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Thursday, April 27, 2006

CynthiaSterling Writers Market News

(Thanks to Fay Thompson for the forwarding this CynthiaSterling Market News report)

Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times are once again sponsoring their American Title contest, a contest for unpublished authors.

This year they’re looking for contemporary romance: chick lit, romantic suspense, paranormals, romantic comedies and anything that falls in between. The finished manuscript should be 80,000-90,000 words.

Send the first three chapters and a synopsis that summarizes the story from beginning to end to:
AMERICAN TITLE III, Dorchester Publishing, 200 Madison Ave., Suite 2000, New York, NY 10016. Entry deadline is June 1, 2006.

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In July 2006, Harlequin launches its new African American imprint, Kimani Press. They will publish both series and single title books. Series books will be 70,000 to 75,000 words. They're looking for traditional romance-focused stories featuring true-to-life characters that readers can connect with. They're open to traditional themes such as Cinderella stories, rags-to-riches, makeovers, etc., but would also welcome hip humor and fresh ideas. Sensuality is dictated by the stories and characters. First and third-person viewpoints are welcome, as are a variety of settings. Heroines may be of any age. Address queries and questions to Mavis Allen, Associate Senior Editor in Harlequin's New York office. For more details, visit http://tinyurl.com/ea7wj

Kimani Arabesque books will feature single-title stories 85,000 to 95,000 words in length. Romantic comedy, romantic suspense and classic contemporary romance are welcome. Previously published authors should submit the first three chapters and a detailed synopsis to Editor Evette Porter in Harlequin's New York office. Unpublished authors should send a complete manuscript and synopsis to Ms. Porter. For detailed requirements, see http://tinyurl.com/r2m6p.

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Catch your lucky break--while making a difference to others. Do you want to write for Warner Books, MIRA Books, Bantam Doubleday Dell or any of the other major print publishers? Are you tired or waiting months and months, possibly years to get a response on your submission? Or maybe you're hoping to attract the attention of a powerful literary agent who can really help launch your career. If so, this is your chance! Visit fellow author Brenda Novak's Second Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research, where some of the best agents and editors in the business have come together to offer you a fabulous opportunity. Besides reads, you can bid on books, trips and tons of great goodies. Don't miss it! The auction runs May 1st - 31st at www.brendanovak.com


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Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Poetcast: Listen Up

For those of you with IPods, or an equivallent MP3 device...

With the launch of "Poetcast," it's easier than ever to listen to poetry. Poetcast is a regular poetry podcast series that features new work from contemporary poets, selections from their unparalleled Poetry Audio Archive, and contemplations from poets on their most cherished lines of verse.

The newest podcast, released this week, features poems by Carolyn Kizer and Robert Creeley, and includes Ira Sadoff discussing lines by Czeslaw Milosz.

Download yours at: Poets.org/poetcast.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Morgantown Summer Writing Workshop

Jason T. Lewis, a Teaching/Writing Fellow in the Iowa Writer's Workshop, will be offering an 8-week writing workshop beginning June 7th in Morgantown, WV. Lewis, a student of Pulitzer Prize winner James Alan McPherson and best-selling author Alice Sebold (The Lovely Bones) says he wished to bring some of what he's learned back home and offer the knowledge to other West Virginia writers.

The workshop will cost $100 for the 8 weeks. For more details, please visit Jason Lewis's website or e-mail him at workshop@jason-lewis.net.

Gwen Hyman Rubio Appearance in Bluefield

Bluefield College is proud to announce that author Gwyn Hyman Rubio will read from her recent book, The Woodsman’s Daughter, on Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in The Boardroom: Third Floor Lansdell Hall on the Bluefield State Campus.

She will be also be available for an informal discussion of writing on Thursday, April 27 at 11 a.m. in Science Building 103.

Poet and novelist Fred Chappell said her first novel, Icy Sparks "knocked me on my teakettle. It is a classic of Appalachian literature, and I think it will take its shining place in American literature.... Gwyn Hyman Rubio is a marvelous writer.”

Gwyn Hyman Rubio grew up in south Georgia. Upon graduating from Florida State University with a B.A. in English, Rubio joined the Peace Corps serving in Costa Rica. She has been nominated for a Pushcart Press Editors’ Book Award and anthologized in Above Ground: Stories About Life and Death by New Southern Writers. Her first novel, Icy Sparks, was one of several novels chosen to represent “The Next Wave of Great Literary Voices” in the Discover Great New Writers program.

She is also a winner of the Cecil Hackney Award as well as a recipient of grants from the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Foundation for Women. She lives in Versailles, Kentucky.

