Thursday, August 12, 2010

MORE BITS & PIECES FOR Writers/Authors #189

REASON TO KEEP WRITING: LENA HORNE, age 92, sultry singer, actress, was the first black performer to be signed by a major Hollywood studio and went on to gain international fame as a singer. She performed in several musicals including Thousands Cheer (1943), Ziegfeld Follies (1946), Words and Music (1948). Frank Nugent, critic, screenwriter, later wrote in Liberty magazine that Lena Horne was "the nations top Negro entertainer." At the time, Horne was earning $1000 a week from MGM in addition to $1500 for each radio appearance and $6500 for playing nightclubs. Her first movie was ‘The Duke Is Tops’ in 1938. During WWII that Horne began criticizing the way black soldiers were being treated. As a result, the songstress was dubbed a communist sympathizer by Senator Joseph McCarthy (McCarthyism) and was blacklisted. She didn't do any new movies or television for the next seven years when her tenure with MGM was up in 1950. In 1957, Horne recorded her album, “Lena Horne at the Waldorf-Astoria,” which was recorded live at the famous hotel owned by Conrad Hilton. It went on to ‘Top Ten’ status and was the best-selling album by a female singer in RCA Victor's history. Lena Horne received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 1989 Grammy's, was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991, and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - one for motion pictures, the other for her recordings. A brilliant, gracious, productive woman to the end.

AMERICAN SNOWMOBILER – looking for travel stories, sled modification stories, How-to describing how to modify or improve sled -complete w/pictures, personality stories about interesting people of note in the snowmobile world, any topics that give readers a look at and solid info about new areas where they can snowmobile. Guidelines: http://www.amsnow.com/en/sitecore/content/Home/The%20Magazine/Contributor%20Guidelines/2005/06/CONTRIBUTOR%20GUIDELINES.aspx

ARMY MAGAZINE – features 1000-1500/wds. Sidebars to features or photo essays 250-500/wds. Accepts book reviews, guest columns. If interested in book reviewing, write regarding your areas of interest, expertise. Guidelines: http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/aboutarmy/Pages/ARMYMagazine%27sWriter_sGuidelines.aspx

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY – accepts nonfiction, fiction, fillers, book excerpts, essays, general interest, humor, personal experience, travel, poetry. Contact page to query Senior Editors: http://www.theatlantic.com/masthead Faq page for additional contact info: http://www.theatlantic.com/faq

CHRYSALIS READER – spiritual, literary topics, poetry. Audience includes people from numerous faiths and backgrounds. Many work in psychology, education, religion, the arts, sciences, or one of the helping professions. The style of writing may be humorous, serious, or some combination of these approaches. Essays, poetry, and fiction that are not evangelical in tone but that are unique in addressing the Chrysalis Reader theme are more likely to be accepted. Readers are interested in expanding, enriching, or challenging their intellects, hearts, and philosophies, and many also just want to enjoy a good read. Guidelines: http://www.swedenborg.com/page.asp?page_name=ChrysalisWriterGuidelines

ESCAPEES MAGAZINE - RV club mag, primarily a compilation of articles, tips, personal views submitted by Escapees members. Although member material is considered first priority, nonmember material is also reviewed. Travel/destinations-type articles are kept to a minimum and generally selected only when the location coincides with an Escapees national event. Well researched technical and informational articles are in high demand. Guidelines: http://www.escapees.com/magazine/ArticleSubmissions.asp

KUNGFU QIGONG – Topics should be of interest to advanced, traditional Chinese Martial Arts aficionado as well as the rank beginner of any style. We welcome articles on martial arts history, weapons, training, techniques, philosophy, well-known martial artists, notable individual experiences. We are not accepting any fiction, poetry, personality profiles, comics or cartoons, or articles for or about children at this time. Guidelines: http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/about/guidelines.php

2010 WRITERS WEEKLY 24-HOUR SHORT STORY CONTEST – Start time: Sept. 11, 2010. Deadline: When there are 500 applicants. Entry Fee: $5. Each contest is limited to 500 entrants & usually fills up fast. Guidelines: http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php

BOOK CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS - http://writing.shawguides.com

WRITER’S CONTESTS - http://www.writers-free-reference.com/contests.htm

FROM MY TWITTER THREAD:
ONLINE WORKSHOP: Harness Creativity w/a Vision Board - Sept 13 - Sept 26, 2010
http://www.savvyauthors.com/event.cfm?EventID=389

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Thinking Like an Editor - Sept 13 - Sept 26, 2010 http://www.savvyauthors.com/event.cfm?EventID=481

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Stripping Down Hero & Heroine Archetypes Sept 20 - Nov 7, 2010 http://www.savvyauthors.com/event.cfm?EventID=507

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Creating Unbreakable Conn Betwn Characters/Readers Sept 20-Oct 18, 2010 http://www.savvyauthors.com/event.cfm?EventID=527

LITERARY SCAMS – Suggest writers bookmark these links & check lists before embarking on any writing venture. A search will give you more links.
http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware
http://www.spamlaws.com/literary-scams.html
http://www.bookawards.bizland.com/literary_scams.htm
http://www.authorslawyer.com/litscam.shtml
http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/avoid/av_avoid.php
http://www.writing-world.com/rights/contests.shtml