Greetings!
You are a beautiful butterfly! As a writer, you have the ability to take your career with you wherever you go. All you need is your favorite writing utensil--whether pen and paper or tablet or laptop--and your creative, free spirit. Yes, we all have responsibilities and commitments at home; but it's great to have the security of knowing that with a little ingenuity and portable devices, you can take your livelihood with you.
I developed a case of wanderlust early on. When I was twenty-one, I decided to pack my bags and drive down to Mexico to live the life of a painter. I found a three-bedroom house on the beach in southern Baja, where I lived for nearly a year, while I worked on my portfolio and journaled about my experiences with the locals. At only $200 a month (this was in 1993, mind you), I could afford it, as long as I sold a few commissioned portraits here and there. And boy, do I have some stories. I brought my dog with me, so you can imagine the trouble my perro got into! Those stories are fodder for my memoirs, but that experience helped me develop a serious love of travel, reading, and writing.
Whether you want to hole up in a library and work on a freelance piece or enjoy an espresso in Italy while penning your novel, you are bound to find some ideas on how to do it better in this issue. We share some new opportunities in travel writing and introduce you to some ladies who are making a living with portable careers other than writing--like online teaching, translation, publishing, and speaking. Want to drop everything and travel the world for a year? No problem. We have an article that shows you how to finance your trip and how to save money while you're traveling. Perhaps you'd like to read advanced copies of books for free while you travel and review them on your blog? There's a great resource we'll share with you. Need to build an author platform and take it with you wherever you go? We have a solution for you. We also talk to writers and find out where they like to work, and we chat with a handful of expert expatriates who share their best tips for building and maintaining a portable career, and so much more.
Are you ready for summer? Enjoy the sunshine and take your writing with you. For you are a portable writer!
Visit the editor's desk for thank yous . . .
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Issue Sponsors:
We handpick sponsors that we think will be of interest to WOW! readers.
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a world of love and envy: short stories, flash fiction, and poetry
Kathy Handley's readers enter her debut collection and discover rich and unique pictures of longing and disappointment in broad landscapes from California to Boston to Ireland. The stories span decades. They are raw and real and not an imitation of reality but a portrait of it.
A country girl, abused by her husband, learns to tread lightly as she finds refuge in the birch trees and the starkly lit eyes of night creatures. Set in the fifties, a woman's affair with her husband ends as he lights a Chesterfield and abruptly fires her. An unlikely match, a mixed-race man and a spoiled rich girl, bump into each other and quickly learn of similar losses. In the title story, a naïve black girl journeys with her boyfriend to California, experiences the loss of her baby on the way and then him, and then she discovers a symbol of revenge in the form of a red juggling ball.
Rendered in an honest voice, Kathy Handley's style is very detailed and ultra-personal, including tiny little things that might not seem to make a difference but that add to the understanding of the characters and their struggles, in essence tangential but not distracting, instead adding a whole other layer of depth and insight into the human psyche.
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Kathy Handley, a Grub Street member, writes fiction of all lengths. Kathy's short fiction has appeared in many literary magazines, as well as placing in contests, such as Press 53 2010 Flash Fiction and winning Word Hustler's Page-to-Screen judged by Sara Gruen. Kathy currently serves as Prose Poetry Judge for the National League of American Pen Women Soul-Making Contest. Her collection, a world of love and envy, short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry has received a great deal of interest and praise from her fellow authors. www.KathyHandley.com
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"Her small stories remind me of Pop Rocks candy--each word, chosen with both instinct and great care, is a tiny explosion off the page, making the whole story one greater burst of energy and meaning."
~ Tara L. Masih, editor of The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction and author of Where the Dog Star Never Glows
a world of love and envy is available as a Kindle e-book on Amazon (For a limited time ONLY $0.99!) and as a hard cover copy at Riverhaven Books.
Click here to read an excerpt on Amazon.
