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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 5:09 15,500 subscribers April 28, 2005
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SPECIAL NOTICE: Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail; any messages
sent to the listbox address are deleted. See the bottom of this
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CONTENTS
=================================================================
From the Editor's Desk
SPRING CLASSES on Writing-World.com
WRITER TO WRITER: Snail mail submissions
by Peggy Tibbetts
News from the World of Writing
FEATURE: Selling Your Nonfiction Book, Part I: Finding
the Right Publisher, by Moira Allen
The Write Sites -- Online Resources for Writers
JUST FOR FUN: Word Plays, by Harriet Cooper
WHAT'S NEW at Writing World
MARKET ROUNDUP/Writing Contests
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FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
=================================================================
Is it Spring Yet?
-----------------
Or is it summer? Or perhaps the last gasp of winter? Here in
Virginia, the weather can't seem to make up its mind. One day,
the sun shines and a soft breeze blows, and the deck calls me --
"Mooiiiirraa! Leave your eeee-maiiillll!" So I put on the
kettle and fix a nice cup of instant, totally artificial, sugar-
free international coffee -- and by the time it's brewed, the
sun is gone and the temperature has dropped 20 degrees (or so
it seems). The next day it will be too hot to even think of
sitting on the deck -- but by nightfall, it has dropped back
to near-freezing and I have to remember to switch the air
conditioner back to the heater.
Meanwhile the blossoms have come and gone; usually they linger,
but this year they seemed to vanish in a blink. The dogwood is
blooming, glimmers of white amid the spring green of the woods.
Soon they'll vanish as well; it's almost as if the dogwood trees
themselves become invisible for the rest of the year.
Something else is about to vanish soon: Our spring classes! There
are only four days left to enroll, and several of these classes
will NOT be held open for late enrollments! So please don't wait
until next Tuesday, or Wednesday, or even Friday, to sign up for
a class that actually starts Monday. Like the dogwood, it may
not be there if you wait too long. These will probably be the
only classes we offer this year, so if you miss them, they'll be
gone. If you want to pay by check (or if you have already sent a
check but have not yet received our confirmation), just drop me
a note so that I can reserve your place.
To sign up for a class, either click one of the links below,
or go to http://www.writing-world.com/classes/index.shtml
And then -- go enjoy the spring sunshine, assuming you have any!
-- Moira Allen, Editor
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SPRING CLASSES ON WRITING-WORLD.COM
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WRITER TO WRITER
=================================================================
by Peggy Tibbetts (peggyt"at"siltnet.net)
Snail mail submissions and SASEs are still a fact of life for
most writers, especially when submitting to book publishers. I've
been searching for an agent and I'm surprised to find that the
most agents demand snail mail queries and submissions. I can't
explain this policy because I don't understand it. I have been
web and email oriented for so many years I suppose I've lost my
perspective. Yet more and more writers are reporting problems
with the snail mail submission process. Members on a children's
writers list complain that even though they send SASEs, editors
don't return their manuscripts. Form rejections used to be the
writer's curse. Now we feel lucky to hear anything at all. On a
discussion board, writers compare notes about SASEs. They include
them, but editors don't bother to reply, not even with a form
rejection slip. They wonder if it's pointless to send SASEs.
Still other writers blog about the response time. Snail mail
submission turnaround time used to be 3-6 months. But those were
the good ol' days. Gradually, over the past couple years, writers
are seeing turnaround time expanded out to 9-12 months, even up
to 2 years, or more!
Now let's hear from you. Have you noticed problems with your
snail mail submissions? If so, what kind of problems? Do you
think it's pointless to include an SASE?
Keep in mind this is a discussion about snail mail submissions.
We'll discuss email submissions in a future column.
Please send your responses to: peggyt"at"siltnet.net
Subject: Writer to Writer
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Peggy Tibbetts answers your questions about writing for children
in her monthly column, Advice from a Caterpillar:
http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/index.shtml
She is the author of "The Road to Weird" and "Rumors of War".
