There's always something, it seems,
getting in the way, but this month I found it particularly difficult to
finish this newsletter. The biggest hurdle was acknowledging the
untimely death of William Rieser, whose work has been part of InkSpotter
News for so long.
Let
me be clear. To acknowledge Bill's life and contributions is an easy
task in many ways. Knowing when I've done enough is the hard part.
It should come as no
surprise that Bill's name and legacy are scattered throughout this
issue, much like ashes on the wind or random memories.
My sense of loss in no
way compares to that felt by his beloved Sandra, but I also know that he
touched the lives of countless writers like me. Bill was, at heart, a
mentor. I only hope that I can live up to the confidence he showed in me
and pass on the knowledge he shared.
With that said, I will
indulge in a moment of silence and let the rest of this issue speak for
itself - and for a man gone too soon.
Each
issue, I use this space to share my personal writing-related successes
from the past month. With any luck, I'll never run out of material.
The
poem "Lupins Dance" wins Honorable Mention in Sol
Magazine's "Gems of the Roadside: Wildflowers" contest
and is published in their Summer 2005 issue along with "Dance
of the June Bugs" and the haiku "rain falls on parched
fields".
The
short story "Into Shadows" appears in the Inferno-themed July
issue of Apollo's Lyre.
Heritage
Writer Vol. 2 No. 1 is released, featuring articles by Catherine
Tully, Joe Wallace, Gail Kavanagh, and Carolyn Howard-Johnson.
New
at Chebucto News:
"Local citizens honoured by HRM as Volunteers
of the Year" (July issue)
"Spryfield Lions Club's work reaping
membership growth" (August issue)
New
at Parkview News:
Follow-up photo of artist Golumba Kim as she
receives the Mayor's Award from the Contemporary Artists Society for
her painting "The Violin" (July issue)
A Light at the End of the Tunnel
by William Alan Rieser
If you are reading this, you are probably
a dreamer and a frustrated writer, wondering about what it takes to get
published nowadays. You sit there at your computer bemoaning the fact
that agents and editors, in spite of your obvious genius, do not seem to
see the profitable possibilities that your works provide. "Whoever
invented the slush-pile was a sadist," you yell at the wall.
Perhaps you are miserable over your latest rejection for what you
thought was the best story you've ever written.
Maybe you've kicked your chair a few times, disgusted about the
publishing business and the rumours running rampant throughout the
industry, insidious whispers that, if true, define a hopelessness that
few know how to overcome.
It was a few years ago that Stephen King
first shocked his readers with the announcement that his next novel
would be online, the chapters to sell for a dollar each in a series. I
wondered then why a man of his reputation would stoop to such a thing?
Then there were several rumours about his quitting writing altogether,
that he had nothing left to say. This we all knew was a complete
fabrication because nobody with his creative ability runs out of ideas.
There had to be something else. I heard that he was told that if he
wanted to submit a new novel, he had to endure the slush-pile like
everyone else. Finally, last week, he brought the
innuendos to a standstill and announced that he had written his last
book, though he persisted in not revealing his actual reason for doing
so. Most of you probably think that he has made his money and fame and
no longer needs to write. I do not concur with this reasoning. He has
been prolific and such a man always seeks expression. What could be the
real reason?
My wife chanced to get a book from the
library, written by a famous author, whose works she didn't know well.
As usual, Sandra checked google.com to find out more about the author,
Julie Ellis, and then sat nonplused to read what the lady was saying on
her website. You have to realize that Ms. Ellis had 150 hardcover novels
published by the 70s, that she has published one to four novels a year
since then by some of the biggest houses. The point is, she has a proven
track record and a reliable readership that goes back at least forty years. She says that she is no longer able to find a
traditional publisher in either America or England, that she is now
reduced to promoting her own books on a website via online bookstores,
the same way that I and most of you are trying to do. I decided to act
at once and e-mailed her, hoping she might give me some insight into the
changes that have occurred in her lifetime. She answered me very
politely and didn't pull any punches.
She doesn't speculate about corporate
greed and financial mismanagement nor does she castigate the houses for
selling out to Bertelsmann and the other German firms. She does say that
the horrors of no advertising or promotion began several years ago when
the big conglomerates took over the industry, including Harper-Collins,
her publisher. In the past five unbelievable years, agents and editors
have been running scared because of the changes in conglomerate
policies.
First among the alterations is the fact
that houses are now only interested in "new, unpublished"
writers, that is, those who are aged 29 or younger, especially those who
are willing to go around the country doing self promotion. They must
also have the financial wherewithal to do their own marketing. In other
words, they buy a batch of these young people and wait to see if
anything happens. If it doesn't, they are duly dropped in favour of the
next batch. No one aged 30 or above need apply and if you don't happen
to have money, forget it.
Second, when the youngsters fail, the
agents go back to corporate with stories that their "debut
novelists bombed because they didn't have a track record. We didn't
know." This canard has become operating policy. The houses
themselves are reluctant to publicize anyone who has not achieved some
form of notoriety. I saw for myself the treatment given to former mayor
Rudolph Guiliani - a man I happen to like - on Oprah Winfrey.
Still, without his fame and millions, I have no
doubt that his recent book, called Leadership, would hardly be
doing as well as it is.
None of this explains why authors with
proven track records are repudiated, why people like Julie Ellis and
Stephen King, who have earned millions for their houses, are now being
treated as inhumanely as the rest of us. Unless, of course, in
combination with their age, they are being told that they have to do
their own promoting, that they have to invest their own money. This can
be seen as outrageous by those who have experienced the other side of
the coin. It takes $250,000.00 to publicize a book
today if it is going to have a chance of being a bestseller and that is
not the worst of it.
