7 Writing Rewards of Submitting Work to Anthologies

"Perhaps a body of work isn't necessary for a short story writer. If you do one story that survives in an anthology, that's enough.—William Maxwell

Submitting a story to an anthology may not seem advantageous to some writers—paid a one-time fee, no royalties and relinquishing rights. I grieved when I gave up all rights to a story that I knew was one of my best. And to make it worse, close to my heart. Seven advantages for writing for anthologies include:

1. Presents a deadline: If you are a procrastinator, gives you a target writing goal.
   
2. Supplies a specific topic or theme: Helps you focus the problem and benefit to the reader. Keeps your story, poem or genre on point.
   
3. Write from personal experience or your specific genre: Draws from your personal experiences or memories, requiring no research. Anthologies include everything from poetry to fantasy fiction to real life stories.
   
4. Gives a word count: Often the word count is short, so it does not require a book-length manuscript.
   
5. Provides a recognized writing credit. Often the writing credit is in a book that is well-known to many, adding credibility to your writing credits and book proposals.
   
6. Expands your audience. Gets your story and name into the hands of more people outside your sphere of influence.
   
7. Earn a few bucks. It's always rewarding to put a few writing few dollars in your bank account.
   

A word of caution:
If you're asked to give up all rights, before signing the contract, ask for the option to request permission to the re-use the story.

What If Your Story Isn't Accepted?

I wrote five articles for one book anthology. Only one story was accepted. After hearing from the publisher, I sent the other four to other magazines, which were published. Writing for anthologies is also a great exercise to focus your story, write a strong opening, middle, and close and work at your craft and publication.

Find Anthologies Accepting Manuscripts?

Google "anthology submission guidelines" to find publishers that are accepting submissions. To avoid deadlines that are already past, include the year, for example: "anthology submission guidelines 2009." Check out the anthologies below.

Bridge House: Stories for "12 days of Christmas," "An Advent of Calendar of Stories," "A suitcase full of stories," ghost stories, real Bible stories, and horror stories.

Catastrophia Anthology: Fiction short stories based around the theme of catastrophes, disasters and post-apocalyptic fiction up to 6,000 words.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: They have books in development and are add new titles all of the time. They're always looking for new stories and poems.

Cup of Comfort: Uplifting, slice-of-life stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich lives, providing unique personal insights into powerful universal truths.

Flashquake: Flash fiction, flash nonfiction (memoirs, essays, creative nonfiction, and humor) and short poetry.

Interstitial Writing: Stories that work between, across, through, and at the edges and borders of literary genres, including fiction and non-fiction.

Literary Cottage: Regularly provides new story themes.

Nenonymous Nine: Cern Zoo: Stories.

Potter's Field 3: Third person scary stories themed to graveyards. No gore, blood, splatter, slice-and-dice.

Quantum Genre on the Planet of the Arts: Style-based short stories, flash fiction, film and book interpretations

Shine Anthology: Convincing, optimistic stories set 50 years into the future.

Silly Western Anthology: Short stories, as well as poems, jokes, puns, limericks, artwork, and general silliness expressing these themes: American Wild West, Steampunk, and Prairie Romance.

Stories for the Christian Heart: Provides a newsletter updating you on writing opportunities.

The Australian Haiku Society: Haiku about flowers.

Travelers Tales: Travel writing.

Writing Opportunities

Christmas Miracles

Cecil Murphy and Marley Gibson have contracted a book project with St. Martin's Press for a late 2009 release. They are seeking true stories that took place at Christmas. They must revolve around that special time of year. They prefer first-person narratives. This is an excellent opportunity to see your writing in a book with other outstanding authors. You must follow these guidelines:

• Deadline for stories is December 24, 2008.
• All entries must be double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman, Word document.
• Stories may run from 900 to 1,300 words. They will not consider longer pieces.
• They will edit all stories they accept so that they have a unified voice.
• Your name will be listed with your story and you'll have a four-line information/resume paragraph at the end of the book.
• Every story must have a positive solution that results from a miracle through events or timing at the Christmas season.
• Every story must have a positive application. That is, you must tell us what you learned from that miracle or how it changed your life.
• You may send an original or a reprint. (If a reprint, please tell us where it was published and assure us that you own the reprint rights.)
If they accept your story, you will retain rights. You'll also receive a $50 honorarium and a free copy of the book when it is released in October 2009. They will offer special discounts for contributors who wish to buy additional books and will send that information to you. Click here to submit your story online.

