Writing Op - Screenwriters

Here’s an opportunity for screenwriters - a production company with a studio first look deal is seeking a screenplay to produce – details are below.
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SCRIPTS WANTED BY PROD CO WITH STUDIO FIRST LOOK DEAL

We are seeking scripts to go into production with ASAP. We have funding and a first look deal with a major studio!!!

Here's what we're looking for:

Genre: Smart Horror, Noir, Thriller, Suspense
Budget: 500K - 1M
Other Details: Prefer a young cast, Limited Locations, and hopefully a good role for a female in her 20's.

We're looking for something that can have commercial appeal but we're open to all scripts we find appealing.

TO SUBMIT:
Be sure to mention you were referred by Jeff Gund, and email any questions, or logline,
synopsis, and writing sample if you have it to: zoeticent@yahoo.com

If we are interested we will request the full script.

Alexander Moore
Zoetic Entertainment, LLC

Writing Op - Christian Fiction/Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Daniel I Weaver is putting together a Christian spec-fic anthology project.

For this project, the working definition of speculative fiction includes fantasy/ sci-fi/ horror/ supernatural/ alternate history and magic realism and all submissions must fall into one of these sub-genres (thus, a fantasy/romance piece is acceptable).
First-rights granted by authors of accepted submissions. Short-story submissions must be 1.5-5k words, no more than three pieces per author. Poetry will be considered.
Cover artist and illustrators will be considered. Contributors for a Foreword and Afterword will be considered.

DEADLINES AND EXPECTATIONS:
This project requires intensive participation from potential contributors.
Deadline for rough draft is July 14th, where-after contributors will critique each other's work. Critiquing will be done in Christian_Fic_WRE_Crit_Group@yahoogroups.com which all potential contributors must join. Rough draft critique deadline: July 18th. Re-write, self-edit and polish; second draft deadline is August 4th. Second draft critique (more intense: fine picking, polish crits), deadline: August 18th. Final manuscript polished to shine; Final deadline: August 25th. Authors of accepted submissions must then join a second Christian marketing newsgroup to discuss marketing tips.

Interested parties must:
1) join Christian_Fic_WRE_Crit_Group@yahoogroups.com and
2) introduce yourself and state your interest in this project.

We look forward to working together with fellow Christian artists,
Scott “Frank Creed” Morris
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e-mail: frankcreed@insightbb.com
Home: http://www.frankcreed.com
Blog: http://www.frankcreed.com/blog
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If a Tux Could Talk

My son Tim and I are really stepping into high gear with the our latest work in progress - If a Tux Could Talk: The Men Who Help Plan Their Weddings, and the Women Who Love Them For It.

We are eager to find more grooms (and brides) willing to share their wedding planning experiences. If you know of someone who got married in the last few years, or someone currently planning a wedding, PLEASE have them drop me an email or give me a call. I’ve created a special email address just for these messages – louisedumont@gmail.com

A Little About Our Book
Today's groom is not afraid to order quiche tartlets for his reception or display a daisy boutonniere on his tux. Most couples are footing more than a third of their own wedding bill. Grooms both want and need to participate in the decision-making. If a Tux Could Talk: The Men Who Help Plan Their Weddings, and the Women Who Love Them For It reflects the changing role of a groom. Unlike many other groom guides, this book also addresses a young man's Godly desire to become the spiritual leader of the home, even as he values the talents and strengths of his bride.

Author Opportunity

Here is a request from fellow author, Terri Pilcher. The article is being written on spec for Today's Officer - the online version of their print magazine for military officers.
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From Terri
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I need a couple of anecdotes from people who've successfully resolved holiday conflicts with relatives. They could be in-laws, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, mentally-ill relatives, whatever. Please e-mail me at prowriter1@gmail.com if you have a story that will help.

Thanks!
Terri Pilcher
prowriter1@gmail.com

Several months ago Patrick O'Toole, a NJCWG member (and a regular instructor at our A Reason to Write Conference), completed Chapter 5 in the new Microsoft Press book "Programming Microsoft SQL Server 2005". The book just became available on Quantumbooks.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. It's listed on Amazon, but not yet available to purchase there.

