The Writers Network News 2-20-09 http://ezezine.com
February 20, 2009
The Writers Network News
No Rules; Just Write!
Editor: Bobbie Christmas
Contents copyright 2009, Bobbie Christmas
No portion of this newsletter can be used without permission; however,
you may forward the newsletter in its entirety to anyone who may be
interested in subscribing.
Newsletter Sponsor
Zebra Communications: We help you write in style, so you increase your
chances of success. We write, edit, and evaluate fiction and nonfiction
manuscripts, book proposals, query letters, synopses, and articles. We
are a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business.
Zebra Communications
230 Deerchase Drive, Suite B
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770/924-0528
http://zebraeditor.com/
Note Bobbie’s NEW Blog: http://bobbiechristmas.blogspot.com/. Add your
own comments, too.
----------------------------------------------
Welcome to this issue of The Writers Network News
In This Issue
One: Kudos to Dick Dowis, Brian Schan, Betty Beamguard, Phil Comer, and
George Weinstein
Two: From the editor’s desk – Concrete descriptions cement a writing
future
Three: Ask the Book Doctor – About Chapter Format, the Library of
Congress, and Using Big Words
Four: This Month’s Writing Tip from Bobbie Christmas – Apostrophes: Get
them turned right!
Five: Letters from Members
Six: Subjects of Interest to Writers
Seven: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents, and Markets
Eight: Writing Assignment – Fatal Flaws
Nine: Web Sites of Interest to Writers
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To view past issues of The Writers Network News, go to:
http://home.ezezine.com/886_2/
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[Note: Some links may include “tiny url” with the help of
www.tinyurl.com, which takes long Web addresses and converts them to
short ones.]
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Writer’s quote of the day
“In some ways, people that don't exist are much nicer than people that
do.” — Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One: Kudos to Dick Dowis, Brian Schan, Betty Beamguard, Phil Comer, and
George Weinstein
The publishing rights to my book, The Lost Art of the Great Speech,
have been bought by a publisher in Nigeria for distribution only in
that country. It was first published by AMACOM Books and later under a
Barnes & Noble imprint. It has also been published in a Korean language
edition and in an audio-book version. The book is a how-to manual for
speechwriters and speakers. It has been out for several years and
continues to sell quite well. –Dick Dowis
My first novel, The Loyal Traveler, went on sale on inauguration day
(January 20, 2009). Although the book is a techno-thriller, this date
was specifically chosen because of the main theme of the story and the
new administration’s stance on energy initiatives. To order it, go to
http://tinyurl.com/dgv5wn. --Brian Schan
Betty Beamguard’s short story, "I stayed the Night with Vestil,"
appears online in Charlotte Viewpoint, and a nonfiction travel piece,
"Glowing in Mosquito Bay," appears in In the Mist. Her short story
“Daffy’s Revenge” appears in the October issue of Green Silk Journal
issue, and her poem “Fate Conspires Against Us” has been accepted by
Main Street Rag. Her anecdote “No Pay—No Write” is in the 2009 Bylines
Desk Calendar for writers, and Writer’s Journal has just accepted her
humorous essay titled “Take Heart.”
I’m SO excited. Last Friday at 12:02 p.m. I finished--well, nothing’s
finished until it’s published--the novel I started at the Southeastern
Writers Conference in St. Simons Island, based on a class assignment.
The novel is called Dialing the Dead, 32 chapters, 90,000 words. It’s
comic Southern gothic, if that’s a genre. Just had to share the news.
–Phil Comer
George Weinstein’s book called Jake and the Tiger Flight, George
himself, and the organization the book promotes were all featured on
the metro Atlanta news recently. To see the video go to
http://tinyurl.com/aptfuv and click on the window. Be patient; it takes
a little while to load.
Congratulations!
Your successes encourage others, so please send in your accomplishments
for our kudos section.
