The Writers Network http://ezezine.com
May 3, 2004
The Writers Network News
“No Rules; Just Write!”
Editor: Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com)
NOTE: Next Roswell meeting date: THIS Friday, May 7, 2004
12:00 noon at Wok & Chops Gourmet Restaurant
See bottom of newsletter for directions
In This Issue:
1. Kudos: TC McClenning, Barbara Florio Graham, Danny O’Dell, Elizabeth Lenci-Downs
2. From the editor’s desk: Endless proofing
3. Q and A: Recommended words, styles and software
4. Subjects of interest to writers
5. Jobs, contests, grants, agents and markets
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Quote of the Day: If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for? – attributed to George Carlin
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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.]
First, the good news. I've been published in the April issue of Writer Magazine! Now the bad news, it's only a letter to the editor. I discovered it this past weekend as I started reading that issue. It's very surprising to open a magazine and suddenly see your name on the page. I had sent the letter via their web site a couple months before and forgotten about it. They cut out a paragraph or two, but decided to use it.
This has proven to offer a hidden lesson for me. Some months ago, I made a list of publications I would like to be published in and Writer was on the list. I guess I needed to be more specific! At least I can say "my words have appeared in Writer Magazine."
--TC McClenning, PR/Marketing Consultant & Copywriter www.topcatcreative.com
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I had an opportunity to join a group of writers for a presentation to high school English teachers on their professional development day. As I prepared a handout for Five Fast Steps to Better Writing, which is ideal for high school students, I wondered if I could also find a "hook" to my humor book, Mewsings/Musings. I decided to prepare a handout showing teachers how to use humor to teach style, voice, point of view, and subtlety. Not only did this appeal to many of the teachers who attended, but several also bought copies of my third book, Five Fast Steps to Low-Cost Publicity because they either had written a book themselves that they wanted to publicize, or were involved in an organization who needed this type of help.
--Barbara Florio Graham, www.SimonTeakettle.com
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I have been asked to do four hours’ worth of fitness presentations in Baton Rouge in June for my old (I say old because I am retired and they are still hitting it) law-enforcement partners. They are flying me down, and I am excited about doing another presentation. I went to Ottawa last July for the international conference there. They have liked what I present and have asked me to give three presentations in the past year and a half. --Danny M. O'Dell, MA. CSCS, *D www.Explosivelyfit.com
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My mother wrote a journal about six young professional women and a borrowed 1924 Studebaker who toured Yellowstone Park in 1926 and called it Off On a Hoot!!! I found the journal in our homestead last year in Virginia, Minnesota, and have published it unabridged. Yellowstone Park is expressing interest, and my fellow Sons of Norway chapters love it. Truly it is an exceptional "witty bit" of history. I can see why my mother became an excellent writer. --Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, author, artist www.lencistudios.com
Do you have good news? Please send it to me at Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Two: From the editor’s desk:
Whew! My publisher just sent my book, Write In Style, to the printer for proofs, and I can relax, at last, after days of frantic e-mails and phone calls and proofing and reproofing into the black of might. I’m flattered that Richard Lederer, author of many books on the English language, has written an endorsement for my book. Dick Dowis also honored me with an endorsement. He is another well-published author that I revere and is Lederer’s co-author on several books, such as Sleeping Dogs Don’t Lay. His latest book, The Lost Art of the Great Speech was recently re-released in hardback from Barnes & Noble Books.
This month I spoke to the Georgia Women Entrepreneurs (GWEN) in Athens. My audience mostly included people who don’t necessarily consider themselves writers, but they each must write at least one article a year, as a requirement of the job. I emphasized points that make nonfiction writing stronger, healthier and more marketable. Someone asked for some strong words to use in writing nonfiction, and I promised to add a list to this newsletter, so watch for that information under Q & A.
Enjoy this newsletter, and be sure to send your kudos, questions and leads in, to share with members of your network.
--Bobbie Christmas
Author of the upcoming Write In Style (June 15, 2004)
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Three: Questions and Answers:
Q: What are the strongest words you can use in writing promotional materials?
