Hello, fellow FWA members and guests.
The meeting schedules are included below. We now start at 6:00 pm on Thursdays.
I would appreciate some input from the critique members on subjects they would like to cover in upcoming workshops. Please email me your suggestions or requests dgould497@aol.com
I also include information on other local writing groups and opportunities, Contests, Conferences, Classes and much more.
Florida Writer’s Association Manatee
Critique group, bring six to eight copies of up to ten pages double-spaced
First & third Thursdays, at 6:00 pm, June 6th, 2013 and June 20th, 2013
The third Thursday we generally do something a little more advanced, but beginners will benefit from it as well. We study a style concept each month and then bring work relevant to the concept to that meeting for discussion, followed by a general critique meeting. All other meetings are critiques.
First & Third Saturdays, at 4 pm, June 1st, 2012, and June 15th, 2013
For new attendees, you may bring up to ten pages, double-spaced 12 font of your work, fiction or nonfiction. Please have a minimum of 6 copies for Saturday meetings and 8 copies for Thursday meetings.
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I am going to attempt to keep you all apprised of the other local writing groups, events, conferences, workshops, and contests. If you are aware of any new groups, please let me know and I will include them. Now on to the writing news from around the region……
Other Local Writing Groups:
Local area critique groups and meetings
Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
An online writing blog for Sarasota and Manatee Writers includes all the vast resources available to local writers. The web address has been changed:
www.FloridaWritersAssociationManatee.com
I hope you check it out and find it useful. If you know of any other resources please feel free to add them or forward the information to me and I will add them.
There is a similar blog for Pinellas and Hillsborough writing events at:
http://www.marylouihess.com/enews.html
Florida Writers Assoc., Sarasota Branch
FWA-Sarasota Chapter
Coordinator: George Mindling
FWA Sarasota meets two evenings each month: on the FIRST and THIRD Wednesday. The training room of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department is located at the corner of US41 and Pavonia Road. Pavonia Road is the street that has the flashing emergency lights on US 41 south of Matthews-Currie Ford. Pavonia is about a quarter mile south of Albee Road.
The FIRST meeting of the month, June 5th, 2013 is dedicated to subgroups of various genres. The members of each subgroup bring stories, poems, articles, or novel chapters for reading and critiquing. The SECOND meeting of the month, June 19th, is the general meeting. A few members read to the entire group and then receive comments and suggestions from the group. The rest of the general meeting is dedicated to questions, discussions, progress reports, and general information about writing, publishing and marketing.
A half hour of socializing is encouraged for attendees arriving at 6:00. The regular meetings begin promptly at 6:30 and last until about 9:00. Come join us on the FIRST and/or THIRD Wednesday of every month.
You can catch up on all their news at the blog: http://fwasarasota.blogspot.com/
The leader is George Mindling. He can be contacted at: myakka@embarqmail.com.
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FICTION WRITER’S FORUM
Critique group
6:30 pm Second Thursday of the month, June 13th, 2013
Books-a-Million, Gulf Gate Mall
6:30 pm Fourth Thursday of the month, June 20th, 2013
Books-a-Million, Gulf Gate Mall
Bring ten to fifteen copies of up to ten pages of your fiction.
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Sarasota Fiction Writers
Wednesday, June 5th
General Meeting
Selby Library 2nd Floor Conference Room at 6 pm
Speaker and workshop leader, Bill Carrigan has many years of experience as an editor. He is the moderator and leader of the local Fiction Writers Forum and has assisted hundreds of writers over the years in improving their style and grammar. He’s sifting through his past experiences and distilling notes and workshops to find the deadliest mistakes in usage, grammar, diction, etc., mistakes even good writers make. TAKE NOTE: Here’s the difference between his earlier workshops and this one—from that stack of egregious errors that writers make, he will select the most frequently made errors and show us how simple self-editing can help us avoid them. This isn’t a routine workshop on grammar. It’s something we can all use.
Sarasota Fiction Writers Critique Meeting
6:30 pm, Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Books-a-Million, Gulf Gate Mall
Bring 5 pages of work to read,
At least ten copies, double-spaced, 12 font.
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Screen Writer’s Circle
Meeting place and time for the Screen Writer’s Circle is Wednesday, June 19th, 5:30 -7:30 pm in the Selby Library 2nd floor conference room.
The group has had a number of successes recently. One of the members won the top prize at the recent TV ME, the Sarasota Film Festival Screenwriting contest. Another member recently signed with a Hollywood agent who is shopping her historical fiction script. And Diane Robertson, who is also a member, also won a category in the TV ME contest. If you are interested in screenwriting, this is the group to check into.
For more information on what they are doing at the workshops, to join the notification list, or to join the group, contact Laurie Stoner at Laurissas@msn.com Hope to see you there!
