Windshift Press
Newsletter Archives
It seems such a short
time ago that I was welcoming 2004. Now it is time to collect my thoughts
and reflect. As we search for the perfect gift to give to the ones we love,
it is important not to lose sight of the greatest gifts we already possess.
In our cupboard are the gifts of love and time. We can take these gifts and
wrap them up in a promise of spending more time with parents, children, grandchildren,
friends and neighbours. The gift can take the form of tickets for days at
the park with a grandchild or the creation of an uplifting piece of prose
or poetry that we will write for an elderly relative or friend. Then there
is laughter. We can share this as freely and as differently as the snow flakes
that fall outside my window. I contend that we do not laugh enough so I am
sending each of you a snowflake of laughter. Let the laughter melt into your
creative stream and thus nourish some new writing for 2005.
Writing Tip: - Part of your year end closure should be to check on those pieces of writing that you have sent out and not heard back about for several months. Determine what follow up is necessary. Take a look at your submissions as a whole and see if there is a pattern that you can use to your advantage in 2005. Make a list of the new markets you are going to try in the coming months. If you put them into a calendar then it will not seem so overwhelming a list and each month you will have specific goals to work towards.
Markets
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is keen to develop new writers. They publish
science fiction and factual pieces on aspects of future science and technology.
Submission details: http://www.analogsf.com/information/submissions.shtml
Descant is a literary quarterly accepting material for two themed issues in
2006 - Cuba and Barbara Gowdy. Submission Guidelines:
http://www.descant.on.ca/submis.cfm
Candelabrum Poetry Magazine welcomes metrical work, particularly with rhyme, but good quality free verse, and formal haiku and waka (tanka), are also considered. Submission Guidelines: http://www.members.tripod.com/redcandlepress/Magazine.htm
Poetry London is a leading international poetry journal that publishes emerging poets. Submission guidelines: http://www.poetrylondon.co.uk/
Poetry Salzburg publishes poems, interviews, essays and reviews of recent collections of poetry. Submission guidelines: http://www.poetrysalzburg.com/psr.htm
Orphan Leaf seeks submissions. It is an eclectic magazine that stretches your creativity in many ways. You will either love the idea or not. Submission guidelines: http://www.orphanleaf.co.uk/submit.htm
Bellingham Review welcomes submissions of poems, stories, and essays. Submission guidelines: http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~bhreview/submit.htm
The Circle Magazine seeks submissions in a variety of genres for both their print magazine as well as their on-line one. Submission guidelines: http://www.circlemagazine.com/
First Line seeks submissions of short prose. It is aimed at those of you who have trouble getting started on a story by providing the first line inspiration. Submission guidelines: http://www.thefirstline.com/submission.htm
The Minnesota Review offers opportunities for cutting edge writing with a political or social theme. Submission guidelines: http://www.theminnesotareview.org/guidelines.htm
The Raven Chronicles publishes work which reflects the cultural diversity of the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and other areas of America. Submission guidelines: http://www.ravenchronicles.org/raven/rvsubm.html
Story Quarterly is an annual magazine devoted to the short story. Submission guidelines: http://www.storyquarterly.org/guidelines.asp
Cue Time - Every month we include a couple of writing ideas to help you kick start your writing sessions.
1. Visit a second hand store. Find a small object that you like, buy it and use it to write fiction, poetry, or an article on its history. There are a myriad of ideas you could pursue.
2. Visit your library and check out some magazines you don't normally subscribe to. From this can come new markets for your work or they could trigger some new writing ideas.
Industry News: Book Expo Canada 2005 has been re-scheduled to take place
June 24th - 27th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre so as not to coincide
with Father's Day weekend.
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. I submitted an article idea to a magazine editor but it was rejected. Several months later they printed an article on the same topic. I feel certain that my idea was stolen. - Ernie P. -
A. It is probable that this magazine was already considering an article on this particular subject. Magazines work many months in advance. Because there is no copyright on ideas it would be very difficult to bring a lawsuit for theft unless the article contained your idea word for word.
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: Living in Europe for years I was used to the huge variety of opportunities for writers particularly writer -in- residence positions. So it is exciting to discover that the Haig-Brown Institute has appointed Don McKay to such a position. Mr. McKay's tenure will run from November 18, 2004 until March 2005. Mr. McKay will be living, writing and meeting with writers at the Centre. If you are thinking of visiting Campbell River during this time and want to meet with Mr. McKay contact the Haig-Brown House, 2250 Campbell River Road, Campbell River, B.C. V9W 4N7 for an appointment.