Visit her web site at: http://www.peggytibbetts.net
Copyright (c) 2005 by Peggy Tibbetts
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NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
=================================================================
Amazon acquires Mobipocket
--------------------------
On March 30, Amazon.com acquired Mobipocket, the privately-held
French vendor of ebook server and client software for handheld
devices. The transaction completes the realignment of the ebook
industry that began last November when Adobe announced that it
would no longer sell its ebook packaging and serving software.
The groundwork is now laid for Amazon to take over leadership of
the ebook industry from Adobe, as the latter company shifts its
focus to corporate document management. Amazon spokesperson Patty
Smith said the motivation behind the purchase "was mainly because
they've got a great group of innovative engineers and we thought
it was a smart move." As to what Amazon might do with the
technology and its potential relationship to their purchase of
BookSurge, Smith noted the company is "maddeningly consistent" in
"never speculating on what might happen."
Authors petition Oprah
----------------------
More than 150 authors, including Amy Tan, Susan Cheever, MJ Rose,
Ann Beattie, and Stephen McCauley, have petitioned Oprah Winfrey
to return to choosing new novels for members of her influential
book club. In an open letter, Word of Mouth, an alliance of
female writers, said fiction sales plummeted when Oprah's Book
Club went off the air in 2002. When it was reinstated in June
2003, it stopped featuring contemporary authors, and turned to
classics like Steinbeck's "East of Eden" and Tolstoy's "Anna
Karenina." The letter said, in part: "The readers need you. And
we, the writers, need you. Oprah Winfrey, we wish you'd come
back." A spokeswoman for Winfrey's company, Harpo Productions,
said, "There are no plans to change the focus of the book club at
this time." However, in a special announcement at Oprah.com,
Winfrey recommends Edward P. Jones' 2003 novel, "The Known
World," to those who "need a book right away for your reading
groups." Hinting that she'll pick other modern novels eventually,
she adds: "The summer book club choice is a big one -- and I
think you'll see it's been worth the wait. Once again, we are
breaking new ground and doing something we haven't done before.
Very exciting! Look for our announcement toward the end of
May/beginning of June." For more information:
http://www.wordofmouthwriters.org
IFJ demands authors' rights on UN World Copyright Day
-----------------------------------------------------
On April 23, UNESCO World Copyright Day, the International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued a call to global
policy makers to adopt a 3-step program to guarantee quality and
diversity in media content. "The importance of authors' rights
protection cannot be overlooked in a world dominated by
globalization, a communications revolution, and the hunger of
millions for reliable information. To guarantee the need for
quality and diversity in information services and particularly in
journalistic and photographic works it is imperative to ensure:
1) that governments support creators by improving levels of
authors rights protection and enforcing rights where they are
established; 2) that publishers and broadcasters end the
intimidation and bullying of journalists and writers to sign away
all their rights; 3) that all parties negotiate agreements that
guarantee fair payment for reuse of works and provide moral
rights to protect the integrity of journalism." In a statement
issued in Brussels the IFJ said UN agencies must bear these
objectives in mind when negotiating new international treaties.
According to the IFJ: "The celebration of the UNESCO Copyright
Day must not ignore the fact that most creators in the world do
not enjoy effective authors' rights protection. That's why the
three-step plan is an essential starting point for reform." For
more information: http://www.ifj.org
Carnegie study finds young adults don't read newspapers
-------------------------------------------------------
"Abandoning the News," the study written by MSNBC.com's founding
Editor-in-Chief Merrill Brown, and commissioned by the Carnegie
Corporation of New York, documents that young people don't get
their news from newspapers or other traditional news media. The
survey of 18-34 year olds finds that 19% read a newspaper daily,
17% read it once a month or less, and 12% never do. However, 44%
of the young people visit a new web site every day, and 37% watch
local TV news. Only 14% called the newspaper their "most
important" source of news. Local TV newscasts were called the
most important source for news by 31% of the young adults,
another 25% cited the Internet. More than half of the respondents
told the survey they trust newspapers "a lot." The 25-34 year
olds said the Internet is as trustworthy as newspapers. More than
half of newspaper readers predicted that in the next 3 years they
will be accessing the Web more for news. In his report, Brown
writes that traditional news outlets must figure out ways to
"engage" young people the way the Internet does: "In short, the
future of the US news industry is seriously threatened by the
seemingly irrevocable move by young people away from traditional
sources of news."
