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Noticing Newbies: May 31, 2006 Issue [#1073]

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Noticing Newbies


 This week:
  Edited by: laurencia
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter


N0TICING NEWBIES NEWSLETTER


Noticing Newbies Newsletter is geared to help members get acquainted with Writing.com. There are many things to do and learn...and all the features can be overwhelming! Our goal is to help you make your time here more fun and manageable.

Each week we select and showcase new items (poetry, short stories, essays, campfires, polls, etc.). Exposure for an item (your writing) helps to bring you more rates and reviews by fellow members and the general public...of course depending on how much exposure you want your item to have. Some writers like to keep their work private. When your work does receive exposure, it also helps bring more member interaction, which will give you the opportunity to build new friendships. Remember, it is a two-way street, so try to make an effort to reciprocate reviews.


"There's someone that you haven't already met, go introduce yourself to him or her. Walls and labels can't keep you from the people who are so similar to you in spirit. There's a friendly face behind every door if you pick the right moment to knock. Once you start your wave of creative outreach, it turns into a contagious force. People are waking up and smiling at each other, sharing their dreams without hesitation. This community is worth something."

-- Author Unknown


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Letter from the editor

Hiya Members!

If you are a working writer, you know that your work is never done. If you are a student/writer looking forward to a summer off, that's great! But, don't let your writing get rusty...you can enter a contest or two. Even casual writers, try your hand at a contest, it can be fun!

Whether you enter a competition and win, or enter a competition and not place, do not let any of these deter you from writing. If you are rejected, PLEASE do not take it personally. Seriously, some competitions look for something very particular, just like a publisher looking for a particular story. Think of it this way, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," not to say that your writing is trash, but you got the point I hope. The most important thing to remember is to know what YOU think of your work. If you like it and someone turns it down, you still know it is good. Having confidence in yourself is very important in the writing world...it will help you through your writing career.

In addition to the legitimacy of a literary contest, there's another question you may want to consider: Is it worth your time to enter?

Many writers think that entering and winning contests is a way to build a list of writing credits, which is not totally untrue. But, it is only true if the contest is prestigious -- the Malice Domestic Contest run by St. Martin's Press, for instance, where winning includes a book contract, or the Golden Heart Award, a contest for unpublished book-length manuscripts conducted by the Romance Writers of America. Both are conducted by influencial organizations in the publishing industry, and have rigorous standards and professional judges. If you win or place in one of these, it's definitely a credit worth including in a query letter. For the most part, only a few contests have this kind of clout.

Winning contests conducted by an obscure magazine or a local writers' group or one of the Internet contest forums won't cut any ice with agents and editors -- not just because the editors and agents won't have heard of these contests, but because they know small contests are much less likely to employ professional judging standards. Now, I'm not saying that these contests are a waste of time, not at all...it is a good way to sharpen your skills.

Expanding your writing resume is by no means the only reason to enter contests. Contests can be fun and challenging. And obviously, if you win, the cash is nice too. Just be realistic about your expectations. And keep in mind that if you're serious about a writing career, your energy is best spent on submitting work to publishers.

Be very careful of irresponsibly conducted contests! Scam artists are out to stalk innocent and naive writers to happily take their money!

For instance, one fee-charging literary agency advertises a contest where the prize is agency representation. Representation is indeed offered (to everyone who enters), but the catch is that it comes with a hefty editing fee attached. Another agency uses a false name to run its contest -- entrants are told that even though they didn't win their work is "exceptional", and referred to the agency, which charges an up-front fee.

Other contests are run by questionable publishers. Often the prize is a book contract, and the winners don't find out until afterward that they must pay a fee for publication, or agree to pre-purchase large numbers of books, or pay the publisher for a publicity campaign (a good reason never to enter a contest that doesn't allow you to refuse a contract if it's offered). Or the publisher may give the list of entrants to a vanity publishing service or a fee-charging literary agency, which then sends out solicitations and pays the first publisher a kickback if any of the entrants bite.

