Sunday, September 25, 2005

NJCWG - Meeting



Next meeting of the NJCWG
Monday, September 26, 2005
6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Lesson: Getting Started... How do you get your first 'clip'? Do you approach editors via email the same way you approach them via postal mail? How do you know who gets a query letter and who wants a complete manuscript? How do I know if I'm ready to submit to a "real" publication? And MORE...

Hope to see you Monday night!

Louise

Friday, September 23, 2005

Book Publisher - Zondervan



ZONDERVAN
Division of HarperCollins Publishers
5300 Patterson Ave. SE
Grand Rapids MI 49530-0002
Phone: (616)698-6900
Fax: (616)698-3454
E-Mail: zpub@zondervan.com
Website: www.zondervan.com
Executive VP: Scott Bolinder
"Our mission is to be the leading Christian communications company meeting the needs of people with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote Biblical principles."

Editor's Note: No longer accepts mailed submissions unless they are addressed to a specific individual. Instead, submissions may be faxed or submitted electronically to First Edition via the ECPA website (www.ecpa.org).

Established: 1931; Publishes hardcover and trade paperback originals and reprints. Publishes 120 titles/year; 10% of books from first time authors; 60% of books from unagented writers. Pays 14% royalty on net amount received on sales of cloth and softcover trade editions; 12% royalty on net amount received on sales of mass market paperbacks. Offers variable advance.

Responds in 2 months to queries.
Responds in 3 months to proposals.
Responds in 4 months to manuscripts.
Manuscript guidelines available at website.

Autobiography, Biography, Children's/Juvenile,Reference, Self-Help, and Textbook

Subjects include: History; Memoirs; Religion; Christian living, devotional, Bible study resources,preaching, counseling, college and seminary textbooks, discipleship, worship, and church renewal for pastors, professionals and lay leaders in ministry,
theological, and Biblical reference books.

Submission method: TOC, chapter outline, intended audience, cv (curriculum vitae/resume)

"Inklings-style" fiction of high literary quality. Christian relevance in all cases.
Will not consider collections of short stories. Needs some adult fiction (mainstream, Biblical).

Writing Op - Fitness Magazine


FITNESS MAGAZINE
Gruner & Jahr USA
Website: www.fitnessmagazine.com
Editor-in-Chief: Emily Listfield
Monthly magazine for women in their twenties and thirties who are interested in fitness and living a healthy life.
"Do not call."
First North American serial rights
Responds in 2 months to queries.
Writer's guidelines for #10 SASE.

"We need timely, well-written nonfiction articles on exercise and fitness, beauty, health, diet/nutrition, and psychology. We always include boxes and sidebars in our stories. Our pieces must get inside the mind of the reader and address her needs, hopes, fears and desires. Fitness acknowledges that getting and staying fit is difficult in an era when we are all time-pressured."

Buys 60-80 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Query
Length: 1,500–2,500 words.
Pays $1,500-2,500 & expenses of writers on assignment.
Accepts previously published submissions.
Columns & Departments:
Length:600-1,200 words
Buys 30 columns/year.
Submission method: Query
Pays: $800–1,500 for columns.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Oct 8 Conference - A Reason to Write




It is right around the corner!
The writer's bargin of the century.
A full day of Christian writer's instruction, fellowship and networking
for ONLY $30.00!!!


October 8, 2005
NJCWG - A Reason To Write Conference
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Time's Running Out
Register TODAY!

For a brochure and registration form send your postal address to the conference director - Louise Bergmann DuMont, njcwg.dumont@gmail.com
For more information about the conference online, go to:

Monday, September 19, 2005

Writing Op - Technologies for Worship Mag



TECHNOLOGIES FOR WORSHIP MAGAZINE

Inspiration Technology Companies, Inc.
3891 Holborn Rd.
Queensville ON L0G 1R0, Canada
Phone: (905)473-9822
Fax: (905)473-9928
E-Mail: inspiration@tfwm.com
Website: www.tfwm.com
Managing Editor: Kevin Rogers Cobus.

About TECHNOLOGIES FOR WORSHIP MAGAZINE: "A leading educational resource for advancing technology for churches and ministries."

Freelance Facts: 100% freelance
Established: 1992
Circulation: 25,000
Editorial lead time 40 days.

Accepts queries by: Mail, email, fax, phone
Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Sample copy free
Writer's guidelines available at website.

