News
Grind Writers
February 2015
DEAW. (Drop Everything And Write) Seriously. Don’t scroll on. Start right now. Yes, really, now. D.E.A.W. Here are some great prompts 10 Writing Exercises to Kickstart Your New Year Now. Even if you don’t feel like it at the moment. Precisely because you don’t. Because there is no perfect time to write.
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Grind Writers has a Facebook page now. Friend us. (Friend is a verb?)
not necessarily in this order
André shortlisted for the 2014
Berfrois Poetry Contest (pg. 7). George won the 2014 Lush Triumphant Contest (pg. 14). Congrats you guys!
Things you see at the SIWC Are YOU ready to read in 2015 ? « Dyslexie » the font Royal City Writing and lots of it Isabella’s tiny house BC writers' autonomous fan region Too late to classify (events, contests) Literary Bran: The Joys of Regularity 2 book reading clubs, one new Pulp Fiction’s wants you Does your writing need a makeover? Words writers should know Submit. (You know you want to.) Thinking of joining a writers' group? Ask yourself these 8 questions first.
Grind Writers: where we meet, when, but not necessarily why
What does your junk drawer say
about you? The free-write photo prompt.
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Things you see at the SIWC (Surrey International Writers’ Conference - in Surrey every October) siwc.ca
This lady will make you a button that says anything. Say, quotes from your book?
The SIWC call to arms pens
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“Dyslexie” – the font
“Christian Boer, 33, is a Dutch graphic designer who created the font that makes reading easier for people, like himself, who have dyslexia, according to his website. Now, he’s offering it to people for free” – here: http://www.dyslexiefont.com/ Watch a video about Dyslexie: http://vimeo.com/85075132
The tiny house where Isabella Mori writes (we hope) big. Tiny houses are becoming very popular, especially in places like here where land prices are outrageous. Do you think you could live in a place this small?
Vancouver journalist, writer, and broadcaster Gloria J. Chang has launched a new editing + content strategy service. Editors Ink. Editing + content strategy helps writers and authors with books, short stories and essays, and professionals, small businesses, non-profits,
North Shore Writers’ Association
19th Annual Writing Contest
corporations, and government agencies build their reputations and engage the public with online profiles, websites, newsletters, blogs, podcasts +
Deadline: February 28, 2015
social media.
Categories: fiction, nonfic, poetry. $15 per entry for members, $20 for nons
Gloria Chang brings a diverse background in editing,
All prize winners will be published in the 2015 NSWA anthology. Read the complete submission guidelines and mail-in information on the website.
writing, broadcasting and communications consulting to help you with your project, cause or brand. She specializes in all things true, and has specialized knowledge in science, technology, and health. Find out more about what Gloria could offer you at http://editors-ink.com/ 5
Next one: Feb 16 6:30-8:30pm
Royal City WritING Lots going on for writers in New Westminster, courtesy of The Royal City Literary Arts Society. Check out their calendar here.
Sundays 3-5pm
Poetic Justice The Heritage Grill, Back Room, 447 Columbia St., New Westminster near Columbia Station. Two Featured Poets and Open Mic Session. View updates and the schedule of Featured Poets and hosts at www.poeticjustice.ca Closed on Family Day weekend. Sun. February 8 Closed Family Day Weekend Sun February 15, 3 – 5 pm - featuring NEFERTITI SheLa MORRISON & MIRANDA PEARSON. Host: Alan Hill. Info here. Sun. February 22 Sunday 3 – 5 pm. Today’s Location: Renaissance Books 43 – 6th Street, New West. Featuring CECILY NICHOLSON & JENNIFER ZILM. Host: Sho Wiley. http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-cecilynicholson-jennifer-zilm-with-host-sho-wiley/ Sundays – 7-9 pm
Songwriters’ Open Mic Night for New & Emerging songwriters Join hosts Enrico Renz and Lawren Nemeth at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster.Write it! Bring it! Sing it! Find them on their Facebook group “RCLAS New Westminster Songwriter Open Mic” to see the Weekly Word Challenge. Next one: Feb 16, 10am-2pm (every other Monday) Writing for Kidz - a writing group created for adult writers in any genre related to children Facilitator: Max Tell. At Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. 604525-4566 Drop-in Fee: $5/person at the door- includes refreshments. The wide range of purposes this new writer’s group may choose in its mandate may include giving children’s writers a safe place to meet and play creatively with writing, to share their writing, and receive valuable feedback. Infohttp://rclas.com/events/writing-kidz-max-tellwriting-group-created-adult-writers-any-genre-related-children
Poetry Wars: a study group. Host Carol Shillibeer. New Location at 100 Braid Street Studios,100 Braid Street, New Westminster. What this study group will do is explore our literary environment (aka the poetry wars), read poems, reviews, texts, commentary. Think about it. Discuss it at the once-a-month study-group meetings. Info: http://rclas.com/events/poetry-wars Sat. February 7, 2-4 pm RCLAS Writing Workshop:
"Tarot and Storytelling” Part 2 Facilitator: Carol Shillibeer At MLA office, 737 Sixth Street, New Westminster. Free parking behind building. Entrance at the back. Cost $20 members; Nons $35. Pre- register: secretary@rclas.com. Limited Seating. Layouts and narrative patterns: As a writer, you may find yourself writing the same story over and over. One of the advantages of using the Tarot to jumpstart your writing practice is that you have to hand a nearly limitless number of different narrative patterns that you can use to create a piece of writing. Tarot cards and spread patterns are based on a distillation of many centuries of cultural heritage, learning, values and practices. And of course, so are we. This is why Tarot still speaks to us. During the class we will practice making layouts of 3 or more cards, talking about and writing to the potential narrative arcs that result. Although it will help you to have some basic understanding of the tarot, you can participate in this class without having taken Tarot I. Carol Shillibeer has been working with Tarot for a long time. She teaches people how to read Tarot. She's also a poet and runs writing-related workshops. So of course she teaches people how to combine magical practices and writing. Her courses and publication list can be found at carolshillibeer.com.
