Hello everyone!
The snowbanks are shrinking rapidly in Boston and it's supposed to hit 60 degrees today, making it easier to believe that Spring and The Barbara Pym Society's 13th annual North American Conference are both only four weeks away. We already have nearly 50 people registered, which means that the room is either half-empty or half-full; in either case it means that if you plan to attend and have not already done so, you should register soon to avoid possible disappointment.
A copy of the program is attached, and you can find more information and registration forms on our web site. We must receive your registration on or before Friday 11 March; you can either register online and pay with a credit or debit card, or print and mail a registration form with your check.
We are looking forward to another terrific weekend focused on No Fond Return of Love, and I hope that you will be able to join us on 18-20 March.
Tom Sopko
North American Organizer
Miss Pym and a Friend
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Writers World
Below is the most current edition of Writers World Newsletter, a free newsletter for all writers and very useful:
W R I T I N G W O R L D
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Issue 11:04 12,298 subscribers February 17, 2011
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK: Libraries are Vital, by Dawn Copeman
THE WRITING DESK: Obtaining Expert Opinions, by Moira Allen
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
WRITING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
FEATURE: The Nitty Gritty of Copyright, by Abra Staffin-Wiebe
THE WRITE SITES -- Online Resources for Writers
WRITING CONTESTS WITH NO ENTRY FEES
The Author's Bookshelf
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---> http://wwx.Writing.Com/ <--- Become a fan on Facebook: http://facebook.com/WritingCom Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WritingCom **************************************************************** WRITERSCOLLEGE.COM has 57 online courses. Prices are low. If you can reach our web site, you can take our courses. http://www.WritersCollege.com ***************************************************************** PURSUE YOUR WRITING DREAM. If you've ever dreamed of writing and seeing your words in print, this may be your best chance to test that dream. Learn to create the kind of stories and articles that will sell to editors. Train with an experienced pro author. Free test: http://www.breakintoprint.com/W1521 ***************************************************************** GET PAID TO WRITE! Turn the writing skills you already have into a highly-paid recession-proof profession...working part time! You're already a writer. Find out how you can earn $100 to $150 per hour from this little-know lucrative business: http://www.thewriterslife.com/a621/getpaid ***************************************************************** THOUSANDS OF WRITERS USE FANSTORY.COM FOR: * Feedback. Get feedback for every poem and story that you write. * Contests. Over 40 contests are always open and free to enter. * Rankings. Statistics will show you how your writing is doing. http://www.fanstory.com/index1.jsp?at=38 ***************************************************************** FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK ================================================================ Libraries are Vital -------------------- As a homeschooling mom I spend a lot of my time teaching history to my nine-year-old. Last year we spent a whole year studying the Victorians in some detail and how they made much of the modern world we recognise today -- in particular, the growth of mass literacy and the development of lending libraries. First there were private, penny libraries such as the one run by Boots the Chemist, then municipal ones, to enable everyone, no matter what their background, access to books to read for pleasure or, this being Victorian times, for self-improvement. Now, however, in these modern times, libraries have, in the UK at least, been condemned as being no longer relevant. The argument goes that as people can buy books cheaply on the Internet these days, and indeed, use the Internet to gain much of the same information traditionally obtained from libraries, then libraries are defunct, a thing of the past that we hang on to out of nostalgia rather than real need. To use a particularly British phrase, poppycock! Yes, people can buy books cheaply online or from charity shops, but we are just at the start of a massive recession, guys, and people don't have money to spare. Charity shops have reported that people aren't donating goods as often anymore, as they prefer to get what they can from them online at Amazon or eBay. If people are so in need of the odd pound they can raise for their old books and clothes, they aren't likely to have the cash to buy new ones. Well, say our leaders, there's always the Internet. True, but does everyone really have access to the Internet? If you've lost your job and money is tight, are you really going to continue to pay for that broadband connection? Aren't you more likely to sell your computer for cash? I grew up in the seventies and eighties when times were often hard. My dad had three jobs once just to keep paying the bills. We did have a bookcase, a small three-shelved one, of which one shelf was full of books. We didn't have money to buy books, so the local library was our haven. We went regularly, every Friday, to stock up on new books. When I say, we, I mean mum and I, for dad was at work - again. It was from the library that I got the books I needed to teach myself German. From the library I'd take out five fiction books a week to devour. From the library I got the revision guides I needed to get me through my exams. Even now, I use the library on a weekly basis. My daughter reads as voraciously as I do, so I'd need a heck of an income to BUY all the books she reads. If we let governments, local or national, remove our libraries, then we are depriving people of the very tools they need to get them out of a recession, even if it's just providing them with a fantasy world to escape to at the end of another hard day. - Dawn Copeman, Newsletter Editor. ***************************************************************** CHILDREN'S WRITERS: Read by over 1,000 children's book and magazine editors, this monthly newsletter can be your own personal source of editors' wants and needs,market tips, and professional insights. Get 2 FREE issues to start. http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/AE281 ***************************************************************** Poetry is like a dance. Learn the steps And the poetry flows. Learn all forms of poetry A resource for poets. http://www.poetrydances.com ***************************************************************** THE WRITING DESK: How do I approach companies for expert opinions? By Moira Allen ================================================================= Q: I am looking for instruction on how to approach companies for expert interviews/opinion and how to gain their permission for an assignment I have already been given. I am also looking for the same information for getting permission to cite from publications. A: As you have already been given an assignment, the best way to obtain interviews is to call a company or individual and explain that you are a writer and that you are doing an article for the publication that has given you the assignment. Explain what the article is about and ask if you could speak to someone in that company to gather information. (It's often best if you already have an idea of whom to speak to, but if you don't, and the receptionist can't help you, ask to be transferred to the public relations department.) If you haven't done this before, I'd suggest that you write yourself a brief "script" to follow -- e.g., "Hello, my name is David and I'm working on an article about (subject) for (publication name). I'd like to speak to someone in your company about (topic). Could you recommend someone who might have a moment to give me some information about (topic)?" Once you've been given a name and possibly transferred to that individual or that individual's secretary, find out if this is a good time to ask your questions. You may need to set up an appointment for another call later. On the chance that you will get to speak to the individual immediately, however, be sure to have your questions ready, and be ready to take down the answers. When I conduct a telephone interview, I usually have my questions in an open file on the computer screen, and I type in the answers as I talk to the person. I also print out the questions, however, so that I can refer to them easily if they've scrolled off my screen. Regarding gaining permission to quote from publications that often depends on how much you wish to quote. If you are citing information, you can often paraphrase it so that it isn't a direct quote. For example, "As John