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The Sarasota Authors Connection
The Sarasota Authors Connection meeting is June 10, 6 PM at Fruitville Library.
Laurie Rosin is the guest speaker and will discuss editing. She has edited THIRTY-EIGHT, get that, 38 national best-sellers. All authors, including some of our club editors, should not miss this talk.
Note: We have only one more meeting in July and then go on break for August and September. We start back up in Oct., having a bang of a meeting with New York Times Best Seller, Tim Dorsey as the guest speaker.
We are pleased to announce that Grace Bizzarro has accepted the position of Vice President of Sarasota Authors Connection. Due to my busy schedule next year, Grace will run some of the meetings. As president of Sarasota Fiction Writers for two years, she’s definitely qualified. Thanks, Grace!
The Authors Connection Radio Show
The Author’s Connection Radio Show, hosted by nationally known author Susan Klaus, is now broadcasting on Ft Lauderdale/Broward Co community WFLC Radio. Visit ftlauderdalecommunityradio.com for schedule and other information. The Author’s Connection, one of the air waves longest running shows devoted to local and global authors (over 7 years), is produced here on the Sun Coast. This addition expands the listening audience to the residents in Broward Co, North Miami and Palm Beach Co on public radio in addition to the global internet audience. This station has a high concentration of upscale readers. The one-hour, web-radio show can be heard every Tuesday from 11 AM to 12 PM and repeats on Thursdays from 9 to 10 AM on Radioearnetwork.com. The show consists of interviews with local authors as well as bestselling authors such as Michael Connolly, Tom Corcoran, David Hagberg, Tim Dorsey and others. If you have a book and would like to be interviewed, please contact Susan Klaus, the show director at furryklaus@aol.com
Radio Ear Network now has a listening audience of over 18 million in 148 countries worldwide.
Thursday’s– 9 to 10 AM
Authors Connection is now being taped at the Coffee Loft, 5025 N. Taimiami Trail, a few blocks south of the Ringling Museum on US 41 on the second Wednesday of the month.
Authors Connection Radio Show:
June Guest Speakers:
June 4 – Janny Wurts
June 11 – Ed Gaffney
June 18 – Paul Argentine & Paulette Harper Johnson
June 25 – Mel Jackson
New group
‘Write Your Life Story’
Newcomers welcome! Come prepared to read aloud a memory (up to two doubled-spaced pages), or come and just listen. First Congregational Church, Sarasota, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., off Bahia Vista. All are welcome.
We meet in Room 9 in the Education Building at 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon every Thursday.
Questions? Call or e-mail Lucy Hedrick, 203-561-9590, lucy@lucyhedrick.com)
For our writers to the north…
we have a new Florida Writer’s Association group …
The SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writer’s & Illustrator’s), critique group is led by Karen Hamade. They are just in the process of setting up their meeting day & location. Any interested parties may contact her at www.brandonwriters.com and she will be happy to email the next meeting information. They are a children’s book author critique group in Brandon, Florida, who primarily critique Picture and Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and YA. For meeting information, please use online ‘contact’ form at: www.brandonwriters.com
For those writers to our south….
Writing Group Florida Writer’s Association Punta Gorda
Peace River Writers
Group Leader: Douglas Houck
Type: Critique and Discussion
Meets: First Saturday of every Month at 9:00 am
New Location: Wyvern Hotel
101 E. Retta Esplanade
Punta Gorda, Florida
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To our FWA members:
Please welcome Gay Wasik. She will be heading The Top Shelf, FWA’s Online book store of books written by members and posted for sale on the website. She is working through a backlog of books to be posted in The Top Shelf, as well as handling requests for information. Everything should be current by April 15th. After that, all requests received for posting will be done by the 15th of the following month. Published members, this is another benefit of FWA membership. List your books on The Top Shelf and refer the public to the shopping cart to buy your books.
Contests
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Voice Magazine for Women
Calling all WRITERS! Voice Magazine for Women is holding a short story contest to gather stories for WHIMSICAL PETALS, a collection that will be released from Mountain Girl Press. You can check out the rules on Page 22 of the January issue found at www.voicemagazineforwomen.com. (Also, I have cut and pasted the rules below for your convenience. Hope you will all consider entering and please forward this email to all of your writer groups and friends!)
ANNOUNCING OUR 2013 SHORT STORY CONTEST
FROM JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC.
Enter your short story in Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.’s writing contest and maybe your story will be published in the forthcoming Mountain Girl Press story collection, Whimsical Petals in the fall of 2013.
Whether you are an experienced writer or a novice, we are currently soliciting short stories for entry into our new writing contest. Beginning January 1, 2013 and running through June 30, 2013 we will be posting your submitted short stories online at http://www.voicemagazineforwomen.com/ for our readers to read and rank. When the contest ends we will pick the top 10 stories to publish in a new short story collection from Mountain Girl Press titled Whimsical Petals. The new collection will be an addition to our other short story collections titled The Zinnia Tales, Self-Rising Flowers and Christmas Blooms. You may view those collections on our website http://www.jancarolpublishing.com/.