A: Here’s what HomeBasedBusiness.com has to say:
40 Of The Most Powerful Words You Can Use In Your Headline To Create Insane Profits!
1. You
2. Your
3. How
4. New
5. Who
6. Money
7. Now
8. People
9. Want
10. Why
11. Do you
12. Amazing
13. At Last
14. Bargains
15. Little-Known Secrets
16. Life
17. Breakthrough
18. Only
19. The Truth About
20. Now
21. Sale
22. How would
23. Advice to
24. Love
25. Facts
26. Discover
27. Inside-Secrets Of
28. Announcing
29. Yes
30. Amazing Secrets
31. Which
32. Here
33. How Much
34. This
35. Which of
36. How to
37. How you
38. Free
39. Hot
40. How I
Q: I am writing a nonfiction book for the public and for healthcare workers. What is the best style for such a book? AMA, APA, MLA, etc?
A: Books call for Chicago Style, the style preferred by the majority of traditional publishers. Even if you self-publish your book, you’ll want it to look like a traditionally published book, so follow Chicago Style, which dictates punctuation, capitalization and other issues. It standardizes, for example, how to use commas and dashes, what to capitalize or not, and when to use numerals and when to write out numbers.
Q: Do you recommend any special writing program to write a book, or just Word?
A: Stick to Microsoft Word or Corel Word Perfect, and you can’t go wrong. These programs are easy to pull into design programs, when it’s time to send your book to a publisher or printer, and they have the power and ability to help you with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and even finding synonyms.
Do you have a question? Send it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Four: Subjects of interest to writers
Richard Lederer’s Verbivore Web site has much to interest writers. See http://www.verbivore.com
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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
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Darnell Arnoult brings Writers at the Round Table workshops to Atlanta
Darnell Arnoult, published author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and long-standing member of the Duke Writers Workshop faculty, will conduct four Writers at the Round Table creative writing workshops in mid-May. Arnoult will focus on defining and refining the voice of the writer and will introduce her step-by-step method of completing the all-important first draft.
For detailed descriptions of each workshop, or to learn more about Darnell Arnoult, visit her website, www.darnellarnoult.com.
Workshops will be held in a private meeting space in West Cobb County. Class size is limited to 10 students. Cost is $145 for the first workshop, and $135/each for additional workshops. This includes all handout materials. For more information, or to register for a workshop, contact Barbara Collins, Workshop Coordinator at 770-309-3611, or via e-mail at ginger4410@bellsouth.net.
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Recommended book for those who write promotional copy
“I attended your recent GWEN Conference Seminar, ‘Rev Up The Health of Your Manuscripts.’ I enjoyed the presentation very much. The pointers you provided will help a lot when I write my next Business Sense article. I just edited the previous sentence, deleting about 8 words!). The book I mentioned on writing advertising copy is ‘Tested Advertising Methods’ by John Caples. I have used it and found the advice very useful.”
Carol McDonell
Business Consultant
Business Outreach Services/
Small Business Development Center
1180 E. Broad St., Athens, GA 30602-5412
(706) 542-6048
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_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.
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Make Working Smarter Pay Off
Do your work habits need polishing to keep your projects on track? Do you ever get verbal green lights from your clients and have that come back to bite you later on? Join our panel of experts as they share their practices, habits, and systems for turning a freelance creative business into a smoothly functioning corporate machine.
WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 6:15-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Creative Circus
ADDRESS: 812 Lambert Drive (near the I-85 Monroe Dr exit)
ADMISSION: FREE for Members/Guests $12
info@freelanceforum.org
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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).
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I bought Bryan "Garner's Modern American Usage", and it addresses many of the arcane issues that we raise about our English language. It is a must have. --Mark A. Thompson
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Five: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
Contract-to-Hire Telecom Technical Writer (Norcross, GA) Job # BC 049
ProEdit is seeking a Technical Writer for a full-time, on-site, contract-to-hire position in Norcross, GA. This position will be responsible for writing and updating user documentation and installation guides for a leading edge fiber-optic network product. This is an excellent opportunity to work with an emerging industry
leader in the telecommunications field.
Qualifications for this position include
- A minimum of five years technical writing experience is required.
- Previous experience writing documentation for the telecommunications industry is also required.
- Proficiency with Adobe FrameMaker.
- Ability to start the week of May 3.
E-mail your resume along with the job number, your hourly rate, and availability date to resumes@proedit.com. If you would like to discuss this position further, please call a Technical Recruiter at
770-886-6255.
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Greeting card company seeking experienced greeting card verse writers for everyday card line. Knowledge of layout, fonts & occasion specific verse a must. Competitive situation between writers. Ongoing year round writing via the internet. Monthly payment based upon number of accepted verses. Reply to: job-28007186@craigslist.org
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Articles on travel, 5-star hotels, resorts needed!
