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
DATE: 2011.12.24
KEYWORDS: BOOKS CONSUMER TECH ENTERTAINMENT
PUBLICATION: cpw
Digital kids' books, cookbooks to get big push in '12 as colour e-readers
flourish
TORONTO -- It took just a little more than three years for Amazon's Kindle
e-reader to turn the book industry on its head. The ebook was a barely known
commodity when the Kindle was released in the winter of 2007, selling for an
eye-popping $400 _ without any books included. But by early 2010, ebooks
began outselling hardcover books on Amazon.com, and by the year's end, the
digital products were outpacing paperbacks, too.
The next step in the ebook's assault on the paper book business is expected
to start in earnest in 2012, as new devices like Amazon's Fire, Kobo's Vox,
and Barnes & Noble's Nook become more common and start driving the sales of
colour ebooks.
Like tablets, those e-readers have the ability to display full-colour
digital titles like children's books, comics and graphic novels, cookbooks,
and travel and reference titles.
Even the most avid library card-carrying paper book lovers are eager to
explore the possibilities of digital. ``I'm really excited about it,'' said
Cybele Young, who recently won the Governor General's Literary Award for
illustration in a children's book for ``Ten Birds,'' which is being turned
into an ebook by publisher Kids Can Press.
``I'm totally addicted to kids books and I would love to just have shelves
and shelves and shelves of them but I also love the practicality of being
able to purchase a book to be able to read on your iPad anywhere.
``I have a six-year-old son myself and he loves (reading digital books),
absolutely loves it.''
And those who make their livings selling ebooks are also thrilled about the
new potential presented by colour-capable screens.
``Up until now, the ebook market has largely been fiction _ literary
fiction, some young adult fiction, mystery, thrillers _ and there are dozens
of genres that are not represented,'' said Kobo CEO Michael Serbinis,
singling out kids' books in particular as an expected source of growth.
``Those really haven't been part of the story so far and they represent in
the physical book market easily half the business. So over time, I expect
that to translate to digital as well.''
A relatively new group called eBOUND Canada, funded by the Association of
Canadian Publishers, was founded to help independent publishers enter the
digital market. They, too, see huge potential in colour devices.
``We have some great cookbook publishers and I think they previously haven't
been afforded a good platform to work on,'' said Nic Boshart, manager of
technology.
``Kids' books I think are really going to take off and I think it's going to
benefit a lot of our children's book publishers.''
Among the Canadian children's book publishers that have already digitized
some of their titles is Kids Can Press.
``We were an early mover about six months ago with 'Franklin,' for us the
focus really is delivering our key brands on as many platforms as possible,
including tablets,'' said president Lisa Lyons.
``We think this Christmas is going to be the tipping point for tablets,
particularly as it relates to the ability to do colour (in ebooks), which is
terrific.''
But it'll be some time before the publisher starts turning all its titles
into ebooks.
``I think that's several years out yet, not every book necessarily lends
itself in the way it's laid out,'' Lyons said.
``I think we want to see the marketplace reaction, there's no question that
big brands are going to be appealing, so we've got 'Franklin' in market and
'Scaredy Squirrel.'''
She expects 2012 will usher in more interactive books that will respond to
on-screen taps and include sound, animation or video.
One photo book company, which turns digital pictures into glossy print
books, is also getting into ebooks. Blurb is now giving customers the option
of laying out their photos into an iPad-compatible ebook for just $2. Blurb
also allows users to sell their books to others online and is working with
Apple to get Blurb-made titles into the iBooks store.
``We feel there is an ability for anyone to get a book created. And that
might be an audience of one and that's OK,'' said Robin Goldberg, Blurb's
senior vice president for international markets.
``There's no more gatekeepers in the way of getting content out to the
market or your audience.''
While Young is excited to see ``Ten Birds'' on her iPad, she's unsure how
the electronic medium might affect storytelling.
``Creating a book like '10 Birds' is almost like a black-and-white
photography approach, it's very subtle, it's very quiet with layers of
depth. And I think if all of a sudden things are moving it takes away from
that experience,'' she said.
``You have to be very thoughtful and careful rather than just saying, 'Oh,
let's make it move because we can.''' She also worries that kids might
eventually come to demand some of the digital bells and whistles that paper
can't offer.
