More Bits & Pieces #154

MORE REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - MARION JACOBSON, age 95, a former teacher and guidance counselor in the Wausau School District in Wisconsin. Her love of reaching out to kids has never waned. That's part of the reason she wrote, "Why the Giraffe Has a Long Neck," and "Paddy, the Lonesome Turtle," a 23-page story about a turtle with no friends, her second children's book, both books written in her 90s.

WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS OF THE FUTURE CONTEST – Deadline: Dec. 31, 2009. Short Stories. Open to authors with no published novels or short novels. 17,000/wds/max in short fantasy, sci-fi or horror. $1000 each quarter, one winner also receives annual $5000 grand prize. Guidelines: http://www.writersofthefuture.com

2010 THOROUGHBRED TIMES FICTION CONTEST – Deadline: Dec. 31, 2009. Short Stories. 5000/wds/max on a facet of the Thoroughbred industry (horse racing, breeding etc). $600, $300, $200 + winners pub’d in mag. Honorable mention winners who are published will also receive cash prize. Guidelines: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/competitions/fiction-contest/thoroughbred-times-fiction-contest.aspx

FIRSTLINE – professional trade mag, seeking nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork: communication and practice management for veterinary team members. 250-2000/wds depending on dept. Guidelines: http://veterinaryteam.dvm360.com/firstline/static/staticHtml.jsp?id=162994

NORTH BREEZES - sailing mag focusing on Great Lakes & Midwest sailing community. Guidelines: http://www.sailingbreezes.com/Sailing_Breezes_Current/guide/writersguidelines.htm

SHADES OF ROMANCE MAGAZINE - Romance: historical, contemporary, paranormal, mystery, regency Futuristic, & Time-Travel. Guidelines: http://www.sormag.com/guide.html

FUSE PLAYWRIGHTS STUDIO, UK - opportunity for playwrights who have links to Scotland to get their play in front of artistic directors of a number of Scotland's top theatre companies. Any subject and submitted in languages other than English (though these may take longer to process). NO Musicals. Only considers plays that have not been produced previously, by writers who are Scottish or based in Scotland. Accepted plays will be produced with royalties to author. Julie Ellen, Creative Director julie@playwrightsstudio.co.uk Guidelines: http://www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk/fuse.html

THE TUBE & PIPE JOURNAL - nonfiction, photos/artwork, instructional "how to" & "guidelines for" metal tube & pipe industry that are objective, educational, technical to help metal forming & fabricating practitioners learn about techniques, tooling, machinery, & management concepts. Guidelines: http://www.fma-communications.com/Authors-Guide.cfm

AVIATION NEWS, UK - monthly mag covering all aspects of aviation, past & present. Aimed at both people in the aviation industry/enthusiasts. Seeks articles on military and civil aircraft, airports, air forces, historical subjects, news items. Considers high-quality photos. 5000/wds/max. Rates negotiable. Request guidelines from editor. Contact list: http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/aboutourcrew.html

TODAY’S CATHOLIC TEACHER - nationally circulated mag for K-8 educators concerned w/private education in general and Catholic education in particular. Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork, any topic of practical help, concern, or interest to educators in Catholic schools. Guidelines: http://www.catholicteacher.com/pdfs/writetct.pdf

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES - nonfiction, photos/artwork that deal w/economic, business, and career-related issues of interest to physicians looking for their first or next practice opportunity. Guidelines: http://www.uoworks.com/writers.html

WRITE BUSINESS/COMPANY HISTORIES - Pitch your writing services to CEOs, public relations officers, business owners, associations, and the Chamber of Commerce. Do your research and then begin the document with a surprising fact, include provocative quotes, explain historical context and corporate milestones. This can also develop into writing annual reports, business plans, catalogs, corporate profiles, product film scripts, and industrial training video scripts.

LITERARY CONTEST SCAMS –Writers should bookmark this link & check the list before entering any writing contest. http://windpub.com/literary.scams

MORE BITS & PIECES FOR Writers/Authors #153

MORE REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - ANGEL TAVIRA, age 84, a one-handed violinist who dedicated his life to Mexican folk music and won a Cannes Film Festival award for his first movie at age 82.

