Worth a Look - (lower) Paying Markets

Here is a website that lists dozens of lower paying markets ($25/article or $.05/wrd). Don't discount these markets though. They are well worth a look.

www.internet-resources.com/writers/markets/online-guidelinesLOWPAY

Travel Articles

Travel Writing - $20 per small article OR chance for $800
When you check out the site, you'll notice that there are NO travel stories for New Jersey! This could be a great opportunity for you to be published!

http://www.craftytraveler.com/editorial_guidelines

Submit Form:
http://www.craftytraveler.com/submit_article

Time To Get On Board!

It h-o-t outside and may have you dreaming of the beach... but autumn is closer than you think!!! Our NJCWG - A REASON TO WRITE conference is scheduled for October 8, 2005 -- less than 12 weeks away. Are you ready?

NJCWG - A REASON TO WRITE
October 8, 2005
$30.00 (includes breakfast, lunch and all your materials)
8:00-8:30 -- Meet & Greet, Registration, Breakfast
8:45 - 9:15 -- Opening Remarks
9:15 - 12:30 -- Classes & Workshops
12:30 - 1:15 -- Lunch
1:15 - 4:30 -- Classes & Workshops
4:30 - 5:00 -- Closing Remarks

If you haven't already registered, please contact Nancy Baker ASAP (flyingswan@optonline.net). We have secured a wonderful staff and will offer a great selection of courses. Signing up for the ones you want will be on a first come, first serve basis. All the course info and staff bios are listed on my website (www.louisedumont.com). When you get there, simply click on the NJCWG button and find the link to the conference info (Note: There is a glitch in the on-line registration form and it is currently NOT working - sorry. To register you must contact Nancy.)

Please share all conference info with church, friends, family and co-workers. I'm eager to make this conference the best it can be. A larger attendance offers more interaction and a better overall experience for our attendees.

If you need brochures and/or registration forms for your church or for any writing groups you belong to, please give me a call or email me at (njcwg.dumont@gmail.com) Thank you.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Director, NJCWG - A Reason to Write 2005

Free Writing for Anthologies Course

Received this message from a member of an other writers group.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Writing/Publishing friends,

I am excited to announce that I'm now able to offer a free course to writers who want to write for the popular anthology/compilation market.

I'd be VERY grateful if you would let your friends and readers know about the "Writing for Anthologies" course (a four-session do-it-at-your-own-pace), which is offered via Writers' Helper: www.writershelper.org/antholog

Thanks, and have a wonderful week!

Dena Dyer
www.denadyer.com
Author, Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms (Barbour)
Co-author, The Groovy Chicks' Roadtrip to Peace (Cook/LifeJourney)
www.groovychicksroadtrip.com

New Cafe Mocha "Light"

My new Cafe Mocha "Light" column is posted on
www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Jehovah-Tsbaoth (The Lord of Hosts) 1 Samuel 1:3

Louise Bergmann DuMont
www.louisedumont.com
www.njcwg.blogspot.com
www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com
Recent Releases: Faith-Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day and Grace by the Cup: A Break From the Daily Grind

Excellent Speech

THE MENDING STRING by Cliff Coon
Moody Publishers
ISBN: 0802440843
Paperback

Below is of the address to the Christy Awards banquet for Christian fiction, July 9, 2005.

Take a few minutes to read this. It makes an excellent commentary on society in general, their fiction "needs," and why/how some of those needs have come to be.

http://www.culture-makers.com/articles/instant_messages

To see the 2005 Christy Award Winners you can go to:

http://www.faithfulreader.com/features/christy_awards.asp

God Bless...

Another Great Blog - Jeff Schick

Another NJCWG member is using a blog to get their message out. His coments on the recent London bombings are profound. Some of his earlier posts on creating a vision statement are excellent as well and pertain to our goals as writers.