FiveStarReviews.com, a national online food/spa/travel magazine is seeking articles on travel spots, spa resorts, 5-star hotels and international destinations. We will accept already published articles or originals. Currently, we are paying $10 per article and staff mention. There is room for growth as we are searching for eventual travel editors. Please send your complete contact information and first paragraph or proposal for articles to info@fivestarreviews.com. Please do not attach resumes, but detail your writing experience in your cover letter. Thank you! info@fivestarreviews.com
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Needs articles
Monthly on-line magazine, http://www.undergroundvoices.com seeks articles on hard-hitting issues: mental health, drugs, crime, addiction. Please see magazine for content. Submissions may be in the body of the text or as a .doc attachment. uveditor@undergroundvoices.com
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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
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$15,000 and up for your book
Premiere New York Book Packager seeks writers for original, high-concept
Young Adult SciFi/Fantasy novels. Please send resumes and samples of 25 pages or less.
Samples cannot be returned. job-28361237@craigslist.org Compensation: from 15k and upward per manuscript
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Parent magazine writers and sports and outdoors type stories
Parent magazine writers and sports and outdoors type stories for a free monthly tabloid in southwest Florida. (Venice to Naples). Pays 10 cents a word. ApplicationDeadline: July 30, 2004. CompanyDetails: The Burton & Robinson is a publishing and state licensed talent agency in Florida. Email: starrynightprods@yahoo.com
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Bon Appetit covers fine food, restaurants, and home entertaining. This magazine pays $100-2,000 for nonfiction pieces of 150-2,000 words. Recent features include "Cozy Breakfasts" and "The Pleasures of Country Cooking." The editors say, "We are not generally interested in receiving specific queries, but we do look for new good writers."
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Critiques wanted
“I am looking for professional writers and editors to critique the writing JEDlets at www.jedlet.com. We will give them free access to one of the JEDlets, a small bio a link to their site of choice in exchange for a few paragraphs reporting whether or not the product does what it promises. The review goes into our newsletter the JEDlet Journal which goes to 20,000 businesses worlwide.” --Susan Campbell, s.mc@sympatico.ca
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“I need stories for a book I'm writing about client/patient relationships with therapists that have gone wrong. Has your therapist (psychiatrist/psychologist/social worker) given you bad advice; harmed you in any way; crossed boundaries; made you feel worse than when you first started therapy? Please contact me via e-mail at azatz@funtravels.com. I promise I will not use your real name - but need any stories desperately and as soon as possible. If you don't want to put it in writing, e-mail me with your phone # and I'll call. Thanks in advance. azatz@funtravels.com .”
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America West Magazine
4636 E. Elwood Street
Suite 5
Phoenix, AZ 85040-1963
Editor: Ellen Alperstein
Guidelines: http://www.skyword.com/edit.html "Published by Skyword Marketing Inc., America
West Magazine is the monthly publication aboard America West Airlines. Each month, more than 1.6 million passengers fly on America West to destinations across the continental United States, several Canadian cities and Mexico. The airline's operational hubs are Phoenix and Las Vegas."
"Each month America West publishes one main feature story, and several departments. Throughout, the emphasis is on first-rate reporting and compelling storytelling. We don't publish traditional travel stories, business or celebrity profiles or service pieces. Our stories celebrate a sense of place and reflect the airline's destinations, but not at the cost of great narrative writing. People who write for America West are not only superior journalists, but skilled entertainers. America West is a magazine for people who like to read." Regular departments include several quirky and humorous briefs, op-eds, personal essays about writers' hometowns, and tales
of transitions and problem-solving. $.60-1.00/word on acceptance. 25% kill fee on assigned articles.
Reasonable expenses reimbursed. Send queries by snail mail. Responds
in 2-4 weeks.
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I WANNA BE SEDATED
"We are seeking original, first-person essays from mothers and fathers that speak to the challenging, crucial and occasionally mind-blowing task of parenting today's teenagers.
”I Wanna Be Sedated will not be a 'how-to' book of advice, but a collection of true-life stories that shine a light on the profound experience of parenting through the teen years (we"ll stretch
them from ages 12 to 20). We want stories with a strong narrative arc that might reveal an insight, offer a hard-won truth, provide comic relief. Ideally, your essay should bring a sense of
perspective to the task of parenting. We want the stories of what you lived and learned, told with a slice of wisdom or a spark of humor, or maybe both. Think shocking, hilarious, and everything in between. We also want to hear the poignant stories of connecting with and learning from our kids.
