First, the photo above is a sunrise in Texas through the trees. I love Spring!
I hope you are enjoying the contests I'm finding to share with you! No, I don't have time to enter everything I reccommend but I do take part in as many as I can. The "fee" associated with the contests goes toward the reading fee and contest prizes. These are reputable contests and can be trusted. Enjoy and good luck with your submissions! This week's comes from Hope Clarks site/Funds for Writers!
E.M. KOEPPEL $1,100 SHORT FICTION AWARD
http://www.writecorner.com/printable.asp
$15 ENTRY FEE
First Place Award: $1,100. Editors' Choices: $100 each. Maximum Length: 3,000 words. Stories must be unpublished. Deadline April 30, 2010. The winning short story and editors' choices will be published on www.writecorner.com . If the winning story is by anyone attending college, university, or school when the story is submitted, the winner will receive, in addition to the $1,100 award, the $500 P.L. Titus Scholarship.
Buttons! Buttons! Everywhere!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Breaking Up is Hard to do
First, I'm in Houston and the photos are of downtown (stock photos, not mine)!
For those of you out there that have secured an agent to sell your manuscript to a publisher, way to go! But what happens if you have a "nice" agent and they stop calling or keeping you informed of the hard work they are doing for you? Should you dump them? Should you hang on without the benefit of knowing what's happening? Here's some suggestions from Writers Digest to help you find an exit strategy from the agent who's forgotten you.
If an agent seemes too busy to check in with you maybe they are:
1. less experienced than you relaized
2. have too many projects
3. are dealing with personal issues
If you've allowed the agent a reasonable amount of time to sell your project, (4 to 6 months) contacting the agent and giving them notice that you'll be seeking other representation is not out of the ordinary. Give them a 30 day notice, or the contract length of time you've both agreed to and move on!
Agents should give you regular reports about the progress they are making with your project and respond to any questions you might have. If they've not done that, maybe you've got the wrong agent! Don't feel guilty if they don't deliver on their promises. You've got a book to get published!
For those of you out there that have secured an agent to sell your manuscript to a publisher, way to go! But what happens if you have a "nice" agent and they stop calling or keeping you informed of the hard work they are doing for you? Should you dump them? Should you hang on without the benefit of knowing what's happening? Here's some suggestions from Writers Digest to help you find an exit strategy from the agent who's forgotten you.
If an agent seemes too busy to check in with you maybe they are:
1. less experienced than you relaized
2. have too many projects
3. are dealing with personal issues
If you've allowed the agent a reasonable amount of time to sell your project, (4 to 6 months) contacting the agent and giving them notice that you'll be seeking other representation is not out of the ordinary. Give them a 30 day notice, or the contract length of time you've both agreed to and move on!
Agents should give you regular reports about the progress they are making with your project and respond to any questions you might have. If they've not done that, maybe you've got the wrong agent! Don't feel guilty if they don't deliver on their promises. You've got a book to get published!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Make it or Break it Query Letters
First the photo today is from Marietta, Geogia. I was there yesterday at Life College. I can't get over the beauty of the Spring yet. I'm snapping photos of everything that's blooming!
Anyway, at the airport this morning (I'm in Houston until Sunday) one of my airport friends told me she had a friend that was starting to pay attention to this site. They write children's stories and had a question about "queries".
So here goes, Writing 101 on queries!
A query, as we learned yesterday, is just a letter you are writing to an editor to see if they might be interested in your story. Most editors and publishers require a query BEFORE sending your story or manuscript out. If you don't follow the rules, they will usually throw your story away. Not good.
So what's the best way to query? Let's take it in simple steps.
1. First, I think one of the easiest ways to figure out where to send a story is to visit your favorite book store or library. Look over the section of the "type" of book you have written. If it's a childrens book, look in the children's section. Find a story that seems simliar in length, then check to see who the publisher of the book is.
2. Look the publisher up on the web and type in the words "submission guidelines". They will tell you if you need to submit online, or by snail mail. Follow the rules to a tee or you won't get a response.
