Thought for the week: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ~ Albert Einstein
NO EXCUSES
Let’s face it, we all make excuses at times for why we cannot write.
A writing group in Kabul, Afghanistan has over 1,000 members and published 50 books in various languages in spite of the war. They are unable to sell most of their books – freedom of expression is not widespread and threats to writers are constant.
I don’t know about you, but my excuses pale in comparison. Was the expression “If they can do it, I can do it” ever more appropriate?
MAINLY MURDER PRESS
http://mainlymurderpress.com/store/submissions.php
Opens for submissions in October 2011. This publisher is a traditional publisher and does not publish e-books. I like the fact that authors retain e-rights - the ability to sell e-rights later could prove very valuable. Their niche has been mystery novels with an emphasis on New England-based stories by New England authors, but as of January 2011 they began considering stories written by others and set outside the region.
They consider cozies, quirky character studies, hard-boiled detectives, or lively amateur sleuths. Mainly Murder Press charges no fees of any kind to authors for publishing services.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Writer free info and Iowa Short Fiction Award
Writer's thought for the week: "Write a novel if you must, but think of money as an unlikely accident." ~ Pearl S. Buck
The Writer magazine web site restricts some of its content to magazine subscribers. If you don't subscribe, you can still access a number of articles here: http://www.writermag.com/Articles.aspx?categoryId=FFA92DA8-8F8A-4EE1-A270-0412DAE83EB2 Articles with a "W" in a gold square next to the title are restricted; all others are public access.
IOWA SHORT FICTION AWARD
Any writer who has not previously published a volume of prose fiction is eligible to enter. Writers are still eligible if they have published a work in a small print run. The manuscript must be a collection of short stories in English of at least 150 word-processed, double-spaced pages. Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion. Award-winning manuscripts will be published by the University of Iowa Press under the Press's standard contract.
Links to stories from previous winners are on the web site.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Self-Publishing considerations and Calyx Books open for submission
Writer's thought for the week: “Literature is strewn with the wreckage of those who minded beyond reason, the opinion of others.” Virginia Woolf
Thinking of self-publishing? Here are some things to consider: http://www.terrylinks.com/getpublishednow
CALYX Books is open to submissions for book manuscripts of novels, novellas, and linked short story collections of any genre until August 31, 2011. http://www.calyxpress.org/submission.html
Submissions should include three chapters or sections (approximately 15,000 words), a table of contents (if appropriate), and a synopsis. All manuscripts should be double-spaced and include page numbers, the manuscript title, and the author's name. Submit a cover letter with biographic information, list of previous publications (if desired), and contact information.
Send materials to: CALYX Books
PO Box B
Corvallis, OR 97339
Thinking of self-publishing? Here are some things to consider: http://www.terrylinks.com/getpublishednow
CALYX Books is open to submissions for book manuscripts of novels, novellas, and linked short story collections of any genre until August 31, 2011. http://www.calyxpress.org/submission.html
Submissions should include three chapters or sections (approximately 15,000 words), a table of contents (if appropriate), and a synopsis. All manuscripts should be double-spaced and include page numbers, the manuscript title, and the author's name. Submit a cover letter with biographic information, list of previous publications (if desired), and contact information.
Send materials to: CALYX Books
PO Box B
Corvallis, OR 97339
Monday, July 25, 2011
Free Agent Advice and Three Chicken Soup Books Seeking Submisions
Thought for the week: "There are only two ways of living, one is as if nothing is a miracle, the second is that everything is a miracle. I believe in the latter." ~ Albert Einstein
Evan Marshall, agent and author of The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing, has a 73-page free download of tips on writing and publishing your novel. You can download THE MARSHALL PLAN® FICTION MAKEOVER: 52 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Novel here: http://www.writeanovelfast.com/FictionMakeover.pdf
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL
The Chicken Soup folks have three anthologies open for submissions until August 7, 2011. Submit true stories, 300 to 1200 words.
http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books
Boost Your Brain Power! Who doesn't want to be smarter, think faster, have a better memory? We're seeking stories about people who have improved their ability to think and use their brain in some way and as a result, improved their life. Your stories will provide the inspiration and motivation to those looking to get more from their grey matter.
