tHe
tHe Newsletter of peNNwriters iNc. sept/oct 2018 • Vol. XXVi No. 5
Pennwriters events, from Conference to Conference by HeatHer Desuta, area 1, Newsletter eDitor
If you are like me, you are wondering where the summer days have gone. Time continues to fly by. The annual Pennwriters Conference is now months in the rear view, with many new events ahead in the horizon. Preparations are already underway for the 32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference (May 17-19, 2019, Pittsburgh). Workshop proposals are being accepted through Sept. 1, 2018. For consideration, please submit a description of your proposed session(s), workshop title(s), and your bio. Email Pauline Drozeski and Hilary Hauck at ConferenceCoordinator@pennwriters.org, and please include “2019 Workshop Proposal” in the subject line. The next Pennwriters Online Courses will be Marketing Time Management for Authors (September) and Creating Credible Characters (October). Also in October, the Area 1 Pennwriters will host the sixth annual Writer’s Road Trip on Saturday, Oct. 13, in Erie.
M a r k
y o u r
c a l e n d a r s
f o r
It’s not too soon to start thinking about the 2019 Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest. The contest will open on Jan. 1, 2019, and entries must be in by Jan. 31 at midnight. Remember, the contest is open only to Pennwriters members, so check your membership status in December to be sure you are eligible to enter. In April, Area 7 will host the fifth annual Writers Project Runway in Leesburg, VA. Be on the lookout for details as that event approaches. As you’re making plans for the upcoming months, please consider volunteering for the next Pennwriters Conference. If you are interested in serving as a committee chairperson, contact Pauline and Hilary. There are many areas of involvement and many roles to fill. We’d love to have you join us. On pages 6 and 7, you’ll find a listing of Area groups and meetings. Follow Pennwriters on Facebook for the latest news and activities.
o u r
Fifth Annual One-Day Event
u p c o m i n g
e v e n t s !
April 2019 Leesburg, VA
32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference May 17-19, 2019
Friday Evening Keynote
Jessica Strawser
Pittsburgh Airport Marriott Saturday Luncheon keynote
Jason Jack Miller
President’s Column This year, my summer was dominated by the health of close family members. As my days were dictated by their needs and time for my regular pursuits was cut to a minimum, I was left with little or no time to write, yet writing was the thing I craved the most. And not just the stories I’m working on, but new stories, fictional and otherwise, inspired by the things I and my family members were experiencing, like an exploration of the emotional and physical process of injury and illness.
Hilary Hauck, area 4 presiDeNt
Though I got few words on the page, or perhaps because of such few words, I was reminded of the power of writing, not just as the creation of stories or reporting aspects of life, but the actual process as something cathartic, a process by which we make sense of the world. In turn, what we learn as we make sense of the world inspires our writing, which allows writers to convey our new-found wisdom through our words and inspire others. During these trying times, I was also uplifted by the presence of friends I’ve made in the writing community, mostly through Pennwriters. The power of community. I’m reminded how lucky I am to have connected with Pennwriters in my early writing days, and how humbled I am to serve as your president. These gifts of friendship, inspiration and learning have brought me renewed passion for my work for the organization, and for passing forward the benefits that I have received so that you, also, will grow and be supported by being part of the Pennwriters family. An excellent opportunity to grow and be supported through engagement with faculty and other members is coming up on October 13, at the Area 1 one-day conference, A Writer’s Roadtrip 6, at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie. Todd Main, Area 1 Rep and event organizer, has lined up some excellent workshops for attendees, and writing contest, social luncheon and basket raffle.
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 eliability, 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
If you’re having trouble finding the time to write, Author Success Coach Deborah Riley-Magnus can help you find the solution in the September Pennwriters Online Course, Marketing Time Management for Authors. And in October, Deanna Adams will show attendees how to bring truth to fictional characters in her online class, Creating Credible Characters. Whether fiction, nonfiction, or poetry is your passion, I hope you’ll take part in the Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest. Look for details in the next issue of The Penn Writer. I wish you and your families good health and the time to pursue what matters most to you. Pennwrite on! -Hilary
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
Congratulations to our 2018 Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest Winners NOVEL BEGINNINGS: 1st place - Jeanne Moran The Path Divided 2nd place - David Bender Blood of a Kingfisher 3rd place - Joy Givens The Fairest Heart NONFICTION: 1st place - Anne Moul Destination Wedding 2nd place - Terry Dawley Shooting Johnny 3rd place - Lisa Tomarelli The Old Man at the Window SHORT STORY: 1st place - David MacPherson Yoda, the Duck 2nd place - Erica Williams Cici Accepts the Facts 3rd place - Jenny Birch The Birthday Celebration POETRY: 1st place - Terry Dawley Dark Sunglasses on Sunless Days 2nd place - Marc Stewart Bubbalubba 3rd place - Amanda Span Concussion 3 (FORGET)
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 Bylaws Chair Jean Jenkins, 814-774-0557 BylawsChair@Pennwriters.org Interim Internet Activities & Online Courses Coordinator Donna Royston OnlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org
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.
