Advance With Shalla

COMEDY STAND UP

2010-12-10T12:49:00.000-08:00

SHALLA Magazine: Mannequin Walking is now here!

2010-06-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

ON SALE NOW

$17.99 only

Qualifies for FREE Shipping at Amazon

BUY NOW

SHALLA Magazine: Mannequin Walking

It's our biggest, thickest edition yet--it's 8x10 with over 200 pages!

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense and stories of things in between that can make even a mannequin get up walking, no, no, running!

That's what this SHALLA Magazine issue is all about!

Plus, we are also honoring the grand daddy of these genres: Edgar Allan Poe.

Of course Poe has written horror. You've probably already read "The Raven" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" but did you know that Poe also wrote stories of adventure on the high seas and an awesome balloon ride?

Did you know that Sherlock Holmes and other fictional detectives were based on the characters that Poe had first created?

So, to this original, imaginative, ingenious, remarkable author named Edgar Allan Poe,

we dedicate this SHALLA Magazine: Mannequin Walking issue.

May we also shine with brilliance!

Best!

Shalla DeGuzman, Editor

http://www.blogger.com/goog_1619420162

http://twitter.com/SHALLAMagazine

BUY NOW

Join Shalla and experience the brilliance of so many creative minds...

SHALLA Magazine: Mannequin Walking Issue features Poetry and Fiction by:

Michael Ainesworth

Gary Beck

Mike Berger, PhD

Algernon Blackwood

Eric S. Brown

Gary Budgen

Chris Crittenden

Nabina Das

Paul Eckert

Patricia J. Esposito

John Gorman

Damien Walters Grintalis

Leigh Hunt

John Keats

Sean Monaghan

Nikesh Murali

Amit Parmessur

Miriam Moreno Perez

Edward A. Rodosek

Rebecca Givens Rolland

Craig Watson

Dave Weaver

Changming Yuan

and more...

Bonus!

SHALLA CHATS with Hallie Ephron

"Writing Your Mystery Novel"

by Shalla DeGuzman

page 78

SHALLA CHATS with author of Thrillers Brett Battles

"Elements of a Page Turner"

by Shalla DeGuzman

page 192

Read SHALLA CHATS for FREE at http://www.shalladeguzman.com/

SHALLAMagazine "Rhododendron" by Angel Lombard read by Rosemary Lombard

2010-02-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

SHALLAMagazine

"Rhododendron" by Angel Lombard read by Rosemary Lombard

http://shalladeguzman.podbean.com/mf/web/2yudn4/Rhodonderon-read-by-Rosemary.mp3

Get Your SHALLA Magazines!!!

2010-01-10T09:49:00.000-08:00

Like to get your work published?

This is Shalla DeGuzman of our ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group, and yes, I've turned publisher too.

We're publishing short stories, fiction, poetry, etc.
Please check our submission guidelines http://www.shallamagazine.com/submissions.php

If you like to see our latest books: SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas https://www.createspace.com/3405929

and

SHALLA Magazine: Pop Arthttps://www.createspace.com/3410702

Both will be out in Amazon.com in a few weeks but get them at our e-store for 10% OFF with coupon code WEP6SWY5

Here's our SHALLA Magazine e-store http://www.shallamagazine.com/issues.php

*When you get published in SHALLA Magazine, you can do book signings too...

You're Invited!

Join our SHALLA Magazine book signing at
SDSU Writers' Conference 2010

When?

Saturday, January 30, 6-7:30 pm

Where?

In the Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel, Mission Valleyhttp://www.ces.sdsu.edu/Pages/Engine.aspx?id=735

~

Like to see all the latest SHALLA Magazine covers?
http://www.shallamagazine.com/issues.php

Thanks for purchasing your SHALLA Magazines!

Best!

Shalla DeGuzman

SHALLA Magazine: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2009-12-08T02:38:00.000-08:00

To Be an Angel, One Need Not Have Wings

To be an angel, one need not have wings.

In giving love there is an equal grace.

Nor need one seek the aura in the face,

As love unveils the beauty of all things.

by Francois Couperin. Entered by John Cowles (used with permission).

http://www.poemsforfree.com/tobean.html

Here's an interesting site Nicholas Gordon's Poems for Free

Over 2000 poems, many written for holidays or special occasions, free for any personal or non-commercial purpose. All poems: copyright by Nicholas Gordon.

***

I just received an email from one of our talented writers, whose work is beautifully featured in our upcoming SHALLA Magazine

He's excited to see the magazine issues, and so are we...

I just sent SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas pocket-edition for proofing, and needed to make a few changes on the illustrations... we have to change some that have dpi's lower than 300

Anyway, I thought I'd paste parts of my reply here...

(SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas pocket-edition) is going to be on Amazon for only $12.99--we like it to be as affordable as possible so that everyone can easily have several copies if they wanted to.

If you have kindle, we're going to put it on Kindle too... and--we're working on it, but it will probably be read into a CD, and mp3 download... but we'll see...

Please send us more, as soon as our subs open up again... we'll twitter everyone when our subs are open again.

Happy holidays!

To a fantastic, most wonderful 2010!

Best!

Shalla DeGuzman

http://www.shalladeguzman.com/
http://www.shallamagazine.com/

~we love shalla~

Coming Soon! SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas pocket-edition

2009-11-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon!

Is your work featured in it?

Oh, dear, we're at the proofing stage at the moment, sent the whole manuscript to the printers... hopefully everything's a-okay.

SHALLA Publishing is our publisher...

The authors of the short stories and poetry in this SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas pocket-edition are all so very, very talented!

Fake Fire and Rescue by Blake Butler is one of my favorites... I like funny, yet moving with great, big AHA! moments.

SHALLA Publishing...

Because sometimes, you just want it in print...

Find SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas pocket-edition in an http://www.amazon.com/ near you :)

2010

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS

2009-11-17T07:05:00.000-08:00

SHALLA Magazine features high quality fiction (experimental, literary, genre, multicultural, etc), poetry, essays, excerpts from screenplays, one act-plays, etc.

Although we mainly publish literary work, our submissions system is open to all forms of writing that have been previously published.

That’s right, we only like reprints. Please tell us where and when it has been published before. By submitting to SHALLA Magazine, you are guaranteeing that all rights to the work have already reverted back to you.

submission guidelines

http://www.shallamagazine.com/submissions.php

SHALLA CHATS

2009-10-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

SHALLA CHATS with Alice Andrews

“Biofiction Introduced”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/AliceAndrews.php

SHALLA CHATS with Bob Mayer

“The Current State and Future of the Publishing Business”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/BobMayer.php

SHALLA CHATS with David Smitherman
“ Writing and Publishing Books”
by Shalla DeGuzman

SHALLA CHATS with Executive Editor, Elizabeth Burton

“Zumaya Publications Looks for Authors”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/ElizabethBurton.php

SHALLA CHATS with Hallie Ephron

“Writing Your Mystery Novel”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/HallieEphron.php

SHALLA CHATS with Executive Editor Paula Eykelhof
“New Harlequin Imprint Calls for EPIC ROMANCE”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/PaulaEykelhof.php

SHALLA CHATS with Richard Peabody

“Writing and Publishing Literary Fiction”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/RichardPeabody.php

SHALLA CHATS with fiction editor Sarah Miles
“Introducing Fringe Magazine”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/SarahMiles.php

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Scott Eagan
“ Greyhaus Literary Agency Now Open for Business”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/ScottEagan.php

SHALLA CHATS with Publicist Theresa Meyers
“Publicize Your Fiction! How-to’s”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/TheresaMeyers.php

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Dr. Uwe Stender
“Negotiating with Publishers”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/UweStender.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Andrea Wilder
“ Choosing to E-publish”
by Shalla De Guzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Andrea_Wilder.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Barry Eisler

“Insider’s Look at Publishing the Rain Series ”

by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Barry_Eisler.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Brett Battles
"Elements of a Page Turner"
by Shalla De Guzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Brett_Battles.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Diane J. Newton
“To Market, To Market: How to Promote Your Book”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Diane_J_Newton.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Frederick Ramsay
"Writing Mystery Fiction”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Frederick_Ramsay.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Gena Showalter

“ Write Sex: Getting Characters ’ Chemistry Sizzling off the Page!”

by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Gena_Showalter.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Judie Aitken

“Writing Time Travel Romance”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Judie_Aitken.php

SHALLA CHATS with poet Lawrence Schimel

“Ways to Write Poetry”

by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Lawrence_Schimel.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Margaret L. Carter

“ Writing Vampire Paranormals”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Margaret_L_Carter.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Mari Mancusi

“ What Comes After the call?”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Marianne_Mancusi.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Michele Scott

“A Publisher wants my Book! Now what?”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Michele_Scott.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Pamela Waller
"How I got a Literary Agent"
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Pamela_Waller.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Patricia M. Terrell
"Taking the Mystery Out of Promoting Your Book"
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Patricia_M_Terrell.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Shara Lanel
“Write Erotic Romance ”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Shara_Lanel.php

SHALLA CHATS with chick lit author Sonia Singh

“Chick Lit and Bollywood Confidential”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Sonia_Singh.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Terry Spear
"The Low-down on Getting Published "

by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Terry_Spear.php

SHALLA CHATS with freelance editor and writing coach, Zaz LaMarr
“Writers: Why Get a Freelance Editor?”
by
Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Zaz_Lamarr.php

SHALLA CHATS with Tess Mallory
“Writing the Winning Query Letter”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Tess_Mallory.php

SHALLA CHATS Harlequin novelist Jacqueline Diamond

“Writing Romance for Harlequin”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Jacqueline_Diamond.php

SHALLA CHATS with author Tina Gerow

“The Great, Okay and the Ugly of E-Publishing”
by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats/authors/Tina_Gerow.php

SHALLA: Write Romance?