Contest requirements:
1.) The story must be set in the Appalachian mountains and must feature strong Appalachian women, either from the past or contemporary times.
2.) The theme of the story should reflect the Appalachian woman’s humor and grace through adversity.
3.) The length of the story must be no less than 1500 words and no more than 2500.
4.) All stories should include the name, address and daytime telephone number of the author.
5.) All stories may be submitted online at submissions@jancarolpublishing.com and should be accompanied by a $10.00 administrative fee mailed to Voice Magazine for Women, P.O. Box 701, Johnson City, TN, 37605.
6.) Contest will close June 30, 2013. Winners will be notified by a representative of Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
7.) Stories not fitting the guidelines will not be published online.
Tammy Robinson Smith/Operations Consultant
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
Mountain Girl Press~Little Creek Books~Express Editions
PO Box 701
Johnson City, TN 37605
(423) 926-9983
Okay, so you think you are smarter than a Fifth grader,
but are you SMART?
The 2013 Sharp writ book awards NOW accepting submissions!
Genres of works accepted by the 2013 Sharp Writ Book Awards:
GENERAL FICTION: Action & Adventure, Graphical Novel, Family, Saga, Historical, Humor, Inspirational, Metaphysicial, Political, Western, and Romance. Other genres may be considered – contact for approval.
MYSTERY: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Sleuths and Crime. Other genres may be considered – contact for approval.
SCIENCE FICTION: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, and Supernatural.
POETRY: All categories of Poetry
GENERAL NON-FICTION: Career, Educational, History, Military, Psychology, Self-Help, and True Crime. Other genres will be considered – contact for approval.
BIOGRAPHY / AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Books that are biographical or autobiographical in nature, including personal memoirs.
YOUNG ADULT: Books specifically targeted at a teen audience. All genres (fiction, non-fiction, etc.) of young adult are placed in this category.
CHILDRENS: Books specifically targeted at a child audience. Examples include picture books or easy readers that combine text and illustrations.
NOTE: Other categories may be opened or categories combined depending on the number of submissions received at the discretion of the SWBA.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION
- All entries must be in English and, if published, have a publication date of 2010 or later.
- A separate SWBA 2013 Submission Form must accompany each unique entry (i.e. – 1 per title).
- Printed Books: 4 printed copies must be submitted by mail.
- Electronic submission are accepted in the following formats:
- Electronic Publication (.ePub) – MUST have ISBN assigned
- Kindle (.prc)
- MobiPocket Reader (.mobi)
- Adobe (.pdf)
- MS Word (.doc)
- Electronic entries that are LESS THAN 19.9 MB: Email submission form and entry to submissions@book-awards.org
- Electronic entries that are MORE THAN 19.9 MB: Submit the submission form and a CD containing 4 copies of the entry to the shipping address below.
- Payment of entry fee may be made by check (made out to A&E SIGs) submitted via mail or by Paypal. Paypal payments may be made directly by clicking here or sent to payments@book-lovers.net. Remember to complete the payment information section on the submission form so payments may be credited to the correct entry.
- Received a discount code? Click Here to use the web form created specially for entering using a discount code. Payments for discounted entries is required to be submitted via web using a credit card. (Books can be mailed in)
DEADLINES AND ENTRY FEES (subject to change without notice):
Super Early Submission Deadline: April 15th Entry Fee: $40
Early Submission Deadline: June 15th Entry Fee: $50
Regular Submission Deadline: September 15th Entry Fee: $65
Late Submission Deadlline: October 15th Entry Fee: $80
Entry Fees waived through June 15th for books authored by members of recognized High IQ Societies:
*Recognized High IQ Societies: Mensa International, Advanced Elite, Intertel, International Society for Philosophical Inquiry, One-in-a-Thousand Society, Triple Nine Society, Prometheus Society, Mega Society, Smart Generation Xers, Smart Young Ms, Pure Smarts, Channel IQ, Smart Dancers, Smartyz
What do winners receive?
1. A personalized plaque honoring the achievement
2. Access to 1200+ members of Smart Book Lovers and 5000 members of the Intelligent Expressions Consortium, including a 50 px X 50 px display image of the winning submission on the home page for 3 months.
3. Inclusion in a special category for winners at Smart Book Lover’s online book
store.
4. Opportunity to participate in joint PR activities such as press releases and
winners announcements in prestigious publications.
5. A free review posted on our Intelligent Expressions Blog. The judging panel will
provide the full review; in addition, the winning entity (author/publisher/agent) can
provide their own mini-review (less than 300 words).
