Writing Resources
Let Us Hear Your Voice: Writers Helping Writers
Do you have a great writing tip to share? A short opinion based on your own experiences? Send your tips and opinions typed in the body of your email to info@markhamvillagewriters.com.
Famous Quotations:
“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want and, if they can’t find them, make them.”
George Bernard Shaw
Need a motivational kickstart? Try this writing prompt:
Special Bulletin: NASA scientists have uncovered a bombshell of a discovery that will completely alter our original beliefs about…
Whether you write one paragraph or a full story, as long as it’s based on the prompt, we’ll feature it next month. Just send it to: info@markhamvillagewriters.com
Contests
Scribophile New Beginnings Contest
Deadline: March 31, 2010. Genre: Short Stories. Write a short story (under 3,000 words) featuring the theme “new beginnings.” 1st place: $100 Amazon.com gift card and a credit for 3,000 words of editing service from the great folks at Elite Editing. 2nd place will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift card. URL: http://www.scribophile.com/contests/new-beginnings-contest/
Memoirs Ink’s Elements Writing Contest
Deadline: April 2010. Accepting entries of short personal essay, creative non-fiction, poem or vignette. Theme: Air/wind/space. Length: 750 words max. Prizes: US$500, US$250, US$125 + publication. Entry fee: US$10 first entry. More details at http://www.memoirsink.com/elements/
Winning Writers’ Ninth Annual Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Deadline: April 1, 2010. No entry fee. We’ve simplified the entry process—enter online—and increased the prize pool to $3,600, including a top prize of $1,500. For more details, visit: http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/wergle/we_guidelines.php
Emerging From the Shadows Poetry Contest
Deadline: April 15, 2010. The Ontario Poetry Society is accepting entries, open to Canadians who have never won First Prize in a Poetry Contest. Prizes for top three poems. Entry fee: 3 poems for $5. More details at http://www.theontariopoetrysociety.ca/ShadowsContest.htm
The Writers’ Union of Canada Contests
Offered: one annual literary award, Danuta Gleed Literary Award, for best first collection of short fiction, and three annual writing competitions: Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers, Writing for Children Competition, and Postcard Story Competition. The submission deadlines for the award and competitions remain the same each year. Prizes:
Writing for Children Competition: $1,500 Deadline: April 24
Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers: $2,500 Deadline: November 3
For more details, visit www.writersunion.ca/cn_main.asp
Canadian Writer’s Journal Short Fiction Contest
Deadline: April 30, 2010. Entry fee is $5.00 per story. First prize: $150; Second prize: $100; Third prize: $50; Honourable mentions. Entries must be original, unpublished stories, any genre, maximum length 1,500 words (accurate word count please). For more information, visit www.cwj.ca.
The Malahat Review Far Horizons Award for Poetry
Deadline: May 1, 2010. $500 Prize (plus $40/page upon publication). Authors who have not yet had their poetry published in book format (a book of 48 pages or more) can submit up to three poems per entry, max. 60 lines each. Fees: $25 CAD Canadian entries, $30 USD US entries, $35 USD entries outside North America. Enquiries: malahat@uvic.ca. For more information: http://www.malahatreview.ca/far_horizons_poetry/info.html.
The Writer’s Studio, 1st Book Competition
Deadline: May 31, 2010. To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, the Writer’s Studio is offering a new national manuscript competition. Submit your never-before published manuscripts in fiction, poetry and/or creative non-fiction. The winning manuscript in each genre will be published by Anvil Press in 2011. Manuscripts must be received by May 31, 2010 and via post (manuscripts will not be returned). The details will be posted on our website by October 31, 2009. Visit our website at www.sfu.ca/wp_wpp@sfu.ca to find a free 40-page manual in pdf format on how to submit your work to Canadian journals, magazine and literary competitions.
The Antigonish Review Announces Two Writing Contests: 9th Annual Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest & 5th Annual Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize
Deadlines: Fiction entries must be postmarked by May 31, 2010. Poetry must be postmarked by June 30, 2010. $2,400 in Prizes! Guidelines: Previously published works, works accepted for publication or simultaneous submissions are ineligible. No electronic submissions, please. Fiction entries must be typed, double-spaced, one side of page only; poetry must be single-spaced. Please include a separate cover sheet containing your identifying information as well as the titles of all entries. Your name must appear ONLY on the cover page.
Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize: Stories on any subject. Total entry not to exceed 20 pages. First prize: $600 & publication; Second prize: $400 & publication; Third prize: $200 & publication
Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest: Poems on any subject. Total entry not to exceed 4 pages. Maximum 150 lines. Entries might be one longer poem, or several shorter poems. First prize: $600 & publication; Second prize: $400 & publication; Third prize: $200 & publication
Entry Fee: Canada $25.00; the United States $30.00 (US funds); All others $40.00 (US funds) for either contest. Bonus: You may enter both contests for an additional $10.00. You may enter as often as you like; only your first entry in each category will be eligible for a subscription which will begin with the fall issue, 2010. Make cheques or money orders payable to The Antigonish Review. Mail submissions to: The Antigonish Review Contest, Box 5000, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2G 2W5. For more information, email TAR@stfx.ca, call 902-867-3962 or visit www.antigonishreview.com. ENTRIES WILL NOT BE RETURNED; only winners will be notified by September 1, 2010. List of winners will be available at our site: www.antigonishreview.com.
The Arborealis Prize for Poetry
Deadline: June 30, 2010. The Ontario Poetry Society is accepting entries for an anthology. First prize: $200 + 2 anthology copies. Winners and selected entries to be published in perfect bound anthology. Open theme. Length: 36 lines max. Entry fee: $15 (3 poems). Open to all Cdn. poets. Details at http://www.theontariopoetrysociety.ca/Arborealis09.htm
The Malahat Review Creative Non-Fiction Prize
Deadline: August 1, 2010. $500 Prize (plus $40/page upon publication). Submit one work of creative non-fiction between 2,000 and 3,000 words in length. No restrictions as to subject matter or approach. For example, personal essay, memoir, cultural criticism, nature writing, or literary journalism. Fees: $35 CAD Canadian entries, $40 USD US entries, $45 USD entries outside North America. Enquiries: malahat@uvic.ca. For more information: http://www.malahatreview.ca/creative_non-fiction_prize/info.html.
The Malahat Review Open Season Awards
Deadline: November 1, 2010. $1,000 Prize in each of three categories. Submit work in any of our three marquee genres: poetry, short fiction, or creative non-fiction. Poetry: up to three poems per entry (max. 100 lines each); Short Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction: one piece (max 2500 words). Fees: $35 CAD for Canadians; $40 USD for US entries; $45 USD for entries from elsewhere. For more information: http://www.malahatreview.ca/open_season/info.html. Inquiries: malahat@uvic.ca
The Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar, 2010
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced writer, if you’re looking for places to send your work, you should add contests to your list. The Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar gives a full listing of contests in Canada arranged by deadline date. It lists contests for short stories, poetry, children’s writing, novels, and non-fiction — contests for just about everyone. Mail your cheque for $22 (includes taxes and shipping) to: Brian Henry, 110 Reiner Road, Toronto, ON M3H 2L6.
NOWW’s 12th Annual Writing Contest
Five categories: fiction, poetry, memoir, children’s story, flash fiction. Entry: FREE to NOWW members (join online or email admin@nowwwriters.org) or $10 per entry (limit 2 entries per category). Complete details at www.nowwwriters.org.
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Markets
Good Times
Canada’s Magazine for Successful Retirement, geared to retired people as well as those who are preparing for this important life transition. Published 11 times per year. Covers all aspects of life for a mature readership: finances and estate planning, health issues, personal, family and intergenerational relationships, and ideas for enjoying the best years. Guidelines: http://www.goodtimes.ca/customer/writers.asp
Globe and Mail
Works with freelancers. Also Globe Travel pays freelancers up to $300 for the following material: Sections include Bits, Sleepover, Three Nights, City Insider, TravelBlog. Guidelines: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/help/. Special travel writing guidelines are at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article821526.ece
Descant seeks writing on Sicily
Deadline: June 1, 2010. Descant seeks submissions of fiction, poetry, essays and artwork for a themed issue: Sicily. Writers are asked to explore what Sicily means to them: “Romantic idyll or land of feuding rivalries? The mafia? An island apart from mainstream Italian culture?” Payment: $100 honourarium. Details at http://www.descant.ca/submit.html
Call for Articles on Fairy Tales
Enchanted Conversation is an online magazine, in Blogger format, that celebrates the art, history, analysis, charm, beauty, and horror of fairy tales. Payment is 4 cents a word for articles (fiction or non-fiction), poems at a flat rate of $10. View website for submission guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/yc6hbhe
Reading Today Call for Submissions
Readers are invited to submit articles on a broad variety of topics relating to reading and reading education. Since Reading Today is mailed to all members of the International Reading Association, the newspaper tries to address the needs and interests of an audience involved in education at all levels from pre-K through adult education, in 100 countries. Therefore, interests are fairly wide-ranging. General-interest articles appearing in Reading Today range from interviews with children’s book authors todescriptions of innovative reading programs to coverage of important reading-related conferences. Anything that might help or interest reading professionals is a potential story. View website for contact details. http://tinyurl.com/y8f8o2k
WritersWeekly.com Writer’s Guidelines
We purchase articles for two publications: WritersWeekly.com and The Write Markets Report. WritersWeekly.com is distributed to freelancers every Wednesday. The Write Markets Report is distributed to paying subscribers. Please do not propose a column to us. We are not interested in any columns at this time.
