Nancy Kelly Allen's Blog, page 42
March 13, 2011
Story Endings, Contest, Calls for Submissions
Knowing how to write interesting endings is important, but it's just as important to know what not to do, so let's avoid the following:
1. Repeating the main point, unless it's a letter trying to convince someone of something. Convey the idea earlier in the piece and don't hammer the reader with the same point at the end.
2. Uninteresting chronology. The day begins early in the story so the story ends that evening with "and they all said good-night." Focus the ending on the plot rather than the time sequence. I'm sure there are exceptions to this, but remember, we're aiming for zinger endings. This type of ending offers little or no surprise element.
3.Implausible endings that don't tie up all loose ends, such as dream sequences or "then she woke up and realized it was all just a dream." Fiction should reflect real life in explaining the actions characters take. Writers should resolve the main problem/goal in a story, but it's okay to leave room for interpretation and imagination at the end. This leads to provoking a reader to think about possible outcomes for the character. Remember, the goal is to leave the reader emotionally satisfied and glad they spend time reading your story.
Totem Head's Contest for Young Writers
Categories :
1. Ages 9 and under
2. Ages 10-12
3. Ages 13-15
4. Ages 16-18
The contest is open to US residents under 19 years old.
Prizes :
One winner from each category will receive the following prizes.
1. Publication on AdventureWrite.com/kids
2. $50 cash
3. Certificate of Achievement
Judging Adventure Write will choose one winner from each category based : on:
1. Suitability for the Adventure Write Kid's website
2. Entertainment and Creativity
3. Spelling, grammar and punctuation
Deadline: Send your entry before 31 Dec 2011.
Details at http://www.adventurewrite.com/kids/co...
Stories for Children Magazine is looking for nonfiction, poems, crafts, activities and puzzles to fill their April, May and Summer 2011 issues. They buy titles for their "Best Of" anthology at the end of the year and many of the titles published in Stories for Children Magazine get contracted for educational markets.
Details at http://storiesforchildrenmagaizne.org. Guidelines are in the Contributor' section.
1. Repeating the main point, unless it's a letter trying to convince someone of something. Convey the idea earlier in the piece and don't hammer the reader with the same point at the end.
2. Uninteresting chronology. The day begins early in the story so the story ends that evening with "and they all said good-night." Focus the ending on the plot rather than the time sequence. I'm sure there are exceptions to this, but remember, we're aiming for zinger endings. This type of ending offers little or no surprise element.
3.Implausible endings that don't tie up all loose ends, such as dream sequences or "then she woke up and realized it was all just a dream." Fiction should reflect real life in explaining the actions characters take. Writers should resolve the main problem/goal in a story, but it's okay to leave room for interpretation and imagination at the end. This leads to provoking a reader to think about possible outcomes for the character. Remember, the goal is to leave the reader emotionally satisfied and glad they spend time reading your story.
Totem Head's Contest for Young Writers
Categories :
1. Ages 9 and under
2. Ages 10-12
3. Ages 13-15
4. Ages 16-18
The contest is open to US residents under 19 years old.
Prizes :
One winner from each category will receive the following prizes.
1. Publication on AdventureWrite.com/kids
2. $50 cash
3. Certificate of Achievement
Judging Adventure Write will choose one winner from each category based : on:
1. Suitability for the Adventure Write Kid's website
2. Entertainment and Creativity
3. Spelling, grammar and punctuation
Deadline: Send your entry before 31 Dec 2011.
Details at http://www.adventurewrite.com/kids/co...
Stories for Children Magazine is looking for nonfiction, poems, crafts, activities and puzzles to fill their April, May and Summer 2011 issues. They buy titles for their "Best Of" anthology at the end of the year and many of the titles published in Stories for Children Magazine get contracted for educational markets.
Details at http://storiesforchildrenmagaizne.org. Guidelines are in the Contributor' section.
March 6, 2011
Story Endings, Calls for Submissions
A teacher in Virginia (Hello, Jennifer) who follows this blog, requested information about story endings/conclusions, so the next two blogs will address endings.
A good ending makes a story come full circle. The ending should reflect and resolve the problem or goal developed at the beginning of the story. When I conduct writing workshops with students, I encourage them to end the story with a zinger. I define a zinger as an ending that zings the reader so s/he is
1. surprised. A twist or unexpected ending enhances the overall story.
2. provoked, to think about the story more. Does the ending leave the reader satisfied?
3. feeling strong emotional attachments to the story and characters.
In this case, what works for student writers also works for professionals. Reread the story and ask yourself if the ending is a zinger. If not, think about how the ending can be rewritten to become a zinger. I like surprise endings, because they make great zingers. Humorous ending make the reader laugh. Those work well, too.
