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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 5:02 14,900 subscribers January 20, 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
newsletter for information on how to subscribe, unsubscribe, or
contact the editors.
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CONTENTS
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From the Editor's Desk
News from the World of Writing
FEATURE: Take Full Advantage of Amazon's Marketing
Programs, by Niki Behrikis Shanahan
The Write Sites -- Online Resources for Writers
WRITING DESK: What is a professional way to decline an
offer? by Moira Allen
JUST FOR FUN: A Writer's Resolutions
by Rita Rogan Varneke
WRITER TO WRITER - by Peggy Tibbetts
WHAT'S NEW at Writing World
MARKET ROUNDUP/Writing Contests
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FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
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Wow! I've Won!
--------------
I must be one of the luckiest people in the world: according to
to the e-mail I've been receiving over the last week, I have won
at least a dozen international lotteries. All without entering
a single one. I also, of course, have a bunch of new, loving
friends from various African countries (mostly Nigeria), all of
whom want nothing more than the opportunity to share their vast
wealth with me. (I particularly enjoyed the letter from the
young woman who purported to be Saddam Hussein's son's former
mistress... Now THAT'S a character reference!)
As a writer, I can't help but note that these letters represent a
higher output of pure fiction than I've managed in my entire
life. Maybe we're taking the wrong approach here. Perhaps,
instead of those dull, dry queries we usually write, we should
consider the example of our all-too-successful Nigerian friends.
Consider this:
"Dear Editor, You may be surprised to receive a letter from me,
as we have never met. However, a mutual friend has assured me
that you are a caring, sympathetic person who can be relied upon
to help a friend in need. And I do feel that you are the friend
I haven't met yet! I am the daughter of the former Prime
Minister to his Excellency the Incredbly Most High Mucky-Muck of
Lumbago, who was sadly assassinated last June. As the Mucky-Muck
was responsible for the publishing industry of Lumbago, his death
has left me with no place to publish my brilliant collection of
over one thousand poems and short stories. Thus I am seeking
your assistance. If you can secure publication of these
marvelous works, which are worth over $20 million U.S. dollars, I
will be most grateful and glad to share with you a percentage of
my royalties.... Bless you for helping a writer in distress!"
Unfortunately, while there may indeed be a sucker born every
minute, those suckers don't seem to go into editing. Which means
the rest of us are still required to write fiction that someone
with half a brain might actually BELIEVE...
And Speaking of Suckers...
--------------------------
HELP WANTED! Yes, once again I am looking for an "assistant" who
can handle the Contest Database. This is a mind-numbing,
low-paying job -- I figured I'd get that information out of the
way up front, so that I wouldn't be faced yet again with a
formerly eager and enthusiastic person who tackles the job for a
couple of months, and suddenly realizes, to his or her horror,
"My gosh, this is an incredibly mind-numbing, low-paying job!!!"
The job involves verifying contest listings once each month and
entering the verified listings into the Contest Database. The
data entry part is easy; the verification is the mind-numbing
part. This involves taking a list of contest listings (one
month's worth) and checking each listing's URL to make sure that
the contest is actually being held this year, and that the
information we have about it is still correct. It can also mean
hunting down the contest's new URL, as some URLs change every
year (particularly when a contest uses the year itself as part of
the URL, such as "mysite/2004contest.html").
The lucky sucker -- I mean dedicated, wonderful human being --
who accepts this position should be a fast, but accurate, worker.
A high-speed connection is advised, since the job can take a lot
longer otherwise. The position pays $50 per month. To give an
idea of the time commitment involved, it generally takes me no
more than two hours to check an entire month of listings, plus
about one-half to one hour to enter the listings into the
database. Others have required four to eight hours total.
If, after reading this glowing description, you're still
interested in the job, please contact me at
editors"at"writing-world.com and I'll give you more details.
Announcing a New Column!
------------------------
One of the things I've long wanted to do on Writing-World.com is
find out what our readers are thinking about the various issues
that affect writers today. So I'm very pleased to announce that
Peggy Tibbetts, our Managing Editor, is launching a new column
that will accomplish just that. Called "Writer to Writer," it
will provide a monthly question in the newsletter, and present
readers' thoughts and comments on that question the following
month.
