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Sunday, December 31, 2006

Lightsword Publishing seeks submissions

Call for submissions:

Light Sword is a full-service, traditional publishing company dedicated to providing the reader with both fiction and non-fiction books from established authors, as well as talented newcomers. The range of genres that they offer include, but are not limited to: Suspense, Romance, Fantasy, Self-Help, Paranormal, Historical Romance, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Children's Books, Western.

If you have a completed manuscript in one of the above genres, please visit http://www.lightswordpublishing.com and click on the link for submissions. Follow the instructions for submitting fiction.Light Sword Publishing is a traditional (paperback) publishing house. They intend to publish at least one of each category by the end of 2007.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Zumaya Publications seeks romance/scifi/fantasy submissions

Zumaya Publications has chosen the name for their new fantasy romance imprint. Zumaya Embraces will debut in January with a debut fantasy romance, Courting Disaster, by Jennifer DiCamillo, and the first book in a new time-travel/fantasy series by Prism Award-finalist Linda Andrews, A Knight's Wish.

Zumaya also publishes science fiction and fantasy under its Zumaya Otherworlds imprint. Both imprints are open to submissions.

For more information, visit http://www.zumayapublications.com

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

MWG Writers Group 2007 Schedule

(From WV Writers President Emeritus Emeritus George Lies)

Morgantown Writers Group has announced its regular twice-a-month schedule. The MWG was founded January 1994. While our group boasts of 24 writers in the area, we have 10 active members. Please consider what 2007 has in store for you in writing, and consider this an invitation to stop by.

=======================
MWG 2007 SCHEDULE *

- January 16 - Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- January 30 - Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- February 13 - Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- February 27- Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- March 13 - Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- March 27 - Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.


=======================
MWG REGULAR MEETINGS

LOCATION: Morgantown Public Library, Spruce St.
Tel.: (304) 291-7425 (parking across street).
Regular Meetings go from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We meet in 2nd floor Conference Room. After,
we go to a local downtown venue. . .


=======================

2007 WRITERS WORKSHOPS PLANNED

Proposed Saturday workshops start 9:30 a.m.; end at
12 noon. A dutch treat lunch w/ visiting writer follows
in downtown Morgantown. There is a nominal cost for
registration to cover matrerials. At this point, we're
considering a Poetry Workshop March 10, and a
workshop April 14 (possibly Creative Non-Fiction)
Details forthcoming.


=======================
CONTACTS:

George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu and
Patricia.Patteson@mail.wvu.edu

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Uncle Terry's Gift Ideas from WV Authors List 2006

1. The Rock and the Pebble by Mark Defoe

2. Mountain Voices by The members of the WV Writers Roundtable

3. Black Days, Black Dust by Armstead and S.L. Gardner

4. Return to Io by Henry Palek

5. Surviving Mae West by Priscilla Rodd

6. Southern Fried Woman by Pamela King Cable

7. Landscape Architects by Rob Merritt

8. Attitude Therapy by Deb Copeland

9. Wild Sweet Notes I & II by ……everyone

10. To Keep The South Manitou Light by Anna Egan Smucker

11. Looking Good by Keith Maillard

12. Screamin’ with the Cannibals by Lee Maynard

13. Feast of the Seven Fishes by Robert Tinnell

14. When Miners March and Lost Highway (audiobooks) by Ross Ballard

15. When Good Babies go Bad by Celeste Vingle

16. PSI Blue by Rob Walker

17. The Tree of the Nevee: A Kabbalistic Story of Elijah the Wizard by Jerry Blair

18. Demonstrative Pronouns: Poetry by Barbara Smith

19. Arrivederci, Recipes and Customs Every Italian Girl Takes From Home by Rosalyn Queen Alonso

20. The Measure of Everything, by Ed Davis.

21. ‘Everything I Know’ by Sandy Tritt

22. Oscar and the Rainbow by Marilyn McIntosh Blair

23. The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Ken Sullivan, editor

24. ‘Journey of the Snow Goose’ (just out today) and ‘No Name Harbor’ by Barbery Chaapel

25. ‘Sarah Beth, Eat Your Broccoli!’ by Nancy Merical

26. ‘I Saw God Dancing’ by Cheryl Denise

27. My.th by Boyd Carr

28. ‘Going’ by Kevin Oderman


We’ll keep adding these WVWriter, Inc. authors to our list until Christmas and then some.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

The Blue Cheer

Writer Ed Lynsky's new novel, The Blue Cheer, has now been published by PointBlank Press, an imprint of Wildside Press.

Synopsis for The Blue Cheer

My murder mystery novel manuscript, The Blue Cheer, runs about 68,000 words parsed into 29 chapters and occurs in October 2002. Narrated by Frank Johnson in first person point-of-view, it opens with his having just moved to the West Virginia outback. Frank is a divorced thirty-something part-time gunsmith and PI who moved from the fictitious small town of Pelham, Virginia. He likes his bluegrass country music and whiskey (even if he’s supposed to be on the wagon). The move to West Virginia has made him lax and carefree. That will change.

While Frank is fixing dinner, he hears a bizarre hum flying over his mountain cabin. He races outside and gapes up as a Stinger rocket blasts something out of the twilight sky. His hopes for a new, tranquil life far away from his bad experiences in the PI trade go up with the explosion’s smoke and fire. He telephones Old Man Maddox, a retiree neighbor with a CIA background, for aid and they go report the incident to the incredulous sheriff’s department in Scarab, West Virginia.

Frank relies on his criminal investigative skills and soon catches wind of a cult calling themselves “The Blue Cheer.” His initial probes peg it for a white supremacist group who dislikes Frank’s partnership with Old Man, an African-American. When Old Man’s wife, Jan Maddox, is found murdered, they conclude The Blue Cheer has also targeted them for knowing about the Stinger rocket. After the still apathetic sheriff blows them off, they opt to act on their own.

Sheriff Deputy Goines next arrests Frank on trumped up vagrancy charges and roughs up Frank during an interrogation. Old Man calls up Frank’s lawyer back in Virginia, Robert Gatlin. Gatlin arrives in time for the arraignment hearing helps Frank make bail. Old Man and Frank resume their pursuit of The Blue Cheer. They visit a fire tower on a summit located between their cabins. Andes, an aspiring crime novelist and MFA candidate, spent the summer there on a dubious fire patrol. Andes has returned to college. Before leaving, Andes asked Frank to keep an eye on things at the fire tower. But Frank has bigger worries.

A subplot is Frank’s cousin Rod Bellwether on death row at Bitterroot Prison in Virginia reaching out for Frank’s help. Time runs short for Rod but his claims of innocence for not having slain his wife seem credible enough. Frank drives down from Pelham to visit Rod and reluctantly agrees to assist him. Second thoughts, however, help to persuade Frank to leave Pelham for his West Virginia mountain retreat and forget about Rod’s problems.

Unfortunately, Rod doesn’t go away that easily. Gatlin notifies Frank that Rod has broken out of Bitterroot Prison and counsels Frank on damage control. Frank and Old Man race over the mountains to maximum-security Bitterroot Prison and meet with its enraged warden. The only way that Frank can absolve himself for complicity in Rod’s escape is to recapture him.

That night with Frank and Old Man staying at a nearby motel, two gunmen storm into their room. The assassins kill Old Man but Frank manages to bring down the assassins. Distraught, he calls on Gerald Peyton, a fearless if not reckless bounty hunter back home. Gerald comes to join Frank. They arrive in time for Jan Maddox’s autopsy in Scarab. Forensic evidence is uncovered that implicates The Blue Cheer as Jan’s killer.

The novel’s final murder reveals who The Blue Cheer really is -- a vengeful atheist enclave with terrorist ambitions. Frank and Gerald find Jan’s preacher, Zelma Roe, killed in a local church. Zelma has kept a journal about The Blue Cheer harassing her as well as drawn a map leading to their remote compound in a National Park forest. Gerald and Frank team up with Old Man’s sister, Betty Maddox. Gerald contacts his friend with the West Virginia State Police, Lieutenant Craig Logan. But time is critical and Betty, Frank, and Gerald strike out for the compound. They sneak in under the fence when a fierce gun battle breaks out. Frank goes after The Blue Cheer member who slips away.

Frank spends a cold, scary night on a mountaintop with the fanatical Andes now his prisoner and exacts some surprising answers. Andes the would-be novelist is the leader of The Blue Cheer. Sheriff Deputy Goines is also involved. They claim credit for the murders of Jan Maddox and Zelma Roe. The next morning Frank marched Andes back to the compound now safely in the hands of Lieutenant Logan and local authorities. Gerald figures out where The Blue Cheer cached the Stinger rockets.

Frank in the final chapter attends the funerals for Zelma Roe, Old Man Maddox, and Jan Maddox. Afterward Rod turns up at Frank’s cabin but Frank is now on to Rod’s guile. He goes back to Bitterroot Prison. A now sober Frank also decides to end his mountain man experiment and return to Pelham. Robert Gatlin, elated, has urgent PI work waiting for him.

The Blue Cheer is written in a stylish, modern hardboiled voice. Its topical interest is based on my own professional expertise. For 18 years I wrote the technical manuals for building the Stinger rockets. My research includes interviews with the West Virginia Chief Medical Examiner, West Virginia State Police, West Virginia Clerk of Court, a forensic pathologist, and an autopsy assistant.

THE BLUE CHEER (Point Blank/Wildside Press, February 2006) ISBN: 6844/0-8095-5667-7 (SRP $12.95 trade paperback original) ARCs sent out for review at major media outlets. Nationally distributed to bookstores through Diamond Comics (2500-3000 offset print copies). Edited by 2004 CWA-nominee and 2006 EDGAR-nominee Al Guthrie. Dustjacket blurbs: Ken Bruen, Bill Pronzini, Ed Gorman, Jerry Healy, and John Lescroart.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Everything I Know

The latest book by Sandy Tritt, president emeritus of WVWriters, is now available. It's called Everything I Know, and is a collection of tips, quips, and original recipes cobbled together in what she describes as "kind of a marriage of Robert Fulghum and Martha Stewart." Sandy originally wrote it for her daughters, but decided it would be fitting for daughters everywhere.

It's published by Headline Books, and is available from Sandy's website at http://www.inspirationforwriters.com/EverythingIKnow.html.

