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WIWA NEWSLETTER
News from the Whidbey Island Writers Association
Vol. 7, No. 4 August - September 2007
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CONTENTS
Letter from the Editor, by Achaessa James
WIWC 2008 Conference News
Teasers – What’s in store at the Fireside Chats
Other Exciting News - a word from our Conference Director
WIWA Announces
On the Island
Off the Island
MFA Program Update:
MFA Student's Young Adult Novel Accepted for Publication by Westside Books , by Wayne Ude
MFA Program’s Newest Faculty Member, by Wayne Ude
Recent Releases
Cheers!
Contests and Market Requests
WIWA Web Site News and Member Services
WIWA’s Wish List
WIWA Seeks
Volunteer Web Page Administrator
Volunteer Roving Reporters
Quotations
CyberSurfing
Writers Ask / Writers Respond
To Contact Us or Submit an Article
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability” – Sam Keen
I start my letter this month with the above quote to remind us all that despite the increase in sunlight, summer is always a rather hazy time. Besides the waves that rise from the blacktop to blur our paths, I believe heat is capable of creating mental waves as well. From this we get sailing-lather, hiking-bewilderness, surfing-floption, picnic-pother and other forms of communication confounding distractions. For example, we got this voice message at the WIWA office: “A lady contacted another lady named Francoise about a typewriter. At the time, the typewriter was in storage. I have since found the typewriter.” Where was the caller’s mind when she left this message? Looking out her Island window at a green garden-tangle? Will the typewriter still be in sight when lady number one thinks of calling Francoise again?
If such are the mysteries of summer and its hypnosis of heat, why are there so many ALL NEW Contests and Market Requests with deadlines of September 15? Perhaps they expect only truly dedicated writers will respond this time of year. I confess, I was lazy, and found many of the announcements on my favorite contest listing on the Poets & Writers Web site. (Did you sign up for their lovely newsletter like I told you to in June?)
For you truly dedicated writers, and you know who you are, we also have some exceptional one-day summer workshops, and both the On the Island and Off the Island sections are full of fun things to do when you’re not in the mood to write but want to remain active in your professional community.
And speaking of professional community, David Wagoner is not only our MFA Program Poetry Faculty but also a Writer in Residence at the Richard Hugo House, where he is available – for free – to meet with writers to discuss their writing. Aside from his monumental publishing accomplishments, his poetry, read by him, took my breath away at last year’s WIWA Annual Meeting. I had no idea this program was available when I lived in Seattle. I would swoon to be able to sit with him and analyze my poetry (and not from embarrassment – he is totally approachable). So, local poets and writers, pick up your telephone and make an appointment. There are five Writers in Residence at the Richard Hugo House waiting to become part of your writing community.
But wait, if you’re looking for substantive critique of your work presented in written form for you to ponder and absorb at your own pace, you’ve got to participate in Critique-Mania. This fundraiser for WIWA’s literary journal Soundings only carries a $20 application fee – probably the same amount you’d pay for gas to drive to Seattle but without the highway time. Hurry, though, submissions will be accepted August 1 through August 31 only.
And, finally, the MFA Program has lots to celebrate this month including a new faculty member and our first graduation party. And, not to be outdone, there are a number of surprises in the WIWC 2008 Conference News section as we prepare for our 10 th birthday bash. Don’t worry I didn’t spill all the beans at once. I’ll have more surprises for you in October.
Okay, I’ve run out of steam. Browse. Click. Enjoy.
Keep writing and keep in touch!
Sultry regards (of the first definition), Achaessa
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WIWC 2008 CONFERENCE NEWS
Teasers – What’s in store at the Fireside Chats
The Conference Committee has been working very hard – well, if you can call meetings at Elizabeth’s place with good food and brownies “working hard.” Anyway, I got my hands on a secret list of Fireside Chats and we’ve got quite the lineup this year – 15 chat houses plus three Master Classes.
