Threepenny Review

Writer's Thought for the Week: "This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it 'to the editor who can appreciate my work' and it has simply come back stamped 'Not at this address.' Just keep looking
for the right address." —Barbara Kingsolver  

THE THREEPENNY REVIEW is open to submissions through August.
http://www.threepennyreview.com

Submit only via snail mail or their submission system. No e-mail submissions, no simultaneous submissions, and no reprints. Do not submit more than one story or article, or more than five poems, until you have heard back about your previous submission.

Critical articles should be about 1200 to 2500 words, Table Talk items 1000 words or less, stories and memoirs 4000 words or less, and poetry 100 lines or less. Pays $400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece for first serial rights in both print and digital editions. Selected sample content is available on their web site.

Short Story Month

Writing tip: "Never be ashamed of your subject, or of your passion for your subject. Your 'forbidden' passions are likely to be the fuel for your writing… Your struggle with your buried self, or selves, yields your art." ~ Joyce Carol Oates  
 
The Emerging Writers Network has declared May "National Short Story" month. Here are two opportunities that include short stories as well as other forms.

The Gulf Coast Writers Association will accept submissions for its fourth print anthology of short fiction (up to 3,000 words) and poetry (up to 40 lines) between June 1 and September 1, 2011. Stories must be set in Mississippi and clearly capture a Southern tone. They accept most genres. Both unpublished and previously published work are accepted. Payment for selected work is $25 and one copy or five copies for one-time publication rights. 

Shock Totem considers original, unpublished stories of dark fantasy and horror—mystery, suspense, supernatural, morbid humor, fantasy, etc. Stories must have a clear horror element. Looking for short stories up to 5,000 words (firm),  tightly woven flash fiction up to 1,000 words, and microfiction up to 200 words. They also look for nonfiction: journalism about real horrors such as disease, poverty, addiction.
Pays 5 cents per word (3 cents for reprints) with a $250 cap on all accepted stories.

Black Orchid Novella Award

Thought for the week: "Writing is not the lottery. New writers have to be realistic about what it takes to get published. But there is one similarity to the lottery: You have to play to win." ~ Lori Perkin 


BLACK ORCHID NOVELLA AWARD
http://www.nerowolfe.org/htm/neroaward/black_orchid_award/BO_award_proc.htm

Entries must be 15,000 to 20,000 words in length and postmarked by May 31, 2011. Each entry must be an original unpublished work of fiction that conforms to the tradition of the Nero Wolfe mystery series:

       1. "traditional" in flavor
       2. The sleuth's deductive abilities solve the crime. No coincidences.
       3. The killer is known to the victim. No random psycho shootings. 
       4. The characters must have an engaging relationship.
       5. Some wit is required.
      
No entry fee. The winner will be offered a standard Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine contract.

The Wolfe Pack, founded in 1977, is a forum to discuss, explore, and enjoy the 72 Nero Wolfe books and novellas written by Rex Stout. The organization promotes fellowship and extends friendship to those who enjoy these great literary works of mystery through a series of events, book discussions, and a journal devoted to the study of the genius detective, Nero Wolfe, and his intrepid assistant, Archie Goodwin. The organization has more than 500 members worldwide.

Easter Bunny and Wiley Wabbit

Ever wonder where the Easter Bunny came from?  He arrived with German immigrants, the same ones who brought us Kris Kringle and the Christmas tree.  The "Osterhase" or Easter Hare follows the same rules as Kringle: He visits children's home the night before the holiday and leaves presents for good children only.

Traditionally, children built nests of clothing in corners or secluded areas of their homes where colored eggs would be found on Easter.  The nests evolved into the Easter basket which is often hidden Easter morning for children to search and find.

In honor of Elmer Fudd's "Wiley Wabbit"", this week's market is

WILEY WRITERS
http://www.wilywriters.com/blog/?page_id=1234

They publish only short fiction (1,000 to 5,000 words) that falls under the genre umbrella of speculative fiction: horror, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance/mystery/adventure.  Monthly issues are themed and April through November 2011 themes are listed online. Pays $50 and up.

Thought for the week: Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too infrequently. And if you don't collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don't really mean anything. ~ Norman Lear

All Things Come to Those Who Wait

When trying to decide "Kindle or Nook", one of the things I liked about Nook was its ability to access e-books from public libraries.  I still went with the Kindle, partly because my local library did not participate in an e-book lending program.

Today,  I saw this Associated Press announcement:

"Amazon says its Kindle e-reader will get the ability to load e-books from 11,000 U.S. public libraries later this year.

Most U.S. libraries already provide e-books, which work with nearly all e-readers except the Kindle. They're also accessible on many smartphones and tablets like the iPad.

Amazon.com Inc. says it's working with OverDrive Inc., which runs the e-book systems of public libraries to make the system compatible with the Kindle."

Maybe by the time Kindle supports e-books, my library will be ready to lend them.

Thought for the week: Talent is long patience. ~ Gustave Flaubert 

Recovery

Sorry I'm so late this week.  I'm still fighting "The Cough" which has been making the rounds here in Beaufort.  It laughs at cough drops but temporarily yields to Nyquil.  I hope I will soon be on the road to recovery.

Do you have a recovery or success story to share?  If so, the Soaring Above Essay Contest may be for you. The winner gets a hot air balloon ride for two as well as publication in Twin Feather Publishing's upcoming book. Two honorable mentions receive certificates and possible publication.  Submit your 1000 to 5000 word story by snail mail.

Thought for the week: "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Is Your Character Strange?

Do you have a character with an obvious quirk? If so, check out the current contest at Reading Writers. This contest seeks stories in which the protagonist aggressively seeks a goal while those around him/her try not to react to the eccentricity. E-mail one unpublished short story up to 1500 words no later than May 15, 2011. The winner will receive $100 and be published in The Verb. Check out the link above for more details and even a bio of the judge.

Thought for the week and your quirky character: "We all want to be accepted, but in the end it is the truly original that are remembered."   Mary Moquin