NJCWG

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 10:08 AM

My latest Espresso for the Heart column hit the Comfort Cafe
http://comfortcafe.net/?page_id=287

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 9:54 AM

A Message From Fellow Writer
-- April Boyer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello friends,
Just to give you time to think about it, I will publishing new content for my website by September 30 . Note the contest opportunity below. If you want to promote your work, or touch or encourage someone , you can send me your stories for use on the Featured or Seeds pages. Send writing relate articles for use on the Writing Desk, creative ideas for the Your Turn page, and short-short stories, funnies, or easy activities and recipes by and for children. For my favorite Kitchen Page, I can use your friendly-visit-over-tea short stories or poems like Notes From Home, Nature Notes, short Tea Recipes, short Garden Tips or Household Hints, personal funny church or family occurences, etc.
Dont forget to send your Writer's Group info (full or consistent calendar only), book, music or speaking promotions. If you have a great link to share, I'm sure our friends will appreciate that too.

~~~~~~~~
CONTEST!

~~~~~~~~

WIN A FREE DEVOTINAL BOOK
For The Best Entry out of ten. Your choice from 4 selections. Send your short-short funny or heart-warming story behind a favorite recipe. Your story will be published on the "Kitchen" page http://aprilboyer.com with your own credit line and bio for the Sept. 30-issue. Only ten emailed entries will be considered by Sept. 1 Please send your work in the body of your email - NOT as an attachment.
Consider:

A funny mishap
A remarkable or miraculous event
A heart-stopping moment
A heart-warming reunion
An invasion from nature
A recipe gone wrong
A child's wise words
A moment with God

April Boyer
"Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will."

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 9:48 AM

Introducing The Christian Humor Writers Group!

This new group is an offshoot of an private little chat group was formed several years ago by a handful of humor writers who met at a conference and formed a quick friendship. We've had so many requests from people interested in joining us on our merry lark that we've created a public group, and you're invited to join!

This discussion group is for Christians of all denominations involved or seeking to be involved in the religious or mainstream humor industry - including essayists, authors, speakers, comics, greeting card writers, cartoonists, editors, etc.

This is a casual group designed primarily for networking but also to encourage and educate in a light-hearted manner. Periodic discussion topics and writing prompts will keep the conversation flowing and allow members to talk about topics like joke writing, humor markets, idea generating, approaching humor from a faith perspective, adding humor to your writing, and more. Members are encouraged to share writing opportunities, conferences, writing tips and more.

For more information or to join, visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christian_Humor_Writers/.
(Note: If you are not already a member, you may have to join yahoo - this is free)
To see some writing samples from CHW members, visit our blog at www.christianhumorwriters.com.
Many thanks!
Joanne Brokaw
www.christianhumorwriters.com

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 9:36 PM

Top 100 Freelance Markets from Writers Digest

Click on a market to view its details. Or browse the listings.

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 9:30 PM

Literary Agent, Janet Kobobel Grant
Books & Such Agency

Big news!
My agent, Janet Kobobel Grant, just got quoted on bloomberg.com and was told that the would appear in Publishers Weekly!

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aFZKuWjSOYmE&refer=home

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 3:36 PM

Check out the writers guidelines for iParenting Media.
iParenting.com is an award-winning network of family-oriented Web sites owned by iParenting Media, the leading producer of parenting information. One of their excellent magazines is Family Energy: http://familyenergy.com/writers.php
Writers Guidelines: http://iparenting.com/guidelines.php

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 1:59 PM

Here is hand-out #2 from the NJCWG 7/24/06 meeting.

~~~~~

Fine Tuning Your Pitch

~~~~~

1. Keep It Simple
An elevator pitch is short – very short. In the time it takes to get from the first floor to the third floor, you should be able to introduce yourself, offer a sincere compliment and give your pitch. All of this should be done without breaking a sweat or running out of breath.

