Laughing All the Way to Writing Success
May-June 2008 
 WOW! Women On Writing
 Issue #21: Laughing All the Way to Writing Success

In This Issue:
Quick Links
Quick Links
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Some Previous Issues:
Contests:

For WOW readers

For Freelancers:





Join our mailing list!

Greetings!

Are you ready to laugh? A good laugh lifts the spirits and puts joy into our lives, so why not try putting humor into your writing? Almost every type of writing should have at least one humorous element woven into its literary cloth. Take it from the experts in this issue and explore the funny business of writing humor, crafting comedic scenes, and selling the funny stuff...to keep you laughing all the way to the bank! Er, I mean, writing success!

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A big, warm, Thank You goes out to our freelancers & staff:

We welcome Barbara J. Petoskey, a new freelancer, to the WOW! family. Barbara heads up our How 2 column this month, and it's one not to miss. Funny Business: How 2 Write and Sell Your Sense of Humor is a spectacular article on all aspects of humor writing. Find out what editors are looking for and how to tap into this market.

Another big warm welcome to the family goes out to freelancer, Cathy C. Hall for bringing back our Freelancer's Corner column for this issue. Cathy shares her in-the-trenches experience of how she got started in humor writing for magazine columns. So, if you are a beginning freelancer and want to know how to break into this market, follow Cathy's example.

To WOW! columnist, Margo Dill, for a fun and truly inspiring interview with Jennette Fulda, author of Half-Assed. This interview is a testament to the saying, "You can do anything you set your mind to."

To WOW! columnist, Marcia Peterson, for her provocative and informative interview with New York Times bestselling author Mary Roach. I especially love Mary's advice on the craft of writing, and even learned something new about using excerpts!

To C. Hope Clark for her wonderful article on selling the funny stuff, and bringing us a great selection of markets. Hope always continues to amaze me, and I have to give her and her photographer (Hope's husband) props for providing us with the best pictures on the planet!

To Susan L. Eberling for collaborating with me, and coming up with some fantastic questions for Rue McClanahan, this month's inspiration interview. Great job, Susan!

And a big thank you goes out to senior editor, Annette Fix, for bringing us great interviews this month! Annette really pulled out all the stops and crunched the hours to make this issue come together. Check out her fun interview with Hillary Carlip, and the 20 Questions interview with dynamic Lori Alan.

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Announcements:

First, we'd like to announce the reimplementation of our Freelancer's Corner column. This column had been on hiatus, but we decided to bring it back as needed--so, keep those queries rolling in ladies!

A little history on Freelancer's Corner: Our Freelancer's Corner column was formed in issue #5, January 2007, when we noticed that there were a lot of queries pouring in and very little space to fill. This is our way of giving back to women freelancers, and supplying a place for talented writers to showcase their work. Only freelancers can write for this position. No staff, no interviews, no promotional articles. This column is a stand-alone column that doesn't necessarily have to do with the issue--of course, it's great when it does (like this month!)--so, it's back ladies, and we're in a festive mood! Make those queries count, and submit!

Secondly, you may have noticed the combined month graphic on this issue. We have combined the months of May and June so that the editors can take a mini-break and focus on our backlogged queries and submissions and work on the new site design that we've been talking about for so long. It's a huge project, and there's still a lot to do, so we're not making any formal announcements of when it will launch, but we will keep you updated. Of course, during our mini-break, we will still be rolling out the monthly issues of Premium-Green, and updating our blog, The Muffin, daily. We will also continue sending out newsletters so you can get your WOW! fix.

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WOW! Teams Up With SEAL PRESS for our 2008 Spring Contest:

We are proud to announce that Seal Press is sponsoring our Spring 2008 Flash Fiction Contest!

Last Month to Enter!

[About Seal Press]

Groundbreaking books. By Women. For Women.

Inspired by the simple yet radical notion that a book can change a woman's life, Seal Press is devoted to publishing titles that inform, reveal, engage, delight, and support women of all ages and backgrounds.

Seal Press was founded in 1976 as a small DIY publisher to provide a forum for women writers and feminist issues, and since then, Seal has published groundbreaking books that represent the diverse voices and interests of women. Seal's continually growing list includes books about women's health, parenting, outdoor adventure and travel literature, popular culture, sexuality, gender and transgender life, sports, relationships, memoir, careers, finance, current affairs, and much more.

With each book, we strive to make a difference in women's everyday lives, and to tell the truth--the real truth--about the issues that matter to women the most.

