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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/