Five situations where it's better to tell than show in your fiction

SciFi blog io9.com has posted an article for writers entitled "Five situations where it's better to tell than show in your fiction."


Check it out for yourself at the above link.

Cat Pleska Christmas Radio Essay

WVW President Cat Pleska has a new radio essay on WV Public Radio, just in time for Christmas.

It's called Reflections on an Aluminum Christmas Tree. Hear it and read it at the link.

A CALL FOR POEMS

(News courtesy of Sal Buttaci)

The Poem Factory at http://sambpoet.webs.com/ invites you to submit poems for consideration
in the Winter 2011 Issue:

Submit 3-5 poems (24-line limit per poem) + a brief bio (up to 3 lines)

Poems need not be about winter!

Deadline: January 07, 2011

Send poem(s) in an e-mail (no attachments) to Salvatore Buttaci at sambpoet@yahoo.com

In the e-mail's subject line, type: FACTORY POEMS

The Winter Issue of Holler Deadline

The deadline for submissions for the winter issue of HOLLER, is now January 15.

Submit online (http://www.princetonpoetryproject.org)

And tell your friends to submit, too.

The winter issue is scheduled for publication on 2/1/11.

WVW Podcast Episode 47: THE 2011 CONTESTCAST #1

Episode 47 of the WV Writers Podcast is now online. It's our first ContestCast, serving as a primer for the WV Writers 2011 Annual Writing Contest, which will began accepting entries January 2, 2011.

Joining us to help explain all the whys and wherefores of the contest are WVW President Cat Pleska and WVW 1st VP Teresa Newsome.

Download Contest Entry Forms As Reference for the Podcast


Entry Form (.doc) Entry Form (.pdf)



Student Entry Form (.doc) Student Entry Form (.pdf)

New online writing course with guest teacher Gary A. Braunbeck (week three).

(FROM Michael Knost of Woodland Press)

We are accepting ten students for this course...only six slots remain...first come, first serve.

Class One: Choosing the Right Title for Your Story
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 – 9:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Class Two: Motivation
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 – 9:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Class Three: Character & Emotion (guest speaker: Gary Braunbeck)
**Students will turn in a short story (up to 5000 words) for critique.**
Tuesday, January 4, 2011 – 9:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Class Four: Story Critiques
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 – 9:00 p.m. (Eastern)

The cost of the course is $100.00.

To sign up, please send PayPal payment to:

mikecollinsemail@yahoo.com

Remember, when using PayPal, click:

Send money > Personal > Other

Weatherford Award deadline reminder

(From the WV Gazette Blog, written by Vic Burkhammer)

Word for word, here’s a note from a regional listserv I receive that might be of interest to MountainWord readers…. from Silas House:

This year, a Weatherford Award is being given specifically for poetry (the other awards are for fiction and nonfiction…previously poetry competed against fiction) and the new poetry Weatherford honors the life and work of Dr. Grace Toney Edwards, former Director of the Appalachian Regional Studies Center at Radford University. However, the ASA website has not been updated to reflect this, and the deadline draws near. Thus, this email, with instructions on how to nominate:

The ASA and Berea College annually present the Weatherford Awards to honor published works that “best illuminate the challenges, personalities, and unique qualities of the Appalachian South.” This year an award is being given for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The award honors Willis D. Weatherford Jr. and Sr. for their contributions to the region. The late Alfred Perrin began the award in 1970.
The only requirement is that the subject matter of the books be Appalachian or that they be set in Appalachia. All nominations for the Weatherford Awards must be made by December 31, 2010, and all entries must be originally published in 2010.

For poetry, send a letter of nomination and seven copies of the work to:

Silas House

NEH Chair of Appalachian Studies

PO Box 1121

Berea, KY 40403

For non-fiction, send a letter of nomination and seven copies of the work to:

Chad Berry, Director

Appalachian Center

CPO 2166

205 North Main Street

Berea College

Berea, KY 40404

For fiction, send a letter of nomination and seven copies of the work to:

George Brosi
Appalachian Center
CPO 2166
205 North Main Street
Berea College
Berea, KY 40404

Uncle Terry's Gift Ideas from WV Authors List 2010

While you’re finishing up your holiday shopping, don’t forget to support these WV Writer, Inc. authors. And don’t forget to stop at your local bookstores: Tamarack, James and Law, Borders, B & N, Frog Creek Books, the Open Book in Lewisburg, McClain’s Printing, Vandalia Press, Main Line Books, …to name just a few. This is where you might find these books! You may also send links if you have a website as a sales tool. Be happy to post it. Thanks.

UPDATED 12/10/09

Seeking the Swan by West Virginia Writers, Inc.

Catching the Crow by West Virginia Writers, Inc.

And Now the Magpie by West Virginia Writers, Inc.

Beyond the Magpie by West Virginia Writers, Inc.

Best of WV Writers by West Virginia Writers, Inc.

