The Writers Network News September 2011 Issue http://ezezine.com
The Writers Network News, September 2011 Issue
In This Issue
One: From the editor’s desk – Where to Start?
Two: Ask the Book Doctor – About Mystery Novels--Evaluating Them,
Shifting Points of View, and Using Song Titles, Lyrics, and Famous
Names
Three: This Month’s Writing Tip from Bobbie Christmas – Snuck or
Sneaked?
Four: Subjects of Interest to Writers
Five: Contests, Agents, and Markets
Six: Creative Writing Assignment – Be Secretive
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The Writers Network News
No Rules; Just Write!
Editor: Bobbie Christmas
Contents copyright 2011, 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
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As book doctors, we write, edit, and evaluate fiction and nonfiction
manuscripts, book proposals, query letters, and synopses. As book
shepherds, we guide writers through the process of self-publishing.
We are a top-rated Better Business Bureau Accredited Business.
Zebra Communications
230 Deerchase Drive
Woodstock, GA 30188
770/924-0528
http://zebraeditor.com/
Follow my "Write In Style" creative-writing blog at
http://bobbiechristmas.blogspot.com/
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http://dontyoudarecallitadiet.blogspot.com/
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Meet Fellow Writers
Do you live in or visit metro Atlanta? Sign up for local meeting
notices today! Send your name and e-mail address to
Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Past Issues Still Available
To view current and past issues of The Writers Network News, go to
http://tinyurl.com/c4otf6.
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Some links in this newsletter 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
"Writing isn't a profession; it's a disease. And it's accompanied by a
disease that's even worse, rewriting." --Sherwood Schwartz, creator of
Gilligan’s Island and The Brady Bunch
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One: From the editor’s desk — Where to Start?
Dear Fellow Writers:
A friend called the other day. She’s had a book in her head for ages,
and she’s finally ready to write it, except for one tiny detail. Where
should she start? She hadn’t written a word yet, because of her fear
she might start in the wrong place.
I told her that the best place to start is with the first thought that
comes to mind. With computers we don’t have to worry where to start, we
simply have to get the words down. Later, we can revise, revamp, and
reorganize the material, but we can’t get anywhere until we get the
words down on paper (or in the computer, as it is, today).
When she asked where to start writing, the little devil in me wanted to
say, “In the kitchen, in the office, in the dining room, in the
bedroom; wherever you keep your computer. That’s where to start!”
Her fear of starting in the wrong place brings up a deeper issue. We
all have fears, be they mild or serious, that thwart our efforts, if
we’re not careful. In this case, she was afraid to begin writing a
book. I have a project—not a writing project, but still a complicated
thing I want to learn—that I keep putting off, because I have fears
around it. Oh, I have devised all sorts of excuses, such as I want to
wait until I have a large block of time to work on it, or I’m not smart
enough to learn it. It’s been bugging me for a couple of months. I
should listen to my own advice: just start it! What’s the worst that
could happen?
Do you have fears that are keeping you from writing or doing other
things you need or want to do? Let’s face those fears together. By the
end of this month, I intend to have started that project, just as my
friend will have started writing her book. It doesn’t matter where I
begin, only that I begin.
One more note: Write In Style, my award-winning book on creative
writing, is officially out of print. New copies are selling for between
$75 and $220 on Amazon. While they last, however, you can still buy one
of the few remaining new copies at the original price of $12.95. To
purchase, go to http://zebraeditor.com/book_write_in_style.shtml.
Hurry! Supplies are rapidly dwindling. Only a few dozen are left.
Yours in writing,
Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com )
Author of Write In Style (Union Square Publishing), owner of Zebra
Communications, and director of The Writers Network
If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, please sign up to get your
own copy. Simply go to www.zebraeditor.com, click on “Free Newsletter,”
and follow the prompts. I never share your address or send out spam.
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Two: Ask the Book Doctor — About Mystery Novels--Evaluating Them,
Shifting Points of View, and Using Song Titles, Lyrics, and Famous
Names
By Bobbie Christmas
Q: My deceased mother-in-law wrote a couple of murder mysteries. We are
living on a limited income. Is there someone who, without charging,
would give me an idea if the mysteries could be published?
A: Although editors like me can give you personal opinions (for a
price), the only absolute reassurance would have to come from a
publisher, and fiction publishers require that you have an agent, so
you’d need to find an agent first. If the books are well written and
thoroughly edited, write a stunning query letter, and then query agents
who handle mysteries. Perhaps one will give you a little free feedback.
