The Writers Network News; October 26, 2004 http://ezezine.com
October 26, 2004
The Writers Network News
“No Rules; Just Write!”
Editor: Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com)
Bobbie Christmas Blog for Writers: http://journals.aol.com/bzebra/BobbieChristmasBlogforWriters/
Next Roswell meeting date is Friday, November 5, 2004
12:00 noon at Wok & Chops Chinese Restaurant
You don’t have to attend meetings to enjoy the benefits of this e-zine—most of our subscribers are in other states and even other countries, anyway. 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. Bring your questions and your business cards and network with the best of us. See driving directions at the end of the e-zine.
In This Issue:
One: Kudos: Bobbie Kornblit, TC McClenning, B. Cosley, George Weinstein
Two: From the editor’s desk: Vote or Shut Up
Three: Q and A: Agents, exclusivity, self publishing, getting published
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:
“Writing is the only thing that … when I’m doing it, I don’t feel that I should be doing something else instead.” –Gloria Steinem
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One: Kudos
[Kudos: noun: praise or honor: praise, credit, or glory for an achievement]
Bobbi Kornblit received first place in the monthly writing competition for Georgia Writers' Association. Her short story, "Test Results" was selected for the September "back to school" theme.
TC McClenning writes, “As I've received both galleys and a contract from Writer's Digest, I feel it's pretty safe to share this news. Writer's Digest has accepted an article for publication in one of its special magazine publications, ‘Getting Started in Writing.’ You may recall, Writer's Digest was one of my goal publications, and I managed to get a letter to the editor included there earlier this year. Looks like I'm getting much closer to the real deal with this!”
“Good news! Just got a call from MotorHome saying they were writing a check for one of my articles.” --B. Cosley
George Weinstein received an Honorable Mention award in the 73rd Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, which attracted almost 18,000 entries.
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: Vote or Shut Up
Dear Fellow Writers:
Look around at your fellow writers, and you’ll probably see that they aren’t fellows at all. Women dominate the field of writing, for whatever reason, which makes me even happier to see that the male membership of our network is only slightly less than half the total. Although the message I’m about to give applies to men as well as women, women traditionally fail to get out and vote, while the men do their political duty and belly up to the voting machines. The upcoming election is vital to the outcome of our country. I do not discuss or argue politics or religion, and you won’t get a lecture here, only the remark that if you don’t get out and vote, you have no right to grumble about what comes of our future. Please vote. End of “sermon.”
A great e-zine for writers, Writing-World, has contracted to include my “Ask the Book Doctor” column. See more information on Writing-World under “News of Interest to Writers” in this edition. As a result, I will need your questions more than ever, so keep those questions coming! You get answers, and I may use them in a future “Ask the Book Doctor” column.
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) and leader of The Writers Network
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Three: Questions and Answers
Q: Do you agree that finding an agent would be preferable to sending my novel directly to a publisher?
A: As we all know, the market is tough out there, especially for novels. Large publishing houses don’t have time to pore over weak submissions. Agents take on only the best submissions, because they make no money until they sell the manuscript, so publishers know that submissions that come from agents will be top of the line. Some small publishers accept fiction submissions directly, but small publishers pay less, produce fewer titles, print in smaller runs, and have other drawbacks. For many reasons, if you hope to find a substantial publisher for your novel, you need an agent.
Nonfiction is a different matter; many publishers will review a nonfiction proposal sent directly from the author.
If you want to sell your novel to a major publisher, your best bet is to find an agent. If no agent will take on your fiction manuscript, perhaps it needs to be rewritten or held until you write a second or third novel and hone your skills.
Q: Good news! Just got a call from MotorHome saying they were writing a check for one of my articles (they pay on publication); however, I had given them up as a prospect since I heard nary a word from them for almost eight months. I sent two letters to see if the manuscript was lost and never got an answer, so I submitted it to another magazine. What should I do if the other magazine wants it? I know I can word it differently, but the subject would still be the same. Can you help me? I need advice.
A: I’m not an attorney, so you may want to check with one. My understanding of the law, though, is that he who bites first wins. Still, if magazine number two wants an article on the same subject, explain that the article you submitted has been purchased by another magazine and that you will rewrite the article to make it specific to the new magazine.