``There's a 'Peter Rabbit' ebook with a little bit of animation and
interaction with it and it's nice because if my son wants to read it on his
own he has the help of a narrator and I think that's really great,'' Young
said.
``But I can see it in the future being an issue if they get so used to
having interactive elements and the line between a book and a game becomes
blurred. Then I think then he might complain about reading a paper book.''
Lyons doesn't believe ebooks will kill children's paper books anytime soon,
although they will be an important part of the business.
``If kids are reading, whether it's on a screen or a physical book, we think
that's a great thing.
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
http://writetodone.com/2011/12/23/top-10-blogs-for-writers-20112012-the-winners/
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
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
Canadian Tales of the Mysterious contest here:
http://www.redtuquebooks.ca/RTevents/ShortStoryCompetition.pdf
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
Contest here for a book of short fiction pieces, also a contest for a book of poetry: http://cas.umkc.edu/bkmk/poetry.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
Posted: 26 Nov 2011 11:03 PM PST
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN REVIEW'S (formerly Horsefly Magazine) FIRST ANNUAL
LITERARY RANT COMPETITION
Submit by January 31, 2012.
For detailed contest rules please check our website.
http://elphantmountain.org
Something got your shorts in a knot? Something REALLY bugging you? Or
something have you so fired up with enthusiasm you just have to let it out?
Think Rick Mercer. Think outside the box. Think Slam Poetry frozen on the
page. Any and all subjects welcome. Give us your PASSION!
500 words or less.
Magazine publication and prize money for the best work:
$200 for the best rant.
$100 for 2nd place.
$50 for 3rd.
Please submit work and contact information by email to bdeon@netidea.com and
list the subject as "Rant". (All submissions considered, but preference will
be given to Kootenay-based writers.)
Include your rant in the body of the email or as an rtf or Word attachment.
All submissions must be accompanied by a $5 reading fee which may be
hand-delivered or sent to the address below:
Elephant Mountain Review
1019 Park St.
Nelson, BC.
V1L 2H4
Please make out cheques to Horsefly Magazine Society.
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
Entry fees for all contests are $28, and additional entries can be added for
$7 each. Every participant receives a one-year subscription to PRISM
international. Works of translation are eligible.
Contest entries must be sent to PRISM through snail mail, accompanied by an
entry form and cheque or receipt of credit card payment. For entry forms and
the option to pay fees by credit card, please visit PRISM's contest page.
Entries can be sent to:
PRISM international
Creative Writing Program
The University of British Columbia
BUCH E462-1866 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z1
CANADA
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
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
The organization called Poets & Writers provides many useful tools for word-slingers at this site: http://www.pw.org/toolsforwriters.
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
Posted: 12 Nov 2011 11:01 PM PST
Qarrtsiluni Online Literary Magazine is Calling for Submissions for their
Upcoming Issue
Theme: Imitation.
Deadline: November 30
Submissions are now open for the Imitation issue. The deadline is November
30, and we expect the issue to begin serializing here sometime in January,
after the conclusion of the current Worship issue.
Theme description
Imitation - that sincerest form! - is in art all too often maligned. "Better
to fail in originality than succeed in imitation," no less a writer than
Melville once sneered. For Emerson, imitation was "suicide." Especially
since the Romantic revolt, writers and artists in the West have taken for
granted that originality is the soul of creation.
Originality, though, is crippled without discipline, and imitation is an
uncompromising practice. The Great Masters of the past knew this well, and
would apprentice for years to gain fluency of form; the literature of
earlier eras, too, was woven with both homage and parody. Poetry in
particular has lent itself to the game: both John Keats and William Blake
published An Imitation of Spenser, while Spenser, in turn, openly mimicked a
more antique verse. Robert Lowell's Imitations is humbling in its breadth,
and how many countless poets have affixed an italicized "after xx" beneath a
title?
We believe there's plenty to be gained from reviving the imitative
tradition - be it in jest, out of reverence, or somewhere in between - and
so, for the next issue of qarrtsiluni, we're asking you for your greatest
imitations. Whether you've always dreamed of being Faulkner (or Milosz or O'Keefe
or Banksy or Bresson), or just want to try your hand at highbrow fanfic,
here's your opportunity.
Submissions will be evaluated not only on their own merits but by how well
they evoke the style or approach of another. Though it's up to you whether
or how to acknowledge the model in the submission itself, we do ask that you
spell it out in your cover letter. (Where appropriate, you might include a
copy of the work being emulated - or spoofed.)