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Two: From the editor’s desk — Concrete descriptions cement a writing
future
Dear Fellow Writers:
The Arctic chill that settled over Georgia finally cleared and
temperatures rose well above freezing. I strolled in a light jacket,
without a cumbersome coat, gloves, muffler, and hat. A sense of spring
hung in the air. Daffodil buds turned yellow and threatened to burst
open at any moment, and tree branch tips sported green leaf bundles
that felt fuzzy to the touch. An earthy smell tickled my nose, and
birds sang in the pines, “Woody do, do, do” and “Pretty, pretty,
pretty.”
Ah, February, I welcomed the thaw.
I walked past a neighbor’s house where a row of trees defined his
property line, and I recalled chatting with him while he planted the
trees about three years ago. The trees looked good, so I decided that
when I next saw that neighbor, I would comment on how well his efforts
have paid off. Mentally I planned a conversation that went something
like this: “Your trees are doing nicely.” Whoa! What an abstract
statement! I stopped and looked at the eighteen plants that had leaped
from sticks to grow into bushes almost six feet tall, and I changed my
mental dialogue to this: “Your junipers have grown by at least three
feet.”
My revision gave distinct, specific descriptions of which trees, what
they are doing, and how well they are doing it. Much better. I ambled
toward my house and pondered further. How could I improve the statement
even more? Maybe this: “The junipers you planted three years ago have
doubled in size.” That description gives him credit for having planted
the things.
In the sunlight that warmed my heart and the winter morning, I chuckled
to myself. I’m ever the writer, always revising, even while I’m taking
a walk with the dog, and I haven’t seen that neighbor in months. I may
not see him again until the trees have tripled in size. What will I say
to him then? I hope I remember to be concrete in my descriptions,
rather than abstract, just as I try to do in my writing.
Yours in writing,
Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com )
Author of triple-award-winning _Write In Style_ (Union Square
Publishing), owner of Zebra Communications, and director of The Writers
Network
P.S. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Let me hear from you
when you have questions, kudos, markets, or any other information to
share with your network.
If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, please sign up to get your
own copy. Simply go to my Web site, www.zebraeditor.com, and click on
“Free Newsletter.” I never share your address or send out spam.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Three: Ask the Book Doctor — About Chapter Format, the Library of
Congress, and Using Big Words
Q: Is there a way to reconcile chapter beginnings using the computer?
A: I’m not sure what you mean by “reconcile,” but this much I know: At
the end of each chapter, insert a page break. With a page break at the
end of each chapter, when you hit Return three or four times to begin
the new chapter, the new chapter will always begin on the same line,
the one you just designated, even if you later add or delete lines from
prior chapters.
To insert a page break, go to Insert, then Break, then Page Break.
Q: How does a self-published poet acquire a Library of Congress card
catalog number? I went to the Web site but could make no sense of it.
A: The Library of Congress Control Number is assigned by the library at
its discretion to assist librarians in acquiring and cataloging works.
Assignation of a number is not automatic and not every book is
eligible; Library of Congress personnel must first believe the book
will be wanted by librarians across the country.
I’m not an expert on what happens after a book is published, but it’s
my understanding that the Library of Congress Control Number is
assigned before, not after, a book is published. The Cataloging in
Progress Program allows you to apply before a book is published, and
the Web site explains the CIP program fairly well. It is for books that
will soon be published.
Many small publishers and self-publishers (authors who pay for or
subsidize publication of their works, who do not publish the works of
more than three authors, and whose works are rarely widely acquired by
the nation’s libraries) are ineligible for the CIP program, but they
may be eligible for the Preassigned Control Number Program. The Web
site says, “For each eligible title, participating publishers transmit
a completed CIP Data Application form and the full text or, at minimum,
core required materials to the Library of Congress. CIP Division staff
review the application and text for completeness and eligibility,
assign a Library of Congress Control Number, and forward the
application to the cataloging division with the appropriate subject
expertise.”
Yes, it’s confusing. The phone number for further information is
202-707-6345.
Q: I started writing books this summer, when family problems started.
My books are interesting, or so say my friends, but I feel they lack
something, like maybe they are weakly written. I know “big” words make
a book seem like the author is intelligent, but it makes it harder for
ten- to fifteen-year-olds to understand. So I ask, how do I make my
book more interesting without using “big” words?