As I understand the law, you have undertaken the research, and you have every right to sell as many articles as you wish based on the same material. If you sell first rights more than once, your obligation is that each article be different enough not to infringe on rights purchased by another magazine.
Q: I have heard self publishing is a bad thing. Is it true that it is very expensive? Is it hard after I receive my books to get them into the stores? Do I have to pay the store to sell my books? How does that work? Could you help me out and answer my questions?
A: Your questions are broad and require lengthy answers, but I’ll try to be brief. Self publishing is not necessarily bad or good. Your choice to self publish or not should be based on your overall goals, willingness to commit your time and money, and ability to promote your product and handle sales. If you write nonfiction and are eager to become a publisher and make publishing your main business, self publishing can be financially rewarding.
Is self-publishing expensive? The answer depends on many variables, and you don’t always get a better product simply because you pay more. Print-on-demand (POD) costs more per book but requires less outlay up front and you don’t have to warehouse thousands of books. Traditional printing costs less per book, but the total investment can go well into the thousands, and you usually have to store your own books.
Printing is only a small cost of self publishing. You’ll be expected to pay designers to create the cover and handle the layout of the inner pages. You may need an indexer, too. You may need a distributor, as well. You definitely will need an editor, too. All these professionals charge a fee.
Is it hard to get your self-published books into stores? It’s difficult. Few distributors handle self-published books, and few stores want to stock them, because they are non returnable and tend to be of lesser quality than traditionally published books. You don’t actually pay the store directly to sell your books, but they take a deep percentage of the selling price, whether you self publish or not.
Self-publishing makes sense to some nonfiction writers, because they keep all the profits. If your book is nonfiction and you are already a speaker who will sell books wherever you speak, you have a built-in audience and publicity plan, so you may not need to get your books in stores. You will handle sales yourself, after each speaking engagement.
If you write fiction, however, self-publishing is not usually a wise path, because you will need to get reviews and get your book into stores, and few stores carry self-published books and few publications review self-published books, either.
Q: I live in Chattanooga, and I just stumbled upon your Web site. I was looking for a book editor. I want desperately to be published, but I know that is a VERY tall dream. I was wondering if you know anyone in the area who could help me. I think with some help, my book could be publishable. Do you have any advice?
A: My first piece of advice is to find other writers and learn from them. The Chattanooga Writers Guild is a good place to start. Go to meetings, listen to the speakers, and network with people who can help you learn, make contacts, and find a critique circle that will help you revise and refine the book. Go to writers conferences and meet agents there. Read books on how to get your book published, too. My publisher, Union Square Publishing, has a good book on the subject by Elise Vachon. See Secrets of Getting Your Book Published at this site: http://tinyurl.com/5633y. You can buy the book in a bookstore, order it from the publisher, or order it from Amazon.com.
Lance Powell is an extremely knowledgeable and helpful literary agent in your area who gives excellent seminars. Find out when and where he is speaking next. He's a member of the Chattanooga Writers Guild and represents only southern writers.
As you appear to know, there’s no short cut to getting published. Like any skilled craft, it takes time, talent, and hard work, but the rewards are many. I wish you success.
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
A world of writing tips…for writers around the world
For tons of information on rights, prices, collections, freelancing, publishing, self-publishing scams, and more see www.Writing-World.com. Be sure to sign up for its newsletter, which soon will feature my “Ask the Book Doctor” column.
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I Love To Write Day
Founded by Delaware author John Riddle, I Love To Write Day will mark its third anniversary on November 15. This year's honorary chairperson is Jenna Glatzer, editor of Absolute Write. People of all ages are encouraged to write something: a poem, an essay, a letter to the editor, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel, etc. Last year more than 12,000 schools all across the country held special writing events and activities. For a media kit and suggested activities, see http://www.ilovetowriteday.org
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Online Course for Writers
Tapping Your Innate Creativity is entering its sixth year as a highly acclaimed method for writers to stimulate their creative juices. The next online course begins in January with registration starting in November. Because the course is limited to six participants, it often fills up quickly. Check www.SimonTeakettle.com for details.
