Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 80

25 Writing Contests in July - No entry fees

July is a busy month for writing contests. The 25 free contests featured this month include every genre, and prizes span the gamut - from publication to 6-digit awards.
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John Glassco Translation Prize. Sponsored by Literary Translators' Association of Canada. Restrictions: Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents only. Genre: The work submitted must be the translator's first published book-length translation into English or French. The book must have been published between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Prize: $1000. Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Kate Tufts Discovery Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. Book must be author's first full-length book of poetry, published between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Self-published books are accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. The work submitted must be a first book of poetry published between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Manuscripts, CDs, and chapbooks are not accepted. Prize: $100,000. Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Montgomery County Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to Montgomery County residents only. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Prize: $250 and publication in Montgomery Magazine. Runners-up will receive $100 and have their work published on montgomerymag.com. Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Richard J. Margolis Award. Genre: Journalism. Prize is awarded annually to a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humor, wisdom and concern with social justice. Prize: $5,000 and one month of residency at Blue Mountain Center. Deadline: July 1, 2015.

We Said Go Travel Writing Contest. Theme Independence: A Place that Makes You Feel Free to be Yourself. Prize: 1st Prize – $500 usd cash 2nd Prize – $100 usd cash 3rd Prize – $50 usd cash. Deadline: July 4, 2015.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $1,500. Deadline: July 5, 2015.

Glamour: "My Real Life Essay" Contest. Restrictions: Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C. Genre: Essay. "Every woman has an inspiring true story somewhere inside her. Is it about the time you overcame an obstacle, tested your courage, met the love of your life, or found your passion?" Prize: $5,000 and publication. Deadline: July 15, 2015.

Linda Flowers Literary Award. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. "Submissions should detail examinations of intimate, provocative, and inspiring portraiture of North Carolina, its people and cultures, bringing to light real men and women having to make their way in the face of change, loss, triumph, and disappointments." Prize: $500 and a stipend for a writer’s residency at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Deadline: July 15, 2015.

The Undergraduate No-Fee Contest. Sponsored by Sandy River Review. Restrictions: Undergraduates enrolled in college or a Spring 2015 graduate. Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Prize $100. Deadline: July 15, 2015.

Middle and High School Teacher Creative Non-Fiction Writing Award Competition. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Restrictions: Open to full- and part-time middle and high school teachers. Teachers may submit one piece of writing with a maximum of 20 single-spaced pages. Prize: $5,000 and travel and lodging to attend a special award ceremony in Fall 2015. Deadline: July 16, 2015.

Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. Restrictions: Book must be published in UK. Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: £2,500, a week of ‘protected’ writing time on the East Suffolk coast, plus a fee-paying invitation to read at the 2016 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Any first collection of at least 40 pages with primary publication in the UK and Republic of Ireland between 1 August 2014 and 31 July 2015 is eligible. Deadline: July 24, 2015.

The New Writers Award. Sponsored by the thirteen members of the Great Lakes Colleges Association. Genre: First published volume of poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 25, 2015.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction. Restrictions: Books must be English-language, first-edition trade books published by a Canadian press, written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Titles must be published between September 18, 2014 and September 17, 2015. Genre: Literary nonfiction including, among other forms, works of personal or journalistic essays, memoirs, commentary, criticism both social and political, history, and biography. Prize: Winner: $60,000; Finalists: $5,000. Deadline: July 29, 2015.

Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Books must be English-language, first-edition trade books published by a Canadian press, written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Titles must be published between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015. Genre: Novel or short-story collection. Prize: Winner: $25,000; Finalists: $2,500. Deadline: July 29, 2015.

The Asher Literary Award. Restrictions: Open to published female authors from Australia or New Zealand. Genre: Poetry or prose. Work must carry an anti-war theme. Prize: $12,000 AU. Deadline: July 30, 2015.

Bastiat Prize for Journalism. Established in 2002 by the International Policy Network. Genre: Journalism. Articles must have been published in English for the first time June 30, 2014 and July 31, 2015. Prize: The total prize fund is $16,000, divided between first ($10,000), second ($5,000) and third ($1,000) prize winners. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Eden Mills Teen Poetry Contest. This year’s theme: SECRETS and DREAMS. Restrictions: Open to Canadian teens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 2 $50 prizes, 2 $25 prizes. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. Restrictions: Open to young poets age 11 - 17. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Publication. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Harvill Secker Young Translators’ Prize. Restrictions; Entrants must be between 18 and 34 years of age on the submission deadline. Genre: Translation from Polish to English. Prize: £1000 and a selection of Harvill Secker titles. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Landfall Essay Competition. Restrictions: Open to New Zealand writers. Genre: Essay about New Zealand. Prize: The winner will receive $3000 and a year’s subscription to Landfall. The winning entry/ies will be published in the November 2015 issue of Landfall. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

The Linda Bruckheimer Series in Kentucky Literature. Restrictions: Contest is open to any writer of English: who is a native of Kentucky, or who has lived in Kentucky for at least two years, or whose manuscript is set in or about Kentucky. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Prize: Publication by Sarabande Press. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to students who are FULL TIME, undergraduate students in an AMERICAN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY during the Spring 2015 semester. Genre: Essay "If Lincoln has lived." Prize: 1st Prize $1500 | 2nd Prize $750 | 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Stone Canoe. Restrictions: Open to people who live or have lived in Upstate New York (not New York City). Genres: Drama, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

SLF Diverse Writers and Diverse Worlds Grants. Restrictions: Open to writers from underrepresented and underprivileged groups, such as writers of color, women, queer writers, disabled writers, working-class writers, etc. -- those whose marginalized identities may present additional obstacles in the writing / publishing process. Genres: Book-length works (novels, collections of short stories) of speculative fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

2 New Agents Actively Seeking Writers - Literary Fiction, Thrillers, Romance, Memoir, Nonfiction and more��

Here are two new agents looking to build their client lists. Mary South (Lowenstein Associates) is seeking literary fiction, and in nonfiction: neuroscience, bioengineering, women's rights, design, and digital humanities, as well as investigative journalism, essays, and memoir. Saba Sulaiman (Talcott Notch Literary) is seeking literary and commercial fiction, romance (all subgenres except paranormal), psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and memoir. In young adult, she seeks contemporary realistic stories. She also is looking for middle grade fiction. In nonfiction, she accepts humor books. Mary South of Lowenstein Associates

About Mary: Mary South is the digital marketing manager, foreign rights liaison, and new agent at Lowenstein Associates. She is also a senior editor at NOON. Previously, she worked for Random House, Google, The New Yorker, and McGraw-Hill. She has an MFA in fiction from Columbia University and a B.A. in literature, with honors, from Northwestern University.