Small presses are now demanding that
writers put up money to cover publishing expenses. Some are being told
they must invest thousands of dollars in order to get a New York
Times review, though there are still a few places that rely on Publisher's
Weekly the way it used to be. Basically, this tells me that we have
struck the bottom of the barrel, that there is nowhere to go but up.
Leading the charge, hopeless as it may seem now, is POD. If you have a
decent work and can get it reviewed by some of the rare, free
establishments, like the Midwest Book Review, and you maintain a
reasonable website, you can join Julie Ellis and try to claw your way
back against the inanity that prevails. Or, like Stephen King, you can
give up and opt for nature walks. The tunnel might be long, but the
light is there. You just have to outlast the stupidity and keep your
fingers crossed.
#
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: The late William
Alan Rieser, B.A., M.A., had careers in teaching, conducting,
composing, performing music, umpiring, electronics, supervising and
finally writing in his retirement. He was a professional editor and had
published 16 novels and hundreds of shorts and articles.
The
anthology market is well worth a look if you are good at writing
personal anecdotes and essays. From the best-selling Chicken Soup for
the Soul series to the one-off theme, anthologies are a great way to
get a book credit. You have to weight the pros and cons before you
decide to submit. The pay can be very good (Chicken Soup
generally pays $300) but it is one-off, and you usually have to give up
all rights. While the book goes on earning money, you won’t get a cent
more. With some anthologies, you will be offered a deal to buy copies
which you can resell. Smaller one-off anthologies pay a lot less, around
$25 to $50. I have been published in four anthologies so far, earning from
$25 to $100, and I have no complaints. I got one to two copies of the book
each time, and the compilers were professional and prompt. Be cautious
with anthologists who have not made a connection with a publisher or who
provide you with scanty guidelines and vague promises. A lot of
anthologies do come to nothing at all. Frequent writers' message boards,
and you will soon pick up tips on watching out for scams. Visit www.anthologiesonline.com
regularly for all the latest news and anthology markets.
Description:
A typical Chicken Soup for the Soul submission is a true story
with an inspirational message. The story should not be a fragment or
an anecdote, but should have a clearly defined beginning, middle, and
end. The website gives very comprehensive guidelines for contributors.
Check out the page on possible book titles to see what anthologies are
in the pipeline. You can also download a proposal package if you want
to suggest your own title. Payment is on publication, but be warned,
you can wait up to four years for the book to come out. Some titles in
the works are Adopted Soul, African American Teen’s Soul,
and Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul. Check upcoming themes and
submit at the website.
Description:
Cup of Comfort is calling for submissions to A Cup of
Comfort for Parents of Children with Autism. Themes sought include
impact on other family members, creative solutions to everyday
challenges, breakthroughs, effective treatments, hopeful, tender
moments, helpful support, unexpected positive outcomes, large and
small blessings, adult children with autism, and any others
contributors have to offer. Stories are invited from parents,
professionals, and family members, or friends with intimate knowledge
of the child and parents in question. Payment for each story chosen is
$100, with a $500 prize for the best entry.
Deadline:
October 1, 2005. Submit at the website.
Horse Healers: Stories of Courage and Hope (Adams
Media)
Address:
Horse Healers Story, c/o A. Bronwyn Llewellyn, Editor, 467 Saratoga
Avenue #190, San Jose, CA 95129
Description:
Adams Media are compiling a new anthology on the healing power of
human interaction with horses. Looking for1000- to 2000-word first person stories on some sort of healing
(emotional, physical, etc.) that was achieved with the aid of a horse,
written in a rich and descriptive style, with a positive and uplifting
theme. Payment is $50 and a copy of the book. Deadline is September
30, 2005, but the earlier the better.
Address:
OFWAIHF Submissions, PO Box 502, Getzville, NY 14068
Description:
The first compilation Our Fathers Who Art In Heaven is now in
print, and editor Gerry Murak is now planning to expand the series
with stories about the lessons learned in leadership from fathers,
mothers, grandparents, teachers, and others. Payment for the first
OFWAIH anthology was $100 and promptly paid, along with a
contributor’s copy - even all the way to Australia!
#
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: Gail Kavanagh is a freelance writer living in Queensland,
Australia. Gail has been published in anthologies and print and online
publications. She is the author of several books, including The
Working Writer’s Market Guide.
FNASR
- First North American Serial Rights.
Before
submitting your work to any publication, be sure to read their writers'
guidelines.
This column began as a
collaboration between William Rieser (Penumbra) and Betty Dobson
(InkSpotter). Each month, as Bill would have wanted, we'll continue to feature poetry and prose from
The
Writers' Association's growing list of
anthologies. I don't even think he'd mind being shoved into the
spotlight for a change.
Wow!
Just for Me?
by
William Alan Rieser
Usually when I wake up and manage to
crawl into the wheelchair in a semi-comfortable position, the first
thing I do after the morning necessaries is to check my email. It's
always a big surprise to see a cluttered mailbox, filled with comments
and submissions for WA, personal messages from friends----and most
amazingly of all, whole bunches of caring memos from strangers concerned
for my welfare.
stickitupyourwhatever@ripoff.com
Ingest This!!!!