Here are more questions the writer can ask:
1. Does the ending surprise the reader?
2. Will the reader be provoked to think about the story after reading it?
3. How will the story touch the reader emotionally? Will the reader care at all? Laugh? Cry?
4. Are all ends tied up? This means that unresolved problems have been dealt with.
Next week, I'll discuss things to avoid in writing endings.
MatadorNetwork : They're launching a print magazine! With *BETA*, their aim "is to publish the best English-language travel writing on the planet." Pays: "[H]ere's the bottom line: writing that makes the cut will be paid by the word, at competitive print rates (probably at 50 cents, for now). So every word has to be worth at least a pair of quarters." Editors recommend reading this post for some additional information: http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/8-rea...
Guidelines at http://matadornetwork.com/betamag/wri...
Creative Kids The most exciting aspect of Creative Kids is that it is written by kids. Students from all over the world write for the magazine, so it includes exciting examples of the most creative student work to be found in any publication. Many kids get started by writing for the magazine's "Write On" section. Here, kids express themselves by writing short opinion pieces about issues they face on a day-to-day basis.
Become a Creative Kids Author
Kids from all over the world read and contribute to Creative Kids. To submit your work to Creative Kids, be sure to read the submission guidelines first.
Details at Submission Guidelines
A good ending makes a story come full circle. The ending should reflect and resolve the problem or goal developed at the beginning of the story. When I conduct writing workshops with students, I encourage them to end the story with a zinger. I define a zinger as an ending that zings the reader so s/he is
1. surprised. A twist or unexpected ending enhances the overall story.
2. provoked, to think about the story more. Does the ending leave the reader satisfied?
3. feeling strong emotional attachments to the story and characters.
In this case, what works for student writers also works for professionals. Reread the story and ask yourself if the ending is a zinger. If not, think about how the ending can be rewritten to become a zinger. I like surprise endings, because they make great zingers. Humorous ending make the reader laugh. Those work well, too.
Here are more questions the writer can ask:
1. Does the ending surprise the reader?
2. Will the reader be provoked to think about the story after reading it?
3. How will the story touch the reader emotionally? Will the reader care at all? Laugh? Cry?
4. Are all ends tied up? This means that unresolved problems have been dealt with.
Next week, I'll discuss things to avoid in writing endings.
MatadorNetwork : They're launching a print magazine! With *BETA*, their aim "is to publish the best English-language travel writing on the planet." Pays: "[H]ere's the bottom line: writing that makes the cut will be paid by the word, at competitive print rates (probably at 50 cents, for now). So every word has to be worth at least a pair of quarters." Editors recommend reading this post for some additional information: http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/8-rea...
Guidelines at http://matadornetwork.com/betamag/wri...
Creative Kids The most exciting aspect of Creative Kids is that it is written by kids. Students from all over the world write for the magazine, so it includes exciting examples of the most creative student work to be found in any publication. Many kids get started by writing for the magazine's "Write On" section. Here, kids express themselves by writing short opinion pieces about issues they face on a day-to-day basis.
Become a Creative Kids Author
Kids from all over the world read and contribute to Creative Kids. To submit your work to Creative Kids, be sure to read the submission guidelines first.
Details at Submission Guidelines
February 27, 2011
First Paragraph/Call for Submissions/Writing Contests
Whether a story is a picture book, a short story, or a 100,000-word novel, the most important passage is the first paragraph. The beginning paragraph introduces the reader to your writing style. This is where the reader meets the character for the first time, along with the time and place of the story. Voice comes into play early. This introduction should capture the readers' interest, making them want to read on.
The beginning paragraph should start the story at a point where the character's life will forever be changed. There is no room for backstory in the first paragraph. The story should start with some conflict that makes that day in the character's life different. Or use intrigue to hook the reader. Make the reader want to find out what is going to happen as you hint at the problem that lies ahead. A strong beginning raises questions in the readers' minds, questions they want answered.
Study the opening sentences in popular books and in new books you find. Notice how the author introduced the character and set up the story. Identify what the author did to grab you interest immediately. Make a list of different methods used to grab and hold your attention in the first paragraph. Some authors use humor, unusual phrasing, a surprising statement, a mystery, odd facts, and numerous other hooks. What worked for you?
Next week, I'll discuss types of endings/conclusions.
Call for Submissions/Contest:
*The Threepenny Review* reopens to submissions in January, at which point it
will also begin allowing online submissions through a new submission system. No
simultaneous submissions. Pays: "At present *The Threepenny Review* is paying
$400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece."
http://www.threepennyreview.com
National Pet Week Writing Contest for Young Writers
The Auxiliary to The American Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce a call for entries to their annual writing and poster contests. The deadline is March 16, 2011. The winning entries will be used to promote the 2012 National Pet Week theme "Healthy Pets Make Happy Homes". Contest winners
will each receive $300. The writing contest is open to third to fifth graders. Entrants are invited to submit poems, essays, or stories 20 to 200 words in length. Entries must be submitted in the body of an e-mail to petweek@hotmail.com along with the entrant's name, address, grade in school, phone number and age.