This month, Peggy is looking at the proliferation of blogs -- are
they really a useful tool for writers, or another form of
procrastination? Do you read them? Do you write them? If you
write them, do people read YOU?
Depending on the number of responses to each question, we'll
either run the resulting article in the newsletter, or run a
summary and post the full article online on Writing-World.com.
That's all for now; I'm going to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy
the season's first real snow!
-- Moira Allen, Editor
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I MADE $1,150 IN 4 HOURS TODAY! All because I literally stumbled
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NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
=================================================================
Military writers wanted
-----------------------
The National Endowment for the Arts has issued an open call for
submissions from military personnel, reservists, National Guard
members, and Coalition Authority members who served after
September 11, 2001, as well as their immediate families. Items
may include essays, letters, short stories, poems, and other
writings related to recent military service. All submissions will
be preserved in an appropriate federal archive, and an Operation
Homecoming anthology will feature the best writings submitted to
the program. The anthology will be distributed free of charge to
military installations, schools, and libraries. Submissions will
be accepted through March 31, 2005. For more information:
http://www.arts.gov/national/homecoming/index.html
BBC will debut new book program this spring
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Authors Fay Weldon and Marian Keyes have signed on to be judges
with BBC Page Turners, a new TV book club which launches in
spring 2005. The panel of 12 judges comprising authors,
reviewers, celebrity book lovers and industry experts will select
a final short list of titles to feature in the series. Each
program will explore three of the selected titles and a celebrity
advocate or author will introduce and discuss the book with host
Jeremy Vine. Controller of BBC Daytime, Alison Sharman, says: "I
am delighted that Page Turners has attracted such high-profile
names from across the publishing and media industry, which
indicates the real buzz that the show is already generating." For
more information: http://snipurl.com/bwyw
New board game for book lovers
------------------------------
Booktastic, the new Trivial Pursuit-style board game for books,
offers questions with three levels of expertise: collector, avid
reader, and casual reader. The object of the game is to be the
first player to acquire a list of "Noteworthy Books". Owner and
founder Laine Keneller said Booktastic aims to "allow players
and their families to enjoy the thrill of book collecting, share
experiences with books and talk about books in a relaxed
atmosphere." Currently in production are three new booster card
sets, including a 19th-century edition, an early 20th-century
edition, and a children's edition. For more information:
http://www.booktasticgame.com
Reading is still #1
-------------------
Reading was named Americans' favorite leisure-time activity, in
2004, by the Harris Poll. While reading has been the top response
in this national survey since it was first conducted in 1995,
this is the highest ranking it has ever achieved. Of the 1,017
adults polled, 35% called reading their favorite past time (an
11% increase from the previous year). This year's results also
marked the widest margin between reading and the perennial second
place activity of watching TV (21%). Third place, at 20%, was
spending time with family and kids and in a distant fourth place,
at 10%, was going to the movies. For more information:
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=526
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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.
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"FIRST EDITION" LITERARY CONTEST. This contest has two
categories: fiction novels and poetry. Fiction entry fee $20;
First place $500 and publication. Poetry entry fee $10; First
place $200 and publication. http://daybreakpublishingltd.net
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TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF AMAZON'S MARKETING PROGRAMS
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by Niki Behrikis Shanahan (eternalanimals"at"comcast.net)
As a small publisher, I would sell only a few books if it weren't
for Amazon.com. I've put a lot of effort into maximizing my sales
with them, since I don't yet have many other useful sales
channels. I want to share what I've learned about Amazon's three
programs in hopes that other small publishers can reap similar
benefits. For details on Amazon's programs, go to:
http://www.amazon.com, scroll down toward the bottom of the page
to "Directory of All Stores," and click on "Sell Items."
Amazon Advantage
----------------
In the Advantage program, you sell on consignment with a 55
percent discount and pay a yearly membership fee of $29.95. When
Amazon sells the books, it pays you. Why would a consignment
arrangement benefit you? Because it means Amazon orders plenty of
books and usually has sufficient stock. In my experience, online
retailers who do not buy a book on consignment either don't stock
it or don't do a good job of stocking it. If your book isn't in
stock, the chances of making a sale are greatly decreased.
Returns in the Advantage program are negligible. In the year and
a half that my company, Pete Publishing, has participated, we've
had only two copies of my book, "There Is Eternal Life For
Animals" returned, and they came back because of damage during
shipping.
