The Writers Network News May 2, 2005 http://ezezine.com
May 2, 2005
Welcome to this free issue of The Writers Network News. I hope you love it and forward it to all your writing friends, but if you don’t love it, then follow the simple instructions at the bottom to remove your address from the mailing list.
In This Issue:
One: Kudos: Nannette Littlestone, Myrna Lou Goldbaum, B. Lynn Goodwin, Julie D'Arcy
Two: From the editor’s desk: Bogus agency or just disgruntled clients? Compliments on the Caribbean Cruise
Three: Ask the Book Doctor: Word Counts, Serial Commas, Simultaneous Submissions
Four: Subjects of interest to writers
Five: Jobs, contests, grants, agents and markets
Six: Writing Assignment: Demons and …
Seven: Looking for Critique Circles
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Next Roswell meeting date: Friday, May 6, 2005
12:00 noon at Wok & Chops Chinese Restaurant
If you happen to be in Atlanta on the first Friday of the month, bring questions and business cards and network with us. See directions at the end of the e-zine.
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Writer’s quote of the day:
"Words are loaded pistols." --Jean-Paul Sartre
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One: Kudos
[Kudos: noun: praise or honor: praise, credit, or glory for an achievement]
(Did you know kudos is singular? There’s no such word as kudo.)
Nannette Littlestone has two great things to crow about: “My short story, ‘Cutting Edge,’ won the $100 grand prize in the 2004 Monthly Short Stories writing contest. Monthly Short Stories is an online magazine that features several short stories each month and is a great place for published and not-yet-published authors to feature their writing skills. Their website is http://www.monthlyshortstories.com/. ‘Cutting Edge’ will be featured in an upcoming issue. My poem ‘Heartache’ appears on http://www.goodgoshalmighty.com/. I highly recommend the site. This is my second publication. A note to fellow writers: The site is always looking for good submissions.” Go, go, Nannette!
Myrna Lou Goldbaum also has two terrific accomplishments. She won first place in the Self-Help--How-To category in a national writing contest for the Colorado Independent Publishing Association in April with her workbook called “Palmistry 101.” She also won second place in the miscellaneous category for a manuscript titled “Why Palmistry?” Awards were a $50 and a $25 check plus a free one-year membership in the organization. Way to go, Myrna Lou!
B. Lynn Goodwin writes, "Since March of 2005 I've had a personal essay, 'A Reflection in the Mirror is Reward Enough' published in the Contra Costa Times, a book review of The Conrad Chronicles published in the Sentinel, www.valleysentinel.com, and a poem, 'Weight,' published at Cracked Lenses, www.crackedlenses.com. You can also see my work in WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com."
I would like to announce that Julie D'Arcy's novel “TIME OF THE WOLF” is close to being published. The cover is already available to view and the book will soon be available to pre-order. http://www.mundania.com/books-timeofthewolf.html. If this title seems familiar, the book was first published in 1999 and won the RIO Award in the best Fantasy category.
Please send in your accomplishments for our kudos section!
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Two: From the editor’s desk: Bogus agency or just disgruntled clients? Compliments on the Caribbean Cruise
Dear Fellow Writers:
I received a note from a reader about one of the literary agencies listed in our last e-zine. The note said the agency was “bogus,” which means it is “false, dishonest, or fraudulently imitating something.” The note did not explain specifically who and how the agency had defrauded; it only made vague comments about being “bogus.” Any agency can make enemies when it rejects or disappoints clients, and without specifics of a lawsuit, I can’t presume an agency is “bogus.”
WritersMarket.com sent me the information. It supposedly checks its sources. I must assume the agency is legitimate, but I do not have the time or staff to check out every piece of information for or against an agency or market. I list markets and agents as I get them. I do not advertise them, recommend them, or endorse them by putting them in my e-zine. I simply pass along information. Maybe I should add a disclaimer to every e-zine issue I send out, but I prefer to be less formal. I trust each of you will check out agencies and publishers before submitting manuscripts to them.
Now for the good stuff: Many of you have asked how the Caribbean cruise went—you know, the one in April where I gave writing seminars on board. It was delightful. I had never cruised before, so to agree to speak on a cruise ship before knowing how I felt about cruising might have been a bit risky. I did not know if I was going to get seasick, feel trapped onboard, or love it. Turns out I loved it, as did my significant other, Don, who came as my assistant.