The poster contest is open to artists of any age. The poster may be any size and must be colorful. Do not fold, staple, or send by fax. The use of crayons is discouraged because it does not copy well. Magic markers, dark colored pencils, and watercolor in bright shades, etc. tend to make a more attractive and reproducible entry. Posters with photos, magazine cut-outs, or additional elements of this type are
automatically disqualified. Entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2011 and mailed to:
Jewel Allen, 326 Ranch Road, Grantsville, Utah 84029. Go to the website and click on
"National Pet Week". Inquiries may be sent to petweek@hotmail.com.
Details at http://www.avmaaux.org
The beginning paragraph should start the story at a point where the character's life will forever be changed. There is no room for backstory in the first paragraph. The story should start with some conflict that makes that day in the character's life different. Or use intrigue to hook the reader. Make the reader want to find out what is going to happen as you hint at the problem that lies ahead. A strong beginning raises questions in the readers' minds, questions they want answered.
Study the opening sentences in popular books and in new books you find. Notice how the author introduced the character and set up the story. Identify what the author did to grab you interest immediately. Make a list of different methods used to grab and hold your attention in the first paragraph. Some authors use humor, unusual phrasing, a surprising statement, a mystery, odd facts, and numerous other hooks. What worked for you?
Next week, I'll discuss types of endings/conclusions.
Call for Submissions/Contest:
*The Threepenny Review* reopens to submissions in January, at which point it
will also begin allowing online submissions through a new submission system. No
simultaneous submissions. Pays: "At present *The Threepenny Review* is paying
$400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece."
http://www.threepennyreview.com
National Pet Week Writing Contest for Young Writers
The Auxiliary to The American Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce a call for entries to their annual writing and poster contests. The deadline is March 16, 2011. The winning entries will be used to promote the 2012 National Pet Week theme "Healthy Pets Make Happy Homes". Contest winners
will each receive $300. The writing contest is open to third to fifth graders. Entrants are invited to submit poems, essays, or stories 20 to 200 words in length. Entries must be submitted in the body of an e-mail to petweek@hotmail.com along with the entrant's name, address, grade in school, phone number and age.
The poster contest is open to artists of any age. The poster may be any size and must be colorful. Do not fold, staple, or send by fax. The use of crayons is discouraged because it does not copy well. Magic markers, dark colored pencils, and watercolor in bright shades, etc. tend to make a more attractive and reproducible entry. Posters with photos, magazine cut-outs, or additional elements of this type are
automatically disqualified. Entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2011 and mailed to:
Jewel Allen, 326 Ranch Road, Grantsville, Utah 84029. Go to the website and click on
"National Pet Week". Inquiries may be sent to petweek@hotmail.com.
Details at http://www.avmaaux.org
February 20, 2011
First Paragraph/Writing Contests
Ten seconds. That's the average amount of time editors give to an unsolicited manuscript to determine if they want to keep reading. TEN SECONDS! Yikes! Of course, the time varies from editor to editor, but keep in mind the value of the first impression. In a literary sense, it's the first paragraph.
The first paragraph is the most important paragraph you'll write, regardless of the type of story. Beginning sentences provide the ten seconds in which the editor decides to quit reading or becomes engaged in the story. Readers often do the same thing. In bookstores and libraries, readers pick up a book, open to the first page and read about ten seconds. As readers, we decide quickly if we like the writing style and if the story grabs us. If not, we move on to another book.
Make the first line of the first paragraph so enticing, the reader is hooked enough to read the second line, then the third. The introductory paragraph is the roadmap for the remainder of the story. Hint at WHAT is going to happen as you establish the setting, introduce the main character, and point of view. That's an incredible task, but not impossible. [See: previous three blogs for writing literary hooks.]
Next week, I'll explore writing the first paragraph.
Wherefore a.r.t. though?
This contest is a fun way to stretch your writing muscles. The contest winner will get a literary treasure chest from A Word with You Press, sent to your doorstep, to include signed copies of all their books and a lot more.
Start with a title: "The art of_______________"
You fill in the blank. Could be the art of Picasso, the art of the deal, the art of Thomas Sully, the art of making popcorn, the art of rolling a cigarette. the art of kissing, the art of getting over 500 visitors a day on our website. ANYTHING can go in the blank.
But then it gets a little tricky.
Your first three words have to start with the letters "A" , "R", and "T". For example "Arthur relied totally (on the advice of his mother, who….) or Anglophiles ruined Thorn's (respect for Guinness and the English language) or Another rotten tomato (hit him squarely in the jaw as he recited the lines to Tennessee William's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.) You get the idea.