In the past, some agents took time to give opinions about submissions,
but nowadays many overworked agents do not respond at all, if
uninterested, or they send neutral, standard rejections that say
something like this: “It’s not for me.” Finding an agent takes time,
patience, and many submissions, and after thirty or more rejections
with no feedback, you may feel frustrated, but successful writers keep
going.
Besides the quality of writing and the story, agents and publishers may
be concerned that the author is deceased, which means if the books gain
a following, the author cannot produce more books and take advantage of
having fans. If you believe the stories are great and the writing is
impeccable, however, don’t let my warnings hold you back.
Even on a limited income, if you want to self-publish the books, the
process has become easier and cheaper in this digital, print-on-demand
age, but you must be prepared to handle the marketing and promotion of
the books.
Q: In my mystery, I used the points of view of the protagonist and her
brother. In chapter five, however, I need a scene between my murderer
and her husband. Can I add a point of view that late, or should I go
back and add the other points of view in earlier scenes, so it won't
seem to be an abrupt shift?
A: It's hard to say without reading the manuscript, but I suspect your
gut feeling is correct. Readers shouldn't be blindsided in chapter five
with a sudden shift in viewpoints.
Q: In the mystery I’m writing, the villain hums, whistles, or plays a
scratchy forty-five of an old Ray Charles song. I'm thinking of
incorporating Ray Charles into the book title. Is it legal to do so?
Also, is mentioning the song or using the lyrics okay?
A: I’m not an attorney, but I do know that titles cannot be
copyrighted, so you can probably mention song titles. If you use even a
small portion of the lyrics, though, you must get written permission
from the person who owns the rights, and you usually must pay a fee.
Finding out who owns the rights and then getting permission can become
a drawn-out, complicated process. To avoid the issue, use only old
lyrics that are in public domain. As for using Ray Charles’s name in
the book title, I question the wisdom of it, but only an attorney can
give you a definitive answer.
Bobbie Christmas, book editor, author of Write In Style (Union Square
Publishing), and owner of Zebra Communications, will answer your
questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Read more “Ask the
Book Doctor” questions and answers at www.zebraeditor.com. This column
was reviewed by Nanette Littlestone, freelance editor with Words of
Passion.
Send your questions to Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas at
Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. You’ll get a personal answer ASAP.
Would you like to read, save, or share the Ask the Book Doctor column
as a PDF file? At http://zebraeditor.com/files/ask_the_book_doctor.pdf,
the newest column is posted around the first of each month.
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Three: This Month’s Writing Tip from Bobbie Christmas – Snuck or
Sneaked?
Common use does not guarantee acceptability. People commonly use
certain words incorrectly in conversation, but good writers avoid
variants, slang, and misuses in narrative. Yes, when we speak we say
“snuck” instead of “sneaked,” just as we say “wudn’t” when we mean
“wasn’t,” but we would never use a sentence such as this one in
narrative: The boy wudn’t in school today.
Like “wudn’t,” “snuck” is unacceptable in narrative. Use “sneaked.” The
Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition says this: Sneak is conjugated
sneak—sneaked—sneaked. Reserve snuck for dialect and tongue-in-cheek
usages.
To ensure you have not used the word “snuck” in narrative, use my
trademarked Find and Refine Method to search your manuscript and repair
each misuse. Go to the Find function on your computer (Control + F) and
under Find What, type “snuck.” Click on the Find Next button, and
repair any misuses of the word. Continue throughout the manuscript.
For more opportunities for improving your manuscripts, buy one of the
few remaining copies of Write In Style at
http://zebraeditor.com/book_write_in_style.shtml.
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Four: Subjects of interest to writers
My article on companion plants in the garden was published in the
August/September 2011 issue of Florida Gardening magazine. "In Cahoots"
is the third article of mine that this magazine has published in the
last few years; another notch in my resume! --Dotti Hydue, Proofreader
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A full page of mini-reviews of books for authors and entrepreneurs is
now on Barbara Florio Graham's website. New books just reviewed
include:
Promote Your Book: Over 250 proven, low-cost tips and techniques (Bobbi
contributed several sidebars to this book)
The Secrets of Emotional, Hot-Button Copywriting: How to Employ the 7
Key Copy Drivers that Make People Act
Career-changing Takeaways: Quotations, Rules, Aphorisms, Pithy Tips,
Quips, Sage Advice, Secrets, Dictums and Truisms in 99 Categories of
Marketing, Business and Life
The Author's Guide to Building an Online Platform, Leverage the
Internet to Sell More Books
Barbara Florio Graham
http://www.SimonTeakettle.com
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Free Book Reviewer
Five Alarm Book Reviews
http://fivealarmbookreviews.com
fivealarmbookreviews@yahoo.com
Stephanie Laymon accepts independent, self-published, and small press
fiction, including YA, and some memoirs. Does not accept erotica,
self-help, children's books (under 12), or how-to books. Accepts
e-books in Smashwords, Nook, E-Pub and PDF, as well as printed books.
