Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Writing Op - Seeds in Season
A writing colleague of mine, April Boyer, is looking for "kitchen" and "autumn" stories for her Seeds in Season online magazine. Check out this writing opportunity and tell April "Louise sent you."
http://aprilboyer.com/
Sunday, October 07, 2007
48 Hours Mystery - Date Change
NEW DATE - NEW TIME
Saturday
October 20, 2007
10:00 p.m. EST
A message from Kent,
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Writer Conferences
October 19-20, 2007. American Christian Writers Anaheim Conference (Jim Bell and
Steve Laube among the workshop instructors). http://www.acfw.com/conference/
October 17-21, 2007, Glorieta Christian Writers Conference, (Near Santa Fe, NM).
More info: http://www.classervices.com/CS_Glorieta_Conf.html
October 20, 2007. Oregon Christian Writers Fall One-Day Conference at Multnomah
Bible College, Portland, Oregon. More info:
http://www.oregonchristianwriters.org/calendar.htm
October 29-November 1, 2007. 2007 Fall Mentoring Clinic for Christian Writers at
Mt Hermon. More info: http://www.mounthermon.org/writersclinic/
March 14-18, 2008. Spring Christian Writers Conference at Mount Hermon. Debbie
Macomber and Jerry B Jenkins. More info: http://www.mounthermon.org/writers/
April 3-5, 2008. 2008 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop in Dayton, Ohio.
More info: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008SpeakerBios.html (Secular)
April 17-19, 2008. Delaware Christian Writers Conference. Newark, Delaware. More
here: http://www.delawarechristianwritersconference.com/
May 2-3, 2008. Northwest Christian Writers Renewal (formerly SPU Writers
Renewal). Northshore Baptist Church in Bothell, Washington. Cec Murphey will
keynote. Editorial reps include Mick Silva, Waterbrook; Don Pape, Cook; and
Jesse Florea, Focus on the Family magazines.
May 2-3, 2008. Antelope Valley Christian Writers' Conference. More info: www.avwriters.com
May 14-17, 2008. Colorado Christian Writer's Conference. More info coming soon
to http://www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado/
July 13-17, 2008. International Christian Retail Show. Orange County Convention
Center, Orlando, FL. More info: http://www.christianretailshow.com/
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Next Meeting of the NJCWG
PLEASE READ MESSAGES POSTED PREVIOUS TO THIS MESSAGE. I POSTED SOME WRITING OP'S AND A FEW OTHER IMPORTANT NOTICES.
Our teaching session will continue with the "Secrets" offered by Janet Orr in her book, No More Rejections.
MEETINGSaturday
October 6, 2007
2:30-5:00
This week we will be working on characterization!
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG
Special Important Message
A friend who I met at Glorieta last year will be on 48 Hours Mystery! It is a story that Satan wanted to use to destroy but God used to His glory.
Here is the info. I beg your prayers for this man full of grace and mercy. This is one show you don't want to miss.
Louise Bergmann DuMont
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Message from Kent
New Column Posted
To read my latest column (Cafe Chocolate) you can go to http://comfortcafe.net/?p=564
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author of Faith Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day
Writing Op - Woman's World
WOMAN'S WORLD
Bauer Publishing Co.
270 Sylvan Ave.
Englewood Cliffs NJ 07632
Phone: (201)569-6699
Fax: (201)569-3584
Contact: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, senior editor
Johnene Granger, fiction editor
Tips: "The whole story should be sent when submitting fiction. Stories slanted for a particular holiday should be sent at least 6 months in advance."
About
Format: Magazine covering "human interest and service pieces of interest to family-oriented women across the nation. Woman's World is a women's service magazine. It offers a blend of fashion, food, parenting, beauty, and relationship features coupled with the true-life human interest stories."
Frequency: Weekly
"We publish short romances and mini-mysteries for all women, ages 18-68."
Editor's Note: Woman's World is not looking for freelancers to take assigments generated by the staff, but it will assign stories to writers who have made a successful pitch.