6. 30 gold foil labels printed with the words “Sharp Writ Book Awards Winner” which
can be affixed to books. More labels may be purchased.
NOTE: A Category Winner may not be awarded if less than 5 entries are received for the category.
2nd and 3rd place receive:
1. Certificate of Achievement
2. A free review posted on our Intelligent Expressions Blog. The judging panel will
provide the review.
3. 20 gold foil labels printed with the words “Sharp Writ Book Awards Finalist” which
can be affixed to books. More labels may be purchased.
NOTE: 2nd and 3rd places may not be awarded based on overall judges scores at the discretion of the Sharp Writ Book Awards.
Finalists will be announced in December, 2013. Winners will be announced by the end of January, 2014.
Ready to submit an entry? Download and entry form in either fillable PDF or MS Word format. Entry form can be mailed with submission OR emailed to submissions@book-awards.org.
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Midlife Collage sponsors a weekly contest of midlife short stories. U.S. citizens and legal residents age 40 and older may enter. The Editor selects five stories for publication on their website each week. Readers leave comments and Facebook thumbs-up likes urging the panel of Judges to choose a contest winner. Readers also send the Judges their opinion of the best story on our Closing Arguments page. The contest period is Monday through Sunday noon PT. The first-place story enters the Winner’s Circle and receives a cash prize of $50. Winners of a $50 cash prize are eligible for a $100 contest, which we run quarterly. ANYONE, worldwide, age 18 or older can comment on the stories in a contest.
*yes, the spelling is collage not college.
Classes
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June 17/June 19, 2013 Lakewood Ranch Campus Mon/Wed 10am – noon
Conferences
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Florida Writer’s Association is already planning another amazing conference for you!
The Greatest Writers Conference on Earth 12th Annual Conference
October 18-20, 2013 10/17/13
For more information, click here!
FWA Mini Conference for Nonfiction Writers
Special event for nonfiction writers!
The first FWA Nonfiction Mini-Conference will be held June 22, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the University Club in Winter Park. You may book an interview with Katherine Sands, literary agent for Sarah Jane Freymann Literary, or with Chad Rhoad, acquisition editor for The History Press.
You may also arrange for your work to be critiqued by Larry Leech, the journalist and ghost writer. Send your proposal with first three chapters to Chrissy Jackson, chrissyj@earthlink.net. Please pay online using the “Shop” tab at www.floridawriters.net. All genres are accepted, except poetry and children’s. The first ten submissions will be pre-reviewed, but if you’re number eleven, don’t despair. Make your appointment on the Shopping Cart and bring your work to the conference. Larry will review your submission on the spot.
Let’s not forget the workshops on topics addressing writing basics, the life of a nonfiction writer, ways to make money writing nonfiction, ways to publish, and more. Check the “Conference” tab of the FWA website, www.floridawriters.net and click the “Shop” tab to register online. Questions? Contact ConferenceMarketing@FloridaWriters.net.
Many writers publish memoirs, how-to- books and trade publications and run their own blogs. If this FWA Conference has significant attendance, they will continue to offer these programs for writers. If you have written or plan to write nonfiction, please come to the conference.
Some of the speakers include a lady who sold her blog for $60,000, a New York City agent, and an acquiring editor for the Florida Heritage Magazine. It is a great opportunity to learn, interview, and have your work accepted.
You must be a member of the Florida Writer’s Association, but joining is quick and easy, online at: www.floridawriters.net
For more information go to: http://www.sonfilmfest.com
Marketing Options:
For writers who have already published their books there are a few local marketing options you should consider.
• The first is Susan Klaus’ radio show, “The Author’s Connection”. “The Authors Connection” Radio Show is a one-hour, web radio show and can be heard every Tuesday from 11 AM to 12 PM and repeats on Thursdays from 9 to 10 AM on Radioearnetwork.com. The show consists of interviews with local authors as well as best-selling authors such as Michael Connolly, Tom Corcoran, David Hagberg, Tim Dorsey and others. If you have a book and would like to be interviewed, please contact Susan Klaus, the show director at furryklaus@aol.com
They are pleased to announce that Radio Ear Network now has a listening audience of 10 million in 142 countries worldwide.
Due to the closing of Circle Books, the Authors Connection is now being taped at the Coffee Loft, 5025 N. Tamiami Trail, a few blocks south of the Ringling Museum on US 41 Circle on the second Wed. of the month.
And then there is local author and publisher E. P. “Ned” Burke is hosting a Web site, Sarasota Authors Showcase, Sarasota.Authors.Showcase@gmail.com , on which local authors can post info about their books. The service is free. Send bio information along with the title of your book (s) and the book’s URL sales page address on Amazon.com or another location to authorepburke@gmail.com.
Burke also invites submissions and free subscriptions to his online magazines: www.theperspiringwriter.comand www.yesterdaysmagazette.com. See guidelines on site.