The story must be no more than 500 words (this does not include the title).
Somewhere you must have a word sequence that is is created from the word "Writer", just like you did for "Art", like "William remembered intimate things Evelyn regretted having told him, that night they uncorked the…)
Entries must be received by February 28th, midnight, California Time. Send entries to thorn@awordwithyoupress.com.
Details at http://www.awordwithyoupress.com/
Saroyan Writing Contest for students:
THEME: Which friend or family member has had the greatest impact on your life? Why?
Limit 2-3 pages. First place $100, second place $75, third place $50. Prizes awarded in each age group: Grades 1-2, grades, 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, college. Students with special needs are also encouraged to participate.
Must use entry form online.
Details at http://www.williamsaroyansociety.org/
Deadline: March 7, 2011.
The first paragraph is the most important paragraph you'll write, regardless of the type of story. Beginning sentences provide the ten seconds in which the editor decides to quit reading or becomes engaged in the story. Readers often do the same thing. In bookstores and libraries, readers pick up a book, open to the first page and read about ten seconds. As readers, we decide quickly if we like the writing style and if the story grabs us. If not, we move on to another book.
Make the first line of the first paragraph so enticing, the reader is hooked enough to read the second line, then the third. The introductory paragraph is the roadmap for the remainder of the story. Hint at WHAT is going to happen as you establish the setting, introduce the main character, and point of view. That's an incredible task, but not impossible. [See: previous three blogs for writing literary hooks.]
Next week, I'll explore writing the first paragraph.
Wherefore a.r.t. though?
This contest is a fun way to stretch your writing muscles. The contest winner will get a literary treasure chest from A Word with You Press, sent to your doorstep, to include signed copies of all their books and a lot more.
Start with a title: "The art of_______________"
You fill in the blank. Could be the art of Picasso, the art of the deal, the art of Thomas Sully, the art of making popcorn, the art of rolling a cigarette. the art of kissing, the art of getting over 500 visitors a day on our website. ANYTHING can go in the blank.
But then it gets a little tricky.
Your first three words have to start with the letters "A" , "R", and "T". For example "Arthur relied totally (on the advice of his mother, who….) or Anglophiles ruined Thorn's (respect for Guinness and the English language) or Another rotten tomato (hit him squarely in the jaw as he recited the lines to Tennessee William's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.) You get the idea.
The story must be no more than 500 words (this does not include the title).
Somewhere you must have a word sequence that is is created from the word "Writer", just like you did for "Art", like "William remembered intimate things Evelyn regretted having told him, that night they uncorked the…)
Entries must be received by February 28th, midnight, California Time. Send entries to thorn@awordwithyoupress.com.
Details at http://www.awordwithyoupress.com/
Saroyan Writing Contest for students:
THEME: Which friend or family member has had the greatest impact on your life? Why?
Limit 2-3 pages. First place $100, second place $75, third place $50. Prizes awarded in each age group: Grades 1-2, grades, 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, college. Students with special needs are also encouraged to participate.
Must use entry form online.
Details at http://www.williamsaroyansociety.org/
Deadline: March 7, 2011.
February 12, 2011
Fishing for a Contract, Part III, The Pedestal Magazine, Boodle: By Kids, For Kids
Here more ways to cast a hook to catch an editor's attention:
Humor. Keep them laughing and you'll keep them reading. Whether you write picture books, chapter books, or children's novels, humor is in demand. Dav Pilky's Captain Underpants and Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones are series that play up the funny from page one, paragraph one, and sentence one.
Strong setting. In Coraline by Neil Gaiman, kids are scared, but not too scared. A haunted house or a dark cave sets the mood for intriguing reading. Thunderstorms and cold, dark basements can immediately conjure up eerie situations.
Foreshadowing. Drop hints of the problems that lie ahead to keep the interest high. Patricia Polacco's Just Plain Fancy or E. B. White's Charlotte's Web provide clues to build reader expectation and create suspense and a sense of wonder.
Surprise ending. Snag a surprise ending with a hook. In my book, On the Banks of the Amazon, two young hunters are on a safari. I saved the biggest hook for the last line, "The wildlife hunters pick up their camera, aim and shoot again." Eve Bunting did the same with her book, Wednesday Surprise. The surprise is saved for the last page.
Use these hooks or a combination of two or more to develop strong beginnings and endings for your stories. If you cast a hook or two, you'll give an editor reasons to keep on reading and up your chances of reeling in a contract.
Next week, I'll discuss story endings.
The Pedestal Magazine.
"Re: fiction for the April 2011 issue (reading cycle February 28-April 14): we will
be accepting flash fiction up to 1,200 words. Theme will be 'Husbands and
Wives.' Writers may submit up to three (3) pieces. Please do not submit work
intended to be considered for the April 2011 issue prior to February 28." Pays:
$.08/word.
