Free Catholic Online Writer's Conference 02/26/2010 - 03/05/2010

**Permission to forward ** Please pass this along to your friends or include in any applicable newsletter. (Non-Catholics: You do not need to be Catholic to attend, but you do need to respect our beliefs.) Writers, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals from around the world are gearing up for the third annual Catholic Writers’ Conference Online, which will be held February 26-March 5, 2010. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild, the online conference is free of charge and open to writers of all levels who register between October 1, 2009 and February 15, 2010. Develop your skills with forum-based workshops, or tap experienced writers and editors for their knowledge in live chats. Do you have a Catholic book to pitch? Prominent Catholic publishers will be holding pitch sessions! (Limited attendance.) To register or get more information, go to www.catholicwritersconference.com. Catholic Writer's Guild

10 FREE Ebook Downloads From Mills and Boon

To celebrate the first anniversary of Mills & Boon’s eBook program, M&B is offering a Free download of one book from each of their series. There are10 titles to choose from. While you're there, sign-up for their monthly newsletter and enter a contest to win a new Sony eReader. Visit their site Everyones Reading for more info. And for those of you who haven't heard, Harlequin is offering total of 16 free downloads in celebration of their 60 year anniversary. Go here to get your Free download. Harlequin.com Happy Reading!

Call for Submissions

Shades of Romance Magazine

PAY: $10 - $25 Shades of Romance is published bi-monthly. We are a magazine that caters to the readers and writers of multi-cultural literature. This is a great vehicle for getting exposure for your name, your web site and your books. New writers are especially encouraged to submit their work. We also welcome submissions and inquiries from published authors. http://www.sormag.com/guide.html

Short Stories Wanted

PAY: $50 Page Forty-Seven online anthology has been created for the new or not-yet-published writer. The purpose of this anthology is to help you establish yourself as a writer by providing an early publication credit, possibly your first.

Length: Short story submissions up to 10,000 characters (approx. 8.5 pages)

Payment: $50 flat fee on acceptance.

View website for details. http://www.writergazette.com/sendstudio/users/link.php?UserID=21484&Newsletter=189&List=1&LinkType=Send&LinkID=9005

Writer’s Digest

We are actively looking for authors on the following topics:

Please e-mail Executive Editor Kelly Nickell (Kelly.Nickell@fwmedia.com) if interested, or if you have further questions about any of these book concepts.

Writing the Paranormal Novel This comprehensive how-to book should feature step-by-step instruction, a look at some bestsellers in the genre and what makes them work, a discussion of clichés to avoid, unique exercises writers can do to practice the discussed techniques, etc. This book should cover character, plot, setting, tone and mood, and so on. Estimated word count: 80,000 to 100,000. Author should be a published paranormal novelist.

The First 50 Pages This book should talk readers through the development of the first 50 pages of a novel, covering such topics as the opening page, the inciting incident, character introduction and development, rising action, and so on. Estimated word count: 70,000 to 80,000. Author should be a published novelist and/or writing instructor.

Outlining Your Novel This book should offer a comprehensive yet easy-to-follow approach to outlining a novel. Also acceptable: a book that focuses on several different outlining approaches (in this case, each part of the book could focus on a different method, explaining the pros and cons of the given method and how it works). Estimated word count: 80,000 to 100,000. Author should be a published novelist and/or writing instructor. Ideally, the author also will be an outliner him/herself.

Write Great Fiction: Theme, Premise, Mood & Tone This book would be part of the well-respected Write Great Fiction series, which includes the following five titles: Plot & Structure; Dialogue; Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint; Description & Setting; and Revision & Self-Editing. This book would need to follow the series structure with sidebars throughout and chapter-closing exercises, while offering readers a thorough understanding how to work with theme, premise, mood, and tone. Estimated word count: 75,000. Author should be a published novelist and/or writing instructor. Please review series before querying.

The Plotter’s Guide to Novel Writing This book should offer a fun and interactive approach (or multiple approaches) to plotting a novel from start to finish. The book should cover such points as story concepting, the inciting incident, key plot points, climax, denouement, etc. The ideal book will feature how-to instruction and engaging exercises or worksheets. Estimated word count: 75,000. Author should be a published novelist and/or writing instructor.

The Perfect Protagonist This book should provide comprehensive instruction on character development from the protagonist on out to the rest of the cast, including how to create a strong and original protagonist, how to create supporting characters who complement or in some way accentuate an aspect of the protagonist, how to create an appropriate antagonist, etc. The book should include solid step-by-step instruction, exercises, and discussions of successful characters from best-selling and classic works. Estimated word count: 75,000 to 80,000. Author should be a published novelist and/or writing instructor.

Writing the Memoir This comprehensive how-to book should feature step-by-step memoir writing techniques, a look at some bestsellers in the genre and what makes them work, a discussion of clichés to avoid, unique exercises writers can do to practice the discussed techniques, a discussion of what makes a memoir salable, etc. Author should be a published memoirist. Also willing to consider a co-authored structure similar to Your First Novel, where a published memoirist would write Part I: Writing Your Memoir, and an agent specializing in memoirs would write Part II: Selling Your Memoir. Estimated word count: 80,000 to 100,000.

4700 E. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236 http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JaneFriedman

I DO TWO!

After the huge success of I DO, an anthology in support of Marriage Equality, we’re delighted to announce that there’ll be a second volume, I DO TWO, with a planned publication date of 14th February 2010.

The project has an editorial team – Alex Beecroft, Charlie Cochrane, Sophia Deri-Bowen, Lee Rowan – and not forgetting Kris Jacen at MLR who have kindly agreed to be the publishers again.What we now need are stories; heart warming, thought provoking, life affirming, most importantly top quality stories.