Write On! 2015 Contest – Info here: http://rclas.com/events/rclas-write-contest-2015 More info on any of this - Contact Janet Kvammen - Royal City Literary Arts Society - www.rclas.com
WOR PLAY
nd
Every 2 Wed. of the month, 7-9 pm
Short Story Open Mic Night Host Margo Prentice. Next session: Feb 11th at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. Bring your short stories. Read from your book, journal, essays. Story tellers welcome. Come to listen, bring a friend. Enjoy the beverages and snacks from the Renaissance Coffee Bar. Info http://rclas.com/events/short-story-open-mic-margoprentice http://www.renaissancebookstore.com/ 604-5254566
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presented by the Royal City Literary Arts Society Free monthly, poetry-generating drop-in Prompts provided. Not a critique group: “Let’s have some fun!” B.Y.O.T. (bring your own tools) in the Back Room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St. More info: secretary@rclas.com 6
au/to/no/mous Feb 20 – 25
Grind Writer André Gerard shortlisted for the 2015 Berfrois Poetry Prize. Check out André’s poem “Toad Trashing” at Berfrois, here.
Galiano Literary Festival Galiano Island 6th annual festival featuring Theodora Armstrong, George Bowering, Bill Gaston, Elizabeth May, Spider Robinson.
And much much more there (see the list of his pieces on the right hand menu)
Literary Bran: The Joys of Regularity
Tuesdays Burnaby Writers' Society/Spoken INK 8:00 PM -- 3rd Tuesday of the Month @ La Fontana Caffe 101-3701 East Hastings Burnaby BC
Wednesdays Pandora’s Book Club
2nd Wednesday of the month 6:30–8:30 pm - Britannia Branch Library 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver Bring your favourite passages, points of interest, and share your reading experiences. Drop-ins are welcome. Presented by Pandora’s Collective. Hosts: Mary Duffy & Sita Carboni. More info here. And see page 5. continued on page 10
BC BOOKS
Pulp Literature’s email invite to you From: laura@pulpliterature.com Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2015 4:53 PM Subject: Happy New Year - and Contest Announcement from Pulp Literature Happy New Year from Pulp Literature. I have two resolutions this year — worry less and write more. If writing more [is] one of your New Year's resolutions, consider sending us an entry for. Here’s the link to submission info on The Swallows Sequential Short Story Award. The contest awards the winner a prize (including publication in Pulp Literature) for their complete black and white comic/cartoon stories from 1-5 pages long. Entries may be by sole authors or be collaborations between several writers and artists. Contest information and submission guidelines can be found on the Pulp Literature contests page here. The Swallows contest opened Jan 1st and entries are limited to 100, so get those pages in soon. Wishing you happiness, good health and great books for the new year. Laura Laura Kostur, Marketing Director Pulp Literature Press E: laura@pulpliterature.com W: http://pulpliterature.com/ If you're a fan of our contests, please consider supporting Pulp Literature by purchasing a subscription for yourself or as a gift. 7
Too late to classify – more goings on & contests Find out more about these events and contests at the Federation of BC Writers website. Thur Feb 5, 7:30 pm 'Behind the scenes' look at illustrating a classic fairytale Surrey Art Gallery, 13750-88 Avenue Artist Deborah Morriss will demonstrate the process of structuring a picture book for publication, relate the research involved in gathering relevant visual imagery and content, and explain the ideas and choices behind her colourful compositions. To view her work, visit deborahmorriss.ca Sun Feb 8, 12:30 pm Taxation / Identity Theft Workshop At Vancity, 5900 No. 3 Road, Richmond Learn about the tax breaks available to writers. Also about the hazards writers are exposed to with regard to identity theft on the internet. Presented by George Opacic, Past President of the Federation of BC Writers. Wed Feb 11, 7-9 pm Canadian Authors Vancouver - Open Mic Night Alliance for Arts and Culture, Suite 100, 938 Howe St., Vancouver Join poet Jean Kay as she hosts Canadian Authors Vancouver's Annual Open Mic Night. Featuring twenty local authors reading from their work in a variety of genres, we'll announce details about the 2015 Short Story Contest, too. The event is open to the public. Details Thurs Feb 12 'Large Quantity' Book Sale Workshop Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Vancouver Find out how to sell your books to businesses, corporations, associations, schools and the military. One-day workshop, $149. Put on by the Association of Publishers for Special Sales. More Info Tues Feb 17, 7-9 pm Romancing the Digital Marketplace with Roxanne Snopek E-books, PDFs, Kindle, Nook, is the "new"
