The Writers Network News, October 9, 2004 http://ezezine.com
October 9, 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, November 6, 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:
One: Kudos: Marti Loring, Michael Levy
Two: From the editor’s desk: Don’t miss my free telephone seminar Wednesday!
Three: Q and A: Showing versus telling
Four: Subjects of interest to writers
Five: Jobs, contests, grants, agents and markets
Six: Writing Assignment:
Seven: New Feature! Looking for Critique Circles
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Quote of the Day:
"What no wife of a writer can ever understand is
that a writer is working when he's staring
out of the window."
~ Burton Rascoe, US critic, editor, and journalist
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One: Kudos
[Kudos: noun: praise or honor: praise, credit, or glory for an achievement]
Marti Loring is an expert witness in the area of spousal abuse and has many educational and emotional stories to tell. She sends her latest news: “I have an agent and am working on an expert book with a coauthor, a former newspaper writer.” I have seen some of Marti’s stories, and they are powerful. Way to go, Marti!
Self-named Professional Optimist Michael Levy reports, “I just found out that if you put the two words ‘Inspirational Books’ into your Web browser you will discover little, self-published Michael Levy is ranked number two in the world of about 1,780,000 on Google, and not one dime has been spent on advertisements.”
Do you have good news? Others benefit from hearing your success stories, so please share them. Send them to me at Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Two: From the editor’s desk:
Dear Fellow Writers:
This issue is a bit abbreviated, because I wanted to rush it to you, so you’ll know about my upcoming free teleseminar planned for Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at 9:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
The seminar is geared toward speakers and consultants and other entrepreneurs and is part of an ongoing series of free seminars through Elsom Edridge, a man I greatly admire and one of the authors of “How to Position Yourself as the Obvious Expert.”
The information in my free teleseminar is vital to writers, because we must promote our own books, whether or not we self publish, so we may as well learn ways to get publicity and promote ourselves as the expert about our books. If you write nonfiction, you certainly want to become known as the expert in your field, as well. Read more information on this seminar in Section Four, News of Interest to Writers.
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: I’m looking at my manuscript, which you edited for me. When you put all or part of a sentence in parentheses and write the word "tells," what are you trying to get across to me?
I'm saying the portion in the parentheses would be better if rewritten in a way that shows, rather than tells. Here’s the example you sent, with my added parentheses:
Sloan (mustered his nerve, knowing that the intimacies of pregnancy lay outside the male realm.) “I personally feel life starts when the infant takes its first breath. Only at that point does independent life begin.”
Here’s a potential rewrite:
Sloan straightened his spine and cleared his throat. "Although the intimacies of pregnancy lay outside the male realm, I personally feel life starts when the infant takes its first breath. Only at that point does independent life begin."
In the rewrite, the character’s actions show him mustering his strength, and the dialogue shows his thoughts. The entire rewritten passage shows, rather than tells.
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
Free Teleseminars For Speakers and Consultants—Bobbie Christmas featured October 13.
As a reader of this newsletter, you are invited to join us for the entire Obvious Expert teleseminar series with my compliments. My seminar titled “How to Promote Yourself and Get Paid to Do It” is scheduled for October 13, 2004, at 9:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. To opt in, call 641-594-7513 at about 9:05 – 9:07 p.m. 9:15 and punch in listener access code 18502#. Prior to the seminar, ask the most burning question you would like to ask Bobbie Christmas about promoting and marketing yourself as an Obvious Expert, and it may be answered during the event. Go to http://tinyurl.com/6vlcs to submit your question.
See www.obvious-expert.com/christmas, which delivers the complete schedule of teleseminars.
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Limerick Savants Wants You!
Limerick Savants is a group of eclectic individuals with fertile imaginations who enjoy writing limericks. Each week, round-robin style, a member is asked to submit three rhyming words for group members to use in original limericks (AABBA meter) and submit by a friendly deadline established by the group coordinator, Lita Schwartz. Lita compiles and circulates to group members the results of their collective limerick writing efforts. She says, "Right now we're in it for the aesthetics, but at some point we may implement a little amicable competition. If you'd like to join us, we'd love to have you." To add your name and email address to the mailing list, just write to Lita at YourEditor@aol.com. Then, sit back and let the rhymes begin!