She says she's happy to autograph them however you'd like, and if you'd like it gift-wrapped and drop-shipped for Christmas, she can do that.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Journey of the Snow Goose

WV Writers member Barbary Chaapel's new book, Journey of the Snow Goose is now available.
Journey Of The Snow Goose chronicles the spiritual and physical sojourn of Barbary and Bill Chaapel, who leave land and everything land represents behind them to sail away in a tiny sailboat 7 1/2 years; To leave the known luxury of home, career, friends and family for the vast and deep unknown, sailing long and hard on the wind, sea-salted eyes searching for glimpse of land. For slowed moments together, challenging their hearts to grow. In the year before they left Cleveland they read and studied every book on heavy weather sailing, navigation, tides and currents the Cuyahoga County Library system had to offer. Although they knew how to pour oil on troubled waters, trail a sea anchor in a storm, nothing prepared them for the solitude of two anchoring off an isolated far-away island. Years ago, with the precision of sailors' tools and compass rose, fate already had charted their course.

Barbary Chaapel was born in the mountains of West Virginia and moved to the shore of Lake Erie in Painesville, Ohio. She is the author of the award winning No Name Harbor, Poetry of Barbary Chaapel. Publish America, Baltimore, MD http://www.publishamerica.com.

ISBN 1-4241-5786-2

To purchase go to publishamerica.com
Click on online boostore
Type Barbary Chaapel in search
$14.95

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Dr. Write has openings.

Author, editor, and teacher, Geoff Fuller still has a few openings in his upcoming classes. This winter Geoff will be teaching: ‘Novel writing’, ‘Self-Editing’, and ‘The Business of Writing’. Give Geoff a call before these classes fill up and get on board for an educational winter’s “yearnin’ fer a learnin’!”

You can reach Geoff Fuller at: (304)755.3952 or,

www.evergreensyndicate.com
www.drwriteclinic.com

Saturday, December 16, 2006

University Press of North Georgia seeks submissions

CFP: Don West as Metaphor for Change in Appalachia (4/1/07; anthology)
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

University Press of North Georgia (Mission Statement below)
North Georgia College & State University

The University Press of North Georgia is devoting its second publication to topics exploring transformation of communities and community members in the Southern Appalachia region and is seeking submissions for publication. We invite you to submit scholarly articles and essays, poetry, artwork, or interviews for scholarly review. Recognizing the work of native Georgian, Don West, the editors of this book will pay tribute to his life work, developing it as a metaphor for transformation of the Southern Appalachian community.

Suggested topics: Social Justice/The Good Life for All, Environmental Justice, Economic Justice, The Simplification of Our Ways of Living, Education/The Freeing of the Imagination, Civil Rights, The Global Citizen, The Impact/Cultural Impact of Globalization on the Southern Appalachian Community, The Artist as Activist

Deadline: April 1, 2007

Please send three double-spaced copies of your manuscript to:

Dr. B. J. Robinson, Editor,
The University Press of North Georgia
Dunlap Hall
NGCSU
Dahlonega, GA 30597.


The writer's name should appear only on the cover letter, not on any of the copies. Please allow three to four months for a decision on publication.

www.unfetteredmuse.com

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

WVU Parkersburg Poetry Workshop seeks Poets

Poet John Hoppenthaler is looking for some non-traditional students to register for his poetry workshop during the upcoming Spring semester at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. The course information is below.


ENGL 213 Creative Writing: Poetry (Monday nights from 7-9:45)

John Hoppenthaler, a well-published and nationally-known poet with two books to his credit (Lives Of Water and the forthcoming Anticipate the Coming Reservoir, both titles from Carnegie Mellon University Press) will offer a poetry workshop which will focus on such matters as image, metaphor, sound, the line, voice, form, etc. Hoppenthaler, who for nine years was Personal Assistant to Toni Morrison and has been Poetry Editor of Kestrel for ten years, has taught poetry writing at West Virginia University, Manhattanville College, the Chautauqua Institution, the West Virginia Writers' Workshop, the Writers at the Beach Conference and elsewhere. He holds an MFA in Poetry Writing from Virginia Commonwealth University.

John Hoppenthaler
English Department Coordinator
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive Parkersburg, WV 26104
(304) 424-8312
http://www.pshares.org/Authors/authorDetails.cfm?prmAuthorID=1943


Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Oscar & The Rainbow

WV Writers Member Marilyn McIntosh Blair's childrens book, Oscar and the Rainbow has been published and is now available via the Lulu.com.

From the site description:

Oscar the fox's epic adventure begins with an empty pot he receives from the rainbow. The trail of gold coins leads him to monsters like IMSOMAD, SEEONLYME, and the worst of all, IDONTCARE. Oscar meets Freddy, a football-playing fox on a search for his team's missing goal post. Together they trick a city full of prejudiced dogs, rescue a beautiful girl fox, make some surprising friendships, and find the courage to care when it seems like no one else does. The beautiful, the invisible, the arrogant, and the wise inhabit the pages of this delightful fantasy written for ages 8 and up.

"This children's book is captivating, even for an adult! The ending blew me away!" said Fred B. Bentley, President Emeritus, Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Free Online Mystery Workshop

(Information courtesy of WV Writers Secretary, Rhonda White)

For my mystery and horror writer friends:

Rob Walker has let me send you the link to his blogspot, in which he is running a brief workshop on the psychology behind mystery and thriller writers and writing.

While you're on the site, be sure and check out some of his other links and book information.

Here it is:
www.robertwwalker.blogspot.com -- Psych 101 for Writers!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Mona Lisa's 1000 Words contest

(This information courtesy of one of WV Writers charter members, Kirk Judd)

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

An ad-man said that. A streetcar-billboard ad-man. Oooooh, we're impressed.

We think not. We think that a picture is only worth a thousand words if those words are spent on description. We think that a picture can only show you a bottle of soda in somebody's hand. It can't tell you how that bottle of soda got there or what the holder of the soda intends to do with it -- the ad-man just has to hope you'll assume the holder purchased the soda, and intends to drink it. Us writers know better than that. We know that the frame captured by a picture is just a fragment of a bigger story. We think the ad-man's quote is crap.

So help us prove it!

Go to the website linked below and have a look at the picture. It is a picture of woman, and the woman's name happens to be Mona Lisa. You may have heard of her; she's, like, famous or something. Tell us in 1,000 words what is going on in her picture. If you do the best job, we'll give you a check for $250.

http://www.coltranet.com/publish/monalisa.html

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Letters about Literature Student Contest (Urgent)

(News courtesy Terry McNemar)

STUDENT CONTEST!!!!

Grades 4 through 12 and you must hurry!!!!!!!

From Karen Goff at the WV Library Comm., the West Virginia Humanities Council, and the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target presents, ‘Letters About Literature’

How do you enter? Pick a book that has meant a lot to you. Choose something you’ve read recently or long ago, then, write a letter to the author. Tell them what the book has meant to you and how it has changed your view of the world.

YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT TO ENTER!!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact Karen Goff at 304-558-3978

Or go to… www.wvcenterforthebook.lib.wv.us

I would be nice to see some of our students in the finals!

Good luck.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Mouth Full of Bullets seeks submissions

(Information courtesy of WV Writers member Jack Hardway.)

If any of you are mystery writers, the almost-new ezine Mouth Full Of Bullets is open for submissions.

The magazine's publisher and acquisition editor is BJ Bourg, a prolific short story writer who is also a Louisiana SWAT officer. Editing is done by WV Writers own Jack Hardway.

The fall issue is still up at http://www.mouthfullofbullets.com. The winter issue will go live on 5 December, with stories by by some writers whose names you might recognize from the pages of print mags like AHMM and Ellery Queen.

Check it out to see if it suits you, and if you have a well-written story you'd like to submit, please check the guidelines page and send it along.

http://www.mouthfullofbullets/submissions_guidelines.htm

We already get a ton of submissions for each issue, and we read every one.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Joan Lowery Nixon Award 2007 Mystery Writing Contest

(From the WV Writers Blog, information courtesy of WV Writers own Chris Freeburn.)

MWA:Reads, a Mystery Writers of America literacy program that encourages children and teens to read mysteries by joining authors with students, parents, teachers, and librarians, will hold its second annual Joan Lowery Nixon Award mystery writing contest in 2007.

The Joan Lowery Nixon Award mystery writing contest is open to students from the second through the tenth grades. There are two age categories: Grades 2-5 and Grades 6-10. Only one story per student may be submitted, as specified in the contest rules. The entries will be judged in the area of creativity and proper use of the English language. The winner of each category will receive a $250 cash prize.

Winners will be announced at Mystery Writers of America's 2007 Edgar(R) Awards on April 26, 2007. All decisions are final.

Further details and rules about the contest can be found at:

http://www.mysterywriters.org/pages/news/nixon.htm

Eastern Panhandle Open Readings

Shaharazade's Exotic Tea Room hosts an open reading for poetry and prose the first Sunday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., emceed by poet Ilona Popper (Break, 2002).

Shaharazade's is at 141 West German Street, on the northeast corner of German and Church Streets, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Questions? Call Popper at 304/876-1784. The restaurant menu is open during the readings. Listeners are also welcome.

This month's reading is Sunday, December 3. January's reading is Sunday, January 7, 2007.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Round Robin Writing Project

(From WV Writers 2nd VP, Terry McNemar)

If you're wanting a new project to work on and you would like a little exposure then you might be interested in this. Ric Cockran, a Radio station DJ in the Charleston area, and WVW's Karin Fuller, are inviting authors to participate in a soon to be published somewhere, Round Robin Writing Project.

For more information and to sign up, go to: http://v100.fm/onair/riccochran.shtml

Everyone who enters is eligible to win a "Geoff Fuller Righting Class"

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Gather/Amazon Shorts Writing Contest

Ready to have your writing discovered? Have an eye for literary greatness? Then Gather's Short-Form Writing Competition is for you.

Enter for a chance to be published and sold on Amazon.com, or help select the finalists!

Gather members, submit your best work from now until the end of December. Entries must be between 2,000 and 10,000 words, and just about any genre is fair game. We'll post them on amazonshorts.gather.com for 14 days of reading and rating, with the first batch available beginning this Friday, December 3.

The three top-rated stories plus one Editors' Pick will be considered for sale through the Amazon Shorts Program on Amazon.com. For more information, read the complete rules and submission guidelines.

Past Gather winners and their works are already being featured on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/shorts.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Writers Digest Poetry Contest

Writers Digest is pleased to announce its only competition exclusively for poets, the Writer's Digest Poetry Awards!