2009-10-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Write Romance Novels?

Get tips, read our Q&A

SHALLA CHATS Harlequin novelist Jacqueline Diamond

*read more

Have you read a Jackie Diamond novel yet?

Jackie Diamond Hyman is the author of more than 80 novels in numerous genres ... She is a former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist ... READ MORE

Here are some writing tips from Jackie Diamond

A Day in a Writer's LIfe
What Authors Don't Tell Readers
Critique Groups -- Are They For You?
Exposition
Getting Started
Professionalism
One Way to Analyze a Plot
Characterization

New Release!

September
2009
Harlequin American Romance

Doctor Daddy

Obstetrician Jane McKay longs for a baby and a husband of her own. But is her new medical partner, charismatic lady killer Luke Van Dam, really the answer to her dreams?
to order, click here
to read Chapter One, click here

Check out her website for more writing tips at http://www.jacquelinediamond.com/

Jackie Shows You How to Organize...

***

Help Defend Preditors & Editors

(they review lit agents, publishers, etc)

Unfortunately, there are those who do not like P&E or its editor because we give out information that they would prefer remain hidden from writers. Usually, they slink away, but not this time. P&E is being sued and we are asking for donations to mount a legal defense in court. Please click on the link below and give if you can to help protect P&E so it can continue to defend writers as it has for the past eleven years.

Thank you.
Other sites are welcome to copy the code for our donation button and place it on their pages with an appeal on behalf of P&E.

Have you read our Q&A with author Lauren Baratz-Logsted?

2009-08-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Have you read our Q&A with author Lauren Baratz-Logsted?

Read our Transcript here:
http://shalladeguzmandotcom.blogspot.com/2005/08/lauren-baratz-logsted.html

It was at the ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShalladeGuzman/

Now on Sale!

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Read Excerpt Recommended Reads

Self-Publishing: Should You Tell Literary Agents and Editors About Your Self-Published Book?

by Ronnie Smith

Listing your self-published book in the writing bio section of your cover or query letter may not be the best idea when you're trying to impress literary agents and editors. Before you mention your self-published book or books, you need to be certain you're not doing more harm than good.Finishing a book is a huge achievement- self-publishing a novel or book manuscript can also be an accomplishment worthy of real celebration and joy.

However, unless your project has been exceptionally successful, you could shoot yourself in the foot if you mention your self-published book in your cover or query letters to literary agents and editors. Here are a few possibilities to consider before announcing your self-publications in your query and cover letters.

Practice books. Publishing professionals know that it can take a few tries before a new writer is able to master the many complexities of writing a full-length book. Although you may adore your first few novels, a literary agent will likely look at them as "practice" books, not necessarily as fresh, high-quality projects that reach the top percentile. Practice books are important life achievements, but they are not to be confused with important publishing credits worthy of being listed in a query letter.Low sales = low enthusiasm.

If you self-publish a book but then are not able to sell a significant number of copies, literary agents will have a hard time being excited about it, or they will presume that you have not done the necessary marketing. If you can't inspire readers' enthusiasm, an editor may doubt that you can inspire his/her enthusiasm.

Negative Presumptions. Some self-published novels have done quite well. Many have become wildly popular, but keep in mind that they are the exception to the rule. The fact remains that the quality of self-published novels as a whole doesn't compare to the quality of novels that have been vetted and edited at traditional publishing houses. In other words, if you align yourself with the legions of others who have self-published, agents may presume your writing is weak. Also, agents may worry that you no longer hold all rights to your self-published book if you don't specify otherwise.

Cutting Corners. Many people self-publish because they think it's easier than dealing with the submission process (though that's not always the case). There's some concern that a writer who has self-published is a writer who would rather settle for second-best and cut corners than go the distance. Low sales indicate lackluster motivation. Literary agents want to work with passionate, driven people who will stop at nothing to reach their dreams of being successful writers.

*For more http://www.fictionf actor.com/ guests/self- publishing. html

Get Published!

(Disclaimer: Mention of a market/ contest in Let's Shalla Blog is not necessarily an endorsement. Check all guidelines in full before submitting)

Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 2

http://www.ralan.com/antho/listings/besthorror09.htm Annual print anthology is seeking reprints of horror that were published throughout 2009. All branches of horror will be considered, from traditional- supernatural to the borderline, including high-tech sf horror, supernatural, psychological horror, dark thrillers.Guidelines are quite specific. Please read guidelines in full prior to submitting.

Deadline: 15th December 2009

Phazehttp://www.phaze.com/

What We Look For * Strong, passionate, intelligent characters * Intense sensual tension and situations * Well-defined, well-executed romantic plot that illustrates the mutual relationship between two to four central characters (the romantic unit) and which includes plenty of opportunity for erotic exploration and variety.

Submission Guidelines: http://www.phaze.com/submissions.html

Shades of Romance Magazine http://www.sormag.com/

Seeking short stories between 500-1500 words. The short story must focus on the romance, and have an upbeat ending. All genres are considered, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, mystery, regency Futuristic, and Time-Travel. We do not publish erotica. Payment $20 on publication.

Submission Guidelines: http://www.sormag.com/guide.html

*For more Paying Publisher Listings: http://www.fictionfactor.com/markets.html

Happy Publisher Hunting!

Heard SHALLA yet?

2009-08-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon!

Das Erdbeeressen (Eating Strawberries)

a short story in German with its English translation

by Shalla DeGuzman

SHALLA GOES DEUTSCH: die TIEREN

***

SHALLA Magazine

spring 2009

The Sea by Christian Ward

Moth by Christian Ward

Shadows by C.P.Stewart

Writing Butterflies on the Wall by Zachary Kluckman

A small bird has flown into my chest by Linda Albert

In Passing by James Keane

PICKING UP OLD VIETNAMESE WOMAN FROM DIALYSIS
by David Allen Bright

in Perspective by Nabina Das
Departure by Anthony Kendrick

responsorium by Christopher Mulrooney
Who were nominated for the 2009 Pushcart Prize?

TOMATO
by Linda Leedy Schneider

THE REQUIRED ACCOMPANYING COVER LETTER
by Richard Fein

Congratulations!

Your submissions are the best literary work we received in 2008.

(Remember, only 'literary' work are eligible for the Pushcart)
Good luck to our 2009 submissions!

SHALLA on Internet Archive

"I Am Sri Lanka" a poem by Byron D. Howell

Read by Shalla DeGuzman

*for more

http://www.archive.org/details/IAmSriLankaByByronD.Howell

Key Lime Pie a poem by Kenneth Pobo - Written by Kenneth Pobo; Read by Shalla DeGuzman for SHALLA Magazine

A Misty Day's TOP PICKS Good. Nice line breaks, topical, emotional, good visuals. --Misty Day

*for more

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Shalla%20DeGuzman%22

Great Text to Speech Translator

2009-08-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

der Apfel

DEUTSCH Hauptwörter

11. Beim Arzt.
10. Im Restaurant.
9. Auf dem Land.
8. In der Stadt.
7. Die Kleidung.
6. Im Supermarkt.
5. die vier Jahreszeiten (das Wetter).
4. die Dachstube.
3. die Küche.
2. Unser Haus.
1. Unser Klassenzimmer.

Free Document Translator

Shalla on Germany and Writing

2009-07-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Writers! Shalla here, back from Deutschland (Germany) studying German... and what better way to learn the language than to read books in German. Specifically novels. More specifically, romance novels. So, I'm checking out Romantic Times. Did you know they're now on Facebook?

At the moment, I'm reading Harry Potter und der Halbblutprinz (and the Half Blood Prince) and one from Nora Roberts (of course!) called Rebeccas Traum (Rebecca's Dream or Impulse). I'm sure both are going to be fun reads :)

RT Book Reviews is on Facebook

RT's Summer Reading Challenge! (win a book bundle)
As the executive editor of RT I read a lot of books in a lot of genres. Some I love. Some I hate. Every once in a while though, I find a book and I wonder why more people haven't read it. So I've decided to issue a summer reading challenge...

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=121515187960&ref=mf

What did I learn in Germany? That learning languages is soooo fun! Now, I've only been studying German at home, full time for 3 months (since late April) but I've been very gung-ho about it--just as I am when I decide to do something--go all the way, I'd say. So, when the language school in Germany placed me, I wasn't in a Beginner's class, I actually ended up with two other students, both with years of training in speaking German. One, from Spain, has been taking German at a university for 4 years, something like that, and he's been at the language school a couple of years ago where he took the beginner's class for one month. My other classmate has been living in Germany for 4 years, he's married to a German and already speaks German and only needed help with writing and some Grammar stuff. So, okay, there I was doing my best to keep up. I studied for at least 5 hours per day, in all hours of the night. I had my index cards, I'm meditating, using aromatherapy (lavender) to sleep--just like college days. Oh, it was sooo fun!

To make a long story short, I survived, got a 90+ on the test, got a feel for the energy of Bavaria, etc. etc. etc.

Can I speak German now? Ja, natürlich! But give me a few more months before I'm a prolific talker. Unless--I also went to France (Paris), you see, and I have several books in French I'd like to read, and okay some Spanish books too... What was really fun about going to that language school, I met so many people who spoke several languages (4 or more wasn't out of the ordinary) that when I told them I'm studying German, French and Spanish for complete fluency, it's not a big deal. It's like, how have I survived this long knowing only 2?