NJCWG Meeting Tonight

NJCWG - Meeting Tonight

Monday June 26, 2006
6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Special Note: There will be NO meeting on July 10, 2006

NEW Book Announcement

This is a picture of my son, Timothy R. DuMont, and his soon-to-be fiance, Amanda Lillis. It was taken after their recent performance at Carnegie Hall

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Tim R. DuMont is currently preparing for his wedding to the beautiful Amanda Lillis. Tim's mother, author and speaker Louise Bergmann DuMont, has been happily married to Tim's father (John DuMont) for over 30 years. Together they hope to share both the fun and the folly of wedding planning with those in the midst of such preparations.

MESSAGE FROM LOUISE:
My son, Tim, and I are eager to get our latest book, If a Tux Could Talk: The Men Who Help Plan Their Weddings, and the Women Who Love Them For It ready for press. We've already done a number of interviews, joined wedding forums, created a "groom's survey" and put together our publishers pitch (below).

We are eager to find grooms, brides, wedding coordinators and other wedding professionals willing to share their wedding planning experiences. If you know someone interested in participating in this project, PLEASE have them drop me an email or give me a call. I’ve created a special email address just for these messages – louisedumont@gmail.com

PITCH
Today's groom is not afraid to order quiche tartlets for his reception or display a daisy boutonniere on his tux. Most couples are footing more than a third of their own wedding bill. Grooms both want and need to participate in the decision-making. If a Tux Could Talk: The Men Who Help Plan Their Weddings, and the Women Who Love Them For It reflects the changing role of a groom. Unlike many other groom guides, this book also addresses a young man's Godly desire to become the spiritual leader of the home, even as he values the talents and strengths of his bride.

Award Annoucement

Just wanted to share some exciting news about one of our NJCWG members.

Chris Sagona was recently awared the First Place Award for Best Feature Writing in the state of New Jersey in a weekly newspaper. This award is presented by The Society of Professional Journalists and the award is the Excellence in Journalism Award.

An other note of praise for Chris is that her book, Park Ridge is complete. It will be in Barnes and Noble stores in about two months.

Next Meeting of the NJCWG

NJCWG - Next Meeting

Monday June 26, 2006
6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Special Note: There will be NO meeting on July 10, 2006

Character Gesture Website

Here is a great website where you can get character gestures

The Nonverbal Dictionary
http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/diction1.htm

Writing Op - More Than Novellas

Here is a recent writing op that came across my desk...
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Seeking original novells, novellas and short stories.

Mission Statement: To promote and build a library of family friendly
fiction--with values that exemplify the teachings and walk of Christ--for
people to read on the web, by maintaining MoreThanNovellas and by promoting
the work of both authors and webmasters who are called to the same purpose.
(see below for submission guidelines

Last year MoreThanNovellas.com had our greatest summer ever. Not only did
we double our authors with some great men and women, but we received almost
as many hits and participation in the IF room then we did during the rest of
the year. I tell you that because people are looking for great fiction to
read online--all over the world. In 2006, we entered our seventh year
online and now have 16 online novellas, 12 complete ... 46 short stories,
all in a growing library of free to read online fiction.

This isn't a paying market. However, if you're interested drop by
www.morethannovellas.com and check out the how to submit page or the
submission guidelines page (see guidelines below).

Elizabeth Delayne
MoreThanNovellas.com

____________________
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Look around the website and see what's going on. You should get a good feel
for it. Of course, you can always ask.

The story does not have to be distinctly Christian, but must represent
Christian values: clean, wholesome, fun ....

The story must have a plot~adventure, romance, friendship, etc. This means
character development, setting, rising action, climax and falling action.

Must follow True Love Waits and preferably Lady in Waiting (a book) values.
If you can't understand the meaning by the titles, again you can ask ;).
Please be aware of, an pray about, how love and affection is shown ...

It is important to remember that while most of the readers are adults, some
that come through might be children. I do ask you to consider the audience
and pray over anything that may be ... impressionable.

***Please do not submit a story you have posted elsewhere on the web. If
people run across similar stories over and over they stop looking.

The author keeps the rights to all stories. I will place your e-mail,
website, etc along with your story and I will create a graphic for you. Just
look around the website and see what's going on.

