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W R I T I N G W O R L D
A World of Writing Information - For Writers Around the World
http://www.writing-world.com
Issue 3:08 12,500 subscribers April 17, 2003
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SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS AT END OF NEWSLETTER
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SPECIAL NOTICE: Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail; any messages
sent to the listbox address are deleted. If you wish to contact
the editor, please e-mail Moira Allen.
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CONTENTS
=================================================================
From the Editor's Desk
News from the World of Writing
FEATURE: Speed Writing: How to Master the Blank Page
by David Taylor
The Write Sites -- Online Resources for Writers
WRITING DESK: What's the difference between speculative
and fan fiction? by Moira Allen
From the Managing Editor's Mind
WHAT'S NEW at Writing World/Prize Drawings
MARKET ROUNDUP/Writing Contests
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Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published!
Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published!
Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published!
Visit http://www.1stbooks.com/getpublished/no_rejection.html
*****************************************************************
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or e-mail gradadmissions[at]spalding.edu and request brochure FA90.
For more info: http://www.spalding.edu/graduate/MFAinWriting
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If you can reach our web site, you can take our courses.
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THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK 2003. This definitive career resource for
writers provides essential information, how-to advice, and paying
markets you won't want to miss! Featuring 3,000+ markets that buy
articles & book manuscripts. To order: 800-533-6644 or
1-262-796-8776 http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/61966.html
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SPECIAL OFFER TO WRITING-WORLD SUPPORTERS: Contribute $5 or more
to Writing-World.com and receive a copy of "1500 Online Resources
for Writers!" Contributions accepted by PayPal and Amazon.com
(http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P2UTPRKYGU4AA1); for book details
visit http://www.writing-world.com/moira/1500.shtml
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FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
=================================================================
Improvements and Renovations
----------------------------
Peggy is in the midst of various home renovations, which, she
says, are driving her family (and her dog) slowly nuts. Every
task seems to take twice as long as planned, and involve twice as
many complications. She lives, she says, on "contractor time" --
which apparently depends greatly on phases of the moon and other
mysterious forces beyond our normal ken. The mantra that keeps
her sane: "It will be so nice when it's done."
I feel much the same way about the ongoing renovations to the
Writing-World.com site. Every task seems to take twice as long
as I expect, and many involve unforeseen complications. But it
will be so nice when it's done!
This week, I'm happy to report that the links sections have been
cleaned and updated. In addition to the usual tasks of taking
out dead links and changing URLs to sites that have moved, I've
added loads of new links, and four new sections:
Historical fiction (added to the "romance" links)
http://www.writing-world.com/links/romance.shtml
Viruses & hoaxes (added to the "warnings and scams" links)
http://www.writing-world.com/links/warnings.shtml
Conferences & colonies (added to the "classes" links)
http://www.writing-world.com/links/classes.shtml
Photography (new section)
http://www.writing-world.com/links/photography.shtml
Expanded Edition of 1500 Online Resources!
------------------------------------------
The link-page update is an offshoot of a considerably larger
project: The updating of 1500 ONLINE RESOURCES FOR WRITERS. Yes,
folks, "1500" is now completely updated and revised. The
existing links have been "cleaned" and updated, thanks to the
tireless efforts of our researcher, Judy Griggs. Plus, I've
added LOTS of new links (and I do mean LOTS). In fact, the book
contains nearly 1800 resources -- but it seemed simpler to keep
the original title and cover!
If that news wasn't good enough, it gets better! The response to
my "donate $5 to Writing-World.com and get a free copy of 1500
Online Resources for Writers" offer has been so enthusiastic that
I've decided to keep it running. So now you can get not just 1500
resources, but close to 1800 resources, newly updated and
checked, for just $5! (But hurry, this offer may not last, as
they say on TV.) Donations are accepted via:
* PayPal (http://www.paypal.com) - send to
Moira Allen
* Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P2UTPRKYGU4AA1
* Check (e-mail Moira Allen for details)
We're "Counting" on You!
