tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60752347948864714272024-03-05T22:38:42.220-08:00No Disclaimers Beta ServicesA beta service for original writing.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-32216612668219041022011-10-03T06:58:00.000-07:002011-10-03T07:08:41.148-07:00Quick Deadline! ConverSextion Sexiest Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT0UVFpAzj-vJS3s94LHRyGrlWmcmv1M9Wg689Y90vAUoSmym4vo7MLmkHAOAtR_6kJF-EttIP32MNNMlsogwj0TCfPbC0xCYwiv6oE2ki9gZYXZ6yMbpQttprxQLK94V2sRMrvK4bhgI/s1600/conversextionlogo.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT0UVFpAzj-vJS3s94LHRyGrlWmcmv1M9Wg689Y90vAUoSmym4vo7MLmkHAOAtR_6kJF-EttIP32MNNMlsogwj0TCfPbC0xCYwiv6oE2ki9gZYXZ6yMbpQttprxQLK94V2sRMrvK4bhgI/s320/conversextionlogo.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659267568670399090" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.conversextion.com/content/writing-contest-rules-261/">ConverSextion</a> is not a publisher or writing blog like so many who offer writing opportunities. It's actually a conversation site, filled with forums where adults can go to talk about sex and sexuality in a mature, helpful, and mutually supportive way. <br /><br />It's also kind of fun, with humor, videos and--as we see today--<a href="http://www.conversextion.com/content/writing-contest-rules-261/">Sexiest Story Contests</a>!<br /><br />As with all good contests, there are great prizes--in this case, cash and gift cards! Prizes are:<br /><br /><br />1st Place- $500.00 CASH!<br />2nd Place- $100.00 Gift Card to MyTulip.com<br />3rd Place- $50.00 Gift Card to MyTulip.com<br /><br />Just so you know, MyTulip.com sells grown-up toys, so don't go flipping through their website with your kids around! <br /><br />Entries have to be in by midnight this Friday, so this is a perfect contest for anyone who has a sexy little story that they've never submitted anywhere.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-6578311203664848032011-09-15T21:31:00.000-07:002011-09-15T21:36:54.881-07:00Weekend Getaways<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-d6GamxCfJ6GoScM80hBL9U1zlrd1szqNtPBWkvml9sZPGo2aKPpWq3oPamSFCJFUebq2eJFtl7NDBoGkfEX5E4UpnSI8SUFOzVbD_bBsNyRXc531hIyFrPWk7cQlcculqGcHBTVyKgs/s1600/SecretCravingsPublishing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-d6GamxCfJ6GoScM80hBL9U1zlrd1szqNtPBWkvml9sZPGo2aKPpWq3oPamSFCJFUebq2eJFtl7NDBoGkfEX5E4UpnSI8SUFOzVbD_bBsNyRXc531hIyFrPWk7cQlcculqGcHBTVyKgs/s320/SecretCravingsPublishing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652811771315102530" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Call for Submissions</span><br /><br />Secret Cravings Publishing is taking submissions of short stories of up to 5k - 10k words for a onetime payment of $50-$100 depending on the length of the manuscript.<br /><br />Any genre Steamy to Burn the page erotic stories wanted.<br /><br />These stories will be released individually with their own cover. One each Saturday of the week.<br /><br />Submissions will be ongoing—no deadline.<br /><br />Normal no-no's apply including: rape, scat, golden showers, etc. Check our <a href="http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/">general submission guidelines</a> for things we do not take.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-45938123321981104182011-08-09T07:34:00.001-07:002011-08-09T07:38:14.837-07:00Thoughts on Beginning with Fanfiction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eHHvMGoGiIDzshOYzwdi9VNkuvwlk71RGaZ_mmJG9lvXs-bkCDu5bQItxtaGtniqXVSZHanTX4Rxi8pg7p8Ba9OAAyeoSMbHLEFcNOtipsNa27b4ArZ_u9ZDf24rtobSOx5BBskKUMQY/s1600/HHr+Godrics+Hollow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eHHvMGoGiIDzshOYzwdi9VNkuvwlk71RGaZ_mmJG9lvXs-bkCDu5bQItxtaGtniqXVSZHanTX4Rxi8pg7p8Ba9OAAyeoSMbHLEFcNOtipsNa27b4ArZ_u9ZDf24rtobSOx5BBskKUMQY/s320/HHr+Godrics+Hollow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638865237874231170" /></a>
<br />Written by Nancy, one of our 3 fabulous ND betas.
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<br />I’ve been on a fan-fiction reading frenzy lately. Why? I could say that, “I don’t know why.” But that wouldn’t be the truth. I do know why.
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<br />I got my start in writing – a jolt to the heart of my need to write – via fan fiction. And, just last week, I finished the very first fan-fiction story I ever started. Granted, the phrase ‘the end’ came six-and-a-half years after I wrote ‘Prologue’. But, so be it. Anyone who knows me knows my propensity for procrastination. Except, I don’t think procrastination is entirely to blame.
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<br />For those of us who love to read, there’s a certain sense of loss that comes with finishing a story. Maybe that’s why series are all the rage; you finish a book but you haven’t finished the story – get my meaning? For those of us who write, the sense of loss that comes with typing the last word of the last chapter is much more acute. It really does feel like this part of us, the part that we dredged up, stirred about, tapped into, and channeled, has died, never again to be. Yes, we’ll write more stories, but not ‘that’ story. I remember feeling that sense of… writer’s mortality, if you will… when I finished Another Way. I felt depressed. I felt listless. I felt adrift. The men, women, places and motivations I had been living with, exploring, and exploiting, for eleven months were no longer part of my day-to-day existence.
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<br />Hence one of the bigger reasons why my Harry Potter fan-fiction story, Hooligan of Hogwarts, took more than six years to complete. I didn’t want to let it go. Through that story, I’d met the most amazing array of people, from all over the world, of whom I’d never have ever interacted with otherwise. Several of these people I lucky enough to call friend. Who’d want to end something that could hurt them?