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 570-578-1473 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 AREA 6 Rep: Suzanne Mattaboni Area6Rep@Pennwriters.org
PW Areas Map
All areas outside of Pennsylvania are Area 7
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.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.
Area 6 Chris Bauer’s JANE’S BABY, a political conspiracy thriller, was released in June from Intrigue Publishing. Whatever happened to Jane Roe’s baby? In this novel, the Roe v Wade baby is now a woman in her late forties, her identity unknown. Someone wants to reveal her; someone else wants her dead. Tourette’s-afflicted K9 bounty hunter Judge Drury, a retired Marine, stands in the way of a religious rights splinter group’s attempt at stacking the Supreme Court via blackmail, murder, arson, sleight of hand, and secret identities. Visit chrisbauerauthor.wordpress.com.
Area 2 Janet L. De Castro published her debut Middle Grade novel, LOST GIRL MISSING Thirteen-yearold Fiona never expected her foal Gilly to talk when they ran away from the farm and her adoptive parents. She was just trying to keep Gilly safe from new owners who couldn’t possibly love her the way she did. Fiona must fight off dangers along the way with the help of her farm dogs, but nothing can help her cope with the stress-induced visions that may hold the key to memories of her past. Fiona’s journey leads them not to safety but to a castle where horses rule and humans serve. The book is available from Amazon.
Area 3 Maria Di Borelli (writing as Ria Dimitra) has released her first Christian fantasy novel, HEAVEN’S IRREGuLARS, a follow-up to THE VISCONTI DEVILS. It is available as a paperback from Aventine Press and as an e-book from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit riadimitra.com.
Congratulations to Area 3 Joy Givens. Her short story, “The Tooth Fairy’s Helper,” was chosen for first place in the 2018 Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest. Browseabout Books, sponsor for the contest, awarded a $500 cash prize for first place, $250 for second, and $100 for third. The top stories will be included in the book BEACH F uN, which will be published by Cat & Mouse Press by the end of the year. Additional information will be shared when the book becomes available.
A mystery by Area 3 Peter W. J. Hayes, THE THINGS THAT AREN’T THERE, was published in July by Level Best Books. Detective Vic Lenoski of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has just been handed the biggest case of his career, the vicious murder of a venture capitalist known for funding high-tech and robotics
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. we thank you in advance for helping to keep our member roster current. 4
start-up companies. But Vic, haunted by personal loss and hounded by a commander who despises him, is unraveling fast. Worse, his investigation soon uncovers major corruption among Pittsburgh’s star robotics entrepreneurs, that the city’s gangsters have gone straight, and Vic’s commander and colleagues are only interested in promotions, pensions, and pats on the back. Just as the case and his career are on the verge of collapse, Vic struggles to make sense of his work and life while uncovering a series of deeply buried truths, and tracking a murderer who is desperate to kill again. This is the first book in a planned trilogy. Visit http://peterwjhayes.com.
Area 3 Audrey Abbott Iacone has published her debut historical romance, THE LADY ’S DESIRE. It’s the first book in the Abbey Mead Series. In the Spring of 1812, sorrow and dread lurk within the serene countryside of Surrey, England. In the quiet village of Abbey Mead, Lady Anne Westmeare finds herself in possession of a hollow title, an empty bed, and a cold, oppressive husband. To Anne, the Viscount Westmeare is an enigma. But when Scottish Captain William Ferguson rides into her life, Anne discovers the companion and champion that she has always desired. Their attraction is immediate and mutual. But neither is willing to sacrifice her virtue nor his honor. They strive to resist their desires. But can William and Anne ignore those desires when the very man who should wish to keep them apart is driving them together? Fate carries this pair of starcrossed lovers to the vast subcontinent of India. There they endeavor to forget each other until providence intervenes. There
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
they endure the terror and anguish of kidnap, torture, and even death. Through it all, their devotion to each other prevails. Through it all, the lady's desire becomes her destiny. To learn more, visit www.audreyabbottauthor.com.