To optimize your listing as an Advantage participant:
* Ask satisfied customers to write a review. Good reviews sell
books.
* Review Amazon's "Look Inside" program to see if it's right for
you. This allows a customer to search for a subject not only by
title, but also within a book's pages.
* Provide a good description and table of contents.
* Take advantage of the 20-word editorial quotes Amazon allows
you to include.
* Pay attention to ranking. Customers may not watch the ranking
system, but Amazon does, and so will bookstores, libraries,
wholesalers, and distributors. The lower the number, the better.
When you get some PR, you'll usually see your numbers improve for
a day or two.
* Look at the bottom of your book listing and you'll see
"Favorites." Create some favorites and add your book along with a
couple of other complementary books.
* Use the "Make a Recommendation" tool to help drive your sales
up. Review the top 100 bestselling books on Amazon to see if any
of them link logically to your book. Then suggest that your
customers recommend your book on the related books' pages, and on
pages for other related books. All they have to do is copy your
book's ISBN, paste it in the "Make a Recommendation" box, and hit
"Submit". Lots of people don't know about your book, so take
advantage of this free advertising!
* Use the "Rate This Item" function on left-hand side of the
screen. Ask your customers to give your book a five-star rating!
Amazon has one of the best book databases in existence, so even
if people don't buy your book there, you're likely to benefit by
having it listed. Bookstores, libraries, and customers all go to
Amazon to look up books. I had an acquisitions librarian from
the University of Utah contact me for a review copy of my book.
The review that ran in their magazine recommended it for both
public and academic libraries.
Amazon Associate
----------------
This is a referral fee program that you can participate in using
your Web site. You'd probably provide a link to Amazon from your
Web site for the convenience of your customers anyway, so you may
as well make a referral fee, and recoup some of that 55 percent
discount by becoming an Amazon Associate. Although rates change
from time to time and from product to product, 5 percent is a
fairly usual commission. Once you set up the links, there's
nothing to do but make money while people click through from your
site. Granted, this may not be a very big moneymaker, but the
more traffic you have on your site, the better the referral fees
are likely to be. You can even make money on the competition's
books. Some people like to buy several books on the same subject,
and if they're going to buy your competition's books anyway, you
might as well make some money too. Amazon's reports will show you
an itemized list of fees, so you can see what sells best.
Amazon doesn't want you to make your own personal purchases
through your site, so try to set up a buddy system with another
Amazon Associate. Make your personal purchases on each other's
sites so that the referral fees aren't lost.
Amazon Marketplace
------------------
Using Amazon Marketplace, any person or business with an item to
sell can offer that item directly to Amazon customers alongside
the same item offered by Amazon. You can sell your own books, as
well as other books and products, new or used. Why sell your own
books on Amazon Marketplace?
* You make a little more money on each book than in the Amazon
Advantage program. Amazon takes a 99-cent fee and 15 percent of
sales, and even credits your account with shipping money!
* It's an ideal place to sell copies that are slightly
defective. Sell them for a couple of dollars less and autograph
them to sweeten the deal.
* Through those sales you can build your customer database, since
you will obtain customers' names and contact information.
* The Marketplace gives you an opportunity to make contact with a
customer. Include an order form and business card with each
shipment, noting that you'd love to hear from them after they've
read the book. Invite them to visit your Web site. You can ask
your satisfied customers to write an Amazon review, and then you
can add the reviews to your Web site.
* You can keep the sales going when Amazon drops the ball, and
encourage them to stock enough books so that the screen will
display "Usually ships in 24 hours" rather than "Usually ships in
2÷3 weeks," which makes every publisher cringe!
* Marketplace customers can give you valuable insight on what
marketing techniques work best by asking them how they heard
about your book.
* Amazon handles the credit card acceptance and approval process.
It's fast and easy to list and ship books. Just follow the
instructions on your book's page, over to the right under "Sell
Yours Here." When your book is sold, Amazon will send you an
e-mail with a section containing the customer's packing slip,
which you can print out and enclose with the rder.
In our first experience selling "There Is Eternal Life For
Animals" on Amazon Marketplace, we sold six slightly defective
books within two weeks. Since then, they have been selling
faster. These books yield more money than the "perfect" books
because you eliminate the 55 percent discount. We like to sell
perfect books autographed for $1 less than the retail price,
because the lower price is an incentive for the buyer to click
the link that states "Buy X copies used and new from $$" under
the photo of your book cover. On your Web site you can tell
customers to look for your special Amazon Marketplace offers, and
of course, provide the link and make your Amazon Associate
referral fee too.