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A message from member Linda Rehkopf: “One warning I have to send: in a previous newsletter, you listed Modern Dog magazine in the markets. I checked its Website, and it does not have writers' guidelines yet, and also, it warns that anyone sending ideas or stories to the editors will do so with the knowledge that those may be used by them or another writer, with no claims on originality or authorship. Writers beware, and always check the current guidelines!”
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2004 FLORIDA WRITERS CONFERENCE 11/5/04 - 11/7/04
Atlamonte Springs, Hilton Hotel, Florida
http://www.floridawriters.net
http://writing.shawguides.com/FloridaWritersConference
Autobiography/memoir, Children's, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Marketing, Mystery, Nonfiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Religion/self help, Romance, Science fiction/fantasy, Screenwriting, Travel, and Young adult.
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NEW ENGLAND CRIMEBAKE 11/13/04 - 11/14/04
Tewkbury, Massachusetts
http://www.mwane.org/crimebake http://writing.shawguides.com/NewEnglandCrimeBake
Fiction, Mystery, and Publishing Sponsored by New England CrimeBake
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HARPERS FERRY WRITERS CONFERENCE 11/17/04 - 11/21/04
Harpers Ferry, Virginia
http://writing.shawguides.com/TheAlgonkianWriterWorkshops
http://webdelsol.com/Algonkian/shenandoah-algonkian.htm
Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Publishing, Romance, Science fiction/fantasy, and Young adult sponsored by The Algonkian Writer Workshops
Is there a single best way to learn craft? To get published? Yes. Algonkian small-group conferences include the finest agents, editors, shops, and syllabus.
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Make magazine to launch
Make, a new technology-project magazine, will launch early next year. This magazine "brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life."
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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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Member Mark Diamond sent this interesting fact from Garrison Keillor’s Internet newsletter: “Graham Greene limited himself to writing just five hundred words per day and would even stop writing in the middle of a sentence, but he ended up publishing more than thirty books.”
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Planning your own book signings? Most authors must, even if our books are traditionally published. Use these Web sites to find receptive bookstores:
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/frames/storeLocator/storeLocator_findstore_home.asp
Borders
http://www.bordersstores.com/locator/locator.jsp?tt=gn
Books-A-Million
http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=2975376204251&stores=1
Little Professor
http://www.littleprofessor.com/stores.html
Tower
http://www.towerrecords.com/stores/default.asp
Chapters, Inc. http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/storefinder/default.asp?Section=home&Lang=en&zxac=1
Chapter 11*
http://www.chapter11books.com/locations/locations-c.htm
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The Atlanta Writers Club will meet on Thursday, November 18, at the Rock Spring Presbyterian Church Loudermilk Activity Center (1824 Piedmont Rd. in mid-town Atlanta) from 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm. Our guest speaker is Tommy Nobis, Atlanta Falcons football legend and disabilities foundation leader, who will speak about the perseverance, pride, and dedication necessary to succeed in any endeavor
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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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Conceive Magazine launches
Newsweek magazine featured the new Conceive magazine in its October 4 issue. It said, “This week … Conceive magazine, a new publication detailing everything from miscarriages to egg freezing to celebrity IVF moms like Courtney Cox, makes its way to newsstands and doctors’ offices nationwide.” Look for it on newsstands and see if you have some ideas to pitch.
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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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See: www.mysteryinkonline.com/reference.htm for:
Rules on writing by Elmore Leonard
Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories by S.S. Van Dine
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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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A Power Core networking group in Woodstock, Georgia, is looking for a writer to join its group. The weekly breakfast meeting is 7 a.m. at a restaurant near Hwy. 92 & 575. The contact person's name is Carol Dunlop, VP Marketing/Publications
678-498-4001 or carol@csicorporation.com .
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Five: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
Pregnancy
Amy Brayfield, Editor
abrayfield@hhcus.com
This magazine for moms-to-be is getting a fresh new look and voice, and it's looking for writers to help it on its way. Pregnancy is a lifestyle magazine for first-time pregnant women. Set to launch with a new design (and a new EIC) in January, the new Pregnancy will have a strong lifestyle component and service angle. Pregnancy has a national circulation of about 350,000, but it's looking for ways to keep its market share strong in the face of growing competition. The magazine wants writers with fresh, lively voices who can bring new perspective to topics that get repeated in every issue. Writers who pitch cover-line worthy stories with a strong service angle and substantial research behind them stand a good chance of being accepted. Pay varies, but is usually $500 to $750 for a 2,000 word feature and $150 to $300 for a department piece. You don't have to be a mom to write for Pregnancy, but an understanding of the concerns of pregnant women certainly helps. Query by e-mail.
