Interview with Kara Weeks: Runner Up in the Fall 2019 Flash Fiction Contest

Kara Weeks lives in New York City with her tortoiseshell cat named Beatrice. She works full-time in creative advertising and finds time to write on nights and weekends in between cups of coffee and glasses of wine. She is currently working on a series of short stories, which she hopes to complete this year. When Kara isn't writing, she can be found exploring a new corner of the world, walking with...

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1 comment contest runner up, Fall 2019 Flash Fiction Contest, Kara Weeks

Thank You Helpers

WOW! I don't even know where to begin - the world is upside down. I've journaled about how a trip to the grocery seems surreal and somehow dangerous. I want to remember these days. I also have the same feeling in my stomach I would get as a child watching a scary movie. Daddy would see me hiding under the blanket and remind me there would be a happy ending and ask "don't you want to see how it...

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4 comments acts of kindness, be a helper, corona virus, covid-19, find a helper, find the helpers, saferathome, staying positive, thank you, thanks

Interview with Kim Burnett: Q1 2020 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest Runner Up

Kim’s Bio: Kim Burnett is a policy wonk by training who made an early career move from Capitol Hill to the nonprofit space, most recently in support of the children and schools in Haiti. A Midwesterner by birth and inclination, she now lives in Rehoboth Beach, DE. She has three happily launched children, a sweet husband and equally sweet dog. She started a deep dive into memoir and essay through...

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1 comment Anne Greenawalt, Kim Burnett, Q1 2020 Creative Nonfiction Contest, Runner up

Stay Home and Read Author Giveaway Sign Up

Authors, has your book event been canceled? So many people are impacted by the crisis happening around the world, and we would like to invite you to participate in our group author giveaway. It's called the Stay Home and Read Event! This is for all authors, no matter when your book was published or whether you had an event canceled or not. We'd love you all to join in! Here are the details: The...

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4 comments Group Giveaway, Virtual Events

Friday Speak Out!: Ways to Land an Agent

by June Trop You’ve crossed the finish line. Now, as an emerging author, you can benefit from the support of a traditional publisher. But don’t overlook getting an agent first. Your chances of finding a publisher are significantly better if you have an agent. Although agents typically take from 10—15% of the author’s earnings for the book they represent, they know the marketplace and the editors...

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1 comment book stores, finding an agent, Friday Speak Out, June Trop, publishers, writer tip

Spray It, Don't Say It

On the occasions when I'm so enthusiastic or my mouth is just so darned juicy that a bit of spittle sprays from my mouth towards whoever I'm talking to, I hope. I hope the slob droplets headed their way didn't reach them. Sometimes I even see where the spit landed--like on their sweater--and then I hope they didn't notice what happened. Sometimes I imagine they're polite enough that they definitely...

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11 comments Cathryn Summerhayes, Jane Friedman, manuscriptwishlist, Rachelle Gardner, Sioux Roslawski, writing queries

Five Tips for Writing a Podcast Script

Podcasting is all the rage, and it didn’t take me long to quickly become addicted to the medium. I’ve discussed my desire to create my own true crime podcast here before, and this past summer, I finally started putting a plan into place. Having found myself with extra time on my hands due to the current state of the world amid Covid-19, I’ve begun working on the podcast production in earnest....

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4 comments elements of a podcast, podcasting advice, Renee Roberson, tips for writing a podcast script

Interview with Jean Tomlinson: 2019 Fall Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

Jean’s Bio: Jean Tomlinson was a technical writer, editor and finally a senior editor for Fortune 500 companies before she decided to seek a change in direction by writing fiction. She has been published in Money magazine and is currently working on a novel about the 1937 Mississippi River flood. Jean lives in metro Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and daughter. If you haven’t read it already,...

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3 comments 2019 Fall Flash Fiction Contest, Jean Tomlinson, Sue Bradford Edwards

Seduced Into Darkness by Carrie T. Ishee Blog Tour, Interview, and Giveaway

Seduced Into Darkness: Transcending My Psychiatrist’s Sexual Abuse is a vivid and captivating story of hope for survivors of abuse as well as a case study in a skilled manipulator’s tragic exploitation of his professional power. This poignant memoir chronicles the traumatic psychological abduction and sexual exploitation of depressed college student Carrie Tansey at the hands of her psychiatrist,...

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7 comments author interivew, blog tour, Carrie T. Ishee, memoir, Nicole Pyles, Seduced into Darkness, sexual abuse, trauma

Writing About Immigration and Belonging: Magda Bartkowska, Creative NonFiction Runner-Up

I'm very excited about this interview below with Magda Bartkowska. She writes about her childhood coming from Poland to America, and the difficulties of navigating BOTH places. In her essay, "Returning," and in this interview below, she brings out points that only an immigrant with her experiences could make us think about. However, we can all relate in some way to her themes about belonging and...

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1 comment creative nonfcition, creative nonfiction essay winner, immigrant story

In This Time Of Change, We are Here and Want to Celebrate Your Success

At this time when things feel so uncertain, give yourself grace. It's the best gift you can give to yourself. Don't compare what you are doing to someone else. Trust me, I have to remind myself of this every day when I see some of the amazing things that some moms are doing at home. Or when I hear that a writer is still managing to meet their word count or publishing their books. My friend posted...

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7 comments author success, Margo L. Dill, submissions to WOW, success stories, writing motivation, writing through difficult times

6 Resources for Writers During the Era of Social Distancing

From the Smithsonian There's no doubt about it.  We are writers living in "interesting" times.  I'm almost ashamed to admit that when my first activity was cancelled last week, I did a little dance.   Not that social distancing is working out as expected.  So far it means that my extroverts are clingy and crabby because they don't get to go anywhere. Me? I’m wondering...

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3 comments books, cams, classes, MOOC, museums, online resources, Sue Bradford Edwards

Bloggers: Sign Up for the Save the Cat! Blog Tour

Although lately, I have been working on short stories, I have attempted writing a novel a couple of times in my life. These attempts have shown me that having a direction and a plan (even if you are a pantser) is extremely important to your success in completing your book! I have heard so much buzz in writing circles about Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and how it's an absolute must-have...

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2 comments Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, writing classes

Interview with Anastasia Kirchoff: 2019 Fall Flash Fiction Contest Third Place Winner

Anastasia’s Bio: If you want to say hi to Anastasia, you may find her meandering the skyways of downtown Minneapolis to avoid going out in the snow. When she isn’t reading, she likes to daydream or craft plant based recipes. She is currently writing an urban fantasy novel, but often procrastinates by writing flash fiction. In 2019, she took third in a flash fiction contest put on by Brilliant...

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1 comment Anastasia Kirchoff, Anne Greenawalt, Fall 2019 Flash Fiction Contest, Third Place Winner