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tHE NEwSLEttEr Of PENNwrItErS INC. NOV/DEC 2018 • VOL. XXVI NO. 6
Past Pennwriters Writing Contest Submissions: “Where Are They Now?” By HEAtHEr DESutA, ArEA 1, NEwSLEttEr EDItOr
Weeks ago, I asked members to share their experiences and insights as past Pennwriters Writing Contest participants. I thought these “status updates” would not only encourage participation in the next contest, they would educate and inspire, allow members to impart advice, and let us know how these works-in-progress have progressed, especially if they are now buyable products that we can support. The purpose of this newsletter—and, truly, the organization as a whole— is to connect writers and build our creative community.
HERE’S WHAT I ASKED—Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest submissions—Where are they now? What have you done with your previous writing contest submission(s)? Are you still working on the piece(s)? How has your submission evolved? Have you gone on to publish your work? Tell us about your progress. Where is your past entry now? What have you learned? What value do you see in entering a writing contest? [In other words, tell me everything.] HERE’S WHAT YOU ANSWERED... Terry Dawley wrote: I’ve had the good fortune of being a Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest award winner a few times and can say it’s always quite a thrill to hear the title of your entry and your name announced at the luncheon. As of now, I have one of my winners (“Shooting Johnny”) sent out to the world in search of a home, and the poem that won an award this year (“Dark Sunglasses on Sunless Days”) has been accepted for publication in Mused Literary Journal. But for the most part, I have to admit I’m guilty of not submitting my work often enough. Most times I forget about the piece I’d entered in the contest, and it stays in my Dropbox folder collecting motes of wireless dust. (Shame on me). What I’ve found to be of most value by entering the contest is the motivation it gives me to work on the piece that I’m submitting, the helpful feedback I receive from the judges, and if it’s an award winner, the opportunity to beef up my bio. I give a lot of credit for my winning contest entries to my awesome writing groups (PW Area 1 and Fellowship of the Quill) for the constructive feedback the members always offer and to FOTQ coordinator Todd Main who, I believe, derives as much pleasure seeing a member’s success with his or her writing, whether it be winning a contest
award or acceptance for publication, as he would if it were his own. The advice I'd offer in regards to entering the Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest is to polish that piece and submit. No matter the outcome, you’re a winner. Dark Sunglasses on Sunless Days, BELLAONLINE.com: www.bellaonline.com/review/issues/fall2018/p011.html.
Cindy Callaghan wrote: I’ve contributed many submissions to the PW contests over the years. It’s tough to keep track of which projects were submitted in which years. My middle-grade novel beginning, “Sydney MacKenzie Knocks 'Em Dead,” went on to be my seventh book, published in 2017 and more recently was an Agatha Award winner. I've also submitted projects ranging in genre from middle-grade, YA and adult suspense on which I continue to work. I like to get various perspectives/ inputs from diverse reviewers. The Pennwriters contest is another way to obtain objective feedback. The thing about feedback is that a critique might not “feel good,” but there’s always a take-away that improves the project. –Cindy Callaghan, author of JuSt ADD MAgIC and JuSt ADD MAgIC 2: POtION PrOBLEMS, now a breakout Amazon Original series in its third season, the LOSt IN series, SyDNEy MACKENzIE KNOCKS 'EM DEAD and the upcoming SALtwAtEr SECrEtS. continued on pages 6, 7, 8 & 9
THE 2019 PENNWRITERS ANNUAL WRITING CONTEST WILL OPEN JAN. 1.
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(See page 9 for details.)
Visit pennwriterswritingcontest.com to read contest guidelines and to submit your entries.
President’s Column I used to think a writer’s life involved sitting wrapped in a fuzzy throw, tapping away at the keyboard, or perhaps at an austere wobbly desk, painstakingly scribing every word until a manuscript was done and whisked away to become a bestseller. I never imagined that it brought a slew of other skills and tasks, like proofreading, editing, pitching, packaging, branding, and marketing, not to mention website design, social media mastery and other duties I’m yet to learn. We cannot all master every task alone. Luckily, we can draw from the pool of information and expertise an organization like Pennwriters offers. In the coming issues, I want to share a few tips I’ve learned from fellow Pennwriters regarding some of the challenges every writer faces. I’ll start with editing. Hilary Hauck, Area 4 PrESIDENt
I remember thinking that once you typed The End, it was over! Done! Time for the publishing fairies to swoop down to your desk and transport your story to success. Except there are no publishing fairies, and your story is by no means done. That’s not to say you haven’t accomplished a great deal. Take an afternoon or evening to celebrate—you deserve it—then begin the second half of the writing process: editing. Your manuscript deserves it. Even if you plan to hire a professional editor—one who is also a member of Pennwriters, may I suggest—you’ll likely need to make several editing passes of your manuscript first. One of the most useful tips I can share is to step away. After working and reworking a scene, short story or article, put it aside for a day, or several days. If you’re working on a novel, don’t look at it for at least six weeks after a complete pass. When you return to your work, you’ll have fresh eyes to spot errors, inconsistencies, and bits where the words on the page don’t portray the story that was in your mind. Here is another great tip I was given: read your work out loud. It’s surprising how many repetitions or awkward phrasings you can pick up from spoken words, and it also helps you identify typos you might have skimmed over on the screen.
NOtICE: Publication herein of articles, interviews, and news concerning markets, contests, seminars, classes, etc., does not imply an endorsement, recommendation or any warranty given by Pennwriters, Inc. readers are urged to determine for themselves the reliability, integrity, and financial responsibility of those with whom they deal. The contents of this newsletter are copyrighted ©2018 by Pennwriters, Inc. All rights are reserved. Permission to photocopy is expressly denied. All rights revert to individual authors immediately upon publication. Any time you change your mailing address or email address, please notify Jackie Shaffmaster at treasurer@Pennwriters.org. we thank you in advance for helping to keep our member roster current. 2
The hardest tip for me to learn, yet it’s such a vital one, is to be brutal with your cuts. Too often, we cling desperately to sentences, because we like the way we’ve constructed them, but if they repeat something that’s already been said, or draw the reader away from the point of the scene or from the POV, they need to go. Before you hit the delete button, though, consider cutting and pasting into a separate document. You can then pluck ideas from this treasure trove for short stories which support your novel, perhaps as a free giveaway to your readers. Lastly, remember editing is a daunting, time-consuming and challenging task. Don’t berate yourself if it takes a long time, or if you need to ask for help. Keep polishing until you have a story you can be proud of, and that does you justice. Moving on to Pennwriters business, our fall Board meeting was held Sept. 8 in State College. Topics covered included conference planning, Policies & Procedures next page tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
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updates, Area events, website organization, and grant writing. Of particular interest to our members, in addition to her usual outstanding work, Pennwriters Secretary Susan Gourley has taken on the task of running our Latest News segment on our website. Visit www.pennwriters.org to stay up to date. Our November online course promises to be of great help to many. Rachel Stevenson will be teaching this module about Grantsmanship. Rachel holds a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in arts administration from Goucher College, where she teaches a grant research methods class. Plans are well underway for the 32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference, May 17-19 in Pittsburgh. If you are willing and able to volunteer to help with Conference preparations or at the Conference itself, please contact Pauline or me at ConferenceCoordinator@Pennwriters.org. Also, if you are skilled with Wordpress and website design, we are actively looking for someone to join our website team. As 2018 comes to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to share season’s greetings and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year—and, not least, happy writing!