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Aquarium Fish
http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/magazine.aspx
"Topics could include a particular fish species, a family of fishes, how-to articles about setting up specific types of tanks, reef tanks and their occupants, personal experiences with tropical fish keeping (provided there's a lesson to be learned from the article), fish diseases, filtration hints, feeding tips, invertebrates (both fresh- and saltwater), ponds and pond fish and anything else that has to do with the fish keeping hobby, both salt and fresh (or that interesting in-between world of the brackish dwellers). Submissions are sent ‘on spec.’ This means ‘on speculation,’ which translates as, ‘You send, we read, we either accept or we don't.’ We're under no obligation to accept your article. It may be a while (few weeks to a month…maybe even longer) before you hear back from us. Please be patient. Contacting us once to make sure we received your materials is fine. Pestering us repeatedly could result in your article being returned just to get you off our backs. You may query first, by letter, e-mail, or phone, but even if we listen to your idea and tell you to go ahead and write the article, the submission will still be on spec. Our telling you to go ahead with your article idea does not guarantee acceptance once we receive it. Pays up to $300 for articles on publication. Complete guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/3fsv2
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ECP Web looking for freelance writers and editors
www.ECPweb.com
plr@ecpweb.com
ECPweb.com, a publisher of newsletters for business-focused information technology (IT) mangers, is seeking experienced free-lance writers and editors for articles, reports and promotional materials for its print, Web and conference publications. Topics include IT asset, software and service management; case studies and personal profiles.
The successful candidate will have PC proficiency with exceptional research skills (familiarity with survey administration is desirable but not required) and the ability to work independently. Good writing skills are more important than subject matter knowledge, though some familiarity with large-company IT business and technical issues, software providers and market dynamics is helpful.
Compensation is commensurate with experience. E-mail your resume, including writing samples. ECP will reply to all applicants.
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Penwomanship to launch on line
Penwomanship
P.O. Box 235
Pine Lake, GA 30072-0235.
www.penwomanship.com
submissions@penwomanship.com
Do you have short stories or poetry looking for a place to be published? Do you have something to say or to share in a personal essay but can’t find a place to share it? April 2005 is the launch date for “Penwomanship,” a magazine for the creative woman writer.
“In searching for places to publish my own writing, I realized the selection was limited,” says Penny White, publisher of the new monthly periodical. “While many magazines publish fiction and poetry, few publish strictly women’s writing. I decided it was time to do something about it.”
Submissions can be made in the body of the e-mail only. Attachments will be deleted unopened. Submissions may also be mailed. Read the submissions guidelines on the Website. Pay is five contributors’ copies until the magazine is able to pay contributing writers. For more information contact penny@penwomanship.com.
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Florida Hurricane Survival Anthology needs writers and photographers
Acaysha Dolfin, Project Promotional & Marketing Director
acaysha@acaysha.com
Short stories, poems, recipes, and articles no longer than 1,200 words. Photos of hurricanes and their effects also needed. Human interest stories needed on all topics relating to the Florida hurricanes, past or present. One time publication right and copyright reverts to writer after publication. Profits will benefit the Florida Writers Association (FWA) Open to all past or present Florida residents; you do not have to be a member of FWA to participate. Please include a 25-word bio with all submissions. Submission Deadline: November 30, 2004. Book to be published in 2005 Email Submissions Preferred. Send as an attachment in Microsoft Word.
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In Touch magazine
3836 DeKalb Technology Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30340
Freelance authors wishing to contribute their work to the In Touch magazine should adhere to writer’s guidelines. Be sure to study several issues of In Touch magazine to understand our tone, approach, and topics of interest. Archived articles are available at www.intouch.org.