Of Writing Interest
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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Kids
101 Stories about Good Decisions, Self-Esteem, and Positive Thinking
Seeking Submissions
After the success of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, our bestselling book for adults, we decided to make a version for children too. We have teamed up with Kevin Sorbo, who is not only a successful actor, known to many as the hero Hercules, but is also the spokesperson and chair for A World Fit for Kids!, a successful mentoring program that trains teens to become heroes to the kids in their own neighborhoods by using the vehicles of school, fitness, sports, and positive role models. The program is unique because of the powerful format of “kids teaching kids” — and its success rate is astounding — working with more than 12,000 children in the Los Angeles School District, it has a 100% graduation rate in a school system that has a 54% dropout rate.
Bringing positive messages to kids at all socioeconomic levels, in all kinds of schools, is of paramount importance in a fast-paced world filled with technology and choices, temptations and challenges for children. Now, more than ever, it’s important for parents, grandparents, teachers, and other mentors to sit down with kids, get quiet, and talk. And one of the best ways to start a conversation with a child is by reading a story about another child first.
That’s the goal of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Kids — to start conversations with children about core values, good examples, making good decisions, and having the courage to do the right thing. The values that children learn today will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We hope to contribute to the building blocks that create tomorrow’s wonderful young adults through this book for today’s children.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Kids will contain 101 stories about issues that are important to children. It is geared for children 12 and under. The stories in it can be read to younger children, read by older children, and discussed with adults. The stories will be personal anecdotes that are entertaining and also impart a lesson. For example, someone might write about that summer at camp when she got up the courage to invite an unpopular girl to her house, even though other girls made fun of her for doing it. Or someone might write about the time he found a ten-dollar bill on the ground and turned it into the teacher instead of keeping it, and was glad that he did because there was a new immigrant crying because she had lost that bill and it was her family’s money for dinner that night. The stories can be just plain fun as well — someone might write about the time that he spent a month practicing saying hello to a girl and then she said hello back and it was all worth it. That kind of story can help a lot of kids too, as they wrestle with private social dramas.
Stories should be written in a way that kids can understand, but contributors do not need any special ability to write for children. Just focus on one theme per story, keep the message clear, and don’t talk down to kids or try to use “cool” language. They see right through that. We’d like to keep stories in the 500-1200 word range. We are looking for stories from your own childhood, or about children you know, written in the first person, that both entertain and educate children, and that expose them to positive thinking and good values. These stories will show children how to make good choices… even when no one is looking, how to respect the needs and feelings of others, how to develop their own self-esteem, and how to stay true to their convictions. The stories will remind kids that each day holds something to be grateful for and show them that they are not alone in dealing with difficult issues.
Some of the themes and issues we want to address are:
• Bullying • Relationships with friends and family
• Divorce • Moving
• Crushes and relating to the opposite sex • Self-acceptance
• Helping others • Being different
• Physical and mental disabilities • Following rules
• “Telling” on someone when it will help them • Doing the right thing even when it’s hard
• How it feels to do the right thing
We are not planning to include stories that might be too mature for younger readers, such as stories about abuse. We are also a “Santa safe” company — we keep the magic alive for all our readers.
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it.
SUBMISSIONS GO TO OUR WEBSITE. Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions.
The deadline for story submissions is June 30, 2013, with the book going on sale in October 2013.
CONTACT US:Please do not reply to this email address. You will NOT receive a response. For any further questions or correspondence, contact webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com.
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Agents
A recommended source for finding literary agents:
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/agents.html
Querying Agents: 10 Tips For Writers
Excerpted from Writer’s Digest Online
1. If you write across categories (let’s say you write both picture books and adult fantasy), look for an agent who handles everything you write. She might just be your perfect fit.
2. Mass mailing (or e-mailing) agents without considering each one’s specialties is a waste of time and postage. Not every agent listed here will be a good fit for you. In fact, the fewer true matches you find, the more you’ve done your research. Agents love when you query them individually and provide a reason, such as, “Because you represented such-and-such book, I think you’d be a great agent for my work.”
3. Make sure your work is edited, revised and polished. Rewriting is a crucial step to bettering your work, so be sure to have trusted peers give you an honest critique, or consider seeking a professional freelance editor to evaluate it. And never query an agent for a novel until the work is complete.
4. Single-space your query letter, and keep it to one page. Double-space your manuscript and synopsis.
5. If you lack a good opening for your query letter, just give the facts. A simple yet effective opening line would be, “I am seeking literary representation for my 75,000-word completed thriller, titled Dead Cat Bounce.” In one sentence, you can tell the agent the length, genre, whether it’s complete and the title. After that, follow with the pitch and a little biographical information.