3. Write the letter. Keep it to one page. Don't tell them it's a wonderful story. Open with a short concise professional salutation. Give them "a hook" or something to sink their teeth into and want to read more. Most times if they can't get through the first paragraph they may not get through the whole letter.
4. Give them a short summation of the book. It does not have to be overly detailed, just the high points.
5. Give them any credentials you might have, such as anything you've had published, any contests you've won, that kind of thing. If you don't have any, say nothing.
6. Ask them if they'd be interested in looking at the manuscript. Give them an approximate word count and tell them if the manuscript is ready.
7. Close quickly and thank them for their time.
Samples of query letter can be found at http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/getpublished/a/samplequery.htm
Tomorrow I'll be leaving some information on agents actively looking for different genres!
Anyway, at the airport this morning (I'm in Houston until Sunday) one of my airport friends told me she had a friend that was starting to pay attention to this site. They write children's stories and had a question about "queries".
So here goes, Writing 101 on queries!
A query, as we learned yesterday, is just a letter you are writing to an editor to see if they might be interested in your story. Most editors and publishers require a query BEFORE sending your story or manuscript out. If you don't follow the rules, they will usually throw your story away. Not good.
So what's the best way to query? Let's take it in simple steps.
1. First, I think one of the easiest ways to figure out where to send a story is to visit your favorite book store or library. Look over the section of the "type" of book you have written. If it's a childrens book, look in the children's section. Find a story that seems simliar in length, then check to see who the publisher of the book is.
2. Look the publisher up on the web and type in the words "submission guidelines". They will tell you if you need to submit online, or by snail mail. Follow the rules to a tee or you won't get a response.
3. Write the letter. Keep it to one page. Don't tell them it's a wonderful story. Open with a short concise professional salutation. Give them "a hook" or something to sink their teeth into and want to read more. Most times if they can't get through the first paragraph they may not get through the whole letter.
4. Give them a short summation of the book. It does not have to be overly detailed, just the high points.
5. Give them any credentials you might have, such as anything you've had published, any contests you've won, that kind of thing. If you don't have any, say nothing.
6. Ask them if they'd be interested in looking at the manuscript. Give them an approximate word count and tell them if the manuscript is ready.
7. Close quickly and thank them for their time.
Samples of query letter can be found at http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/getpublished/a/samplequery.htm
Tomorrow I'll be leaving some information on agents actively looking for different genres!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Words Writers Need to Know
Every job has "lingo". So it is with writing. So here are a few words that you might need to learn. Sure, it's Writing 101, but trust me, it hasn't been so long ago that I had to ask! These descriptions came from Writer's Market!
Clip-a sample, usually from a newspaper or magazine, of a writer's published work. (It's good to have these when you submit a query)
Literary Fiction-The general category of fiction which employs more sophisticated technique, driven as much or more by character evolution than action in the plot.
Commercial fiction-To the writer of literary, or serious, fiction, style and technique are often as important as subject matter. Commercial fiction however, is written with the intent of reaching as wide an audience as possible and is sometimes called "genre" fiction.
Genre-A formulaic type of fiction such as romance, western or horror.
Proposal- An offer to write a specific work, usually consisting of an outline of the work and one or two completed chapters.
Query- A letter written to an editor to elecit interest in a story the writer wants to submit.
SASE- self addressed stamped envelope
Slush pile-A stack of unsolicited manuscripts in the editorial offices of a publisher.
Synoposis-A brief summary of a story, novel or a play. As part of a book proposal, it is a comprehensive summary condensed in a page or page and a half.
Unsolicited manuscript-A story or novel manuscript that an editor did not specifically asked to see.
These are simple terms, but you need to get familiar with them before you make a mistake with an editor!
Clip-a sample, usually from a newspaper or magazine, of a writer's published work. (It's good to have these when you submit a query)
Literary Fiction-The general category of fiction which employs more sophisticated technique, driven as much or more by character evolution than action in the plot.