Mountain Voices by the members of the WV Writers Roundtable

Eyes in the Attic by Nadine McKinney

Pocket Change and Blood Kin and Other Strangers by Patsy Evans Pittman

Still Life With Plums by Marie Manilla

Naked Man's Rock by Richard A. Lewis

Kathleen Coffee by Kathleen Coffee

Pilgrim of the Neo-Dark Ages (CD) by Tim Armentrout

Livvie Owen Lived Here by Sarah Dooley

Death Comes to Redhawk, Long Ride to Yesterday, and Death Rides the Rail by R.G. Yoho

Shades of Gray Documentary about WV UFO investigator Gray Barker

Everything I Know and Tips and Techniques Workbook by Sandy Tritt

Return to Io by Henry Palek

Ragdoll Angel by T.W. McNemar

The Well Ain't Dry Yet, The Bingo Cheaters, and Buckle Up, Buttercup by Belinda Anderson

Writers Workshop of Horror, Dark Tales of Terror, Mountain Magic, and Specters in Coal Dust, published by Woodland Press

Beyond the Grave, Ghost Stories from the Mountains CD of stories by Granny Sue Holstein

In the Heart of the Hills: A Novel in Stories and Witness at Hawk's Nest by Dwight Harshbarger

More than Penny Candy and other books by Dolly Withrow

The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Ken Sullivan, editor

The Pale Light of Sunset, Crum, and Screamin’ with the Cannibals by Lee Maynard

Journey of the Snow Goose and No Name Harbor by Barbery Chaapel

I Saw God Dancing by Cheryl Denise

Lake Effect by Laura Treacy Bentley (poetry)

Family Spirit by Jill Decker

The I in Me by Cynthia Cox

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, Dream Factory, and Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley

Jewels in Our Crown: the State Parks of West Virginia by Maureen Crockett

Hometown Reunion by Pam Andrews (a.k.a. Pam Hanson)

PSI Blue by Rob Walker

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

Chick Flicks by Barbara Smith’

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

Feast of the Seven Fishes by Robert Tinnell

The Rock and the Pebble by Mark Defoe

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

Surviving Mae West' by Priscilla Rodd

Wild Sweet Notes I & II by ……everyone

To Keep The South Manitou Light, Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story and The Life of St. Brigid by Anna Egan Smucker

Legends: Profiles of West Virginia University Basketball by Norman Julian

Clarksburg by Robert Stealey Clarksburg' by Robert Stealey

Risk, Return, and the Indigo Autumn by Tim McGhee

The Green Rolling Hills: Writings from West Virginia edited by V.J. Banis (anthology, various authors, included) or from Amazon.

Echoes of a Woman’s Soul by Dianna Doles Petry

Bit and Pieces and Peripheral Visions by Robert Flanagan

Alzheimer's Care with Dignity by Frank Fuerst

The Transparent Feather by Barbara June Appelgren

Creighten’s Crossroads and Howard Hill by Betty Larosa

Silent No More by Krista Fink

Beached in the Hourglass illustrated by the author, Ethan Fischer and available from: The Bunny & the Crocodile Press, shops near Shepherdstown)

Bequest for Nathan and Azariah's Legacy by Lois Casto

the Almost Christmas Pony by Ruth Lynn Kirk

Short and Simple Annals: Poems About Appalachia' and Llewellyn McKernan's Greatest Hits by Llewellyn McKernan

Princeton Poetry Readings on YouTube

(This news courtesy of Cynthia Cox)

Members of WV Writers recently gave a poetry reading at the Princeton Public Library, in Princeton, WV. Member Cynthia Cox has posted video clips of the recent reading, and other such poetry readings from the area, on her YouTube page. Follow the link below to see them...

http://www.youtube.com/user/cdinwv

Rob Merritt Poetry Reading on YouTube

(This news courtesy of Cynthia Cox)

WV Writers' own Rob Merritt recently gave a reading at the Princeton Public Library, in Princeton, WV. Below is a link to a YouTube clip of part of Rob's reading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29NkNIGv6Y

WVDCH/WVCOA Grant Writing Workshop Tour

Division of Culture and History to present grant writing workshops for artists, arts organizations and arts projects

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History in collaboration with the West Virginia Commission on the Arts will conduct statewide grant writing workshops during December and January. The arts section of the Division will present this free series of workshops with the help of local host organizations in six locations.

The arts staff will offer a grant writing overview with program deadlines, tips and timelines for success, and procedures to be used for an application. They also will discuss new initiatives and programs to support local arts projects, changes in current guidelines affecting fiscal year 2012 applicants, and how to plan for grant success.

Arts administrators, arts educators, arts volunteers, artists and art patrons are invited to participate in these practical and informal sessions.

The grant writing workshops are the result of the “Listening Tour” sessions conducted statewide by the arts staff in September.

“With the help of local hosts, we can reach the most people and have more impact in each community. We appreciate these hosts for assisting with bringing this much-needed workshop to their communities,” said Jeff Pierson, director of arts for the Division. A complete list of the workshop sites is attached.

Participants are requested to pre-register for the sessions at least one week prior to the session date. To pre-register or for more information about the grant writing workshops and the programs of the arts section and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, contact Debbie Haught, community arts coordinator for the Division, at (304) 558-0240, ext. 714, or e-mail her at debbie.r.haught@wv.gov.

With the leadership of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, Kay Goodwin, cabinet secretary, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Its administrative offices, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, are located at the Culture Center in the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, which also houses the state archives and state museum. The Culture Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. The agency also operates a network of museums and historic sites across the state. For more information about the Division’s programs, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Grant Writing Workshops:

Charleston, WV 25301
Contact: Sharon King
(304) 345-1500 ext 220
Sharon.king@charlestonwvciviccenter.com
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010
Time: 3 - 5 p.m.

Elkins
Host: Randolph County Community Arts Center2 Park Street Elkins WV, 26241
Contact: Beth King
(304) 645-2355
beth@randolpharts.org
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010
Time: 3 – 5 p.m.

Morgantown
Host: Arts Monongahela
201 High Street Morgantown, WV 26505
Contact: Jeannie Kuhn
(304) 291-6720
executive@artsmon.org
Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010
Time: 5 - 7 p.m.

Romney
Host: Hampshire County Arts Council
Bottling Works/Loy Long Street 426 E. Main Street (US Rt. 50)
Contact: Shari Gallery
(304) 703-1350 or (304) 406-8002
sgallery@frontiernet.net Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011
Time: 5 - 7 p.m.

