short story contest: First Writer

First Writer is running a short story contest. No particular theme, stories
up to 3000 words. They charge a modest reading fee, less than $10 per story.
Here's the link:
http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/short_story_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

poetry & prose opportunity: Paragram

Paragram is calling for submissions for their next anthology. The theme is
Connections. Poems up to 40 lines, prose up to 500 words. No fee to submit.
Here's the link: http://paragramdotcom.wordpress.com/submissions/

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

health of Canadian publishing

Canadian publishing has struggled during the many years I've worked in the
industry. In all those years we've been constantly told, one way or another,
that it's dying. But it never dies and I don't believe it will. It just
changes, and those who can adapt to change often find ways to survive, maybe
even thrive.

One way the Canadian publishing industry might become healthier is by more
freely sharing info about itself. I subscribe to several free US-based
services/organizations that deliver free e-info about the publishing
industry to my inbox daily or every few days. So it's easy for me to
maintain a general impression of what's happening in American publishing.
Maybe there are similar Canadian services/organizations, but I'm not aware
of them. I do receive the free [Canadian] 49th Shelf e-mailings but they
come infrequently. I also receive free e-mailings from Random House Canada,
but that's about it. Quill & Quire would be a prime candidate for
disseminating Canadian e-info. But I either have to pay for a subscription
or go to their site and look at the [limited] info they provide free. Sorry,
I'm too cheap and lazy.

Another example: The Canadian Children's Book Centre, which I understand is
nonprofit, exists partly to share info about Canadian children's publishing.
Yet when I visit their site, looking for a simple e-list of publishers that
do Canadian children's material, I have to pay for it. Sorry, I don't want
to. By contrast, I can find many free lists of American publishers that do
kids' material.

Maybe the Canadian publishing industry is too self-protective? And maybe a
tad spoiled, with the government assistance it receives. I'm not knocking
that assistance. I'm glad we have it. I understand American publishing
doesn't receive nearly as much government help. But we Canadians shouldn't
lose sight of the fact that we still need to work hard ourselves. That
should include seeking innovative ways of handling change.

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

short stories for teens: One Teen Story

One Teen Story is a new literary magazine that connects teens to great short stories. Each month, subscribers will get a short story. Printed copies will come as a beautifully designed 5 x 7 booklet. The digital version will arrive on your Kindle or phone, ready to read on the spot.

 

Enter a contest: If you’re a writer between the ages of 14-19, submit to their student contest, which will be judged by best-selling author Gayle Forman. The winner will be published in One Teen Story.

 

Submit a story: They’re now choosing their first year’s worth of stories. If you write fiction about the teen experience and have a short story you think can stand on its own, submit it. All submissions will close on May 31, 2012.

 

For more information, see their web site: http://www.oneteenstory.com/

 

for readers & writers of short stories: One Story

One Story is a non-profit literary magazine featuring one short story mailed to subscribers every three weeks. The story is designed to fit into a purse or pocket if you subscribe to the printed version. If you choose the digital version, you can read the stories on a Kindle or other electronic reading device. They publish each writer once only. Between September and June, all writers can submit their work. For more information, visit the magazine's website: www.one-story.com

Crimson Romance

Crimson Romance, the new e-book romance imprint at Adams Media, is launching in June. They're now open for submissions in five popular romance subgenres (romantic suspense, historical, paranormal, contemporary, and erotic romance) and prefer lengths of 50K words (if yours is longer or shorter, they'll still consider it).

 

They love fresh takes on favorite themes, and smart, savvy heroines tangling with heroes readers will fall in love with. Get in touch with editor Jennifer Lawler with a query letter first, at editorcrimson@gmail.com.

 

Full guidelines are at: www.adamsmedia.com/call-for-submissions.

color photos of life 1939-43

A Denver Post website shows some of the few COLOR photos taken in America
1939 through 1943. Interesting atmosphere and details regarding life during
that time. Here's the link:
http://extras.denverpost.com/archive/captured.asp

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

web site designers

Some recommended web site designers who have come to my attention:
-Gretchen Zimmerman gzip@gardensidestudio.com
-Dorian Speed http://convolare.com/
-Lauren http://www.santaclaradesign.com/
-Tom Quiner www.BreakthroughBrochures.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