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

Secret Agent Contest At Miss. Snark's First Victim Blog

Miss Snark's First Victim blog is running a Secret Agent: Are You Hooked? Contest for the following genres:

• Young adult fiction (all genres)
• Middle grade fiction (all genres)
• Science Fiction/Fantasy
• Paranormal Romance (NO other romance; only paranormal)

The contest is for completed manuscripts only. See below for rules and guidelines or visit Miss. Snark's First Victim blog.

*(snipped the following from the blog) Submissions for the next Secret Agent contest will open at noon EDT on Monday, September 7. Submissions WILL NOT OPEN until NOON, EDT on Monday, September 7. Early submissions WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Submissions are for COMPLETED MANUSCRIPTS ONLY. If you wouldn't want an agent to read the entire thing, DON'T SEND IT. If an "entire thing" doesn't exist, you shouldn't even be reading these rules. Manuscripts THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN ANY SECRET AGENT CONTEST THIS YEAR will not be accepted. You may submit A DIFFERENT MANUSCRIPT if you've participated in any of the 2009 Secret Agent contests. If you are PAST WINNER, please DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST. Submissions are for THE FIRST 250 WORDS of your manuscript. Your submission for this contest should be formatted as follows: SCREEN NAME TITLE GENRE (Followed by the excerpt here.)

• No "chapter one," chapter titles, etc.
• You will receive a confirmation email with your post number. I don't always get through quickly. Don't resend.
• Submissions go to facelesswords(at)gmail.com. They DO NOT GO to my authoressmail address. Those of you who are subscribed to this blog via email will note the latter address as the "from." If you use this address for the contest, I WILL NOT SEE YOUR SUBMISSION.
• Erm, I think that's everything.

This month's contest will include the following genres:

• Young adult fiction (all genres)
• Middle grade fiction (all genres)
• Science Fiction/Fantasy
• Paranormal Romance (NO other romance; only paranormal)

Questions? Leave them in the comment box of this post. For those of you who have never heard of this contest, basically this is how it works. (Snipped from the blog)

There will be a call for submissions. When the call comes, follow the guidelines carefully and submit your excerpt before the deadline. All submissions will then be posted (anonymously) on the blog, and all readers are invited to leave critiques/feedback. Everyone who has entered the contest is expected to crit a minimum of five entries -- it's the mutual backscratch thing.

Our Secret Agent will join the panel of critters (that is, you) and will leave feedback for every entry. When the contest has ended, the Secret Agent will choose a winner or winners. That's it in a nutshell!

Check the side bar on the blog for a list of Agents who have participated in the past. One of the good things about this contest is, it's a great way to get your MS in front of an Agent. Even if you don't win you could receive a request for your ms. So get that manuscript polished! To learn more about this contest, visit the Secret Agent Contest Info Page. Happy Writing!

Free Query Letter Critique At Dorchester Publishing

To celebrate the launch of the new Dorchester Writer’s Corner (where you'll find advice for aspiring writers), Dorchester editors will chose and critique five query letter's from those posted in their new Writer's Forum. All genre's are welcome to submit (romance, horror, thrillers, and Westerns). Deadline is September 1, 2009, so hurry and polish that query letter! Visit the Dorchester message board to learn more. Dorchester Publishing Dorchester Forums Dorchester Writer's Corner

Free Workshop At Rose Colored Glasses August 9th - August 15th

Here's some workshop info I thought I'd pass this on. Enjoy! FREE Workshop!August 9-15, 2009 Join the Roses at Rose’s Colored Glasses for week-long workshop where we'll help you discover the more productive writer lurking inside you! Here's what you'll learn: 1. What do you want? 2. What's Stopping You? 3. Pre-writing Planning 4. Cranking out the Pages 5. Tools for Goal setting and Planning To join, send an email to RosesWriteFiftyBooks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or sign up from here. It's free, it's interactive and fun! Rose Colored Glasses Website

Agent Articles and Resources

There seems to be a lot of really good info floating around the agent blogs this past week. Check out these tidbits, if you're interested. The Guide to Literary Agents share's an excerpt from an article in the yet-to-be released 2010 Guide to Literary Agents by Agent Mollie Glick of the Foundry Literary + Media Agency, entitled Write a Killer Query Letter: How to Hook an Agent. Also on THE GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS is a post by Dorchester editor Leah Hultenschmidt entitled 12 Points of Contracts. Dystel & Goderich talk about the etiquette of submitting to an Agent. Agent in the middle says E.K., a junior agent at the L. Perkins Agency, is aggressively seeking Middle Grade and YA submissions. Check out what E.K.'s looking for here. On Bookends, Jessica Faust discusses Submissions 101. The post is basically a step by step process about submitting to an agent, and starts with making sure your book is written, edited, rewritten and polished before even thinking of sending off a query letter. Great info. And last but not least, agent Nathan Bransford wants to know how you deal with the "am-I-crazies?" Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Call For Submissions

