Poetry competition deadline delayed
 With the deadline for firstwriter.com's
Thirteenth International Poetry Competition fast
approaching (October 1, 2014), firstwriter.com has
announced a last-minute delay to allow for final entries
to be submitted. The competition will now remain open
until the first of November! If you haven't yet entered your poems for
your chance to win £200 (that's over $300) you can enter online now in
seconds by going to https://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/poetry_competition.shtml.
As well as the
£300 first prize all winners and ten special commendations
will also receive firstwriter.com
vouchers
worth $36 / £24, which can be used to take out an annual
subscription to firstwriter.com for free, giving
full access to our database of over 850 literary
agencies, over 1,800 magazines,
over 1,600 publishers,
and over 100 constantly-changing competitions
(alternatively, you can start enjoying all these benefits now by clicking
here).
Editor's pick: New
literary agent, publisher and magazine listings in
September
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Nonfiction; Reference;
Areas include:
Business; Crafts; Culture; Design; Film; Lifestyle;
Literature; Spiritual; Translations; Travel;
Markets: Adult; Children's Publishes
books about Asia and in particular Japan. Publishes mainly
nonfiction and fiction in translation, but will in rare
cases consider original fiction if appropriate. No poetry.
Prefers submissions by email, but will accept submissions by
post (use street address if sending by express mail or
delivery service such as UPS). See website for full
guidelines.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2004
New Magazine Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry;
Areas include:
Short Stories;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred
styles: Literary
Magazine publishing poetry,
fiction, nonfiction, and visual art. Originally founded in
England in 1984, it moved to its current US home in 2005.
Submissions should be chapbook-length (20-40 pages long),
and entirely unpublished. Current subscribers may submit for
free; non-subscribers must pay a $10 reading fee.
https://www.firstwriter.com/magazines/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2019
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry;
Areas include:
Literature; Short Stories;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Literary
Publishes novels, novellas,
creative nonfiction, and themed collections of poetry and
short stories. Accepts submissions only during specific
submission windows - see website for details.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2006
New Magazine Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Poetry;
Areas include: Short Stories;
Translations;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred
styles: Literary
Nationally distributed literary
journal publishing fiction and poetry by emerging and
established writers. Submit fiction up to 50 pages, or up to
5 poems up to 10 pages total. Reading periods run August 1
to October 15 and December 15 to February 1. Accepts
submissions by post or online using website submission
system.
https://www.firstwriter.com/magazines/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2022
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction;
Markets: Adult
Publishes novels "with strong
character development and narrative thrust, brought out with
writing that’s clear and expressive". Pays modest advance
and offers competitive revenue sharing arrangement after
publication. Submit using submission form on website.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2007
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Poetry;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred
styles: Literary
Publishes poetry by poets
writing in English who have not yet published a pamphlet or
full collection. Will also consider new work by more
established poets. Do not submit unless already published by
several poetry journals. See website for full submission
guidelines and online submission form, or send submission by
post.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2009
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred
styles: Experimental
An author-run, not-for-profit
publisher of artistically adventurous, non-traditional
fiction. Publishes the work of the members of the
Collective, and is committed to finding new and innovative
work and continuously expanding the membership of the
Collective. New members are acquired through contests (see
website) and through member-sponsored submissions.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2010
New Magazine Listing
Publishes:
Articles; Essays; Fiction; Interviews; Nonfiction;
Areas include: Arts; Culture; Politics; Short Stories;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles:
Experimental
Experimental arts magazine
publishing essays, fiction, articles and features, focussing
on politics, culture, arts, and history.
https://www.firstwriter.com/magazines/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2025
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction;
Markets: Children's
Publishes fiction for children
over 5 and young teens. Send query by post with SASE,
synopsis, and first three chapters. No submissions by email
or on disk.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2012
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Nonfiction;
Areas include: Crime;
Current Affairs; Politics;
Markets: Adult
Publishes true crime, crime and
mystery fiction, southern interest, international politics,
and "books that have a compelling story line and a riveting
narrative". Send query by post or email with cover letter
outlining the story or theme, how long it will take to
complete, brief bio, one or two chapters, and marketing
plan. See website for full guidelines.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2013
New Magazine Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry;
Areas include:
Short Stories;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred
styles: Literary
Send up to five poems, or short
fiction or creative nonfiction up to 7,000 words, with SASE.
Prize money for the best poetry and prose in the issue. See
website for full details.
https://www.firstwriter.com/magazines/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2028
New Publisher Listing
Publishes:
Fiction; Nonfiction;
Areas include: How-to;
Lifestyle; Self-Help; Sociology;
Markets:
Academic; Adult; Children's; Youth
Publishes nonfiction books and
learning materials for children and teens, parents,
educators, counselors, and others who live and work with
young people. Also publishes fiction relevant to the mission
of providing children and teens with the tools they need to
succeed in life, e.g.: self-esteem; conflict resolution,
etc. No general fiction or storybooks; books with animal or
mythical characters; books with religious or New Age
content; or single biographies, autobiographies, or memoirs.
