Call for Submissions: Teaching Miracles

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Attention, teachers! Adams Media (publishers of the Cup of Comfort series) is now developing an anthology tentatively titled Teaching Miracles. From the editor’s announcement: “The book will contain true stories written by people of all ages–that celebrate the ability of the shared classroom experience to positively influence our lives. They are stories that show that education doesn’t just come from books, and also that it’s not just a one-way street, flowing from teacher to student.” The editor seeks “concise, heartfelt stories that express what you gained from your experience in the classroom, be it a specific incident, milestone, or an ongoing process that enabled you to grow personally or professionally.”

Contributors will receive $50, plus a copy of the book. “The author whose story is chosen as the most inspirational will receive $100.” Submission deadline: April 1.

For more information, click here.

Call for Submissions: Futurist Fiction

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

High Country News, a newspaper that focuses on the American West, is planning a one-time science fiction issue, “imagining what the West might look like in 50 years, if we were to create what Wallace Stegner once called ‘a society to match the scenery.'” The newspaper seeks stories of a sustainable future in the American West. “We’re not looking for idyllic utopia, necessarily, but a realistic assessment of people and their place in the landscape.” Since the winning story (or stories) will complement a dark tale (the West during a massive drought), “we’re looking for something to balance the grimness. A few positive trends that we’ve identified in recent years include a growing ecological restoration movement, dense, ‘New Urbanist’ development in lieu of sprawl; and blossoming local economies.

The submission deadline is March 30, 2006. Word limit: 3,500 words. Payment: $.30/word, on publication. Send via postal mail–no simultaneous or multiple submissions.

For the full announcement, click here.

(Via PayingWriterJobs)

E-book Updates

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

I’m always working to keep the e-books updated with current and correct information. I weed out publications that are no longer in business (or paying for submissions), add new possibilities, and so on. This week I’ve just updated the directory of paying markets for book reviewers. AND I’ve revised (and expanded) the primer on low-residency MFA programs. You can find them both here. Be sure to download the free previews!

Something for Food Writers/Fiction Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
1

Here’s a little something passed along to me from a fellow practicing writer. The announcement comes from the Food Writing ezine.

“Food Writing, a bi-weekly ezine, is sponsoring a short story contest. There is no fee to enter your short story with food as an ingredient, but you must be a subscriber to Food Writing (it’s free; subscribe now at www.food-writing.com).

Rules: 500 words maximum. Food must be included in the short story. It can be the main character or in the background but food is essential! Three winners will be awarded $50 each plus publication in Food Writing ezine and on the Food Writing website. Winners will be chosen by three judges including the publisher of Food Writing.

Deadline: April 21, midnight.
Winners Announced in the May 2 issue of Food Writing.
Other: No fee to enter but must be a subscriber of Food Writing, a free online newsletter. 500 maximum word count. Email entry to: FoodandFiction@yahoo.com .”

And speaking of free online newsletters, the March issue of our own “Practicing Writer” (for fictionists, poets, and writers of creative nonfiction) went out to subscribers last Friday. Archives are available to subscribers only, but you can read the current issue republished here.

Another Student Writing Contest

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Found out about this one by checking in at the MediaBistro MBToolbox, one of my favorite sites to visit.

The Nation is running a Student Writing Contest. According to the magazine’s Web site, they’re seeking “original, thoughtful, provocative student voices to tell us what issue is of most concern to their generation.” Do that in 800 words (maximum) and submit only one original, unpublished work (work may have been published in a student publication) by March 31.

The winner receives $500 and a magazine subscription; the winning essay will be published in the magazine and featured on the magazine’s Web site. Five other finalists will receive $100 each along with magazine subscriptions, and their work will be published online. There’s no entry fee indicated, and the contest is open to all high school students and undergraduates at American schools, colleges and universities. For more information and submission instructions, click here.

Literary Festival Prizes

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Attention, college students! The Hollins University Literary Festival takes place on April 8, 2006, and the celebration includes fiction and poetry prizes for undergraduate college students. Submit up to three poems and/or up to two short stories for top prizes of $100. “All entries must include the name and city and state of the author’s college and the author’s contact information (e-mail or phone number).” There’s NO ENTRY FEE indicated. Submission deadline: March 17, 2006. Click here for more information/instructions. Good luck!