NONFICTION
Needs: How-To, Inspirational, New Product, Religious

Does Not Want: Does not want any religious article that does not relate to implementing technology into the church.

Submission method: Send complete manuscript
Length: 250–1,500 words.
No payment. Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.
Columns open to freelancers: Nostalgia (older equipment promos); Church Network News (newspaper clippings, etc.); ReFridgerator (tips to clip).
Tips: "Just send relevant industry material. All submissions are considered. No payments are ever made."

The dabblingmum is offering a free ebook on query letters! Excellent!!!

How do you get it? Sign up to get her writing newsletter -- then you can receive a free e-book on query letters. It has both the actual query letter that landed her a choice assignment and the article that followed, along with some editor "pet peeves" and "query letter tips."

There's also a section on query letters on her website at: http://thedabblingmum.com/writing/queries/index.htm

Writing Op - For TEEN Writers



TEENLIGHT - The Teen 2 Teen Christian Magazine is gearing up for it's next quarterly, print magazine. Their all-teen writing team is distirubed across the world so... they are changing their submission process just a bit.

Website: http://www.teenlight.org/4hwhelp.htm

If you'd like to submit a story, please send it to these two addresses, SIMULTANEOUSLY:

publisher@teenlight.org
teenlightstories@yahoo.com

One of their editing team will contact individuals who submit within a few weeks.

Payment for publication is two free magazines and a year's subscription.

Also available through Teenlight are a free writers support group and teen writer's classes.

There are only two writer requirement
1. Keep it short (under 500 words or so)
2. The writer/artist must not be older than 22 years old. We are TRULY teen 2 teen.

Looking for: poems, devotionals, songs, short "life lessons" (NONfiction only), etc...

Humor Writing



Here is a great website for any writer. It is filled with general writing information (writing tips, markets, etc.), but because Erma Bombeck was a great writer of humor, the focus of this site is on humor. Great for those who want to tickle the funny bone.
www.humorwriters.org

Bookmark it and visit often.

Agents - Great new booklet!


Sally Stuart

Sally Stuart's website lists a number of great, inexpensive booklets, books and pamphlets that you can purchase. One of the new ones was written by Cecil Murphey. If you are looking for an agent, this little booklet is a great resource.

Agents: What You Need to Know, by Cecil Murphey

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Update

Sorry, no picutures available right now so you'll have to settle for text on the blog for a few messages.

I'm have a wonderful time in Virginia visiting my son & daughter-in-law. My mom flys back to Michigan tomorrow. We had a great visit with her for the last two weeks. Tomorrow I will be speaking at the Richmond Christian Writers Who Write group and teaching how to Show rather than Tell a story. Keep my in your prayers if you think of me. I will be back in no time.

Please continue to pray for our upcoming Oct 8th A Reason To Write conference. and continue to invite your friends and family to attend.

Hope to see you all there!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Theme List - The Kids Ark

Kids Ark Theme List

Below is an updated list of themes and deadlines.

Temptation - Due ASAP (deadline passed, but if you have a good story, they would still love to read it.)
Fear - Due 9/26
Patience - Due 10/24
Lies - Due 11/21
Perseverance - Due 12/19
Praise and Worship - Due 1/30

If you have any questions. please contact me. Joy Mygrants, Senior Editor, The Kids' Ark (writingwonder78@yahoo.com)

NJCWG

POETRY NEWS from Maude:
WALT WHITMAN POETRY FESTIVAL...OCEAN GROVE, NJ
Saturday, September 24:
Mark your calendar...the third annual Walt Whitman Poetry Festival will be held Saturday, September 24, 10am to 5pm, in Auditorium Square Park, adjacent to the Great Auditorium, and it's FREE! This year's festival will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Whitman's, "Leaves of Grass."

There's a great line-up of activities...Heritage poems; readings from "Poetic Reflections," an anthology of Monmouth County poems; Spiritual Poetry (I'll be one of the featured readers); War & Peace Poetry; Humorous Poetry; Whitman Poetry; "Voices Rising From the Grove," readings from this hot off the press anthology; open mic readings throughout the day. There will be a host of fine poets as well as workshops, tutorials, a panel discussion, a walking tour and a Walt Whitman display all day in the museum. Soooo, whether you write poetry, enjoy listening to it or if you would just like to visit a lovely Victorian beach town and are open to receiving a little culture, to boot...come join us!