(A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to
organizations that support children with special needs)
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Strongest Start Sixth Annual Novel Competition 2012
Deadline: June 22, 2012
Entry Fee: There is NO Entry Fee, but membership is required
Prizes: $300 cash, $1800 self-publishing solution from CreateSpace, 1-year subscription ($49.95); 3 runner-ups receive $150 cash, $600 copyediting service from CreateSpace
Guidelines: Are you working on a novel? Have you written a compelling start? The Strongest Start Novel Competition is open to the genres of: romance, literary fiction, science fiction, horror, fantasy, action and adventure, young adult, historical fiction, memoir, and more. Submit your first three chapters to this exciting competition. You will also receive feedback on every chapter submitted.
Learn more about The Strongest Start Novel Competition 2012
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Everything you need to know about freelance fees!
Do your palms get sweaty when a prospective client asks, "How much do you want for this project?" Learn the techniques presented in What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants and you'll never panic again!
Everything you need to know about freelance fees:
- Setting project fees
- Negotiating
- Raising your rates
- and much more!
USA Best Books Award, Writing & Publishing Category
...and readers agree...
"I haven't seen as thorough and satisfying a treatment of rates anywhere else." ~ Marie S.
"A must-have book for those who take their career seriously." ~ Jo L.
Make your freelance business a financial success! Find out more about the book and order on Amazon.com.
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Contact LK at loren@lkeditorial.com or visit www.lkeditorial.com.
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FREE: How We Achieved the "Portable Lifestyle" And You Can Too...
Last year we spent 3 months in a trendy condo in Berlin, another 2 months luxuriating on the beach in Florida...living the travel-as-a-lifestyle dream!
You can live anywhere you want...if you know the secret of Location Liberation (celebrated in such bestsellers as The Four-Hour Work Week). Get our FREE book, The Free Spirit's Guide to Long Term Travel.
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Affordable National Publicity for Authors
Need interviews or your book reviewed by national media, but are horrified by expensive publicists?
Read our important letter at http://www.1waypr.com/WriterAuthor-7H.html.
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Ananda Veda Writers' Retreat, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Spacious, airy Kandyan villa offers modern, comfortable facilities to writers in quiet mountainous jungle, 3km from Kandy city centre, Sri Lanka. In-house coaching and editing is available from the retreat house coordinator, who is an experienced writer, editor, coach and mentor. A range of options from full board to bed and breakfast by arrangement via info@ananda-veda.com. See www.ananda-veda.com.
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Then Came Love - New from popular romance author Mona Ingram!
Then Came Love. A woman stuck in an unhappy marriage. An undercover RCMP officer on a stakeout. Will their secrets bring them together or tear them apart?
"A good, well-paced story with all the right elements-romance, intrigue, a beautiful setting, and believable characters. . . . I didn't want this one to end."
Available for Kindle! Visit Amazon.com.
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Crime Fiction Contest
Deadline: September 1, 2012
Send us your best crime fiction stories between 1,500 - 2,000 words. Cash prizes awarded. Now open!
Full details: Center for Writing Excellence.
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Dream Quest One Poetry and Writing Contest
Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject or a short story, 5 pages max, any theme, for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1,275.00.
Postmark deadline: July 31, 2012
Visit www.dreamquestone.com for details and enter!
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SmileBrilliant! is a national dental lab designed to help our customers receive professional strength teeth whitening without ever visiting a dentist! Our lab was specifically created to curb the high cost of cosmetic teeth whitening that is charged at dental offices around the world.
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Write Children's Books: Learn to write what children's editors want to publish
If you've ever dreamed of writing for children, and creating stories and books that get published, here's your best chance to learn what it takes to convert that writing dream into a bright reality.
If you qualify, one of our nationally published writer/instructors will be your personal mentor on every assignment and teach you how to write the kinds of manuscripts that editors are looking for.
Take an aptitude test and see if you qualify!
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If you'd like to be featured in this section, please contact us about our special advertising rates and discounts that aren't reflected in our media kit.