Commercial fiction-To the writer of literary, or serious, fiction, style and technique are often as important as subject matter. Commercial fiction however, is written with the intent of reaching as wide an audience as possible and is sometimes called "genre" fiction.
Genre-A formulaic type of fiction such as romance, western or horror.
Proposal- An offer to write a specific work, usually consisting of an outline of the work and one or two completed chapters.
Query- A letter written to an editor to elecit interest in a story the writer wants to submit.
SASE- self addressed stamped envelope
Slush pile-A stack of unsolicited manuscripts in the editorial offices of a publisher.
Synoposis-A brief summary of a story, novel or a play. As part of a book proposal, it is a comprehensive summary condensed in a page or page and a half.
Unsolicited manuscript-A story or novel manuscript that an editor did not specifically asked to see.
These are simple terms, but you need to get familiar with them before you make a mistake with an editor!
Monday, April 12, 2010
A New Website to get you Going!
I'm forever watching for websites that have interesting information that will help me in my writing. I found this site today. It lists prompts and encourages writers to write for just 15 minutes a day. There are stories on it you can read as well as encouragement for those who are "closet" writers! Try it! Sign up because it's free!
http://www.fifteenminutesoffiction.com/
And one more thing! For my new friend Mary Ann, here's a website for children's fiction, contests, etc. from a very reputable publisher! Give it a try!
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/
http://www.fifteenminutesoffiction.com/
And one more thing! For my new friend Mary Ann, here's a website for children's fiction, contests, etc. from a very reputable publisher! Give it a try!
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/
Sunday, April 11, 2010
A New Roommate
For those of you that know me, our son Tate is in the Coast Guard. He and his lovley bride, Amanda are beng transfered to Kodiak Island, Alaska. Well, we have four granddogs and they can only take two. Miss Amara, the oldest of the dogs and the smalest will be staying behind at Elaine's and Gerald's, Amanda's parents. Bella, the baby and Triton, the bully are going with the kids to Alaska.
Michael just returned from Alabama with the biggest of the dogs, Chauncey! We'll have him until the kids get settled, then we'll return him. Today we bought dog items, food bowls, water bowls, a dog kennel for the garage, toys, beds, you know, all the "grandkid" things.
Above is his first photo. He's laying in the box the kennel came in. Look down along the side of this blog and you'll see his new garage kennel (which he'l l probably never be in.) He's going to be great company for us, but we know the kids are missing him already. Isn't it great being a parent and helping out when you can?
Michael just returned from Alabama with the biggest of the dogs, Chauncey! We'll have him until the kids get settled, then we'll return him. Today we bought dog items, food bowls, water bowls, a dog kennel for the garage, toys, beds, you know, all the "grandkid" things.
Above is his first photo. He's laying in the box the kennel came in. Look down along the side of this blog and you'll see his new garage kennel (which he'l l probably never be in.) He's going to be great company for us, but we know the kids are missing him already. Isn't it great being a parent and helping out when you can?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
This Week's Contest
It seems that there are some wonderful contests going on for those who want to try and win some money. Here's one I've had some luck with. Enjoy!
NEW MILLENIUM WRITING AWARDS
http://www.newmilleniumwritings.com/awards.php
$17 entry fee
$1000 1st Prize for best poem, best fiction, best non-fiction, best short-short fiction. Non-fiction includes humor, memoir, creative nonfiction, travel, opinion, essay, interview, features, investigative reporting. Deadline June 17, 2010. Prose no lonher than 6,000 words. Short fiction no more than 1,000 words. Poetry up to 3 poems and 5 pages. Twenty poetry finalists will be published.
NEW MILLENIUM WRITING AWARDS
http://www.newmilleniumwritings.com/awards.php
$17 entry fee
$1000 1st Prize for best poem, best fiction, best non-fiction, best short-short fiction. Non-fiction includes humor, memoir, creative nonfiction, travel, opinion, essay, interview, features, investigative reporting. Deadline June 17, 2010. Prose no lonher than 6,000 words. Short fiction no more than 1,000 words. Poetry up to 3 poems and 5 pages. Twenty poetry finalists will be published.
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