Just 30 days after eating Mugwumps lab
tested ingestibles, you will spring out of your wheelchair with energy,
a ruddy complexion ... and passion. Hmm. Filled with sugar and several
items that will kill me. Someone doesn't know I'm diabetic. Click
bendover@sodomize.edu
Go In Style
Why burden your family with a casket
choice when you can decide in advance for them, and for only $9,995.00
with 30 year financing. Our Iron Maiden line is the most popular, but
all the models are available to you in our inexpensive brochure for just
$45.00. Order today. Supplies limited. Gee. Perhaps they don't
realize I'm not going to use a casket.
Suddenly, the phone rings. I listen
carefully. "Your friends want you to know that love is still
possible. Natalie's Bippy Custom Servicing now features partnering
available from such exotic places as Singapore, Ghana and Easter Island.
We have a girl for every possible whirl."
"Sorry. I'm afraid I'm
married."
"What's more, if you pick one of our
lovely faces before . . ."
"Look, idiot, I'm married, poor, and
an invalid!"
"And for this month only, we'll
throw in a free $39.50 value of Ugandan Take-A-Chance Condoms"
It's another one of those pre-recorded
messages.
Back to the email
layitontheline@Bushy.org
From the CEO
"You're probably aware that the
Democrats have launched an all-out war of lies and deceptions against
me. What I need to overcome this nefarious plot is a very small
contribution to the cause." Oops. Something wrong here. That man
can't spell nefarious and he certainly does not know what it means.
I hear the outside mailbox cover snap
shut as the wheels of the postman's vehicles crunch away. Sandra runs
outside, eager to see if there's anything important. She returns and
hands me three elegantly decorated envelopes.
Yessir, for every scam, we have the plan.
You want to invest in a solid future? Put aside those extra dollars for
your golden age retirement. We've got Terrorist Insurance, Lightning
Insurance, Getting Run Over by an 18 Wheeler Insurance and our brand new
Insurance against Fraudulent Insurers including ID Theft, Social
Security Lapses, and Government Intrusion Alarms.
Sorry. I'm already in a retirement
home and have no money. Rip. Trash bin.
EasyButt
BlowItOutYourA**, Wisconsin
Got multiple, painful haemorrhoids? Well,
stop worrying, because EasyButt Smooth Suppositories will ...
Rip. Trash bin. There's the phone
again.
"You've never heard of me, but I
know you and your dreams. Get in on the ground floor now with just a
tiny $2,000 investment and ..." Click. Back to the mail.
Imagination Plus
Guaranteed To Publish, NYC
Although your manuscript, Finding Gas
in Unlikely Places, does indeed qualify our stated request for tales
of suspense, highly political, filled with satire, literate and
memorable, it does not quite fit into our publishing schedule at this
time. Rip Trash bin.
Time to write a meaningful epic poem
about life's beauty. In any case, that's a typical morning at our house.
Knock.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Please don't be alarmed by the
350 of us on your lawn. We represent the Evangelical Council of Texas
and are here to save your soul."
"How generous of you. All the
schisms I see!"
"Oh yes. Everything from Jehovah's
Witness to I Saw Jesus in the Restroom at Barney's Bar."
"Amazing. Tell me. Have any of you
got evidence that the man actually existed?"
"Of course. The Gospels according to
Joe Green."
"Ah. Giuseppi Monteverdi. I should
have known. But the gospel guys were men, weren't they? How do you know
they weren't writing a passion play?"
"That would be cheap sensationalism
and nonsensical."
"So, exactly how are you going to
save my soul?"
"Prayer, laying on of hands,
speaking in tongues, that sort of stuff."
"How revealing. Well, I pray every
day. I've had thousands of people lay their hands on me, which is why
I'm in a wheelchair. As for speaking in tongues, I prefer communication.
Can you improve on any of those?"
"Well, not really. But we could use
a donation."
"So could I."
Slam
R-r-r-r-r-ing
"Hello?"
"Hi. Could I please speak to the
most significant other at your household?"
"Sorry. She's out walking our
tarantula, SwingButt."
Pause
"Ahem. Is this the Rieser
household?"
"It used to be the Artificial
Kneecap Emporium before my hostile takeover."
Pause
"Is this Mr. Rieser?"
"I think so."
Long pause
"Mr. William Alan Rieser, the author
of Finding Gas in Unlikely Places?"
"Wow. A coherent, understandable
sentence. And you don't sound a day over 12."
"Sir. I am 35, a literary agent and
have found a publisher who absolutely loves your novel."
"Uh huh."
"The Gas idea is very appealing to
certain people."
"Bean manufacturers? Oil sheiks? The
Bush family?"
"I'm not at liberty to say at this
point."
"What's your pitch, Cleo?"
"Nancy. We offer 100 books free
upfront so you can market them wherever you like. Cover illustrations
are only $100.00 each, front and back with a totally free binding. ISBN,
bar code and posting on Amazon and all the other major booksellers is
completely free."
"How much are they willing to invest
in my book for marketing?"
"That would be up to you."
"Paper stock, binding and cover
thickness?"
"Standard. Same as iUniverse,
Publish America and Xlibris, except we are small press, not POD."
"What about unsold copies?"
"There won't be any."
"Digital printing?"
"Yes. Just your first 100
books."
"So you will be relying upon my
ability to go around the country to bookstores and libraries for
sign-ups and giveaways to promote the book, plus my website."
"And the reviewers."
"How much will this cost me?"
"A very small $1,250.00 for set up
costs, assuming your manuscript does not need professional
editing."
"Who is your editor?"
"Jason Mumble."