What she is seeking: She is interested in receiving queries for literary fiction with a compelling voice, an exquisite use of form, and the utmost attention paid to the beauty of the sentence. She also has an interest in nonfiction on subjects such as neuroscience, bioengineering, women's rights, design, and digital humanities, as well as investigative journalism, essays, and memoir.

How to submit: For fiction, send a one-page query letter, along with the first ten pages pasted in the body of the message by email to assistant@bookhaven.com. If non-fiction, please send a one-page query letter, a table of contents, and, if available, a proposal pasted into the body of the email to assistant@bookhaven.com. Please put the word QUERY and the title of your project in the subject field of your email and address it to the agent of your choice. Please do not send an attachment as the message will be deleted without being read and no reply will be sent. Response within 4-6 weeks.
Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Notch Literary

About Saba: Born to Pakistani expatriates in Sri Lanka, Saba double-majored in Economics and Middle Eastern Studies at Wellesley and studied modern Persian Literature at the University of Chicago, where she got involved with editing the department’s academic journal. “And it finally hit me—working closely with writers to hone their craft; seeing a piece of writing from its inception through to its eventual publication; and advocating for what I believed was stellar prose worthy of recognition—this was my calling. So I interned at various newspaper and magazine publications, worked as an editorial intern at Sourcebooks, and then wound up at Talcott Notch, where I’m excited to begin my career as a literary agent. When I’m not reading, you’ll probably find me learning another foreign language, playing Scrabble, watching a Bollywood movie, or singing in the bathroom (the acoustics, am I right?).” Find her on Twitter: @agentsaba.

What she is seeking: In adult fiction, she seeks upmarket literary and commercial fiction, romance (all subgenres except paranormal), character-driven psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and memoir. In young adult, she seeks all subgenres except paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi. She’s particularly interested in contemporary realistic stories, fast-paced mysteries, or lush historicals. She also seeks middle grade fiction. In nonfiction, she accepts humor books.

She does not want: picture books, cookbooks, self-help books, diet books, military themes or travel writing.

How to submit: Send a query to ssulaiman@talcottnotch.net and paste the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of your e-mail. “If it’s been longer than 8 weeks, feel free to follow up with me.” For more detailed and up-to-date instructions on how to query me, visit sabasulaiman.com

10 Calls for Submissions: Anthologies, June - Aug 2015: Science fiction, Horror, Nonfiction, General Fiction, Poetry

Anthologies are themed collections of short stories and/or poems by various authors and published as a single book.

It is a good idea to get your work into a print anthology for several reasons: 1) Anthologies generally get a wider distribution than magazines; 2) Print anthologies don't preclude publishing your story online, or on Amazon, later on;  3) Establishing a relationship with a publisher may pan out later when you are ready to publish your novel; 4) Anthologies are a great writing credit; 5) Many anthologies accept reprints, which will extend the life of your stories.


Please read the submissions pages carefully. All of these are paying markets.
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Living with Fibromyalgia (Fibrostrong)

Genre: Nonfiction

Deadline: June 15, 2015

Reprints: Not specified

Simultaneous submissions: Not specified

Payment: $25

Length: 2,000 max

"Each story should about one single event or a couple of closely related events. The premise behind the book is to deliver hope, humor, joy, and a hearty dose of personal success into the readers living with Fibromyalgia and their loved ones."

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World Traveler Press

Genre: Travel

Deadline: June 30, 2015

Reprints: Yes

Simultaneous submissions: Not specified

Payment: $75

Length: 2,000 to 4,000 words

WTP is looking for submissions in the following two categories:

Women’s Travel: "The best travel essays follow both an inner and external journey. Tell us about travel that changed you, touched you or just left an impression you’ll never forget. Your submission can be funny, scary, exciting, thoughtful or even inspirational. The common threads are travel, a woman’s point of view and excellent writing."

Adventure Travel: "Our first adventure travel book, Adventures of a Lifetime, was well received, so we’re publishing another anthology focused on adventure travel. We’re seeking true life tales of unforgettable adventure, from swimming with beluga whales in the Arctic to climbing in Nepal. We’re especially interested in stories that offer an emotional or personal connection with adventure travel."
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Defying Doomsday

Genre: Speculative fiction

Deadline: July 1, 2015

Reprints: No

Simultaneous submissions: No

Payment: 7 cents per word

Length: 3000 - 7000 words

"(One of) the protagonist(s) must be a character with disability, such as physical impairments, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses and/or neurodiverse characters etc. We will consider stories with characters experiencing all kinds of disability and hope that submitting authors will be creative with the possibilities. However, we are not looking for issue stories or stories where disability is the sole focus of the narrative. Some sort of cataclysmic event must have occurred or be in the process of occurring. We are open to a variety of events, including apocalypses, alien invasions, devastating war, natural disasters etc. Be creative! We are most interested in stories set in the near future, however, we will also consider stories set in the far future or an alternate timeline version of the recent past. We are not interested in fantasy (that means no magic)."

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The Emby Bestiary

Genre: Dark Fiction, Horror, Sci-fi for children

Deadline: July 1, 2015

Reprints: No

Simultaneous submissions: No

Payment: 7 cents per word

Length: 2000 - 8000 words

"An Emby Bestiary is looking for stories like that: yarns about monsters that will make a big impression on young imaginations. They can be good monsters that help upon a tale of discovery or evil monsters that lurk in a cautionary tale. The two requirements are that the creatures be original and that the tale be suitable for children (think middle-grade fiction up to pg-13) Take us back to the campfires of our youth as you spin a tale that you can tell your own kids."
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Chicken Soup for the Soul "Random Acts of Kindness"

Genre: Nonfiction story or poem

Deadline: July 31, 2015

Reprints: No

Simultaneous submissions: No

Payment: $200 per story or poem

Length: 1200 words max

"Chicken Soup for the Soul stories are written in the first person and have a beginning, middle and an end. The stories often close with a punch, creating emotion, rather than simply talking about it. Chicken Soup for the Soul stories have heart, but also something extra—an element that makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful, more passionate and better about life in general. A good story causes tears, laughter, goose bumps or any combination of these.The most powerful stories are about people extending themselves, or performing an act of love, service or courage for another person."
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Clockwork Phoenix

Genre: Speculative fiction.