Here's an example of how a Marketplace transaction can play out:
Buyer's special price: $10.98
Amazon's fee: $2.64 (99 cents plus 15 percent of sale)
Shipping credit: $2.26
Your gross earnings: $10.60
Media Mail: $1.97
Net: $8.63
By contrast, if you sold the same book at the regular retail
price through the Advantage program, Amazon would get $7.14;
you'd get $5.84, plus pay to ship the books to Amazon.
My Overall Evaluation
---------------------
In summary, there's almost no paperwork involved and no
invoicing. Amazon will e-mail your Advantage and Marketplace
orders to you (unlike Barnes & Noble's snail-mail approach), and
you can have all your payments directly deposited into your bank
account.
Of course, every sales channel has its downside. One weak area
with Amazon is that there is no telephone number for contacting a
human being. Another is that Amazon occasionally runs out of
stock, although the Marketplace is an excellent remedy for that.
Overall, I find that Amazon is easy to work with. Yes, Amazon
wants to make money, and they know how to do it. And when they
make money, you make money!
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Niki Behrikis Shanahan is the author and publisher of "There Is
Eternal Life For Animals", a book about animal afterlife from a
Christian perspective. Her writing focuses on pets and animals,
Bible subjects, publishing, promoting and sales. Her short story
"Pete's In Heaven" was published in Allen and Linda Anderson's
book "Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort". Visit her
website at: http://eternalanimals.com
Copyright (c) 2005 by Niki Behrikis Shanahan
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WRITE IN STYLE AND SELL MORE! We edit and evaluate manuscripts,
proposals, synopses and more. Bobbie Christmas (author of Write
In Style) BZEBRA"at"aol.com. Sign up for our free tips/markets
newsletter! Zebra Communications: http://www.zebraeditor.com.
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THE WRITE SITES
=================================================================
Freelance Factor
----------------
Tips on improving and honing your writing skills, increasing your
freelance income, finding new paying markets and much more.
http://www.freelancefactor.com
Wikinews
--------
Free online news resource using citizen journalists.
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikinews
Chief Blogging Officer
----------------------
Resource for bloggers and aspiring bloggers.
http://www.chiefbloggingofficer.com
Grammar Bytes!
--------------
Offers tips, reference, rules, exercises, and even grammar
handouts.
http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm
Spilled Candy
-------------
Free articles on book promotion, marketing and publicity.
http://www.todayskills.com/novelwriting.htm
Book Catcher
------------
Submit a press release or check out the review links and industry
news.
http://www.bookcatcher.com
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SUNPIPER PRESS is dedicated to giving exposure to new, emerging
and established writers. Showcasing poetry, short stories and the
works of self-published writers. Also offers two essay contest
for students. We want you to read AND participate. Join us at
http://www.sunpiperpress.com. Promoting the Voices of Our Future!
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THE WRITING DESK
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by Moira Allen
What Is A Professional Way to Decline An Offer?
-----------------------------------------------
Q: I would like to know the most professional way to decline a
paid offer to use an article I submitted to a magazine. All of
their terms are unacceptable to me. They didn't provide writer's
guidelines on their website, but simply answered my query email
with "email it to me and we pay between blank and blank". I don't
particularly want to negotiate with them, if that were even
possible. I just want out. They let me know all the details
yesterday, and have scheduled it for Feb. 2005. How should I
proceed? Thank you for your suggestions.
A: If you have not actually signed a contract, then you can
legally withdraw your article. However, I don't know of any
really GRACEFUL way to do it. One of the things I do tell
writers is that it's our responsibility to know what a
publication's terms are BEFORE we write for them -- so that we
don't end up with a rude surprise like this. So, if a
publication's guidelines don't specify what rights it requires,
for example, I'd ask that in my query.
At this point, I would send them a note along the lines of:
Dear Editor,
I regret that, upon reviewing the terms of your contract, I
must withdraw my article submission. I had not realized,
from our correspondence, that you required such an extensive
grant of rights -- a grant that does not seem appropriate
given the rate of pay provided. I regret any inconvenience
this may cause you.