Logan
Host: Museum in the Park
376 Little Buffalo Creek Road
Contact: Elizabeth Williams
(304) 792-7229
Elizabeth.a.williams@wv.gov

Counting down til start of WVW 2011 Writing Contest

There's just barely over one month until the gates open for WV Writers' 2011 Writing Contest. You can find the entry forms at our contest page. We will also soon be issuing a special podcast about it to talk about the new categories and what they might mean to you. Give `em a look and see what stories and poems you might have on hand that will fit, or, better yet, write something new to submit.

January 2, 2011 will be the date we begin accepting submissions.

Rich Bottles Jr. signing in Fairmont

West Virginia Writers Inc. author Rich Bottles Jr. will join fellow WV horror writer Gary Lee Vincent at a book signing hosted by Kerri's Korner Bookstore in Fairmont, WV, on Saturday, December 18, 2010.

Rich Bottles Jr. will be signing copies of his book "Lumberjacked" and Gary Lee Vincent will be signing copies of "Darkened Hills." For more information about either novel, visit www.burningbulbpublishing.com.
Kerri's Korner Bookstore is located on 1011 Speedway Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554 (304-363-2665).

The book signing on Saturday, December 18th, will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come join us for this fun event and show your support for local writers!

Poetry of the sacred contest: Merton Prize (REMINDER)

(This news courtesy Rhonda Browning White)

Contest Guidelines
http://www.mertoninstitute.org/

Deadline for submissions: Received by December 31, 2010.

First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention Prizes, $100 each.

Winning Poems will be published in The Merton Seasonal, a publication of scholarly articles about noted spiritual leader Thomas Merton and will be posted on the Merton Institute web site:
www.mertoninstitute.org.

Only ONE unpublished poem type written in English may be submitted.

Please limit the poem to no more than 100 lines.

Type your name, address, phone number, FAX number, email address, and the title of your poem on a cover page. Attach (1) one copy of your titled poem to the cover page.

Submit your poem on a page with no identifying information. All identifying information should be on your cover page. Include a submission fee of $15.00 with the poem.

If you are submitting your poem via email, the poem must be sent as an attachment saved in Word 2003 or earlier version. Any other formatwill not be accepted.

Submit poem to: Merton Institute, 2117 Payne Street, Louisville, KY 40206 or email to: <vhurst(at)mertoninstitute.org> (replace (at) with @) as a Word 2003 document attachment. If mailing, please include a $15 check made payable to The Merton Institute. No Faxed entries willbe accepted.

No poems will be returned.

Poems will be judged on literary excellence, spiritual tenor, and human authenticity.

Winners will be announced by April 1, 2011. Please visit the Institute website for contest results.

All contestants will be notified via email of the contest results.

Literary events in Lewisburg on November 16

(News courtesy of me, Eric Fritzius)

Just a reminder that I'll be reading three short stories for Carnegie's Brown Bag Tuesday tomorrow, Nov 16, from noon to 12:50 at Carnegie Hall. These will be stories I've not read publicly in Lewisburg before, (though one of them was once read in Caldwell). Feel free to bring your lunch.

Another literary event occurring later the same day will be the community poetry reading at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, MCed by Tim Armentrout. Members of the community are invited to bring their own poetry to read, or simply poems by others that they enjoy. A special guest poet for the event will be Joseph Cooper, a published poet from Buffalo, New York. Tea, coffee and tasty goodies will be served.

That’s November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre.

Poetry Reading in Princeton

(News courtesy of Raymond Neely)

On November 30 at 6 pm at the Princeton Public Library, located in Mercer County, West Virginia Writers Susanna Holstein, Raymond Neely, and Salvatorre Butacci, will give live poetry readings.

They shall be joined by local poet Rob Meritt who teaches English at Bluefield College and who is the editor of The Bluestone Review. All are invited to attend this special event. Don't miss it.

National Novel Writing Month article from io9

For those of you participating in National Novel Writing Month you might be looking for a few tips on writing yourself out of a corner at this point. Website io9.com has just what you need to learn how to do so. Check out their article at the link below...

How to write yourself out of a dead end

Morgantown authors Holiday Literary Event

Morgantown authors Diane Tarantini and Ted Webb have teamed up for a special pre-holiday literary event at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at Zenclay.

The event is free and open to the public. It will be in the upstairs gallery at Zenclay, located at 2862 University Avenue, Morgantown.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the authors will share their unique ways of looking at the world, with stories, anecdotes and poems. Get ready for a dynamic, thought-provoking journey into the mind and heart. A book signing will immediately follow the literary performances.

Tarantini won four awards at the 2010 West Virginia Writer’s conference in Ripley. Her writing placed in humor, inspirational, book-length prose, and People’s Choice. The manuscript for her debut novel, “Confessions of a Life Half Lived,” is currently with an editor. The author’s blog is at http://www.caughtbutterflies.blogspot.com/.

“Diane has an approach that is so congenial and unassuming that before you know it she’s woven one of her vignettes around you. It’s really kind of rare and magical,” said West Virginia Writers, Inc. president emeritus Terry McNemar.

“The freshness of Diane's narrative voice, its whimsical tone, belies the grittiness of her subject matter. She crafts layered and often secret worlds with a light, deft touch,” said West Virginia author/editor Geoffrey Cameron Fuller.

Tarantini, a native of Huntington, graduated from West Virginia University’s Perry Isaac Reed School of Journalism. She has been a food panelist with The Dominion Post and currently writes for West Virginia Writers, Inc.