Submission details
Our limits this time are three poems, five images or videos, and/or 1000
words of prose per submission. All submissions must go through the
submissions manager (which also includes our general guidelines). If you've
submitted to other publications that use this system, Submishmash, you'll
need to log in with the same username and password. Otherwise, you'll create
a new account as part of the submission process.
As always, we consider contributions of nonfiction, poetry, short fiction,
photographs, digitized artwork, short films, original musical compositions,
spoken word recordings, translations and collaborative works.
The editors
Siona van Dijk is an entrepreneur, writer, and graduate student in Depth
Psychology. Prior toqarrtsiluni, Siona has served on the editorial staff of
The Amherst Review, Circus, and A Further Room. Her favorite mimic is the
lyre bird.
Dave Bonta handles most of the day-to-day operations at qarrtsiluni, but
once a year he likes to don the hat of an issue editor, too. Some of his
other online projects include the videopoetry collection Moving Poems and a
daily microblog of observations from his front porch. His most recent print
publication is in The Book of Ystwyth: Six poets on the art of Clive
Hicks-Jenkins.
If the links do not work please go to:
http://qarrtsiluni.com/2011/11/01/call-for-submissions-imitation/
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
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
From my front door here in Kamloops, British Columbia, I can walk 164 steps and reach the foot of a mountain slope, which I try to climb regularly. As I climb and as I descend the slope, I pray. Kimberley Payne's book FIT FOR FAITH: 7 WEEKS TO IMPROVE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH operates on a similar principle, though it's much more comprehensive. The book, which marries fitness and faith, is full of valuable and inspiring ideas for improving both.
Payne's chapters are short, which helps maintain reader interest and motivation. She backs up her recommendations with many inspiring Scriptural references. She also provides references to other useful sources; for example, cookbooks featuring healthful recipes.
I enjoy Payne's imaginative and specific style of writing. For example, she says we can pray about anything including "finding your keys in a marsh." She advises us to "use peace as your yardstick" when deciding which foods to eat. If you don't feel peace about it, i.e. if you suspect it's not good for you, quit eating it.
FIT FOR FAITH includes several useful appendices. Among them are "Home Fitness Test," "Strength Training Exercises" and "Stretching Exercises." OK now, I need to get busy. First I'll test how much my mountain-slope climbing and other exercises have done for my fitness. Then I'll get going on Payne's suggestions for improving it and my spiritual health.
If you'd like a copy of the book, you can buy it at one of the following sites:
Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/3ff7mr6
Smashwords http://tinyurl.com/3pfkcw8
Amazon.uk http://tinyurl.com/3spw9xu
Goodreads http://tinyurl.com/3st9pvm
The Danforth Review is a Canadian periodical that publishes short stories.
Their submissions guidelines are here:
http://thedanforthreview.blogspot.com/2011/09/submissions-now-open.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
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
September 1 – December 31, 2011
(postmark or online submission-date)
Final Judge: Tom Sleigh
$3,000 Prize
The Dorset Prize includes a cash award of $3,000 in addition to publication by Tupelo Press, a book launch, and national distribution with energetic publicity and promotion. Manuscripts are judged anonymously. All finalists will also be considered for publication. This competition is open to any poet writing in English. Previously published poems with proper acknowledgment are acceptable. Translations are not eligible, nor are previously self-published books. Employees of Tupelo Press and authors previously published by Tupelo Press are not eligible.
Submit a previously unpublished, full-length poetry manuscript of between 48 and 88 pages (of poems). Include two cover pages: one with the title of the manuscript only, the other with title of manuscript, name, address, telephone number, and email address. Include a table of contents and, if applicable, an acknowledgments page for prior publications in periodicals. Cover letters or biography notes are optional; if included, these will not be read until the conclusion of the contest.
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
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
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
Who is eligible
a.. Canadian students enrolled in secondary or post-secondary courses
and/or writing workshops are eligible.
b.. The writer should have no more than 2 short works published in
established print or online magazines, books or websites. (Blogs, zines and
in-house school publications are exempt.)
c.. Geist staff, board members, editors and interns are not eligible.
d.. If you aren't sure whether you are eligible, send us a note
ask:gewm@geist.com.