I thought some of you might be interested in the following submissions call. Good luck! PILL HILL PRESS ANTHOLOGY Open to all mainstream genres (including action/adventure, cross genre, slipstream, experimental, fantasy, historical, horror, literary, mystery, romance, science fiction, suspense/crime, western) as long as it fits within the theme of the anthology. Looking for horror/suspense/mystery/supernatural stories that take place in rural America. Especially interested in stories that take place in Nebraska or surrounding states, though any rural location is acceptable and will be considered. Fiction Length: 500 word minimum, 7,500 word maximum. Pays 1 cent/word plus 1 contributor's copy upon publication. Please visit the link below for more info: http://www.pillhillpress.com/writers-guidelines.html

Free Children's eBook Download(s)

FREE CHILDREN'S EBOOKS Sylvan Dell Publishing just released its NEW next generation eBooks. They are offering all 45 titles in a free eBook trial for the next 90 days. Below is a link to a 90-day trial of all 45 Sylvan Dell eBooks: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/ebooktrials.php?e=MSBL9J Code expiration date: 10/31/2009 For guided directions: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/documents/eBookOperatingInstructions.pdf

Pink Petal Books Call for Submissions

This was posted to a writers loop I belong to. Good luck! ***permission to forward granted and encouraged*** The next deadline for our Pink Petal Books Presents anthology is coming up on August 15. We seek 15,000-25,000 word novellas featuring male winter Olympic athletes. Pink Petal Books Presents: Men of Winter (Winter Olympic Athletes) Submission Deadline: August 15, decisions by Sept 1 Electronic Publication: January 2010, print May 2010 We’re looking for hot Olympic Athletes who love the snow. Think skiers, snowboarders, ice skaters, bobsled…the possibilities are endless. We welcome all orientations, so long as one of the male characters (or both!) are Winter Olympic Athletes. Stories don’t have to take place at the Olympics. For more information visit: http://www.pinkpetalbooks.com/index.php?/Submission-Guidelines/pink-petal-books-presents-special-project.html Pink Petal Books

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

Here's a contest I ran across and thought I'd pass on. The deadline is July 31st, so hurry and get your entry in. Oh, and if you visit their website, make sure you check out the "Freebies" page and download a free creative writing guide (blurb is below). Legend Fire's Writers Guide is a short (54 pages) guide to creative writing. It was written to help all creative writers, though focuses mostly on the beginner. How To Write Creative Fiction Check it out, and good luck to those who enter! CALL FOR ENTRIES! Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject or write a short story, 5 pages max., on any theme, single or double-line spacing, neatly hand printed or typed. Entry fees: Poetry Contest: $5 per poem Writing Contest: $10 per story Prizes: Writing Contest First Prize: $500, 2nd: $250; 3rd: $100 Poetry Contest First Prize: $250, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $50. Postmark deadline: July 31, 2009. Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com/ for details and to enter! Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

Lyrical Press Call For Submissions: Steampunk

Call For Submissions: Steampunk Lyrical Press welcomes authors to submit their brilliant blending of 19th Century steam power with science-fiction/fantasy. In a word – Steampunk. What’s Steampunk? You know that movie/comic book series The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen? That’s Steampunk. It’s the perfect marriage of an era when steam power was in use and science-fiction/fantasy elements. It’s goggles, gears and corsets. It’s fun, adventure and excitement. Lyrical Press is accepting all forms of Steampunk, with a focus on romance and erotica. If you’re manically mad about mechanical masterpieces set during the Victorian age we’d love to hear from you. Sensuality level: All – with a focus on romance/erotica Length: 30,000 – 80,000 words Key Characteristic: 19th Century steam power blended with elements of science-fiction/fantasy Deadline: None Please follow Lyrical Press’ guidelines found here: http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.lyricalpress.com/submissions when submitting. Send submissions to submissions @ lyricalpress (dot) com. Lyrical Press, Inc. is a New York based small press owned by the husband and wife team of Frank and Renee Rocco. Our goal is to provide authors with a reliable and pleasant home for their books and offer readers an eclectic mix of quality titles. LPI publishes in both electronic format and Print On Demand for select titles over 70,000 words. Lyrical Press Lyrical Press Blog Lyrical Press on Facebook

Writers Hodge Podge

I have a little bit of everything posted here today.  I hope you find something useful.

