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.
February - This year finds us facing many changes both global and local. Change is growth and here on the west coast of British Columbia my hydrangea is leafing out already. Small blades of grass have begun to cover last summer's drought ravished garden space. Hope.
I remember my very first creative writing teacher instilling in me the idea that without some angst in my life, I would write only mediocre novels. She was very flamboyant and this was London, England so I didn't believe her. Today, I know with certainty that she was right. My best writing has always come out of a crisis. It may take months after the crisis to emerge and it may not have anything to do with the crisis that seeded it but it comes just the same. Moreover, yes, this wonderful gift of writing flows through me when I least expect it.
How does your
best writing emerge? If you would like to share your process, send an
e-mail and we will include your thoughts in next month's newsletter.
Writing Tip: - Changing Attitudes - The way in which we address
issues such as teenage sexuality, social divisions, drug abuse, explicit
language and disabilities has been shifting markedly over the past couple
of years. You may want to do some research in your local bookstore or
library before trying to place your next writing piece. Once you familiarize
yourself with this change, it will help you to shift your perspective
in language, plot and dialogue from traditional literary stereotypes to
portrayals that are more realistic.
Markets
Anthology - Matthew Schmeer, Assistant Professor of English, Dept of English,
Modern Languages & Philosophy, Francis Marion University, P O Box
100547, Florence, SC 29501-547, USA is seeking poetry, prose poems, short
fiction [under 1,500 words] on crows for an anthology. Deadline is March
31, 2003. Info/guidelines: mschmeer@fmarion.edu Website: http://www.poetrymidwest.org/crow.html
The Mystery Review - Barbara Davey, Editor, P O Box 233, Colborne, ON, Canada, K0K 1S0; E-mail: mystrev@reach.net; Website: http://www.TheMysteryReview.com is a quarterly publication for mystery readers. Pays on publication. Publishes mss. approx 6-9 months after acceptance. Responds in 3-4 weeks. Query the editor first with your ideas. Payment depends on length and type of submission. Does not publish short fiction.
Pacific Northwest Writers Assn - encourages all writers to enter their 2003 Literary Contest. There is more than $9,000 US offered in cash awards. Deadline is February 18, 2003. For more details: http://www.bbbooks.com/contests.html
The 5th Annual Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition - offers $10,000 US first place prize and Hollywood contacts with established production companies. Deadline is March 3, 2003. For application and rules visit http://www.scriptapalooza.com or Tel: 323 654 5809
Author Mania - announces its short story writing contest. Winner receives $1,000 and publication on AuthorMania.com. Postmark deadline is February 14, 2003. Entry fee is $20.00. For full details visit: http://www.authormania.com
Would That It Were - 509 Elm Str., Suite 603, Dallas, TX 75202; E-mail
editor@wouldthatitwere.com;
Website: http://www.wouldthatitwere.com
is an online publication that specializes in period science fiction. Pays
on acceptance 3-5 cents US per word. HINT: They are very sensitive to
spelling and grammatical errors. Do check before submitting. Check website
for full submission guidelines.
Weiser & Weiser, Inc. Literary Agency - Olga Weiser, 25 E. 21 Str., 6th Flr, New York, NY 10010 -handles mainstream fiction and non-fiction. Will work with previously unpublished/unagented writers. Do not send mss. Query with outline/proposal and SASE. Responds in two weeks to queries. Terms: 15% commission on domestic sales and 20% on foreign sales. Charges for administrative work.
*NEW*
Cue Time - We have added a new section to the Windshift Newsletter. Every
month we will include a couple of writing ideas to help you kick start
your writing sessions.
1. Listen to the radio and write down a few lyrics from the first song that you hear. Use these lyrics to jump-start ideas for a poem, essay or piece of fiction.
2. Create
a pessimistic character. Create his or her direct opposite by making an
optimistic character. Put both characters in the same setting and let
them talk.
Industry News: The results are in. USA Today says that sales of books on their bestseller lists were down a whopping 20% on the fourth quarter of last year. At Borders, fourth quarter comparable sales to date are down 2.5 % compared to last year. At Barnes & Noble, comparable store sales fell 3 % over the holiday period. If all the 'big players' are suffering does this mean hope for independent bookstores and independent authors. I haven't seen any figures yet but I can hope. The 'big boys' are blaming their losses on 9/11, the threat of war, various other disasters and on the fact that there hasn't been a 'must have' book for some time. Here's your chance to break in big time!
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 have begun to send out free-lance pieces. What is the best way to invoice for the pieces that are accepted? - Maria P. -
A. Congratulations on making the move to free-lance writing. I invoice every piece that is accepted. It is always helpful to have a paper trail especially for those publications that pay on publication rather than on acceptance. I have software that invoices for me but you can make your own template or use a Microsoft template [if you use Word]. They have templates in the template gallery at www.microsoft.com. In general, you want to include your name and address, the publication's name and address, the title of your article, the date you turned it in, and the agreed payment amount. Include any other information that will prove useful to you or the commissioning editor. Be sure that it is numbered and dated so that you can keep track of it. Keep a copy for your records.
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: For those of you who have been looking for the 2003
Windshift workshop schedule I am finalizing plans for several forthcoming
events. You will be notified well in advance so that you can plan to attend.
We have had a rush of new authors so I am going to have to scale back
my workshop schedule somewhat for the next few months. Contact me if you
have a special workshop request and I'll see what we can fit in.
To unsubscribe Contact Windshift Press .
Windshift for Writers
PO Box 7-5
Thetis Island BC V0R 2Y0
Canada
Tel: 250 246 1888
Fax: 250 246 1888
Contact Windshift Press
Windshift for Writers © 2001, 2002