The Writers Network News, August 28, 2004 http://ezezine.com
August 28, 2004
The Writers Network News
“No Rules; Just Write!”
Editor: Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com)
New! Bobbie Christmas Blog for Writers: http://journals.aol.com/bzebra/BobbieChristmasBlogforWriters/
NOTE: Next Roswell meeting date: Friday, September 3, 2004
12:00 noon at Wok & Chops Chinese Restaurant
You don’t have to live in Georgia or attend meetings to enjoy the benefits of this e-zine—most of our subscribers are in other states and even other countries. If you happen to be in Atlanta on the first Friday of the month, though, take your membership a step further by networking at our meeting. See directions to the meetings at the end of the e-zine.
In This Issue:
Kudos: George Weinstein, Margo Fallis, Kim Freeman, Michael Levy
From the editor’s desk: Living in the twenty-first century
Q and A: Legal issues, chapter divisions and more
Subjects of interest to writers
Jobs, contests, grants, agents and markets
New Feature! Writing Assignment:
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Quote of the Day: Today I deviate from the usual use of quotations specifically for writers, because member Cec Murphey wrote something that made me stop and think. I know it will do the same for you. We should all take a moment to ponder it about ourselves and extend it to our fictional characters, too. Here goes:
“Grace builders are the difficult people who upset us and force us to pray
more fervently. I wonder whose grace builder I am.”--Cecil Murphey http://www.cecilmurphey.com
Author, When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's (Beacon Hill)
Author, Committed But Flawed: Seeking Fresh Ways to Grow Spiritually (AMG)
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One: Kudos
[Kudos: noun: praise or honor: praise, credit, or glory for an achievement]
Congratulations to the following members:
George Weinstein signed a contract with the Nancy Ellis Literary Agency to represent his manuscripts in sales to publishers.
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Margo Fallis writes: “It embarrasses me to boast, but I just got a book in the mail from Loyola Press, Chicago, and I have a story in it called ‘Love For Always.’ The book is In the Arms of Angels - True Stories of Heavenly Guardians, by Joan Wester Anderson. I will be in two other books this year, too.
”I also will be in one of the October 2004 issues of FIRST for Women Magazine with an article about a trip to Egypt. I'm excited about that one. They did a photo shoot and sent out a photographer, make up artist and hair stylist. It was so cool!”
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Kim Freeman writes, “An essay I wrote on my dear and somewhat eccentric Aunt Lu won me dinner with Clyde Edgerton next Saturday night. The contest was part of the Gwinnett Reads program. We were asked to write an essay after reading Clyde Edgerton's book ‘Walking Across Egypt.’"
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Michael Levy, author, poet, philosopher, will soon have four of his most recent essays published on World Mysteries. com: http://www.world-mysteries.com/gw_mlevy.htm
His essays on living an authentic life on earth will be part of a new book
"Truths of The Soul" containing prose, poetry and essays due to be published in spring 2005.
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Two: From the editor’s desk:
Dear Fellow Writers:
I just returned from a week in Florida, where I ate seafood, watched the surf, swam, visited family, and spent time decompressing. The experience made me realize the portability of my chosen career. I carried a laptop and a cell phone and a few manuscripts with me and was able to work a few hours each day without losing much time playing or relaxing, either. We certainly live the good life in the twenty-first century, when we can go anywhere we want, play when we want, and still be in touch with the world through phone and e-mail.
When I travel to Australia in November, I do not plan to take my laptop, but I’ll bet I will still find Internet cafes where I can check e-mail, if I so desire.
These inventions can be a boon or the bane of our existence. I choose to turn on my cell phone when I want, rather than allowing intrusions wherever I go. I check messages and return calls when it’s convenient for me. This is the good life.
I even had the urge to write an inspirational piece after watching an egret working the waters as the waves rolled in. Can I deduct the cost of the trip? Okay, I’m kidding.
Enjoy this newsletter, and be sure to send your kudos, questions, comments and leads, to share with members of your network.
--Bobbie Christmas
Author of Write In Style (Union Square Publishing, an imprint of Cardoza Publishing)
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Three: Questions and Answers
Q: Earlier this spring, I was looking for a freelance copy editor for my manuscript. The time line didn’t work (I wish it would have, the woman I hired did a terrible job!) but a lot has happened since.
