The Sophia Institute
Presenter: Stephanie Hunt
September 08, 2010
7 - 9 PM
Tuition: Workshop - $25 in advance ~ $35 at the door.
Literary Mama columnist Stephanie Hunt is a Charleston-based writer and editor. A contributing editor for Charleston Magazine, Charleston HOME and a regular contributor to Skirt! Magazine, her work runs the gamut from personal essays to features, profiles and travel writing, to spinning copy for corporate clients. She also contributes to several online journals, including SOMA Review and Literary Mama. A graduate of Duke University and Vanderbilt Divinity School and former development associate at Harvard Divinity School, she brings a curiosity and passion about the life of the spirit to her writing. Stephanie lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband and three daughters.
Register online
Do you keep a journal - or wish you could get one started? Literary Mama wants to help.
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.
Look for the first "For Your Journal" writing prompts after Labor Day!
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!
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.
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/
Congrats to these LM staffers!
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.Christina Marie Speed, Literary Reflections Co-Editor: "My summer column at Moondance has posted."
Based on Cassie Premo Steele's interactive Birthing the Mother Writer column here at Literary Mama, this course will allow you to deepen your relationship to both your mother-self and your writer-self. Topics covered include self-care, the power of 'no,' accessing your wise voice within, and finding ways to deepen your writing. Each week, a reading from a Mother Writer will open discussion, and then writing prompts will allow participants to explore topics in a secure, confidential way. A Literary Mama writer who worked with Cassie earlier this year had this to say:
"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."
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - Occupied Bodies: Women of Color Speak on Self-Image - Deadline October 15, 2010
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.
Guidelines:
Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2010;
Submissions should be saved in Word format or Rich Text, double spaced, size 12 Arial or Times New Roman
500 to 5,000 words
Include RELIABLE contact information and a brief biography
Only e-mail submissions will be accepted, however, if you can't arrange that please contact me and we'll work something out.
Send submissions to: occupiedbodies@gmail.com;
Again, the deadline for submissions is October 15, 2010.
For more information go to: Red Vinyl Shoes.com
Today's children are growing up in a society where they are exposed to televisions, video games and computers at younger ages. As parent of a 3 year old and a 1 year old, I am concerned about marketing and advertising toward young children through these mediums, thus I am interested in hearing other parent's opinions about this topic. The purpose of this study is to investigate parents' attitudes toward advertising, both for themselves and their young children, aged 2- to 7-years old. By responding to the survey, you have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing to win a $50 online gift certificate. You will not be solicited other requests in the future. You must have a child between the ages of 2 and 7 years old, including these ages.
The survey will take less than 10 minutes of your time and can only be completed once. Click on the link below.
http://www.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?7D593526743C2A2D
Thank you for your opinions! Please feel free to share the link with family and friends.
Reading Period: August 1 - October 31, 2010
It's a special kind of contest aimed at helping you develop your work. Everyone's a winner because when you send in a draft, a free-write, or a piece you think may be done but you wonder about; within two weeks you'll receive detailed response to your work from master teacher Sheila Bender, author of over ten books on writing, most recently Writing and Publishing Personal Essays from Silver Threads publishing and Creative Writing Demystified forthcoming from McGraw-Hill. After you receive Sheila's response, you have until October 31, 2010 to enter a revision for final judging by a guest editor.
The earlier you get your pieces in, the more time you have for rewriting. Initial entries may be up to six pages of double-spaced prose or three poems. The rewrites you do may become longer and will be entered into the final judging by our guest editor.
Prizes!
By November 30th, three winners will receive a tuition waiver ($120) for a Writing It Real online class and a half-hour consult by phone with Sheila But everyone's a winner because everyone receives professional help on their writing!
Contest Submission Guidelines
Contest Deadline: Work must be sent electronically or postmarked by October 31, 2010. There is no additional fee for the revised draft to be entered for judging. First drafts can be up to six pages double-spaced of prose or three poems. Expect Sheila's response to the work by email within two weeks. Our electronic submission form and mailing directions are below. Second drafts may be longer than the initial entry and should be mailed or emailed (iinfo@writingitreal.com) by November 15th.
$15 Reading Fee for Current WIR Subscribers: If you are sending a check from outside the United States, be sure the amount in US dollars is officially typed by a bank and not handwritten. Checks should be made payable to: "Writing It Real." The electronic submission and payment form is below.
$45 Reading Fee for new subscribers or renewals: That is $30 for a year's subscription to Writing It Real and $15 for the contest reading fee. If you are sending a check from outside the United States, be sure the amount in US dollars is officially typed by a bank and not handwritten. Checks should be made payable to: "Writing It Real." The electronic submission and payment form is below. To read more about Writing It Real please visit our magazine page.
Note: International entrants who use Ikobo for payment may submit their manuscript to info@writingitreal.com Credit cards are accepted using the link supplied with the online submission form.
Mailed Essays: The submitted essays and poems must be accompanied by the reading fee and a cover sheet that contains the author's name, title of the works, phone number, address and email. Pages should be numbered. Don't worry; the cover sheet won't be counted toward length; so again, please make the cover page separate from the essay. Mailed submissions will NOT be returned -- NO SASE's please.
Paper submissions should be mailed to:
Writing It Real Contest
394 Colman Drive
Port Townsend, WA 98368