Seal Press is a proud member of The Perseus Books Group. We encourage you to visit their website: www.sealpress.com, sign up for their newsletter, and keep up with the latest by visiting their blog: www.sealpress.com/blog.

We are thrilled to partner with Seal Press, and know that they are a perfect fit for WOW! readers/writers. You ladies are definitely in for a treat this season!

Contest Details:

Deadline: May 31st, Midnight (Pacific Time)

Word Count: 250 - 500 words

OPEN PROMPT!

That's right, we had such enthusiasm with the open prompt last season, that we bring it on, once again. This is your chance to shine, and get creative. You can write about anything, as long as it's within the word count and fiction. So, dig out those stories you started way back when and tailor them to the word count.

We're open to any style and genre. From horror to romance! So, get creative, and most of all, have fun. Just keep in mind that it must be fiction and must be within the word count. Visit our Contest Page and download the new Terms & Conditions.

Due to Popular Demand: Now with a Critique Option! Check out the contest page for more details.

Your fabulous guest judge for this season is Literary Agent Wendy Sherman. Get your work reviewed by a top literary agent!

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute... ENTER TODAY

Check out our exclusive interview with Wendy Sherman and get some insider info!

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Now onto the issue...enjoy!

 FICTION TIPS for Crafting Comedic and Satirical Scenes
 By Angela Mackintosh

Crafting Comedic Fiction Scenes It would be difficult to find a fictional story that didn't offer periodic humor. Even in dark fiction, readers can only stare into the abyss for so long. Humor also makes the reader care more about the characters. So, how do we write funny into our fiction? The good news is that there are formulas for crafting comedic and satirical scenes!

In this article we discuss the three different forms of comedic fiction: Goofball, Satire, and Romantic Comedy. As well as how to craft comic scenes, whether through Situational Comedy or Verbal (Internal Monologue, Narrator Description, and Dialogue).

Join us in a crash course and learn from example!

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 Jennette Fulda Gives Us Her Skinny!
 By Margo Dill

Jennette Fulda Jennette was born weighing 8 pounds 5 ounces, but eventually tipped the scales at 372 pounds before losing over half her body weight through diet and exercise.

Margo Dill chats with Jennette Fulda about her inspirational and humorous new book Half-Assed. Find out how Jennette chronicled her experience in her memoir, which led to lucrative blogging jobs and more!

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 NY Times Bestselling Author, Mary Roach, On Science and Sex
 By Marcia Peterson

Mary Roach Can science and sex be funny? Just read a book by Mary Roach and you'll discover it can. Marcia Peterson sits down with bestselling author Mary Roach, who is described as "the funniest science writer in the country," in this racy and informative interview about Mary's latest book, Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex.

The beginning of this interview is quite candid. In fact, when asked about the "cringe factor" associated with her book, Mary says, "It must be odd for people. I don't even notice anymore. Yesterday, I got Robert Siegel to say "orgasm" on NPR. A career highlight!" So, get ready for some real clinical discussions! But, Mary also shares some extremely useful writing tips for writers in all genres.

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 Author Hillary Carlip Finds Humor in the 10-Items-or-Less Lane
 By Annette Fix

Hillary Carlip Queen of the Oddballs author, Hillary Carlip, makes lemonade out of melons in her new book A la Cart: The Secret Lives of Grocery Shoppers.

Get in line with Annette Fix while Hillary shares her inside scoop to creating great characters, writing stories from found grocery lists, and be sure to check out Hillary's awesome book trailer!

You won't believe your eyes when you see Hillary's character transformations! Be sure to check it out.

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 20 Q: Lori Alan - Comedienne, Actress, and Voiceover Expert
 By Annette Fix

Lori Alan Ever wonder about the beautiful face behind the funny voices? Lori Alan gives you a peek into her world of animated voiceover. You'll get a chance to hear from Family Guy's "Diane the Anchorwoman," SpongeBob's "Pearl the Whale," and "The Invisible Woman" from The Fantastic Four.

This multi-talented dynamo will leave your ears ringing with laughter in this fun and insightful interview! Learn how to tap into the voiceover market.

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 Freelancer's Corner: Humor Writing for Columns
 By Cathy C. Hall

Cathy C. Hall Cathy says, "Everything I really needed to know about humor writing, I learned for free." And she wasn't kidding.

