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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 4:14 13,500 subscribers July 8, 2004
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SPECIAL NOTICE: Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail; any messages
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CONTENTS
=================================================================
From the Editor's Desk
CLASSES on Writing-World.com
News from the World of Writing
FEATURE: Grab That Memory Before It Slips Away
by Uma Girish
The Write Sites -- Online Resources for Writers
WRITING DESK: Questions about copyrights, by Moira Allen
JUST FOR FUN: Accessorize Your Writing!
by Kristin M. Camiolo
WHAT'S NEW at Writing World
MARKET ROUNDUP/Writing Contests
*****************************************************************
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WRITERSCOLLEGE.COM has 57 online courses. Prices are low.
If you can reach our web site, you can take our courses.
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HUGE SAVINGS! GREAT SELECTION! Save online at:
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THE WELL-FED WRITER by Peter Bowerman - Learn how you can make
$50-100 an hour as a freelance writer and easily earn $1000 a
week or more working 2-3 good days. Details:
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2000 ONLINE RESOURCES FOR WRITERS -- Just updated, with hundreds
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THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO QUERIES, PITCHES AND PROPOSALS - available
as an e-book! Find out how to write the perfect query, book
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Only $8.95 (save $5 from the print edition.)
To order, visit http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml
*****************************************************************
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
=================================================================
Celebrating the Fourth
----------------------
Fourth of July weekend didn't proceed quite as I had expected,
let alone planned. I'd been looking forward to a "four-day
weekend -- in theory, my husband had Friday as well as Monday
off.
The first hint that things weren't going to proceed according to
plan (at least, MY plan) was my husband's announcement, on
Thursday evening, that yet another unexpected project had come up
and he had at least two days of work to accomplish over his
"holiday." (The same thing, amazingly, had occurred over
Memorial Day weekend.) I've come to conclude that in today's
corporate environment, the whole concept of "holidays" and "time
off" is anathema, to be overcome at any cost.
Neither of us were actually looking forward that much to the
church picnic planned for Sunday, particularly as Pat had been
"volunteered" to help with set-up and cleanup and games.
Nevertheless, on Saturday I dutifully assembled a massive bowl of
fruit salad, and set the alarm for early rising on Sunday.
I ended up rising quite a bit earlier than planned - to rush Pat
to the hospital with what turned out to be a kidney stone.
Sitting in the emergency room for three hours makes a church
picnic look a lot more appealing! Fortunately the stone moved
"down" fairly quickly, and "passed" later that afternoon.
Leaving Pat free, of course, to get back to the business of,
well, business...
All of which served to put into perspective the question of "Why
I'm a Writer." The reason harks back to what we celebrate Fourth
of July for in the first place: Freedom! While my husband claims
to enjoy his job (and he certainly earns far more than I do), I
wouldn't trade places with him for the world.
It's not that I DIDN'T work over Fourth of July weekend. I admit
it: I did. But I had a choice. I didn't have to worry about
losing my job, or losing a precious contract for the company, if
I chose to actually spend a four-day holiday weekend involved in
(gasp) non-work-related family fun.
As a writer, I have choices. I can choose to work late hours and
weekends on an assignment -- or I can say "no." I don't have to
worry about getting fired, or even about getting reprimanded by
anyone but my cat (who has called me on the carpet more than
once). I can choose the projects that interest ME -- not just
those that bring in the most bucks for a company that would let
me go in a heartbeat if they felt the need to "downsize".
I suspect that's why many of us have chosen this path. It may
have begun because we loved to write -- but it continues because
we find that we love freedom. I'll probably never have my own
jet (like one of Pat's VPs) -- but I do have my own deck, and the
freedom to sit on the swing and sip a cup of coffee and listen to
the birds whenever I wish (assuming it's not sweltering or
pouring). I won't get any 10-year employee certificates for my
wall, but I WILL get an e-mail now and then from someone who
wants to let me know how much one of my books or articles has
helped. Somehow, that seems a lot nicer than knowing that I've
spent my weekend helping the president of some corporation get
richer!
So here's to freedom -- and the hope that this website can help
you achieve more freedom in YOUR writing life!