------------------------
If you've scrolled down to the bottom of any Writing-World.com
page in the last few days, you may have noticed a new feature:
Our new visitor-tracking system. This nifty new tracking program
lets me know how many distinct visitors I receive each day, and
how many hits each page receives. My hope is that it will give
me a better sense of "distinct visitors" (as opposed to "visits"
in general) -- as well as to let me know which parts of the site
are popular and which are not. (I've already learned that
visitors LOVE the contest section!)
The program is a cgi script available from UsersOnline, which
offers a free version and a more detailed paid version. Unlike
most tracking services, it's a one-time cost; one doesn't have to
pay a monthly or annual fee. However, the installation
instructions are far from clear; even my techie web guy had
trouble understanding them. In a couple of months, I hope to be
able to publish revised stats; in the meantime, you can click on
the link at the bottom of any page at any time to see how many
people are on the site and what pages they're visiting!
Enough web renovation. I just bought a flat of ranunculus and
another of dahlias, and am off to "renovate" my garden!
-- Moira Allen (Moira Allen)
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Creative Journeys Writing Workshops bring women together to honor
their creativity and spiritual nature through writing. Workshops
in Arizona, Michigan, Oregon Coast, Mexico. For details, visit
http://www.creativejourneys.net - gail[at]creativejourneys.net
*****************************************************************
WRITING BY THE SEASIDE in Venice Beach! Author Linda Oatman High
presents sessions on adult and children's fiction, poetry, essays.
June 8-13, Best Western Marina; call 800-786-7789 by May 8 to
reserve. 200 feet from beach! http://www.lindaoatmanhigh.com
*****************************************************************
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
=================================================================
AAP sales figures show steady growth for ebooks
-----------------------------------------------
Recent sales figures compiled by the Association of American
Publishers (AAP) suggest that 2003 could be a strong year for
electronic publishing. In January and February of this year, net
sales from 60 publishers showed a 41% increase in ebook sales
compared to the combined sales figures for January and February
2002. "Among those reporting, there was obviously significant
growth," said Ed McCoyd, Director of Digital Policy for the AAP.
"It's just one more indicator that the industry is growing."
He pointed to science fiction, romance, and horror buyers as
being more apt to buy ebooks: "One apparent reason is that they
tend to be avid readers. They will be more apt to purchase
electronic versions of books and have fewer books on their
shelves." The real test of whether this is the start of a trend
or just an anomaly will be when sales figures for other months
are reported. "That's what we're really curious about," McCoyd
said. "We want to see how this plays out over a period of several
months."
Ebook Prospects study finds few people read ebooks
--------------------------------------------------
Recent research conducted by BookBrowse.com, a book excerpt web
site, found that 23% of their adult visitors say they are likely
to read an ebook in the next year; 16% had read an ebook. The
majority read on their computer (not on a handheld device). This
is not good news. Most of the readers surveyed claim to read one
or more books in the past month. Book lovers clearly prefer paper
to electronic books, unless the price is right. More than 45%
said they would only buy the ebook if it was half price or less.
Almost one third said they would buy the paper edition even if
the ebook was free. When readers were asked how much they would
pay for a handheld reading device, 44% answered, "only if it was
free," with only 14% prepared to pay over $100.
Tax bill needs author action
----------------------------
On April 9, the US Senate passed a bill which includes the
Artist-Museum Partnership Act. Under current law authors can only
deduct the cost of the materials used to create their manuscripts,
but the new act would allow them to deduct the fair market value
of the works when donating them to non-profit entities. The bill
now goes to the House of Representatives for a vote. According to
the Authors Guild, the donated manuscript deduction bill has the
best chance of being enacted in the House of Representatives. The
key legislative move is to attach HR 806, the "Artists'
Contribution to American Heritage Act" (identical to the Senate's
Artist-Museum Partnership Act), to the Charitable Giving Act of
2003 (similar to the Senate's CARE Act). For more information on
how you can help go to:
http://www.authorsguild.org/news/tax_position_april.htm
Borders goes wireless
---------------------
Borders is offering wireless Internet access in their stores in
partnership with T-Mobile. The service is now live in over 145
stores in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey,
Texas, and Washington. By mid-June, it will be available in "a
majority" of their locations nationwide. In a separate press
release, Borders announced they'll open their fourth Manhattan
store in the AOL Time Warner headquarters building under
construction at Columbus Circle. Their cafe will be operated by
Dean & Deluca.
