MORE BITS & PIECES

MORE BITS & PIECES FOR Writers/Authors #122
REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - JERRY LEWIS, age 83, American comedian, award-winning actor, producer, writer, director, best-known for his slapstick humor and charity fund-raising telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Lewis has won several awards for lifetime achievements from The American Comedy Awards, The Golden Camera, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, The Venice Film Festival, and he has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Lewis taught a film directing class at the U of Southern California in LA for a number of years, mentoring such students as George Lucas. In 2005, he received the Governors Award of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors, which is the highest Emmy Award presented. Many of Hollywood's filmmaking advances were due to Jerry's clout at the box office, such as the video assist system used widely today. And like the energizer bunny, he keeps going, even though his health is failing.

EXPRESSO FICTION - accepting stories 1000/3500/wds which challenge, intrigue, provoke, stimulate, resonate, designed for a ten-fifteen minute read. All genres welcome (with the exception of sci-fi/fantasy). Flat rate $30US/story published, paid via Paypal + a 6-month subscription/member bonuses. Guidelines: http://www.espressofiction.com/information_writers.php (should be opening for submissions soon)

WRITERS VILLAGE - Two no-cost fiction courses (via email) that run six times a year, plus a free online workshop on character building and a newsletter. This is one to bookmark for upcoming courses in these hard times. URL: http://writersvillage.com/f2k.html

GO WORLD TRAVEL - tell us about the people, the treasured regional customs, or the places where locals hang out. 700/1200/wds. If you are a new writer to this publication, it’s preferred to send a completed manuscript. If you prefer to query first, you must include sample clips. $25 for features for text/accompanying digital photos. Depts: $15. One-time rights. Janna Graber, Features Editor. janna.graber@goworldtravel.com Guidelines by email: guidelines@goworldtravel.com URL: http://www.goworldtravel.com

HISPANIC BUSINESS MAGAZINE - for/about Hispanic entrepreneurs/professionals. Feature stories highlight significant trends in the US Hispanic market; includes profiles of successful entrepreneurs, analysis of economic trends, news/data on such topics as government procurement, workplace diversity, politics, advertising, entertainment, events. Query first, all articles are assigned. E-mail: via online form, select "editorial." Guidelines: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/aboutus/guidelines.asp

FILED BY AUTHOR - Every author with a book published in the U.S. and Canada can join filedbyauthor, take advantage of their online marketing tools and update and enhance their free page offer - add a photo, biography, links and files. Upgrade to a premium membership level and access more digital tools including blogging, event listings, online press kit, customized header, and more. Readers are now joining the community as well. URL: http://www.filedby.com or email info@filedby.com for more information.

JUNIOR BASEBALL – gives needs/interests of the youth baseball player, parent, coach. For 7-17-yr old, with emphasis on the 10-14 yr old experience, for the kids who play the game, along w/wholesome values as sportsmanship, teamwork, pride, responsibility, respect for others. $0.20/wd. Guidelines: http://www.juniorbaseball.com/who-is-jb/contact-us.html

PLENTY MAGAZINE - both print and online versions feature a variety of green-focused topics from lifestyle to food and travel. Looking for creative, well-researched ideas that put a positive spin on protecting the environment. Plenty editors like fleshed-out pitches that are detailed, not vague. Up to $1 a word; online-only publication is $150/story. Send query & clips to editorial@plentymag.com URL: http://www.plentymag.com

SIERRA MAGAZINE - bimonthly publication, looking for "strong, well-researched, literate writing on significant environmental and conservation issues." Their features usually focus on the work of the Sierra Club. Sierra pays around $1 a word on acceptance. They prefer written queries sent the old-fashioned way, no emails. Submit queries & clips to: Managing Editor, Sierra Magazine; 85 Second Street, 2nd Floor; San Francisco, CA 94105-3441. URL: http://www.sierraclub.org

PUMP UP THE PROSE CONTEST - Deadline: April 15, 2009. Novella length short fiction
Write in any genre. Remember this is an open forum; romance and adventure are appropriate - porn and gore aren't." 5000-15000 wds. $100 minimum prize. URL: http://rustyaxe.com/putp2/index.php

S. PORTIA STEELE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN POETRY AND PROSE - Deadline: April 15, 2009. Poetry, Nonfiction, Short Stories. Open to Women writers aged 50+. Poetry: One poem, maximum one and a half pgs, double-spaced; Fiction/Essay: Maximum 500 wds.
$100 prize each for poetry and prose (fiction and essays compete together) URL: http://portiasteeleaward.org/contest.htm

MINOR LEAGUE NEWS - Covering Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Football. NO snail mail. Pay: negotiable $0.08 - $0.20/wd. Query/submission: Brian Ross. brianross@minorleaguenews.com Guidelines: http://www.minorleaguenews.com/contactus/contactus1.html

PARAMETERS (Military) - manuscripts should reflect mature thought on topics of current interest to senior Army officers and defense community. Focus is on the art/science of land warfare, national, international security affairs, military strategy, senior leadership, ethics, military history w/contemporary relevance. $150 approx. for articles. Guidelines: http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/parameters/write4p.htm

WRITER’S LEAGUE OF TEXAS “The Build a Writing Practice Retreat” - April 25, 2009. Open to all. $99 members; $159 nonmembers. Dr. Saundra Goldman Location: Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Rd., Austin, Texas. Spend the day immersed in writing practice. Sit in meditation, write in your notebook, and dive deeply into your writing dreams. There will be time for instruction and writing together, as well as time to write on your own. For alumni of Dr. Goldman's previous "Writing Practice" classes, this is a chance to deepen your writing practice. For new students, the retreat will jump-start your writing and launch you in to this amazing practice. INFO: http://www.writersleague.org/programs/classes.html#goldman2