Deadline: July 26, 2015

Reprints: No

Simultaneous submissions: No

Payment: $0.06 per word on return of counter-signed contract as an advance against royalties, then an evenly divided share of royalties after earnout, plus one print contributor copy and electronic copies in preferred formats.

Length: Stories should be no longer than 10,000 words; stories under 5,000 words preferred.

CLOCKWORK PHOENIX 5 is the next volume in the anthology series edited by Mike Allen, tentatively scheduled to be published by Mythic Delirium Books of January 2016. It is open to the full range of speculative and fantastic genres. “The stories should contain elements of the fantastic, be it science fiction, fantasy, horror or some combination thereof. A straight psychological horror story is unlikely to make the cut unless it’s truly scary and truly bizarre."

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Shadow People & Cursed Objects 

Genre: Any fiction

Deadline: July 31

Payment: $50

Reprints: Yes

Length: 5,000 words or less

Submit: Fiction stories about ghosts or haunted objects.

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Gothic Blue Book

Genre: Dark fiction

Deadline: August 15

Payment: $25

Length: 3,500 words max

"Original Gothic Blue Books typically took place in either a monastery, convent or castle. In years past we have asked for short stories that take place in one of these locations, or a modern day location such as a morgue, haunted house or cemetery. This year, we have added new location recommendations – hotel, inn, or bed and breakfast. The haunted hotel has a long, complex history in the field of horror and we look forward to your entries."

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Wicked Tales "Corner of the Eye

Genre: Dark fiction

Deadline: August 31

Payment: $0.01 per word (after editing) up to a maximum of $150.00.

Length: 3,000 to 20,000 words

"The life blood of an author, short stories can fuel the imagination with so few words. If you have a knack for horror, I invite you to try and scare us a little."
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Futuristica Volume 1

Genre: Science fiction

Deadline: August 31

Payment: 6 cents per word against a pro rata share of royalties

Reprints: No

Simultaneous submissions: Yes

Length: 3,000 - 10,000 words

"Stories should explore science fiction, scientific fantasy, space opera, emerging technologies, etc… We have a preference for near future, near Earth settings. No high fantasy, please. No dragons or dinosaurs, unless they also have lasers."

Calls for Submissions - June & July 2015: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Illustrations of Elena Dudina These nine publications are currently open to submissions for speculative fiction, horror, poetry, general fiction, and nonfiction. All are paying markets.

Before you submit, take a tour of their websites to see if your work will be a good fit.

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Inaccurate Realities

Deadline: June 15, 2015
Payment: $15-$25
Reprints: Yes
Simultaneous submissions: Yes
Looking for: Diverse young adult stories for the theme "Hate" – science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, horror, dystopian, steampunk, cyberpunk, alternate history etc. Take the theme and do something unique and unexpected with it.
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Black Treacle

Deadline: June 23, 2015
Payment: $50 CAD
Reprints: No
Simultaneous submissions: Yes
Looking for: Original short stories in the genres of Horror, Dark Fantasy, and Speculative fiction.
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Allegory

Deadline: June 30, 2015
Payment: $15
Reprints: Yes
Simultaneous submissions: Yes
Looking for: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genres. They will consider other genres, such as humor or general interest, provided that the work possesses an original, "quirky" slant in the Northern Exposure, Ally McBeal vein.
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Imaginate *New Market


Deadline: July 1, 2015
Payment: 5 cents a word
Reprints: No
Simultaneous submissions: Not indicated
Looking for: For the September 2015 edition, use the photo on homepage as your inspiration to write a short story, poem or nonfiction article. Chosen entries will be published in the September issue and winning authors will receive a byline and bio.
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Lazy Fascist Review

Deadline: July 1, 2015
Payment: $75
Reprints: No
Simultaneous submissions: No
Looking for: This is the Lovecraftiana issue of Lazy Fascist Review. That means stories submitted should seek to explore some combination of Bizarro with the themes typically found in Mythos fiction.
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Lightspeed

Deadline: July 15, 2015
Payment: 8 cents a word
Reprints: Yes
Simultaneous submissions: No
Looking for: All types of science fiction and fantasy are welcome. No subject should be considered off-limits.


Note: Also receives nominations for BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY
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Lamplight

Deadline: July 15, 2015
Payment: $150 per story, $50 for flash fiction
Reprints: Yes
Simultaneous submissions: Yes
Looking for: Literary dark fiction, both short stories and flash fiction. 
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Story

Deadline: July 15, 2015
Payment: $30 per poem, $20 per page of prose (up to $200), and $100 per interview upon in print editions.
Reprints: Yes
Simultaneous submissions: Yes
Looking for: Narrative of any shape and kind, experimental forms of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, hybrid forms, research, lists, and charts too. Theme is "Climate Change." Climate change is one of the most significant issues of our time. How do we tell stories of it? How do its stories inform us? For Issue #4, send your best work in any form that explores the natural and built worlds here on Earth. Glaciers and cityscapes. Flora and fauna and concrete. From the pastoral all the way to Mega City One. Currently 9-12 month response time.
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New Myths

Deadline: July 31, 2015
Payment: Short stories (1,000+ words): $50; Flash fiction (1-999 words): $20; Poems (any length): $20; Non-fiction articles (any length): $50; Artwork: $60 or more. Send a thumbnail.
Reprints: No
Simultaneous submissions: Yes
Looking for: Speculative fiction.

How to Write a Synopsis

Whether you are submitting your book to an agent or directly to a publisher, a synopsis is an essential part of your submission packet.

Nobody likes writing synopses, in part because there is a natural desire on the part of writers to resist stripping their works of art down to the bare bones of plot points.

Writing a synopsis is also not particularly fun. If your strong suit is snappy dialogue or lyrical descriptions, you will be forced to leave all your little darlings behind.

The truth is you don't have to sacrifice creativity to write a synopsis, You can include descriptive adjectives and power verbs (avoid all forms of the verb "to be" and "to have" whenever possible). You can also include short dialogue if it is relevant to the plot.