-- Moira Allen (moirakallen"at"writing-world.com)
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THE WORLD'S BEST "JOB"
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PROMOTE YOUR BOOK! Get your book media exposure & in bookstores &
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AUGUST CLASSES
=================================================================
Enroll for any course and receive a set of Writing-World.com
Market Guides FREE (a $25 value). Guides will be delivered after
the class has begun. All classes begin on August 2, 2004.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!!!
Our three most popular courses are back by popular demand:
BREAKING INTO THE MAGAZINE AND PERIODICAL MARKET
Instructor: Moira Allen (8 weeks, $100)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/magazines.shtml
If you've been trying to market your work to magazines or other
periodicals with no success, or if you're just getting started as
a freelance writer, this is the class for you. Allen will walk
you through the process of developing topics and ideas, preparing
a query, and outlining and developing the article itself. By the
end of the class, you'll have an article "ready to go" and a
selection of markets to approach.
WRITING AND SELLING EROTIC FICTION
Instructor: Catherine Lundoff (6 weeks, $90)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/erotica.shtml
For centuries, writers have portrayed sensuality and sexuality in
words to captivate, titillate and amuse their readers. Learn to
write convincingly about erotic activity and to incorporate the
erotic into the everyday to capture what is perhaps the greatest
intimacy their characters will experience. For new and
experienced writers.
WRITING SPECULATIVE FICTION: LECTURES AND WORKSHOP
Bruce Boston (8 weeks, $100)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/boston.shtml
A creative writing lecture series and workshop with an emphasis
on speculative fiction. Our definition of speculative fiction
will be inclusive rather than exclusive, ranging from the
experimental/slipstream to science fiction and fantasy. Students
will have the choice of completing assignments or having their
own writing critiqued. Students will also have the option of
participating in an email workshop. (NOTE: Only three openings
are left in this class, so enroll now if you wish to secure a
place!)
=================================================================
CREATING THE "KILLER" CRIMINAL
Kathleen Walls (4 weeks, $75)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/criminal.shtml
Create a believable killer by learning the traits and procedures
that characterize a killer's personality. Learn to understand a
killer the same way the police build profiles: By studying the
killer's crimes. This course will help you develop any type of
criminal, but will focus on the more spectacular types of
killers, including real-life case studies as examples.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
FREELANCING FOR NEWSPAPERS
Sue Fagalde Lick (8 weeks, $120)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/newspapers.shtml
Newspapers provide an excellent opportunity to break into
freelancing: More plentiful than magazines, they require more
material, more often. Discover the opportunities at your local
paper, and how to expand to national publications. Learn how to
develop the kind of ideas newspapers are hungry for, and pursue
them through the query to the completed article. Finally,
discover how to expand your newspaper career with additional
article assignments, resale opportunities, and by becoming a
regular contributor.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
HEROES, HEROINES AND VILLAINS:
USING ARCHETYPES TO CREATE DYNAMIC CHARACTERS
Tami Cowden (6 weeks, $80)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/heroes.shtml
Create dynamic, well-motivated characters that "connect" with
your readers by exploring the sixteen heroic and sixteen
villainous "archetypes." These archetypes will help you convey
the personalities of your characters, and understand the driving
forces behind those characters that evoke emotion from the
reader.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
RELEasinG THE BOOK WITHIN
Jo Parfitt (8 weeks, $120)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/parfitt.shtml
Thinking about writing your life story? Or perhaps you want to
develop a business book, a handbook, or an anthology? This
course will help you overcome your fears, unlock your potential,
and develop a nonfiction book that sells.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
WORLDBUILDING IN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
Paula Fleming (4 weeks, $50)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/fleming.shtml
Can you imagine Lord of the Rings set anywhere other than Middle
Earth? Settings are an integral part of science fiction and
fantasy stories. This class will help you create rich,
believable worlds -- and make those worlds real to your readers.
Get individual feedback on your concerns and questions.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
WRITING AND SELLING MYSTERY SHORT STORIES
John Floyd (7 weeks, $100)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/mystery.shtml
Whether you're a beginner or a well-established writer, this
class will help you develop and hone your mystery-writing skills.
