Three times a month, I'll post a writing prompt that I hope will encourage you to open a notebook. Write for 10 minutes. Don't worry about grammar or punctuation - just write. Then let the writing simmer and your mind wander for awhile.
And who knows? Maybe you'll discover a character for your next short story or a theme for a narrative essay. Or maybe you'll use the idea to create a special holiday card or photo album for someone in your family. However you decide to use your journal entry, I know you'll enjoy re-reading it months--and years--down the road.
Also: Every three months, I'll accept submissions and choose a few pieces to post for LM readers to enjoy.
Book Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc.
Contributors needed for articles about: websites for women poets, using life experience, magazine markets, networking, managing family, blogs, unique issues women must overcome, lesbian and bisexual poetry, continuing education, queries and proposals, anthologies, conference participation, contests, promotion, self-publishing, teaching tips, and other areas women poets are interested.
Practical, concise, how-to articles with bullets/headings have proven the most helpful. Please avoid writing too much about "me" and concentrate on what will most help the reader. No previously published, co-written, or simultaneously submitted material.
Foreword: Molly Peacock, the author of six books of poetry, including The Second Blush (W.W. Norton and Company, 2008).
Co-editor Carol Smallwood is a 2009 National Federation of State Poetry Societies award winner included in Who's Who of American Women who has appeared in Michigan Feminist Studies, The Writer's Chronicle, The Detroit News. She's included in Best New Writing in Prose 2009. Her 23rd book is Writing and Publishing: The Librarian's Handbook (American Library Association, 2010). The first chapter of newly published Lily's Odyssey was short listed for the Eric Hoffer Prose Award; a chapbook by Pudding House Publications.
Co-editor Colleen S. Harris is a 2010 Pushcart Prize nominee. Her book of poetry, God in My Throat: The Lilith Poems (Bellowing Ark Press, 2009), was a finalist for the Black Lawrence Book Award. Her second and third books, These Terrible Sacraments and Gonesongs, are forthcoming in 2011. Colleen holds an MFA degree in writing and has appeared in The Louisville Review, Wisconsin Review, River Styx, and Adirondack Review, among others. Her work has been included in Library Journal, and Contemporary American Women: Our Defining Passages.
Please send 2-3 topics you would like to contribute each described in a few sentences and a 65-75 word bio using the format of the bio's above. Please send in a .doc Word (older version) file by September 30, 2010 using POETS/your last name on the subject line to smallwood@tm.net. You will receive a Go-Ahead with guidelines if your topics haven't already been taken. Contributors will be asked to contribute a total of 1900-2100 words. Those included in the anthology will receive a complimentary copy as compensation.
Fiction coeditor Kristina Riggle's second novel, The Life You've Imagined, an Indie Notable pick for September, is out today! Booklist writes, "(Riggle) explores what happens when real life diverges sharply from childhood dreams. Her strong and complicated female characters are interesting and likable, and she ably weaves together multiple story lines."
Riggle's first novel, Real Life & Liars, takes place over the weekend of Max and Mirabelle Zielinski's thirtieth anniversary party, a family reunion at which a number of family secrets and lies are revealed. Riggle narrates the story from the perspectives of Mira and her three children: Katya, a suburban mother of three who, as Mira puts it, "drags [her younger siblings] along under the wheels of her train"; Ivan, a struggling songwriter who can't see the love that's right in front of him; and Irina, who is accidentally (reluctantly) pregnant and married to a man who isn't going to let her screw it up. Publishers Weekly wrote, "With ease and grace, Riggle walks the fine line between sentimentality and comedy, and she has a sure hand in creating fun, quirky characters."
We're all looking forward to reading The Life You've Imagined; join the book's Facebook page or visit Kristina Riggle's website for regular updates on readings and events!
Posted in Calls for Submissions
by
Amy Mercer on August 16, 2010
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Life has always been filled with trials, including illness, job loss, grief, addictions, and much more. God never promised that our earthly lives would be without difficulties, but he assured us that he will always be with us to share our burdens. We are looking for true stories that show God's presence during a time of trouble in your life. Our hope is that your personal story will inspire, comfort and encourage others who are also going through difficult times, regardless of their circumstance.
Please share your true stories written in the first person of no more than 500 words, along with an applicable Bible verse (from the NIV version of the Bible) and a 2-3 sentence prayer. If you have already submitted a story to the Devotional Stories for Times of Trouble database, please do not submit it again as we have received it.