How long is a synopsis?

Back in the day, synopses used to be quite long, roughly one page per every 25 pages of manuscript. (A 200-page book would have a synopsis of  8 pages.) But agents and editors are increasingly pressed for time, which means synopses have shrunk. The length now depends entirely on what the agent/editor requires.

It is a good idea to have several synopses on hand: a 3-5 paragraph synopsis (one page, or roughly 300 words), a 2-page synopsis, and a one-paragraph synopsis. Chances are the agent or house you are querying will ask for one of those.

Remember: A synopsis is a summary. It is designed to give an agent or editor a clear, concise idea of your story, not show your dexterity as a wordsmith.

Here are the basics for writing a synopsis

1) A synopsis must include all of your plot, including the ending. You can't end a synopsis with a cliffhanger or a question. "John dies" may seem like a spoiler, but that is exactly what an editor wants to know.

2) Be explicit. Details are important in a synopsis. A character should not experience "something unexpected." Say what that something is. For example,"The unexpected arrival of her father leaves Clarissa confused and angry." (It's important to include how your character feels. That provides a basis for motivation.)

3) Make sure your synopsis is structured. It must have a clear beginning, middle, and end, corresponding to the beginning, middle, and end of your book. The beginning introduces your characters, identifies the main conflict, and describes the setting. The middle outlines the main plot points. And the end resolves the conflict and tells us what happens to the characters.

4) Don't include too many twists and turns. It is not essential to include absolutely everything. If there are too many extraneous characters and subplots, it will be impossible to follow the story. Simplify wherever you can.

5) Make your synopsis stand out. If there is something unique about your story, make sure to give it the attention it deserves.

6) Write in present tense. 

Before you start ...

It's a good idea to write a couple of synopses for books you did not write before you tackle your own. Like every other aspect of writing, synopsis writing is a skill, and all skills benefit from practice.

For a great list of synopsis examples, check out Writers Digest: Synopsis Writing

3 New Agents Seeking Clients - Fantasy, Sci-fi, Nonfiction, Thrillers, YA and more

Here are 3 new agents looking to build their client lists. Moe Ferrara (BookEnds) is seeking science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Amanda Rutter (Red Sofa Literary) is seeking fantasy, science fiction, and YA contemporary. Jennifer Johnson-Blalock (Liza Dawson) is looking for nonfiction: current events, social sciences, women’s issues, law, business, history, the arts and pop culture, lifestyle, sports, and food, including cookbooks and health/wellness; and in fiction, thrillers, especially ones that are psychological or have a literary bent, upmarket women’s fiction and contemporary YA.  Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency

About Moe: "Becoming a literary agent was fitting for the girl who, as a small child, begged her dad to buy her a book simply because "it has a hard cover." Growing up, she had a hard time finding YA books outside of Christopher Pike and R. L. Stine, and instead tackled Tom Clancy or her mom's romance novels. Though her career path zigzagged a bit—she attended college as a music major, earned a JD from Pace Law School, then worked various jobs throughout the publishing industry—Moe was thrilled to join the BookEnds team in May of 2015 as a literary agent and the foreign rights manager."

What she is seeking: Moe is interested in science fiction and fantasy for all age groups (no picture books). She loves a bit (or a lot!) of romance in her fiction, so the right contemporary or historical romance will spark her interest. She's LGBTQ friendly, so send her that male/male erotic romance in your back pocket! At this time she's not looking for nonfiction, women's fiction, or cozy mysteries.

How to submit: Send a one-page query letter in the body of an e-mail to MFsubmissions@bookends-inc.com. Response time is 6 weeks. 

____________________ Amanda Rutter of Red Sofa Literary

About Amanda: Amanda is a literary agent at Red Sofa Literary. She is a book reviewer, and produces work for her own blog, Floor to Ceiling Books, but can also be found reviewing for Tor.com, Hub Magazine, Vector and Fantasy Literature. Before becoming an agent, Amanda was an editor with Angry Robot, helping to sign books and authors for the Strange Chemistry imprint. In her free time, she is a yarn fiend, knitting and crocheting a storm. Find her on Twitter at @ALRutter.

What she is seeking: adult fantasy and science fiction, as well as young adult fantasy and contemporary.

How to submit: E-query Amanda [at] redsofaliterary.com, featuring the novel pitch, the genre, whether it is adult or YA, and the word count. Send only the query to start. No attachments. Responds within 1 month.
____________________ Jennifer Johnson-Blalock of Liza Dawson
  
About Jennifer: Jennifer Johnson-Blalock joined Liza Dawson Associates as an associate agent in 2015, having previously interned at LDA in 2013 before working as an agent’s assistant at Trident Media Group. Jennifer graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in English and earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Before interning at LDA, she practiced entertainment law and taught high school English and debate. When she’s not reading, Jennifer enjoys film, food, and travel. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @JJohnsonBlalock.

What she is seeking: Jennifer is focusing on nonfiction. She is looking for seasoned writers with strong platforms and is excited by narrative nonfiction and memoirs that use a unique story to explore a larger issue. Particular areas of interest include current events, social sciences, women’s issues, law, business, history, the arts and pop culture, lifestyle, sports, and food, including cookbooks and health/wellness. She is actively seeking a political book on the liberal/progressive end of the spectrum, and she loves books that explain why we act the way we do and/or how we can live life better.

In fiction, Jennifer is interested in thrillers, especially ones that are psychological or have a literary bent, and she is also looking for smart upmarket women’s fiction and contemporary YA with a unique voice.

How to submit: E-mail queryjennifer [at] lizadawsonassociates.com. Please send just a query letter (no supporting materials) in the body of the e-mail.

17 Free Press Release Sites for Authors

NY Times newsroom, 1942 Your book is about to be released, but how do you get the news out to the media? The first thing you need to do is to write an engaging press release. 

A press release is a news story. It is written in third person, has a catchy title and intro, an engaging discussion of the book's topic, and contains at least one quote. The thing to remember is that a press release is a story. What the book is about, why it is significant, and how it came to be written are all important components of a press release.

There are many templates for press releases online. (Type "press release book release" into a search.) Read the releases that have been distributed by publishing houses as well as the templates. (For example, search "Hachette press release.")