Recently been rejected by a Literary Agent? An Editor?

Ever tried hypnosis to feel better and change your attitude about it?

Get your Positive Attitude back:

http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/downloads/personal_development/positive-attitude.html

Here's one to help with writing:

Overcome Writers Block Unlock The Creative Unconscious Self Hypnosis

by Erick Brown

http://www.amazon.com/Overcome-Writers-Creative-Unconscious-Hypnosis/dp/B001KW8X4C/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249060517&sr=301-1

We Love You Michael!

2009-06-26T08:14:00.001-07:00

To the Genius, the Icon, the King of Pop...

I just have to take some time to honor Michael Jackson.

Yesterday, as soon as I heard that Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital, I immediately lit a candle for him.
I thought he'd be fine, I thought it was a heart attack--people have recovered from those... Then, I learned that it was cardiac arrest... okay, isn't that a heart attack? No, that means his heart has stopped.
I was glued to the TV, praying, sending him loving thoughts...

Michael Jackson...

1983, Philippines. I've heard his song being played on the radio over and over, I think it was Beat It... Michael Jackson, the singer's name is Michael Jackson, everyone loved his songs, everyone knew his name. Music Videos were so new... VH1 on TV was playing every afternoon and that one day, I stumbled upon it for the first time. That's when I saw him for the first time, Michael Jackson, the singer from America and he did not have white skin. As a little Filipino girl, it shook me to learn this... I didn't even know there was such a thing... it was so new to me.

Michael Jackson, he transcended color barriers, cultural barriers... what can I say, the man is legendary, the ultimate artist, the greatest entertainer of all time, the... I woke up this morning, turned on the TV, hoping it was all a bad dream, a publicity stunt, please... When I learned how to sing last year, the first song I worked on learning was Michael Jackson's Ben. When I set my goals, I shot for the stars, the best of the best--to be able to sing like Michael... I can't believe it... I can't believe it...

I love you Michael, you're always with us through your music... your magic lives on...

we interrupt our program to bring you this special announcement...

2009-05-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

we interrupt our program to bring you this special announcement...

Congrats to the PACMAN!

Hatton went down in the first round. By the second round, Hutton went down after Pacquiao easily landed a left hook to the side of his face (which is said to be like a two-ton refrigerator coming at you).

Brilliant Pacquiao cements legacy with win

Pacquiao vs. Hatton
by agarakz

***

HOME SHALLA CHATS ARTICLES RESOURCES LET'S SHALLA BLOG WHO IS SHALLA?

SHALLA Magazine

2009-05-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Nice to see you again!

Have you read our spring 2009 issue of SHALLA Magazine yet?

Come meet the very talented writers and poets we've discovered...

The Sea by Christian Ward

Moth by Christian Ward

Shadows by C.P.Stewart

Writing Butterflies on the Wall by Zachary Kluckman

A small bird has flown into my chest by Linda Albert

In Passing by James Keane

PICKING UP OLD VIETNAMESE WOMAN FROM DIALYSIS
by David Allen Bright

in Perspective by Nabina Das
Departure by Anthony Kendrick

responsorium by Christopher Mulrooney

***

The 2009 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

Now in its sixth anniversary year, the stakes are higher than ever. This year over $50,000 in Cash and Prizes to winning screenwriters are presented– including a $25,000 Grand Prize – as well as Gold, Silver and Bronze Prizes in ten different genre categories.

Do you want to get your script into the hands of Hollywood professionals who can truly help advance your career?

FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE:
Friday, May 15th
Submit your script today!

The Categories
The Prizes
The Rules
Judging Procedure
How To Enter
FAQ’s

$$$

Jokes about Writing

A visitor to a certain college paused to admire the new Hemingway Hall that had been built on campus.

"It's a pleasure to see a building named for Ernest Hemingway," he said.

"Actually," said his guide, "it's named for Joshua Hemingway. "No relation."

"The visitor was astonished. "Was Joshua Hemingway a writer, also?"

"Yes, indeed," said his guide. "He wrote a check."

*read more

Have you joined us on Myspace yet?

Know about--

“The Current State and Future of the Publishing Business”

SHALLA CHATS with NY Times Bestselling author, Bob Mayer

*read more

Please visit us at:

http://www.shalladeguzman.com/

http://www.shalladeguzman.com/books/smartauthorstoolkit/contents.php

Transcript of our Q&A with Writer/Producer and Script Analyst Peter Myers

2009-03-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Like to read the Transcript of our

Q&A with Writer/Producer and Script Analyst Peter Myers?

Get his expertise for FREE or here's a list of his services:

Dear Writers,

It's been a pleasure to answer your question in this Q and A.

Let me know if you need any further help in the area of scripts.

You can always contact me at peterdavidmyers@gmail.com.

My services are:

Analysis---2-3 page synopses $75.00

---10-20 page treatments $150.00

---full scripts $250.00

Consulting is $50.00/hour charged against a retainer fee.

subjects for consulting: How do I get representation formy writing? How do I get started in screenwriting?How do I meet producers, directors and stars? etc.

Testimonials from my screenwriter clients can be viewed at:

www.storylink.com/profile/peterdavidmyers

Happy writing!

Best,

Peter Myers

Our Q&A with Writer/Producer and Script Analyst Peter Myers Transcript

What is a 'high concept' and how do we make sure to add it to our script?

WHAT DOES "HIGH CONCEPT" MEAN IN HOLLYWOOD?A high concept script has four key elements:A great title,a fascinating subject,a strong hook,and it appeals to a broad audience.In addition to these four elements, the story can be described in one short,simple sentence.But you don't "add it in" to your script. You START with it. As George Lucaspointed out, a film project lives or dies by its original conception. You haveto BUILD the script around a high concept. Not add it in. Build it from theground up with that.

How important is the formatting of the script? I'm still figuring all the rules out.

Formatting is pretty darned important. If they think you're a new writer, thescript reader, producer, whatever, may not even read the script. One of thefirst ways they determine this is flipping through the script pages looking athow long the script is and how the format looks. You will unfairly prejudicethem against you if your format is not standard. The script might go to thebottom of the "to read" pile, or not get read at all. Dave Trottier's book THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE is good for learning format. but also look at the scripts you admire online. google "read screenplays online" and check out those sites.

Is writing a script for television the same as writing a script for the theatres? or movie scripts?

Two very different crafts, due to various factors: time constraints, wanderingaudience attetion span in TV (they can change channels), sponsors in TV, etc.

But you should focus on which medium you, personally, enjoy the most. Basically,do what you love doing. If you can't get enough of television, write fortelevision. If you can't get enough of theatrical feature films, write those.

Once you pick your passion, read books about that specific craft. Read thescripts of shows or movies you admire and see how the writers put them together.

Join writers groups in that specific area- TV or film, etc.

I haven't written a script yet but I do have several books on it and have always wanted to get started. Before I do though I like to research the field and find out what type of genre I should consider.

Are there any type of scripts out there that's already overly done? I don't want to write something that'salready saturating the market. Any type of scripts producers are looking for right now?

Horror scripts have glutted the marketplace, so if you pick horror as a genre,make it very very unique.Other than that, producers are mainly looking for "great scripts". And how do you write a great script? Learn the craft and write from you passions, becausenot doing or, or the other, or both, will lessen the chances of it selling.

They can tell when your heart's not in a script, believe me. Trying to write "for the marketplace" is kind of a losing proposition, becauseby the time your movie gets made, the marketplace will have moved on from whereit was when you started writing your script.

I have several questions, my first is, do you have any script writing softwares you recommend? why/why not?

I recommend Screenwriter 6 by Moviemagic, the software company. It's simple touse.

Best,Peter

Hello again, I would like to study good scripts to see how the good writers wrote them.

Where can I find good scripts that have already been turned into a movie? Is there a resource online where I can get them for free?

Do you have any suggestions on how I should analyze the script?

I copied and pasted in some online sources for scripts from my database, but these are at least a couple of years old and may not exist anymore. If thesedon't pan out, just google "read screenplays online for free" or some such thingand the sites will come up. Or screenplays online. But they are definitely out there and that's the easiest way to access them.

As far as analyzing the script, do you mean analyzing it to see how it works? What made it successful? Well, the ideal scene for a screenplay, as painted bya number of good screenwriting books, would tell you that. If it's a goodscript, it should be in alignment with the better books on screenwriting.

The Writers Store in L.A. can recommend those to you, or see the postings herebecause I rattled off 4 books to one fo the writers, books I recommend to new screenwriters.

My final question is about taking classes. I feel I should take some scriptwriting classes.

Do you have any suggestions on a script writing class? Onlinewould be best for me and the cheaper the better.

I'm not familiar with the online classes. I always recommend UCLA, either themajor screenwriting program they have there, or the extension courses. I heargood things about both. Richard Walter is a professor in the screenwritingprogram and is a great guy. He can give you more info on that, as can UCLAExtension.

Online classes: go online and google "online screenwriting classes". You can google just about anything these days.

You should be reading good books about screenwriting and The Writers Store inLos Angeles can recommend the best ones to you.

What is selling right now? What's the best way to find out what's selling?

There is a publication which shows what's selling and I forget the name, BUT don't write based on what's selling, because by the time you're done developing and polishing your material, the fad will have changed.

I will tell you that it's now harder to sell a spec script than in previous years. Now, you must find a producer who packages in a director and star, inorder for it to sell. Just write what you're passionate about and learn the craft so that what you turn in is a really good script. Don't worry about the marketplace. If you're not writing your passion, it will show in the quality of the material and it won't sell.

