5135, or email jcooley1@bellsouth.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy Moreland shares the following eco-tip for writers:
Kinko's now has a "green machine," a copier that uses recycled paper and earth-friendly toner at no extra cost to the customer. I spotted this in the Woodstock (GA) store. Other locations may have this option, too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POD Firm Wins Patent Suit
Publishers Weekly reports that a St. Louis jury has ruled in favor of On Demand Machine, a patent-holder of POD technology, and awarded the company a $15-million judgment against Lightning Source; its parent company, Ingram Industries; and online retailer Amazon. com for "willful" patent infringement.
Harvey Ross, an electrical engineer who died in 2002, received a patent for a computer-based book manufacturing system in 1995. The patent is for a device that can digitally store a copy of the text and print one copy or more once the books are purchased.
Bruce Baebler, president of On Demand Machine, told PW , "We've had many disagreements with Lightning Source since they started operations." Although Baebler hailed the ruling, he acknowledged that "there is much more to come before there is a final verdict." The judges must further examine the issue of whether the infringement was willful or not.
Ken Brooks, president of Publishing Dimensions, a publishing and print-on-demand consultant, said he was "very surprised" at the ruling. He told PW that most industry professionals believed Ross's patent covered only in-store machines, but he said the ruling means "if you store sales or catalogue information on a computer and order books using that information, you are likely infringing. This could even include a range of non-digital printing." Brooks said it was conceivable that any company using POD technology might have to pay a fee to the patent holder. "This could make POD much more expensive to use," he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_Purge Your Prose of Problems_, a book doctor’s desk reference book compiled by Bobbie Christmas, is now available by charge card. Save thousands and edit your own book. To order, go to www.zebraeditor.com and click on Bookstore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with Sol Stein, the legendary former editor of James Baldwin and Elia Kazan, among many others and the author of two writing books, "Stein on Writing" and "How to Grow a Novel:
Q: How would you compare contemporary American novelists (DeLillo, Bellow, Roth, David Foster Wallace) to the ones from the 1920s and 30s (Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, Dos Passos)? Are we writing better novels today or worse?
Stein: I'm not sure it's useful to categorize writers. There are marked differences within the groups. Consider your first group. DeLillo is interesting, Bellow's best work is worth rereading, my experience of Roth has been quite uneven, and David Foster Wallace has created a useful doorstop. In the second group, only Dos Passos was experimental and now seems dated and interesting only from a historical viewpoint, while the others still provide experiences for the reader. This last is what fiction is about, providing heightened experiences for the reader that he doesn't get in everyday life. With David Foster Wallace, I see his words on the page, I see his tricks; I don't experience anything except frustration.
Q: What's the best piece of writing advice you ever heard?
Stein: You've just heard it. Fiction is not an excuse for getting something off the writer's chest; it is creating strong, memorable experiences for the reader.
I've learned craft from many teachers, only one of whom is still alive and had a bestseller this year at age 93. I deal with the sources of what I know in my books, so my readers will know I didn't make it all up. I was lucky to have a few marvelous writing teachers in school, college, and graduate school. My best editors have also taught me some. The late Tony Godwin goaded me into writing my best novel. James Baldwin said I forced him to write "Notes of a Native Son." The continuum is quite remarkable. The most appropriate dedication I've ever had was in Elia Kazan's "The Understudy": "To Sol, who saw what I didn't think possible."
Q: What advice would you give someone making the transition from nonfiction to fiction writing, or the other way around?
Stein: Nonfiction writers need to loosen their grip on reality in conceiving characters instead of reporting on characters they see. Reporting what someone said is light years from producing dialogue, which needs to be learned as if it were a foreign language. It is NOT anything like recorded speech. Anyone who has ever read court transcripts knows how boring recorded speech is. Nonfiction writers need to read good novels twice, the first time for pleasure, the second time to see how it's done. They need to learn the craft of writing fiction, which is like brain surgery. You are working on the reader's brain after anaesthetizing him by immersing him in an entirely imaginary experience that he believes is real.
Q: What are the five quickest ways to improve one's writing?
Stein: Be a strict monitor of your precision and clarity. Stop reinventing the wheel. Over the centuries, writers have developed solutions to writing. Recognize that writing is rewriting, a big difference from newspaper reporting. Hone detail, check the accuracy of similes and metaphors, test credibility, make sure your characters are different and interesting, and that readers will want to live with them for twelve hours or take them on vacation. The worst mistake is to revise starting on page one. I've developed a technique of revision that has saved writers months or years of revision time. It's based on triage, dealing with the most important problems first, saving the life of the book. It's covered in "Stein on Writing" and in one of my computer programs.
www.writepro.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
29th Annual Southeastern Writers Workshop
June 20-26, St. Simons Island, GA
Speakers, manuscript evaluations, competitions, networking.