We found a reputable agent and they received two offers from publishers. Now we have a contract. Do you know any local attorneys who know how to look through publishing contracts? I can’t find anybody via the Internet. The firms are too big and charge too much. We are looking more for a sole practitioner who has seen dozens of publishing contracts.
A: I wish people understood better the importance of waiting for the services of a good but busy editor, rather than finding an "available" one. Editors who are immediately available or who perform quick jobs are not in demand for a reason.
I'm thrilled to hear you have an agent and offers. How splendid! You must have a terrific project. Have you tried going through the Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts? I don't know of a specific attorney to recommend, but they will have lists of attorneys familiar with your specific needs. The last phone number I had for GVLA was 404-873-3911.
Q: I'm thinking of self-publishing my first book. I know that all books must have a barcode. Where do I acquire this and how much does it cost?
A: I have a long answer and a short answer. The short answer is to have your book printer create it for you. Book printers usually have the software for it. If you're creating the cover yourself, here's an involved answer from www.jdwrite.com:
The fastest way to get a barcode, if you are creating your cover electronically, is to get a copy of a barcode font software package like Azalea (http://www.azalea.com). Make sure you generate a Bookland/EAN barcode, as this is the one booksellers will scan for.
There is more barcode information online, for example, The Barcode Software Center.
You will also need an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), if you plan to sell your books in stores. ISBNs are available from RR Bowker. (http://www.bowker.com/products/isbnagency.htm)
The ISBN is a separate number from the Library of Congress Card Catalog Number (LCCN or LOC#). The ISBN is a ten-digit number used primarily by booksellers to locate and order your title. The first few numbers of an ISBN are the publishing house's prefix and all books with that prefix come from that publishing house.
Library of Congress numbers represent a separate cataloguing system and are used primarily by librarians. The first two digits of the LCCN indicate the year in which the book was released (i.e. a book published in 1999 would have a LCCN that looks something like this: 99-12345).
The ISBN is incorporated into, and printed above, the barcode (as well as being printed on the copyright page). You will need a different ISBN for each edition or binding of your title (including electronic editions). This ensures that a bookseller can order the correct edition or binding, since each has a unique identifying number.
Conversely, your title will only ever have one LCCN, no matter how many editions or different bindings you get. The Library of Congress will expect you to send them two copies of the best edition of the book (preferably hard back) for their stacks.
Just to keep things interesting: The Library of Congress number should not be confused with the Library of Congress Cataloguing-In-Print information, which is a series of categories under which your title can be filed. This is printed on the copyright page. Nor should it be confused with the Copyright Registration number, which the Library of Congress also issues - but only if you specifically apply for it. Applying for one of these numbers or services does not automatically mean you get the others.
For information on obtaining an ISBN go to the ISBN Agency's Website (www.bowker.com).
For information on obtaining an LCCN to go the Library of Congress Website (www.loc.gov.copyright/faq).
Q: Could you recommend something about chapter divisions? Some authors I've read start a new chapter in places that don't seem to make sense. What determines proper chapter divisions? How many chapters should a novel have? Why?
A: No rules apply to chapters in fiction, except that a novel definitely should be broken into chapters. In a novel, the best way to end a chapter is with someone in deep trouble or with some event looming, so readers will want to continue to the next chapter (read anything by Sandra Brown to see that technique in action). Some writers prefer to shift scenes with the start of a new chapter, and that's fine, too. Your protagonist can be hanging off a cliff by her fingernails at the end of chapter two, and chapter three can take place in a bar many miles away, where the protagonist's friends discuss the fact that she finally went on the restful vacation she needed. You can also choose to open chapter three with the protagonist being rescued or even falling to her death.
Nonfiction has more set recommendations regarding chapters. In nonfiction each chapter should make five to seven major points and should be about 20 pages long.
Q: In regular snail mail letter, if I'm pitching a manuscript that is not yet a book, is it still treated as one and put in italics?
Similarly, when referring to published book titles in an email, is it acceptable to put them in quote marks if you are sending in Unicode or non-html? As far as I know, only html can handle bold, italic or underlined type. What is the protocol on this for an email letter, especially in an e-query to an agent?
