Erika Dreifus

Hi, everyone: I’m back briefly before fading away again for a few days, but I did want to hurry up and post this update from Susan Reynolds concerning the anthology series I recently told you about.

Dear Writers,

I have been receiving a number of Dog Hero stories and must offer a caution: Please avoid writing stories that focus on your or your dog’s illness, or your beloved pet’s demise. Just as with traditional Hero stories, the publisher will only allow four stories per volume that include illness or death (of the dog hero or his/her master). While we like stories that pack an emotional punch and bring a tear to our eyes, think endearing, poignant, or humorous (I rarely receive enough humorous stories) rather than melodramatic. Please write, instead, about your dogs while they are alive and well and what made him/her so special. And, yes, I realize the only dog sample includes illness and death, but Andy’s true story was particularly dramatic, and he wrote it with a steady hand, staying more focused on Shadow and including humor. Plus it was the only dog story I had as a sample, I used it to pitch the idea, and – most importantly – it has already filled one of the four slots in the volume that includes illness and death.

Also, I really, as in REALLY, need Woodstock stories. If you can find someone who attended, or have any ideas how I could reach a wide swath of baby boomers, please let me know. If you plan to send a story, please let me know so I won’t panic every day. That CALL is posted below. Please send it to anyone who might have attended Woodstock in 1969, or anyone who might know someone who did. If they aren’t a writer, I will help them craft their story, or you can interview them (questions are on link below) and write an “as told to” story. THANKS!

CALL FOR WOODSTOCK STORIES

Literary Cottage is currently seeking entries for an anthology to be published by Adams Media next summer, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival. Adams Media pays $100 and one copy of the book. Literary Cottage offers prizes of $100, $75, and $50 to top three stories respectively. For WOODSTOCK REVISITED, we are seeking fifty stories (850-1100 words) written by people who attended the 1969 Woodstock Festival. This anthology will document the event itself, but will also provide a portrait of America as that tumultuous decade came to a close. Stories should be historical within the context of 1969 and yet unique to your experience. Stories must be TRUE, 850-1100 words, vivid, and substantive. Please carefully review the details and sample story provided on the “Woodstock ’69 Guidelines” page available on the Literary Cottage website:

www.literarycottage.com/woodstock.html

HURRY – DEADLINE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

Please, please pass on the word regarding WOODSTOCK REVISITED, as we need fifty solid stories from people who attended the festival in 1969. You can write an “as told to” story if you have friends or family who attended. Go ahead, hunt someone down. Interview questions are posted on the link above.

THANKS!