Regardless of style—rhyming, free verse, haiku and more—if your poems are 32 lines or fewer, they want them all.

Submit your entries by the December 20, 2006 deadline ... and your words could be worth cold hard cash!

First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Fourth Through Tenth Place: $25
Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate to Writer's Digest Books

Plus, the names and poem titles of all First- through Tenth-Place winners will be printed in an upcoming issue of Writer's Digest, and all winners will receive a copy of the 2007 Poet's Market.

Click here for guidelines and to enter online!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Elkins Poetry Reading

(This information courtesy of WV Writers 2nd VP, Terry McNemar))

Don’t forget! There is a very amazing ensemble of poets reading in Elkins at Main Line Books tonight!

At 301 Davis Avenue (owner Vickie Roidt, phone number (304) 636-6770) and featuring Cheryl Denise, Irene McKinney, Doug Van Gundy, and Bill King.

The reading begins at 7:30

The line up of poets is fantastic!

Irene McKinney, Poet Laureate of the state of West Virginia;

Cheryl Denise (I Saw God Dancing);

Doug Van Gundy, old-time musician, poet, and teacher; and last but certainly not least,

Bill King, teacher, author, and WV Writers regional contact.

I’ll see you there! This should prove to be a terrific gathering.

Funny Mother Stories Contest

It happens to every mom eventually. You're desperate. In a hurry. Frazzled and sleep deprived and pushed to the limit. So you do something stupid. Something that--when you mention it to other moms--prompts them to confess the dumb things they've done.

And now those dumb things might not only win up to $250, but publishing credits as well.

Unlike most writing contests, we're more interested in content than style. You don't have to be a great writer in order to win or be published–it's the story we're after. The funnier, the better. There's no minimum or maximum word count, and entries aren't restricted to just the dumb things moms occasionally do. We're also looking for anecdotes, funny observations, clever or silly tips, mealtime madness, or stories poking fun at Super Mom or Oblivious Dad. If your frazzled parent story doesn't fit any of those categories, send it anyway and let us decide. All work must be original. There is no fee to enter. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2007. First place winner receives $250; second place receives $125; third place, $75.

Contest winners, along with those whose stories are chosen for publication, will be notified of acceptance and will receive a copy of the publication. Contest entry constitutes permission for entry to be published. Contest holder reserves the right to extend the deadline or cancel the contest should there be a lack of qualified entries.

We accept both snail-mailed and emailed submissions. Emailed submissions should be sent to funnymother@evergreensyndicate.com in MS Word or WordPerfect attachments, or pasted into the body of the email, with the words "FUNNY MOTHER" in the subject line. We accept simultaneous submissions and reprints (state where and when the story originally appeared), and we accept both snail-mailed and emailed submissions. Snail-mailed submissions can be jotted on napkins, placemats or diapers (so long as they're clean). They should be sent to FUNNY MOTHER, c/o Evergreen Syndicate, P.O. Box 958, Poca, WV 25159.

If you wish to remain anonymous should your story be published, please be sure to say so IN ALL CAPS at the top of your submission. Also, please be sure to include your name, address, email and phone number on your submission. We can't return submissions, so please don't send your only copy.

RIGHTS: One time, non-exclusive rights. Reprint rights. All stories submitted are subject to professional editing for content, timing and length. We reserve full editorial rights, including possible title changes (where applicable).

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Canon & Chorus: Black Poets in Prose requests submissions

Not enough texts examine how language, form and other concepts inform a poetic worldview for the Black poet. Canon & Chorus: Black Poets in Prose is a collection of essays focusing on what we as Black poets write, that which gives us the impetus to write and our larger job as poets. Essays might consider themes such as the poet’s purpose in the world philosophically; how a poet’s culture, gender, class or sexual identity influences his/her approach to language and how this influence fits into the larger poetic landscape. An essay may explore the spiritual aspects of form, or consider written or unwritten “texts” that provide a metaphor for our lives as poets.

The collection will be proposed to publishers, and will include work by poets such as: Kwame Dawes, Marilyn Nelson, Carl Phillips, Carolyn Beard Whitlow, and Afaa Michael Weaver. Canon & Chorus is accepting essays from Black poets, emerging or established, living in the US or abroad.

Limit essays to 5000 words. Work not previously published is encouraged. Format essay and bio in Times New Roman, 12 point, as a Microsoft Word document and send as an email attachment to: Niki Herd at canonandchorus@aol.com.

Deadline: March 31, 2007.

Niki Herd’s work has been published or is forthcoming in forums such as Xcp: Streetnotes Biannual Electronic Exhibition Space, pms: poemmemoirstory, Autumnal, Kalliope, and The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South. She is a Cave Canem Fellow.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays

(This information courtesy of WV Writers member Eric Otto)

Final Deadline for the 2nd Annual $50,000 John Templeton Foundation Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays is approaching.

MOVIEGUIDE® and The John Templeton Foundation have announced the 2nd Annual Kairos Prize after a tremendously successful first year. The primary purpose of the prize is to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the film and television industries. The prize has been set up to help inspire first-time screenwriters to produce compelling, entertaining and spiritually uplifting scripts. Last year's winner was read by the top executives in the industry including Jeffrey Katzenberg of Dreamworks, Amy Pascal of Sony, Dick Cook of Disney and Jeff Robinoff of Warner Bros.

FINAL DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: December 15th, 2006

PRIZES:

Grand Prize: $25,000
1st Runner Up: $15,000
2nd Runner Up: $10,000

For complete information please visit http://www.kairosprize.com

Contact Information

email: info@creativescreenwriting.com
voice: (323) 957-1405
web: http://www.creativescreenwriting.com

KAIROS PRIZE
1041 North Formosa Avenue
Formosa Bldg., Ste. 217
West Hollywood, CA 90046
contact@kairosprize.com
http://www.kairosprize.com

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Fickle Muses Accepting Submissions

(Thanks to Rhonda White for this information)

Fickle Muses, a new online journal of myth and legend, is now accepting submissions of poetry, fiction, book reviews, essays and illustrations.

Debuting January 7, 2007, Fickle Muses will publish a weekly single-author feature of writing that creatively incorporates myth to connect the contemporary reader with ancient tradition and a sense of wonder in the world of past, present and future.

For guidlelines, visit http://www.ficklemuses.com or email editor@ficklemuses.com.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

WV Children's Book Award lists State's Favorite Children's Book

(This information courtesy of WVWriters Member, Phyllis Wilson Moore, via the WV Children's Book Award site.)

The votes for the winning book for the 2005-2006 school year are in! Children in participating schools throughout West Virginia chose their favorite book and author.

The Winner - The Haunting of Swain's Fancy by Brenda Seabrooke

The two honor books are:

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Debra Quick signing, Nov. 11

Romance author Debra Quick will sign her novel, "Life's Second Chances", on November 11, 2006 at 2:00 PM at Borders inside the Charleston Town Center Mall.

The novel takes place in Tyler, West Virginia, a fictional town Debra named after her oldest grandson. Each of her grandchildren's names as well as two of her original poems are incorporated into the story.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

New Mark DeFoe Poetry Collection

Mark DeFoe announces the publication of his seventh book of poetry, "The Rock and the Pebble."

DeFoe is Professor of English at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he has taught literature and writing for over 30 years.

His poetry has appeared in anthologies, college texts and Internet e-zines and has been recognized for excellence by The Atlanta Review, Tulane Review, Black Warrior Review, A Smartish Pace, Now and Then, Appalachian Heritage, Nimrod and Chautauqua Literary Journal. In 1998 and 2003 he was a recipient of West Virginia Commission on the Arts Fellowships in Literature.

"The Rock and the Pebble" can be purchased for $10 from Pringle Tree Press, 28 Central Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Also, it will soon be available online from amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

DeFoe would be glad to arrange readings from "The Rock and the Pebble" and writing workshops.

Monday, November 06, 2006

The Zinnia Tales anthology

(This news courtesy the Mountain Girl Press website)

Coming this fall, a collection of short stories to warm your heart, tickle your funny bone, and fill you with admiration! Mountain Girl Press is proud to announce the upcoming publication of The Zinnia Tales.

Filled with stories which celebrate what it means to be an "Appalachian woman," this collection will strike a note with anyone who has ever called the mountains "home," or just wishes she lives there. Readers will delight in the warmth of the tales which demonstrate the richness of the place where these women live their lives and tell their stories.

And featured in the collection are two stories from WV Writers own Granny Sue Holstein.

The Zinnia Tales will be available for order from Mountain Girl Press, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or by ISBN number at your local bookstore.

$12.95 US
ISBN: 978-0-9767793-1-5

Friday, November 03, 2006

WV Olde Towne Book Faire

Don't forget folks!

WV Writers will be hosting a booth in the Shenandoah Ballroom at 101 W. Martin Street in Martinsburg, at the WV Olde Towne Book Faire tomorrow and Saturday.

There are all sorts of exciting events, speakers, and activities over the course of the two-day event. If you live close enough to attend, stop by our booth and say "hello".

Terry McNemar, 2nd Vice President
Rhonda White, Secretary
West Virginia Writers, Inc.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Guideposts Sweet 16 Scholarship Contest

(This news courtesy of WV Writers Secretary Rhonda White)

You love the true stories in Sweet 16 — true stories by real teen girls just like you. Now here’s your chance to write your own . . . and score a sweet chunk of change for your college fund! (Prizes range from $500 to $16,000.)

What should you write about? Well . . . pretty much anything! Relationships. Family. Friends. A tough time or a scary situation that you made it through. Basically, any experience that affected you deeply or changed your life for the better. (Your story should be first-person — from your point of view — and not more than 1,600 words. No fiction or poetry, please!)

The deadline for entries is November 1, 2006.

So…what are you waiting for? Send us your story today!

Please review the Official Rules for this contest, then mail your story to:

Sweet 16 Magazine Scholarship Contest
16 East 34th St.
New York, NY 10016

or e-mail your story to:
scholarship@sweet16mag.com

Please see the Guideposts site for official rules.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

West Virginia Science Fiction to Benefit Child Abuse Prevention

Writer Robert Eggleton, a therapist in a children's mental health program in Charleston, W. Va, has written a science fiction novel set in West Virginia entitled "Rarity from the Hollow: A Lacy Dawn Adventure."