Say Goodbye to Stress! We're seeking stories about people who have felt or feel stressed out, found a way to resolve their stress, learned to rethink their stress, improved their lives by handling stress, etc. Your stories will provide the inspiration and comfort to those who are stressed out.
Say Hello to a Better Body! It can be hard for women over 50 to lose weight and stay fit. We're looking for stories from women over 50 who have found answers. How did you find the motivation to lose weight and get fit? Are there special routines that you have found that make it easier to maintain your weight and fitness? Did you find ways to make self-care more of a priority?
Evan Marshall, agent and author of The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing, has a 73-page free download of tips on writing and publishing your novel. You can download THE MARSHALL PLAN® FICTION MAKEOVER: 52 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Novel here: http://www.writeanovelfast.com/FictionMakeover.pdf
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL
The Chicken Soup folks have three anthologies open for submissions until August 7, 2011. Submit true stories, 300 to 1200 words.
http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books
Boost Your Brain Power! Who doesn't want to be smarter, think faster, have a better memory? We're seeking stories about people who have improved their ability to think and use their brain in some way and as a result, improved their life. Your stories will provide the inspiration and motivation to those looking to get more from their grey matter.
Say Goodbye to Stress! We're seeking stories about people who have felt or feel stressed out, found a way to resolve their stress, learned to rethink their stress, improved their lives by handling stress, etc. Your stories will provide the inspiration and comfort to those who are stressed out.
Say Hello to a Better Body! It can be hard for women over 50 to lose weight and stay fit. We're looking for stories from women over 50 who have found answers. How did you find the motivation to lose weight and get fit? Are there special routines that you have found that make it easier to maintain your weight and fitness? Did you find ways to make self-care more of a priority?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Write a Book/Direct a Movie plus On the Premises Fiction Contest
Writer's thought for the week: It grieves me to think how far more profound and reverent a respect the law would have for literature if a body could only get drunk on it. ~ Mark Twain
Directing a movie vs writing a book
Sinbad (his real name) is a local author in Beaufort NC who self-published his novel and is now even more adventurous: He is producing, directing, and starring in a movie based on his book, The Sword of Tortuga. He plays James, a washed up Errol Flynn type B-movie actor who encounters real life intrigue and murder during a reenactment of Beaufort's pirate invasion. As an extra in some of the scenes, I realized that directors have to think about the same things writers do. Just as directors have to communicate the desired result to his or her actors, writers must convey our mental images to our readers.
Last week we did a cocktail party scene aboard a large powerboat. I was part of a group of three extras directed to chat among ourselves in the stern of the boat, drinks in hand. We did so. Artificial rain and lightening are evident, but we are dry, sheltered by the deck above us.
Writers also need to set the scene and let our readers know where we are.
Cut. New directions: The microphone is very sensitive and picks up every noise. Just pretend you are chatting.
Just as the actual words of the side conversation did not need to be heard, dialogue that does not move things along or deepen characterization does not belong in our writing.
While we pretend to chat, a character named Julie leaves the main cabin and walks past us to the far stern of the boat. She does not acknowledge us, but I, as the closest one to her as she walks by, decide to look at her before turning my head back to the conversation with my companions. I also occasionally react to the lightening. Apparently this is okay with the director because the camera keeps rolling awhile before he says "cut."
While writers can use plain narrative, it is better to show things through our characters. How are different characters reacting to each other? How do they react to the environment? Two characters may be at the same picnic, but maybe only one notices the surrounding plants while the other concentrates on his drink and the other partiers.
Next, the director informs us that we need to react more because James and Julie are engaged in a loud argument just a few feet away from us. Until then, my group of three knew nothing about a fight or another character in the scene. All we saw was a young woman standing alone at the back of the boat because the director/camera man is also the one playing James. The actual fight where she yells at him and slaps him across the face is filmed later.
It's unlikely that we would forget to introduce a character, but things can get choppy when we are revising a manuscript. If we change the sequence of events and are not careful, it's possible that our readers wonder about a character who suddenly appears out of nowhere unless the surprise is part of the plot we make it clear that other characters are surprised by this, too.