We loaded up a suitcase full of handouts and seminar supplies and flew to Miami, where we boarded a gigantic floating hotel, The Radiance of the Seas, a magnificent vessel in The Royal Caribbean line. No, we did not encounter any 70-foot waves; instead we encountered music under the stars, midnight buffets, live entertainment, relaxing whirlpool baths, good movies, gourmet meals and topnotch service. People who attended my seminars said they were happily surprised to find writing seminars on board, and I met writers from all over the country as well as Canada. We all came away from the experience richer in spirit and a few pounds heavier, and I look forward to the next time I’m invited to speak on a cruise ship. Anchors aweigh! Uh oh, that’s me who's weighing.
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 award-winning Write In Style (Union Square Publishing, an imprint of Cardoza Publishing) and director of The Writers Network
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Three: Ask the Book Doctor: Word Counts, Serial Commas, Simultaneous Submissions
Q: I have read that the word count generated by my computer is not accurate from a publisher’s viewpoint. How do I calculate an acceptable word count for my story?
A: I have heard the same rumor from writers, but I have never heard it from a publisher. It is my opinion that an electronic word count is accurate enough to give a good estimate, which is all a publisher needs.
Another way to estimate the word count is to be sure the manuscript is in standard manuscript format, which it should be, anyway. When a manuscript is in correct format, it averages about 250 words a page, so you can multiply the number of pages by 250. Again, it’s an estimate, but it will tell you and your publisher whether the count is within the guidelines.
For a report on standard manuscript format, e-mail me and ask for Report # 104, which not only gives you the rules for format but is also written in standard manuscript format.
Q: I wrote a "play-on-words" dog poem I wish to submit to The New Yorker, BARK Magazine, and New York Dog Magazine. Can I submit it to all those periodicals at one time? Also, if the poem gets published in a magazine, can I then submit the same poem to publishers of children's books?
A: If the submission guidelines of each magazine state the magazine accepts simultaneous submissions, then yes, you can submit the poem to those magazines simultaneously. Always check the guidelines, first. Some will be listed on the publisher’s Web site. Most will be listed in Literary Market Place, Writer’s Market, or www.Writer’smarket.com.
The second question is legal in nature, and the answer depends on what rights you transfer to the magazine. An entertainment attorney would be a better person to respond to that question.
Q: I am new to submitting freelance articles, and there are a few instructions I hope you can clarify.
1. What does it mean when a magazine says “No serial commas, except to avoid confusion?” What are serial commas?
2. Is the common practice to italicize title of books, movies, articles, etc., and underline comments the author intends to be italicized?
A: Looks like you need to buy an Associated Press Stylebook. It explains style and other things that periodicals use and will answer many of your questions. I’ll do my best, in the meantime.
1. A serial comma is a comma that appears before “and” in a series, such as the second comma in “red, white, and blue.” Book publishers use Chicago Style, which calls for the serial comma, but periodical publishers usually use AP Style, which does not, so it would be “red, white and blue.”
2. Look at the periodical you want to submit work to, to see how titles are handled. If they are italicized in the periodical, underline them with your computer or, if the publisher is going to use your electronic file, italicize them. Chances are they are not italicized, though. My very old version of the AP Stylebook says the following about composition titles: Put quotation marks around the names of [book titles, movie titles, song titles, television program titles, and titles of lectures, speeches and works of art] except the Bible and books that are primarily catalogs of reference material.
As far as underlining comments the author intends to italicize, be careful in any use of italics for emphasis. Try to make the wording strong enough that italics, underlines, all caps and exclamation points are not necessary.
Do you have a question? Send it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Four: Subjects of interest to writers
Editor’s Note: Since May 20 of last year, I’ve been copying all the content from each newsletter into one Microsoft Word file that I can search by word to find information when I need it. I hope you do the same with these newsletters, so you won’t lose some important tidbit, market, or tip. If you, too, have kept all the issues in one electronic file, you know that since last May, I’ve sent more than 400 pages of writing information to subscribers around the globe. Why do I do it? Because helping fellow writers is part of my mission in life. You can help, too. Be sure to send in your tips, markets and other information to share with fellow members.