A: To tell you the truth, I am not sure if business English addresses the issue of manuscript vs. published book. I look at it this way: If you think of your manuscript as a book, you’re more likely to sell it. I don’t think you can offend anyone by using italics in a business letter to refer to your yet-to-be-published book. If anyone would like to differ with me, send me a note.
As far as e-mail is concerned, few rules apply, except to be as professional as possible when writing to business people Because italics do not translate in many programs, I often use quotation marks myself, to indicate italics. Such a small issue won’t make or break a deal.
Q: Where can I find a nondisclosure form?
A: Quite often nondisclosure forms are appropriate when content is sent to an editor or publisher who might reveal information to sources who could use it before you get a chance to publish it. I’ve had clients ask me to sign such forms before editing their manuscripts. Of course I could not have stayed in business this long if I shared proprietary information, but if my signing an agreement makes a client feel secure, I do so.
If you would like to find such a form, try this Website, which offers thousands of free forms: http://www.xdrive.com/partners/?p=pfforms&gcid=C10757x017
For More Q & A by Bobbie Christmas, see: http://fictionaddiction.net/askexpert8.html
Do you have a question? Send it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Four: Subjects of interest to writers
Members answer the question, “What Motivates You To Write”
“I write because I'm pregnant with stories and have to give birth monthly. Otherwise, I'll swell with words that have no outlet--no birthday. They'll loop inside me until I jot them on paper or type them in a computer file. I have no rituals and never had writer's block because life impregnates me with comedy, drama, romance, horror, mysticism and inspiration everywhere I go. I love to write, even if I never share my stories with anyone. Writing feeds my spirit and soul, and gives me beautiful children to cherish.” --Darlene Pitts
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Secrets from “Write In Style” Revealed
The Find and Refine Method™ assists writers in being objective about their work. To learn about Bobbie Christmas’s trademarked method, see http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=culc78n6.0.n7ys58n6.b49z69n6.4388&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sherrellpublishinggroup.com%2Fassociation%2Fimages%2Fks%2FWrite%2520In%2520Style.pdf
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Software developer wins 2004 Bulwer-Lytton bad prose contest
A 42-year-old software developer and former National Spelling Bee contestant is the winner of the 2004 edition of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest.
An international literary parody contest, the competition honors the memory (if not the reputation) of Victorian novelist Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873). The goal of the contest is childishly simple: entrants are challenged to submit bad opening sentences to imaginary novels. Although best known for "The Last Days of Pompeii" (1834), which has been made into a movie three times, originating the expression "the pen is mightier than the sword," and phrases like "the great unwashed" and "the almighty dollar," Bulwer-Lytton opened his novel Paul Clifford (1830) with the immortal words that the "Peanuts" beagle Snoopy plagiarized for years, "It was a dark and stormy night."
Dave Zobel of Manhattan Beach, Calif., took first place in the contest with this timely entry: “She resolved to end the love affair with Ramon tonight . . . summarily, like Martha Stewart ripping the sand vein out of a shrimp's tail . . . though the term "love affair" now struck her as a ridiculous euphemism . . . not unlike "sand vein," which is after all an intestine, not a vein . . . and that tarry substance inside certainly isn't sand . . . and that brought her back to Ramon.”
Grand Panjandrum's Special Award went to Jeanne Villa of Novata, Calif., for “She sipped her latte gracefully, unaware of the milk foam droplets building on her mustache, which was not the peachy-fine baby fuzz that Nordic girls might have, but a really dense, dark, hirsute lip-lining row of fur common to southern Mediterranean ladies nearing menopause, and winked at the obviously charmed Spaniard at the next table.”
Another winner from Sean Griffin of Tacoma, Wash.: “The first time a boy stuck his tongue in her mouth, Jenny surrendered completely to the invigorating intermingling of their spit—not the Polidential spit of old age, nor the salivary excretions of middle-age, with its tart hints of gingivitis even among those who floss daily, but the invigorating drool of youth—spittle that dazzled the uninitiated with its exquisite hints of promise, innocence, and bygone braces.”