Short Story and Poetry Contest

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves to express his or her innermost thoughts and feelings into the beautiful art of poetry or to write a short story that is worth telling everyone! Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes.

Deadline: December 31, 2008. Winners announced on January 31, 2009

Genre: Poetry and Short Story

Prizes: Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.Short Story Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.

Details: Write an original poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed. And/or write an original short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed. Multiple poetry and short story entries accepted. Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story. Poetry Contest entry fee: $5 per poem. Click here for more details.

ACT ONE Program Brings Hollywood to Colorado Springs, CO

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

Each year, thousands of hopefuls flock to Hollywood, dreaming of making it big in the film and television business. This January, a Hollywood-based training program for writers and executives celebrates its 10th Anniversary Year by presenting Act One Training for Hollywood Seminar in Colorado Springs, CO. The seminar, scheduled for January 30-31, 2009, is an intensive weekend program designed to train aspiring writers and producers who are serious about their Christian faith and eager to learn more about how to create culture that respects and enriches a global audience.

This Conference Welcomes Professional and Aspiring Writers, Entrepreneurs, Producers, Entertainment Executives

Act One's ALL-INCLUSIVE Weekend Seminar will be held at the spectacular Glen Eyrie Castle. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, CO, sits a Christian conference and retreat center unlike any other. In addition to keynotes given by Dr. Linda Seger, world-renowned author and script consultant, participants will study the Hollywood storytelling process, from story development to pitching, to the craft of producing spiritually engaging entertainment that is commercially appealing. Writing track participants will learn practical lessons on writing outlines and treatments, on creating compelling characters and stories and on the basics of screenwriting format. Those choosing the business track will cover lessons on the marketplace and commercial creativity and how to option materials.

• Other topics to be discussed during the conference include:
  
• Finding Your Story: Choosing the right stories, understanding genre and what makes your story stand out from the others.
  
• The Big Structure Lecture: An overview of the basic three-act structure, illustrated through a breakdown of an epic motion picture.
  
• Breaking Into the Business: A frank dialog between workshop participants and our faculty about the business of show business, what it takes to make it as a professional and as a Christian in Hollywood, and next steps for those who believe God is calling them to an entertainment industry career.
  

In addition to the Seminar, Act One will be hosting a Hollywood Insider Panel and Discussion from 7-10pm on Friday, January 30. Open to the public, the event will feature a presentation on the activity of the church in Hollywood, a keynote address from a high profile Hollywood professional about the challenges of working on the front lines of the culture, and a Hollywood Insider Panel, which will be a provocative, no-holds-barred Q&A about life and work in the world's most influential mission field.

• Date: Friday, January 30, 2009. 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, January 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  

• Location: Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center, 3820 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
  

• Early Bird Registration: $265: includes study materials, meals (Fri. dinner, Sat. breakfast, lunch & dinner) and Hollywood Insider Event
  
• $415: includes study materials, meals (Fri. dinner, Sat. breakfast, lunch & dinner, Sun. breakfast), 2 nights stay (Fri. & Sat.) and Hollywood Insider Event. Limited rooms are available.
  
• Prices after December 22: $285 & $435
  
• For more details, log on to Act One.
  

Act One, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that has trained Christians of all denominations for careers in mainstream film and television for the past ten years. Stressing artistry, excellence, professionalism, and Christian spirituality, Act One prepares students to pursue careers marked by personal integrity and professional excellence, in writers rooms, on sets, and in studio and network offices. The end goal is not to produce explicitly religious entertainment, but movie and TV projects that respect and serve the global audience, combining mastery of craft with great depth and meaning. Over ten years, Act One has amassed a vast alumni network of writers, producers, directors and entertainment executives who are dedicated to producing excellent work for a global audience.