What to submit
Prose: 500 words maximum; fiction or non-fiction; short piece or stand-alone
excerpt of a longer piece.
Poetry: 50 lines maximum in any form.
Photo essay: 3 photos and 150 words of text maximum. Submit as one image
file-JPG, TIFF or PDF, at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
Comix and other graphica: 2 pages maximum. Page dimensions should not exceed
8.5×11 inches. Submit as one image file-JPG, TIFF or PDF, at a minimum
resolution of 300 dpi.
How to submit
a.. Send your work as an email attachment to gewm@geist.com.
b.. Include a brief message with your name, the name of your school and/or
workshop and expected date of graduation.
c.. You may submit one piece of work every month, but do not submit the
same piece more than once.
d.. There is no submission fee for writers, and Geist does not offer
payment for submissions published online.
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
Lisa Copen is working on a book for moms with a chronic illness. She's looking for parenting tips for moms with problems such as limited mobility, constant exhaustion and limited transportation.
From Lisa:
If you have written a parenting book, please email me the name of it. If you have an interest in providing some quotes, let me know.
If you have friends who are parents with illness, I have set up a facebook page at http://momwithillness.com for them to help share their stories/experiences/confessions. Please feel free to pass that along.
rest@restministries.org is the best way to reach me!
Thanks in advance!
Lisa Copen
Founder/Director Rest Ministries, Inc.
Joyfully serving the chronically ill
Today, October 11, marks the launch of Kimberley Payne's e-book Fit for Faith - 7 weeks to improved spiritual & physical health. As a special promotion, today’s buyers will get free gifts for each copy of Fit for Faith that they purchase. For details on the book, launch, and promotions please visit: http://kimberleypayne.wordpress.com
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
Lloyd Jeck loves Canada's westernmost province, British Columbia, especially its back-country. His love shines through every page of his latest book, BRITISH COLUMBIA TRAILS HEADING NORTH (Clearwater, BC: Majeck Publishing, 2011 ISBN 9780968673119).
The book has a "then and now" structure, interweaving current scenes and adventures with stories of British Columbia pioneers. Ben Snipes is one of these. In the 1850s, when Snipes reached the BC goldfields, other prospectors had already staked the profitable sites. He was too late to make his fortune mining the precious yellow metal, but he made a fortune anyway. Noting a shortage of meat in the mining camps, he drove beef cattle up from the United States. That was the beginning of Snipes's phenomenally successful ranching career. By 1861 he was known as the Northwest Cattle King.
A few years later, John Freemont Smith appeared on the BC scene. A Black man born in the West Indies, he arrived in the Kamloops area in the 1880s. He discovered coal there, and was instrumental in organizing the Kamloops Coal Company. A renaissance-type person, Smith was also, at various times in his life, a cobbler, a postmaster, and the developer of a mica mine.
Another pioneer featured in Jeck's book is Hugh Gillis, who died mysteriously on a steep mountain trail. Others include Frank Sylvester, Arnt Artntzen, and a law officer who threatened to have the entire population of Fort Alexander executed after a man was shot at the Fort.
A major strength of BRITISH COLUMBIA TRAILS HEADING NORTH is the way the author brings to life the settings where the pioneers lived—as well as other areas of the back-country. Jeck is a keen observer, careful researcher, and skilful storyteller who makes us feel as if we're really "there." With him as our often humorous guide, we meet the California quail of the Okanagan Valley, a busy little bird with "never a feather out of place." We see crows with white feathers. We learn about BC's wild horses including those sold to Russia in the 1920s. We hike, ski, and compare modern transportation with the steam locomotives and river scows of the past.
BRITISH COLUMBIA TRAILS HEADING NORTH is a book for anyone interested in BC history and the outdoors. Its 261 pages include a number of color photographs. Here's a sampling of chapter titles: "Where Does Northern British Columbia Begin?," "In Search of Solitude," "Wells Gray Country," "Omineca Buddies," and "A Ski Through Time." Endnotes list the sources Jeck used in his research. The book closes with a well organized index that makes it easy for the reader to find topics, locations, and persons of particular interest.
BRITISH COLUMBIA TRAILS HEADING NORTH is available in selected bookstores and through the publisher: Majeck Publishing, 1705 Yellowhead Highway, Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N1. Phone (250) 674-3391. E-mail majeck.books@gmail.com.