Sincerely, etc.
Keep in mind as well that if you do NOT sign a contract, and they
use your material anyway, then they cannot hold you to the terms
of their contract. For example, let's suppose that in spite of
this letter, they use your material and pay you for it. Since you
did not sign a contract, the most that the publication could
claim is a use of "first rights" (or one-time rights) to the
material. They could not claim any additional rights. You could
also, of course, sue them for copyright infringement at that
point, since the material was published without your permission.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
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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JUST FOR FUN: A Writer's Resolutions
=================================================================
by Rita Rogan Varneke (rvrogan"at"hotmail.com)
1. I will write EVERY day, establishing a set-in-stone "Writing
Time".
2. I will assemble all necessary beverages and snacks PRIOR to
"Writing Time" so as not to be distracted by important, yet
difficult decisions such as choosing Chocolate Raspberry or
Suisse Mocha coffee (and Cheez Doodles are absolutely banned,
because of the orange stuff that comes off on your fingers, i.e.
your writing).
3. I WILL NOT channel surf during "Writing Time" (even though
doing so may lend helpful story ideas (one click couldn't hurt
... The Hunting Channel: How to Taxidermy a Marmoset ... The
Craft Channel: How To Turn a Taxidermied Marmoset into a Stunning
Purse ... The Cooking Channel: Marmoset Cassoulet).
4. Amendment to Resolution #1: Except on my birthday, as I may be
celebrating the fabulousness of ME!
5. Until I USE UP everything that I ALREADY have, I WILL NOT BUY
more pencils, pens (stick, gel, ballpoint, ink), calligraphy
sets, markers (fine line, medium, broad tip, varied colors and/or
decorative points).
6. I will not DROOL on paper when writing about writing
instruments!
7. I will INVITE THE MUSE, but if she does not arrive on time, I
will START THE PARTY WITHOUT HER! Ergo: I will sit butt in chair
at start of "Writing Time" and immediately start writing. Or
re-reading what I wrote yesterday. Or peruse magazines for ideas.
8. I will let the ANSWERING MACHINE pick up calls, so as not to
be distracted by idle phone chat. Unless it's my boyfriend. Or
the librarian, telling me the book I placed on hold is finally
in. Or one of my sisters or best gal pals. But not my mother.
9. Amendment to Resolution #1: Except on all major holidays, or
bank holidays (or when my fav store is having a One-Day-Only 50%
off sale).
10. I will BUY MORE BOOKSHELVES, as necessary (and try to remember
that not all horizontal surfaces are meant as stacking spots for
books, magazines, catalogs, letters, etc.).
11. Until I USE UP all the paper I have, I WILL NOT BUY more. Or
will possibly "limit" the amount I buy. (That sounds too
restrictive, perhaps I'll "budget for" paper. Or buy paper ONLY
that I really need. Or that is really cute, with a deckled edge.
Or hand-made, with pressed flowers. Or functionally lined. Or
blank.)
12. I will send stories only to carefully-researched, APPROPRIATE
MARKETS, so as not to waste the editor's or my time (even though
the story is brilliant, and they'd probably change their
guidelines to allow it).
13. I will maintain a professional attitude regarding my writing.
I will come to "Writing Time" fully dressed, as if it were a job.
No more computer sessions in my underwear and slipper socks.
14. I will MAIL OUT my stories in appropriately-sized envelopes,
with sufficient postage attached, and include a professional
SASE. (I will try to refrain from purple or pink paper, even
though it's my signature style, and will veer away from
calligraphic and script fonts. Boo hoo. But I'm a professional.)
And I will also double-space.
15. Amendment to Resolution #1: Except when it's a brilliant
summer day, and glorious beach weather. Or a crisp fall day when
the leaves are just begging to be crunched through. Or a dewy
spring morning with new chicks and blossoms.
16. I will JOT DOWN story ideas in a DESIGNATED FOLDER or
notebook. (No more searches for old napkins or bits of scrap
paper.)
17. I will FINISH what I write, without moving on to another
project before finishing. (Unless it's really quick, and the
spirit is really moving me.)
18. Amendment to Resolution #1: I forgot winter. Except when
there's new snow (or old snow) and the sledding, skiing, skating
or snowboarding is awesome!