WritersWeekly.com and The Write Markets Report focus on the written word. We do not seek articles on how to write. Rather, we seek articles on how to make more money doing what you love…writing! We are also interested in other forms of home-based businesses and self-employment that may result from writing, such as self-publishing, corporate writing, ghostwriting, etc. All ideas that help writers support themselves performing the work they love are welcome. Length: 600 words. Rights: First, non-exclusive e-rights or reprint rights. Pay: $60 for non-exclusive electronic rights only. Submit query with credits by email to angela@writersweekly.com. Please be patient for a response. Ask yourself, Is this article going to help readers make more money from their writing? If your answer is yes, please query us.
Animal Wellness Magazine
Natural pet magazine (Canada) provides readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Content embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of animals. Paying market. Guidelines at http://animalwellnessmagazine.com/p/awsubmit.htm
New Book Publisher Seeks Submissions
Dream of Things, a new book publisher, seeks submissions for books on 15 topics. “Think ‘Chicken Soup’ but with wild rice, thicker stock, more meat, lots of veggies, and cilantro and tortilla chips sprinkled on top,” said Mike O’Mary, founding dreamer of Dream of Things. “We’re looking for inspiring, heartwarming and/or humorous stories that make you think – a little easier to swallow than Chicken Soup, a little easier to digest than Best American Essays.” Topics for the 15 books in development include holiday stories, stories of forgiveness, Internet dating stories, awe-inspiring travel stories, humorous travel stories, stories about great
teachers, customer service stories, stories that exemplify teamwork, and others. See “Workshop Projects” on
http://www.dreamofthings.com for more details. New writers are encouraged to submit stories.
Writing on Gardening Wanted
GreenPrints seeks personal garden writing. Expressive, thoughtful, humorous, angry, contrite, flippant, searching, witty, observant, sad, inviting — whatever! They focus on the human, not how-to, side of gardening. GreenPrints explores that relationship, not by instructing, preaching, or lecturing about it, but by celebrating it by sharing the stories and experiences. View website for details. http://www.greenprints.com/wguidelines.html
Call for submissions: stories of faith and prayer
Do you have a story to tell? As part of a fundraiser for Eramosa Eden Retreat Centre, I am compiling a book of inspiring stories for a Christian organization. Pays $50 . For more information, contact Gloria Nye at eeden@kw.igs.net.
Wanted: Short Stories
Page Forty-Seven online anthology has been created for the new or not-yet-published writer. The purpose of this anthology is to help you establish yourself as a writer by providing an early publication credit, possibly your first. Length: Short story submissions up to 10,000 characters (approx. 8.5 pages). Payment: $50 flat fee on acceptance. View website for details at http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/short-story-submission.html.
Diver Magazine, Canada
Magazine publishing Canadian and North American regional dive destination articles. “Instead of providing formal writer’s guidelines, we’d rather you just read the magazine to get a feel for the kind of stories and tone that would fit.” Paying market. Read more at: http://www.divermag.com/online/pages/Editorial-Guidelines.html.
Canadian Writer’s Journal
A digest-size magazine for writers that features short “how-to” articles useful to both apprentice and professional writers. For more details, visit www.cwj.ca.
Cahoots Magazine
Women’s print and online magazine out of Saskatoon. “What’s going on in your life, your community, your world, your head? What are women doing? What are we creating? We want to listen to the music, see the art, read the writing. We want to hear about women’s triumphs, failures, ways of expression, ways of coping. We want to hear about what bothers you, what builds you up. We want to hear about what makes you laugh, cry, or cry laughing.” Looking for: queries for interesting Feature Pieces (1,000-2,000 words) and short pieces (500-1,000 words) or completed features or short pieces; about things that are relevant to you; that connect, spark debate, encourage laughter, shed some light about your community, about world events about things you are passionate about, that you’d like to explore, debate, discuss, air. Accepts online, email, and regular mail queries. Details at www.cahootsmagazine.com.