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<br />That got me to thinking… about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassandra_Clare">Cassandra Claire</a>. Yep. The Golden Girl of plagiarism. The Cinderella of fan-fiction writers as she, through fan-fiction, secured a three-book deal with a major publisher and had one of her books appear on the New York Times Bestseller list.
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<br />I admit, I got caught up in her Draco Dormiens series. It was fun, full of quips, lots of angst, and populated with characters from the Harry Potter universe. Then, as I read more, and the scandal unfolded, I realized why her ‘voice’ was so familiar. It was Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer voice. Her Draco series was a re-packaged version of the Buffy/Angel television series, with just enough Rowling-ness to hook Potter fans.
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<br />Why would someone do such a thing? Especially when Claire has a talent all together her own?
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<br />I can answer that one…
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<br />Acceptance. Fame. Notoriety.
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<br />How do I know?
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<br />Even though I never achieved the success that Claire attained, I found my own fan-fiction writing gaining a modicum of popularity. Man – it’s heady stuff. Truly. The reviews, the e-mails, the comments, the flames, the praise, the fan-art, the interpersonal relations; it all culminates to fuel the approval junkie that resides in every single person who creates art in which ever medium they utilize.
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<br />I can see Claire getting caught up in it. Who wouldn’t? Does that justify her faux-righteous indignation? Her attempts to vindicate herself? Her constant denials? No. Not in the least. Plagiarism is a foul, cowardly act. It’s deliberate and calculated. To use a Potter-verse term, I consider it Unforgivable. She should have confessed to plagiarism, shrugged her shoulders, and the matter would have dropped in no time. Instead, it has dogged her every step and stemmed her publishing career.
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<br />As I stride forward with my publishing career, I take the lessons I learned from Cassandra Claire: own what you do, no matter what it is.
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<br />I also take with me the lessons that I’ve learned along the way. In particular, the lesson pertaining to grief and how to grieve for a story: cherish its roots, pay homage to where it came from, the original source of inspiration for the story.
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<br />That’s why I’ve been reading so much fan-fiction this past week.
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<br />That’s why I’ll continue to read fan-fiction for years and years to come. Hopefully, one of these days, there will be fan-fiction based on one of my stories.
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<br />No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-32158208380150187862011-08-07T21:11:00.001-07:002011-08-07T21:16:39.565-07:00New Publisher Seeking Submissions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36nLeDckVofe5bmDcuSw3g6T4aRIHjbub3AenuhtFnF5sCaKmSw6Rmsp_Q7voT-76qxbhlFod9uUx7-9zaric3ukHVh-ThZzRKDM5Rx1puZ8_jU7ME5DNdLN6Xd4LkO7jSQL7THy-O8Gw/s1600/Musa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 48px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36nLeDckVofe5bmDcuSw3g6T4aRIHjbub3AenuhtFnF5sCaKmSw6Rmsp_Q7voT-76qxbhlFod9uUx7-9zaric3ukHVh-ThZzRKDM5Rx1puZ8_jU7ME5DNdLN6Xd4LkO7jSQL7THy-O8Gw/s320/Musa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638334142641221634" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.musapublishing.blogspot.com/">Musa Publishing</a> has opened its doors this week, and is seeking submissions for its October launch. Musa has 9 imprints, based on the 9 Muses, including Romance, Spec Fic, Young Adult, and Action/Adventure.<br /><br />I've worked with the founders of Musa in the past, and I can attest to their competency, skill, commitment, financial savvy, and devotion to the author. Anyone who get accepted over there will be ruthlessly edited, passionately marketed, and make some real money over time. <br /><br />Go to their website and blog and check them out. They will be glad to answer any questions you have.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-60624942675585532162011-07-06T13:28:00.000-07:002011-07-06T13:33:46.676-07:00Intergeneration Story Telling Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy8WhqTKtfoQ-SdOKt7N4uMUftp45jPpGw4BQIPCtnMVO_4vHO84kGTvxVkF2_grQoowXy88PHUOWvF6LpZfceSYNeQF2RwXFwsGB14UUrgPhFo1ZTq1KGh1XnXAW4Xq8oyvn0RPcDlkM/s1600/Intergeneration.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy8WhqTKtfoQ-SdOKt7N4uMUftp45jPpGw4BQIPCtnMVO_4vHO84kGTvxVkF2_grQoowXy88PHUOWvF6LpZfceSYNeQF2RwXFwsGB14UUrgPhFo1ZTq1KGh1XnXAW4Xq8oyvn0RPcDlkM/s320/Intergeneration.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626340214138840738" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.intergenerationday.org/storyboard.html">Intergeneration Day/Week</a> is sponsoring a short story contest, in honor of the age old way of passing important traditions down through the generations--storytelling. <br /><br />These are very short stories, up to 750 words, and there are cash prizes being offered. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">From their website:</span><br /><br />Writing suggestions include, but are not limited to:<br /><br />• Stories from an older person, like a grandparent, you have heard.<br /><br />• Stories you think you might tell your children or grandchildren.<br /><br />• Stories from history.<br /><br />• Stories from different cultures. <br /><br />Don't forget the deadline is August 15!No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-2091029365322562382011-07-04T08:23:00.000-07:002011-07-04T08:29:56.558-07:00Crescent Moon Press Looking for Zodiac Themed Stories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEMwtdius72YW4qEXG5Pm8i6yzSo5RjNm0pHOzWiQ1Hid1cDuKl5TyNQAprsPrS2bbuHvtf7kr66pmSqam7vbu-mgLhDmi__SagCip5ZKNCDSHeSzJrx_MDiS_0S4ifZC89GFSXFHkMPl/s1600/Crescent+Moon+Press.