Area 3 Linda K. Schmitmeyer has published a memoir, RAMBLER: A FAMILY PuSHES THROuGH THE FOG OF MENTAL ILLNESS. It
will be published Sept. 25 by Artists’ Orchard, and a book launch will be held Sept. 29 from 4-6 p.m. at the Mars Area Public Library. Linda began her 40s as a part-time college writing teacher and stay-at-home mom. A decade later, she was the family breadwinner, a single mother of sorts, and the caregiver for her husband, Steve. The family’s downward spiral began when Steve abruptly quit his job with an engineering society after a fight with his boss—when they had three young children at home. Following a string of unsuccessful other jobs, his focus shifted from providing for his family to taking down the society’s executive director. As Steve’s questionable behavior intensified, Linda left him, but their separation was brief. Police were summoned to an engineering conference two months later, and Steve was taken away in handcuffs. Linda’s confusion deepened when she learned the FBI was tailing him. RAMBLER takes readers through a series of baffling and traumatic events resulting from Steve’s illness. It explores their experience through intimate family scenes and Steve’s and Linda’s personal writings. It’s about a family finding a way forward through the fog of mental illness. Visit www.lindaschmitmeyer.com.
Area 5 Gerry Trust (writing as G.M. Trust) has released a new novel. GARDEN OF LIES is a ’70s-era gothic novel. A coed becomes a pawn in a sexual rivalry between two brothers. After a shotgun wedding, her life turns into a surrealistic nightmare. She finds herself falling for her husband’s best friend, but will she risk losing custody of her children to escape an abusive marriage? This is Gerry’s second published novel. Both are available from Amazon.
Area 2 Melinda L. Wentzel’s first book, DELIVERANCE: A SuRVIVAL GuIDE TO PARENTING TWINS, is a candid and hilarious field guide for those managing the madness of caring for two babies at once. A member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, Melinda L. Wentzel, aka Planet Mom, is an award winning slice-of-life/humor columnist and author whose primary objective is to keep mothering real on the page while maintaining some semblance of sanity on the home front. DELIVERANCE is available on Amazon and in bookstores. Visit her online at www.melindawentzel.com.
Drop us a line and let us know what you’ve been up to. we love sharing news about our members and their activities and events.
Noteworthy Events in September beaver county bookfest 2018 will take place september 7 and 8 in the charming and historic town of beaver, pa. friday’s opening Night ticketed event is a Q&a and book signing with bookfest featured authors. saturday is free and features a main authors’ tent (with 50+ authors), a children’s tent with activities, music on the street, and a variety of food and retail vendors. Visit beavercountybookfest.com.
the authors’ Zone (taZ) writers’ conference (presented in collaboration with area 3 pennwriter ann Howley) will be held at community college of allegheny county (ccac) on saturday, sept. 8. this year, Hattie fletcher, Managing editor of Creative Nonfiction Magazine, will be the keynote speaker. workshop topics will include writing fiction, children’s books, science fiction and fantasy, and memoir, and there will be a presentation on using songwriting to boost your creativity and “make your words sing.” to learn more, visit www.theauthorszone.com.
on sept. 15, shenango Valley pennwriters (sVp) of sharon, pa, will host “the project bible,” a free session about creating and using necessary forms, tip sheets, cheat sheets, check-off lists, and reminders to generate a far better story and a complete story from beginning to end. (bring index cards or a laptop to create a project bible format.) all writers and authors are welcome, and an rsVp would be appreciated in order to have enough handouts available. the sVp group meets the third saturday of each month at the community library of the shenango Valley. for details and to rsVp, email catherine@catherineemclean.com.
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
5
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.
6
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 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. 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.