Smith notes in the July 2000 issue of Science Monthly, cold fusion is still more of a theory than a practicality." In this way, you are attributing the information to the correct source, and you aren't using a direct quote. If you do need to use direct quotes, and this is a research article, you can generally use brief quotes without obtaining permission. However, those quotes must be brief and not constitute the main part of your article. Do not attempt to build your article on quotes from other published sources. This is bad etiquette and can often be construed as a form of plagiarism. For example, I once reviewed an article on training animals that "quoted" several trainers -- but drew those quotes entirely from the trainers' books. Since the article would not have existed without those quotes, this was not an appropriate use of such citations. Any published quotes you use should only support and contribute to your article; they cannot make up the bulk of your article. It's always best to get "live" quotes than use previously published quotes. If you expect to have to quote long sections, and you feel the need to obtain permission, you'll need to write to the publication first for information on how to obtain that permission. You may then be referred to the author. It depends on who holds the actual copyright to the material. This can be a long process, so again, it's much better to get "live" quotes than to try to use much material from previously published sources. Copyright (c) 2011 by Moira Allen **************************************************************** WRITING COMPETITIONS - One-Page Story (300 word) and Poetry (200 word). Firsts get €1,000 each and the best 10 published in the Fish Anthology in July. Chris Stewart judges the One-Page and Brian Turner the Poetry. Entry online €14. Close March 31. Details at http://www.fishpublishing.com info@fishpublishing.com **************************************************************** RUBERY BOOK AWARD: Calling all self published and independently published books. Three prizes! High profile authors as judges, including a Booker short-listed author. Winning book is also guaranteed to be read by a literary agent. http://www.ruberybookaward.com ***************************************************************** NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING ================================================================= Is This the End for Borders? ---------------------------- Various news sources across the web are indicating that Borders might soon be suing for bankruptcy. The chain, which reported a loss for each of the past three years and which hoped to restructure its finances in January, is coming under renewed scrutiny. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/65tp72e Eight Year Old Completes Her Second Book ---------------------------------------- As adults we complain that we don't have enough time to write, but imagine trying to fit it in around schoolwork too? Eight-year-old Bermuda author Malaikah Abdul-Jabbar has just completed her second book, "A Different Kind of Bermuda," to encourage people to look at Bermuda through new eyes. Her first book, "Stop The Shooting," was written just over a year ago. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/67szoen Authors Ask UK Government to Stop Library Closures --------------------------------------------------- It's hard to believe, I know, but here in the UK we appear to be somewhat cash-strapped and many councils have decided that the best way to save money is to close down all those pesky libraries. Manchester is closing every single one, or so it has threatened. Many famous authors, such as Philip Pullman, Kathy Lette, Sarah Waters, Kate Mosse and Anne Fine have written to the government demanding that they take action to save our libraries. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/5svq9lx ***************************************************************** NEW AGENCY: Best Wishes Literary Management Seeks Fiction and Nonfiction Writers - No Reading Fees Visit http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/jjamie663/ or email bestwishesliterary@yahoo.com ***************************************************************** WIN UP TO $500 WRITING A POEM OR SHORT STORY! Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest. Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject and/or write a short story, 5 pages max. on any theme, single or double line spacing, neatly hand printed or typed for a chance to win cash prizes. Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for details! ***************************************************************** WRITING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES **************************************************************** New UK Magazine Seeks Writers ----------------------------- Work Your Way is a new UK-based magazine that aims to show how you as a parent can work your way and enjoy a work/life balance that is truly your own, on your terms. Styled as an attractive, flip-page, digital magazine, each issue features inspiring stories of parents who run a successful business, and offers helpful advice on launching, growing and running a business with young children in tow. It also runs stories on parenting, finance, self development, health and lifestyle. It pays for articles. http://workyourway.co.uk/contributors-guideline Voyager In-Flight Magazine Open to Submissions ---------------------------------------------- Voyager is the in-flight magazine of BMI Airlines and is seeking articles based in or around BMI's direct destinations and that appeal to the wide range of Voyager readers. Voyager is a stylish and sophisticated lifestyle magazine. Stories are a mixture of interviews, features and general lifestyle. Articles should be between 1000 and 4000 words and should be informative, innovative and light-hearted. For more information visit: http://www.bmivoyager.com/contact/ Basement Stories Open to Submissions ------------------------------------- Basement Stories is a science fiction and fantasy ezine dedicated to publishing quality character-driven speculative fiction. They also publish nonfiction and poetry. View back issues to get a feel for the ezine then check out the website for more details. http://basementstories.org/about-2/submissions/ **************************************************************** ARE YOU A WRITER WITH A DAY JOB? Do you steal moments late at night or on your lunch break to write? Then The Nighttime Novelist: Finish Your Novel in Your Spare Time, by Joseph Bates, is the guide for you, with techniques, mini-lessons, exercises and worksheets to help you get that novel finished. From Writer's Digest Books. http://tinyurl.com/28zl756 **************************************************************** ALLBOOKS REVIEW is THE review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service. Great coverage for your book for 12+ months. Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50 and includes entry in the Allbooks Review Editor's Choice Award. http://www.allbookreviews.com. ***************************************************************** FEATURE: The Nitty-Gritty of Copyright by Abra Staffin-Wiebe ================================================================= This article is based on a discussion with Roger L. Belfay (http://www.rogerbelfay.com/), an intellectual property lawyer, and on information available at the Copyright Office's website (http://www.copyright.gov). This article shouldn't take the place of legal advice. Hopefully, it will help you know if and when to seek legal advice from a good lawyer specializing in intellectual property and copyright law. What is copyright? ------------------ Copyright is a legal way to claim a work as your own so that you can sue for damages if others try to make copies or use it without your permission. Copyright protects both published and unpublished works, and these works are protected from the minute that they are "permanently fixed in a tangible medium." That tangible medium can include a handwritten notebook, a typed-up document, a photograph, or even a document that has simply been saved on your computer's hard drive. You do not need to register your copyright to have copyright protection, but you do have to register your copyright in order to sue for damages. Also, you can only sue for damages from infringement that occurred AFTER you registered your copyright. You can register copyright at any time and pursue damages from that point forward, although there is a limit on how long you can wait to collect damages after you are aware your property is being infringed upon. Plagiarism and copyright infringement are not the same. Copyright infringement is making copies or derivative works of something you created. Plagiarism is somebody claiming your work as their own. As soon as somebody gives credit to you, whether they use your work in part or in whole (see Fair Use), it becomes copyright infringement