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Announcements:
We just found out WOW! Women On Writing was selected as a Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers 2012! This is our fifth year in a row, and we're thrilled. We'd like to thank all of our readers/writers for supporting us. This is a great honor for all women writers because you make up WOW!
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Summer 2012 Flash Fiction Contest
DEADLINE: August 31, 2012 Midnight,
Pacific Time.
GUEST JUDGE: Marie Lamba, Literary Agent at the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency
About Marie: Marie Lamba (www.marielamba.com) is author of the young adult novels What I Meant... (Random House), Over My Head and Drawn. Her work appears in the short story anthology Liar Liar (Mendacity Press), the anthology Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing), and her articles are in more than 100 publications including national magazines such as Writer's Digest, Garden Design and RWR. She has worked as an editor, an award-winning public relations writer, and a book publicist, has taught classes on novel writing and on author promotion, and belongs to the Romance Writers of America, and The Liars Club.
As an agent, Marie is currently looking for young adult and middle grade fiction, along with general and women's fiction and some memoir. Books that are moving and/or hilarious are especially welcome. She is NOT interested in picture books, science fiction or high fantasy (though she is open to paranormal elements), category romance (though romantic elements are welcomed), non-fiction, or in books that feature graphic violence.
Some recently favorite titles on her reading shelf include Searching for Caleb by Anne Tyler, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Paper Towns by John Green, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger, Twenties Girl by Sophia Kinsella, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Shug by Jenny Han, and Doing It by Melvin Burgess. She also admits to watching many many chick flicks.
Please email a query to marie.jdlit@gmail.com. Put "Query" in the subject line of your email, and please send the first twenty pages in the body of your email, along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis.
To learn more about The Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency, please visit www.jdlit.com.
To find out more about Marie, please visit her author website www.marielamba.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook, and connect with her on LinkedIn.
PROMPT: Open Prompt
WORD COUNT: 750 Max; 250 Min
LIMIT: 300 Entries
Don't wait until the last minute! Enter
Today. Visit the Contest
Page and download our terms &
conditions e-book. Good luck!
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Calls for Submissions:
Have you checked out the post, "How to Write for WOW! Women On Writing in 2012: An Editorial Guide"? I wrote this post on New Year's day, and the guide includes a breakdown of all WOW's columns, departments, features, and themes for 2012. Please read: http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2012/01/how-to-write-for-wow-women-on-writing.html. Below is our most urgent call for queries, but the rest can be found in the post.
Call for Queries: Money: Freelance Topics
Issue 52: September
Deadline for queries: June 18, 2012
This issue is all about making money, and sharing the wealth of experience. We want to help women gain financial independence and make money from home. WAHMs encouraged to submit. WOW has dedicated an issue to the theme of money before (specifically Money Matters), and many, many issues on freelance writing, including the most recent: Freelancing Freedom. So, be sure to check our archives before submitting.
You can review our submission guidelines on our Contact
Page (scroll to the bottom under "Submissions") for info on how to submit. Pay rate is $50 - $150 per article. Also, please make sure you view the blog post above for all of our themes and how to query. We look forward to hearing from you!
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On to the issue . . . Enjoy!
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Around the World in 80 Ways: Travel Writing Opportunities
By LuAnn Schindler
OK, budding travel writers, maybe you won't find eighty different ways to pen your journeys. But with creativity, ingenuity, and a passport or driver's license, you may soon be leaving on a jet plane or discovering life is a highway while on your way to selling an article.
LuAnn Schindler interviews four talented writers--Maralyn Dennis Hill, president of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association; Wanda Mann, a.k.a. The Black Dress Traveler; Lisa Napoli, author of Radio Shangri-La; and Muriel Clark, assistant director, North Platte/Lincoln County Nebraska Convention and Visitors Bureau--who offer panoramic glimpses into this highly competitive, yet satisfying, writing arena.