"Oh yeah. He did Braille Magazine
and got fired for errant bumps. No problem. I am a professional editor
and always send my manuscript in PDF format."
"Excellent. Are you
interested?"
"That depends. I don't know that
your publisher qualifies. Tell you what. Give me your name, social
security number and a major credit card. If everything checks out on
you, I'll be happy to receive a visit from the publisher and discuss
it."
Cl-i-i-i-i-ck.
Now where the hell did she go?
Sandra
by
William Alan Rieser
She
crafts me coloured robes,
covering my wretchedness,
warming a misshapen soul,
hiding blemishes and scars
with pure, simple thoughts,
sewn from tender fingers.
She feeds me meals gourmet
savoury, filling fragrance,
not unlike her skin,
so soft and yielding,
compelling my desires
in ultimate comfort.
She wraps my worries sane,
wending hurtful memories,
turning sorrows mirthful,
changing cares to laughter,
with spells, charmed gifts,
magic wands of love.
She restores my soul,
nearly unrecoverable,
strengthening my torn spirit
without conditions or demands,
a radiant heart of steel
perfection as intended.
She breathes G-d's Eve,
a rib gladly given,
the helpmate designed
by mystery and glory,
though it took a lifetime
to find each other.
A
quick Internet search of poetry contests will present aspiring writers
with many opportunities. Poetry contests have been around for decades
and are equally popular amongst the novice and accomplished poet. There
is no secret to winning a poetry contest, but you can increase your odds
by following a few basics:
Grab the judge's interest with a sensational title
for your poem. Your title should reflect the poem's theme and draw the
reader into the poem. Refrain from the mundane - get creative.
All poems need a beginning, a middle, and an end. A
poem that lacks focus won't make it past the first round of judging.
Plan your poem's direction to keep it on track.
Read your poem out loud and listen to the rhythm.
Your poem should flow smoothly and draw the reader from one stanza to
another.
Create imagery with your words. Use words in
unexpected ways while maintaining the poem's focus and clarity.
Your poem may be written using traditional, slang,
or experimental wording, but the 'diction' (the language) should remain
constant throughout the piece.
Make sure your piece fits the poetry type criteria:
haiku, sonnet, free verse, traditional, or experimental. Not all
contests accept all types.
Do not submit a poem that requires special
formatting or spacing to make the piece effective. The special
formatting or spacing may be lost in transmission or not accepted by the
judges.
Be 'line' conscious. Some contests have a limit on
the number of poetry lines and number of characters per line. (Blank
lines usually aren't counted as a line). Follow the contest rules
exactly to avoid disqualification.
By following these few simple points, you can improve
your poem writing abilities and increase your chances of winning.
Vallum
Magazine Category: Poetry EntryFee: $25 CDN or $20 US Prizes: First Prize $1000, Second Prize $300 plus one-year
subscription Deadline: October 31, 2005 Details: 3 poems maximum (60-line maximum). Entries by postal mail
only with SASE. See website for mailing address.
Writing-Contests.us
1st Annual Poetry Contest Category: Unpublished poems, any style EntryFee: $5.00 Prizes: $75 US plus copy of 2006 Poets Market Book plus
publication Deadline: August 31, 2005 Details: 50 lines maximum, 60 characters per line. Maximum 3 poems can be
entered. Must be over 18 years to enter. See website for specific
entering details.
4th
Annual Erskine J. Poetry Prize Category: Poetry Entry Fee: $5.00 for 3 poems Prizes: $200- 1st Prize plus publication, 2nd & 3rd prize is
publication only. Deadline: August 15, 2005 Details: Submission online or via postal mail. Email: dtodd@smartishpace.com
The
New Writer Prose and Poetry Contest Theme: Writing or literary related Category: Single poems or collections EntryFee: £4 per single poem, £10 per collection (TNW
subscribers two entries at same fee) Prizes: £100 - 1st prize, £75 - 2nd, £50 - 3rd Deadline: October 31, 2005 Details: No line limit. Entries accepted using online form or via
postal mail.
#
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christine Cristiano
hangs her hat in Ontario, Canada. She launched her first e-book, Obsessed:
Diary of a Freelance Writer, earlier this year, and her work has
appeared in numerous print and online venues in the US and Canada. For
more information, visit www.booklocker.com/books/1836.html.
Literary
Lapse (129
members) is a prompt-based mailing list. Members receive weekly
writing prompts and are encouraged to share their work with the rest of
thelist and give each other feedback.
Once a month, I select
my favourite story, essay or poem for publication and pay the
winner $5 (US funds).
The Prompt
Write a biographical sketch of someone you admire.
This could be someone famous and/or someone you know personally. Doesn't
matter. Heroes, as you know, come in all shapes and sizes.
The Winner
Congratulations to Laura Salamy for her
memorial essay "Pooh's Best Friends."
Pooh's
Best Friends
by
Laura Salamy
In memory of Bill and my Grandma
Pooh
Grandma Pooh - as we kids called her - was blessed
with not one canine companion in her latter years, but two. The first,
Tessie, brought her back to life; the second, Rusty, helped ease her way
into the next.
When she was 73, Pooh's husband - my grandfather -
died. Rarely emotionally close - he was more likely to reach for a beer
than Gram's hand - his death nonetheless hit her hard. Suddenly the
house was too large. She had no one to take care of; no one who needed
her. Always active - she took Spanish classes for the heck of it, swam,
and volunteered - she began a slow spiral inwards. Nothing too obvious,
but to those of us in the know, Pooh wasn't herself.