“We are in the process of setting up a group at YahooGroups.com so that members may interact with each other by posting comments, making suggestions, and expressing their reactions to individual limericks as they are posted. Once we've worked out all the bugs, we shall send you an invitation to join, and you can register your email address with us on the Website. Your email address will be treated as confidential information.”
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Southern Book Critics name Oney, Jones as 2004 award winners
The Southern Book Critics Circle on Sept. 2 announced the winners of its 2004 Southern Book Awards. They are:
For nonfiction: And The Dead Shall Rise: The Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank, by Steve Oney (Pantheon). The book is about the murder of Mary Phagan in 1913 and the lynching of Leo Frank two years later. Oney, a former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter, spent 17 years researching and writing the book.
For fiction: The Known World, by Edward P. Jones (Amistad/HarperCollins). It is a story of black slave owners in antebellum Virginia that took Jones 10 years to write.
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Professional Life Coach May Be Good Alternative to Critique Groups
Because writing is by and large a solitary craft, writers often have little opportunity for interaction and accountability. Often writers need a little push to move forward. Critique groups for writers are a great way to get interaction. Another way to foster the creative process, improve motivation, and build in accountability is to work with a professional coach. Coaches vary in their training and focus but can often help with many aspects of the writing process including increasing creativity, retaining focus, moving past blocks, developing plans for publication, and editing the writer's work. To locate a coaches see the Georgia Coach Association Website at http://www.gacoaches.com/.
Debby Stone
Professional Life Coach
InterVision Group, LLC
Practical Strategies for Turning Vision into Reality
770.569.8115
www.intervisiongroup.com
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Ten Mistakes Writers Don’t See
Literary Agent Susan Graham (www.aboutwords.org) sent this great link filled with tips on what to take out of your writing, a subject I often teach and preach. See: http://www.holtuncensored.com/ten_mistakes.html
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WRITERS' UNION INVESTIGATES AMAZON
The National Writers' Union is concerned about Amazon.com's Search Inside this Book feature. In the Union's discussion group, Jennifer Lawler wrote: " . . . we're launching the preliminary investigative stage of a potential campaign to fight this practice. Please note I said "potential." We don't have all the information in, including how important it is to our members that we fight this, and if we do, what that fight should look like.
"At this point, we're gathering data such as contract terms, the ability to have your book de-SITB'd (withdrawn from the program) and other matters.
"If anyone is willing to help us with this first step, please contact Jim at jimshackelford@hybeam.net, and we'll go from there.
"Also, please feel free to share your feedback with Jim. Do you think the SITB program has helped your book sales or hurt them? Do you object just on general principles? What actions would you like the NWU to take? This type of information from our members can help us formulate a union-backed strategy."
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Be Careful When Dealing with Fee-Charging Agents
Since September 2002 the San Angelo Police Department assisted by several other law enforcement agencies has been investigating the company(s) known as Helping Hands Literary Service, Janet Kay & Associates and JanGeo Ink. The crime alleged is “theft by deception." These companies were taking fees for contacts with publishers. The investigation shows that although the fees were being taken, personal contact or contact only with publishers did not happen. Clients were led to believe that they had a high chance of being published if money was given for office expenses.
On January 30, 2004 a search warrant was served on the home and business of Janet Kay and George Titsworth. All manuscripts and writings submitted to this business were seized and placed in evidence. These manuscripts and writings will remain in evidence until the conclusion of the investigation and prosecution of all involved. Soon after the search warrant was served I was advised that the business was abandoned. At this time there is nothing/nobody left in what used to be the office for Janet Kay and Associates. The phones and mail are going unanswered.
On September 3, 2004, George Harrison Titsworth and Janet Kay Titworth were arrested. The arrest was confirmed by Det. Brian Elkins of the San Angelo Police Department. Like many perennial literary scammers, the Titsoworths had started up a new operation called Harrison and Company (www.sonnyharrison.com), whose website displayed many of the same red flags and telltale signs as the Janet Kay website.
