Windshift for Writers & Windshift Press

January

Snow, ice and brilliant sunshine have filled the first days of 2004. These are gifts in a west coast rainforest climate. I delight in the light that streams through the evergreen sentinels that guard my house. Of course, I don't have to commute over icy roads with other drivers. In this, I am reminded of two important words for authors - perception and perspective. A word picture depends on the reader's perspective. What interpretation do they bring to each situation? Much of our communication also depends on perception. Test your own perception of what is being projected the next time you see an ad for a product or service.

Writing Tip: - "The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves." - Carl G. Jung. Make a date with yourself to go and play.

Markets
Glimmer Train's Very Short Fiction Award - is open to all themes, all subjects, all writers [published and unpublished] but submissions must not exceed 2,000 words. First prize winner receives $1,200 US, publication in Glimmer Train Stories and 20 copies of the issue in which it is published. Submission details: http://www.glimmertrainpress.com Deadline: January 31, 2004

Winnow Press Open Book Award in Poetry - offers a prize of $1,000 US, publication by Winnow Press and 25 author copies. The prize is open to all poets. Submit two [2] copies of a manuscript of between 50 and 80 pages with a $20.00 entry fee before April 26, 2004. Contact: Corinne Lee, Winnow Press, 3505 El Dorado Trail, Suite D., Austin Texas, TX 78739-5704; Website: http://www.winnowpress.com.

The Power of Purpose Awards: A Worldwide Essay Competition - is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, which will award a total of $500,000 to nineteen essay winners. The grand prize winner will receive $100,00. Submission deadline: May 31, 2004. Details: http://www.powerofpurpose.org.

The Quiet Feather is seeking submissions of poetry and short fiction. While this is not a paying market, it would give international exposure to your work. Submissions can be done electronically on the form found on their website. Contact: http://www.thequietfeather.co.uk.

History Magazine seeks material on North American social history themes. It pays 10 cents per word Cdn on publication. Contact: Jeff Chapman, Editor, History Magazine, 505 Consumers Road, Suite 500, Toronto, Canada, ON M2J 4V8, Website: http://www.history-magazine.com.

Zeppelin Adventure seeks pulp stories with a literary sensibility. Length: 2,000 - 8,000 words. Pays 5 cents per word on acceptance up to $400.00. Accepting submissions from January 1, 2004 - February 16, 2004. Guidelines: http://www.allstarstories.com.

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

1. "I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds around my neck." - Emma Goldman. Explore your capacity for joy. What gives you true joy?
2. We are often mean and miserly with ourselves. I hear you protesting. Now list ten things that you would love to do but are not doing for whatever reason. It might include something like taking a ride in a hot air balloon. Post your list. Begin working your way through it.

Industry News: Are You Now, Or Have You Ever Been An Almanac Reader? The FBI has warned police departments across the US to beware of anyone carrying an almanac especially if they are observed making notes in it. This is apparently consistent with known methods of Al-Qaida practice when researching potential targets.

This year, France will finally allow TV commercials for books. The change comes only after threats from the EU that keeping the ban in place could be considered protectionism. The concern is that the bigger publishing houses will spend their way to a bigger portion of the market share and small publishing houses and authors will suffer as a result.

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. Does the disclaimer at the front of a novel stating that none of the characters bears any relation to any living person free me from the threat of a libel suit? - Rudy H. -

A. It would obviously help to reduce such a threat if someone felt that they had been libeled provided the statement is true. It is best to check as far as possible that none of your characters could be identified with a living person. For example, if one of your characters is a doctor with an unusual specialty, an unusual name, and living in a particular place, you would be wise to change these details to something more generic.

Q. I know that I should write every day but I often find it hard to get started. How can I overcome this? - Lesley L. -

A. I'm glad you asked this question. Many writers need some sort of exercise or routine to get them going each day. A common practice amongst published writers is to leave a sentence half finished. The next day re-read several paragraphs to remind yourself how you wanted to finish the sentence and go on from there.

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:

Here is a chance to pamper yourself in March. The Vancouver Island Chapter of Romance Writers of America is hosting a Royal Rendezvous at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC on March 12 -14. This is a chance to meet authors, editors and agents. Even if you are not specifically a romance writer there will be a lot on offer. For further details check out http://www.poboxes.com/vic-rwa.