Noteworthy Events in October the bucks county book festival will be held october 13 and 14 in Doylestown, pa. the festival will include vendor tables and panel discussions under tents. for details, visit www.bucksbookfest.org.
pittsburgh sisters-in-crime will hold a one-day workshop with award winning author Jenny Milchman on october 13, 2018, at the comfort inn, riDc park, pittsburgh, pa 15238, from 8:15 a.m. until 3 p.m. Jenny will present two workshops—building suspense and the publishing industry. she will also give a luncheon keynote address. the day will end with a pittsburgh sisters-in-crime authors' panel titled aspects of the writing life, followed by a book signing. Jenny Milchman, is the author of four suspense novels, beginning with her debut novel, coVer of sNow, published by random House in 2013, which won the Mary Higgins clark award and was chosen as an indie Next and target pick. ruiN falls, published in 2014, was chosen as an indie Next pick and a top ten of 2014 by Suspense Magazine. Jenny's third novel, as NiGHt falls, published in June 2015 and the recipient of the 2015 silver falchion award for best novel, is currently being made into a movie. Her latest novel, wicKeD riVer, was published by sourcebooks in May 2018. Jenny spent 15 months on what the industry publication shelf awareness called "the world's longest book tour," so she has many insights into the world of book promotion. Jenny is Vice president of author programming for international thriller writers and the founder of take your child to a bookstore Day. the cost will be $35 for sistersin-crime members and $40 for nonmembers. price includes a deli buffet lunch. register at www.pghsinc.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 • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
7
Market News
coluMNs #126 & #127
by JiM lee, area 4, associate eDitor, MarKet reports
coluMN #126—
Editor’s note: Since the July/August newsletter was an e-only issue, I’ve decided to include the Market News column from that issue in this printed issue. Please enjoy the double Market News, with columns 126 and 127. Sources include AuthorsPublish.com, Ralan.com, FreedomWithWriting.com and Facebook’s Open Calls pages.
ruminate is a print literary magazine that, while not specifically religious, has a distinct spiritual orientation. they use fiction, nonfiction and poetry (new stuff, no reprints). pay is $17 per 400 wds. of prose and $17 per page of poetry. Max length is 5,500 wds., and they have specific reading windows, so only send when they’re open. Visit www.ruminatemagazine.com/pages/submissions and scroll down for info and to find the submission manager. yes, reader’s Digest has been around seemingly forever, and, yes, they still accept/buy nonfiction submissions from freelancers. they use mostly reprint and require a one-page query for all the family-friendly categories they use. check the details at www.rd.com/magazine/submissions/. an established small press that pays the industry pro-level standard (6 cents/wd) for sf/f/H stories, third flatiron puts out anthologies on a quarterly schedule. they use unpublished fiction only. each book has a particular broad theme. they need stories 1,500-3,000 wds long and have firm reading periods for each. their current period runs June 15 through July 15. Visit www.thirdflatiron.com/livesite/ for info, and scroll down the page for specifics on the current theme—and later, for when they post themes and sub periods for future anthologies. Dorkly uses nonfiction on pop culture, video games, movies, anime and tV with a “click bait” aesthetic. they pay $75/article. Guides: www.dorkly.com/write-for-us. liisbeth is a digital magazine aimed at “feminist entrepreneurs.” accordingly, they focus on gender equality issues in business with “intellectual service pieces, profiles, policy critiques, op-eds, interviews and personal stories regarding start-ups and business incubator experiences.” they want 500-2,000-word pieces and pay anywhere from $100-2,000. www.liisbeth.com/contributior/guidelines/. royal crest enterprises is a publishing company that does mostly popular/genre fiction for a gay and lesbian readership, though they also do a few anthologies and have a nonfiction imprint. they do ebooks (15,000-60,000 wds.) and longer titles (60,000120,000 wds.) which may be published in print and/or ebook. even longer works may work as book series. their guidelines (www.regalcrest.biz/submissions/) are long and detailed, yet lack any mention of pay rates/policies. that sounds like royalty-only to me. as always, be sure you know what’s what before signing any contracts. air and space smithsonian wants general interest nonfiction about all aspects of flight. you can submit using their online form, email or postal mail. they also have a place to click to read sample articles and get a feel for their style. New contributors are advised that their several departments are the best places to break in. Query first, regardless. they buy first rights (no reprints) and fees vary, but they are a major publication and their contracts include kill fees. www.airspacemag.com/contact-us/asm-submission-guidelines/. 8