After you have honed your press release, the next step is to send it to media outlets via press release distributors. (Be sure to remember your local paper. Local authors are celebrities!) Don't wait until the last minute. If your local paper, for example, would like to include a photo, or get some quotes, you will need to give them sufficient advance notice - at least a couple of weeks.

Most press release services charge a fee - sometimes a hefty one - for distribution to the thousands of media channels that exist in print, on air, and on the net. But there are a few that are free, and some only charge a nominal fee. Depending on where you want your press release to be distributed, you don't have to spend a fortune.

Below are 17 press release services that don't charge a fee and which include an "arts and entertainment" category. Most of these also include paid services for broader distribution. It is worth the time to compare what each service offers in terms of paid and free distribution. Not only will a comparison give you an idea of how broadly your release can be distributed, it will let you know exactly where.

Recommended reading. (This is a great article comparing the effectiveness of different press release services.) 

60 Free Press Release Sites Tested – A Detailed Review

* An asterisk means registration is required.

Free Services

1 NPR

2 PR Log   * Free press release distribution service

3 PR.com   *

4 Free Press Release * Online distribution to search engines

5 Press Box (UK) *

6 Newswire * Free and paid services.

7 Open PR * German site

8 Free Press Release Center * European site

9 UK Prwire * UK news only

10 Free Press Index *

11 PR Urgent *

12 Press Exposure *

13 PR Mac * Listing on website, distribution to email list only. Offers paid services for broader distribution.

14 Online PR News * Appears on Google News. Offers paid services for broader distribution.

15 PR Fire * Based in UK

16 PR-Inside *

17 Big News.biz *

Paid services

PR Underground Offers syndication to 100+ News Sites. Very affordable at $39

Newswire * The paid service has a wide reach. Not cheap.

Pressat UK based, quite comprehensive. Plans start at £110

E-releases * Plans range from $249-$499. More pricey plans guarantee distribution to hundreds of news outlets.

24 Writing Contests in June - No Entry Fee

With the end of the academic year come a plethora of writing contests. Just about everything is represented this month: short stories, nonfiction, essays, poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction in every genre.

A couple of these contests deserve a special mention. If you have written a mystery novel set in the Southwest, St. Martin's Press is offering publication with a $10,000 advance. St. Martin's is willing to consider all entries for publication, so this contest amounts to a call for submissions.

Another contest that operates in similar fashion is the Drue Heinz Literature Prize which offers a $15,000 advance and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press to a writer who has published a minimum of 3 short stories (or novellas). If you qualify, this is a great opportunity.
__________________________________

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: June 1, 2015 (postmarked)

Luminarts Creative Writing Program. The Creative Writing Competition awards five $5,000 grant awards and Luminarts Fellowships across categories of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Open to writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old at the time of application; be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a degree program; and live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago. Genre: Poetry or prose, fiction and nonfiction. Prize: $5,000 and publication in Luminarts Review, a literary journal. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

IUPUI Poetry Contest. Restrictions: High school age students. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $300. 2nd Prize $200, 3rd Prize $100, Deadline: June 1, 2015.

Winter Tangerine Awards. Restrictions: Submissions will only be accepted from writers who have not yet published a chapbook, novel, or collection of any type. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction. Prize: $250 apiece for poetry and prose (fiction and essay compete together), plus trophy, used books, box of cookies, and one-year WTR subscription. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

Singapore Poetry Contest. Genre: Poetry. The poem may be about any aspect of Singapore. Prize: 1st Prize $100. 2nd Prize $50, 3rd Prize $20; all winners will be published online. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

Tony Hillerman Prize. Sponsored by St. Martin's Press. Genre: Debut mystery novel set in Southwest. Prize: $10,000 advance against royalties and publication, Deadline: June 1, 2015.

American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes. Genre: English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, or literary prose originally written in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, or Swedish by a Scandinavian author born after 1800. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

The Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards. Restrictions: Open to Canadian freelance writers who have a contract for publication of a non-fiction magazine article or book. Genre: Projects that delve into issues associated with social justice, whether in the Canadian context or globally. Prize: $5,000 for book. $2,000 for article. Deadline: June 12, 2015.

DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Genre: Published novel or novella. South Asian culture, politics, history, or people. South Asia is defined as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Burma, and Afghanistan. Entries must have been first published in English between May 1 of the previous year and April 30 of the deadline year. Must be submitted by publisher. A book may be submitted only once for this prize and cannot be resubmitted in a subsequent edition. No e-books or self-published books. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Bard Fiction Prize. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People. Restrictions: Open to people 25 years of age or less. Genre: Essay (max 700 words). What does it mean to build peace in our hearts and minds? How does it relate to the world around us? Please illustrate your ideas with your personal experience. Prize: 1st US$840, 2nd US$420. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction/Warren Hollister Prize for Oz Nonfiction. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Creative Nonfiction. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Hospital Drive Poetry and Prose Contest. Submissions must explore the theme of "Identity" within the context of health care. Genres: Poetry and prose. "We’re looking for well-crafted poems, stories, and essays that will change the way we think about who we are. Submissions must be rich with detail and a distinctive voice; they should combine strong images and/or a compelling narrative with an informative or reflective element; and they should reach beyond the personal to touch some deeper truth." Prize: $500 for each genre (poetry and prose). Deadline: June 15, 2015

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered." Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: $1,500. Two runner-up prizes of $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. Restrictions: Authors making literary debut. Self-published works not allowed. Genres: Published or scheduled to be published fiction and literary nonfiction. Prize: $10,000 in each genre and in-store marketing/merchandising from Barnes & Noble. 2nd Place $5,000 in each genre, 3rd Place $2,500 in each genre. Deadline: June 18, 2015.

Utah Division of Arts and Museums Original Writing Competition. Restrictions: Utah writers. Genres: Poetry and prose. Prize: $1,000 top prizes for book-length manuscripts of novels, creative nonfiction & history, collection of poetry or short stories, and juvenile book; $300 top prizes for individual poems, short stories, and personal essays. 2nd Prize $500 for the book-length categories, $150 for poetry. Deadline: June 26, 2015.