For more information about her Bluefield appearances, contact Rob Merritt, Professor of English at Bluefield College, rmerritt@bluefield.edu or 276-326-4270.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

(REMINDER) Joy Held appearance

Courtesy of Region 9 Representative Terry McNemar...

  • Author Joy Held be signing Writer Wellness at the Borders table at the Ohio River Festival of Books in Huntington at the Civic Center on Saturday, April 29 from 10 - 11 a.m. This is a great book for writers (or for anyone). Be sure to stop by and see her.


  • Go support our local heros. Thanks to all.

    (REMINDER) Ohio River Festival of Books

    The Ohio River Festival of Books happens April 29th between 9-5 at Huntington, WV's Big Sandy Arena. At the festival you can meet, greet and speak to over fifty authors, plus browse through books, books, and more books -- many of which you can have signed by the author.

    At the Borders Booth, international bestseller and highly acclaimed author Robert W. Walker, author of the Instinct, Edge, and Ransom series of books, will sign between 10-12 a.m. His latest novels are Absolute Instinct, Grave Instinct, and City for Ransom. Walker teaches at Mountain State University and Mtn. State Academy in Beckley, WV and is a graduate of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. City for Ransom represents his 44th novel and was named the best history-mystery of January 2006 by the Poisoned Pen Press, and award-winning author David Ellis calls it "Crime noir at its finest."

    For more information, visit the Ohio River Festival of Books website at http://www.ohioriverbooks.org/.

    Saturday, April 22, 2006

    (REMINDER) Neely Tucker to appear at Carnegie Hall, Lewisburg, WV.

    Neely Tucker, Washington Post writer and author of the best seller Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir, will be making an appearance at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV, on Saturday April 29, 2006 at 7 p.m.

    Love in the Driest Season tells the true story of Tucker’s time in Africa as a journalist and how he and his wife bonded with and struggled to adopt an infant found abandoned in the African bush. Tucker’s appearance is the culmination of a day of presentations and forums and displays concerning adoption in Africa. These will include, an adoption forum at 2 p.m.and Adoption Agencies and Support Group Displays in the Old Stone Room from noon until 4 p.m.

    (Please note, the World Vision Presentation by Vita Tucker, formerly listed above, has been cancelled.)

    Admission to all activities is free, though reservations are recommended. Phone 304-645-7917.

    Tuesday, April 18, 2006

    Dr. Write — Writing Classes (UPDATED)

    WRITING CLASSES STARTING SOON!
    Geoff Fuller is accepting students for three different writing classes which will be starting soon–one in Charleston and two in Teays Valley.

    THE BUSINESS OF WRITING will be held on Saturday, May 6, from 9 am to 4 pm. (Long break for lunch and informal discussion) This class explores the ins and outs of the publishing industry, teaches how to communicate with publishers, agents and editors, and how to give the industry what it wants. Find the best strategies for building your writing career and implementing your particular project. The classes will be held at the Teays Valley Presbyterian Church, just off the Teays Valley exit of I-64. Cost: $60

    SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITING will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 9 am to 4 pm with a long break for lunch and informal discussion. In this class, students will learn to hone and strengthen their prose by applying the editorial strategies most appropriate to the needs of the manuscript. Primarily for fiction, but many of the strategies and skills are also useful for creative nonfiction and personal essay. Learn to spot the best ways to improve your writing. Classes will be held at the Teays Valley Presbyterian Church, just off the Teays Valley exit of I-64. Cost: $60

    SHORT-SHORT FICTION & THE BASICS OF STORY will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:00 pm on April 25 and May 2, 9, and 16. Students will learn what readers look for and what makes stories absorbing, exciting, and memorable. This class will explore the fundamental requirements of story, with a special focus on the short-short (aka flash fiction, aka sudden fiction). Participants will learn more about the craft of fiction and will each produce an example of sudden fiction (1,500 words or fewer). These classes will be held in Charleston Newspapers' conference center, located on the third floor of CN's parking building on Virginia Street. Cost: $135

    Take both Saturday classes for $100. Get a friend to sign up and Geoff will knock 25% off your registration.

    Geoff is a former textbook editor and frequent contributor to the popular "Writer's Clinic" column in Writer's Digest. As the only person to win literary Fellowships in all three categories offered by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts—fiction, nonfiction, and memoir—Geoff brings a broad expertise to his classes. Geoff's classes usually sell out. Every student who has taken his classes in the past has indicated a desire to do so again. Not sure if these classes are for you? Call 755.3952 and talk it over with Geoff. He can help you decide which class would be best for you. For more information, visit http://www.drwriteclinic.com/custom.html or email him at geocam@adelphia.net.