Find out how to write mystery and suspense stories and get them
published, from an author who has written and published more than
400 stories and fillers in over 100 magazines, including the top
mystery and suspense publications.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
WRITING AND SELLING PERSONAL ESSAYS
Isabel Viana (4 weeks, $60)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/essays.shtml
To write a personal essay is to embark on a journey toward
self-knowledge. To sell that essay, one must be able to express
that knowledge in ways that enable the reader to identify with
the writer's experience. Find out how to develop ideas, write
the first draft and revise it until it expresses your thoughts
in a way that is meaningful to others. You'll also learn the
business side of essay-writing, including how to write a cover
letter, format a manuscript, and find markets for your essays.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
WRITING FOR ANTHOLOGIES
Stephen Rogers (6 weeks, $75)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/rogers.shtml
During this course, you'll learn how to write and sell to the
growing anthology market. Whether you prefer memoir, fiction, or
poetry, by the end of the class you should have a completed
manuscript to send to an appropriate editor.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
WRITING THE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Linda Shertzer (8 weeks, $100)
http://www.writing-world.com/classes/romance.shtml
There's more to historical romance than heroines in long skirts,
heroes on horseback, and fiery embraces. Find out how to give
your plot, characters, dialogue and narration the special touches
that make historical romance its own, unique genre. The course
includes a review of up to 50 pages of your romance novel.
*****************************************************************
Romantic Interludes is looking for people to work in the
promotion department! Do not need tons of experience, if any. Pay
is small at first! RI is looking for romance reviewers, article
writers, and columnists. No pay for the first 3-4 months; then it
will be a paying job. http://www.rominterludes.com/ *****************************************************************
Romantic Interludes, "Your Place For Romance", is open as of
July 6th, 2004! We have romance reviews, columns, articles, free
eBooks, interviews, contests, and much more! Feel free to come
and check us out! http://www.rominterludes.com/
*****************************************************************
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
=================================================================
Pocket returns to hardcover
---------------------------
Pocket Books will relaunch their hardcover romance fiction
program in 2005, beginning with authors Eileen Goudge, Johanna
Lindsey, and Fern Michaels. Editorial director Maggie Crawford
will oversee the hardcovers (as she does the romance paperbacks),
reporting to publisher Louise Burke. Simon & Schuster adult
publishing head Carolyn Reidy said in a statement: "The strong
and accomplished editorial and publishing skill of Pocket Books
in romance and women's fiction make this step a natural
progression." The imprint will celebrate with a party at this
month's Romance Writers of America convention in Dallas.
Sweeping new changes for BOMC
-----------------------------
Bookspan has announced new changes to the Book-of-the-Month Club.
The monthly Main Selection has been dropped. Instead club members
are now offered six monthly picks from several genres including
current affairs, mystery and suspense, history and biography,
home and family, or health and self-help. A new feature called
Booksearch Plus gives members access to a database of 70,000
titles to choose from. Hardcover titles from the catalog are
discounted 30%, and paperbacks 10%, plus shipping and handling.
According to USA Today, BOMC membership is approximately 700,000,
about half of what it was 20 years ago.
Ebooks Corporation launches new library platform
------------------------------------------------
Ebooks Corporation announces the launch of EBL, a new ebook
lending platform. EBL provides an interface for flexible purchase
and lending of a growing collection of digital book titles that
is designed to suit the specific needs of academic and research
librarians. The new service allows publishers to provide their
content through a choice of flexible lending models, including
multiple concurrent use, unlimited access, and short-term
circulation. Additionally, individual ebook chapters can be set
aside for reserve lending or inclusion within course packs. Kari
Paulson, General Manager of EBL, said, "We are confident that EBL
will be a valuable resource for academic and research
librarians." For more information: http://www.ebl.ebooks.com
Sharp previews paper-thin ereader
---------------------------------
Sharp claims it will have a paper-thin (under 1mm) reader in
stores by 2007. It's working on a colour "LCD paper" that
doesn't need a light source, apparently by upping the amount of
light the paper reflects. Sharp already has tie-ups with 7000
content providers for the Zaurus Town site it offers to users of
its handhelds in preparation for moving into the ebook market.