Check out Jeff Schick's blog at:
http://becomingourdestiny.blogspot.com/

Publisher's Obituary

www.PublishersMarketplace.com
Today's Meal announced: Publisher Preiss Dies In Auto Accident
Publisher, packager, digital publishing pioneer and longtime force in the rise of graphic novels Byron Preiss died tragically in an auto accident in East Hampton on Saturday. Just 52, making his weekly trip to Shabbat services, Preiss's car was hit by a bus. The funeral service will be held tomorrow morning. In a posted notice, the family requests that any donations be made to the UJA of New York, where Preiss was co-chair of the Publishing Committee.

August Issue of Writers Digest

The August issue of Writers Digest Magazine is filled with resources for every level or writer.

POETRY
Author, Miriam Sagan, shows you how to use alternate sources to find poetic inspiration. She says:

"Take a page of prose that interests you. It can be anything—from the dense, imagistic writing of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude to a passage from a Virginia Woolf novel to a manual on a home renovation technique. Now, break it into poetry. Take out anything that doesn’t interest you. Prune out small words such as ‘the’ and ‘a,’ and look for surprises, metaphors and unexpected combinations. The result may be a complete poem (be sure to credit the original) or simply an exercise to stretch your imagination. Adding your own lines of response can make it into an entirely different poem."

CONVERSATION
Writer's Digest's InkWell section poses a thought-provoking question each month. This month's question:

In the August issue of WD, we discuss how to kill off characters in your
fiction. Which literary character(s) do you feel deserved to live? Or maybe you
think thereÂ’s one who shouloffered been offed in Chapter 1 but makes it to the end.

To be part of the WD monthly Conversation, e-mail your brief response (up to 50 words) to writersdig@fwpubs.com with "Dearly Departed" as the subject line.

WESTERNS
Is the western alive and well in 21st Century America? Author, Loren Estleman, responds:

"Yes, and the audience is there. For one thing, we have increasingly
sophisticated readers. TheyÂ’re less inclined to accept that old chivalric
code of the fast-draw contest and want to know more about the grittiness of
the actual West. And if youÂ’re asking me if thereÂ’s a market for it, think
about writers such as Cormac McCarthy, Larry McMurtry, Jane Smiley and
Barbara Kingsolver. All of these people are writing historical Westerns now,
but theyÂ’re painting on a much broader canvas.

There are also greater repercussions now to the actual points of action than weÂ’ve seen in the past. These days, writers arenÂ’t just dealing with the fact that somebody
was shot down in the street. They’re also dealing with the family—the characters left behind.

The modern Western is more rooted in humanity than it was in the past. This was always true of the great Westerns. But when so many people tried to imitate them, it became like a 10th carbon copy—it just got worse and worse. Unfortunately, the Western has always been judged by its more mediocre work."

POPULAR FICTION
Each month Writers Digest offers its readers a "writing prompt." Here is the prompt for August.

YouÂ’ve been given a one-year deadline and a $1 million signing bonus to write a
300-page novel. ItÂ’s the day before the deadline and youÂ’ve written one page.
What are you going to tell your editor? Write an elaborate excuse thatÂ’s so
clever and believable that it becomes the plot of your novel.

MORE...
This issue holds so much information that I can't begin to share it all with you. If you are not yet a subscriber to a writers magazine (like Writers Digest or The Writer) you should seriously consider becoming one. These magazines do not simply teach, they inspire and motive a writer to excellence.

If you would like a discounted subscription, see me -- and, no, I don't get any perks for getting new subscriptions.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
Director, A Reason To Write Conference - October 8, 2005

Book Reviews - Problems and Solutions

A book review that I did is now posted at the WordSmith Writer.
http://wordsmithshoppe.com/Reviews/makingmarriage.htm
For those of you who have trouble writing reviews for books that came across a bit less than stellar, you might want to take a look at this review. I was honest and spoke positively of those things that were true but allowed myself a comment on something that was lacking.

