Since “hope is on the horizon” for me (as my writing group put it) I’d like to spread the good vibes. Here are some great links and opportunities:
- This one’s a little short notice (sorry!) but the Kenyon Review is running their annual short story contest through Feb 28th. Final judge is Louise Erdrich, and grand prize is publication AND a scholarship to their 2010 writing workshop. I went to the workshop in 2009 and loved it.
- My friend Mary just started a new blog called Out of Texas (“and into the rest of the world!” – hehe, so cute). Unfortunately the shiny fun newness of it is making me want a Tumblr too. Because, you know, I don’t have enough social media outlets. o_O MUST RESIST.
- The fantabulous Kiersten White and Natalie Whipple participated in a round-table with two other writers, and the resulting discussion CHARMED MY PANTS OFF. (Not literally. Or at least not that I’m admitting to.) It also introduced me to Sean Ferrell, a friendly, funny guy whose book Numb sounds awesome.
- Sigriddaughter’s 7th Glass Woman contest is seeking short fiction and creative nonfiction submissions from female writers. I actually know, via WritingForums.com, the woman who won last year. I had even critiqued her piece there! We’re not BFF or anything, but it was totally cool (and a little surreal) to read her piece and realize I already knew it. It also makes the possibility of winning seem more real/attainable, you know?
- And last but definitely not least, Writer Unboxed is looking for an unpublished writer to contribute monthly. WU is a great resource for writers of all genres, and features a rotating panel of authors, from YA writer Kathleen Bolton, to NYTimes Bestseller Allison Winn Scotch, to podcast-to-book deal extraordinaire J.C. Hutchins. Click here for details on how to apply, and yes, I’ll be tossing my hat into the ring.
Okay, now back to my regularly scheduled work/writing/Olympics-watching mayhem. (PS: How awesome was Yu-Na Kim last night?! And Mirai is just adorable. I can’t wait to see the free skate programs tonight.)
WIP update: I’ve written Chapter 1 and have been wrestling Chapter 2 for days. Yesterday I finally got him in a headlock, and today he’s going down for the count! Then it’s on to Chapter 3…
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Thanks for the links!
Also have you heard about the Mad Anthony Writer’s Conference in Hamilton, Ohio? It’s in April. I’m going to that one for the second year in a row. They’ve got a number of workshops that look interesting. It’s a small conference but it’s also reasonably priced (I think). You should check it out; just Google Mad Anthony Writer’s Conference and it’ll show up.
.-= • Recent post by Dara: Q&A Time! =-.
Thanks, Dara! Someone in my writing group has mentioned it before, but I forgot to check it out. :P
Thanks, Kristan! Keep plugging away at those chapters! I wish I could nominate you somehow for Writer Unboxed because I think you’d fit in perfectly. You’re professional, yet friendly/approachable. You nearly always post something useful for other writers and you have some work/writing under consideration. You’re in a very exciting time right now. Hopefully, they’ll do the right thing and pick you. :)
.-= • Recent post by Sarah: Changes =-.
#1 should be called The Kenyon Review Annual Short Fiction Contest for Young Adults, as you must be 30 years or younger to enter. Damn ageism!
PS I find it amusing that your chapter is male.
Sarah-
Aww, thanks! I’m sure there will be a number of good candidates. Too bad reccos aren’t part of the application!
Sonja-
I honestly hadn’t thought about its gender until I was typing that line, but now for some reason I overall feel like this manuscript is male. (Whereas my YA paranormal ms? Or Twenty-Somewhere? Definitely female, hahaha.) Whatever that means…
I know the feeling, Kristin. Except I’ve been stuck on Chapter 3 for a few days. My chapter is still unruly, though. May need to wrestle with him a few more days before getting him into a headlock. : )
Good Luck!
.-= • Recent post by Kimberly Franklin: Interview Time! =-.
Thanks for all the tips and links! I’m going to check out the contests now (even though will probably chicken-out when push comes to shove).
.-= • Recent post by Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist: Is it okay to write about your children? =-.
Dude, you know resistance is futile. What with me being an enabler and all. ;) Don’t you want to be tumblr buddies?
Also, good luck beating up your manuscript. I’m sure you’ll beat him into submission soon. :)
.-= • Recent post by Mary: A new look, already! =-.
Yes, this Tumblr thing confuses and entices me. I don’t need more social media in my life right now, but it looks like so much fun.
.-= • Recent post by Jon: Seeing Barry Levinson =-.
Kimberly-
Good luck! Give it a HOO, and a HAH, and KICK IT, SIR! (That will make more sense if you’ve seen the movie Anastasia…)
Rebecca-
Aw, don’t chicken out! It’s one thing to not have time, but I think contests are a great way to dip a toe into the water. Especially free contests, hahaha. It just gives you something to work towards (i.e., a deadline), you know?
Mary & Jon-
I would love to be Tumblr buddies… Maybe… We’ll see… Fortunately I’m so busy not being lazy with my book that it’s making me lazy with most everything else. :P
Whoo-hoo for conquering chapters! I’ve started another round of revisions and have been stuck on Chapter 1 for the last two days. But today there will be victory!
.-= • Recent post by Samantha Bennett: Muscular Forearms =-.
Go you! I’m at Panera working on a little victory myself… ;P
Ooo, these are wonderful opportunities.