DRAMATICS MAGAZINE – professional association for theater education. Also home of the International Thesbian Society. Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork on acting, directing, playwriting, or technical theatre. Guidelines: http://www.edta.org/publications/writers_guidelines.aspx

USDA CONNECTION - publishes freelance-written features, health articles, personality profiles, how-to training articles, first-person accounts of life in the dressage world. All articles must focus on USDF programs or members or on dressage: nonfiction, photos/artwork, features, personality profiles, how-to and first-person accounts of the dressage world. Guidelines: http://www.usdf.org/connection/contributing-guidelines.asp

UU WORLD - Quarterly denominational mag of Unitarian Universal Association of Congregations seeks nonfiction, columns/depts, fillers, photos/artwork. Purpose is to help readers build their faith and act on it more effectively in their personal lives, their congregations and the world. Guidelines: http://www.uuworld.org/about/submissionsguidelines.shtml

WASHINGTON MONTHLY - covering politics, government, culture and media. Seeks nonfiction investigative and opinion-based feature articles 2000-5000/wds, occasional short news items and humorous sidebars 500-1000/wds), book reviews of recent political and cultural titles 800/wds. Guidelines: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/inside/writersguidelines.html

WEIRD TALES - Fantastic and weird fiction, poetry, nonfiction, fillers, stories. Founded in 1923, Weird Tales quickly became the chief source for many types of fantastic fiction over a substantial portion of the 20th C; it helped launch the careers of imaginative authors as wildly diverse as H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury and Tennessee Williams. The present incarnation has been published continuously since 1988; we are all about stuff that is weird. Truly extraordinary fiction you cannot find anywhere else. Guidelines: http://weirdtales.net/wordpress/contact/submission-guidelines

VERBATIM: THE LANGUAGE QUARTERLY - publishes original articles dealing with any aspect of language. Seeks nonfiction. Up to $500, depending on length, wit, and other merit. Guidelines: http://www.verbatimmag.com/writers.html

1st SAINTS & SINNERS SHORT FICTION CONTEST – Deadline: Jan 2, 2010. Entry fee $10 A Program of the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, Inc., in Collaboration w/NO/AIDS Task Force. Original, unpub’d short stories 5000-7000/wds on the broad theme of Saints and Sinners. Contest open to authors at all stages of their careers and to stories in all genres. One grand prize of $250 and two 2nd place $50. Top stories will be pub’d in an anthology from QueerMojo, an imprint of Rebel Satori Press. Guidelines: http://sasfest.org/first-annual-short-fiction-contest Entry Form: http://sasfest.net/wp-content/files/ficcon10.pdf

EDGAR AWARDS - Deadline: Nov. 30, 2009. All books, short stories, TV shows, films [and plays] in mystery, crime, suspense, intrigue fields are eligible if they were pub’d or produced for the first time in the U.S. during this 2009 calendar year. Books from non-U.S. publishers are eligible if they are widely distributed in the U.S., are readily available on the shelves in brick-and-mortar stores for the first time during the judging year. Works should be submitted by the publisher, author or agent. Prestigious award. Guidelines & entry forms: http://www.mysterywriters.org/?q=Edgars-Forms

CHARLOTTE NEWBERGER PRIZE FOR POETRY – Deadline: Dec. 21, 2009. Sponsored by Lilith Magazine. Edgy, exciting poems touching in any way on Jewish women's experience. Contest open to male and female authors, but entrants should familiarize themselves w/mag, geared toward Jewish women. Entries need to have both feminist and Jewish content. Submit 1 - 3 poems, 100 lines/max/each. $150. Guidelines: http://www.lilith.org/writers.htm

BOOKRIX TRAVEL SHORT STORIES CONTEST – Deadline: Nov. 30, 2009. Free registration. Short Stories, Nonfiction. It may deal w/a travel journey to a new place, time traveling, revisiting one's past, visiting a lost love or a new one, or an inner journey. 25 BookRix pages/max. Awards: $1000, $500, $300. ($1800 in cash prizes for authors & 10 Amazon Vouchers each worth $20 to win for readers.) Guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/ydgraho

SCRIBOPHILE NANOWRIMO CONTEST – Deadline: Dec. 7, 2009. No entry fee. Books
Submit the first chapter of your NaNoWriMo 50,000/wd. novel. $50 Amazon Gift Card, $25 Amazon Gift Card Guidelines:: http://www.scribophile.com/contests/nanowrimo-09

LITERARY CONTEST SCAMS –Writers should bookmark this link & check the list before entering any contest. http://windpub.com/literary.scams

START A NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER - Solicit advertising fees from local businesses. Do research on publishing fees. Profile a personality. Interview ordinary people in your neighborhood with extraordinary stories. After interviewing the person and collecting researched information, begin the article with a succinct hook capturing the person's attitude, explain who the person is, quantify his or her efforts. You can also sell the profile and photos to features editors of papers and mags. Write about the eco-friendly businesses. Sell different versions of the article to trade magazines, environmental magazines, the local paper and the business owner as part of his PR kit. Provide photos of people doing their work.