Rosetta announces Random licenses
---------------------------------
When Random House and Rosetta Books settled their litigation last
December, the agreement included a provision under which Rosetta
would obtain three-year electronic licenses to selected works
from the Random backlist. This month, Rosetta has announced the
first 51 titles that they will license from Random "with the
support of agents and/or authors," and promised "Additional
titles licensed from Random House and other major publishers will
be announced in the near future." The list includes selected
works by Douglas Adams, Margaret Atwood, John Cheever, Ian
McEwan, Rohinton Mistry, Toni Morrison, John Updike, and Gore
Vidal among others.
Microsoft brings DRM to the masses
----------------------------------
From Word documents to email messages and even spreadsheets,
Microsoft has added add new Digital Rights Management (DRM)
controls, making it easier than ever for companies to restrict
how data is accessed. New Office 2003 programs and Windows Rights
Management Services for Windows Server 2003 have been designed to
work together to enable the creators of documents, spreadsheets,
and email messages to dictate who can access their files and how
those files can be used. With the new DRM features, the author of
a document can specify who is permitted to actually access and
read the document, and the exact time period in which the
document can be viewed. Authors can also dictate whether the
document can be forwarded, copied, printed, burnt to a CD, or
otherwise passed along to others. The idea is to provide
organizations with more control over their intellectual property.
Amazon Advantage reduces fee
----------------------------
Beginning in May, small presses and self-publishers who use the
Amazon.com Advantage program to sell their books will be charged
an annual fee of $29.95, which represents a significant
reduction from the earlier announced $49.95 fee.
****************************************************************
Our team of professional editors -- including a Pulitzer Prize
nominee and an author published by Dell, Warner, Fawcett, etc.
-- specializes in novels written by first-time, novice writers.
See us at http://www.a1editing.com for prices, references, etc.
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Tech Writers, Copywriters, Freelancers: Improve your writing and
your business. Subscribe to WriteThinking, the weekly newsletter
for professional communicators featuring articles, tips and an an
extensive jobs list. Send e-mail to subscribe[at]writethinking.net
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SPEED WRITING: HOW TO MASTER THE BLANK PAGE
=================================================================
by David Taylor (info[at]peakwriting.com)
[Ed.'s Note: This the final installment of a four-part series
that examines the creative act of writing and offers valuable
techniques for increasing our productivity as writers.]
Speed writing is a way of thinking as well as a way of composing.
Most of all, it's a state of being when you sit in front of the
computer. When sitting down to write, I am convinced the very
worst thing we can do is to let our hands be idle. In other words,
to headwrite: when fingers sit upon the keyboard awaiting the
thoughts to form themselves into acceptable sentences in our head,
then transcribing them onto the screen. Ding dong, that's wrong.
At least for me.
During the process of creation, our mind and fingers should work
as one to produce the rough shape of the artistic vision. Our
goal should be to initiate a flowing stream of thought and
expression, to connect word and thought in a simultaneous oneness.
Om.
But this isn't New Agey at all. Like a painter's brush, a
keyboard is a tool for creating. Like a painter, we need a
process that helps us immerse our deepest selves into that
passionate moment of creation. Later, we can change colors
(revise). Later, we can get out the smallest brush and, like a
painter, work up close until the details are in sharp relief
(edit/proof). But first comes creation. Speed writing is a way of
inserting into your writing process a time when passionate
creation can take place.
How Speed Writing Works
-----------------------
Speed writing works very much like freewriting, but you focus on
getting from the beginning to the end of something: a paragraph,
a section, an article, a chapter, perhaps an entire book. You set
a time frame, you begin writing, then you do not stop until you
come to the end of the entire thing you want to write: whether a
sentence, or a novel. Yes, your novel will be reduced to six
pages, your feature article will be nasty lump of clay, your
screenplay absent most of its dialogue. But its flaws aren't the
point. After a speed draft is done, you've got something you can
either work with or throw away -- a choice you didn't have before.
Other rules include:
* You must not interrupt the flow of words upon the screen, even
if it means making up quotes and facts, or taking up space with
things like "OK, I've run out of something to say, I really don't
know where to go next, let me think, what if I tried ..."