Freelance Facts
* Established: 1980
* Circulation: 1,625,779
* Pays on acceptance.
* Publishes manuscript 4 months after acceptance.
Rights purchased:
* for First North American Serial rights for 6 months.
Accepts queries by: Mail
* Responds in 6 weeks to queries.
* Responds in 2 months to manuscripts.
* Sample copy not available.
* Writer's guidelines for #10 SASE.
Nonfiction
Dramatic personal women's stories and articles on self-improvement, medicine, and health topics. Please specify "Real-Life Story" on envelope. Features include Emergency (real-life drama); My Story; Medical Miracle; Triumph; Courage; My Guardian Angel; Happy Ending (queries to Kathy Fitzpatrick). Also service stories on parenting, marriage, and work (queries to Irene Daria).
* Pays $500/1,000 words
* Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.
Fiction
Short story, romance, and mainstream of 1,100 words and mini-mysteries of 1,000 words. "Each of our stories has a light romantic theme and can be written from either a masculine or feminine point of view. Women characters may be single, married, or divorced. Plots must be fast moving with vivid dialogue and action. The problems and dilemmas inherent in them should be contemporary and realistic, handled with warmth and feeling. The stories must have a positive resolution." Specify "Fiction" on envelope. Always enclose SASE. Responds in 4 months. No phone or fax queries. Pays $1,000 for romances on acceptance for North American serial rights for 6 months. "The 1,000 word mini-mysteries may feature either a `whodunnit' or `howdunnit' theme. The mystery may revolve around anything from a theft to murder. However, we are not interested in sordid or grotesque crimes. Emphasis should be on intricacies of plot rather than gratuitous violence. The story must include a resolution that clearly states the villain is getting his or her come-uppance." Submit complete mss. Specify "Mini-Mystery" on envelope. Enclose SASE. No phone queries.
Contact: Johnene Granger, fiction editor
Needs:
* Mystery
* Romance (contemporary)
Does Not Want: Not interested in science fiction, fantasy, historical romance, or foreign locales. No explicit sex, graphic language, or seamy settings.
* Submission method: Send complete manuscript.
* Length: Romances--1,100 words; mysteries--1,000 words.
* Pays $1,000/romances; $500/mysteries
Writing Op - Women Alive
WOMEN ALIVE
Women Alive, Inc.
Encouraging Excellence in Holy Living
P.O. Box 480052
Kansas City MO 64145
Phone: Phone/Fax: (913)402-1369
E-mail: ahinthorn@kc.rr.com
Web site: http://www.womenalive.org/magazine.php
Contact: Aletha Hinthorn, editor
About
Format: Magazine covering Christian living.
Frequency: Bimonthly
"Women Alive encourages and equips women to live holy lives through teaching them to live out Scripture."
Freelance Facts
* 50% freelance written
* Established: 1984
* Circulation: 4,000
* Pays on publication.
* Publishes manuscript 6 months after acceptance.
* Byline given.
Rights purchased:
* First North American serial rights
* First rights
* One-time rights
* Second serial (reprint) rights
* Simultaneous rights
* Editorial lead time 4 months.
* Submit seasonal material 4 months in advance.
Accepts queries by: Mail & E-mail
* Accepts simultaneous submissions
* Responds in 6 weeks to manuscripts.
* Sample copy for 9 X 12 envelope and 3 first-class stamps.
* Writer's guidelines for 9 X 12 envelope and 3 first-class stamps.
Nonfiction
Needs:
* Inspirational
* Opinion
* Personal Experience
* Religious
* Buys 30 manuscripts/year.
* Submission method: Send complete manuscript.
* Length: 500–1,500 words.
Photos
* State availability of photos with submission.
Wrting Op - Today's Christian Mag
TODAY'S CHRISTIAN
Christianity Today
Stories of Faith, Hope and God's Love
465 Gundersen Dr.
Carol Stream IL 60188
Phone: (630)260-6200
Fax: (630)480-2004
E-mail: tceditor@todays-christian.com
Web site: www.christianitytoday.com/todayschristian
Contact: Cynthia Thomas, editorial coordinator
About
Format: Magazine for adult evangelical Christian audience.