Do the similarities between writing and directing make me think I'm ready to direct a movie? Not on your life!
In case you're curious about Sinbad and his movie, here's a link: http://www.pirate-privateer.com/adventures_movie.html
On the Premises Contest #15
Deadline: September 30, 2011
Theme: Myths and Legends
Some kind of myth or legend must be important to your 1,000 to 5,000-word story. "Family legends" are fine. The judges won't care whether the myth or legend is true as long as your story is fiction.
Prizes: $180 for first, $140 for second, $100 for third, $40 for honorable mention. On the Premises will publish between zero and three honorable mentions.
Details: http://www.onthepremises.com/current_contest?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Contest+%2315+launches!+July+2011+%27%27On+The+Premises%27%27+newsletter&utm_campaign=Contest+%2315+launches!+July+2011+%27%27On+The+Premises%27%27+newsletter&utm_term=Current+contest
Directing a movie vs writing a book
Sinbad (his real name) is a local author in Beaufort NC who self-published his novel and is now even more adventurous: He is producing, directing, and starring in a movie based on his book, The Sword of Tortuga. He plays James, a washed up Errol Flynn type B-movie actor who encounters real life intrigue and murder during a reenactment of Beaufort's pirate invasion. As an extra in some of the scenes, I realized that directors have to think about the same things writers do. Just as directors have to communicate the desired result to his or her actors, writers must convey our mental images to our readers.
Last week we did a cocktail party scene aboard a large powerboat. I was part of a group of three extras directed to chat among ourselves in the stern of the boat, drinks in hand. We did so. Artificial rain and lightening are evident, but we are dry, sheltered by the deck above us.
Writers also need to set the scene and let our readers know where we are.
Cut. New directions: The microphone is very sensitive and picks up every noise. Just pretend you are chatting.
Just as the actual words of the side conversation did not need to be heard, dialogue that does not move things along or deepen characterization does not belong in our writing.
While we pretend to chat, a character named Julie leaves the main cabin and walks past us to the far stern of the boat. She does not acknowledge us, but I, as the closest one to her as she walks by, decide to look at her before turning my head back to the conversation with my companions. I also occasionally react to the lightening. Apparently this is okay with the director because the camera keeps rolling awhile before he says "cut."
While writers can use plain narrative, it is better to show things through our characters. How are different characters reacting to each other? How do they react to the environment? Two characters may be at the same picnic, but maybe only one notices the surrounding plants while the other concentrates on his drink and the other partiers.
Next, the director informs us that we need to react more because James and Julie are engaged in a loud argument just a few feet away from us. Until then, my group of three knew nothing about a fight or another character in the scene. All we saw was a young woman standing alone at the back of the boat because the director/camera man is also the one playing James. The actual fight where she yells at him and slaps him across the face is filmed later.
It's unlikely that we would forget to introduce a character, but things can get choppy when we are revising a manuscript. If we change the sequence of events and are not careful, it's possible that our readers wonder about a character who suddenly appears out of nowhere unless the surprise is part of the plot we make it clear that other characters are surprised by this, too.
Do the similarities between writing and directing make me think I'm ready to direct a movie? Not on your life!
In case you're curious about Sinbad and his movie, here's a link: http://www.pirate-privateer.com/adventures_movie.html
On the Premises Contest #15
Deadline: September 30, 2011
Theme: Myths and Legends
Some kind of myth or legend must be important to your 1,000 to 5,000-word story. "Family legends" are fine. The judges won't care whether the myth or legend is true as long as your story is fiction.
Prizes: $180 for first, $140 for second, $100 for third, $40 for honorable mention. On the Premises will publish between zero and three honorable mentions.
Details: http://www.onthepremises.com/current_contest?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Contest+%2315+launches!+July+2011+%27%27On+The+Premises%27%27+newsletter&utm_campaign=Contest+%2315+launches!+July+2011+%27%27On+The+Premises%27%27+newsletter&utm_term=Current+contest
Sunday, July 10, 2011
WriteOnCon free conference and The Road of Eerie
WriteOnCon
This free online children's writers conference will be held Aug. 16 – 18. The conference offers hourly events including live chats, blog posts, and videos created by agents, editors, and authors in children's publishing.