Costa Book Awards. Restrictions: Prize is for books first published in the UK or Ireland by authors who have lived in the UK or Ireland for at least six months of each of the preceding three years. Books must be published between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the current year. Self-published works not allowed. Genre: Five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. Prize: £30,000.00 across all genres. 5,000 pounds in each category (poetry, novel, first novel, biography, children's book). Deadline: June 26, 2015.

SPS Studios Poetry Card Contest. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st prize $300. 2nd Prize $150, 3rd Prize $50; winners published on website. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

Mary Ballard Poetry Chapbook Prize. Genre: One long poem or a collection of poems. Prize: $500, 25 printed copies of chapbook, and publishing contract with sponsor. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror.  17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

Eric Hoffer Award for Short Prose. Genre: Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction. Works of short prose must be less than 10,000 words, previously unpublished, or published with a circulation of less than 500. Prize: $250.00. Deadline: June 30, 2015. Authors can nominate their own work.

Ekphrasis Prize for Poetry. Genre: 3 - poems about a work of art. Previously published poems are eligible. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: June 30, 2015. Submit via regular submissions page.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Restrictions: The award is open to writers who have published a book-length collection of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals of national distribution. Online and self-publication does not count toward this requirement. Genre: A manuscript of short stories; two or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Prize: $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press under its standard contract. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

24 Writing Contests in June - No Entry Fee

With the end of the academic year come a plethora of writing contests. Just about everything is represented this month: short stories, nonfiction, essays, poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction in every genre.

A couple of these contests deserve a special mention. If you have written a mystery novel set in the Southwest, St. Martin's Press is offering publication with a $10,000 advance. St. Martin's is willing to consider all entries for publication, so this contest amounts to a call for submissions.

Another contest that operates in similar fashion is the Drue Heinz Literature Prize which offers a $15,000 advance and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press to a writer who has published a minimum of 3 short stories (or novellas). If you qualify, this is a great opportunity.
__________________________________

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: June 1, 2015 (postmarked)

Luminarts Creative Writing Program. The Creative Writing Competition awards five $5,000 grant awards and Luminarts Fellowships across categories of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Open to writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old at the time of application; be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a degree program; and live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago. Genre: Poetry or prose, fiction and nonfiction. Prize: $5,000 and publication in Luminarts Review, a literary journal. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

IUPUI Poetry Contest. Restrictions: High school age students. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $300. 2nd Prize $200, 3rd Prize $100, Deadline: June 1, 2015.

Winter Tangerine Awards. Restrictions: Submissions will only be accepted from writers who have not yet published a chapbook, novel, or collection of any type. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction. Prize: $250 apiece for poetry and prose (fiction and essay compete together), plus trophy, used books, box of cookies, and one-year WTR subscription. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

Singapore Poetry Contest. Genre: Poetry. The poem may be about any aspect of Singapore. Prize: 1st Prize $100. 2nd Prize $50, 3rd Prize $20; all winners will be published online. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

Tony Hillerman Prize. Sponsored by St. Martin's Press. Genre: Debut mystery novel set in Southwest. Prize: $10,000 advance against royalties and publication, Deadline: June 1, 2015.

American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes. Genre: English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, or literary prose originally written in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, or Swedish by a Scandinavian author born after 1800. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: June 1, 2015.

The Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards. Restrictions: Open to Canadian freelance writers who have a contract for publication of a non-fiction magazine article or book. Genre: Projects that delve into issues associated with social justice, whether in the Canadian context or globally. Prize: $5,000 for book. $2,000 for article. Deadline: June 12, 2015.

DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Genre: Published novel or novella. South Asian culture, politics, history, or people. South Asia is defined as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Burma, and Afghanistan. Entries must have been first published in English between May 1 of the previous year and April 30 of the deadline year. Must be submitted by publisher. A book may be submitted only once for this prize and cannot be resubmitted in a subsequent edition. No e-books or self-published books. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Bard Fiction Prize. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People. Restrictions: Open to people 25 years of age or less. Genre: Essay (max 700 words). What does it mean to build peace in our hearts and minds? How does it relate to the world around us? Please illustrate your ideas with your personal experience. Prize: 1st US$840, 2nd US$420. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction/Warren Hollister Prize for Oz Nonfiction. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Creative Nonfiction. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Hospital Drive Poetry and Prose Contest. Submissions must explore the theme of "Identity" within the context of health care. Genres: Poetry and prose. "We’re looking for well-crafted poems, stories, and essays that will change the way we think about who we are. Submissions must be rich with detail and a distinctive voice; they should combine strong images and/or a compelling narrative with an informative or reflective element; and they should reach beyond the personal to touch some deeper truth." Prize: $500 for each genre (poetry and prose). Deadline: June 15, 2015

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered." Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: $1,500. Two runner-up prizes of $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2015.

Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. Restrictions: Authors making literary debut. Self-published works not allowed. Genres: Published or scheduled to be published fiction and literary nonfiction. Prize: $10,000 in each genre and in-store marketing/merchandising from Barnes & Noble. 2nd Place $5,000 in each genre, 3rd Place $2,500 in each genre. Deadline: June 18, 2015.

Utah Division of Arts and Museums Original Writing Competition. Restrictions: Utah writers. Genres: Poetry and prose. Prize: $1,000 top prizes for book-length manuscripts of novels, creative nonfiction & history, collection of poetry or short stories, and juvenile book; $300 top prizes for individual poems, short stories, and personal essays. 2nd Prize $500 for the book-length categories, $150 for poetry. Deadline: June 26, 2015.

Costa Book Awards. Restrictions: Prize is for books first published in the UK or Ireland by authors who have lived in the UK or Ireland for at least six months of each of the preceding three years. Books must be published between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the current year. Self-published works not allowed. Genre: Five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. Prize: £30,000.00 across all genres. 5,000 pounds in each category (poetry, novel, first novel, biography, children's book). Deadline: June 26, 2015.

SPS Studios Poetry Card Contest. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st prize $300. 2nd Prize $150, 3rd Prize $50; winners published on website. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

Mary Ballard Poetry Chapbook Prize. Genre: One long poem or a collection of poems. Prize: $500, 25 printed copies of chapbook, and publishing contract with sponsor. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror.  17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

Eric Hoffer Award for Short Prose. Genre: Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction. Works of short prose must be less than 10,000 words, previously unpublished, or published with a circulation of less than 500. Prize: $250.00. Deadline: June 30, 2015. Authors can nominate their own work.