I'm watching the news, like the Octomom event seem to catch people'sattention.

So, should I put someone like the Octomom in my script? How can weturn what is selling on TV and the news into something part of our script?

Be careful if you're putting someone's true life story in a script withoutgetting the rights from them to do that. If what you're using is ONLY public domain material, stuff you've seen on TV or in the papers, that's likely to besafe to use, but when you start using other things you're finding out about themwhich are not publicly known, you leave yourself open for an invasion of privacylawuit from the person you're writing about.

The bottom line is:Write what you're passionate about and learn your craft. If you just do thosetwo things, you stand a better chance of selling, than if you only do one, ornone, of those two things.So, at the end of the day, if you're passionate about some subject which hasreally caught the public's attention, and there are no rights issues you can'tdeal with, then you're ahead of the game by writing a script on that subjectmatter.

Best,Peter www.storylink.com/profile/peterdavidmyers

Peter,

I'm getting started a little late in life with my script writing but I feel its better late than never. I'm in my 60s with a lot of life experinces I can put into my characters.

I am writing a Dirty Harry script with an eye forClint Eastwood starring in it. I know its a long shot but I wrote somethingwhere I can imagine the lead character doing the actions.

What do you think I should look out for as I write it?

Any possible pitfalls you can think of? Any books you suggest I look at? Its my first script Ive ever worked on and I'mstill in the dark with a lot of things.

Better late than never!

Forget Dirty Harry. Clint doesn't want to do any moreof those. I checked a few years ago and was told that by his asassistant.

If you look at his work the last ten years you'll see he's on a completely different wavelength now.

Pitfalls? Don't write a bad script! How not to write a bad script? Write agood one! How to write a good one? Read the following books and apply what'sin them:

Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc by Dara Marks

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

Story by Robert McKee

The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lagos Egri.

And write what you're passionate about. If A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL can get made,just about anything can get made if it has integrity and emotion.Now, if you need further help, I do consult screenwriters on an hourly basis,and I do analyze their material for them as they develop their projects from synopsis to treatment to script.

If you need further help, feel free to contact me at mailto:peterdavidmyers@gmail.com.

And have fun writing!

Peter,

Let's say you found a good book, it's a bestseller, it's a commercial successand you want to turn it into a script, how would you go about it? How do you adapt a book to a movie?

You would need to contact the writer's agent to see if film rights were includedin the publishing deal. Don't trust the publisher to tell you the truth! If thefilm rights still belong to the author, then you negotiate with the agent forthe rights. Agents are all about money, and are not going to be friendly tooffers of film rights options for $1.00 for a year, so, if you find out theauthor still has the film rights, try to find a way to go to the author direct,sell him/her on your vision for the film and get them to option it to you for abuck.However, the more successful the book is, the harder it will be to get a onedollar option. On a book that's a commercial success, be prepared to spend moneyto get the option. Unless you're a real good saleswoman!As for adapting books to movies. I had a director ask me that one time, and it's 2 phases.

1) decide what your take is on the book. Yes, you can bring YOUR OWN point of view to the adaptation, even if it varies slightly from the author's. I would only do this is the author wrote a book that is not eminentlyadaptable to the screen, but has something in it that attracts you to adaptingit. At that point, you're going to have to solve the problem the author of thebook gave you. And in doing that, you'll need to find out own vision within his/her vision. Let's say you've done that. Next, go through the book and pick out the parts of the book that conform to your vision of a film version of the book. You may only use half of the book. Don't worry. The author didn't give you something easilytranslatable to the screen. It's your job to fix that problem. Or if they did give you a very translatable book, you're in luck. Maybe most ofwhat's in the book belongs in the film. But remember, you've only got 120 pagesof script that the book has to fit in, so you may find yourself going through,picking and choosing anyway.Have fun with it. But don't spend a lot of time on such a project unless you'vesecured at LEAST a year option on the film rights to the book. Otherwise, youcould be wasting your time.Best,Peter

As I am writing my novel I sometimes use lyrics of songs. I use older songsfrom the early 2oth century (1940's or earlier), would there be a problem withthis? Would I have to pay for copyright? How do I check?>> I also mentioned stores like Kmart, banks like Bank of America and sometimesmake jokes (nothing horrible, only sarcastic jokes) about them. Is this okay?Or can they sue me?>>> What do I have to watch out for in terms of copyright?

Thanks, you too. Don't use those songs unless they're really critical as it's more headaches forthe publisher to negotiate the rights to use those lyrics. Make up some lyricsunless it's story-critical to use the ones you want.The publisher of the book will have to pay. Or in a film, the producer of thefilm pays. Speaking of which, don't give the film producer any extra headacheseither. He/she may want to hire a songwriter to make up a 40's style song fortwo grand, much cheaper than paying 50 grand for some Sinatra tune, or whatever.On your other question about mentioning stores, etc., that one you'd have tocheck with an attorney on. I have no idea where the boundaries are.Bottom line, don't give YOURSELF extra headaches. Only put things in like that if you really HAVE to. Best,Peter

Do you look for a book to turn into a movie?

I don't as I don't need the extra complication of dealing with film rights to abook. A producer is negotiating with my literary manager now about hiring me towrite a script from a book, but I don't go looking for books myself. I have abacklog of spec scripts I haven't gotten to because I keep getting hired byother people to write scripts they want written! Tough problem.If a writer is plumb out of ideas, certainly, he/she can go looking for a bookto adapt, but they have to make sure they own the film rights to it before theyspend any time writing the script! Otherwise, it can be wasted effort.

Best, Peter

There's more Questions and more Answers with Writer/Producer and Script Analyst Peter Myers at The ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group

*read more (Go to Messages #1734 to 1798)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShalladeGuzman/

How to Format a Screenplay

Recommend to a friend!

By Elaine Radford

You've plotted your story, developed your characters, and written a scene-by-scene outline of your story. Now you're ready to write it in professional screenplay format.
Keep in mind that a screenplay is visual and your characters' actions move the story forward from scene to scene. Actions show the audience what it needs to know. Your characters' dialogue supports the actions. Seeing a character do something is far more powerful than having him or her talk about it.
Think of a scene as a unit of action. In each scene, define who (character or characters), what (situation), when (time of day), where (place of action), and why (purpose of the action).
Scene Headings: Each time your characters move to a different setting, a new scene heading is required.
Scene headings are typed on one line with some words abbreviated and all words capitalized.
Authors Hillis R. Cole, Jr. and Judith H. Haag say in their book, "The Complete Guide To Standard Script Formats," that "the various elements of a scene heading must be arranged in a specific order."
Specifically, the location of a scene is listed before the time of day when the scene takes place.

*read more

Q&A with Black Rose Writing Publisher Reagan Rothe

2009-03-13T15:02:00.001-07:00

You’re invited!

Join Us!

Q&A with Black Rose Writing Publisher Reagan Rothe

Who is Reagan Rothe?

Reagan Rothe is a small-scale successful author and the creator of Black Rose Writing.

Black Rose Writing is an independent publishing house that doesn't guarantee endless money spent on promotion or false hopes, we work with our authors and develop a personal relationship. Owned by Reagan Rothe, a small-scale successful author, we have the experience from the author's view, knowing the trials and tribulations. We understand the rejection, frustration, and stress marketing and promoting a novel can be. We will do whatever we can within budget for our authors, as they reach success, so do we.

We are a Print-on-demand publishing house. We are currently seeking most genre fiction and either war, how-to, or biography non-fiction. Reagan Rothe is the author of Dreams and Baseball, Give Wings to My Triumph, and the Misanthropy series.

For more: http://www.blackrosewriting.com/index.html

Q&A with Black Rose Writing Publisher Reagan Rothe

Thursday, March 19, 2009 11am to 12pm pst (or 2pm-3pm est)

Registration is FREE at

The ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group

JOIN US!

Shalla DeGuzman

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShalladeGuzman

Online Classes for Writers

2009-03-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

***OKAY TO FORWARD***

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

April 3-30, 2009
"In & Out: Writing Believable Conflict"
by Sherry Lewis
www.WriterUniv.com

This workshop focuses on the art and craft of creating realistic, believable conflict for your character, both internal and external, and on weaving those conflict together in ways that are fresh, exciting, and powerful enough to catch an editor's eye. Topics include:

* Understanding how a character's core beliefs crate conflict
* How internal and external conflicts work together
* When to hang on to / let go of a character's past
* Keeping conflicts realistic
* Creating layers of conflict
* Why urgency matters in conflict
* Applying conflict to each scene you write
* Avoiding anticipated conflict

Sherry Lewis is a career writer with more than 30 published mystery, contemporary romance, and time travel romance novels to her credit. She loves sharing what she has learned since selling her first book fifteen years ago, and has given workshops all over the country. Sherry has also taught online workshops for several years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

April 3-30, 2009
"Writing For Magazines"
by Julie Rowe
www.WriterUniv.com

Interested in writing for magazines? Learn the process of creating an article, from coming up with an idea to how to sell that idea to a magazine and write your finished piece. This class will tear apart real examples of successful queries and their subsequent published articles see what worked, and what didn't work, and why. Topics include:

* Why fiction writers should also write for magazines
* Choosing the right magazine and editor to query
* Topics, research, angles, titles and hooks
* The knock-out magazine query letter
* How to get quotes & statistics and fact check
* Writing the article; sidebars and photography
* Word count, deadlines, contracts and invoicing
* Creating a portfolio and finding your niche