and not plagiarism. Merger Doctrine --------------- When a concept can be expressed in only a limited number of ways, there can be no copyright protection for any version of it. For example, recipes. Recipes cannot be copyrighted, although collections of them can. When should you register copyright? ----------------------------------- One of the most common questions beginning writers have is, "How can I protect my idea and make sure that agents and publishers won't steal it if I send it to them?" Answer: You can't. An idea is not copyrightable. It's the specific execution of that idea that matters. Here's the thing. Odds are that your writing is not brilliant and valuable enough to make it worth stealing by professionals, especially if you're just starting out. These people are by and large honest people with lots of their own ideas that they want to spend time with. If you're worried about scam artists, that's a different issue, and I recommend always checking Preditors and Editors (http://pred-ed.com) and Writer Beware ( http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/) to make sure you're dealing with legit people. It's probably not worth that $35 filing fee to register copyright on your unpublished work. Once it's been published, it may be worth it. It's usually done automatically at publishing time for novels, but short stories are a whole different kettle of fish. Because copyright publication is retroactive to the date of publication for up to 90 days, one approach is to collect all your work together for each 90-day period and register it as a catalog or compendium, which will protect every item individually for a single registration fee. As an author, when you sign a book publication deal, make sure that the contract specifies that the publisher must preserve and enforce copyright against infringers. Otherwise, that will be your responsibility and nobody else's. Note also that even if your work is copyrighted, putting "Copyrighted 2010 by Brilliant Author" on your manuscript will make you look like an amateur. It may be seen as implying that you think the person you're sending your story to is a cheat and a thief. Also, according to the copyright office, "While use of a copyright notice was once required as a condition of copyright protection, it is now optional." If you do have to sue for damages, though, it makes it easier to prove willful violation of copyright. Common-law copyright or "Poor Man's Copyright" ---------------------------------------------- You may read advice saying that you can put your material in a sealed envelope and mail it to yourself as proof of copyright and pre-existing work. This is not true. Lawyers are highly entertained when somebody tries to use this as evidence, but the only purpose it serves is brightening their day. You see, if they'll believe you're smart enough to mail yourself the document, they'll also believe you're smart enough to mail yourself an empty envelope and put the document in later. When your copyright has been violated ------------------------------------- You are the one responsible for enforcing your copyright. As far as enforcing copyright, consider the practicalities of it, not just the legalities. Some minor infringements are really not worth the hassle. If you don't want to go to court, a non-legal strategy you might try is sending the infringer a bill for their use of your property. The downside is, if you change your mind and want to go to court later, they may have stopped using your property, thus reducing the damages you can collect. The owner of the copyright should sue in Federal Court and prove the copying in order to claim higher damages. You cannot sue for infringement and collect damages caused before you registered your copyright. However, the registration date is retroactive to the publication date as long as it's registered within 90 days. Allowed damages in Federal Court are $500/copy or greater provable damages. You must prove that your work was copied, and for greater damages, you must prove the copyright was willfully violated. Putting the copyright notice on your work helps that, although it is not strictly necessary. Remember that the copyright notice is only valid in a specific format, "[copyright][year][name of copyright holder]." Copyright cause of action is designed for Federal Court, so if you try to go the lawyer-free route of taking it to (a) conciliation court or (b) lower courts, it's highly probable that (a) the infringer will not show up and then demand a day in real court, and (b) lower courts will say, "That should really be Federal." Copyright is a tricky thing. The law has been altered over time, and certain specific details can change everything about how a judgment is made. You really do need a lawyer to figure out proper uses and when somebody may be infringing. Your inalienable rights ----------------------- You cannot sell or sign these rights away. Note that work-for-hire operates under different rules. Right of attribution: You can insist that your name is displayed (or not displayed) forever. Right of display: Nobody can destroy an artist's work without their permission. Even if you sold it to them. Even if it wasn't authorized to be there. For example, the demolition of buildings has been halted because the city had to get permission from the artist who painted a mural on the building. Work-made-for-hire ------------------ Note that if any contract says that they are buying "all rights" from you, they are acknowledging that you are not working for hire, because they acknowledge that you have rights. Under those circumstances, you still maintain your inalienable rights. There's a very clear definition of what work-made-for-hire can be. It may be made clear in your terms of employment, in which case: * You must be an employee, not a contractor. They'd better be sending you a W-2. * Your job description must include writing as work-for-hire. Or it may be specified in a contract you agreed to, in which case: * It must be a written contract. A verbal contract won't cut it. * It must be the kind of work that is allowed to be work-for-hire. An independent piece of fiction is not on that list. Your novel cannot be considered work-for-hire. Your short story cannot be, either, unless it is written to be part of a compendium. Allowed types are mostly movie industry stuff, instructional manuals, etc. In a work-made-for-hire, the employer is considered the original copyright holder for all purposes, including inalienable rights. Fair Use -------- Certain uses of copyrighted material are not considered infringement: * A single copy for your own personal use. * Items that fall under the Merger Doctrine. * Criticism (review or parody). Note that you must comment directly upon the material you are copying. So for a book review, you can quote from the book freely, but it's technically not okay to put up a copy of the cover unless you also comment on that, although practically, it's unlikely that they would complain about the publicity. * Library exceptions. * Educational use - a professor copying material from a textbook for his class. Note that this is time-sensitive. If it is reasonable to get permission between when you decided to use material, and when you did use it, you are still expected to get permission. Public domain material is no longer protected by copyright at all. If you're trying to figure out whether something is public domain, the rules have changed several times. For example, a lot of stuff copyrighted in 1950-1963 fell out of copyright "between the cracks," as it were. This doesn't address Creative Commons licenses ( http://creativecommons.org/), which is a fascinating recent development that allows people to share, remix, or reuse other people's creations while legally abiding by the terms of the original creator. Websites and the Internet ------------------------- Just because a work is online does not mean it is free to use. It may say what rights are reserved or offered on the webpage itself or the terms and conditions page of the website. If the website doesn't specify, then it is protected by copyright and any use of it will be considered infringing. Many people confuse "Internet" with "free to copy." If you have a website with your work on it, you might want to consider adding a terms and conditions page yourself. Before using "free" clip art for illustrations, check the terms and conditions carefully to make sure the original artist has allowed use of it. If it doesn't say, you may find yourself in hot water if you use it! That includes all derivative uses, even if you change it so much that nobody can recognize it. For more information see http://www.copyright.gov. >>--------------------------------------------------<< Abra Staffin-Wiebe has had a number of short stories published, mostly science fiction and horror. Her current project is an online steampunk post-apocalyptic serial story raising donations for her mother's cancer treatment. Read it or download