NOTE: A former employee of Janet Kay & Associates has opened her own fee-charging literary agency in San Angelo: Desert Rose Literary Agency. The domain name was registered just days before the search warrant was served on Janet and George Titsworth.
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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 much more about Bobbie Christmas’s trademarked method, see http://tinyurl.com/5vabr
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PublishAmerica, vanity presses, print-on-demand, etc. – Good or Bad?
Decide for yourself about PublishAmerica, but be sure to do your homework before signing any contract with any company. I am a little surprised at the poor spelling throughout the complaints shown on the Web site below, which says to me these writers aren’t professional to begin with. Regardless, if you are considering PublishAmerica, print-on-demand, or any other publisher that does not pay an advance and does not allow bookstores to return copies, see the following Web site: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff104646.htm
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Georgia Writers Jewish Pod Meetings
The Jewish Pod of Georgia Writers has regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Border's bookstore in Buckhead on Peachtree Road just north of Lenox Mall in the area of the snack bar. To join you need to be a member of Georgia Writers (www.georgiawriters.org) and either be a Jewish writer or write on Jewish topics. If you have written something you want to share, bring it.
--Arlene C. Appelrouth,404-401-7289
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National Writers Union Website Lists Writers Alerts
See: http://www.nwu.org/alerts/alrthome.htm
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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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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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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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Five: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards
You Could Win $3,000! Enter the 12th Annual Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards! (co-sponsored by Book Marketing Works, LLC)
Writer's Digest is searching for the best self-published books of the past few years. Whether you're a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here's your chance to enter the only competition for self-published books.
THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive $3,000 in cash, promotion in Writer's Digest and Publishers Weekly, and marketing advice from self-publishing guru Dan Poynter. We'll endorse and submit 10 copies of the grand prize-winning book to major reviewers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post!
FIRST PLACE WINNERS in each of nine categories will receive $500 in cash and promotion in Writer's Digest plus distribution to bookstores and libraries through Baker & Taylor, and a review in Midwest Book Review.
ENTRY DEADLINE: DECEMBER 15, 2004. For a complete list of prizes, rules and the entry form, visit http://www.writersdigest.com/specialoffers.asp?DE04
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The Redbridge Review
Publisher Rotimi Ogunjobi
http://www.redbridgereview.co.uk/
The Redbridge Review is an online magazine of the creative arts. Since May 2004, the magazine has featured the works of many writers, both established and emerging. Although no payment is made for publication, our featured writers and other artists have enjoyed the valuable benefit of greater accessibility on a worldwide scale, with links to their Websites and e-mail address and also direct links to their works, if advertised by Amazon.com. There is also the option of listing works free of charge in the magazine for up to a year.
We invite submission of short stories, essays, poetry, art ,and book reviews. More information on submission can be found at the Web site.
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Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards
This award was established particularly to increase attention from librarians and booksellers to the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. http://www.forewordmagazine.net/awards.asp
Writer’s Notes Annual Book Awards – Small prize money, but recognition all the same. Awards are open to academic, independent, small press, and self-published books that were released or copyrighted in the last 2 years, including unique small print run books.http://hopepubs.home.comcast.net/awards.html
Cat Writer’s Association Awards – An annual writing competition for published writers, photographers and editors in print, online and broadcast media. http://www.catwriters.org/rules.html
The Missouri Writer’s Guild – An annual competition provided for Missouri state writers. It’s definitions go out of the way to accept self-published books calling eligible books those in which compensation was paid between a publisher and an author. http://mwg.missouri.org/
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WANTED - International freelance writers and editors for emerging magazine
TheVILLAGE Magazine
206 West Bonita Avenue, Second Floor
Claremont, California 91711
(909)626-6696
www.thevillagemagazine.com
OR Privilege Media Group International, Inc
9899 Little Santa Monica, Suite 177
Beverly Hills, California 90212, (310)772-8189
www.pmgintl.com
We are a highly unique, full-color, glossy magazine publication featuring stories, articles, interviews and reviews from villages (i.e. cities, towns, states, countries, etc.)around-the-world while providing local 'village` distribution of our publication--- worldwide.