Julie Rowe has been freelancing for magazines for over five years. She's an enthusiastic instructor who enjoys lively discussion and encourages questions. Her articles have appeared in numerous magazines such as Today's Parent magazine, Reader's Digest (Canada), The Canadian Writer's Journal, Writer's Digest, Canadian Living, What's Up Kids Magazine, the Romance Writer's Report and various RWA chapter newsletters.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

April 6-17, 2009
MASTER CLASS: "Do-It-Yourself Media Kits"
by Theresa Meyers
www.WriterUniv.com

Prerequisite: Published book or upcoming release date

Working on your own promotion, but not sure what you should or shouldn’t include when you send material out to the media? Look no further. Public Relations guru Theresa Meyers takes you through the ins and outs of media kits, both print and electronic, and demystifies what you need to have on hand. In this course you’ll get:

* The elements every media kit needs
* How to create them yourself
* Templates for making instant bios, press releases, and more!
* What to include and omit based on the media contact
* Fresh ideas for packaging your media kit
* Knowledge of why print and electronic media kits are different
* How to make each kind

Best known for getting her clients chosen as two out of the total seven picks for the Kelly Ripa Book Club, Theresa Meyers spent over ten years working in public relations, garnering millions of dollars in media coverage for her clients, before she launched Blue Moon Communications. A former journalist and magazine columnist, she now focuses on strategic planning for her clients, media training and author branded media campaigns. Find her online at www.bluemooncommunications.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

***OKAY TO FORWARD***

Shalla: BEWARE OF IDENTITY THEFT

2008-11-25T15:55:00.000-08:00

SHALLA: So You're... Huh?

2008-11-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

SO, YOU'RE... HUH?

So, you're looking to E-Publish, huh? *read more

So, you're looking for an Agent, huh? *read more

So, you like to Market your novel, huh? *read more

So, you like to understand your Book Contract, huh? *read more

So, you like to Edit your novel, huh? *read more

So, you're looking to Write Freelance, huh? *read more

Let's say, you're looking for a Literary Agent... Check out Full Literary Circle

They have a Blog!

Full Circle Literary : Blog Now Online

For realtime news and author tips, add this to your bookmarks:http://fullcirclelit.blogspot.com/

I like their site because they also have book suggestions for writers

***

SHALLA: Writing Contests

2008-11-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

Read the Halloween Edition of SHALLA Magazine?

(click on HALLO.pdf and Open)

Listen to the spooky paranormal tale by Margaret L. Carter, Residual Fumes

***

Hello Writers, Shalla here--Hola! Shalla aqui (Estudiando espanol para Cancun! :)

Anyway, 'hope you're doing perfectly well.

Here's a list of writing competitions that may interest you. Winning one of these can add some dazzle to your bio when you query a literary agent or editor...

Soul-Making Literary Competition - 11 categories: poetry, prose poem, short story, flash fiction, essay, memoir, novel excerpt, humor, creative nonfiction and young adult poetry, and young adult prose. Most categories accept previously published works. Awards: $100, $50, $25 in each category. Entry fee: $5. Deadline: November 30, 2008. Info: NLAPW, Nob Hill Branch, The Webhallow House, 1544 Sweetwood Drive, Broadmoor Village CA 94015; PenNobHill@aol.com; www.soulmakingcontest.us/

Colonial Players Promising Playwright Contest. Playwrights residing in 14 states and the District of Columbia along the Eastern Seaboard from New Hampshire to South Carolina are eligible to submit scripts. One act and two act plays, but no musicals, may be entered. Award: $1000 plus a weekend workshop of the playwith a rehearsal. Deadline: Postmark of December 1, 2008. info: Colonial Players, 108 East St., Annapolis MD 21401; http://www.cplayers.com/.

Write2Help.Org Fall 2008 Short Fiction Contest. Proceeds benefit World Relief, a worldwide humanitarian effort based out of Baltimore, MD. Write a short story (1500 words or less) about an exciting or awakening experience in childhood. Awards: $1,000, $250, $100. Entry Fee: $10. Deadline: December 20, 2008. Info: http://www.write2help.org/.

The 2008 Northern Woods Literary Awards for Short Stories and Poetry. Awards: "Prizes are determined by total number of entrants but right now it looks like first place in each category will be around $250." Top three entries will receive cash awards. Entry fee: $10. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: www.northernwoodsliteraryawards.blogspot.com/.

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest - Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject and/or Write a short story, 5 pages maximum on any theme. Awards: Poetry Contest: $250, $125, $50; Writing Contest: $500, $250, $100. Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story. Postmark Deadline: December 31, 2008. Mail entries/fees to: Dream Quest One, PO Box 3141, Chicago IL 60654. Info: http://www.dreamquestone.com/.

Suspense Magazine First Annual Writing Contest. All entries must be in the suspense/mystery/thriller genre. Writers retain all rights. Awards: Winner will receive 12 Bestselling Books (many or all of them autographed by the authors). Second and Third places will receive Amazon.com gift cards. No entry fee. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: www.suspensemagazine.com/contest.html.

SHALLA CHATS by Shalla DeGuzman

Creative Quills Writing Contests: Humorous story or essay; Inspirational essay; Poetry. Awards: $150 and online publication ($50 for poetry), online publication and editing/promotional consultation, promotional consultation and literary advice. Entry fee: $15. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: http://www.creativequills.com/; booklady@creativequills.com; Andrea Foster, Creative Quills, PO Box 942, Kingfisher OK 73750.

Annual Neurobiological Learning Society Choice and Top Choice Awards for (1) published or unpublished books; (2) published or unpublished articles; and (3) published or unpublished enduring public education media concerning any aspect of the neurobiology of learning, especially transformative learning. Awards: (1) Top Choice Award: $100, review and press release; (2) Up to 30 choice awards, 10 each for books, articles and enduring public education media: review and press release. Entry fee: $25. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: Daniel S. Janik MD PhD, 2630 Kapiolani Blvd #1601, Honolulu HI 96826; phone/fax (808) 941-3927; drjanik@gmail.com; Intercultural Communications College, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd #1000, Honolulu HI 96814; (808) 946-2445, fax (808) 946-2231.
Buffalo Carp's Flash Fiction Contest for up to 600 words. Awards: $250 plus five copies Buffalo Carp, Volume 6. All entries will be considered for publication. Entry fee: $10 for each submission of up to three stories. Deadline: January 16, 2009. Info: Flash Fiction Contest, Buffalo Carp, Quad City Arts, 1715 Second Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201;

buffalocarp@gmail.com.

2009 Longleaf Press Chapbook Contest. Open to residents of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Submit 20 to 24 pages including table of contents and acknowledgments. No name on the manuscript. Include a separate cover page with name, address, e-mail, and contact information. Award: Publication, 50 copies and $100 prize. Authors retain all rights. Entry fee: $15. Postmark deadline: January 30, 2009. Send to: Longleaf Press c/o English Dept., Methodist University, 4500 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville NC 28311.
Amy Writing Awards for articles that present the biblical position in a sensitive, thought-provoking manner – must be published during 2007 in a mainstream, non-religious publication, or on the pages of mainstream, non-religious newspaper, news or e-magazine Web sites as determined by the Amy Writing Awards panel. No entry fee. Deadline: January 31, 2007. Awards: $10,000–$1,000. Full information at www.amyfound.org/amy_writing_awards/amy_writing_awards.html or The Amy Foundation, PO Box 16091, Lansing MI 48901.

Christine Kringle Plot Contest -- come up with a one-page synopsis of a plot for book two in the series. Award: US$5,000 or its equivalent in your national currency. Entry fee: proof of purchase of Christine Kringle. Deadline: January 31, 2009. Info: www.christinekringle.com/win-5000.html.

James Jones First Novel Fellowship. Awards: $10,000 and two $750 runner-up prizes. Deadline: March 1, 2009. Info: jamesjonesfirstnovel@wilkes.edu; www.wilkes.edu/pages/1159.asp; Creative Writing Program, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre PA 18766.

Writers' League of Texas Manuscript Contest - Categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Children's Categories. Award: The winner in each category meets individually with an agent or editor during the annual Writers' League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference. Entry fee: $50. Deadline: March 6, 2009. Info: www.writersleague.org/contests/manuscript.html; Writers' League of Texas, 611 S. Congress Ave., Suite 130, Austin TX 78704; wlt@WritersLeague.org; (512) 499-8914.

Annual Writers-Editors International Writing Competition. Nonfiction (Previously Published and Unpublished); Fiction (Short Story and Novel Chapter); Children's Literature; Poetry. Awards: $100, $75, $50. Entry fee: $3–$20. Deadline: March 15, 2009. Click for Guidelines and Entry form or send SASE to CNW Contest, PO Box A, North Stratford NH 03590.
Mozelle Memoir Contest. Award: $500 and publication. Entry fee: $10. Deadline: March 20, 2009. Info: www.writersleague.org/contests/memoir.html; Writers' League of Texas, 611 S. Congress Ave., Suite 130, Austin TX 78704; wlt@WritersLeague.org
OnceWritten.com Annual Poetry Contest. Award: $500 & publication. Entry fee: $15. Deadline: March 31, 2009. Info: www.oncewritten.com/Contests/PoetryContest.php.

Well, good luck!

Who are we nominating for the Pushcart Prize at SHALLA Magazine?

Coming Soon...

BTW, have you seen this video of me?

Who is Shalla?

Romancing Fire, Desire, Caramel tears.....Top 40 Romances

2008-09-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

Romancing Fire, Desire, Caramel tears.....Top 40 Romances

A Listmania! list by Shalla DeGuzman "Editor of SHALLA Magazine"

We love romance.