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEMwtdius72YW4qEXG5Pm8i6yzSo5RjNm0pHOzWiQ1Hid1cDuKl5TyNQAprsPrS2bbuHvtf7kr66pmSqam7vbu-mgLhDmi__SagCip5ZKNCDSHeSzJrx_MDiS_0S4ifZC89GFSXFHkMPl/s320/Crescent+Moon+Press.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625519618767202338" /></a><br /><br /><br />Crescent Moon Press focuses on publishing fantasy, science fiction, and the paranormal. They are looking for submissions for their Sabian Symbols series, a zodiac-themed series of novels and novellas.<br /><br />Their <a href="http://crescentmoonpress.com/submissions.html">guidelines for these submissions</a> include:<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">We only accept new material-previously published submissions will not be considered.<br /> <br />Novel length submissions should be between 60,000 and 120,000 words, while novellas should be between 20,000 and 40,000.<br /> <br />All submissions must contain a romance or strong romantic elements.<br /><br />We do not accept erotica.</span><br /><br /><br />They look like an interesting and focused publisher, so follow the link to check them out!No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-80052167274142748232011-06-10T08:43:00.000-07:002011-06-10T08:47:48.258-07:00Literal Latte Short Shorts Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVGbf2_ax8IV9b6K61o3FcuMJSngKC5EFrU4Oa7oKp11kPk5Tq0FI2sTzh5aJes-04oDkWkv1Tq3PDaluCC72Ja5xnCbsaob6ZdOGFiw159p9mFLGN5zgf9zpopjeLbd1ZpoWo4Aut7Kf/s1600/Latte.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVGbf2_ax8IV9b6K61o3FcuMJSngKC5EFrU4Oa7oKp11kPk5Tq0FI2sTzh5aJes-04oDkWkv1Tq3PDaluCC72Ja5xnCbsaob6ZdOGFiw159p9mFLGN5zgf9zpopjeLbd1ZpoWo4Aut7Kf/s320/Latte.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616618319387657490" /></a><br /><br /><br />http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/#short_shorts<br />First Prize $500<br /><br /> Send unpublished shorts. 2,000 words max. All styles welcome.<br /><br /> Postmark by June 30th.<br /><br /> Name, Address, Telephone Number, Email Address (optional) — on Cover Page only.<br /> Include Self Addressed Stamped Envelope or Email Address for reply.<br /> Include $10 Reading Fee per set of up to 3 Shorts — OR —<br /> $15 Reading Fee per set of 6 Shorts.<br /><br />Literal Latte is also running a poetry contest with even bigger monetary prizes, so make sure to go to the link for more info~No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-37435136726840984852011-06-02T06:06:00.000-07:002011-06-02T06:15:31.633-07:00Short Story Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFCuMppBf-BrVEcZUDJRlhOO_qA99iEXOulek5utLu-KGBQ_cJUhBZVNJltLt3dZTNMEomXmmFsZiPDDHzXqxdTKEf3OdhIM2ylKeBWKMKliTefNIUg9bF429lJqSBLtizZEB3DCCGc08/s1600/Short+Stories.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFCuMppBf-BrVEcZUDJRlhOO_qA99iEXOulek5utLu-KGBQ_cJUhBZVNJltLt3dZTNMEomXmmFsZiPDDHzXqxdTKEf3OdhIM2ylKeBWKMKliTefNIUg9bF429lJqSBLtizZEB3DCCGc08/s320/Short+Stories.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613609971630573138" /></a><br />The Writer's Bureau is running a <a href="http://www.wbcompetition.com/competitionhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif/enter.html?utm_source=Short+Story+Competition+1+EZ&utm_medium=Short+Story+Competition+Now+Accepting+Entries!&utm_campaign=Short+Story+Competition+1+EZ&utm_term=Short+Story+Competition+1+EZ&utm_content=Short+Story+Competition+1+EZ&gator_td=kkvv34Mu2JpMVkesvTe7Te%2bSIkb3JBsid3okUUpq7Si2dMlFb%2brRofNLOmgUysq2hoAMeQslPWBb5k8xdklMr4kKxxuYhNfXGtLf7vWCJM2uCeFxyTM%2bsLCGkWVo9H3k">short story contest</a> until the end of June. There is a small entry fee--5 pounds (unless you're already a subscriber to their newsletter, then it's 4 pounds). FYI--Paypal will convert your currency for you, so you don't have to stress over the monetary figures. And 5 pounds is just over $8 American.<br /><br />The prize for winning this contest is 500 pounds, which is $817.44 in American dollars.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-50096033973898797232011-02-16T21:16:00.000-08:002011-02-16T21:40:37.129-08:00The Shamrock Challenge from Changeling Press<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22CCKXqg-pHonWmbyjHHAOGs5mLN6HMomHEIWhGmx76N83PpuiVOVqL_9nvnmV0OrDzu24Borhjhgbi9V5KtSM1uNbcIRbk7iYKc-YK7Qqd_iBSggfdZHBOcFGGHzSCjAq6hg-wI3QRes/s1600/Changeling+Press.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22CCKXqg-pHonWmbyjHHAOGs5mLN6HMomHEIWhGmx76N83PpuiVOVqL_9nvnmV0OrDzu24Borhjhgbi9V5KtSM1uNbcIRbk7iYKc-YK7Qqd_iBSggfdZHBOcFGGHzSCjAq6hg-wI3QRes/s320/Changeling+Press.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574529210160891634" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://changelingpress.com/submissions.php">Changeling Press</a> is one of those quirky and very independent publishers that has been around for a long time--probably because they publish not just paranormal romance, but paranormal erotica. <br /><br />Here's how Changeling describes itself: <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Out of This World Erotic Love Stories Featuring Literary Erotic Novellas<br /><br />Are your characters wild and wicked, your plots hot enough to require a fire-hazard warning? If the answer is yes, Changeling wants YOU.<br /><br />Cyborgs, vampires, werewolves, dragon shifters, cat shifters, aliens, genetically altered alien cyborg dragon shifters... Chances are, they belong at Changeling. </span><br /><br />Changeling is having its yearly <a href="http://www.changelingpress.com/ezine/insider/insider20110117.html">Shamrock Challenge</a>, and invites submission between now and March 17.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-87149625652813862892011-02-13T18:37:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:40:04.205-08:00Winter Specials and Winter Challenges at No Disclaimers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKNexuyTXiYlB2qte-24zYiW25yTnLshrZJeTGntNp0-KR_lWyl0ciAxfbG0Ms_WNC7f3xyb9n8fboc6VYiH9WfxJFOuog96ZqIuU66kA4_vYA_oZuqsJTT-GZETc6BtK5oHo_84VYN-_/s1600/Winter+Landscape.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKNexuyTXiYlB2qte-24zYiW25yTnLshrZJeTGntNp0-KR_lWyl0ciAxfbG0Ms_WNC7f3xyb9n8fboc6VYiH9WfxJFOuog96ZqIuU66kA4_vYA_oZuqsJTT-GZETc6BtK5oHo_84VYN-_/s320/Winter+Landscape.