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
Closing date for The Unpublished Fiction Authors Print Ready Competition's September Theme is the September 30, 2011, 12:00 pm. The Theme for September is Crime. This is a no fee competition that stretches over 12 months. Each month is a different genre; each month there is a winner. Winners are offered a contract, paid royalties, and receive full promotion and marketing strategies. Only Print Ready novels of genuine merit will be chosen. For details, visit http://www.creativeprintpublishing.com/publishing/competitions.php
Tanja, thanks for the link to haiku contests. Here it is again for anyone who missed it the first time: http://haikureality.webs.com/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
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
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
The wonderfully named Port Yonder Press is a relatively new publisher producing print-on-demand books in a variety of genres and types. Authors may query them on the first day of any month, giving the following information: *a three-sentence blurb about the book *its genre *its word count *names of three high-level potential endorsers *the best of previous publishing credits, three or four at most *whether the book fits into the publisher's Christian category or its general category.
Here's the link: http://portyonderpress.com/GettingPublished.aspx
Dutch, the Magazine is a brand-new periodical currently being launched in Penticton, BC, and Oroville, WA. It's aimed at people with a Dutch connection living in North America, is being published in the English language, and invites submissions in English. Sorry I previously gave the impression that De Krant (in the Dutch language) is a new magazine. It has actually been around since 1969 and has a loyal readership throughout North America. Here's the link for Dutch, the Magazine http://www.dutchthemag.com/ and here's the one for De Krant http://www.dekrant.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
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
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
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
The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown announces the launch of 24pearlstreet, a new online writing program offering students the opportunity to write and learn in an online community, when they want, from wherever they are, led by some of today's most accomplished poets and writers. Includes fiction, poetry, nature writing, memoir, genealogy, and more. There's a charge for the classes, typically a few hundred dollars each.
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
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
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
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.)
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/
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
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
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
Want to improve your website? You can plug in your url here http://www.websitegrader.com and get free tips on optimizing your site. Also lots of good advice on Thomas Umstaddt's blog. He specializes in website design for authors.
His site is www.umstattdmedia.com/ and he blogs at http://www.authortechtips.com.
The Montreal International Poetry Prize is a first-of-its-kind global
poetry competition awarding $50,000 for one poem. The international jury of
ten distinguished poets from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the
Americas will select the top 50 entries. This shortlist will be published in
a groundbreaking global poetry anthology. And from that shortlist, prize
judge Andrew Motion, the former UK poet laureate, will select the winner.
Deadline July 8, 2011. Here's the link: http://montrealprize.com/
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
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
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: September 30, 2011
Vallum Magazine is featuring a special issue on PAKISTANI POETRY (Vol. 9:1
fall/winter 2011).
Seeking submissions of unpublished work on any aspect of Pakistani poetry by
Canadian or Landed Immigrants of Pakistani origin or Canadians interested in
Pakistan. Submissions must be postmarked by September 30, 2011.
http://www.vallummag.com/upcoming_issues.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
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
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
Here's a free contest for book-length women's fiction. It needs to be "upmarket" fiction—definition given on the web site. Note that the category doesn't include romance or romantic suspense. Send the first 150-200 words of the [unpublished] work to the e-mail address specified on the site, along with your name, e-mail address, and a logline [one-sentence description of the work]. The contest runs June 12 to June 26, and there's no charge to enter. Here's the link to the site. Scroll down to the entry for Monday, June 13, 2011.
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/
British publisher Creative Print Publishing invites submissions of short stories, 3000 word maximum, June 30 deadline. There's no fee to submit. On the other hand, I understand there's no payment either. The best 10 stories will be published in an anthology. Here's the link:
http://www.creativeprintpublishing.com/publishing/10-best-short-stories-competition.php
Guernica Editions of Toronto invites submission of poems by Canadian poets. They're to be FOR, ABOUT, OR INSPIRED BY other poets [not necessarily Canadian]. Each poem is to be accompanied by a 250-word prose statement regarding the background of the poem. June 30 deadline. Poems chosen will be published in an anthology. More at the following address:
http://www.guernicaeditions.com/
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
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
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
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
Another good one here about formatting poetry for publication:
http://www.writersrelief.com/blog/2010/03/poetry-turnoffs-styles-and-formatting-that-make-editors-cringe/
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