Kevin Chambers, president of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove, and Gloria Rovder Healy, poet and author of, "Out of My Mind," and editor of two volumes of Monmouth County poetry, are co-chairmen. For additional information, go to: http://poetsonline.org/Whitman/

Sunday, September 11, 2005

NJCWG - Meeting



North Jersey Christian Writers' Group
Next Meeting
Monday, September 12, 2005

Usual Meetings Run Like This
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Lesson
8:00-9:00 Critiques

BUT
This Monday's Meeting... will be a bit different...

I will be "traveling" and might arrive just a few minutes late. I will certainly try to be there at 6:15, but please be patient if traffic hold me up a few minutes.

Our Lesson
will be talking about author's who find their writing "voice" and I would like each person attending the meeting to bring a paragraph that they wrote. If you don't have time, don't fret. You can write it when you get there.

God Bless

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Writing Ops - MANY



*****************************************

NICKELODEON
Viacom International Inc.
1633 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 654-7707
Fax: (212) 654-4840

Website: http://www.nick.com/all_nick/nick_mag/index.jhtml

Contact: Vanessa Johnson, Managing Editor

Contact's e-mail: vanessa.johnson@nick.com

Writers’ guidelines online: No

Pays: $1-2 per word

Rights: All rights

Description: This is a magazine for kids 6 to 14 years old.
Its mission is to "stimulate our readers' creativity and
curiosity, to answer their questions about the world, and
to make them think and laugh. Each month we invite readers
to immerse themselves in a single topic, which we integrate
into every element of an issue, from page borders to folio
to actual content. Nickelodeon magazine translates the
sensibility and energy of the network into print, so kids
can take Nickelodeon wherever they go."

Circulation: 1,050,00

*****************************************

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Werner Publishing Corporation
12121 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1175
Phone: (310) 820-1500
Fax: (310) 826-5008

Website: http://www.outdoorphotographer.com

E-queries: No

Contact: Christopher Robinson, Managing Editor

Contact's e-mail: editors@outdoorphotographer.com

Pays: 10-15 cents per word

Photos: Yes

Rights: One-time rights

Description: This magazine is published for enthusiasts
with a special passion for nature, travel and outdoor
sports. It "is written and presented to accomplish two
ends: to stimulate outdoor, sporting and nature enthusiasts
to enhance their recreational and travel enjoyment through
photography, and to satisfy the needs of amateur and
professional photographers with special interest in the
outdoors."

Circulation: 216,000

*****************************************

RENOVATION STYLE
Meredith Corporation
1716 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
(515) 284-3000

Website: http://www.renovationstyle.com

E-queries: Contact the editor for assignments

Contact: LuAnn Brandsen, Editor

Description: This is a magazine about remodeling. It is
one of the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest
Publications and has a before-and-after approach that helps
the reader to visualize the possibilities.

Circulation: 325,000

*****************************************

HERBS FOR HEALTH
Herb Companion Press
1503 SW 42nd Street
Topeka, KS 66609-1265
(785) 274-4300

Website: http://www.discoverherbs.com

E-queries: No

Contact: Amy Mayfield, Editor

Pays: 5-10 cents per word

Rights: All rights

Description: This is a natural remedy and healthy lifestyle
magazine. It publishes "scientifically sound, up-to-date
information about using plant-based medicines, natural
foods and alternative therapies." It "covers topics
ranging from recent scientific research to consumer guides,
medicinal recipes to legislative updates. We strive for a
balance between accessible language, a visually appealing
format, and a careful and accurate presentation of
well-researched information."

Circulation: 160,000

*****************************************

9-1-1 Magazine
http://www.9-1-1magazine.com/information/edGuides.asp

5280 Magazine
http://www.5280.com/about_guidelines.php

Metropolis Magazine
http://www.metropolismag.com/html/about/submit.html


=========================
WRITERS’ GUIDELINES
=========================

We’re always looking for new interviews, articles, essays,
and humor for this newsletter. We pay $5 or a 1-year
subscription to the Absolute Markets Premium Edition
(www.absolutemarkets.com – a $15 value). We’re happy to
check out reprints, and we take non-exclusive electronic
rights. Got some advice for your fellow writers? Check
out our guidelines here:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/site/submissions.htm

* Travel Writers Wanted!

There's great demand for an elite corps of highly skilled,
professional travel writers...a pool of travel writing
specialists that can be relied on to write vivid, lively
and interesting articles.