Board of Directors President Hilary Hauck, 814-659-6191 President@Pennwriters.org Vice President Bobbi Carducci 540-338-5064 & 540-903-6831 VicePresident@Pennwriters.org Secretary Susan Gourley Secretary@Pennwriters.org Treasurer Jackie Shaffmaster, 570-878-7056 Treasurer@Pennwriters.org Author Advocate Ayleen Gontz, 717-359-9279 AuthorAdvocate@Pennwriters.org Webmaster Mark Boerma, 570-578-1473 Webmaster@Pennwriters.org Newsletter Editor Heather Desuta, 412-337-6966 Newsletter@Pennwriters.org 2019 Conference Coordinators Pauline Drozeski and Hilary Hauck ConferenceCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Public Relations Chair Leslie Tobin Smeltz PublicRelations@Pennwriters.org
Pennwrite on! -Hilary
Bylaws Chair Jean Jenkins, 814-774-0557 BylawsChair@Pennwriters.org Internet Activities Coordinator Pauline Drozeski
Pennwriters Online website: www.pennwriters.org yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pennwriters/join facebook groups: Pennwriters; Pennwriters Annual Conference you can also join the Pennwriters LinkedIn group and follow us on twitter.
Interim Online Courses Coordinator Donna Royston OnlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Pennwriters Presents Coordinator Denise Weaver, 814-442-4876 PennwritersPresents@Pennwriters.org Election Chair Dave Freas ElectionChair@Pennwriters.org Annual Writing Contest Coordinator D.J. Stevenson WritingContestCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Coordinator of Area Reps (CAR) Annette Dashofy CAR@Pennwriters.org AREA 1 Rep: Todd Main, 814-459-8752 Area1Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 2 Rep: Mark Boerma Area2Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 3 Rep: Stephanie Claypool Area3Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 4 Rep: Denise Weaver Area4Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 5 Rep: Sandra Bush 717-891-6412 Area5Rep@Pennwriters.org
PW Areas Map
All areas outside of Pennsylvania are Area 7
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
AREA 6 Rep: Suzanne Mattaboni Area6Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 7 Rep: Terry Friedman 610-331-2558 & 843-236-8189 Area7Rep@Pennwriters.org 3
Pennwriters Member News & Happenings tO SHArE yOur NEwS, email Newsletter@Pennwriters.org with “Pennwriter Submission” in the subject line. Please include your Pennwriters Area # in the message.
Congratulations to the winners of the On The Wall Contest at the Pennwriters Area 1 Writers Road Trip in October. First Place: Rebecca Frank with “Batty Betty;” Second Place: Jane McCartney with “outlawed writing;” and Third Place: Tom Laton with “The Letter.”
Area 1 Terry Dawley’s poem “Dark Sunglasses on Sunless Days” has been published in BELLAONLINE.com in their fall equinox 2018 edition. Visit www.bellaonline.com/review/issues/fall 2018/p011.html.
Area 2 Maxim W. Furek has released his third book, SHEPPTON: THE MYTH, MIRACLE & MUSIC, that investigates themes of the miraculous and supernatural surrounding the 1963 Sheppton mining disaster. The Sheppton disaster has been pronounced a “continuous, collective hallucination,” an “out-of-body experience,” a miracle by Pope John XXIII, and “proof of life after death.” Fate Magazine described Sheppton as “unmatched in the annals of psychic research.” The Associated Press called Sheppton “one of the most significant” news stories of the year. Sheppton was a huge story for those two long weeks. Over 200 international newsmen (UK, Japan, Germany) broadcast from the scene. The rescued miners believed that Pope John XXIII, who had died two months earlier, had saved their lives. Numerous Vatican researchers and scholars have cited Sheppton as one
of the Pope’s miracles. But there was also a dark side to the story. A third trapped miner was never found. Rumors of cannibalism echoed in the mining communities where his two rescued companions lived. The 1971 rock song “Timothy,” written by Rupert Holmes and recorded by The Buoys, told of cannibalism in a mine and eerily paralleled Sheppton. Furek claims that Sheppton remains Pennsylvania’s forbidden Urban Legend and the Coal Region’s last remaining mystery. The book is available in paperback at shepptonmyth.com.
Area 5 Susan Gourley (writing as Susan Kelley) has had her 21st romance novel published by New Concepts Publishing. THE ALIEN AND THE TEACHER is the first in a new space opera romance series and is available at all online retailers. Visit her at susangourley.blogspot.com.
Area 3 Hana Haatainen-Caye recently had her article “Pets and Essential Oils: Diffusing a Hot Topic” appear in Zip-Code Magazine in Las Vegas. She also had an interview, “Pittsburgh Caregivers Choose Dignity Home Care Professionals,” appear in Pittsburgh’s Fifty Five Plus Magazine.
we thank you in advance for helping to keep our member roster current. Please take a moment to verify that you’ve supplied Pennwriters with a current, valid email address. Log in to your account info at Pennwriters.org. 4
Area 5 Nancy A. Hughes recently published VANISHED: A TRUST MYSTERY. Released Oct. 27 by Black Opal Books, it is the third in her Trust Trilogy. It was supposed to be the kidnappers’ last job—snatching the infant of a poor single mother for an unsuspecting wealthy client. But the kidnappers grab the wrong baby, the son of high-profile bankers Kingsley and Todd Henning. Realizing their mistake, the kidnappers plant evidence to implicate the parents and dismantle their operation. No ransom call comes. Convinced the parents are guilty, detectives interrogate relentlessly as they uncover the planted evidence. The couple vows to find their missing child themselves. They scrutinize the bank’s security footage for incongruities only insiders might spot and they follow flimsy clues into the murderous underworld of illegal adoptions. As novice detectives, they are exposed to extreme danger, skirting the law while keeping one step ahead of the villains and the police. But is it too late? Will the kidnappers eliminate all trace of their baby? Or are they no match for two angry, determined parents? For more, visit www.hughescribe.com.
Area 4 Jim Lee had a story appear in the anthology FANTASY FOR THE THRONE. This collection of 40 fantasy stories was published in September. Jim’s story is a fable-like tale based on Native American mythology, where the Haida people of Pacific Northwest Canada finally get wise to Raven, their playfully obnoxious Trickster God.
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
NYT bestselling author, television producer, and PW Area 7 member Jonathan Maberry has accepted the position of president of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. Area 3 Pennwriter and Annual Writing Contest Coordinator D. J. Stevenson has accepted the position of executive vice president of the organization. The IAMTW promotes recognition of authors who write licensed tie-in fiction for existing entertainment franchises. Examples include television shows and movies Star Trek and Star Wars; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Murder, She Wrote; as well as video games and comic books. IAMTW members novelize movies from the big screen and stories from television. They also write original tales using the characters, backstory and settings established in the franchise’s “universe.” For more information on the organization, including interviews with Jonathan and D.J., please visit www.iamtw.org.
Back in the spring, Area 6 Rep Suzanne Mattaboni sat awake at night, entering writing contests, typing like the undead at her keyboard, and falling asleep with her cheek against the desk. Since then, she is excited to announce: • She has been named a finalist in the 2018 Gotham Writers’ 17-Word Memoir Contest • She was a two-time finalist in the 2018 New Millennium Awards, for two different submissions (short story and flash fiction) • She received an honorable mention in the 2018 Writer’s Digest Writing Competition (poetry category) • Her flash fiction and poetry pieces both placed at the Pennwriters Conference’s In Other Words contest. She’s still catching up on her sleep but is feeling very validated! Connect with Suzanne at suzanne@mattaboni.com and copywritelife.com, and on Twitter @suzmattaboni.