A home improvement fiasco jump started Cathy C. Hall's humor writing career. Now, she's a columnist for several publications! Discover how a single act of goodwill propelled Cathy's career into the funny business, and discover how you can break into the market too by following Cathy's great advice!

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 Funds 4 Writers: Sell the Funny Stuff
 By C. Hope Clark

C. Hope Clark Your family rolls on the floor laughing at your one-liners. The people at work think you're a comedian. But, can you write and sell funny?

C. Hope Clark breaks down the categories of funny, and gives you a great selection of humor writing markets to submit to in this excellent article!

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 Funny Business: How 2 Write & Sell Your Sense of Humor
 By Barbara J. Petoskey

How to Write and Sell Your Sense of Humor Can funny be taught? That's open to debate. What's clear is many editors say they'd welcome good humor if they could get it.

To help you crack these markets, Barbara J. Petoskey shares her humor writing tips to hone your punchlines, and keep you laughing all the way to the bank! This is an in-depth how-to that will walk you through the humor writing and selling process. So, if you've ever considered humor writing but weren't sure where to start, check out Barbara's fantastic advice!

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 Rue McClanahan: Follow Your Bliss
 By Angela Mackintosh & Susan Eberling

Rue McClanahan Who doesn't remember Blanche Devereaux, the man-crazed Southern vixen from the Emmy-award winning series The Golden Girls? From her roles opposite Dustin Hoffman and Brad Davis, to her role as Madame Horrible in the Broadway musical Wicked, Rue McClanahan continues to WOW us.

We were lucky enough to chat with Rue in this amazing and inspirational interview about her latest memoir, My First Five Husbands, the craft of memoir writing, and her battle with breast cancer.

MORE>> 


 Give Yourself the Ultimate Gift that Gives Back
 ALL YEAR ROUND!

Premium-Green

Are you tired of markets newsletters that simply "list" a bunch of markets without any personal guidance?

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PREMIUM GREEN MARKETS

The Ultimate Guide for Freelance Women Writers

Will Show You the GREEN!

Premium-Green isn't just market listings, it's a guide with community benefits. For only $4 a month, you get a 100+ Page Ebook delivered to your inbox every month, and you'll have access to a private community of women writers just like you!

We know that becoming a freelance writer takes more than just market listings. You'll need the opportunity to network with your peers and have a support system to help you reach your goals. And that's exactly what your Premium-Green Markets Subscription will do.

Here's what you get when you subscribe to PREMIUM GREEN:

  • Monthly 100+ page ebook in friendly PDF format: Easy to print, easy to save. No need for storing emails to find links and articles you missed!
  • Articles to grow your Freelance Career: These are articles not found anywhere else: More than Your Magic 8-Ball, I.T.T. In the Trenches, Tips & Tricks, Meet Your Mentor, Get Writing Mamas!, Project Workbook, and more...
  • Access to the PG Subscribers Group: Network with your peers through the Google list-serve, post discussions, ask questions, and receive insider tips.
  • Documents for PG Subscribers: Upload, download, and share content with the group. We put up f*r*e*e* articles, contracts, and ebooks for the group each month, so take advantage!
  • First Calls from WOW!: We give you immediate calls for what we need on the spot (or when we're in a crunch) to fill each issue. Get on the ground level and write for us!
  • Pink & Green: Find women's markets only, and get insight from the editors and what their needs are right now.
  • Markets, markets, and more markets. We provide markets for all aspects of freelancing. One example is, "Niche Quiche," which includes greeting card markets, slogans, and anything you can write a few words for and get paid! Check out our markets page for more details.

Earn the money you deserve, and get a real support team who will help you grow your freelance career.

The subscription price is $48 a year, which is $4 per month. We want to support you! Let's make this a banner year for all women writers. We can only do it by helping each other and creating a strong network and community for ourselves. Together, we can do it!

VISIT OUR MARKETS PAGE >> 


 Things to Make You Write & Laugh!
 Must Haves: By Angela Mackintosh

Hospitality Under the Influence We've all heard the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine," but how many of us actually make laughter a part of our daily activities? We go to work, school, meetings, tote little ones to soccer practice, dance, sleepovers, and we make dinners, tidy the house, and try to make time to write...but when do we make time to laugh?

This month we feature products and things to either help you write funny, or put the laughter back into your life.

Want to write about your Must-Haves?

We're collecting them all for compilation! Write about yours by emailing us at: [email protected] and tell us about your favorite product, website, gadget, retreat, or relaxation tool--anything that's helped your writing experience. We're open to suggestions!