Resources
WritingRaw.com
Writing Raw is a FREE literary ezine dedicated to new and emerging writers. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple – to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill. Be sure to check out the NEW announcements on WritingRaw.com’s Home page from writer’s group and organizations worldwide. Discover meeting places, organizations offering fellowships, contests, and a variety of other useful websites all dedicated to writers of every level.
Carolyn Jewel’s Romance Writing Tips
If you want to learn how to write romance novels, head along to this site. Jewel is the author of nine published romance novels and on her site she helps you to learn from her early mistakes. http://www.carolynjewel.com/craft/workshop.shtml
Creative Nonfiction
If you’ve ever wondered exactly what is meant by the term creative nonfiction, then a trip to this site will help to clear things up for you. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the article to listen to the audio clips explaining creative fiction. http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/whatiscnf.htm
Journaling as a Way of Life
This site has lots of useful information on journals, journaling, different types of journals (e.g., electronic vs. paper), purposes of journaling, writing styles, prompts and more. A good place to get started, especially if you’re new to journaling. http://iheartjournals.com/
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada collects and preserves Canada’s documentary heritage, and makes it accessible to all Canadians. This heritage includes publications, archival records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks, and electronic documents such as websites. As part of our mandate, we work closely with other archives and libraries to acquire and share these materials as widely as possible. Read more about it at www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
Sign up to receive The Writescape Companion,
Writescape’s new newsletter at www.writescape.ca
As promised, Ruth Walker and Gwynn Scheltema have filled this great resource with writing tips and prompts designed to bring out the best in your writing. You’ll also get the scoop on upcoming Writescape retreats and workshops, like Gwynn Scheltema’s fantastic workshop on setting, Literary Landscapes and the 2010 Spring Thaw retreat April 16-18 at Elmhirst Resort. Crack it open, take a read and let us know what you think by e-mailing info@writescape.ca.
WritingRaw.com is NOW online: www.WritingRaw.com
Writing Raw is a FREE literary ezine dedicated to new and emerging writers. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple – to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill. Stop in today and discover a new voice.
Check out resources for poets at Winning Writers
Winning Writers finds and creates essential resources for poets and writers. Subscribe to our free email newsletter and get instant access to profiles of over 150 quality free poetry contests. For more information, visit http://www.winningwriters.com/index.php.
Tax Break for Ontario Writers!
Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit (OBPTC)
Tax Credits & Financing Programs, Ontario Media Development Corporation
For more information, email: taxcredits@omdc.on.ca or visit http://www.omdc.on.ca/Page3397.aspx
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC)
Writers join the Union so that they can benefit from the Union’s many services, connect with their peers, and support the Union’s advocacy. For more information, please visit www.writersunion.ca.
Allyson Latta: Memoir Writing
Days Road Writers’ Workshops
Allyson invites writers interested in memoir writing to explore a new feature on her site. “The Writers Den: Conversations on Memoir” is a space devoted to interviews Allyson has conducted over the past five years with fascinating people in the realm of life writing–self-published authors, a literary agent, a book coach, a travel writer, acclaimed authors including David Gilmour and Catherine Gildiner, and more.
Visit www.daysroadwriters.blogspot.com and spend some time in The Writers Den. If you’d like to be added to Allyson’s “Google Group” in order to be notified when there are occasional new posts to her site, please contact her at lattamemoirs@gmail.com.
Wordwrights Canada
For two decades, Wordwrights Canada has helped those who strive for a high professional standards in their writing, be it fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry. Among the many resources available, you’ll also find: The online poetry writing course Lessons in Writing the Poem; An extensive list of Canadian Links of Interest to Writers; Susan Ioannou’s book of encouragement and support, Holding True: Essays on Being a Writer. For more details, visit www.wordwrights.ca.
Quick Brown Fox
A literary bulletin e-mailed to 5,000 subscribers Note: Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested. Also, please email me about anything your fellow writers might like to hear about: good markets, contests, calls for submissions, new writers’ groups, etc. Most especially, let me know about your successes at brianhenry@sympatico.ca
Five categories: fiction, poetry, memoir, children’s story, flash fiction. Entry: FREE to NOWW members (join online or email
admin@nowwwriters.org) or $10 per entry (limit 2 entries per category). Complete details at www.nowwwriters.org.