***************************************************************** 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 9:06 7,698 subscribers March 19, 2009 ***************************************************************** SPECIAL NOTICE: Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail; any messages sent in reply to the newsletter are deleted. See the bottom of this newsletter for information on how to subscribe, unsubscribe, or contact the editors. ***************************************************************** IN THIS ISSUE: ================================================================= THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK, by Dawn Copeman THE WRITING DESK: Editing, by Moira Allen NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING FEATURE: Going Green: Green Markets, Green Topics, by Wendy Napolitano THE WRITE SITES -- Online Resources for Writers WRITING CONTESTS WITH NO ENTRY FEES The Author's Bookshelf ***************************************************************** EARN AN MFA IN WRITING through the brief-residency program at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. Call (800) 896-8941x2423 or email mfa"at"spalding.edu and request brochure FA90. For more info: http://www.spalding.edu/mfa ***************************************************************** WRITERSCOLLEGE.COM has 57 online courses. Prices are low. If you can reach our web site, you can take our courses. http://www.WritersCollege.com ***************************************************************** WRITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS. Break into this $3 billion market. Learn the secrets from an experienced professional. Online or by mail. Free writing test. http://www.writingforchildren.com/G6405 ***************************************************************** AN EASY SIX FIGURE INCOME. WRITING Imagine a job in which you set your own hours, and live where you please: at the beach, in the mountains, in Paris. As a copywriter, you can. I know. I spend my summers "working" from home in a picture-perfect Vermont country village. Here's how I learned the secrets of this writing market: http://www.thewriterslife.com/a6a2/easyincome ***************************************************************** THOUSANDS OF WRITERS USE FANSTORY.COM FOR: * Feedback. Get feedback for every poem and story that you write. * Contests. Over 40 contests are always open and free to enter. * Rankings. Statistics will show you how your writing is doing. http://www.fanstory.com/index1.jsp?at=38 ***************************************************************** FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK ================================================================ Never Forget the Power of Writing ---------------------------------- I became blocked for the first time in my writing career this week. Someone very close to me attempted suicide. I had had no inkling that this was about to happen; it came out of the blue and the effect it had on me was profound. I couldn't write, I couldn't teach, my head was in a maelstrom. I'd talked to my husband, my family, my friends but despite this, my pain was too real, my confusion too deep. Finally, I sat down and wrote about what had happened. I wrote it factually, as I would a nonfiction article. Then I went back and added my feelings as they had been at each stage of the incident. When I finally stepped away from my laptop I finally felt free from the oppressing sense of shock I had been experiencing. I almost instantly became unblocked and could concentrate on the copy I was writing. I later reflected that despite writing for a living I had become so consumed with forming the perfect article, creating selling copy and trying to work on my novel that I had forgotten the deeper powers of writing and the healing powers it possesses. "There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein", Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith once said. And sometimes, that is what we need to do; to write down exactly how we feel, what has annoyed us, what is worrying us, what we hope and fear. This won't necessarily make the world a better place, won't protect us from bad things happening, but it does help us to make sense of the world around us and how we feel. Or as Norbet Platt puts it: "The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium." And as many of us are going through pretty rough times right now, we should not forget that as writers we have a handy little tool to help us cope. And if we wield that tool wisely it might even earn us some extra money too. -- Dawn Copeman, Newsletter Editor ***************************************************************** CHILDREN'S WRITERS - Improve your competitive edge and publishing record with this vital monthly newsletter of editors' wants and needs, market studies, and genre analyses loaded with editors' tips and insights into subjects and styles they're looking for right now. Get a Free issue and see. http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/M4303 ***************************************************************** DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE WRITERS' EBOOK "How to Earn Even MORE Money from Your Writing." Never Write for Peanuts Again. Scroll to the bottom of the page and download your copy now. http://www.newonlinecourse.net ***************************************************************** THE WRITING DESK - by Moira Allen ================================================================= What's the difference between "proofreading" and "editing"? ----------------------------------------------------------- Q: I get very mixed up with the terms "proofread" and "editing". To me, to proofread is for corrections of punctuation and spelling, period. Anything more (sentence or paragraph structure, rewrites) would be editing... correct? I have a VERY difficult time "just" proofreading since of course I ALWAYS know a better way to present an idea or state a position/proposal or write a paragraph. A: I'm the same way. I can't just "proofread" (check for misspellings etc.) without wanting to copyedit as well. Think of it as having three basic levels: Content editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Content editing involves addressing the content of the manuscript -- does the story flow well? Are the ideas clear? Is the material well presented? Does this area need fleshing out, does that area need cutting back? It's getting into the ideas of the piece, not just the words. Copy-editing involves grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, etc. Often, copyediting can involve trying to restructure sentences so that they are more readable, but that depends a lot on who is giving you the job. Some people regard copy-editing as very simple "check the grammar and nothing else." Others like to have the material reworked if necessary (or at least with suggestions provided) to make it a better "read." Proofreading is what you said: Making sure that there are no spelling, punctuation, or format errors. Since that tends to be the simplest process (unless you have someone who can't spell!), it usually takes less time, and therefore usually costs less. English is my second language; will my texts be edited for grammar? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: I am a freelance writer and English is not my first language. How can I be sure that a publisher will review my text for mistakes before it is published? A: In this country, texts are not always reviewed. It depends on where you send your work. If you sent your work to some of the online markets, you might find that very little editing is done at all. If you wanted to send work to some of the better magazines, much more editing is done. Some magazines also check facts. Most magazines and publications do edit material. If an editor knows that English is your second language, that editor will probably make allowances for errors. We tend to be impatient with people who speak English as a first language but write it as if it were a second language! However, we are in awe of people who can write a second language better than many people write their first! So, if you wanted to submit articles in English to English-language publications, you would need to explain that English is a second language (so that we won't think that you just can't spell or something). Then, it would depend entirely on the content of the article as to whether you were accepted. If the content is good, most editors would be willing to "clean up" any problems in grammar. You can also find independent editors to work with, if you would rather have your material revised first. You would want to find someone who offers freelance editing or "copyediting" services. You can find many such editors on the Web. Copyright (c) 2009 Moira Allen ***************************************************************** WRITE MORE, WRITE BETTER by mastering the psychology of writing as well as the craft. Jurgen Wolff's book, "Your Writing Coach" (Nicholas Brealey Publishing) takes you from idea through to publication. Get it at Amazon, B&N or your local bookstore. For more information, go to http://www.yourwritingcoach.com ***************************************************************** RELAXING WITH THE MUSE was conceived by a Counseling Psychologist to help writers deal with the specific stress that creates writer's block. It starts with simple exercises and builds to a unique way of acquiring new information hidden in the recesses of your imagination. The system is fun and eye opening. You will be amazed at the personal discoveries you will make. http://www.booklocker.com/books/3832.html ***************************************************************** NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING ================================================================= Poetry Writing Increasing Thanks to Internet -------------------------------------------- The number of people writing poetry has hit an all time high and this is all down to the internet, according to an article in the Daily Telegraph. Social network sites and the growth in poetry websites have led to more poets than ever having their poetry published and also to an increase in the number of poetry competitions available. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/cmflpt BBC Launches Virtual Journalism School -------------------------------------- The BBC is to launch an online journalism school to enable members of the public to learn about journalism. The corporation is also launching a series of sites in all 33 languages that the BBC works in, to enable people in countries without journalism schools the chance to learn journalistic skills. The site, which should launch in six weeks, will feature 2,500 pages of articles, 250 films and a self-testing facility. For more on this story visit: http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/533726.php Most Americans Not Bothered if They Lose Local Press ---------------------------------------------------- More depressing news on the state of printed newspapers: the Pew Research Centre has found that most Americans would not be too concerned if their local newspaper folded. Only 43% of those surveyed said that losing a local paper would hurt the community and only 33% said they would miss reading the local news. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/c3ndzd Freelance Writers, Editors & Reviewers Wanted --------------------------------------------- US-UK Review is looking for writers from both sides of the Atlantic who can produce articles and reviews displaying an obvious knowledge, articulacy and occasional humour within their own subjects and writing fields. The new website (us-ukreview.com) launches this April and is now accepting applications from all writers regardless of experience or previous publishing success. Writers will cover and review a comprehensive range of subjects ranging from culture, lifestyle, The Arts & showbiz. Our editorial stance is open to all styles ranging from chatty, conversational, quirky, irreverent and humorous to serious and factual. What we are looking for in applicants is the ability to write in a reasonably mature but engaging style within their field of knowledge. We're NOT looking for is writing in the style of local newspapers, tabloids, music mags, reportage, instructional or short pieces, etc. EXPERIENCED EDITORS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO APPLY. Writers will be hired on a freelance basis and can expect fees up to $120 for a single article/review depending on the assignment/other factors, whilst smaller pieces will pay a commensurately lower figure. Please send your application - something you've previously written, along with your resume (STATING WHERE YOU READ ABOUT OUR RECRUITMENT) by email and also post a second hard copy as a back-up. In subject window, please put: your name/Application¯ then E-Mail to: editorial-us"at"us-ukreview.com and also post hard copy to: US-UK Review, USA Editorial, 23 Castalia Square, London, E14 3NG, United Kingdom. PLEASE PUT AN "AIRMAIL" STICKER ON YOUR ENVELOPE TO ENSURE QUICK DELIVERY. Deadline March 29th. First Breakout Novel Intensive Scholarship ------------------------------------------ For the first time, Free Expressions Seminars is offering a scholarship to its acclaimed Writing the Breakout Novel Weeklong Intensive, with top New York literary agent, Donald Maass. The scholarship is available for one student who wishes to participate in the September 21-27 Writing the Breakout Novel Intensive, to be held in San Antonio, Texas. It covers complete room, board, tuition and all other workshop expenses, except transportation. The workshop offers thirty-five writers the opportunity to dig into their novels-in-progress in an intensive workshop in which they'll take daily classes with Don Maass and receive in-depth feedback on their work from Maass and a roster of experienced industry professionals. Suitable for published and pre-published writers alike, the workshop's core focus is on creating a "breakout" work, one that transcends genre to offer a rich, dramatic, and memorable experience to the reader. For more information on the workshop or to download a scholarship application and information, visit: http://www.free-expressions.com. Or call toll-free: 866-497-4832. ***************************************************************** YOUR HARD WORK AT THE WRITING DESK COULD BE MARRED by a typo, misused word, or unclear sentence structure. That's where we come in. Lehigh Valley Editing Services works with articles & manuscripts to make your writing right. Online authors welcome! 3¢ a word - Lehigh Valley Editing Service https://www.lvediting.com/ ***************************************************************** WHITESMOKE ALL-IN-ONE WRITING SOFTWARE - Start the New Year off the Write Way! English Grammar, Spelling and Writing Style in 1 click! Write Like a Pro! Limited Time Offer. http://www.whitesmoke.com/?d=5+a=0+r=1638 ***************************************************************** FEATURE: Going Green: Green Markets, Green Topics ================================================================= by Wenona Napolitano Everything lately is about being green or going green. Green is the hottest trend right now. Everyone's doing it, from A List celebrities to your next door neighbor. You can't open up a magazine or newspaper or turn on the television without being hit with some shade of green, some topic with an eco-friendly