Stories should not have been previously published by Chicken Soup for the Soul or other major publications.
Here are some suggested topics, but we know you can think of many more:
Cancer or other health issues
Death of a loved one
Job loss or economic issues
Addictions
Divorce or separation
Crisis of faith
Disappointment or unfulfilled dreams
Depression or mental illness
Miscarriage or loss of a child
Bad days or bad luck
Troubled childhood
Tragedy of any kind
... and any other stories you would like to share
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $100 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story, as well as the right to resell it.
SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com
Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions.
DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28, 2011.
Posted in Classes
by
Amy Mercer on August 11, 2010
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For those of you who have always wanted to learn to write your stories of motherhood, but can't afford the Momoir classes, here's your chance. The Momoir Project is offering its first-ever scholarship to two deserving moms.
The scholarship is open to any moms who want to join the fall online session of Writing for Moms. The classes run for 6 sessions, spread over 12 weeks and will introduce you to the basics of writing a good memoir. Through readings, in-class writing assignments and sharing your stories with other moms, you will connect with other moms, get inspired and learn a lot about yourself.
You must legitimately not be able to afford the classes, and be able to articulate why. You do not qualify if you have already paid for the classes, or if you've been a student before. Winners will be chosen based on need and the quality of the writing in your essay.
Entry requirements:
All you need to do is write a personal essay explaining why you want to write and why you can't afford the classes. Only those essays posted as a comment to this blog will be considered. Deadline is: August 30. Winners will be announced on September 5, by email. Only those who win will be contacted.
http://www.themomoirproject.com/
Posted in Literary Mama
by
Karna Converse on August 9, 2010
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Amy Stockwell Mercer, Columnist (Chronic Mama) and Blog Co-Editor: "I've signed my book deal with Demos Health! I'll be writing a book about women and diabetes, tentatively titled, The Diabetes Handbook for Women: Authentic Advice on Everything from Eating to Dating to Motherhood."
Kristina Riggle, Fiction Co-Editor: "My second novel, The Life You've Imagined, debuts August 17th. It's the story of three friends and a mother connected by a dying family business learning to cope with life as it is, not as they planned. It's been recognized by indie booksellers as an IndieNext Notable pick for September. I'm very excited to send this book out in the world and see how people connect with Maeve, Anna, Cami and Amy."
Jennifer Marie Donahue, Publicity and Marketing Manager:, "My short story, "Resting in Place", appears at Necessary Fiction. This story examines the boundaries of family and forgiveness. The idea for this work developed from a quick ten minute writing exercise -- a good example of how writing practice can help improve your craft and generate new ideas."
Vicki Forman, Reviews Editor and former columnist (Special Needs Mama) writes that she and nine other fantastic bloggers, have been named a Must-Read Mom by BlogHer and Parenting Magazine
for 2010. Other Must-Read Moms include Christy Everett from Following Elias, Dawn Friedman from This Woman's Work, Eve Kuckuck from Impersonating Normal, Julie Marsh from The Mom Slant, Linda Sharps from All & Sundry, Liz Dwyer from Losangelista, Lori Holden from Weebles Wobblog, Polly Paganhart from Lesbian Dad, and Ronnie Tyler from Black and Married with Kids.
"Working with Cassie Premo Steele worked well for me because she offered very concrete feedback. The questions she asked got me going where I needed to go. She was direct, yet supportive. There is a fine line between encouraging and critiquing, and I feel Cassie Premo Steele is very adept in that arena."
I am soliciting essays for an anthology on women of color's self-image/body image as shaped by family, friends, media, society, history, lived experiences, etc. I'm looking for smart, accessible, and snappy personal narratives that also offer nuanced analysis of the underlying constructs that affect how we perceive ourselves. Exploring intersectionality of identities is extremely important. I particularly want the voices of women of color that are not often heard to be represented, such as trans* WOC, disabled WOC, queer WOC, WOC outside the U.S., WOC with eating disorders, working class/poor WOC and fat WOC. Of course, all the varied perspectives any woman of color can offer are welcome.
This is an exciting project, as this topic has not been explored in depth and including such a diverse collection of viewpoints before. The final manuscript will be submitted to relevant independent publishers.
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