* You must not stop to reread or edit what you've written until
the speed session is over.
Some writers, including Stephen King, like to listen to loud rock
music when speed writing. Some do it standing up. Some like the
feel of a number two pencil, some love the sight of a yellow
legal pad. Some drink coffee, some drink that miracle of modern
marketing: bottled water. Whatever. Suck on a pacifier, if you
wish. Just start writing and don't stop. Don't edit. Don't second
guess. Don't evaluate. Don't do anything but listen to that
little voice inside your head and write down everything it says.
Beyond Zero Draft
-----------------
Speed writing can be useful in just about every stage of the
writing process: planning, drafting, revising -- any time you
need to figure something out, whether it's a sentence or a book
plan. But between the end of the material gathering stage and
before the completion of the first draft, writers dwell in a
place I call the "zero draft." That's when this technique can be
important.
The fear of beginning a first draft is legitimate. Until it is
complete, we have no way of knowing for sure that the right
connections will be made and salient points brought out, or how
many dead ends we'll hit and "do overs" we'll have to perform.
The traditional answer to this dilemma is the outline, which can
be helpful, especially in highly formatted articles. But outlines
have the tendency to dissolve like toilet tissue in the rain once
the real writing begins and each sentence must build on the one
before it.
Another solution: the speed draft. During a speed-draft session,
your goal is to get from the beginning of the entire piece to its
end in a single block of timed writing. No matter what short cuts
you must take -- summarize entire sections in a sentence, put in
XXX's to substitute for blocks of narration or main points --
your goal is to get from beginning to end in some form without
stopping.
Do this for an entire screenplay, and you've got your first stab
at a treatment. Do it for an entire novel and you got your first
stab at chapter summaries. Do it for an article, short story,
scene or a book chapter, and you've got a first draft. Very
rough, but very important. This speed draft serves three distinct
purposes:
1. It lets ideas connect to each other where it counts -- on the
page in actual sentences and paragraphs.
2. Because several speed drafts can be done in one morning, you
can play around with different organizational structures without
committing serious composing time to any one.
3. With the work's overall structure in front of you, albeit in
rough form, you have slain the monster of the blank page and the
work now exists at least in some form. All you have to do now is
to refine it and have fun playing with it.
Speed Writing's Other Uses
--------------------------
When I compose, my computer's screen has two windows open.
In one large window is the actual piece in whatever form it
happens to be at the time. The other window contains a "Speed
Pad," which provides me a place to speed write. Any time I need
to think about how to do something, instead of pausing to stare
at the computer screen, I put the cursor on the Speed Pad and
think by typing, whether to:
* flesh out an idea
* plan a dramatic scene
* find out what should come next
* talk through what bothers me about what I've written
* write different versions of a sentence to see which works
better
* anything else that would make me stare at the screen instead of
write
Once the speed writing is done, there are two choices: (1) cut
and paste if it's good enough -- and sometimes it is; or (2) print
it out, set the hard copy by the computer and refer to it.
Regardless, the goal has been achieved.
Think with writing; let writing become your way of thinking on
the page or screen. Let it become your way of relating to the
world. Your way of being. Don't let anything get between you and
the words and the world you are exploring with them.
Excerpted from "The Freelance Success Book" (2003).
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
David Taylor served as an executive editor for nine years at
Rodale Press, where he worked on magazines such as Prevention,
Men's Health, Runner's World and Scuba Diving. Prior to Rodale he
was a professor of English and journalism. Find out more about
his new book, "The Freelance Success Book," at
http://www.freelancesuccessbook.com
Copyright (c) 2003 by David Taylor
****************************************************************
Are you a Freelance Writer?