Happy Writing!

Ø RomanceUniversity.org

Today, Brooke Borneman, Director of Sales and Marketing at Dorchester Publishing,  is at RomanceUniversity.org talking about Dorchester’s Next Best Celler contest.  Go here to check it out.

Here’s this weeks Romance University line up:

7/06 - Monday - Crafting Your Career: Brooke Borneman, Director of Sales and Marketing at Dorchester Publishing, will share the scoop on Dorchester's exciting new America's Next Best Caller contest co-sponsored with TextNovel.

7/08 - Wednesday - Anatomy of a Male Mind: Evan offers a gay man's perspective on women, sex and straight relationships.

7/10 – Friday – Chaos Theory of Writing: Author Victoria Gray guides us through the fascinating process of weaving historical facts into our fiction writing.

www.RomanceUniversity.org

Dorchester Contest Guidelines and Rules

Ø Lisa Logan’s Free Book Trailer Workshop

If you’re interested in making a book trailer, Author Lisa Logan offer’s a free basic course on her website. 

Check it out here:

Lisa Logan Website

Ø Susan Meier’s Free Workshop

Harlequin Author Susan Meier posted a condensed version of her CAN THIS MANUSCRIPT BE SAVED WORKSHOP on her blog.

Check it out at:
http://fivescribes.blogspot.com/

Also,  see her HOW TO ANALYZE THE BOOKS YOU READ workshop on her website.

Susan Meier Website

Ø Author Survey(s)

So, you are an author or aspiring author? Where are you now? Where do you want to be? What is your wish list? What do you consider when choosing a publisher? No personal information taken. Please pass along.

To participate,  go here.

And here’s another one…

How low does the  price of ebook readers have to go  before you will make that all important purchase?

If you haven't done so already, please take this survey and pass it on to any other interested parties.

You don't have to register, nor does this survey require your email address or any other personal data. A simple response is all that's required. The survey will be available until July 11th. 

Go here to participate.

*Permission is granted to pass the survey details on to any/all interested parties.

Ø 1^st Turning Point

1st Turning Point has a great article by Romance Author Rowena Cherry on eBook Piracy. There’s even a sample take down notice.

What is 1st Turning Point?

1st Turning Point is All About Promotion and is also A  Place Where Authors Teach, Share, & Learn.  We’re hoping this will be a pay-it-forward site, where those who learn today will teach tomorrow.

This is a fairly new site, and it  looks like it’s going to be a great resource.  Sign up to the newsletter for a chance to win an awesome bunch of prizes!

Contest drawing will take place July 31 at 11pm Pacific Time. All 1st Turning Point Subscribers are eligible to Win!

Learn more at the 1st Turning Point Website 

Ø HOUSTON WRITERS GUILD WRITING CONTEST

Snipped From Hope Clarks FundsforWriters Newsletter - 06/28/09 Issue

Novel Category - First 10 pages of your Novel, Book, or
Screenplay + Synopsis. Contest entries in English only.
Open to all unpublished and not under contract novelists
and screenwriters anywhere in the world. $500 first prize.

Short Story - Any Genre - $50 first place. Limit: 2,500 words.

Personal Essay - Something Personal -- your opinion on any
subject or a character study or a slice of life piece. Limit:
1,500 words. $30 first place.

Poetry - $30 first place. Three poems or six poems.

Lifetime Award Novel - Any genre - $100 first place.
Previously published novelists may enter.

ENTRY FEE $10 - $20. Deadline July 30, 2009.

Rules and guidelines at:
http://www.houstonwritersguild.org/Contests.htm

For more contests, writing tips and resources, sign up for Hope Clark’s FundsForWriters Newsletter.

Ø Submission Call: Working Mother Magazine

Working Mother magazine seeks freelance submissions for the following areas: You, Work and Family.  Writers can download
editorial calendar to enable them to pitch articles in advance.
See site for full guidelines.

Working Mother Magazine

Ø Stephanie Maclean, Literary Agent Looking For Submissions

PW announced that Stephanie Maclean has been promoted to Literary Agent at Trident.  She is actively seeking romance, women’s fiction and young adult.  But as with any agent, check the submission guidelines before sending.