Writing book reviews is a great way to get started in the writing industry AND you get to read free books! My website (www.louisedumont.com) accepts book reviews.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author, Speaker & Young Writing Mentor
Recent Releases: Faith-Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day and Grace by the Cup: A Break From the Daily Grind

Contest - Nonfiction

NWA Non-fiction contest
Deadline: December 31

Note From Louise - This contest offers an excellent opportunity to not only enter a contest, but to gain valuable insight from a professional writer's critique.

*The purpose of the National Writers Assn. Nonfiction Contest is to encourage the writing of nonfiction and recognize those who excel in this field.
*Contest opens October 1, 2005
*All entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2005
*Only unpublished works may be submitted
*Anthology rights will be requested for the first through third place winners
The entry must be accompanied by entry form (photocopies are acceptable)
*Entry fee - $18 per submission, and return SASE if you wish the material and rating sheets returned

Judging will be based on originality, marketability, research, and reader interest. Copies of the judges' evaluation sheets will be sent to entrants furnishing an SASE with their entry. First through fifth place awards will be presented at the NWAF Conference. Other winners will be notified by March. 1st Prize -- $200 and Clearinghouse representation if winner is book proposal; 2nd Prize -- $100; 3rd Prize -- $50; 4th through 10th Places will receive a book of the winner's choice. Honorable Mentions receive a certificate. The entry fee per submission is $18.

If you wish to have your submission critiqued, please request this on the entry form. Entry fees are used to pay judges and prize money. See complete rules and guidelines at our website: www.nationalwriters.com/members/contests/nonfictioncontest

Contest - Dog Stories

2005 Second Annual Dog Story Contest
Deadline: August 1, 2005

Dog Lovers, put your dog out, sit down and write yourfavorite dog story!

To celebrate dog stories and the human-dog bond (andbecause we just love a good dog story), Doghero.com announces its Second Annual Dog Story Contest.

The contest is for non-fiction stories of dog heroes, favorite dogs, and interesting or funny dog stories.

The winner will receive $125, second place $75, and third place $50. Fourth and fifth places will each receive $25. Winning stories (and up to ten honorable mention stories) will be posted on www.doghero.com and considered for publication in an anthology of dog stories.
For complete rules and guidelines, visit our website at: http://www.doghero.com/features/2005-contest-rules.htm

NJCWG - NO MEETING TONIGHT

Special Message for the NJCWG
NO meeting tonight. The Ringwood Baptist Church is hosting their Serengti Safari (VBS program) tonight. I'm telling the Bible Stories - a task I feel well suited for.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Faciliator, NJCWG

150th Anniversary of Walt Whitman's, Leaves of Grass

"I lean and loafe at my ease... observing a spear of summer grass."
From Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

On July 4, 1855, an unknown poet, Walt Whitman, changed forever the way we would look at poetry. Leaves of Grass came out to mixed reviews and widespread disinterest. It took many years but eventually this book changed the way poets wrote... and the way they thought of themselves.

This summer marks the 150th anniversary of Walt Whitman's, first of its kind, free-verse. Published in July 1855, Leaves of Grass expanded poetry's boundaries.

New Blog - http://www.patrickotoole.com/

Our very own, Patrick O'Toole has great new blog. His review of the hit movie, War of the Worlds was very intereresting and... written with a unique slant. He did more than simply re-cap the movie, he gave it a very personal touch. Nice job!

Stop by his blog and be sure to leave a "comment." When you do, you might mention that you are a fellow member of the NJCWG and that you saw mention of his blog here - on OUR blog (grin)...

http://www.patrickotoole.com/

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator NJCWG

Show vs. Tell

Why you should SHOW, rather than TELL, your story...

TELLING gives the reader information about what happened but does not ask them to "be there" for the event.
SHOWING creates a mental picture for the reader. Our society is more visual than ever before and readers insist on visual narrative.

TELLING holds the reader at arms-length. The author is involved -- the reader is not.
SHOWING is participatory. It involves the reader in the story by evoking feelings and by forcing the reader to think for themselves and draw their own conclusions.

TELLING asks the reader to think or act a certain way.
SHOWING unveils the event and lets the reader draw their own conclusion.