I thought I’d share some of the best titles with you:
Crime : Elizabeth George - Crime novel as literature and how to make it thus; Deborah LeBlanc - Shape shifting (take charge of your career); Katherine Ramsland - Writing as a Calling
Fiction : Randy Sue Coburn - Mining for gold in difficult relationships (Christopher Vogler will be at one of our two Fiction Fireside Chats, too, so sign up quickly!)
Children’s/YA chapter book : Joni Sensel - Starting with a bang or an axe: the importance of first sentences; Effin Older - How not to get published—ever, ever, ever (our award winning Kirby Larson will be part of this Chat, too – there are just too many good choices!)
And our two newest Fireside Chats:
Food Writing : Greg Atkinson - Taste and memory; Bharti Kirchner - Somebody’s in the kitchen: cookbook writing and publishing (Deborah Madison’s presentation doesn’t have a title yet, so I’ll just call it Chef’s Surprise, I’m sure it will be delicious.)
Writing and speaking; merging the twin talents : Jack Dalton - Make ‘em feel it, Stephanie Elizondo Griest - Hustling 101: making a living with your writing
Even though the official registration form isn’t on the WIWA Web site yet, it’s not too early to register for the conference now. As you can see, we’ve got some big names coming this year and the Fireside Chats are on a first come, first served basis. I’d be so sad if you missed out on meeting your favorite author at our intimate chat houses just because you waited too long to register. Give the office a call or send them an e-mail http://www.writeonwhidbey.com/Contact_Us/ and tell them you want to register now. I don’t want to be the one to say “I told you so” when that favorite Fireside Chat is full…but I will.
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And now, a word from our Conference Director, Elizabeth Guss
Probably the biggest news right now is the number of classes targeted for the ADVANCED writer. We describe the advanced writer this way: has finished a full-length work and has had publishing successes. Needs advanced writing and editing techniques, professional feedback on current work, new approaches to creativity, and encouragement to stretch to new writing horizons.
We will feature three Latina presenters – travel and memoir author Stephanie Elizondo Griest, poet Lorraine Healy, and producer/instructor Marilyn Atlas.
An unbelievably exciting session will be on Saturday afternoon with Christopher Vogler and Maureen Murdock together in Writing the journeys: a discussion of hero and heroine quests, adventures, and motivations.
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WIWA Dues Increase. At the last board meeting, it was resolved that WIWA membership will increase in September from $20 to $30 per year. Current members may want to renew early to avoid the increase. Don’t know what your membership benefits include besides this spiffy newsletter? Check out the Member Benefits page. And speaking of board meetings, it was also resolved that board meeting minutes should be posted to the Web site. You can read them at WIWA Board Minutes.
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WIWA’s Literary Journal Holds a Literary Fun-raiser – Critique Mania: Authors Get Critical to Raise Funds for Soundings. More than 50 authors will critique writers' works to help raise funds for Soundings magazine. We’re close to meeting our pre-publication funding goal and for only $20 you can bring us closer AND have your work reviewed by a professional writer or editor. (Critiques usually range from $25 to $75.) For your $20 you'll receive a detailed critique of your manuscript by September 30, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’re moving Soundings toward publication. Submissions will be accepted August 1 through August 31 only. WIWA members get first choice of reviewing authors. Follow these links for more details: submission guidelines and information about the participating authors .
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WIWA Fall 2007 Classes. WIWA-sponsored writing classes are a great way to build your professional resume. If you are interested in teaching with WIWA, please e-mail the office as soon as the topic pops into your head at wiwa@whidbey.com . To get a good response, we need to start advertising your class as early as possible.
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ON THE ISLAND
3rd Tuesday Whidbey Island Writersat 3 Cats Cafe. Join your Island writing colleagues the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Bayview Corner. Dessert, espresso drinks, wine available. Call 360-221-5460 for more information.