"Rarity" was published as an ebook: www.fatcatpress.com. According to Eggleton, there is also a satirical essay about his promotion of the novel published in July by Wingspan Quarterly: www.wingspanquarterly.com. "Rarity" has received several blurbs by famous authors, including one by Piers Anthony, others of which are on the publisher's site. A professional review is also available at Baryon Online: http://www.baryon-online.com.

Depending on a schedule, Eggleton is donating ten to fifty percent of the author proceeds to the Children's Home Society of West Virginia (CHS, DennisSutton, Executive Director), an organization dedicated to preventing child abuse in West Virginia. (The donation schedule is based on $1000 increments: 10% donation up to $1000, 20% after $1000 to $2000, 30% from $2000 to $3000...and 50% of anything $5000 or more. In other words, if the book makes $10, Children's Home Society (CHS) gets $1. If it makes $5000, CHS gets $2,500,)

Please give this book a close consideration at the links below.

Rarity from the Hollow, A Lacy Dawn Adventure by Robert Eggleton
www.fatcatpress.com , $6.95, 411 pages, ISBN: 0977644839

And you can read a review of it at http://www.missourireview.com/

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Evening of Poetry, November 6

WVU-P's Humanities Speakers Series presents an evening of poetry with Scott Luter and John Hoppenthaler on November 6th at 7 pm in Room 2536 at the Parkersburg Campus.

Luter and Hoppenthaler are the English Department's newest full-time instructors. Luter received his MFA in Creative writing from Georgia College & State University, where he was
Assistant Editor for Arts & Letters: A Journal of Contemporary Culture. His poetry has appeared in Poem, Open 24 Hours, and elsewhere. He is a recipient of an Academy of American Poets University Prize.

Hoppenthaler is the author of two books of poetry, Lives Of Water (2003) and the forthcoming Anticipate the Coming Reservoir, both titles from Carnegie Mellon University Press. Poetry Editor of Kestrel, his honors include an Individual Artist Grant from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and Residency Fellowships to the MacDowell Colony and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. He is also included on the Literary Map of West Virginia. For nine years, he was Personal Assistant to the Nobel Prize winning author, Toni Morrison. Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available, and books will be available for purchase and signing.

Monday, October 30, 2006

Coal: A Poetry Anthology

Coal: A Poetry Anthology by Blair Mountain Press has just been published.

It is an important and timely collection featuring such WV Writers luminaries as Bob Henry Baber, T. Paige Dalporto, Mary Lucille DeBerry, Mark DeFoe, Sharon Gardner, Kirk Judd, Jeff Mann, Llewellyn McKernan, Irene McKinney, Rob Merritt, Phyllis Wilson Moore, Delilah O’Haynes, Edwina Pendarvis, Barbara Smith, Jesse Stuart and many more.

The ISBN is 0-9768817-1-3; price $15.00; Chris Green, Editor.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Follow the Midland Trail Book Discussion

(This news courtesy BelindaAnderson.com)

West Virginia's authors have left us many clues about themselves in the places that shaped them. By following their literary and literal trails, we also learn about our own nature.

With this in mind, on October 26, author Belinda Anderson will be leading a book discussion that focuses on authors with connections to West Virginia's Midland Trail. The discussion will take place at 7 p.m. at the White Sulphur Springs Public Library in WSS, WV.

At various stops along this literary trail, there will be drawings for books written by the featured authors, including Tom Kromer, Cynthia Rylant, Booker T. Washington, Mary Lee Settle, Denise Giardina, James E. Martin and Belinda Anderson. A copy of the newly released Encyclopedia of Appalachia will also be given away as part of these drawings.

For additional information, phone the White Sulphur Springs Public Library at 304-536-1171.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

West Virginia Poet Laureate Irene McKinney to speak at Alderson-Broaddus

Speaker for the Alderson-Broaddus College Humanities Division Brandon Lecture Series this year will be West Virginia Poet Laureate Irene McKinney. She will be on campus on Thursday, November 9, to present a reading of her poetry and to conduct a writing workshop.

The reading will begin at 7:00 p.m. in 206 Withers-Brandon, the Humanities Division Lounge, on the Alderson-Broaddus campus. Admission is free. The public is invited to attend.

Irene McKinney's presentation is made possible through an endowment to the Humanities Division from Dr. Arthur Brandon.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Open Mic Night in Bluefield

The Inkslingers Writing Group is sponsoring an open mic night for poetry, songs and short prose. It's to take place Thursday October 26, 2006, 7:00 pm at the Over the Summit Gallery, Bluefield Area Arts Center, 500 Bland Street, Bluefield, WV.

For more information, phone 304-325-8000.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

WVW eNEWS - October 23, 2006

Morgantown Writers Sponsor Narrative & Autobiographical Fiction Workshops Featuring Ed Davis and Keith Maillard - October 28, November 4

The Morgantown Writers Group is sponsoring a series of Saturday morning workshops in the next two weeks. Featured are visiting Novelist Keith Maillard (Vancouver, B.C.), back home for WV Book Festival, Oct. 20-22, and fiction/poetry writer Ed Davis (Ohio), who has led workshops at the WVW State Writers conference. A critique of manuscripts is an option.

The upcoming Morgantown Writers workshops are:
* Saturday, Oct. 28 - Keith Maillard will explore Writing Narrative Fiction
* Saturday, November 4 -- Ed Davis will focus on Autobiographical Fiction.
Both workshops will be at the Morgantown Public Library, Spruce Street, downtown. Start time is 9:30 a.m. for registration.Each workshop is from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., followed by a dutch treat lunch with each writer.

To register contact Patricia.Patteson@mail.wvu.edu or George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu A nominal $5 donation will cover workshop materials. There is the option of submitting a manuscript for each workshop. Submission of a manuscript is not a requirement for attending the workshops.

Manuscript Details: Submit 10-12 pages (double-spaced). Critique cost is $10.00. Ed Davis will read, review, and talk to writer after his Nov. 4 workshop. Kieth Maillard invites writers who attend his Oct. 27 workshop to submit 10-12 pages for use as “examples” in his workshop and he will comment separately on each work. To submit, send a Word file as an email attachment, write to George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu

Submit by midnight Tuesday, October 24 for Maillard, and by Sunday, October 29 for Davis.. Bring with you or mail fee payment to Morgantown Writers Group, 219 Kingwood St., Morgantown, WV 26501.

October 28 - Writing Narrative Fiction and Novels
KEITH MAILLARD -- Born and raised in Wheeling, WV he moved to Canada in 1970 and lives in Vancouver where he teaches creative writing at University of British Columbia. He's written 9 novels and an award winning book of poetry. Gloria, a novel which took him 8 years to write, was published in 2000. = His published novels include Two Strand River (1976), Alex Driving South (1980), The Knife in My Hands (1981), Cutting Through (1983), Motet (1989), and Light in the Company of Women (1993). He has written feature film screenplays: an adaptation of the novel Two Strand River and Tiffany; both in development for production. He has taught creative writing for short and long fiction, screen writing, and radio drama and features. His special area of interest is the developing literary genre of magic realism.

November 4 - Autobiographical Fiction & Advanced Dialogue
ED DAVIS -- A native West Virginian, he has taught writing, literature and humanities courses at Sinclair Community College since 1978. He founded Sinclair's literary magazine, Flights. As assistant director of the Antioch Writers' Workshop, he conducted poetry and fiction workshops and has judged writing contests including the WVW, Inc. 2006 competition. His fiction appears in many literary magazines. Davis's novel I Was So Much Older Then was published in 2001by Disc-Us Books. His latest novel is The Measure of Everything, released in 2005 by Plain View Press, set in fictional Shawnee Springs, Ohio. He has published 4 poetry chapbooks since the mid-eighties: Appalachian Day (Samisdat Press, 1984), Haskell (Seven Buffaloes, 1987) and Whispering Leaves (Great Elm, 1989) and Healing Arts (Pudding House, 2005).

=========

Life Writing/Memoir Classes
By Geoff Fuller Start Oct. 26
In Charleston, West Virginia


Geoff Fuller's class on Life Writing/Memoir starts Thursday, October 26, 6:30-9:00) and runs for four consecutive Thursdays (October 26 and November 2, 9, 16). This will be the first time he's taught Life Writing in the Charleston area, but people have been requesting this topic for several months now. If the class is anywhere near as well attended as
the classes last spring and last winter, it will sell out fast, so get your reservations in immediately.

In the class you will learn everything you need to know to get your life story down on paper for yourself and your family. You will learn techniques for...
* getting started,
* finding sources for your material,
* choosing what to write about and what to leave out,
* organizing your material,
* maintaining your momentum, and
* polishing your material.

We will have writing prompts and opportunities for feedback from the class and myself. As always with my classes, I start with a list of topics and planned activities, but the final direction of the course depends on everyone who is there: what you want and what you need to know. So once again, sign up NOW for the Life Writing/Memoir class. There are only so many slots, and the class will fill up quickly.

===gml===

Friday, October 20, 2006

Winners and Finalists of USABookNews.com's Best Books 2006

USABOOKNEWS.COM ANNOUNCES WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF THE “BEST BOOKS 2006” NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

LOS ANGELES – We are proud to announce Southern Fried Women as a finalist in the Short Story Category. Pamela King Cable’s book is a rich collection of stories that explores humanity! Well-written and inspiring!

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, will announce the winners and finalists of its “BEST BOOKS 2006” NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (BBA) on November 1, 2006. Awards were presented for titles published in 2006 and late 2005.

Jeff Bowen, president and publisher of USABookNews.com, said this year’s contest yielded an unprecedented number of over 1,200 entries.

Bowen says of the awards, now in their fourth year, “The 2006 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. As an executive in the publishing PR and marketing industry and president of both USABookNews.com and PubInsider.com, I wanted to create an awards competition that recognized books in their publication year rather than months after the original launch window. With a full publicity and marketing campaign promoting the results of BBA, this year’s winners and finalists will gain additional media coverage for the upcoming holiday retail season.”

Winners and finalists traversed the publishing landscape: Simon & Schuster, Warner Books, New American Library a division of the Penguin Group, Red Wheel Weiser and Conari, New World Library, and hundreds of independent press titles contributed to this year’s outstanding BBA competition. Bowen adds, “BBA’s success begins with the enthusiastic participation of authors and publishers and continues with our distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise.”

