Thought for the Month

"Down through the ages, authentically creative figures have consistently found themselves in a struggle." - Rollo May, author of The Courage to Create

Hello Writers

It is in this month of August that brings us towards the end of summer that we struggle to create. There is too much to distract us and divert us from our creative tasks. Sometimes we welcome the distractions because we fear where the creative spirit will lead us. In order to be true to our creative self we must journey to the center of our being. You can't trust yourself without courage.

Have a great month .....Sandra

Markets:

Granta magazine publishes new writing-fiction, personal history, reportage and inquiring journalism-four times a year. Submission details: http://www.granta.com/guidelines

Albedo One, Ireland's magazine of SF, fantasy & horror seeks submissions for the Aeon Award short fiction contest, 2006-2007. The contest features a grand prize of €1000 (or almost $1300 US) and publication in Albedo One for the top three stories. Submission details: http://www.albedo1.com/index.html

Jupiter is seeking entertaining, well-written science fiction stories and poetry. Submission details: http://www.jupitersf.co.uk/

Midnight Street is a tri-annual magazine of short stories, covering the horror, science fiction, dark fantasy. Submission details: http://www.midnightstreet.co.uk/guidelines.html

Homespirations seeks submissions which inspire creativity, promote personal growth, nurture self-esteem, encourage self-motivation, cultivate self-improvement, celebrate creative expression and enrich the lifestyles of women worldwide. Submission details: http://www.homespirations.com/Writers%20Guidelines.htm

LadyBug Magazine for children ages 2 to 6. Features original stories and poems. Submission details: http://www.cobblestonepub.com/guides_LYB.html

Leading Edge accepts science fiction and fantasy short stories, novelettes, novellas, and poetry, as well as scholarly articles, book reviews, and interviews. Submission details: http://www.leadingedgemagazine.com/guidelines_writer.php

Maisonneuve Magazine considers poetry, short & long fiction, humour, as well as essays & reviews on any aspect of the arts or sciences. Submission details: http://www.maisonneuve.org/index.php?&page_id=213

The Massachusetts Review is an independent quarterly of literature, the arts, and public affairs. Submission details: http://www.massreview.org/faq.html

Writing Tip

One of the easiest ways to stay focused is to prepare a plan and a calendar for your writing projects. In preparation for the many competition deadlines and and requests for submissions that occur between September and December make some decisions about which of your writing pieces you will polish and send out.

August discount of 25% to all newsletter subscribers

Manuscript Evaluation -Treat yourself to a manuscript evaluation from a publishing professional. This could include advice on a short story before submitting it to publishers or an evaluation of your novel or non-fiction book. Ask for details by contacting Windshift. Please put 'manuscript critique' in the subject line.

Publishing News

If you are wondering what is 'hot' for the under twelves then this is it. Just as parents are starting to shop for the back to school season, here comes one of the summer’s biggest books for kids. Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People by Dave Pilkey (Scholastic/Blue Sky, $16.99, pb $4.99). You have to admit the title is pretty catchy~!

For any author waiting for a reply from Harlequin or its parent company TorStar this was bad news - The strength of the Canadian dollar hammered Harlequin’s reported results for the second quarter and six month period ended June 30, 2006.

Publishing a book of short stories can be a fraught and potentially demoralizing exercise. It often comes with the added irritation of being asked when you will write a real book Luckily for short story writers, the current trend is positive and more short story anthologies are being published according to recent North American publishing news.

Home News:

This month at Windshift Press we are celebrating the book events of Connie Kurtenbach contributing author of The Oyster Speaks and Kathy Wilson author of Take The Wings of A Morning.

Connie will be appearing at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon on Wednesday, August 9th at 7:00 for a reading and book signing and Kathy Wilson will be appearing at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Calgary on Thursday, August 24th at 7:00.

Meanwhile back in the office work on the autumn publication schedule and autumn catalogues is in full swing.

Note: While every effort is made to check the markets suggested in this newsletter, writers must use their own judgment when submitting their work.

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