Want to submit your product for review?

Email [email protected] and ask for details on how to snail-mail your product for consideration in a f*r*e*e* advertorial. Please note: we will only review products that we like. If we don't like it, well, we won't say a thing. Take advantage of this great opportunity and email Susan for details.

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 WordClay Short Story Contest - No Entry Fee!
 DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2008

WordClay Contest Grand Prize Winner: A check for $500; A printed and bound copy of the published Anthology of the top 15 stories

One Runner-Up: A check for $250; A printed and bound copy of the published Anthology of the top 15 stories

Fifteen Short Story Anthology Finalists: A Printed and bound copy of the published Anthology of the top 15 short stories

Deadline: May 31, 2008 (11:59 PM ET)

No Entry Fee

How to Enter:

Step 1: Participants need to register here. By registering, you ensure that WordClay will be able to contact you if you win prizes or are selected as a finalist.

Step 2: Email your short story and cover letter to [email protected] as separate attachments, in MS Word files. Up to three entries per contestant.

Maximum Length: 5,000 words

Please see the full guidelines of how to format your entry: http://www.wordclay.com/promopages/shortstorycontest.aspx

- There are no entry fees, no subsidy payments and no purchases of any kind required to enter and/or win the contest.
- There are no previous publishing requirements required to enter this contest.
- Entries are judged on the basis of originality, creative imagination, characterization, artistic quality and the adherence to length limitations. All decisions by the judges are final.
- Each writer retains the copyright to his or her work.

Finalist Judges can be seen here.

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Check it out ladies! It's f*r*e*e* to enter, so why not give it a shot? Visit: http://www.wordclay.com/promopages/shortstorycontest.aspx for complete guidelines. And good luck!

 


 WOW! BLOG: THE MUFFIN
 Find out the latest from the Bakers of WOW!

The Muffin

Have you checked out what we've been baking for you on the daily Muffin? We've stirred together some traditional ingredients with new ones to deliver more interviews, enlightenment, thought-provoking ideas, and inspirational messages to help you through those gray writing days.

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Pump Up the Book Promotion!

Schedule a Blog Tour with WOW! Women On Writing, and our Sister Blogs:

We love to promote women authors! If you're interested in finding out more details, please email us with "Blog Tours" in your subject line.

Send your request to:

WOW!'s Blog Mistress, Marcia Peterson:
[email protected]
or to the Editors:
[email protected]

Please include:

  • Book Title
  • Publication/Launch Date
  • Author Bio and Links
  • Tour Dates: First Choice
  • Any Additional Info--to help us help you!
We love working one-on-one with authors to create the best possible campaign and exposure. Promotion is our expertise!

We receive over a million hits per month, 700,000 unique--and that's not to mention, our sister sites. So, pump up your book promotion by contacting us. We're here to help, and our prices are very reasonable. Our goal is to promote, and support, you as an author.

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Never Stale! Here's the Latest:

Tuesday Contest Winner Interviews:

If you're interested in our writing contests, find out the scoop from previous winners!

Winter '08 Essay Contest 1st Place Winner - Cynthia Boiter
Interviewed by Del Sandeen

Winter '08 Essay Contest 2nd Place Winner - Linda Courtland
Interviewed by Marcia Peterson

Winter '08 Essay Contest 3rd Place Winner- Danette Haworth
Interviewed by Angela Mackintosh

Remember: Tuesdays are Contest Winner Interviews, so check back and learn from the writers that won our guest judge's hearts and captured the prize!

Blog Posts of Interest:

Authors: Learn How to be Media Savvy with Alice Collier
Guest expert, media maven, Alice Collier shares her top tips to garnering media attention for yourself and your book. Interview by Angela Mackintosh.

41 Blog Success Tips You Can Learn Today
Marketing expert, Penny Sansevieri adds up the ways you can make your blog a success.

The Birth of the Digital Newsstand
By Angela Mackintosh
Always one to seek out the new trends, Angela gives you a peek into the technology of browsing and reading major subscription magazines online and examines what's next for the industry.

Technical Times
By Valerie Fentress
These are technical times, and they call for technical measures. Valerie gives you some useful tips about formatting, saving files, and internet research.

Journal Insights
By Del Sandeen
Crack open your journal and discover yourself. Del offers her insight into how to use your journal to harvest story ideas for your writing.

