Monday, July 25, 2005

Lesson for Tonight's Meeting



Tonight's agenda is packed.

The topic of tonight's lesson will be: Description, Narration & Exposition
What are the differences between these three types of writing? When should each be used? What are some techniques that will make each stand out as superior writing?

The NJCWG Sampler
I'll have copies of the guidelines for the NJCWG Sampler Book we are creating. Ideally every member of the group will submit at least one piece to this book.

Chat Time
Come to spend a few minutes chatting with other writers in a social setting. Bring your dinner or nice cold beverage and relax in the company of your friends and writing colleagues.

A Reason To Write - October 8, 2005
Update on our October conference, what still needs to be done, etc.

Recap
We'll also spend a few minutes tonight talking about what we've accomplished in the first half of this year and where we'd like our writing to go for the remainder of 2005.

Hope to see our NJCWG Members tonight!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Next Meeting of the NJCWG



For Members of the NJCWG
----------------------------
Monday, July 25, 2005
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Discussion/Teaching
8:00-9:00 Critiques

We've had a few weeks off from regular meetings but now we're getting back in to the swing. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow evening! God Bless

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Hooks - Msg From Patrick O'Tool


Patrick O'Toole, a NJCWG member who will be teaching at our October 8 -- A Reason to Write Conference just posted an excellent article on his blog about "Hooks." You might want to take a moment to read it. I'm posting Patrick's blog address below but you'll also find his address, along with many other great web and blog sites, to the right of this message listed under the "LINKS" section of our NJCWG blog.

http://www.patrickotoole.com/

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Writing Op - Family Seeds Magazine



http://www.familyseeds.com/writers.html

Family Seeds Magazine

E-mail query letters, in the body of the e-mail, to: seedsubmissions@familyseeds.com

Family Seeds Magazine is a monthly Christian family magazine. Our readers are Christians of all denominations from all around the world. They are Christian writers, musicians, artists, carpenters, ministers, laypeople, farmers, factory workers, executives, professionals, secretaries, and retired folks, especially families and anyone in between - anyone and everyone who truly believes in living to serve God.

E-mail first to let them know you want to send a submission as an attachment. They don't open attachments from people they don't know. MS Word attachments are preferred (.doc files). Always include: a cover letter of introduction, a 50-75 word biography which may be included if your work is published, an optional photo (actual photo or .jpg or .tif files at 300 dpi accepted), Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) if contacting us by snail mail or e-mail address if you wish to receive a reply. E-mail queries and submissions welcome. All work is subject to editing if accepted. NO Simultaneous submissions.

Writers will receive $100 to $200 per article, depending on length and quality in exchange for one-time print rights. In addition, they will receive a free one-year subscription to Family Seeds Magazine, either for themselves or to give as a gift to someone else.

Writing Op - Angelica Magazine --- Contemporary Christian Art & Fiction


-----
Angelica Publishing is launching a new quarterly magazine of contemporary Christian art and fiction (suspense/thrillers). The first issue will go to press in early 2006 and they are buying stories for it now.

Each issue will contain approximately seven short fiction pieces (1800 to 4500 words) and will include moving Christian art and photography with a message. They will pay 20 cents a word. Each issue will consist of 80-96 pages, both color and B&W. Stories can be submitted via an e-mail attachment in a Word document, or copied/pasted in the body of the email. Send to lynettewfuller@yahoo.com or mail to: Lynette Fuller, Editor, 207 Grinders Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Read their statement of faith and writers guidelines at their Web site, www.angelicamagazine.com .
-----


Wednesday, July 20, 2005

VERY "SPECIAL" Writing Op - Parables Magazine



Parables has a help not hurt policy. If they are unable to use your story, they will write you with specific reasons and suggestions for improvements. This takes considerable effort on their part, but I commend them for going this extra mile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parables is a Christian fiction magazine offering six well-crafted Christian Fiction short stories, interviews with the top authors in Christian fiction, book reviews, CBA industry news, and an edge of your seat serial!
Submissions: Yes, accepting submissions
Word Count: 1000-5000 wds
Format: Please send all submissions to editors@parablesmag.com. Please send the stories as attachments in either Word or Text format. Please include a professional cover letter in the body of the email and tell us your targeted genre* in the subject line. For instance: Contemporary Fiction Submission or Romantic Suspense Fiction Submission, etc.

