auria “Hussein” cortes

When writing for a market, research is key. Though I somehow doubt that PS Greeting Cards will have a corky sense of humor, the folks at someecards.com sure do. 

I need writing credits under the name Auria Cortes. Submitting a story to Chicken Soup should be on the top of my list, but I can’t come up with a story. Linda has experience as a nonfiction writer, but not in narrative nonfiction. So she isn’t helpful. While I’m waiting to be inspired to write a submission for Chicken Soup, I’m going to write a message for a greeting card. I think this would be fun.

PS Greeting Cards is accepting submissions for writers, illustrators, and photographers. Learn more about their submission guidelines. If you decide to send something in, please let me know. And of course, I will blog about the status of my submission. I may also send in a photograph, but I have no idea what duplicate slides or transparencies means. If I were a “real photographer” I would know, but I’m not. So if someone knows please leave a comment with details.

Last week I blogged about the Writer’s Digest seeking to interview debut authors.

Beth Fehlbaum just informed me that she was chosen! I’m so excited for her. It’s interesting how the internet works. I provide a lead. It pans out for a blogger. And though I don’t know her personally, I feel connected to her. I’m so proud of her success.   

A life-long writer and self-described “agent for social change”, Beth Fehlbaum describes Courage in Patience as “all of our story.” She draws on her own experiences as an English teacher in developing the lesson plan used by the character Beverly to teach her summer English class.  With encouragement from author Chris Crutcher, Beth Fehlbaum weaves the important messages found in his novel, Ironman, into her own original story.  

Accomplishments: M.Ed. in Reading; B.A. in English -emphasis Writing, minor in Secondary Education - emphasis Language Arts. Who’s Who Among American Teachers 

Below are her blogs & sites: 

http://www.bethfehlbaum.com 

http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com/ 

http://www.myspace.com/bethfehlbaum 

http://www.authorsden.com/bethfehlbaum 

http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/BethFehlbaumauthorofCourageinPatienceKunatiBooksFall08?viewAsOther=1 

Please take the time to acknowledge her success.

If your debut book is due to be published in 2008, Jordan E. Rosenfeld from Writer’s Digest magazine is looking for you. Her column, First Impressions, features first time authors (in all genres).

Jordan only needs debuts for the October and December issues. That means if you want to make it into the October issue, your book must be published between August and December, 2008. For December, October 2008 and February, 2009. All books must be published through a traditional publisher. 

Contact Jordan at Jordansmuse(at)gmail(dot)com. 

Btw, Jordan recently wrote a book by Writer’s Digest Books, called Make a Scene. Pick it up at your local bookstore or order it through amazon.com.

TheNovelette.com is holding a writing contest - Travel: A Trip I’ll Never Forget. Entries must be no more than 750 words. The deadline is March 15^th, 2008. Here’s what they have to say on their website: 

Submissions will be judged in two categories – by popular online vote and by our editorial panel of professional writers. Winners in each category will receive a $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. That means a $50 certificate will be awarded if one submission wins BOTH! AND . . . a virtual blue ribbon award from thenovelette.com to post on your website and/or include as part of your email signature.

 Good luck with your submission.

Common Ties is introducing a new section on their website and podcast called 20 Questions. They are encouraging people to share their answers in a form of very short stories/snippets or poetry. They pay a nominal fee for accepted answers.

This project sounds like a lot of fun. 

Click here to learn more about the submission guidelines.

Cami asked about poetry publications. I mentioned that poetry and short stories are a tough market to crack. But there is always hope. There is a book called Poetry Market that writers may find useful. Here’s a description of the book: Includes over 1,800 completely updated listings

Features exclusive articles, interviews, and how-to guides, keeping readers up-to-date on trends in the poetry publishing world. Offers additional listings for the reader’s personal enrichment, including conferences and workshops, organizations for poets, print and online resources, state arts organizations, and glossaries.

Readers will find all the information necessary to research markets and submit poetry for publication. In addition to market listings, the 2008 Poet’s Market provides how-to material on preparing and submitting manuscripts, identifying markets, relating to editors, and other solid information that makes the book an ideal beginner’s resource as well as a trusted marketing guide that seasoned poets turn to year after year.

Includes the latest developments in poetry writing and publishing through Insider Reports by and about working poets and editors.  

From my experience, books such as Poetry Market are outdated before the book hits the bookstores. For this reason, I recommend borrowing the book from your local library and verifying submission requirements before sending your poetry and short stories to publications.  

One way to gain recognition is by submitting poetry and short stories to online resources. Most of the time there is no compensation but you can gain name recognition. In fact, that’s how Linda got her start. She provided articles for free, became recognized as an expert, and an agent called to offer representation. 

When submitting online for free publications, make sure that YOU retain copyrights to your work and that you are free to recycle your submissions to other publications. If a website owner asks for exclusivity, make sure that it’s not infinite. Meaning they can have exclusivity for a certain amount of time but after that you are able to submit your work elsewhere. At least that is my personal thoughts on the matter. The Black Willow Review is accepting submissions.