And finally, this from Marx Prewett of Dallas, Texas: “Sheila walked into the room, flaunting the kind of body that made grown men wish they were teenagers, made teenagers wish they were grown men, made toddlers wish they were preteens, made preteens wish they were young adults, and made everyone wish editors swung blue pencils the same way she swung her hips as she crossed the threshold of both the room and bad taste, her breasts swaying like dual house-trailers on a windy overpass.”
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Member Barbara Jones sent a link to a delightful Web site where you can get free feedback on your fiction, if you can take being attacked by a rabid badger. You’ll learn a great deal about what goes on inside the mind of an editor by reading stories and the editor’s comments. Enjoy! http://www.weirdsmobile.com/fictionbitch/about.html
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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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Bram Stoker awards honor horror writers
The Horror Writers Association (HWA) in early June honored excellence in horror, suspense and dark fantasy by presenting its Bram Stoker Awards at a ceremony in New York.
HWA presented its Lifetime Achievement awards to both bestselling author Anne Rice and to award-winning editor Martin H. Greenberg. Anne Rice is the author of more than 26 novels, including the bestselling Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches series. Martin H. Greenberg has published over 900 works in virtually every genre.
Bestselling author Peter Straub received the night's top honor in the Novel category with last year's lost boy lost girl.
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The quill pen was invented around A.D. 700 and was originally plucked from the feathers of live crows eagles, owls, hawks, and turkeys. Each feather pen lasted only about a week before it had to be replaced.
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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 bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Member Jenny Dean shares the following information: “Thought some of you would be interested in the list of top books, according to the Wall Street Journal.”
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=499&ncid=762&e=13&u=/ap/20040819/ap_on_en_ot/books
--Jenny
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Saturday, October 23, 2004, 10:00 - 11:00
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Fayetteville, Georgia
Free!--Write in Style and You Write for Success--Free!
Join Bobbie at the Fayetteville, Georgia, Barnes & Noble bookstore for a free 45-minute presentation filled with tips and techniques from her book, Write In Style. Learn the ease of using her trademarked Find and Refine Method to help you write in style. Questions will be welcomed at the end of the session. For information and directions: CRM2012@bn.com
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Write In Style: Using Your Word Processor and Other Techniques to Improve Your Writing teaches the Find and Refine Method ™ to locate specific letters, words and phrases you can delete, upgrade or rewrite to give power to your prose. Bobbie Christmas, professional book editor, reveals secrets only a book doctor could know. Union Square Publishing, publisher; Simon and Schuster, distributor. Available in bookstores as well as from most major Internet retailers, including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, SimonSays.com, Walmart.com and Forbes.com. Can also be ordered through www.zebraeditor.com.
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WRITERS' LONGEVITY. James Kaufman, an associate professor of psychology at California State University, San Bernardino, looked up the birth and death dates of 1,987 deceased writers from four cultures: North American, Chinese, Turkish and East European. He found that poets died youngest, averaging 62.2 years. Non-fiction writers were the longest-lived of the writers, surviving to 67.9 years, he reports in the November issue of Death Studies. See http://chronicle.com/cgi2-bin/texis/chronicle/search
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Friday, September 10 at 3:00 pm – West Cobb Barnes & Noble – Dallas Highway, Marietta
Judy Goldman, award winning novelist and author of two collections of poetry, will appear Friday, September 10, at 3:00 pm, at the West Cobb Barnes & Noble. She will read from her first novel, "Slow Way Back" and introduce the book as the first selection in the Barnes & Noble Book Club.
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Saturday, November 6 at 3:00 pm – West Cobb Barnes & Noble – Dallas Highway, Marietta
Judy Goldman returns to discuss "Slow Way Back," with readers. The next selection for the Book Club will be announced at that time.
NOTE: Judy Goldman will have other appearances in the Atlanta area during her November visit. Contact me for locations and times.
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Sunday, September 12 at 7:00 pm --West Cobb Barnes & Noble – Dallas Highway, Marietta
“Being a Writer” – A Discussion on the Writing Craft with published author and instructor, Darnell Arnoult.