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SELLING YOUR NONFICTION BOOK, PART I: FINDING THE RIGHT PUBLISHER
=================================================================
by Moira Allen
One of the best things about writing a nonfiction book is that
you can often "sell" that book to a publisher before it is
actually written. Most nonfiction publishers make decisions based
on proposals rather than on finished manuscripts. By submitting a
proposal, you can determine whether your book has a market before
you spend months (or even years) researching and writing it.
Better yet, you can often do so without an agent.
Marketing your book via a proposal is a two-pronged process. The
first step, discussed in this article, is to find a publisher (or
several publishers) that seems "right" for your book. The second
step, discussed next issue, is to convince that publisher that
your book is right for them.
One way to find a publisher is to simply pick up a market guide
and check the "book publisher" section. However, this isn't the
best way -- or even a very good way! For example, one leading
market guide lists 109 publishers who handle books in childcare
and parenting. However, each of those publishers is likely to
have very different interests and requirements; Charisma Press,
for example, certainly isn't going to want the same type of book
as "Celestial Arts." To narrow the field, you'll have to read
each and every one of those 109 listings -- a daunting task!
Fortunately, there's a better way.
Check Your Bookshelf
--------------------
The best place to start your search for a publisher is your own
bookshelf. If you're writing about a nonfiction topic, you
probably already have several books on that topic. Take a look at
the books you've collected. Pick out the ones that you enjoyed
the most, or found most useful. There's a good chance that the
publishers of those books are the ones who will be most
interested in your proposal, because of the similarity of content
and approach. If your book will be more comprehensive than your
"favorites," look for the publisher of the most comprehensive
book on your topic to date; they might be interested in a book
that takes that topic to the next level.
Another approach is to check your bookshelf for books on a
comparable or related topic, but not necessarily the same topic.
For example, if you're writing about a craft or hobby, look at
the craft books on your shelf. Is there a publisher who produces
good books, but nothing on the topic you want to cover? Look at
publishers of broader topics -- for example, a publisher of
pet-related books who hasn't yet brought out a book on "caring
for the older cat," or a regional publisher who publishes books
about your state, but hasn't covered your specific area.
Go to the Bookstore
-------------------
After you've checked your own shelves, it's time to visit the
bookstore. Find the section where you believe your book would be
most likely to be sold -- e.g., the parenting shelf, the craft
shelf, the travel shelf, etc.
Once again, your goal is to look for books on the same, or
similar, topics. See if you can find books that cover the same
general subject area. For example, if you're writing about
stained glass, look for other books about stained glass. Look for
publishers who are covering related topics but haven't covered
yours yet (or recently). Find out what, if anything, has already
been published on your topic; you don't want to reinvent the
wheel! Keep in mind that two of the questions you'll need to
answer in your proposal are "what books are already out there on
your topic?" and "how is your book different from or better than
those books?"
A bookstore may not be the only place to find books on your topic
area. Another question to ask yourself is "where do I buy the
books I like to read on this subject?" If you're writing about
pets, check the book section of a pet store. Books about local
history might be found at a local museum. If you're writing a
Christian book, check the Christian bookstore. Check the office
store for books on business and computers. Some categories of
books are sold primarily through specialty stores, book clubs and
catalogs; for example, the Military History Book Club offers
dozens of books that you would be hard-pressed to find in your
local store.