Success is achieved and maintained by those who TRY and keep TRYING. There is nothing to lose by TRYING and a great deal to gain if successful. By all means, TRY. DO IT NOW. -w. CLEMENt StONE
Area 6 Janice Monahan Rodgers has published two volumes of short stories: LETTERS TO MY SISTER and LETTERS TO MY SISTER, VOLUME 2. This collection of nostalgic, anecdotal short stories takes readers on a humorous and sentimental journey through Allentown during the late ’40s and early ’50s when Hess Brothers, Leh’s, and Zollinger’s were the premier department stores in the city, back when kids still played dodge ball, waited for the ice man to come, or a gumball machine could change your fortune. Volume 2 picks up with the family’s continued adventures on Chew Street, when television was the new kid on the block and a hoagie was the latest delight to be sampled at Woolworth’s Five and Ten Cent Store. It recounts the family’s vacations, Easter holidays, winter snow ball battles, a disastrous permanent wave, Romper Day, traveling on trolley cars, a big move to the suburbs and a whole new way of life.The stories are funny, nostalgic, wistful, reflective, misty and always sentimental. Both books are available for purchase in e-book and paperback formats from Amazon.com. Visit janicemonahanrodgers.com to learn more.
Did you remember to renew your Pennwriters membership? renewals were due by June 30. Log in to your account at Pennwriters.org to check your status. If you wish to participate in the writing Contest in January, you must be a member. tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
Area 3 Sheryl Nantus will be doing a book signing at the Half Price Books in Monroeville (3757 William Penn Hwy) on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 1-3 p.m., just after Black Friday! She’ll be selling copies of her romantic action series DELTA FORCE BROTHERHOOD from Entangled Publishing as well as copies of her new paranormal series, HER ALPHA VIKING. Come out and say hello and pick up some great deals for the holidays. Autographed books make excellent gifts for friends and family!
Area 1 Jim Stein’s debut novel, STRANGE TIDINGS, was released in February by The Wild Rose Press. This urban fantasy, the first in Jim’s Legends Walk series, features mystery, music, and magic that should appeal to teens and adults. Native American legends take center stage as the action unfolds in New Philadelphia. The apocalypse arrived as a quiet virus that put humanity’s future in jeopardy. Musician Ed Johnson is stalked by strangers, and nightmare creatures threaten his sister. He enlists the help of his friends and Quinn, the band’s beautiful bassist who harbors her own dark secrets. Will the true power of music be enough to save them all? STRANGE TIDINGS is available through Amazon, B&N, and other online outlets. Visit JimSteinBooks.com to learn more. 5
Past Pennwriters Writing Contest Submissions: “Where Are They Now?” CONtINuED frOM PAgE 1
Peter Hayes wrote: I won the Novel Beginning contest in 2014 and the Short Story contest in 2015. I can give you a little background on both submissions: Novel Beginning: The submission for that was the first chapter of a thriller called, at that time, “The Dog of Erbil.” The same chapter made the shortlist for the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger award. (It didn’t win but was highly commended, so I took second or third.) Unfortunately, despite a number of rewrites and a name change to the manuscript (it became “The Other War”), I never found a publisher. However, the protagonist in the novel became an important character in the next book-length manuscript I wrote, a mystery called “The Things That Aren’t There,” and that book was published in July of this year by Level Best Books. Short Story: The short story was called “The Long White Walk,” and not long after I won the contest, the story found a home in an anthology titled THE LITERARY HATCHET. Interestingly, the main character of that story was also the protagonist of the “The Dog of Erbil/The Other War.” The anthology is still available on Amazon.
doesn’t make a book, and that I had to accept that the manuscript had critical flaws. The lesson was that I had to look past the success of the first chapter, evaluate the entire manuscript, and if the flaws were too, great move on to something else. Basically, I learned that sometimes you have to cut and run, and it is better to do that sooner than later. I haven't entered any contests lately, mostly because I have a publishing contract for three books and need to write the draft of the last book. However, at the time, the two Pennwriters contest wins were critical and delivered the confidence I needed to keep writing.
Kathy Otten wrote: In 2013, I was the 2nd Place winner in the Novel Beginning Category for my historical western romance, “A Tarnished Knight.” The book was later accepted by The Wild Rose Press and became my third published novel. I have continued writing both novels and short stories. Some of these pieces were submitted to contests, both Pennwriters and RWA chapter contests. As with everything, there is a certain amount of subjectivity to tHE LItErAry HAtCHEt feedback from contest judges. Some like a piece and others https://www.amazon.com/Literary-Hatchet-14-Collectivedon't. So while winning a prize is nice, the feedback is the Authors/dp/1533378762/ref=sr_1_15?ie=utf8&qid=153845187 main reason I submit. While I take some comments with 7&sr=8-15&keywords=literary+hatchet a grain of salt, other tips I find are invaluable for I'm always Winning the contests was a huge help to me. At that time looking for ways to improve my writing. So, if I'm going to I was just starting to write regularly (having retired), and the pick one tip—well, maybe two—submit to contests that two contest wins were the first indication that I might have a offer feedback and always submit your best work. future in writing. Until that point I hadn’t managed to get It doesn't help if you have the mindset that it's only anything published, so the wins were a huge confidence a contest; otherwise, you receive feedback on things boost. As of today, I’ve had a dozen short stories published you already know are wrong. and the first novel of my Pittsburgh trilogy is now out. www.kathyottenauthor.com tHE tHINgS tHAt ArEN't tHErE (A VIC LENOSKI MyStEry) VOL. 1 https://www.amazon.com/things-Arent-there-LenoskiMystery/dp/1947915061/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=ut f8&qid=1538453740&sr=8-1
I also learned some good lessons when I entered the contests. For the short story, to make the word limit, I had to remove 1500 words from the manuscript of “The Long White Walk.” I learned I could actually do that, and by doing so improved the story. The lesson was that I could really bear down on a manuscript and tighten my prose. My lesson on the novel beginning contest was a little different. Because that first chapter won the Pennwriters award and did so well in the Debut Dagger contest, I spent too much time on the manuscript, trying to rewrite it into success. What I finally realized was that a good first chapter
Lorraine Henderson wrote: Pennwriters is an amazing organization, and I benefitted from all the conferences and workshops and just plain great advice from the members who started this writers’ group. I joined in 1989 and have enjoyed every minute of my time in PW Since I won’t be there to “meet and chat,” I will tell you what I might have said while we chatted: Get involved. Go to as many workshops, meetings and conferences that you are able to. I met my first agent at Pennwriters events... I met editors who agreed to read my proposals... and I met and got to know so many members who became dear friends... Definitely volunteer at the Pennwriters Conference in May... great way to network. next page
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Norma Huss wrote: I took two second places in 1998 - in great beginnings and short story. The great beginning book was YESTERDAY’S BODY. It was published by a small e-book publisher, Wings Press, Inc. in 2009. After the two-year contract was up, I took back the rights and republished through Amazon. With the confidence I gained from their acceptance, I’ve since indie-published six other books as well, including a short prequel and book two of that series. The short story that placed second was "Yesterday’s News." It was purchased and published by Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine in their Spring 2004 issue. Last November (2017) I published a collection of 10 short stories including that one. (THE DESERTER AND OTHER STORIES) I've taken a variety of Pennwriter classes too. Although I had articles and stories published in a variety of children's magazines before I joined Pennwriters, I credit Pennwriters for helping my growth as a writer (and mention that in my books). I now publish to the wide market (paperback at Amazon and ebook for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and others, including Walmar—catalog only.)