Free E-Book for Fiction Writers

"Packed full of fine analysis, solid advice, and thoughtful reflection on the state of contemporary publishing. It's further distinguished by more common sense than any book of its type that I have ever read. A treasure." — Dean Koontz, author of Intensity

The Donald Maass Literary Agency (DMLA) in New York City is a literary agency for professional novelists. Author of Writing the Breakout Novel: Winning Advice from a Top Agent and His Bestselling Client,
Donald Maass's pioneering work and writing about the development of fiction careers has made DMLA a leading agency for fiction writers. His agency represents more than 100 novelists and sells more than 100 novels every year to leading publishers in the U.S. and overseas.

Maass is offering the FREE 268 page e-book, The Career Novelist: A Literary Agent Offers Strategies for Success. He writes about—

Chapter 1: The Dream

Chapter 2: The Reality

Chapter 3: Pitching Errors

Chapter 4: Choosing an Agent

Chapter 5: More on Choosing an Agent

Chapter 6: The Marketing Game: How I Sell Novels

Chapter 7: Strategy Session I: Breaking In

Chapter 8: A Tour of the Genres

Chapter 9: Crossover Novels

Chapter 10: Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

Chapter 11: Self-Promotion or Self-Delusion?

Chapter 12: Strategy Session II: Midcareer Damage Control

Chapter 13: The Bottom Line: Storytelling

Chapter 14: Collaborations

Chapter 15: Packagers and Work-for-Hire

Chapter 16: contracts and Income

Chapter 17: Electronic Rights: Power Source or Static

Chapter 18: Strategy Session III: Managing Success

Chapter 19: Staying Alive in the Land of the Giants

Chapter 20: The Economy and Publishing

Ed Gorman, Mystery Scene, says this e-book is "...an indispensable volume for all libraries, and for anyone interested in learning about the world of publishing."

Submit Your Stories

Chicken Soup for the Soul and Cup of Comfort are great places to submit your stories. To read their writer's guidelines, click on these links: Chicken Soup for the Soul and Cup of Comfort. Here are their upcoming needs and deadlines.

The Golf Book: Chicken Soup for the Soul and Golf Digest are excited to announce a new book for golfers, edited by Max Adler of Golf Digest. Golf is a sport of passion and obsession like none other. We are looking for true personal stories that reflect what the game means to you. Think of the best stories you've told at the 19th hole and share them.

Deadline: December 1, 2008

A Cup of Comfort for Dog Lovers II: Oh, how we humans love our canine companions -- for so many reasons and in so many ways that one Cup of Comfort collection of uplifting dog stories just wasn't enough. So we're giving all you dog-loving writers another opportunity to share your personal stories of canine comfort with a growing legion of dog-loving readers. This volume will feature both serious and humorous anecdotal stories covering a wide range of topics and perspectives and varying breeds of dogs. We do NOT want sad stories about a dog's illness, injury, or death, though we will consider stories that weave a beloved pet's illness or death into an otherwise positive story. The story should focus on the dog's remarkable attributes and/or actions as well as on the special relationship between the dog and his/her human(s).

Deadline: December 15, 2008

Extraordinary Teens: Teenagers can do the most amazing and positive things. They can overcome obstacles and make wonderful contributions to the world. Do you know a teenager who has made a difference? Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for stories about these terrific teens.

Deadline: December 31, 2008

College Campus Chronicles: Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for true stories and poems about your experiences in college, whether you are in college now, or a recent graduate. Stories about everything from leaving home, to classes, to roommates, to personal growth, to funny moments, to travel abroad...anything you have done in college that you would like to share with other college students.

Deadline: December 31, 2008

What I Learned From The Dog: Chicken Soup for the Soul wants heartwarming and humorous stories about what we learned from our companions and best friends.

Deadline: January 31, 2009

What I Learned From The Cat: Chicken Soup for the Soul wants heartwarming and humorous stories about what we learned from our feline family members.

Deadline: January 31, 2009

A Cup of Comfort for the Grieving Heart: When a loved one passes away, comfort is often fleeting and hard to come by. Yet, even a small comfort, like a personal story of how someone has faced a similar loss, does help to ease the sorrow. This volume will feature uplifting personal stories that reveal the special relationships and extraordinary experiences shared by the deceased and his/her loved one(s) immediately before, during, and after the loved one's passing; it will also includes stories about the internal and external processes by which one deals with and heals from the loss of a loved one. The stories will vary with regard to subject matter, circumstances of death, and the relationship of the author to the individual who has passed away. The book will not include eulogies, profiles/memoirs of people who have passed away, or clinical depictions of death and dying.