A: You pose an interesting question; should you write to impress your
readers or entertain them? Do you want your readers to think highly of
you or of your books? Today’s books entertain, rather than impress.
You’re already on the right track to avoid words that others may have
to look up in a dictionary.
Big words don’t make a book interesting; conflict and tension do.
Fascinating characters do. Realistic dialogue that moves the story
forward does. Unique plot turns and unusual situations help, too.
Because you just started writing books this summer, don’t despair. Most
writers spend years honing their craft. At least you have begun. Not
only do you need good ideas and a strong desire to write, you also have
to learn as you go. Besides reading books about how to write a good
story, spend time reading or rereading books by authors you admire.
Analyze what makes you like that person’s writing and why you enjoyed
reading the story. Apply those techniques (but not the story ideas) to
your writing.
Also, know the market you want to write for. If you are writing for
young adults, read the books young adults are buying and analyze what
makes those stories interesting.
Above all, don’t get discouraged. Join writers groups and discuss your
issues and learn from others. Do not, however, discuss your story
lines. Talking about them not only gives your ideas away but also
drains energy from the ideas. Instead, use that energy to write down
your ideas and turn them into books.
Send your questions to the Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas at
Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
Would you like to read or save the Ask the Book Doctor column as a
clear PDF file? Now you can! See
http://zebraeditor.com/files/ask_the_book_doctor.pdf. The newest column
is posted around the first of each month.
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Four: This Month’s Writing Tip from Bobbie Christmas – Apostrophes: Get
them turned right!
This lesson may be difficult to fathom, because I’m not certain of the
font you’ll see it in, but I’ll do my best to explain.
More and more I’m seeing apostrophes turned the wrong way in
manuscripts I edit, and I’ll explain how it happens, how to avoid it,
and how to examine and repair such errors in your own manuscript.
Many fonts, including the popular Times New Roman, provide curly
quotes--quotation marks and apostrophes that are not straight up and
down, but that curl. Quotation marks curl from left to right to open a
quotation or dialogue, and they curl from right to left to close the
quotation. “See what I mean?” If the quotation marks do not curl in my
examples, change the font to Times New Roman, and they will.
The problem with apostrophes, then, is that a correct apostrophe always
curls from right to left. Always. No exception. Single quotation marks,
however, curl from left to right for an open quotation mark and from
left to right to end the quotation. Example: John said, “Mary said,
‘Stay here,’ before she walked away.” A computer can’t always tell
whether you meant to use an apostrophe or an open quotation mark,
especially if a space appears before the apostrophe, as in the use of
the dialectical word, ’em. “Let’s go get ’em.” I often see the
apostrophe incorrectly typed with an open quote mark instead of an
apostrophe, and it’s not your fault! It’s the computer’s fault. The
apostrophe and the open quotation mark are both the same button on the
keyboard; the computer decides what you probably meant. The way to tell
the computer what you want, then, is to type the apostrophe twice if
there’s a space in front of it, and the second one will be correct,
turned the correct way. Next you have to delete the first, incorrect,
mark.
Use my trademarked Find and Refine Method to check all the apostrophes
in your manuscript. The Find and Refine Method is more carefully
outlined in my textbook on creative writing, Write In Style (Union
Square Publishing) which lists many more ways you can easily refine
your own manuscripts.
With your file open on your computer, pull down Edit, and then Find.
Type in apostrophe (the key to the right of your pinkie finger that has
a quotation mark on it). Hit the Find Next button and examine each one,
or, you can also use the Replace tab and type the apostrophe key twice,
and you’ll see that one is a single quote mark and the second will be
an apostrophe. Next delete the first mark, the open quote mark, and
leave the apostrophe, and then Find Next and replace any apostrophe
that is turned wrong.
Apostrophes get turned wrong most often when we use dialect, with words
that start with an apostrophe to show that a letter is missing. You may
want to consider the fact that few editors recommend writing in dialect
these days, anyway, so you can use this technique to find your
dialectical dialogue and change it to conventional dialogue, and your
writing will get even stronger.