Jim Knights wrote: I received your email today, Oct 11. Just yesterday, Oct. 10, I received an offer of a publishing contract for my historical/women’s fiction manuscript, SOLDIER GIRL BLUE. The publisher is S & H Publishing in Purcellville, Virginia. It is also being considered by a West Coast publisher. The manuscript has been awarded a five-star Readers’ Favorite review. I had entered the manuscript in the Pennwriters contest in 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the manuscript made it to round two, but not in 2017. Most of the comments from judges were supportive, but a few were not. In 2016, the only changes I made to the manuscript based on judges’ comments were very minor. I made no changes based on contest feedback in 2017. To be honest, based on my experience, entering the contest wasn’t helpful, and I don’t plan to participate in the future.
Linda Schmitmeyer wrote: Wanted to update you on my two Pennwriter contest • yEStErDAy'S BODy - books2read.com/u/boQVzm wins, a 1st-place in nonfiction in 2013 for “Gray Is the • tHE DESErtEr AND OtHEr StOrIES - www.books2read.com/u/mgrPAq Color of Mental Illness,” and a 2nd-place in 2014 in nonfic–Norma Huss “the grandma Moses of Mystery” www.normahuss.com tion for “Ketchup Madness.” “Gray Is the Color of Mental Illness” eventually became the first chapter of my memoir, RAMBLER: A FAMILY David Macpherson wrote: PUSHES THROUGH THE FOG OF MENTAL ILLNESS, which was released by The Artists’ Orchard publishers this Q: What was the title of your entry? September. RAMBLER is my first full-length book and is A: Yoda the Duck, Literary Fiction available on Amazon and at barnesandnoble.com. Q: What category: “Ketchup Madness” also was published as an essay, A: Short story titled “My Mantra,” in WRITING AWAY THE STIGMA: TEN COURAGEOUS WRITERS TELL TRUE STORIES ABOUT Q: Have you continued working on this piece? DEPRESSION, BIPOLAR DISORDER, ADHD, OCD, A: No PTSD & MORE. The book is also available on Amazon. Q: What value did you find in participating In addition, “My Mantra” was picked up as a guest blog in the writing contest? post by the Children’s Mental Health Network, an online A: I believe its always good to get as many readers forum supporting families with children living with a mental to critically review a piece and contest reviewers health condition. tend to be knowledgable readers. I haven’t continued entering contests, but instead focused on finishing up my memoir. Participating in and winning Q: Have you entered additional writing contests? the Pennwriters contest gave me the confidence boost I A: Yes, I frequently enter contests. needed to persevere with completing RAMBLER. I would Q: What advice could you share about writing contests? encourage anyone considering submitting an essay to get A: Though you won’t win many, winning one is a involved. It made the annual Pennwriters Conferences even powerful boost to your confidence and keeps you more exciting. Good luck to anyone entering. working at the craft. www.lindaschmitmeyer.com Q: Where is your entry now? A: “Yoda, the Duck” received first place in the Pennwriters contest in the short story category and was also selected as a finalist in the Adelaide Voices Literary Contest 2018 and subsequently published in ADELAIDE VOICES ANTHOLOGY 2018.
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Sherry Knowlton wrote: Over the years, I've submitted all four of my novels to the Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest in the Novel Beginning category. The novels, DEAD OF AUTUMN, DEAD OF SUMMER, DEAD OF SPRING, and DEAD OF WINTER, are from my Alexa Williams suspense series, published by Sunbury Press/Milford House. The first book in the series was published in 2014. The second and third in 2015 and 2017. DEAD OF WINTER is available in Advance Review Copy now, and will be formally released on February 19, 2019. Summer and Spring were both Best Book Awards Finalists in the category of Mystery and Suspense. The books are available at www.sherryknowlton.com and on Amazon. Alas! None of my entries have won prizes in the Pennwriters contests. The reactions that I've received from the Pennwriters judges each year have been mixed, at best. Some of the judges have offered high scores and positive comments; others have been very critical—sometimes about the same submission! Some judges have provided detailed feedback; others have scored the criteria but given little to no written feedback. Although I haven't walked away with a prize or garnered consistent praise from the contest judges, I view the contest and the feedback as very valuable. In Suspense, a good novel opening is critical. I view all critique as fodder for improvement. I always review the rating sheets with their comments and scoring, incorporating reviewers' suggestions and trying to bolster areas where the judges point out weaknesses in my manuscript. I've received the detailed score sheets at various points in my writing process, depending on the book. Early is better of course. For example, I was barely in first draft stage for DEAD OF SPRING when I received the rating sheets. The comments reflected the lack of polish in the submission but were extremely useful in guiding edits. For two of the novels, I was close to publication (in the final editing process with my editor) but I still had a chance to tweak the manuscript to incorporate some Pennwriters contest suggestions. (Interesting side note: those were the same entries in which, each time, a single judge remarked that the book would never find a publisher unless I made significant changes.) I realize that the judges for the contest are volunteers who clearly put in a lot of time reviewing a large slate of entries. I thank them for their efforts and feedback. I understand that juggling the reviews with the rest of their lives and their own writing has to be burdensome and requires a huge commitment of time. However, I would urge them to provide comments whenever possible—both positive and negative—to help the author understand the rationale for the scoring. To me, the grammar and punctuation edits are less important than the feedback on story structure and content. I’m lucky to have a wonderful editor at Sunbury Press/Milford House who is a whiz at grammar and the style manual the publisher uses. I recognize that more detailed grammatical critique may be quite helpful to other writers.
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I believe the Pennwriters Contest stands out from the crowd of writing contests that I've entered because it does provide specific feedback to authors. As such, it's an outstanding reflection of Pennwriters' mission to help writers master their craft. As for me, I'll keep submitting future Novel Beginnings to the Pennwriters Writing Contest. www.sherryknowlton.com or https://www.amazon.com/SherryKnowlton/e/B00NDf2XgI/
Wende Dikec wrote: I entered the contest’s Novel Beginnings category three times in three years and won third place each time. That has to be some kind of record, right? Even though I never took that coveted first place prize (sigh), I’ll never forget the excitement of placing, and how wonderful it felt for my story to be chosen. The first time it happened was in 2013 when my young adult story “Tiger Lily” was picked. It was my first time attending Pennwriters, and such a boost to my confidence. “Tiger Lily” went on to be a finalist in RWA’s Golden Pen, and NJRWA’s Golden Leaf. It came in third each time, which is not a surprise, since I seem to be destined for that slot. TIGER LILY was published by Inkspell Publishing in January 2016 (https://www.amazon.com/tiger-Lily-wende-Dikecebook/dp/B018A6N548/)
In 2014, my paranormal romance “Traveller” was chosen. TRAVELLER was published in February 2016 by The Wild Rose Press (https://www.amazon.com/traveller-Abigail-Drakeebook/dp/B01APJzr12/ ), and in 2017 it did what none of my books have ever done before. It won (gasp) first place in the Prism Awards (the Fantasty, Futuristic, and Paranormal division of RWA). I have a trophy to prove it. It’s a pyramid with a prism inside. It was very exciting. My sci-fi romance “Lola Flannigan” won in 2015. This story of a hairdresser from outer space later became a novella, and was published as part of an anthology by Inkspell Publishing in February 2017. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4M1gzI/).