Manuscript deadline: May 1
For more information: sheilahudson@charter.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev Up Your Writing and Win! Seminar Available on Tape
Rev Up Your Writing and Win is a high-quality cassette recorded at the Harriette Austin Writers Conference in Athens, Georgia. The package includes all accompanying materials and handouts. Only $14.95 plus $4 shipping (total $18.95). To order, call Bobbie Christmas (770/924-0528) or write to her (bobbie@zebraeditor.com).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Booksandauthors.net is seeking book reviews and reviewers. See http://Booksandauthors.net. If you would like to submit a review, send it to Booksandauthors@aol.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Georgia Center for the Book upcoming events
Between April 17 and May 19, we'll be hosting 11 free author programs, most of them at the Decatur Library Auditorium. Here's a sneak preview of the schedule so you can mark your calendars. We'll have more details as we get closer to the visits.
Mon April 19: Famed outdoors writer JOHN LANE explores one of America's wildest areas in his new book, Chattooga: Descending Into the Myth of Deliverance River. 7 p.m. Decatur Library
Thur April 22: Bestselling author IRIS CHANG (The Rape of Nanking) talks about her latest book, a magnificent history of the Chinese-American community. Join us at noon for free light refreshments before her appearance. 12:30 p.m. Decatur Library
Mon April 26: Mississippi native BEV MARSHALL writes of an unlikely friendship between two black women and the white family who employ them in her heartwarming new novel, Right as Rain. 7 p.m. Decatur Library
Thur April 29: PHILIP BEIDLER, a former Vietnam War vet and acclaimed nonfiction author, writes in his new book Late Thoughts on an Old War why he'll never put Vietnam behind him, and why we shouldn't either. 7 p.m. Decatur Library
Tue May 4: KAREN HUGHES, White House Counselor and Director of Communications for President George W. Bush, offers an inside view of the Bush White House in her book, Ten Minutes From Normal. 12:30 p.m. Gaines Chapel, Presser Hall, Agnes Scott College
Wed May 5: Heralded author MARITA GOLDEN looks at the nature of identity and the human spirit in her engrossing new nonfiction book, Don't Play in the Sun: One Woman's Journey Through the Color Complex. 7 p.m. Decatur Library
Wed May 12: Popular Oprah-honored author BRET LOTT (Jewel) writes of love and reconciliation in his imaginative, poignant new novel, A Song I Knew By Heart. 7 p.m. Decatur Library.
Thur May 13: SANDRA CONROY, wife of Pat Conroy and author of the bestselling novel The Sunday Wife, talks about her first novel, newly reissued, Making Waves, in this special appearance. 7 p.m. Decatur Library.
Mon May 17: Former New York Times reporter JAMES HIRSCH writes in Two Souls Indivisible of two men, one black and the other white, who survived as POWs in Vietnam to forge a remarkable friendship. Hirsch and the two men will be here for this unique program. 7 p.m. Decatur Library
Wed May 19: Emory University historian TOM CHAFFIN discusses his highly praised biography of the legendary 19th century American explorer John Fremont, Pathfinder. 7 p.m. Decatur Library.
We've already lined up some delightful and surprising author programs for the summer months, so please feel free to spread the word to your friends..
Bill Starr
Director, Georgia Center for the Book
Marketing/Programming Coordinator
DeKalb County Public Library
215 Sycamore Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-370-8450, Ext. 2225
Fax: 404-370-8469
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Learn a new word every day—at no charge!
All writers should subscribe to the free, short newsletters that come from WordSmith.org. To sign up, write to wsmith@wordsmith.org. Here’s a lovely new word I learned today:
petrichor (PET-ri-kuhr) noun
The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.
[From petro- (rock), from Greek petros (stone) + ichor (the fluid that is
supposed to flow in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology). Coined by
researchers I.J. Bear and R.G. Thomas.]
"Petrichor, the name for the smell of rain on dry ground, is from oils
given off by vegetation, absorbed onto neighboring surfaces, and
released into the air after a first rain."
Matthew Bettelheim; Nature's Laboratory; Shasta Parent (Mt Shasta,
California); Jan 2002.
"But, even in the other pieces, her prose breaks into passages of lyrical
beauty that come as a sorely needed revifying petrichor amid the pitiless
glare of callousness and cruelty."