Webb is a co-founding member of Morgantown Poets, a monthly event serving the literary arts community in north-central West Virginia. His poem, “Star Bus,” was featured in Mountain Line’s “Poetry on the Move” program. His writing has been published in Appalachian Sand & Gravel, West Virginia Words, Outstretch, Appalachian Crier and Trillium, among other places. Webb helps organize writing workshops and literary events in the community and is involved in local literary groups. He’s written two books of poetry, “Vision” and “If Peace Were a Promise.”

Brittney Cassity book signing schedule for "Clyde the Undead Dustbunny"

Monroe County writer Brittney Cassity has now released her second children's book Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny. Clyde... is a 60 page chapter book for ages 8-12. The book is currently only available on her website ( www.brittneycassity.com ) and a few local retail stores. Brittney has partnered with the Pajama Program (www.pajamaprogram.org) helping support them with a donation button at her website allowing readers to donate to help them continue to provide good books and warm pj's to children in need. Brittney has also partnered with Eco-Libris (www.ecolibris.net) a group that will plant a tree for each copy of Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny sold in order to replace trees used in the production of physical books.

Brittney will be signing copies of Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny at the Lewisburg Craft Show at Greenbrier Valley Mall in Lewisburg, WV on November 12, 13, and 14. She will also be at Kitten's Korner in White Sulpher Springs, WV for a book signing (where she will also have copies of her first book Fiddlebug) on November 17, 2010 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

November's schedule (so far) ends with a book signing at Silver Birch in Union, WV on November 20th at noon.

io9's Environmental Writing Contest

(THIS CONTEST COURTESY OF IO9.com)

We can't prevent environmental disasters without preparing for them. That's why io9 is going to pay $2000 each to two people who write the best stories about environmental disaster. It's io9's Environmental Writing Contest - for science fiction and non-fiction.

io9 is looking for stories that deal with environmental disaster, whether caused by random asteroid impacts or oil drilling accidents. We believe that the first step to solving planet-scale problems is to assess, honestly and critically, what it would mean to experience such a disaster. We need mental models that can help policy-makers, researchers, and individuals prepare for the kinds of cataclysmic events that have occurred regularly throughout Earth's history.

We're holding this contest to reward people for coming up with ideas that could help avert the next Deepwater spill and Pacific garbage gyre - or help people prepare better for the next Indian Ocean tsunami and Haiti earthquake. Storytelling is a powerful tool. We want you to use it well.

Our awesome team of judges includes Paolo Bacigalupi (author of Ship Breaker andWindup Girl) and Jonathan Strahan (editor of the Eclipse anthologies), as well as others to be announced.

Contest Guidelines
Your story should be between 3,000-5,000 words. It must be an original story that has not been published elsewhere.

The contest has two categories: Science Fiction and Non-Fiction. We will pick a winner from each.

Guidelines for Science Fiction Entries:
Your story should deal meaningfully and plausibly with some aspect of environmental disaster. There are no limits on the kind of disaster you explore. It could be an exploding star, a plague, tachyon pollution, nanotech diseases, climate change, or something else. What's important is that your story deal with causes and consequences. How did the disaster happen, who will benefit from it, how will people (or other creatures) respond to it? We don't want morality tales or after school specials here - just good stories that deal realistically with the subject matter.

Guidelines for Non-Fiction Entries:
Your story can be a piece of investigative journalism, a well-researched history, biographical/autobiographical narrative, or science/technology writing for a lay audience. You can write a profile of people or groups dealing with environmental disaster, analyze the science behind environmental problems, or cover the story of a disaster that has already happened. We prefer stories that involve reporting and research. Though the story must be original, you may base it on research you have already done for another project or piece of reporting.

Here's what you'll win:
Winning stories will be published on io9, and we will give $2000 each to the winners in each category.

Deadline for all stories is midnight PST, December 11.

How to submit your entry:
You may submit only ONE story. Please mail your submission as a .doc or .rtf attachment. In your cover letter, be sure to include your name and a reliable way to contact you. Also, please specify whether you are entering the science fiction or non-fiction category. Mail submissions to environmentalwriting@io9.com.

Send an email to Annalee Newitz, the author of this post, at annalee@io9.com.

Short fiction contest for emerging writers: Boulevard (DECEMBER DEADLINE)

(Information courtesy of R.S. White)

Short Fiction Contest for Emerging Writers
http://www.boulevardmagazine.org/partners.html

$1,500 and publication in Boulevard awarded to the winning story by a writer who has not yet published a book of fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction with a nationally distributed press.

RULES
All entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2010. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but previously accepted or published work is ineligible. Entries will be judged by the editors of Boulevard magazine. Send typed, double-spaced manuscript(s) and SAS post card for acknowledgement of receipt to: Boulevard Emerging Writers Contest, PMB 325, 6614 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights, MO 63117. No manuscripts will be returned.

Entry fee is $15 for each individual story, with no limit per author. Entry fee includes a one-year subscription to Boulevard (one per author). Make check payable to Boulevard.

We accept fiction works up to 8,000 words. Author's name, address, and telephone number, in addition to the story's title and "Boulevard Emerging Writers Contest," should appear on page one. Cover sheets are not necessary.

The winning story will be published in the Spring or Fall 2010 issue of Boulevard.

These are the complete guidelines.

(REMINDER) One Act Play Competition for Writers 2010

Bottle Tree Productions
ONE ACT PLAY COMPETITION FOR WRITERS 2010

First Prize $1,000
Second Prize $250
Third Prize $100

One Act Plays of up to 70 minutes may be submitted
to Bottle Tree Productions
at 445 Southwood Drive, Kingston, Ontario K7M-5P8
Phone 613-542-0070 OR 384-8433 or email info@bottletreeinc.com

Please have your copy bound and if you wish it returned, please include a manuscript-sized SASE. Or check out www.bottletreeinc.com/script_contest.html for email submissions, Paypal options and further details.