View it here: http://www.engadget.com/entry/4103333888821866/
*****************************************************************
BANYON PUBLISHING - The self-published writer's new best friend!
Visit us: http://www.banyonpublishing.com and meet a new kind of
publisher. FREE web site, on-site promotion, your own newsletter
and MORE! Published elsewhere? Doesn't matter -- let's talk.
*****************************************************************
INTERESTED IN WRITING FICTION OR NONFICTION? Find inspiration
and ideas for that next project at Profitable Pen's newest
forums! Register for free at http://www.profitable-pen.com.
*****************************************************************
GRAB THAT MEMORY BEFORE IT SLIPS AWAY
=================================================================
by Uma Girish (umagirish"at"vsnl.com)
A successful Indian-American author shared in an interview the
catalyst event that kick started her writing. The phone rang one
morning and her mother from one continent away whispered that her
grandpa had passed away. That, she says, changed her world. She
was startled awake to the fact that she simply couldn't recall
grandpa's face. This was the same grandpa she had spent several
summers with. It was a significant moment in the young girl's
life, one that compelled her to hang on to the cliff-edge of
memories, claw back to a firmer grip, and regain the bearings of
her past through the printed word.
Writing about one's life evokes a medley of emotions all at once
-- anger, disbelief, awe, fear, and insecurity. Above all,
writing about one's past cleanses the insides of emotional debris
accumulated over the years. If you ask me why I favor the genre
of memoir writing, I'd agree with the author above. I write so I
can preserve my fragile world from disappearing into the mists of
time. So my little girl can taste some of the world I grew up in
through the printed word and not have to rely only on family
albums of second generation nostalgia.
So when I arrive at my writing desk all charged up to spew out a
1000-word essay about my tree-climbing childhood, do the words
trip off my pen with felicity? Most certainly not. As if battling
a blank page (or screen) weren't bad enough, my memory bank, to
borrow a Rowling-ism, becomes "petrified" (for the Harry Potter-
uninitiated, that is the equivalent of a memory freeze). The
anecdotes and events, stored in neat little mental niches, refuse
to dislodge themselves and allow me access.
Memory triggers
---------------
After many mental maneuvers I hit upon a "memory trigger" idea
that serves me well. It helps anchor my memory and moors the
flavors and essences that surround the memory. It was such a
simple idea. All it took was a stroll to the local stationery
store. I returned with a couple of sheets of chart paper and an
assortment of colored pens. I spread out my white chart and using
a felt pen divided it up into a neat grid. Then I started to put
my amateur drawing skills to the test. Whenever an object, a
phrase, a book title, a piece of music, a smell or a color
triggered a memory from my past I drew a picture into one of the
squares on my chart.
The black umbrella
------------------
As I strolled down the market one hot summer day an old woman
holding a black umbrella shuffled along ahead of me. In a flash,
the image of that object -- a black umbrella -- took me back to a
time when I was seven. In my memory I walked down a long, narrow
road, spring green paddy fields on either side. Rain battered
down and a sudden gust of wind plucked the black umbrella from my
young fingers and carried it away. I remember standing there,
tender paddy stalks buffeted by a tugging wind. I had watched the
awesome sight of an airborne black umbrella with the complete
fascination of a seven-year old, unmindful of the rain that
soaked through me. In a rush, my adult senses were flooded with
input -- glowering rain clouds, the smell of new beginnings, the
low growl of distant thunder. When I returned home the black
umbrella found its way into a square on my chart.
Much like inspiration, memory triggers don't always knock before
they arrive. More often the connection happens in a split second.
And if you're late in catching it, it slips through the edges of
memory and stays hidden until it feels like teasing you again.
I've had these unannounced visitors and I've grabbed hold of them
and pinned them down as drawings in my white chart -- a Cadbury's
bar; a rose bush heavy with dew; a dense, leafy mango tree that
smelt of freedom; a lost shoe; a red tricycle; a dress with vivid
splashes of flaming orange and slush brown.
The rose bush
-------------
While on vacation one time I strolled through rows upon rows of
rose bushes in Ooty's Botanical Gardens. As I inhaled the sweet
scent it triggered an instant flashback. I saw the large,
independent house we'd lived in when I was nine. The house in
small town Palghat, in Kerala state, had a beautiful garden.