2. Know who you are talking to and use their name.

3. Ask permission to pitch your idea.
If they say “no” ask if you can send them an email with your idea. If they say “no” again (maybe they aren’t taking new clients or just don’t like elevators) thank them for their time and move on.

4. Make sure to give your name
I knew one lady who gave her elevator pitch to an editor – literally in an elevator. She was so nervous that when she was done and the doors to elevator opened, she leapt out and disappeared into the crowd. There was one problem, the editor really liked her idea but she never said her name so he didn’t know how to get in touch with her. ALWAYS introduce yourself (briefly) before giving your pitch.

5. Offer a compliment or tell them where and/or why you recognize them.
Obviously if you are interested in certain editors, publishers or agents you will have done your homework and know something about them. Know what they look like (use the internet), read things that they’ve written. Listen to tapes/CD’s from conferences where they’ve spoken. Get to know their style and their MO (mode of operation).

6. Be prepared to give your whole spiel in about 30 seconds.
You want to leave time for a question or two and for contact information.

7. Don’t forget to offer the title of your piece.
Many people forget to say the title of their work. If the editor forgets everything else, hopefully the title will stick in their head (make a good one). If you have a website or blog they will be able to find you again even if they don’t know your name and they lost your business card.

8. If they show any interest at all, close the deal.
Make sure you set a specific day (and time) to call them and repeat the information. If they ask you send them a proposal or manuscript, repeat that this is what you will do. Then DO it – right away – not months later.

9. Always thank them for their time and consideration – but don’t gush. This is a business deal, you are not the big lottery winner and this is not a marriage proposal.

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 1:50 PM

The WriteStuff Writers' "BOOT CAMP"

Maneuvering the Manuscript and Publishing Trenches!

The Missouri Historical Society
Emerson Center
St. Louis, Missouri

Join the WriteStuff Writers' in St. Louis and experience hands-on professional workshops to help you take your creative work to a higher and more successful level!

Presented by publishing industry professionals, the fun and interactive sessions explore the complex elements of writing, editing, marketing and publishing from the trenches up!

Special Guest! A presentation in the Writer's Studio with motivational speaker, Appalachian Trail Blazer and author, Jean Deeds (There are Mountains to Climb). You won't want to miss her incredible story of walking the Appalachian Trail alone!

WriteStuff Writers' Conferences supports the mission of Ambassadors for Children, a not-for-profit global volunteer organization providing humanitarian aid to children in need around the world.

Other Boot Camp breakout workshops include:
Two Minds — One Story
Writing with a partner: how the elements of support, discipline and give and take all come into play when you write with a partner. This workshop presents a roadmap that will lead to a clear understanding of how to make it work and how to get started!
Web Sites and Blogging!
Simple explanations from a professional Webmaster on how to:
Create your own Web site
Use search engines and make them work for you
Sell your books and promote your name through the Internet
Understand the world of personal blogging
Understanding the Gray Areas of Publishing
Whether considering a traditional, vanity or print on demand publisher, you need to understand your options and what to expect. Publishing has changed—so learn what will work best for you!
Exploring the Writer's Market!
Six Things You Need to Know Before Approaching an Agent or a Publisher!
Learn why ninety-five percent of query letters and unsolicited manuscripts go into the rejection pile. If you're just starting to look for an agent or have become frustrated with unanswered queries and e-mails, you won't want to miss this workshop taught by a literary agent!
And More!
Click here to explore all of the Boot Camp breakout sessions and to reserve your seat today!