Ekphrasis Prize for Poetry. Genre: 3 - poems about a work of art. Previously published poems are eligible. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: June 30, 2015. Submit via regular submissions page.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Restrictions: The award is open to writers who have published a book-length collection of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals of national distribution. Online and self-publication does not count toward this requirement. Genre: A manuscript of short stories; two or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Prize: $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press under its standard contract. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 30, 2015.

29 Writers' Conferences in June

June is bustin' out all over! There are more than 40 conferences at the beginning of summer held all over the world.

Below I have listed 29 conferences, workshops, and retreats in the US. Some have deadlines for registration that are fast approaching. So, if you see a conference you would like to attend, be sure to check the website for registration information.

If you miss this year's June conferences, many of these are annual events. Some of the smaller workshops are given several times a year in different locations. Quite a few offer financial aid. (Aid applications are due 1 - 3 months in advance.)

_____________________

Iowa Summer Writing Festival. June 1, 2015, Iowa City. Featuring 138 workshops with 72 instructors, including old friends John Dalton, Amber Dermont, Kelly Dwyer, Hope Edelman, Sands Hall, Katie Ford, Hugh Ferrer, Sabrina Orah Mark, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, and Michael Martone, as well as new friends Douglas Bauer, Melanie Braverman, Ashley Colley, Jennifer Colville, Katie Farris, Lauren Haldeman, Ilya Kaminsky, Matthew Lippman, Jude Nutter, Megan Stielstra, and Richard Thomas.

Clarksville Writers Conference. June 4-5, Clarksville, TN. Two days of writing workshops and presentations, a keynote banquet with the authors, and manuscript consultations.

Alcona Writers Retreat. June 4 - 7, 2015, Lincoln, MI. Three-day writing workshop Up North in Michigan with widely published authors in poetry, memoir and fiction. Relaxed setting in a lodge on a small, quiet lake at the edge of the forest. All levels of experience accepted, including those just starting.

Books-in-Progress Writers Conference, June 5-6, 2015, Lexington, KY. Craft & business workshops led by authors A.J. Verdelle, Marcia Thornton Jones, Erik Reece, Kathleen Driskell, Ben Woodard, Larry and Peggy DeKay, David Arnold, Sarah Combs, Gwenda Bond, and Writer’s Digest editor Chuck Sambuchino. Enjoy small break-out sessions & personal attention. Topics include revising for publication, children’s literature, poetry, nonfiction, fiction, selling your book, finding an agent, and more. The Carnegie Books-in-Progress Conference also offers participants the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch their book ideas to literary agents from New York City. Attending agents: Adriann Ranta (Wolf Literary); and Melissa Flashman (Trident Media).

Moravian Writers' Conference. June 5-7, Bethlehem PA. Workshop, two craft talks, and panel discussion; interview and Q&A with keynote speaker; faculty readings and book signing; welcome reception and two meals. Writers of all genres and at all career stages welcome. Registration deadline  May 29, 2015.

Yale Writers' Conference. Session I: June 6 - 16, 2015, Session II: June 18-21, 2015, New Haven, Connecticut. The first session will focus on craft, and features workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as craft talks, master classes, readings, and panel discussions with agents, editors, and publishers. The second session will focus on specific genres, including poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, and features one-on-one manuscript critiques with faculty. The faculty for the first session includes fiction writers Kirsten Bakis, Je Banach, Amy Bloom, John Crowley, John Donatich, Trey Ellis, Molly Gaudry, Julia Glass, Gish Jen, Lisa Page, Eileen Pollack, Marian Thurm, Colm Toibin, and Teddy Wayne; and nonfiction writers Jotham Burrello, Colleen Kinder, Richard Selzer, Cheryl Strayed, and Sergio Troncoso. The faculty for the second session includes poets Richard Deming, David Gorin, and Richard Jackson; fiction writers Kirsten Bakis, Louis Bayard, Molly Gaudry, Phil Klay, and Ben H. Winters; and nonfiction writers Priscilla Gilman, Jonathan Levi, MG Lord, Lisa Page, Mishka Shubaly, and Aaron Their.

SoCal Mystery Writers of America Conference, June 6-7, 2015, Culver City, CA.  Tracks on forensics, craft, industry, and marketing, along with other mystery-themed activities. A manuscript critique is available as an add-on option. Attending agents: Joshua Bilmes (JABberwocky Literary); Jessica Faust (BookEnds Literary); and Kimberley Cameron (Kimberley Cameron Literary).

The Santa Barbara Writers Conference, June 7–12, Santa Barbara, Calif. "Every summer, writers in many genres from around the world gather to participate in a magical week of intensive work focused on story, voice, craft, marketing, and networking with fellow writers and publishing professionals."

Writers at Work Conference. June 10 - 13, Alta, Utah. Workshops, manuscript consultations, and readings for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The faculty includes poet Alison Hawthorne Deming, fiction writer Ann Hood, nonfiction writer Judith Barrington, and poet and nonfiction writer Lance Larsen. Participating writers and publishing professionals include Emma Komlos-Hrobsky (Tin House), Michael McClane (Sugar House Review), and novelist Kirstin Scott. Registration deadline is June 8.

Wesleyan Writers Conference. June 10 - 14. One-day festival June 13. Middletown, CT. Seminars and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panel discussions, readings, lectures, and meetings with agents and editors. The faculty includes poet Honor Moore; fiction writers Amy Bloom, Alexander Chee, Roxana Robinson, and Salvatore Scibona; nonfiction writers William Finnegan, Lis Harris, and Hirsh Sawhney; and other publishing professionals.

67th Annual Philadelphia Writers' Conference. June 12 - 14, 2015, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features workshops, contests and awards, critique and feedback sessions, and agent and editor speed dates. Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screenwriting, Young Adult. Includes Sara Shepard, Stephen Fried, Dennis Tafoya, Solomon Jones, Christopher Bursk and many others.

West Virginia Writers Conference. June 12 - 14, 2015, Ripley, West Virginia. Author readings, contests and sharing your love of writing with others.

Poetry at the Frost Farm. June 12 - 14, Derry, New Hampshire. The retreat offers workshops, readings, and one-on-one consultations for formalist poets. The faculty includes poets A. M. Juster, Joshua Mehigan, Alfred Nicol, and Deborah Warren. Registration deadline is May 22.