There it stood, decked in rose bushes wearing beautiful shades of
pale pink, crimson red, butter yellow, and jasmine white, masses
of them, raindrops hanging heavy from the soft petals, the air
saturated with their cloying sweet fragrance. This single memory
served as a crack-of-the-pistol moment for a complete essay on
Moving House.
Once these memories are pinned down I return to the chart and
pick a memory I wish to write about.
I close my eyes, focus on one single memory, a moment in time,
and ask myself a few key questions.
What do I see? A white house? A vat of toddy? A pair of brown
shoes? What do I smell? Petrol fumes? Lentil soup? Incense?
Sweat? How does the air feel? Electric? Muggy? Cool? What sounds
do I hear? Car horns? A vendor? The eerie stillness of night? Do
I taste something? Metallic? Sweet? Sour?
I work hard at drawing out the wholeness of the experience and
the richness of the surroundings from the well of memory. I write
it all down, in no particular order. Sometimes details elude me,
only to surface at the oddest of moments. But a picture does
emerge, like a negative that sloshes around in the chemicals of
the mind. First fuzzy, then hazy, then gradually the blur losing
strength as the focus gets clearer.
When I arrive at my writing desk I'm not daunted by my memory's
refusal to boot up and offer me instant insights. I simply pick
one drawing from my chart and start writing. As I write, the
words begin to flow faster and faster. I morph into the seven or
fourteen-year old I'm writing about and see the world as she
lived it, through her eyes.
Grab your memories. They're the most prized possessions to make
sense of your world.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Uma Girish is a freelance writer who lives in Chennai, India. She
loves writing creative non-fiction because it allows her to share
her world with complete strangers. But she also loves to travel
to exotic places through mental meanderings which helps her write
fiction. Her essays, fiction, and craft-related articles have
been published on Mocha Memoirs, Moondance, Einkwell, Absolute
Write, Mommy Tales, Write From Home and Seven Seas Magazine. She
has also won prizes for her short fiction and essays.
Copyright (c) 2004 by Uma Girish
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THE WRITE RESOURCE - http://www.write-resource.com
The Write Resource has more then 850 Links to various Writing
Resources, we also have Contests, Articles, Downloads, Writing
Calendar and More!
*****************************************************************
YOUR CREATIVITY CAN HELP YOU MAKE MORE MONEY. Learn how at
http://www.writingusa.com/power.html Discover the secrets of
using your creativity to promote yourself, manage your writing
career and increase your income.
*****************************************************************
THE WRITE SITES
=================================================================
MyFamily.com
------------
Looking for ideas for your memoir? Start your family history
research here.
http://www.myfamily.com
Readers Read
------------
News about the hottest books and authors in all genres,
bestseller lists, plus upcoming book releases.
http://www.readersread.com
Ipsos BookTrends
----------------
Syndicated service offers analysis of all aspects of the book
publishing industry.
http://www.ipsos-insight.com/consumer/publications/books/
Romance Ink
-----------
Poetry, short fiction, and non fiction, along with tips and
tricks, links, interviews and inspiration for romance writers.
http://www.romanceink.com
ThinkExist.com
--------------
Includes over 90,000 quotations from more than 11,000 authors,
plus free daily quotes, discussion forums and personalized
quotation books.
http://www.thinkexist.com
Journalist Guide to the Internet
--------------------------------
Links to information and resources are divided into 16
categories, making this a user friendly resource for any working
writer.
http://reporter.umd.edu/
*****************************************************************
SUNPIPER LITERARY & CONSULTING, P.C. is looking for authors
possessing creativity and vision in fiction and nonfiction
genres. Agency fees are on a strict contingency basis. You don't
profit, we don't profit. Visit http://www.sunpiper.com/ for more
info. "In the business of representing ideas!"
*****************************************************************
THE WRITING DESK
=================================================================
by Moira Allen (moirakallen"at"writing-world.com)
Questions About Copyrights
--------------------------
Q: If I pay a ghostwriter to write a chapter in a book that I'm
writing, do I also buy the rights to that book or does the
ghostwriter maintain the rights? Can she can grant me one-time
use? Should this be specified up front or is the law clear on
this?