No submissions by fax or email. See website for full
submission guidelines.
https://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/details.cgi?RecordNumber=2015
Articles from around the
web this month
Montegrappa First Fiction Competition returns for third
year
It is often said that everyone has a
story in them. Now is your chance to find out if you are
capable of becoming a published author by entering the
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Montegrappa’s
First Fiction Competition. http://ameinfo.com/blog/finance-and-economy/montegrappa-first-fiction-competition-returns-third-year/
Eleanor Catton sets up grant to give writers "time to
read"
Eleanor Catton, the youngest ever winner
of the Man Booker prize, has announced that she will put the
money from her latest awards win towards establishing a
grant that will give writers "time to read".
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/02/eleanor-catton-grant-time-to-read-the-luminaries
So You Want To Be A TV Writer? Showrunners Share Their
Writing Secrets!
The "writers' room" of a television show
is a magical place, where creativity flows and awesome ideas
are generated. But how do you keep "the room" happy and
focused? Some of the top showrunners, including Joss Whedon,
share their secrets in this exclusive excerpt from the book
Showrunners.
http://io9.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-tv-writer-showrunners-share-their-1629692078
4 Things You Must Know About A Literary Agent
You’ve written, edited, proofed, and
formatted your book manuscript until it’s polished and ready
to go. So you may think that the finish line to getting
published is in sight and all your hard work is behind you.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/03/4-things-you-must-know-ab_n_5754910.html
Mundy Steps Out As Agent
Toby Mundy, who stepped down as CEO of Atlantic Books on
June 30, is setting up shop as an agent to represent and
advise both authors and companies.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/63872-mundy-steps-out-as-agent.html
One Key Thing Writing Teachers Never Told Me and Probably
Won't Tell You
I taught at a Michigan State University study abroad program
in London this summer and had some superb guest speakers.
Val McDermid wowed my writing students for her candor,
especially when she told them about the lucky breaks she'd
had in her career. "There are writers who are as good as I
am," she said, "they just haven't been as lucky." An
international best-selling author, she made it very clear
that even though talent and hard work were essential, so was
luck.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lev-raphael/one-key-thing-writing-tea_b_5728178.html?utm_hp_ref=books&ir=Books
Talking sense
STEVEN PINKER’S career began with language in
mind—particularly in the minds of children. Since then, he
has become a celebrated (and sometimes controversial) public
explorer of human nature and the reasons violence has
declined. With “The Sense of Style” he returns to his first
love, language and thought.
http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21615476-psycholinguist-invites-writers-improve-their-prose-getting-readers
13 quotes to inspire your writing
Whether or not you’re a writer by trade, if you’ve sat down
to draft a blog post, an essay or even an email, you know
the frustrating feeling that comes with the lack of
inspiration.
http://www.brafton.com/blog/quotes-inspire-writing
Top ten tips for writing as a duo
Two of our favourite authors, Cassandra Clare - who penned
The Mortal Instruments - and Holly Black - who wrote The
Spiderwick Chronicles have teamed up to create a brand new
YA novel, Magisterium: The Iron Trial.
http://www.sugarscape.com/main-topics/book-club/1064536/top-ten-tips-writing-duo-cassandra-clare-holly-black
How to write a bestselling novel
Everyone has a book in them, but how do you get it out? Here
are some great tips from the "book doctor" Philippa Pride.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/11/how-to-write-a-bestseller-novel
How to write a bestselling novel
Screenwriting is a live medium. Unlike a
novel, you depend on actors to perform it. You are creating
a blueprint for others to be inspired. I think of my scripts
like a muse for the collective mind of the cast and crew,
that together they will bring to life.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/11/how-to-write-a-script
Why Every Writer Should Take a Humor Writing Class
Maybe you're a journalist, maybe you're
trying to write your novel, maybe you're a blogger or a
copywriter or maybe you're working on your memoir. Or your
cat's memoir. Whatever or whoever you are, there's one very
enjoyable step you can take, right now -- or at least,
fairly soon -- to make yourself a better writer: Take a
course in humor writing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/siobhan-adcock/why-every-writer-should-t_b_5811562.html
Nicola Griffith Explains Why You Shouldn't Fear Writing
Sex Or Violence
We love Nicola Griffith's writing for
its intensity, but also for its realism. And talking to
Locus, she explains why she thinks it's important to include
real sexuality as well as real violence in her books.
http://io9.com/nicola-griffith-explains-why-you-shouldnt-fear-writing-1635132245
Four Questions for... Literary Agent Bill Clegg
Bill Clegg announced last month that he
was leaving William Morris Endeavor to launch his own
eponymous agency. The move for the sometime memoirist and
lauded literary agent is both exciting and unnerving, he
said. PW talked to Clegg about selling literary books for
big money, going solo and if he's ready for his first
Frankfurt with the Clegg Agency.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/book-deals/article/64123-four-questions-for-bill-clegg.html
Top Productivity Tips For Writers
Whether you work as a writer, aspire to
be a writer, or use writing for business, these tips should
help you be productive with your writing.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbooth/2014/09/25/top-productivity-tips-for-writers/
New book publisher opens in Edmonton
Edmonton has a new book publisher
specializing in historical and literary fiction.