Join published author and poet, Darnell Arnoult, for a discussion on the trials, tribulations, and joys of being a writer. Arnoult holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from North Carolina State University, is a faculty member of the Duke Writers Workshop, and is lead coach and instructor of the Brush Creek Writers Cooperative
She will share her journey through the writing process, and address the topics of how to stay motivated, what to do with that all-important first draft, and the business of working with publishers, agents, and publicists. Questions and answers to follow.
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Five: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
ARTICLES FOR GARDEN & HEARTH (Pays $15/article for nonexclusive rights. Accepts reprints. $10 for reviews.)
Particularly looking for party ideas, frugal living ideas, simple living articles, and home decorating articles.
“Garden and Hearth is primarily freelance written and is published in the interest of moms from the viewpoint of homelife. We like our articles to have a ‘slow-life's-pace,’ ‘down-home’ feel. We welcome innovative ideas to help moms simplify their busy lifestyles.” http://www.gardenandhearth.com/media_kit/writers_guidelines.htm
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African-American Writers Wanted
writers@prisaentertainment.com
We are a growing publishing company (online web magazine) looking for brave souls to write about particular aspects of Black America. We are looking for folks who can write about politics, sports, music, books and business.
We would like you to be opinionated, snarky, witty, slightly nuts, funny, smart and a bit crass. This isn't like writing for your local paper, that's for sure. We NEED attitude and intelligence in quick bursts.
We are looking for someone who gets what makes Black America great and more importantly, can add a layer of personality to the text.
You would work from home, and we don't expect the total number of hours worked being greater than 10-12 hours per week. We expect an income of around 1K per month, with incentives when the ball starts rolling. All you need is a decent computer, a cable/DSL hook-up and a quick wit, and we'll handle the rest.
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Sports Writers Wanted
bcn@jockzilla.com
We are a growing publishing company (online web magazine) looking for a brave soul who loves sports as if it were a first born child. You will need an intimate knowledge of football, basketball and baseball (hockey, tennis, golf and NASCAR [is that a dang sport?] would be a plus). Prefer familiarity with a online publishing, though we are willing to work with novices.
We would like you to be opinionated, snarky, witty, funny, smart and a bit crass. This isn't like writing for your local paper, that's for sure. We NEED attitude and intelligence in quick bursts.
We are sincerely looking for someone who really gets sports and can add a layer of personality to the text.
You would work from home, and we don't expect the total number of hours worked being greater than 10 per week. We expect an income of over 1K per month, with incentives. We'll go into details about that later. All you need is a computer, a modem and a quick wit, and we'll handle the rest.
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WOMEN IN PRINT is an innovative new publishing company created to support women writers. We are a traditional publisher accepting submissions of book length fiction and nonfiction works. http://www.WomenInPrint.com . --Brigitte A. Thompson
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eCongratulations Wants Writers
The eCongratulations.com Website will be launched soon and is looking for a few good writers. eCongratulations.com will be a FREE site dedicated to spreading news of celebrations throughout the world.
We will also provide articles for our visitors to read relating to celebration-type topics. The following is a partial list of topics for which we need submissions:
List of Topics:
Engagements/Engagement Parties/Weddings/Births/Birthday Parties/Anniversaries/Anniversary Parties Graduations/Graduation Parties
Sample Article Topics (these are just examples, there are many other similar topics we may accept)
Weddings
-Tips for a successful wedding
-Your own personal wedding story
-Wedding Bloopers
-Wedding Checklists
Engagements
-Step by Step Guides to Planning a Wedding
-Proposal Stories
-Planning a Wedding: Where to start?
Births
-Personal Birth Experiences
-Tips on how to have an Easy Birth
-Advice on all birth-related topics
Birthday Parties
-My Birthday Party Experience
-Birthday Party Checklist
-Birthday Party Ideas
-Birthday Party Themes
-Birthday Party Games
-Birthday Party Tips
Anniversaries Parties
-25 Ways to Celebrate Your Anniversary
-How to Rekindle the Spark of Love
-Personal Anniversary Stories
Graduation Parties
-My Graduation Party Experience
-How to Throw the Best Graduation Party
-Congratulations, you’ve graduated! What’s the next step?