Boodle: By Kids, For Kids Audience: children ages 6-12. Publishes stories, articles, poems, mazes, puzzles, etc.
P.O. Box 1049, Portland, IN 47371. Ph. (219) 726-8141. Published quarterly. 100% of magazine is written by children.
Humor. Keep them laughing and you'll keep them reading. Whether you write picture books, chapter books, or children's novels, humor is in demand. Dav Pilky's Captain Underpants and Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones are series that play up the funny from page one, paragraph one, and sentence one.
Strong setting. In Coraline by Neil Gaiman, kids are scared, but not too scared. A haunted house or a dark cave sets the mood for intriguing reading. Thunderstorms and cold, dark basements can immediately conjure up eerie situations.
Foreshadowing. Drop hints of the problems that lie ahead to keep the interest high. Patricia Polacco's Just Plain Fancy or E. B. White's Charlotte's Web provide clues to build reader expectation and create suspense and a sense of wonder.
Surprise ending. Snag a surprise ending with a hook. In my book, On the Banks of the Amazon, two young hunters are on a safari. I saved the biggest hook for the last line, "The wildlife hunters pick up their camera, aim and shoot again." Eve Bunting did the same with her book, Wednesday Surprise. The surprise is saved for the last page.
Use these hooks or a combination of two or more to develop strong beginnings and endings for your stories. If you cast a hook or two, you'll give an editor reasons to keep on reading and up your chances of reeling in a contract.
Next week, I'll discuss story endings.
The Pedestal Magazine.
"Re: fiction for the April 2011 issue (reading cycle February 28-April 14): we will
be accepting flash fiction up to 1,200 words. Theme will be 'Husbands and
Wives.' Writers may submit up to three (3) pieces. Please do not submit work
intended to be considered for the April 2011 issue prior to February 28." Pays:
$.08/word.
Boodle: By Kids, For Kids Audience: children ages 6-12. Publishes stories, articles, poems, mazes, puzzles, etc.
P.O. Box 1049, Portland, IN 47371. Ph. (219) 726-8141. Published quarterly. 100% of magazine is written by children.
February 6, 2011
"Fishing for a Contract," part II, Fiction Contest, Scholarship for Mystery Writing
Here are more ways to cast a hook to catch an editor's attention:
Start with action. Action doesn't have to be a wild car chase or a boxing match. Action means beginning a story at a point where the main character will forever be changed. M. T. Anderson gets straight to the point at the beginning of Feed, "We went to the moon to have fun…" The beginning is no place for backstory or the history of the character.
Create an active, believable character. In Millicent Min, Girl Genius, author Lisa Yee depicts a young girl who does not understand how to make friends. Strong, active characters are involved in solving their own problems, and that involvement keeps the tension high and the story interesting. Introduce problems early and make life difficult for the character. Give the character flaws and allow the character to make mistakes as in Alexi Sherman's The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian. Mistakes offer learning experiences in which the character grows.
Curiosity. Kids are naturally curious so writing a dramatic statement peaks their interests. If you add something gross the interest factor soars. In Chasing Redbird, Sharon Creech does both with, "Worms dangled in Aunt Jessie's kitchen." Laura Numeroff poses a curious situation in If You Give a Pig a Pancake.
Next week, I'll post part III of this three-part series.
Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contesthttp://www.kenyonreview.org/contests-...
Submissions: February 1-February 28, 2011
NO ENTRY FEE
Helen McCloy/Mystery Writers of America Scholarship for Mystery Writinghttp://mysterywriters.org/?q=AwardsPr...
Deadline: February 28, 2011
NO APPLICATION FEE
"The Helen McCloy/MWA Scholarship for Mystery Writing seeks to nurture talent in
mystery writing - in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting." Open
to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Two scholarships up to $500 each will
be presented. "The scholarship may be used to offset tuition and fees for U.S.
writing workshops, writing seminars, or university/ college-level writing
programs. Applicants must select a specific writing class/workshop/seminar to
which scholarship funds would be applied." Check the site for details and the
application form.
Open to writers who are 30 years of age or younger at the time of submission.
Stories must be no more than 1200 words in length. No simultaneous submissions.
The journal will publish the winning story in its Winter 2012 issue, and the
author will win a scholarship to attend the 2011 Writers Workshop (June) in
Gambier, Ohio.
Start with action. Action doesn't have to be a wild car chase or a boxing match. Action means beginning a story at a point where the main character will forever be changed. M. T. Anderson gets straight to the point at the beginning of Feed, "We went to the moon to have fun…" The beginning is no place for backstory or the history of the character.