world of reading making your head spin? How about the new world of writing?Roxanne Snopek has more than a dozen books published, in print and digital format. She focuses on romance, the genre that first broke into the digital marketplace, but no matter what you write, you'll be sure to glean important information. RSVP or email Sat Feb 21, 9am-4pm Eight Step Editing with Jim Taylor Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned editor, a would-be writer or a supervisor of others’ writing, this course will help you make your words work better. Using a step-by-step process, the program identifies the most common factors that become obstacles for readers. It not only helps recognize the problems, it shows quick and simple techniques for fixing them. An Editors Association of Canada event. Fee for non-members: $200 on or before Feb. 2; $220 after Feb. 2. More Sat Feb 28, 9am – 4 pm Vancouver Self-Publishing Fair Central Branch, Vancouver Public Library A selection of industry service providers will share information for writers who want to self-publish. Providers include printers, book and cover designers, editors, marketers, successful selfpublishers, and companies that specialize in providing the writer with mentorship through the publication process. Contactcommunications@bcwriters.ca for more information. Sun Mar 1 Young Writers' Contest Deadline The 2015 Youth Writing Contest! Get both feet in. •Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry & more • Open to youth under the age of 30 years • $500 first prize in 5 categories •Publication in WordWorks Magazine. More Info Deadline: Sunday Mar 1 CONTEST: 22nd Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers The Writers Union of Canada: Winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 2,500 words. Fiction or non-fiction, written by an author not published in book format. Prize of $2,500 for the winning entry, and the entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines. More
Sun March 1 CONTEST: CBC Creative Non-Fiction Competition Deadline This is it - your first writing assignment of the New Year! Send us your original, unpublished work of creative nonfiction for a chance to win $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a writing residency at the Banff Centre and publication in Air Canada's enRoute Magazine. More Friday March 6 – 9:30am – 4:30pm Publishing 2.0 - Tips and Traps Harbour Centre, 1400 – 1420 Segal Centre, 515 West Hastings, Vancouver Authors Mary W. Walters and Caroline Adderson, and author and executive director of The Writers’ Union of Canada, John Degen will cover topics such as working with agents and editors, keys to successful submissions, crowdsourcing, contract terms, royalty rates, copyright, managing your digital rights, design work, distribution, and promotion – $80 for TWUC members; $95.00 for non-members. Both prices include any materials and lunch. Info and Registration Sat March 7, 10am – 4pm Mission Writers & Readers Festival University of the Fraser Valley, Mission Campus, 33700 Prentis Ave. The organizing committee is pleased to announce that Evelyn Lau will be attending the 8th Annual Mission Writers and Readers Festival. She will be joined by Daniela Elza, Lois Peterson, Chris Gilpin and John Carroll. More Info Sat March 7, Noon – 4 pm Youth Writers Conference Surrey Public Library, Room 418, 10350 University Drive Three workshops by youth for youth: Cody Shaw - Creating a Graphic Novel; Mingshu Dong - Creating Character & Dialogue; Yilin Wang the art of creating setting. Entrance by foodbank donation (2 items). Spaces limited, so please RSVP to YWC organizer Chloe Cocking Deadline: Sun March 8 CONTEST: Room's Annual Creative Non-Fiction Contest Room Magazine wants your best continued