i regret to announce that crimson frost books, a canadian publisher of romance and erotic ebooks (which put out my only stand-alone book to date, four years ago) has gone out of business. inkspell is a romance-oriented publisher concentrating on ebooks. they pay royalties only (rates not specified, possibly negotiable), and like so many modern-day presses, they expect authors to help with marketing (but hey—why wouldn’t you want to encourage the widest possible circulation/sales of your work?). they do not use reprints, but they’re open to titles ranging from 20,000-50,000 words. Visit www.inkspellpublishing.com/submission.html. speaking Volumes started producing audio books but now has expanded into ebooks and poD paperbacks. they’re open to novels, book-length nonfiction and short story collections. based in santa fe, NM, they pay in royalties. their info page (www.speakingvolumes.us/products-submissions-guidelines.asp) is organized in a question-and-answer format. another slightly eccentric policy here is that new subs should be sent via email, while previously published/reprint works can be sent by regular mail. and there’s a totally separate submission site for audio books. consult the guides. you and Me, america’s Medical Magazine wants first-person nonfiction about “the human aspects of dealing with medical issues.” articles 1,000-2,500 words long; reprints okay. pay range is 4-5 cents/wd. www.youandmemagazine.com/pages/submissions. a daily online mag, folks also deals with medical problems. their (inspirational-sounding) focus is on “remarkable people who refuse to be defined by their health issues.” they want essays, new work only, and buy one-year exclusive rights while paying $400/article. Guides include a “how to pitch to us” instructional piece, so you can see what they sort of presentation they like. to learn more, visitwww.medium.com@folksstories/come-write-forus-we-pay-2c9915324287. a long-lived daily newspaper covering domestic and international news, christian science Monitor prefers writing that “challenges conventional ways of thinking.” pay for freelancers is reportedly $250. www.csmonitor.com/about/contributor-guidelines. servicescape is a website that helps connect freelance workers with clients, but they’ve decided to run a short story contest, apparently to promote their site. there’s no entry fee, and deadline for subs isn’t until November 30, 2018. the winning story gets $1,000. unpublished fiction stories to 5,000 words are eligible. Visit www.servicescape.com/short-story-award for info, and scroll down for entry form and to attach your sub. Diabolical plots is a twice-monthly webzine edited by David steffen. they use a range of sf/f/H (3,500 words max) and pay 8 cents/wd. No reprints. they have a new url and will reopen to subs in July. www.diabolicalplots.com/guidelines/.
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
blue Mountain arts is a greeting card company looking for unrhymed contemporary poetry or prose that provides “personal experiences reflecting the thoughts and feelings people have today but often find hard to express in their own words.” they’ll pay $300 for exclusive world rights or $50 for one-time rights. www.sps.com/help/writers_guidelines.html. a catholic magazine appearing monthly from franciscan Media, st. anthony Messenger wants inspiring/uplifting material reflecting (you guessed it) catholic world views and values. they’re looking for submissions of 2,000-2,500 words, new only, and they pay 20 cents per word. www.franciscanmedia.org/writers-guide/. the Dark, an e-zine and occasional podcast that uses dark fantasy and horror fiction (2,000-6,000 words) recently increased their pay for new work to 6 cents per wd. they will publish the occasional reprint, as well, at one cent per word. sean wallace and sylvia Mareno-Garcia remain the co-editors. Visit www.thedarkmagazine.com/submission-guidelines/.
brain Mill press is a midsized independent publisher (producing about 25 books/yr). they do titles for adult, ya and middle-grade readers in all genres. they produce both print and ebook editions of novels, novellas, story collections, poetry and comics. pay is by royalties: 8-10% on print releases; 40-60% for ebooks. Visit www.brainmillpress.com/submit/ for details, and scroll down to see their current open areas/themes/deadlines/etc. red room press is reading new stories (3,500-5,500 words) for american psychos: a serial Killer anthology. this dark crime/thriller book has a sub deadline of oct. 1, 2018, and will be published in early 2019. pay is a $100 flat fee, guaranteed (or $150 if their crowdfunding effort pays off). editors are randy chandler and cheryl Mullenax. www.redroompress.com/submission-guidelines/american-psychos.