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Save Two Dollars plus shipping when you preorder this new seminar on CD!
Write It and Reap! The Easy Way to Write the Book That’s Inside You
Many people have a nonfiction book inside them but do not know where to start or how to keep going. This one-hour seminar lays out simple steps for anyone writing a nonfiction book. Elsom Eldridge, Jr., founder of the International Guild for Professional Consultants and www.obvious-expert.com, interviews Bobbie Christmas, book editor, author of “Write In Style” and publisher of The Writers Network News.
She offers simple ways to get started, stay on track, and stay in the zone, plus bonus tips on how to sell your book at the back of the room without any help from others. Elsom and Bobbie also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing, to help you decide what to do after you complete your book.
The one-hour seminar on CD will cost $16.95 when it hits the market, but preorder it before May 30 and save $2.00 plus shipping and handling, and it will be mailed as soon as it is available. You’ll pay only $14.95. To order, e-mail your credit card information and mailing address to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or mail a check for $14.95 and ask for the “Write It and Reap” CD. I’ll pay for shipping when the CD is ready to mail.
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Maximize Your Publishing Profits
Go to http://www.plannedtvarts.com/ and download a free e-book, Maximizing Your Publishing Profits!
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“Ask the Book Doctor: How to Beat the Competition and Sell Your Writing” e-book at last available
“Ask the Book Doctor: How to Beat the Competition and Sell Your Writing” tells you everything you ever wanted to know about writing and submitting your work, but did not know who to ask. This 122-page e-book quickly answers all the questions you wish you could ask a writing and editing expert. It has bookmarks that allow you to go directly to your preferred subject and features many clickable links that take you to resources that give you additional information on how to write, edit, and sell your work, whether you write books, short stories, articles, reports, or anything else. To order and download, go to http://www.booklocker.com/books/1906.html
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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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Danny O’Dell shares this site, which gives free reviews of books:
http://www.getbookreviews.com/services.html
“We welcome the opportunity to help you obtain quality reviews for your book. We enjoy helping authors and publishers find great reviewers and obtain great reviews for their books.”
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Add authentic dialogue and culture to your novel
Member Rickey Godfrey sends this great tip:
Going to google.com and putting in search terms like "ghetto language" and Ebonics, I came up with a few fascinating Web sites where one can learn a lot about black urban culture, as well as hippie culture, and other urban group culture, for that matter.
1. For a good overview to ghetto language borrowed from rap songs, and black urban usage go to this link: www.thablingster.com/dictionary.html. Be sure to read the comments at the beginning of this site.
2. For a good overview of Ebonics (the language of the black street person), go to: http://www.questia.com/. There are other websites with Ebonics translators you can find by putting “Ebonics” in as a search word at a search engine like google.com.
3. Finally, for an extremely interesting site with urban counter-culture language--I could spend days checking this site out--see: http://www.urbandictionary.com/
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WAG: dog magazine launches:
Billing itself the "GQ for dogs," WAG magazine focuses on the art of living with a dog, as well as fashion for dog owners. Josh Magness is editor.
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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 words and phrases you can delete, upgrade or rewrite to power up your prose. Bobbie Christmas reveals secrets only a book doctor could know. First Place winner of the Royal Palm Award for education! Union Square Publishing, publisher; Simon and Schuster, distributor. Available in bookstores and Internet retailers. To order at Amazon.com DISCOUNT prices, go to http://zebraeditor.com/bookstore.shtml
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Five: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
New Reality Series Features Authors
"Book Millionaire," a new reality TV show featuring authors seeking to publish fiction or nonfiction, announces an open casting call for the show's debut season airing fall 2005. Eight people who want to become published writers or achieve best-selling celebrity status will meet with the "Book Millionaire" Publisher Committee in August 2005 to begin filming. The application deadline is July 31, 2005; applications and details are available at http://www.bookmillionaire.com/. The show will feature competitions among the participants, similar to “The Apprentice” and other reality shows.