The curriculum is focused on picture book, middle grade, and young adult writers. However, much of the information provided applies to all writers, and many of the publishing professionals who participate cross over. To register or get more information, goto writeoncon.com.
If you missed last year's WriteOnCon, the videos and audios are available here: http://writeoncon.com/about/schedule/
The Road of Eerie Deadline Sept. 15, 2011
Somewhere in a sleepy town or a hectic city or a vibrant field or a shaded wood... lies an old road, a neglected road, a downright eerie road. But on Halloween—the eeriest day of the year—it will become a rediscovered road. And your protagonist will never be the same. What's the story?
No entry fee to submit a short story (1,000 words max.) electronically. Attachments accepted. Only one story per author. Open to writers worldwide. Your story must not have been previously published.
The prize is $100 and publication in The Verb.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
July 4th and Rhymes with ?
July 4th makes me reflect on my ancestors and the first time they saw the Statue of Liberty as they sailed into the harbor. My father left struggling post WWI Germany in 1930 for the opportunities available in the U.S.. My maternal grandparents left the Czech republic in 1911 seeking a stable future away from European wars. They all found what they were after.
Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can. ~ Mary Frances Berry
This quote applies to writers, too. One day some writing friends and I sat around sharing some of the excuses we come up with to not write. Laundry, walking the dog, grocery shopping, and phoning a friend were popular. Too often, we let our writing slip to the bottom of the priority list as we did "just one more thing" before writing. Some days the desire "to have written" is there, but less so than the desire "to write."
Sometimes I grant myself a writing vacation and take a week to read some of the books on my list. You do have a list, don't you?
Other days I find the discipline to make myself write even though inspiration is lacking. Often when I do that, I find that my muse awakens and I actually accomplish something. I just need to remind myself of one reason why I can.
Rhymes with ?
Several years ago, a poetry judge for a writing contest gave low marks to poems that rhymed and said many writers who submitted needed to take a poetry writing class. I rarely write poetry, but I felt like saying, "Well, excuuuuse me! Some of us are old-fashioned and enjoy reading poems that rhyme." I think writing a good poem that rhymes is much more challenging than writing a prose poem.
If you write poems that rhyme or maybe just want to include a fragment with rhyming words in your fiction, this site that might help: http://words-that-rhyme.com. You enter a word and the site returns a list of words that rhyme with it.
It isn't foolproof, though. Many of the responses simply have the same letter combinations but are pronounced differently. For example, when I entered the word "allow" one of the responses was "below." Depending on the effect you are after, similar but non-rhyming words still may be useful.
Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can. ~ Mary Frances Berry
This quote applies to writers, too. One day some writing friends and I sat around sharing some of the excuses we come up with to not write. Laundry, walking the dog, grocery shopping, and phoning a friend were popular. Too often, we let our writing slip to the bottom of the priority list as we did "just one more thing" before writing. Some days the desire "to have written" is there, but less so than the desire "to write."
Sometimes I grant myself a writing vacation and take a week to read some of the books on my list. You do have a list, don't you?
Other days I find the discipline to make myself write even though inspiration is lacking. Often when I do that, I find that my muse awakens and I actually accomplish something. I just need to remind myself of one reason why I can.
Rhymes with ?
Several years ago, a poetry judge for a writing contest gave low marks to poems that rhymed and said many writers who submitted needed to take a poetry writing class. I rarely write poetry, but I felt like saying, "Well, excuuuuse me! Some of us are old-fashioned and enjoy reading poems that rhyme." I think writing a good poem that rhymes is much more challenging than writing a prose poem.
If you write poems that rhyme or maybe just want to include a fragment with rhyming words in your fiction, this site that might help: http://words-that-rhyme.com. You enter a word and the site returns a list of words that rhyme with it.
It isn't foolproof, though. Many of the responses simply have the same letter combinations but are pronounced differently. For example, when I entered the word "allow" one of the responses was "below." Depending on the effect you are after, similar but non-rhyming words still may be useful.
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