    Monday, April 17, 2006

    Chuck Kinder Appearance in Beckley

    This news courtesy of Region 4 representative Rhonda White.

    Chuck Kinder, author of Last Mountain Dancer, Honeymooners, Snakehunter, and other novels, will read from his work in Beckley, WV at the Soldiers Memorial Theater on Friday, April 28th at 7 p.m.

    You may already be aware that Chuck Kinder will host a workshop at the West Virginia Writers Spring Conference in Ripley, WV in June.

    Come and meet Chuck in Beckley next week to get a sneak preview of what you can look forward to in June.

    Saturday, April 15, 2006

    In Good Form(s) Part 2

    In addition to the 2006 Conference Registration form and the 2006 Cedar Lakes Meals & Lodging Registration form, we have now added the Conference Flyer and the Conference Parental Consent form to the WVWriters website.

    Coming soon, the Conference Brochure!

    Appalachian Heritage New Writers Award

    Shepherd University's Appalachian Literary Project announces the West Virginia New Writers Fiction Contest to encourage and recognize novice writers in the State and to foster an appreciation of Appalachian culture and values represented in the diverse writing of the region. Submissions are encouraged from any resident of West Virginia who meets the criteria below.

    Who can submit? Any resident of West Virginia.

    What are the limitations upon submissions? Any original, unpublished work of fiction, between 500 and 2,500 words, one submission only.

    What is the deadline for submissions? May 1, 2006.

    Where should submissions be mailed?
    West Virginia New Writers Fiction Contest
    Department of English and Modern Languages
    Shepherd University
    P.O. Box 3210
    Shepherdstown, WV 25443

    Electronic submissions may be emailed to Bfeltner@shepherd.edu

    What should accompany submissions? The application form below.

    What prize will be awarded? $500.00 and possible publication.

    Who will select the fiction contest winner? The 2006 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence, Terry Kay, will make the final selection. The winner will receive the West Virginia New Writers Award and the accompanying $500 prize on the night of Friday, October 6, 2006, at the Appalachian Heritage Festival Concert, one of the major events of the 2006 residency. Terry Kay will present the award, and the Fiction Competition winner will read from the winning story.

    When will the winner be notified? August 1, 2006

    For Full information please visit http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/new_writers.html.

    Friday, April 14, 2006

    Book Marketing Radio

    Fran Silverman interviews authors, publishers and publicists on Book Marketing with Fran on Achieve Radio. Book Marketing with Fran airs live on Tuesday, noon to 1 p.m. (MST); 11 a.m., (PST), 1 p.m. (CST) and 2 p.m. (EST). During Daylight Savings Time, the show airs at 11 a.m. in Arizona, which does not change its clock. The archives are available 10 minutes after the shows ends. To tune into the show, got to http://www.achieveradio.com and click on "Shows, Hosts and Schedules" on the left side. Scroll down to Fran's show. To talk to Fran and her guest, call 1-800-920-3717 or email via the "In-Quick Message or Call In" link on the Achieve Radio site. Visit Fran at http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com

    Wednesday, April 12, 2006

    WVW eNews for 4/6/06

    WV Writers President Emeritus George Lies has posted his latest WVWeNews to the WVWriters Roundtable.

    This edition features information on the new book Lost Mountain by Eric Reece.

    If you're a member of West Virginia Writers and are not receiving the WVWriters eNews as e-mail, feel free to drop George a note to add your name to the list.

    Follow the link below to the latest edition....

    Monday, April 10, 2006

    Opportunities in the world of scripts and theatre

    From WV Writers' own Joe McCabe, courtesy of Terry McNemar's e-mailing list...

    OPPORTUNITIES

    Bowie State University is seeking one-act plays (30 minutes or shorter) for its "Short Stack v2 New Play Project. Unproduced. DEADLINE: May 1st. AWARDS: $250, $50 (2), and workshop productions. SEND via email to newplayfestival@bowiestate.edu on pdf format. Include brief author biog.

    Spiral, Inc., a new theatre company, accepting one-acts that are "new to New York" for its Working Actors Theater Project. 2-5 characters, minimal set and props. DEADLINE: May 1st. (Also seeks full-length plays for mainstage season.) SEND TO: 235 East 49th St., NYC 10017. ATT: W.A.T. or ATT: Mainstage. More info, check www.spiralinc.org.