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essays, memoirs, travel writing, historical accounts, and literary nonfiction by March 8, 2015: 1st Prize: $500 + publication; 2nd Prize: $250 + publication; Honourable Mention: publication on Room's website. Contest Details Sat March 14 Words on the Water Maritime Heritage Centre, Campbell River Contemporary writers and readers meet in a beautiful west coast setting. Socializing with the writers and other like-minded readers is a key rewarding element of the festival. Web site Sat April 4, 12 am DEADLINE: Askews Foods Writing Contest The Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival is announcing that the 2015 Askews Foods Writing Contest is now open. You may submit original unpublished works in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry and writing for young people (Middle Grade and Young Adult). First place winners will receive a cash prize of $150 plus a 2015 conference package including banquet ticket ($225 value) and be published in the Askews Foods Word on the Lake Anthology. More Deadline: Wed Apr 15 Event Magazine - Non-Fiction Contest Deadline $1,500 prizes, plus publication in Event Magazine. $34.95 entry fee includes one-years subscription to Event. More May 15-17 Word on the Lake Writers' Festival Prestige Hotel, Salmon Arm Charles de Lint, Brian Brett, Gail Bowen, Norma Charles, Anne de Grace, Grant Lawrence, Kathryn Para, Gary Fjellgaard, Harold Rhenisch, and more. Coffee House, Banquet, Blue Pencil, New website up early In Feb. More
Resources Free downloadable e-book publishing guide from BOOKBABY.COM. eBook Publishing Guide: The How-To Guide for Writers “Learn how to make, price, promote and sell your eBook.” Download here
Excellent article “What do book publicists expect to see on a book cover?” Really good info for indie publishers – here.
Trish Hopkinson’s monthly no-fee writing submission calls delivered to your desktop. Get your free subscription here. Erika Dreifus’s free writers’ newsletter. Check it out and subscribe here.
Criminally minded? Free subscription to the Crime Writers of Canada publication, Crime Beat, here.
Just what we need here A variation on this theme happens in the “SIWC Idol” afternoon at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference. In that case, you submit a sample of your work anonymously. Golden-toned Shakespearean-trained actor and mega bestselling author Jack Whyte reads your piece aloud. If there’s anything close to heaven on earth, it’s hearing your words in Jack’s voice. This is the Liars’ League of Hong Kong. There, you submit your work and professional actor reads it out. Click here to read more about them About Liars' League HK Liars' League HK is a regular live literary night featuring professional actors reading original short stories. Selected stories are published on our website and performed by actors before a live audience at various venues around Hong Kong. What does it take to be a Liar? Fiction is basically a lie. So is performance. Lies are told on a day to day basis. But to be a good liar, you have to really work at it; sharpen your tongue, train your movements, perfect your poker face.
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Literary Bran
Read a book. And talk about it. Face to face with real people.
continued from page 7
Twisted Poets Literary Salon 2nd Wednesday and 4th Thursday of every month at The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street, Vancouver More info
Creative Expressions Art Nights
3rd Wednesday of the month 7-9 pm
7–9pm Check with Editor for dates Rising Star Housing Co-op Common Room, 1556 East 5th Ave., Vancouver A free, inclusive event open to all artistic skill levels, ages, and demographics, however event participants must identify as having either a mental health and/or addictions issue. A celebration of meeting and making to share your passion for craft, art, and design with your community. Drop in any time, bring anyone, and any creative endeavour you are working on, or come and just check out what everyone else is up to. Attendees will have a chance to partake in hands-on crafting activities. A free event, although please RSVP to attend. (Ed note. You may need to join here to get an invite and be able to RSVP.)
BOOK WAREHOUSE/ Main St.
Thursdays TWS Readings Evening Thurs Feb 5 at 8 pm Chase away the February chill in the warmth of the Cottage Bistro! Come early to ensure a seat, and enjoy the food, refreshments, and top-notch company. Features will be: Candie Tanaka, Her first novel is Tanaka & Co. Graham J. Darling is an industrial scientist. Lately he has taken to writing as fiction. Kelly Ryan has enjoyed Vancouver life for 14 years now; was a CBC Radio’s National reporter covering the Maritimes. Yaana Dancer - Unearthing childhood passions carried her through a 10-year study of art-making that morphed into her being consumed with writing. Alyson Quinn is the author of three books published by Rowman & Littlefield. Meharoona Ghani launched Vancouver Pop-Up-Poets, an on-the-spot poetry and street performance group. Joanne Betzler is an active member of New West Writers, Renaissance Writers and Ink Tank. Carleigh Baker is a Métis/Icelandic writer. A past winner of the subTerrain Lush Triumphant contest.