Peace, Love, and a Summer of Poetry and Performance. We here on gorgeous Whidbey Island are making plans to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the "Summer of Love.” These celebrations are intended to remind us all of the original intent of that long ago summer - to focus not only on love, but on peace and how individuals, art, poetry and music can indeed change the world, making it a better place for all. The kickoff event was on June 30, but there are gatherings set for two more Saturdays, August 11 and September 15, so mark your calendars. Celebrations will feature poets, writers, musicians, and all who wish to celebrate the summer, love, and peace. We'll have an open mic for readers and musicians not already signed up to perform who'd like to bring a little more love and peace to the occasion. For more information, contact the WIWA office at wiwa@whidbey.com to be put in touch with the Mistress of Poetic Amor and our MFA Poetry Professor, Molly Cook.
MFA Program Debuts New Faculty . Children/Young Adult author Carmen T. Bernier-Grand is joining the MFA Program’s faculty upon the departure of Kirby Larson (who is taking a break from teaching to write full time thanks to the tidy sum that accompanies the Newbery Award for Hattie Big Sky). Bernier-Grand will read from her work at the Coupeville Coffeehouse on Thursday, August 23. Also reading will be MFA faculty members Susan Zwinger and Bruce Holland Rogers. The reading begins at 7:15 p.m., and the public are most warmly invited to welcome our newest faculty member. Editor’s Note: Read more about the MFA’s newest faculty member in the MFA Program Update section.
Poetry Slam at the Dog House , 230 First Street, Langley, September 19 and November 14, both are Wednesdays, at 7:30 p.m. The slams have become so successful that two more venues have asked for our poets to come party in Coupeville and Oak Harbor. For details on these out-of-town round ups, contact the WIWA office at wiwa@whidbey.com to be put in touch with the Grand Slam MC, Jim Freeman.
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WIWA Summer 2007 Workshops. We’ve got a second great harvest of one-day summer workshops to take us through the rest of summer. See the summaries below or go to the workshop details Web page, and then call the WIWA office at 360-331-6714 or write to wiwa@whidbey.com to register.
Making a Good Book Great. Prodigiously published Susan Wiggs will share her secrets for award-winning success. This workshop will be at a lovely, private residence on the south end of Whidbey Island, so the last day to register is August 6. Class is on Saturday, August 11, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Everything a Fiction Writer Ever Wanted to Know ... but didn't know to ask. My favorite World Fantasy Award winner and WIWA MFA professor Bruce Holland Rogers will teach you some of the lessons he learned the hard way. With a subject like that, we’ve made this a full day workshop. The last day to register is August 15. Class is on Saturday, August 18, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
What to do When You’re Stuck. Local novelist Jill Barnett has agreed to open a clear way through the summer doldrums in September. Last day to register is September 12. Class is on Saturday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
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WIWA-Sponsored Writing Groups.WIWA sponsors a broad selection of writing groups, both on-island and online. You can find the details for your particular locale or genre on the WIWA Web site at WIWA Writers Groups.
Novel Writing Group Seeks Members. Two openings are now available in the WIWA-sponsored Novel Writing Group. The group meets at noon on the first and third Thursday of the month at the Freeland Fire Station. Check out the WIWA Home page for more information.
Writers and Facilitator Wanted for Group in Oak Harbor Area. WIWA is seeking writers and a volunteer in the Oak Harbor area to facilitate the North End Writers Group. The facilitator is responsible for scheduling the participants' critiques, coordinating with WIWA, and helping the group stay on track during discussions. If you are interested in joining or facilitating the group, please contact the WIWA office at 360-331-6714 or writers@whidbey.com.
Whidbey-poets@googlegroups.com is an online poetry critique group open to all members of WIWA. To subscribe to the group, e-mail your request to wiwa@whidbey.com. During each month of 2007 we have a suggested topic for writing, however, subscribers to the group are encouraged to circulate poems on any topic at any time. Remaining 2007 topics:
August – The Battle of the Sexes
September – The Prose Poem
October – Hate and Loathing
November – Anniversaries
December – No Ordinary Trip
Editor’s Note: WIWA encourages its members to be creative in forming writing groups that meet your genre’s special needs. If you have an idea for a writing group and you’d like to take the lead in making it a reality, we’d love to assist. The proposal form and group guidelines can be found at: New Group Proposal. You don’t have to be a WIWA member to join a writers’ group, but you will have to become a member to remain in the group once you’ve joined.