Approximate turnaround time is three to four weeks.
Important: Take the time to visit our Author Section to read our Review
Policy and Rating System. It is important for authors to know what
they can expect and how to properly submit a book for review. We post
your book reviews on our website as well as on Goodreads, Amazon,
Barnes & Noble, and Shelfari. If we are really excited about the book,
we will guest blog it and vote it up on Listopia.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Library of Congress named 83-year-old Philip Levine the next poet
laureate of the United States. Librarian of Congress James Billington,
who chose Levine for the position, called the Michigan-born poet “the
laureate…of the industrial heartland” and “an extraordinary discovery.”
Levine, whose collections include The Simple Truth and What Work Is,
has also won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the
National Book Critics Circle Award.
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Amazon Expands Publishing Arm
In a move signaling its intentions to become a major publishing force,
Amazon announced that it has signed Timothy Ferriss, a popular
self-help author for men. It will release Ferriss's latest work, The
4-Hour Chef, as a hardcover, e-book, and audio book next spring.
Amazon has suggested that it intends to concentrate more energy in the
publishing part of its business. In May, the company brought in
Laurence Kirshbaum, the longtime New York editor, to head its
publishing division.
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From The Chicago Manual of Style website Q & A this month:
Q. A colleague writes: “Basement space is about 5,700 square feet, but
about 12,000 square feet is available on the eighth floor.” I suspect
the point is arguable, but couldn’t that be “12,000 square feet are
available on the eighth floor”?
A. Although it might seem counterintuitive, quantities of weight or
measure are considered singular: five dollars is enough; three cups of
flour makes one loaf. When you think about it, “12,000 square feet are
available” reads as though someone short of cash could buy just one or
two of them.
Q. According to CMOS, the honorific title First Lady should be
capitalized in all instances. Does that mean that the phrase “the
president and First Lady” is correctly capitalized?
A. It’s better to get rid of apparent inconsistencies in phrases like
this by capping either both or neither. “First Lady” is normally capped
to distinguish her from a woman who happens to be first in something:
They offered flowers to the first lady in line at the theater. But in a
context next to “the president,” the meaning will be clear even without
caps. If for some reason you don’t have the authority to bend Chicago
style in lowercasing “first lady,” you could change “the president” to
“President Obama” to stay strictly within CMOS guidelines.
Q. Should the word “nature” be capitalized in this sentence? “My
research goal is to advance a global energy solution copied from Nature
itself: artificial photosynthesis.”
A. If you want the reader to picture a goddess dressed in a flowing
garment and flinging fruit and flowers everywhere, yes, cap it and
change “itself” to “herself.” Otherwise, no.
The Chicago Manual of Style is the reference that book editors use. For
more CMOS Q & A, see http://tinyurl.com/2xscwn.
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Purge Your Prose of Problems
A Book Doctor’s Desk Reference, Fifth Edition Just Released!
Please don’t buy this book! I’d rather you pay me thousands of dollars
to edit your book. I don’t want you to use this book to go into the
business of editing books for others, either, yet many people do.
If you insist, though, you can order my proprietary book-doctor desk
reference book online at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
In alphabetical order and in easy-to-understand language, Purge Your
Prose of Problems covers all you need to know to revise and edit
fiction and nonfiction books, including grammar, punctuation, word
choices, creative writing, plot, pace, characterization, point of view,
dialogue, Chicago style, format, and much more. The spiral binder lets
the book lie flat in front of your computer, for easy use. Available
printed or as a PDF e-book that allows you to keep all this vital
information on your computer for ready reference.
To save thousands of dollars by editing your own book, order Purge Your
Prose of Problems today at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
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Words Writers Should Know
Today’s word comes from one of my favorite sources, A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg of www.wordsmith.org.
Onomatopoeia
(Noun) Words sounding like sound they describe. The use of words such
as buzz and thud that sound like the sound to which they refer.
Onomatopoeic words include tinkle, beep, honk, cock-a-doodle-do, and
boom.
Gerry Hoffmann of Kalamazoo, Michigan, added this information: When I
was in college, I had a hard time remembering the spelling of the
onomatopoeia, so I made up a little song using the melody of Old
McDonald. It went like this:
O-N-O-M-A-T-O-
P-O-E-I-A
says the same sound as the sound
of the word I say,
with an oink-oink here,
and a honk-honk there,
here a squeak,
there a slam,
everywhere a cough, cough,
O-N-O-M-A-T-O-
P-O-E-I-A!