Twisted Poets Literary Salon nd
4th Thursday (and 2 Wed) of every month at The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street, Vancouver More info
Featuring BC writers with their books 4118 Main Street at 25th, next to the Grind Café Feb. 18 – Timothy Taylor and his book Stanley Park. It’s free, but arranger James Irvine asks that you reserve your seat; they need a headcount. RSVP to James: 604-879-7737 or mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca 2nd Wednesday of the month 6:30 – 8:30 pm
BOOK TALKS BOOK CLUB Presented by Pandora’s Collective and Britannia Branch Library - 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver Each month we’ll discuss a pre-selected book, with the occasional session reserved for a discussion on a theme. Bring your favourite passages, points of interests, and share your reading experiences. Each person is responsible for either borrowing or buying their own copy to read. This is an open book club. Drop-ins are welcome. Feb 11
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life by Col. Chris Hadfield Mar 11 Year of The Flood by Margaret Atwood April 8 Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee May 13 The Orenda by Joseph Boyden June 10 The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Hosts: Mary Duffy and Sita Carboni More info contacts: booktalks@pandorascollective.com www.pandorascollective.com 10
DOES YOUR
GOOD WORDS FOR
writing
WRITERS TO KNOW
NEED A
makeover? Daphne Grey-Grant a Vancouver writer trainer, writing coach, crisis communications consultant. She may be just the person to give you that makeover She offers a year long EMAIL COURSE. Is this you? Do you want to write a book but haven’t managed to get beyond the first couple of pages? Are you a world-class procrastinator who will use any excuse to delay writing? Do you have a boss who thinks you write too s-l-o-wl-y? Are you a copywriter or freelancer who sometimes fails to meet deadlines? Read all about her course here. Daphne’s very professional website is worth poking around in for bits and pieces and freebies.
Words are your lifeblood. Meet a few more that may be handy in your business.
This is a great word. We have all encountered the phenomenon – but hopefully* not in our own manuscripts: *The OED has
longueur PRONUNCIATION: (long-GUHR) hear it
officially sanctioned ‘hopefully.’
MEANING: noun: A long and dull passage in a work of literature. ETYMOLOGY: From French longueur (length), from Latin longus (long). Ultimately from the Indo-European root del- (long), which also gave us lounge, lunge, linger, longitude, long, belong, and along. Earliest documented use: 1791. USED IN A SENTENCE: “Even the sainted Douglas Adams wasn’t above the occasional infuriatingly indulgent longueur, such as basing the whole of his least good book on an extended metaphor involving cricket.” Euan Ferguson; And Another Thing; The Observer (London, UK); Oct 11, 2009. See more usage examples of LONGEUR here. ___________________________________
Another great one:
mythomane PRONUNCIATION: (MITH-uh-mayn) hear it MEANING: noun: One having a tendency to exaggerate or lie. [who, us?} adjective: Having a tendency to exaggerate or lie. ETYMOLOGY: From Greek mythos (myth) + -mania (excessive enthusiasm or craze). Earliest documented use: 1954. USAGE: “[Laura Cumming’s portrait] ... of the mythomane,
egomaniac, and relentlessly self-promoting Gustave Courbet, who somehow nonetheless remains true to himself through all the lies, is hilarious and oddly heart-warming.” Simon Callow; On Self-Portraits by Laura Cumming; The Guardian (London, UK); Jul 25, 2009. See more usage examples of mythomane in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.
publicationcoach.com Sign up for her free email here.
Words taken from A WORD A DAY WITH ANU GARG -a free email service. You can subscribe here. 11
Submit. (you know you want to)
I don’t get to read all the submission guidelines on all the items to see if Canadians are eligible, so you’ll want to check that out.