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573369340171368514" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Winter Special</span><br /><br />Forget Valentine's Day--this February is all about winter weather! In honor of the snow many of us are experiencing, if your story has a winter theme, you can get 1/3 of your beta services between now and March 20-- the first day of Spring.<br /><br /><br />So send us stories with blizzards, ski cabins, hot toddies, groundhogs, snow days, weather mages, or two people in love snowed in together. Or, if you're way down south (by which we mean the hemisphere), tell us about how you swelter and sweat all through February. <span style="font-weight:bold;">We'll beta your work at 1/3 off.<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Winter Challenge</span><br /><br />Two people are snowed in together.<br /><br />Rules:<br /><br />• The story should be more than 1000 words but fewer than 10,000 words. Early chapters of a novel are acceptable, but the word total should be close to 10,000 words.<br />• The two people must have at least a 10 year difference in their ages.<br />• Other people may appear in the story, but it should be about the two people snowed in together.<br />• Someone must cry.<br />• Someone must give a kiss<br />• The color red must feature.<br />• We must see the phrases:<br />o We’re not going that way.<br />o What are you looking at?<br />o Why doesn’t that surprise me?<br />o It’s not worth it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The deadline is March 20, the first day of Spring. There will be Spring-themed prizes for the challenge winners!</span>No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-59330191338754337192011-02-13T18:32:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:36:22.440-08:00Salamander 2011 Writing Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzvFQO8LHTlm6VmC159344JUJso0mIHCxtWw64X2-AjR3IE6GvnzIJI-Aas4Mxl0JCkLQjSZ-tNBJXk-FSLX9ml3QJD4WpabkHvQj8YVCK3EUwnNgh6EDff6IMLVytVxcAxpPaBEBbwXP/s1600/Salamander.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzvFQO8LHTlm6VmC159344JUJso0mIHCxtWw64X2-AjR3IE6GvnzIJI-Aas4Mxl0JCkLQjSZ-tNBJXk-FSLX9ml3QJD4WpabkHvQj8YVCK3EUwnNgh6EDff6IMLVytVxcAxpPaBEBbwXP/s320/Salamander.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573368490343527218" /></a><br /><br /><br />Last May we wrote about a contest called the <a href="http://nodisclaimersbetas.blogspot.com/2010/05/salamander-fiction-prize.html">Salamander Writing Contest</a>, which is a well-known contest with big prize money. The directors of this contest emailed my again, with information about the 2011 contest. <br /><br />Here's what they sent:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Salamander 2011 Fiction Prize<br />$1,500 Honorarium and Publication<br />Final Judge: Jim Shepard</span><br /><br />SEND ENTRIES: April 15 through May 15, 2011 READING FEE: $15<br /><br />• All entries will be considered for publication. All entries will be considered anonymously.<br /> <br />• Send no more than one story per entry. Each story must not exceed 40 double-spaced pages in 12 point font. Multiple entries are acceptable, provided that a separate reading fee is included with each entry.<br /> <br />• Please submit two separate cover sheets with each entry, one with the title of the story ONLY, and the other with the title of the story and your name, address, phone number, and email. Your name should NOT appear anywhere on the story itself.<br /> <br />• Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but the contest fee is non-refundable if the submission is withdrawn. Please notify the editors as soon as possible if a submitted story is accepted elsewhere.<br /> <br />• Previously published works and works accepted for publication elsewhere cannot be considered. Salamander’s definition of publishing includes electronic publication.<br /> <br />• No handwritten, faxed, emailed, or poorly copied/printed manuscripts will be considered.<br /> <br />• Salamander will not consider work from anyone currently or recently (within the past 4 years) affiliated with Suffolk University or the prize judge.<br /> <br />• If you wish to be notified of the arrival of your manuscript, please enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard. Please also include a self-addressed stamped business-sized envelope for notification of contest results. Manuscripts cannot be returned.<br /> <br />• Contest reading fee includes a one-year subscription. Checks should be made out to Salamander. We will send your subscription to the address on your cover sheet unless instructed otherwise. Overseas addresses, please add $10 for subscription postage ($5 for addresses in Canada). Please note that we cannot accept money orders or checks from foreign banks.<br /> <br />Jim Shepard is the author of six novels, including most recently Project X, and four story collections, including the forthcoming You Think That’s Bad (Knopf, January 2011). His third collection, Like You’d Understand, Anyway, was a finalist for the National Book Award and won The Story Prize. Project X won the 2005 Library of Congress/Massachusetts Book Award for Fiction, as well as the ALEX Award from the American Library Association.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />SEND ENTRIES FROM APRIL 15 THROUGH MAY 15 (postmark deadline) to:<br />2011 Fiction Prize<br />Salamander/Suffolk University English Dept.<br />41 Temple Street<br />Boston, MA 02114</span><br /><br />Visit: www.salamander.org for contest guidelines in pdf formatNo Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-79991518679920628612011-02-08T06:35:00.001-08:002011-02-08T06:35:58.072-08:00Nancy's New Book: Prey for Closure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldWAEjc0f_4mRpSAO4vkzAo1zweYGAjzTsr5y55aH1-1uAiUgNkKgHTVg8i5YAfb6QOQhZ2d8DUVX2-fxWFmITJj1Qz8mSjwbyv0me8w0DTg2tQ35h6cH-SjsquvucDvQsC9APWC0-tM/s1600/Prey+for+Closure.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldWAEjc0f_4mRpSAO4vkzAo1zweYGAjzTsr5y55aH1-1uAiUgNkKgHTVg8i5YAfb6QOQhZ2d8DUVX2-fxWFmITJj1Qz8mSjwbyv0me8w0DTg2tQ35h6cH-SjsquvucDvQsC9APWC0-tM/s320/Prey+for+Closure.