Stonehouse Publishing is open for business, with plans to
publish its first five titles in the spring of 2016.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/books/book+publisher+opens+Edmonton/10236241/story.html
Creative writing comes
from the heart
By Marcella Simmons
Writing can be taught. It can be
learned. But the best writing comes from a person's heart
and soul. The ability to express ones' emotions in words
can only come from within. Every person has a writer-self
within themselves, like it or not. It's just that some
people have no desire to utilize the God-given talent they
were born with while others utilise it to its fullest
extent. A writing class is good but the creativity must
come from within your soul. I have read
stories written by English teachers – stories that made me
cringe. They were dry and dull, without any emotion. Sure,
they were grammatically correct and not a punctuation out of
place anywhere. It was apparent these teachers had the
God-given, but the desire to apply the heart and soul
emotions weren't visible, giving way to a story that left
the reader dissatisfied and longing to quit reading. I know
because I was one of them. I'd give anything to have a
degree in English – oh what it would do for my writing. Some
of the stories I have read lacked in merit because they were
nothing more than a list of details about something about
the class or something they did. The stories written and
presented by the student I have had the pleasure of reading
were funny or sad and showed more feeling in a child-like
way than any of the teachers that sent things to me to read.
Without the desire, a person who writes is nothing more than
that – a person who writes something. Every person has a
certain amount of creativity but if emotion and feelings are
not embedded, it's not creative work at all, be it writing
or art or anything for that matter. I am
a writer – my work isn't always the best as it could be, but
I try my best to instill feelings and emotions in my work,
especially fiction. It may not win a Pulitzer prize or be
the best piece you ever read, but if you read long enough
you'll notice a few of my heart strings attached every now
and then. And sometimes, you even see the tears and blood
and feel the pain... or share the laughter...
My six year old grandson loves to draw and he
"gets down
with it" when he is creating pictures for me, for his mommy
or anyone else who is the recipient of his heartfelt gifts.
I always say he is going to be the next Pablo Picasso
because he puts his heart into every picture. I've seen real
paintings in galleries that were dry and tasteless, with no
feeling whatsoever. Yet, there are those that stand out and
say, "Take me home!". Jyoti Arora couldn't have said it
better ... pick up your wand and let magically words flow
forth... "Creativity is a magic wand that works two ways.
When you set it in action and seek to create something, it
does not just brings into existence that object or work,
it also raises in your heart a dream, a hope, and a will
to achieve that creation. And when all else seems lost and
steeped in hopelessness, the magic of creativity can still
keep you going. For when all else seem dark, an urge to
create something would still give you an aim to look
forward to. And if you just take hold of this urge, it
will take hold of you and see you through even the darkest
times. Like it did to me." ― Jyoti Arora
My point is simple. If you are a writer, don't worry about
spelling and grammar – edit later. If you have a story in
your heart and it must be told, only you can put it out
there. Don't worry about the syntax or usage until the
editing stages. Just write and get every word out of your
heart and onto paper, before you let the emotions and
feelings fade. Grammar isn't important in your first draft.
That's what revision is for. That first draft is what comes
out of you, from your heart, your mind and your soul.
Nine times out of ten, if your story
doesn't grab your reader from the first two or three
paragraphs, then they're likely to quit reading and move
on to something that is not boring, dry or dull. Don't try
and force your feelings into your story either. Relax, and
let the words flow naturally, and freely. Remember, the
best stories are come from within your heart and soul.
Share your message to the world and
let your sun shine in....
About the author
My book Anywhere But There by Marcella
Simmons (Romance/Suspense Novel) is available now.
PUBLISHER: ITOH PRESS LLC (Print) $18.95
http://www.itohpress.com/
AMAZON (E-book) $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ANYWHERE+BUT+THERE+BY+MARCELLA+SIMMONS
BARNES & NOBLE (E-book) $2.99
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/ANYWHERE-BUT-THERE-By-Marcella-Simmons?keyword=ANYWHERE+BUT+THERE+By+Marcella+Simmons&store=ebook
You may also visit my blog called Family Life Focus
at
http://familylifefocus.wordpress.com
Resources for
writers at firstwriter.com
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