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OFF THE ISLAND
Richard Hugo House – Free Meetings with Writers in Residence . The more I write, the more I realize that one of my greatest sources of inspiration and motivation is talking with other writers. Each year at Richard Hugo House in Seattle, five writers-in-residence are given financial support and charged with creating exciting new work and facilitating a range of teaching and mentoring services. They hold office hours (free of charge) for five hours each week for anyone seeking advice on writing; and they also lead writing classes that reach into the heart of Seattle's urban communities. The writers-in-residence mentor people at all stages of the writing process, through personal interaction and imaginative public events that trigger an impulse to write. Visit the Richard Hugo House Web site to find out about this and other innovative programs for writers.
SoulFood Poetry Night . Every third Thursday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at SoulFood Books, 15748 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA. Featured readers, followed by open mic. Free. August 16 - Oliver de la Paz and Rick Barot. September 20 - Kelli Russell Agodon and Ann Batchelor Hursey. For directions, visit www.soulfoodbooks.com or call the store at 425-881-5309 or e-mail info@soulfoodbooks.com.
Field’s End presents The Fire in Fiction with Donald Maass on October 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bainbridge Pavilion Cinemas. A published novelist and highly successful literary agent, Donald Maass’ workshops on craft, creativity and career planning resonate with writers at every level, first-timers to mega-bestsellers. Discount for early registration before August 31, and reduced group fees for five or more who register together. Details at http://www.fieldsend.org.
2007-2008 Portland Arts & Lectures Season - Literary Arts in Portland, Oregon, is pleased to announce five speakers for the 2007-2008 Portland Arts & Lectures series. Details on these and other events may be viewed on their Web site at www.literary-arts.org.
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Editors Note: The Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA Program is a low-residency program that consists of four 16-week semesters and five 10-day residencies. Residencies are held on Whidbey Island in August and January, each followed by an online semester.
MFA Student's Young Adult Novel Accepted for Publication by Westside Books
by Wayne Ude , MFA Program Director and Fiction Faculty
Ann Gonzalez, a member of the first graduating class of the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA Program, wrote, submitted and sold the novel she wrote for her thesis project--and still has a few weeks to spare before donning the gown and balancing the mortarboard upon her head. It was at Camp Casey on Whidbey during the great winter storm in January of ‘07 that Ann had the opportunity to read the first chapter of her young adult novel to an audience of students, faculty and visiting agents, including New York literary agent Regina Brooks. The chapter, workshopped in the MFA Children’s Lit Workshop class and reviewed by Ann’s thesis advisor Kirby Larson, captured Regina Brooks' attention. She asked to see the whole manuscript when it was complete. Ann wrote, took Kirby’s revision notes, revised and wrote more. By April she had signed a contract for Brooks to represent her young adult novel, Shh, Shh, Shh, the story of a 14-year-old girl with a schizophrenic mother.
On July 12th, 2007, just nine months after putting the first words of her novel to paper, Ann signed a contract with Westside Books and expects the novel to be released in late spring of 2008. Of her experience, Ann says, "If you want to fast-track your dream of publishing a book, sign up to be a member of a community of skilled and supportive writers. WWW not only challenged me to complete my novel, they taught me how to make it better and how to navigate the world of publishing. Dream big, and then get the support you need to make it happen."
Editor’s Note: The MFA program’s first graduating class will walk down the aisle on Saturday, August 25. If you’d like more information about this exciting event, contact the WIWA office.
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MFA Program’s Newest Faculty Member: Children/Young Adult author Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
by Wayne Ude , MFA Program Director and Fiction Faculty
Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, the Whidbey MFA Program’s newest faculty member, has published a wide range of books for young people. Her six books include a biography in poems and one in prose, an anthology of Puerto Rican folk-tales and a second book of four illustrated folk-tales, and a novel. She’ll teach the children/young adult workshop as well as craft and directed reading courses.