WRITERS/EDITORS - If you are a writer's writer who can pull together smart, clean, one-of-a-kind editorial which is as entertaining as it is informative, we would like to hear from you. Our upcoming November/December 2004 issue is our 'holiday` issue and our emphasis is on the 'home` and 'fashion.` Please e-mail your story, article, interview or review pitch idea to: Editor@thevillagemagazine.com. Please include your resume or CV either in the body of your e-mail or as an 'attachment`, and provide NO more than two (2) writing samples also as an 'attachment`. Due to the volume of responses received, we can only respond to those pitches which we option to have developed for our publication, but we THANK YOU in advance for your interest and your submissions.
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PC WORLD
501 Second Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: (415) 243-0500
Fax: (415) 442-1891
www.pcworld.com
Kimberly Brinson, Managing Editor
kimberly_brinson@pcworld.com
This magazine strives to be a source of information on how to select, buy, and use computer products and services for home and business. Editorial includes monthly Top 100 PC and product rankings, evaluations and ratings from the PC World Test Center, tips, how-tos, consumer advice, and step-by-step guides. Pays: 10-50 cents per word
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SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE MARKETING
Seeks stories for second edition (February 2005)
“I’m seeking stories about individuals and small businesses whose Websites have enjoyed success. I’m particularly interested in knowing how they define that ‘success’ – increased sales, inquiries, etc., and if they can say that sales increased by a given percent (or any way to quantify the result). Then, to what does the Website owner attribute the majority of the success? Links from other websites, listings in search engines, a particular search engine or site that sends traffic, traditional (off-line) promotions, pay-per-click advertising, etc. It would be helpful to know the industry or business of the website; and name and contact information in case I have a question. I will be happy to publish web addresses with stories selected for my book. Contact Peggi Ridgway at peg@wordpix.com – or visit www.MyWebSavvy.com.”
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INSPIRED HOUSE
The Taunton Press Inc.
PO Box 5506
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-8171
www.inspiredhouse.com
Jefferson Kolle, Managing Editor
This magazine is published for consumers who are actively engaged in creating living spaces that are uniquely their own. Regular features include profiles of new and remodeled houses, new and remodeled kitchens and baths, outdoor living spaces; real-world design issues or problems, in-depth reviews of a single home product, and a close look at a category of furniture, furnishing or accessory. Pays: 10-50 cents per word
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HAVE A GREAT FISH STORY? HUNTING STORY?
Have a funny camping story that included wildlife? An astonishing survival experience that involved wildlife? Do you have an amusing or astonishing story about house cats? Visit www.pawpublishing.com or email your story to publisher@pawpublishing.com
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"The University of New Orleans, the pioneer in writing programs abroad, is pleased to announce the first annual writing contest for study-abroad in Europe, Summer, 2005.
"Eligibility: Anyone writing in English who has not yet published a book of 45 pages or more in the genre of application, except faculty and administrators employed by the University of New Orleans."
PRIZE: Full fee waivers plus airfare (a value of approximately $4,500.00) will be granted to one writer each in the genres of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. Winners will also be published in a major journal. Other partial awards and honorable mentions will also be granted. Winners may elect to attend any of UNO’s 2005 study-abroad programs in writing, including: (See Website for complete information about the programs.)
ENTRY FEE: $20
DEADLINE: January 30, 2005
www.uno.edu/lowres/
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A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Christian Women
Adams Media is seeking submissions for A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Christian Women -- which is being compiled by Carol Wilde and James Bell. Request guidelines from Carol at gwilde1@cfl.rr.com.
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MODERN DOG
Modern Dog Inc.
1941 Whyte Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1B4
Canada
(604) 734-3131
www.moderndogmagazine.com
Connie Wilson, Editor-in-Chief
This magazine is published for urban dogs and their companions. "We strive to provide our readers with the very latest and greatest in what's new in the doggie world: home entertaining tips where martinis mingle with dog biscuit recipes; art and travel features (because guardians of "modern dogs" certainly share their leisure time with their pooches); health, grooming and training advice; breed profiles; and canine news and reviews, [as well as] dog psychology articles alongside fashion features such as 'Chien Chic' and 'Doggie Styles.'” Do not send unsolicited submissions; contact the editor for assignments.