6. Follow submission directions to a T. If an agent requests “no attachments,” your query will likely be deleted should it arrive with an attachment. If they say “query first,” do just that. If they reply to your query and ask for an exclusive read of your manuscript for four weeks, make sure you give them that exclusive look.
7. If you have an automatic spam filter, turn it off. If you’re lucky enough to garner a reply from an agent interested in your work, the last thing they want to deal with is a spam filter requiring them to prove their existence.
8. Remember that publishing is a business and there’s much to learn. If you’ve finished a novel, make sure you know how to construct a good synopsis. If you’re pitching nonfiction, you’ll likely be asked to submit a full proposal detailing the book and how you intend to sell it. If you don’t know everything that goes into a book proposal, now’s the time to learn.
9. Realize that listings are an excellent start, but there’s still work to be done. Research the agent’s website to confirm that he is indeed still seeking “electronic queries for romance novels,” etc. Also, remember the frustratingly sad reality that the publishing industry is constantly in flux. Agents quit; they switch agencies; they suddenly stop representing fiction and move completely to nonfiction. The best way to deal with this is to cast a wide net.
10. Be persistent. Every famous author has a story about how many agents rejected their work before they made a connection. Work hard, work smart and don’t give up.
New Imprint Seeking Romance Stories with Heat
Untreed Reads is pleased to announce a brand-new imprint to expand our catalog of offerings. Untreed After Dark is our new line for romance stories that take the heat level up a few notches from our sweet stories. Even though there is a lot of romance on the market today, we feel that there are still niches to fill. That’s the ultimate goal of our new line.
We do have some rules for this new line:
1. Every sexual orientation is welcome.
2. We would especially love to see romance stories about people of various ethnic backgrounds, people in their fifties or older, people with disabilities, 19th and 20th century historical (1800-2000), etc.
If you have looked around and said, “I don’t see another story out there remotely like mine,” you’re probably what we’re looking for.
3. Works need to be believable and real. No genies, werewolves, vampires, body-switchers, witches, aliens, etc. Need real people in real relationships/situations.
4. Sorry, but no works that take place before 1800. We feel that market has plenty of material already.
5. Only works 25,000 words or more will be considered. Short story collections, however, would be fine.
6. Cross-genre stories are especially welcome (romantic mysteries, for example).
7. As we are not specifically looking for erotica, the heat level is currently limited to “NC-17.” Sex doesn’t have to be in the story, but if it’s appropriate for the work, that’s fine.
8. The overall story is infinitely more important to us than a couple of hot scenes. We prefer to think of this as “literary romance/literary erotica.” We want engaging characters with real romantic struggles and successes.
9. HEA (Happily Ever After) is NOT a requirement. Sometimes romance doesn’t end with the two people ending up together, and that’s perfectly OK. That’s real.
10. Absolutely, positively NO: rape, bestiality, sex with underage people, or all the other things you would expect to be forbidden.
11. Previously published works are definitely acceptable, providing electronic rights have reverted to the author.
12. Works that have been published through a self-publishing venture (i.e.: Smashwords, Kindle Direct/Kindle Prime) will not be accepted.
13. Agents and current Untreed Reads authors may submit directly to:
Jay Hartman.
All others need to send works to submissions@untreedreads.com
14. All submissions need to be sent in their entirety in RTF, DOC or ODP formats, Times New Roman, 12 pt. This rule does not necessarily apply to current Untreed Reads authors or agents.
If you are unsure if a work would be appropriate for us, please do feel
free to query Jay Hartman at jhartman@untreedreads.com .
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Leodegraunce (http://www.leodegraunce.com), founded in 2010, is a site for quality flash fiction funded entirely by its owner, author and editor Jolie du Pre. Every author is paid for their work. Jolie also has an associate editor on staff who she pays once a month. Jolie is hoping to keep Leodegraunce online for 2013. All donations are greatly appreciated to keep Jolie’s labor of love up and running for 2013!
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Local author and publisher E. P. “Ned” Burke is hosting a Web site, Sarasota Authors Showcase, Sarasota.Authors.Showcase@gmail.com , on which local authors can post info about their books. The service is free. Send bio information along with the title of your book (s) and the book’s URL sales page address on Amazon.com or another location to authorepburke@gmail.com.
Burke also invites submissions and free subscriptions to his online magazines: www.theperspiringwriter.comand www.yesterdaysmagazette.com. See guidelines on site.
The Peppertree Press Bookstore has opened their doors.
Julie Ann Howell advised: “Just a few short years ago when the first seed was planted here at The Pepper Tree as a literary magazine which is dedicated to writers and illustrators in our fi ne community. Then another seed was planted a short while after, which took root when Peppertree Press became an independent book publishing company, offering to publish manuscripts for writers from all over the globe. Now we offer over 500 titles, published in all genres—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, educational, children, inspirational, religious, self-help and even coffee-table style books. Dreams are coming true for those aspiring writers each and every day. Now it is only fitting that Peppertree comes full circle and plants just one more seed.
