firstwriter.com

Writers' Newsletter

Issue #156
March 2016

Short story contest – deadline delayed

Short story contest – deadline delayed

firstwriter.com – Wednesday March 23, 2016

The deadline for firstwriter.com's Twelfth International Short Story Contest has been delayed by one month to May 1, 2016, to allow for last minute entries. 

The competition is seeking short stories up to 3,000 words, and is open to stories on any subject and in any style: literary fiction; genre; romance; horror; science fiction; experimental – all are acceptable and will be treated equally – the only criteria on which they will be judged is the quality of the story and of the writing.

The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize of £200, or the equivalent in your currency (that's around $300). Not only that, but there will also be up to ten special commendations awarded. All winners will be published in firstwriter.magazine and receive firstwriter.com vouchers worth $36 / £24 / EUR36. These vouchers are enough to cover the cost of creating an annual subscription to firstwriter.com, allowing access to our daily updated databases of over 100 writing competitionsover 650 literary agenciesover 1,800 book publishers, and over 2,000 magazines – as well as the option to receive daily alerts by email of new and updated listings which match your interests.

Another advantage of the firstwriter.com competition is that submissions are made online – saving you the hassle of printing and posting. To enter your story online in seconds go to https://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/short_story_contest/ 


International Copyright Registration

Register your copyright online for instant copyright protection in more than 160 different countries worldwide.

Click here for more information

News

Some of this month's news for writers from around the web.

What's on the 'manuscript wishlist' of literary agents?

startribune.com – Sunday March 20, 2016

The other day, a friend sent me a link to something called "manuscript wishlist" — a Twitter thread (#MSWL) from literary agents who are looking for that next bestselling blockbuster manuscript by an unknown writer. (Also online at http://mswishlist.com)

It's fascinating to troll the posts and see what they're hoping to find. (And poets, I'm sorry, but you can all stop reading right now. They're not looking for poetry.)

[Read the full article]

Writers' Handbook 2024 - Out Now!

  • Over 1,500 markets for writers
  • Includes literary agents, publishers, and magazines
  • Available both in print and as an ebook

Writers' Handbook

Click here to buy it now

Agent Shares Publishing Secrets With Aspiring Authors

Agent Shares Publishing Secrets With Aspiring Authors

courant.com – Tuesday March 15, 2016

They came because they had stories to tell. Some had even turned those stories into manuscripts.

More than 20 local residents attended a session at the Putnam Public Library on March 5 to listen to literary agent Jan Kardys. She was in town to talk about book publishing, what agents look for in a manuscript, and the work writers need to do after they write their books.

[Read the full article]

Tax Court Holds That Family Vacations Are Not Deductible As Book-Writing Research

Tax Court Holds That Family Vacations Are Not Deductible As Book-Writing Research

forbes.com – Thursday March 10, 2016

For the past few years, I’ve harbored the hope that I would author a children’s book. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered two small problems that have thus far kept me from fulfilling my goal:

  1. I have no ideas, and
  2. I have no talent.

Should those two things change, however, I’ll be off and running. And once that happens, I had hoped to turn my two kids into what I always dreamed they’d become: big ol’ tax deductions.

[Read the full article]

Click here for the rest of this month's news >

Listings

A selection of the new listings added to firstwriter.com this month.

New Publisher Listing

New Publisher Listing

firstwriter.com – Tuesday March 22, 2016

Publishes: Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry; 
Areas include: Humour; Literature; Nature; Translations; Travel; 
Markets: Adult; 
Preferred styles: Literary

Publishes fiction, poetry, literary essays, travel narratives, translation, and novels in verse / flash. Only accepting queries for chapbook-length manuscripts as at March 2016. Check website for current status. Send query by post only, with cover letter, three sample pages, and SASE (writers outside the US may omit the stamp). See website for full guidelines.

[See the full listing]


New Magazine Listing

New Magazine Listing

firstwriter.com – Monday March 21, 2016

Publishes: Fiction; Poetry

Areas include: Short Stories

Markets: Adult

Preferred styles: Literary

Annual literary journal, open to all forms, subjects, schools, and styles, Send 3-5 poems, or short fiction up to 10,000 words, by post.

[See the full listing]


New Publisher Listing

New Publisher Listing

firstwriter.com – Wednesday March 16, 2016

Publishes: Poetry; 
Markets: Adult

Publishes books of poetry by Washington State poets. All submissions must be made through the annual competition, entry fee: $12. Submit online.

[See the full listing]


Click here for more of this month's new listings >

Articles

Some of this month's articles for writers from around the web.

Should You Self-Publish or Pursue a Mainstream Publisher?

Should You Self-Publish or Pursue a Mainstream Publisher?

huffingtonpost.com – Monday March 14, 2016

Over the past month, I have fielded numerous inquiries about book development and promotion, so I figured it would be helpful to share with you my tips for both. In this first installment, I'll focus on the starting point question of whether to self-publish or pursue a mainstream publisher. There is really no right or wrong answer here. Instead, there are pros and cons of each route, along with numerous variables to consider. Here are some of them:

[Read the full article]

Save dragons, save books! Three authors give tips on children's writing

Save dragons, save books! Three authors give tips on children's writing

theguardian.com – Wednesday March 9, 2016

It’s a perennial bugbear among children’s writers that every other writer thinks it’s an easy thing to do when, in fact, children are among the most discerning readers, with an intimate relationship with the on-off switch. Three leading authors will be passing on the tricks of the trade in a Guardian Masterclass on Sunday, 20 March. We asked Philip Ardagh, author of the Eddie Dickens series; How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell; and Laura Dockrill, author of the Darcy Burdock books, to explain the challenges and the rewards of specialising in literature for young people. They also give some useful tips for anyone hoping to follow them into this most demanding of areas.

[Read the full article]

For writers: To agent or not to agent?

For writers: To agent or not to agent?

wnd.com – Wednesday March 9, 2016

Writers who want to be published (or who have already been published) are constantly in a state of turmoil trying to answer the question: Do I need an agent?

[Read the full article]

Click here for the rest of this month's articles >

About

Information about this newsletter and the firstwriter.com site.

Resources for writers

Go to firstwriter.com for the following invaluable resources for writers:

Advertise

To advertise on this newsletter for as little as $30 / £20 click here

Submit

To submit articles, news items, press releases, or any other items of interest to writers, click here

This newsletter has been compiled by firstwriter.com and is protected by copyright. It may not be copied, forwarded, or otherwise distributed in whole or in part without firstwriter.com's written consent.

While every effort is made to ensure that all information contained within this newsletter is accurate, readers are reminded that this information is provided only as a list of potential leads that the reader should follow up with his or her own investigations. Unless otherwise stated, firstwriter.com is not associated with and does not endorse, recommend, or provide any assurances relating to any of the organisations, events, persons or promotions contained within this newsletter, and cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred due to actions taken in relation to information provided. Inclusion does not constitute recommendation.

Please do not reply to this email. The address from which this has been sent is not capable of receiving emails and sending an email to it may cause your subscription to stop. If you have any queries or require any assistance please contact us by going to https://www.firstwriter.com/contact_us.shtml

© firstwriter.com 2016