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Books and Crannies: Living the Fairytale Life Outside the Castle
By Janine Boldrin
The romantic version of being a writer includes sitting in a quaint coffee shop in the middle of a small European town, noshing on a pastry, while handwriting a novel. In reality, when I'm not in my office, my writing is done in parking lots, waiting for appointments, and at the library. Not the stuff of dreams, but the portability of my profession is a wonderful and sometimes necessary thing.
From castles to cafés, writers set up shop in many places, and Janine examines the pros and cons to help you decide if one might be a good fit for you. She also interviews Diane Chamberlain, best-selling author of twenty novels, including The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes; Laura Amann, freelance writer; Siobhan Fallon, author of You Know When the Men Are Gone; and Jenna Glatzer, author of twenty books, including Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer--who all share their favorite spaces to write and why. Not to miss!
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An Expat's Guide to a Portable Career: Interview with Jo Parfitt
By Tiffany Jansen
Whether for love or work, study or pure adventure, you've found yourself calling another country home. Maybe this is your first move. Or you've relocated so many times, you've lost count. You've become an expert at packing up the furniture, the personal belongings, the kids, and the dog. Why shouldn't you bring your writing along, too?
Expat Jo Parfitt did just that, as she followed her husband from the UK to Dubai to Oman to Norway to the Netherlands. Since leaving her home country twenty-five years ago, Jo has made a name for herself as an author, journalist, mentor, and publisher. She is the author of twenty-eight books and runs workshops for writers both online and in the Netherlands. Known as an "expat expert," Jo's passion is helping expat writers discover their passion.
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Thinking Outside the Book: Portable Careers in Japan and Beyond
By Suzanne Kamata
Many foreign writers have launched their portable careers while living in Japan. Tokyo, alone, is home to several magazines and newspapers aimed at the foreign population. Due to a high turnover in the expat community, these publications are always looking for new writers; so it's relatively easy to break in. But a career in writing can go beyond the printed page or screen. The expats interviewed in this article have written extensively for a variety of print and online venues, but they've also parlayed their writing skills into jobs as public speakers, translators, editors, and producers of educational materials in Japan. Suzanne Kamata interviews Louise George Kittaka, Deborah Iwabuchi, and Holly Thompson, who explain the ins and outs of English-language writing-related work in Japan.
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Writers On the Road SLAM: Financing Your Trip, Packing Essentials, Couchsurfing
By Rebecca Gallo, Steff Metal, Natalia Lusinski
We've covered many topics in this issue, including where writers like to work; and we've covered portable careers that you can take with you, along with advice for living and working abroad, but what about the nitty-gritty of writing while traveling? Literally on the road--like from hotel to hostel or campervan to couch?
This three-article SLAM feature introduces you to three exciting writers who had the guts to give it a go, while pursuing their dreams; and they show you how you can, too.
In Dreams of Long-Term Travel--Closer Than You Think, Rebecca Gallo offers practical advice for financing your trip, earning frequent flyer miles, finding alternatives to hotels, and more. Music/travel writer Steff Metal is used to crunching deadlines while she's on the road and has some suggestions for you in her article, The Writer's Adventuring Toolkit: Packing Essentials for the Traveling Writer. Natalia Lusinski has been on the road for over two years, moving to a new couch in Los Angeles every week. How does she do it and still manage to be a productive writer? You'll find out in her fascinating (and funny!) article, How Background Noise Becomes My Writing Soundtrack While Moving from Couch-to-Couch Every Week. Not to miss!
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The Portable Reader: NetGalley's Utility for Book Bloggers and Reviewers
By Erika Dreifus
Perhaps you've noticed that more and more of us are acquiring citizenship in the e-reader universe. Somewhat technophobic, I was slow to join the e-reading brigade. But once I purchased a Kindle, I knew that I needed to revisit something else I hadn't yet embraced-NetGalley. In its own words, NetGalley "delivers secure, digital galleys to professional readers. If you are a reviewer, blogger, journalist, librarian, bookseller, educator, or in the media, you can use NetGalley for FREE to read and request titles before they are published." Erika Dreifus reviews the platform and surveys seventy NetGalley users who share their thoughts about everything from usability to title choices.
