Erika Dreifus

Here’s an interesting find (thanks to the folks over at WrittenRoad.com for the tip). Mastheads.org “is a totally free, totally open, collaborative resource created in May 2006 by a writer/editor in New York who wanted to organize her collection of magazine mastheads and decided to do it online. With the help of other freelance peeps like herself, 15 mastheads turned into 70, and now the goal is to get every major title out there, with up-to-the-minute updates and staff changes.” Benefit from the findings to date, and add to the collection if you’re so inclined.

UPDATE, July 20, 2006:

Well, that was fast. Seems that this resource is no longer free. That’s too bad. (If you become a regular contributor, however, you can still access the full database free of charge.)

Check out this great review of the new edition of our guide to literary contests for writers of book-length fiction:

I was very happy to come across The Practicing Writer’s Literary Contest Directory for Writers of Book-Length Fiction. It’s concise, easy to use, and more than worth its price for several hours saved that I otherwise would have spent combing the internet–hours better spent getting my manuscript ready for submitting!

Not only did Ms. Dreifus put more than thirty five contests all in one pleasing format, but she included very helpful information that the newbie contest entrant will find invaluable (and the veteran will appreciate looking over again).

If you’re finishing up a literary novel or adding one more story to that collection, I recommend getting this ebook early so that you can plan ahead for contest deadlines.

(Incidentally, the Practicing Writer’s blog and newsletter are always very helpful.)

Thanks!

See the review posted at the guide’s Web page, where you can also download a complimentary preview of the e-book.

In case you haven’t yet heard, changes are afoot at Writer’s Digest. For one thing, the magazine is now published bimonthly, rather than each month. (Keep that in mind when querying.)

For another, there’s a new contest (it appears to be replacing the “Your Assignment” challenge in each magazine/published each month on the Web site). It’s called “Your Story,” and like the new magazine schedule, it will offer a new challenge every other month (publicized both in the magazine and on the Web site).

Here’s the deal: “We’ll provide a short, open-ended prompt. In turn, you’ll submit a short story of 750 words or fewer based on that prompt. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. The winner will receive $100 and publication in an upcoming issue of Writer’s Digest.”

There is NO ENTRY FEE. One entry per person. Writer’s Digest obtains first-time rights to the winning and runner-up stories. Submit via the online submission form at the Web site (that’s also where you’ll find the current prompt).

The deadline for this first contest is July 10; winners will be announced in the December 2006 issue and on the Your Story winners page at WritersDigest.com.

If you’re a novelist or short story writer looking for contests that lead to publication and other prizes (including cash) you’ll want to streamline your search with our e-book directory of literary contests for book-length fiction. It’s just been updated, with much more detail to each listing. Download your free preview with sample listings–and tips for contest entrants–here.

I hadn’t updated this e-book since December, so several links had changed and some contests had to be removed, too. Notably, two contests previously run by Lewis-Clark Press had to be taken out.

When I checked in with the editor at Lewis-Clark (LC) Press (I had to e-mail her because the press does not appear to have a Web site–sometimes a bad sign in itself if only because it signals an antiquated approach to marketing) about the Lewis-Clark Discovery Award and the Lewis-Clark Expedition Award, I was surprised to hear back that the press is no longer running any contests. I was even more surprised to discover that the Press will now read submissions year-round–for a $10 fee.

The press calls this a “no-risk fee,” because they promise to refund the fee if they select your manuscript for publication, and they’ll send you one of their past titles if they don’t. But somehow, I don’t think this is going to sit well with many members of the literary community, however honest the intent behind it.

I have to admit I’m leery about it myself, especially now that I’ve done a little more research and discovered an article that reveals how unhappy one LC contest winner was with her published book. Apparently Billie Travalini’s work was published with a number of typographical flaws. Only 500 copies were issued, and the book was not available on Amazon.com.

So, of course, I’ve removed the LC Contests from our e-book. And I can’t see myself submitting my own work to that press, especially for a fee….

By the way, the e-book also includes a list of additional resources to consult for contest guidance. What I’ve learned about Billie Travalini’s experience makes me especially glad I’ve included a link to Laura Backes’s article on “How to Tell if a New or Small Press is Legitimate.” Though the article is targeted to children’s writing/publishing, its wisdom transfers easily to the market for grown-ups, too.

I’ll be away from the blog for the next several days (yes, I’m taking an extended Memorial Day break). But don’t worry–I’m still planning to send out the next “Practicing Writer” newsletter at the end of the week (look for a feature article especially for past, present, and future MFA grads–’tis the season, after all).

See you back here next week!