Guest Blogging: Writing in Someone Else's Space
By Annette Fix
Like an invitation to a dinner party, you need to know what to bring to the table when you are invited to guest blog. Annette covers some cyber etiquette for your next blog party.

More Tips for Finding Time to Write
By Margo Dill
It's never easy to carve out the time to write, but Margo adds another set of tips to help you make it happen.

Got Prompts?
By Jill Earl
Do you ever find yourself stuck and in need of a jumpstart for your writing? Jill provides some great resources to get your muse running again.

More is Better
By Marcia Peterson
The writing debate rages on. Quantity vs. Quality. Marcia shares a study that answers the question once and for all: which is better?

Gathering Fodder for Future Articles
By Kesha Grant
Taking a vacation with your family can lead to finding great material for future articles. Kesha offers some tips about how to make the most out of the information treasure you find on your trip.

Finding Inspiration, Part 3
By LuAnn Schindler
Even if you haven't followed the series, you'll want to read this installment of LuAnn's tried and true methods for generating ideas that turn into freelance cash.

SEO Sundays: Referral Traffic from StumbleUpon
By Angela Mackintosh
Back by popular demand, Angela's SEO Sundays have become a favorite of The Muffin readers. In this post, she explains why Stumbling over your writing is a good thing.

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Want to participate on The Muffin?

Email our Blog Mistress, Marcia Peterson, with your request: [email protected]

Visit The Muffin >> 


 Upcoming Events
 Get Involved

Port Townsend, WA Sheila Bender's Writing it Real Port Townsend Writers' Conference

www.writingitreal.com

When: Thursday June 26, 2008 - Monday June 30, 2008

Where: Harborside Inn, Port Townsend, WA

Whether you are experienced or new to writing, have a special project in mind, need a jumpstart or are switching genres, our conference provides the professional guidance you are looking for in writing and publishing memoir, non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

Since 1999 our faculty's trademark has been enthusiasm, warmth and genuine down-to-earth instruction. Our program, including lectures, panels, brown bag lunch presentations and small-group discussions, manuscript workshops and in-class writing exercises will guide you to deeper and more meaningful writing.

Port Townsend is an inspirational place to write and a relaxing place to visit with its walking trails, waterfront cafes, galleries and bookstores. Come join like-minded individuals in a lovely Victorian seaport when daylight lingers till nearly 10 pm.

Tuition: $475 (Attendance limited to 50 participants)
Lodging: See Harborside Inn for room rates or visit PT Guide for other places to stay in PT. Book early as spaces fill up with summer visitors.

Mention WOW! Women On Writing and get $25 Off today on your early registration.

Visit Sheila's Website to find out more!
http://www.writingitreal.com

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Online Book Publicity Workshop

June 2 - 27, 2008

Got a book coming out you want to promote? Has your publisher's publicist moved on to other projects? Do you have a book in stores that you know deserves more media attention than it's getting? Do you need to know more about book promotion for your next book proposal? You need "Book Publicity 101: How to Build Book Buzz," a dynamic online course taught by a veteran publicist and author.

Offered June 2-27, 2008, the class is taught in a forum format, with lessons and homework assignments posted online in a private, password-protected forum. The highly-interactive course covers:

- How to create a book publicity blueprint you'll be excited about
- The single secret most authors don't know about generating ongoing media exposure
- The most effective and cost-efficient publicity tactics
- How to generate buzz online using virtual book tours and other techniques
- Radio and TV producer hot buttons
- How to bring an energizing new level of creativity to your publicity efforts

Students receive instructional materials and resources and complete weekly assignments that help them discover how easy it is to create book buzz. Student interaction on the forum offers fresh perspectives and new ideas for all participants while one-on-one instructor guidance and input takes your work to the next level. A free-for-all Q&A corner lets students get answers to questions not covered in the course materials, making this a highly-personalized learning experience for nonfiction and fiction authors.

The class is taught by Sandra Beckwith, a recovering award-winning publicist; publisher of the free e-zine Build Book Buzz; and author of three books, including two on publicity topics.

Registration is $179 and limited to 20 students.

Register at http://www.buildbookbuzz.com/workshops/book-publicity.htm; send course inquiries to Beckwith at [email protected].