For more opportunities for improvement, buy _Write In Style_ (Union
Square Publishing) in your local bookstore or order it from Amazon.com
by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/2ayh2m.
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Five: Letters from Members
I was just reading your newsletter and saw the bit on getting 25 lines
per page. In Word on a PC, try putting 25-pt. spacing in the
line-spacing window under Format, Paragraph. With one-inch top and
bottom margins, it comes out to 25 lines of text. This spacing also
keeps text that you insert in an e-mail looking double spaced instead
of converting to single. --Ellis Vidler, Taylors, S.C.
===
I really liked your story of prejudice in the Deep South from a white
person's perspective. I grew up in the North and always wondered what
it would have been like to see all that around you. As a white person
learning about the Civil War in school, I grew up hating white people
in the South who did nothing to stop the inequity, so it really gave me
a great glimpse into what it would have been like for me, if I'd have
been there during the Civil Rights era. --Debbie Unterman
===
Your personal civil rights mention (encounter at the counter?) was
powerful. Thanks for sharing. Keep up your great work. Well done –Alvin
Guthertz
===
Thank you for sharing your story about dealing with racism. Very
moving. --Bill Kopp
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Six: Subjects of interest to writers
Where is Bobbie Christmas speaking next?
Pasco/New Port Richey (Florida) Mini Conference
One full day: April 19, 2009
For complete information and online registration (save money by
registering early) see http://mysite.verizon.net/resockeb/id26.html.
I have not yet firmed up the remainder of my 2009 speaking schedule,
but watch my Web site (www.zebraeditor.com) for more. Can’t wait to
hear me in person? Order seminars on CD at
http://zebraeditor.com/seminars_on_cd.shtml.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt from article in The New York Times, January 28, 2009
When Lisa Genova, a former consultant to pharmaceutical companies,
wrote her first novel, “Still Alice,” a story about a woman with
Alzheimer’s disease, she was turned down or ignored by 100 literary
agents.
Ms. Genova paid $450 to iUniverse to publish the book and sold copies
to independent bookstores. A fellow author discovered the book and
introduced Ms. Genova to an agent, and she eventually sold “Still
Alice” for a mid-six-figure advance to Pocket Books, an imprint of
Simon & Schuster, which released a new edition this month. It had its
debut on the New York Times trade paperback fiction best-seller list on
Sunday, at No. 5.
Ms. Genova likened her experience to that of young bands or filmmakers
using MySpace or YouTube to attract a following. “It’s really tough to
break into the traditional model of doing things,” she said.
Louise Burke, publisher of Pocket Books, said publishers now trawl for
new material by looking at reader comments about self-published books
sold online. Self-publishing, she said, is “no longer a dirty word.”
The article ends with this warning:
“For every thousand titles that get self-published, maybe there’s two
that should have been published,” said Cathy Langer, lead buyer for the
Tattered Cover bookstores in Denver. “People think that just because
they’ve written something, there’s a market for it. It’s not true.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention Writers in Metro Atlanta!
Do you miss our local meetings? We have a solution.
The Writers Network used to have meetings in Atlanta regularly, but we
ceased this year because some of our national and international readers
complained that our local meetings made it appear that The Writers
Network serviced only Atlanta, which is certainly not true.
Along the lines of “You can’t please everybody all the time,” a few
local folks expressed sadness at losing their connection with other
writers. I admit to burnout after attending and leading meetings for
more than a dozen years, but I missed other writers, too.
Here’s our compromise: We won’t meet every month, but when we do plan a
meeting, I won’t announce it to all our members around the globe. If
you’re interested in meeting in Atlanta with other writers, therefore,
tell me by e-mail (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com). I’ll put you on a list of
local members to be notified if and when we plan a get together. We’ll
try that method for a while and see if we can balance my schedule and
your wishes and make more people happy.
Sneak peek: We’re planning a meeting for February 21.
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Purge Your Prose of Problems
A Book Doctor’s Desk Reference, Fourth Edition
Save thousands of dollars by editing your own book!