The Writer's Center Publish Now Conference. June 13, Bethesda, Maryland. Lectures, panel discussions, and breakout sessions with agents and editors for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating authors include poet Sid Gold and fiction writers Amin Ahmad, Robert Bausch, and Kathleen Wheaton. Participating publishing professionals include Hilary Black (National Geographic), Becky Clark (Johns Hopkins University Press), Jenny Clines (Politics & Prose), Jane Friedman (Open Road Integrated Media), Matthew McAdams (Johns Hopkins University Press), Will Murphy (Random House), and Sheila O’Shea (Random House). Participating agents include Deborah Grosvenor (Grosvenor Literary Agency), Jeff Kleinman (Folio Literary Management), and Anna Sproul-Latimer (The Ross Yoon Agency).

Kenyon Review Writers Workshops. June 13 - 20 and June 27 - July 3. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. he faculty includes poets David Baker, Carl Phillips, and Mary Szybist; fiction writers Lee K. Abbott, Caitlin Horrocks, and Nancy Zafris; creative nonfiction writers Rebecca McClanahan, Dinty W. Moore, and Roger Rosenblatt; and text artists Gretchen E. Henderson and Ellen Sheffield.

Colgate Writers’ Conference. June 14 - 20, Hamilton, New York. Morning craft talks & workshops. Individual consultation with workshop instructor in the afternoon. Late afternoon participant readings and talks on publishing, storytelling. Evening readings by instructors & guests. Late night social events. "Bring a story, a book in progress, some poems, or a novel, and work with us on developing narrative strategies, verse techniques, and methods of research. Members of the publishing profession will also be here to discuss marketplace tactics."

Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. June 14 - 19, Sandy, Utah. Morning workshops devoted to individual work; afternoon talks on market, craft, publication; chats w/ editors and agents; keynote; book signing. For those interested, specialized workshops--Boot Camp and Full-Novel classes. Single day programs as well. Faculty: Jennifer Nielsen Fac: Kathi Appelt, AE Cannon, Lisa Mangum, Carol Lynch Williams, Dave Farland, Dean Hughes, Jennifer Adams, Natalie Whipple Julie Berry. Editor: Holly West, Feiwell and Friends. Agents: Heather Flaherty, The Bent Agency.

Chautauqua Writers’ Festival. June 18 - 21,Chautauqua, New York. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, panel discussions, individual conferences with faculty members, and time to write. The faculty includes poets Tony Hoagland and Tim Seibles, fiction writers Jane McCafferty and Aimee Parkison, and creative nonfiction writers Steve Almond and Lia Purpura. Registration deadline is May 31.

Aspen Summer Words. June 21 - 26, Aspen, Colorado. Workshops, panels, and readings in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as opportunities to meet with agents and editors. The faculty includes fiction writers Ann Hood, Richard Russo, Akhil Sharma, and Hannah Tinti; and nonfiction writers Andre Dubus III and Dani Shapiro.

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. June 20 - 26, Bemidji, Minnesota. Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. Faculty: Mark Doty, David Gessner - Creative Nonfiction. Tayari Jones - Fiction. Aimee Nezhukumatathil - Poetry. Matt de la Peña - YA Fiction. Joni Tevis - Creative Nonfiction.

Juniper Summer Writing Institute. June 21 - 28, Amherst, MA. Readings, craft seminars, manuscript consultations, and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The faculty includes poets Heather Christle, Matthea Harvey, Zachary Schomburg, and Dara Wier; fiction writers Brian Evenson, Noy Holland, and Joy Williams; and creative nonfiction writer Paul Lisicky. The writers-in-residence include Eula Biss, Christopher DeWeese, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Mitchell S. Jackson, Yannick Murphy, Okey Ndibe, Christine Schutt, James Tate, and Arisa White.

Western Writers of America Convention. June 23-27, 2015, Lubbock, Texas. Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Publishing, Young Adult. History presentations at the convention include Buffalo Soldiers, the Alamo, Comanche Indians, and frontier ranch women. Other sessions will take place related to the craft of writing, book marketing, and research sources and techniques.

Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 25-27, 2015, Jackson Hole, WY. You will have ample opportunity to share your work with a distinguished faculty as well as writers from Massachusetts to Florida, from Texas to Washington.Serious writers pour into Jackson Hole each June looking for a fresh, but critical eye on their work. This event usually has at least 4 agents to pitch.

Writing Popular Fiction Workshop. June 25 - 28, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Workshops on writing, editing & pitching; guest speaker presentations. Faculty: Claire Eddy, Senior Editor, Tor/Forge Books; Stephen Saffel, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Titan Books; Representative from New Leaf Literary and Media.

Chuckanut Writers Conference. June 26 - 27, Bellingham, Washington. Writers conference that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, authors' readings, reception with authors, pitch sessions with literary agents, book signings, open mic for attendees. Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. 

University of North Carolina Wilmington Summer Writers Conference. June 26 - 28, Wilmington, North Carolina. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as craft discussions and readings. The faculty includes poet Emily Smith, fiction writer Wiley Cash, nonfiction writer Richard Krawiec, and editor Beth Staples.

Historical Novel Society Conference. June 26 - 28, Denver, Colorado. Focus on all aspects of Historical Fiction, including historical fantasy and alternative history. Sessions will cover the craft of writing, period specific information such as weaponry, language, costume, occupation, and sessions on reading appreciation. Diana Gabaldon, Karen Cushman, Chris C.C.Humphries.

The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference, June 26-28. West Coast Writers Conferences presents a full weekend of panels, workshops and presentations by educators, noted speakers, and industry professionals focused on the craft and business of writing.

The Writers’ League of Texas 2013 Agents & Editors Conference, June 26–28, Austin, Tex. Featured Agents:  Noah Ballard, Curtis Brown LTD, Melissa Flashman, Trident Media Group, Emily Forland, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc., Erin Harris, Folio Literary Management, Jim Hornfischer, Hornfischer Literary Management, Trena Keating, Union Literary, Kirby Kim, Janklow & Nesbit Associates, Daniel Kirschen, ICM Partners, Jessica Papin, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, Kim Perel, Wendy Sherman Associates, Will Roberts, The Gernert Company, Matt Wise, Foundry Literary + Media, Monika Woods, Inkwell Management.