For more information on Pamela King Cable, please visit www.pamelacable.com.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Dr. Write's Writing Classes

(From Geoff "Dr. Write" Fuller)

Hello everyone,

My class on Life Writing/Memoir starts two weeks from today (Thursday, October 26, 6:30-9:00) and runs for four consecutive Thursdays (October 26 and November 2, 9, 16). This will be the first time I've taught Life Writing in the Charleston area, but people have been requesting this topic for several months now. If the class is anywhere near as well attended as the classes last spring and last winter, it will sell out fast, so get your reservations in immediately.

In the class you will learn everything you need to know to get your life story down on paper for yourself and your family. You will learn techniques for...


  • getting started,


  • finding sources for your material,


  • choosing what to write about and what to leave out,


  • organizing your material,


  • maintaining your momentum, and


  • polishing your material.


  • We will have writing prompts and opportunities for feedback from the class and myself. As always with my classes, I start with a list of topics and planned activities, but the final direction of the course depends on everyone who is there: what you want and what you need to know.

    At the Book Festival (October 21 and 22 at the Civic Center), stop by the Evergreen Syndicate's booth and say hi. The Evergreen Syndicate is really just me and my wife, Karin, and Karin's daughter, Celeste; we formed it as a vehicle for syndicating Karin and another columnist friend, Bill Ellis. At ur booth, we'll have copies of Celeste's When Good Babies Go Bad, which just came out on Avant Garde Publishing. In addition, we'll have copies of Growing up in Nitro, an autobiographical work by Nitro native Keith Estep, published by Evergreen Syndicate.

    So once again, sign up NOW for the Life Writing/Memoir class that will start two weeks from now. There are only so many slots, and the class will fill up quickly. Reserve your place now!

    Here are the specifics:

    Thursdays
    October 26: How Do You Eat an Elephant?
    November 2: Memory as Picket Fence
    November 9: Balloons, Clusters, Wheels
    November 16: Spicy Variety

    6:30-9:00 At the Charleston Newspapers parking garage conference rooms.

    A bargain at $135 for all four nights

    SEE YOU AT THE BOOK FESTIVAL!

    Geoff Fuller
    Writer-Editor
    304.755.3952
    www.evergreensyndicate.com
    www.drwriteclinic.com

    Thursday, October 12, 2006

    WVW eNEws October 11, 2006

    (From WVW President Emeritus Emeritus George Lies)

    WVW Announces Categories for Contest;
    Exhibits WV Authors at 6th Book Festival;
    Unveils New Anthology: 'Mountain Voices'


    West Virginia Writers at 6th WV Book Festival -
    October 21 & 22 - Charleston Civic Center
    WEB = http://www.wvhumanities.org/bookfest/bookfest2.htm

    This is one of West Virginia’s premier literary fairs and this year’s line up is a class act. There's a low hum of excitement to be heard as publishers, authors, booksellers, and noted presenters hone their presentation in typical last moment preparation. Bobbie Ann Mason is one of the featured authors. Admission is free.

    WV Writers will be kicking off their 2007 membership drive with non-stop drawings, giveaways, and plenty of info on their 2007 Spring Writing Competition. WVW awards more than six thousand dollars in prize money in the annual WVW Spring Writing Competition. Go to http://www.wvwriters.org/contest.html for the official entry form.

    At WVW's exhibit, you will find the sparkling new WV Roundtable Anthology, ‘Mountain Voices’ - a collection of the best mountain stories by Mountain State authors - now available for the first time.

    Visit the WVW Exhibit and meet WV Writers, Inc. members: award winning author, Keith Maillard; poet and editor of Wild Sweet Notes, Kirk Judd; author, publisher, and teacher, Delilah O’ Haynes; author of ‘Southern Fried Women’ and speaker, Pamela King Cable; author of ‘Attitude Therapy’ and motivational speaker, Deb Copeland; founder of Mountain Whispers.com audiobooks, Ross Ballard II; and author, chef, and weaver of Italian lore, Rosalyn Queen Alonso. Authors included in the anthology are Wilma and Rhonda who will be available to sign your new copy of Mountain Voices.

    West Virginia Book Festival - WVW Schedule:

    Saturday October 21 -
    Kirk Judd Wild Sweet Notes - 10 & 11 a
    Ross Ballard II Mountain Whispers - 1 & 2 p
    Deb Copeland Southern Fried Women - 4 p

    Mountain Voices Authors Signings (times)
    Juice Fritzius (10a), Patsy Pittman (11a), Renita Sue Lloyd (12p)
    Ed Davis Mountain Voices - 2 & 3p

    Sunday October 22 -
    Delilah O’Haynes - Character of Mountains - 12 p
    Pamela King Cable - Southern Fried Women - 2 p
    Mountain Voices Authors - 12 to 4 p

    Make your way in to a virtual sea of vendors, and find one booth that is as charged with energy as the festival itself. WV Writers, Inc. will return again this year with Wilma Acree at the helm along with Rhonda White and Terry McNemar and a cast of * several.

    Stop by the WV Writers, Inc. booth, and find out just why WVW is West Virginia’s largest writers' resource and service organization, serving literary interests in WV and beyond.

    For the complete festival schedule, go to
    http://www.wvhumanities.org/bookfest/events_all.htm

    Each year the festival offers something for book lovers of all ages and interests: authors, publishers, book vendors, the Festival Marketplace, a special section just for children, a used book sale, meet the author events, workshops and panel discussions.

    ===gml===

    Tuesday, October 10, 2006

    October Literary Tea Series in Lewisburg

    The Greenbrier Valley Theatre in conjunction with West Virginia Writers, Inc., is holding its annual Literary Tea series this month, October 10, 17, and 24 at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in downtown Lewisburg.

    In addition to a selection of tasty teas, from Miss Ashley's Tea Room, and goodies worthy of china plates, attendees of these Tuesday teas will be treated to live readings by actors from GVT as well as area winners of WV Writers annual writing contest. Other guest readers will appear as well.

    Tonight, GVT director Cathey Sawyer will present a selection of Belinda Anderson short stories.

    Also, join us also on November 7 and 14 for two Literary Tea Poetry editions.

    Monday, October 09, 2006

    A Night of Readings in Harpers Ferry

    A NIGHT OF READINGS

    On Friday, October 13, beginning at 7 P.M., the Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library and the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County will host “A Night of Readings,” a program honoring the Eastern-Panhandle winners of the 2005-2006 West Virginia Writers, Inc., Competition., the largest writing contest in the state of West Virginia. The goal of this competition, which has been held since 1982, is to expand and develop creative writing throughout the Mountain State.

    The evening’s program will spotlight ten authors from Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties who will read short excerpts from their award-winning compositions. These authors include Helen Becker, Barbara June Appelgren, Carl Schultz, Lyn Widmyer, Ed Zahniser, and Jim Koenig from Jefferson County; Justin Batton, Elaine Breitenbach, and R. Dixon Bell from Berkeley County; and Sally Brinkman from Morgan County.

    The emcee for the evening will be Joe McCabe from Falling Waters, a long-time member of West Virginia Writers, Inc., who will also provide valuable information about this organization and its annual competition as well as other writer’ groups in the tri-county area that might be of interest to budding authors in the audience.

    The site of this program will be the newly expanded and renovated Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library, located at 151 Polk Street in Bolivar (behind the Harpers Ferry Middle School).

    Without a doubt, this will be an evening of great fun, entertainment, and inspiration. So please come and join us in support of these talented West Virginia writers. For more information about this program, please contact the library at (304) 535-2301.

    Friday, October 06, 2006

    Valerie Nieman Appearance in Morgantown

    Valerie Nieman, author of a recent collection of short fiction, Fidelities, from West Virginia University Press, as well as two novels and two chapbooks of poetry, will be in Morgantown this weekend for a book signing on Friday Oct.6, at 6:PM, at University Towne Center Barnes and Noble Bookstore. She will read from Fidelities as well as from her newest publication, Wake, Wake, Wake, a collection of poetry published by Press 53.

    Her poems and short stories have been widely published in journals such as Poetry, The Kenyon Review, 5 A.M., and West Branch, as well as several anthologies. Awards have included a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the 1998 and 2002 Elizabeth Simpson Smith prizes in fiction from the Charlotte Writers Club and the Greg Grummer Prize in poetry from Phoebe. A 1978 graduate of West Virginia University, she received an M.F.A. in creative writing at Queens University of Charlotte. A longtime journalist and editor, she is now an assistant professor of English and journalism at N.C. A&T State University.

    A workshop is scheduled Saturday October 7 at the Morgantown Public Library on Spruce Street from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A "Dutch" treat lunch follows with the visiting writer.

    To register, send email to George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu

    Tuesday, October 03, 2006

    Appalachian Writers Guild Seeks Submissions

    (UPDATED INFORMATION)

    The Appalachian Writers Guild is currently preparing a themed anthology of Appalachian Short Stories and welomes submissions from authors at this time. Short stories are expected to contain approximately 2000-5000 words.

    We request that submissions be made by Email (Address: AWGuild@gmail.com) in standard word processing (.doc or .rft or .txt) format.

    Please send only one Work at a time, with a front page letter that specifies the title of your Work, author's name in preferred form, mailing adddress, approx.word count, email, tel. and other contact information on the first page. Submissions will receive an acknowledgement and will be reviewed. Authors are welcome to contact us after a few months.

    Authors retain significant rights to material submitted to us. Authors will will receive one complimentary copy of the anthology in which the work appears, plus sharing net royalties on a pro rata basis.

    For future publications, AWG is also seeking short fiction, biography, novellas, and creative non-fiction, including memoirs, opinion pieces and historical sketches. Unsolicited literary manuscripts, historic or cultural writing relating to Appalachia are welcomed. We are interested only in original work that is not being considered elsewhere and that has never appeared in print.

    Monday, October 02, 2006

    Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

    (Thanks to WV Writers Secretary Rhonda White for this info)

    What is the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest?
    Since 1962, this contest has been sponsored by Hollins University and awards prizes for the best poems submitted by girls who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school.

    What are the prizes?

    First place (one winner)
  • $200 cash prize
  • Free tuition for the two-week creative writing class in the university’s
    Hollinsummer program
  • Publication in Cargoes, Hollins’ student literary magazine
  • Ten copies of Cargoes.