Consider running a search on your topic on Amazon.com. Thanks to
Amazon.com's new search and "look inside the book" capabilities,
you can often "browse" the results right on the screen. Finally,
don't overlook the library!
Evaluating a Publisher
----------------------
Now that you have a stack of books on "related subjects," you're
probably wondering what you're looking for. How do you choose a
potential publisher from so many options? Here's a handy
checklist for evaluating those publishers:
1) Is the cover appealing? Despite the old adage, people do judge
books by their covers -- and books with unattractive covers may
sit, unnoticed, on the shelf. Does the book make you want to pick
it up and browse? Or does it make you want to move on to the
next?
2) Is the content interesting? Skim a few pages; do they hold
your attention? Do you want to read more, or are you instantly
bored, confused or "put off" and ready to put the book back on
the shelf?
3) Does the writing style match your own? If you're writing a
scholarly tome, you'll want to find a publisher who handles more
academic works; if you're writing for the "average" reader,
however, you'll want to find a publisher who puts out books
written in a more lively, general style.
4) Does the content match the "depth" of your own book? Some
books offer superficial overviews of a topic, while others
provide complex explorations that may be over the head of the
average reader. Make sure that the publisher offers books that
have about the same level of depth you want to provide.
5) What are the author's credentials? Does a travel publisher
offer books only by writers with 20 years of travel experience?
Does a self-help publisher offer books written only by PhDs and
MDs? Will your credentials be enough to get you in the door --
and convince the publisher's readership that you know what you're
talking about?
6) Does the book include illustrations? If your book will include
illustrations (such as graphs, charts, line drawings, black and
white photos, or color), look for a publisher who routinely
incorporates such elements into its books. Conversely, if you
don't intend to include illustrations, don't bother with a
publisher who produces lavishly illustrated books.
7) Would the book appeal to the audience you envision for your
book? If you consider yourself typical of the type of reader you
want to target, would you buy a book from this publisher?
8) Does the book match your audience's price range? Do you
believe your readers will cheerfully plunk down $35 for a glossy
coffee-table edition, or are they more likely to prefer an
inexpensive paperback? What would you pay for your own book?
9) Is the book well-produced? Do you like the cover, the text
style, the layout, the feel of the paper? Does the book seem
well-designed, or does it look "cheap"? Would you be proud to
have a book that looks like the one you're holding?
10) Where is the publisher located? It's generally best to look
for a publisher in your own country, at least to start with.
Worry about foreign-rights sales later. (One thing to note: If
you're doing all this research in Barnes and Noble, do not bother
evaluating titles with the Barnes and Noble imprint. These are
reprints, usually of out-of-print and foreign books.)
One final thing to watch for, of course, is a book that is
"exactly" like yours. If your book has already been done, your
chances of selling it are slim. Keep in mind, however, that there
is room for a great deal of variation on a single topic. No
matter what has been written on a subject, there's usually room
for a different angle, an analysis of a less-explored topic, or a
different viewpoint. Another thing to check is the publication
date: If the last book on your subject was written ten or twenty
years ago, it may be time for an update!
The Next Step
-------------
Once you've completed your bookshelf and bookstore research, the
next step is to find out exactly what your "chosen" publishers
require. This is where a market guide can come in handy. A market
guide can often give you a capsule description of a publisher's
wants and requirements (such as whether it accepts proposals).
More importantly, a market guide can often direct you to the
publisher's Web site, where you may be able to find the
publisher's complete guidelines. (Or, just try doing a Google
search on the publisher's name.) Here's what you want to find out
next:
1) What is the submission process? Should you approach the
publisher with a proposal, a query, or a complete manuscript? Do
submissions have to be agented? (If a publisher says "no
unsolicited submissions," this usually means that you must begin
with a query.) Most publishers explain exactly what they want to
receive, including the maximum length of a proposal, the number
of sample chapters to include, and so forth. Consider this a
test: Publishers don't want to work with authors who can't follow
their guidelines!
