Greetings!
Now that it's February, it's time to check in. How are your New Year's resolutions coming along?
If you're anything like me, there are two resolutions I make every year: to get in great shape through diet and exercise and to be a more productive writer. So far so good. I quit a few of my favorite vices, which included red wine and red velvet cake, started power walking on the beach every afternoon, and enrolled in a popular copywriting course. I figure taking a class will give me the structure I need to stay productive with my writing while learning a new skill set. Because isn't that what the start of the year is all about? A chance to start fresh, try something new, and get in great writing shape.
Last January, we explored the theme of "Fresh Starts, New Beginnings." If you haven't had a chance to check it out, it's a great issue that covers everything from finding happiness and revamping your workspace to starting after NaNoWriMo and syndicating your work.
This issue, we take the two popular resolutions mentioned above, combine them, and explore the theme, "Physical Fitness for Writers," both literally and figuratively. You're going to learn how to put muscle into a marketing plan, trim the fat from your manuscript, make the leap into full-time writing, recover from the injury of a rejection letter, and more! Come to think of it, we're probably going to get a lot of people coming from search engines, looking for workout routines and diet plans...and boy, are they going to be surprised by our playful use of metaphors! But that's okay because we had a blast putting this issue together for you, and our freelancers said they had a lot of fun writing to the theme.
Oh, and we've got an interview with Jillian Michaels. Don't you just love her? She's going to get you out from behind the computer and whip you into shape! No excuses. We've got a lot of other surprises for you, too. So let's get started!
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A big, warm, thank you goes out to our
freelancers & staff:
We're trying to cut down the size of our
newsletter since it's always so long!
Please visit the Editor's
Desk for a complete list of thank yous
and the editor's comments on the issue.
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Please take a moment to visit our sponsors:
If you enjoy the free content on the WOW! site, please help support our efforts by visiting our sponsors and seeing what they have to offer. We handpick sponsors that we think will be of interest to WOW! readers. There are some fantastic offers this issue.
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Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest
19th Year. Ten cash prizes totaling $5,550. Top prize $3,000. Seeks short stories, essays and other works of prose. Both published and unpublished work accepted. $15 entry fee. Deadline: March 31, 2011 http://www.winningwriters.com/tomstory
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Rediscover Writing with the UIC Writers Series! (From the University of Illinois at Chicago)
The UIC Writers Series is a non-credit program designed for individuals interested in improving their job skills or simply writing for enjoyment. A multi-disciplinary program, the Writers Series consists of a diverse offering of courses taught in either online or face-to-face format, depending on the topic.
Spring 2011 Offerings: Grant Writing, Technical Writing, and Women's Memoir Writing.
For more info, visit: http://www.uic.edu/depts/oee/writers/wow.html
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Free Webinar: The Essential Keys to Making Your Writing Resolutions for 2011 Come True
There is a big difference between success and fall-off failure. The essential keys that author Tom Bird covers will bring that to light and show you how to turn your desires into success right now. Thursday, February 3, 3:30-4:30 MST. (Note: if you can't make it to this one, check out the link below to listen to previous webinars.)
Register for the FREE webinar here: http://www.writeyourbookin8days.com/FreeClassesAndAudio.html
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Receive two FREE issues of the Children's Writer
The Children's Writer is a monthly print newsletter devoted exclusively to the writing and publishing business of children's literature. Every issue brings you pointers from the experts and current markets to sell your work.
Get your free issues here: http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/AD283/
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Thank you for visiting our sponsors! These are wonderful sites with special offers we hope you take advantage of.
If you'd like to be featured in this section, please contact us about our special advertising rates. You can also view our media kit here.
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Winter 2011 Flash Fiction Contest ~ Last Month to Enter!
DEADLINE: February 28, 2011 Midnight,
Pacific Time.
GUEST JUDGE: Literary Agent, Elaine Spencer
About Elaine: Elaine Spencer joined The Knight Agency in 2005 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Literature and Economics. Originally acting as assistant to agency president Deidre Knight, and as TKA's submissions coordinator, Elaine went on to begin building her own dynamic client list in 2006 and has since sold over 50 titles. Elaine now represents a diverse list of adult and young adult authors, and handles all of the sub-rights' licensing for the Knight Agency's 150+ client list as well as acting as the agency's general business manager. Her diverse experience makes her well qualified to juggle both the artistic and the contractual sides of the business, and she prides herself on the one-on-one attention and personal relationships that she is able to develop with each of her clients.
As an avid reader Elaine is willing to try any author once. Regardless of genre, she is most interested in a unique voice that captivates readers in the opening pages. Elaine is most actively acquiring young adult and middle grade fiction, women's fiction, romance (all subgenres), engaging commercial fiction and narrative non-fiction.