Frequency: Bimonthly
Tips: "Most of our articles are reprints or staff written. Freelance competition is keen, so tailor submissions to meet our needs by observing the following: Today's Christian audience is truly a general interest one, including men and women, urban professionals and rural homemakers, adults of every age and marital status, and Christians of every church affiliation. We seek to publish a magazine that people from the variety of ethnic groups in North America will find interesting and relevant."
Freelance Facts
* 25% freelance written
* Established: 1963
* Circulation: 125,000
* Pays on acceptance; on publication for humor pieces.
* Byline given.
* Editorial lead time 5 months.
* Submit seasonal material 8 months in advance.
Accepts queries by:
* Accepts simultaneous submissions
* Responds in 1 month to queries.
* Sample copy for 5×8 envelope and 4 first-class stamps.
* Click here for manuscript guidelines
Nonfiction
Needs:
* Book excerpts
* General Interest
* Historical
* Humor
* Inspirational
* Interview/Profile
* Personal Experience
* Photo Feature
* Religious
* Buys 100-125 manuscripts/year.
* Submission method: Query with or without published clips or send complete manuscript.
* Length: 250–1,500 words.
* Pays $125-600 depending on length
* Pays the expenses of writers on assignment.
Reprint
* Accepts previously published submissions.
* Send tearsheet, photocopy or typed manuscript
Include:
* Rights for sale
* Information about when and where the material previously appeared
* Pays 35-50% of amount paid for an original article
Photos
* Send photos with submission.
Reviews:
* Transparencies
* prints
Photos Require:
* Identification of subjects
* Buys one-time rights
* Negotiates payment individually.
Columns & Departments
* Contact: Cynthia Thomas, editorial coordinator
* Columns open to freelancers: Humor Us (adult church humor, kids say and do funny things, and humorous wedding tales), 50-200 words.
* Pays $35.
Filler
Needs:
* Anecdotes
* short fillers
* Buys 10-20 fillers/year.
* Length: 100–250 words.
* Pays: $35.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
September Meeting of the NJCWG
YES
The North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG) IS meeting this Saturday for our September meeting (despite Labor Day Weekend).
Our teaching session will continue with the "Secrets" offered by Janet Orr in her book, No More Rejections.
MEETINGSaturday
September 1, 2007
2:30-5:00
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Next Meeting
Saturday, August 4, 2007
2:30-5:00
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
See you then!
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author and Speaker
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com
Thursday, July 05, 2007
OOPS
I accidentally posted our meeting as Monday -- Please, Please, PLEASE note that it is on SATURDAY.
Louise
~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you are all having a great summer and enjoying a bit of "vacation" time.
The next meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group is
Saturday, July 7, 2007
2:30-3:30 Teaching Session
Lesson: Elements of a Hook - I know that some of you still struggle with developing a great opening line. I've created worksheets that will allow you to create eight different hooks for each story scenario.
3:30-4:30 Critique Session
4:30-5:00 Social Time
I look forward to seeing all of you there!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Next Meeting of the NJCWG
Hope you are all having a great summer and enjoying a bit of "vacation" time.
The next meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group is
Monday, July 7, 2007
2:30-3:30 Teaching Session
Lesson: Elements of a Hook - I know that some of you still struggle with developing a great opening line. I've created worksheets that will allow you to create eight different hooks for each story scenario.
3:30-4:30 Critique Session
4:30-5:00 Social Time
I look forward to seeing all of you there!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
NJCWG Quarterly Workshop
This Saturday, June 2, 2007 the North Jersey Christian Writers Group will host one of its quarterly "hands on" workshops. This is not something you want to miss!
I will have twenty four different photographs -- each presenting an unlimited number of stories. The first members to arrive at our workshop will get first choice of the photos. After choosing your photo you will be asked to create a story using a specific set of instructions. You will have 30-45 minutes to muse, outline and write. We'll break for refreshments (my treat), then come back to review what you wrote. After that, you will be given the choice to do a rewrite or to choose a second picture.