TELLING preaches "at" the reader.
SHOWING helps to avoid preachy writing.

TELLING makes the reader feel "dumb" because the author tends to bang them over the head with the details.
SHOWING lets the reader know you think they are smart enough to "get the point" of your manuscript.

Points offered by:
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Founder and Facilitator of the NJCWG
Director of the NJCWG - A Reason to Write Conference

Philadelphia Christian Writers' Conference

This message came to me from Marlene Bagnull. She gave me permission to post this on our blog.

TO NJCWG MEMBERS: A number of NJCWG members have attended the Philly conference in the past. If you want to attend this year's conference, let me know and I'll see who else is going. You might be able to car pool.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference
August 18 - 20, 2005
Holding Out the Word of Life
Shine out among them like beacon lights,
holding out to them the Word of Life.
Philippians 2:16 tlb
www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia
Marlene Bagnull
Founder & Director

New Hands-On Opportunities at This Year's Conference & Scholarship Help (if needed) for a Member of Your Group
In 1983 I founded the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship and planned our first day-long seminar. I've often said that if I knew how God was going to grow this ministry, my lack of confidence in myself would have caused me to run the other way. But God has patiently shown me that self-confidence isn't the answer. God-confidence is what's important! And so what started as a day-long seminar in 1983 has grown to a three-day conference with a faculty, this year, of 53 authors, editors, and agents. God surely is doing "exceedingly, abundantly beyond . . ."

One of the challenges of directing for over twenty years is to keep the conference fresh and new. Therefore, this year, I've expanded the hands-on opportunities.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Fiction Clinic with editor and fiction coach, Kathleen Wright
Energize your stalled story.
Revitalize your flat characters.
Discover how to draw readers into your character's journey
while building to an exciting climax.
In this six-hour clinic, Kathleen will analyze a 1-2 page synopsis and first chapter (maximum 12 pages) of your novel and determine its strengths and weaknesses. She will demonstrate hands-on techniques that you will practice on your own story. Learn by doing! "In working with clients," Kathleen says, "I have observed that problems fall into common areas: tension through focus, The Five Levels of Intensity, goal-motivation-conflict and story gaps with the Hero's Journey."
Best-selling novelist, Lauraine Snelling, says:

"Kathleen has an innate sense of story structure. She can find holes in the
story and problems with point of view and characters with the accuracy of an
Olympic marksman."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Nonfiction Clinic with Mark Littleton, a prolific author of more than 80 books and literary agent.
Do those rejection letters keep rolling in? Learn how to hone a manuscript that will excite an agent or an editor. Find and fix common problems that can get in the way of becoming a successful non-fiction writer. In this six-hour clinic Mark will demonstrate hands-on techniques for you to practice in each session based on the book proposal and first chapter (maximum 12 pages) submitted by group members prior to the conference. By the end of this clinic, you’ll have a marketable proposal ready to go . . . or close to it!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Each clinic is LIMITED to 10 serious authors. You need to be registered for the entire conference to participate in one of the clinics. Click on "Clinics" at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia for an application. Your application needs to be received (via email) no later than JULY 23. The clinics are held during the 6 hour-long workshops.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
New Hands-On Workshop Track (for those not in one of the clinics)
Choose 6 hour-long workshops from the 42 offered, including these new hands-on workshops:
Spurring Your Creativity
Selling What You Write
Beware: 28 Pitfalls Ahead
Overcoming Writer's Block
Bringing People to Life
How to Edit Your Own Manuscript
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
8 Continuing Sessions
Fiction 101 ~ Randy Ingermanson
Let There Be Lights...Camera...Action ~ Kathryn Mackel
Nonfiction that Impacts Lives and the Kingdom ~ Craig Bubeck
Spirituality vs Strategy ~ Allison Gappa Bottke
Write Expectations ~ Lisa Crayton
Writing to Change Lives ~ Donna Partow
Writing for Children ~ Cindy Kenney,
Tim Shoemaker, Etta Wilson, Jennifer Reed, & Karen Whiting
and new this year
The Nangie Experience for Advanced Novelists
Nancy Rue & Angie Hunt
NOTE: The application for The Nangie Experience
(click Continuing Sessions at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia)
needs to be received by email no later than July 23.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Please forward this email to members of your group and encourage them to pray about coming. If there is someone in your group who has financial need, I'll be glad to work with you. Please contact me ASAP either by email or calling 610-626-6833 or (if you get a recording) 610-209-2623.
In His Service - Marlene
For more conference info visit:
www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia

The Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference
is more than a place to meet editors and learn the craft.
It is truly a spiritual retreat
for all those called to write as ministry and mission.
Even as a teacher, I always leave hearing God more clearly.
Nancy Rue - Award-winning author

Encouraging and equipping you to write about a God who is real,
who is reachable, and who changes lives!
_______________________________________________
Marlene Bagnull, Litt.D.
Encouraging & equipping Christians to "write His answer" through
books, tapes, seminars, mentoring, and conferences since 1983!

Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference
August 18-20, 2005 at Philadelphia Biblical University, Langhorne, PA

Colorado Christian Writers Conference
May 17-20, 2006 at YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO

www.writehisanswer.com
316 Blanchard Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026-3507
610-626-6833
_______________________________________________________

"Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone
can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others." Habakkuk 2:2 TLB
_______________________________________________________

Writing Op - Terrain.Org

Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments

Terrain.org is an online twice-yearly journal critically acclaimed for its literary and technical contributions relating to the built and natural environments.

PRIZES: Publication (in other words -- no monetary payment at this time)
REQUIREMENTS: We accept fiction and articles. View Terrain.org at http://www.terrain.org for samples of what we prefer, as well as submission guidelines.
WEB: http://www.terrain.org
SUBMISSIONS: editors@terrain.org
CONTACT: Simmons Buntin
TELEPHONE: (520) 241-7390

Writing Op - The Subway Chronicles

The Subway Chronicles
DEADLINE: 25th of each month
PUBLICATION: Monthly
REQUIREMENTS: We are seeking creative nonfiction essays ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 words, centering on experiences on the New York subway system. We are looking for literary work that emphasizes craft and precision, dynamic characters, and strong plot. Simultaneous submissions accepted, if notified. Include brief cover letter of how to contact you, and include word count.
FEES: None
WEB: http://www.thesubwaychronicles.com/

Writing Op - Adoptive Family

GUIDELINES

Adoptive Families is the leading information resource for families before, during, and after adoption. The award-winning national bimonthly magazine provides independent, authoritative adoption information in an accessible and reader-friendly format.

Each issue of Adoptive Families is built around stories of adoption written by people who read the magazine closely and regularly. This active community of readers also offers thoughtful, deeply felt responses to the pieces we publish.

We want to hear your stories. We encourage you to share your insights and experiences with other adoptive families. And we're always looking for great writing.

Core topics covered in every issue:
Preparing for adoption; health issues; school and education; family, friends, and community; birthfamilies; talking about adoption; parenting tips and guidelines

DEPARTEMENTS

The Waiting Game: A special section for pre-adopters. Parenting the Child Who Waited: Raising children who have lived without a permanent family
About Birthparents: Stories about, and sometimes by, birthfamilies
Been There: Adults speak honestly about their experiences of growing up adopted
Adoption & School: Advice from teachers, parents, and experts on education-related issues
In My Opinion: An editorial on a controversial subject
At Home: A personal essay
Single Parent: Single parents share their experiences
Living with Diversity: For and by families who’ve adopted transracially or from other cultures
Parent Exchange: Readers share information with the Adoptive Families community
Letters: Responses from readers to past articles and other readers' letters
Lois Melina's Adopted Child: A regular column by the nation's leading expert on parenting adopted children
Growing Up Adopted: Age-specific developmental information from experts, including adoption pediatricians, members of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Legal Q&A: Leading adoption attorneys answer readers' questions
Calendar of Events: Parents support group events around the country
Book Reviews: Reviews by knowledgeable reviewers
Adoption New and Notes: Legislative and policy updates, with occasional "News Focus" articles elaborating on a particular item or issue in the news
Bulletin Board: Resources for Adoptive Families

(Departments listed above from "The Waiting Game" down through "Letters" are ones for which we typically accept submissions.)

HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE OR ESSAY

Personal essays: Before sending us your personal essay, we recommend that you take a look at the suggestions below, under "What We're Looking For."

Reported articles on adoption-related topics: In the case of reported articles on adoption-related topics, we prefer that you send a query letter (via e-mail or regular mail) before sending in your article. Again, take a look at recent issues of the magazine; we're less likely to publish a piece on a topic we’ve recently covered.

Query letters should include:
• A brief description or outline of your idea
• Why you think it belongs in our magazine
• Why you should be the one to write it
• If possible, a sense of where in the magazine you believe your story might fit, whether as a feature or in a particular department; see list of departments above
• Any recent clips you may have

How to send them:
• We prefer to receive submissions via e-mail, as attachments. But we accept submissions via US mail, as well.
• You may also wish to send family photographs with your story, particularly in the case of personal essays. We prefer scanned photos e-mailed as attachments. We can also use prints sent by mail, but we cannot guarantee that unsolicited photographs will be returned.

When you'll hear from us, payment, etc.:
• It generally takes us 6-8 weeks to respond to a submission.
• Writers of personal essays we publish will receive a one-year subscription to the magazine. Payment for reported articles varies. We're a small magazine; our pay rates are scaled accordingly.
• We consider all submissions on a speculative basis. We cannot guarantee that a proposed article, even one that we've expressed interest in, will be published.
• We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited material or guarantee its return.
• You should submit a brief, two- or three-sentence biographical note at the end of each submission.

Send queries and submissions to:
Susan Caughman, Adoptive Families, letters@adoptivefamilies.com
or
39 W. 37th St.
15th Floor
New York, NY 10018

THING THAT WILL HELP YOU GET PUBLISHED IN ADOPTIVE FAMILY

• Know the magazine. Look through past issues. Get a sense of our general tone. Familiarize yourself with the topics we generally cover. Consider which of our departments your story might best fit.
• Have a clear sense of your central theme. (E.g., "How I included extended family in our adoption process," "Traditions and rituals bind families together," "Networking can help to make the waiting period less agonizing.") Think about what makes your story unique—or what useful information families in similar situations might gain from it.
• Keep it active. Describe not only what happened to you, but how you chose to deal with it.
• Focus on choices made and strategies used to deal with a particular situation. (E.g., "We realized our parents weren't ready to be supportive, and we didn't have the energy to deal with their criticism on every single point, so we offered them only general information as we progressed through the adoption process;" "When my daughter started being questioned by her classmates about her adoption, I offered her teacher tips on how to inform the class about adoption in general without invading any individual student's privacy.") Keep it active. Describe not only what happened to you, but how you chose to deal with it.
• Be specific. The more specific the details you provide, the more useful—and engaging—your story will be for other adoptive families. And bear in mind, even the most "ordinary" of experiences—the ones many people share—can be extraordinarily inspiring to read about. Other readers can learn from your experiences—even from your mistakes. We do receive many, many "How I Adopted" stories. But each of these can offer something unique if it maintains a strong focus on a central theme.

Typical subjects and themes:
For a quick glimpse of themes and subjects other Adoptive Families writers have explored, read the "decks" (the lines that appear between the title and the beginning of the story) in articles from past issues.

Areas we are currently looking to cover:
• Middle-school and teen years
• Relatives and community
• Adoptive parent support groups
• School
• Foster adoption
• Transracial adoption
• Domestic adoption
• Adoptive parents of color

What we're NOT looking for:
We are not accepting submissions of poetry or fiction at this time.