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Travel Intelligence Ltd.
44 Newman Street
London W1T 1QD
United Kingdom
www.travelintelligence.net/
Editor: James Dunford Wood
james@travelintelligence.net
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8740 8333
Travel Intelligence is a UK publisher offering travel writers a chance to showcase their work. Work archived with the company is sold to other travel websites and print magazines; in addition, requests for commissioned pieces are forwarded to its writers. Travel Intelligence has also recently established a series of destination-based print travel anthologies, including its writers’ articles.
Writers' guidelines at http://www.travelintelligence.net/wsd/html/writersguidelines.htm
Pays standard UK rates on commissioned work, paid upon publication, as 50% fee and 50% advance against royalties (revenue from the sale of work elsewhere by Travel Intelligence). Additional royalties and fees paid for successful syndication of work placed with Travel Intelligence; these amounts are paid quarterly. Writers are also now offered a percentage of ad revenue from articles posted with Travel Intelligence. See guidelines for full details. Rights: Writers retain copyright; writers must hold secondary rights to any work archived with the publisher.
Detailed information about the submission process is available on the writers' guidelines page. According to editor James Dunford Wood, Travel Intelligence is a very competitive market, and is looking for experimental travel writing, not just destination journalism.
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The Bellwether Prize for Fiction
"The Bellwether Prize is unique; no other major North American endowment or prize for the arts specifically seeks to support a literature of social responsibility. Its intent is to advocate serious literary fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships. The prize is awarded to a previously unpublished novel representing excellence in this genre.
"Fiction has a unique capacity to bring difficult issues to a broad readership on a personal level, creating empathy in a reader’s heart for the theoretical stranger. Its capacity for invoking moral and social responsibility is enormous. Throughout history, every movement toward a more peaceful and humane world has begun with those who imagined the possibilities. The Bellwether Prize seeks to support the imagination of humane possibilities."
--Barbara Kingsolver, founder
"Applicants for the Bellwether Prize must be U.S. citizens who have some previous publication record, but who have not previously published a book that sold more than 10,000 copies. The submission must be an original, previously unpublished novel at least 80,000 words in length."
PRIZE: $25,000 and a publishing contract
ENTRY FEE: $25
DEADLINE: Ongoing
URL: http://www.bellwetherprize.org
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REAL SIMPLE
Time Warner Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas, 41st Floor
New York, NY 10020
(212) 522-1212
www.realsimple.com
Contact: Jacklyn Monk, Managing Editor
jacklyn_monk@realsimple.com
Editorial description in the media kit at www.realsimplenetwork.com/rsn/mediakit/editorial.shtml
"The magazine about simplifying your life." This is a relatively new magazine and as such, has no set writers' guidelines. But it does use freelancers on assignment.
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The Phoebe Winter Fiction Contest
"Phoebe is sponsoring its annual Fiction Contest. The award will be determined by Sandra Scofield. Scofield is the author of seven novels, including Beyond Deserving, a 1991 finalist for the National Book Award and a winner of the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation; A Chance to See Egypt, winner of the Texas Institute of Letters 1997 Jesse Jones Fiction Award; and three finalists for the Oregon Book Awards. Egypt was also nominated for the 1998 Dublin International Impac Awards. She has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Oregon Institute of Letters, and the Oregon Art Commission.
"Contest entries should include one story, not to exceed twenty-five pages. Novel excerpts and non-fiction will not knowingly be considered.
"The Phoebe Winter Fiction Contest affords Phoebe the opportunity to read a diverse selection of stories from which the journal has each year selected pieces for publication. The editors of Phoebe thank you for your interest and look forward to reading your work."
PRIZE: $1,000 and publication in the upcoming fall issue of Phoebe
ENTRY FEE: $12
DEADLINE: December 1, 2004
www.gmu.edu/pubs/phoebe/main.html
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The All Destiny Short Story Competition
"To celebrate All Destiny's second birthday online, we have launched our first short story competition.
"Send us a science-fiction/fantasy, supernatural or horror tale for a chance to win our grand prize. The story can be scary, funny or simply thought provoking, we don't mind but we ask you to send us stories on the genres of science-fiction/fantasy or horror.