Here's a great list.

Best,

Shalla DeGuzman

www.shalladeguzman.com

It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Dream Man by Linda Howard

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

For more:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R2BXFWK36V47RC/ref=cm_lm_pthnk_view?ie=UTF8&lm%5Fbb=

SHALLA ANSWERS

2008-07-30T17:14:00.001-07:00

Hi writers, here's a question that's been emailed to me recently, maybe you're asking yourself the same thing...

Greeting Shalla,

I am a new authoress searching for an agent to represent me and my work but I have a question pertaining to genre's.

I'm having trouble finding the right genre that fits my book which is more like women's fiction, a little romantic, a little sexy. Any advice that you may have would greatly appreciated.

**Is it pertinent to mention in my query's bio that I'm a blog writer? Does it make a difference?

SHALLA ANSWERS

hi,

What some agents have told me is that they usually decide on the final genre the work will be sold as.

I'd say, join RWA (romance writers of america) go to their chapter meetings, nearest you, and also attend their annual convention. You'll meet literary agents there you can talk to and sell your work to.

It's so subjective, writing, some may find it interesting that you're a blogger, other may think badly of you for even mentioning it. I'd say, mention your published work that has been approved by someone else, someone credible, like a magazine, newspaper, etc.

Best!

Shalla

********************************

EXCLUSIVE at SHALLA Magazine

Advice to Writers: from an Editor/Book Publisher

In summary, three vital concepts for the process: Persist; Trust; Revise!
SHALLA CHATS with Seamus Cashman of Wolfhound Press
continue...

Where’s Shalla? SHALLA IN CANCUN, MEXICO & BORACAY, PHILIPPINES ’08

2008-05-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

SHALLA Magazine: Radio Shows

2008-01-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

SHALLA Magazine: Yeah, we have Issues...

Coming Soon!

Blank Canvas Issue, Halloween Edition

http://www.shallamagazine.com/

**************

Free Old Time Radio Shows

Kind of like the X-Files of the air waves: Coast to Coast AM With George Noory. Bigfoot, UFOs, ghosts, witchcraft, government conspiracies, etc..

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/

**************

RebeccasReads.com is accepting books for review! If you are an author or a publisher and would like your book/s reviewed please send them to our office address:

RebeccasReads
Review Request
7101 W Hwy 71 Ste 250
Austin, TX 78735

**************

Common Mechanical Pitfalls

by Vicki Hinze

When asked, a group of editors from top publishing houses, responded that the following are the most often seen mechanical errors in works submitted by authors.

By removing these errors from our works, we greatly enhance our potential for publication—and strengthen our writing skills.

Author Intrusion, Filtering, Passive Voice. Use the active voice in writing. Avoid weak verbs: "to be" and its variants: was, are, is. This puts the reader on-scene, makes what’s happening, happen now. Author intrusion reminds the reader she’s reading, hence you lose immediacy, empathy between reader/character. Show, don’t tell applies.

For more: http://www.fictionfactor.com/guests/mechanical.html

**************

Creating a Character for a Horror Story

By Sarah Todd

Lauren gasped when she rounded the corner into the alley. The object of her revulsion looked up. He was surprised by her sudden appearance. His long hair fell in loose curls past his shoulders. The hair of his bearded chin dripped red with blood. He raised an outstretched hand in front of his face. His other hand let go of the man he had been supporting. The body fell to the pavement. Her attention darted to the apparent victim and Lauren saw that a stream of blood flowed from the man’s neck. It traced a path between the cracks in the dirty pavement. Lauren looked back to the… well, the vampire. She knew it sounded crazy, but that’s what the guy seemed to be aiming for. Their eyes locked for a few brief moments. His outstretched fingers shook with a nervous energy that she did not mistake for fear.

Anne Rice places her vampires in everyday situations, and she gives each character very human emotions – so human that you might want to look at your neighbour a bit more carefully when you close the book! This article is written to give you some ideas for creating realistic characters to populate your horror story.

For more: http://horror.fictionfactor.com/articles/horrorcharacter.html

**************

Query Tracker • Search our massive listing of Literary Agents • Keep Track of your Queries• View advanced statistics about each agent's query history

Get your fre*e Query Tracker download today!

Click here for more details: http://www.querytracker.net/index.php

**************

Here's A Free Listing of HORROR PUBLICATIONS

http://horror.fictionfactor.com/hmg1.pdf

SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas Issue, Halloween Edition

2007-11-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

podcasts

On SHALLA Magazine this Issue

Blank Canvas Issue, Halloween Edition

At SHALLA Magazine, everyday is Halloween!

Listen to spooky stories by Dr. Margaret L. Carter, Edgar Allan Poe, vintage radio's the Haunted Tales of the Supernatural, Paul G's SHALLA Magazine jingle, songs and music by Levi Kreis, Moose (Mooska), Music from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com),
and more!

Coming Soon!

Listen to poetry by Bill Brocato, Byron D. Howell, Kenneth Pobo; and
short stories by Shalla DeGuzman, Blake Butler, Elizabeth Kadetsky, etc.

Listen
to us in the Internet Archive

SHALLA CHATS on YouTube.com

2007-10-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

New Releases!

Who's on SHALLA CHATS?

Know who Shalla has interviewed?

Maybe
you'll be next?

Turn up the volume...

Hear
our musician, Moose (Mooska), with his reggae/ska, other, acoustic
blues, roots, leftfield music.

Featuring:
Dorchester author, Tess Mallory; Artscape author, Frederick Ramsay;

Hallie Ephron; Shara Lanel; Margaret L. Carter;

Gena Showalter; Judie Aitken;

NY Times Best Selling author, Barry Eisler;

Chick-Lit author, Sonia Singh; Brett Battles;

Michele Scott;

multiple Emmy Award winning TV news producer & author Marianne Mancusi;

Terry Spear; Andrea Wilder; Tina Gerow; Seamus Cashman;

NY Times Bestselling author, Bob Mayer; Patricia M. Terrell and more!

Produced and Directed by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats.php

A Smart Author's Toolkit

2008 Edition is here!

Read more interviews with Literary Agents, Authors,
and Publishers--get everything you need to publish!

*read more

Check out the back cover of SHALLA Magazine!

2007-09-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

That's right, SHALLA Magazine is coming out as an e-book, just for you.

Here's our back cover. Yes, in our next issue, SHALLA Mingles with Mr. Austria, Alex Cristo--oh the humanity!

contents

home

about

chats

THE ART OF SHORT FICTION What is it? Author Charles Blackstone tells.

continue...

WRITING GREAT SHORT STORIES Elizabeth Kadetsky who teaches at Sarah Lawrence College and at Columbia University’s School of Journalism serves up some advice.

continue...

CRAFTING CHARACTERS THAT JUMP OFF THE PAGE Punching up your fiction? Where there's a tipster, there's a way. Discover Robert Gregory Browne's secrets to getting multiple book deals.

continue...

BIOFICTION INTRODUCED Even as she receives 5 stars on Amazon for Trine Erotic while editing/publishing Entelechy: Mind & Culture, Alice Andrews takes time to chat about the esoteric world of this mind-bending read.

continue...

features

editors

submissions

mailroom

A Smart Author's Toolkit is here!

2007-09-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

A Smart Author's Toolkit 2008 Edition!

Table of Contents

A Letter from the Editor

PART ONE

Fundamentals of Writing and Publishing

Writing the Winning Query Letter

SHALLA CHATS with Dorchester author, Tess Mallory

*read more

Writing Mystery Fiction

SHALLA CHATS with Artscape author, Frederick Ramsay

*read more

Writing Your Mystery Novel

SHALLA CHATS with Hallie Ephron

*read more

Write Erotic Romance

SHALLA CHATS with author, Shara Lanel

*read more

Writing Vampire Paranormals

SHALLA CHATS with author Margaret L. Carter

*read more

Write Sex: Getting Characters Chemistry Sizzling off the Page!

SHALLA CHATS with sexy paranormal author, Gena Showalter

*read more

Writing Time Travel Romance

SHALLA CHATS with Native American themed romance author, Judie Aitken

*read more

Insider's Look at Publishing the Rain Series

SHALLA CHATS with NY Times Best Selling author, Barry Eisler

*read more

Writing and Bollywood Confidential

SHALLA CHATS with Chick-Lit author, Sonia Singh

*read more

Writers: Why Get a Freelance Editor?

SHALLA CHATS with freelance editor and writing coach, Zaz LaMarr

*read more

Working with a Freelance Editor

SHALLA CHATS with freelance editor Mike Sirota

*read more

PART TWO

Essential Techniques

How I got a Literary Agent

SHALLA CHATS with contemporary, romantic suspense, paranormal / time travel author, Pamela Waller

*read more

An Insider's View on Agenting and Publishing

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Caren Johnson

*read more

The Basic Book Deal

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Mike Farris

*read more

Actively Building A List

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Kelly Sonnack

*read more

Getting to Know You

SHALLA CHATS with Writers House Literary Agent, Daniel Lazar

*read more

Greyhaus Literary Agency Now Open for Business

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Scott Eagan

*read more

Negotiating with Publishers

SHALLA CHATS with Literary Agent Dr. Uwe Stender

*read more

PART THREE

*read more

What Comes After the call?