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Winter 2012 Flash Fiction Contest Winners
Read the winning stories!
We sent out an announcement a couple of weeks ago announcing the winners of the Winter '12 Flash Fiction Contest to our Contest Connection newsletter. If you're not on that e-mail list and would like to be, you can always update your profile by clicking on the link at the bottom of this e-mail. In case you missed it, here they are!
- 1st Place Winner: Why I Am Named After My Mother's Sister by Sarah White, Mesa, Arizona
- 2nd Place Winner: Guests by Dan Gemmer, Millersburg, Pennsylvania
- 3rd Place Winner: Sand by Lori Parker, Chicago, Illinois
7 Runners Up (in no particular order):
- Him by Joyce Finn, Bluffton, South Carolina
- Lil' Izzy by Jennifer Flueckiger, Paris, FRANCE
- Crate Training for Kids by Amy Lewis, Longmont, Colorado
- The Seminar by Anna Venishnick Shomsky, Seattle, Washington
- Sisters by Renee Troxler, Austin, Texas
- Artist Doublespeak: The Imaginary Interview Within by JC Sullivan, New York, New York
- One Human Being to Another by Michael Throne, Ashburn, Virginia
Read the Top 10 Winners' stories in our contest feature!
10 Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
- Beyond Words by Erica Hayes, Kansas City, Missouri
- Why Not to Kiss on a Park Bench by Connie Almony, Elkridge, Maryland
- The Alphabet Store by Kay Butzin, Fulton, Texas
- Sense of Loss by C.T. Charles, Iverness, Florida
- The Uncertainty of Daryl by Jill K. Sayre, Dallas, Texas
- The Runaways by Louise Hartley, Upwey, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
- Sandstones Like Sepia by Marija Elektra Rodriguez, Brass Hill, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
- What Nobody Knows by Carla Cummins, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Field of Vision by Linda Todd, Pleasanton, California
- Fight or Flight by Genevieve Whitbourne, Kew Gardens, New York
Congratulations to all the winners! And congratulations to everyone who had the courage to hit the send button.
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WOW! Women On Writing Workshops & Classes
Make 2012 your best writing year yet!
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.
Featured e-Courses (By Date):
Starts every Friday:
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING: The Definitive Course On Achieving Self-Publishing Excellence and Profitability New self-study format! by Deana Riddle
If you are ready to self-publish your own work, the Independent Publishing Program offers a step-by-step guide on everything from creating your own publishing identity to preparing your book for publication and placing it on the market. This program will simplify the publishing process, show you how to earn 2 to 3 times more profit on book sales, help you avoid frustrating and costly mistakes, and give you the knowledge and tools needed to succeed as an independent publisher.
Starts the First Tuesday of Every Month:
SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES: An Introduction 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!
ALL THE WORLDS A STAGE: An Introduction 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.
HOW TO WRITE A TV PILOT: An Introduction to the Craft of Creating a TV Show by Christina Hamlett
This 4-week class provides an overview of the techniques and formatting requirements to develop an original TV series. The lectures and assignments cover character development, dialogue, genre, structure, pacing, budget, and marketability. All materials submitted are critiqued by a professional screenplay consultant and learners are free to ask as many questions as they'd like about how to turn a story idea into a commercial, pitch-ready script.
Starts the Third Friday of Every Month:
GET PAID TO WRITE: Become a Freelance Writer! by Nicky LaMarco
This class is for beginning freelance writers or for those who are interested in becoming freelance writers. It includes all of the basics of freelance writing: overviews of the different fields in freelance writing, what is needed to begin, how to store ideas, where to get ideas, how much you should make, where to find clients, and how to get clients.
Published in 90 Days NEW! by Deana Riddle
If you have decided to self-publish your book, much of your ultimate success will depend on your knowing exactly what you should do and how you should do it. The Published in 90 Days program offers one-on-one assistance that will take you through the entire self-publishing process. I will help you establish yourself as an independent publisher, prepare your book for publication, and begin building your author platform. I will also help you with setting yourself up with publication/production sources (print and e-book), wholesale/distribution sources, and sales channels. In 90 days or less, your book can be published and on the market.