In Touch magazine strives to inspire, encourage, educate, and change lives by communicating God’s Truth, and connect people to God’s work through In Touch Ministries. Complete writer’s guidelines at: http://tinyurl.com/7xvue
Queries may be submitted to the attention of the Associate Editor by e-mail to writers@intouch.org or to the following postal address.
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Special Events.
Joy Jackson
cunnartassociates@sympatico.ca,
www.cunnart.com
Fund raisers, silent auctions, hot air balloon festivals, New Year’s Eve community celebrations, 4th of July--whatever! I am looking for stories of what you did as a volunteer or organizer that made your event a success. If it wasn't a success, what happened? What do you think was missed in the planning and management of the event that caused the problem? Were you, or the organizer, sued? What was the end result?
If you prefer to keep the names of the innocent (or guilty?) private, let me know - I will assure you of anonymity.
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Parabola Magazine
www.parabola.org/magazine/submissions.php4
“Parabola is a quarterly journal devoted to the exploration of the quest for meaning as it is expressed in the world's myths, symbols, and religious traditions, with particular emphasis on the relationship between this store of wisdom and our modern life. Pays $150 to 400 for articles; $75 for book reviews.
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Needs business lunch stories
www.TheArtoftheBusinessLunch.com or
sales@TheArtoftheBusinessLunch.com
Did you close the big sale over a big lunch? Did you do something wrong and lose a big fish? Were you able to recover? Anything funny happen? Receive a job offer? Anyone ever have too much to drink? Successful networking or introductions? Stories do not have to be recent, but can be written about anything interesting that happened at or because of a business lunch meeting. E-mail stories.
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job-44392001@craigslist.org
We are looking for writers to review Internet dating sites, Debt sites, Car sites, gambling sites, etc., and to write articles and other content. We'll give you detailed guidelines of the review process. The resulting reviews will consist of 8-12 paragraphs, and filling out a form detailing specifics of the site. Please submit writing sample and previous related experience, hobbies, interests. Lots of work in the next Six months. Start immediately, we have assignments ready to go. $50/review, compensation for writing articles and other content on a per project basis, to be determined before you start each project.
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job-44850765@craigslist.org
Looking for writers to rephrase and enhance messages produced for prospecting clients and other various documents produced by our company. This is a freelance position. You work from home, but you must produce outstanding work. Please provide your rate or suggested compensation for your services. Emails without one will not be answered.
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job-45424313@craigslist.org
Leading health-care magazine seeking freelance writers for feature articles. Must be able to synthesize information and present material in a magazine style. Must be good with deadlines. Send resume and clips to E-mail listed above.
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NurseWeek
Laura Goldbaum, RN, NP, MS, Editorial Director
laurag@nurseweek.com
NurseWeek magazine, a news magazine for nurses, is seeking freelance writers to write feature articles. Must be good with deadlines, and have experience writing magazine style features. Prefer health care writing experience. Please send resume and clips to e-mail address above.
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Swallow Media Wants Freelance Case Study Authors
http://sourcingmag.com
Important: Send inquiries to editor@sourcingmag.com. Put “Freelance Writer” in the subject line.
Swallow Media, a new California-based business publishing company, seeks talented, fast-working freelance writers in the US, Europe and Asia with a combination of IT and business reporting experience to write case studies. Pay runs from US $300 to $450 per 800-word to 2,000-word article.
Each article will provide concise and practical information about some aspect of an IT outsourcing project experienced by a company that is going through or has gone through the process.
If you’re interested to learn more, send your resume, a cover letter telling us something about yourself and three of your best clips. (If you’ve contacted us already in the past for a similar position, just send us a message telling us you’re still interested.
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FLIGHT JOURNAL MAGAZINE
http://www.flightjournal.com/fj/magazine/cguidelines.asp
“Flight Journal presents aviation-oriented material, for the most part with a historical overtone, but also with some modern ‘history in the making’ reporting. Many articles have an ‘I was there’ or ‘from the cockpit’ human-interest emphasis, typically in a manner that is not being done in other magazines. We are trying to ‘... sing the note no one else is singing ....’
