Monday, November 21, 2005

Writing Op - Lion, Witch & Wardrobe Articles for CBN.COM


CBN.com is looking for submissions for a soon-to-be- released 'Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe' section. We are looking for articles, book excerpts, or interviews. All submissions should be between 750 to 1000 words -- though some excerpts or interviews can be divided into parts if they are longer.
All submissions should be as text documents (Word or the equivalent) and they should be sent via e-mail to Craig von Buseck -- craig.vonbuseck@cbn.org.
Please call Craig with any questions at (757) 226-3557.

Contest - Glimmer Train


Glimmer Train's Winter Fiction Open.
Deadline: January 15, 2006

Open to all writers, all themes, subjects, and lengths. Your entries must be your own, original, entirely unpublished stories. Multiple entries are okay, but, please, no simultaneous submissions.

First-place winner receives $2,000, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of the issue in which it is published.
Second- and third-place winners receive $1,000/$600, respectively, and acknowledgement in that issue.

To submit your stories, go to our site, www.glimmertrainpress.org, log in, and click on FICTION OPEN.
Entry Fee (payable by VISA or MC) is $15 per story.
Entries will be accepted through January 15th. Winners will be called by April 10th. Top 25 list will be emailed to all participants by that date. Please let your email provider (ISP) know that you want emails from glimmertrainpress.com and glimmertrain.com so we can reach you.

Susan and Linda

Contest - Poetry - The Country Mouse


The Country Mouse Contest, - for Poetry. Deadline: November 30, 2005
50 lines or less, though there are no restrictions on theme or style.
$500, 1st Prize; $250 2nd prize, $100, 3rd.
Accepts electronic entry.
Mailto:submissions@poetrycmouse.com
http://www.poetrycmouse.com/contest.html

Vista Print- FREE Business Cards



Vist print is once again offering FREE business cards.
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They are also offering 75% off their premium business cards
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Sunday, November 20, 2005

NJCWG Christmas Party


FOR NJCWG MEMBERS
I must get a headcount of those who will attend our NJCWG Christmas Party. I am NOT sending out individual invitations this year. Please email me if you (and a spouse or friend) will attend. Our Christmas Party takes the place of our - December 12, 2005 meeting. The cost will be approximately $30.00/person for a full buffet at Il Palazo, 600 Ringwood Ave, Wanaque, NJ. 6:00 pm.

You must call me or email me to confirm your RSVP and the number attending. So far I only have ONE person who emailed me.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Writing Op - Fountain Penn Ink & Danalita



I don't know anything about these publications but I received this request from a Christian on one of my Christian writing lists. Thought I'd pass it along.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Our company is launching two magazines in 2006: 'FountainPenn Ink' (writing & film) and 'Danalita' (High-end Fashion).

We need contributing writers, journalists and interviewers to submit articles for both magazines.

Please submit a letter of interest to: editor@selfpublishnews.com

Danielle-Kim Davis
VP/Marketing Dir.
www.selfpublishnews.com
'Affordable Book Promotion'

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Next Meeting - NEW Writing Info


At our next meeting I'll begin teaching some of what I learned during my Comprehensive Sessions with Angela Hunt at Glorieta. I've got some amazing information that you won't want to miss. This is applicable whether you are writing fiction or fact.
Next Meeting - November 28

FOR NJCWG MEMBERS
Note: I will need an RSVP in regard to our Christmas Party. Please email me if you (and a spouse or friend) will attend. Our Christmas Party takes the place of our - December 12, 2005 meeting. The cost will be approximately $30.00/person for a full buffet at Il Palazo, Wanaque, NJ. 6:00 pm

Call me or email me to confirm your RSVP and the number attending.


Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

AMERICAN BABY MAGAZINE
For Expectant and New Parents
Meredith Corp.
125 Park Ave.
16th Floor
New York NY 10017
Phone: (212)557-6600
Fax: (212)445-1345
Website: www.americanbaby.com
Contact: Sarah Jones, assistant editor

Magazine covering health, medical and childcare concerns for expectant and new parents, particularly those having their first child or those whose child is between the ages of birth and 2 years old. Mothers are the primary readers, but fathers' issues are equally important.