June 11, 2012
HOW TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK AS AN E-BOOK by Annette Fix
There were 10 million eReaders in circulation in the U.S. at the end of 2010, and readers spent $1 billion on eBooks in 2010. That number is expected to triple by 2015. If you're tired of waiting for the traditional publishing gatekeepers to give you permission to publish your book, and you're ready to join the digital revolution, this class will guide you through the process of how to publish your fiction or nonfiction book as an eBook.
June 15, 2012
BLOGGING 101 AND MORE: Start a Blog, Make it Unique, and Keep it Going by Margo L. Dill
Blogging is one of the best and cheapest ways to achieve an Internet presence. This class will help students start a blog. If you already have a blog, it will help you target the readers you want to reach. Students will also learn how to create a unique blog, build followers and/or drive traffic to their blogs, blog on a schedule, connect posts to social networking sites, and monetize their blogs. This course is for beginning and intermediate bloggers or for people who are looking to spice up their blogs! **Please note: you do not have to be technologically savvy to start a blog and keep up with it!
June 25, 2012
LITERARY DEVICES WRITING WORKSHOP by Gila Green
In this course we will go beyond the simile and metaphor and learn how to layer our writing with literary devices. Through short readings and in-class assignments, you will learn how to create suspense, tension, change the pace, deepen and control your writing through the use of devices from repetition to personification. This class is suitable for anyone working on a novel, short story, memoir, essay or life story.
LITERARY DEVICES WRITING WORKSHOP II NEW! by Gila Green
This course complements Literary Devices I. You will receive a class critique on your short story or novel sample and at least one critique on a revision. Through short readings and in-class assignments, you will learn how to create atmosphere, deepen your characters, master your plot and layer your writing through the use of devices from diction to motif. This class is suitable for anyone working on a novel, short story, memoir, essay or life story.
WRITE FROM YOUR SOUL: MEMOIR WORKSHOP by Annette Fix
Each week, the lessons cover specific techniques to build your storytelling skills, allowing you to tell your unique, personal story in a way that has universal appeal for readers. Through writing prompts, exercises, and handouts created by the instructor, you will begin writing your memoir using specific storytelling techniques: dialogue, characterization, setting, imagery, etc.
July 2, 2012
HOW TO GET THE RIGHT AGENT FOR YOUR MANUSCRIPT by Annette Fix
By the end of this course, you will know how to target the right agent for your material and leave with a list of agents who are signing and selling in your genre. You will develop your "elevator pitch" and learn valuable in-person pitching techniques. You will complete your course with a query letter that showcases your voice and the tone of your book, and lifts your query out of the slush pile.
July 11, 2012
BRING OUT THE STORY-TELLER IN YOU by Karlyn Thayer
This class teaches story-writing from the idea of thinking before writing. Emphasizes correct story structure. Topics covered include: the value of an outline or synopsis; bringing characters to life; building a plot; viewpoint and mechanics; and keeping the action and conflict going.
WRITING A MIDDLE-GRADE NOVEL by Margo L. 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.
July 16, 2012
BEGINNING SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR WRITERS: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn! by Margo L. Dill
This beginners' class will teach writers how to set up a profile on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and connect with people they know; to build a following of fans; to start working on a brand/image; and to promote books, articles, magazines, and blogs. Instead of using Facebook and Twitter to write about your fabulous dinner or disastrous day at the grocery store, you will begin to learn to sell yourself and your writing!
July 25, 2012
THE UNWILLING GRAMMARIAN by Karlyn Thayer
Do you hate grammar like you hate snakes? This class takes an easy and fun approach to grammar. Other grammar courses require students to learn dozens of complicated terms. This course begins by asking you to learn two terms only, and shows you how those two terms can be the key to writing success.