2) What type of payment is offered? Does the publisher provide an
advance? Does it give any figures on "typical" advances? What
royalties does it offer? If possible, try to find out whether
royalties are based on "list price" (the cover price of the book)
or "net sales" (the discounted price at which the book is sold to
stores). How often are royalties paid?
3) What rights does the publisher demand? Book publishers usually
demand a fairly broad grant of rights, including translation
rights, audio rights, movie rights, electronic rights and more.
Subsequent sales of these rights are usually split 50/50 between
the author and publisher. However, some publishers demand more.
Some "series" publishers require books to be written on a
"work-for-hire" basis, meaning that you are giving up your
copyright and any future rights to the work (including the right
to create derivative works, such as sequels, or even competitive
works). Before giving up your rights, make sure that the return
will be worth it.
4) How long will it take to produce your book? The amount of time
required to actually publish a book once it has been accepted
(and delivered) varies widely -- anywhere from nine months to
three years. If your book is on a "timely" topic, a long
publication lag time can mean poor sales. Also, keep in mind that
though you'll receive your advance before the book is published,
you won't see any additional royalties until six months to a year
(or more) after it has hit the shelves.
5) Where does the publisher sell books? Do its titles appear in
bookstores? Can they be found in mail-order catalogs or book
clubs? Are they sold in specialty stores? Make sure that your
book can be found by potential readers; if a book never shows up
on the right shelves, it's not going to sell.
6) Does the publisher expect money from the author? If so, run,
don't walk, to the nearest exit: You're dealing with a subsidy
publisher. The exception is university presses, which often do
require an author subsidy. You may eventually choose to go the
subsidy or print-on-demand route -- but don't confuse that with
commercial publishing!
In short, you're looking for a publisher that you can do business
with. If a publisher offers terms that you don't like, don't
expect that publisher to change those terms for you! However,
keep in mind that going through an agent can help you retain
certain rights, or negotiate a higher advance or royalty rate.
Even if you don't use an agent to find a publisher, you may wish
to use one to help you negotiate an agreement.
The next step is making contact. The research you've just
conducted should tell you whether to approach a publisher with a
complete manuscript, a proposal, or an initial query. A query is
much like a magazine query; it's simply a short, one-page letter
that describes your book and asks whether the publisher would
like to see a formal proposal. Publishers often respond more
quickly to queries, particularly if they're not interested --
which will help you refine your search even further. Also, most
publishers don't mind receiving simultaneous queries, though many
do object to simultaneous proposals.
Sooner or later, however, you'll have to develop a formal book
proposal. And that's the subject for next issue!
RESOURCES:
----------
Writing-World.com: Book Publisher Links
http://www.writing-world.com/links/bookpubs.shtml
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Moira Allen has been writing and editing professionally for more
than 20 years. A columnist for The Writer, she is also the author
of "Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer", "The Writer's
Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals" (now available as an
e-book) and "Writing.com: Creative Internet Strategies to Advance
Your Writing Career". For more details, visit:
http://www.writing-world.com/moira/moira.shtml
Copyright (c) 2005 by Moira Allen
*****************************************************************
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THE WRITE SITES
=================================================================
The Literacy Site
-----------------
To help promote literacy among children from low-income families
nationwide "click on daily". Every click provides 1% of a book.
http://www.theliteracysite.com
Kalliope
--------
A comprehensive online poetry writing workshop and information
center.
http://anitraweb.org/kalliope/index.html
Writer's Marketing Association
------------------------------
WMA mission is to create a network of national writers in all
genres, free membership, newsletter, and regional workshops.
http://www.wmaconnect.com
Poetry Writing with Jack Prelutsky
----------------------------------
Award winning children's poet offers a poetry writing guide for
kids, but has fun exercises for all poets.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_home.htm
StrongEyeContact.com
----------------------
An online network covering all aspects of the film community.
http://www.strongeyecontact.com
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JUST FOR FUN: Word Plays
=================================================================
by Harriet Cooper (harcoop"at"hotmail.com)
In a Word
---------
About 20 aspiring writers showed up at a community college
creative writing course, ready to dazzle the world with our
prose. Our instructor decided to test our creativity by having us
pick one of the concrete blocks that formed the back wall of the
classroom and describe it. We all dutifully stared at the wall
and then stared at the instructor. Nobody could think of anything
to write. There was a long silence and then a voice called out,
"Is this what they mean by a writer's block?"