What began as a few polished pages entered into a contest, eventually turned into three published works. Placing in the Novel Beginnings contest was the start of many wonderful things in my writing career, and I strongly encourage all the yet-to-be published Pennwriters to give it a try. You never know where it might lead. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next person to win third place three times in a row. #goals
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
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Lori Duffy Foster wrote: The 2017 Pennwriters Novel Beginnings Contest came at a critical time for me. I was feeling down about the business and about my role in it. I had just parted ways with my agent of four years in search of pressure-free time to regroup and figure out whether I even had a future as an author. I entered the contest because I wanted validation. So, I was thrilled when NO STRANGER HERE won first place and A DEAD MAN’S EYES won second place. My agent had submitted both those novels to publishers. The general response was that they enjoyed my writing, but that the novels weren’t quite commercial enough for the current mystery/thriller market. I had previously accepted that verdict, but those wins inspired me to dig deeper into genres as they are defined by publishers. I succeeded in finding published novels like mine, ranging from mid-list to best sellers, and I contacted some of their authors. I learned that their works were not initially promoted by agents as mysteries, but as women’s fiction or as southern fiction. Book sellers generally market them as both. That revelation revived me, but I wasn’t ready to submit those novels again just yet. I had revised them so many times in attempts to appease major publishing houses that I felt the need for some distance. Instead, I started a new novel with a better feel for the expectations of mystery/thriller market. My progress has been slowed by a teaching gig at a local university and by the usual challenges of raising four kids, but I am now 20,000 words from the finish. I am confident that this new novel is more “commercial” than my previous works, but I don’t feel that I sacrificed the strength of the character arc to get there. It feels balanced. I feel better about my previously completed novels as well. I have even submitted NO STRANGER HERE and A DEAD MAN’S EYES to a few small publishers, though they remain in limbo. Along with insight and confidence, I gained a whole new group of writer-friends thanks to the Pennwriters contest. With the contest wins came free registration to the 2018 conference and half-price registration to the 2019 conference. I met dozens of wonderful people last year with whom I remain in contact. I look forward to seeing them again in May and meeting many more. I also came away from the conference with some valuable advice and information. Someday, I hope to return to the conference with a published novel in my hands and advice of my own to give. So thank you, Pennwriters.
NEXT CONTEST the 2019 Pennwriters Annual writing Contest is open to any member of Pennwriters in good standing as of January 1, 2019. you must be a member before the opening of the contest in order to participate. Entries will be judged by writing industry professionals. you may enter each category as many times as you wish. Categories with fewer than five (5) entrants will be canceled. (Entries and entry fees in a canceled category will be returned.) to learn about the contest and the criteria upon which entries will be judged, and to submit your work, visit www.pennwriterswritingcontest.com. Please familiarize yourself with the judging criteria before you submit your entry. first, second, and third place winners will be awarded in each of the four categories, and winners will be announced at the Pennwriters Annual Conference in May. the scores and comments will be sent out the next day, along with certificates and award vouchers for winners not in attendance.
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• NOVEL BEgINNINg—Submit no more than 10 pages. Include your genre, so we can match your entry with a suitable judge. $15 entry fee per piece. • SHOrt StOry—Entries must present a complete story within the allotted 10 pages. Include your genre, so we can match your entry with a suitable judge. $15 entry fee per story. • NONfICtION—this includes creative nonfiction, narrative nonfiction and articles. Submit no more than 10 pages. Must present a complete piece within the allotted 10 pages. $15 entry fee per piece. • POEtry—up to 40 lines per poem. $15 entry fee for up to three poems. (1, 2 or 3 poems/$15; 4, 5 or 6 poems/$30)
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1st Place Prize- either a full registration fee voucher to the Pennwriters Annual Conference ($300 value—voucher must be redeemed within two years) or $50 cash. 2nd Place Prize- a choice of half the registration fee voucher to the annual conference ($150 value—voucher must be redeemed within two years) or $30 cash. 3rd Place Prize- A $15 voucher to be used for a free entry in the following year’s writing contest.
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the contest starts on Jan. 1, 2019, at 12:01 a.m. and closes Jan. 31, 2019, at midnight. Entries must be uploaded via www.pennwriterswritingcontest.com no later than 11:59 PM Jan. 31, 2019. Please email D.J. Stevenson with any questions: writingContestCoordinator@Pennwriters.org. for contest guidelines and to submit your entries, visit
pennwriterswritingcontest.com tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
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Area 1
Area 4
todd Main • Area 1 representative 814-459-8752 • Area1rep@Pennwriters.org
Denise weaver • Area 4 representative Area4rep@Pennwriters.org
Meadville Vicinity Pennwriters (MVP) Meets 1st Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at tarot Bean roasting Co. at 252 Chestnut St. Contact Janet wells at wellswoodjanet@gmail.com.
the Inkwell (Altoona Area) Meets 1st thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Altoona Area. Contact Denise weaver at Area4rep@Pennwriters.org.
Presque Isle group Meets 2nd Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at tom ridge Environmental Center on Presque Isle. Contact todd Main at todd_main@steris.com. Shenango Valley Pennwriters (SVP) Meets 3rd Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at the Shenango Valley Library in Sharon. Contact Catherine McLean at catherinemclean00@gmail.com. Erie group Meets 4th Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble near the Millcreek Mall in Erie. Contact Dave Szymanowski at daveszy@adelphia.net. fellowship of the Quill (fOtQ) Meets every thursday, 7-10 p.m. at Eat ‘n Park in Erie. Contact todd Main at todd_main@steris.com. Corry writers group Meets 1st Mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. at tim Horton’s, 7 E. Columbus Ave., Corry. Contact Kathy Otten at jersey.vt.1774@hotmail.com.
Area 2
the Southern Alleghenies writers guild (Johnstown, PA) Meets 3rd Saturdays from noon-3 p.m. Contact Jim Lee at 814-442-1241 or jimlee.author@gmail.com. Additional groups meeting in State College: OLLI writer's group meets monthly at the Schlow Library (211 S. Allen St.). Contact rita Lumpkins at ritalouise@gmail.com. Nittany Valley writers Network meets 2nd tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at Schlow Library (211 S. Allen St.). Nittany Valley writers Network: the Early risers meets 3rd wednesday from 7-8 a.m. at the waffle Shop on w. College Avenue. Nittany Valley writers Network: Social meets 4th tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Autoport (1405 S. Atherton St.).
Area 5
Mark Boerma • Area 2 representative Area2rep@Pennwriters.org Danville group Meets 1st and 3rd wednesdays, 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Church on Market Street. Contact Dave freas at quillracer@pa.metrocast.net.
Area 6 Suzanne Mattaboni • Area 6 representative Area6rep@Pennwriters.org there are currently no Pennwriters groups meeting in Area 6, but if you are interested in forming a group, contact Suzanne.
Area 7 terry friedman • Area 7 representative 610-331-2558 • Area7rep@Pennwriters.org Blue ridge group (Virginia) Meetings include critique on request, sharing resources, writing exercises and discussion. Beginning to multi-published writers welcome. Meets 2nd & 4th wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the Purcellville Library in Purcellville, Virginia. Contact Bobbi Carducci at VicePresident@Pennwriters.org.
Sandra Bush • Area 5 representative Area5rep@Pennwriters.org york Area group Critique structure: Bring 7 copies of up to 5 pgs. of manuscript, double-spaced. Meets 3rd tuesday from 6-7:45 p.m. in the Study room of the Dover Area Community Library (3700-3 Davidsburg rd., Dover) Cynthia Hospador at chospador@gmail.com. Harrisburg Area group Critique structure: Bring 10 copies of up to 5 pages, double-spaced. All genres welcome. Meets 4th wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. at the New Cumberland Library’s back annex (1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland). Contact Carrie Jacobs at carrieinpa@gmail.com or facebook.com/4thwednesday. Additional writers groups meeting in Area 5: the gettysburg writers Brigade meets every wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at O’rorke’s Eatery (44 Steinwehr Ave.) to talk about writing topics. readings are every 3rd wednesday. Contact Jim rada at jimrada@yahoo.com.
