MORE BITS & PIECES FOR Writers/Authors #156

MORE REASONS TO KEEP WRITING - ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN, age 89, whose stubborn, lonely and combative literary struggles gained the force of prophecy as he revealed the heavy afflictions of Soviet Communism in some of the most powerful works of the 20th century. Solzhenitsyn had been an obscure, middle-aged, unpublished high school science teacher in a provincial Russian town when he burst onto the literary stage in 1962 with “A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.” The book, a mold-breaking novel about a prison camp inmate. Suddenly he was being compared to giants of Russian literature like Tolstoy, Dostoyevski and Chekhov. Over the next five decades, Solzhenitsyn’s fame spread throughout the world as he drew upon his experiences of totalitarian duress to write evocative novels like “The First Circle” and “The Cancer Ward” and historical works like “The Gulag Archipelago.” “Gulag” was a monumental account of the Soviet labor camp system, a chain of prisons that some 60 million people had entered during the 20th century.

VETERINARY ECONOMICS – monthly prof’l trade mag for practicing veterinarians that provides detailed articles about the business of client and patient care. We cover topics related to practice management, including personnel solutions, communication, practice finances, personal finances, day-to-day management issues, client relations, life balance, and more. 250-1200/wds, depending on dept. Guidelines: http://veterinarybusiness.dvm360.com/vetec/static/staticHtml.jsp?id=356190

TEXAS MONTHLY – solidly researched reporting that uncovers issues of public concern, reveals offbeat and previously unreported topics, or uses a novel approach to familiar topics. Any issue of the magazine would be a helpful guide. Stories must appeal to an educated Texas audience. Covers Texas, general interest, travel, business, technology. Seeks nonfiction, columns/depts, photos/artwork. Neg. fees. Guidelines: http://www.texasmonthly.com/writeguide

ONLINE – Exploring Technology & Resources for Information Professionals. Written and edited for librarians and other professionals who routinely use online services for information delivery, research, and knowledge management. Practical, how-to advice on the efficient and effective use of electronic information. The readership runs the gamut from novice to experienced researcher, and covers the entire range of electronic information topics, including industry trends; new products and technologies; professional, business and consumer online services; the internet; enterprise-wide information management; practical search and information management techniques; information professional roles and responsibilities, electronic content; quality issues; web design from an information professional perspective; intranet/extranet creation and promotion; and search engines. Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Guidelines: http://www.infotoday.com/online/authors.shtml

2010 NORTHWEST PERSPECTIVES ESSAY CONTEST – (University of Oregon) Deadline: Jan. 31, 2010. No entry fee. Open and Student categories. 2000 wds/1500 wds for Student category. Prizes: Open Category – 1st $750; 2nd $300; 3rd $100. Student Category – 1st $500; 2nd $200; 3rd $75. Guidelines: http://www.oregonquarterly.com/essay.php

DAME LISBET THROCKMORTON FICTION CONTEST – Deadline: Jan. 31, 2010. Entry fee: $17. Original short stories, or chapters that stand on their own, should use 3500/wds/max to dazzle the judges. Four cash prizes: $350, $125, $75, and $50. Winning stories will be pub’d in an anthology w/selections from the short list. Four winners will receive complimentary copies. Also offers a critique service for those who wish to see their story's score and comments from the judges. (This service is an additional $25.) Guidelines: http://www.coffeehousefiction.com

PLOUGHSHARES - Seeks fiction, fillers. Subjects: Short story, poetry, novel exerpts. Also see editorial callender. Guidelines: http://www.pshares.org/submissions/page.cfm?intContentID=28

SCALE AUTO ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE – All about model cars. Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork, and looking for model builders, collectors, enthusiasts who feel their models and/or modeling techniques, experiences would be of interest and benefit to our readership. Looks at the quality of accompanying photos and illustrations, content of the how-to-material, and the writing style. Guidelines: http://www.scaleautomag.com/en/The%20Magazine/Submission%20Guidelines/2009/11/ARTICLE%20SUBMISSION%20GUIDELINES.aspx

WILLIAM SAROYAN INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR WRITING 2010 - Deadline: Jan. 31st, 2010. Given by Stanford University Libraries in partnership w/William Saroyan Foundation, recognizes newly published works of fiction and non-fiction w/$5000 award for the winner in each category. The prize is designed to encourage new or emerging writers and honor the Saroyan literary legacy of originality, vitality and stylistic innovation. Official entry forms: http://library.stanford.edu/saroyan

TRAVEL AFRICA, UK - quarterly mag w/8-9 features on traveling in Africa per issue w/a variety of destinations and themes - wildlife, history, travelogue and activities. Prefers articles with accompanying high-resolution photographs. 1000-2000/wds. Deadlines given in Writers' Guidelines. Rates negotiable depending on length and if illustrations available. Guidelines: http://www.travelafricamag.com/content/blogcategory/104/65 (follow link for pdf doc)

W.B.YEATS SOCIETY of NY POETRY COMPETITION - Deadline Feb. 1, 2010. Open to members and nonmembers of any age. Entry fee $8. Poems in English up to 60 lines, not previously pub’d, on any subject. First prize $250, 2nd $100. Winners and honorable mentions receive 1-yr memberships in the Society and are honored at a Society event. Guidelines: http://www.yeatssociety.org/contest.html

CARIBBEAN TRAVEL & LIFE - requirements are that the writing be superb, the subject be something unique and interesting, and the writer must know his/her material. Readers demand behind-the-scenes stories, off-the-beaten-path destinations and ahead-of-the-curve knowledge about the Caribbean. Seeks nonfiction, columns/depts, fillers, photos/artwork about vacation, travel, recreational, cultural opportunities of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda Island. Guidelines: http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/article.jsp?ID=36466

DO YOU LIKE ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES? – Then write about your interest. Visit thrift shops, granny's attic, secondhand bookstores in person for old books and mags w/glimpses of the good ol' days. Write about the history of objects. Reseach the net for information to help. Find an unusual object? Look it up, and write an article.

JOURNAL WRITING - Canvass local shelters. Lead creative writing workshops at abused women's shelters, juvenile offenders' centers and other places where writing can heal and illuminate. Select projects that build on strengths. Workshop leaders help participants express previously inexpressible thoughts and feelings. Team up with a psychologist or other behavioral therapist for the most beneficial effect on your students.

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