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Are You a Writer Willing to Come to Atlanta to Promote Your Book?
Written Magazine, in partnership with Hammonds House Museum, offers a
series of author conversations, Wine and Words. This premier literary
event in Atlanta is an opportunity for authors to have a unique
experience with their readers and or readers to have an intimate
encounter with the foremost authors of our time.
In October, we are opening the Wine and Word series to emerging
writers. Three authors will be selected for the October event. To be
considered you must meet the following criteria:
The book must have been originally published after Dec 2009. The author
must only have one book in print. Anthologies are not included. Books
must be readily available for purchase for readers. This includes any
formats. On-demand books are not acceptable. Must be willing to pay
your own travel and lodging for the event. Allow Written to publish a
portion of your work on its website for the purpose of promoting the
event. Guarantee that the work being submitted is your original work
and will provide indemnification for the Hammonds House Museum and
Written Magazine from all litigation with regard to the work.
To be considered, submit one completed, published book. E-books are not
accepted, but a galley print of an E-book is acceptable. Mark one
chapter for jury review. Submit a bio and picture on a CD. Materials
will not be returned unless provided with a postage-paid, addressed
return envelope. All material be destroyed after the completion of the
jury process. Books can be submitted until August 31, 2011.
For questions or more information, email editor@writtenmag.com
Visit Written at: http://www.writtenmag.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
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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.
Whether you write books, short stories, articles, reports, or anything
else, learn more about how to write, edit, and sell your work.
Paperback: $14.95 plus $4.99 S & H (total: $19.94 US) E-book: $8.95, no
S & H, with almost instant delivery. You’ll save almost $10 by buying
the e-book! To order either, go to http://tinyurl.com/lexp7n.
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How to be a faster writer
By Michael Agger
This article has interesting facts and tips that may or may not help,
but at least the article is an interesting read. See
http://www.slate.com/id/2301243
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Write In Style Soon Will No Longer Be Available
Hurry! I have fewer than fifty copies left of Write In Style, my
award-winning book that teaches writers my Find and Refine Method ™ to
locate specific words and phrases you can delete, upgrade, or rewrite
to power up your prose.
After I sell all my copies, you’ll have to pay the prices on Amazon, up
to $146 per book, unless or until I find a new publisher or
self-publish it. Prices are likely to rise even more, when I run out of
new copies.
When I last checked, new copies of Write In Style were selling for
between $75 and $146 on Amazon.com. Don’t believe me? See
http://tinyurl.com/4hc2bxu. Used copies were selling for as much as
$138. Don’t pay those prices! For only a few more weeks, you can still
buy this book at the original cover price of $12.95 plus shipping, and
I’ll even sign it for you. To order, to go
http://zebraeditor.com/book_write_in_style.shtml.
Just the other day I received the following from someone who ordered
Write In Style: “Thank you for shipping a copy of your book all the way
to Australia. I have already read it, (and will re-read again and
again)…I have found it to be an inspirational read.” --Stella Hope
Write In Style: Using Your Word Processor and Other Techniques to
Improve Your Writing by Bobbie Christmas 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. Available at
http://zebraeditor.com/book_write_in_style.shtml.
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The US Postal Service will honor John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing,
founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, with a stamp in 2012.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Southern Review of Books – Marketing books: Authors and publishers
turn to publicity stunts
For some authors and publishers, the answer has lately come from
attention-grabbing stunts, such as novelist Jennifer Belle's hiring of
several dozen female actresses to ride the subways of New York and
laugh uproariously while reading her book. The stunt got a lot of
press, with ample coverage in New York media, including the New York
Times and New York Post, according to Publishing Perspectives editor Ed
Nawotka. A stunt by German publisher Eichborn had promotional banners
tied to flies (the living, buzzing kind), which were released at the
Frankfurt Book Fair. American author Brad Meltzer put together a funny
YouTube video, mostly featuring members of his own family giving his
books poor reviews, including a small child's comment: "Interesting
premise if you don't think about it too much."
Subscribe to Southern Review of Books at
www.anvilpub.net/southern_review_of_books.htm
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Free Tools for Writers from Bobbie Christmas and Zebra Communications
Order PDF 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: Genre–A
Slippery Subject Essential to Fiction: Learn about genre fiction
categories and the benefits of complying with genre specifications.