CONTESTS AND CALLS FOR SUBMSISIONS Deadlined calls & contests Deadline January 31, 2015 Wants short story collections (Too late for 2015 but it’s an annual one. If you write short stories, keep a note of it): Dzanc Short Story Collection contest Dzanc is currently holding its 5th annual contest for all authors wishing to submit a short story collection to Dzanc Books. The winning author will be published by Dzanc in late 2016, and will receive a $1,000 advance. Entry to the Dzanc Short Story Collection Contest requires a $25 reading fee and the submission of a full manuscript. Sub guidelines here. February 2, 2015 Wants a beautiful poem that captures the spirit of a winter landscape Winter Wonderland Poetry Competition Entry fee: £3. 1st Prize: £150. 2nd Prize: £100. 3rd Prize: £75. Craft a
beautiful poem that captures the spirit of a winter landscape. Whether it's snow-capped mountains, misty rivers or frost-laden fields...we don't mind, just paint the scene with your words. You can use the online photo for inspiration or, be inspired by a wintry landscape close to you. It's your choice. Read the guidelines. Deadline February 28, 2015 The Park Bench Writing Competition £3 entry fee. 1st Prize: £195. 2nd Prize: £150. 3rd Prize: £100. Using the photo for inspiration, you have just 1,000 words (including the title) to write a complete story that captures the imagination of the reader. To be in with a chance of winning this writing competition, you must include the park bench in your story. Deadline: March 8, 2015 (International Women’s Day)
Room's Annual Creative Nonfiction Contest is open Room Magazine wants your best essays, memoirs, travel writing, historical accounts, and literary nonfiction. 1st Prize: $500 + publication; 2nd Prize: $250 + publication; Honorable Mention: publication on Room's website. Contest details: www.roommagazine.com/contest Room (established in 1975) is Canada's oldest literary journal by and about women. It accepts all original, unpublished entries from all writers who identify as women, or genderqueer (including trans*persons, gender-variant, two-spirited, and women of non-binary sexual orientation)
Wants essay collections Deadline March 31, 2015 CSU Essay Collection Competition $28 entry fee. Winner receives $1,000, publication, and a standard royalty contract. All essay collections are welcome, regardless of author’s previous publications. Manuscripts should be approximately 100-300 pages in length. The CSU Poetry Center reserves the right to consider all entrants for publication; a listing of all winters and finalists will be posted on the Poetry Center website. Guidelines here. Deadline April 1, 2015 (really) Wants a funny poem Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest - No Fee! 14th annual free contest sponsored by Winning Writers. $2,000 in cash prizes, including a top prize of $1,000. Submit one humor poem by April 1 deadline. No fee to enter. All entries that win cash prizes will be published on WinningWriters.com and announced in the Winning Writers Newsletter, with over 50,000 subscribers. See guidelines, past winners, and enter online here. Deadline April 30, 2015 $$ Freelance market$$ Chicken Soup: Think Possible (using a positive attitude to improve life). We are looking for true stories of no more than 1,200 words about how you changed your life, solved a problem, or overcame a challenge because you used your positive thinking and put your best efforts into achieving your goals. Pays $200 and ten copies of the book. Guidelines here.
Ongoing submissions Wants dark Shock Totem We consider original, unpublished stories within the confines of dark fantasy and horror—mystery, 12
Submit.
(why not.)
suspense, supernatural, morbid humor, fantasy, etc. Read the guidelines. Wants flash fiction and art text Literary Magazine We’re interested in literature composed with brevity and punch: short, snippy poems, razor-sharp flash fiction, and art and photography that tread the line between purpose and chance, making us see the innate beauty in the world around us. Guidelines for text submissions. All things minimalistic and mindslicing wanted Sassafras Literary Magazine We will frown or smile upon your piece, and reply within 1 week (2 weeks max) with a muffin or a tumbleweed. Multiple submissions are allowed, but single submissions are preferred. All things minimalistic and mindslicing wanted. The occasional selfless snark and sneer accepted. True wit appreciated, along with foldable grit, pocket-size memoir moments and frame by frame congeniality. Perspective: any, as long as artfully executed and self reflecting; avoid sending ego balloons and unintended mirroring. Mirrors and led wanted. Gates, doors, and attics most appreciated. There’s yet more. Read the submission guidelines. Poems: any subject, any style, any length Great American Poetry Show Submit any subject, any style, any length, any number, any time by email or by mail with SASE. Previously published poems and
simultaneous submissions are welcome. The Great American Poetry Show, P.O. Box 69506, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Email: info@tgaps.net. Website: www.tgaps.net (Caveat emptor – check it out). Wants stories based on their prompts The Quotable This online magazine wants writerreaders to submit stories based on their monthly prompts. Info here. Rolling submissions year-round Holler Box All submissions are completely free. You may submit in multiple genres. If so, send a separate submission per genre. If your submission does not get accepted you may continue to submit, we encourage it. Read the guidelines here. Geist Emerging Writer-of-theMonth Emerging writers are invited to submit short written works online. Read the FAQ. Wants highest quality literature from talented unpublished writers; experimental pieces Dead Beats The Beats are dead; long live Dead Beats - focused on bringing you the highest quality literature from talented unpublished writers. We are happy to receive submissions from everyone, regardless of experience, of poems, short stories (max. 2000 words), experimental pieces and reviews, the best of which we will publish on the site. If you would like to submit some of your work please send it in the body of an email to: deadbeats@live.co.uk. We aim to reply to all emails, though this may take some time given the number of submissions we receive. Read the guidelines.