Elaine is not interested in children's or picture books, horror, poetry, screenplays, short story collections, history, westerns, straight fantasy or science fiction.
Elaine currently lives in Athens, Georgia. In her spare time she can most likely be found curled up poolside with a good book and her beloved Westie, Claude. To learn more about Elaine and the Knight Agency please visit www.knightagency.net.
PROMPT: Open Prompt
WORD COUNT: 750 Max; 250 Min
LIMIT: 300 Entries
Don't wait until the last minute! Enter
Today. Visit our Contest
Page and download our terms &
conditions ebook. Good luck!
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Announcements
To Fall '10 Contestants: We are still awaiting final results from our guest judge for the season. We will be announcing the contest results in February on this page. Please check back for results.
Freelancers: If you queried us about our March '11 issue, "Personal Writing," we are in the process of making final decisions. You may have received a response from us already, but if you haven't, you should receive a response in a couple of days.
Beyond March '11: We'll be posting a call for submissions and an ad for staff writers/content managers on our blog and via direct e-mail. Stay tuned!
Feedburner is Working Again!: If you signed up to receive The Muffin's blog posts via e-mail and didn't receive anything, or received them for a while and then they suddenly disappeared, that's because our Feedburner feed hasn't been working since we migrated the blog in April '10. After months of trying to update our new feed and receiving error messages, we finally figured out the problem. I won't bore you with the technical details. ;) So, if you signed up for feeds to be delivered, you should start receiving them shortly. Don't be surprised! If you need to update, unsub, or change your email addy there will be info in the emails you receive via feedburner.
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On to the issue... Enjoy!
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Making the Leap: The Transition Into Full-Time Writing
By Devon Ellington
If writing is your passion as well as your calling, and you are determined to make it your business (not your hobby), how do you create a viable, full-time career? You need talent, self-motivation, resourcefulness, and courage. Devon Ellington chats with freelancers, novelists, and full-time writers--including Jill Shalvis, Shirley Wells, Jennifer Mattern, Anne Wayman, Lori Widmer, and Stacia Kane--who share their best advice on making the leap, so you won't have to stumble.
MORE>>
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20 Questions: Literary Agent Sarah Lapolla of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
By Suzannah Windsor Freeman
Sarah Lapolla is the ultimate people's agent. While many literary agents seem to be the untouchable gatekeepers of the publishing industry, Sarah's blog, Glass Cases, helps aspiring writers by showcasing their short stories, novel excerpts, and creative nonfiction. She also loves working with debut authors and represents literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, literary horror, and young adult fiction. Maybe she'll be your perfect match?
MORE>>
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WOW! Women On Writing Workshops & Classes
invest in yourself, write now
Whether you are looking to boost your income
or work on your craft, we know that education
is an important part of a writer's career.
That's why WOW! handpicks qualified
instructors and targeted classes that women
writers will benefit from. The instructors
are women we've worked with on a professional
level, and these ladies offer high quality
courses on various topics.
How the courses work: All of the
courses operate online--whether through
email, website, chat room, or listserv,
depending on the instructor's
preferences--and are taught one-on-one with
the instructor. The flexibility of the
platform allows students to complete
assignments on their own time and work at
their own pace in the comfort of their own
home. It's a wonderful experience and an
excellent way to further develop your skills,
or to try your hand at something completely new.
Improve Your Craft. Take a Class in 2011!
Featured e-Courses (By Date):
February 4, 2011
INTRO TO BOOK REVIEWING: TURN A LOVE OF READING INTO A REWARDING SIDELINE by Norah Piehl
Learn the elements of great book reviews, explore the wide market for book review writing, from traditional newspaper book pages to online blogs.
February 7, 2011
BLOGGING 101 AND MORE by Margo Dill
Achieve an Internet presence by starting a unique blog! Build followers, drive traffic, blog on a schedule, connect to social networking sites, and monetize your blog.
HOW TO GET THE RIGHT AGENT FOR YOUR MANUSCRIPT by Annette Fix
Learn how to target the right agent for your material, develop your "elevator pitch," learn valuable in-person pitching techniques, and craft a query letter that showcases your voice and the tone of your book.
February 14, 2011
TANTRIC PUBLICITY FOR AUTHORS by Deborah Riley-Magnus
This workshop teaches authors how to do jobs like publicity, marketing, and promotion, as well as a few tricks for getting major results for those on a shoe string.
February 21, 2011
INTRO TO THE CRAFT OF SCREENWRITING by Christina Hamlett
Learn the techniques and formatting requirements to develop an original screenplay. Study character development, dialogue, genre, structure, pacing, budget, and marketability, and receive critiques from an expert!
INTRO TO PLAYWRITING by Christina Hamlett
Learn what makes a play successful and how to write one yourself. Write a 15-minute one-act play, which will be professionally critiqued.