"This competition can only be entered online. Each entry must be a minimum of 1,000 but no longer than 5,000 words. The competition is open to European, Canadian, UK and US residents. Warning: No excessive profanity or unacceptable entries with racism etc. They will simply not be considered."
PRIZE: $100, publication on our website and in an anthology.
ENTRY FEE: None
DEADLINE: March 31, 2005
URL: http://www.alldestiny.com/
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Adams Media, Inc. in Avon, Massachusetts, is compiling an anthology of stories for a new book tentatively titled Horse Crazy: Women Write about the Equine Bond, to be published in Spring 2006. The book will contain 50 true stories—written by horse lovers like you—that illuminate the special relationship between women and horses, a relationship that empowers, invigorates, enlightens, and enlivens you in ways that no bird, cat, dog, or human friend can. For example, a mid-life woman fulfills a lifelong dream to own her own horse a stressed-out female exec finds relief from the crazy corporate world in the quiet of the barn a wheelchair-bound woman overcomes her physical limitations and learns to ride a lonely widow finds companionship and comfort when she befriends a horse a couch potato takes on the challenge of jumping—and competes to win a teenage girl who feels out of place and out of touch everywhere else comes into her own on the back of a horse.
What’s your story? Nothing too “New Age-y” or miraculous, just good writing from the heart, between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Contributors whose stories are included in the book will receive a copy of the book and $50.00 upon publication. Send your stories to the address or email below by November 15, 2004. (Or let me know if you need more time and we’ll work something out!)
If you have questions, or need further information, please contact
Anita B. Llewellyn, Editor
467 Saratoga Avenue #190
San Jose, CA 95129
anitallewellyn@aol.com
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InkSpotter's 2nd Annual Finding the Right Words Flash Fiction Contest
Theme: Second Chances
Genre: Fiction
Length: 500 words or less
Write a self-contained short story that conveys the theme in 500 words or less. Be original. Be concise. Be spelled correctly."
PRIZE: $50, $25
ENTRY FEE: $1
DEADLINE: July 21, 2005
URL: http://inkspotter.com/
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THE FIDDLEHEAD
Ross Leckie, Editor
Campus House
11 Garland Ct
UNB
PO Box 4400
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5A3
Canada
URLwww.fiddlehead.ca/index.asp
The Fiddlehead is open to good fiction and poetry in English from all over the world, looking always for freshness and surprise. Please do not send more than 10 poems per submission (3-5 is best).
Fiction: 4,000 words or less; Poetry: no word length requirement
PAYMENT: $20/published page
Accepts submissions by mail only
GUIDELINES: http://www.fiddlehead.ca/submissions.asp
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Mary Roberts Rinehart Awards
Mary Roberts Rinehart Awards
English Department, MSN 3E4
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
bgompert@gmu.edu
URL: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/writing/rinehart.htm
To help aspiring authors, a number of years ago the family of the late Mary Roberts Rinehart began awarding small grants to writers whose work showed particular promise. These grants were given to honor Ms. Rinehart, a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work was popular in the earlier decades of the 1900s. Writers seeking grants must be nominated by someone in the field--another writer, an agent, an editor or the like. Deadline, November 30, 2004. Open to unpublished works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Fiction & nonfiction: up to 30 pages; Poetry: 10 pages of individual or collected poems PRIZES: $2,000 Award for each category: fiction, no-fiction, and
poetry
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Six: Writing Assignment: Settings
Here I am, sending this newsletter from Daytona Beach, Florida, through the miracle of the Internet and laptop computers. Naturally for this issue my setting will affect my thinking. For this assignment create a setting where a character might find himself or herself and have the character react to the environment. Learn for yourself how settings have an impact on characters and their actions.
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Seven: Looking for Critique Circles
Are you looking to join or form a critique circle in your area or online? In the body of an e-mail send me your name, general location, contact information, and your preferences (fiction, nonfiction, short stories, books, poetry, etc.). I’ll list your information here, to help you find or form a group that allows you to get feedback.
Remember to ask me for Free Report #101 on forming and maintaining a successful critique circle. Send your request to me at Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Directions 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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