MORE BITS & PIECES # 130

REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - WILLIAM GIBSON, age 94, playwright. Gibson wrote a dozen plays, including the Tony-winning "Two for the Seesaw," but would be forever known for "The Miracle Worker." First written for television, the story of a young Keller forging a relationship with her teacher, Annie Sullivan, made its Broadway debut in 1959. The production earned Tonys in 1960 for best play, best actress (Bancroft) and best director. His first moneymaking piece was a short story published in Esquire for $150 during the 1930s. At the suggestion of his agent, Gibson began writing for the stage. He wrote five plays while honing his skills at the Topeka Civic Theatre in Kansas, then returned to New York and started work on "Two for the Seesaw," which ran for more than 700 performances in New York. His last play was "Golda's Balcony," a one-woman show starring Tovah Feldshuh as Israeli prime minister Golda Meir during one of her most difficult times, the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Although the 2003 play marked the last time Gibson wrote for Broadway, he continued to write novels, short stories and poetry. "The act of writing makes everything possible to me," Gibson said in a 2003 interview with The Associated Press at his home in Stockbridge, Mass. "I've always found the business of writing has helped me to live."

SR STATION - goal is to provide useful, quality content about the SF Bay Area to help generate an even greater interest in our local organizations and businesses. In the process of reaching our goal, we aim to entertain, promote awareness, and develop an interactive relationship with our users. $20/article. URL: http://www.sfstation.com/editors/guidelines.htm
Online form: http://www.sfstation.com/app/contact/us.php

STRANGE HORIZONS - wants stories which have some literary depth; styles which are unusual yet readable; structures that balance inventiveness with traditional narrative. Under 5000 wds. 4 cts/wd. First-printing world exclusive rights for 2 months. Guidelines: http://www.strangehorizons.com/Guidelines.shtml

WRITER FIND – freelancing; full-time; telecommuting writing positions. http://www.writerfind.com/freelance_jobs

iPULP FICTION - publishes short genre fiction, 6000-8000 wds and can be read on a Mac, PC, iPhone, or iPod Touch. They’ve started the "New Voices" program for 2009 slate for middle grade, young adult, and adult stories in these categories: Mystery: Classic & Whodunits; Noir & Hard Boiled. Supernatural/Horror; Sci-Fi: Society & Technological Sci-Fi: Space & Other Worlds Fantasy; Romance/Chick Lit; Adventure/Thriller. Competition will be rigorous. iPulp is particularly interested in acquiring young adult and adult romance and chick lit stories. New Voices authors receive the same royalty rate as name authors. 40% paid monthly. URL: http://www.iPulpFiction.com

WEB EXHIBITS - An informative site that explains the history of poetry, introduces
its 18 forms and invites visitors to have a go and writing a poem
in each form. http://www.webexhibits.org/poetry

LEISURE BOOKS FRESH BLOOD CONTEST – call for manuscripts. Leisure Books, the company "leading the way in publishing paperback horror,"* is partnering with Rue Morgue magazine in association with horror fiction web site ChiZine, to present "Fresh Blood," a new writing contest specifically for UNpublished horror authors. The winner will receive a contract for publication in Leisure's 2011 lineup, and a contract from ChiZine Publications for a limited-edition hardcover release in 2011. (Check also their monthly contests) Guidelines: http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?ID=2681

THE CANDA PRIZE - Deadline: July 1, 2009. Poetry/Short Stories, 4500 wds/max poem or short story based on the Canda Verses. No limit to the number of submissions per person. $50 prize and publication. Guidelines http://thecandaverses.wordpress.com/candaprize

RICHARD J MARGOLIS AWARD - Deadline: July 1, 2009. Nonfiction. Essays or nonfiction articles that combine warmth, humor, wisdom and concern with social justice. Submit at least two articles, preferably no more than 30 pgs total. Work may be previously published. $5000 stipend and one-month residency at Blue Mountain Center in the Adirondacks. Guidelines: http://www.margolis.com/award

BRANDING SHORTS - Looking for an inexpensive mini-book trailer? Three teaser lines, music, book cover image, for authors on tight budget. INFO: http://www.brandingshorts.com

VETERINARY ECONOMICS - a monthly professional trade magazine for practicing veterinarians provides detailed articles on practice management and financial matters, veterinary hospital design, client relations, contractual and legal matters, investments, day-to-day management, marketing, personal finances, practice finances, personnel, collections, and taxes. Covers news/issues within the veterinary profession. Up to $400 for articles. Query info: http://www.dvm360.com/veterinary/static/staticHtml.jsp?id=573028

WEEKEND ADVENTURES - a regional travel magazine, its focus on vacation destinations in Western Maryland, The Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. Subjects of articles include outdoor adventures, historical places, dining out, getaways, day trips, equipment, attractions, etc. $50 for features [over 1,000 wds]. First North American serial rights, including rights for publication on our Internet website. Guidelines: http://www.wamonline.com/writers.htm

ActivPursuits, UK - interested in timely, topical and provocative themes, articles which describe new ideas, routes, discoveries or destinations; articles which provide a fresh and provocative perspective on a familiar theme or destination. http://www.activpursuits.com 600+ wds/ longer features 1100+ wds. Query first in no more than 100 wds to editor@activpursuits.com ActivPublishing Limited, 1 Dunley Hill Court, Ranmore, Dorking Surrey RH5 6SX, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)1483 280891. Fax +44 (0) 1483 280892. Guidelines: http://activpursuits.com/submitted/How-to-Submit-a-New-Article

FREECYCLE NETWORK - In this day and age of really tight money, I wanted to tell you about a fantastic group. The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,756 groups with 6,775,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free. Posted items go quickly, and it is a tremendous help to those who are looking for items. The link below will help you find a group in your area. INFO: http://www.freecycle.org