FreelanceWriters.com is the only global online directory of
freelance writers. Your writing skills, experience and contact
information can be listed in the database so that clients and
editors will have your information at the touch of a button. Go
to: http://www.freelancewriters.com/writers_faqs.cfm
*****************************************************************
THE WRITE SITES
=================================================================
PublicityInsider.com
--------------------
This site has a lot of useful information on PR, press releases,
"how to write a great pitch letter," and more.
http://www.PublicityInsider.com
Burning Void Writer's Resources
-------------------------------
An interesting selection of "writing warm-ups and exercises."
http://www.burningvoid.com/users/heather/writing/resources.html
Word Guild
----------
A Canadian organization of Christian authors.
http://www.thewordguild.com/home.html
Journalism Resources
--------------------
A list of professional organizations and other resources for
journalists.
http://d206329.u27.infinology.com/Html/resources.htm
Formsite.com
------------
If you want to add cgi forms to your web site, look here for a
variety of free tools.
http://www.formsite.com
Art and Graphic Design Resources
--------------------------------
Articles and resources for artists and designers.
http://www.deezin.com/indexx.html
*****************************************************************
"The Easy Way to Write a Novel". This popular writer's resource
shows you, step by step, how to achieve your dream of writing a
great novel in the shortest possible time. Suitable for any level
of expertise. Free writing courses. http://www.easywaytowrite.com
*****************************************************************
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markets, prepare cover letters, track submissions. Reasonable
Rates, References. WRITER'S RELIEF, Inc., 245 Teaneck Rd. #10C,
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 (201)641-3003, http://www.wrelief.com
*****************************************************************
THE WRITING DESK
=================================================================
by Moira Allen (Moira Allen)
What's The Difference Between Speculative and Fan Fiction?
----------------------------------------------------------
Q: I've always wondered about speculative fiction -- what
exactly is it? Does it belong the fantasy genre? And what's
"fan-fic"?
A: Speculative fiction is a more "all-inclusive" term that
includes science fiction, fantasy fiction, and generally horror
fiction.
Fan-fic, or fan fiction, is fiction written by fans of a
particular fictional series or universe, or, often, of a TV
show. For example, "fan fiction" relating to a television series
like Xena would be stories written about the characters of the
show, and usually shared through a fan-fic webzine or print
publication. A lot of fan clubs put out their own newsletters in
which they print fan fiction. Similarly, fans of a particular
book series often write stories set within the world of that
book. Mercedes Lackey fans, for example, often write stories set
within her particular world, and again, contribute them to fan
web sites or fan newsletters.
Most authors (and television shows) don't really mind fan
fiction. However, it cannot be published in any commercial venue,
because it infringes upon the author's or TV show's copyright.
That's why you won't see a "Xena" story in a commercial SF or
fantasy publication (print or electronic). Occasionally a TV show
will get nasty about fan fiction being published at all, even in
fan webzines, and try to crack down on it, but that doesn't happen
too often or do much good.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Moira Allen is the author of "The Writer's Guide to Queries,
Pitches and Proposals," "Writing.com: Creative Internet
Strategies to Advance Your Writing Career" (second edition
forthcoming in May 2003), and "1500 Online Resources for
Writers." For details, visit:
http://www.writing-world.com/moira/index.shtml
Copyright (c) 2003 by Moira Allen
*****************************************************************
FREE INITIAL EVALUATION! AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR will help improve
your MS. Critiquing, Line Editing, Submission Assistance.
info[at]writersconsultant.com, http://www.writersconsultant.com
*****************************************************************
FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR'S MIND
=================================================================
As the Freedom to Read Protection Act of 2003 makes its way
through Congress, another front is heating up in the battle. The
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Booksellers
Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), Electronic Privacy
Information Center (EPIC), and Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF)
have filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against
the government over how it is using the widespread surveillance
powers that were granted under the USA Patriot Act.
The groups kicked off their lawsuit last August with an FOIA
Request to the Dept. of Justice (DOJ). They wanted to know how
many subpoenas have been issued to bookstores, libraries, and
newspapers under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. After months
of stalling, the DOJ finally responded on March 3. To make
matters worse, the groups were not amused by the documents they
received. In a brief filed on April 4, they noted the FBI
documents that were disclosed through FOIA were, for the most
part, blacked out, and documents pertaining to Section 215 were
"relatively short." They further contend that the sheer length of
the documents reveal that the Bureau is "aggressively wielding a
disturbing power" provided by the Patriot Act. Their brief
challenges the government's secret classification of those
documents.