This proprietary reference book is not available in stores. Written in
easy-to-understand language, the information covers all you need to
know to plow through the maze of the editing phase: grammar,
punctuation, word choices, creative writing, plot, pace,
characterization, dialogue, Chicago Style, formatting a manuscript, and
much more. More than 500 subjects covered. Spiral binder lies flat for
easy use. To order go to http://www.zebraeditor.com. Click on Tools for
Writers and scroll down).
Save almost $5.00 in shipping PLUS instantly get _Purge Your Prose of
Problems_ as an e-book with clickable links and bookmarks that zip you
directly to any subject. Go to
http://www.booklocker.com/books/2225.html.
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Chelsea Green, HarperStudio pioneer in ‘no returns’ arena
According to AnvilPub’s Southern Review of Books, the concept of a
no-return policy for bookstores is catching on a little at a time.
"The idea of taking inventory and then shipping it back isn't a good
idea for anybody. We're open to all publishers to discuss alternatives
to the traditional return model," says Robert Gruen, Borders' executive
vice president of merchandising and marketing. "Returns have never made
sense in our business, and with the recent economic downturn,
publishers and booksellers are more open than before to experimenting
with models that might decrease waste and increase profit."
Chelsea Green Publisher and President Margo Baldwin, who launched a “no
returns” opportunity in 2007 for bookstore owners to get a
fifty-percent discount and free freight. Participants are also first in
line to get their shipments, and also get first dibs on author events.
So far, 42 retailers are participating.
Financially troubled Borders Group Inc. has agreed to accept books from
HarperStudio - the HarperCollins imprint started by former Hyperion
Books publisher Robert S. Miller - on a nonreturnable basis, according
to The Wall Street Journal.
Under the terms of the deal, Borders will receive a greater discount on
initial orders of books published by HarperStudio - 58 percent to 63
percent off the cover price instead of the usual 48 percent - in
exchange for not returning any unsold books to the publisher.
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Notes on rejection
William Kennedy wrote a series of novels about a big, down-at-heel
Irish family full of storytellers and brawlers. One of these novels,
Ironweed (1984), is about a derelict on the run from his past. Thirteen
publishers rejected it because they thought no one would want to read
about bums. It was eventually purchased and published, though, and it
won the Pulitzer, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and a
Pen/Faulkner award, all in the same year.
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Bobbie Christmas seminars on CD
“Write In Style and You Write to Win”
“Travel Writing for Fun and (a little) Profit”
“Write it and Reap: Make Money Selling Your Expertise”
“An Editor’s 10 Secrets to More Persuasive Writing”
“I’ve Finished My Book; What Should I Do Now?”
Take seminars in the comfort of your own home. Repeat as often as you
want. Invite your friends to join you. To order, go to
http://zebraeditor.com/seminars_on_cd.shtml.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Independent bookstores are dying for your business! If you have one
near you, support it and keep it going. Here are a few upcoming events
at a store in my hometown, a suburb of Atlanta:
Saturday, February 28, 1 p.m. Southern novelist MICHAEL LEE WEST,
author of Mermaids in the Basement, signs books at FoxTale Book Shoppe,
105 E. Main St., #138, Woodstock, Georgia 770/516-9989
www.foxtalebookshoppe.com.
Saturday, March 7, 7 p.m. Local author JULIE KORZENKO, signs copies of
her new novel, Devil's Gold, at FoxTale Book Shoppe.
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m. WRIGHT GRIS signs copies of Macedonia
Passage: Dangerous Cargo, a "modern day sailing adventure," at FoxTale
Book Shoppe.
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I’m impressed! Amazon.com has released its newest electronic reading
device, Kindle 2, and it’s better than ever--lighter, clearer, and with
new features like Talking Books, so your Kindle can read to you while
you drive.
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_Ask the Book Doctor: How to Beat the Competition and Sell Your
Writing_ answers many of the questions you wish you could ask an
editing expert. It’s available in print or as an e-book. Whether you
write books, short stories, articles, reports, or anything else, learn
more about how to write, edit, and sell your work,
To order the printed version, go to http://tinyurl.com/6cr88z.
In the e-book edition, electronic bookmarks take you directly to
preferred subjects, and clickable links take you to Internet resources.