The entry fee for each submission is $25. Please make cheque payable to Bottle Tree Productions.

Multiple submissions accepted

Plays can have previously been produced but not professionally
Please do not attach your name or contact name to the script but have that information on a separate sheet of paper.

The competition runs until November 30th 2010.

Winners will be announced in January of 2011.

If you want a critical analysis of your work please enclose a cheque for $50 made payable to Bottle Tree Productions.

Christine Atwell Halloween Book Reading in Lewisburg

On Halloween Christine Atwell, author of Medium Secrets: My Hidden Psychic Life, will have a book reading in at the Irish Pub on Washington Street, (109 East Washington St. in Lewisburg), starting at 3 p.m. The entire event should be over by 5 p.m.

Christine will read a few ghost stories and other passages from her newly published book. In addition to speaking about her book, Christine will discuss the wide range of psychic experiences she's had and relate stories of experiences with ghosts.

Copies of her book will be available.

Glimmer Train - October 31 deadline

FAMILY MATTERS Deadline: October 31

Prizes:
	1st place wins $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies.
	2nd-place: $500 and possible publication.
	3rd-place: $300 and possible publication.

Other considerations:
	Open to all writers.
	Pieces should be original, unpublished stories about family.
	Please, no longer than 12,000 words. Any shorter lengths are welcome.
	Reading fee is $15 per story.
	Results post on December 31. Winning story will be published in Issue 82.
	Note from the editors on Family Matters.

We look forward to reading your work! Editors Glimmer Train Stories, represented in recent editions of the Pushcart Prize, O. Henry, New Stories from the South, New Stories from the Midwest, and Best American Short Stories anthologies.

Please note that we never share your contact information. CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS by sending us the old email address and the new. Thanks! Don't want to get our bulletins and reminders? UNSUBSCRIBE here. Questions? Please check our straightforward FAQs; if the answer isn't there: editors@glimmertrain.org.

Woodland Press seeks Mothman stories

Title: The Mothman Files
Publisher: Woodland Press, LLC
Editor: Bram Stoker Award-Winning Editor Michael Knost
Format: Trade Paperback
Payment: Five-cents per word (upon publication) plus contributor copy.
No reprints
Story length: Up to 3000 words
No multiple or simultaneous subs
Deadline: Friday, July 1, 2011
E-mail submissions to: themothmanfiles@yahoo.com

We will accept .doc attachments only. The editor is looking for fictional mothman stories. The setting is not limited to West Virginia or any other regional area known as mothman territory. The editor wants tales with a solid plot and good character development. Stories should grab the reader's attention quickly and hold it until the end. The editor wants powerful and emotional tales that are creepy, chilling, disturbing, and moody. Although stories will mainly target an adult/young adult audience, we DO NOT want stories containing language or content unsuitable for children.

Formatting your manuscript:
Double-space.
Use Times New Roman (12).
Italicize what you want italicized.
Single space after sentence-ending punctuation.
Be sure to include your name, address, email on manuscript.

Greenbrier Valley Theatre's New Voices Play Festival Accepting Submissions

Greenbrier Valley Theater is now accepting submissions for the third annual “New Voices” Short Play Festival. The winning plays are given a public performance in GVT’s Festival of Community Plays in January/February 2011. This is an opportunity for local playwrights to have their work produced. A panel of professional theatre artists judges the pieces and winners are chosen in early December.

Submissions are welcome from anyone, but local playwrights in the Greenbrier Valley are especially encouraged to participate. Entries should be 10 to12 minutes in length (longer plays will be disqualified) and include between no more than five characters. Plays should be appropriate for all ages (with minimal offensive material) and should be written to be played by adult actors (15 and up.) There is no official theme for the plays. Musicals may be considered depending on available production staff. Due to the nature of the festival and production restrictions, plays with single unit sets will be given priority.

Entries must be received by GVT no later than December 1, 2010. The public festival performance dates are to be announced at a later date. Please email submissions to Kurtis Donnelly, kurtis@gvtheatre.org (prefered) or mail them to PO Box 494, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Please do not submit an original copy of your play, as copies will not be returned.

By submitting a play to the “New Voices” Festival, you grant GVT the rights to perform your play at the festival in January/February 2011, if chosen. The number of winners selected to be performed will vary on the length of the selected shows. Anywhere from 4-7 may be chosen for performance. If an inadequate number of entries are received, GVT reserves the right to not select any play for performance.

For complete details visit www.gvtheatre.org or contact Kurtis Donnelly at 645-3838 or kurtis@gvtheatre.org.

(REMINDER) Call for submissions: Consequence Magazine

CONSEQUENCE Magazine: Call for Submissions

CONSEQUENCE Magazine is the literary, print magazine addressing the culture of war. We are interested in the personal and social consequences of armed conflict worldwide, and seek multi-national perspectives.

CONSEQUENCE is currently accepting submissions of exceptional short fiction, poetry, non-fiction, interviews, and visual art.

Submissions will be accepted until November 1, 2010.

For information about how to submit your work, please visit our website:

www.CONSEQUENCEmagazine.org

Literary Arts Day in Morgantown

Morgantown Writers and the WVU Press are co-sponsoring a Literary Arts Day that combines a Short Story Reading on Friday Oct. 29, at Arts Monongahela Gallery by the rising West Virginia novelist Marie Manilla, with a writing workshop led by the author the next morning Oct. 30 at the Morgantown Public Library.