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 1:45 PM

The Writer's Digest 7th Annual Short Short Story Competition
We're looking for fiction that's bold, brilliant...but brief. Send us your best in 1,500 words or fewer.But don't be too long about it—the deadline is Friday, December 01, 2006.
PRIZESFirst Place: $3,000Second Place: $1,500Third Place: $500Fourth Through Tenth Place: $100Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate for Writer's Digest Books
* The First-Place winner has the option of a FREE "Best Seller Publishing Package" from Trafford Publishing.
* The names and story titles of the First-through Tenth-Place winners will be printed in the June 2007 Writer's Digest, and winners will receive the 2007 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.
The 7th Annual Writer's Digest SHORT SHORT STORY COMPETITION COLLECTION Sponsored by Trafford
The 1st- through 25th-place manuscripts will be printed in a special competition collection, published by Trafford Publishing. Use the entry form to order your copy or purchase a copy online using a credit card. Order now to receive the 50%-off, pre-publication special price. (Publication date: May, 2007. You are not required to purchase the collection to enter the competition.)
For entrants paying with a credit card, we will accept manuscripts submitted online.
The Rules
1. The competition is open to manuscripts of 1,500 words or fewer. Entries outside the word limitation will be disregarded. Type the word count on the first page of your entry along with your name, address, phone number and email address.
2. The entry fee is $12 per manuscript. You may enter as many manuscripts as you wish. You may send one check (in U.S. funds) and one entry form for all entries. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, you may send one check (in U.S. funds) and one entry form for all entries.
3. All entries must be in English, original, unpublished, and not submitted elsewhere until the winners are announced. Writer's Digest reserves the one-time publication rights to the 1st-t through 25th-place winning entries to be published in a Writer's Digest publication.
4. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, all entries must be typewritten and double-spaced on one side of 8-1/2 x 11 or A4 white paper. Manuscripts will not be returned.
5. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, December 01, 2006.
6. Winners will be notified by February 9, 2007. If you have not been contacted by this date, you may assume that your entry is not a finalist and may be marketed elsewhere.
7. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your entry if you want to be notified of its receipt. We cannot notify you personally of your story's status before the winners are announced. If entering online, you will receive a confirmation email for each entry you submit.
8. Winners' names will appear in the June 2007 issue of Writer's Digest magazine. Afterwards, their names and story titles will be posted at http://www.writersdigest.com/.
9. The following are not permitted to enter the competition: employees of F+W Publications, Inc., and their immediate families and Writer's Digest contributing editors and correspondents as listed on the masthead.
Privacy PromiseOccasionally we make portions of our customer list available to other companies so they may contact you about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you prefer we withhold your name, simply send a note with your name, address and the competition name to: List Manager, F+W Publications, 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236.
A message from our Competition Collection sponsor:
Trafford Publishing is proud to sponsor the 7th annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition Collection. We love helping make author's dreams come true. In fact, since 1995 Trafford Publishing has helped more than 5,000 authors publish over 7,000 new titles around the world. If your short story is part of a book or you have a separate manuscript you want to publish we welcome you to visit our website or give us a call—we'll even send you a free guide which explains how publishing your book is easier than you might think.
We wish you all the best with your contest submission.
http://trafford.com/1587toll-free: 1-888-232-4444 ext 1587
Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition Online Entry Form
Writer's Digest Short Short Story Printable Entry Form

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 1:38 PM

"Stop me. Make me linger over the image. Break my heart. Make me angry. Inspire me to write a story, a letter. Show me something I've seen before, but open my eyes to it." Editor of Gud Magazine

If you think you've got what it takes, send Gud your finest. Don't expect feedback -- not going to happen. And PLEASE, read the guidelines. Electronic submissions, print and e-versions, paying semi-pro rates. http://www.gudmagazine.com/

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 12:56 PM

Below you will find the hand-out from the NJCWG's 7/24/06 meeting.

~~~~~~~~

Improving Your Focus

~~~~~~~~

1. Know your genre
I can’t stress enough how important it is to know what genre you are writing for AND what sub-genre your manuscript falls into. It is not sufficient to say it is fiction – or even a mystery. Is it a cozy? A caper? A Noir? Or a fem-jep (female in jeopardy)? Each is written in a different style and the popularity of each thrives and wanes in its own right. This sub-genre issue applies to every kind of writing. Check out your areas of interest.

2. Research what’s out there and know the saturation limit for your genre.
Is there a glut in the genre you want to write for? Remember that it takes one to three years for a new author’s book to get on the market. Will your topic still be relevant after a long wait?