The most common of all are the contests that are conducted by the vanity anthology companies. These companies publish collections of poems, short stories, or essays, which then are sold not to the public, but to the contributors. Sometimes publication is contingent on purchase of the anthology and sometimes it isn't, but in all cases the anthology can't be obtained except by paying for it. Because inclusion in these anthologies is offered to everyone who enters the contests, an anthology-published poem isn't considered a legitimate literary credit.

With all being said, I hope some of you have an itch, or even more so, an ache to enter a writing contest over the summer.

I have listed a few contests with already expired deadlines, but maybe you would like to enter the next one. Some of the contests have submission deadlines coming right up, so check'em out!



DECEMBER 2005:

http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org/EthicsPrize/information.html
https://www.rwanational.org/eweb/StartPage.aspx



2006 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORE THAN ONE DEADLINE PER LINK
or ON-GOING:

http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/NSMPages/TeenEditorial.aspx
http://www.writersjournal.com/
http://www.stageplays.com/markets.htm
http://www.filmmakers.com/contests/index.htm
http://www.picnic-basket.com/Picnic-Story-Contest-Details_ep_37-1.html
http://about.chicagotribune.com/community/literaryawards.htm
http://www.carvezine.com/linkspage.htm
http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/
http://www.thestoryprize.org/information.html
http://www.nationalpress.org/
http://www.chelseamag.org/awards/guidelines.asp
http://www.toasted-cheese.com/submit.htm
http://www.bylinemag.com/contests.asp
http://www.glimmertrain.com/fictionopen.html
http://www.literal-latte.com/contest_new.html
http://www.carvezine.com/contest.htm
http://www.twnn.com/Contests.htm




APRIL 2006:

http://www.wordsandmusic.org/guidelines.html
http://www.malicedomestic.org/index.htm
http://www.gather.com/viewGroupArticles.jsp?grpId=3659174697238842




MAY 2006:

http://www.neh.gov/wtp/essay/
http://www.abetterearth.org/subcategory.php/303.html
http://holocaust.hklaw.com/2006/index.asp#
http://www.oberlin.edu/ocpress/
http://www.scsfe.com/events/competition.aspx
http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/shakespeare/scholars.html




JUNE 2006:

http://www.writemovies.com/writingcontest.html#guidelines
http://scbeginnings.com/contest.htm
http://www.bestnewpoets.org/open.html
http://www.drugstrategies.org/awards.html
http://www.wagingpeace.org/menu/programs/awards-&-contests/swack-contest/index.h...
http://www.bitteroleander.com/contest.html
http://www.barrowstreet.org/
http://www.jackwebster.com/
http://www.newenglandwriters.org/2003/contests.html
http://www.mainstreetrag.com/Fiction%20Contest.html
http://www.newmillenniumwritings.com/awards.php
http://www.spr.armstrong.edu/guyowen.html
http://www.writingclasses.com/ContestPages/teen100words.php
http://difficultpeople.org/V2004/lighterside/musingscontest.php
http://www3.uakron.edu/uapress/poetryprize.html
http://seedmagazine.com/writingcontest/




JULY 2006:

http://www.baltimorereview.org/
http://www.azauthors.com/contest.html
http://www.wagingpeace.org/menu/programs/awards-&-contests/bmk-contest/index.htm...
http://www.press.umich.edu/fiction/
http://www.margolis.com/award/
http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php
http://www.grrrwa.org/contest.html
http://inkspotter.com/contests.htm
http://www.dreamquestone.com/




AUGUST 2006:

http://www.pepperdine.edu/sponsored/ccl/awardsandcontests/bookawards.htm
http://writestuffwriters.com/content.asp?contentid=541
http://www.upperroom.org/pockets/contest_winner.asp




SEPTEMBER 2006:

http://www.asascreenwriters.com/2006sthschedule.html
http://english.osu.edu/journals/the_journal/Contests/AlumniContest.html




NOVEMBER 2006:

http://www.engl.unt.edu/alr/contest.htm




DECEMBER 2006:

http://www.jmwpublishing.com/




2007 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.pw.org/rw/WEX.htm




FEBRUARY 2007:

http://www.usip.org/ed/npec/
http://www.writeonwhidbey.com/Contest_Scholarships/Benefactors_Contest.htm



Well, there ya go! I hope many of you will find the time to enter a writing contest!