19. When I tell people that I am a writer, I WILL NOT crinkle up
my nose and make a sour face when they respond, "How can you call
yourself a writer if you've never been published?"
20. I will write every day.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Rita Rogan Varneke splits her time between family, quilting,
organic gardening, reading and writing. She has won several small
writing contests, and has the dubious distinction of having named
all the items in an ornamental concrete company's catalog. Her
poem, "Officer Mourning," was read as part of a dedication
ceremony for the South Amboy (NJ) Police Department's memorial
statue.
Copyright (c) 2005 by Rita Rogan Varneke
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WRITER TO WRITER
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by Peggy Tibbetts (peggyt"at"siltnet.net)
Welcome to my new column! Each month I will ask for your input on
a specific question (or questions) about writing or publishing
topics. I'll do my best to keep it simple and specific. Writer to
Writer is your opportunity to voice your opinions and relate your
experiences. I look forward to sharing your feedback with others
around our writing world. If you would like to suggest a topic
for discussion, please email me with your idea.
Bloggers are saying 2005 is the year of the blog. Last month
Merriam-Webster declared "blog" the 2004 word of the year. The
Internet is virtually buzzing with authors and journalists.
Blogging software, blogging search engines -- even blogger awards
-- are all part of the new blogosphere. According to a recently
released PEW Internet and American Life Project survey of US
Internet users, 7% have a blog, 27% read blogs, and 38% know what
a blog is. The biggest surprise to me is that the majority of
bloggers -- 57% -- are young, male, long-time Internet users,
well-educated and financially stable. For more information:
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_blogging_data.pdf
I am seriously thinking about starting a blog, but time is a
huge factor -- as in I never have enough. To date, there are no
statistics about the effectiveness of blogging as a
communications marketing tool. So I'd like to hear from you.
Why do you blog -- or read blogs? If not, why not?
Please send your responses to: peggyt"at"siltnet.net
Subject: Writer to Writer
Please indicate whether I can use your name with comments.
Let's blog about blogs!
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
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
Visit her web site at: http://www.peggytibbetts.net
Copyright (c) 2005 by Peggy Tibbetts
*****************************************************************
WHAT'S NEW AT WRITING-WORLD.COM
=================================================================
ARTICLES:
---------
Conducting Forensic Research: A Tutorial For Mystery Writers,
by Hilary Conner
http://www.writing-world.com/mystery/forensics.shtml
Help! Someone Stole My Article! What To Do When It Happens To You,
by Moira Allen
http://www.writing-world.com/rights/plagiarism.shtml
Visual Poetics, by Nirmaldasan
http://www.writing-world.com/poetry/visual.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
=================================================================
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Rocking Chair Reader, Adams Media, 57 Littlefield Street, Avon,
MA 02322
EMAIL: rockingchairreader"at"adamsmedia.com
URL: http://www.adamsmedia.com
Something Old, Something New will feature 60-70 true stories that
revolve around weddings and/or marriages that take place in
America's small towns. We are searching for stories about love
and happiness, humorous anecdotes, and everything in between. In
addition to family stories that have been passed down from
generation to generation, we hope to harvest the more personal
stories that, until now, have been held close to the heart. We
will consider any story -- written from anyone's point of view --
as long as it takes place in a small town in America, is a true
story, involves falling in love and the promise of wedding bells,
and/or speaks to the reader of love and marriage. See our web
site for more ideas.
DEADLINE: February 28, 2005
LENGTH: 500-1,000 words
PAYMENT: $50 for each accepted story; $250 for the story selected
as the lead story
REPRINTS: We do not seek stories previously published in
anthologies (with the occasional exception of small regional
publications).
RIGHTS: Anthology, archival (data storage/retrieval), promotional
use, and serial rights
SUBMISSIONS: Email is preferred; no attachments please. Copy and
paste your submission into the body of an email.
GUIDELINES: http://www.adamsmedia.com/rocking.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: NURSING TALES ANTHOLOGY
Meadowbrook Press, 5451 Smetana Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343
EMAIL: christine"at"meadowbrookpress.com
URL: http://www.meadowbrookpress.com
Wanted: Short, funny, true stories about breastfeeding for an
upcoming anthology to be published in book form by Meadowbrook
Press.