slant. So as a writer, how do you cash in on the green? By writing about green topics, of course. But maybe you are thinking you aren't very green. Do you have to walk the walk to talk the talk? Yes and no. Many of today's eco-writers were green long before green was cool, but even if you are not a seasoned greenie, there's plenty of room for newbies. You can slant eco-friendly topics for everyone from the beginner to the well seasoned greenie. Many publications are featuring green angled articles and lots of eco-friendly sidebars and resource boxes. Redbook, Woman's Day and Family Circle are really getting big with the green; in the past several issues they've had several areas full of everything from features on how families have gone green to green home furnishings, plus sidebars about everything from green beauty to green air fresheners. So what can you write about if you're new to the green game? How about the amusing (or amazing) results of your efforts to try to go green? Or you could write about your neighbor who has taken the water conservation thing a little too far and stopped bathing. With new green businesses and products popping up every day, you could write product reviews or company profiles. Green is everywhere: in fashion, in the home, in building products, in the garden, in your grocery store. Kids are going green, schools are becoming eco-friendly, and businesses are trying to go zero-waste. Global warming, animal conservation, water pollution, saving the polar bears, recycling... You can give anything and everything an eco-slant from cleaning out your closet (donate, donate, donate, don't throw anything anyway) to digging through people's garbage and making something new and cool from the stuff they throw away. The major problem is writing something new about being green. You can't rehash the same advice without putting a new angle or a new spin on it. Find new ways to go green or new ways to be green. Want markets? Here's a few that are totally green. One of the biggest "green" publications is Plenty Magazine. They have both print and online versions and feature a variety of green-focused topics from lifestyle to food and travel. They are "looking for creative, well-researched ideas that put a positive spin on protecting the environment." Plenty editors like fleshed-out pitches that are detailed, not vague. The pay for print publication is up to $1 a word; online-only publication is $150 per story. Send query and clips to editorial"at"plentymag.com. Detailed writers' guidelines are available at http://www.plentymag.com. The Sierra Club's bimonthly publication is Sierra Magazine. They are looking for "strong, well-researched, literate writing on significant environmental and conservation issues." Their features usually focus on the work of the Sierra Club. Sierra pays around $1 a word on acceptance. They prefer written queries sent the old-fashioned way, no emails. Get more details and examples of what they publish at http://www.sierraclub.org. Submit queries and clips to: Managing Editor Sierra Magazine 85 Second St., 2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441 E: The Environmental Magazine is another publication focused on green topics. This bimonthly publication has been around since 1989 and appeals to both general readers and environmental experts. They are an advocacy magazine that "aims to broaden the base of the environmental movement, not preach to the converted." Regular sections that they seek submissions for include Features, Currents, In Brief, Money Matters, Going Green, Consumer News, House and Home, Your Health, Eating Right, Tools for Green Living. Except for the Tools for Green Living review section, which is unpaid, all articles are paid around $.30 a word. E accepts queries by email, fax, or mail. Full guidelines are available online at http://www.emagazine.com. Send queries via email to editors Jim Motavalli (jimm"at"emagazine.com) or Kathleen Mangan (kmangan"at"emagazine.com). Mother Earth News is a bimonthly magazine that promotes "self sufficient, financially independent, and environmentally aware lifestyles." Readers range in age from teens to over 90. Their readership is over one million across the US and Canada. Mother Earth News highly recommends you read their magazine before submitting. They want freelance articles that are written with practicality in mind, being informative, well documented, and providing hands-on information readers can use. Payments range from $25 to $150 depending on experience and content. Send queries with a short synopsis and a one page outline to letters"at"motherearthnews.com. More detailed guidelines can be found at http://www.motherearthnews.com. Natural Home Magazine's motto is "living wisely, living well." Their style is straightforward and fact-based. They like articles to be written in second person with colorful and evocative wording. Their readers are "eco-savvy homeowners.... that care deeply about healthy living, natural products, and a sustainable economy." Their guidelines are detailed and strict; they can be found at http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/contribute/guidelines.aspx. Contact Jessica