For more information:
http://www.aclu.org/patriot_foia/index.html
ACLU Action -- Stop the Patriot Act
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=11904&c;=206
To date, the Freedom to Read Protection Act has more than 65
co-sponsors. Chris Finan, president of the ABFFE, said, "The
rapid increase in the number of co-sponsors is very encouraging.
In addition, we are seeing a spike in the amount of press
coverage that the issue is getting. Hopefully, this will enable
us to maintain our momentum."
It is crucial that you contact your representative in the House
and urge him/her to support HR 1157.
Send a message to your Representative:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Freedom to Read Protection Act of 2003 (HR 1157)
http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2003_cr/hr1157.html
-- Peggy Tibbetts (peggyt[at]siltnet.net)
*****************************************************************
Be more prolific! Increase your income! Write your book
faster than you ever thought possible. Learn to create your
book's blueprint in 2 hours, buy a best-selling plot and more.
http://www.writeabooknow.com/welcome/write1512now
*****************************************************************
WHAT'S NEW AT WRITING-WORLD.COM
=================================================================
NEW ARTICLES:
-------------
13 Tips on How to Tech-talk to Non-techies, by Hasmita Chander
http://www.writing-world.com/tech/techtalk.shtml
Fighting Writer's Block, Part III: Get It Done -- Now!
Your No-Fret, No-Sweat Plan, by David Taylor
http://www.writing-world.com/basics/block3.shtml
Finding Your Characters, by Mary Cook
http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/cook.shtml
More of What Agents Really Want, by Natalie Collins
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/agent/collins2.shtml
Writing a Synopsis from the Ground Up, by Dee-Ann Latona LeBlanc
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/leblanc.shtml
*****************************************************************
MARKET ROUNDUP
=================================================================
CHICKEN SOUP'S RECIPES FOR CREATING THE LIFE YOU WANT
Jack Canfield, Stephanie Marston, MA, MFT, Co-authors
Chicken Soup's Life Lessons, Box 31453, Santa Fe, NM 87594-1453
EMAIL: samarston[at]earthlink.net
Since the largest market for Chicken Soup books is primarily
women, we feel the need to create a book specifically for this
audience. We are working on a book that will not only motivate
and inspire our readers, but that will also give the reader
valuable tools, techniques, insights and exercises for creating a
high quality, fulfilling life. We're looking for "teaching tales"
that inspire the reader to draw their own conclusions and
insights from the story itself. We are looking for real-life
anecdotes that are instructive -- a personal wake-up call that is
enlightening. No preaching or philosophizing, no fables, just
good old fashion storytelling that is based on true experiences.
Because this book is for the general public we ask that you not
send stories that are religious in nature.
DEADLINE: June 15, 2003
LENGTH: 1,200 words or less
PAYMENT: $300
RIGHTS: One time rights
REPRINTS: Yes
SUBMISSIONS: Submit by mail or email.
GUIDELINES: For a complete list of topics, a sample story, and
guidelines, send email to: samarston[at]earthlink.net
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
LEVIATHAN 4
Forrest Aguirre, Managing Editor
Ministry of Whimsy Press, 1718 Weber Drive, Madison, WI 53713
EMAIL: ministryofwhimsy[at]yahoo.com
URL: http://www.ministryofwhimsy.com
The theme is "Cities." We are looking for previously unpublished
stories where a city or cities is (are) so critical to the
success of the story that the tale utterly fails if moved to
another location, real or imagined. The works we publish might be
described as surreal, decadent, experimental, slipstream or
magically real, but with a strong literary sensibility. Tales for
Leviathan should contain some fantastical element, however
slight, with a strong sense of atmosphere and word-crafting
throughout. We are not afraid of experimentalism, but do note
that our readers appreciate some sense of linearity, though this
sense might be minimal. Remember, a city must, in essence, be a
character, be the plot of the work. Please do not send stories
that feature such traditional tropes as vampires, werewolves,
zombies, or fairies. Traditional science fiction, hard core
horror, sword and sorcery, and stories in which humor is the
primary element stand little chance of acceptance. Monkeys, small
children, and anthropomorphic cleaning products are also not
welcome. No multiple submissions, please.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2003
LENGTH: 5,000 to 20,000 words
PAYMENT: $250
RIGHTS: First English language rights
REPRINTS: No
SUBMISSIONS: Submit via e-mail (in RTF or WORD format) or by
snail-mail. Stories submitted without adequate SASE will be
disposed of unread.