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571326238960446610" /></a><br />One of our betas, <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=435">Nancy Gaffney</a>, has published a book with Eternal Press! The book is called <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722341">Prey for Closure</a>, and features a complex, contrary, but very likable heroine and an anti-hero you love to hate, and hate to love!<br /><br />No Disclaimers helped Nancy get her book ready, and we're so proud of her! I've even found myself wondering, "What would Ellie do in this situation?" Follow the hyperlinks to order Nancy's book, only $4.99 for an e-copy, or contact her here to get one directly.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-4358411366973406312011-01-22T07:43:00.000-08:002011-01-22T07:50:55.258-08:00String Poet Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxeqjO3JXgl7ode1hdfsgqbWYkTeBIS8mJPSGpBcGyx-ENyiicfyK0lhgAfi1ewYGviRrSoUYK84K4gvS9CIhIdanHfmMH7vf9CgrECY110HYU32-G-LjUxOfBJwzNk8pLsy085pe_Pa-/s1600/String+Poet.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 67px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxeqjO3JXgl7ode1hdfsgqbWYkTeBIS8mJPSGpBcGyx-ENyiicfyK0lhgAfi1ewYGviRrSoUYK84K4gvS9CIhIdanHfmMH7vf9CgrECY110HYU32-G-LjUxOfBJwzNk8pLsy085pe_Pa-/s320/String+Poet.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565038270511985794" /></a><br /><br /><br />I would be very interested to know how many of us who write fiction also try our hands at poetry. I don't do much, myself, but sometimes there are deep feelings that only a poem can express. Still, that only leaves 3 or 4 in my poetry folder, and I've never done anything with them.<br /><br />Anyway, here's a contest. It's inexpensive to enter, and the prizes are pretty good. It's called the <a href="http://www.stringpoet.com/2010/11/2011-string-poet-prize-guidelines/">String Poet</a> contest, because it's actually sponsored by a music program in New York.<br /><br />Just be aware, this one requires that you send your poems in by snail mail. <br /><br />So, do you also write poems, in addition to your books and stories?No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-18309916373799066582011-01-18T07:37:00.000-08:002011-01-18T07:45:53.114-08:00Paying Market: The One that Got Away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkO5ruE-u_aESrmENeodgLsYBhCD6Y41y64p17hRMAW_f_akSs4JegLxfw75vq_dH__jG92o4jkYp45GNE89mQR-V80cv_s9YtVAoFhrKNi07En-3BT6RgXfGWp8mDDdpb-pRqQnm2qNP/s1600/Dark+Prints+Press.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkO5ruE-u_aESrmENeodgLsYBhCD6Y41y64p17hRMAW_f_akSs4JegLxfw75vq_dH__jG92o4jkYp45GNE89mQR-V80cv_s9YtVAoFhrKNi07En-3BT6RgXfGWp8mDDdpb-pRqQnm2qNP/s320/Dark+Prints+Press.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563552643918652306" /></a><br /><br /><br />Dark Prints Press is launching a new mystery line, and they're inviting short story submissions for their inaugural anthology. Here's how they describe what they're looking for:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Too often our crime-solving heroes do just that – solve crimes. But what about the ones who get away – the grifters who con and don't get caught, the criminals who play cat-and-mouse games with the law only to disappear into the unknown? What goes through their minds, or the minds of their victims and pursuers? What legends do they leave behind, both inspirational and terrifying? </span><br /><br />They want short stories between 5,000 and 10,000 words, and if your story is chosen, you'll be paid 75 Australian dollars, which is actually about 75 American dollars (and Paypal converts in automatically). <br /><br />Submissions can be sent to: submissions@darkprintspress.com.au <br /><br />This is the gist of the information, but be sure to go to the <a href="http://www.darkprintspress.com.au/submissions_totga.html">Dark Prints Press website</a> for the full details.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-52090138654413631412011-01-06T05:52:00.000-08:002011-01-06T06:09:03.746-08:00Boxfire Press: 3 Anthologies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8aHDz3UiVbl5uGYyDfDxA0_0O2x1-XDtD5hYzuoeKwElVwH1Iu0ILG4247d31m9PahvJQwaWd5QN7aicmAr-JWect2COAXOOxwQAQiQtnQSepC_MD8IBeXmfoAKAOoqXPxTuH_xbdAM-/s1600/Red+Scarf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 104px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8aHDz3UiVbl5uGYyDfDxA0_0O2x1-XDtD5hYzuoeKwElVwH1Iu0ILG4247d31m9PahvJQwaWd5QN7aicmAr-JWect2COAXOOxwQAQiQtnQSepC_MD8IBeXmfoAKAOoqXPxTuH_xbdAM-/s320/Red+Scarf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559074690470017570" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://boxfire.submishmash.com/Submit">Boxfire Press</a> is accepting submissions for three different anthologies it's putting together. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Short Fiction:</span> Short stories between 2,000 and 20,000 words. They accept contemporary science fiction, supernatural, slipstream and fantasy short stories for eBook distribution. Usually offers a small advance and royalties.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Flash Fiction:</span> Sci-fi, fantasy, slipstream, paranormal, alternate history, supernatural, steam punk, super hero, etc. They're looking for original, never published short flash fiction pieces for a planned quarterly magazine. There's no minimum word count here, so it can be as short as you like. But nothing over 500 words. They pay .05 a word for flash fiction.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Red Scarf:</span> There's a red scarf lying in the road. How did it get there? They want sci-fi and fantasy (loosely defined) short fiction stories that answer this question. They pay free copies and royalties if they publish you.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-19442489192848582172010-12-30T08:31:00.000-08:002010-12-30T08:43:15.790-08:00Paying Market--West Branch Magazine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiDIxoEPhd81295XcbfnMszByrJAf4cyfH99LjV4Uy2pSjQhcRG9jvnrTW654uYK13yVtCk4M0Rr36T6dS3eo8M-ZIEQUctHzPEdMh7xvBecbGtH1XpCO4a9Tmrj6QfxcEo3C74x7-E03/s1600/Bucknell+Logo.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiDIxoEPhd81295XcbfnMszByrJAf4cyfH99LjV4Uy2pSjQhcRG9jvnrTW654uYK13yVtCk4M0Rr36T6dS3eo8M-ZIEQUctHzPEdMh7xvBecbGtH1XpCO4a9Tmrj6QfxcEo3C74x7-E03/s320/Bucknell+Logo.