    Insurrection Theater Company’s Taboo Festival. 10-Minute plays and one-acts under 30 minutes. "Only plays with taboo topics or relationships." Minimal set and small cast preferred. SEND TO: 6509 East Osborn Rd #205, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Further info www.insurrectiontheater.com.

    Cedar Lane Stage’s Annual Summer One-Act Festival seeking original scripts with minimal tech requirements. 10 minutes to one hour. DEADLINE: April 15th. PRIZE: production. SEND TO: Ed Starr, 4604 Davidson Drive, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Further info edwardstarr@yahoocom.

    Lebanon Community Theatre’s 7th Annual Playwriting Contest. 10-20 minutes long. "No more than 3 scenes using limited sets, props and costumes...cast should not exceed eight." Submit two copies. This year’s theme: money. DEADLINE: April 30th. PRIZES: $100, one season ticket to LCTl, performance. SEND TO: P.O. Box 592, Lebanon, PA 17042. Further info: Chet Rittle at 717-270-9472.

    Actors’ Playhouse’s National Children’s Theatre Festival. Seeking originals musicals, unpublished, "limited production exposure". 45-60 minutes long, for ages 3-12, maximum 8 adult actors. DEADLINE: May 1st. PRIZES: $500 and production. Further info www.actorsplayhouse.org.

    13th Street Rep Company’s Lucky 13 Short Play Festival. Seeking new plays and musicals, 10-20 minute long. DEADLINE: May 5th. Submission guidelines and application form at www.13thstreetrep.org. PRIZE: production.

    D & R Master, Inc. Producing a set of plays on the theme of "Ordinary Evil". One-acts or 10-minute plays. Send my e-mail with introductory letter stating why your play fits theme klile@pacbell.net. DEADLINE: May 15th. PRIZE: production and/or evaluation. Check guidelines at www.pianofinders.com.

    Fritz Theatre seeks new one-act, full-length, musical plays. SEND TO: Duane Daniels, Artistic Director, PO Box 126488, San Diego, CA 92101. Further info www.fritztheatre.com.

    The Haven’s Festival of One-Acts, "The Mercy Plays" Seeks short plays centered in one way or another around theme "mercy". DEADLINE: April 15th. SEND TO: Kari Buck, Producer, 264 Water St. #3-C, New York, NY 10038. Further info 917-647-5639. Or e-mail impacttheaternyc@yahoo.com.

    Manhattentheatresource, a "new not-for-profit arts service organization ... for independent theatre artists..." seeks one-acts, full-lengths, musicals for production. No payment. SEND TO: Daryl Boling, Managing Director, 177 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10011. Further info www.theatresource.org.

    New Acting Troupe seeks one-acts, ten-minute plays, solo pieces, translations and adaptations. E-mail submissions only, to newactingtroupe@yahoo.com. Send with brief synopsis, cast requirements, performance length, character descriptions.

    Rockville Little Theatre’s One-Act Comedy Festival. Plays up to 40 minutes long, comic. Previously produced OK. DEADLINE: June 1st. PRIZE: production. SEND TO: Alex Fraser, Dramaturg, Box 15141, Chevy Chase, MD 20825. Further info cognitive1@webtv.net.

    BareStage Theatre seeking plays for its two-week festival of twelve plays. 5-15 pages in length, cast of no more than 6. DEADLINE: June 30th. PRIZE: Production. SEND TO: Bryon Burruss, Artistic Director, PO Box 9004, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Further info www.barestage.com or 530-529-1241.

    Eclectic Company Theatre’s Hurricane Season seeks full-length plays. Fee: $10 for one, $25 for three. Send 2 copies each. Previously unproduced preferred. No contact info on script; separate title page with info. For details check www.eclectriccompanytheatre.org click on Hurricane Season. SEND TO: Hurricane Season Submissions, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91607.

    Juneteenth Legacy Theatre seeking scripts for Festival of staged readings, any length. Five preferred themes on African American experience: 19th Century experience, Harlem Renaissance Era, images of women, contemporary issues and youth, Native-American and Caribbean influences on African Americans. Production in another area OK. Send brief synopsis, character breakdown, set requirements with 4 copies, three to Louisville office, one with application fee to NYC office. Fee $15. DEADLINE: April 15th. PRIZE: staged reading and travel costs up to $100. SEND TO: Lorna Littleway, Artistic Dir., 323 W. Broadway #505, Louisville, KY 40202. And: 605 Water St. #21B, New York, NY 10002. Further info www.juneteenththlegacytheatre.com.