Bernier-Grand calls herself an Orego-Rican. She has lived in Oregon for twenty-nine years, longer than she lived in Puerto Rico where she was born. She has a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico and taught math for seven years. She left Puerto Rico to study advanced math at the University of Connecticut where she met her husband. As soon as they moved to Portland, she began to write children’s books. Of her name, she says, “Grand is my married name. Grand also means big. I am very short: 4' 9" and shrinking! I will never die. Instead, I will disappear.”
Her CESAR: Yes, We Can! ¡Sí, Se Puede! won Pura Belpré Honors for her poems and David Diaz’s illustrations. Her book FRIDA: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! will be out this summer. DIEGO: Bigger Than Life, illustrated by David Diaz, will be out in 2008.
Bernier-Grand will read from her work at the Coupeville Coffeehouse on Thursday, August 23. Also reading will be MFA faculty members Susan Zwinger and Bruce Holland Rogers. The reading begins at 7:15, and the public are most warmly invited to welcome our newest faculty member.
For more about Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, visit her Web site at http://www.hevanet.com/grand/.
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Even though registration for theAugust Residency-only program has closed, it’s not too early to start thinking about the February Residency-only program. For further information, please visit the Residency-Only page.
Want to see what the MFA Program students are up to? Visit the student site at www.whidbeystudents.com - student publications, student blogs, interviews with writers, agents and editors, Northwest small press directory and much more.
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Queer Collection: Poetry and Prose 2007 (Fabulist Flash Publishing; 1st edition, June 2007) includes Catha Loomis’ essay "I Do, Undone". Catha is a WIWA member and fall 2005 residency-only participant.
Just Breathe Normally (American Lives) ( University of Nebraska Press, September 1, 2007) by Peggy Shumaker, past instructor at both the Conference and the MFA program. Shumaker's poems have always spoken with a humane voice, an accessible and lyrical style that captures a human connection with the natural world as well as a connection between humans. Now she's written a memoir that retains the lyrical and humane voice as it explores some very tough issues. The book is inspirational and poignant, as well as beautifully written.
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NOTE: When you place in a competition or get a submission accepted for publication, please let us know. We love to celebrate your successes!
WIWA member June Gillam reports that “directly related to a supportive agent/editor meeting at the 2006 Whidbey Conference, which gave me the practical pointers needed, I had a personal nonfiction piece published in both the paper and the online version of AIM (America's Intercultural Magazine--Indexed in the American Humanities Index) for which I was paid $25!” Congratulations, June, and thanks for letting us know. You can read June’s most intimate and thought-provoking essay at http://www.aimmagazine.org/stories.htm#victory
WIWA member and fall 2005 residency-only participant Catha Loomis reports: “In January, my essay "I Do, Undone" won first prize in the Writing it Real Essay Contest and was accepted for the anthology Queer Collection: Poetry and Prose 2007, which will be published this month! Another essay, "Roots and Wings," appeared in the March-April issue of Bird Watcher's Digest.”
WIWA member Cecilia Matta has had a busy summer with her article “All About Relationships: Seattle Art Museum Expansion Connects Art to Life” published in Northwest Construction as its June Cover Feature and included in the Engineering News Record newswire. Plus two more articles in upcoming editions of Northwest Construction. Read the SAM expansion article for yourself at http://northwest.construction.com/features/archive/0706_Cover.asp
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NOTE: When you place in a competition or get a submission accepted for publication, please let us know. We love to celebrate your successes in our CHEERS! section.
DATED CALLS:
Call for Poets - Burning Word 5
BURNING WORD: INCITE. INFLAME. INSPIRE. IGNITING A FESTIVAL OF POETIC FIRE!
Okay, so I haven’t gotten the actual call for presenters for Burning Word 2008, but the deadline is usually around August 15. This year, 2007, Naomi Shihab Nye had the audience drenched in hopeful tears with her poem “Gate 4A.” If you’d like to be a part of Burning Word in April 2008, keep checking the Washington Poets Association Web site for the official call for presenters http://www.washingtonpoets.org/burning_word.php
Pavement Saw Press - Transcontinental Poetry Award . A prize of $1,000, publication by Pavement Saw Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a first poetry collection. Poets who have not published a book, who have published a collection of fewer than 40 pages, or who have published a full-length collection with a press run of no more than 500 copies are eligible. More than one prize may be awarded. Submission deadline August 15, 2007. Complete guidelines are posted at http://www.pavementsaw.org.