GUIDELINES: http://www.ministryofwhimsy.com/lev4guidelines.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
SONG OF THE SIREN
PO Box 172, Lebanon, NH 03766
EMAIL: Visual-Art[at]Song-of-the-Siren.net
Poetry[at]Song-of-the-Siren.net
Fiction[at]Song-of-the-Siren.net
Non-Fiction[at]Song-of-the-Siren.net
URL: http://www.song-of-the-siren.com
Send work inspired by mythology, folklore, or dream; present a
new way of looking at something. Included for consideration:
Digital images of drawings, paintings, photography, digital art;
Short fiction, flash fiction, poetry; nonfiction, book reviews.
LENGTH: No word limit
PAYMENT: Prose: $1 per 100 words ($50 max); Poetry $1 per 50
words ($2 min); Stand-alone images: $20/image; Sidebar images:
$10/image
RIGHTS: Non-exclusive electronic rights
REPRINTS: Yes
SUBMISSIONS: By e-mail (no attachments); send images as GIF or
JPEG attachments; or submit by mail with SASE or IRCs, Attn:
(Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Visual Art), with SASE.
GUIDELINES:
http://www.song-of-the-siren.com/info/artists_writers_guidelines.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
"FNASR": First North American Serial Rights, "SASE":
self-addressed, stamped envelope, "GL": guidelines. If you have
questions about rights, please see "Rights: What They Mean and
Why They're Important"
http://www.writing-world.com/rights/rights.shtml
Please send Market News to peggyt[at]siltnet.net
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WRITING CONTESTS
=================================================================
This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. Send new
contest information to Jose Aniceto (jeb_aniceto[at]mail2me.com.au).
For more contests, check our online contests section (150 new
contests added this month!)
http://www.writing-world.com/contests/index.shtml
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Slope National American Sign Language Poetry Prize
DEADLINE: April 30, 2003
GENRE: Poetry
OPEN TO: Age 18 and older
LENGTH: Approx. 2 minutes or shorter
THEME: Slope is an online literary journal dedicated to
publishing poetry from cultures around the world. Poems must be
in American Sign Language. The subject and form are open and
unrestricted, allowing for a range of originality and poetic
diversity. Feel free to bend or break linguistic rules. Poems
must be submitted in one of the following formats: videotape (VHS
or VHS adaptable), or digital formats on disc, CD-R, or CD-RW
(.mpg or .mov - suggested max resolution is 320x240). Submission
of more than one poem is acceptable and encouraged, and all may
be included on the same videotape or disc. Submissions must be
accompanied by a brief biography of the poet, including name,
mailing address, and email address.
PRIZES: $200 and publication in Slope
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: National ASL Poetry Prize, c/o Slope, 74 High Street #6,
Greenfield, MA 01301
EMAIL: info[at]slope.org
URL: http://www.slope.org/asl_page.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Armed Forces Joint Warfighting Essay Contest
DEADLINE: May 1, 2003
GENRE: Essay
OPEN TO: All
LENGTH: 3,000 words
THEME: Any subject relating to combat issues in a joint context.
Essays may be heavy in uni-service detail but must have joint
application. Essays may not have been published elsewhere. You
are encouraged to submit photographic and/or graphic elements to
support your essay. See contest guidelines for complete format
and submission details.
PRIZE: 1st Prize: $2,500; 2nd Prize: $2,000; 3rd Prize: $1,000;
and publication of all winners in Proceedings.
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, include the contest name in subject line
and your essay as an attachment. Because essays are judged without
knowing the author's identity, your attached essay's cover page
must consist of a motto instead of your name, the essay's title,
and the word count (excluding text within graphic elements or
footnotes).