The two-day Literary Arts program includes:

The reading on Friday Oct. 29 begins with a writers reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by Manilla’s reading at 7:15 p.m., with music entertainment, and a book signing. Arts Mon will host a reception to celebrate the WVU Press release of Manilla’s short story collection, “Still Life With Plums”, a vibrant blend of dark humor and magic realism.

The workshop, “Put the 'Wow!' into Your Short Story” is on Saturday Oct. 30, led by Manilla who teaches creative writing at Marshall University. Hosted by Morgantown Writers, it will emphasize techniques that get the attention of editors and readers.

Featured author Marie Manilla is a West Virginia native and graduate of the famous Iowa Writers Workshop. Her new collection of short stories includes a cast of characters from the southern portion of the United States. “Still Life With Plums” weaves together the outwardly distant lives of several strangers, such as a “Black-Irish” West Virginian, a wise-cracking dog groomer, an emasculated husband, a Guatemalan widow, a Japanese-Latin-American poster child from WWII, and a meticulous predator.”

Manilla’s stories have appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Prairie Schooner, Mississippi Review, Calyx Journal, Kestrel, Portland Review, GSU Review, and other journals. She has written the forthcoming novel “Shrapnel”, which received a Fred Bonnie Award for Best First Novel by a writer.

The Oct. 30 workshop starts at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 11:45 a.m., at the Morgantown Public Library. There is a small fee for materials and registration is required. Seating is limited to 12 writers. To register, write to – Patricia.Patteson@mail.wvu.edu The writers meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the public library.

This Literary Arts program is made possible through collaboration of the WVU Press, Morgantown Writers, and Arts Monongalia. The WVU Press is the official press of West Virginia University, publishing a range of WV book titles. Arts Monongalia is a leader in promoting the arts in Monongalia County. Since 1994, MWG Writers have hosted Literary Arts events and provided resources, workshops, and services for writers in north central West Virginia.


Light of Stars Poetry Contest 2010 deadlines approaching

THE LIGHT OF THE STARS - 2010
Annual Poetry Contest
(co-sponsored by LONE STARS MAGAZINE and CONCEIT MAGAZINE)
DEADLINE: October 31
Judging by MILO ROSEBUD: November

Winners announced: December

READING FEE: $2.00 per poem entered - UNLIMITED ENTRIES
Unpublished, simultaneous and previously published entries accepted.
Entries are to be 32 lines or less, single spaced, camera ready - the way you want to see it in print. Include SASE or postcard for acknowledgement. One-time magazine publication rights to each publisher - different months. Author’s own copyright guaranteed.

40% of fees collected - First Prize
20% of fees collected - Second Prize
20% of fees collected - Third Prize
PLUS: 1 YEAR Subscription to LONE STARS MAGAZINE and
6 MONTH Subscription to CONCEIT MAGAZINE
E-mail entries to: Lonestarsmagazine@yahoo.com or
Conceitmagazine2007@yahoo.com
PayPal users pay to: conceitmagazine@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/conceitmagazine
Snail Mail entries and reading fees to:

Milo Rosebud, Editor & Publisher
THE LIGHT OF THE STARS Poetry Contest
LONE STARS Magazine, 4219 Flinthill Drive
San Antonio, TX 78230

Or

Perry Terrell, Editor
THE LIGHT OF THE STARS Poetry Contest
Conceit Magazine, P. O. Box 884223
San Francisco, CA 94188-4223
(NOTE: Entries can be e-mailed or U.S. Mail)

LOVE POEM CONTEST

and Fundraiser

First Prize - $50.00

Second Prize - $30.00

Third Prize – 20.00

Fourth Prize - 1 year subscription to CONCEIT MAGAZINE

Fifth Prize - 6 month subscription to CONCEIT MAGAZINE

Sixth Prize - 3 month subscription to CM

$5.00 entry fee up to 3 poems

“ALL” writers welcomed

Previously published poems accepted

SUBJECT: LOVE-old love, new love, lost love, love to be and/or love of.

DEADLINE:

November 30, 2010

Email entries and queries to:

Conceitmagazine2007@yahoo.com

PayPal users pay to conceitmagazine@yahoo.com

http://www.myspace.com/conceitmagazine

or

Snail mail entries and reading fees to:

Perry Terrell, Editor

Love Poem Contest

P. O. 761495

San Antonio, TX 78245

or

Perry Terrell, Editor

Love Poem Contest

P. O. Box 884223

San Francisco, CA 94188-4223

(Make payable to: PERRY TERRELL)

Poetry Reading and Open Mic in Bluefield

Poetry Reading & Open Mic

Connect with others.

Share your art.

Experience connection.

Come to the WindHorse Healing Arts Center

Monday, October 25

7 PM

WindHorse Healing Arts Center

422 North Street

Bluefield, WV

(Coming from Bluefield College, turn left at Community Center flashing light, follow road curving to right. Building is on the left just past a parking lot.)

Please bring $2 to help cover costs

Refreshments available

For more information, contact Rob Merritt: 304-920-1860

rmerritt@bluefield.edu

WVW Podcast Episode 43

Episode 43 of the WV Writers Podcast features an interview with WV Writers' own Richard A. Lewis. Richard has served the organization in the past as Parliamentarian, First Vice President and Treasurer. He recently published his first collection of short fiction entitled Naked Man's Rock. We joined him at his home in Lewisburg to talk about it.

Download it at our Podcast Page or subscribe in iTunes.

Return to Rural America Anthology submission deadline extendedseeking submissions

Steph F Enterprises, LLC, publisher of the upcoming anthology Return to Rural America, still needs contributors with poetry, anecdotes and short stories about Rural America. Depicting life in Rural America, after having lived or visited in urban areas of the country, this anthology will highlight the culture, the people and the aesthetic qualities of rural America.