Trident Media Group, LLC

Stephanie Maclean

Happy 4th of July!

Submission Calls

Below are a few submission calls/resources I gathered this past week.  I hope you find them helpful.

Happy Writing!

Snipped from Agent in the Middle Blog:

Sandy Lu, an associate agents at Lori Perkins Literary Agency, has announced that she is earnestly looking for romantic suspense, so send her your stuff. Tell your friends.
Sandy at lperkinsagency dot com.

White Rose Publishing Short Story Contest

***PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED***
What's missing from this cover?
Your Name!

Introducing a new contest from White Rose Publishing.
"HEARTS CROSSING"
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, we're giving you a picture plus a synopsis---and that's worth 20,000-25,000 words plus a publishing contract.

All you have to do is fill in the synopsis blanks to create your own
unique plot, and then write the story to go with it.

For Rules and Entry information, visit White Rose Publishing at:
http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167:story-contest-hearts-crossing&catid=48:minifrontusr17
Or if the long URL won't work, try: http://digg.com/u13f4q
Official Rules in PDF at:
http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/images/stories/WRP_HeartsCrossing_ContestRules.pdf

New Market: Divine Destinies From EREC Blog

Canada-based all-genre imprint seeking romance:
"We accept submissions in all the sub-genres, including romance, as long as it isn't formula and preferably contains paranormal elements, and any and all combinations thereof." [Website]
"Devine Destinies is the mainstream imprint of eXtasy Books, a publishing company specializing in 'out of the box' reading." [Myspace]

Call for Submissions at Total-e-Bound

Call for submissions for the "Over the Moon Anthology".
Total-e-bound is a British publisher of erotic romance. At this time we are putting together an anthology of six stories with a paranormal element. If you are currently working on a story you think might be suitable, send your submission directly to me at janice@total-e-bound.com . I'll be editing this anthology. If you have trouble with this email address, you can use my novelsisterhood one -- elyssalynne@gmail.com

Over the Moon – paranormal anthology Guidelines:

• 15K to 20K word count per short story/novella
• Paranormal - Werewolves, MF or MFM only
• Heat Rating: Burning/Melting (see our book rating info)
The Submission deadline is June 10th 2009 for release in November 2009. Submit the full story plus a short (1 - 2 page) synopsis.

When submitting, please enter "Paranormal Submission" in the email subject line.

If you have any questions, please email me.
Janice Bennett
Editor

Snipped from Cynthia Sterling Market News Newsletter:

Anne Sowards, Senior Editor at Roc and Ace, sent a Tweet that she is looking for Steampunk science fiction and fantasy. Romantic elements are okay, but this shouldn't be a romance. http://twitter.com/AnneSowards  (Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy/speculative fiction that combines historical elements of a time when steam power was prevalent -- often Victorian England -- with other technological elements.)

(Thanks for Marilyn Byerly for the heads up on this.)

Also From Cindy Myers/Cynthia Sterling Market News:

Grassroots Publishing produces several special interest magazines, including I Love Cats and Quick and Easy Crochet. The editors are soliciting contributions for a new venture, New Love Stories. They're looking for romantic stories between 3000 and 5000 words in any sub-genre -- contemporary, historical, inspirational or paranormal. From their guidelines: "While we will accept any story having to do with love and romance, we are currently seeking stories with some sexuality incorporated into the plot to stimulate interest and allow the reader to live vicariously. However, stories should not be overtly graphic or pornographic in nature. Suggestive phrases should be used in the place of reference to body parts and inappropriate language. " Payment is $300 on publication. For all the details, go to http://grassrootsmag.com/submissions.html

From Cynthia Sterling Market Newsletter. Anyone can sign up for the newsletter by sending a blank email to CynthiaSterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Harlequin to Launch A YA/Teen Imprint/Line

Harlequin Teen will publish novels in several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. The program will kick off with three urban fantasy novels: My Soul to Take, which launches in August; Gena Showalter’s Intertwined in September; and a reprint of a 2004 Harlequin Luna novel by P.C. Cast called Elphame’s Choice in October. Print runs have not yet been determined. Going forward, Wilson says she is currently planning 17 books for 2010, and 18 to 20 books for 2011.

Go here (The Quill & Quire) http://www.quillandquire.com/google/article.cfm?article_id=10742 to read more.