Windshift Press
Newsletter Archives
April – In order to
survive, creativity must be fluid and ever changing much like nature. Every
so often we need to look at what we see as our ‘creative style’
and check that our writing is still evolving. Spring is the season for new
plantings and new life. Take the seeds of your winter reflections and writings
and help them and you to evolve into the strong creative that you know yourself
to be. Here’s to the new you~!
Sandra
Writing Tip: – Remove all the labels that you place on yourself and your writing. Now look at markets you have never pursued and see how easily you can adapt a piece you have written.
Markets
The Crime and Mystery Magazine - features articles, interviews and short stories
of 1,500-3,500 words. Details: http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/
Solander - is published biannually for enthusiasts of historical fiction. Each issue features one short story of between 2,000 and 7,000 words. Payment: £100/$150 Details: http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/solander2.htm
(The) Third Alternative –is a bi-weekly horror, fantasy and science-fiction magazine. Also details of other magazines published by ttapress. Details: http://www.ttapress.com/
Ascent Magazine, a literary magazine of fiction, essays and poetry seeks contributions for their fall issue. Details: http://www.cord.edu/dept/english/ascent/
Cicada, a bimonthly literary magazine for teens and young adults publishes original short stories, poems and 1st person essays. Details: http://www.cricketmag.com.
Barrow Street Press Book Contest – offers an award for the best previously unpublished manuscript of poetry. The winner will receive book publication by Barrow Street Press, and $1000.00. Deadline: June 30, 2005; Details: http://www.barrowstreet.org/
Brilliant Corners publishes jazz-related poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Details: http://www.lycoming.edu/BrilliantCorners.
Chelsea seeks unconventional works of poetry, fiction, essays and book reviews. Details: http://www.chelseamag.org
Creative Nonfiction the first and the largest journal devoted exclusively to literary nonfiction seeks submissions. Details: http://www.creativenonfiction.org
Fourth Genre seeks innovative work in creative nonfiction, including personal essays and memoirs, interviews, roundtable discussions, photo essays, and book reviews. Details: http://www.msupress.msu.edu/FourthGenre.
Cue Time – Every month we include a couple of writing ideas to help you kick start your writing sessions.
1. Look for your inner enemy. Decide what those characteristics are and write them out.
2. Being creative takes energy. Try managing your energy through physical activity and meditation. You may be surprised at your increased level of creative output.
Industry News: There is much discussion in the book trade these days
over whether paid book reviews can be an honest critique of the work. Representatives
of R.R. Bowker’s Bookwire, a paid review service, are convinced that
booksellers and readers will keep them honest in their comments on books.
The short list for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour has been announced. Check out the short list at http://www.leacock.ca/awards.html
The answers offered in this column are the personal opinions of the staff at Windshift for Writers. They are in no way meant to take the place of the professional advice you may need to seek for your specific query.
Questions and Answers
Q. What do publishers look for in a novel? I’ve submitted three now without success. - Andre J.-
A. This is a difficult question to answer as so many publishing decisions are subjective. All publishers hope to find a novel that has the potential to be a best-seller. They look primarily for a ‘good read’ meaning that the author must be an engaging story-teller first. The work must have that elusive quality of ‘immediacy’ which makes the reader suspend any disbelief he/she may have in the story. Commercial novels must also have ‘pace’. We want to reach the end of the story before we know we have invested several hours reading it. Add these to the other requirements of novel writing and publishing doors will open. Good luck.
Win a FREE place at one of our Workshops – Writers who wish to
host a workshop can do so by inviting interested friends and acquaintances
to a venue (It could be your dining-room table.) and providing the coffee.
If you host a workshop, your participation is free. Check the Workshops page
for further details.
Home News: The Victoria Literary Info Fair will celebrate its 10th
anniversary on May 14th, 2005. The Fair offers a multitude of opportunities
for writers, publishers and others interested in writing to come together
to share information and ideas. See you there. Details: http://www.victoriaschoolofwriting.org/infofair/
Note: While every
effort is made to check the markets suggested in this newsletter, writers
must use their own judgment when submitting their work.