Margie - Editor's Prize. A prize of $1,000 and publication in Margie: The American Journal of Poetry is given annually for a single poem. Submission deadline is August 31, 2007. Complete guidelines are posted at http://www.margiereview.com.
American Literary Review - Literary Awards . Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in the American Literary Review will be given annually to a poet, a short story writer, and a creative nonfiction writer. The winning works will appear in the Fall 2008 issue. The $15 entry fee includes a one-year subscription to American Literary Review. Submission deadline is September 1, 2007. Complete guidelines are posted at www.engl.unt.edu/alr/contest.htm.
Hunger Mountain , The Vermont College Journal of Arts & Letters, is a non-profit literary journal published by Union Institute & University, Vermont College in April and October of each year. The newly established Hunger Mountain Creative Nonfiction Prize will be judged by Sue William Silverman, author of Love Sick: One Woman’s Journey Through Sexual Addiction and editor of the journal Fourth Genre: Explorations in Nonfiction. Submission deadline is September 10, 2007. The prize awards $1,000.00 and publication. Complete submission guidelines are posted at http://www.tui.edu/hungermtn/nonfiction.asp.
Claremont Graduate University - Tufts Poetry Awards . The $100,000 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award is given annually to honor a book of poetry by a midcareer U.S. poet. The winner will spend one week in residence at Claremont Graduate University in California. The $10,000 Kate Tufts Discovery Award is given annually to honor a first book of poetry by "a poet of genuine promise." Poets, publishers, agents, or friends may submit five copies of a book of poetry published between September 15, 2006, and September 15, 2007, with a list of previously published work. Submission deadline is September 15, 2007. There is no entry fee. Complete submission guidelines are posted at http://www.cgu.edu/tufts.
Farmingdale State University of New York - Paumanok Poetry Award . A prize of $1,000 and travel and lodging expenses to give a reading at Farmingdale State University is awarded annually for a group of poems. The prize is given by the university's Visiting Writers Program to encourage emerging and established poets. Submit three to five published or unpublished poems totaling no more than 10 pages with a $25 entry fee. Submission deadline is September 15, 2007. Complete submission guidelines are posted at http://www.farmingdale.edu/ifs_academic_programs.html.
Robert Frost Foundation - Poetry Award . A prize of $1,000 and an invitation to read the winning work at the Robert Frost Festival is given annually for a poem written in the spirit of Robert Frost. Submit up to three poems of no more than three pages total with a $10 entry fee per poem. Submission deadline is September 15, 2007. Visit the Web site for complete guidelines http://www.frostfoundation.org/
Literal Latté - Ames Essay Award. A prize of $1,000 and publication in Literal Latté is given annually for a personal essay. Submit a manuscript of up to 8,000 words with a $10 entry fee. Submission deadline is September 15, 2007. Complete guidelines at http://www.literal-latte.com.
Northeastern University - Samuel French Morse Poetry Prize . A prize of $1,000 and publication by Northeastern University Press is given annually for a first or second book of poems by a U.S. poet. Submission deadline is September 15, 2007. Complete guidelines are posted at http://www.english.neu.edu/publications/morse.
MO: Writings From The River, The Journal Of The Montana State University - Great Falls Literary Guild. The editors are currently accepting submissions of high quality poetry, short fiction, essays and creative nonfiction (up to 3000 words for prose). Original photographs and artwork will also be considered. Submission deadline is October 30, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.msugf.edu/litguild/index.htm.
Prose and Poetry Prizes 2007 from The New Writer magazine. Now in its eleventh year, one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, novellas, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July (back copies available from Web site). Closing date November 30, 2007. Details at http://www.thenewwriter.com/prizes.htm.
