Awesomesauce Words from Not-Me and So Much More!

Am-Me Note:

1. Now the plumber has to REPLACE the bathroom sink. Our new landlord must hate us.
2. The birds came! The birds came! This morning I caught a sparrow and a cardinal at my feeder!
3. The grocery store in my new town has a 6-pack Mix&Match section. This. Is. Epic! I got 5 new beers and 1 trusty stand-by (Terrapin Gold). Reviews to follow.
4. I am teetering on the edge of writing burn-out, and I haven't even tried to write in over a week. I'm concentrating on getting my house in order before I even think about the writing...

PS: Don't forget to check out Beth Revis' super-mega-awesome contest!!


And Now For Something Completely Different: 


If you missed my first post from The Writer, take some time and check it out. Good stuff in there. This month's issue is completely different, of course, and the Marketplace is featuring upcoming conferences BY STATE. Yeah, I won't be listing all of those, but I'll try to hit on some.

First, some highlights from some of the articles:

1. Give us the context of your narrative. "It's surprising how many writers will neglect to tell the poor reader where we are, when it is, and who is talking to us, thus plunging us into a tale that takes place nowhere in particular, at no time in particular, and happens to no one in particular." (Adair Lara)

2. Know the signs of author burnout! (I think several of us have been experiencing this as of late.) "Writing is not everything. There, I've said it. And if you want longevity in this business, play isn't just important--it's critical." (Lisa Shearin: you can check out her website/blog here) 

3. The big article was a reprint from a 1985 interview with Madeleine L'Engle. Her biggest piece of advice for writers is this: "While I am writing, I am not thinking of any audience at all...I am thinking about the book." This was an awesome article, worth buying this issue just to have. 

A few more articles:

1. Interview with author super-star Meg Cabot--talk about some querying inspiration!
2. Improve your fiction with film techniques! 
3. A hilarious offer by Kathy Stevenson to be writer in residence at Godiva chocolate headquarters, Nordstrom, Champagne Pierrier-Jouet, etc. 
4. What makes literary fiction 'literary'? Followed by how to give your literary novel an edge and submission strategies for literary journals. 

Personal Essay markets! I never knew how big this was, but here are a few:

1. American Baby: "In your words" covers issues affecting parents and children up to age 2 (e.g. feedings, child care, sleepless nights, sibling rivalry, etc.) 750 words. $1000 payment. Contact: Tricia O'Brien; tricia.obrien@meredith.com; www.parents.com/american-baby-magazine. 

2. FamilyFun: For parents of children ages 3-12. "Family Traditions" shows how a family's tradition has shaped its identity or brought members closer. 300-500 words. $1.25/word. Contact: Mary Giles, mary.giles@disney.com; "Creative Solutions" describes how an innovative idea solved a common family problem. 800-1000 wprds. $1,250. Contact Debra Immergut, debra.immergut@disney.com

3. Real Simple: "Life Lessons" calls for essays that have an unexpected outcome or an interesting take-away for the reader. Avoid static essays like a meditation on a farmhouse. 1,500 words. $2/word. Contact: Amanda Armstrong, amanda_armstrong@realsimple.com, www.realsimple.com


Conferences

If I don't include your state and you'd like to know, ask in the comments! I'd be happy to share. 

Connecticut: 
-Wesleyan Writers Conference. Middletown, CT. June 17-21. Contact: Anne Greene, conference director, Wesleyan University, 294 High Street, Rm. 207, Middletown, CT 06459. agreene@wesleyan.edu; www.wesleyan.edu/writers

D.C.
-American Independent Writers Conference: Washington, D.C. June 12. Broad array of topics. Contact: info@aiwriters.org/ www.amerindywriters.org

Florida
-Anhinga Writers Studio 2010 Summer Writing Program: Gainesville, FL. July 28-31. info@anhingawriters.org, www.anhingawriters.org

Georgia
-Chattahoochee Valley Writers' Conference: Columbus, GA. Sept. 25-26. chattwriter@charter.net; www.chattwriters.org

-Southeastern Writers Association Conference: St. Simons Island, GA. June 20-24. www.southeasternwriters.com

Illinois
-Write-to-Publish Conference: Wheaton, IL, June 9-12. Focused on Christian market. www.writetopublish.com

-Writers & Editors/ One-on-One: Chicago, July 16-18. For magazine writers. www.magazinewriters.com 

Indiana
- Indiana University Writers' Conference: Bloomington, Ind. June 6-11. www.indiana.edu/~writecon

Michigan
-Bear River Writers Conference: Petoskey, MI. June 3-7. www.lsa.umich.edu/bearriver

New Jersey
-Deadly Ink: Parsippany, NJ. June 25-27. Mystery writers. www.deadlyink.com

-Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway: Cape May, NJ, Jan. 14-17, 2011. www.wintergetaway.com

North Carolina
-Wildacres Writers Workshop: Little Switzerland, NC. July 10-17. www.wildacres.com 

Ohio
-Antioch Writers' Workshop: Yellow Springs, OH. July 10-16. www.antiochwritersworkshop.com 

Texas
-Writers' League of Texas Agents Conference: Austin, TX. June 25-27. Each writers receives 10-minute agent consultation. www.writersleague.org


Any song writers out there? There are multiple listings asking for song lyrics in the Marketplace.


Glimmertrain.org is still accepting short story submissions through the end of the month. Check out the website for guidelines and to submit. Payment for stories accepted for print pub: $700-2,000. 




Well, that's all for this month's issue! As always, please let me know if you do any of these things and they pan out for you!