Two stories of mine were accepted by Patchwork Path last October for their Mother's Life anthology, planned for April 2011 release. I just learned last week that Patchwork has canceled publication of any new books. That includes Mother's Life, even though it was past the first edit and in the design phase. I inquired whether a later date was planned or, per my contract, if all rights had reverted back to me. All rights are now mine. I just wish they had made the decision before the deadline for submitting to Chicken Soup for the Soul's anthology about mothers.
I can still look forward to Chicken Soup's My Dog's Life anthology with my "Cairn Mind Meld" story about my cairn terrier. It should be available in April.
Hoffer Award
www.hofferaward.com/HAprose.html
No fee to enter. Only one entry per author.
Deadline: March 31, 2011
This contest offers $500 and anthology publication for short fiction (under 10,000 words).
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Kenyon Review Contest and Creating Suspense
Creating suspense is an effective way to grab readers and keep them turning the page. Some writers do this by withholding information from the reader, but this technique can alienate your audience. A far better method is creating tension by what you tell your reader.
Linda Rohrbough, well-known public speaker and publisher author, has an excellent article on how to do this here: http://lindarohrbough.com/home/pdfs/How_Not_to_Cheat_Your_Reader_by_Linda_Rohrbough.pdf
KENYON REVIEW CONTEST
http://www.kenyonreview.org/contests-sf.php
This no-fee contest has a February 28, 2011 deadline and is limited to writers 30 years of age or younger at the time of submission. Your story must be 1,200 words or less.
Only one entry allowed per author. You must use their electronic system to submit.
The Kenyon Review will publish the winning short story in the Winter 2012 issue, and the author will be awarded a scholarship to attend the 2011 Writers Workshop, June 18-25, 2011 in Gambier, Ohio.
Linda Rohrbough, well-known public speaker and publisher author, has an excellent article on how to do this here: http://lindarohrbough.com/home/pdfs/How_Not_to_Cheat_Your_Reader_by_Linda_Rohrbough.pdf
KENYON REVIEW CONTEST
http://www.kenyonreview.org/contests-sf.php
This no-fee contest has a February 28, 2011 deadline and is limited to writers 30 years of age or younger at the time of submission. Your story must be 1,200 words or less.
Only one entry allowed per author. You must use their electronic system to submit.
The Kenyon Review will publish the winning short story in the Winter 2012 issue, and the author will be awarded a scholarship to attend the 2011 Writers Workshop, June 18-25, 2011 in Gambier, Ohio.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sisters in Crime Study
Even if you don't write or read mysteries, the study recently released by Sisters in Crime of those who read mysteries is interesting. The study is based on 1056 respondents who purchased a book in 2009 and the first half of 2010.
37% described themselves as avid readers (almost always reading a mystery) and 51% as frequent readers (read mysteries often but not exclusively.) 64% are female. 47% are age 60+.
For all genres, women continue to buy the majority of books, but men's share of books is higher in dollars than in units. Mysteries are acquired mainly by purchasing in stores, followed by borrowing from the library, followed by purchasing online. 35% of mysteries are purchased by readers who live in the South. Readers over 60 are
more loyal to the author or character than younger readers.
To check out the full report and learn how mystery buyers differ from fiction buyers in general, what types of stories and which authors different age groups prefer, what influences mystery book sales, and more, go to
http://www.sistersincrime.org/associations/10614/files/ConsumerBuyingBookReport.pdf
37% described themselves as avid readers (almost always reading a mystery) and 51% as frequent readers (read mysteries often but not exclusively.) 64% are female. 47% are age 60+.
For all genres, women continue to buy the majority of books, but men's share of books is higher in dollars than in units. Mysteries are acquired mainly by purchasing in stores, followed by borrowing from the library, followed by purchasing online. 35% of mysteries are purchased by readers who live in the South. Readers over 60 are
more loyal to the author or character than younger readers.
To check out the full report and learn how mystery buyers differ from fiction buyers in general, what types of stories and which authors different age groups prefer, what influences mystery book sales, and more, go to
http://www.sistersincrime.org/associations/10614/files/ConsumerBuyingBookReport.pdf
Monday, January 31, 2011
Carteret Writers Contest
Contest guidelines
This contest is sponsored by the writers group in my area so I know it's legit. Last year's contest drew a total of 213 entries, so the competition in terms of numbers is not as stiff as some other contests. It's an all-volunteer effort done primarily as a service to writers and last year was the first time the group did not lose money on it.