“It is important that prospective writers understand that we are NOT a general aviation magazine—so we are not interested in articles such as ‘My Flight to Baja in my 172,’ or ‘My friend's Homebuilt.’ Nor do we wish to publish articles that are simply detailed recitations of the technical capabilities of an aircraft.” Base pay is $600 per article
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Blackbird
1312 East Cory St.
Richmond, VA 23219
http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v3n1/submissions.htm
Blackbird is an online journal published twice yearly featuring fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays and reviews. It replaces the print publication “New Virginia Review.” Length of pieces vary. Check out most recent issue online. Send complete manuscript via standard mail. Pays on publication from $50 to $200.
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Fangoria
475 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10016
http://www.fangoria.com/
Fangoria covers everything horror, as well as the people who create horror films, books, and TV shows. Articles include informational and how-to pieces, profiles, interviews and reviews. Length is 2500-3000 words. Department pieces include book, film, and video reviews and run 500-750 words. Query via standard mail and include published clips. Pays on publication up to $250 for features, $75 for department pieces.
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RESCUE
HoWorld Productions LLC
496 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-2495
Fax: (207) 775-2494
www.rescuemag.com
Patricia Sims, Managing Editor
freelance@rescuemag.com
"We at Rescue know that the realities of modern life have led people to turn to what really matters to them: A safe home, reliable food, no-nonsense relationships. People are conflicted by the barrage of media that tells them they need a makeover in order to achieve the perfect life they really want. This is the Rescue audience: People who know style, and know better." The magazine is published 6 times a year. Pays $0.20 to $0.25 a word
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LINKS
Purcell Enterprises Inc.
P.O. Box 7628
Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
(843) 842-6200
Fax: (843) 842-6233
www.linksmagazine.com
Allen Allnoch, Features Editor
This magazine keeps affluent golfers informed about the finer things in a golfer's lifestyle-- top rated courses, deluxe destinations, high-performance gear. The magazine is mailed free to "upscale" individuals interested in golf and to golf courses in the US. It "delivers on its promise to bring "The Best of Golf" to its loyal audience of avid, affluent golfers. The finer things in a golfer's lifestyle--top rated courses, deluxe destinations, high-performance gear--splash across the magazine pages every issue. Pays from $0.25 to $0.30 a word
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Cooking Smart is looking for food writers
http://coincidepublishing.com/cookingsmart/guidelines.htm
“Do you love writing almost as much as you love food? COOKING SMART, a new national print magazine launching in January 2005, is looking for a few vibrant and creative food writers.
“The goal of Cooking Smart is to help readers discover a wide variety of healthy and delicious foods, along with the recipes and cooking techniques they need to know to make it happen. We are looking for articles written by journalists as well as others with excellent writing skills. Articles are geared toward both men and women, and we cover many topics beyond (but in addition to) straightforward diet and recipe information. We want authors who will offer a fun, friendly, personable approach -- whether readers need to stick to a diet or simply want to stay healthy, plan to cook for a party or just for one, have little time to make meals or savor the preparation of culinary delights.
“We are seeking articles that are based on research and interviews with experts, chefs and ‘real people’ who love to cook or are dieting. On average, our full-length print features run anywhere from 800 to 1200 words, for which we generally pay $150-250, depending on the subject, complexity, depth and your experience. Short features are typically 400 to 600 words, for which we pay $75 to $150.”
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Six: Writing Assignment: Characters
Pick three people you know. Pick one from among your friends, one from among your coworkers, and one who is a business person, such as your accountant or your favorite clerk at the grocery store. Combine dominant traits and physical characteristics from each to form one character. Write down the traits you have chosen to put into your character. Describe him or her and list what outstanding traits you plan to feature. Use your character in a short story or as a minor character in a novel, or, if you love your character, make him or her a main character in your novel.
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Seven: Looking for Critique Circles
Do you want 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.
1. I am looking for a critique group in the Roswell or Alpharetta area in Georgia. I am working on nonfiction, short stories, journaling and personal stories. I can be contacted at jostory@aol.com and live in Roswell, GA. –Jo Sanders
2. I'm requesting info on a critique circle. I live NE to East Cobb, close to Roswell, close to Woodstock, close to Marietta, Georgia. I'd like a fiction group, though I'm open to a smattering of different styles. --Linda Rehkopf, rehkopf@mindspring.com
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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