Payment: $25 per accepted submission. Please send article submissions to: publishme@econgratulations.com
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HUMOR WRITERS ($25/PIECE)
“Jest Magazine, a humor magazine headquartered in New
York, is seeking submissions for its September issue. We are
a bimonthly yet topical publication featuring current and
news-related humor. What we’re ideally seeking are pieces
relating to world politics, as well as those documenting trends in
society and culture. In short, we want to pay attention to what is
going on in the world through a sophisticated, scathing, and
humorous lens.”
http://www.jestmag.com/submissions-jest.html
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Greeting Cards and Poetry Wanted
Blue Mountain Arts is interested in reviewing writings suitable for publication on greeting cards. We are looking for highly original and creative submissions on love, friendship, family, special occasions, positive living, and other topics one person might want to share with another person. Submissions may also be considered for inclusion in book anthologies. We pay $300 for all rights and $50 if your poem is used only in an anthology. To request a copy of our writer's guidelines, send a blank email to editorial@sps.com with “Send Me Guidelines” in the subject line, or write to us at: Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. Editorial Department Post Office Box 1007 Boulder, CO 80306
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WORK AT HOME MOMS & DADS. We're compiling a collection of activities and ideas that home-based business owners can use to keep their children occupied while trying to work. Activities or suggestions should be geared toward children between the ages of 5 - 12. Please feel free to submit as many activities or ideas as you like. Submit your activities or ideas to ftaltontcb@aol.com --Frederic Talton
Reply to: neededwriters2004@yahoo.com
We are launching a women's infotainment newspaper and require articles both of fiction and nonfiction. Categories include Travel, Vacation, Best Buy, Interiors, Gardening, Health & Fitness, Politics, Happenings, Film Reviews, Do It Yourself, Women in Business, Women in High places, Feature Writing, Food, Beauty, Automobiles, Yoga, Short Stories, Poetry,etc. We welcome writers from all backgrounds. Our Special emphasis is on writers who are interested in making a difference. We are also looking for regular columnists, who will contribute to our paper on a regular basis.
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Writers With Wacky Flair Wanted for Articles
urbandogsource@aol.com
A new magazine needs writers with a little wacky flair to create invigorating articles for psuedo celebrity lifestyle profiles. Editors with an explorative, experimental yet semi-standardized mindstate also wanted. Launching late fall. Phone anytime (404) 488-0919 or send resume to urbandogsource@aol.com. Compensation: Acording to experience
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Oceans of the Mind
P.O. Box 908
Delray Beach, FL 33447
editors@trantorpublications.com
Guidelines:http://www.oceansofthemind.com/guidelines.htm
This nontraditional science fiction magazine deals with mysteries of science and the mind. With a limit of 8000 words, writers have quite a bit of leeway. Query via e-mail (preferred) or standard mail or submit entire piece. Buys first rights and pays six cents/word on publication.
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Glimmer Train's Short Story Award for New Writers.
Eligibility: Open only to writers whose fiction has not appeared in any
publication with a circulation over 5,000. (Entries must be entirely
unpublished.) Open to all themes, all subjects. Stories should not exceed
12,000 words.
First-place winner receives $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories,
and 20 copies of the issue in which it is published. Second- and
third-place winners receive $500/$300, respectively, and acknowledgement
in that issue.
To submit your story, go to our site, www.glimmertrainpress.com , log in, and click on SHORT STORY AWARD FOR NEW WRITERS. Reading fee (payable by Visa or MasterCharge) is $12 per story.
Entries will be accepted through September 30. Winners will be called by January 2nd. Top 25 list will be emailed to all participants by that date.
Please let your email provider (ISP) know that you want emails from
glimmertrainpress.com and glimmertrain.com so we can reach you.
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Win $1,000 in books with your essay.
What was your most memorable reading experience of the last ten years? Powells.com wants to know. See https://www.powells.com/10years_essay.html
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Six: Writing Assignment: Create New from the Old
Collect a total of six obituaries. Choose articles about the deceased, rather than simply funeral notices. Jot down notes about the careers, hobbies, home life, or any other clues you can find about the deceased people. You may even include the cause of death, if you wish. After you have a list of traits, interests, accomplishments and other facts about the six people, create a fictional character that possesses some of the new, combined history you have compiled.
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Direction to meetings:
Directions to monthly meetings held the first Friday of each month at Wok & Chops Chinese 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 by turning 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!"