3. Has your topic “been done” before?
When it comes to periodicals, understand what’s recently been written by other writers for the publication you are targeting AND in similar publications. Can you give your topic a new slant? Offer information not seen before? Provide insight that others have not offered?

4. Is your topic narrow enough?
Have you narrowed your topic enough to offer details that a broader article might miss? If you are writing about dogs you might want to focus on one aspect of dogs (e.g. grooming, feeding or training) or one breed of dog (there are over 400 pure breeds of dogs). Volumes and volumes have been written about dogs. If you are writing a short article you would be well advised to be VERY specific.

5. Is your topic broad enough?
Lawn care might be a good topic for the spring issue of a general magazine but writing only about eradicating the Black Medic (a broad leafed lawn weed) might be a bit too specific for the needs of the general public.

6. Know your publisher.
What sort of articles and/or books does the publisher that you are targeting want? Don’t send a mystery to a romance publisher and don’t sent an article about women wearing too much make-up to a glamour magazine. These may seem obvious but there are subtle differences a well. What is the mission statement of the magazine that you want to write for? Just because a magazine calls itself “Christian” doesn’t mean that it publishes testimonials. If a Christian magazine’s focus is on missions, you won’t want to send a profile piece on a Christian skier unless you can show how the profiled person uses his skiing to lead others to Christ.

7. Know your reader.
If you are writing about wedding cakes you might want to reconsider an article specifically about grooms cakes if you are writing for the New Jersey Bride. Brides and Grooms on the East Coast traditionally do not want groom cakes. Now you’d be hard pressed to find a wedding in the southern United States without a grooms cake. Readers (and publishers) in Texas might appreciate this article (if it hasn’t been done a dozen times already). Now a “new” slant would be to do an article for New Jersey Bride on traditions that other parts of the country hold dear (like grooms cakes) and ways that brides and grooms on the east coast could incorporate these traditions into their weddings to make them special.

8. Know the ‘need’.
Anytime you can fill a need for a publisher you will hit an automatic home-run with your article. Find out what a magazine needs and get to work providing the words.

9. Know the format.
Every publication uses a slightly different format. Read, read and re-read the writers guidelines – then follow them exactly. The editors will love you for saving them time and money. In addition to the general guidelines read the magazine itself. Does the magazine use sidebars? Subheadings? Quotes? Statistics? Numerous anecdotes? Do the writers often site specialists? Do the titles use alliteration? Are articles written in first person, third or both?

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 3:06 PM

FOR NJCWG MEMBERS
Next meeting - Monday, July 24, 2006

6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Discussion - Pitching Your Project
8:00-9:00 Critiques

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Discussion Time - Pitching Your Project

What is an "elevator pitch"?
What will get a publisher's positive reaction?
What will get a publisher's negative reaction?
How do you find a F-R-E-S-H angle?

On July 24 we'll begin this discussion and we will continue it on August 14, 2006.

BRING: One project idea that you would like to have published. As a group, we'll fine tune that idea until it POPS! This should not be an article or book chapter (something you've already written). It should be only an IDEA for an article (or book) that you would like to write.

ALSO: Be prepared to briefly tell the group what you've been working on. I will share the progress of my latest research trip to Michigan for my book If a Tux Could Talk: The Men Who Help Plan Their Weddings, and the Women Who Love Them For it.

Get ready - this is going to be a H-O-T summer for getting published!

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

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 10:39 PM

Looking for Vet, Medical, and Home Emergency Writers

Greetings, folks -
I'm the Director of Content and Architecture for Informed Publishing -- we have been publishing helping profession field guides for over 20 years. I am currently looking for freelance writers with experience in developing, contributing, and/or editing material for Veterinary and Medical guides, as well as for a Home Emergency Guide. You can see our current titles at www.informedguides.com.

Writers should have either practical experience in the field for which they write, or should have previous experience writing on this subject. Pay scale is commesurate with experience, between $35-$50 an hour, with a flat NTE.