the podcast at http://www.circusofbrassandbone.com. She also maintains Aswiebe's Market List, a resource for science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers. She spent several years living abroad in India and Africa before marrying a mad scientist and settling down to live and write in Minneapolis. Her website is http://www.aswiebe.com and she blogs at http://cloudscudding.livejournal.com. Copyright 2011 Abra Staffin-Wiebe For more information on copyright visit: http://www.writing-world.com/rights/copyright.shtml http://www.writing-world.com/links/rights.shtml **************************************************************** WORLDWIDE FREELANCE WRITER - You can download a free list of writing markets if you subscribe this week. Discover almost 2,000 writing markets from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australasia. http://www.worldwidefreelance.com **************************************************************** THE WRITE SITES ================================================================= Dear Editor ----------- The author of "Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies" shares tips and answers questions on writing YA fiction. http://www.DearEditor.com BeTheStory.com -------------- This is an intriguing and informative site that kept me reading for ages. This site is full of articles and tips on how to improve your fiction writing. http://bethestory.com/ The Travel Writing Portal ------------------------- This is a collection of helpful articles on all aspects of travel writing written by real-life travel writers. http://tinyurl.com/6avj895 ***************************************************************** WIN PRIZES AND GET PUBLISHED! Find out how to submit your stories, poetry, articles and books to hundreds of writing contests in the US and internationally. Newly updated for 2010, WRITING TO WIN by Moira Allen is the one-stop resource you need for contests and contest tips. Visit Writing-World.com's bookstore for details: http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml ******************************************************************* WRITING CONTESTS ================================================================= This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. Unless otherwise indicated, competitions are open to all adult writers. For a guide to more than 1000 writing contests throughout the world, see Moira Allen's book, "Writing to Win: The Colossal Guide to Writing Contests" (http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml). SCRIBOPHILE MUSICAL IMPRESSIONISM CONTEST ----------------------------------------- DEADLINE: February 28 2011 GENRE: Short Stories DETAILS: We're accepting flash fiction of up to 500 words that somehow interprets the lyrics to Nik Kershaw's song "The Riddle" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h75uKyevOkk). PRIZE: $50, $25 http://www.scribophile.com/contests/musical-impressionism-contest/ CIRCALIT CRIME FICTION CONTEST ------------------------------ DEADLINE: March 9, 2011 GENRE: Books DETAILS: A.P. Watt, the world's longest established literary agency, is looking to find the next bestselling crime writer, so if you think you have what it takes to be the next John Le CarrĂ© or Stieg Larsson, upload your story now! A.P. Watt, whose clients include Philip Pullman, Quentin Blake and Melvin Burgess, will consider the top submissions for representation. Submit first 30 pages of your novel. PRIZE: Winning entries will be submitted to the leading literary agency, A.P. Watt URL: http://www.circalit.com/projects/competitions/crime B.J. ROLFZEN CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST ------------------------------------- DEADLINE: Mar 1, 2011 GENRE: Short Stories, Poetry DETAILS: Poetry: One poem, 1,000 words maximum; Fiction: One story, 1,000-4,000 words PRIZE: £100 in each genre URL: http://www.dylandays.com/writers.htm COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY COMPETITION ------------------------------------ DEADLINE: Mar 1, 2011 OPEN TO: Citizens of the British Commonwealth age 19+ GENRE: Short Stories DETAILS: 1 story 600 words max. Stories should be entered in one of the three categories: General Entry, Short Story for Children, or a story on the 2011 Commonwealth theme, "Women as Agents of Change." All stories will be considered for the overall and regional prizes. PRIZE: Four regional prizes of 500 pounds each. In 2011, there will be two special prizes of 500 pounds each: one for the best short story for children and the other for the best short story about this year's Commonwealth theme, 'Women as Agents of Change.' An additional 19 highly commended entries will receive 100 pounds. All winners will be included on the annual winners CD. URL: http://tinyurl.com/66y66wv GLASS WOMAN PRIZE ----------------- DEADLINE: March 21, 2011 GENRE: Short Stories, Nonfiction DETAILS: Short fiction and essays by women on a subject of significance to them (both published and unpublished work welcome). One entry, 50-5,000 words PRIZE: $500, $100, $50 and publication on website. URL: http://www.sigriddaughter.com/GlassWomanPrize.htm BEVEL SUMMERS PRIZE IN THE SHORT STORY -------------------------------------- DEADLINE: March 31, 2011 GENRE: Short Stories DETAILS: Flash fiction up to 1000 words. PRIZES: $250 and Publication in the online version of Shenandoah, the prestigious literary journal of Washington & Lee University URL: http://www.wlu.edu/x37279.xml ******************************************************************* SERIOUS ABOUT WRITING? Join the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, the professional association with a career-building difference. We partner with you to create a strategic online presence with genuine credibility. You get a free NAIWE-linked website (and more) so you'll be where people come to find writers. Join us today at http://naiwe.com! ***************************************************************** AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF: Books by Our Readers ================================================================= Upon the Breasts of Heaven, by Rick Zabel A Nose for Hanky Panky, by Sharon Cook The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals (Second Edition), By Moira Allen Find these and more great books at http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.shtml Have you just had a book published? If so, let our readers know: just click on the link below to list your book. http://www.writing-world.com/books/listyours.shtml ***************************************************************** ADVERTISE in WRITING WORLD or on WRITING-WORLD.COM! For details on how to reach more than 100,000 writers a month with your product, service or book title, visit http://www.writing-world.com/admin1/adrates.shtml ***************************************************************** Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com http://www.writing-world.com Editor and Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (editors@writing-world.com) Newsletter Editor: DAWN COPEMAN (editorial@writing-world.com) Copyright 2011 Moira Allen Individual articles copyrighted by their authors. Back issues archived at http://www.writing-world.com/newsletter/index.shtml Writing World is hosted by Aweber.com ***************************************************************** Subscribers are welcome to re-circulate. Sutton House, Meads Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit: http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?LEyszKyMtCwcrMxs7GwMtEa0nAycDJycbA==
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W R I T I N G W O R L D
A World of Writing Information - For Writers Around the World
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Issue 11:04 12,298 subscribers February 17, 2011
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MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION: See the bottom of this newsletter for
details on how to subscribe, unsubscribe, or contact the editors.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK: Libraries are Vital, by Dawn Copeman
THE WRITING DESK: Obtaining Expert Opinions, by Moira Allen
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
WRITING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
FEATURE: The Nitty Gritty of Copyright, by Abra Staffin-Wiebe
THE WRITE SITES -- Online Resources for Writers
WRITING CONTESTS WITH NO ENTRY FEES
The Author's Bookshelf