Words of Wisdom
---------------
It was the first day of my creative writing class at a local
community college and I eagerly awaited the instructor's words of
wisdom that would transform me into a best-selling author. He
carefully outlined the course content and requirements and then
asked if there were any questions. A hand immediately shot up and
a young woman earnestly asked what he thought was the single
greatest problem facing a novice writer today. Without a moment's
hesitation the instructor replied, "Starvation."
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Harriet Cooper is a freelance humorist and essayist living in
Toronto, Canada. Her humor, essays, articles, short stories and
poetry have appeared in newspapers, magazines, web sites,
anthologies, radio and a coffee can. She specializes in writing
about family, relationships, cats, yoga, psychology, writing and
being the anti-Martha Stewart of household hints.
Copyright (c) 2005 by Harriet Cooper
*****************************************************************
BOOK PUBLICITY & PROMOTION Smith Publicity -- One of the most
creative publicity and book promotion agencies in the country.
Flexible, affordable publicity packages. Radio and TV
interviews, features and reviews in newspapers and magazines;
book tours, special events. Interviews placed on virtually every
top show; stories and reviews in most major newspapers and
magazines. Check out http://www.smithpublicity.com or call
(215) 547-4778, ext. 111; e-mail: info"at"smithpublicity.com
*****************************************************************
WHAT'S NEW AT WRITING-WORLD.COM
=================================================================
MAY COLUMNS:
------------
Advice from a Caterpillar, by Peggy Tibbetts
How to Structure a Critique Group; Finding Children's Writing
Conferences; Marketing Bible Stories
http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/cat52.shtml
Ask the Book Doctor, by Bobbie Christmas
Punctuating Monologues, Selling a Profile, Finding an Old Book
http://www.writing-world.com/columns/book/
Murder Ink, by Stephen Rogers
Slow-Cooked Suspense
http://www.writing-world.com/columns/mystery/murder21.shtml
ARTICLES:
---------
An Interview with David Brin, by Lynne Jamneck
http://www.writing-world.com/sf/brin.shtml
*****************************************************************
FIND 1700 MARKETS FOR YOUR WRITING! Writing-World.com's market
guides offer DETAILED listings of over 1700 markets, with contact
information, pay rates, needs and more. Fourteen themed guides
are available for $2.50 apiece or $25 for the set. For details,
see http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml
*****************************************************************
MARKET ROUNDUP
=================================================================
ANTHOLOGY: TRAVELERS' TALES
James O'Reilly, Publisher
853 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
EMAIL: submit"at"travelerstales.com
URL: http://travelerstales.com
30 Days in the South Pacific: Urgent Call for Tales of Paradise
This series differs from traditional Travelers' Tales books by
presenting 30 short, snappy, but meaningful stories -- a story a
day -- to help plan trips or while away the time. We are looking
for engaging personal stories that capture a sense of place in
Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2005
See web site guidelines for more upcoming titles and deadlines.
LENGTH: 2,000 words or less; shorter stories have a better chance
of being accepted.
PAYMENT: $100
REPRINTS: Yes
RIGHTS: Non-exclusive rights, in all languages, throughout the
world.
SUBMISSIONS: By email, attachments must be in MS Word or RTF.
Please put the book title that you are submitting for in the
subject line.