OPEN CALLS
Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off! is now accepting fiction, nonfiction, poetry, book reviews, and artwork by children ages 6-12. We are looking for creative works about the following themes: Animals, The Ocean, Fairy Tales & Fantasy, Heroes, Mysteries, Sports. Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off! is scheduled to debut with a January/February 2008 print issue. Please visit http://www.launchpadmag.com to review our submission guidelines!
The Missouri Review is accepting submissions of poetry, fiction and essays. The Missouri Review is published three times a year. Submissions are open year round. Snail mail submission is free, electronic submissions must pay a $3.00 processing fee. Details at http://www.missourireview.org/main_info/guidelines.php.
Silver Boomers is now accepting submissions for an anthology of prose and poetry written by and about the baby boomer generation. Details and submission guidelines at www.silverboomers.com.
Unbound Press announces an open call for submissions. Previously unpublished work, multiple submissions acceptable if disclosed in cover letter. For details and guidelines inquire at UnboundPress@gmail.com or visit their Web site at www.unboundpress.com.
The Whidbey Student Choice Award for Short Forms Enjoy the freedom of the short form and see your story in print. The Whidbey Student Choice contest is looking for prose poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, and children's literature. Anyone can enter regardless of age, education, or country of origin. The only catch is that the piece must be fewer than 1,000 words. Every month a new student judge takes the reins, and every month it's a struggle to pick a single favorite out of the field. The winner receives $50 and the winning piece is published on the Whidbey Student Web site. If you've never entered before, do it now. If you've sent us a little gem in the past and it didn't win, send it again. Once the judge finds something he/she loves, loves, loves, the mailbox on the student Web site closes, so don't delay. Details and guidelines at www.whidbeystudents.com/WSContest.
OTHER PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Penguin's New American Library launches mystery imprint : Penguin's New American Library division is adding a new imprint, Obsidian Mysteries. Launching officially in the fall with its first hardcover originals, Obsidian will house all of NAL's mystery titles. Submissions through agents only.
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WIWA WEB SITE NEWS AND MEMBER SERVICES
Keep Up With Your Favorite WIWC Presenters
To make it easy for our members and conference attendees, WIWA links to the Web sites of past conference presenters who provide their Web site addresses to us. It’s a convenient place to look up your favorite presenters and find out where they’re reading and what they’re publishing. Just visit our Web site under Writers Conference/Prior Conference/Prior Presenter at http://www.writeonwhidbey.org/Prior_Conferences/Prior_Presenters.html.
If you’re a past WIWC presenter and your link doesn’t appear on our links page, but you would like it to, just let us know. The only requirement is that you provide a reciprocal link to WIWA and/or the conference Web site at: http://www.writeonwhidbey.org/.
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The Whidbey Island Writers Association is looking for generous individuals or groups interested in donating any of the following items to help us in our efforts to offer outstanding and new programs to local writers and readers. Please contact 360-331-6714 if you have any questions or to make a donation, or e-mail wiwa@whidbey.com. WIWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations may be tax deductible.
–Work station (student desk size) with room for a computer and monitor
–Desk chair
–Computer and monitor to run sophisticated graphics software WIWA received through a recent grant. (Please contact Elizabeth Guss, Conference Organizer, for specific details)
–The Chicago Manual of Style, University of Chicago Press
–AP Stylebook, Associated Press
–New books on writing (to be used as prizes in the annual youth writing contest)
–Phone cards
–Copy paper
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WIWA SEEKS
Volunteer Web Page Administrator
WIWA is seeking a Web Page Administrator for the Writers Conference section of the WIWA Web site www.writeonwhidbey.org Knowledge of DreamWeaver is required as well as the ability to FTP pages to our Web site. Responsibilities include timely posting of conference schedules, class descriptions, author photos and information, lodging possibilities, and other conference related issues. July and August are the busiest months, with minor updates required throughout the year -- approximately 100 hours total per year. This volunteer works closely with the WIWA Web Site Content Manager, is a member of the Conference Team and receives free admittance to the 2008 Writers Conference. For more information, contact wiwa@whidbey.com, or call 360-331-6714.
