New: Out Loud!! 2011 Book; Reminder:Call for Submissions

Are you polishing a piece that you intend to submit for a featured reader spot at the next Out Loud!! Reading taking place on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 4:00 pm @ the Glamour Bar?

Great! Glad to hear it. (and can't wait to read it!)

Now listen, you've got three days to submit. In order to be considered for one of the two featured reader spots, you must get your submission to me by Wednesday, May 18th.

Got it? Good.

Now please get back to work.

Ruth Kuguru

Curator

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PS: If you're new to Shanghai or have been hiding under a rock and haven't made it to a reading yet, here's the scoop:

Out Loud!! is a reading series for writers who live and work in Shanghai. It features up-and-coming and well-established writers, and to make it really interesting, writers read from works-in-progress.

Why you ask?

#1 Because the pieces you've already published are neat, clean, and polished (which is as it should be), but the piece you're working on now is hot, lively, and in the moment. It's the piece that's holding your attention today, and if it's holding your attention, it's bound to hold your audience's attention.

#2 Because it could also result in having your work published in the book, Out Loud!! 2011(Grace Publishing), set to launch this year.

So pull out that essay, poem, short story, section of a novel or memoir and send it in for consideration. Complete submission guidelines for the two featured reader spots are listed below.

I look forward to reading your submission soon!

Out Loud!! - The Book

The Out Loud!! Reading Series would like to announce a new publication entitled, Out Loud!! 2011 set to launch in the Fall.

Over the past few years many of us have shared short stories and poetry at Out Loud!! either as featured readers or during the open-mic segments. These same pieces can now be submitted to be considered for publication in Out Loud!! 2011.

If you're interested in having your Out Loud!! work published, please send your submission to:

outloud@publishedbygrace.com

Subject: Out Loud!! 2011 --The Book.

In your email, please indicate when you read your piece at Out Loud!!, and whether you were an open-mic or featured reader.

Why Read Out Loud!!

Glad You Asked. Here are a few reasons:

experience the thrill of reading to a live, supportive audience
listen to your storytelling voice
get inspired
have fun! (Yes, I know. It can be a wee bit scary to read to a room full of people, but the more you do it, the more comfortable you get and the more you learn about your own writing.)
mingle and talk shop with the Shanghai writing community
be the star!

Submission Guidelines

Featured Readers: To be a featured reader on Sunday, May 29th, please submit up to 2,500 words (approx. 9 double-spaced pages) of unpublished writing. This translates into a 14-15 minute reading.

Remember, we want to hear what you're working on now--the lively, hopping work-in-progress that's begging to be read out loud. Your submission should be self-inclusive--it can be part of a longer piece, but should stand on its own.

Submissions of fiction and nonfiction are accepted for the featured reader spots.

All submissions must be double-spaced with 1-inch margins. Please include word count and contact information.

One submission per writer.

The submission deadline is Wednesday, May 18, 2011. The two chosen readers will be notified by May 23rd.

Email submissions to Ruth Kuguru at:

outloud@publishedbygrace.com

* * * * *

Open-Mic Readers: Sign up at The Glamour Bar on the day of the event. Open-mic readers can read up to 630 words (approx. 2 double-spaced pages). Length will be strictly monitored, so be sure your piece meets the requirements.

Readers must read from a paper copy of their work. No computers!

Open-mic readers may read fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

NOTE: All readers (featured and open-mic) must be over 18.

Out Loud!! Curator Ruth Kuguru is, among other things, an author. Her debut non-fiction anthology Thrive(Grace Publishing) was published in June, 2010.

With a deep appreciation for writers who find the discipline, determination and inspiration to write, and simply a lover of a good story, Ruth is honored to carry the Out Loud!! torch.