A: This should be stipulated in a contract that you would prepare
with the ghostwriter. Never "assume" anything about rights; put
it in writing. If you want to retain all rights to the material,
specify that in a contract. There's no "automatic rule" that
applies to these situations; these are issues that you will need
to negotiate with the ghostwriter.
It's my understanding, however, that rights are generally claimed
by the "author" who is actually NAMED on the book as being the
author -- the whole point of ghostwriting is to be invisible.
Generally, I believe you would pay the writer a flat fee. But
again, develop a contract that specifies what you expect to gain
and what you are paying, etc.
Q: I bought copies of a Japanese ancient text that was translated
in Japanese English (Romanji). I want to photocopy and sell these
on my own. I see a mark on each page (hanko) from the company who
translated it. Is it legal for me to sell these with this mark?
It depends on when the text was translated. Even though the
original text is "ancient" and therefore not protected by
copyright, if the translation is recent (i.e., within the last 70
to 80 years), it would be protected. If the book itself was
published recently, then the publishing company may own the
copyright. You would need to research these issues (perhaps by
contacting the company that published the book) before
undertaking to sell copies on your own; otherwise, this would
most likely be a copyright infringement.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
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) 2004 by Moira Allen
*****************************************************************
JUST FOR FUN: Accessorize Your Writing!
=================================================================
by Kristin M. Camiolo (dkacams"at"juno.com)
Do editors ignore you? Are your words just black squiggles on a
bland white page? If you've tried purple perfumed paper and the
list of everyone you know who loves your work and you're still
stuck in the slush pile, you need to look at your actual writing.
You may need a writing makeover!
Here are 6 ways to accessorize your prose.
1. Spice up your dialogue by adding tension and excitement.
Editors want excitement.
"Pass the potatoes," Joe said.
"Very well," Mary answered.
Simply put, this is boring. But accessorize with tension and
voila:
"Pass the potatoes before the house explodes in a deadly
fireball!" Joe shrieked.
"Very well!" Mary gasped, before fainting dead away.
I'm totally engrossed!
2. Illumine your text with a plethora of perfectly picked
adjectives and adverbs. Additional alliteration adds pep to your
prose, too.
"Pass the piping platter of round, brownish-red, briskly boiled,
parsley-peppered Idaho potatoes," gentle John courteously
queried.
"Very very very well," answered perky Mary, perkily.
Delicious!
3. If you write for children, make sure you use baby talk and
fuzzy animals wearing odd bits of clothing. Kids love baby talk
and fuzzy animals, but preferably not weasels or capybaras.
"Pass da tatoes, peese!" Gerbil John asked.
"Okey Dokey!" Mary Mouse said. "I wuv dat cowboy hat!"
Cute as can be!
4. Want to appeal to the historical fiction editor? Accessorize
with details, details, details.
"Please pass the potatoes you harvested from our garden," asked
John, as he lifted his pewter mug of ale from where it sat by his
three cornered hat on the rough hewn table he made after clearing
the land to build his unusually large four-room farmhouse, the
size of which was indicative of personal wealth.
"Very well," Mary answered, smoothing her bodice over her linen
chemise and bountiful petticoats (the linen she spun on her
spinning wheel, then bartered for the weaving with a neighboring
farmer wife), as she stirred her ox-tail soup in the heavy iron
pot on the hearth that provided heat for the house.
Whoa! Can you say time machine? As an added bonus, this really
raises your word count.
5. Give your writing an international flair by adding phrases in
other languages. This adds glamour and mystique to your
characters, and is especially useful for romance novels.
"Please pass the potatoes," John said. "Me gusta jugar al
futbol," he mused.
"Oy! Gevalt!" Mary answered, impatient with his musings. "Eryvay
ellway."*
*Pig Latin counts if you are not fluent in any other recognizable
language.
How mysterious!
6. Set your story in an exotic locale, or at least mention
weather. This adds depth to your setting.
It was a dark and stormy night.
"Please pass the potatoes," John yelled over the howling typhoon.