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---> http://wwx.Writing.Com/ <--- Become a fan on Facebook: http://facebook.com/WritingCom Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WritingCom **************************************************************** WRITERSCOLLEGE.COM has 57 online courses. Prices are low. If you can reach our web site, you can take our courses. http://www.WritersCollege.com ***************************************************************** PURSUE YOUR WRITING DREAM. If you've ever dreamed of writing and seeing your words in print, this may be your best chance to test that dream. Learn to create the kind of stories and articles that will sell to editors. Train with an experienced pro author. Free test: http://www.breakintoprint.com/W1521 ***************************************************************** GET PAID TO WRITE! Turn the writing skills you already have into a highly-paid recession-proof profession...working part time! You're already a writer. Find out how you can earn $100 to $150 per hour from this little-know lucrative business: http://www.thewriterslife.com/a621/getpaid ***************************************************************** THOUSANDS OF WRITERS USE FANSTORY.COM FOR: * Feedback. Get feedback for every poem and story that you write. * Contests. Over 40 contests are always open and free to enter. * Rankings. Statistics will show you how your writing is doing. http://www.fanstory.com/index1.jsp?at=38 ***************************************************************** FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK ================================================================ Libraries are Vital -------------------- As a homeschooling mom I spend a lot of my time teaching history to my nine-year-old. Last year we spent a whole year studying the Victorians in some detail and how they made much of the modern world we recognise today -- in particular, the growth of mass literacy and the development of lending libraries. First there were private, penny libraries such as the one run by Boots the Chemist, then municipal ones, to enable everyone, no matter what their background, access to books to read for pleasure or, this being Victorian times, for self-improvement. Now, however, in these modern times, libraries have, in the UK at least, been condemned as being no longer relevant. The argument goes that as people can buy books cheaply on the Internet these days, and indeed, use the Internet to gain much of the same information traditionally obtained from libraries, then libraries are defunct, a thing of the past that we hang on to out of nostalgia rather than real need. To use a particularly British phrase, poppycock! Yes, people can buy books cheaply online or from charity shops, but we are just at the start of a massive recession, guys, and people don't have money to spare. Charity shops have reported that people aren't donating goods as often anymore, as they prefer to get what they can from them online at Amazon or eBay. If people are so in need of the odd pound they can raise for their old books and clothes, they aren't likely to have the cash to buy new ones. Well, say our leaders, there's always the Internet. True, but does everyone really have access to the Internet? If you've lost your job and money is tight, are you really going to continue to pay for that broadband connection? Aren't you more likely to sell your computer for cash? I grew up in the seventies and eighties when times were often hard. My dad had three jobs once just to keep paying the bills. We did have a bookcase, a small three-shelved one, of which one shelf was full of books. We didn't have money to buy books, so the local library was our haven. We went regularly, every Friday, to stock up on new books. When I say, we, I mean mum and I, for dad was at work - again. It was from the library that I got the books I needed to teach myself German. From the library I'd take out five fiction books a week to devour. From the library I got the revision guides I needed to get me through my exams. Even now, I use the library on a weekly basis. My daughter reads as voraciously as I do, so I'd need a heck of an income to BUY all the books she reads. If we let governments, local or national, remove our libraries, then we are depriving people of the very tools they need to get them out of a recession, even if it's just providing them with a fantasy world to escape to at the end of another hard day. - Dawn Copeman, Newsletter Editor. ***************************************************************** CHILDREN'S WRITERS: Read by over 1,000 children's book and magazine editors, this monthly newsletter can be your own personal source of editors' wants and needs,market tips, and professional insights. Get 2 FREE issues to start. http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/AE281 ***************************************************************** Poetry is like a dance. Learn the steps And the poetry flows. Learn all forms of poetry A resource for poets. http://www.poetrydances.com ***************************************************************** THE WRITING DESK: How do I approach companies for expert opinions? By Moira Allen ================================================================= Q: I am looking for instruction on how to approach companies for expert interviews/opinion and how to gain their permission for an assignment I have already been given. I am also looking for the same information for getting permission to cite from publications. A: As you have already been given an assignment, the best way to obtain interviews is to call a company or individual and explain that you are a writer and that you are doing an article for the publication that has given you the assignment. Explain what the article is about and ask if you could speak to someone in that company to gather information. (It's often best if you already have an idea of whom to speak to, but if you don't, and the receptionist can't help you, ask to be transferred to the public relations department.) If you haven't done this before, I'd suggest that you write yourself a brief "script" to follow -- e.g., "Hello, my name is David and I'm working on an article about (subject) for (publication name). I'd like to speak to someone in your company about (topic). Could you recommend someone who might have a moment to give me some information about (topic)?" Once you've been given a name and possibly transferred to that individual or that individual's secretary, find out if this is a good time to ask your questions. You may need to set up an appointment for another call later. On the chance that you will get to speak to the individual immediately, however, be sure to have your questions ready, and be ready to take down the answers. When I conduct a telephone interview, I usually have my questions in an open file on the computer screen, and I type in the answers as I talk to the person. I also print out the questions, however, so that I can refer to them easily if they've scrolled off my screen. Regarding gaining permission to quote from publications that often depends on how much you wish to quote. If you are citing information, you can often paraphrase it so that it isn't a direct quote. For example, "As John Smith notes in the July 2000 issue of Science Monthly, cold fusion is still more of a theory than a practicality." In this way, you are attributing the information to the correct source, and you aren't using a direct quote. If you do need to use direct quotes, and this is a research article, you can generally use brief quotes without obtaining permission. However, those quotes must be brief and not constitute the main part of your article. Do not attempt to build your article on quotes from other published sources. This is bad etiquette and can often be construed as a form of plagiarism. For example, I once reviewed an article on training animals that "quoted" several trainers -- but drew those quotes entirely from the trainers' books. Since the article would not have existed without those quotes, this was not an appropriate use of such citations. Any published quotes you use should only support and contribute to your article; they cannot make up the bulk of your article. It's always best to get "live" quotes than use previously published quotes. If you expect to have to quote long sections, and you feel the need to obtain permission, you'll need to write to the publication first for information on how to obtain that permission. You may then be referred to the author. It depends on who holds the actual copyright to the material. This can be a long process, so again, it's much better to get "live" quotes than to try to use much material from previously published sources. Copyright (c) 2011 by Moira Allen **************************************************************** WRITING COMPETITIONS - One-Page Story (300 word) and Poetry (200 word). Firsts get €1,000 each and the best 10 published in the Fish Anthology in July. Chris Stewart judges the One-Page and Brian Turner the Poetry. Entry online €14. Close March 31. Details at http://www.fishpublishing.com info@fishpublishing.com **************************************************************** RUBERY BOOK AWARD: Calling all self published and independently published books. Three prizes! High profile authors as judges, including a Booker short-listed author. Winning book is also guaranteed to be read by a literary agent. http://www.ruberybookaward.com ***************************************************************** NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING ================================================================= Is This the End for Borders? ---------------------------- Various news sources across the web are indicating that Borders might soon be suing for bankruptcy. The chain, which reported a loss for each of the past three years and which hoped to restructure its finances in January, is coming under renewed scrutiny. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/65tp72e Eight Year Old Completes Her Second Book ---------------------------------------- As adults we complain that we don't have enough time to write, but imagine trying to fit it in around schoolwork too? Eight-year-old Bermuda author Malaikah Abdul-Jabbar has just completed her second book, "A Different Kind of Bermuda," to encourage people to look at Bermuda through new eyes. Her first book, "Stop The Shooting," was written just over a year ago. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/67szoen Authors Ask UK Government to Stop Library Closures --------------------------------------------------- It's hard to believe, I know, but here in the UK we appear to be somewhat cash-strapped and many councils have decided that the best way to save money is to close down all those pesky libraries. Manchester is closing every single one, or so it has threatened. Many famous authors, such as Philip Pullman, Kathy Lette, Sarah Waters, Kate Mosse and Anne Fine have written to the government demanding that they take action to save our libraries. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/5svq9lx ***************************************************************** NEW AGENCY: Best Wishes Literary Management Seeks Fiction and Nonfiction Writers - No Reading Fees Visit http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/jjamie663/ or email bestwishesliterary@yahoo.com ***************************************************************** WIN UP TO $500 WRITING A POEM OR SHORT STORY! Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest. Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject and/or write a short story, 5 pages max. on any theme, single or double line spacing, neatly hand printed or typed for a chance to win cash prizes. Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for details! ***************************************************************** WRITING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES **************************************************************** New UK Magazine Seeks Writers ----------------------------- Work Your Way is a new UK-based magazine that aims to show how you as a parent can work your way and enjoy a work/life balance that is truly your own, on your terms. Styled as an attractive, flip-page, digital magazine, each issue features inspiring stories of parents who run a successful business, and offers helpful advice on launching, growing and running a business with young children in tow. It also runs stories on parenting, finance, self development, health and lifestyle. It pays for articles. http://workyourway.co.uk/contributors-guideline Voyager In-Flight Magazine Open to Submissions ---------------------------------------------- Voyager is the in-flight magazine of BMI Airlines and is seeking articles based in or around BMI's direct destinations and that appeal to the wide range of Voyager readers. Voyager is a stylish and sophisticated lifestyle magazine. Stories are a mixture of interviews, features and general lifestyle. Articles should be between 1000 and 4000 words and should be informative, innovative and light-hearted. For more information visit: http://www.bmivoyager.com/contact/ Basement Stories Open to Submissions ------------------------------------- Basement Stories is a science fiction and fantasy ezine dedicated to publishing quality character-driven speculative fiction. They also publish nonfiction and poetry. View back issues to get a feel for the ezine then check out the website for more details. http://basementstories.org/about-2/submissions/ **************************************************************** ARE YOU A WRITER WITH A DAY JOB? Do you steal moments late at night or on your lunch break to write? Then The Nighttime Novelist: Finish Your Novel in Your Spare Time, by Joseph Bates, is the guide for you, with techniques, mini-lessons, exercises and worksheets to help you get that novel finished. From Writer's Digest Books. http://tinyurl.com/28zl756 **************************************************************** ALLBOOKS REVIEW is THE review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service. Great coverage for your book for 12+ months. Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50 and includes entry in the Allbooks Review Editor's Choice Award. http://www.allbookreviews.com. ***************************************************************** FEATURE: The Nitty-Gritty of Copyright by Abra Staffin-Wiebe ================================================================= This article is based on a discussion with Roger L. Belfay (http://www.rogerbelfay.com/), an intellectual property lawyer, and on information available at the Copyright Office's website (http://www.copyright.gov). This article shouldn't take the place of legal advice. Hopefully, it will help you know if and when to seek legal advice from a good lawyer specializing in intellectual property and copyright law. What is copyright? ------------------ Copyright is a legal way to claim a work as your own so that you can sue for damages if others try to make copies or use it without your permission. Copyright protects both published and unpublished works, and these works are protected from the minute that they are "permanently fixed in a tangible medium." That tangible medium can include a handwritten notebook, a typed-up document, a photograph, or even a document that has simply been saved on your computer's hard drive. You do not need to register your copyright to have copyright protection, but you do have to register your copyright in order to sue for damages. Also, you can only sue for damages from infringement that occurred AFTER you registered your copyright. You can register copyright at any time and pursue damages from that point forward, although there is a limit on how long you can wait to collect damages after you are aware your property is being infringed upon. Plagiarism and copyright infringement are not the same. Copyright infringement is making copies or derivative works of something you created. Plagiarism is somebody claiming your work as their own. As soon as somebody gives credit to you, whether they use your work in part or in whole (see Fair Use), it becomes copyright infringement and not plagiarism. Merger Doctrine --------------- When a concept can be expressed in only a limited number of ways, there can be no copyright protection for any version of it. For example, recipes. Recipes cannot be copyrighted, although collections of them can. When should you register copyright? ----------------------------------- One of the most common questions beginning writers have is, "How can I protect my idea and make sure that agents and publishers won't steal it if I send it to them?" Answer: You can't. An idea is not copyrightable. It's the specific execution of that idea that matters. Here's the thing. Odds are that your writing is not brilliant and valuable enough to make it worth stealing by professionals, especially if you're just starting out. These people are by and large honest people with lots of their own ideas that they want to spend time with. If you're worried about scam artists, that's a different issue, and I recommend always checking Preditors and Editors (http://pred-ed.com) and Writer Beware ( http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/) to make sure you're dealing with legit people. It's probably not worth that $35 filing fee to register copyright on your unpublished work. Once it's been published, it may be worth it. It's usually done automatically at publishing time for novels, but short stories are a whole different kettle of fish. Because copyright publication is retroactive to the date of publication for up to 90 days, one approach is to collect all your work together for each 90-day period and register it as a catalog or compendium, which will protect every item individually for a single registration fee. As an author, when you sign a book publication deal, make sure that the contract specifies that the publisher must preserve and enforce copyright against infringers. Otherwise, that will be your responsibility and nobody else's. Note also that even if your work is copyrighted, putting "Copyrighted 2010 by Brilliant Author" on your manuscript will make you look like an amateur. It may be seen as implying that you think the person you're sending your story to is a cheat and a thief. Also, according to the copyright office, "While use of a copyright notice was once required as