---
www.morethannovellas.com: Free to read online Novel(la)s & Short Stories.

Challenge your writing skills and delight the writers that are
participating, by adding to the continuing sagas in the IF room ... what
happens IF ... there's always a cliffhanger waiting for you.

Currently Accepting Submissions: novels, novellas and short stories ... see
Submission Guidelines/How to Submit @ morethannovellas.com

If a Tux Could Talk - New Book

Sorry I haven't posted to the blog recently. My family was having a yard sale last Fri & Sat in support of my youngest son (Timothy) and his soon to be fiancé (Amanda). This entailed digging through the attic, basement, garage and numerous closets (ugh).

Anyway, what little spare time I had was spent putting together a questionnaire for my new book. I am eagerly looking for recently engaged men or men married within the last few years. If you know of anyone like that, please have them contact me for a copy of the questionnaire. The tentative title of my new book is If a Tux Could Talk and I am particularly interested in men who chose to get involved in their wedding plans or those who wanted to get involved, but for some reason were not able to. Especially sought after would be humorous or poignant anecdotes about the wedding preparations or the wedding itself.

ALSO... I am also looking for specific instances when/how the man took on the responsibility of spiritual head.

Those interested in filling out my questionnaire can contact me ASAP at njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Writing Op - The Kids' Ark

Here is an email that I received from Joy Mygrants at The Kids' Ark.
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May this find you blessed and glorifing God in everything!

The Kids' Ark is on the lookout for interesting, adventurous and captivating submissions for children ages 6-12 in the following themes. Anger - Due July 18 (Anticipated publication in January) Wisdom- Due Aug. 18 (Anticipated publication in February) Lazy - Due Sept. 18 (Anticipated publication in March) . Submissions should be approximately 600 words in length and be e-mailed to me at writingwonder78@yahoo.com as a Microsoft Word attachment. Accepted stories earn $100 each. For more information, guidelines or questions, e-mail me. To view a copy of the Ark, view our website at
http://thekidsark.com

Blessings,
Joy
(Joy Mygrants)
The Kids' Ark

TONIGHT - NJCWG Meeting

NEXT MEETING - TONIGHT
Monday, June 12, 2006

North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG)
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ

6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson - Story Starters - Ideas to get you writing again
8:00-9:00 – Critiques

Upcoming topics of discussion: How to research articles, stories and books (June)
Poetry for the Non-Poet (July)
Learn to write by "patterning"
Using Personality Profiles to Creating Credible Characters

If any member of the group has a topic they would like to see taught/discussed, please notify the facilitator, Louise Bergmann DuMont njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Walt Whitman Poetry Festival

NJCWG member, Maude Carolan, will be reading

at the Walt Whitman Poetry Festival this October!

Walt Whitman Poetry Festival

Auditorium Square Park

Ocean Grove, NJ

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Saturday,October 7, 2006

9:30 am to 5:30 pm

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

Meet the Editors

Boss - Gillan - Finale - Johnson - LaVeglia - Larkin - Plante - Roscove - Zulauf

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Hear the Poets

Berry - Bogart - Bryan - Cameron - Calendar - Carolan - Czyzewski - Dean - DeVenezia - deKoninck - Emerson - Evans - Friedman - Gwyn - Goldberg - Haefelein - Halscheid - Harter - Higginson - Johansen - Sutton/Johson - Kenny - Kreuter - Larkin - Leary - Lockward - Marchitti - Olaoye - Pecora - McKenty -

McCullough - Moore - Murphy - Newcomer - Reiter - Rosenbloom - Samuels - Schiro - Shadovitz - Smith - Thomas - Tiger - Vassallo - Ward - Weil - Whelden - Wilkinson

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Readings Workshops Tutorials

Panels Open Readings

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No Admission fee but some programs require pre-registration

Contact: Whitmanfestival@aol.com

for more information and directions

Next NJCWG Meeting

Next Meeting of the NJCWG
Monday, June 12, 2006
6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson
8:00 - 9:00 - Critiques

Hope to see you there!

Today - Book Signing - Don Smith

NJCWG member, Don Smith, wrote a book called "Hawthorne" as part of the Arcadia Publishing's series "Images of America."