Deadline: February 1, 2009

A Cup of Comfort for Fathers: The connection between father and child can be as deep as the ocean, as strong as a mountain, and as uplifting as fresh air. For all its rewards, though, fatherhood is not without its challenges. And for all the gifts dads bring to their kids' lives, dads sometimes falter and fumble. Yet, the father-child bond forms, holds, and grows. A Cup of Comfort for Fathers will feature inspiring and insight true stories about the life-defining and life-enriching relationships and experiences shared by fathers and their children. These personal essays will be of varying topics and tones (heartwarming, humorous, poignant, provocative, etc.); about fathers and children of all ages and varying circumstances; and written by fathers, daughters, and sons.

Deadline: March 1, 2009

Tough Economic Times: We are all going through difficult times right now, some with more dire consequences than others. Chicken Soup for the Soul would like to know what changes you are making in your lives that reflect the times. Are you downsizing, making do with less, discovering new joy in a simpler life? These stories will give you, our readers, inspiration and insight into how others are coping.

Deadline: March 31, 2009

Our Best and Brightest (soldiers and veterans): Chicken Soup for the Soul wants amazing collection of stories from soldiers who defend and protect our country – both active and retired – and from their families who make sacrifices when their loved ones are far away.

Deadline: March 31, 2009

Not Really Retired: Chicken Soup for the Soul wants humorous and fun stories from those who are actively enjoying their "senior years!" Tell about your new careers, your volunteer work, your sports, your travels, and those things you always wanted to do that you are finally doing.

Deadline: June 30, 2009

Dysfunctional Families: Chicken Soup for the Soul wants serious or hilarious, oh so true stories will touch your heart and make you see that even in the most difficult situations, other families are not all that different from your own. Share your stories with others who may realize we all have the same in-laws, siblings, parents, etc. Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect most of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!).

Deadline: June 30, 2009

Endurance Sports (run,cycle,swim):Whether you are a triathlete, a duathlete, or you just love to swim, run, or cycle, Chicken Soup for the Soul wants to hear about your sports, your races, and how endurance sports fit into your life, whether you are an amateur, a student athlete, or a pro.

Deadline: June 30, 2009

Teachers: We have all had that one teacher who has made a difference in our lives. And teachers, remember that one student who made you know why you decided to be a teacher and who you will never forget? Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for stories from both teachers and students that will tell that unforgettable story.

Deadline: June 30, 2009

Thanks Dad: Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for stories of thanks from "children" of all ages about their dads. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn't matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends.

Deadline: June 30, 2009

Thanks Mom: Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for stories of thanks from "children" of all ages about their moms. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn't matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends.

Deadline: June 30, 2009

Writing Contests

Franklin-Christoph Poetry Contest

Deadline: November 30, 2008

Genre: Poetry

Prizes: They will award $2500 in total prizes, including the $1000 cash grand prize. 10 Merit Award Winners will receive $150 writing instruments.

Details: Original, unpublished poem of any theme. Limit of 2 entries per contestant. Entries should not exceed 100 lines each.

Scribophile Novel Writing Contest

Deadline: November 30, 2008

Genre: Books

Prizes: First prize: $50 Amazon.com gift card. Second prize: $25 Amazon.com gift card

Details: Your entry must be the first chapter (up to 4,000 words) or first 4,000 words of a piece of long fiction. Your entry doesn't have to be a chapter, but it should not exceed 4,000 words.

The Writer's Digest 9^th Annual Short Short Story Competition

Deadline: December 1, 2008.

Genre: Fiction.

Prizes: First Place: $3,000. The First-Place winner has the option of a FREE "Best Seller Publishing Package" from Trafford Publishing, a leading provider of book-publishing services. Second Place: $1,500. Third Place: $500. Fourth Through Tenth Place: $100. Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate for Writer's Digest Books.

Details: They're looking for fiction that's bold, brilliant...but brief. Send your best in 1,500 words or fewer.

Anna Davidson Rosenberg Awards

Deadline: December 1, 2008

Genre: Poetry

Prizes: A total of $3,000 in prize money will be awarded to winners in 1st place, 2nd place, and honorable mention categories.