coluMN #127— Galaxy’s edge, edited by veteran genre author Mike resnick, is now open to freelance submissions. in the past, it had been by invitation only. they pay 7 cents per word for unpublished sf/f. (No reprints or H.) length is 7,000 wds max. Mostly a bimonthly webzine, they also do print and e-pub editions. when they first opened to unsolicited subs, they had some hiccups with their system. they should have been corrected by the time you read this. to learn more, visit www.galaxysedge.com/submissions/. a publication focused on the full range of arts & culture, pasteMagazine.com pays on publication for relevant nonfiction (amount not specified). Query after checking their guides at www.pastemaagzine.com/paste/2012/03/writer-guidelines.html. it may sound like a contradiction in terms, but skyhorse publishing is indeed “one of the biggest small presses in the us.” established in 2006, their main focus is still on nonfiction titles, though they’ve reportedly added imprints interested in fiction. the nonfiction list ranges from serious research-based books to diet books and ones written by celebs. Main areas of interest include sports, history, humor, adventure & travel, health & fitness, food & wine, house & home, business, pets, and current events. (check their website for various sub-categories.) proposal packages should include a brief query letter, a 1- to 2-page synopsis, annotated chapter outline, rudimentary market analysis (i.e. who is the book’s literary competition), a sample chapter or two, and any previous publishing credits. all subs via email. they accept work directly from authors, as well as lit agents. Visit www.skyhorsepublishing.com/guidelines. blazeVox puts out books of poetry, experimental fiction and nonfiction/literary criticism. based in buffalo, Ny, they do print and digital volumes aimed at both the academic sphere and the general public. for fiction, they’re interested in short story collections only. they want books that “push at the frontiers of what is possible with our innovative poetry, fiction and select nonfiction.” pay is 10% of net sales (plus selling to authors at wholesale discount for resale to consumers at readings and the like). they produce and provide to writers various promotional materials at their own expense. all subs via email. to learn more, visit www.blazevox.org/index.php/faqs/. (Note: you’ll need to scroll down a bit for the actual guides.)
the sun, a monthly lit mag, pays $300-2,000 for short stories, creative nonfiction and interviews. they also use poems (poignant ones, especially) and pay $100-250. they buy one-time rights, which probably means they will consider reprints. www.thesunmagazine.org/submit. the Missouri review, a long-established literary mag, has no set length limits but warns that it’s very unlikely they’d ever use anything of novella length. they use fiction, poetry and general nonfiction (though no criticism wanted) and pay $40/published page. New material only, no reprints. you can submit electronically via the submission manager attached to their guideline page (www.missourireview.com/submissions/submission-guidelines/) or by regular mail. (address is also on the guides page.) on the other hand, twelfth planet press is specifically looking for novellas (17,000-40,000 wds), from sept. 1 through Nov. 30, 2018. they want sf and f, and all subgenres will be considered. selected novellas get a $300 advance against 40% royalties. www.twelfthplanetpress.com/news/advance-notice-novella-series. red room Magazine, a proposed horror publication, has folded without ever releasing an issue. However, the parent company, red room press is still active and reading for a book of “brutal, graphic, violent” horror stories called american psychos—a serial Killer anthology. pay is a flat fee of $100 for 3,500 to 5,500 wds long. sub deadline: oct. 1. www.redroompress.com/submissionguidelines/american-psychos/. shimmer, an established and respected online fantasy publication, has also gone out of business. the sixth book in the young explorer’s adventure Guide anthology of future-focused sf for kids, 8-12 yrs old, will be reading submissions until Dec. 15. they want new stories, 3,000-6,000 wds long, and pay 6 cents/wd. www.dreamingrobotpress.com/young-explorers-adventure-guidesubmissions/. sub manager is attached to the guides. the lark is an online journal, published 3 times a yr. they use poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and scripts. pay is $25/piece used. www.the-lark.net/submit/.
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
9
award-winning crime fiction publishing company Down & out books has teamed with veteran writer/editor Michael bracken for a projected series of annual crime anthologies, Mickey finn. reading period: sept. 1-Nov. 30. they’re looking for hardboiled, 21st-century noir that “pushes the boundaries” of usual mystery/crime fiction. 5,000 wds is considered the approximate ideal length. pay is only pro-rated royalties. be advised: accepted work faces a considerable wait. the first book is scheduled for publication in the fall of 2020. the fiddlehead uses mainly canadian writers but won’t turn its nose up at good work from elsewhere. the lit mag pays $60/ published page for fiction, nonfiction and poetry; $40/pg for reviews of canadian fiction and poetry (canadian money, of course). plus you get contributor copies. buying 1st rights, no reprints. they somewhat prefer subs sent via their submission manager (attached to www.thefiddlehead.ca/submit) but will also consider hard copies. three crows is a brand-new magazine of dark, gritty, weird sf/f/H fiction. they favor complex characters facing morally ambiguous decisions, and slavic folklore-based material is especially welcome. unpublished work, only; 4,000 wds max; standard manuscript form, sent as either .doc or docx. interestingly, they say subs in english, ukrainian, polish, russian or German are all okay. pay is modest: $25/story. www.threecrowsmagazine.com/submissions/. a magazine of myths and traditional stories, parabola will be reading for their spring 2019 issue until Dec. 1. they pay $150400 for essays (1,000-3,000 wds), while also using book reviews and new retellings of traditional stories and poetry. each issue is built around a particular theme, this one being “change & the changeless.” www.parabola.org/submissions/ a new series from lycan Valley press, pink triangle rhapsody will be accepting sf, H, dark fantasy, thriller and pulp mystery stories until Dec. 31. this anthology series “celebrates and is dedicated to gay male writers” and they want work that is “effusively rapturous, emotionally expressive.” they’re paying 4 cents/wd; 2,500-8,000 wds. https://lycanvalleypress.submittable.com/submit/113006/pink-triangle-rhapsody-volume-1-mixed-genre. literature for life is a literary journal focused on helping middle and high school teachers spark a love of reading and writing in students. their focus is mainly on the los angeles area but will consider work that isn’t regional. they use fiction, nonfiction, articles & essays, short play scripts and poems. Deadline for their next online issue is Nov. 6. reported pay is $100. www.litforlife.wpengine.com/submissions/writing/.