DEADLINE: March 1, 2005
LENGTH: 1,250 words or less
PAYMENT: 100 words or less: $50; 101-250 words: $75; 251-500
words: $100; 501-1,250 words: $200
RIGHTS: Non-exclusive worldwide rights in all languages. Author
retains copyright to story.
REPRINTS: Yes
SUBMISSIONS: Stories must be submitted electronically with
subject line: Nursing Tales. May be typed in the body of an email
or sent as an attached MS Word document.
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: A CUP OF COMFORT FOR GRANDPARENTS
Colleen Sell, Editor
Adams Media, 57 Littlefield St., Avon, Massachusetts 02322
EMAIL: wordsinger"at"aol.com
URL: http://www.cupofcomfort.com
For this extraordinary collection, we're looking for
exceptionally creative and original creative nonfiction stories
about truly remarkable relationships and experiences shared by
grandmothers and/or grandfathers and grandchildren. Stories may
be humorous or heartwarming, insightful or delightful, poignant
or amazing, or all of the above -- on any topic specific and/or
significant to the grandparent-grandchild connection -- about
grandparents and grandchildren of all ages, ethnicities, and
backgrounds -- and from the point of view of grandparent, parent,
or grandchild.
DEADLINE: April 1, 2005
LENGTH: 1,000-2,000 words
PAYMENT: $500 for lead story; $100 will be paid for each story
published. Payment on publication.
RIGHTS: The publisher (Adams Media Corporation) reserves limited
use rights for a specified period of time. Rights retained by the
author include serial (periodical) rights, live performance, and
film right. Authors also retain the right to publish the story in
a book comprised solely of her/his original works.
REPRINTS: Yes
SUBMISSIONS: By mail, or fax. By email to address above or to:
cupofcomfort"at"adamsmedia.com
GUIDELINES: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
MARKET NEWS: Arabella Romances Magazine, which we covered in the
August 7, 2003 newsletter, has closed due to lack of funding. If
you are a subscriber, you can request a refund from
refunds"at"arabellapublishing.com; if you submitted material, you
can contact the editor and submissions"at"arabellamagazine.com.
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
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Amy Writing Awards
DEADLINE: January 31, 2005
GENRE: Biblical nonfiction
OPEN TO: To be eligible, the article must have been published in
a secular, non-religious publication, as determined by the Awards
Panel, between January 1 and December 31, 2004
LENGTH: No word length requirements
THEME: The Amy Foundation Writing Awards program is designed to
recognize creative, skillful writing that presents in a
sensitive, thought-provoking manner the biblical position on
issues affecting the world today. To be eligible, submitted
articles must be published in a secular, non-religious
publication and must be reinforced with at least one passage of
scripture. For more information, please see online guidelines.
PRIZES: 1st Prize: $10,000; 2nd Prize: $5,000; 3rd Prize: $4,000;
4th Prize: $3,000; 5th Prize: $2,000; 10 Finalist Prizes: $1,000
each
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: The Amy Foundation Writing Awards, PO Box 16091, Lansing,
MI 48901-6091
EMAIL: Online inquiries: http://www.amyfound.org/order.html
URL: http://www.amyfound.org/awa.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Northwest Perspectives Essay Contest
DEADLINE: January 31, 2005
GENRE: Essay
OPEN TO: Adult competition and student competition
LENGTH: Adult: 2,500 words or less; Student: 2,000 words or less
THEME: Sponsored by Oregon Quarterly, the magazine of the
University of Oregon, this year judged by Portland author and
editor Brian Doyle. Entries should address ideas that affect the
Northwest, should be nonfiction, should not have been previously
published. For more information, please see online guidelines.
ADULT PRIZES: 1st Prize: $500 and publication; 2nd Prize: $150;
3rd Prize: $50 gift certificate
STUDENT PRIZES: 1st Prize: $250 and publication; 2nd Prize: $75
gift certificate
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: Oregon Quarterly Essay Contest, 5228 University of
Oregon, 130 Chapman Hall, Eugene, OR 97403-5228
URL: http://www.uoregon.edu/~oq/html/essay_contest.htm
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
DEADLINE: February 15, 2005
GENRE: Playwriting
OPEN TO: Women only: Adult and student categories
LENGTH: No word length requirement
THEME: This is an annual award, given in the memory of the late,
lesbian playwright Jane Chambers. We seek plays and performance
texts created by women which reflect a feminist perspective and
contain significant opportunities for women performers. We
encourage submissions by and about women from a diversity of
positions in respect to race, class, sexual preference, physical
ability, age, and geographical region. We strongly encourage
experimentation with the dramatic form. Scripts may be produced
or unproduced.