Create an active, believable character. In Millicent Min, Girl Genius, author Lisa Yee depicts a young girl who does not understand how to make friends. Strong, active characters are involved in solving their own problems, and that involvement keeps the tension high and the story interesting. Introduce problems early and make life difficult for the character. Give the character flaws and allow the character to make mistakes as in Alexi Sherman's The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian. Mistakes offer learning experiences in which the character grows.
Curiosity. Kids are naturally curious so writing a dramatic statement peaks their interests. If you add something gross the interest factor soars. In Chasing Redbird, Sharon Creech does both with, "Worms dangled in Aunt Jessie's kitchen." Laura Numeroff poses a curious situation in If You Give a Pig a Pancake.
Next week, I'll post part III of this three-part series.
Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contesthttp://www.kenyonreview.org/contests-...
Submissions: February 1-February 28, 2011
NO ENTRY FEE
Helen McCloy/Mystery Writers of America Scholarship for Mystery Writinghttp://mysterywriters.org/?q=AwardsPr...
Deadline: February 28, 2011
NO APPLICATION FEE
"The Helen McCloy/MWA Scholarship for Mystery Writing seeks to nurture talent in
mystery writing - in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting." Open
to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Two scholarships up to $500 each will
be presented. "The scholarship may be used to offset tuition and fees for U.S.
writing workshops, writing seminars, or university/ college-level writing
programs. Applicants must select a specific writing class/workshop/seminar to
which scholarship funds would be applied." Check the site for details and the
application form.
Open to writers who are 30 years of age or younger at the time of submission.
Stories must be no more than 1200 words in length. No simultaneous submissions.
The journal will publish the winning story in its Winter 2012 issue, and the
author will win a scholarship to attend the 2011 Writers Workshop (June) in
Gambier, Ohio.
January 30, 2011
Fishing for a Contract
Want to catch an editor's attention? Cast a hook.
A hook is a literary device used to grab a reader's interest. Readers don't want the story to build to an exciting tale; they want a moving story from the beginning, one that grabs them emotionally with a hold that won't let go until the last page is read.
Editors spend a few seconds deciding if they want to read a manuscript. The decision is often based on the first paragraph. I once heard an editor state that if she liked the first paragraph, she turned to the last paragraph. If she liked the last paragraph, she began reading the manuscript, once again, from the beginning. Since the first and last paragraphs are so important, try dangling literary bait with a few hooks.
Question. Nonfiction books and articles sometimes begin with a question such as, What is the fastest land animal? The interest is immediate and kids keep reading to find the answer: cheetah. Fiction can also use this angle. The protagonist could question anything and everything. For added interest, make asking questions a quirky part of the character's personality.
Similes and metaphors. Compare two things that are not alike, such as My day began like a car chase and ended with a crash. Similes add entertainment value by forming a comparison and expressing emotion. A metaphor makes a comparison without the words "like" or "as." The metaphor—My day was a car crash—creates a mental picture. These sensory details paint vivid pictures.
Next week, I'll post part II of this three-part series.
Calls for Submissions:
The Blue Pencil Online publishes the work of writers ages 12 to 18
from around the world, with the intention of showcasing the best
and full scope of teen writing.
Details at http://www.thebluepencil.net/bp-submi...
Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2011 Short Story CompetitionDetails at http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/sh...
Deadline: February 14, 2011
A hook is a literary device used to grab a reader's interest. Readers don't want the story to build to an exciting tale; they want a moving story from the beginning, one that grabs them emotionally with a hold that won't let go until the last page is read.
Editors spend a few seconds deciding if they want to read a manuscript. The decision is often based on the first paragraph. I once heard an editor state that if she liked the first paragraph, she turned to the last paragraph. If she liked the last paragraph, she began reading the manuscript, once again, from the beginning. Since the first and last paragraphs are so important, try dangling literary bait with a few hooks.
Question. Nonfiction books and articles sometimes begin with a question such as, What is the fastest land animal? The interest is immediate and kids keep reading to find the answer: cheetah. Fiction can also use this angle. The protagonist could question anything and everything. For added interest, make asking questions a quirky part of the character's personality.
Similes and metaphors. Compare two things that are not alike, such as My day began like a car chase and ended with a crash. Similes add entertainment value by forming a comparison and expressing emotion. A metaphor makes a comparison without the words "like" or "as." The metaphor—My day was a car crash—creates a mental picture. These sensory details paint vivid pictures.
Next week, I'll post part II of this three-part series.
Calls for Submissions:
The Blue Pencil Online publishes the work of writers ages 12 to 18
from around the world, with the intention of showcasing the best
and full scope of teen writing.
Details at http://www.thebluepencil.net/bp-submi...
Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2011 Short Story CompetitionDetails at http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/sh...
