Thought for the Month

To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition." - Samuel Johnson

Hello Writers and Readers,

Taking Samuel Johnson's words in their broadest context has allowed me to view home not only as a domestic residence but on a wider scope to include thoughts of Canada as we celebrate our country's birthday this month.

Where are you finding your happiness this month? In a world fraught with challenges it is our responsibility as writers to expand the view of culture beyond the negative.

I'm off to happily pick strawberries from my little garden. They have finally arrived.

Happy writing,

Sandra

Markets:

Bellevue Literary Review seeks submissions of outstanding writing related to themes of health, healing, illness, the mind, and the body. Submission guidelines: http://www.blreview.org/Contest/contest_guidelines.htm

The Ecotone Evolution seeks submissions for its forthcoming contest in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Submission guidelines:http://www.ecotonejournal.com/evolution.html

The Malahat Review seeks entries from Canadian, American, and overseas authors for its Creative Non-Fiction Prize. Submission guidelines: http://www.malahatreview.ca/creative_non-fiction_prize/info.html

Juked is accepting entries for their 2008 Fiction and Poetry Prizes. Submission guideline:http://www.juked.com/prize/

American Zoetrope is seeking submissions from play and screen writers. Submission guidelines:http://www.zoetrope.com/contests/

Gival Press seeks submissions for its forthcoming short story contest. Submission guidelines:http://216.197.127.196/gp/index.cfm?rsn=209&mn=Contests

Memoir (and) seeks submissions for their forthcoming Nonfiction Prize. Submission guidelines:http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/

Smartish Pace seeks submissions for its annual Erskine J. Poetry Prize. Submission guidelines:http://www.smartishpace.com/home/contest.html

Writers Journal seeks submissions for their current poetry competition. Submission guidelines:http://www.writersjournal.com/CalendarofContests.htm

Our Stories seeks submissions for the Best Emerging Writer Contest. Submission guidelines:http://www.ourstories.us/contests.html

Southern California Review seeks submissions for their First Annual Fiction Prize. Submission guidelines:http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/mpw/students/SCR_Contests.php

July discount of 25% to all newsletter subscribers

Manuscript Evaluation -Treat yourself or a writing friend/relative 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 e-mailing Windshift. Please put 'manuscript critique' in the subject line.

Publishing News:

Margaret Atwood has won Spain's Prince of Asturias prize in the
literature category. The jury praised her work for its "sharpness and irony" and said that she "defends the dignity of women and denounces situations of social
injustice."

The Prince of Asturias is Crown Prince Felipe, heir to the throne, who
founded the awards.

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J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has sold more than 400 million copies worldwide. The London Guardian newspaper noted that the boy wizard "will still have his work cut out to catch the Bible, which, according to the Guinness Book of Records, has sold 2.5 billion copies since 1815, and has been translated into 2,233 languages or dialects. Rowling would be more likely to catch Mao Zedong's Little Red Book, which has reportedly sold 900 million copies, but its sales are slowing down."

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Prepare to be shaken and stirred by a year-long celebration of the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth. According to U.S. News & World Report novels featuring James Bond have sold more than 100 million copies and films based on those books have grossed almost $4.5 billion.

To celebrate this cultural phenomenon, "Britain is pulling out all the stops--like so many Taittinger champagne corks--with a series of special events and memorials, including a Goldfinger golf tournament, a gala charity concert, and the issuing of six Royal Mail stamps featuring covers of some of the most popular Bond books."

Home News:

Now for something a little different. I have been speaking to a number of authors lately about the book events they have attended and where they might improve their sales at these events. It doesn't matter if you are talking to friends and relatives at a backyard barbeque or participating in an event in the largest bookstore or book trade venue in the country the following holds true.

Remember that the impact of your sales presentation is 55% visual, 38% vocal and only 7% content. These percentages result from research performed by Albert Mohrabian and are common knowledge among people who sell and write about sales for a living. We instinctively know this and yet where do we spend our time? We concentrate on the content. Try to focus more on how you look, the visual clues you present, and the way you manage your voice.

A great cover is your best envoy~!!

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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