Frequency: Monthly
Editor's Note: Prefers to work with published/established writers; works with a small
number of new/unpublished writers each year.
Freelance Facts: 70% freelance written
Established: 1938 Circulation: 2,000,000
Publishes manuscript 6 months after acceptance.
Byline given. Offers 25% kill fee.
First North American serial rights
Editorial lead time 5 months.
Submit seasonal material 6 months in advance.

Accepts queries by:Mail
Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Responds in 3 months to queries.
Responds in 3 months to manuscripts.
Sample copy for 9 x 12 SAE with 6 first-class stamps.
Writer's guidelines for #10 SASE.
Does Not Want: "No `hearts and flowers' or fantasy pieces."
Buys 60 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Query with or without published clips or send complete manuscript
Length: 1,000–2,000 words.
Pays $750-1,200 for assigned articles; $600-800 for unsolicited articles. Pays the expenses of writers on assignment.
Pays: $200–1,000 for columns.

"Get to know our style by thoroughly reading a recent issue of the magazine. Don't send something we recently published. Our readers want to feel connected to other parents, both to share experiences and to learn from one another. They want eassurance that the problems they are facing are solvable and not uncommon. They want to keep up with the latest issues affecting their new family, particularly health and
medical news, but they don't have a lot of spare time to read. We forgo the theoretical approach to offer quick-to-read, hands-on information that can be put to
use immediately. A simple, straightforward, clear approach is mandatory."

Vista Print 25% Discount


Here is my link to hook you up with a 25% discount on Vista Print products:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=987879718423

Hope this helps some of you out.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Vista Print Offers



I just signed up for the "refer a friend" program at vista print. I will receive a link that you can use (if you've never ordered from Vista Print before) and this special link will give you 25% off on any Vista Print product. If you can't wait for that, check out the links below. These are Vista Print's current offers. Click on any of the links to go directly to their website.

If you want me to refer you to Vista Print, just drop me an email.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

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

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Limited Time Only
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Sunday, November 13, 2005

Glorieta - More, Good News


Fellow Authors and CLASS graduates, Louise Bergmann DuMont (left)
& Kathy Pride (right) author of Winning the Drug War At Home


Just received an email from Marita Littauer (Director of the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference). I've officially been invited to teach two classes at Glorieta next year! What an awsome blessing. Praying that some of you will be able to join me there. Start saving for it now. It's worth every penny!

Louise Bergmann DuMont

Free Flash Drives for NJCWG Members



NJCWG members who come to Monday's Meeting (11/14/05) will get a small bonus-gift. I recently received about a dozen flash drives (small computer memory-store cards) that can be attached to your key chain. The memory isn't huge but hey, its free right? The first to arrive at the meeting will be the lucky receipients.

See you Monday!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Monday - NJCWG Meeting


Authors, Brandily Collins and Louise Bergmann DuMont

Monday, November 14, 2005
NJCWG Meeting

6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Lesson
We will also be reviewing some of what happened at the Glorieta Conference (be prepared for a VERY interesting time) and we'll discuss what you can do to prepare for one of the big conferences -- and publication.
8:00-9:00 Critiques

Up Coming Meetings & Events

2005
November
Meetings
11/14/05
11/28/05
December
12/12 - Christmas Party - More Info to Come
12/26 - NO MEETING - Holiday Break

2006
January
1/9
1/23
February
2/13
2/27
March
2/13 - NO MEETING - Louise at Mentor Clinic
2/27

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Researching Your Nonfiction Article for Children


The Spirit Led Writer has an excellent article on researching your nonfiction article for children by Mary Ann L. Diorio, Ph.D.
http://spiritledwriter.com/aug2005/research.htm


Comfort Café, a new online magazine devoted entirely to women, is looking for stories of God's comfort and provision in the midst of suffering or trials. Specifically, we are looking for stories on the following topics: addiction, abuse, depression, abortion, chronic illness, alcoholism, death, divorce, loss of a child, and disability. Additional topics will also be considered. A Comfort Café story should offer hope, help, and healing, allowing readers to see, and experience, the reality of God's love and provision in our lives. Along with your story, please include one or two resources where readers can find practical help, including books, Web sites, and other ministries.

Please visit http://www.comfortcafe.net before submitting your story.

Manuscripts should be 800-1,200 words and written in first-person narrative. Please include a short bio (100 words or less). We request one-time, electronic rights only. Send manuscripts electronically to mary@comfortcafe.net.