Deadline: February 14, 2011
January 23, 2011
One-Word Resolution/Calls for Submission
A new year is a time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make. This holds true for writing as well as life. Each year many of us make resolutions, and many of those last all the way up to March 1st, and some are broken in fifteen minutes. The challenges we set for ourselves almost never result in reformed habits. This year, I'm trying something new.
A critique buddy—Hi, Janet—proposed the idea of each member of our critique group adopting a word, rather than a resolution, to guide us through the year. Just one word to provide inspiration when we feel down. One word to refer to when we feel joy or disappointment. One word to give encouragement to others who share the love of writing.
I chose the word pleasure. Pleasure has a positive feel, a comforting sound, and it reminds me why I chose writing as a career. I want to celebrate the positive aspects of writing, whether it's informative comments from my critique buddies; a note from an editor, even if it is in the guise of a rejection letter; an observation from a reader or fellow writer; a thank-you from someone I've worked with; anything, everything positive related to writing. Writing is a journey, a pleasurable journey, and I want to enjoy the small steps along the way.
What word works for you?
Calls for Submissions:
Glimmer Train is accepting fiction submission the month of January. Submit up to three stories. Pays $700, plus 10 copies.
Details at http://glimmertrain.com/
Young Writer We would love to see YOUR writing and we might even publish it in Young Writer magazine or here on the website. It can be anything that you want to say, prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction. Just make sure it is your own unaided work, write it as well as you can and send it to us. Let us have your name, your age and your address. We do not pass these on to anyone else. You can send it to us by email or post. Remember, whenever you send your writing off to any publisher, make sure you keep a copy for yourself in case it gets lost in transit. Email word documents (under 600 words in length, please!) to youngwriter@writersnews.co.uk
Details at http://www.young-writer.co.uk/contact/
A critique buddy—Hi, Janet—proposed the idea of each member of our critique group adopting a word, rather than a resolution, to guide us through the year. Just one word to provide inspiration when we feel down. One word to refer to when we feel joy or disappointment. One word to give encouragement to others who share the love of writing.
I chose the word pleasure. Pleasure has a positive feel, a comforting sound, and it reminds me why I chose writing as a career. I want to celebrate the positive aspects of writing, whether it's informative comments from my critique buddies; a note from an editor, even if it is in the guise of a rejection letter; an observation from a reader or fellow writer; a thank-you from someone I've worked with; anything, everything positive related to writing. Writing is a journey, a pleasurable journey, and I want to enjoy the small steps along the way.
What word works for you?
Calls for Submissions:
Glimmer Train is accepting fiction submission the month of January. Submit up to three stories. Pays $700, plus 10 copies.
Details at http://glimmertrain.com/
Young Writer We would love to see YOUR writing and we might even publish it in Young Writer magazine or here on the website. It can be anything that you want to say, prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction. Just make sure it is your own unaided work, write it as well as you can and send it to us. Let us have your name, your age and your address. We do not pass these on to anyone else. You can send it to us by email or post. Remember, whenever you send your writing off to any publisher, make sure you keep a copy for yourself in case it gets lost in transit. Email word documents (under 600 words in length, please!) to youngwriter@writersnews.co.uk
Details at http://www.young-writer.co.uk/contact/
January 16, 2011
Newbery and Caldecott Awards/Writing Contest/Call for Submissions
2011 has started with a publishing BANG! Two elite awards, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals for children's literature were announced last week. Both awards go to a debut author and illustrator. Clare Vanderpool won the Newbery Medal for her novel, Moon over Manifest (Delacorte/Random House). This historical fiction story takes place in 1936 Kansas and alternates with a World War 1 setting. Moon over Manifest was also selected as The Association of Booksellers for Children 2010 New Voices Pick. Not bad for a first-time author.
First-time illustrator, Erin E. Stead, grabbed the 2011 Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Neal Porter/Roaring Brook/Macmillan). Her husband, Philip C. Stead, wrote the text for the picture book about an elderly gentleman who visited the zoo and spent time with the animals. When illness prevents him from visiting the zoo, the animals visit him.
Vanderpool and Stead are living proof that new writers can get published and they don't have to have an extensive resume attached to their names to garner long-awaited contracts. These newcomers have gotten published and acquired immediate respect for their work.
What does this mean for other writers? First we have to write; secondly, we have to submit. As we've seen with these awards, the goals are attainable. Let's make 2011 end with a publishing BANG.
Contest:
"Amazon.com, along with Penguin Group (USA) and CreateSpace, is pleased to announce the fourth annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the international competition seeking the next popular novel. The competition will once again award *two grand prizes*: one for General Fiction and one for Young Adult Fiction. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which
includes a $15,000 advance." Read the detailed terms/conditions at the site.