a condition of copyright protection, it is now optional." If you do have to sue for damages, though, it makes it easier to prove willful violation of copyright. Common-law copyright or "Poor Man's Copyright" ---------------------------------------------- You may read advice saying that you can put your material in a sealed envelope and mail it to yourself as proof of copyright and pre-existing work. This is not true. Lawyers are highly entertained when somebody tries to use this as evidence, but the only purpose it serves is brightening their day. You see, if they'll believe you're smart enough to mail yourself the document, they'll also believe you're smart enough to mail yourself an empty envelope and put the document in later. When your copyright has been violated ------------------------------------- You are the one responsible for enforcing your copyright. As far as enforcing copyright, consider the practicalities of it, not just the legalities. Some minor infringements are really not worth the hassle. If you don't want to go to court, a non-legal strategy you might try is sending the infringer a bill for their use of your property. The downside is, if you change your mind and want to go to court later, they may have stopped using your property, thus reducing the damages you can collect. The owner of the copyright should sue in Federal Court and prove the copying in order to claim higher damages. You cannot sue for infringement and collect damages caused before you registered your copyright. However, the registration date is retroactive to the publication date as long as it's registered within 90 days. Allowed damages in Federal Court are $500/copy or greater provable damages. You must prove that your work was copied, and for greater damages, you must prove the copyright was willfully violated. Putting the copyright notice on your work helps that, although it is not strictly necessary. Remember that the copyright notice is only valid in a specific format, "[copyright][year][name of copyright holder]." Copyright cause of action is designed for Federal Court, so if you try to go the lawyer-free route of taking it to (a) conciliation court or (b) lower courts, it's highly probable that (a) the infringer will not show up and then demand a day in real court, and (b) lower courts will say, "That should really be Federal." Copyright is a tricky thing. The law has been altered over time, and certain specific details can change everything about how a judgment is made. You really do need a lawyer to figure out proper uses and when somebody may be infringing. Your inalienable rights ----------------------- You cannot sell or sign these rights away. Note that work-for-hire operates under different rules. Right of attribution: You can insist that your name is displayed (or not displayed) forever. Right of display: Nobody can destroy an artist's work without their permission. Even if you sold it to them. Even if it wasn't authorized to be there. For example, the demolition of buildings has been halted because the city had to get permission from the artist who painted a mural on the building. Work-made-for-hire ------------------ Note that if any contract says that they are buying "all rights" from you, they are acknowledging that you are not working for hire, because they acknowledge that you have rights. Under those circumstances, you still maintain your inalienable rights. There's a very clear definition of what work-made-for-hire can be. It may be made clear in your terms of employment, in which case: * You must be an employee, not a contractor. They'd better be sending you a W-2. * Your job description must include writing as work-for-hire. Or it may be specified in a contract you agreed to, in which case: * It must be a written contract. A verbal contract won't cut it. * It must be the kind of work that is allowed to be work-for-hire. An independent piece of fiction is not on that list. Your novel cannot be considered work-for-hire. Your short story cannot be, either, unless it is written to be part of a compendium. Allowed types are mostly movie industry stuff, instructional manuals, etc. In a work-made-for-hire, the employer is considered the original copyright holder for all purposes, including inalienable rights. Fair Use -------- Certain uses of copyrighted material are not considered infringement: * A single copy for your own personal use. * Items that fall under the Merger Doctrine. * Criticism (review or parody). Note that you must comment directly upon the material you are copying. So for a book review, you can quote from the book freely, but it's technically not okay to put up a copy of the cover unless you also comment on that, although practically, it's unlikely that they would complain about the publicity. * Library exceptions. * Educational use - a professor copying material from a textbook for his class. Note that this is time-sensitive. If it is reasonable to get permission between when you decided to use material, and when you did use it, you are still expected to get permission. Public domain material is no longer protected by copyright at all. If you're trying to figure out whether something is public domain, the rules have changed several times. For example, a lot of stuff copyrighted in 1950-1963 fell out of copyright "between the cracks," as it were. This doesn't address Creative Commons licenses ( http://creativecommons.org/), which is a fascinating recent development that allows people to share, remix, or reuse other people's creations while legally abiding by the terms of the original creator. Websites and the Internet ------------------------- Just because a work is online does not mean it is free to use. It may say what rights are reserved or offered on the webpage itself or the terms and conditions page of the website. If the website doesn't specify, then it is protected by copyright and any use of it will be considered infringing. Many people confuse "Internet" with "free to copy." If you have a website with your work on it, you might want to consider adding a terms and conditions page yourself. Before using "free" clip art for illustrations, check the terms and conditions carefully to make sure the original artist has allowed use of it. If it doesn't say, you may find yourself in hot water if you use it! That includes all derivative uses, even if you change it so much that nobody can recognize it. For more information see http://www.copyright.gov. >>--------------------------------------------------<< Abra Staffin-Wiebe has had a number of short stories published, mostly science fiction and horror. Her current project is an online steampunk post-apocalyptic serial story raising donations for her mother's cancer treatment. Read it or download the podcast at http://www.circusofbrassandbone.com. She also maintains Aswiebe's Market List, a resource for science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers. She spent several years living abroad in India and Africa before marrying a mad scientist and settling down to live and write in Minneapolis. Her website is http://www.aswiebe.com and she blogs at http://cloudscudding.livejournal.com. Copyright 2011 Abra Staffin-Wiebe For more information on copyright visit: http://www.writing-world.com/rights/copyright.shtml http://www.writing-world.com/links/rights.shtml **************************************************************** WORLDWIDE FREELANCE WRITER - You can download a free list of writing markets if you subscribe this week. Discover almost 2,000 writing markets from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australasia. http://www.worldwidefreelance.com **************************************************************** THE WRITE SITES ================================================================= Dear Editor ----------- The author of "Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies" shares tips and answers questions on writing YA fiction. http://www.DearEditor.com BeTheStory.com -------------- This is an intriguing and informative site that kept me reading for ages. This site is full of articles and tips on how to improve your fiction writing. http://bethestory.com/ The Travel Writing Portal ------------------------- This is a collection of helpful articles on all aspects of travel writing written by real-life travel writers. http://tinyurl.com/6avj895 ***************************************************************** WIN PRIZES AND GET PUBLISHED! Find out how to submit your stories, poetry, articles and books to hundreds of writing contests in the US and internationally. Newly updated for 2010, WRITING TO WIN by Moira Allen is the one-stop resource you need for contests and contest tips. Visit Writing-World.com's bookstore for details: http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml ******************************************************************* WRITING CONTESTS ================================================================= This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. Unless