Because I was away at college, the details of Tessie's
arrival are hazy. It's my understanding that one day, for whatever
reason, Pooh accompanied my father to a local shelter. The result? A
young, yellow Lab mix she christened "Tessie." This dog became
Pooh's best friend. Of course, we couldn't mention the "mixed"
aspect of Tessie's heritage. To my grandmother, Tessie was a pure
blooded Labrador retriever, with "perhaps just a little Whippet to
account for her delicate features."
I admit to a certain amount of jealousy regarding
Tessie, especially in the early days. Gram doted on her even when I'd
visit - giving her the attention I was expecting for myself.
"Tessie and I walked to town yesterday."
"Did I tell you how much the Grant's love Tessie?"
Only later would she ask about my life and school. I
felt left out - cheated by my grandmother's dog. Tessie's big, brown
eyes reproached me. I would leave later that evening; she was staying.
But Tessie was good for her, everyone could see it.
Months later, I took my boyfriend to meet Pooh for the first time. After
lunch, scraps in hand, she and the dog climbed the hill to the compost
pile. Paul and I watched them from the back porch.
"They seem devoted to one another," he
remarked.
He was right; this quiet, steady dog had given her a
reason to really live again.
It's not unusual that an elderly person can be
rejuvenated by a pet or that they find a renewed sense of purpose in
caring for an animal, especially one rescued from a shelter or other
imperfect situation. But Gram and Tessie were special. Well into Pooh's
eighties, they'd walk two times a day. Five miles weren't uncommon for
them. They kept one another healthy in mind, body, and soul.
Eventually, though, Tessie began to suffer ailments
and accidents. While Gram was still capable of their power walks, Tessie
couldn't keep up. So, they walked less. But the vet visits and tremors
became too much. Despite Gram's breaking heart, Tessie was put down.
By then, Gram was losing speed, too. She'd walk, but
every outing brought her into contact with "couples" - dogs
and their owners who inquired about Tessie. Or, if they knew of the
dog's death, how was Gram doing without her?
"Will you get another dog?"
"I don't think so."
Fast forward to a Christmas or two later. My brother
and his family, which included a feisty miniature Dachshund named Rusty,
needed someone to keep the dog while they were split apart first by
military duties and then divorce. For personal and practical reasons, my
parents, other brothers, and I were unable to take Rusty. Ever the
animal softie, though, Gram took him in. No strangers for her grand-dog!
And until her death, in 2002, she and Rusty were inseparable.
Tessie may have been Pooh's soul mate, but Rusty was
the unexpected love she found late in life. Each needed the other. Him
to recover a home and the personal attention he craved. And Gram just to
find joy in his presence.
Rusty was an intelligent dog and able to gauge just
how much she'd dote on him. Assigned a space on the floor next to her
bed, he wanted no part of that. By the second night, he adeptly
slithered up and under the covers next to her in the single bed. Pretty
good for a dog that stood less than a foot off the ground!
The sun rose and set on Pooh for this lively little
dog. He guarded her jealously. Whenever she'd cart him the two-and-half
hours up to my house for a visit, he'd spitefully run from room to room,
pooping his way through the house. He knew that, when confronted, Gram
would giggle like the 92-year-old, little girl she was and challenge us
to prove her dog the culprit. Secure in his mistress's love - and in her
lap - Rusty smirked at my husband and me.
But it was Rusty who gave Gram much of the visceral
comfort she needed in the last few months of her life as she fought
on-again, off-again congestive heart failure. Whether at my parents'
house for the worst nights, or enjoying independence in her own bed in
her own home, Rusty remained by her side.
After her death and unable to keep him, my parents
interviewed and found just the right couple to love and care for Rusty.
From last accounts this high-maintenance little dog is doing just fine.
And he deserves all the happiness in the world.
These two dogs gave so much to my grandmother. Tessie
came along at a time in Gram's life when she was at a loss - of mate, of
companionship, and of purpose. They had wonderful years together, and
after Tessie's death, Gram mourned and assumed her dog days were over.
Who'd have known that a spirited and tiny tyrant of a dog needing a home
would arrive, not to replace Tessie but to provide boundless time and
unconditional adoration as only dogs can. I'm sure that Gram and Tessie
are sitting in heaven this very moment, laughing at Rusty's sly ways,
and just waiting for the day he squeezes in next to them.
This
is the space where subscribers get to do a little bragging about their
own writing successes. Don't be shy. We want to hear from you.
C. Hope Clark has an article coming out in College
Bound Teen Magazine the end of August. Hope is editor of FundsforWriters.com.
I am finally at a point in my freelance
writing career where I get emails from editors and other clients asking
me to write for them! Yay! Less querying, proposing, etc. for me!
I'd
like to share the news that my article "Reiki for Pets" will
appear in the Florida Pet Book magazine July edition, which
actually comes out at the end of July. They've already contracted with
me for another article about aromatherapy for pets for the fall edition.
Most of my writing is concentrated in the pet industries, because I am
also a board certified holistic health practitioner. After reading many
of the "do what you know articles", I'm blending my love for
the animals with my credentials to narrow the focus my writing on this
industry.
If I may, I'd like to include a quick note for other
writers. I noticed Florida Pet Book site now has a link that
invites writers to submit articles without payment. This is something
new that was not a part of their publication when I contacted them
earlier this year after they advertised for writers in several writing
newsletters. They run floridapetbook.com, fetchball.com, and pets-ok.com.