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556516784391042578" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Bucknell University literary journal, <a href="http://www.bucknell.edu/WestBranch.xml">West Branch Magazine</a>, accepts submissions of poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction. They pay anywhere from $30 to $100, depending on the length of your submission. Be aware that the submission period runs from August 15 to April 15, and you can only submit 3 items in that time.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-35609906261004077522010-12-19T08:20:00.000-08:002010-12-19T08:32:14.588-08:00Advice to Writers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFg_ydWwwBxERe4o77H-OY6HYrBtyXro4WzaKb7d7Rpa0awdrGIDw5hsrQEIO_Dhiv5r1CGUWBPp0R_xGgnkZ5uUCAHDwgXkYSEQ7sw3CEiI8G5EaxmPA7-GtW2CDZkR3CG7WgKFKnN-Y/s1600/Once+Upon+a+Time.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFg_ydWwwBxERe4o77H-OY6HYrBtyXro4WzaKb7d7Rpa0awdrGIDw5hsrQEIO_Dhiv5r1CGUWBPp0R_xGgnkZ5uUCAHDwgXkYSEQ7sw3CEiI8G5EaxmPA7-GtW2CDZkR3CG7WgKFKnN-Y/s320/Once+Upon+a+Time.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552432052609199842" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm actually not giving any advice to writers at the moment. But, there is a cool blog I wanted to direct your attention to, called <a href="http://www.advicetowriters.com/">Advice to Writers</a> (or ATW for those of us cool enough to use acronyms). <br /><br />The blog owner, Jon Winokur, collects writing quotations and posts them. That's about it, but for those of us who are at the beginning of what we hope to be long and prosperous writing careers, getting writing advice from the masters can be a really good thing. <br /><br />On the first page alone, the authors giving advice include John Updike, Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, William Zinsser (one of my writing parents), David Mamet, and David McCullough. <br /><br />For fun, I'll leave you with one. I love writing quotes and often feature them here, but I don't do it every day like ATW does, so if you have an appetite for this kind of advice, definitely bookmark Advice to Writers. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The secret to being a writer is that you have to write. It's not enough to think about writing or to study literature or plan a future life as an author. You really have to lock yourself away, alone, and get to work.<br /><br />AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS</span>No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-70512786218271271172010-11-05T22:23:00.000-07:002010-11-05T22:27:39.691-07:00Market for Horror StoriesIt doesn't pay much...but it pays something!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.horrorfictionmagazine.com/">Horror Fiction Magazine</a> is soliciting short stories of up to 10,000 words, for which they will pay 3 cents per word. <br /><br />Here's what they say:<br /><br />We're looking for well written short stories in the horror genre. Please send anything up to 10,000 words . We pay 3 cents per word upon acceptance.<br /><br />We do accept simultaneous submissions, but please let us know as soon as possible if your submission is accepted elsewhere. We only purchase first publication rights.<br /><br />We're also looking for poems in the horror genre of any length, and we're looking for artwork. Please email with a query before submitting artwork.<br /><br />The easiest way to submit is by sending an email to randyray at gmail dot com.<br /><br />Horror Fiction Magazine<br />205 North Ballard<br />Wylie, TX 75098<br />972-442-9393<br /><br />Email: randyray at gmail dot comNo Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-2847095417720457992010-10-21T06:18:00.000-07:002010-10-21T06:26:10.540-07:00Odes to the Olympians<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkJ6tmY_IGnfHfRd8znWWTZXXXxbDLXb0tS5TYh_-DffSgfLx4y79elE4TG_CHHM7544ArgB9pylkOJ2_GuJbjkDoZKXtWUb91z5TjqIuZk4hEKJ3aPgZHIculymJ6ILjdamKqc3ZhjsH/s1600/athena_acropolis2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkJ6tmY_IGnfHfRd8znWWTZXXXxbDLXb0tS5TYh_-DffSgfLx4y79elE4TG_CHHM7544ArgB9pylkOJ2_GuJbjkDoZKXtWUb91z5TjqIuZk4hEKJ3aPgZHIculymJ6ILjdamKqc3ZhjsH/s320/athena_acropolis2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530489888872894210" /></a><br /><br /><br />Write a poem about Athena/Minerva of a maximum of 30 lines. <br /><br />The deadline is November 30, 2010. There are adult and youth categories, and a $50 prize for each.<br /><br />You can find more information <a href="http://www.tapestryofbronze.com/OdeForm.html">here</a>.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-68477091932081653142010-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:002010-10-11T08:34:13.059-07:00Twitter of the Dead<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTOrrxlG9Yfv2yyRwBZEo044ranl96eMQDOKzcVerTfFkyIdNKq2tokVNK8epKeaBAA8BJE-OSn45Sg6zrG4xkMrYP2zPqnOAm4GdeqWMIzXQqJtPpS7YsxdqdAJthyphenhyphen2sFTnh0nIKCNlO/s1600/zombieTwitter.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTOrrxlG9Yfv2yyRwBZEo044ranl96eMQDOKzcVerTfFkyIdNKq2tokVNK8epKeaBAA8BJE-OSn45Sg6zrG4xkMrYP2zPqnOAm4GdeqWMIzXQqJtPpS7YsxdqdAJthyphenhyphen2sFTnh0nIKCNlO/s320/zombieTwitter.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526812219730277186" /></a><br />I was at a writing conference this weekend, and discovered a new publisher--Living Dead Press. They specialize in horror short story anthologies. Here is a really fun call for submissions they have going up: <a href="http://www.livingdeadpress.com/ldp_021.htm">Twitter of the Dead.</a><br /><br /><br /><br />FYI, they don't pay anything for inclusion but contributors' copies, but that makes it a good stepping stone for bigger and better things in the future.