MORE BITS & PIECES FOR Writers/Authors #152

MORE REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - KERMIT LOVE, age 91, the costume designer who helped puppeteer Jim Henson create Big Bird and other "Sesame Street" characters. Love was a designer for some of ballet's most prominent choreographers, including Twyla Tharp, Agnes de Mille, Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine. Love designed costumes and puppets for film and advertising, including the Snuggle bear from the fabric softener commercials. Love always insisted Henson's famous frog wasn't named for him.

STUDENT TRAVELER - Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments to motivate college students to see the world with fun, fresh editorial. Query Eric Tiettmeyer eric@studenttraveler.com All sorts of student opportunities at: http://www.studenttraveler.com/mod-htmlpages-display-pid-2.html#editorial

18th TOM HOWARD/JOHN H. REID SHORT STORY CONTEST - Entries accepted until March 31, 2010. Ten cash prizes totaling $5550. Top prize $3000.Seeks short stories, essays, other works of prose. Up to 5000/wds. $15,entry fee payable to Winning Writers, Attn: Tom Howard Short Story Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060. Guidelines: http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/tomstory/ts_guidelines.php

AKRON LIFE & LEISURE - Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: people, places, entertainment, arts and other important stories pertaining to Greater Akron, Ohio. Greater Akron to be Summit, Medina, Portage, Northern Stark and Northeastern Wayne counties w/downtown Akron as its base. 300-4000/wds. Topics: personality profile, history (especially with modern twist), business profile, the arts, education, sports and outdoor activity, charity activities, home improvement, fashion, gardens, health care, recreation and food. Guidelines: http://www.akronlifeandleisure.com/guidelines.asp

IMPACT MAGAZINE, Canada - Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork on Calgary's sport, health, and fitness world. Submission deadlines are 16 weeks prior to publishing date. 600 -1800/wds. See editorial calendar. Guidelines: http://www.impactmagazine.ca/guidelines.html

TRAPPER & PREDATOR CALLER - leading source of practical, comprehensive info for North American fur harvesters. Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork about trapping, predator calling and muzzleloader hunting. Highest consideration will be given to stories focused on methods and equipment used in trapping, calling or hunting. Accepts historical pieces, personality profiles and unusual experience stories. 1500-2500/wds. Query Jared Blohm, Managing Editor jared.blohm@fwpubs.com Guidelines: http://www.trapperpredatorcaller.com/writers%20guidelines

WOODWORKING PLANS AND PROJECTS, UK - woodworkers from beginner to expert. Projects should be well-illustrated w/step-by-step descriptions, plans, high-quality photos. Also carries reviews of latest woodworking products and relevant technical articles. Contact Matt Long, mattl@thegmcgroup.com w/outline of ideas. Neg. rate & rights. Guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/5ouf39

LAKE SUPERIOR MAGAZINE - Seeks nonfiction, fiction, columns/depts, photos/artwork about Lake Superior region - history, current events, life styles, environment, tourism. Up to $600, depends on length, importance of story, writer's experience. Features: 1600-2200/wds. Depts/Columns: 900-1400/wds. $65-125. Guidelines: http://www.lakesuperior.com/news/editguidelines.html

EST/SLOAN FOUNDATION PROJECT - full-length and one-act plays, and musicals. Topics related to a broad range of issues. $1000-10,000 each are available for script proposals. Rewrites $1000-5000 are available. Deadline for proposals Nov.30, 2009. Deadline for script submissions Dec. 31, 2009. Guidelines: http://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/est_sloan.html

WRITERS' VILLAGE (UK) SHORT FICTION CONTEST – Deadline Dec. 31, 2009. Entry fee £5 ($8.20) 1st prize £150 ($246); 10 further prizes of £10 ($16.40) to writers whose short fiction shows the greatest originality, mastery of the craft skills of creative writing and power to move the reader. Any form of fiction may be submitted up to 3000/wds, in any genre, short stories or a section from a WIP. Guidelines: http://www.writers-village.org/competition-rules.php

INTERNATIONAL WRITER’S WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES & SEMINARS - URL: http://www.screenwriter.com/WritersCalendar.html

MORE BITS & PIECES FOR Writers/Authors #151

MORE REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - VIDAL SASSOON, age 80, retired from the beauty industry and now spends much of his time on philanthropy. He established a charitable foundation and supports the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Sassoon, whose career spanned more than four decades, became famous for his modern, low-maintenance styles and is the founder of the worldwide brand of shampoos and salons. At age 80, he is helping build Habitat homes for Katrina victims.