Australian author Cheryl
Wright latest release is "Popcorn Murders" - a short story
that has proven extremely popular with readers. A combination of crime
and humour, and a teensy spattering of romance, this story is sure to
please even the most conservative reader. Check
it out.
Ilona Hegedus has started a blog
with news on her writing and also recommending good works from many
fellow authors.
This month (August) Mary E.
Gray will be refining and amplifying the course content for her "Doing
Haiku" e-course. The next session will begin September 4th.
As an avid reader
and writer, I was immediately drawn to Book
Notes Journal; it inspired as surely as the spine on a leather book
- one embossed with a gold leaf title. Just as beautiful, this journal
has a linen spine (a la old libraries), an elastic band in mauve to
match it (this intended to keep the journal closed once it is full of
notes and clippings), and beautiful “bookish” fly leafs and
pastedowns.
This lovely
journal features quotations from Wilde to Emerson, subtle artwork and
photos designed to please booklovers, tabs pre-marked with the kinds of
things a reader may already make notes of like “favourite quotes”
and, the handiest of all, “books borrowed and lent.” It even has
convenient pockets. The paper, true the publishers’ (Ryland and
Peters) quality, is a joy to touch. This is a gift that could only be
made more personal with an inscription from you, and - perhaps - a
recommendation or two from your own log of favourites.
Book
Notes Journal may
be purchased in bookstores or online. It is easily found online by using
its ISBN (184172629X). Please take the time to look up this treasure. It
is sure to touch any writer on your holiday list.
In 1997, Jenni Blackmore
releases Counting Crows, her collection of poetry and short
fiction. The book launch and reading occur at Frog Hollow Books in
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Ms. Blackmore treats those in attendance to readings
of three complete poems and excerpts from two stories. As she reads, her
English accent rolls like verdant hillsides and leads the audience on a
stroll through her creative mind.
The first poem read (also the first in the collection)
is about "Princess Rose," a jealous Labrador forced to share
her owner's affection with a parrot. The tone is light and humorous
through most of the poem. The audience reacts accordingly; we laugh in
all the right places, such as when Ms. Blackmore lilts:
And when I parrot, Beauty-beauty, beauty-beauty,
you squirm and wriggle, paws skyward
and when I say, So sweety-tweety-tweety,
you jump erect and say, Yes me! Yes me!
Only at the end does the listener get a sense of
something more serious beneath the surface. In this case, the listener
is reminded that love takes many forms and need not benefit one at the
expense of another.
The next two selections put aside all illusions of
levity and jump right into a darker world. "Old Bones" reveals
the tortured thoughts of a despondent - perhaps suicidal - woman. Most
poignant is the scene where the narrator's dog comes upon a "saw,
abandoned and already wooed / by moss, which dulls the bite of rusted
teeth / with stifling caress." The narrator's sorrow is a part of
her past that won't stay far enough behind her. Sorrow is personified as
an entity that "tricked me, caught me unawares / and clings now to
my back."
Sorrow out of the past also surfaces in "Search
for the Second Crow." This final reading is also the last poem in
the collection and refers back to the collection's epigram, the
anonymous poem "One crow sorrow / Two crows joy".
Appropriately, the tone by now has shifted to one of
hope. The narrator has "grown tired of counting crows" and
allows herself to let go of the past. She has taken control of her
perceptions. A single crow is no longer seen as the One of sorrow; it
"dangles on a stick above some corn." Crow Two is free to
travel alone, spreading joy.
Counting Crows spreads its own form of joy
through stories and poems crafted with loving care. Even after all these
years, this book still merits considerable attention.
Carolyn
Howard-Johnson's first novel, This is the Place, and Harkening:
A Collection of Stories Remembered are both award-winners. Her
fiction, non-fiction, and poems have appeared in national magazines,
anthologies and review journals.
She
speaks on Utah's culture, tolerance and other subjects and has appeared
on TV and hundreds of radio stations nationwide.
What motivated you to start writing? I wanted my name in lights - or at the very least in a by-line. I
wanted to flirt with the boys who were on my high school newspaper
staff. Some real dolls. I was only 16. My hormones were running.
(-:
What is the primary source of
inspiration for you? Travel. That is because it always reaffirms that we, as humans, are
made from the same bone.
Do you write when the muse strikes, or
do you follow a writing schedule? Please describe your process. Oh, Betty. I am at the computer from immediately after whatever I
choose to do for exercise (swimming, walking, yoga, lifting weights) to
bedtime. When I am through with e-mail, I do whatever I can work into
that block of time. That's one reason poetry is easy for me. It can be
written in small chunks. It is one reason that my next novel has been
lying fallow for more than a year. I need to get organized.
What have you done to promote yourself
as a writer? What's left to do? How I love promotion. It is like a hobby that gets a hold of you
once you start to see how it grows exponentially with time and a little
effort. I love it so much I shared my ideas with other authors in The
Frugal Book Promoter. Having said that, branding is a
never-ending process and one has to balance with other parts of one's
life or it can get away from you.
When did you discover your unique
voice? I remember learning about the concept of voice. It was only about
five years ago in my first class in writing the novel at UCLA. My
teacher, Eve Caram, had a heck of a time explaining it to some of us. I
think that's because voice is internal. We all have it. We must,
however, learn to express it in our writing. Mine is part of my roots,
part of the place I was born which is a unique culture of its own within
the borders of the United States.
How long did the process take? Ha! It took almost the whole darn semester to figure out what Eve
was getting at!