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Book Expo America: May 29 - June 1, 2008

Los Angeles Convention Center, L.A., CA

Are you going to be at BEA this year? Let us know! We'd love to meet you. Find out more about the event by visiting: http://www.bookexpoamerica.com

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Do you have an event that you'd like to share? If you think our readers would be into it, please send a detailed announcement to: [email protected] and we'll consider publishing it in our Upcoming Events Column.

 


 5 Things You Must Know Before You Market Your Book on TV
 A F*R*E*E* eBook & Audio Mini-Course from Alice Collier!

Alice Collier Attention: Women Authors!

Do you want your TV interview to be such a smashing success that millions of people rush to buy your book?
Of course you do!

So, when those cameras start rolling, you need to be ready to communicate your message, engage your host and handle any question with finesse and confidence. You want to be relaxed yet energized, ready for anything. And when your interview is over, you can walk away feeling like a million bucks because you KNOW you did an amazing job... and everyone is going to buy your book!

But the truth is the world of TV can be so intense and nerve-wracking that even the most confident professional woman can become unglued and befuddled ...especially when she's being grilled with questions on live TV.

But put your fears and nerves aside and breathe a sigh of relief because in a very short time you can:

  • Be fully prepared and raring to go for any media interview so you can steer the conversation and enjoy being in the spotlight. Being on TV can be a lot of fun!
  • Know how to answer the most difficult, unexpected questions with authenticity, strength and conviction.
  • Always feel completely confident and totally at ease in front of the camera so you come across as the professional you truly are.
  • Express your message in soundbites which make your book irresistible to the viewing audience AND your interviewer.
  • Become a superstar guest so you are sure to be invited back again when your next book comes out!

We interviewed Alice on The Muffin, and she had some great tips for authors. Check it out: Authors: Learn How to Be Media Savvy With Alice Collier

To Get the F*R*E*E* eBook and Audio Mini-Course, 5 Things You Must Know Before You Market Your Book On TV go to: www.tvimagecoach.com and download it immediately! Alice shares her super advice with WOW! readers. The audio clips are golden!

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 Promotions
 Summer Scarf Bags

Summer Scarf Bags How To Pick Out the Perfect Bag

Finding the right bag is a never-ending search. Just when you fall in love with one, you find something wrong with it, right? Then, you're on the search again. Here are some tips that will help you determine whether the bag is right for you:

Color: What colors do you like? We all know black, brown, and beige go with everything, but it depends on what you're looking for. If it's an everyday bag, you may want to go with one of these colors. If it's something to spark your creativity, or your writing, you may want to choose something more vibrant that sets the mood!

Purpose: An important thing to consider is the purpose of your bag when choosing color and style. For instance, I enjoy bright colored bags for my laptop, bookbag, and writing toolbox. Find a good balance between practical and fun.

What are you using it for? Does it need thick straps to carry books? Or do you need lots of pockets to hold things like cellphones, PDA's, pens and business cards?

With these things in mind, you're bound to choose a fun bag that will not only suit your needs now, but also in the future!

Visit the Boutique >>


 ANNOUNCEMENTS: From WOW! Subscribers and Alumni

WOW Announcements

You ladies have been busy! So let's kick off the congrats:

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Louise Marley:

WOW! Alumni Member, Louise Marley will be interviewed by Long Ridge Writer''s Group Web Editor, and another WOW! Alumni Member, Mary Rosenblum, today in Long Ridge's Chat Room.

Note: You can now enter the Chat Rooms through your web browser here. For important information on creating an account and using the new chat rooms, click here and bookmark it or print it out.

Come to the Auditorium today, Thursday at 9 PM, Atlantic/Canada; 8 PM Eastern; 7 PM Central; 6 PM Mountain; 5 PM Pacific time. See you there!

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C. Hope Clark:

A WOW! Fave has a brand new ebook out! Agent in Your Pocket just launched this April, and we can't be any more excited!
You'd love to have an agent, but don't begin to know where to start. Using her personal experience seeking agents, Hope discusses synopses and queries, and she lists agents she's researched or contacted herself. You'll find 140+ agencies in this publication.
Check it out!

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Carolyn Howard Johnson:

WOW! Alumni Member, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, sent us a humorous release in line with our humor issue:

Writers Travel 2,200 Miles to Find One Another, Partner on Project

Award-winning author and authors' advocate Carolyn Howard-Johnson and former Glendale News-Press columnist Anne Louise Reinhard live just 10 minutes from each other here in in the great Los Angeles area, but didn't meet until they each traveled 2,200 miles to Dayton University's Erma Bombeck Writing Conference in Dayton, Ohio. To further the coincidence, Howard-Johnson is a sporadic movie reviewer for the News-Press.