SHALLA CHATS with multiple Emmy Award winning TV news producer & author Marianne Mancusi

*read more

The Low-down on Getting Published

SHALLA CHATS with paranormal author, Terry Spear

*read more

Choosing to E-Publish

SHALLA CHATS with historical and contemporary romance author, Andrea Wilder

*read more

The Great, Okay and the Ugly of E-Publishing

SHALLA CHATS with author Tina Gerow

*read more

Chick Lit for Tor/Forge

SHALLA CHATS with Acquiring Editor Natasha Panza

*read more

TRANSITA: Great books for Grown Women

SHALLA CHATS with Editorial Director Nikki Read

*read more

Advice to Writers: from an Editor/former Book Publisher

SHALLA CHATS with Seamus Cashman

*read more

Writing and Publishing Books

SHALLA CHATS with traditional, royalty-based publisher, David Smitherman

*read more

The Current State and Future of the Publishing Business

SHALLA CHATS with NY Times Bestselling author, Bob Mayer

*read more

Zumaya Publications Looks for Authors

SHALLA CHATS with Executive Editor, Elizabeth Burton

*read more

we're always getting better!

BONUS

Promoting Your Book

Taking the Mystery Out of Promoting Your Book

SHALLA CHATS with author Patricia M. Terrell

*read more

Publicize Your Fiction! How-to's

SHALLA CHATS with Publicist, Theresa Meyers of Blue Moon Communications

*read more

New Releases at shalladeguzman.com

2007-09-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

New Releases!

Authors

“The
Current State and Future of the Publishing Business”

SHALLA CHATS with NY Times Bestselling author, Bob Mayer

*read more

"Writing Mystery Fiction”

SHALLA CHATS with author Frederick Ramsay

*read more

“ Writing Your Mystery Novel”

SHALLA CHATS with mystery author, Hallie Ephron

*read more

*more
on SHALLA CHATS

***

Literary Agent, Alana Lennie of the

Lennie Literary Agency & Authors
Attorney

and

top Literary Agent
Kelly Sonnack from the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency will be reading submissions for
SHALLA Magazine.

*read
more

Our SHALLA
Magazine is here, get your work read by literary agents

*read
more

What's Going On in Book Publishing? SHALLA CHATS with author Bob Meyer

2007-09-18T04:28:00.000-07:00

What's going on in Book Publishing ?

Read:

“The Current State and Future of the Publishing Business”

by Shalla DeGuzman

SHALLA CHATS with author Bob Mayer

First of all, who ’s Bob?

NY Times Bestselling author Bob Mayer has thirty-three books published under his own name and the pen name Robert Doherty. Bob graduated from West Point and served in the military as a Special Forces A-Team leader and a teacher at the JFK Special Warfare Center & School, experiences he drew on to write Who Dares Wins: Special Operations Tactics for Success. He also teaches novel writing for colleges, workshops and conferences based on his Novel Writer’s Toolkit, published by Writer’s Digest. He has over two million books in print including his latest novel, Don’t Look Down, co-authored with Jennifer Crusie.

He lives on a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. For more information see http://www.bobmayer.org/ or http://www.crusiemayer.com/ for the infamous He Wrote/She Wrote blog.

*read more

SHALLA NEWS: Shalla is in Poetic Diversity, Check out SHALLA Magazine, Writers Contests, more

2007-08-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Do You Read SHALLA Magazine?

See what you're missing!

Literary Agents are reading submissions!

Meet SHALLA Magazine's Guest Editors

Top Literary Agent Kelly D. Sonnack from the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency is reading submissions.
Literary Agent, Alana Lennie, of theLennie Literary Agency & Authors Attorney is reading submissions.

*******************

Shalla DeGuzman's experimental fiction,

"AlmostHome," will appear in the December issue

of Poetic Diversity.

Poeticdiversity is a quarterly literary

publication

For Poetic Diversity Submission Guidelines

***************************
WRITING COMPETITION
***************************

Mount Arrowsmith Novel Writing Contest, theme open. Grand prize $1000 Cdn. Entry fee: $20. Deadline: August 15, 2007.
Info: www.albernivalley.biz/arrowsmith07.html.

Whisper Poetry annual (schools and open) poetry competition; up to 32 lines. Entry fee: ₤5.00 per poem for the open competition and ₤1.00 for scholars. Deadline: September 30, 2007. Info: http://www.whisperpoetry.com/

Bards and Sages 4th annual speculative fiction writing contest. This year's contest will benefit the nonprofit Donorschoose.org. The theme of the 2007 contest is Legendary Horrors. Submissions should focus on traditional monster archetypes found in legend, myth, and folklore. Aliens, serial killers, and angst-ridden quasi-vampires need not apply. Awards: $150—$10 plus publication in a future Bards and Sages anthology. Entry fee: $5.
Deadline: October 1, 2007. Info: www.bardsandsages.com/2007contest.htm

*******************

SHALLA CHATS with Robert Gregory Browne

“Crafting Characters that Jump Off the Page”

by Shalla DeGuzman

First of all, who ’s Robert?

Robert Gregory Browne began his career by selling a two-part mystery story, "Nothing but the Cold Wind," to EasyRiders magazine. Shortly thereafter, he won the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting, sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and found himself in the Hollywood fast lane.

His first screenplay, Low Tide, was picked up for production by Showtime only to be shelved after two years of “development hell.” On staff with Fox Kids/Saban, he wrote the hit animated TV show Diabolik and Spider-man Unlimited, then turned his back on the business to return to writing fiction. The result is the February release of Kiss Her Goodbye, the first of a two-book deal with St. Martin's Press. Robert recently signed another two-book deal with SMP.

New York Times bestseller Gayle Lynds (The Last Spymaster) calls Kiss Her Goodbye, "A first-rate novel that will glue you to your chair until you finish the last satisfying word." And Tess Gerritsen ( The Mephisto Club) declares it "A smashing good read."Shalla: Hello Robert. Congratulations on the success of Kiss Her Goodbye--looks like a winner--and you winning prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting, what a great accomplishment.

Robert: Thanks, Shalla. It's been awhile since I won the Nicholl, but it certainly changed my life. For about a month after I won, my phone rang off the hook – agents and producers asking to read my script. After years of dreaming about it, I had finally arrived. It was an amazing experience.
Shalla: Please tell us about your two-part mystery story, "Nothing but the Cold Wind," that was published in EasyRiders magazine. How long have you been writing short fiction before it got published?

Robert: That story was actually one of the first short stories I'd ever completed. I'd had a few false starts and was mostly concentrating on music at the time – my second love – but suddenly had this idea for a “biker” mystery pop into my head and I figured, what the hell, I'll see if I can sell it to EasyRiders.

I sent them a draft and they turned it down. Then, a couple of years later, I decided to trim it and send it to them again. This time they went for it. Published it as a two-parter.

For more: SHALLA Magazine

Have a Great Summer!

Check out the Latest on SHALLA Magazine

2007-06-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

features

On SHALLA Magazine this Issue

Eppie Award Winner, Margaret L. Carter, Ph.D. shares her spooky paranormal, Residual Fumes. Will you be able to sleep after reading it?
continue...

Fulbright fellow and Columbia University Professor, Elizabeth Kadetsky, treats us with her short story, Men More Than Mortal, which will also be In Best New American Voices: 2008
continue...

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

2007-06-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

What types of books is Literary Agent Dr. Uwe Stender looking to represent?

SHALLA CHATS with with Literary Agent Dr. Uwe Stender

“Negotiating with Publishers”

by Shalla de Guzman

Check out The ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group

Like to read our latest SHALLA Q&A’s?

Q&A with Palari Publisher, David Smitherman Message #'s 1532-1575

Q&A with Jerry D. Simmons, a former NY Publishing Executive Message #'s 1468-1489

"Get Booked on Oprah" with, top media coach, Susan Harrow

Learn how to get a 6 figure book advance! Message #'s 1328-1363

Q&A with Producer and former HBO Dev Consultant Taylor Van Arsdale Messages #’s 1024-1054

Q&A with Manus and Associates Literary Agent Stephanie Lee Message #'s 908-962

Have a great summer!

Bram Stoker Awards

2007-05-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Every year since 1988, the Horror Writers Association hands out their Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement during their annual conference in New York City or Los Angeles. The Stokers, which are named in honor of influential horror author Bram Stoker, are analagous to the Nebula, Hugo, or World Fantasy Awards. The award itself is a hefty little ceramic replica of a haunted house.
The Stokers are awarded based on voting by the HWA's active membership, which is composed of writers who have made at least three professional sales.
Currently, Stokers are awarded in the following categories:
Novel
First Novel
Short Fiction
Long Fiction
Fiction Collection
Poetry Collection
Anthology
Nonfiction
Illustrated Narrative
Screenplay
Work for Young Readers
Alternative Forms
Lifetime Achievement

Edgar Allan Poe Awards

2007-05-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Edgar® 2008 Awards
For Works Published in 2007
last updated 3/21/2007
General Eligibility • Eligibility for Specific Categories Entry Procedure and Forms • Deadlines Current Submissions