We are unable to pay for submissions at this time. However, your byline, along with a short bio and a link to your site will be posted.

Thank you.
Mary J. Yerkes

Average Length of Fiction


Here are some approximate guidelines for story lengths.

Micro-Fiction
up to 100 words
This is a very abbreviated story. It is difficult to write, and even harder to write well, but the markets for micro fiction are becoming increasingly popular in recent times.

Flash Fiction
100 - 1,000 words
This is the type of short-short story you would expect to find in a glossy magazine, often used to fill one page of quick romance or quick humor.

Short Story
1,000 - 7,500 words
This is the 'regular' short story.It is usually found in periodicals or anthology collections.

Novellette
7,500 - 20,000 words
Often a novellette is difficult to sell. It is too long for most publishers to in a magazine, yet too short for a novel. Generally, authors will piece together three or four novellette-length works into a compilation novel. Popular for Christmas stories.

Novella
20,000 - 50,000 words
Too short for most print publishers but almost perfect for the electronic publishing. The online audience doesn't have the time or the patience to sit through a 100,000 word novel. Also acceptable length for a short work of non-fiction.

Novel
50,000 -110,000
Most print publishers prefer around 70,000 words for a first novel. Any piece of fiction climbing over the 110,000 word mark tends to give editors some pause. They need to be sure they can produce a product that won't over-extend their budget. They also know that the market now has a short attention span.

Epics and Sequels
Over 110,000 words
If you are a first time author, don’t even think about this length. Consider where you could either condense the story to only include relevant details, or lengthen it create a sequel, or even a trilogy.

Writing Op - Anthologies



June Cotner, author of GRACES and BEDSIDE PRAYERS, is seeking prayers and poems for two Christian anthologies to be published by Warner Faith, a division of Warner Books. The first book is Miracles of Motherhood: Prayers and Poems for a New Mother. Chapters include Pregnancy, Birth, New Babies, Babyhood, Toddlerhood, Christenings, Reflections, and Inspiration. The purpose of the book is to provide insight, joy, and support for new moms. The second book is To Have and to Hold: Prayers, Poems, and Blessings for Newlyweds. Chapters include: Prayers, Blessings, and Toasts (including pieces that could be used at a wedding); Daily Life, Expectations, Romance, Intimacy, Reflections, and Inspiration. The purpose of the book is to provide newlyweds with an uplifting, enriching, and joyful reading experience that will celebrate the beginning of their lifetime journey.

Terms: $25 + one complimentary copy of the book for each selection published for nonexclusive rights.
Short prose pieces can be submitted; reprints are OK.
Submission date closes December 15, 2005.
More details at: www.JuneCotner.com

November is National Novel Writing Month


November is National Novel Writing Month -- www.nanowrimo.com - which essentially challenges one to write a 50,000 novel in 30 days, from November 1 to November 30. Watch Peg Phifer's progress (http://www.wordsmithshoppe.com/) on her home page. She's even placed a word-o-meter there to chart her daily count.

Writing Op - His Forever




Call for Stories! How did you become a Christian? Share your story! James Stuart Bell, editor and compiler of several Cup of Comfort titles, has developed the idea for a new book with Adams Media. Adams Media, publisher of the Everything series and the Cup of Comfort and Small Miracles titles, is compiling an anthology of about 50 stories for a new book, His Forever: Real People Coming to Jesus.

Every born-again Christian has a conversion story, but yours is unique. You’ve probably shared it dozens of times before, but maybe you’ve never written it down. Here is the perfect opportunity! Write a story 1,000–2,000 words long telling of the moment when you surrendered your life to Jesus. If your story is published, not only will you receive a $50 prize, but you will also share your testimony with hundreds of readers, inspiring them, encouraging them, reaffirming their faith, and bringing them closer to Jesus.

For full submission guidelines, writing tips, and terms and conditions, visit our Web site, www.adamsmedia.com, and click on Call for Stories. Submit your story by e-mail to HisForeverStory@yahoo.com (include your name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, story word count, and story title). The special extended deadline for submissions is December 5, 2005.

Writing Op - Women


From Women Speak
We at Women Speak are currently looking for Women Inspirational Writers to share their stories with others. Please visit our website at http://www.womenspeak.net. Please pass this information to other women in your writing groups. Thanks and God Bless, Antionette, 404-513-8995, RichmondCWW@aol.com.