ADULT PRIZE: $1000, plus free registration to attend the
conference of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education in
late July, hotel and travel costs, and a rehearsed reading of the
winning piece at the ATHE conference. The winner should be
available to attend the conference.
STUDENT PRIZE: $250, and a reading at the Women and Theatre
pre-conference in late July.
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No. Application form available online:
http://www.wright.edu/academics/theatre/chambers_form.html
EMAIL: gesmith"at"mail.smu.edu
URL:
http://www.wright.edu/academics/theatre/chambers_announce.html
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Highlights Fiction Contest
DEADLINE: February 28, 2005
GENRE: Children's short story
OPEN TO: 16 years and older
LENGTH: 500 words or less
THEME: We are seeking funny stories for children from 2 to 12.
No crime, violence, or derogatory humor. Work from both published
and unpublished authors is welcome. All submissions must be
previously unpublished.
PRIZES: Three prizes of $1,000 each
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: Fiction Contest, Highlights for Children, 803 Church
Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
URL: http://snipurl.com/bx0o
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
Chicago Tribune Nelson Algren Awards
DEADLINE: February 28, 2005
GENRE: Short fiction
OPEN TO: American writers
LENGTH: 2,500-10,000 words
THEME: The award is given in memory of Chicago author Nelson
Algren. Submissions must be unpublished.
PRIZES: Grand Prize: $5,000; 3 Runner-up Prizes: $1,500 each
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No
ADDRESS: Aleksandra Kostovski, Nelson Algren Awards, 435 N
Michigan Ave., LL2, Chicago, IL 60611
URL: http://about.chicagotribune.com/community/literaryawards.htm
>>-----------------------------------------------------<<
5th Annual Chistell Writing Contest
DEADLINE: February 28, 2005
GENRE: Poetry, Short Story
OPEN TO: 18 years and older
LENGTH: No word length requirements
THEME: No pornographic, discriminatory or hate related stories or
poems will be accepted. All submitted short stories and poems
must be unpublished and under complete (100%) ownership to the
author submitting the work. Submitted short stories and poems
must not be under consideration for publication by another editor
or/and publisher at the time the short story or poem is submitted
to the contest.
SHORT STORY PRIZES: 1st Prize: $200; 2nd Prize: $50
POETRY PRIZES: 1st Prize: $100; 2nd Prize: $50
ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, subject line: 2005 Chistell Writing Contest
Submission. No attachments accepted.
EMAIL: soulfar"at"aol.com
URL: http://www.chistell.com
*****************************************************************
2000 ONLINE RESOURCES FOR WRITERS -- links for every kind of
writer! Still only $5.
THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO QUERIES, PITCHES AND PROPOSALS - available
as an e-book! Find out how to write the perfect query, book
proposal, novel synopsis, column proposal, or grant application.
Only $8.95 (save $5 from the print edition.)
To order, visit http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml
*****************************************************************
New Listings on THE AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF:
---------------------------------------
Oh, The Place Where I Went, by J. Macrone
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Advertise your own book on Writing-World.com:
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on how to reach 50,000 writers a month with your product, service
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WRITER'S SUCCESS: 300+ Online Guidelines, Local Writer's Groups,
Contests, Writer of the Month, and more! Subscribe at
nickyswriting"at"comcast.net with "subscribe" in subject line.
http://writerssuccess.netfirms.com/
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EXPAND YOUR NETWORK--DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS--NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE
LIFE. Attend the National Association of Women Writers 4th Annual
Writer's Conference! Visit our website and register soon!
Conference Information: http://www.naww.org/generic109.html
Membership Information: http://www.naww.org/generic1.html
Free Weekly E-zine: http://www.naww.org/homepage.html
*****************************************************************
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
*****************************************************************
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.
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Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com
http://www.writing-world.com
Editor/Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (writing-world"at"cox.net)
Managing Editor (Newsletter): PEGGY TIBBETTS (peggyt"at"siltnet.net)
Copyright 2005 Moira Allen
Individual articles copyrighted by their authors.
Back issues archived at
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