ADDRESS: Armed Forces Joint Warfighting Essay Contest,
US Naval Institute, 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402-5034
EMAIL: essays[at]navalinstitute.org
URL: http://www.usni.org/membership/contests.htm#armed
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
The Writing Parent Flash Fiction Contest
DEADLINE: May 1, 2003
GENRE: Flash fiction
OPEN TO: All
LENGTH: 400 words or less
THEME: "Around the Coffeepot" -- Your story can be humorous,
romantic, scary or downright silly. We will not consider erotic,
pornographic or foul language entries. Entries should be
previously unpublished. Only one entry per person.
PRIZES: First Place: $50; Second Place: $20 Amazon.com gift
certificate; Third Place: Writing-related book
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, subject line: Flash Us! Contest Entry,
absolutely no attachments, plain text only.
EMAIL: flashus[at]thewritingparent.com
URL: http://www.thewritingparent.com/contests/flashus.shtml
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
The Vegetarian Resource Group's Annual Essay Contest
DEADLINE: May 1, 2003
GENRE: Essay
OPEN TO: Age 18 and under
LENGTH: 2-3 pages
THEME: Vegetarianism is not eating meat, fish, and birds (for
example, chicken or duck). Among the many reasons for being a
vegetarian are beliefs about ethics, culture, health, aesthetics,
religion, world peace, economics, world hunger, and the
environment. Entrants should base their paper on interviewing,
research, and/or personal opinion. You need not be a vegetarian
to enter. Include your name, address, telephone number, age,
grade, school, and teacher's name. Entry categories:
A. Age 14-18
B. Age 9-13
C. Age 8 and under
PRIZES: A $50 savings bond will be awarded in each category.
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: The Vegetarian Resource Group, PO Box 1463, Baltimore,
MD 21203
EMAIL: vrg[at]vrg.org
URL: http://www.vrg.org/essay/
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Sexiest Love Scene Writing Contest
DEADLINE: May 1, 2003
GENRE: Romance fiction
OPEN TO: Age 18 and older
LENGTH: 1,500 words or less
THEME: Sponsored by Every Writer. Grab your significant other and
get ready to take notes! Heat up your keyboard by writing the
sexiest love scene you can muster. Every Writer is holding its
first contest ever, and we want your entries! We've got a panel
of romance authors who know plenty about how to heat up the pages
of a book, so this isn't going to be an easy win. No pornography,
please. Think romance and love. Yes, it can be a love scene from
a novel you've already written or are in the process of writing.
PRIZES: 1st Place: $30; 2nd Place: $10 Amazon Gift Certificate;
3rd Place: One Book From Our Author's Spot Books
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, please copy and paste your entry into an
email. Subject line: Contest Entry. Any attached documents will
be deleted.
EMAIL: emily[at]everywriter.com
URL: http://www.everywriter.com/announcements.htm
*****************************************************************
New Listings on THE AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF:
---------------------------------------
Creeton, by Boyd London
Crossing Kansas, by Diane Leatherman
The Freelance Success Book, by David Taylor
Learn the Elements of Fiction and Write Your Novel,
by Sue Carol Nussbaum
Life as a POW, by Diana Saenger
Make Money Writing for Medical Trade and Health Publications,
by Laura Gater
Rate Your Mate, by Donna Kordela and Anne M. Duquette
Rebecca, a Maryland Farm Girl, by Diane Leatherman
Secrets of a Successful Freelancer, by Nancy Hendrickson
Find these and more great books at
http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.html
Advertise your own book on Writing-World.com:
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN WRITERS (NAWW) Get the new FREE
eBooklet, RESOURCES FOR WRITERS by subscribing to NAWW WEEKLY,
the FREE inspirational/how-to emagazine for women writers. Send
blank e-mail to: naww[at]onebox.com or visit http://www.naww.org
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SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) is
launching local networking Chapters. Check with us to find a
Chapter near you. Contact us if you'd like to start one.
Patricia[at]spawn.org. Subscribe to newsletter http://www.spawn.org
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Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com
http://www.writing-world.com
Editor/Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (Moira Allen)
Managing Editor: PEGGY TIBBETTS (peggyt[at]siltnet.net)
Web Associate/Contests Manager: JOSE ANICETO
(jeb_aniceto[at]mail2me.com.au)
Researcher: JUDY GRIGGS
Copyright 2003 Moira Allen
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