Northern Delaware group Meetings will be held monthly. All levels of experience are welcome. for details, email Cindy Callaghan at callaghancindy@gmail.com.
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tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
Area 3 Stephanie Claypool • Area 3 representative Area3rep@Pennwriters.org ArEA 3 MEEtINgS: Please note: If you are a Pennwriter outside of Area 3, but would like to come to Area 3 meetings, you are most welcome. Prospective new Pennwriters members are welcome to check us out. Second tuesday of the Month group On hiatus for summer 2018. we will return in the fall with a new format. Stay tuned for more info. ArEA 3 CrItIQuE grOuPS: the Pittsburgh East writer's group Small, friendly critique group focusing on fiction. All genres welcome. Meets on the third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the upstairs conference room at the Monroeville Public Library. Contact Chuck rakiecz crakiecz@verizon.net Critique group North Eight members writing shorts, flashes, novels. Meets on the second thursday of the month at Perkins restaurant on route 19 in Cranberry township from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including time for lunch. the group is now at full capacity of eight and is accepting candidates for a wait list. Contact MaryAlice Meli at maryalicemeli@yahoo.com. the Bridgeville Critique group Meets the fourth wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Panera Bread in the Chartiers Valley Shopping Center, 1025 washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA. fiction or nonfiction wIP are accepted and any level of writer is welcome. we review one person's work each month. work to be critiqued is sent to all group members at least a week in advance so everyone has ample time to review it before the meeting. the group is currently full but is keeping a wait list. we welcome anyone, published or not. Anyone who would like to join the group, get additional information, or come to a session to try us out and see how we work, please contact Barb D'Souza at barbrett@verizon.net. Cranberry township Critique group A small group focused on fiction, mainly novels, meeting at the Cranberry Library every three weeks on Saturdays at 9:30 am. this group is now at capacity. to get on a wait list or for more information contact Amy wagner at amywagner00@gmail.com.
As writers, we must keep throwing problems at our characters. Conflict is the heart of good storytelling. Hiking in nature along a twisting trail can remind us what a good story feels like. It's the opposite of a treadmill—or an interstate highway. - KAtE KLISE
People say, “What advice do you have for people who want to be writers?” I say, they don’t really need advice, they know they want to be writers, and they’re gonna do it. Those people who know that they really want to do this and are cut out for it, they know it.
South Hills Critique group A small group meeting one Saturday per month at 10 am in the galleria of Mt. Lebanon. work to be critiqued is emailed one week ahead of the meeting. there is space available. rosemary ray: southside27@outlook.com. JOIN tHE ArEA 3 yAHOO grOuP Pennwriters who wish to stay informed of Area 3 news and last-minute updates, may join the Area 3 yahoo group. Joining allows you to post news of sales and new markets, ask questions, suggest discussion topics, or announce Area events of interest to Pennwriters. to join, email PennsArea3-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
- r.L. StINE
I believe myself that a good writer doesn’t really need to be told anything except to keep at it. - CHINuA ACHEBE
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Market News
COLuMN #128
By JIM LEE, ArEA 4, ASSOCIAtE EDItOr, MArKEt rEPOrtS
Vfw Magazine is, as you might guess, the official publication of the Veterans of foreign wars, and their main focus is recognition of the accomplishments of veterans. they don’t use first-person accounts or articles much longer than 1,000 words. Visit their guidelines at https://vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net//media/VfwSite/files/Media-and-Events/Magazine/writersguidelines.pdf?la=en&v=1&d=20160831t142116z. (google “Vfw Magazine submission guidelines”) you probably should query before submitting. Pay is negotiable, but this is a large circulation market, and they pay on acceptance. Smart Business trends is all about online marketing. they use well-researched how-to tutorials, case-studies and new product reviews to help readers better market their goods and services online through sites like wordPress or Amazon. they only use unpublished articles, 1,000 wds minimum (no max length noted). Pay ranges from $100 to $200 (for All rights). guides: www.smartbusinesstrends.com/write-for-us/. An award-winning general literary magazine, Copper Nickel needs fiction, poetry, essays and translations. they don’t specify a length limit for prose; for poetry send 4-6 poems at a time. Payment rate is $30/page. (As a bonus, there are also Editor’s Prizes of $500 for what they judge the best work in each issue). the online submission button is part of their guideline page: www.copper-nickel.org/submit/. the submission deadline for their next issue is December 15. the Dallas theological Seminary puts out DtS Magazine. they want articles “rich in biblical and theological exposition.” Christian focused, of course. they use both new and reprint nonfiction, 1,500 wds maximum. If original and published in the print mag, writers earn up to $500; for reprints or works released online, the fee is $150. Visit www.voice.dts.edu/magazine/submissions/. the major national newspaper uSA today is open to freelance subs for their Opinion Section. they use letters (about 200 wds) and columns (550-750 wds). Pay is up to 50 cents/wd. See www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/09/29/submissionguidelines-usatoday-opinion-column-oped-how-to-letters-editor/89964600/. Constellary tales is a new science fiction magazine, which also runs some fantasy (but no horror) of 1,000 to 3,500 wds. Both new and reprint fiction is sought, and pay is 6 cents/wd on publication. Visit www.constellary.com/story-submissions/. the Iowa review is an established literary magazine, open to poetry (8 pages per submission), fiction and nonfiction (up to 25 pages of prose). they welcome translated works, as well. they pay 8 cents/wd for prose; $1.50/line for poetry. Current reading period ends Nov. 30, so check out their guidelines at www.iowareview.org/contact/writer-guidelines), and submit soon.
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woman’s world is for women of all ages, offering “heart-warming stories, as well as tips and information on weight loss, fitness and health, and relationships.” Articles earn $25-250; they also pay $25 per recipe. Visit www.womansworld.com/contact. Angry robot is a book publisher that does Sf/f and related genres. they offer industry standard advances on royalties for novels. I notice some places are incorrectly reporting that Angry robot will accept subs from unagented writers, but their guidelines make it clear their policies have changed. you need a recognized agent to send this uK-based company a book proposal. Still, they are a respected outfit and have good distribution throughout most of the English-speaking world (including the uS), so if you have an agent, have her/him give it a shot. for more info, visit www.angryrobotbooks.com/submissions/. Versify, a new imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for young readers, likes risky, unconventional books for children of various ages. they do novels, nonfiction, picture books and graphic novels. this is part of a big company, so pay should be decent. But note: this is another publisher that answers only if they’re interested in the proposal. for info, go to www.versifybooks.tumblr.com/contact. tales from the Lake, Volume 6 is the latest horror anthology from Crystal Lake Publishing. this is a non-themed book, using stories 500-5,000 wds (3,000-4,000 wds being ideal). New work only. Editors here are Mercedes M. yardley and Eugene Johnson. Pay is 3 cents/wd. Deadline for this one is January 1, 2019. Check www/crystallakepub.com/authorcentral/ for further info and send stories to Lake6subs@gmail.com. when a navy submarine is lost/disappears at sea, there’s apparently a tradition to list it as Still on Patrol. Otter Libris, a small press specializing in Sf/f/H fiction, has borrowed this term for the anthology of military speculative fiction they’re putting together. Stories (3,000-10,000 wds each) don’t have to refer to submariners or naval personnel. In fact, diverse setting and genres are actively sought. Characters could be dead, transferred to a new reality or realm, whatever—the thing is, they are still on duty, protecting whoever or whatever they’re sworn to watch over— hence, Still on Patrol. Editors Michelle Stengel and Jason Stengel give preference to unpublished stories but may use 1 or 2 reprints that fit the theme. Pay is modest: $25/new story, $10/reprint, plus a free copy (and discounts on additional copies). In exchange, they are buying one-year exclusive print & ebook rights. See www.otterlibris.com/open-projects/still-on-patrol/. rider Magazine is for “the most mature, affluent and discerning motorcycle riders.” Articles are full of good photos and earn $200-750. would-be contributors should query by mail, but first read their detailed, three-page guidelines (and lots of other info) at www.ridermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Editorial-Contributors.pdf.