August 4, 2012
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 whom to send their work to. By the end of the course each student will hopefully have completed a picture book manuscript and a cover letter, which they will be encouraged to send to a publisher/packager.
Five Picture Books in Five Weeks NEW! by Lynne Garner
This course is designed for students who have already completed the How to Write a Picture Book course or a similar course, and are familiar with the basics of writing picture books. Each week the notes provided will discuss how one of the five senses can be used to enhance storytelling skills. Each student will be required to complete a story per week. Feedback will be given on all stories submitted during the duration of the course. At the end of the course students will be encouraged to submit their stories to a relevant publisher.
How to Write a Craft Book by Lynne Garner
During this 5-week course students will be taught how to access their knowledge base and use this to write a hobby-based "how-to" book. It is hoped by the end of the course each student will have a completed synopsis, first chapter, and query letter, which they will be encouraged to send to an appropriate publisher/packager.
August 13, 2012
ADVANCED SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR WRITERS: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn NEW! by Margo L. Dill
This advanced social networking class will teach writers how to use tools on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote themselves and their work. It is a class for people who ALREADY have Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts and who use them on a regular basis. You should be familiar with concepts, such as the difference between a fan page and a personal profile page on Facebook, a hashtag on Twitter, and recommendations on LinkedIn. This class will show you how to use the strengths of each social network to build a following of fans, promote events, and make yourself accessible to readers. Marketing ideas will be provided as well as instruction on individual social networking tools on each site.
August 23, 2012
Advanced Class: Writing a Middle Grade Novel Part 2 NEW! by Margo L. Dill
In Writing a Middle-Grade Novel Part 2, we will focus on point of view, dialogue, overuse of descriptive words/repeated words, pacing, chapter endings, show vs. tell, and any other "writing problem" that seems to be bothering the class as a whole. At the beginning of this course, Margo will read a sample of your writing and create a list of common problems to tackle among classmates, besides the ones listed above. You will receive critiques on your writing from Margo and at least one other classmate, which means you will also be reading and critiquing other students. When you are finished with this class, you should be at least half-way through a middle-grade novel if not completely finished, depending on the length and how quickly you write.
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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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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.
Winter 2012 Flash Fiction First Place Winner: Sarah White
Interview by Marcia Peterson
Fall 2011 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Julianne Pierce
Interview by Anne Greenawalt
Fall 2011 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Kira Plummer
Interview by Margo Dill
Fall 2011 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Shannon Norland
Interview by LuAnn Schindler
Fall 2011 Flash Fiction Runner Up: L.E Grabowski-Cotton
Interview by Anne Greenawalt
Fall 2011 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Stacey Tarpley
Interview by Robyn Chausse
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Blog Posts of Interest:
The Art of Loving Your Life Blanket Tour and giveaway!
They say life is what you make it, but have you noticed that some people make it sweeter than others? What's their secret? We've asked bloggers to share with us the art of loving life; what makes their life poetic, how do they find beauty in each day, what rituals or memories sustain them through the daily grind. There's still time to participate, so check the tour/giveaway dates and join in!
Everybody's Talking About Favorite Childhood Memories Mass-blogging day and giveaway!
Bloggers everywhere are sharing their favorite childhood memories. Why? Because we're celebrating Steena Holmes' new novel Finding Emma, a novel full of childhood innocence and a mother's devotion. There's just a little bit of time to leave your comment to be entered in the contest for a free signed copy of the book (see the post for details)!
Steena Holmes, author of Finding Emma, Launches her Blog Tour & Giveaway!
This is the official launch of Steena Holmes' blog tour for Finding Emma. Stop by for an interview with best-selling author Steena Holmes, and leave a comment to be entered in the book giveaway. Also, be sure to check out the Scavenger Hunt Post for more fun ways to win!
An Open Letter to Friends of Authors
By Darcy Pattison
Writers, this isn't really a post for you; it's a post for your friends. It's a post you can print out and give to your friends. Five tips spelled out for your loved ones, so they can best support you and your book!