GUIDELINES: http://www.travelerstales.com/guidelines/
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
EVENT
Billeh Nickerson, Editor
PO Box 2503, New Westminster, BC, V3L 5B2, Canada
URL: http://event.douglas.bc.ca
We publish mainly fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. As
well, each issue contains a selection of reviews, and in these we
try to match book and reviewer. We occasionally publish
unsolicited reviews, but you should query us first. We publish
mostly Canadian writers, but are open to anyone writing in
English. We do not read manuscripts in January, July, August and
December.
LENGTH: 5,000 words or less
PAYMENT: $22/printed page; mininum $25 for one page; maximum $500
RIGHTS: FNASR
REPRINTS: No
SUBMISSIONS: By mail only, include SASE; send Canadian stamps or
international reply coupons if you are submitting from outside
Canada
GUIDELINES: http://event.douglas.bc.ca/submit.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
STORIE
Barbara Pezzopane, Assistant Editor
George Lerner, Foreign Editor
Via Suor Celestina Donati 13/E, 00167 Rome, Italy
EMAIL: storie"at"tiscali.it
URL: http://www.storie.it/contenuti/english.HTM
STORIE accepts high-quality literary fiction and poetry. More
than erudite references or a virtuoso performance, what we're
interested in is the recording of a human experience in a
genuine, original voice. Multiple submissions are fine, however
we do not accept simultaneous submissions and are looking for
previously unpublished work only. We encourage writers to read a
sample copy of the review before submitting.
LENGTH: 1,500 words or less
PAYMENT: Up to $600
REPRINTS: No
RIGHTS: First English and Italian rights
SUBMISSIONS: Query by email, send manuscripts by mail
GUIDELINES: http://www.storie.it/contenuti/english.HTM (Click on
writer's guidelines)
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Please send Market News to: peggyt"at"siltnet.net
"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
*****************************************************************
WRITING CONTESTS
=================================================================
This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. For more
contests, check our online contests section.
http://www.writing-world.com/contests/index.shtml
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Bordighera Poetry Prize
DEADLINE: May 31, 2005
GENRE: Poetry book
OPEN TO: Poet must be US citizen, translator may be an Italian
native speaker, not necessarily US citizen. Poet may translate
his/her own work if bilingually qualified.
LENGTH: 48 pages or less
THEME: The prize (consisting of book publication in bilingual
edition by Bordighera, Inc.) is dedicated to finding the best
manuscripts of poetry in English by an American poet of Italian
descent, to be translated upon selection by the judges into
quality translations of modern Italian, for the benefit of
American poets of Italian ancestry and the preservation of the
Italian language. Quality poetry in any style is sought.
Universal themes are welcome.
PRIZE: $2,000 ($1,000 to winning poet; $1,000 for commissioned
translator)
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: Daniela Gioseffi & Alfredo de Palchi, Founders, Box 8G,
57 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201-3356
URL: http://www.italianamericanwriters.com/prize.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Shiva Naipaul Memorial Prize 2005
DEADLINE: May 31, 2005
GENRE: Creative nonfiction/travel writing
OPEN TO: English language writers of any nationality under 35 as
of May 31, 2005
LENGTH: 3,000 words or less
THEME: The Shiva Naipaul Memorial Prize will be awarded to the
writer best able to describe a visit to a foreign place or
people. The award is not for travel writing in the conventional
sense, but for the most acute and profound observation of a
culture alien to the writer. Such a culture might be found as
easily within the writer's native country as outside it.
PRIZE: £3,000, and publication in The Spectator
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No, entry from must accompany submission
ADDRESS: Lucy Vickery, Shiva Naipaul Memorial Prize, The
Spectator, 56 Doughty Street, London WClN 2LL
URL: http://www.spectator.co.uk/shiva_naipaul_details.php
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
2005 Bechtel Prize
DEADLINE: May 31, 2005
GENRE: Essay/article
OPEN TO: All
LENGTH: 5,000 words, or less
THEME: An honorarium and publication in a special issue of
Teachers & Writers Magazine is offered for an exemplary article
(or essay) relating to creative writing education, literary
studies, and/or the profession of writing. Possible topics
include: contemporary issues in classroom teaching; innovative
approaches to teaching literary forms and genres; and the
intersection between literature and imaginative writing.