  • Second place (six winners)

  • $25 cash prize
  • Publication in Cargoes
  • Two copies of Cargoes


  • What are the requirements?
    All entries must be typewritten and be submitted by a member of the faculty or administration of the student’s school. No more than two poems by any one student may be submitted, and manuscripts cannot be returned. Each entry must be on a separate sheet and each sheet must include the following information in the upper right corner:
  • Author’s name and gender
  • Author's mailing address
  • Author’s phone no. and/or e-mail address
  • Year of author’s high school graduation
  • Faculty sponsor’s name and e-mail address
  • Author’s school
  • Address and phone no. of author’s school
  • If the poem is more than one page in length, label each page with author’s
    name, title of poem, and page number.



  • What is the deadline for entries?
    November 15.

    Who chooses the winning poems?
    Winners are chosen by students and faculty members in the creative writing program at Hollins.

    When are winners notified?
    By mid April.

    Where should entries be mailed?
    Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
    Hollins University
    P.O. Box 9677
    Roanoke,
    VA 24020-1677

    Who was Nancy Thorp?
    Nancy Thorp, Hollins class of 1960, was a young poet who showed great promise when she was a student. Following her death in 1962, her family established the Nancy Thorp Contest to encourage the work of young poets.

  • Saturday, September 30, 2006

    GALA TO BENEFIT WEST VIRGINIA FOLKLIFE CENTER AT FAIRMONT STATE

    An evening filled with music, food and traditional fun such as an old-fashioned cake walk, will mark the sixth annual West Virginia Folklife Center Gala on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Fairmont State’s Colebank Hall. The gala will also feature the presentation of the 2006 B.B. Maurer West Virginia Folklife Scholar Award, the 2006 Traditions Salute Award, a wine tasting and a silent auction.

    The event will begin at 6 p.m. with the silent auction and folk music, a buffet of savory and sweets, folk art demonstrations and a vintage book sale. The cake walk will be from 7-7:30 p.m., followed by the closing of the silent auction bidding at 7:45 p.m.

    “We try to show the three areas of folklife, which are oral, customary and material artifacts,” said Dr. Judy P. Byers, Director of the Folklife Center. “Even though it’s a fund-raiser, it’s a celebration, too.”

    The presentation of the 2006 B.B. Maurer W.Va. Folklife Scholar Award and the 2006 Traditions Salute Award is set for 8 p.m. George A. and Mariwyn Faith McClain Smith representing McClain Printing Company will receive the 2006 B.B. Maurer W.Va. Folklife Scholar Award, and Phyllis Wilson Moore will receive the 2006 Tradition Salute Award.

    The B.B. Maurer West Virginia Folklife Scholar Award annually honors a person or persons who have contributed to the preservation and perpetuation of Appalachian cultural heritage.
    The new Traditions Salute Award is given to a person or group that has demonstrated a passion and commitment towards the enhancement of West Virginia folk culture through education and public resources. The recipient will always be recognized in Traditions: West Virginia Folklore Journal, and the actual honor will be bestowed at a public awards ceremony.

    Phyllis is a cherished member of our writing community, having chaired a statewide committee, sponsored by Fairmont State, the West Virginia Library Commission, and the WV Center for the Book, the West Virginia Humanities Council and the National Center for the Book, to create a literary map for West Virginia. The map, published by the West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State is a boon to both teachers and tourist. She is also West Virginia’s unofficial literary historian. Please plan to attend.

    For more information contact:
    Amy Baker,Director of Public Relations, Fairmont State University
    Office: (304) 367-4135; Cell: (304) 288-9540; Fax: (304) 367-4580
    E-mail: abaker3@fairmontstate.edu

    A $15 admission fee per person covers the cost of the gala events, except for the wine tasting. Those who wish to participate in the wine tasting will be asked to show proper ID. Fairmont State students and children younger than 10 will be admitted free.

    Wednesday, September 27, 2006

    National Novel Writing Month

    November is National Novel Writing Month, where writers of all shapes and sizes try and often succeed in writing a novel in one month.

    Learn more at... http://www.nanowrimo.org/

    Saturday, September 23, 2006

    WVW eNEWS - September 22, 2006

    (The WVW eNEWS comes courtesy of President Emeritus Emeritus George Lies)

    Morgantown Writers Group & WVU Press Host Valerie Nieman Workshop, Reading

    October 7th Sat. Morning - Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop (Library)
    October 6th Fri. Evening - Barnes and Noble Bookstore Reading

    The Morgantown Writers Group (MWG) will sponsor a two-hour poetry workshop, Ekphrastic Poetry (the writing of poetry inspired by works of art), led by visiting poet Valerie Nieman. The workshop is scheduled Saturday October 7 at the Morgantown Public Library on Spruce Street from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A “dutch” treat lunch follows with the visiting writer.

    In conjunction with the workshop, Nieman will read on Friday, at 6:00 p.m., October 6, at University Towne Center Barnes and Noble Bookstore. She will read from Fidelities, her collection of 18 short stories, as well as from her newest publication, Wake, Wake, Wake, a collection of poetry published by Press 53.

    Advanced registration for the workshop is advised because it is limited to 14 writers. A nominal registration fee of $5 will cover the cost of materials. For details or to register, send email to George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu or Patricia.Patteson@mail.wvu.edu. Those interested should bring a small work of art or an art book.

    To join West Virginia Writers, Inc., go to www.wvwriters.org and check details of the annual June 8-10, 2007 writers conference and the annual Spring writing competition, which opens January 2, 2007.

    Nieman’s visit is co-sponsored by the Morgantown Writers Group and the WVU Press, which published Fidelities, a collection of her stories about the people, places, and subtleties of West Virginia. Most MWG writers have won awards in the WVW Spring Writing competition sponsored by West Virginia Writers, Inc.; several have published in journals and magazines, online media, and international publications. Founded in 1994, the writers meet twice a month for manuscript critiques and workshops, focusing on short stories, poetry, popular fiction, and memoirs. The group has published an anthology of 11 stories titled The Mist On The Mon.

    Nieman was involved for many years in the Kestrel Festival sponsored by Fairmont State University. Her poetry collection, Wake Wake Wake, was published in September 2006 by Press 53. She has 2 poetry chapbooks, How We Live, State Street Press, 1997, and Slipping Out of Old Eve, Sing Heavenly Muse! 1988. Her work has appeared in journals such as Poetry, New Letters, REDiViDER, and West Branch, and in many anthologies.

    For information about Nieman’s Fidelities and Vandalia books, or the Barnes and Noble Reading on Oct. 6, call 1-866-WVUPRESS or visit www.wvupress.com.

    Therese Boyd, a professor of creative writing at Penn State praises Fidelities’ “panoramic shot” of life in rural Appalachia. Ruth Moose, a creative writing professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, says “Nieman writes stories that show real people in real life.” She praises Nieman’s ability to write from multiple points of view, “Nieman is one of few writers who is equally at home and at ease in both male and female viewpoints.” Fidelities, published by the Vandalia Press, is Nieman’s first published collection of short stories. She has previously authored Survivors, a novel about the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

    The Vandalia Press is the West Virginia University Press’ literary imprint, specializing in contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Since 2001, Vandalia Press has published literary titles each year by regional writers or by other authors whose work has a strong connection to Appalachia or West Virginia. Among Vandalia Press’ authors are Richard Currey, West Virginia Poet Laureate Irene McKinney, Lee Maynard and most recently, Priscilla Rodd (Surviving Mae West) and Kevin Oderman (Going).

    ===gml===

    Thursday, September 21, 2006

    Peppermint Sticks & Bananna Peels

    WV Writers would like to call attention a collection of essays and short stories written by one of our members, Betty Ingram. It's entitled Peppermint Sticks & Bannana Peels and can be found for sale at Buy Books on the Web.com.

    Check it out.

    Tuesday, September 19, 2006

    The ‘Intensive Journal’ comes to Morgantown

    (This news courtesy of Terry McNemar.)

    The Intensive Journal workbook is the basic instrument in which you write about your life. It is a three ring binder containing tabs, each of which covers a specific area of your life. Examples include personal relationships, career and special interests, body and health, events, dreams, and meaning in life. The structure of the sections and corresponding writing exercises in the workbook mirror the subjective process of perceptions and thoughts taking place inside you. For example, Progoff believed that the way to work with dreams and other forms of imagery is through an unfolding process, rather than analyzing or interpreting them, and this unfolding process is implemented in the exercises pertaining to dreams in the workbook. Therefore, the structure avoids the problems of unstructured journals that tend to diminish and eventually neutralize themselves, and result in analytical and circular forms of thinking. The structure also makes possible the Journal Feedback process which you will learn.

    In Morgantown: a "Intensive Journal" Introductory Class in "Life Context" -- based on the writings and teachings of Ira Progoff, PhD -- will be presented on November 4 (9 am - 5:30 pm) and November 5 (9 am to 3:30 pm)

    Tuition is $135.00

    The leader is E. Jane Martin, PhD, RN, dean & professor at WVU School of Nursing.
    Location is the Comfort Inn at 225 Comfort Road off Exit 1 of I-68 south of Morgantown.
    Call 304-296-9364 to reserve a room - $55 a night (specify "Intensive Journal" for group rate.)

    To sign up: Call 724-852-6413 or write to E. Jane Martin, 222 Zimmer Lane, Waynesburg, PA 15370.

    Email: ejmartin@hsc.wvu.edu. No credit cards.

    Monday, September 18, 2006

    The Write TIght Build Your Novel Course

    From WVW President Emeritus Sandy Tritt:

    A friend of mine, Sherry Wilson, is offering an email course on building a novel in just ten weeks. Sherry is a fabulous writer and editor. She was the 2005 judge for the WVW Spring Competition, Children's Stories. Be sure to check this out, and if you have any questions, contact Sherry directly or you can ask me.

    Sandy Sandy Tritt
    Inspiration for Writers
    http://www.InspirationForWriters.com


    Write Tight Now! Build your novel in 10 weeks. Complete the first draft of your novel & polish your submission package BEFORE THE END OF 2006 with this instructor-led course. Get one-on-one feedback from a professional, published editor as you work through the course materials. Starts October 9, 2006.

    Register now: http://www.writetightnow.com/Pages/Novelcourse.html

    Sunday, September 17, 2006

    Coming soon!! The West Virginia Book Festival

    Mark your calendar! The sixth annual West Virginia Book Festival will be held October 21& 22, 2006, at the Charleston Civic Center. Each year the festival offers something for book lovers of all ages and interests: authors, publishers, book vendors, the Festival Marketplace, a special section just for children, a used book sale, meet the author events, workshops and panel discussions.