*Targeted Genre: Each month we target two genres
Jan and Feb: Romance, Contemporary
Mar and Apr: Comedy, Contemporary
May and Jun: Historical, Contempory
Jul and Aug: Thriller/Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Sep and Oct: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Supernatural, Contemporary
Nov and Dec: Biblical, Contemporary
Address: 1400 East 35th St., Texarkana, AR 71854
Email: editors@parablesmag.com
Email submissions: Yes
Web site: http://www.parablesmag.com/
Guidelines (READ THESE): http://www.parablesmag.com/guidelines.html
Contacts: Rosalind Morris, Editor
Categories: other
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Si-fi, Mystery, Humor
Notes: This market does NOT consider simultaneous submissions. This market does NOT consider previously published work.

Writing Op _ Eclectic Homeschool Online



Eclectic Homeschool Online promotes creative homeschooling and is seeking articles covering any topic that deals with homeschooling or Christian living. Eclectic Homeschool Online promotes creative homeschooling and is seeking articles covering any topic that deals with homeschooling or Christian living.
Pays: $100 for articles 1000-3000 words.
Address: PO Box 5304, Fallon, NV 89407-5304
Email: articles@eho.org
Email submissions: Yes
Links: http://eho.org/
Notes: This market does NOT consider simultaneous submissions.This market does NOT consider previously published work.
Updated: May 23, 2005.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

New - Chicken Soup For the Soul Magazine



Chicken Soup: women's magazine launches

Inspired by the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books, the magazine version will be "geared toward women 35 to 54 with articles on food, fashion, beauty, home life and entertainment -- all with a healthy dose of inspiration." Two issues are scheduled this year and six next year.
Source: washingtontimes.com
http://www.chickensoupmagazine.com/
Writers Guidelines: http://www.chickensoupmagazine.com/default.aspx?pid=51

Query Letter Do's and Don'ts


DO
* Present only your best work.
* Be professional.
* Use a copy of the publication’s current guidelines. Carefully follow their instructions and format information.
* Get the correct publication name and address out of a market guide. Be sure to address your letter to the correct editor – then verify all the information with a phone call.
* Keep your letter short (one page).
* Check your spelling and grammar. They do count.
* Remember that the person you are writing to wants to find a great story.
* Target an appropriate publication / publishing house. This will substantially reduce your chance of rejection.
* Read numerous copies of the publication you are submitting to (or books published by the house you want to work with).
* Read the ads in the publication and find out what type of person reads that publication. This is the best way to know your audience because I guarantee that the marketing department who sells the ads knows who buys that publication.
* Show that you’ve done your homework by indicating that you know who your target audience is, word length (or projected length) of your manuscript, genre, etc.
* Politely follow-up on your submission after the suggested period of time.
* Keep a positive attitude. If one publication rejects your work it does not necessarily mean that another won’t pick it up.
* Avoid gimmicks (colored paper, colored ink, glitter, fancy fonts, unusual sized paper or envelopes.
* Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the agent or editor to respond to you.
* Title your work.
*Know what the editor is looking for and what they need.
* Take advantage of e-queries where appropriate.

DO NOT
* Announce that you are an amateur, a new writer, or an unpublished writer. All of this is irrelevant if your manuscript is up to par.
* Include other people’s statements about your work.
* Tell an editor how hard you worked on your piece.
* Mention who helped you with the piece (ie "my critique group reviewed and edited this article")
* Tell the editor that you will "make any changes he/she wants" or that the piece still needs work.
* Tell the editor how "thrilled" you would be to have your article published in this particular magazine or that you’ve had a subscription to it for twenty years.
* Confuse a sales tool (query / cover letter) with a sales pitch ("oh, ah, pick me, pick me!!!).
* Tease the editor by omitting the ending or other important facts, with the hope that this will entice him to contact you for more information. They don’t have time for games.
* Neglect spelling, grammar, clean presentation, clear wording and vivid description.
* Include information about your family, how much you love writing or a long description of the story/book/article.
* Query more than one article/story in one letter
* Discuss payment, copyright information or the rights you wish to sell in your letter. All this will come after they contract you.