What do you consider your greatest
achievement as a writer? Getting back to it after a lapse of several decades. I am also glad
that I am not so proud as to think I know everything, that
there is still not much to learn. The more I learn the more I realize
that there is more ahead to learn that I have not yet been made aware
of. It's a little like discovering our spiritual selves.
What's the most recent book you read? I am editing a book called Carmine's Angel. Very cute.
Spiritual but also lots of humour.
Who are the writers you admire most? I adore the classics - I was raised on them. I especially love
Russian classics (and history for that matter). Harper Lee inspired me
to write about tolerance. I believe that the lack of tolerance is the
root of what afflicts the world now - at the root of what has always
afflicted it.
What's your best piece of advice for
novice writers? Don't assume that because you have a book published that you can't
learn more about writing. There is so very much to know about
characterization, structure, dialogue. Read. Read. Read. Take classes,
too, but choose people with credentials. It sounds snotty; it is not
intended that way. There is just too much misinformation about writing
(and promotion) going around on the Web.
Is there anything else you'd like to
add? I'd like to thank you for interviewing me and your subscribers
for taking the time to read this. And I'd like to invite anyone who
wants to know more about promotion (and sometimes about writing) to
subscribe to my complimentary newsletter, Sharing with Writers.
Send me an e-mail at HoJoNews@aol.com.
Type "subscribe" in the subject line.
Writing
can be a tough gig. Because it’s so solitary, it’s hard sometimes to
be objective about your work. And while we can all use improvement, let’s
face it, it can be hard to gauge the quality of local writing classes,
not to mention the expense. Nothing is more frustrating than putting out
a hard-earned dollar and busting a butt to get to a class where you end
up feeling like you know more than the teacher.
Fortunately, the Internet is chock-full of quality
writing classes with talented teachers and committed students. I’ve
taken two online writing classes and come away from both with increased
motivation, lots of ideas, and a heightened awareness of my strengths
and weaknesses as a writer. While some of these classes are not cheap,
many offer top-notch teaching talent, as well as the benefit of allowing
you to read lectures and participate at noon or at midnight, in your
nightie or in the nude.
Writers
Online Workshops - Whether you need a refresher in some grammar
basics, want to work on breaking into magazine markets, or need help
fine-tuning a novel, you can generally find a class here that will spark
some interest. Class sizes are small, discussions are lively, and
homework gives your work a chance to be critiqued.
Absolute
Write University - Some unique features of this online classroom
include an open enrolment period where you can sign up at any time, and
a one-on-one relationship with the instructor. Genre writing is a focus
of this university, with courses offered on technical writing, travel
writing, food writing, and more.
Gotham
Writers’ Workshop - One of the largest and most respected
writing organizations, this website offers classes that are diverse and
rigorous, lasting ten weeks. Their very popular fiction writing class
will have you write one or two short stories during the class term, or
you can learn the mechanics of screenwriting and begin a feature length
screenplay in their screenwriting course.
Just like anywhere else, though, you have to do a
little homework before you ever start a class. Probe your inner wimp –
can you handle critiques from many fellow students, or do you only want
the analysis of a professional writer? Do some research on the teacher
of the class you’re interested in; read some of his or her writing.
Does the teacher’s writing style make a good fit with what you’re
looking for? Read some of the student testimonials – have any of them
been published after taking the course?
Once you’ve looked over the offerings, take the
plunge and take a class. It will make you a better critic of other
people’s writing and a better critic of your own. And it makes the
work of writing seem a little less solitary and a little more like a
community.
#
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Toddie Downs is a
freelance writer living in Seattle, Washington, and a contributing
editor at Garden and Hearth Publishing's Parenting
101. She thinks online writing classes are the bees' knees.
Each month, a guest
writer shares tips on succeeding in the writing business.
The Query Letter All Writers Want to
Write…
But Don’t Have The Square Balls
by Steve Kayser
One particular day, after receiving a rejection letter
(the first among many that I’ve never acknowledged) I got a little
ticked. I mean, c'mon, I just spent three months banging out 120 pages
of the best screenplay America has never seen.
A classic.
A beaut.
It has the heart of Rocky. The cherubic
innocence of Forrest Gump. The underlying spirituality of Gandhi.
(You are now getting very, very sleepy... think Acceptance Bridge
- and get your chequebook out).
A quick sale for sure.
I'll be fair, take mid-seven figures against eight.
Win-Win! That's my motto. But...what do I get?
A form letter.
But not just any form letter. A little personalized
scribbled note was attached.
It said, "You're a good
writer, but no real producer would touch this. Too much spirituality at
the end. Think more commercial. How about bankers ripping off some
people? And chases. Car crashes. Viruses. Diseases. They're big right
now. Oh - special effects. Magic. Need that too. Movies are all about
special effects now. Don't be such a smart writer. Dumb it down some. Get some reviews from someone too - someone with a title
would be great. Define what demographic market your film appeals to,
what merchandizing opportunities and ancillary revenue streams could be
available."
Squareballs (that's my intellectual pen name) Gets
Reasonable Advice
Okay - reasonable advice. Right?
It was followed by this little mentoring tidbit.
Cartoons as Structure
"Watch cartoons to guide your story structure -
they do it best. And watch movies where animals are the star. Those are
great dialogue-reducers. Relate it to movies I know. Something I can
make a snap judgment on. Like Legally Blonde MeetsGandhi.
I am busy you know. Send me another query when you think you can meet my
needs."
Squareballs Ponders Reasonable Advice
Dialogue-reducers? Meet his needs? Dumb it down?