PEN YOUR MEMOIR IN 2011 by Annette Fix
Discover the story you want to tell and learn how to turn your personal experiences into a story that comes alive on the page. Learn specific storytelling techniques: dialogue, characterization, setting, imagery, and more.
February 23, 2011
SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR AUTHORS: TWITTER, FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN AND MORE! by Margo Dill
Learn how to use social networking sites to build a following of fans; to start working on brand/image; and to promote books, articles, magazines, and blogs.
March 1, 2011
THE SECRET TO FREEING YOUR CREATIVE MIND by Kelly L. Stone
Make the most of your limited writing time by learning how to tap into your subconscious mind's unlimited wellspring of creativity using easy-to-learn techniques. Includes free critique up to 25 pages!
March 7, 2011
EMPOWER YOUR MUSE, EMPOWER YOUR WRITING SELF by Kelly L. Stone
Learn methods for overcoming a variety of issues facing all writers, including lack of self confidence, lack of follow through, resistance to writing, avoidance of writing, and discouragement. Includes free critique up to 25 pages or a 15 minute one-on-one phone consultation on any topic related to writing.
March 9, 2011
WRITING FOR CHILDREN: SHORT STORIES, ARTICLES & FILLERS by Margo Dill
Learn the basics of writing for children's magazines, crafting short stories, nonfiction articles, poetry, and fillers. The student will come away with a short story and cover letter, nonfiction query letter, and a filler or poem.
March 21, 2011
WRITING THE MIDDLE-GRADE NOVEL by Margo Dill
Learn what makes a novel middle-grade and brainstorm different ideas for this age group. The instructor will lead students through pre-writing exercises and help students write their first two chapters with plenty of feedback on ways to revise and edit their work. When the class is over, students will be well on their way to completing a middle-grade novel.
April 4, 2011
HOW TO WRITE CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS AND GET PUBLISHED by Lynne Garner
During this 6-week course students will learn what makes a successful picture book by studying titles already published. They will be introduced to devices used in the writing of a picture book, how to present their work and research who to send their work to. By the end of the course each student will hopefully have completed a picture book manuscript and a covering letter, which they will be encouraged to send to a publisher/packager.
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I hope
you are as excited about our classes
as we are. WOW! Women On Writing
ensures that our instructors will work with
you one-on-one. In most cases you will
receive emailed course materials and
assignments, or for those with groups, you
will be able to download course materials.
Your instructor will give you assignments and
personal feedback, and guide you through a
charted course of learning. Our instructors
are wonderful ladies who go above and beyond
to help you achieve your writing goals.
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR COMPLETE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS>>
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Magazine Markets for Children's Writers 2011
Get Published, and Paid, in 2011!
The new 2011 market directories list over 1,250 publishers and periodicals that publish freelance writers. You'll have at your fingertips twice as many children's, young adult, and related publishing opportunities than are provided by any other source.
The 675 magazines and resources listed in Magazine Markets for Children's Writers 2011 published nearly 32,000 articles and stories last year alone. Of those submissions, nearly 7,000 were by previously unpublished authors and almost 14,000 were by writers new to that magazine.
Book Markets for Children's Writers 2011 lists over 590 publishers that combined to produce more than 25,000 titles. Of those titles, nearly 1,500 were by previously unpublished authors, and more than 2,300 were by writers new to the publishing house.
30 day money-back guarantee.
"Every submission and sale I've ever made has been because of the Market Directories. Other directories just can't compare with those put out by the Institute." ~ Amanda Hall
FIND OUT MORE & WHAT'S INSIDE >>
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WOW! BLOG: THE MUFFIN
Find out the latest from the Bakers of WOW!
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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Never Stale! Here's the Latest:
Tuesdays are contest interview
days!
If you are interested in
writing for our contests, check out the
interviews with previous Top 10 winners to
find out how they crafted their stories.
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction First Place Winner:
Rachel Phelps
Interview by Marcia Peterson
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Second Place Winner: Elizabeth Demers
Interview by LuAnn Schindler
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Third Place Winner: Susan Stites
Interview by Anne Greenawalt
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Jan Ackerson
Interview by Jill Earl
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Karin Blaski
Interview by Marcia Peterson
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Nicole Amsler
Interview by Anne Greenawalt
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Deb Gallagher
Interview by LuAnn Schindler
Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Runner Up & Double Winner: Karen Simmonds
Interview by Marcia Peterson
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Blog Posts of Interest:
Sybil Baker, Author of Talismans,
Launches Her Blog Tour!
Interview by Jodi Webb
If you've been following The Muffin for a while, you probably remember Sybil Baker's first tour with WOW for The Life Plan. We had such a fantastic time that we were thrilled when Sybil decided to tour with us again for her latest book Talismans, a compelling collection of linked stories that's been described as a contemporary Heart of Darkness. Check out our fantastic interview with Sybil, where she explains how she created her linked short story collection, offers her biggest piece of marketing advice, and shares what's next on her writing agenda.