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Conscious Choice
920 N. Franklin St.
Suite 202
Chicago, IL 60610
editor@consciouschoice.com
http://www.consciouschoice.com
Conscious Choice is a Chicago-area publication about the environment, holistic health options, and spirituality. Most topics should have a connection to the Chicago region. Topics include environmental issues, personal experience, interviews, and profiles. Article length averages 2,000 words. Query by standard mail or e-mail or forward entire manuscript. Pays up to $900.
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I am compiling stories to complement my customer service program and the book that accompanies it. Looking for retail oriented stories such as funniest experience, most outrageous security story, inventory nightmares, most rewarding, best shoplifting story.... etc. Stories can come from exec's and staff and relate to all areas. Also from customers.. best and worst experiences. email me at wellness@netbox.com. You will be credited with the story and receive a copy of the book. --Camille Kocsis, Master Success Coach, Speaker, Author, Successful Living Seminars
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We’re always looking for new interviews, articles, essays, and humor for the Absolute Write newsletter. We pay $5 or a 1-year subscription to the Absolute Markets Premium Edition (www.absolutemarkets.com – a $15 value). We’re happy to check out reprints, and we take non-exclusive electronic rights. Got some advice for your fellow writers? Check out our guidelines here: http://www.absolutewrite.com/site/submissions.htm
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Ambit
17 Priory Gardens
London
N6 5QY
UK
Editor: Martin Bax
info@ambitmagazine.co.uk
http://www.ambitmagazine.co.uk/
Guidelines: http://www.ambitmagazine.co.uk/Submit.htm
Ambit is a quarterly magazine of poetry and short fiction established in 1959. Payment is labeled “small,” and contributors also receive two copies. Considers only unpublished material. About three percent of submissions are accepted for publication. Prospective contributors are strongly encouraged to review the magazine before sending in submissions.
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Former Random House Publisher Becomes Literary Agent
Don Pape
dpape@alivecom.com
Don Pape, the former publisher of WaterBrook Press (a division of Random House), recently announced he is leaving his post in publishing to become a literary Agent with Alive Communications. www.alivecom.com. Alive Communications is considered a premier literary agency representing several New York Times best selling authors and series - including the multimillion seller: The Left Behind series. Pape says, "What I liked best about publishing was being the author's advocate. Now I can concentrate on the author, full time." He welcomes submissions of high quality.
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First Things
156 Fifth Avenue
Suite 400
New York, N.Y. 10010
ft@firstthings.com
http://www.firstthings.com/menus/ft0503.html
Published for a highly intelligent audience, First Things covers ethical and social commentary, as well as religious perspectives on society, law, church and state, morality issues, and culture. Articles run 2000-6000 words. Query by standard mail or e-mail or submit complete manuscript. Pays up to $1,000.
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Fetch Magazine wants writers with a passion for pets
Fetch is looking for writers with a passion for pets! Are you handy with words? Love dogs and other indoor pets? Can you take great photos, or draw? Are you willing to help us put together our monthly calendar of events or gather interesting news? The fetch team is looking for all types of contributions. Get started by viewing our Writers' Guidelines, then contact us at editors@fetchthepaper.com. Pays between $40 and $150.
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Hard Shell Word Factory has issued a call for submissions for a group of upcoming anthologies. Each anthology will feature three 25,000 word novellas, centering on Egyptian artifacts. Submissions should be two chapters of the novella and a complete synopsis. Microsoft Word is preferable. The anthologies and the types of stories they will feature are: Chronicles of Egypt: Book I: Stelas of Terror (Horror, optimal release date 9/05); Chronicles of Egypt: Book II: Temples of Desire (Romance, optimal release date 2/06); Chronicles of Egypt: Book III: Echoes of Intrigue (Mystery, optimal release date 8/06); and Chronicles of Egypt: Book IV: Realms of Orion (SF optimal release date 2/07).
This series of anthologies will be published about every six months starting in September/October 2005. Each novella in the series revolves around an artifact but needs to fit the genre. The artifact can be a mummy, amulet, scroll, or anything that is ancient Egyptian. The story can take place in Egypt or anywhere in the world. The artifact can also be new if the story is set during the time of the pharaohs. Send submissions to Diane Kirkle at diwrite@aol.com.