Pradip Bhattacharya; Forest Interludes; Indianest.com; Jul 29, 2001.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subscribe to the THE WELL-FED E-PUB, the critically acclaimed monthly ezine and
companion to The Well-Fed Writer: www.wellfedwriter.com/WellFedWriterEZine.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRITING YOUR MEMOIR - SOUTH OF FRANCE
The Domaine le Bois des Dames, a private vacation center Discussion of types of memoirs & of form, content & style; reading & writing exercises; discussion; group critiques. Chantemerle lès Grignan & Montlimar, France. See the complete listing at: http://writing.shawguides.com/SouthofFrance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Five: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
Three (3) Contract Policy & Procedure Writers (Atlanta, GA) Job # TG
105
ProEdit is seeking three Policy & Procedure Writers for contract positions in Atlanta, GA. The initial timeframe for the positions will be 4 to 6 weeks, but there is a strong possibility that this project
will be extended. The writers will be responsible for interviewing Subject Matter Experts and developing original policy & procedure documentation. All of the SME interviews will take place at the client site in Buckhead, but a portion of the work can be done offsite.
Qualifications for this position include
- Ability to effectively communicate with and interview Subject Matter Experts including accountants, controllers, and company executives is required.
- Previous experience developing policies and procedures is also required.
- Background in Accounting or Finance is highly desired.
- Ability to start immediately!
If you are a policy & procedure writer interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume, availability date, and hourly rate to resumes@ProEdit.com. A recruiter will contact you if your skills match the job qualifications. To speak with someone about this position, contact one of our recruiters at (770) 886-6255.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deadline looms for Lessons Learned, Volume II
The Knowledge Shop, Chapter 11 Discount Bookstore, the Georgia Writers Association and The School Box present Lessons Learned, Volume II, an anthology competition for writers in the Southeast.
The second annual volume of Lessons Learned seeks positive nonfiction, fiction and poetry depicting lessons learned through classes, seminars, reading, relatives, friends or life.
Lessons Learned, Volume II, welcomes submissions from aspiring writers all over the Southeast. The Lessons Learned Volume II anthology will feature the top entries. All who enter get a certificate for one free copy of the anthology, and writers whose work is chosen for inclusion will be featured at a book signing at the Chapter 11 store of their choice in the Atlanta area. Top winners in each category (Adult fiction, nonfiction and poetry and Student fiction, nonfiction and poetry) will also win valuable prizes from The Knowledge Shop, Chapter 11, Georgia Writers, and The School Box.
Enter as often as you’d like, but you must follow strict guidelines, use only official entry forms and send entries that adhere to the theme. Guidelines and forms are available at The Knowledge Shop, 180 Cobb Parkway #C24, Marietta, Georgia 30060, at Chapter 11 bookstores in the Atlanta area, or at Georgia Writers meetings and events. You may also get the guidelines and entry forms in pdf format at www.knowledgeshopatlanta.com.
Deadline for entries is April 30, 2004.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DWELL
Pixie Communications Inc.
99 Osgood Place
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 743-9990
Fax: (415) 743-9978
http://www.dwellmag.com
Contact: Ann Wilson, Managing Editor
"We have no formal writer's guidelines. Please feel free to send clips and/or pitch story ideas to my attention. Please do take a careful look at the magazine to familiarize yourself with our tone and style." Pays: 10-20 cents per word This is a shelter magazine devoted to modern home interior design, architecture and lifestyle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PARENT & CHILD
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 343-6100
Fax: (212) 343-4801
http://www.parentandchildonline.com
Contact: Jill Strauss, Managing Editor
This is a magazine for parents with young children attending child-care, preschool, and kindergarten programs. Pays: 12-18 cents per word
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"How-to" submissions wanted from any author who can support their work through aggressive personal appearances and promotion on electronic media (radio and TV, web). No memoir or creative nonfiction.