When Did You Start Using the W-Word?
By Jodi Webb
Why are we so reluctant to call ourselves writers? Read Jodi's delightful story and then share yours!
Get Your Writing Organized in the New Year
By Margo L. Dill
The start of the year is the best time to get organized. Check out Margo's tips to help make 2011 your most lucrative year yet.
How to Make Your Writing Resolutions Stick
By Marcia Peterson
If you made writing resolutions for the New Year, don't abandon them now. Try Marcia's strategies to help you keep the promises you made to yourself. Your writing success this year is worth it!
Spread the Word: Do Authors Need an E-Mail Newsletter?
By LuAnn Schindler
You've got a website, you promote your work on Twitter and Facebook. Maybe your blog allows for an RSS feed. Do you also need a newsletter? Who will read it and why? LuAnn answers these questions and shares some fabulous tips and ideas for creating unique newsletters.
Welcome to the Trades
By Jodi Webb
There are trade magazines for everything from beauty shop owners to electrical contractors to candy manufacturers. But writing for trades isn't just for people who have extensive knowledge of another profession. Jodi explains the four types of articles found in trades.
Organizing Your Writing on the Fly
By Elizabeth King Humphrey
Six hours. That was how many hours Elizabeth spent flipping, tossing, filing, perusing, sorting, stapling, clipping, and organizing. Don't let this happen to you! Elizabeth shares what she learned to make your organization project easier.
The Company You Keep: How the Group Benefits the Individual
By Robyn Chausse
This year, you owe it to yourself to find your group--or find several! Take a class, attend a conference and join like-minded friends online. Participation is the key.
The Problem - and Reality - of Adding -LY
By LuAnn Schindler
Do adverbs bother you as much as they do LuAnn? Adverbs have a place in a piece of writing, but if a writer fails to remove the old and worn out meaning and offer a vibrantly fresh example in is place, the intended effect falls flat.
Don't Get Caught Making These POV Violations
By Diane O'Connell
POV errors can compel an editor or agent to reject what may be an otherwise beautifully crafted story. Check out WOW! instructor Diane O'Connell's Top 10 POV-related mistakes to avoid.
Reorganize, Prioritize, and Trim the Schedule
By Heiddi Zalamar
Check out these super tips for analyzing and editing your schedule. Here's to your writing success!
Writing Tips to Tighten Your Process
By Elizabeth King Humphrey
Do you have a deadline approaching? Elizabeth has some brief suggestions that might help you with your writing process.
Double Marketing--What's Memorable?
By Jodi Webb
As authors we've all been told a thousand times, "Your job is only halfway done when you finish the book. That's when the marketing begins." And not only marketing...double marketing. Don't know what it is? Check out this post for some interesting ideas!
Tiny Blessings
By Robyn Chausse
Grace underlines our lives with tiny blessings disguised in frustrating and challenging situations. During those times when you wonder why things are going wrong, they may just be going right! A writer shares how her life took an unexpected turn for the better.
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Want to contribute to The Muffin?
Friday's are "Speak Out!" days. We allow
posts from contributors for promotion. If
you'd like to submit a post, please make sure
that it's about women and writing.
Your post
can be about: writing inspiration, balancing
family life/parenting with writing, craft of
writing fiction/nonfiction, how-tos, tips for
author promotion/marketing/social media, book
reviews, writing prompts, special
opportunities (paying markets for writers),
publishing industry news/gossip, and anything
you think our readers will love.
Please make
sure that there is take-away value to our
readers. No press releases please. We're more
interested in hearing from our core
audience--personal essays and humorous
anecdotes are encouraged as well, as long as
they provide
something useful to our audience--including a
good laugh! ;)
How To Submit: Submit your 250 - 500
word post in the
body of your email to
our blog editor Marcia Peterson: marcia@wow-womenonwriting.com.
Please put "Friday Speak Out! Submission" in
your subject line. Upon acceptance, we will
ask for your bio,
links, bio photo, and any other pics to
illustrate the article. We look forward to
hearing from you!
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Friday Speak Out! Posts of Interest:
How to Break a Blog Fever by Joanne DeMaio
Getting from Here to There by Angelica R. Jackson
Twelve Steps to Publication by Susan Gloss
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Want to get blog posts via email?
Subscribe
to The Muffin with Feedburner and get the
latest delivered straight to your inbox.
Visit The Muffin >>
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In Closing:
We hope this issue will motivate you to get in great writing shape. This is your year to shine! We've already received e-mails from subscribers sharing their success stories and receive good news all the time on our Facebook Fan Page. Come join us! Let's make this the best year yet.
Write On!
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