To order the e-book, go to http://www.booklocker.com/books/1906.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you want to turn your vision for a book into a reality? AuthorSmart
shows you how, with seminars, resources, and tools. To see the upcoming
seminars you can take by telephone, go to
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=881070 and click on “Get Smart;
Classes and More.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good news for writers: CNN says more businesses are using freelancers!
See the full article at http://tinyurl.com/6sprjv.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_Write In Style: Using Your Word Processor and Other Techniques to
Improve Your Writing_ by Bobbie Christmas 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, Best in Division (Georgia Author of the Year Awards), and
Finalist in USABookNews Best Books 2005. Union Square Publishing; Simon
and Schuster, distributor. Available in bookstores and Internet
retailers. To order at Amazon.com prices, go to
http://zebraeditor.com/book_write_in_style.shtml.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Free Tools for Writers from Bobbie Christmas and Zebra Communications
Order e-mailed reports on correct manuscript format, how to form and
run a critique circle, how to identify weak writing and repair it,
self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and much more. Sixteen
reports are available, and the list keeps growing. Go to
http://zebraeditor.com/free_reports.shtml. Newest report: How to choose
the correct editor for your manuscript. Surprise! It may not be me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do You Twitter?
Keep up with Bobbie’s activities on Twitter:
http:twitter.com/BookDoctor4u
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Seven: Jobs, Contests, Grants, Agents and Markets
Are You Mad?
MAD Submissions Editor
1700 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
We're actively looking to expand our pool of freelance comedy writers
and there's more opportunity to join The Usual Gang Of Idiots than
ever. If you have a twisted sense of humor, a peculiar way of looking
at the world, or are simply eager to express your immature, strange or
just plain silly side, then we want to see your stuff! To see what
we’re looking for, to go
http://www.dccomics.com/mad/?action=submissions.
Our preference is for you to submit via email. Send your material to
submissions@madmagazine.com. Please note: We will respond only if we're
interested. Fax submissions are not accepted.
If your material contains significant sketches or is otherwise
art-intensive, you may submit via snail mail. Be sure to include a
self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage to send your
submission back, or we will not be able to return your artwork.
(Overseas contributors must include U.S. stamps or International Reply
Coupons.) Before submitting become familiar with today's MAD, not the
MAD you grew up with (although that helps). Don't be discouraged if the
rejection slips pile up. Writing for MAD isn't a piece of cake. That's
why we pay top rates — $500 per MAD page (for new contributors) — on
acceptance (pieces that are less than a page — e.g. comic strips,
Fundalini bits, etc. — are pro-rated accordingly).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Letters of Apology Sought
I am writing a book called Letters of Apology. The book is a collection
of anonymously written letters of apology. When readers find a letter
that resonates with them, they have every reason to believe it was
written for them. The letters can also be used as guides for people
looking for the right words to start their own apologies.
I need more letters for the book. At first I thought it would be easy
to collect the letters, but it’s not always easy to apologize, and it’s
even harder to put an apology in writing. The more letters there are in
this book, the greater the healing potential. My hope is that you will
start the New Year by contributing a letter of apology written to
someone you would like to apologize to or by writing the letter of
apology you have been waiting for.
Your letter will resonate with people who have experienced the same
things you have. Your words can be the words they’ve been waiting for.
Address the letter with your relationship, such as Dear Daughter, Dear
Husband, A letter to myself, Dear Neighbor, etc. The same applies to
the signature: Love, Your Brother, Mom, Friend, etc.
The letter should be specific enough for a reader to understand what
the apology is for, but general in terms of dates or locations. Don’t
worry about spelling or grammar; just write with sincerity, and it will
be perfect. Send to Letters, P. O. Box 934, Suffield, Connecticut
06078. Fax: 203-413-6390. E-mail: letterofapology@earthlink.net. Hurry!
Deadline March 20.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writer Advice's Fourth Annual Flash Prose Contest seeks flash fiction,
memoir, and creative nonfiction that mesmerizes the reader in 750 words
or less. DEADLINE: April 15, 2009. Entry fee: $10. First prize: $150.
