Windshift for Writers:
A resource of markets, tips and courses for writers of fiction and nonfiction
To Subscribe to this newsletter. please Contact Windshift from here.
May Newsletter
Just when I thought that the warmth of Spring sunshine would never come, we have had several days of T-shirt weather in a row. Writing can be a bit like that. Just when you think that your story, book or poem is never going to be accepted, the telephone rings or a contract comes in the mail. Finding a public voice for your writing requires a lot of patience and belief in yourself. Once J.K. Rowling lived on benefits and is now reported to have more money than the Queen. It could happen to you.
Writing Tip: - Displaced Narrator - A useful but possibly problematic variation of 'the story within a story' is the displaced narrator. A famous example of this is the character of Dr. Watson in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Usually the narrator's first person viewpoint acts to counteract the barrier between the reader and the actions of the main character. First person is the most intimate viewpoint because it addresses the reader directly. When the first person, the 'I' of the story, is a displaced narrator he/she says, "O.K. I'm not the main character but follow me as I know where the action is." This draws the reader in and reassures them that they are in for a great adventure. If not carefullyhandled the use of a displaced narrator could give your story/novel/book an old fashioned feel. If the use of a displaced narrator is problematic then why use it? Your story might benefit from a bridge between the narrator and the reader who can ask all the questions that the reader wants answered. To use it effectively, you must minimize the distancing effect. Have some fun with the idea.
Markets
Davorean Hanna
Poetry Competition - is accepting submissions until May 31 and offers
prizes of
£6,500, £2,500 and £1,250. The competition is open to
both published and unpublished poets. Submission details at http://www.eason.ie
BeWrite Books - a small press publisher who seeks fiction novels and short story collections. They pay royalties and have worldwide distribution. Submission guidelines at http://www.bewrite.net
Biscuit Publishing seeks entries for their 2003 poetry and fiction prizes. There are no restrictions on style or genre. Submission deadline is May 31. Submission details at http://www.biscuitpublishing.com, P O Box 123, Washington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE37 2YW, E-mail: biscuitpub@yahoo.co.uk
British ExPat covers a wide range of topics and welcomes contributions of poetry and prose. They don't offer payment but they will offer a link to your website. Submission details at Http://www.britishexpat.com, 17 Seatonville Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE25 9DA
Silhouette Books is launching a new line. They want fast paced, female action adventure stories [80-90,00 words] with a strong female character who finds herself in dangerous situations but always saves the day. Each book must contain an exciting romance subplot. Submit a detailed synopsis and three chapters to Lynda Curnyn, Associate senior Editor, Silhouette Bombshell?, 300 East 42nd Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA.
Dorchester Publishing is actively seeking submissions for their new young
adult imprint. The primary audience is girls aged 12 to 16. Send your
first three chapters or completed 45,000 word manuscript to Kate Seaver,
Editor, Dorchester Publishing Co. Inc., 276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1008,
New York, NY 10001, USA.
Would That It Were is a paying Internet magazine publishing historical science fiction. Submission guidelines at http://www.wouldthatitwere.com
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine is in the market for detective, crime and mystery stories of 4.00 - 6,000 words. Pays between three cents and eight cents per word. Submission guidelines at http://www.themysteryplace.com ;Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Dell Magazines, 475 Park avenue S., New York, NY 10016, USA.
Women and Environments International wants writing that examines our global community through essays, interviews, book reviews, art and poetry. Submission details: IWSGS, New College, University of Toronto, 40 Willcocks Street, Toronto, M5S 1C6, Ontario, Canada; E-mail: we.mag@utoronto.ca; website: http://www.weimag.com
******************************************************************************************
Cue Time - A couple of writing ideas to help you kick start your writing sessions.
1. Picture yourself in the middle of an orchard. Use your senses to describe this Spring scene.
2. Aging happens. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Write a poem or short story using the images and feelings you have collected from this experience.
___________________________________________________________________________
Industry News: May is Get Caught Reading month and the Association of American Publishers and the Magazine Publishers of America have planned a major publicity blitz including many events at libraries, schools and bookstores.
Commonwealth Writers Prize will be awarded in Calgary on May 8, 2003. The £10,000 award will go to the best book and the best first book written by a Commonwealth author. Thomas Allen, The Polished Hoe [Canada] is short-listed in the best book category. There are no Canadian authors short-listed for best first book.
____________________________________________________________________________
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUBSCRIBER
SUCCESSES
Congratulations to Penelope in Victoria for her recent poetry reading
at the Solstice Café and the resulting invitation to do a solo
night reading her poetry.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
___________________________________________________________________________
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. A publication that I regularly submit to and get payment from almost always prints my material completely rewritten. As there is no copyright on ideas, I am confused as to what the magazine has actually bought. Can I send this material out again? - Stephanie G. -
A. The copyright that the magazine has bought refers to the text you have written no matter how much it has been rewritten and edited. Magazines are free to rewrite material sent to them and frequently do so in order to customize it to their 'house style'. You are right that there is no copyright on ideas. There is nothing stopping you from sending out your material again but don't send the identical text as that is what was bought even though the magazine edited it. Certainly, use your material again but take a new slant on it.
*******************************************************************
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. Leanne McIntosh, a Nanaimo poet will present a workshop There's A Story In There. There will be 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. There are just a couple of places left so if you are thinking of coming, act soon.
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.
Retrun to Top
To unsubscribe Contact Windshift Press
with unsubscribe in the comments.
Windshift for Writers
PO Box 7-5
Thetis Island BC V0R 2Y0
Canada
Tel: 250 246 1888
Fax: 250 246 2205
contact Windshift Press
Windshift for Writers © 2001, 2002, 2003