picture books & query for kids' non-fiction

Are you writing picture books? Good info here:
http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/07/whole-lot-of-info-about-picture-books.html
There's good stuff here about writing a query letter for children's
nonfiction:
http://kidlit.com/2011/07/11/how-to-write-a-non-fiction-query-letter/
Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

travel-story contest

This looks like an interesting travel-story contest. There's no entry fee,
deadline August 31. Here's the link:
http://www.leaplocal.org/competitions/travel-story-competition/.
Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

Association of Italian Canadian Writers

The Association of Italian Canadian Writers looks like an interesting
organization for people of Italian background. Among other things, they run
contests open to writers internationally, not just in Canada. Here's the
link: http://www.aicw.ca/contests.htm.

Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

Catholic novels

The website www.traditionalcatholicnovels.com posts recommendations and
reviews regarding "good Catholic novels that are good" and is looking for
reviewers.

Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

Prime Number Magazine considers cover art, fiction, etc.

Prime Number Magazine considers submissions in a variety of categories
including cover art, fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry,
book reviews, interviews, dramatic work. Here's the link:
http://www.primenumbermagazine.com/Submit.html
Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

4 high-paying mags from WritersMarket

WritersMarket.com lists thousands of magazines. Here are 4 high-paying
magazines (search WritersMarket.com for more):

Advisor Today is a trade publication covering life insurance and financial
planning. Writers should query by e-mail. The publication pays $800-2,000
for nonfiction articles of 1,500-6,000 words in length.

Boys' Life is a consumer magazine aimed at Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and
Venturers. The magazine pays $300 and up for nonfiction articles; fiction
pieces are by assignment only. Writers should query by mail.

Mother Jones is a bimonthly magazine covering politics, social issues, and
pop culture. The magazine pays $1 per word for nonfiction articles of 2,000
to 5,000 words in length. Writers should query with published clips.

Scientific American is a monthly magazine covering developments and topics
of interest in the world of science. Query before submitting. The magazine
pays $1 per word for nonfiction articles.

Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

ten ways to start a story

1. Character portrayal --Example from Shaded Light by N.J. Lindquist

"You self-righteous liar! But then you never think of anyone but yourself!" As Peter Martin stepped into the front hallway of his penthouse, etc. (This story starter also uses conversation & setting.)

2. Conflict --Example from Thomas' Snowsuit by Robert Munsch

One day Thomas' mother bought him a nice new brown snowsuit. When Thomas saw that snowsuit he said, "That is the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life." (This story starter also uses conversation, emotions, & humor.)

3. Problem --Example from The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett

The last camel collapsed at noon. It was the five-year-old white bull he had bought in Gialo, the youngest and strongest of the three beasts, etc. (This story starter also uses setting.)

4. Suspense  --Example from The Hungry Year by Connie Brummel Crook

Kate woke up with a gasp. Was somebody breaking into their wagon?

5. Conversation  --Example from My Name Is Mike by Gail Sattler

"My name is Mike, and I'm an alcoholic."

6. Puzzling or mysterious statement –Example John 1:1, King James Translation of the Bible

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

7. Appeal to senses --Example from "The Blue Bead" by Norah Burke

From deep water came the crocodile. Out of black water, curved with whirlpools, and into the frill of gold shadows by the stepping-stones.

8. Emotions --Example from I Cannot Dream Less by Ray Wiseman

Tension hung over Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport, layering further discomfort over a hot, humid day. The weather was typical of February in Jakarta; but the tension arrived as a by-product of war in the Middle East, causing most travellers to question their reasons for overseas travel. (This story starter also uses appeal to senses, conflict, & setting.)

9. Startling incident  --Example from a novel in progress by Elma Schemenauer

My hot flashes started when my husband, Emory, died in somebody else's arms. Crazed with heat and grief, I opened the cages and let his precious birds escape.

10. Setting  --Example from When Lightning Strikes by Hugh Alan Smith

After the brightness outside, everything in the church was dark and shadowy. I forced myself to walk up the narrow corridor toward the terrible truth. (This story starter also uses emotions, mystery, & appeal to senses.)

carte blanche opportunity: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translation, photography

The twice-yearly publication carte blanche invites submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translation, graphic fiction, and photography. Deadline September 15, no fee to submit. They pay $45 for a published piece. Here's the link: http://carte-blanche.org/submissions/
 
 

 

hot tips straight to your inbox

Good news! You can receive hot tips from this blog without visiting it. Every time a new message appears, it can be sent straight to your inbox. If you like that idea, look under FOLLOW BY E-MAIL [up and to your right], enter your e-mail address, and click submit.

James Lorimer Ltd. invites submissions of stories for children & young adults

JAMES LORIMER & COMPANY LTD. IS SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S
AND YOUNG ADULT SERIES.

Sports Stories

Sports Stories are exciting, plot-driven hi-lo novels with lots of
fast-paced sports action. Settings must be Canadian, contemporary, and
realistic. Main characters are aged 13-15. Hockey, soccer, and basketball
stories are in the highest demand. 25,000 words.

SideStreets

SideStreets novels are issue-based, high-interest stories for reluctant teen
readers. They feature realistic characters, situations, and dialogue, and
explore the often difficult feelings and situations faced by contemporary
Canadian teens. 30,000 words.

Please visit www.lorimer.ca for more information.
Mail query letter, summary, author bio, and manuscript to

Children's Book Editor
James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
317 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1002
Toronto, ON M5V 1P9

Include SASE for return of material. Allow 12-16 weeks for a response.

Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com

Ontario Poetry Society chapbook award

The Ontario Poetry Society Presents: The Golden Grassroots Chapbook
Award-Deadline July 31

THE ONTARIO POETRY SOCIETY PRESENTS THE GOLDEN GRASSROOTS CHAPBOOK AWARD

First prize: $50 and 50 free chapbooks plus the chapbook will be advertised
for one year on The Ontario Poetry Society website. Manuscripts of 24 poems
accepted. Poems may be previously published but must not have won any
contest prizes or awards in the past. The chapbook can be one long poem or a
variety of different poems. Contest judge is Lynn Tait. For further
information go to: www.theontariopoetrysociety.ca.

Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 books published in Canada and the USA, editor
of many others. Blog www.elmasalmanac.blogspot.com Website www.elma03.com