Last year's prizewinners will judge. Complete guidelines, mailing
address, and prizes at www.writeradvice.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writers Literary Agency
http://tinyurl.com/czbdsz
Our focus is on the influential buyers at the large publishers, small
presses, and specialty houses. We maintain executive suites in New York
and we work with partners in Los Angeles for our screenplay and
book-to-film division. We are mainly virtual and work from home to keep
our costs down. Our team is in CA, CT, FL, and many other states and
countries.
We do not market to self-publishers, print on demand publishers, or
vanity presses. We are not in any way associated with the
self-publishing industry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family is looking for your true
stories and poems about your off-the-wall, goofy, or just downright
strange family members. Stories can be serious, hilarious, or both and
should make readers realize that their quirky families are not so
different from those of other people! To submit your stories, go to
http://www.chickensoupforthesoul.com and click on “Submit a Story.” Be
sure to select “All in the Family” as the book title when you fill out
the form. Submit under your real name, but rest assured that you will
be allowed, if requested, to use a pen name for publication and change
the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!).
Stories and poems should be written in the first person and of no more
than 1,200 words.
If your story is chosen, your bio will also be printed in the book if
you choose. You will also receive $200 and 10 copies of the book, worth
more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and the
right to resell it. DEADLINE IS JUNE 30, 2009.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Southern Review Seeks Submissions
The Southern Review
Old President’s House
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
The Southern Review seeks to publish the very best new fiction, poetry,
creative nonfiction, and literary essays by established and emerging
writers. All manuscripts, even by those authors not yet published, are
given full consideration. We consider novel excerpts if they stand
alone, short short stories, experimental work (provided the form has
function), and translations (provided the translator has secured
appropriate rights.) Generally, we are not interested in works
typically considered “genre” such as romance, science fiction,
historical fiction or fantasy. Please read the guidelines carefully at
http://www.lsu.edu/thesouthernreview/submissions.html.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Write articles and share in the revenue they generate. See
http://tinyurl.com/cr4hua for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editorial Board, Geist
#200-341 Water Street
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6B 1B8
Geist is a magazine of ideas and culture made in Canada with a strong
literary focus and a sense of humour (note British spelling). The Geist
tone is intelligent, plain-talking, inclusive and offbeat. Each issue
reflects a convergence of fiction, non-fiction, photography, comics,
reviews, little-known facts of interest, poetry, cartography and the
legendary Geist crossword puzzle. At the heart of our enterprise is the
imaginary country that some of us inhabit from time to time, and which
often has something to do with Canada.
Before submitting work, please read an issue of the magazine, and while
you’re at it, why not read (or reread) George Orwell’s pertinent essay
“Politics and the English Language”? To see full submission guidelines,
see http://www.geist.com/contributors-guidelines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People
101 Stories about Overcoming the Economic Crisis and Other Challenges
Most of us have lost money and many are losing their jobs, homes, or at
least making cutbacks. Many of us have also faced life-changing natural
disasters such a hurricanes and fires, as well as health and family
challenges. We are all going through difficult times, some with more
dire consequences than others.
Tough times won't last but tough people will. What is your story of
tough times? Are you making changes in your life that reflect the
times? Are you downsizing, making do with less, discovering new joy in
a simpler life? Are you recovering from other challenges such as
natural disasters, health problems, or the loss of a loved one?
We are looking for true stories and poems written in the first person
of no more
than 1,200 words. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both.
Here are some suggested topics, but we know you can think of many more:
* Financial problems and solutions
* Losing homes and jobs
* Putting off retirement
* Silver linings
* Downsizing, simplification, "staycations" versus vacations
* Families pulling together
* Challenges of death, disease, and disability
* Stories of courage from victims of crime, terrorism, and other
abuses
* Recovering from disasters such as fire, hurricanes, floods
* Inspirational stories of overcoming obstacles and challenges
* Putting things in perspective
* Examples from nature - pets and other animals overcoming adversity
...
Anything else that you think is interesting and inspirational and will
help other readers going through tough times and make them realize they
are not alone
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio
will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a
check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100.