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-78845387207781561962010-10-06T19:45:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:46:39.561-07:00Contest for Short Short Stories<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Bevel Summers Prize in the Short Short Story</span> is open to all authors of stories of up to 1,000 words. <br />Stories should be sent to Bevel Summers/Shenandoah, Mattingly House, 2 Lee Ave., Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA 24450 and must be received by March 31. <br /><br />Send two copies, one with name and contact information, including e-mail address, and a duplicate with no identifying information, along with an sase for notification. The winner will receive a $250 prize and be featured prominently on Shenandoah's first online issue. There is no entry fee for the 2011 contest. A judge has not yet been selected.No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-58404646822421157142010-09-22T06:58:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:01:49.539-07:005 Arguments in Defense of Fanfiction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs1Afm4Te682ylB2deOPlogYhx4wR57XgzpXqitddmDzOOM3_PZeNW2_drEHcyHsVl9Aji1IIhugeQDU3-quw98cioNtTwmc-H4f-Ix5q-bDN6IZfJXLKgQISq-QFZmpnbk-2dy9bWAnf/s1600/Edward+and+Bella+Kiss.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs1Afm4Te682ylB2deOPlogYhx4wR57XgzpXqitddmDzOOM3_PZeNW2_drEHcyHsVl9Aji1IIhugeQDU3-quw98cioNtTwmc-H4f-Ix5q-bDN6IZfJXLKgQISq-QFZmpnbk-2dy9bWAnf/s320/Edward+and+Bella+Kiss.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519737778642852546" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 Arguments In Defense of Fanfiction<br /></span><br /><br />I always thought that I should dedicate my first book to JK Rowling. Her entire Harry Potter world was so compelling, so all-consuming, that her seven novels weren’t enough. Some of us cared too much about Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest to let them go. What would happen when they grew up? Would Harry hook up with Ginny or Hermione—or Lavender, Tonks, or Luna? Did Harry think about sex, and who would he have it with? Would he become an Auror, a professional Quidditch player, or the Minister of Magic? What about the minor characters? And don’t even get me started on Snape, one of the deepest, most enigmatic and darkly compelling characters ever written. <br /><br />Since JKRowling didn’t give us the answers to these questions, we had to provide them ourselves. And of course, it wasn’t just the Harry Potter world that compelled us to take the author’s gifts one step further. In addition to Harry Potter fanfiction, I’ve also written stories of the TV show The Office and in the world of Twilight (I’m a sucker for an angst-ridden Edward, and I’m head over heels in love with Carlisle). Dear friends of mine write in the fandoms of Xena, X-Men, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, V for Vendetta, Maximum Ride, Percy Jackson, Pride and Prejudice, and even, yes, the Bible.<br /><br />There are those who don’t approve of the whole fanfiction enterprise. If you want a boy wizard or a self-loathing vampire, they say, why not just create your own and write about him, instead of stealing someone else’s? But fanfiction is good for writers, good for readers, good for creators, and good in general. Here are a few reasons why.<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Fanfiction is good for the original authors.</span> Some authors don’t allow it, and most of fandom respects that , but most authors get a huge kick out of fanfiction. JKR, Stephenie Meyer, James Patterson, Garth Nix, and other writers are thrilled and affirmed that their characters live so fully beyond the borders of their books. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />2. Fanfiction is good for business. </span> Did you ever go to a Harry Potter midnight book release or film premier? Most of the people there were members of the internet fan community, or fandom. The HP phenomenon wouldn’t have been a fraction of what it was without the fandom, and JKR knew it. You can’t buy this kind of publicity and you don’t have to—fanfic is a jillion dollars worth of free publicity. Publicity sells books, keeps bookstores open, keeps advertisers happy, and generally promotes a healthy economy. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />3. Fanfiction is a training ground for writers. </span> There are some objectors who protest that much of fanfiction just isn’t very good. And I can’t argue—some just isn’t. Some of it’s written by middle-schoolers who can barely spell Edward, much less write a deep exploration of his psyche. But fanfic also comes with two systems that the world of original fiction could stand to learn from: the review system and the beta system. Reviews allow for immediate feedback—how many novelists have access to that? And the beta system is a mentoring/editing system that helps new writers (and experienced ones) improve and perfect their stories. I am willing to wager that young or new writers learn more about their own language from their betas than from their English teachers. No offense to hard working English teachers, but who can compete with Harry, Fang, and Edward? New writers hone their craft in fanfiction, and if they go on to original writing, they don’t make those same beginner mistakes.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Fanfiction is a doorway to publication.</span> This is controversial, but some fanfiction stories have been so very good, and so very unlike their models (how “Twilight” is an all-human Cullen family, for example?), that they are easily, and successfully, converted to original works and submitted for publication. If Harry is a non-magical cowboy in the Old West, it’s not too hard to just make him a cowboy in the Old West. If you remove Fang’s wings, he’s just a rebellious teenager with an honorable streak and a crush on a tough girl. Every author is inspired by someone, and those who have their roots in fanfiction can make the transition from “someone else owns these characters” to “someone else inspired these characters.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. Fanfiction encourages reading and writing.</span> My teenaged daughters are immersed in the world of the Marauders—Harry Potter’s parents and their classmates. They spend their computer time reading Marauders fanfic (rated T/PG-13 or lower—I’m on top of that). They don’t spend their computer time flirting, sexting, watching questionable music videos, sneaking porn, or chatting with dangerous predators. They only get 90 minutes a day online, and they choose to spend it with Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus. In a time when attention spans are declining, some teens and others are reading and writing for entertainment.