"Very well," Mary answered, as she watched a palm tree blow past
the window.
I can almost feel the wind in my hair!
Pamper your writing with an accessorizing makeover today, and
wait for the bright sunshine of acceptance to shine on you! (note
the mention of weather!)
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Kristin M. Camiolo has successfully accessorized writing for
Ladybug, Babybug, WeeOnes, and Devo'zine, as well as some
grown-up markets. When not traipsing off to market her early
middle grade book or her craft book, Kristin writes poetry,
shuffles random other brilliant projects, and referees the three
kids that roam her house. She is a member of SCBWI's New Jersey
chapter.
Copyright (c) 2004 by Kristin M. Camiolo
*****************************************************************
WHAT'S NEW AT WRITING-WORLD.COM
=================================================================
JULY COLUMNS:
-------------
Advice from a Caterpillar, by Peggy Tibbetts
Getting Feedback on One's Work; Using Traditional Stories and
Fairy Tales; Republishing an Out-of-Print Book
http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/cat42.shtml
Murder Ink, by Stephen Rogers
"Mysteries with History"
http://www.writing-world.com/columns/mystery/murder16.shtml
Romancing the Keyboard, by Anne Marble
"Great Heroes and Great Heroines"
http://www.writing-world.com/columns/romance/marble16.shtml
NEW ARTICLES:
------------
Creating an E-mail Newsletter, Part II: The Mechanics,
by Moira Allen
http://www.writing-world.com/promotion/newsletter2.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
=================================================================
MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
Gordon Van Gelder, Editor/Publisher
PO Box 3447, Hoboken, NJ 07030
EMAIL: fsfmag"at"fsfmag.com
URL: http://www.fsfmag.com
We have no formula for fiction. We are looking for stories that
will appeal to science fiction and fantasy readers. The SF
element may be slight, but it should be present. We prefer
character-oriented stories. We receive a lot of fantasy fiction,
but never enough science fiction or humor. Do not query for
fiction; send the entire manuscript. Please read the magazine
before submitting.
LENGTH: 25,000 words or less
PAYMENT: 5-8 cents/word
RIGHTS: FNASR, plus foreign serial rights, and option on
anthology rights
REPRINTS: Yes
SUBMISSIONS: By mail only, include SASE
GUIDELINES: http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/glines.htm
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
SPACE & TIME MAGAZINE
Gerard Houarner, Fiction Editor
Linda D. Addison, Poetry Editor
138 West 70th Street (4B), New York NY 10023-4468
EMAIL: oddist55"at"aol.com
URL: http://www.cith.org/space&time.html
Bi-annual magazine of science-fiction & fantasy. We publish
supernatural horror, hard SF, swords & sorcery, and our
favorite: that-which-defies-categorization. If you're not sure
your manuscript is right for us, send it in and let us decide.
Currently seeking fiction and poetry submissions.
LENGTH: Fiction: 10,000 words or less; Poetry: no word length
requirements
PAYMENT: 1 cent/word ($5.00 minimum)
RIGHTS: FNASR, plus non-exclusive option on subsidiary rights
REPRINTS: No
SUBMISSIONS: By mail only, include SASE
GUIDELINES: http://www.cith.org/s&t_writer.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
STRAND MAGAZINE
PO Box 1418, Birmingham, MI 48012-1418
EMAIL: agulli"at"strandmag.com
URL: http://www.strandmag.com
We are interested in mysteries, detective stories, tales of
terror and the supernatural as well as short stories. Stories can
be set in any time or place, provided they are well written, the
plots interesting and well thought. Due to the volume of
manuscripts we receive, we are no longer accepting unsolicited
manuscripts. If you wish to submit a story to the Strand, please
write a query letter. If our editorial staff is interested in
your work, they will reply to your query.