Short stories should be between 600-1,200 words while anecdotes must not exceed 300 words. Entries will not be returned. They can be sent by mail or by e-mail. The cost to enter is a minimal fee of $5.00 per entry. There is no limit to the number of entries per person. Checks or money orders should be made payable and mailed to: Steph F Enterprises, LLC, 343 Campbells Creek Drive, Charleston, WV 25306. Those selected for the anthology will be notified on November 30 by letter. All releases will be sent with the letter to be returned for publication.

This anthology is dedicated to those rural communities and people in appreciation they so well deserve for preserving the American way of life.

Woodland Press's FRIGHT NIGHT this Saturday

Woodland Press presents FRIGHT NIGHT. This Saturday, October 23, from 5 to 8p at the Town Center in Charleston, over one dozen authors including nationally known writers will be on hand to greet the public, sign books, perform readings, and more. Magic Makers and the CTC Teen Board will model Halloween costumes. Magician and author Brian J. Hatcher will be perform illusion. Plus there will be candy, giveaways and surprises.

Taylor Books Horror Publishing Panel this weekend.

Writers, editors and storytellers will appear during a Halloween Publishing and Writing Panel, at Taylor Books on Saturday, October 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. In keeping with the Trick or Treat season, the independent bookstore will be emphasizing the speculative fiction and horror genres. Panel participants will include 2009 Bram Stoker Award-winning editor Michael Knost, Brian J. Hatcher, Ellen Thompson McCloud, Frank Larnerd, Jason L. Keene, Geoffrey Cameron Fuller, Karin Fuller, Eric Fritzius, Jessie Grayson and others.

Readings are planned, along with writing discussions and a time for questions and answers. The authors and editors will also be thrilled to sign books for those in attendance.

Published and non-published writers, editors, book publishers and book-lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend.

For additional information on these panelists, arranged for us by the inimitable Woodland Press, visit: http://www.woodlandpress.com/ !

Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference November 2010

The 2011 Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference series continues this November at the King and Prince Resort on St. Simon's Island, Georgia. The topic for the weekend will be Historicals, Fantasy, New Publishing Trends.

Scribblers' Retreat encourages, educates and promotes budding authors and published authors of all ages while helping them to write and publish their works. We provide a favorable environment to facilitate professional connections and friendly sharing of valuable information.

We are committed to the support and advancement of all writers, published and non-published. We offer four conferences with a broad variety of genres throughout the year. Attendees will experience lively, intelligent sessions presented by a carefully chosen symposium of experienced teachers, writers, editors and others from the publishing world.

We are dedicated to presenting innovative and motivating conferences to host world-class authors and speakers. There will be opportunities for attendees to meet like-minded fellows and also to compete in fun, impromptu writing contests for first-class prizes. All of this we offer in a spectacular setting at the King and Prince Resort on tranquil St. Simon's Island, Georgia.

Guest speakers include:

Diana Gabaldon-- # 1 New York Times Best Selling Author who will offer a workshop called "Priceless advice from a spell binding storyteller."

Adam Davies-- Major Motion Picture Writer, Editor and Author who will speak on “Publishing Inside-Out: A View of the Industry as a Writer and Editor.”

Karen White-- New York Times Best Selling Author who will speak on “Using Emotion to Create Characters That Stick With Your Readers”

Ciji Ware--Emmy award winning television producer, author, journalist who will speak on “Writing in the Digital Age.”

Dominique Raccah-- SOURCEBOOKS Publisher who will speak on “New Media Publishing Paradigm: Publishing Books in the Digital Age”

10 speaker sessions, Evening with the Author & more...

November 11-13, 2010

Register Now at 1 - 8 0 0 - 9 9 6 - 2 9 0 4

Learn more at...
http://scribblersretreatwritersconference.com/

HOPE PLAYERS SEEKING ORIGINAL ONE-ACTS

News Release For Further Information, Contact:
For Immediate Release President Donna Runt (740) 937-2208
Executive Director Andrew Pelegreen III (740) 937-2629

The Hope Players are inviting local writers to submit original one-act plays for their second annual evening of one-acts, to be presented in February, 2011. According to Hope Players executive director Andrew Pelegreen III, “As with last year, we are seeking plays of any type or genre, about 30 minutes in length, that are suitable for a family audience.”
“Plays submitted must be unproduced by any theatre group,” Pelegreen said. “The play can be a little shorter or longer than 30 minutes, but it must have a solid plot and characters with whom an audience can identify,” he added. “The characters can be any age, but the plot and dialogue must be family-friendly,” he explained.
Pelegreen said that submissions must be type-written in standard script format. They are to be sent to the Hope Players, P.O. Box 519, Hopedale, OH 43976. Entrants who wish to have their submissions returned must enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Submissions must be postmarked by November 1, 2010.
Pelegreen noted that entrants whose plays are chosen for production will be given the opportunity to work with the director assigned to their show, and may be asked to make minor revisions before production. The rehearsal and performance schedules will be announced at a later date.
“We’ll only do an evening of one-acts if we get enough quality plays for a solid evening of entertainment,” Pelegreen said. “That’s why we’re calling on all area writers to submit their best unproduced, short plays. We want our audiences to see the high quality of writing talent we have right here in the Ohio Valley,” he added.

(REMINDER) Brown Bag Poetry Reading with Tim Armentrout

WV Writers' Region 3 representative Tim Armentrout will be reading his poetry as part of Carnegie Hall WV's Brown Bag Reading series, tomorrow, October 19 from noon to 12:50 at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV.

Bring your lunch and enjoy the reading.