Kellner, managing editor, with any questions or detailed ideas and queries, at jkellner"at"naturalhomemagazine.com. Indiana Living Green: A Hoosier's Guide to a Sustainable Lifestyle is a small publication put out six times a year in Indianapolis. They cover most aspects of a sustainable lifestyle, such as gardening, homes and building, travel, transportation, fashion, energy, local food and wine, and family and education. Articles slanted to the Indiana area are recommended but not always necessary. Indiana Living Green likes articles in the 500-750 word range written in Associated Press style featuring short sidebars and information resource boxes. Queries or completed articles should be sent to editor"at"indianalivinggreen.com. Pay rates start around $75 for articles and are negotiable. See complete writer guidelines online at http://www.indianalivinggreen.com. AllGreen Magazine is a new publication in Connecticut whose mission is to "bring green to the mainstream." They are currently accepting free content to be published on their Web site. For work to be considered in the print magazine, they like to see detailed queries with names of interviewees, approximate article length, and availability of photographs along with clips sent to allgreeneditorial"at"allgreen.com. Check out detailed guidelines at http://www.allgreen.com. Portovert, which translates to "gateway to green," is a new wedding-planning magazine focused on all aspects of the green wedding, from the invitations to the honeymoon. No writer guidelines or specifics are listed online, so contact them via email at info"at"portovert.com to see if your idea currently meets their editorial needs. They have many online articles and samples at http://www.portovert.com. Green Options Media is a family of sites that includes FeelgoodStyle.com, EcoChildsPlay.com, EcoLocalizer.com, Sustainablog.com, CraftingaGreenWorld.com, and several other sites. To view a description of their sites visit http://greenoptionsmedia.com/advertising/sites.html. They are currently looking for writers. Learn more at http://craftingagreenworld.com/want-to-write-for-go-media/. If you would like to write for Green Options Media, e-mail Senior Editor Jeff McIntire-Strasburg (jeff"at"greenoptions.com) and place "Writing for GO Media" in the subject line. Introduce yourself and include your background and experience. Attach writing samples or link to samples that can help them get a sense of your voice and style. These are just a few of the green publications that are out there. More are popping up everyday both online and in print. By going green you can make some more green yourself! >>--------------------------------------------------<< Copyright (c) 2009 by Wenona Napolitano Wenona Napolitano is a freelance writer and the author of The Everything Green Wedding Book. She writes regularly for Ecolocalizer.com, FeelgoodStyle.com, EcoChildsPlay.com and the Buzz Blog Community http://buzz.prevention.com/community/. Learn more about her at http://www.everythinggreenweddings.blogspot.com and http://www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com. **************************************************************** WORLDWIDE FREELANCE WRITER - You can download a free list of writing markets if you subscribe this week. Discover almost 2,000 writing markets from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australasia. http://www.worldwidefreelance.com **************************************************************** REVIEWFUSE.COM - Get constructive peer feedback for your writing! Our online writing group allows you to get guaranteed reviews of your work and helps you learn by giving reviews, completing writing lessons & prompts, entering contests for prizes and more. Basic access is FREE! Try it today at http://www.reviewfuse.com/ **************************************************************** THE WRITE SITES ================================================================= Writing Resources at CSU ------------------------ If you need to work on an area of your writing and can't afford to take any classes this year, then this is the site for you. This is a comprehensive, easy-to-read site that is packed full of information on a wide variety of writing techniques and genres. http://writing.colostate.edu/learn.cfm Victory Crayne's Writing Tips ----------------------------- Another one for those of us who can't afford any classes, this is a series of articles on various aspects of writing such as how to grow your fiction writing skills to the use of dashes. Well worth a visit. http://www.crayne.com/writetop.html WritersRemember.com ------------------- This site is a much-needed tonic at the moment. When you're finding it hard to write or to justify the time you spend writing, visit this site for inspiration and encouragement and to remember why you started writing in the first place. http://www.writersremember.com/ **************************************************************** CAN'T GET PUBLISHED? Be a Well-Fed Self-Publisher and make a living! Control the process and timetable. Keep the rights AND most of the profits. Here's the step-by-step blueprint used to create a full-time living