a self-described mag of “literature, culture and politics,” n+1 puts out 3 issues/year plus online content. they want new fiction, essays, criticism and translations. pay is 4 cents/wd. www.nplusonemag.com/contact/. internet Genealogy is a digital magazine that, predictably, wants articles on doing online research in family history. 2,000 wds max; 8 cents/wd. www.internet-genealogy.com/author_notes.htm. pockets is a christian-oriented kids’ mag. (target audience is 6-12.) they use fiction, scriptural stories, puzzles and games. fiction 600-1,000 wds; Nonfiction 400-1,000 wds. they’re paying 14 cents/wd for stories and articles; $25 minimum for games/puzzles. www.pockets.upperroom.org/write-for-us/#1. Message is a bimonthly religious journal for people ages 18-35. they seek captivating comeback stories, inspirational profiles and insightful biblical analysis, 300-900 wds. they pay $75-300/article. Query. www.messagemagazine.com/submit-story/. foreign policy deals with international relations, economics and related ideas, but it isn’t just for or by experts in these fields. informed non-pros are welcome to submit. they pay 35 cents/wd. www.foreignpolicy.com/writers-guidelines/. the long-established christian science Monitor buys short, uplifting personal essays (400-800 wds) and similar poetry (18 lines/poem, send up to 5 poems at a time) for the Home forum section. they need unpublished work. No mention of pay, so you might have to negotiate. www.csmonitor.com/about/contributor-Guidelines-the-Home-forum. the experiment started as an independent company but is now an imprint of workman publishing. they do a wide range of nonfiction books on health and fitness, food, psychology, personal development, parenting, relationships, sexuality and nature. www.workman.com/work-with-us/author-submissions#experiment. andrew McMeel puts out 300 titles/year. these include general nonfiction, gift books, humor, cook books and poetry. they’re headquartered in Kansas city, Missouri. www.publishing.andnewsmcmeel.com/our-company/submissions. a uK-based imprint of the world’s 15th largest book publishing company, weldon owen books also has branch offices in the us and australia. they do about 100 nonfiction titles a year in food & drink, sports & fitness, popular science, craft & design, and pop culture. they’re one of the increasing number of publishers that only responds to a query if they’re interested in using your material. Not a trend i welcome, but it is what it is. www.weldonowen.com/general-information/
Writer’s toolbox Marketing: sell Carefully Emphasized throughout this text, satisfying customers’ needs yield the best results, not aggressive hard-selling. Identifying their decision-making tendencies also helps. Position yourself as a consultant, not a salesperson, and use the customers’ own words about their needs when you describe how you satisfy them. It’s easier and more comfortable to operate like a consultant than like a salesperson. Moreover, it allows you to make deeper respectful connections with customers. - 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 10
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
The Blank Page by Marc stewart, area 1
I am not easily intimidated—with one exception. The blank page scares the bejesus out of me. Even though I believe the plain white sheet of paper will eventually be filled with some of my wittiest literary achievements, I treat the page like anathema. I avoid it for hours, often days. I avoid it until a miracle happens—my drive to elucidate outmaneuvers my fear of the unlikeliness of success. Confronted with the blank page, questions abound. What do I write about? How do I begin? How long do I need to agonize over the first sentence? What is my attitude? My tone? Who is my intended audience? All these questions and more are answered without me thinking much about them. I just start writing, and pretty soon I have a rough draft. What have I written about? Not what I had thought about for days. Not what I had intended to write about. Something happens when I write. That something: the je ne sais quoi. How do I begin to write? This is a difficult question to answer because I really don’t know what I’m going to write about. So I start with the vaguest notion of intent. Then, I agonize over a first sentence. Sometimes I try a few first sentences until I get one that leads somewhere interesting. Garrison Keillor says a good first sentence writes the essay. I agree with him. While there will be many big decisions to make once into an essay, they will have been made easier by the attitude which is evident in the first sentence. The subject usually becomes clear by the time I get to the second paragraph. The tone is pretty much a given. I am almost never all serious or all light. I combine heaviness and