PRIZE: $3,500, and publication in Teachers & Writers Magazine
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: The Bechtel Prize, Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 5
Union Square West, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10003
EMAIL: editors"at"twc.org
URL: http://www.twc.org/bechtel_prize.htm
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Desdmona's 2005 Fragrant Flash Contest
DEADLINE: June 1, 2005
GENRE: Erotic flash fiction
OPEN TO: 18 years and older
LENGTH: 300 words or less
THEME: Write us a hot, sexy story, and include something that has
to do with the sense of smell. It doesn't matter what the aroma
is -- anything from perfumed bath water to sexual pheromones to
baking brownies is fine -- just be sure to tickle our noses as
well as our libidos. Our provider does not permit child
pornography; please, no underage sex. The story must not have
been published, in whole or in part, prior to the contest
deadline.
PRIZES: 1st Prize: $200; 2nd Prize: $100; 3rd Prize: $50;
Honorable Mention Prizes: $20
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, email must include entry text posted at
contest web page, plus MS Word documents or plain text as
attachments. Limit: 3 stories/author
EMAIL: contest"at"desdmona.com
URL: http://www.desdmona.com/contestsubmit.php?RoomID=33
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Helen Keller Foundation Anthology Prizes
DEADLINE: June 1, 2005
GENRE: Poetry or prose
OPEN TO: All
LENGTH: 3,000 words or less
THEME: Poetry or prose for anthology about overcoming a physical
or emotional disability.
PRIZES: 1st Prize $2,000; 2nd Prize $1,000; 3rd Prize $500
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: Diane Scharper, English Department, Towson University,
Towson, Maryland 21252
EMAIL: dscharpe"at"towson.edu
URL: http://www.helenkellerfoundation.org/images/PandP.pdf
*****************************************************************
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To order, visit http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml
*****************************************************************
New Listings on THE AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF:
---------------------------------------
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Poetry of the Soul, by Alina Oswald
Writing a Novel that Sells, by M. R. Henderson
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Advertise your own book on Writing-World.com:
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ADVERTISE in WRITING WORLD or on WRITING-WORLD.COM! For details
on how to reach 50,000 writers a month with your product, service
or book title, visit
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WRITER'S SUCCESS: 400+ Paying Markets, Freelance Jobs, Classes,
Workshops, Contests, Ebooks, Articles and more! Subscribe at
http://writerssuccess.netfirms.com/ to receive the Writer's
Success weekly newsletter.
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EXPAND YOUR NETWORK--DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS--NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE
LIFE! Visit the National Association of Women Writers Web site at
http://www.NAWW.org! Weekly Inspirational/How-To E-zine:
http://www.naww.org/homepage.html Membership Information:
http://www.naww.org/generic1.html
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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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WRITERS: FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW
fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from
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so come and try it out here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com
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WRITING FOR DOLLARS! - the FREE ezine for writers featuring
tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. FREE ebook,
83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to
subscribe"at"writingfordollars.com http://www.WritingForDollars.com
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PUBLISH AND PROFIT FROM YOUR BOOK OR EBOOK: Learn how to write
and sell your book idea online. Join others from around the world
who are making a good living selling their book or ebook online.
http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/ebook
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WRITERONLINE is an e-publication dedicated to writers and lovers
of writing. Fiction, poetry, business and technical writing,
how-tos, articles, reviews, freelance markets, jobs for writers
and much more, published biweekly. Completely renovated! Visit
us at http://www.writer-on-line.com
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Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com
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Editor/Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (writing-world"at"cox.net)
Managing Editor (Newsletter): PEGGY TIBBETTS (peggyt"at"siltnet.net)
Copyright 2005 Moira Allen
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