from ONE book! By the award-winning author of The Well-Fed Writer. http://www.wellfedsp.com ***************************************************************** WRITING CONTESTS ================================================================= This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. Unless otherwise indicated, competitions are open to all adult writers. For a guide to more than 1000 writing contests throughout the world, see Moira Allen's book, "Writing to Win: The Colossal Guide to Writing Contests" (http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml). FAIRY GODSISTERS, INK (FGI) 2ND ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP -------------------------------------------------- DEADLINE: April 15, 2009 GENRE: Nonfiction DETAILS: FGI is offering a $1500 scholarship for a SCBWI member to attend the August 2009 Society of Children's Book Authors & Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Los Angeles. To apply for the 2009 scholarship, submit a 250-word, double-spaced essay describing what you hope to accomplish by attending this year's summer conference. PRIZE: $1500 scholarship EMAIL: fairygodsistersink"at"yahoo.com BULWER-LYTTON FICTION CONTEST ----------------------------- DEADLINE: April 15, 2009 GENRE: Short stories DETAILS: Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote "It was a dark and stormy night..." and this competition seeks the best (as in worst) opening lines in any genre of fiction. The line must be a single sentence as long as you wish, but a limit of 50 - 60 words is recommended. You may enter as many times as you wish. PRIZE: "a pittance" URL: http://www.bulwer-lytton.com PARSEC SHORT STORY CONTEST -------------------------- DEADLINE: April 15, 2009 GENRE: Short stories DETAILS: PARSEC is "Pittsburgh's Premiere Science Fiction Organization: For the promotion of literary Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and other Speculative Fictions". The Theme for this year's contest is Dark Glass. "This can be used as a metaphor, literally, or anything in between. Please remember though, Confluence attracts many families and the story will be printed in the program book. A certain restraint and subtlety is called for. Too much explicitness will definitely count against you." 3,500 words max. PRIZE: $200 URL: http://www.parsec-sff.org/contest/contest09.html PUMP UP THE PROSE CONTEST ------------------------- DEADLINE: April 15, 2009 GENRE: Novella length short fiction DETAILS: "Write in any genre! Just remember this is an open forum; romance and adventure are appropriate - porn and gore aren't." 5000 - 15000 words PRIZE: $100 minimum URL: http://rustyaxe.com/putp2/index.php S. PORTIA STEELE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN POETRY AND PROSE --------------------------------------------------------- DEADLINE: April 15, 2009 GENRE: Poetry, Nonfiction, Short Stories OPEN TO: Women writers aged 50+ DETAILS: Poetry: One poem, maximum one and a half pages, double-spaced; Fiction/Essay: Maximum 500 words PRIZE $100 each for poetry and prose (fiction and essays compete together) URL: http://portiasteeleaward.org/contest.htm THE SHINE JOURNAL POETRY CONTEST -------------------------------- DEADLINE: April 30, 2009 GENRE: Poetry DETAILS: 1 - 3 poems, max 100 lines each PRIZE $100, $50, $25 URL: http://www.theshinejournal.com/2009poetrycontest.htm ***************************************************************** AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF: Books by Our Readers ================================================================= Delicious Little That, by Denise Harrington The Journaling Life, by Shery Russ The Legend of Albion, by Joseph Sherman Find these and more great books at http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.shtml Have you just had a book published? If so, let our readers know: just click on the link below to list your book. http://www.writing-world.com/books/listyours.shtml ***************************************************************** ADVERTISE in WRITING WORLD or on WRITING-WORLD.COM! For details on how to reach 60,000 writers a month with your product, service or book title, visit http://www.writing-world.com/admin1/adrates.shtml ***************************************************************** Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com http://www.writing-world.com Editor and Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (editors"at"writing-world.com) Newsletter Editor: DAWN COPEMAN (editorial"at"writing-world.com) Copyright 2009 Moira Allen Individual articles copyrighted by their authors. Back issues archived at http://www.writing-world.com/newsletter/index.shtml Writing World is hosted by Aweber.com ***************************************************************** Subscribers are welcome to re-circulate Writing World to friends, discussion lists, etc., as long as the ENTIRE text of the newsletter is included and appropriate credit is given. Writing World may not be circulated for profit purposes. ****************************************************************
Copyright © 2010 by Moira Allen. All rights reserved.
Copyright to individual articles held by authors.