LENGTH: Stories: 2,000-6,000 words; Short shorts: 1,000 words
PAYMENT: $25-$100
RIGHTS: FNASR
REPRINTS: No
SUBMISSIONS: Query first by mail only
GUIDELINES: http://www.strandmag.com/glines.htm
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
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
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry
DEADLINE: July 15, 2004
GENRE: Poetry
OPEN TO: Collection of poems published by an American poet within
the past two years
LENGTH: No word length requirements
THEME: The biennial, privately funded prize, given on behalf of
the nation, recognizes the most distinguished book of poetry
written by an American. The prize is donated by the family of the
late Mrs. Bobbitt of Austin, Tex., in her memory, and established
at the Library of Congress. Bobbitt was the late President Lyndon
B. Johnson's sister. Books must be submitted by publishers.
Publishers should write to Library of Congress for specific
guidelines.
PRIZE: $10,000
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20540-4681
URL: http://www.loc.gov/poetry/bobbitt.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Vanity Fair Essay Contest
DEADLINE: July 31, 2004
GENRE: Essay
OPEN TO: US residents 18 years and older
LENGTH: 1,500 words or less
THEME: Essays must address the following topic: "Explain the
character of the American people to the rest of the world."
Winning essays will be selected based on the quality of the
writing and on the clarity, effectiveness, and originality of the
argument. Quality of writing will count for 50%, clarity for 20%,
effectiveness for 20%, and originality for 10%. Please see
Contest Rules for specific submission guidelines.
PRIZES: Grand Prize: $15,000, plus a trip to Donnini, Italy,
including economy-class airfare and 6 nights accommodation at
Santa Maddalena writers' colony, and a Montblanc Meisterstck 149
fountain pen; 2nd Prize: $5,000, plus Montblanc Bohme fountain
pen; 3rd Prize: $1,000, plus Montblanc StarWalker Fine Liner
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, as MS Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF
file
ADDRESS: Vanity Fair Essay Contest Winners, 4 Times Square, New
York, New York 10036
EMAIL: EssayContest"at"vf.com
URL: http://www.condenet.com/mags/vanityfair/Page_2_final.pdf
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Naval Intelligence Essay Contest
DEADLINE: August 1, 2004
GENRE: Essay
OPEN TO: Any military or civilian author
LENGTH: 3,500 words or less
THEME: Any subject pertaining to naval intelligence or
intelligence support to naval or maritime forces.
PRIZE: $1,000
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes
ADDRESS: Essay Contest, Naval Intelligence Professionals, PO Box
11579, Burke, VA 22009-1579
EMAIL: navintproessays"at"aol.com
URL: http://www.usni.org/contests/contests.html#intelligence
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
2004 AAAS Science Journalism Awards Competition
DEADLINE: August 1, 2004
GENRE: Science journalism
OPEN TO: Articles published between 7/1/03 and 6/30/04, within
and by a US organization and available by subscription or sold at
newsstands
LENGTH: No word length requirements
THEME: Prizes awarded to reporters for excellence in science
writing in each of the following 6 categories: large newspaper
(over 100,000 daily circulation), small newspaper (under 100,000
circulation), magazine, radio, television, and online. Online
entries can come from a variety of digital sources: newspaper,
radio, television, and online-only sites. Online entry form must
accompany all submissions.
PRIZE: $3,000 in each of 6 categories
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: AAAS, Office of Public Programs, 1200 New York Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20005
EMAIL: media"at"aaas.org
URL: http://www.aaas.org/SJAwards/index.shtml
*****************************************************************
New Listings on THE AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF:
---------------------------------------
The Soul Cages, by Nicole Kurtz
Summerhawk, by Donna Diamond Kordela
The Whitlow Sanction, by Betty Bradford Byers
Find these and more great books at
http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.shtml
Advertise your own book on Writing-World.com:
http://www.writing-world.com/books/listyours.shtml
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on how to reach 80,000 writers a month with your product, service
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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
*****************************************************************
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
*****************************************************************
WRITERS: FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW
fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from
North America, Europe, Australasia and other places. It's free,
so come and try it out here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com
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tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. FREE ebook,
83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to
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Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com
http://www.writing-world.com
Editor/Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (moirakallen"at"writing-world.com)
Managing Editor (Newsletter): PEGGY TIBBETTS (peggyt"at"siltnet.net)
Managing Editor (Site): DARCY LEWIS (darcylewis"at"sbcglobal.net)
Copyright 2004 Moira Allen
Individual articles copyrighted by their authors.
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