You will retain the copyright for your story.
SUBMISSIONS GO TO
http://chickensoupforthesoul.com/form.asp?cid=submit_story.
In response to the economic crisis and the numerous requests we are
getting for this book, the deadline has been moved up to February 28,
2009, for publication in June. For any further questions or
correspondence, contact webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com or visit
our website at http://www.chickensoup.com
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One Story is seeking literary fiction. Because of our format, we can
only accept stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They can be any
style and on any subject as long as they are good. We are looking for
stories that leave readers feeling satisfied and are strong enough to
stand alone. One Story is offering $100 and 15 contributors copies for
first North American serial rights. All rights will revert to the
author upon publication. For submission information see
http://www.one-story.com/index.php?page=guidelines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoe Life Magazine
244 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2548
New York, NY 10001
Niya Allen (Publisher)
NAllen@zoelifemagazine.com
Zoe Life Magazine is a bimonthly online Christian magazine catering to
urban young adults and dedicated to bringing them articles and
information that will get them a few steps closer to living the
God-kind of life. We are seeking the best columnists to contribute to
its re-launching.
Columnists will not simply give advice, but will be helping people make
sound decisions that follow the Word of God and improve their well
being.
Columnists must have in-depth knowledge of finance, career planning,
Word based counseling, Christian relationships, or technical aspects of
industries (music, entertainment, technology, etc.) and be
A Christian or knowledgeable of the Christian faith
At least 18 or older
Professional
Reliable
Mature
Computer savvy and have a reliable computer and connection
Willing to attend and cover events
Knowledgeable on how to meet deadlines
Able to include humor and personality into your writing
Attentive to detail when it comes to grammar and spelling
By mail or e-mail, send cover letter, resume, and writing samples.
Include in your cover letter general information about yourself and
what qualifies you as a top candidate for the magazine. Have personal
and professional references available upon request.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Eight: Writing Assignment – Fatal Flaws
Think about the qualities of your best friends and the things that have
sustained your longest relationships. Define those qualities. Do you
find that your best friend is one who shares your interests, listens
when you have to vent, who comes to your aid when you need it, who fits
in with your family, or perhaps is a relative you’ve known your whole
life and who validates your history? What is the glue that keeps you
going back to your friends?
Make a list of those qualities and then create a fictional character
with those qualities, but give him or her at least one fatal flaw.
Perhaps the person is a great listener, but she never makes the first
move to contact you; you always have to call her first. Maybe the
character you create has been the one who always cheers you up when
you’re blue, but he forgets to pay his bills or is always in a
financial bind, which concerns you and raises problems, especially when
he asks you for money. Perhaps the nice little old lady next door loves
animals and often takes in strays, except that her house stinks,
because she has forty-two rescued cats inside it.
Character flaws are as important as a character’s good qualities,
because protagonists (the good guys) should never be all good, just as
antagonists (the bad guys) should never be all bad. In real life
everyone has good and bad qualities, so your characters should be the
same, if you want them to appear real and want people to care about
them.
Whenever you create a fictional character, remember to add some oddity
or flaw that keeps that character well rounded. Adding flaws to your
characters gives them substance, allows you the opportunity to add
tension and conflict to your story, and makes readers care more about
your characters.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Nine: Web Sites of Interest to Writers
How much should you charge for writing or editing? See
http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php for a freelancing rate chart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Online classes for writers:
http://www.writersonlineclasses.com/classes.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sign up for The Edge, an e-zine for writers and editors at
http://www.NAIWE.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thinking about self-publishing? Jump-start your search for a
self-publishing company with this online directory of 61 companies:
http://tinyurl.com/cgssnp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tools for writers, reports, information, and answers for writers like
you: www.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. Deadline: The
15th of each month.
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Send a copy of this 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 Newsletter.”
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With the exception of Zebra Communications, information in this
newsletter is not to be construed as an endorsement. Be sure to
research all information and study every stipulation before you accept
assignments, spend money, or sell your work.
The Writers Network News– a newsletter for writers everywhere. No fees.
No officers. “No Rules; Just Write!"
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