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
Hard Case Crime is a niche publisher of paperback novels focused squarely on the hardboiled crime story genre. they do both classic reprints and new books in the field. It’s reportedly a good market for new/unknown writers (as long as in their area of interest, of course). Query via email to editor@hardcasecrime.com. they don’t seem to have a formal guideline page, but you can send questions to info@hardcasecrime.com. turner Books is an independent book publisher (not owned by some huge corporation) that has numerous imprints, using both fiction and nonfiction in such areas as Health & wellness, Sexuality, genealogy, Business Books for Nonprofits, general fiction and Children’s Books. they’re open to books from agents or writers without agents, and they welcome new writers. No official guideline page is offered, and they’re another outfit that only answers if they’re interested in using your material. they return nothing, so don’t send anything you want back. that said, you can submit either a query or the full manuscript online at submissions@turnerpublishing.com. triangle Square is an imprint of Seven Stories Press, specializing in books for children and young adults. they use both fiction and nonfiction, but all (including the fiction titles) must have a strong educational aspect. Like their parent company, they also like to promote ideas of social justice in what they use. the submission process is identical to the one for their parent company. Query with a cover letter, two sample chapters, and provide SASE for their reply. Send all queries and submissions by mail to Seven Stories Press, 140 watts Street, New york, Ny 10013. A major Sf/f magazine, galaxy’s Edge will again be open for freelance publications, starting Nov. 1. Editor Mike resnick uses new stories up to 7,000 wds (though shorter is preferred) and pays 7 cents/wd. they do (identical) print and e-zine editions. Visit www.galaxysedge.com/submissions. At this writing, the Sf/f mag Lightspeed and its horror-centered sister publication, Nightmare Magazine, were both closed to subs. Both are pro magazines seeking original fiction. Lightspeed pays 8 cents/wd, and Nightmare pays 6 cents/wd. for details, visit www.johnjosephadams.moska.io/publication/lightspeed/guidelines and www.johnjosephadams.moska.io/publication/nightmare/guidelines. A bi-monthly, watercolor Artist is for readers interested in watercolor art. you need to be familiar with the magazine’s contents and style, and to “use the language of art” when discussing technique. Pay varies, depending on length and completeness of your article, up to $600. for details, visit http://www.vondaskelton.com/files/2013/04/watercolor-ArtistSubmission-guidelines.pdf. Huck Magazine explores “facets of radical culture” and pays up to $500 for articles (although usually less). they want news, profiles, interviews, reportage and photo essays about “people and movements that paddle against the flow.” Keep your queries “short and sweet,” and focus on a single topic. Learn more at www.huckmag.com/art-and-culture/submissions-guidelines/.
And, lastly, are there any boating enthusiasts in our organization? Cruising Outpost Magazine is a quarterly for boaters, live-aboards and people into cruising. they pay $50-250 for nonfiction and are very interested in photos. 500-1,500 wds. for details, visit www.cruisingoutpost.com/submissions/guidelines/. then there’s good Old Boat Magazine, with articles that celebrate the pride of ownership, as well as articles on upgrades, maintenance and refitting, and the restoration of “good old boats.” Nonfiction in various listed categories ranges from 1,500 to 5,000 wds, with a maximum pay of $700. Visit www.goodoldboat.com/writing-guidelines. Information sources this time include Freedom with Writing.com, AuthorsPublish.com, FreelanceWriting.com, Ralan.com, Facebook’s Open calls for horror page and a bit of my own research and fact-checking. As always, tips and leads are more than welcome.
New Literary Agent Jennifer grimaldi of Chalberg & Sussman is seeking science fiction and fantasy in both adult and yA, historical fiction, romance and horror. She is particularly intrigued by strong world-building and sense of place, and would love to see a wide variety of diversity in the gender, sexuality, presentation, race, and mental/physical abilities of characters. She also loves stories inspired by true events or myths and fairy tales, and deconstructed tropes. More than any of the above, however, she looks for genre books supported by a strong emotional core. while she is not interested in issue books, she is interested in character studies in trauma, whether that be a mysterious disappearance, extraterrestrial abduction, or emotional abuse. She is also enormously fond of rakes and scoundrels (thieves, pirates, spies), multi-dimensional villains, atmospheric creepiness, and longing glances. to query Jennifer, email jennifer@chalbergsussman.com. Include the first five pages of your manuscript in the body of your email message. Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. specializes in all kinds of children’s books in fiction and nonfiction. the agency says, “writers should review the large agent bios on the agency website to determine which agent to contact. Please choose only one agent to query. the agents share queries, so a no from one agent at the agency is a no from all.” for picture books, submit a query letter and complete ms in the body of the e-mail. for fiction, submit a query letter and the first 10 pages in the body of the email. for nonfiction, submit proposal and first 10 pages in the body of the e-mail. Sanford J. greenburger Associates, Inc. represents fiction and nonfiction for both children and adults. for fiction, they’ll consider commercial, crime, family saga, fantasy, feminist, historical, literary, middle grade, multicultural, mystery, picture books, romance, sci-fi, thriller, women’s, and young adult. In nonfiction: art, biography, business, creative nonfiction, current affairs, ethnic, history, humor, memoirs, music, popular culture, politics, and sports. Denise Marcil Literary Agency, LLC represents adult nonfiction exclusively. the agents say, “In nonfiction we are looking for selfhelp, personal growth, popular psychology, how-to, business, and popular reference. we want to represent books that help people’s lives.” Potential authors can query via e-mail. Agent/Agency info from Robert Lee Brewer, senior content editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community. Follow him on Twitter @RobertLeeBrewer.
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
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Get Creative—It Works to Play By NANCy SPrINgEr, ArEA 7
For years, I have been telling anyone who will listen: it works to play. Do you want to write, but have no idea about what? Or are you stuck between projects, or have you been in a slump for a while? Please don’t label yourself as having “writer’s block.” I’m not sure it even exists. You are just hung up about your writing and you need to play. What do I mean, play? Well, there are lots of ways. Doodle. Dance. Draw pictures. But one specific activity that I suggest is making a word ocean. No, I am not messing with you. I do this from time to time myself and it is quite seriously fun. You need: • A fair-sized glass container that you like: an old-fashioned fishbowl, potbellied vase, mixing bowl, cracked aquarium... • An ample supply of various kinds of paper that you like—old greeting cards, colored paper, tag ends of notepads, gift wrap, leftovers from scrapbooking • Scissors, especially fancy ones like pinking shears • Enjoyable implements to write with, whether gel pens, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glitter glue Ready? Assemble all this stuff on a tabletop where it can stay for a few days, maybe a week, maybe a month. Pull up a chair. Sit. Think of a favorite word, any word so long as you genuinely like it. Some of my favorite words are mist, moon, rhythm, glimmer, glide, mystic, mayfly—but yours are going to be entirely different, because you are yourself, not me. Now, take your time and enjoy the process. Choose paper that seems right for your word. Choose whatever or crayon or pencil you feel like using. PRINT, do not scribble, your word on the paper. Mess around with the printing any which way you want. Tall printing for tall words, short printing for short ones, wiggly or jagged or flowery or winged or whatever. You are playing. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Then cut out your word in whatever shape appeals to you and place it in the glass container. Take a moment to gaze and glow. Good! Think of another favorite word. Print it in fanciful letters on whatever paper you like, cut the paper in a fun shape and toss it into your soon-to-be word ocean.