Have fun! *Smile*

Until next time...
** Image ID #692136 Unavailable **

I have personally selected the above writing contests in which I hope are conducted in good faith. I will not take part in any further involvement with a Writing.com member or any other person who decides to take part in a writing contest listed above or any other contest conducted here at Writing.com. I will also not be responsible for any negligence by a writing contest. - Laurencia


Editor's Picks

*Star* Monthly featured newbies I have personally chosen for your enjoyment: *Star*


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1038185 by Not Available.


 THE WHIPPOORWILL SONG (Chapter 1)  (E)
HIS CALL CAUSES MY MIND TO RUSH BACK TO ANOTHER PLACE, ANOTHER TIME....
#1106842 by Doris


 Aunt Maggie  (13+)
This is a biography for a D&D character, and is as finished as it will ever be.
#1103091 by MagnusBanyon


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1079121 by Not Available.


 Part of "Thursday"/What If  (13+)
FBI & DEA agents working undercover get found out . . . part of a ss but can stand alone
#1084730 by Caren Rose


 The Coast of Cornwall  (ASR)
An actress at the end of her tether.The waters of the treacherous CornishCoast swirl below
#1100625 by Eclectic


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1097321 by Not Available.


 Miss Parsking's Angel  (E)
It's a tragedy with a twist!
#1107056 by rustapple


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1097666 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1100495 by Not Available.


 We Spoke  (E)
A poem inspired by the very short love affair I had in the spring of 2004
#1087675 by David Noet



FYI -

I regularly select 90% of the above items from "Show Items Submitted For Newsletters", which is located under "Editor's Picks" in your selected newsletter.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Dear Laurencia,

I am relatively new to this website and have a rather small portfolio but wish to thank you and other newsleter writers for their support and input that give life to it.

Couldn't help smiling as I read the end of your newsletter. Don't you think mistakes can spur intensive interaction (where on earth would we be without Adam, Eve and that apple?):

"If I come across mistakes, I feel the writer didn't care too much and it just plain annoying."
(substitute "is" for "it")

Just for the kick of it

My own writing is often riddled with mistakes far worse - spotting them simply make me feel like dancing.

Greetings,

Alec Numa
alexnuma


LOL! I know, I noticed it and corrected it. I eat my own words. *Laugh*
And I also get annoyed with my own mistakes. Thank you for writing in.



Thanks so much for another great newsletter! I love reading new author's work and I am fairly new myself! Your newsletter is informative & friendly as always..great work!
trose



Thank you so much for featuring my poem,
walking with the one you love, in this newsletter! Paula
paula_legate



I'd like to say I am glad I found this site, even though I still have a problem getting around it, I do enjoy it. After reading other people's work I do not know if I will ever submit any of mine as I do not think its good enough. I have been writing for as long as I can remember (and that is a long time) I still think it trash and end up not always finishing any thing, or I never let anyone else read it and just put it all a box in the cupboard. One day maybe eh! Yes one day maybe.
Feather


I think that most of us are our own worse critic. Remember, all writers start with a draft of their work...edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite, etc. So, don't be so hard on yourself. Practice makes perfect. *Wink*



Hi,

I'm not a new newbie, but the only way I know of to submit a story is through an attachment. There is no place for an attachment here. How do I submit a story to the web?

lynnruff@peoplepc.com
lynnruff


To create your first item and post an item here on Writing.com, read the following link, which also offers other information. Also, a link explaining how to post a link:

Getting Started: Table of Contents  (E)
Visit here for a tour of Writing.Com and learn about this vast, exciting site!
#168945 by The StoryMistress

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#819421 by Not Available.





Thank you all for writing in! Please feel free to come by again.

See ya June 28th!
laurencia
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