Basement Balcony Beckons
I stifled the urge to hurl myself off the basement
balcony. It was tough. I bit my tongue but did not overdose on 33 cheese
coneys with extra onions, peanut butter, chocolate jelly (my favourite)
mayonnaise, jalapenos and nuclear hot sauce.
But, being the consummate professional, I felt the
need to follow-up on his kind offer.
Here's what I wrote back...and just for yucks sent out
to 50 other producers. (You think I'm kidding?)
I have a recently completed screenplay entitled Pig
and Turkey, a classic come-drama, I would like to submit to your
company for consideration.
DIALOGUE REDUCERS INTRODUCED
Think Babe and Woody Woodpecker Freeing Willie.
A Pig and a Turkey join together to save their farm
from an unscrupulous banker who is trying to foreclose on the property
because he wants to turn it into a non-profit gambling casino.
BRINGS IN THE BANKER AND DISEASE SIMULTANEOUSLY (and
brilliantly I might add.)
The Banker leaks to the press that "Mad Turks
Disease" infests the animals on the property.
Mad Turks Disease is an awful virus that makes your
hair and a nails fall out, get really disgustingly big facial warts,
engenders disgustingly bad breath and uncontrollable flatulence.
THE DASTARDLY BANKER
The Banker tricks them into jumping the Grand Canyon
on a tricycle with two wheels saying he will stop foreclosure if they
complete the leap. The leap is televised worldwide (Pay per View).
The dastardly Banker saws the ramp in half and Pig
and Turkey are hurled head and beak first into the Grand Canyon to a
certain death.
A terrible, gut wrenching moment, sure to bring
tears to anyone with the least bit of a heart.
MAGIC AND SPECIAL EFFECTS COVERED
Just when Death opens its jaws wide to receive them
Turkey finds her wings and transmogrifies like a caterpillar into...
A bald eagle, but not just any bald eagle –
EAGLE KNIEVEL –
saving Pig and their farm.
BRINGS IN JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Pig and Turkey fight heroically to save their home
and way of life while exhibiting upstanding morals and fulfilling the
Heroes Mythical journey.
Pig and Turkey Fast and Furious (see the
sequel potential you visionaries?)
Pig and Turkey zooms toward an unbelievable
climax in a 32-car chase scene throughout 51 states (including Puerto
Rico).
GREAT REVIEW
My Great Grandmother, Elsie Grunewald, a retired
English teacher and author of 11 unpublished novels, thoroughly
reviewed the screenplay and thought it was the best thing she’s read
since War and Peace By Leonardo Coldstoy.
She has prepared in-depth critiques and analyses for
your review as well as meticulously choreographed the camera shots.
POV by POV.
TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY SPELLED OUT
Whom may I send this terrific, sure to be a runaway
Academy Award winner nominee, 297 1/2 page screenplay to?
OOPS – ALMOST FORGOT DEMOGRAPHICS AND ANCILLARY
REVENUE STREAMS
And...I did forget to mention that it will appeal to
the Family audience and has great ancillary market revenue potentials
utilizing dolls, toys, bacon, lettuce and turkey sandwiches sold
through...probably McDonald's.
Regards, Steve -- P.S. Contact me at my Grandma's
house.
Now is that a piece of work or what?
Sucks doesn't it?
I got 10 requests to read the damn thing.
#
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: Although
Steve Kayser has won multiple screenwriting awards and publishes an
award-winning B2B E-Zine with 35,000 subscribers in 49 countries, he is
currently busy recruiting handsome, intelligent, bilingual Pigs to
audition for the lead part in Pig and Turkey. If you are a
handsome, intelligent, bilingual Pig and are looking to break into
acting, this may be your big chance. Contact Steve at 513-295-9090 or
e-mail skbigm@gmail.com.
****Disclaimer:
NO EGOS - must be able to get along with a Turkey who saves the day. At
least until Thanksgiving.
This is your
chance to provide feedback on the newsletter.
Tell us what you did and didn't like. Make suggestions for future
issues.
We want to hear from
you.
InkSpotter
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Africa
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Kingdom
United
States
Betty,
I wanted to write to you last month - but got carried
away. This month I am not letting another day go by.
Your InkSpotter magazine is absolutely fantastic! It
is the best on the Internet - without a doubt. The features are
interesting - I read them all. The layout and look of the page is easy
to read - very clean.
It is a very impressive website and newsletter.
Congratulations!!
Good Luck and Well Done!
Soleil
Enjoyed the
issue, as always. Welcome aboard to the new columnists. I've already
followed up on some of the links you provided. I'm not quite sure why,
but "Love in the Time of War" by Raul E. Jimenez really caught
my attention. Liked it a lot. "Knock, Knock" (Krys Douglas)
was amusing. I hadn't known that factoid about Opportunity.
It was great fun reading the interview with M. E. Wood
<Waves at Moe and cheers on BIAW!> I read Evanovich, like King,
and revere LeGuin, so I'm going to have to check out Di Brandt. I had to
laugh at the opening line of Mary Cook's "Big Fat Liar."
Recently someone in my book club was grousing about small
"inaccuracies" in a book he'd read. We all chorused,
"It's a novel." I continued, "And another way to say
novel is pack of lies."
Keep up the good work, everyone. I really appreciate
it.
Join author, publisher, agent, and educator
Patrika Vaughn in the forums at Boomer
Women Speak. She'll be at this
link through the end of August. Come have all your writing questions
answered by a pro within a day.