When you get tired of putting very special words into imaginary water, go do something else, but let words keep swimming in the darkling pool at the back of your conscious mind. Now and then, a favorite word will leap like a fish into your thoughts. Put it in the word ocean. And when you’re ready, maybe that evening, maybe the next day, sit there again and brainstorm some more. Keep going until you have three, five, maybe even eight hundred words in your ocean. Not that you should be counting. Choosing favorite words is probably not a matter to which you have ever given much thought before, but by paying attention now, you are learning in a subliminal way what is beautiful and/or important to you. Also, by playing in this way, you are setting your imagination free. What are you going to do with your word ocean when you finish with it? Nothing, really; it will have served its purpose. How will you know when it is finished? Because ideas will leap out of it like flying fish, and you will know what you want to write about. I can almost guarantee it. Have fun! It works to play. A lifelong professional fiction writer, Nancy Springer has authored fifty-some novels in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, and mystery. Her latest release is grANDgHOSt, women’s literature with a paranormal twist. But her most popular works, no contest, are a series of short novels about Enola Holmes, Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister. Beginning with tHE CASE Of tHE MISSINg MArQuESS, these six books have been optioned in a major film deal by Legendary Productions. English-language editions of the gorgeously illustrated Enola Holmes french graphic novels are now on bookshelves in the united States.
Writer’s toolbox Marketing: Avoid Hard selling Many people don’t like being “sold” with hard selling. Many complain about “spam” and junk mail, car salespeople, insurance salespeople, and so on. Instead, quickly qualify your target prospects and ask them about a broad need you can satisfy such as, “Do you enjoy [your genre] books? I am a [local or award-winning or bestseller or other impressive trait] author who writes [your genre] books.” If that doesn’t work, ask prospects what type of book they’re looking to buy and why—find a way your book can help. If that doesn’t work, they’re probably not in your target market so ask them to alert others they know who may be interested in your work. - from the book Strategic Marketing Made Easy For Writers: Optimize Your Promotions For Bestseller Results by Dr. Nate Hardy, Area 6, available on Amazon.com 14
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
Is This Seat Taken? SHOrt fICtION By BEJON w. frANK, ArEA 1
Marti sipped her Mojito. It was early in the day so her favorite place to come and sort out the quirks of life had few customers. The Drunken Muse, bar and gathering place, attracted a fairly large following of creative and artistic types. She found it a great place for ideas whenever faced with the torturous writer’s block, and the alcohol helped, too. Her notebook held the scribblings of a new story, but the voices had quieted down, not even a murmur could be heard. “Come on, I know you’re listening. I need an idea here, I’m stuck. Hello, anybody there? Would you stop playing around?” As she vocalized her thoughts, she hoped no one had heard her. Turning around, checking left and right— not a soul seemed to have noticed. Well, good, I’m in the clear, no one is even looking this way. Deep in her subconscious mind there was a disturbing silence. Only a stifled giggle could be noted. “Is this seat taken?” Marti jumped a little and dropped her pen on the sheet of almost blank paper that she had been staring at, or more truthfully, the page where she had hoped a story would magically appear. There on her right stood a very handsome, tall, dark haired man with deep blue eyes. “What?” She had accidently knocked her drink and the liquid began to trickle its way to her notes. With a smile that showed his dimples he said, “I asked if this seat was taken.” Blue eyes, dimples, and black hair—he could be the character I need to move this story along. Making the slow switch from her writing world to reality she asked, “Taken? Taken where?” Blue Eyes grinned, “No, no. I mean is anyone sitting here?” “Oh dear,” she said loudly. “I didn’t realize you couldn’t see. No. There. Is. No. One. Sitting. There. Right. Now.” “Why are you shouting? I’m not deaf, and I’m not blind. I can see the seat is empty.” Now Blue Eyes had begun to raise his voice. Marti’s temper started to bubble up. “Then why did you ask such a stupid question? Are you drunk?” “I’m not drunk, but I suspect you have had a few too many drinks. Either that or you are just a crazy person.” Marti turned to face him straight on. “I’m not drunk and I’m not looney. But I am tired of talking to you. I have other things on my mind, no time to deal with the likes of you. Let me get back to my writing.” “Lady, what is your problem? I just wanted to sit here and maybe get to know you a little better.” “Why?” Marti only wanted a quiet afternoon to sip her drink and hopefully knock through her writer’s block. “Well, there are a couple of reasons, which I’m starting to regret. I find you rather attractive. That, and the fact I just moved here a few months ago and haven’t had the time to meet anyone. You looked interesting. Thought I’d buy you a
drink. Maybe I am stupid.” Hesitating for just a moment he then added, “You came here to write? Why, in the name of sanity, would you come to a bar to write? That seems odd.” “Hey, um, ahh... dude, what’s your name?” Marti didn’t like the feeling of being rude. “I’m really not a crazy person. I was just in another world, I guess. Sorry.” Looking directly at him, “Wait, you find me attractive?” “Jack. My name is Jack. I’m the one that’s sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever it is you’re doing or what strange place you were…visiting. Can we start over?” “Sure. Sounds like a good idea…Jack.” “Okay, good.” Jack smiled and said, “Is this seat taken?” “Yes, that one is taken.” Marti laughed at the confused look on Jack’s face. “But the one on the other side of me isn’t.” “Ah, so you are waiting for someone? Or is that person already here?” Jack looked around at the sparsely filled room. “Not just one person, but a group of friends are here.” “Lady, are you getting crazy on me again?” Jack started to back away. “No, have a seat Jack and I’ll explain. My friend, Archos, is here with us. Don’t mind him he’s kind of a gloomy, angry man right now. But in time the world will know him as a hero.” Marti points to the chair on her right, “That’s where he likes to sit.” “Whoa, lady, there is no one there.” “Of course there is. By the way, my name is Marti.” Jack was fidgeting with a stack of cocktail napkins sitting on the bar. Marti picked up her work, “See this notebook?” “Yes.” “Well, Jack, I’m a writer and Archos is my antagonist in the story I’m working on. He is a mean S.O.B. and very misunderstood. So, in that sense, that other seat is taken.” Jack nodded his head as if he understood what this nutcase was talking about. Okay, she is crazy. I’m just going to go now. Marti didn’t notice that Jack’s eyes were on the door as he slowly stood up. “Now you, Jack, you could fit nicely in the story. Or so my voices tell me.” Ready to bolt, Jack stopped to ask, “What voices?” “Why, the voices in my head. They’re back. My writer’s block is gone. Thank you, Jack. You were the answer to my writing dilemma.” Marti watched Jack back away slowly at first, then make a mad dash to the exit. Well, what was the matter with him? Weirdo. Bejon frank (a.k.a. Becky) is a member of the Pennwriters Area 1 group fellowship of the Quill. She writes short stories with a focus on fantasy and slice of life.
tHE PENN wrItEr •Nov/Dec 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
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