The deadline for submissions is December 1st 2009, with decisions announced on 1st January 2010. (Please adhere to the submissions guidelines given below.)

Feel free to pass this on.

The I DO TWO Team.

Submissions guidelines:

The anthology, titled "I DO, TWO", is a sequel to *the January 2009* charity anthology "I DO!" *All authors donate their stories* to benefit the Lambda Legal Fund. The *collection *cover*s* a range of times, places and people, and illustrate*s *the universality of love *and commitment**.*

To date, I DO has raised over $1500 for the cause of equal *rights* in marriage.

I DO TWO *will *be a similar, companion volume, published by MLR Press . (Contracts will be in line with their standard contract.)

We're looking for stories between 1,000 words and 10,000 words long. M/M, F/F, Bi and transgender stories are welcome. There is no strict theme, but we have certain things we do *not* want to see, for example stories which undermine the purpose of the anthology – that is, no stories which are about how gay people do not want to get married or do not deserve to get married. We do not want anything that reinforces negative stereotypes – no snuff fiction, scat, golden showers, necrophilia or underage sex.* *Because of the potential copyright issues, we *cannot accept* fanfiction, either.

If you possess the copyright for your story and it isn’t currently under exclusive contract to anyone else, we are happy to consider stories which have been published before. Please make a note in the covering e-mail.

As long as your story follows these guidelines and comes within the word-count, please send it to Lee_Rowan@localnet.com <mailto:Lee_Rowan@localnet.com>*. * Your story does not need to have an explicit marriage-related plot *or even a happy ending**!* Any story that celebrates the theme of love as valid, no matter the genders of the players, is welcome.

This is for a charity anthology, so you will not get paid. All profits will go straight to the Lamdba Legal fund. Through education, litigation and public policy work, Lambda Legal works to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people, and persons with HIV. Since their founding in 1973, Lambda Legal has become an active and vital part of the GLBT civil rights movement instrumental in the fight for same-sex marriage rights both nationally and, most notably, in the fight to strike down California's Proposition 8.

Deadline for submissions is 1st December 2009

Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards

A Short Story Competition from Writer's Digest

Compete and Win in All 5 Categories!

• Romance
• Mystery/Crime Fiction
• Science Fiction/Fantasy
• Thriller/Suspense
• Horror

The Grand Prize-Winner will receive $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Entry Deadline: Monday, November 02, 2009.

For entrants paying with a credit card, we will accept manuscripts submitted online.

Entry Fee: All entries are $15.00 each

Prizes

Grand Prize: $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

First Prize: The First Place-Winner in each of the five categories receives $500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Honorable Mention: Honorable Mentions will receive promotion in Writer's Digest and the 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Entry Deadline: Monday, November 02, 2009

http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards

Until The Day Is Done

I have a new favorite song. UNTIL THE DAY IS DONE by R.E.M. I've always liked R.E.M., they are one of my fav bands. Losing My Religion and The One I Love are my favorite songs by them... until I heard this one. I believe Until the Day is Done came out a few years ago, but I'm not sure. I don't keep up with music like I used to. Oh, I have my fav's I listen to once in a while, but honestly I don't listen to the radio that much anymore, unless I'm in my car, so I can see how I missed this song. Truly, my loss. Anyway, I saw R.E.M. preform this on Austin City Limits Sunday night, and was just blown away. I think you will be, too. Enjoy! Until the Day is DonebyR.E.M. The battle's been lost, the war is not won An addled republic, a bitter refund The business first flat earthers licking their wounds The verdict is dire, the country's in ruins Providence blinked, facing the sun Where are we left to carry on Until the day is done Until the day is done As we've written our stories to entertain These notions of glory and bull market gain The teleprompt flutters, the power surge brings An easy speed message falls into routine Providence blinked, facing the sun Where are we left to carry on Until the day is done Until the day is done A voice whispers "Son,The blessed vision comes." What have I done What have I doneSo hold tight your babies and your guns Forgive us our trespasses, father and son Providence blinked, facing the sun Where are we left to carry on Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done

Want to Write A Novel Together?

I ran across a new blog the other day called Let’s Write A Novel … Together. The point of the blog is just as the title says. To write a novel, together. 

Starting today, September 1st, Jean Lauzier, the blog owner, will (snipped the following from the blog):

… be posting about creating characters, writing dialogue, setting scenes, hooking the reader, tension, conflict, pacing, taming the inner editor and so much more. 

In Oct., we'll start an intensive month long novel planning session.  It'll include more indepth posts on topics such as story arc, structure and scene development along with some brainstorming and possibly real time chats.

Then, starting Nov. 1st, we'll make daily progress posts, along with weekly encouragement and who know what else.  Plus, you'll be able to have a progress meter just like mine on the right.  I'll explain more about that later.

If you've always wanted to write a novel or if this is your second or third or even sixth novel, join us on this wonderful journey.  I can't promise you it'll all be fun but it'll be worth it.

This is great if you need a push, or encouragement, or if you’re having difficulty beginning on a new project, if you want to start a new project,  or if you just need moral support.  It’s also a great  head start on  NaNoWriMo, which, by the way is right around the corner (November 1st).

But that’s not all of the great resources Jean has to offer. She  has another blog, StoryCrafters, and a writer’s forum (also entitled StoryCrafters) where she runs challenges, offers craft articles, writing tips and much, much more. Oh, and there’s also a StoryCrafters private critique group, too (it’s a Yahoo group, it’s not on the public forum).

Lot’s of wonderful resources to check out, that’s for sure. If you’d like to learn more about Jean Lauzier, join in on the novel writing project,  check out her blogs and/or the forum, links are below.

Happy Writing!

• StoryCrafters Blog
• StoryCrafters Forum
• Let’s Write A Novel Together Blog
• Jean Lauzier Website