Volunteer Roving Reporters
Fame! Glamour Publishing opportunities! Join WIWA's team of volunteers as event-specific and beat reporters. I know you’re out there attending events and participating in our local writing community and our readers want to hear about your experiences. (Okay, fame and glamour I can’t promise, but two of our contributing reporters have been contacted by outside publishers as a result of their WIWA articles.)
There is no payment or stipend available for event or class tuition. Reporters will work with the newsletter editor to report on current events they attend to bring pertinent news back to our writing readership. For more information, please contact the Newsletter Editor directly at NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com.
WIWA does not pay for articles published in the newsletter, but your article will be circulated to approximately 2,000 writers, agents and publishers via our newsletter’s e-mail distribution list and posted on the WIWA Web site. After publication, all rights revert to the author, who may freely use publication in the WIWA newsletter as a publishing “clip” either in hardcopy, PDF format, or by citing to the newsletter archives on the WIWA Web site. All rights are retained by the author, but we’d love it if you cite the original publication with us when the article is republished.
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NOTE: Please send us quotations about writing that you would like to share.
"Write without pay until somebody offers to pay." – Mark Twain, submitted by WIWA member Cecilia Matta
“The challenge for any writer is to be faithful at once to your vision and your place, to the truth you have laboriously found, and the people whom this truth might serve.” – Scott Russell Sanders, submitted by WIWA member Susan Jensen
“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” – H. Jackson Brown
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NOTE: If you find a Web site you think other writers would find useful, send us the URL.
YouWriteOn is a free writers’ site funded by the UK Arts Council with members from all around the world. Our aim is to help new fiction writers develop through feedback from fellow writers, with free professional critiques each month for the highest rated new writers from editors for leading literary agents and publishers, including editors for Curtis Brown, Orion and Bloomsbury, who represent authors such as J K Rowling, Ian Rankin and David Lodge. Our affiliated agents also include The Christopher Little Agency, and Sheil Land. Follow this link to the site: http://www.youwriteon.com/.
http://thesaurus.reference.com/ - Like I said, it’s a lazy summer. Surprisingly, though, this thesaurus (also reached by simply typing www.thesaurus.com into your Web browser) is so interlinked with all the possible synonyms and antonyms that it qualifies as a first-source site for me. (Come on. You didn’t think that I invented floption, did you?)
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Do you have a question on writing or publishing that could use additional input? Do you have writing or publishing resources, information or experience that you’d like to share with our readers? Questions and responses can be sent to NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com and may be published in upcoming editions of the newsletter for the benefit of all readers.
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TO CONTACT US OR SUBMIT AN ARTICLE
We are interested in hearing from you. Perhaps you've been to a recent book fair, heard a favorite author speak, or learned valuable tips from a writing class. Perhaps you're a professional willing to share your expertise. We want your writing related articles. We want to hear your good news for the Cheers or Recent Releases columns, too. Have you discovered interesting markets, contests and cyber sites that we should know about? Or do you have a favorite quote to share? Contact us about the newsletter for any reason at NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com. For information about the Conference, e-mail writers@whidbey.org. The WIWA Web site is http://www.writeonwhidbey.org.
Remaining 2007 newsletter submission dates:
September 15 for October 1 edition
November 15 for December 1 edition
2008 newsletter submission dates:
January 15 for February 1 edition
March 15 for April 1 edition
May 15 for June 1 edition
July 15 for August 1 edition
September 15 for October 1 edition
November 15 for December 1 edition
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The WIWA Newsletter is published approximately every two months and posted to our Web site at http://www.writeonwhidbey.com/Publications/. If you would like to receive an e-mail announcing when each new edition of the newsletter is available, send an e-mail, with SUBSCRIBE WIWA in the subject line, to wiwa@whidbey.com. If you would like to unsubscribe, please reply to the announcing e-mail with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject, and we will delete you from our records. WIWA will not share or sell your name or e-mail address.