Don will be at Bennett Books at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, June 10, in Wyckoff for his first booksigning.

Bennett Books is located at:

303 Franklin Ave.
Wyckoff, NJ 07481
Tel: 201-891-8444
You can visit them at their web site at: http://www.bennettbks.com

Writing Op - Focus On The Family

Just got this email from an editor at Focus on the Family. As always, do not contact me if you are interested in this market.

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Focus on the Family would like to offer paying and non-paying writing opportunities for our outreach Web site, www.Troubledwith.com.

We need articles on parenting teens, parenting children, blended families, media influence, sex before marriage, physical and verbal abuse, homosexuality, and also for many other topics.

For paying articles, compensation ranges from .25 to .35/word, depending upon content type. Articles range from 600-1000 words.

If any of your writers are interested, please have them contact me for more information and visit www.troubledwith.com to learn more about the website.

Writers who are interested will need to submit two clips before they are considered for an assignment.

I can be reached at shana.schutte@fotf.org

Thank you so much! I look forward to answering any questions!

Shana Schutte
Editor
Focus on the Family
shana.schutte@fotf.org

New Book Project !!!

Strike up the band...
Get ready with a drum roll please...

I just got a VERY enthusiastic go ahead from my agent (Janet Kobobel Grant) regarding my next book project! I've been looking at this and that, while my emotions ran to and fro. Then I asked myself some serious questions.

Does God still want me to write?
If so, why am I NOT writing?
If He does want me to write, WHAT does he want me to write?
I want to write fiction, but does HE want me to write fiction?

I prayed fervently and found that God did want me to write -- so the question became, "What is my next project?"

Every good book starts with a need. Fill a need and you've got a book that will sell. Sometime that need is information, or it may be a need for entertainment. Whatever that need is, fill it and you've got your reader's attention.

Did I mention that my youngest is starting to look at engagement rings? This couple is very different from my oldest and his wife so it made me wonder what would be in store for us, wedding-wise, this time around. I searched the library for books on weddings. Low and behold - NO books for guys who are getting married. NO books for the mother of the groom. Not even any books for brides who want to know what their guys are thinking about the wedding.

Lighening struck. Well, duh. How about I write a book for brides and grooms -- from a guy's perspective! Hey, I've got great access to three young men in various stages of wedded or pre-wedded bliss. I also have a not-so-young fellow with over 30 years of wedded bliss (???) under his belt. This was it. I had a book.

This afternoon during my lunch hour I pitched the idea to my agent. She was THRILLED! Not only does she feel this will be a good seller, she did some quick research and found both a need and a vacumn of books in this arena. She already has a few publishers she thinks will be seriously interested and she wants my "blurb" right away!

Whopee!

If you have a title that springs to mind, feel free to send it to me. Right now I have two possibilities but neither is quite right. I'm open to any new possibilities. It should indicate a level of humor that will be a part of the book, it should attract a woman to purchase the book, and should indicate that this book is from the male perspective. Since the book is technically nonfiction, it would be good to have both a title and subtile. Send any ideas to me at: njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Keep me in prayer. This is going to be a roller coaster ride. The good news is that this time around I know where most of the loops and dips are.


Next meeting of the NJCWG - June 12!

Louise Bergmann DuMont

Unsavory Agents and Literary Agencies

Those of you who know me know that I've said this before, but I really MUST say it again. If you are looking for an agent or literary agency to represent your work -- BE CAREFUL! Once again, a writing colleague I know got taken for thousands of dollars and his manuscript will sit on shelf for years until all the legal battles are fought. Why? He was so eager to get an agent he jumped on the first band wagon that came along. I knew his manuscript wasn't ready yet, I think that he knew it too -- but he wanted to be published, and he wanted it NOW.

It is always best to wait, Wait, WAIT for a respectable agent to pick up your manuscript (which may mean reworking it dozens and dozens of times before it is ready). If you sign with the first person to show some interest in your work, you may find yourself with an unsavory agent who smooth talks you out of your money -- and your reputation.

PLEASE check the following website if you are considering agents. And remember, a person saying that they are a Christian doesn't make them one any more than a person sitting in a garage makes them an automobile.

http://20worstagents.com/