WATERCOLOR ARTIST - bi-monthly mag for artists of all skill levels working in water-based media. Must inform, instruct or inspire the water media painter. Readers want specific ideas and tips Seeks nonfiction, fillers, photos/artwork. Writers are paid depending upon the length and complexity of article submitted. Usually does not exceed $500. Guidelines: http://www.artistsnetwork.com/upload/images/Queries_WCA.pdf

FLASHQUAKE (Global) - independent, quarterly, web-based publication that focuses on flash fiction (very short short stories), nonfiction (such as memoirs, essays, creative nonfiction, humor) and poetry. All submissions must be under 1000/wds, and poetry less than 35 lines. Shorter works will be reviewed more favorably. By e-mail only, to submit@flashquake.org Place manuscript in body of text. No attachments. USD5 to USD25 depending on length and quality. All rights remain with author. See editorial calendar Guidelines: http://www.flashquake.org/guidelines.html

BUST MAGAZINE - women's lifestyle mag, seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. 250-2500/wds. depending on section. Guidelines: http://www.bust.com/Info/Submit-to-BUST.html

PARROTS, UK - monthly, full-color consumer mag for parrot and parakeet enthusiasts. Seeks articles on members of the parrot family, including budgerigars, amazons, cockatoos, cockatiels, macaws, lovebirds, lories, lorikeets, conures etc. Provides readers w/variety of articles dealing w/veterinary health, breeding, pets, conservation, bird behavior and general parrot info. Considers pet stories sent in by readers. Inclusion of good quality photos or artwork will increase chance of acceptance. 600-4000/wds. Paying market. Rates & rights negotiable. Gilly Lloyd, Editor parrots@imaxweb.co.uk Guidelines: http://www.parrotmag.com Use “contact” link.

ALASKA AIRLINES MAGAZINE - in-flight mag for Alaska Airlines, 80% freelance. Columns include Journal (arts and culture), Business, On Location, Profiles, Sports, Technology and Travel. Rates begin at $50-100 for shorts through to $300 for columns and $500 for features. Guidelines: http://www.alaskaairlinesmagazine.com/contributor

SATURDAY EVENING POST - nonfiction needs include how-to, gardening, pet care/ training, financial planning, subjects of interest to family-oriented readership. For nonfiction articles, indicate any special qualifications you have for writing about the subject, especially for technical or scientific material. 2500-3000/wds. We buy all rights. Up to $400. Guidelines: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/resources/magazine/submitwork.shtml

YOUTH TODAY – features businesses that provide services to youth, evaluation of programs for youth. Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Stories run from 600/wds-2500/wds. $150 to $2,000. Payment depends on story length and complexity. Guidelines: http://www.youthtoday.org/template/page.cfm?id=137

CAPPER'S - nationally distributed monthly tabloid publication, emphasizes home & family to readers who live mainly in rural Midwest. CAPPER'S uses historical, inspirational, nostalgic, family-oriented, travel & human-interest stories; unusual accomplishments, collections, occupations, hobbies, etc. 500/1500/wds. Up to $300. Guidelines: http://www.cappers.com/contributors-guidelines

OF INTEREST TO POETS & POETRY LOVERS - http://www.poetryspeaks.com

WRITING WORLD: HOW TO CRAFT A GREAT ARTICLE - Part I: Structure, Focus, Unity and Flow http://www.writing-world.com/basics/dawn06.shtml Part II: Hooks, Leads and Endings.
http://www.writing-world.com/basics/dawn07.shtml

HOW TO RESPOND TO FALSE CLAIMS OF COPYRIGHT OR TRADEMARK - One of the favorite tools of both cults and corporations seeking to take embarrassing information off the Internet is to falsely claim a violation of a copyright or trademark. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, enacted in 1998, set out a notification procedure that can be used to request an ISP to remove allegedly infringing material from a web page. However, there is a defense against this attack if you feel you’ve been targeted: it's called a COUNTER NOTIFICATION LETTER. Most people don't know how to write such a letter, which is why Dave Touretzky dst@cs.cmu.edu put together this helpful form. URL: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Terrorism/form-letter.html