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Romance novels in graphic novel format
Arrow Publications is seeking submissions of romantic action/adventure for illustrated novels. It is looking for 55-60 panel scripts, "romantic, passionate character-driven stories with a strong element of adventure and/or intrigue. The adventure/intrigue element must be credible and an integral part of the plot, not an obvious add-on. Elements of humor and mystery are also welcome. The romance element should be at least 60 percent of the overall plot." Detailed submission guidelines are at http://www.arrowpub.com/writers.html. Arrow Publications will own the copyright to the story, which could be a deal killer for some.
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Keep It Coming
http://www.keepitcoming.net/
This e-zine offers “fast food for your fiction craving.” It sells serialized stories in all genres. Readers subscribe to a story and receive each installment in their e-mail weekly. The author receives a portion of the payment for each installment. Income depends on the number of subscribers to your story. "Our e-zine stories are presented in a serial format, and each issue (or chapter) needs to be no less than 750 words and no more than 3,000 words. A good issue is usually between 1,000—1,500 words. Authors receive 70% of subscription sales ($3.33 per month per subscriber), after PayPal fees are deducted. All authors are paid through PayPal unless other arrangements are made. Authors hold their own copyrights. Only unique, original, and unpublished works will be accepted. Keep It Coming holds first rights to publish stories.”
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Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
233 Broadway
New York NY 10279
P.O. Box 5190, Buffalo NY 14240-5190.
www.eharlequin.com
Website: www.reddressink.com
Margaret O'Neill Marbury, senior editor; Farrin Jacobs, associate editor.
Publishes hardcover and trade paperback originals. Red Dress Ink publishes "stories that reflect the lifestyles of today's urban, single women. They show life as it is, with a strong touch of humor, hipness and energy." Word length: 80,000-110,000 words. Point of view: no restriction but must have a strong female protagonist. Tone: vibrant. Audience is women 18-55. "These books are Ally McBeal meets Sex and the City, Bridget Jones's Diary meets The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing. The style of writing is light, highly accessible, clever, funny and full of witty observations. The dialogue is sharp and true-to-life. These are characters you can immediately identify with in a story you just can't put down!” Query with SASE. Accepts simultaneous submissions. Needs:
Adventure
Confession
Humor
Literary
Mainstream/Contemporary
Multicultural
Regional
Romance
Short Story Collections
contemporary women's fiction
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IOWA SHORT FICTION AWARD
Open to writers who have not previously published a volume of prose fiction. Submit a collection of short stories totaling at least 150 pages. Submission period: Aug. 1-Sept. 30. Prizes: Publication by the University of Iowa Press. Contact: University of Iowa Press, Iowa Writers' Workshop, 102 Dey House, 507 N. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA 52242. 319-335- 2000. holly-carver@uiowa.edu. www.uiowa.edu/~uipress.
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Six: Writing Assignment: What’s Up, Book Doc?
In my Editor’s Column, I mentioned that I recently gave writing seminars on a cruise to the Caribbean. Talk about the good life! I flew into the Miami airport to transfer to the port, and in the airport, I saw a woman who stopped me in my tracks. She was sobbing into a cell phone. She turned away from the crowd to hide her tears, but her shoulders heaved as she wept and spoke. I wanted to go over to offer my help, but what could I do? I had a boat to catch. I pushed on and left her shedding tears and talking on her phone. The image haunted me. What was going on?
I decided the setup would be a great one for a story, though, so the assignment for you is to invent a story in which at some point a woman is in a crowded airport, weeping into a cell phone. You may invent all the other information related to the story.
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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.
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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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.” …………………………………………………………………………….
The Writers Network News--a free newsletter for writers everywhere.
"No Rules; Just Write!"
Newsletter Sponsor:
Zebra Communications: We help you write in style, so you write to win.
We write, edit, and evaluate manuscripts, book proposals, query letters, synopses, and articles. Call to ask about our services or visit www.zebraeditor.com.
Zebra Communications
230 Deerchase Drive, Suite B
Woodstock, GA 30188
770/924-0528
Bobbie Christmas Blog for Writers: http://journals.aol.com/bzebra/BobbieChristmasBlogforWriters/
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The Writers Network – No fees. No officers. “No Rules; Just Write!"
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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