humor with the gist of things. Facts and figures are never that important. By the time I reach the end of my essay, my intended audience is established: anyone who can appreciate my style—a few long informative sentences contrasted with some very short ones, usually rhetorical questions or incisive remarks meant to assure that the reader and I are on the same page. Most of the sentences are medium length and do not involve complicated constructions. I use unusual words meant not only to challenge the reader but to provide for variety and reduce the boredom associated with what I call the Dick-and-Jane Syndrome—the dumbing down of communications in order to reach the masses. When the page is filled with my heart and soul, a few wise words, a little provocativeness, and, if fortune permits, a modicum of greatness—I revel in the absurdity of completion. Absurdity? Yes, absurdity. Completion implies finality, but there is no such thing as finality! Everything I have ever experienced leads me to believe nothing is ever over, ever settled, ever perfected. So when you read something I have written, remember it is only an approximation, an attempt, a feeble indication of truth. But does it have any value in spite of the fact that it is unfinished? I hope so. Marc has been a pennwriter for nine years. a short story and several poems appeared in college publications many years ago. His favorite subjects are squeakers and Mr. Hero, his cats. Marc is married to a pennwriter, cathy Martell. He has a small but loyal following for his 100+ cat-verses on facebook.
Pennwriters Online Courses
www.pennwriters.org
Visit www.pennwriters.org for more information and to register for courses. For additional information or suggestions about upcoming courses, email Donna Royston, Interim Internet Activities & Online Courses Coordinator, at OnlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org. septeMber 2018 MarKetiNG tiMe MaNaGeMeNt for autHors instructor: Deborah riley-Magnus it’s the classic author complaint: “if i market, i have no time to write!” the truth of the matter is that more than marketing eats into our writing time, and only a serious commitment to time management can give us the flexibility and freedom to get it all done without exhausting ourselves. this workshop is filled with tips and tools to help the author respect and give fair attention to every aspect of a writer’s life— your social media time, blogging time, writing time and personal time. this workshop is for writers of all levels.
october 2018 creatiNG creDible cHaracters instructor: Deanna adams in any story, it’s the characters, and their distinct, believable personalities, that get readers emotionally involved, or at least should. author Deanna adams will give tips on how to create characters that readers will believe, enjoy and remember long after that last page. for memoir writers, Deanna will help you bring out the unique and defining personalities of the real “characters” in your stories.
tHe peNN writer • sept/oct 2018 • www.pennwriters.org
11
THE
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PA I D Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 2516
911 W. PARk RD. S L i P P E R y R O C k , PA 1 6 0 5 7
Return Service Requested
“. . . a good writer doesn’t really need to be told anything except to keep at it.” - cHiNua acHebe
KEEP AT IT, PENNWRITERS! About Pennwriters
Submissions
The Mission of Pennwriters Inc. is to help writers of all levels, from the novice to the award-winning and multipublished, improve and succeed in their craft. Pennwriters, a not-for-profit organization of more than 400 members from Pennsylvania and beyond, was established in 1988 as a networking organization for published and aspiring writers of all genres. The group offers an annual three-day writers conference and area events and has a strong internet presence, with email groups, online classes and social networks. Authors who meet set criteria are granted Published Author status. For more information about Pennwriters and its members, visit www.pennwriters.org or contact Hilary Hauck at President@pennwriters.org.
NeXt DeaDliNe: oct. 1 The Penn Writer is published bimonthly. Contact Heather Desuta, newsletter editor, at Newsletter@pennwriters.org. Please share your news, accomplishments, tips, great quotes, book recommendations, etc. Include relevant artwork, photos and book cover images. Word counts—articles: 800 words (1-pg), 1,600 (2-pg). For articles exceeding 1,600 words, contact the editor in advance. Blurb submissions of any length are welcome. Type “PENN WRITER SuBMISSION” in the subject line of your email message, and please include your Area number. (See the map on page 3.)