    Admission is free. Don't miss the chance to meet visiting authors!

    Now, here’s the best part, if you are an active member of WV Writers and you have a book for sale, we are extending an invitation to join us at the ‘WVWriters, Inc. booth and sell and sign your book. We provide the venue and you provide the lit and ink. Please contact us in advance so that we may schedule your time slot for a signing.

    The list of presenters is still not complete, but do visit their website, check out the program, and get ready.

    http://www.wvhumanities.org/bookfest/bookfest2.htm

    Saturday, September 16, 2006

    National Will Rogers Writing Contest Announced

    (This news courtesy of WV Writers 2nd VP, Terry McNemar)

    The National Society of Newspaper Columnists is sponsoring a Will Rogers Writing Contest, which is open to writers everywhere who are interested in the writings of Will Rogers, the philosopher-humorist whose words are still as alive as when he kept America laughing, and thinking, in the 1920s and ‘30s.

    Prizes will be awarded for entries that best reflect the Rogers style of writing.

    In addition to national recognition, the first place winner will receive a free registration (worth $250) to the Will Rogers Writers' Workshop, to be held March 15-18, 2007 at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. Second place entitles the winner to half-price registration (worth $125) and third place will earn a $50 discount on registration. The awards are not transferable.

    Looks like a goodin’. Check it out : http://www.willrogersok.org/

    * Oh, by the way, Will’s the one who came up with the one about the chewing tobacco.

    Monday, September 11, 2006

    WV Writers Newsletter Seeks Poetry Submissions

    We are now accepting poetry submissions for the West Virginia Writers Newsletter, upcoming (October) edition. All submissions are welcome: rhyming, free verse, seasonal, etc. We'd love to hear from members who have never before been published in the newsletter, though previously published members are welcome to submit their work for consideration.

    Submissions should be emailed both in the body of your email and as a Word attachment to: rwhite_writes@charterinternet.com.

    We do not offer financial compensation for your work, as WV Writers is a non-profit organization and we do not have a budget for article compensation at this time. However, you will have a prestigious byline for your writers resume, and a new clip for your file. If your work is selected, you will be asked to submit a brief bio that will be published in addition to your poem.

    Thanks

    Rhonda!
    Secretary for WVWriters, Inc.

    Tuesday, September 05, 2006

    The Appalachian Writers Guild Seeks Submissions

    The Appalachian Writers Guild is a non-profit organization of writers, established for the purpose of advancing the creation and dissemination of literature and history relating to the Appalachian region. AWG is currently preparing a themed anthology of Appalachian Short Stories and welcomes submissions from authors at this time. Short stories are expected to contain approximately 2000-5000 words.

    We request that submissions be made by Email (Address: AWGuild@gmail.com) in standard Word (.doc or .rft) format.

    Please send only one Work at a time, with a front page letter that specifies the title of your Work, author's name in preferred form, mailing adddress, approx.word count, email, tel. and other contact information on the first page. Submissions will receive an acknowledgement and will be reviewed. Authors are welcome to contact us after a few months.

    Authors retain significant rights to material submitted to us. Authors will will receive one complimentary copy of the anthology in which the work appears, plus sharing net royalties on a pro rata basis.

    For future publications, AWG is also seeking short fiction, biography, novellas, and creative non-fiction, including memoirs, opinion pieces and historical sketches. Unsolicited literary manuscripts, historic or cultural writing relating to Appalachia are welcomed. We are interested only in original work that is not being considered elsewhere and that has never been published.

    Friday, September 01, 2006

    Annual Summer Play Festival Submissions Sought

    (News forwarded courtesy of Joe McCabe and Terry McNemar)

    The Summer Play Festival for Emerging Writers is held in New York City each July in the Theater Row Complex in midtown Manhattan. Each year, the festival organizers read through hundreds of play and musical submissions and select 15-18 to give full productions under the guidance of their founder, Broadway producer Arielle Tepper. They are currently accepting submissions for the Fourth Annual Festival in July 2007 and are trying to spread the word to theaters and play development centers around the country. Also this year, for the first time, they are accepting submissions of children's theater pieces.

    This is a great opportunity for artists to have their work produced in a protected environment at no cost to themselves. (The Festival arranges to fly in and house the out-of-town writers as well.)

    More information on our festival and our submission process can be found on our website at www.spfnyc.com .

    If you have any questions, please direct them to...

    Sarah Bagley
    Literary Coordinator
    Summer Play Festival
    212.279.4040 (p)
    212.279.4041 (f)
    sarah@spfnyc.com

    Bridgeport Author has a new hit on her hands!

    (News courtesy of WVW 2nd VP Terry McNemar)

    Anna Egan Smucker's latest book To Keep The South Manitou Light received the 2006 Award of Merit from the Historical Society of Michigan. It's the highest recognition presented by the state's official historical society and oldest cultural organization.

    More good news re this book, it is now in a paperback edition ($13.95). The paperback info will soon be indicated on Amazon.com where you may read reviews of the youth novel.

    Amazon.com: To Keep The South Manitou Light (Great Lakes Books): Books: Anna Egan Smucker.

    Anna is also being honored by the Marion County Arts and Humanities Commission for her achievements in the field of children's literature. West Virginian's from other artistic fields will also be honored at this yearly gathering (but I don't have their names yet). The event is scheduled for 3:00 pm October 22, 2006 in the Carriage House at Highgate, 830 Walnut Avenue, Fairmont, WV. A donation fee of $15.00 requested for attendance and light refreshments are served.

    Wednesday, August 30, 2006

    Deborah Finkelstein's 21 Editing Tips

    You’ve written the story. Now you want to send it in to a contest, publisher, magazine, agent, etc. How do you know it’s ready for them to see?

    It’s time to edit your story. Self-editing is difficult. When you read something too many times you will stop seeing what’s actually on the page and start to hear what’s in your head. Below are some tips on evaluating your own work, and on sharing your work with others.

    Tips:

    1. Do you have a catchy beginning? Does your beginning draw readers into the story?

    2. Is it vivid? Do readers know your location? Do readers know your characters?

    3. Are your characters and your plot realistic?

    4. Does your dialogue sound the way real people speak?

    5. Are you an expert? If you mention a subway line in New York City, make sure it’s a real subway line. If you mention the military, make sure you have the correct details on rank and other elements.

    6. Does it have a beginning, middle, and an end?

    7. Is there conflict? The story can have great description, and funny dialogue, but without conflict it’s not a story; it’s a piece of a story.

    8. How do the paragraphs begin? Does every paragraph begin “Mary did this” and “Mary did that” or “She did this” and “She did that.” Don’t begin every paragraph the same way. Make it more interesting for the reader.

    9. Are you using active or passive verbs? For example: “He began to walk.” Only include this if the fact that he is beginning is important. For example, “At seven months the baby began to walk” or “After nine years in a wheelchair he decided to try physical therapy and then he began to walk.” Here are some examples where it’s not important: “He began to walk to the bar” or “She began to walk over to him.” Instead use “He walked to the bar” or “She walked over to him.” This is more active.

    10. Have you remained in the same tense for the whole story? For example, if you start in present tense, make sure the whole story is in present tense.

    11. Is your whole story from one point of view? For example, if you start off the story in first person then keep the story in first person.

    12. Show don’t tell. For example, “He was angry” is telling. “He stomped his feet,” “He clenched his fists,” “He banged on the table” are ways of showing anger.

    13. Have you changed any character’s name? Many writers start off a story with a character having one name (example Nick) and later change that character’s name (example Matt), but forget to change the name in earlier parts of the text.

    14. Have you spell-checked and grammar checked? It may seem obvious, but it is a step many writers overlook.

    15. Avoid exclamation points. Exclamation points should almost never be used. Most publishers do not like them. They are overused.

    16. Read it aloud. Reading aloud will allow you to hear mistakes. Your ears will catch things your eyes missed. You will hear grammar mistakes, repeated words, etc.

    17. Ask a friend to read it aloud to you. When you read it aloud you make it sound the way you want it. Your friend will read it closer to the way a reader will. You will hear mistakes, and you may hear things you want to change or clarify.

    18. Ask a friend who knows writing to read it for you. Don’t ask the friend who will like anything you do and just say, “It’s great.” Ask the friend who knows writing, and will provide you with constructive criticism and examples of ways to improve. If you don’t have a friend like this then consider joining a writing group, or hiring an editor or writing coach.

    19. Ask a friend who knows grammar to read it for you. Sometimes you may have one friend who knows writing and grammar, but many times the writing friend won’t be able to edit for grammar. Consider friends who work in proofreading. If none of your friends fit this bill consider working with an editor or writing coach.

    20. Is it laid out properly? No matter where you’re sending this story, (magazines, publishers, contests, etc.), the recipient will have requirements on how they want to receive it. Double-check their requirements and make sure your story fits them. There may be requirements on length, margins, fonts, single/double spacing, location of title on the page, page numbering, location of your name and contact information (some will ask you not to include this information) etc.

    21. Read it one last time. Just to make sure. Then send it. And start a new story.

    Deborah Finkelstein is an editor, writing coach, writing instructor, and creator of “Deborah’s Writing Newsletter,” a weekly email newsletter of writing exercises. She has published fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and journalism, and received writing awards and honors from Middlebury College, Rutgers University, Santa Fe Community College, LeMoyne College, and Troutbeck Travel Writers Classics. Until October 31, she is offering 18% off editing services for your next writing project. For more information, or to join the newsletter list, email her at begin@18cards.com


    Copyright 2006. Deborah Finkelstein. This article may be reprinted only in it’s entirety. Please let me know if you will be using it.

    Tuesday, August 29, 2006

    Writers Group Formation in Weirton area

    FROM: Savannah Guz

    Hello~

    I write to learn if there are fellow writers close to Weirton, which is splayed across Hancock and Brooke Counties way up in the northern panhandle. I'm eager to get a group of like-minded people together, so that we too can have bi-weekly or monthly meets of the minds, readings, and other energizing activities. It seems the closest writers' group is approximately an hour and a half away.

    Is there anyone who is located in the tri-state area?
    Cheers~
    Savannah Guz

    http://www.malaproductions.com/

    Thursday, August 24, 2006

    Writers Digest Short Story Competition

    Writer's Digest is holding its 7th Annual Short Story Competition.