Characterization & Location: What I Learned Watching Reruns
By Sue Bradford Edwards
Introducing her son to the X-Files, a writer notes how the camera work reinforced what we know about the characters. Find out how setting can support who your character is, including techniques that can be used on your next fiction project.
Localize Writing and Cash In
By LuAnn Schindler
Dreaming of your big break? Waiting to see your byline in The New York Times or Washington Post? Maybe seeing your name grace the pages of Cosmo or Ladies' Home Journal or Sports Illustrated keeps you motivated. Until you break into those national markets, smart writers localize and cash in.
Time to Spring Clean Your Writing!
By Chynna Laird
At the start of each year, we try making new goals for ourselves. By this time of year, we should be checking in to see whether we're on our way to meeting those goals or if we need to change/restructure them. It's time to "Spring Clean Your Writing," and all you need to do is ask yourself a few questions. Try it!
Digging Deeper for Freelance Article Ideas
By Margo Dill
If you are a freelance writer or interested in writing articles for magazines and e-zines, you have to have a way to come up with new article ideas. Generally, the first ideas we have are not the best because they are the first ideas EVERYBODY has with the same experiences that we do. Learn how to dig past the first idea that pops in your head, and get your work sold!
Taking a Writer's Retreat
By Cathy C. Hall
A couple weekends ago, a friend of hers hosted a writer's retreat at her home. She had no idea what to expect because she'd never been to one. But now she knows why "treat" is part of the word. Check out these five great ideas for planning a writer's retreat!
I'm 5 Today, What's Your Story?
By Elizabeth Humphrey
Her youngest turned five this week and it made her realize that, just like her writer mom, sometimes her daughter's plot narratives are all over the place. And, just like a novelist, she needs to learn to re-arrange her plot. Check out this post for five suggestions on getting your plot back on calm waters.
What Goes in the Bio Paragraph
By Margo Dill
In cover and query letters, you usually include a bio paragraph. But what do you do if you have NO publication credits? Never fear. Here are some helpful tips!
C. Hope Clark Solves Mysteries in South Carolina
By Jodi Webb
Did you think C. Hope Clark of FundsForWriters only wrote nonfiction? That's what Jodi thought until Hope released her first novel, Lowcounty Bribe. Find out more about the Carolina Slade Mystery series and its fascinating characters in this lively interview!
Graduation Lessons
By Cathy C. Hall
Cathy loves those wonderful beginnings that graduation brings. She even enjoys commencement speeches. Especially one like Neil Gaiman's keynote address to The University of the Arts. If you're a freelancer, you'll want to listen extra-carefully when he imparts his Secret Freelancer Knowledge. And you don't want to miss what he considered his best piece of advice ever that he received from Stephen King. You'll probably find it interesting that there are problems that come with success as well as failure.
Studying a Market
By Sue Bradford Edwards
There's nothing easy about finding the right publisher for your work, but there are some questions to ask yourself as you look for just the right home for your manuscript. As you study a publisher's catalog, go through this list of questions. If you collect the right information, you'll maximize your chances of getting a YES on your submission.
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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:
Don't Give Up on the Story in Your Heart by Ruth J. Hartman
A Story To Tell by Pat Jeanne Davis
Circle by C. Hope Clark
My Name is Jocelyn, and I'm a Punctu-holic by Jocelyn Kasper
Women Get No Respect--at least in Westerns by Judy Alter
Why I Enjoy Writing by Muddy Kinzer
How Dogs Killed My Dating Life But Improved My Writing by Barbara Barth
Transfer Your Confidence by Penny Wilkes
If you haven't read these posts, be sure to check them out. They're so inspiration and motivating. F.S.O.s rock!
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In Closing:
We hope this issue has given you some ideas to take your writing with you wherever you go. Enjoy the sunshine and the beach or the park, and bring your favorite writing utensil with you! Think about the portable career you are growing.
I know it can be tough to write in the summer; but with a little planning and persistence, you CAN work writing into your summer. Just take it with you. For you are a portable writer!
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Happy summer writing!
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