MARKETS COMPENDIA SITES Aerogramme Writers’ Studio: This site has over 90 competitions, publication opportunities, fellowships Excellent resource Fiction Writing Markets Currently Open for Freelance Submissions (Paid writing opportunities: Fiction stories, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Speculative fiction, Romance, etc.) See more at: http://writingcareer.com/callfor-fiction-submissions How handy is this? Morgan Bailey’s Competitions Calendar Organized by deadline date. Places for Writers Listings for literary magazines of every type, everywhere, for everyone. Interesting resources – e.g., “Places to Publish: Can Lit” and “Publishers – Canada.” Plus continuous updates about who’s looking for what. If you have a piece to place, this might be a good place to start the hunt. Poetry contests roundup here Poets & Writers – an eminently
searchable database (Sent by Isabella Mori) For good leads to contests &
calls check out "Writing Contests Competitions" on Facebook Writing dark. Interview with
Irish writer, Noelle Harrison here. 19 short story
competitions in 2015 Read about them here.
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Submit. (yes.)
Wants stuff from people over 60 Wit and Wisdom of the Sages Have insightful stories you’d like to share with your grandchildren? Great Depression/ WW2/ Vietnam era? Seeking narratives up to 3,500 words. Send manuscripts, or for guidelines email jnjscher@yahoo.com. Wants fiction, nonfic – new voices Anderbo.com -- “Best New Online Literary Journal.” Publishes writers in fiction, creative nonfiction), and poetry. We’re always looking for new voices. We’ll also consider nonfiction features, short memoirs, novellas, publishedbook excerpts, photography, essays, and photo essays. Now in our 9th year. Read the guidelines. Wants women’s personal essays Changes in Life A monthly online newsletter is seeking personal essays from women of all ages. New writers are encouraged to submit their work. Read the guidelines. They only publish Canadian writers Signature Editions What we do and don't publish: Look through the titles on our website and you'll get a pretty good idea of the kinds of books we're interested in. Where to send your manuscript: We do not accept submissions by fax or email, and do not discuss concepts over the phone. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama check website for submission guidelines. Wants prose and poetry The Evening Street Review The ESR is centered on the belief that all men and women are created equal. Reads poetry & prose submissions year-round. Replies in 3 months or less. Sometimes includes comments. Send 4–6 poems or 1–2
prose piece. 7652 Sawmill Rd., #352, Dublin, OH 43016 or editor@eveningstreetpress.com. Read more about contests and guidelines here. Wants original words and New Age art Subterranean Blue Poetry Subterranean Blue Poetry is an Internet Poetry and Art Publishing Café. We thrive on new original words and New Age art. All poets and their poetry are welcome and we are especially looking for homegrown poets from the Canadian First Nations/American Indian community; Quebec; small town Canada; international poets and anyone who was ever considered “the other.” New Age art offerings are for the masthead of each issue. Read all info here. Wants short stories, poetry & performance writing Regime magazine - Not only do they want your work but they offer that you can tack $20 on your submission and they’ll send you back a detailed one-page critique. Note: do your due diligence. Read it all carefully. Full submission info here
best to get your voice heard. Submission guidelines here. Wants creative nonfic 1966 - An online journal of creative nonfiction, seeks pieces of literary nonfiction with a research component—anything from immersion memoir to nature writing to reportage to travel writing to—? Guidelines here. Wants text and audio Escape Pod is a science fiction market. Publishes in both text and audio; you are offering both of those one-time and archival rights to us when you send us your story. Our mandate is fun. We are fairly flexible on what counts as “science” We welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds. We are especially interested in seeing more submissions from people of backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented or excluded from traditional SF publishing, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, LGBTQ or non-binary gender people, persons with disabilities, members of religious minorities, and people from outside the U.S. Guidelines here.
Wants poems – one a week Coastal Spectator A new arts-based review and commentary site operating independently out of the U. Vic. We want to publish, on our home site, one new poem each week for a year, so if you have a new piece of work -that is a haiku or up to 25 lines long - do submit. Read all about it here.
Wants unique ideas for earning, saving or investing money The Penny Hoarder? We’re always on the lookout for fun, unique ideas for earning, saving or investing money. We’d love to hear your personal experience, especially if you can share detailed numbers, strategies and advice.
Wants “gutsy narratives” Pithead Chapel We’re looking for engaging stories told in honest voices. Most of all, we want to feel something. We want to reach the last word and immediately crave more. We want your work to leave a brilliant bruise. Send us your gutsiest narrative and we’ll do our
Do you have a story to share or an idea we haven’t covered? Read the guidelines . Wants satirical commentary The Lapine We’re all about poking people and things that deserve to be poked. It continued next page
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Submit.
(yes, you)
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is satirical commentary written by all kinds of people from here, there and darned near everywhere. The Lapine is not limited to just trending topics. Our writers will guffaw at anything really. We always welcome new writers, so send us your story idea or article. Minimum 150 words ‌300 tops. Guidelines here. Wants concrete topics written by emerging and experienced writers in all genres The Writer magazine Our editors are interested in query letters on concrete topics written by emerging and experienced writers in all genres. We are looking for clear takeaway for our readers: What can they learn to improve their writing or advance their careers? What how-to tips and strategies will accomplish this? Read the guidelines and the magazine.