You can contact me directly at janjt@comcast.net. Serious and qualified inquiries only, thanks.

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 10:26 PM

Writer needed for Soap Opera website

We are hiring for Soaps.com and are in need of someone to write daily recaps for three soap operas. This job is a part-time paying job and we are legitamite! If you are seriously interested, please email me at soaps2006 at gmail.com, or use the contact text on the site to contact me. My name is Chrissi.

Here are the details thusfar:

Daily Soap Opera Updates/News Writer/Website Manager

Job Description:
As the Daily Soap Opera Updates/News Writer and Website Manager, you will view or listen to daily soap opera program(s) and write the daily recap of the show. You will also write news about the show and manage the content of your assigned website. In addition, you will have to create and edit polls, find pictures over the Internet/post them on the website, and manage content priority. Forum moderation is another one of the tasks you will oversee.
You will have an on-line interface that will be easy to work with and displays all of the information you will need to research each individual actor/actress.

Skills, Experience, & Ability:
Internet experience is necessary for this position, however, we are also looking for several required skills and abilities that we feel are very important to success in this position. These are:
Being Internet savvy (including having the ability to utilize the Internet or other resources for research and finding information, and the ability to use forms and manage content).
Possessing strong writing skills.
Having Photoshop experience (or experience with any other image-editing software) is mandatory.
Being creative, reliable, and dedicated.

Job Status:

Part-time (2-4 hours a day)

For two of the soaps, you may have to start ASAP, as we will require someone to complete actor profiles.

Actor/Actress Profile Manager

Job Description:
As the Actor/Actress Profile Manager, you will create, edit, and manage the list of actors and actresses associated with each and every active running soap opera. This will entail researching and inputting relative information on each individual actor/actress including, but not limited to: birth date, birthplace, marital status, biography, current role in soap opera, career highlights, and any other pertinent information.
You will have an on-line interface that will be easy to work with and displays all of the information you need in order to research each individual actor/actress.

Skills, Experience, & Ability:

Minimal experience is necessary for this job. There are, however, several required skills and abilities that we feel are very important to succeed as an Actor/Actress Profile Manager. These include:
Being Internet savvy (having the ability to utilize the Internet or other resources for researching and finding information).
Having strong writing skills.
Possessing creativity, reliability, and dedication.

Job Status:
Part-time (2-4 hours a day)

The site is http://www.soaps.com.

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 10:22 PM

Opinions & Con reports Wanted

Looking for rants, musings, and enthusiastic praise on topics of interest to science fiction fandom. Got something you think fandom should know about, good or bad? Wantyour opinion heard? I'm starting an Opinions section at Firefox News, http://firefox.org/.

I'm paying $20 per "opinion" piece. I pay promptly after acceptance, and my current TAT for responding to slush pile submissions is one to two weeks.

I am also looking for con reports. I'm particularly interested in con reports from Comic-Con (and WorldCon, upcoming) but will look at submissions for ANY con. I pay $10 per thousand words for con reports and I'm basically looking for a review of the con -- what was good, what wasn't, comments on the hotel, on the program, who you saw that was notable, interesting previews, etc.

E-mail submissions to leva@firefox.org.

Leva

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 9:34 PM

The Benjamin Franklin Awards™ for excellence in publishing have named "Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care" as the 2006 Winner for Best Health Book. The Ben Franklin is awarded by PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association. Books are judged for both editorial and design excellence by reviewers, editors, designers, artists, acquisition librarians, bookstore buyers, wholesalers and distributor.
For the full story go to:
http://www.freelancewriting.com/content/detail-dog_wins_national_literary_award-2135-138.html

For information about the 2007 awards go to:
http://www.pma-online.org/benfrank.cfm

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 7:47 AM

FANNING YOUR IDEAS UNTIL THEY ARE H-O-T!!