--Craig Nelsen, Publisher, Loveland Press, craig@lovelandpress.com, www.LovelandPress.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A SPECIAL MOMENT IN TIME. Share YOUR story. The book is dedicated to writers and readers 50 years and older. Looking for stories, art, or photography reflecting on (1) Reminiscence of Childhood; (2) Adulthood: Fulfilling the Dreams; or (3) The Golden Years. For details, please submit
inquiries to: pjacarney@yahoo.com --Pam Carney
~~~~~~~~~~~
Opinion Magazine Wants YOU
If you think you have what it takes to be a writer, let our professional staff take a look at your work. You can share your Opinions and show off your talents with the most popular Magazine on the Net. http://www.theopinionmagazine.com/submission_info.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICKEN SOUP for the DOG or CAT LOVER'S SOUL (two books). Stories wanted. See
http://www.YourPetStory.com
~~~~~~~~~~~
SPS Studios Poetry Card Contest is "looking for original poetry, which can be rhyming or non-rhyming, although we find non-rhyming poetry reads better." The prizes range from $300 for 1st Prize to $50 for 3rd Prize. The next deadline for this biannual contest is June 30. Guidelines online: www.sps.com
~~~~~~~~~~~
Eleventh Annual Austin Film Festival
Screenplays due May 1, 2004; $40 entry fee; $5,000 cash prize. http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~
Jazziz Magazine, Inc
2650 North Military Trail, Suite 140
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 893-6868 x303
Fax: (561) 893-6867
http://www.jazziz.com
Contact: Michael Fagien, Editor
Email: mfagien@jazziz.com
This magazine is designed to attract an audience that may not typically subscribe to a jazz music magazine. It features a monthly companion CD, graphics, and photography, and lifestyle-oriented coverage. "By design, Jazziz attracts the novice listener with its unintimidating, stylish approach, as well as seasoned listeners who read the magazine to keep up with the rapidly changing and growing genre." Pays 5-10 cents a word.
~~~~~~~~~~~
SENIOR EDITOR
Health Communications, Inc.
Deerfield Beach, FL
Health Communications, Inc., a leading independent non-fiction trade publisher, (best known for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series), seeks a creative and professional Senior Editor to assume overall responsibility for 10-15 books per year. See info on the company at http://www.hci-online.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ghostwriters wanted
A new publishing startup is hiring a pool of freelance ghostwriters with strong research skills to write non-fiction books and articles, such as how-to, educational and self-help topics. Work can be done anywhere as long as there is a reliable Internet access.
This work-for-hire position is ideal for new graduates and students of journalism programs and for new writers who are looking for ways to expand their portfolios. The payment is per project (non-royalty basis) and author gives up all rights.
If you're interested, send your cover letter and two clips to our attention. Kindly don't send any attachments. Thank you.
**NOTE: Experienced writers who demand high rates might not be interested in this gig.**
Reply to: job-27550874@craigslist.org
~~~~~~~~~~~
NONFICTION BOOK AUTHORS WANTED (Advance and royalties)
“I am acquiring nonfiction books for BenBella Books. Titles must appeal to a general audience, and be both commercial and unusual. Those unfamiliar with the publisher should check out www.benbellabooks.com first. NO porn, NO children's books, NO poetry collections, NO fiction
of any kind. Professional authors preferred.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Book Author/Intern
New publisher of fashion and beauty career e-books needs writers who can finish a 60-page manuscript minimum within two months. Payment is in lump sum of $400 per accepted manuscript.
“This is a work-for-hire arrangement; you receive a byline and we own all rights. We provide the outline of the book and some research assistance to ensure the manuscript is up to par.
“This is an ideal opportunity for journalism students and new graduates to gain exposure. Apply with two of your best clips; do NOT e-mail any attachments. Impress us with your resourcefulness and excellent work ethics. If we like your work, there is a strong chance that we will use you for our future projects that pay much more.”
StyleCareer.com, Insider Tips for Fashion and Image Careers
http://www.stylecareer.com
Apply to: publisher@stylecareer.com
Email: publisher@stylecareer.com
http://www.stylecareer.com
~~~~~~~~~~~
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - CHILDREN'S BOOKS
“If you have a written a Children’s book or related materials, we’d like to hear about it. At El Dorado Publishing, our goal is to publish books that help teachers and parents enrich the lives of children from Pre-school through Junior High School. We strive to make our books
useful for teachers at all levels of experience, as well as for parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in working with children. The staff at El Dorado Publishing cares deeply about children and about teaching them appropriately and positively. We also believe that pending time with children is a valuable and fun thing to do. Our books reflect these beliefs.