If you ever dreamed about the romantic life of a travel
writer, here's a very unusual opportunity to actually live
it!
http://www.absolutewrite.com/dt/t/travelawn.php

Writing Op - Praire Times



Writer's Guidelines
PO Box 880
Byers, CO 80103

Payment
1,500 plus words - $50
850 - 1,450 wrds - $30
600 - 800 wrds - $20
300 - 550 wrds - $10

Click here to download a PDF of our writer's guidelines.

One story per author per issue.
Do NOT want: Hunting stories, Poetry

DO Want: Funny, heartwarming, family stories.

Stories accepted six months in advance.



Christian Parenting Today
http://www.christianitytoday.com/parenting/features/info.html
#writers (Copy and paste both link lines into your browser)

465 Gundersen Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188-2489

Mailto: cpt@christianparenting.net

Published quarterly this magazine "provides parents information
that spans birth to 14 years of age in the following areas of
growth: spiritual, social, emotional, physical, academic."

Pays 12-20¢/word for pieces between 750-2,000 words. Buys FNASR and
reprint rights.

Does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Query via postal mail
only. Response time is 6-8 weeks. Does not accept simultaneous
submissions.

(When querying, make sure to remember this is a Christian
publication for parents--not a mainstream parenting mag.)

Writing Op - Atlantic Publishers & Distributors


ATLANTIC PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS
7/22 Ansari Rd.
Draya Ganj New Delhi 110002
India
Phone: (91)(11)3327-3880
Fax: (91)(11)2328-5873
E-Mail: info@atlanticbooks.com
Website: www.atlanticbooks.com

Freelance Facts:
Established: 1977

Needs:
General Nonfiction
Reference
Textbook

Subjects include:
Anthropology/Archeology
Art/Architecture
Business/Economics
Computers/Electronics
Cooking/Foods/Nutrition
Education
Health/Medicine
History
Language/Literature
Law
Military/War
Music/Dance
Nature
Philosophy
Psychology
Religion
Science
Sociology
Sports
mass media/journalism, math, film/theatre, political
science, tourism, textile

Friday, September 09, 2005

Chocolate Speaking Engagement



My mom is visiting me for the next two weeks. I will not be posting quite as often until after she leaves. Also note that I will be out visiting my son in VA next weekend so the posts will be less during that time as well. Thanks for your understanding as I take small sebbaticals to refresh before our October 8 conference. I appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement.

Also note that I will be speaking at the Upper Montclair Country Club tonight for Bromilows Chocolate Company. Please keep this engagement in your prayers. The topic? One of my favorites - CHOCOLATE of course!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
www.louisedumont.com
www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Writing Op - Gallant Greetings Corp.


GALLANT GREETINGS CORP. (formerly Gallant Greetings)
P.O. Box 308
Franklin Park IL 60131

E-Mail: joanlackouitz@gallantgreetings.com
Website: www.gallantgreetings.com
Contact: Joan Lackouitz, vice president product development.

About GALLANT GREETINGS CORP.: Gallant is a publisher of traditional, religious, and humorous greeting cards for all occasions and seasons. All card ideas are purchased from freelance writers. Payment is $45/card idea purchased.

Writing Op - Montgomery's Journey



MONTGOMERY'S JOURNEY
Sharing Hope, Buidling Community
Keep Sharing
555 Farmington Rd.
Montgomery AL 36109
E-Mail: deanne@montgomerysjourney.com
Contact: DeAnne Watson, editor

About MONTGOMERY'S JOURNEY: Magazine covering Christian living
Frequency: Monthly
Includes Protestant Christian writing, topical articles on Christian living, and Christian living articles with helpful information for walking with Christ daily.

Freelance Facts: 50% freelance written
Established: 1999
Circulation: 8,000
Pays on publication
Publishes manuscript 6-12 months after acceptance.
Byline given.
Offers 25% kill fee.
Rights purchased: One-time rights, Second serial (reprint) rights
Editorial lead time 1 year.
Submit seasonal material 1 year in advance.
Accepts queries by: E-mail
Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Sample copy for $1.75 and self-addressed magazine-size envelope.
Writer's guidelines available via e-mail.

Nonfiction:
Needs: Inspirational, Religious
Does Not Want: No fiction, poetry, or autobiography.
Submission method: Submit query or complete ms.
Length: 1,300–2,200 words.

Pays $25-50 for assigned articles; $25 for unsolicited articles.