Windshift for Writers:

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April - April is Poetry Month. Although I consider myself a prose writer, my first money earned through writing was for a poem published in the British magazine, Lady. So, if you've never written poetry or thought about writing poetry and would like to give it a try, contact me for details of the Found Poetry course that I offer. For those of you who are well-established poets, I've done a round up of poetry markets and competitions. To everyone, please, please, please read the submission guidelines thoroughly.

Writing Tip: - Publishing Poetry - It has always been difficult to find publishers who are willing to publish a first collection from an unknown poet. One way to increase your chances of having your manuscript accepted by a publisher is to amass a number of publishing credits for your submission package by getting individual poems published in magazines and anthologies and by winning poetry competitions.

Markets
Poet's Canvas is a quarterly e-zine that publishes innovative poetry and prose, articles and essays. Pays $40.00 for a set of three poems from a new voice. Submit your material in the body of an e-mail. Check submission guidelines - http://www.poetscanvas.org Address submissions to L A Schuler at poetscanvas@hotmail.com

Winedark Sea is looking poetry, fiction, plays and non-fiction in a variety of genres. Pays 1 cent/pwrd Aus. E-mail submissions to editors@winedark.com or send to The Editors, Winedark Sea, P O Box 367 Southgate, Sylvania, NSW 2224, Australia. Check submission guidelines at http://www.winedark.com

TriSpec Magazine seeks speculative poetry and fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror) under 1,000 words. Pays 5-cents/pwrd Cdn. E-mail editor John Garrett at jlewisgarrett@hotmail.com or send to him at 297 Duke Street, Saint John, NB, BE2 L1P. Submit your material in the body of an e-mail. Check out submission guidelines at http://www.geocities.com/z4ho.rm/TriSpec-Main.html

New England Review is a literary quarterly edited by Stephen Donadio. Their reading period is September through May 31. Check submission guidelines at http://www.middlebury.edu/~nereview/ or e-mail NEReview@mail.middlebury.edu or send to Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA

ByLine has been publishing emerging writers and poets since 1981. Send material to Carolyn Wall (fiction editor) or Sandra Soli (poetry editor), P O Box 5240, Edmond, OK 73083 - 5240, USA as they don't accept e-mail submissions. Check out guidelines at http://www.bylinemag.com

SPS Studios publishes original poetry suitable to use in greeting cards and books. Check their submission guidelines at http://www.sps.com or e-mail editorial@spsstudios.com or by mail to SPS Studios, Inc., Editorial Dept., P O Box 1007, Boulder, CO 80306, USA.

Poetry Shorts
Black Warrior Review
Pays: $30 -45/poem & 2 copies
http://webdelsol/bwr

Capilano Review
Pays: $50 - 200/poem & 2 copies
http://www.capilanocollege.bc.ca/dept/TCR/

The Chattahoochee Review
Pays: $50/poem & 2 copies
http://www.gpc.peachnet.edu/~twadley/cr/index.htm

Crab Orchard Review
Pays: $10/page, 2 copies & subscription
http://www.siu.edu/~crborchd

Cyber Oasis
Pays: $10/poem
http://www.siu.edu/~crborchd

Poetry Harbor
Pays: $10/poem & 2 copies
http://www.poharb.toofarnorth.com

Cue Time - Every month we include a couple of writing ideas to help you kick start your writing sessions.

1. ake an association jump-start. In preparation for writing a poem or short story about December, brainstorm and record some ideas. The finished product should be ready to market by July. Remember that most markets (magazines) work 4-6 months in advance.

2. e carry our lives in our pockets and purses. Go and empty yours right now. What item sparks a story or a poem? Create a fictional character who pursues one of your items. What kind of mystery can you create?

Industry News: Commonwealth Book Prize Update - Regional winners for the Commonwealth Book Prize have been announced. See details at http://www.commonwealthwriters.com/2003/regwinners/index.html

Remember Canada Book Week - April 21 - 27. Check out the website at http://www.canadabookday.com

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. My novel is about relationships where the action is small and the conflict arises almost exclusively from the main characters' inner struggles. Given the fact that my story line is not "dazzling" or hair-raising how do I pack the synopsis portion of my query with punch to grab the attention of an agent or publisher? - Margaret T. -

A. One of the best ways I find to write a synopsis/query letter is to pretend to tell a friend about your book and try to anticipate their questions [i.e. where you have left out information]. We get so involved with our writing that we forget that not everyone else knows as much about our book/story as we do. Writing is subjective. Editors/agents are attracted by different styles and [unfortunately] fads. 'Interior' writing is fashionable again. For a past example of a very successful book using this style, you might try Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day. Perhaps you also saw the movie!

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: April, May and June are filled with book launches and workshop presentations. Book launch details will appear in the Newsletter as they are arranged. For those of you who would like a chance to meet in person, you can catch me at the following events.

Saturday, May 3rd - Write on the Harbour - 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo - Federation of BC Writers workshop - I will be presenting a workshop The Publishing Path. Margaret Thompson, author of 4 books, from Victoria will speak about The Use of Fact in Fiction Writing. Other presenters to be confirmed. There will be a book table and opportunities to meet with other writers. If you are interested, contact me as soon as possible by e-mail for further details and registration. Places are limited due to venue size.

Saturday, May 10 - Literary Info Fair 2003 - First Metropolitan Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria [near Quadra Street] - I will have a book and information table. Drop by and look at the new Windshift Press books. Details for the Fair can be seen at http://www.islandnet.com/vicwrite/infofair/

Saturday, June 7th - Federation of BC Writers "Write on the River" Conference - Douglas College, 700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster - I will present a workshop - Marketing Magic for Writers and have a book table. Drop by and say 'hello'.
Details can be found at http://bcwriters.com/index.php3 soon to be posted]

Saturday, June 21st - The Chemainus Literary Festival - Chemainus Gardens, 3042 River Road, Chemainus, BC - Dan Poynter will be the keynote speaker. I will be presenting a workshop Getting Your Book Out There in the afternoon. Make a weekend of it and stay on site. Details for Festival registration can be found at http://www.elizahemingway.com/chemainus or toll free at 1 866 604 2605.

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