“We look for books that are developmentally appropriate for the intended age group, are well researched and based on current trends in the field, and include creative, participatory learning experiences with a common conceptual theme to tie them together. Our books are essential tools for teachers. As such, the books should be ones that teachers will want to use every day. Books that cater to a particular market beyond teachers are also appealing.”
www.eldoradopublishing.com
~~~~~~~~~~~
Freelance Reader
Major film production company is seeking freelance reader to assess fiction and non-fiction books for purposes of film adaptation. Readers work from home, where books and manuscripts are sent to them, and are generally required to read the material and produce a written report within 24-48 hours. The report generally consists of a five-page synopsis and one page of comments. Some publishing, agency, or film experience is required. Please send resume, cover letter, and any writing samples to: coverus2004@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Fill the GAP" contest
http://www.globalauthorspublications.com/
Is your book good enough to fill the gap in today's literature? Books must be completed and may have been previously published or may be unpublished. If previously published, author must have the right to be released from his/her contract and must exercise that right before publishing with Global Authors Publications. Winning books will be published by by Global Authors
Publications. Entry fee is $20. Contest will be limited to the first 300 complete entries received.
Deadline: May 15, 2004
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Power of Purpose Awards
A Worldwide Essay Competition
http://www.powerofpurpose.org/
"Essays may be writings such as articles, sermons, short stories, opinion pieces, speeches, presentations, scientific papers, and profiles of individuals whose purposeful acts or humanitarian works have made a difference in the world. Poetry, scripts, song lyrics, and screenplays are not eligible.
"Themes for Essays may include personal reflection, journalistic report, scientific analysis, fiction, and other related subjects. Essays emphasizing noble or spiritual purposes are encouraged.
"The Essay must have a title. Essays may not exceed 3,500 words of text (not including notes, bibliography, and other written materials). No illustrations are permitted. Tables, graphs, and charts are permitted so long as they are submitted as part of the text file, not as separate files."
19 awards total $500,000. No entry fee. Deadline: May 31, 2004
~~~~~~~~~~~
Boston Review
Seventh Annual Poetry Contest
http://www.bostonreview.net/
Submit up to five unpublished poems, no more than 10 pages total. Submit manuscripts in duplicate, with a cover note listing author's name, address, and phone number; names should not be on the poems themselves." Winner gets $1000 and publication. Entry fee: $15. Deadline June 1.
~~~~~~~~~~~
WE ARE LOOKING FOR REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES, tales, jokes etc., and examples of younger (under 18) kids years) having "street smarts." Practical common sense knowledge the kind acquired by "latchkey" kids, kids out on the street and surviving and prospering from their experiences, etc. Please reply to authormori@yahoo.com --Mori Aaron Schweitzer.
~~~~~~~~~~~
DO YOU HAVE A RECOVERY AND/OR SUCCESS STORY? You could be an author in a #1 best-selling book with other successful authors. If you are a published author, this could be your chance to publish a short story you did not include in one of your previous books. Submit it for our anthology book series, Recovering From Adversity. There is no cost or fee to submit your story. http://www.personaltransformationpress.com/recovering-your-self.html --Art Martin, artmartin@mindspring.com
~~~~~~~~~~~
Creative Nonfiction
http://www.creativenonfiction.org
Pays $10 a page on publication.
"Dramatic, true stories using scenes, dialogue, close, detailed
descriptions and other techniques usually employed by poets and
fiction writers about important subjects - from politics, to
economics, to sports, to the arts and sciences, to racial
relations, and family relations."
See the complete guidelines here:
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Will you be in Atlanta on the first Friday of the month? Join our meeting at noon!
Directions to monthly meetings at Wok & Chops Gourmet Restaurant, Roswell, Georgia:
The restaurant is in King’s Market on Holcomb Bridge, Roswell, Georgia, one block from Hwy. 400. If on 400, take Exit 7 toward Norcross (7A if going north, exit 7 and turn left, if going south). If on Holcomb Bridge already, turn into King’s Market onto Market Boulevard beside SouthTrust Bank, turn left behind the bank, and you’ll see the restaurant in the hollow on the right. Restaurant phone: 770-552-8981.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do YOU have news for The Writers Network News? Please send it in the body copy, not an attachment, to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
…………………………………………………………………………….
Send a copy of this F-R-E-E newsletter to all your writing friends. Tell them to join The Writers Network F-R-E-E by visiting www.zebraeditor.com and clicking on “Free Writers Newsletter.” …………………………………………………………………………….
Newsletter Sponsor:
Zebra Communications: We Rev Up Your Writing, To Rev Up Your Sales.
We write, edit, and evaluate manuscripts, query letters, synopses, and articles. We even handle the submission process for you. Call to ask about our services or visit www.zebraeditor.com.
Zebra Communications, 230 Deerchase Drive, Suite B, Woodstock, GA 30188 770/924-0528
…………………………………………………………………………….
The Writers Network--a free network for writers everywhere. "No Rules; Just Write!"