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Keep up with Bobbie’s activities on Twitter:
http:twitter.com/BookDoctor4u
Become Bobbie’s friend on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/bobbie.christmas
New! Zebra Communications on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Zebra-Communications/133481530079088
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Five: Contests, Agents, and Markets
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers and Nonfiction Writers Wanted
Clarkesworld Magazine is an online science fiction and fantasy magazine
that publishes short fiction, interviews, articles, and audio fiction
monthly. All original fiction published in Clarkesworld is also made
available in single-issue chapbooks and collected annually in the
Realms trade paperback series. Pay Rate: 10 cents per word up to 4000
words, 5 cents per word thereafter. For full fiction and nonfiction
submission guidelines, go to
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/
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Divertir Publishing
See full submissions guidelines here:
http://divertirpublishing.com/Submissions.aspx
Divertir Publishing is open for queries from authors. While we consider
manuscripts in most genres, we are particularly interested in the
following:
Fiction: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Alternate History,
Contemporary Mythology, Mystery and Suspense, Paranormal, and Urban
Fantasy.
Non Fiction: Political/Social Commentary, Current Events, History,
Humor and Satire, Crafts and Hobbies, Inspirational, Self-Help,
Religious and Spiritual, Metaphysics.
If you are interested in submitting a short story, poem, or manuscript
please refer to our submission guidelines for instructions. Please note
that queries and submissions that do not follow our guidelines will
automatically be rejected.
Divertir Publishing uses a combination of digital printing
(print-on-demand) and electronic formats for distributing books. This
allows us to print books in very small quantities. In addition we do
not accept returns from bookstores. Because we do not accept unlimited
returns, most major "brick-and-mortar" bookstores will not carry our
books; these bookstores require books be sold on consignment. Our
decision to use digital printing and to limit returns has resulted in a
more cost-effective distribution model, allowing us to publish
materials in niche areas such as experimental works, short story and
poetry collections, and manuscripts from authors who are not well
known.
There are several outlets for selling books online that do not rely on
a consignment model, and we target these outlets for distribution. If
you feel your book would best be marketed in "brick-and-mortar"
bookstores then we are probably not the right publisher for your
manuscript.
Divertir Publishing does not pay advances, and we do not make
exceptions to this policy.
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SELF-COUNSEL PRESS
1704 N. State St.
Bellingham WA 92225
Phone: (360)676-4530
Website: www.self-counsel.com
Contact: Richard Day, managing editor.
Self-Counsel Press publishes a range of quality self-help books written
in practical, nontechnical style by recognized experts in the fields of
business, financial, or legal guidance for people who want to help
themselves.
Accepts simultaneous submissions. Responds in two months to queries.
Publishes 30 titles per year, 90% of titles by unagented authors.
Publish time after acceptance: 8 months. Pays rare advance.
Needs: business, economics, computers, electronics, money, finance, and
legal issues for lay people.
Submit proposal package, outline, resume, and two sample chapters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I Am Entertainment (IAE) magazine
Educating and inspiring entertainment professionals, I Am Entertainment
has been an online publication since 2009 and is now launching a print
magazine, as well. Looking for an opportunity to grow your list of
published articles? If you'd like to have your film, TV, music, gaming,
or sports-related articles considered for publishing on our website or
in the I Am Entertainment (IAE) magazine, please send them to us via
email at info@iaemagazine.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BleuLife Media & Entertainment
349 Fifth Ave, 4th floor
New York, NY 10016
http://www.pynkmagazine.com/
BleuLife Media, a publisher of Bleu, which covers men’s fashion,
entertainment, and culture, is launching Pynk, a new magazine for young
multicultural women. It’s a good time to get in on the ground floor as
a freelancer for the magazine, before it launches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mystery Writers: Want $500 to Advance Your Writing Skills?
Mystery Writers of America offers two promising writers of mystery
short stories, script, nonfiction, or novel up to $500 each toward
tuition and registration for in-person (not online) writing classes,
courses, or workshops that take place in the US. Although the
submission deadline is the end of February, start planning your entry
now, because months can pass before you receive the letters of
recommendation you'll need to submit. For details and frequently asked
questions to help you apply for these annual awards, see
www.mysterywriters.org (click Awards & Programs).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Six: Creative Writing Assignment – Be Secretive
Thomas Babington Macaulay, an author and political leader in the mid
1800s, said, “The measure of a man's real character is what he would do
if he knew he would never be found out.”
Write a story about someone doing something he or she thought no one
would find out about. As the creator, it will be up to you to determine
the consequences, as well as whether your character’s actions get found
out.
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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.
…………………………………………………………………………….
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.”
…………………………………………………………………………….
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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