    They're looking for 1500 words stories, any genre.

    First prize is $3000, second prize is $1500, third place $500, 4th through 10th place, $100. and the top 25 stories will be published in a special anthology.

    Entry deadline is December 1, 2006.

    For details, go to http://fwpubs.sparklist.com/t/1994071/3613268/478/0/ or http://tinyurl.com/h9kzj

    Wednesday, August 23, 2006

    Writer Terry Kay to appear at Shepherd University

    From the desk of Ethan Fischer

    Appalachian Heritage Writer-In-Residence, Terry Kay will be appearing at Shepherd University, October 2 - 7, 2006. For all the details, visit the Shepherd University website on the matter at the following link...

    http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/

    Monday, August 21, 2006

    WVW eNEWS - August 18, 2006

    WVW eNEWS - August 18, 2006

    Check! September to October
    Writers’ Market Opportunities

    - SEND WORK AFTER SEPTEMBER 1 TO TIN HOUSE
    GO TO http://www.tinhouse.com/index.htm

    The Tin House editors will not be reading unsolicited material that is postmarked between May 31 and September 1. If your manuscript has a postmark date during the hiatus, it will be returned unopened. Sorry for the inconvenience.

    Please submit one story, or up to 5 poems, at a time. Submit clearly typed manuscripts, double-spaced on 8 1/2 x 11 inch white paper, one side only, to: Tin House, P.O. Box 10500, Portland, OR 97210. Send submissions to the attention of the appropriate editor, i.e. poetry to poetry editor, etc. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but please let us know in your cover letter. It takes up to 3 months to respond to submissions. We do not accept submissions via fax or email. We publish fiction, essays, and poetry, but please do not mix genres in one envelope. We are not interested in genre fiction. The word-length limit is roughly 10,000.

    We pay writers after edits are done to our satisfaction, and just prior to publication of the final piece. Payment varies according to the length and genre of the submission, but we pay a $50.00 minimum for poetry, and $200.00 minimum for fiction and nonfiction, except for Lost & Found, which pays $150.00.


    - SEND WORK AFTER SEPTEMBER 1 TO POTOMAC REVIEW
    Submission Guidelines:
    GO TO http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/submissionguidelines.html

    - Poetry: up to three poems/five pages at a time.
    - Prose: up to 5,000 words (fiction/creative nonfiction)
    - Art: art/photographs: inquire first.

    Please send by regular mail to the address listed below. Include SASE, brief bio, e-mail address. We will respond within six months. Fall/Winter issue due out in October/November 2006. Simultaneous submissions are accepted if identified. Two complimentary copies per contributor; 40% discount for extra copies. Submission Deadlines: Reading period September 1st - May 1st ; only one submission per genre per reading period. Reading period September 1st - May 1st ; only one submission per genre per reading period.


    - SEND WORK AFTER SEPTEMBER 1 TO KENYON REVIEW
    Submission guidelines GO TO http://www.kenyonreview.org/writers/guidelines.php
    The reading period for this year will be September 1, 2006-January 31, 2007.

    An online submissions program is now available on this web site. We no longer accept work via regular mail. All work must be submitted using the online program on this web site. (It's free and saves you postage.) GO TO http://www.kenyon-review.org/submissions/

    We urge all submitters to be thoughtful of others and submit no more than two works in a given genre during the reading period. Thank you!
    We consider
    * short fiction and essays (up to 7,500 words)
    * poetry (up to 6 poems)
    * plays (up to 35 pages)
    * excerpts (up to 35 pages) from larger works
    * translations of poetry and short prose
    * only previously unpublished material is considered


    - SUBMIT WORK BEFORE OCTOBER 2 DEADLINE TO MID AMERICAN REVIEW

    Mid-American Review is an international literary journal dedicated to publishing the best contemporary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations. Founded in 1981, MAR is an official publication of the Department of English and the College of Arts & Sciences at Bowling Green State University. MAR is proud of its tradition of featuring the work of established artists. Writers such as Carl Dennis, Rita Dove, Stephen Dunn, Linda Gregg, Yusef Komunyakaa, Philip Levine, Mary Oliver, Richard Russo, William Stafford, James Tate, Melanie Rae Thon, David Foster Wallace, and C.K. Williams have all appeared in MAR. But we also pride ourselves on our publication of new and up-and-coming writers, case in point our recent Unpublished Writers Issue. MAR is an official publication of the Department of English and the College of Arts & Sciences at Bowling Green State University.

    Writers’ Submission Guidelines on webpage at http://www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/midamericanreview/index2.html

    MAR also sponsors the Sherwood Anderson Fiction Award, James Wright Poetry Award, and Creative Nonfiction Award, as well as the Fineline Competition for Prose Poems, Short Shorts, and Anything In Between.Mid-American Review is an international literary journal dedicated to publishing the best contemporary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations.
    Deadline is October 2nd.

    CONTESTS GO TO http://www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/midamericanreview/index2.html

    Address submissions to
    Mid-American Review
    Department of English, Box W
    Bowling Green State University
    Bowling Green OH 43403


    - SUBMIT BEFORE OCTOBER 2, DEADLINE TO 10TH ANNUAL ZOETROPE: ALL-STORY SHORT FICTION CONTEST

    Judged by: National Book Award-Finalist Mary Gaitskill
    First prize: $1,000 - Second prize: $500 - Third prize: $250

    The winner and seven finalists will be considered for representation by the William Morris Agency, ICM, Regal Literary, the Elaine Markson Literary Agency, Inkwell Management, Sterling Lord Literistic, and the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. The entry deadline is October 2, 2006. The winners and finalists will be announced at the website December 1, 2006, and in the Spring 2007 issue of Zoetrope: All-Story. Please e-mail us at contests@all-story.com with further questions.

    Complete Contest Guidelines: GO TO http://www.zoetrope-stories.com
    We accept all genres of literary fiction. Entries must be: unpublished; 5,000 words or less; postmarked by October 2, 2006; clearly marked "Short Fiction Contest" on both the story and the outside of the envelope; accompanied by a $15 entry fee per story (make checks payable to AZX Publications). Please include name and address on first page or cover letter only. Mail entries to: Zoetrope: All-Story - Short Fiction Contest - 916 Kearny Street - San Francisco, CA 94133


    ============================================
    - SUBMIT YEAR ROUND TO THE BALTIMORE REVIEW
    GO TO http://www.baltimorereview.org/about_us.html

    Published biannually, in the winter and the summer, The Baltimore Review is an eclectic collection of writing from Baltimore and beyond. Established in 1996, this critically acclaimed literary journal is distributed nationally and is available in bookstores and via subscription. The Baltimore Review is a 128-page, 6X9, perfect-bound biannual literary journal. The Baltimore Review accepts short fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. For further information on submitting your work for consideration, see our writers guidelines. The Baltimore Review sample copies are $10.00 each (includes $2 s/h). Submissions are read year-round. Our editorial staff is composed of volunteers, so please allow up to 6 months for a response. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

    We sponsor three annual writing competitions:
    * Creative Nonfiction Competition (January 1st - April 1st)
    * Poetry Competition (April 1st - July 1st)
    * Short Fiction Competition (August 1st - December 1st)

    Writer's Guidelines
    We publish poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction from around the nation and the world. Traditional and experimental forms are welcome. Length for prose: 6,000 words maximum. For poetry: Submit between 1-4 poems. No previously published work. Payment is in copies. We also accept art and photography submissions with a Baltimore theme. Send copies only, as well as a cover letter telling us about yourself and your work. Address your work to the respective editor: Fiction Editor, Poetry Editor, or Nonfiction Editor. Send self-addressed, stamped business envelope for a response to: The Baltimore Review - PO Box 36418 - Towson, MD 21286


    ==================================
    EDITOR'S FEATURED WRITERS’ MARKET

    NOW AND THEN
    Writers Guidelines GO TO http://cass.etsu.edu/n&t/guidelin.htm

    Now & Then , founded in 1984, is currently published twice annually by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services (CASS) at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City and welcomes freelance contributions.

    Each issue of Now & Then focuses on an aspect of life in the Appalachian region as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission (West Virginia and the mountainous parts of 12 other states, including New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi). Previous issues have focused on the themes of Appalachia’s rivers, its museums and archives, language, health and illness, biographies and memoirs, architecture, recreation, transportation, and the new immigrants.

    We seek nonfiction and fiction work, including news and feature articles, interviews, personal essays, reviews, short stories, poems, photos, photo essays, and line art or graphic illustrations. Work can have a contemporary or historical focus. Writing can include information gleaned from diaries, letters, and family histories, as well as standard research and reportage.Sample issues are available for $5 per copy by writing Sample Request, Now & Then, Box 70556, ETSU, Johnson City TN 37614-1707.

    Before sending us any unsolicited submission, please make sure it conforms to one of our current themes.

    For fullest and quickest consideration for WRITERS:

    * Please submit by e-mail (nowandthen@etsu.edu) a brief one-page query or the completed manuscript in Microsoft Word document format if it is less than 1,000 words. Poets can submit up to five poems.
    * Include a brief statement of the regional tie-in and your work’s pertinence to the theme.
    * Include an e-mail and regular mailing address and phone numbers, along with the best times to call, so we can reach you easily.
    * E-mail submissions are acceptable.
    * We will need a short, 3-4 sentences maximum, contributor’s note to include with your submission.

    Final copy should meet deadline and length specifications and be sent electronically (nowandthen@etsu.edu) with a hard-copy printout follow-up to Editor, Now & Then, Box 70556, ETSU, Johnson City TN 37614-1707. Hard-copy printouts of caption information are also required.

    Poets: Send up to five poems for consideration to Linda P. Marion, 2909 Fountain Park Blvd., Knoxville TN 37917.

    General Specifications Related to Content GO TO http://cass.etsu.edu/n&t/guidelin.htm

    * Fiction, news and feature articles, interviews and personal essays generally run 1,000 to 2,500 words.
    * Submit no more than five poems at a time. Poetry must also relate to the theme.
    * Clearly label any first-person piece as either fiction or a nonfiction essay.

    Nancy Fischman, Managing Editor Now & Then
    CASS/ETSU - P.O. Box 70556
    Johnson City, TN 37614-1707
    FAX 423-929-7870
    nowandthen@etsu.edu
    E-mail submissions are acceptable.

    ===WVW eNEWS composed, edited by George Lies for WVW, Inc.===