Details: This contest awards cash prizes for poems on the Jewish experience. 1 - 3 original, unpublished poems of no more than ten pages.

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest

Deadline: December 7, 2008

For: Full-time US college undergraduates

Genre: Nonfiction

Prizes: $5000, $2500, $1500 and 2 honorable mentions $500.

Details: 3000–4000 word essays.

The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest is an annual competition designed to challenge college students to analyze the urgent ethical issues confronting them in today's complex world. Students are encouraged to write thought-provoking personal essays that raise questions, single out issues and are rational arguments for ethical action. This year's suggested topics are:

• What does your own experience tell you about the relationship between politics and ethics and, in particular, what could be done to make politics more ethical?
  
• Articulate with clarity an ethical issue you have encountered and analyze what it has taught you about ethics and yourself.
  
• Carefully examine the ethical aspects or implications of a major literary work, a film or a significant piece of art.
  
• Clearly analyze the relationship between religion and ethics in today's world.
  
• How does a recent political or cultural event shed light on the ethics of rebellion/revolution?

Accomplish Your Writing Goals

Write a Novel in a Month

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Not a Fiction Writer?

• Set your own writing goal.
  
• Blog every day.
  
• Write 50,000 words on your nonfiction book.
  
• Write a nonfiction book proposal.
  

As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. In 2007, over 100,000 individuals participated in NaNoWriMo. More than 15,000 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline. For details, log on to http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Too Busy to Write for a Solid Month? Try One Week Each Month

Try Book-In-A-Week (BIW). Their motto? BIC HOK TAM means butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly. One week each month, you write like crazy. Then edit the other three weeks.
BIW connects writers through a list created at Yahoo. You decide your own writing goals, and then submit them to the list the week prior to BIW. During BIW, writers write as much as they can and post their daily totals to the list. They schedule each month's writing week a year in advance. Some writers participate every month. Others only participate a few times a year.

November Workshop: The Inside Scoop on Ghostwriting or Collaborative Writing

When: November 10, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Where: Stone Chapel, 280 East Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Workshop: Writing with someone else is effortless. Right? You talk, I write. Learn the ins and outs of writing with another person, including how to avoid the pitfalls. Discover what is involved in ghostwriting and how to define your role and your agreement. Combining your skills to write with someone else could be an effective way to build your author platform.

Speaker: John is a writer, speaker, collaborator, and attorney. John Perrodin has collaborated on books with James C. Dobson, Susie Shellenberger, Michelle Cox, and Jerry B. Jenkins. John Perrodin is a dad. He and his wife, Sue, have seven incredible children ranging in age from 2 to 18. Thanks to his wife’s encouragement, John’s a novelist.

His writing credits include The Tattooed Rats, (Thomas Nelson: 2006), Demon's Bluff (Thomas Nelson: 2007), Seclusion Point (Thomas Nelson: 2008), Simple Little Words: What You Say Can Change a Life (Honor Books: 2008), and Uncover Me, and Surviving Me.

John serves as Senior Editor for the Christian Writers Guild and assists Jerry B. Jenkins on various writing and research projects. He also mentors the Craftsman Course, a year-long, hands-on program for advanced novelists. Visit John's blog.

Meet Authors: The Journey Event

The Journey Event is a series of author signings at four local bookstores. Authors include nationally-recognized fiction writers Robert Liparulo, Donita K. Paul, Marshal Younger, John Perrodin, Jane Rubietta, Jonalyn Fincher, and Dale Fincher.

Schedule

The following authors will be appearing at various bookstores in Colorado Springs on Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, 2008:

October 17, Friday 11:00-1:00 Mardel

5964 Barnes Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80922

(719) 573-0402

Stephen W. Smith – The Lazarus Life

Donita K. Paul - Dragonlight

Dale & Susan Mathis – Countdown for Couples

Joe Wheeler - Abraham Lincoln: A Man of Faith and Courage

Beth Vogt – Baby Changes Everything

Mark Andrew Olsen – The Warriors

Tosca Lee - Havah

John Perrodin – Simple Little Words

Stephen Villanueva – We Have Been Lied To

Maureen Kahl – The Promise

Jane Rubietta – Come Closer

Dale Fincher - Living With Questions

Jonalyn Fincher - Ruby Slippers

October 17, Friday 1:00-3:00 Focus on the Family

8685 Explorer Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

(719) 531-3464

Jim Daly – Finding Home

Lisa Tawn Bergren – God Gave Us Heaven

Cindy West – Saying Yes

Maureen Kahl – The Promise

Jane Rubietta – Ruby Among Us

Joe Wheeler - Abraham Lincoln: A Man of Faith and Courage

October 17, Friday 3:00-5:00 The Castle Bookstore

Glen Eyrie

3820 N. 30th Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

(800) 944-4536

Tracie Peterson – A Promise to Believe In

Judith Miller – An Uncertain Dream

Cathy Hake - Whirlwind

Kelly Hake – The Bride Bargain

Kristen Heitzmann – The Edge of Recall

Tosca Lee – Havah

Erin Rainwater – True Colors

October 17, Friday 5:00-7:00 Connections Bookstore

Woodmen Valley Chapel

240 E. Woodmen Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80919

(719) 599-4714

Robert Liparulo – House of Dark Shadows

Donita K. Paul – Dragonlight

Marshal Younger – The Creek War

John Perrodin – Seclusion Point

Jane Rubietta – Come Closer

Dale Fincher – Living With Questions

Jonalyn Fincher – Ruby Slippers

October 18, Saturday 10:00-12:00 Focus on the Family

8685 Explorer Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

(719) 531-3464

Marshal Younger – The Creek War

Larry Killam – Horse Tales

Dale & Susan Mathis – Countdown for Couples

Glenn Frontin – A River Calling

John Perrodin – Simple Little Words

Travis Thrasher – Isolation

Donna Wilcox – Falling Into Faith

October 18, Saturday 12:00-2:00 Mardel

5964 Barnes Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80922

(719) 573-0402

Tracie Peterson – An Unexpected Love

Judith Miller – An Uncertain Dream

Cathy Hake – Whirlwind

Kelly Hake – The Bride Bargain

Kristen Heitzmann – The Edge of Recall

Larry Killam – Horse Tales

Tina Forkner – Ruby Among Us

Erin Rainwater – The Arrow That Flieth By Day

Robert Liparulo – Deadfall

Tammy Maltby – Confession of Good Christian Girl

Megan DiMaria – Out of Her Hands

Travis Thrasher – Out of the Devils Mouth

Chris Fabry – Dogwood

October 18, Saturday 2:00-4:00 The Castle Bookstore

Glen Eyrie

3820 N. 30th Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

(800) 944-4536

Tina Forkner – A Ruby Among Us

Glenn Frontin – A River Calling

Travis Thrasher – Out of the Devils Mouth

John Perrodin – Simple Little Words

October 18, Saturday 4:00-6:00 Connections Bookstore

Woodmen Valley Chapel

240 E. Woodmen Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80919

(719) 599-4714

Lisa Tawn Bergren – The Blessed

Mark Andrew Olsen – The Warriors

Travis Thrasher – Isolation

Megan DiMaria – Out of Her Hands

Erin Rainwater – True Colors

Springs Writers' October Meeting Recap

The "Getting to Know You" ice breaker helped Springs Writers connect and find out each other's genres and writing interests better.
What's the one thing that keeps you from writing?

This next month, what one writing goal will you set for yourself?







In three years, where do you want to be—writing wise?

Springs writers also asked each other about their writing goals.




Dianne Butt's packed her workshop "How to Write Query Letters for Magazines" full of must-know information.

Her handout was excellent for notetaking.

Do you find yourself avoiding markets that require queries? Dianne’s workshop took the fear out of writing a query letter.








She showed how to cover all the important information about your article (whatever that’s supposed to include), write it well enough to impress the editor with your writing ability (oh, the pressure!), and (what?!) limit it to only one page? She taught us that such a feat possible.
>
Open more markets for your work. Conquer the dreaded query letter! If you want to obtain Dianne's workshop, buy her pamphlet that provides her 18-point formula for writing queries. She answers to your query questions and also provides seven sample queries that sold articles for Dianne--all for only $3.95 plus shipping.