Deadline: January 24-February 6, 2011
Details: You must register at www.CreateSpace.com/abna to enter the Contest.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Poetic Monthly Magazine Accepts submissions by writers of all ages. In the October issue, PM featured a 10-year-old writer/illustrator. PM features the top 25 poems of the month's submissions, plus articles about writing, one-page short stories and visual arts. All content in the magazine is family-friendly.
Details: http://www.poetstage.com/poeticmonthl...
First-time illustrator, Erin E. Stead, grabbed the 2011 Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Neal Porter/Roaring Brook/Macmillan). Her husband, Philip C. Stead, wrote the text for the picture book about an elderly gentleman who visited the zoo and spent time with the animals. When illness prevents him from visiting the zoo, the animals visit him.
Vanderpool and Stead are living proof that new writers can get published and they don't have to have an extensive resume attached to their names to garner long-awaited contracts. These newcomers have gotten published and acquired immediate respect for their work.
What does this mean for other writers? First we have to write; secondly, we have to submit. As we've seen with these awards, the goals are attainable. Let's make 2011 end with a publishing BANG.
Contest:
"Amazon.com, along with Penguin Group (USA) and CreateSpace, is pleased to announce the fourth annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the international competition seeking the next popular novel. The competition will once again award *two grand prizes*: one for General Fiction and one for Young Adult Fiction. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which
includes a $15,000 advance." Read the detailed terms/conditions at the site.
Deadline: January 24-February 6, 2011
Details: You must register at www.CreateSpace.com/abna to enter the Contest.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Poetic Monthly Magazine Accepts submissions by writers of all ages. In the October issue, PM featured a 10-year-old writer/illustrator. PM features the top 25 poems of the month's submissions, plus articles about writing, one-page short stories and visual arts. All content in the magazine is family-friendly.
Details: http://www.poetstage.com/poeticmonthl...
January 9, 2011
Word of the Year for 2010, Word Choice/Calls for Submissions
Merriam-Webster named Austerity, the 14th century noun defined as "the quality or state of being austere" and "enforced or extreme economy," as the Word of the Year for 2010. According to John Morse, president and publisher, the word "austerity" received more than 250,000 searches on the dictionary's free online tool.
Completing the top ten are
2. pragmatic,
3.moratorium
4. socialism
5. bigot
6. Doppelganger [This word was used in "The Vampire Diaries."]
7. shellacking
8. ebullient
9. dissident
10. furtive
We want readers to take notice of our word choice. Finding words that capture and convey meaning is challenging but well worth the effort. As we take our readers along the journey of our stories, our word choices can create a bumpy ride or a smooth one. Mark Twain said it best: The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
Calls for Submissions:
You may already know that *Witness* publishes an annual print issue devoted to a single topic (currently, they're seeking work on "Disaster"). Now, the journal is launching two online issues as well (May and September). These will be general issues. Keep in mind that the journal "prefer[s] work that is contemporary in its setting, outward-looking in its perspective, and mindful of the modern writer's role as witness to his or her times. We also enjoy material that ventures into international terrain." Submit fiction, nonfiction, or poetry until April 1. Pays: $25/every 1,500 words of prose and $25/poem, "for both print and online work."
Details at http://witness.blackmountaininstitute...
Kids on the Net was one of the first websites on the Internet to invite children to submit their
writing. Now there are thousands of Kids on the Net writers - have a read! We want children all over the world to send us your writing - poems, stories, articles and reports, opinions, writing about yourselves - whether you write it at school, at home, in a library or club, or anywhere else.
Details at http://www.kidsonthenet.com/
Completing the top ten are
2. pragmatic,
3.moratorium
4. socialism
5. bigot
6. Doppelganger [This word was used in "The Vampire Diaries."]
7. shellacking
8. ebullient
9. dissident
10. furtive
We want readers to take notice of our word choice. Finding words that capture and convey meaning is challenging but well worth the effort. As we take our readers along the journey of our stories, our word choices can create a bumpy ride or a smooth one. Mark Twain said it best: The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
Calls for Submissions:
You may already know that *Witness* publishes an annual print issue devoted to a single topic (currently, they're seeking work on "Disaster"). Now, the journal is launching two online issues as well (May and September). These will be general issues. Keep in mind that the journal "prefer[s] work that is contemporary in its setting, outward-looking in its perspective, and mindful of the modern writer's role as witness to his or her times. We also enjoy material that ventures into international terrain." Submit fiction, nonfiction, or poetry until April 1. Pays: $25/every 1,500 words of prose and $25/poem, "for both print and online work."
Details at http://witness.blackmountaininstitute...
Kids on the Net was one of the first websites on the Internet to invite children to submit their
writing. Now there are thousands of Kids on the Net writers - have a read! We want children all over the world to send us your writing - poems, stories, articles and reports, opinions, writing about yourselves - whether you write it at school, at home, in a library or club, or anywhere else.
Details at http://www.kidsonthenet.com/