Cash prizes are offered in each of five categories: fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, and children's: 1st place: $100; 2nd place: $50; 3rd place: $25.
Entries are by snail mail only and must be received by 1:00 PM March 8, 2011.
Motivational thought: "When your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it." Jonathan Winters
This contest is sponsored by the writers group in my area so I know it's legit. Last year's contest drew a total of 213 entries, so the competition in terms of numbers is not as stiff as some other contests. It's an all-volunteer effort done primarily as a service to writers and last year was the first time the group did not lose money on it.
Cash prizes are offered in each of five categories: fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, and children's: 1st place: $100; 2nd place: $50; 3rd place: $25.
Entries are by snail mail only and must be received by 1:00 PM March 8, 2011.
Motivational thought: "When your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it." Jonathan Winters
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Two Contests: Poetry and Fiction
More snow yesterday. Good time to snuggle inside and write. Neither of these contests charges a fee.
SPIRIT FIRST POETRY CONTEST
Deadline: January 31, 2011.
First Prize: $175; Second: $125; Third: $75
Special Category: Spoken Poem: $75
First Prize: $175; Second: $125; Third: $75
Special Category: Spoken Poem: $75
Poetry submissions may be of any length and any style but they must have a theme of meditation, mindfulness, stillness, or silence. Poems may reflect any discipline, any faith, or none. They must be previously unpublished. No more than three submissions per author.
Winning poems will be published on the Spirit First website, in the Spirit First blog, and in the Spirit First newsletter.
HIGHLIGHTS 2011 FICTION CONTEST
Deadline: postmarked by January 31, 2011
Submit an unpublished story up to 750 words about an embarrassing moment. No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.Three prizes of $1,000 each. Note: The three winning stories become the property of Highlights for Children, but the generous prize for 750 words seems worth it. All other submissions will be considered for purchase.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Orion Magazine
Orion magazine is open to submissions January 15-30, 2011.
If the New Year makes you philosophical about people and nature, this could be a market for you. The magazine welcomes submissions concerning the collision of nature and culture, the commingling of people and place. Published bimonthly, Orion considers unsolicited essays, narrative nonfiction, interviews, profiles, short stories, photo essays, and portfolios of fine art. No unsolicited poetry. Orion is typically forward-looking, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for people and nature.
Feature articles range from 1,500 to 6,000 words, departments from 350 to 1,200 words. Lead time is typically six to nine months. No more than two submissions up to 6,000 words each per person. Pays $400-$1,000 for features, $50 to $450 for shorter texts for first North American serial rights, as well as exclusive worldwide electronic rights for sixty days and nonexclusive permanent web rights for their electronic archive.
If the New Year makes you philosophical about people and nature, this could be a market for you. The magazine welcomes submissions concerning the collision of nature and culture, the commingling of people and place. Published bimonthly, Orion considers unsolicited essays, narrative nonfiction, interviews, profiles, short stories, photo essays, and portfolios of fine art. No unsolicited poetry. Orion is typically forward-looking, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for people and nature.
Feature articles range from 1,500 to 6,000 words, departments from 350 to 1,200 words. Lead time is typically six to nine months. No more than two submissions up to 6,000 words each per person. Pays $400-$1,000 for features, $50 to $450 for shorter texts for first North American serial rights, as well as exclusive worldwide electronic rights for sixty days and nonexclusive permanent web rights for their electronic archive.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Agent Databases
If you pursue the traditional publishing route for your book and want an agent, here are two free searchable agent databases that may help. Happy hunting!
AgentQuery.com
This searchable database of agents was voted one of Writers Digest's Best Web Sites for Writers for the 6th year in a row in 2010. Search criteria include AARP member or not, keywords you enter, genres within fiction or nonfiction, e-mail or snail mail queries, and actively seeking new clients. Besides the database, the site has articles on submission, publishing, and resources.
AgentQuery.com
This searchable database of agents was voted one of Writers Digest's Best Web Sites for Writers for the 6th year in a row in 2010. Search criteria include AARP member or not, keywords you enter, genres within fiction or nonfiction, e-mail or snail mail queries, and actively seeking new clients. Besides the database, the site has articles on submission, publishing, and resources.
Another searchable agent database is at 1000literaryagents.com/find-literary-agents.php.
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