Questions? Drop me an email - njcwg.dumont@gmail.com
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker
NJCWG Facilitator
Thursday, May 10, 2007
New Novel - Special Price
Joe Cellis, an excellent author and someone I've encouraged along his writing path, recently sent me an email asking that I post this message. Please do check out his work. You won't be sorry.
Louise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings friends,
Since the debut of my first novel, The Healing Place, in April of 2001, many of you have been asking when will my next novel be published. That day has arrived. Murder at Whalehead is now available.
I am putting out a special lower-priced edition ($13.79) for family, friends, fans, and fundraisers before the novel is marketed nationwide. This summer I will be meeting with representatives from Outer Banks Press. If I work out a deal with them, the novel will be re-priced—probably around $18.95. Outer Banks Press will become the distributor along with the major online bookstores (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, etc.).
For now, Murder at Whalehead is only available through www.lulu.com at this price.
Here is the link if you would like to get one: http://www.lulu.com/content/811654
Here are some quotes about the novel:
“An atmospheric and thoroughly engrossing mystery of people and place, MURDER AT WHALEHEAD will absorb the reader from its first tantalizing page to its last satisfying conclusion. It’s a true page-turner, filled with fully realized characters who understand both faith and doubt.” Michele Rubin, senior agent at Writers House (one of New York’s top literary agencies)
“Joe Ellis weaves engaging characters, suspense, and triumph of spirit together in a great read.” Nancy Haddock, novelist at Berkley Books.
“I’ve read 37 novels so far this year. MURDER AT WHALEHEAD is at the top of the list. I loved it.” Gretchen Snodgrass, English teacher and avid reader.
I am also making signed copies of Murder at Whalehead available for fundraising purposes. All you have to do is make a list of people in your organization, church, neighborhood, etc. who are interested in a signed copy of the novel. Let me know how many books you need. I’ll deliver the books to you. The suggested donation per book is $15. You keep $5 per book and send me the rest to cover my costs. Twenty books= $100 dollars for your cause. Email me at joecellis@comcast.net for more information or call me (Joe Ellis) at 1-740-633-0423.
Blessings,
Joe C. Ellis
Thursday, May 03, 2007
The Publicity Hound
From the Publicity Hound, Joan Stewart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you've written a book, or you're thinking of writing one, or you're an expert who wants to turn a head full of knowledge into a career, don't miss the opportunities that 99 percent of all authors and experts miss.
These mistakes will keep your book off the best-seller list and severely limit your ability to turn all that knowledge into multiple revenue streams.
Steve Harrison, who has worked with thousands of authors and experts over the years, is presenting a complimentary teleseminar on Thursday, May 3. He'll talk about 12 mistakes authors make, and the 22 super-lucrative income streams which most authors and experts overlook -- but are surprisingly easy to implement (and certainly MUCH easier to produce than writing another book).
Choose from two times slots: 2 p.m. Eastern (11:00 am Pacific) or at 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific). Because I work with authors, too, I'll be on the afternoon call soaking it all in.
Want to join me, or listen during the evening? Register at http://snipurl.com/QuantumLeapCall3
P.S. Steve will NOT record the calls, so this is your only chance to listen.
--------------------------------
Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound
Randy Ingermanson Msg
Randy Ingermanson
Take a moment to read this note from Randy Ingermanson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The second-smartest thing I did in the last five years was to invent that pesky "Snowflake method" for designing and writing a novel. No doubt about it -- the Snowflake has helped me write better and faster, and that's been worth a lot of money to me.
Want to know what's the SMARTEST thing I did in the last five years? That's easy: Posting the Snowflake method on my web site for free.
I've just posted an entry on my Advanced Fiction Writing Blog to explain why:
http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com/blog
Hope to see ya there!
Randy Ingermanson, publisher of: The Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine
The Mad Genius Writer E-zine
Randy Ingermanson
President and CEO of Ingermanson Communications, Inc.
2210 W. Main St., Suite 107, Box 103
Battle Ground, WA 98604