<br /><br />I know it’s not universally approved of in the writing community, but I’ve been grateful for fanfic in my life. On top of all the reasons I just listed, it’s also led me to some of my dearest friends, and we’ve had a wonderful time getting to know each other beyond our common literary obsessions. For that reason alone, it would be a good thing. I’d be quite interested to hear others’ experiences or thoughts about fanfic.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Kathy Teel is a freelance writer and editor, and runs a beta service for new writers of original fiction, No Disclaimers Beta Services (www.nodisclaimerbetas.com). She’s also a staff beta for the fanfiction sites Twilighted (www.twilighted.net) and Checkmated (www.checkmated.com) which are Twilight and Harry Potter sites, respectively.</span>No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-46505969080840313392010-09-14T05:49:00.000-07:002010-09-14T05:57:46.417-07:00Writing Contest--Quick Deadline!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn1niA6n0rXe3M-Sk2VGvCcvXttHO4UUxygmuqL7Br-lmuFHRSmXzMPEiRpPiTvPsIh_Bgr7QPHo6eaZEgUasGW99xh7DuUWMyoJzOkwxBxfInH_3vmh-7-OjzBWWoplFfrB05iq1X_OO/s1600/jeffreyarcherpresents.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn1niA6n0rXe3M-Sk2VGvCcvXttHO4UUxygmuqL7Br-lmuFHRSmXzMPEiRpPiTvPsIh_Bgr7QPHo6eaZEgUasGW99xh7DuUWMyoJzOkwxBxfInH_3vmh-7-OjzBWWoplFfrB05iq1X_OO/s400/jeffreyarcherpresents.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516751712513953906" /></a><br /><br /><br />That's the original announcement of the contest, sponsored by St. Martin's Press and judged solely by Lord Archer (whose writings I've never read--I only know him as one of the authors in Bridget Jones's Diary). Anyway, heads up on the quick deadline (October 1). It might be perfect if you already have something lying around you haven't done much with. You can click the headline to this article to get to the entry page, or just go <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/smp/promo/jeffreyarcherpresents">here.</a>No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-36572266830019900922010-07-17T07:48:00.000-07:002010-07-17T08:03:05.163-07:00A Great Article About Writing Books<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIxQjtiVZQkP1oYeszyoqu9lMLTieLFpzNkzhC7lxCITcHAqaeIIDI64XCZ7-EWu2-mFx44OZ-OAYRiJ6Juky9LeCSS-dOtTOqpZmXkKStjIvjoTVUTqiumHi2L4k7ODU71vZ4acWCvC_/s1600/Stack+of+Books.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIxQjtiVZQkP1oYeszyoqu9lMLTieLFpzNkzhC7lxCITcHAqaeIIDI64XCZ7-EWu2-mFx44OZ-OAYRiJ6Juky9LeCSS-dOtTOqpZmXkKStjIvjoTVUTqiumHi2L4k7ODU71vZ4acWCvC_/s320/Stack+of+Books.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494890841526705602" /></a><br /><br /><br />Over on <a href="http://www.thewmfreelancewritersconnection.com">The WM Freelancer's Connection</a>, Pam Houghton has written an article recommending 3 excellent writing books. You should absolutely check out the whole article, <a href="http://www.thewmfreelanceconnection.com/2010/07/classic-writing-books.html">"Classic Writing Books,"</a> whether you write fiction or non-fiction.<br /><br />Houghton's choices are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Bird-by-Bird by Anne Lamott (1994)<br />2. Writing down the Bones - Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg (1986)<br />3. On Writing Well - by William Zinsser (1976)</span><br /><br />I'll give an enthusiastic AMEN to each of these. William Zinsser's book, especially, changed my life. He singlehandedly took me from an academic mindset that made me think that I had to use big words and convoluted arguments in order to appear smart, to a mental place where I suddenly valued clarity, content, and communication. Shorter sentences, simpler, clearer words, and actual things to say. <br /><br />Another good one is Stephen King's <span style="font-style:italic;">On Writing</span>; that's one I read bits of quite often. Anyone have any other recommendations for writing books?No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075234794886471427.post-87875302556154264562010-06-28T06:13:00.000-07:002010-06-28T06:23:57.399-07:00Rise of the Necromancer Short Story Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZXh_xeSjJWvhcdNS0xnWMAxxrL1izF7pR898jChb-9VHgQ9YPNG8x2WIo7R3BLPCbZKsisQHhp7AfY6WIL1dZzZfJ6ARHIZPmEQnq7BBp3s2D-vardcdRqT-eWXkzCI1ee_wArljxkYV/s1600/Flesh+and+Bone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZXh_xeSjJWvhcdNS0xnWMAxxrL1izF7pR898jChb-9VHgQ9YPNG8x2WIo7R3BLPCbZKsisQHhp7AfY6WIL1dZzZfJ6ARHIZPmEQnq7BBp3s2D-vardcdRqT-eWXkzCI1ee_wArljxkYV/s320/Flesh+and+Bone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487814701869584226" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pillhillpress.com/flesh--bone-rise-of-the-necromancers.html">Flesh & Bone: Rise of the Necromancers</a><br />Short Story Contest<br />Winning stories selected by Alva J. Roberts<br />Edited by Jessy Marie Roberts<br />Email entries (via docx, doc or rtf attachment) <br />to: necromancers@pillhillpress.com<br /><br />Please put SUBMISSION, followed by the title of the story, in the subject line of your email. Thanks!<br /><br />Pill Hill Press is excited to announce its second writing contest. Winning stories will be published in a print anthology. Winners will receive:<br /><br />1st Place - $125.00 + 1 contributor's copy of the book<br />2nd Place - $50.00 + 1 contributor's copy of the book<br />3rd Place - $25.00 + 1 contributor's copy of the book<br />Runners-up - 1 contributor's copy of the book<br /><br />Send us your darkest, fiercest, most magical DARK FANTASY short story about necromancers and the undead rising...Stories can take place any time (past, present, future, alternate) at any place (Earth, Imaginary Places, Your Grandma's Kitchen Sink, etc.). Stories can be told from the perspective of good or evil or anywhere in between.<br /><br />Send your best effort. Only one short story per person will be considered for this contest. Final selections will be made after the deadline. Winners will be notified by email.<br /><br />We prefer stories in the 3,000-6,000 word range, though we will accept stories 2,000-10,000 words. Please do not enter stories under 2,000 words or over 10,000 words.<br /><br />Contest entries will be accepted until 31 July 2010. <br />Tentative Release Date: Fall 2010No Disclaimers Beta Serviceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05986590829559097349noreply@blogger.com0