Anne Louise attended an editing workshop conducted by Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Editor, and as she listened to the author's references to her hometown, realized that Howard-Johnson was talking about their hometown. So after the session, Anne Louise introduced herself, and handed the author her card. Good thing she did, because it turns out that Howard-Johnson forgot to collect her newsletter sign-up sheet from the session, and would have been unable to contact the attendees if it weren't for the business cards she had collected. So she sent an-e-mail to everyone whose card she had, offering the newsletter to them.

The response was huge, and Anne Louise was among those who asked for an e-handout. Howard-Johnson says, "I'm a great recycler. Think of the paper we saved!" The two writers started e-mailing, and now Carolyn's "Sharing with Writers" newsletter has a creative new columnist, one Anne Louise Reinhard, to fill a previously empty niche -- humor writing. Howard-Johnson says, "Even my subscribers who aren't humorists can learn something from Anne Louise's 'Humor Hints.' Even a serious book proposal can benefit from a touch of humor."

Howard-Johnson is the founder of Authors' Coalition ( www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com ). Writers interested in her "Sharing with Writers" newsletter filled with tips on craft, promotion and tech may send an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to [email protected]. Learn more about her at www.howtodoitfrugally.com .

Anne Louise can be read, and reached, at http://annelouise.net.

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Erika-Marie S. Geiss:

Premium-Green Member, and Editor-in-Chief, Erika-Marie S. Geiss, announces her Third Issue of TheWAHMmagazine! We love Erika's lively discussions at PG, and are happy to promote her fabulous bi-monthly magazine dedicated to the Work-at-Home Mom. (Get it? WAHM)

The May/June 2008 issue of theWAHMmagazine marks the half-way point in the magazine's first production year.

"We've grown since our premiere issue in January," says publisher and editor-in-chief, Erika-Marie S. Geiss who is also a writer with her third book scheduled for release in the fall. "I want to deliver meaningful content to our readers, thus the selection of editorial content is taken very seriously. Working from home is no cake-walk, and work-at-home professionals deserve the same quality from a WAH-related publication that they would expect from any other magazine," Geiss continues.

Delivering content is key, and the May/June issue features two new columns: "Off the Beaten Path" by Dawn Allcot, which highlights unusual angles to working from home; and "Keeping it Real" by Nancy LaFever, MSW, LISW, LICDC, a column that focuses on the development and maintenance of relationships and personal time. Lisa Dovichi was also named the magazine's Sales Editor. Also in this issue, Hannah Keeley, author of Total Mom Makeover is featured as the Voices profile and expanded content includes embedded video and after each article, direct access to the forum and writing a letter-to-the editor.

TheWAHMmagazine (www.thewahmmagazine.com) is a bi-monthly serial digital edition. The subscription cost is $24.00 per year or $5.50 per issue. TheWAHMmagazine is the first and only content-driven digital magazine for work-at-home parents. The current issue (Vol. 1 Issue 3) is available now; the next issue goes live in early July.

And be sure to check out Erika's interview on Allena Tapia's About.com Freelance Writing site. Great job ladies!

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 WOW!'s Website Find of the Month

Cool Find Dana Cassell's Writers-Editors Network Writing Contest Listings!

First of all, I have to say, I love the writers-editors site, and I even had the wonderful opportunity to interview Dana Cassell, the founder of the site, who was such an informative and gracious guest. She knows editing inside and out, and the whole site is such a score on every level!

But, one of the things I truly love is their Writing Contests Page. Talk about a well-organized listing! This page counts down the dates of contests by deadline. Dana updates it all the time, so be sure to bookmark it. She even includes the newest listings in friendly pink to inform you that the listing was just added.

Whether you're looking to enter short story contests, poetry, anthology, novel, or flash fiction contests, check out writers-editors and get the skinny by deadline!

FIND OUT MORE>>


In Closing:

We hope this issue inspires laughter and brings happiness to your soul. Of course, humor is very personal, but we want to remind you to loosen up, to not sweat the small stuff, and remember to laugh, every day if you can! It's one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Even if you aren't a comic writer, or a comedienne, you still need to bring some humor into your writing--whether it is fiction, or an essay, laughter is the key. So, go ahead, we dare you! Find the funny in your life and in your writing, and rejoice this summer. You deserve it! And, Write On!

Hugs,