    Siena College International Playwrights Competition. Full-length plays. 3-10 characters, for college-age performers, unit set. Unpublished, unproduced. DEADLINE: June 30th. PRIZES: $2000 honorarium and up to $2000 to support required residency, full production. SEND TO: Gary Maciag, Director, 515 Loudon Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211-1462. Further info www.siena.edu.

    Speaking Ring Theatre Company 4th Annual Festival seeking one-act plays on theme "rebirth - the steps we take toward second chancews or new beginnings". DEADLINE: June 12th Fee: $10. SEND TO: Michael Brownlee, Vitality, 1733 W. Gregory, Chicago, IL 60640. Further info www.speakingringtheatre.org.

    SUNY College at Brockport Festival of Ten V. 7-12 minute long plays. Previously non-Equity productions ok. DEADLINE: April 29th. Fee: $3 each. PRIZES: $300, $200, $100 and top ten to receive full productions. SEND TO: Gary Musante, Tech Director, 350 New Campus Drive, Brockport, NY 14420. Further info www.brockport.edu.

    Theatre Rats Chester Horn Short Play Festival. Plays no longer than 15 minutes. PRIZES: Favorite play, author, actor and actress. Include short bio. SEND TO Michael Ruby, Associate Artistic Director at scripts@theatrerats.com. Further info www.theatrerats.com.

    Theatre Exile’s Spark Fest seeking 10-minute plays for summer production of "risky and challenging plays that contain a sense of true Philadelphian grittiness and passion." One page synopsis and two pages of dialogue... SEND TO: brenna@theatre.org.

    The Boulder Acting Group seeks one-act plays for staged readings and full productions in the summer. Minimal set requirements. SEND TO: Andrea Harbeck, Artistic Director, 908 Parkview St., Louisville, CO 80027.

    Thursday, April 06, 2006

    In good form(s)

    Just added to the WV Writers Website, the 2006 Conference Registration form and the 2006 Cedar Lakes Meals & Lodging Registration form.

    This is but the precursor for the 2006 WV Writers Conference Brochure, which is soon to make its debut.

    WV Author Appearances Roundup

    Courtesy of Region 9 Representative Terry McNemar...

  • Poet Cheryl Denise is reading from her collection I SAW GOD DANCING, Sat. April 8th at 11:30am in the Barnes and Noble store in Morgantown.

  • Cheryl will be reading along with Barbary Chaapel and others at the April 22nd reading in ‘Waldomore’, at the Clarksburg – Harrison Public Library?

  • Author Joy Held be signing Writer Wellness at the Borders table at the Ohio River Festival of Books in Huntington at the Civic Center on Saturday, April 29 from 10 - 11 a.m. This is a great book for writers (or for anyone). Be sure to stop by and see her.

  • Henry L. Palek of Clarksburg will be signing his book, Return to Io at a various locations soon. Stop in and pick up a copy of this amazing paranormal romance novel. Definitely worth the time and money. Where: Borders, Meadowbrook Mall, Bridgeport, WV 26330 When: April 15, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Where: Barnes & Noble, 3000 University Towne Centre Dr., Morgantown, WV 26501 When: May 13, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more info: http://www.returntoio.com/index.html

  • And on the same stage... S. L. Gardner will also be signing and selling her translation of Robert Armistead’s life as a African-American coal miner in Black Days, Black Dust. For more on “Sharon’s book, visit : http://www.slgardner.com/AboutBDBD.htm


  • Go support our local heros. Thanks to all.

    Tuesday, April 04, 2006

    Barbary Chaapel Poetry Reading

    Barbary Chaapel has a new collection of poems published, No Name Harbor: Poetry of Barbary Chaapel, and she will be reading, along with other poets, at Waldomore (beside the Clarksburg Harrison Public Library) in Clarksburg on April 22 at 2 pm.

    The Clarksburg Library is sponsoring the presentation in honor of 'National Poetry Month'.

    For a closer look at her book, click: http://barbarychaapel.eveusa.com

    Saturday, April 01, 2006

    Women's Writing Contest

    2006 Women Who Write Tenth Annual Poetry and Short Prose Contest

    RULES FOR ENTRY

  • Submissions must be received or postmarked by April 17, 2006.
  • A $5.00 entry fee must be included with each piece of work submitted.
  • Submission should be no more than 10 double-spaced pages.
  • Each submission must include a cover page with the title of the work, authors name, address, and home phone number. The title only should appear on each page of the work.
  • Entries are not accepted from current members of Women Who Write.
  • Send entries to Women Who Write, P.O. Box 6167, Louisville, KY 40206. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your materials returned.

  • If you have questions, email Women Who Write