We will be opening our very own bookstore, yes indeed, a bookstore offering that personal touch to our community and Peppertree Press authors who have published their books with us. The Peppertree Press Bookstore shelves will be filled with titles of books we have published here at Peppertree Press since fruition in 2006. In addition, we will feature many creations from local artisans, such as artwork, notecards, pottery, jewelry, and stained glass.
Our grand opening took place January 26th and we look forward to welcoming you into our cozy retreat set next door to our endearing office in downtown Sarasota at the corner of Cocoanut and Palm Avenue. We are very excited to be planning many book launches, events, lectures, book signings and fundraisers dedicated to our authors and their awesome work.
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Running Out of Ink.
We are a new webzine that just launched its third issue on the 1st January at
www.runningoutofink.com. We accept short stories of all genres as variety is going to be a focus of our webzine – no story too short, no plot too off the wall as we counter balance it with other stories within the issue. The only rules are that the story is previously unpublished
and under 2500 words.
We don’t yet pay our writers unfortunately, but feel this is a fantastic opportunity for new writers to gain a voice and experienced writers to add to their CV. One thing that does pull us apart from other markets and may make your followers keen is that we are interested in having recurring writers throughout our issues, so if we really like you
we will request you back. This can really help in building a following for writers as readers from the site will go on to see Joe Bloggs’ latest story and knowing that they consistently enjoy them, they may look elsewhere to see what he’s done.
Submissions are emailed to: submit@runningoutofink.com.
We are located in Scotland but have a worldwide readership with an especially large US base. We seek a range of short stories, aiming to create an eclectic mix in each issue, but it is only fiction we accept for the time being. We want to build a magazine that unites all fiction lovers without prejudice, quality is the only issue and our Facebook fans are already responding
to this. Judging from Facebook, our readership is both male and female (though a higher emphasis on female readers), and ranges from mid-twenties to retirement age, though most our readers are in their forties or fifties.
It’s early days, but we currently receive just under 1000 views a month, mainly from the UK and US, but a decent sized base in Australia and Canada and regular views in Greece and France.
In the future we plan on expanding the site to have a separate section for our recurring writers with 3 stories or more on the site. These pages will have an extended biography advertising how else to read work from them as well as links to each of their stories, and a photo if the writer wishes. Other plans include future competitions and possible an E-book compilation somewhere down the line. The webzine is completely free to read, just go to the current or past issues and click on the cover to view the stories.
Amy Kinmond
Senior Editor
Running out of Ink
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GATORS AND GLADES
A Gathering Places for Florida Writers
On January 1, 2012, a new resource and reference for Florida writers debuted entitled
Gators and Glades.
This blog celebrates creative writers living, working or writing about the great state of Florida. The blog is in beta test now; readers are able to access and read the blog immediately. We encourage your recommendations and ideas while we are in beta.
Gators and Glades publish new writing related articles every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Tweets are added daily.
We invite individual writers and group leaders to contact us with news, features, events and other information of value to the Florida writing community.
Writers — if you are about to release a title, have a magazine article or other publishing news, please share with a short posting (under 400 words) with the key information on who, what, when, where and how. We cannot guarantee every submission will be posted, but we will try.
Florida Publications — if you are seeking submissions for fiction, non-fiction, and/or poetry, let us know. If you have writing guidelines, we’ll link them or offer as PDFs.
Reader comments are always welcome.
Guest writers are encouraged to submit their own blog entries to broaden interest in creative writing, share insights, knowledge and references.
The site offers several resources, such as Community Chatter, Events, Florida Writer’s Group Directory, Links & Blogs and other resources.
A Twitter feed brings a wide spectrum of tweets and retweets on writing, publishing and other content of interest to writers.
Visit www.GatorsAndGlades.wordpress.com to visit the blog.
Follow @GatorsAndGlades on Twitter to connect to our tweets.
Find us on Facebook at Gators and Glades Writers Group .
Email us at GatorsAndGlades@gmail.com .
Writer’s Retreats
Blue Mountain Beach, FL
We’d like to invite your members to apply for a spot at our upcoming writing retreat in Blue Mountain Beach, FL.
Our domestic retreats are designed to provide the writer with both solitude and time to create. We strive to bring together like-minded people in a communal space where encouragement and inspiration abounds.
No one leaves our retreats unchanged, and always, the work gets done. Many times, much more than expected. Authors, poets, writers of all genres are welcome, in any phase of their work.
We also offer international workshops. All are by application only, with limited attendees.
Please visit our website for more information. http://writebythewater.com/
Write By The Water: retreats designed to let your writing flow.