October Boot Camp : Write For Magazines

Would you like to write articles for magazines, but you don’t know how to start? The workshops in this dynamic boot cover the article writing process from idea development, to research and writing, to contract negotiations. Learn how to target your market, formulate and focus your ideas into a salable article, then catch an editor's attention. Learning how to writing articles can lead to writing chapters for books.

When: Saturday, October 25, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Registration begins at 7:45 a.m.)
Where: 250 East Woodmen Road, Room 107, Colorado Springs, CO. 80919
Cost: Early Bird Registration: $29 Deadline: October 22
At-the Door-Registration: $39
Bring a Friend Discount At-The-Door Registration: $32 each

The registration fee includes all handouts and writer’s packets.

Cancellation Policy: If registrations are too low to cover boot camp costs, we reserve the right to cancel the workshop. Registration fees will be refunded to registrants.

Lunch: Is not included in registration fee. We will provide takeout menus for ordering and delivering to the workshop.

To pre-register: email scotidomeij (a) juno (dot)com.
Boot Camp Registration Information
Email the information below to scotidomeij (at) juno (dot) com
Name:
Address
City
Phone
Email
When registration fee is received, registration will be complete. To receive the Early Bird Discount, fees must be postmarked October 20. Make checks payable to Scoti Domeij. Send registration fee to Scoti Domeij, PO Box 25834, Colorado Springs, CO. 80936. Questions? Call 209-9066.

Boot Camp Schedule and Workshop Descriptions
7:45-8:00 Registration

8:-00- 8:45: Turn On Ideas to Jumpstart Your Writing
Discover how to jumpstart your creativity and turn a great idea into a salable article.

8:45 – 9:30: Discover Your Article’s Focus
Writing an article is an exercise in focus. You have a set word count which means focusing on a relatively small chunk of information. Finding that focus adds maturity and depth, plus it’s crucial to writing something an editor will love and pay you for. Discover how the “Why” of the story is the most significant question you need to answer.

9:30-10:45: Increase Your Publication Odds: How to Find and Research the Right Magazine for Your Article
Writing for magazines is the best way a beginner, intermediate or experienced writer can jumpstart their writing. Discover how to research your topic and target the best magazine to publish your article.

10:45-11:00: Break

11:00-12:00: Demystifying Article Structure: How to Think It, Plan It, Write It
From a compelling lead to a great ending, and everything in between, discover how salable magazine articles are organized. From the lead to the nut graf to the body to the ending, learn a variety of ways to write each part of an article.

12:00- 12:45: Lunch

12:45-1:30: Re-Vision: The Editing Stages of Article Writing
What editing, rewriting and proofreading ABC’s will increase your article’s chance of publication? Discover how to proofread your article with a critical eye. Learn the must-know revision strategies to polish your rough draft into a publishable article.

1:30-2:15: Get Your Foot in the Door: Relationship Building and “Editor”quette
Does your writer persona cringe when you have to put on your salesmen hat to write a query letter? Discover how to present your writing, including a few editorquette dos and don’ts. From query letter to knocking on doors in your community, learn how to get an editor’s attention.

2:15-3:00: Rights for Writers: Understanding Contracts
Do first rights, all rights, kill fee or writing on speculation or assignment confuse you? Learn what each means and how to handle rejection. You will learn the differences between the rights, plus tips on selling reprints.

October 13, 2008 FREE Writing Workshop

to Write Query Letters for Magazines
When: October 13, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Where: Stone Chapel, 280 East Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, CO. 80919

Workshop Description: Do query letters scare you off from writing for magazines? Do you avoid magazine markets that require query letters? No doubt writing query letters is one of the greatest challenges writers face! We must include all the necessary information with enough finesse to show off our good writing, hook an editor enough to request our article, and do it all in one page. Through sheer desperation, Dianne E. Butts developed her own 18-point formula for successful query letters. Discover the time and sanity-saving template to write successful query letters.

Speaker: Dianne E. Butts has published over 200 articles and short stories in more than 50 Christian magazines, including Focus on the Family magazine, Discipleship Journal, and On Mission, and fifteen books including Chicken Soup for a Christian Soul II and Zondervan's New Women's Devotional Bible. Her writing has appeared in Great Britain, Bulgaria, Poland, Canada, and Korea. When she's not writing, she enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband, Hal, and gardening with her cat, P.C. They live in Pueblo, Colorado. www.DianneEButts.com