July
was full of highs and lows, both personally and professionally.
First,
an elderly friend who reminded me of Katherine Hepburn passed away on
the same day as the legendary actress. Then, I
started (and ended) a relationship that went from wonderful to
washout in the blink of an eye. But the
hardest blow was the sudden death of my oldest brother.
In
the meantime, the quantity of rejection
slips that arrived by e-mail and post seemed endless. In one day alone, I had
more than half a dozen pieces rejected by various
publications.
Despite
the setbacks, I enjoyed a few publishing successes (see Bookmarks)
and discovered (to my delight) how many friends I truly
have.
I
even had the pleasure of being interviewed by BBC Television for
a documentary episode on the 1770s Yorkshire Immigration to Nova
Scotia--which included my Dobson ancestors.
No
matter how bad things get, you can find something positive to help
keep you going.
Betty
Dobson, Publisher/Editor
Looking
for a little writing inspiration and camaraderie? Join
the Literary
Lapse mailing list.
Advertise
your writing-related product or service in the next issue of InkSpotter
News. Contact the editor
for details.
The Craft
of the Modern Writer (compiled by Sheila Seifert and including
two of my writing tips) has been officially picked up for winter
2003/04 publication and re-titled theFabJob
Guide to Become a Published Writer.
I'm honoured to share this
success with my former poetry teacher, Brian Bartlett, whose poem
"For Anyone with a Body" is also included.
My essay "Amazon
Queen" appears in the "Rantings" section of the July issue of Betty
Magazine.
Co-authored e-book, Cultivating
Prostate Health - The Natural Way, now available for ordering. Under
"Table of Contents" click on "All things sweet..." to read
one of my contributions.
Linear
Reflections
Within
our virtual pages you will find comprehensive reviews of as many of the
world's art forms as possible. Our staff works hard to bring you a
mixture of reviews - on music, literature, art, movies, stage, concerts
and even video games. Our reviews are not only for adults, but also for
the kid in everyone. Come visit us at: http://www.linearreflections.com
and sign up for our FREE newsletter. If you have something you'd like to
submit, or are interested in reviewing, please contact us.
Think
your life is boring? Think again. Each of us has at least one
story lurking inside, just waiting to be told. Maybe one of
these contests will draw that story out.
Writer's Digest "Chronicle" - Writer's
Digest welcomes non-fiction submissions (up to 500 words) on
writing's triumphs and challenges. First prize is $125 (U.S.
funds). Deadline: the 25th of each month. Online or e-mail
submissions only.
Paris
Essay Contest - If you've been to Paris, France, in the past
two years, share your memories in a 350-450 word essay. Top
prize is EUR 800. Add a picture related to your essay topic for
a chance at EUR 150. Deadline: August 15th, 2003. E-mail
submissions only.
Echoes
of Gilgamesh Essay Competition - Have any favourite poems or
poets? Share that love in an essay and win up to £25. Essays of
any length allowed. Submit as often as you like. Deadline:
December 20th, 2003. Postal submissions only.
This
month we focus on the science fiction market. Appropriately, the
following publishers go beyond print publication of short
stories. Want to try your hand at SF poetry or hear your stories
on MP3 audio? Keep reading.
Neo-Opsis
Sci-Fi Magazine
- This new Canadian publication offers an eclectic mix of
content, including fiction, articles, reviews, and opinion
columns.
Mythic
Delirium
- Publishes SF, fantasy, horror, and cross-genre poetry.
Prefer effective rhymes and/or traditional forms.
Reading
period: Open
Editor:
Mike Allen
Rights:
FNASR
with anthology option
Pays: $5
(U.S.) for poems up to 40 lines; $10 (U.S.) for longer pieces
(prefers shorter poems; pays within 30 days of publication)
Submit
to:
PO
Box 13511
Roanoke
VA 24034-3511
Frequency
Online
- Produces MP3 audio for Internet download. Primarily wants Sci
Fi, as well as fantasy and horror. Mysteries okay with sci fi/fantasy/horror
elements.
Reading
period: Open
Editor: Jeremy
Bloom
Rights:
Exclusive
Audio Rights
Pays: 3
cents (U.S.) per word, plus 20% royalty on Internet sales
This
is the space where subscribers get to do a little bragging about
their own writing successes. Don't be shy. We want to hear from
you.
Martine
Bates' first book is coming out in October. Chris Sheats: The
Free State of Winston is a biography of Chris Sheats, a strong
Union supporter in Alabama during the Civil War and later emissary
for the U.S. government to Denmark. The book is published by
Seacoast Press as part of the Alabama Roots Biography Series.
Eileen
Sateriale signed a contract for her story "A Visit to the
Women in the Military Museum" to be published in the Freedom
Isn't Free anthology in 2004.
Eileen's
poetry was featured in the 2003 Poet Laureate Edition of Sol
Magazine.
Kelly
Steed has just signed a contract with JoNa
Books for her second novel Camelot’s Revenge about a
psychic who discovers the identity of the grassy knoll assassin
and decides to bring him to justice in 1998.
Gayle
Montanez sold her story "Rodeo
Noodles"--about one of her old cats--to ASPCA
Animal Watch (Association for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) for publication
in one of their 2004 issues.
How
far do you want to take your writing career? How fast do you
want to get there? Do you even know where you're going? Maybe
your next writing project should be a business plan. Here are
three free options to get you started.
PlanWare
eGuides - This self-contained executable file includes
"white papers" on business planning issues. Topics
include Developing a Business Strategy, Writing a Business Plan,
Preparing Financial Projections, and Managing Working Capital.
Exl-Plan
Free - The Excel-based program is free to download.
Short-term (six-month) financial projections include income
statements, cash flows, balance sheets, and more. The paid
version contains additional features.
ScotiaOne
Business Plan Writer - The Bank of Nova Scotia (a.k.a.
Scotiabank) created this interactive tool especially for the
small business owner. The companion Guide walks you through the
process, from figuring out where you are to where you want to
go.
Welcome
back from Taos. I'm surprised no one else I know who's gone
there has mentioned the altitude. That would be a real liability
for me. My son, who was in Santa Fe, mentioned getting
nosebleeds from the dryness.
Anyway,
a very, very nice first issue. I will be looking forward to
future issues.
Mary
E. Gray, Newport News, Virginia
Hi
Betty,
I
took a brief tour through the first issue and must admit, somewhat
sheepishly, it is a lot more than I expected.
I
thought it would be one of the text based e-mail type of
operation. Boy, am I impressed!
You've
done a splendid job of design and content.
Love
the clean, lots of white space feeling to the pages.
The
graphics are very tastefully integrated and the whole thing
extremely easy to navigate.
It
feels fresh and breezy and gives a nice little lift to the
spirit.
Really
is impressive. Especially for a debut.
Congratulations.
I'm
sure you will be hearing that a lot and welcoming subscribers in
droves. Keep up the quality work.