2010 WV Book Festival

Please join us this weekend for the 2010 West Virginia Book Festival at the Civic Center in Charleston. Authors such as Nicholas Sparks, Diana Gabaldon, Civil War historian and Virginia Tech professor Dr. James Robertson, children’s author Carmen Deedy will be there as well as WV-authors Jayne Ann Phillips and Meredith Sue Willis.

While you're there, come by the West Virginia Writers table and say hi to us. The Book Festival is our traditional day to debut the new contest entry form for the WV Writers Annual Writing Contest as well as the WVW New Mountain Voices Student Writing Contest, so come by and pick yours up! (Alternately, they'll be available at our website on Monday.)

Admission is free.

http://wvbookfestival.org/

Brown Bag Poetry Reading with Tim Armentrout

WV Writers' Region 3 representative Tim Armentrout will be reading his poetry as part of Carnegie Hall WV's Brown Bag Reading series, October 19 from noon to 12:50 at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV.

Bring your lunch and enjoy the reading.

Five situations where it's better to tell than show in your fiction

From the io9 website, comes an article entitled "Five situations where it's better to tell than show in your fiction."

Woodland Press Book Party Release Today in Huntington

There will be a big book release party today at the Barboursville Borders (Huntington Mall) from 4:00 to 6:30. It's a BIG event. There's going to be a magic show and some readings, probably some local TV and press coverage. Three books on the Woodland Press imprint released in one day and many, many authors will be on hand to sign books, chat, and whatnot. (Just don't feed them, or they'll follow you around forever.)

Karin is in Mountain Magic: Spellbinding Tales of Appalachia, and I have a story in Legends of the Mountain State IV. Reports vary, but from 8-15 other authors will be there. Come on down and say hi!

Below are some blurbs from F. Keith Davis (Woodland Press) and Brian Hatcher) editor of Magic and magician extraordinaire) with links to a trailer made by Brian, an article that appeared in the Herald Dispatch, and the Woodland Press site.

Woodland Press, LLC THIS IS IT: For the first time ever, Woodland Press will be unveiling three brand new, major titles simultaneously at Borders Bookstore, Huntington Mall, Barboursville. WV. Saturday, October 9th, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. Eleven authors are scheduled to attend, with many surprises and activities planned. Public invited.

WV Writers Podcast Episode #42 Now Available

We return with Episode 42 of the WV Writers Podcast, another of our patent-pending recorded live readings (Q: "But if it's recorded, how can it be live?" A: "Zzzzzzzzipit")

This recorded live reading comes from the September 21st Brown Bag Tuesday session at Carnegie Hall WV in Lewisburg and features WV Writers' current parliamentarian, author Belinda Anderson. Belinda will be reading a selection from her three collections of short stories, The Well Ain't Dry Yet, The Bingo Cheaters and Buckle Up, Buttercup assisted by Elizabeth Spangler and Dr. Larry Davis.

Find it HERE.

Book reading in Lewisburg on 10-10-10

(News courtesy of Christine Atwell)

Author Laura Ricketson Doherty will be having a book reading on Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at Irish Pub from 3 - 4 pm in Lewisburg, WV. The pub is on Route 60 on the south side of the street not far from The Open Book bookstore.

You can find Irish Pub on the Internet. Their phone number is 304 645-7386.

Her book is Annie Ricketson's Journal, which was published recently by Heritage Books.

Glimmer Train - Bulletin 45

October 1, 2010
Upcoming deadline:
	The October Family Matters competition closes October 31. See guidelines.
	Open to ALL writers.
	Word count not to exceed 12,000. (Any shorter lengths are welcome.)
	First place wins $1,200 and publication in Issue 82 of Glimmer Train Stories. Second- and third-place winners receive $500/$300 (or if chosen for publication, $700).
	Note from the editors on Family Matters.

Essays in this bulletin:
	Benjamin Percy: The story "Refresh, Refresh" was a game-changer for me, not only because of its success, but because it changed my approach to writing. Now I never hold back. I dynamite the vault and let all my treasure pour out. Every story is an "all in" story. (more)
	J. Kevin Shushtari: Nobody can teach you, for example, how to feel compassion; you either do or you don't. Still, not a single person ever asked me why I was going to medical school. Not a single person said medicine can't be taught. (more)
	Justin Kramon: I would group the events into "main plot" and "subplots," which helped me see the rhythm of the book, and the way that subplots work in a novel. The biggest difference between the plots of novels and those of stories was the number and complexity of subplots. (more)
	Paola Corso: Of course, now I ask myself why I had waited so long to send it out. While I was certainly aware that story collections are more than ever a hard sell these days, I couldn't help but wonder if another part of me unconsciously wanted to honor the family secret. (more)

Results of the July Very Short Fiction Award:
Winners and finalists have been notified, and the Top-25 list is posted! Our thanks to all of you for letting us read your stories!
	1st place: "The Vast Garden of Strangers" by J. Kevin Shushtari
	2nd place: "The Story Is in the Reflection" by Graham Arnold
	3rd place: "In Perfect English" by Nahal Suzanne Jamir

Feel free to forward this bulletin to your writer friends. As you know, the bulletin is free and meant to inform and to promote writers. (We never share your info.) People can sign up for bulletins themselves here. Missed a bulletin? They're all archived here.

Looking forward, Sisters and Editors Glimmer Train Stories, represented in recent editions of the Pushcart Prize,O. Henry, New Stories from the South, New Stories from the Midwest, and Best American Short Stories anthologies.

Please note that we never share your contact information. Don't want to get our bulletins and reminders? UNSUBSCRIBE here. Doesn't come up? Just forward this to us at unsubscribe@glimmertrain.org Questions? Please check our straightforward FAQs; if the answer isn't there: editors@glimmertrain.org.