    Writing Op - Funny Times Mag


    Funny Times
    Publisher: Funny Times Inc.
    Established: 1986
    Frequency: Monthly
    Circulation: 62,000
    Accepts Email Submissions: No
    Website URL: http://www.funnytimes.com
    Description: Funny Times employs some of America's best cartoonists and writers to bring their humorous perspectives to a variety of topics, including politics, the environment, and pop culture.
    Email: ft@funnytimes.com
    Phone: 216/371-8600
    Fax: 216/371-8696
    Guidelines URL: Click here for writer's guidelines information.
    Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
    Address: The Funny Times c/o The Editors P.O. Box 18530 Cleveland Heights , OH 44118

    Writing Op - Flight Journal Mag


    Flight Journal
    Publisher: Air Age Publishing
    Accepts Email Submissions: Yes
    Website URL: http://www.flightjournal.com
    Description: Flight Journal is a magazine created expressly to capture the vital spirit, drama, and evolution of man's winged adventures.
    Editor(s): Tom Atwood
    Email: toma@airage.com
    Fax: (203) 431-3000
    Guidelines URL: Click here for writer's guidelines information.
    Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
    Address: Flight Journal magazine c/o Dana Donia Air Age Publishing 100 East RidgeRidgefield , CT 06877-4606

    Writing Op - CLASS ACT


    Class Act
    Publisher: Class Act, Inc.
    Established: 1993Circulation: c. 500
    Accepts Email Submissions: YesWebsite URL: http://www.henderson.net/~classact/
    Description: Practical ideas for language arts teachers in grades 5-12.Editor(s): Susan ThurmanEmail: classact@henderson.net
    Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
    Address: PO Box 802Henderson, KY 42419
    Rights: We purchase all rights.
    Needs: We need practical, tested ideas for English classrooms, grades 5-12. We look for articles that have ideas that teachers can use the day they read them. It helps to know what teenager don't know in order to write for them. Writing with a sense of humor helps, too.
    Length: 500-200 words.
    Art/Photo Needs: n/a
    Payment: Payment ranges from $10-$40, plus an author's copy. We do not have a kill fee; we pay the full amount upon receiving a signed contract.
    How to Submit: Please send to Dotty Denton in a cut-and-paste form (no attachments).
    Response Time: Generally we respond in less than 1 month.
    Tips for Writers: We are seeing far too many submissions that are not geared toward our format or our audience. Please be familiar with both.
    Sample Copies/Subscription Information: Samples=$3. Subscription (for nine issues)=$25.

    Writing Op - Cat Fancy Mag


    Cat Fancy
    Publisher: Fancy PublicationsWebsite URL: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/
    Description: Cat Fancy is your complete guide to help you better understand, care for, and enjoy your cat. Get important healthcare advice, nutrition tips, in-depth breed profiles, and insights into your cat’s behavior.
    Email: query@catfancy.comGuidelines
    URL: Click here for writer's guidelines information.
    Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
    Address: Features EditorCat Fancy3 Burroughs IrvineMission Viejo, CA 92618 USA
    Art/Photo Needs: See the Photographer's Guidelines

    Monday, July 18, 2005

    Writers' Resources



    Here are a few select writing resources that you can find on the web.

    Almanacs and Factbooks
    Business of Writing
    Dictionaries Online
    Encyclopedias Online
    Magazines for Writers
    Market Information
    Media Centers
    Media Research
    Miscellaneous
    Thesauruses Online
    Writing Instruction


    www.HappyNews.com is looking for positive stories and features from your community. They pay $0.03 per word plus bonuses for related photographs. Click on the Submit Story link on the front page to get started.

    Hint: What abbout a postive article about the Ringwood Mine Llantern Tours, a kid who works with senior citizens at The King's Kitchen or maybe a list of the best family-friendly movies of the summer???

    http://www.happynews.com/

    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

    Sunday, July 17, 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

    Friday, July 15, 2005

    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