otherwise indicated, competitions are open to all adult writers. For a guide to more than 1000 writing contests throughout the world, see Moira Allen's book, "Writing to Win: The Colossal Guide to Writing Contests" (http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml). SCRIBOPHILE MUSICAL IMPRESSIONISM CONTEST ----------------------------------------- DEADLINE: February 28 2011 GENRE: Short Stories DETAILS: We're accepting flash fiction of up to 500 words that somehow interprets the lyrics to Nik Kershaw's song "The Riddle" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h75uKyevOkk). PRIZE: $50, $25 http://www.scribophile.com/contests/musical-impressionism-contest/ CIRCALIT CRIME FICTION CONTEST ------------------------------ DEADLINE: March 9, 2011 GENRE: Books DETAILS: A.P. Watt, the world's longest established literary agency, is looking to find the next bestselling crime writer, so if you think you have what it takes to be the next John Le CarrĂ© or Stieg Larsson, upload your story now! A.P. Watt, whose clients include Philip Pullman, Quentin Blake and Melvin Burgess, will consider the top submissions for representation. Submit first 30 pages of your novel. PRIZE: Winning entries will be submitted to the leading literary agency, A.P. Watt URL: http://www.circalit.com/projects/competitions/crime B.J. ROLFZEN CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST ------------------------------------- DEADLINE: Mar 1, 2011 GENRE: Short Stories, Poetry DETAILS: Poetry: One poem, 1,000 words maximum; Fiction: One story, 1,000-4,000 words PRIZE: £100 in each genre URL: http://www.dylandays.com/writers.htm COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY COMPETITION ------------------------------------ DEADLINE: Mar 1, 2011 OPEN TO: Citizens of the British Commonwealth age 19+ GENRE: Short Stories DETAILS: 1 story 600 words max. Stories should be entered in one of the three categories: General Entry, Short Story for Children, or a story on the 2011 Commonwealth theme, "Women as Agents of Change." All stories will be considered for the overall and regional prizes. PRIZE: Four regional prizes of 500 pounds each. In 2011, there will be two special prizes of 500 pounds each: one for the best short story for children and the other for the best short story about this year's Commonwealth theme, 'Women as Agents of Change.' An additional 19 highly commended entries will receive 100 pounds. All winners will be included on the annual winners CD. URL: http://tinyurl.com/66y66wv GLASS WOMAN PRIZE ----------------- DEADLINE: March 21, 2011 GENRE: Short Stories, Nonfiction DETAILS: Short fiction and essays by women on a subject of significance to them (both published and unpublished work welcome). One entry, 50-5,000 words PRIZE: $500, $100, $50 and publication on website. URL: http://www.sigriddaughter.com/GlassWomanPrize.htm BEVEL SUMMERS PRIZE IN THE SHORT STORY -------------------------------------- DEADLINE: March 31, 2011 GENRE: Short Stories DETAILS: Flash fiction up to 1000 words. PRIZES: $250 and Publication in the online version of Shenandoah, the prestigious literary journal of Washington & Lee University URL: http://www.wlu.edu/x37279.xml ******************************************************************* SERIOUS ABOUT WRITING? Join the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, the professional association with a career-building difference. We partner with you to create a strategic online presence with genuine credibility. You get a free NAIWE-linked website (and more) so you'll be where people come to find writers. Join us today at http://naiwe.com! ***************************************************************** AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF: Books by Our Readers ================================================================= Upon the Breasts of Heaven, by Rick Zabel A Nose for Hanky Panky, by Sharon Cook The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals (Second Edition), By Moira Allen Find these and more great books at http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.shtml Have you just had a book published? If so, let our readers know: just click on the link below to list your book. http://www.writing-world.com/books/listyours.shtml ***************************************************************** ADVERTISE in WRITING WORLD or on WRITING-WORLD.COM! For details on how to reach more than 100,000 writers a month with your product, service or book title, visit http://www.writing-world.com/admin1/adrates.shtml ***************************************************************** Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com http://www.writing-world.com Editor and Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (editors@writing-world.com) Newsletter Editor: DAWN COPEMAN (editorial@writing-world.com) Copyright 2011 Moira Allen Individual articles copyrighted by their authors. Back issues archived at http://www.writing-world.com/newsletter/index.shtml Writing World is hosted by Aweber.com ***************************************************************** Subscribers are welcome to re-circulate. Sutton House, Meads Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit: http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?LEyszKyMtCwcrMxs7GwMtEa0nAycDJycbA==
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Thursday, February 3, 2011
Musings
It strikes me that what happened to me and my course, and the rather underhanded way it was handled was very like events that happened to Pym. She often received literary blows that upset her, but did not daunt her. And, I am happy to say her characters are quite real; there was a real Allegra Gray in our midst, who caused and helped bring about the course's demise. My course went, her husband's stayed, but that is as far into the Mote and Quagmire of Pettiness that surrounds our Ivory Tower of Academe as I care to wade. That was a mouthful worthy of the real Ms. Oliphant! I will continue to post links and ideas, and encourage people to review the biblographical material given in the first two blogs. Long Live the Peoples Republic of CommUniversity.
Pym did far more than earn the title The 20th Century Jane Austen. Her efforts encouraged the genre of Womens Fiction to grow, and helped illustrate what The Feminine Mystique really was. She has brought attention to women's culture and has fueled culture icons like Julia Child, Martha Stewart, especially her Sirius Network, Chic Lit, Paual Dean, The Killer Hobbies Mysteries, and renewed interest in Knitting, Crocheting, Crafts, and women's arts. For a wonderful trip through the latter's history, see Roszika Parker, Old Mistresses. Also, see the works of Tasha Tudor and Maude Humphrey Bogart.
Pym gives everyone the right to find something to love, or as our business friends might write, to seek a passion for excellence, keyword, passion. We all need something, or someone to love, and it is that love that leads us all to find a full life. More later. Stay safe if you have endured the Cyclones and Snow Storms of the Past Week.
Pym did far more than earn the title The 20th Century Jane Austen. Her efforts encouraged the genre of Womens Fiction to grow, and helped illustrate what The Feminine Mystique really was. She has brought attention to women's culture and has fueled culture icons like Julia Child, Martha Stewart, especially her Sirius Network, Chic Lit, Paual Dean, The Killer Hobbies Mysteries, and renewed interest in Knitting, Crocheting, Crafts, and women's arts. For a wonderful trip through the latter's history, see Roszika Parker, Old Mistresses. Also, see the works of Tasha Tudor and Maude Humphrey Bogart.
Pym gives everyone the right to find something to love, or as our business friends might write, to seek a passion for excellence, keyword, passion. We all need something, or someone to love, and it is that love that leads us all to find a full life. More later. Stay safe if you have endured the Cyclones and Snow Storms of the Past Week.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
class cancelled; blog continues
Welcome from the Tundra, or Siberia in the Spring. I don't remember Pym writing about this kind of snow and cold, nor Bronte for that matter! Our CommUniversity class has been cancelled, but this blog will go on. The Pym society will be meeting in a few weeks, and I will post some tidbits from the latest newsletter. Also, for those who want to see An Excellent Woman in comic mode, watch Keeping Up Appearances Saturday nights, or look for your local public TV listings. Patricia Routledge, who plays the hilarious Hyacinth Bucket, pronounced Bouquet, actually did play Pym in a BBC film on Pym's life. Also, check out A.S. Byatt, Margaret Lawrence, Penelope Lively, Hazel Holt, Elizabeth Taylor, Kate O'Brien and E.D.E.N Southworth for other Pymian women and excellent characters. Now, make that hot cup of tea, and keep warm tonight!
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