Earn some $$$$ Freelance markets Canada’s History publishes wellwritten, well-researched, and informative articles about Canadian history that focus on all parts of the country and all areas of human activity. Subject matter covers the whole range of Canadian history, from social history, politics, exploration, discovery and settlement, to aboriginal peoples, war, culture, business and trade. Articles run various lengths: long features (from 1,500 to 3,000 words) that provide an in-depth look at an event, person, or era; short features (from 600 to 1,200 words) that provide a more narrow focus. Pays up to 50 cents/word. Guidelines here.
Publishers Wants science fiction book mauscripts DAW Books (associated with Penguin) was the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy. Now more than 30 years and more than a thousand titles later, DAW has a well-deserved reputation for discovering and publishing the hottest talents in the industry. Accepts unsolicited submissions of science fiction and fantasy novels. A literary agent is not required for submission. We do not publish short stories, short story collections, novellas, or poetry. The average length of the novels we publish varies, but is almost never fewer than 80,000 words. We will not consider manuscripts that are currently on submission to another publisher unless prior arrangements have been made with a literary agent. It may require up to three months or more for our editors to review a manuscript. More information here.
Residencies A haven for painters, poets, sculptors, writers, playwrights, composers, photographers and filmmakers The Helen Wurlitzer Foundation (est. 1954), is one of the oldest artist residence programs in the U.S. The Foundation keeps a low-profile and serves as a haven for painters, poets, sculptors, writers, playwrights, composers, photographers and filmmakers. We are located on 18 acres in the heart of Taos, New Mexico, a 400-year-old multicultural community renowned for its popularity with artists. The Foundation fellowship offers 3 months of rent-free and utility-paid housing to grantees. Our 11 guest houses, or casitas, are fully furnished and provide residents with a peaceful setting in which to pursue their creative endeavors. International artists can contact us to request approval to submit their applications by email. Website and FAQ: http://www.wurlitzerfoundatio n.org/
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Grind Writer George K. Ilsley won the 2014 Lush Triumphant Literary Award for his creative nonfiction piece “Bingo and Black Ice” which was published in subTERRAIN issue #69 last month. Congratulations, George!
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contemplating joining a writers’ group? Ask yourself these 8 questions first Very good questions. From Lisa Goll’s blog ON THE WRITE TRACK “Adventures with writing habits, experiments in creativity” Linda is a member of the London Writers’ Cafe – at 3,000+ members, one of the largest writing groups in the UK
Grind Writers Group Meeting Schedule WHERE WE MEET The Grind Gallery Café - 4124 Main Street at 25th Ave. In the back room 10 am–12:30 pm WHY WE MEET Nobody knows.
2015 Grind Writers meeting dates We skip holiday long weekends
HOW WE MEET Thanks to Michelle & Jay Kim, the Grind’s owners.
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Feb 14
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Mar 1
They’ve kindly let us meet in the Back Room for the last 7 years. And cudos to the Kims for their support of the arts in general. The Grind provides gallery space to many local artists.
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Mar 14
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Mar 29
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Apr 11
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Apr 26
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May 9
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May 24
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June 6
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June 21
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July 11
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July 26
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Appreciate if you buy something while you’re there to support the Grind and their support of us
Please email before you attend the first time: grindwriters@gmail.com
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free-write photo prompt What does your junk drawer say? This is what LELA DAVIDSON in her blog titled ‘what you were thinking only funnier’ wrote about junk drawers: “As a kid I once opened the wrong drawer at a friend’s house. Instead of the spoons her mother had asked for, I found a broken ruler, chewed pencils, and a padlock splattered with paint.” “Junk drawer,” the mom said. “Everybody’s got one.”
FREE WRITES THE RULES Set the timer. Don’t think it. Just start writing. Keep going, no stopping. No editing (that comes later). Forget grammar, forget spelling. Forget any “rules” you’ve ever been told Forget everything else and just write.
Prompt:
And this is Lela’s own junk drawer.
(1) Take a photo of your junk drawer.
Used with permission
15 mins. by the timer.
(2) Sum up what it says in one sentence. (3) Then write for 15 mins. about what’s in yours.
Then read the rest of what Lela wrote on junk drawers (after you write so you aren’t influenced by her take on it) and you’ll see what a poignant and funny piece a junk drawer can inspire.
grind writers news ©2015 Margo Lamont
email: grindwriters@gmail.com blog: http://grindwriters.blogspot.ca/ previous issues : http://issuu.com/grindwriters/docs 18