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/writebythewater
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Kames Castle, Isle of Bute, Scotland
We are a small, Scottish estate on the Isle of Bute. We are family owned and this is where we live and work. Currently, our 20-acre estate offers several cottages to guests who wish to holiday here and sample the slow pace of island life.
Given the private nature of our grounds, we find that more and more of our guests choose Kames Castle as a retreat to convalesce, find peace of mind or to escape from the rigours of modern life. This is a very special place. There is no noise pollution, the air is pure and the scenery stunning. Our medieval keep stands central to the grounds and all our cottages are old and stone-built. For the epitome of peace, we have a 2-acre Georgian walled garden which offers a haven of tranquillity and beauty.
Those who wish to retreat to write or paint; to find their muse in the most congenial of surroundings, would be welcome to come to our home and live alongside us in a place where the old principles of community spirit still exist.
Currently, our guests choose Kames Castle because of the privacy they enjoy. With automated gates by the Gate Lodge entrance, we are surrounded on two sides by the original castle moat which has flowed for centuries. Kames Castle keep is over 650 years old and stands as it was originally built; a fine example of medieval architecture.
We write to you now, as we feel we would be the perfect venue for those who seek this sort of rare atmosphere in which to find inner peace and allow natural impetus to shine through.
We ourselves, and our family, live very quietly here by choice, and know that like-minded people would also enjoy our way of life too.
Please take a look at our website- www.kamescastlecottages.co.uk and at the attached image.
We would very much like to be contacted by you. Please bear in mind that we would offer a bespoke arrangement, less structured than by our holiday guests, where we could offer something tailored particularly to the needs of your group.
We are certain that this is a place where you would lose yourselves in the history of Kames Castle and feel the slow pace of life slowly seep into your very being. A glass of chilled white wine in the walled garden could help this along the way!
Please contact us via e-mail; we would love to hear from you.
Stuart & Lesley Scott and family,
Kames Castle, Isle of Bute, Argyll, Scotland.
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As the Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing, I am delighted to announce that the MVICW is now open for registration and financial aid applications for the 2013 Summer Writing Program. A detailed description of the 2013 Summer Writing Program, along with registration and scholarship application information is available at our website http://mvicw.com/
This year we have an amazing faculty line-up, including award-winning authors and poets, Michael Martone, Rebecca Gayle Howell, Phong Nguyen, Christopher Citro, and Keith Leonard. The Summer Writing Program will run from July 7th-12th on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
The MVICW was founded in order to give writers the opportunity to develop their craft among established authors. The Institute offers a comprehensive week-long focus on writing, providing writers with the necessary time to devote to their art. Each summer, the institute invites published authors and poets, literary journal editors, and university creative writing faculty from around the country to lead writing workshops, work one-on-one with individuals, and provide the necessary tips and tools for editing and publishing their work.
I hope you will join us this summer on the Vineyard!
Sincerely,
Alexander Weinstein: Program Director
The Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing
Website: http://mvicw.com
Email: mvicwdirector@gmail.com
Telephone: 954-242-2903
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Self-Promotion Page
I host a weekly show on Radioearnetwork every Thursday at 2pm called Culture Coast. I interview musicians and artists on alternating weeks. Check it out online at Radioearnetwork.com, 2 pm on Thursday. Help my numbers improve by listening in while you learn about local musicians and artists and their exhibitions and appearances in our area.
At the book gallery, Village Voices, we are celebrating the launch of a few new books. Voices offers books written exclusively by Florida residents, as well as some unique gifts for people who already have everything. Please join us for the celebration of Cinco De Mayo. We will have a Salsa Tasting contest, Mexican music, and author Carole Bibisi signing her books on May 3rd from 6 until 9 and again on Saturday, May 4th, with Dona Lee signing Chimera or Published!
And I can’t forget to promote the book we worked so tirelessly on. If you have finished or are close to finishing your manuscript, it would behoove you to buy a copy of my book, Published! A Complete Guide to Nontraditional Publishing.
The book helps every writer decide whether to follow the path to traditional publishing, use a subsidy, or self-publish, and if the decision is subsidy or self-publishing, how to choose the best option for your manuscript. It includes sections on editing, formatting, and marketing as well.
With this research under my belt, I have been selected to teach Publishing 101 at State College starting in October. If you are interested in taking the course, please sign up online. More information is in the section on Classes. If you know any other writers contemplating self or subsidy publishing, please tell them about the class, it is designed to save them money. Lots of money.
I am also presenting “Intro to Publishing,” a one hour discussion on publishing choices and the opportunity e-books present to the new author, at two local libraries in April. I will be presenting the workshop at the Manatee Central Library on Saturday, April 13, at 3 pm. And then again at the Manatee Island Library on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 at 2 pm. There is no charge, books will be available for sale after the workshop.
That’s it for this month!
“Writers Helping Writers”
Dona Lee
Florida Writer’s Association Manatee group leader