”NOTE: In addition to standard-length essays, we are seeking short essays, ~400-750 words, which will be interspersed throughout the book. See submission guidelines below for 'Short Vignettes.'
Length: 1500 - 5000 words; Deadline: June 1, 2004; Publication: Spring 2005; Payment: $200 plus two copies of the book
Submission Guidelines Option 2:
"I Wanna Be Sedated" short vignettes:
"Think of these short essays as a contest where the winner is the writer who comes up with the all-time most hideous and hilarious nightmare scene of parenting a teenager. This is your chance to compete in the 'I-can-top-that-one' contest. Let us know how bad it can get, but spin it with your best storyteller voice and some threads of humor. Length: 400-750 words; Deadline: June 1, 2004;
Publication: Spring 2005; Payment: $100 plus two copies of the book
Submission Instructions:
"Submissions should be mailed. Include your name, email address, address, phone number, and a brief bio. Send your completed manuscript, double-spaced, and SASE to:
Editors
c/o Faith Conlon
811 West Armour Street
Seattle, WA 98119
Questions: Email Faith Conlon at faithconlon@comcast.net or Gail Hudson at g.hudson@cablespeed.com. Please put the words "teenagers" in your subject line.
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I'm looking for funny or shocking short stories about MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS/TEENS WHO USED TO BE KIND, LEVEL-HEADED, RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN. I'm writing a book about what happens to these kids when they hit the teen years, and what we can do to help them.
--Lisa Grabel, LisaGrabel2003@yahoo.com
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Stories wanted for forthcoming book about “HOW TO BECOME A CURMUDGEON.”
If you live with a curmudgeon, are related to a curmudgeon, saw one recently, know a curmudgeon or are a curmudgeon, chances are you have a humorous, outrageous or perhaps touching story to tell. The book will take a look at the personal qualities needed to be a successful curmudgeon––when the right time comes along. --Joel Leach, JoelTLeach@aol.com
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Islands covers "accessible and once-in-a-lifetime islands
from many different perspectives: travel, culture,
lifestyle. We ask our authors to give us the essence of the
island and do it with literary flair." This publication is
95% freelance written, and pays $750-3,500 for nonfiction
features.
Islands Media Corp.
6267 Carpinteria Ave.
Suite 200
Santa Barbara CA 93140
Lisa Gosselin, editor
Phone: (805)745-7100
Fax: (805)745-7102
E-Mail: editorial@islands.com
Website: www.islands.com
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Porthole Cruise Magazine covers the cruise industry. This
bimonthly publication pays $400-650 for assigned articles
on nearly anything related to cruises. The editors say,
"Porthole Cruise Magazine entices its readers into taking
a cruise vacation by delivering information that is timely,
accurate, colorful, and entertaining."
Panoff Publishing
4517 NW 31st Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33309-3403
Ralph Grizzle, editor
Phone: (954)377-7777
Fax: (954)377-7000
E-Mail: rgrizzle@ppigroup.com
Website: www.porthole.com
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Washington Flyer Magazine pays $500-900 for nonfiction pieces
of 800-1,200 words. This bimonthly publication is for
business and pleasure travelers at Washington National and
Washington Dulles International airports INSI. The editors
say, "First understand the magazine-from the nuances of its
content to its tone. Also, the best way to pitch is
via e-mail."
Washington Flyer Magazine
1707 L St., NW
Suite 800
Washington DC 20036
Jessica Bizik, editor-in-chief
Phone: (202)331-9393
Fax: (202)331-2043
E-Mail: jessica@themagazinegroup.com
Website: www.fly2dc.com
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Endless Vacation Magazine offers articles for "America's
dedicated and frequent leisure travelers-time-share owners."
This bimonthly publication pays $500-1,500 for feature
articles, and sometimes pays expenses of writers on
assignment. The editors say, "Study the magazine and the
writer's guidelines before you query us."
Endless Vacation
9998 N. Michigan Rd.
Carmel IN 46032-9640
Julie Woodard, senior editor
Phone: (317)805-8120
Fax: (317)805-9507
Website: www.evmediakit.com
Website: www.rci.com
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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.
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Do YOU have news for The Writers Network News? Please send it in the body copy, not an attachment, to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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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
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The Writers Network--a free network for writers everywhere. "No Rules; Just Write!"