FOR NJCWG MEMBERS
Next meeting -- Monday, July 24, 2006

Our July 24 discussion is one you won't want to miss. We'll talk about pitching your project in a way that will get you published.

It does not matter if this is your first article or if you are a multi-published novelist - everyone needs a G-R-E-A-T pitch and F-R-E-S-H angle. On Monday, July 24, 2006 (continuing on Monday, August 14) we will discuss the hows and whys of getting published -- and rejected. We'll dig into a bag of resources that will make your story "different" from the thousand others that authors are tossing out to editors.

IMPORTANT: Bring to these meetings one project idea that you would like to have published. As a group, we'll fine tune that idea until it POPS! This should NOT be an article you've already written. It SHOULD be only an idea for an article (or book) that you want to write.

ALSO: Be prepared to briefly tell the group what you've been working on. I will share the progress of my latest research trip to Michigan for my book If a Tux Could Talk: The Men Who Help Plan Their Weddings, and the Women Who Love Them For it.

Get ready - this is going to be a H-O-T summer for getting published!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitaor, NJCWG

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 7:31 AM

The International Christian Retailers Show (ICRS) formerly known as the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) was held July 9-13, 2006 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO
(http://www.christianretailshow.com/).

Here are a few things that came from that convention.

~~~~~~~~

Big announcements (editors moving to new publishing houses, new titles that will cause a stir, etc) are often made shortly before the ICRS. This year, two items came to light.

1) Warner Faith changed its name to Faith Words. They are no longer are a part of Time Warner but are now associated with Warner Books. All of its entities were bought by Hachette Livre, the third largest publisher in the world.
2) Multnomah announced that it was purchased by another publishing house but for legal reasons the identity of that publisher hasn't been disclosed yet. An announcement is expected July 31.

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 6:36 PM

This month I have an interview, about my children's mysteries & adventures, by the Chicago Writers Association.

You can find it at http://maxandersonupdates.blogspot.com/

Max Elliot Anderson

Adventure books for readers 8 and up
http://www.maxbooks.9k.com

Louise Bergmann DuMont · at 9:54 AM

Do you need to get your writing organized? Check out this website:
http://www.organizedwriter.com/

The Organized Writer has some great free writing articles as well. Just click the FREE ARTICLES tab once you get to the website.

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

* Learn the Four-Step Secret to a Perfect Manuscript
Tired of proofreading for hours? Moving from first draft to perfect manuscript can be a slow and tedious exercise even for the most experienced writers. But you can create a perfect manuscript with just four simple steps....

* Personality Traits of a Real Writer
All writers are creative types, with cluttered desks, and messy piles, right? To be a good writer, one lives on coffee and stale potato chips only coming up for air when the book's done, right? Maybe. Or maybe we as writers have convinced ourselves that this is how a "real" writer acts....

*Sell Your Book with Pennies
Imagine you share a huge penny jar with each of your potential readers. Every interaction with a reader either adds or subtracts pennies from the jar. When readers need your info (non-fiction) or entertainment (fiction), they will trade the jar for your book, but only if the jar is full. Overflow the penny jar, and your reader will buy nearly everything you write.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Comfort Cafe - Latest Column

Writing Op - Seeds of the Season

NEW Christian Humor Writers Group

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Top 100 Freelance Markets

Industry Info

Writing Op - Parenting Media Websites

Hand-Out #2 - NJCWG 7/24/06

The Write Stuff Boot Camp!

Contest - Writers Digest 2006 Short Story Contest

Writing Op - GUD Mag

Hand-Out - Improving Your Focus

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Monday's Meeting

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Writing Op - Medical

Writing Op - Soap Opera Website

Writing Op - NonChristian Paying Market

The Benjamin Franklin Award

Friday, July 21, 2006

Hot Ideas!

ICRS 2006

Friday, July 14, 2006

Max Elliot Anderson Interview

Saturday, July 08, 2006

The Organized Writer

Helpful Writers Sites

NJCWG Members Blogs

Sources For Photos

Followers