All books, short stories, television shows, and films in the mystery, crime, suspense, and intrigue fields are eligible for Edgar® Awards in their respective category if they were published or produced for the first time in the U.S. during this calendar year.
The work must be published for the first time in the United States in 2007. Only a work with a copyright date of 2007 will be eligible for consideration in 2007 (with the following exception; see the note below).
Foreign books may have an earlier copyright but the year of consideration must be the year of its first publication in the United States.
Television episodes, features and miniseries, plays, and motion pictures must have been shown for the first time in the United States in 2007.
In the case of plays, which often have many readings, workshops and showcases in advance of a premiere performance, the determination of whether a production has a "first" or major performance in the judging year is left to the discretion of the best play committee.
A work may be submitted to only one committee except in the case of the Robert L. Fish Award and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
Note: Copyright date shall prevail over publication date in determining the year of eligibility. However, MWA recognizes that problems beyond the control of the author can cause a work with a copyright of one year to be published in the following year, thereby preventing submission of the work even in galley or page proof form to the Edgar® committee during the copyright year. In such cases, a work may be submitted to the committee in the year of publication provided the work was not submitted in any form to the committee during copyright year.
To prevent confusion or rejection, the author must petition the General Awards Chair and the chair of the appropriate awards committee and send a statement from the publisher stating that the work was not available during the copyright year. No work can be submitted in both the copyright year and the publication year.
PLEASE NOTE: Effective as of the 2006 reading year, all works submitted for consideration must meet the requirements for active membership status as described in the membership guidelines. While the author does not need to be a member of MWA, the work itself must make the author eligible for active status. In addition, all publishers submitting work must be on MWA's approved publisher list or otherwise qualify to be added to that list. See the "Membership: Active Status" section of our web site for the details.
Eligibility for Specific Categories
Best Novel

Hardbound only.
Best First Novel (that is also a mystery) by an American Author

Hardbound or paperback. Only first-time US-born novelists are eligible for this award. This is the only category in which foreign authors may not compete. If an author publishing his or her first mystery has previously published a fictional novel of any type (except if it is self-published) or even if using a different pen name at the time, then he or she is ineligible for the Best First Edgar®. An author failing the above test can still submit that novel for consideration in the Best Novel category. Similarly, while a non-US born writer publishing a first mystery in America is ineligible for the Best First Edgar®, he or she can still submit that novel in the Best Novel category.
Best Paperback Original

Novels published only in paperback. Paperback first novels are not eligible for this category and must be submitted under Best First Novel.
Best Critical/Biographical

Hardbound or paperback. "Biographical" refers to biographies of mystery writers or other notable practitioners of the genre, not to criminals. Those books should be submitted to the Best Fact Crime committee.
Best Fact Crime

Hardbound or paperbound. Nonfiction.
Best Short Story

From magazines, periodicals, book-length anthologies and web sites. Short stories are identified as work of up to 22,000 words; works above that word count should be submitted to the appropriate novel committee. This committee also selects the winner of the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for the best first published mystery short story by a previously unpublished author. When submitting a short story for the Fish Award, please note this in the category section of the entry form.
Best Children's Mystery

Hardbound or paperback. Preschool up to Grade 7, but not including, young adult -- or, the ages 5 - 11.
Best Young Adult Mystery

Hardbound or paperback. Grades 8 - 12. Age 12 -18.
Best Motion Picture Screenplay

Theatrical release through December 31, 2006.
Best Television Feature or Miniseries Teleplay

Submit copy of DVD or VHS tape of made-for-TV productions actually aired.
Best Television Series Episode Teleplay

Submit copy of DVD or VHS tape of episodes actually aired.
Best Play

Eligibility requirements are available upon request.
Mary Higgins Clark Award

The winner will be selected by a Special MWA Committee for the book most closely written in the Mary Higgins Clark Tradition according to guidelines set forth by Mary Higgins Clark.
Entry Procedure and Forms
With the exception of the Robert L. Fish and Mary Higgins Clark awards, a work can be submitted to only one Edgar® committee. It is the responsibility of the publisher or producer to submit works to the appropriate committee.
One copy of each eligible work must be sent to each member of the proper committee along with a copy of the submission form. In addition, only the submission form is sent to the MWA National Office. Contact the MWA National Headquarters for a list of the judges' names and addresses: use our interactive response form or call 212-888-8171.
Send the entry form (links to online forms below) to:MWA National Office,17 E. 47th St. 6th Floor,New York NY 10017.A completed entry form is required for submission.
Entry Form for Book • Entry Form for Short Story Entry Form for Motion Picture/Television
You may:
Submit the form online
Mail it to the MWA National Office, 17 E. 47th St. 6th Floor, New York NY 10017
Fax it to 212-888-8107
Works should be submitted by the publisher, but may also be submitted by the author or agent. There is no entry fee, and no limit to the number of entries from a publisher or an individual author.
Deadlines
We suggest that work be submitted on the following schedule to assist the judging committee. Meeting these deadlines is not a requirement for eligibility; however, it will greatly aid the judging process.
For works published/released January 1 - March 31: Submit by March 31.
For works published/released April 1 - June 30: Submit by June 30.
For works published/released July 1 - September 30: Submit by September 30.
For works published/released October 1-December 30: Submit by November 30. Books with a December publication date may be submitted in galleys.
Please Note: No work will be accepted after November 30.(This does not apply to works available only in December, such as television shows. All books must be submitted by November 30.)
Nominations are usually announced the first week in February of the following year and the winners are announced at the annual Edgar® Awards Banquet, which takes place in New York City in late April or early May each year.

SLF Awards

2007-05-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

The award is intended for short fiction; any story submitted should contain some form of speculative element. Possible genres include (but are not limited to): magical realism, slipstream, science fiction, fantasy, fable, modern folk and fairy tales, cyberpunk, ghost stories, alternate history, interstitial, etc. If an editor is not certain whether a particular piece will qualify, they should feel free to submit it in any case; the determination of whether it is appropriate will be decided by that year's jury.

A short story is defined as a story up to 10,000 words in length. We will consider any original stories which fall within this length limitation, including short-shorts; no reprints, please.

Each publication may choose up to three stories to nominate, from work published in the previous calendar year (2005).

To nominate, e-mail attached .rtf or .doc format files (in standard manuscript format, double-spaced, etc., suitable for print-out) to FountainAward@speculativeliterature.org. If the work appeared online, you may alternatively simply send us the relevant URL(s).

Stories printed out in standard manuscript format may also be sent to The Fountain Award, 2110 East Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53704.

Editors may also send the actual publication containing a story (magazine, chapbook, etc), with a cover letter specifying which stories are being nominated. We encourage you to do so, and if you can send six copies for our jury, that would be very much appreciated.

For all nominations, please include the name of your publication, your name, and your position (i.e., The Pacific Magazine, Jane Smith, Editor-in-Chief, etc.).

One set of nominations per publication, which must be received by February 10, 2006.

Please note that nomination by a publication also constitutes permission for the Foundation to list the publication's name as a participating publication. Please direct any questions to Karen Meisner, Award Administrator, at FountainAward@speculativeliterature.org.

Eligible Publications

Any paying online or print magazine or anthology is eligible to nominate fiction for this award. For the purposes of this award, 'paying' is defined as paying a minimum of 1 cent/word or $5/story, or (in the case of print publications) four contributors' copies, for any nominated pieces.

Whether the publication also carries other reprint or original fiction, which may have been donated or paid at a lower rate, is immaterial for our purposes. Please note that a single-author collection is not equivalent to an anthology; work published in single-author collections is not eligible for nomination. Editors may not nominate their own self-published fiction for this award.

Please note: The Foundation reserves the right to exclude publications from consideration if we deem it necessary; any such exclusions will be publicly listed on this site.

Karen Meisner, Awards Administrator - FountainAward@speculativeliterature.org

The storySouth 2007 Million Writers Award for Fiction

2007-05-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Million Writers Award for best online fiction is now underway. The preliminary judges have now selected the list of notable stories of the year. The top ten stories will be released on June 1 (apologies for the delay), at which time public voting for the top story will begin.

This year's award is sponsored by the Edit Red Writing Community (formerly known as Spoiled Ink). As a result of this sponsorship, the award features a $300 prize for the overall winner and $50 memberships to Edit Red for the authors of the top ten stories of the year.

The purpose of the Million Writers Award is to honor and promote the best fiction published in online literary journals and magazines during 2006. This year the award is sponsored by the Edit Red Writing Community (formerly known as Spoiled Ink).

To make a nomination, go to the Million Writers Award main page.

The Reason

The reason for the Million Writers Award is that most of the major literary prizes for short fiction (such as the Best American Short Stories series and the O. Henry Awards) have ignored web-published fiction. This award aims to show that world-class fiction is being published online and to promote this fiction to the larger reading and literary community.

How It Works

The Million Writers Award takes its name from the idea that we in the online writing community have the power to promote the great stories we are creating. If only a few hundred writers took the time to tell fifteen of their friends about a great online short story--and if these friends then passed the word about this fiction to their friends (and so on and so on)--this one story would soon have a larger readership than all of the stories in Best American Short Stories.

To help promote online stories, the Million Writers Award accepts nominations from readers, writers, and editors (and volunteer judges who assist with the award). There is no entry fee.

Prizes

This year there will be both a main cash prize for the overall winner and for the ten finalists (the authors of the top ten stories of the year). The overall prize will be $300 in cash, which will be transfered to the winner's PayPal account. Each of the ten finalists will receive a membership to Edit Red (formerly known as Spoiled Ink), an online writing community. Each membership is valued at $50. All prizes are provided by Edit Red, which is the sponsor of this year's award.

Best Online Publication Award

In addition to the award for best fiction, the online magazine or journal that ends up with the most stories selected as "Notable Stories of the Year" will be honored with an award as the year's best publication for online fiction.

Why Should I Do This?

The general gripe among writers is that no one pays attention to quality writings, while bad or mediocre writings get lots of attention because they are published in prestigious magazines or written by authors who are good at gaining media attention. This award is about countering this trend by promoting the best online writers.

The Rules

1) Only stories published in online literary journals, magazines, and e-zines that have an editorial process are eligible for nomination. This means that an editor must have selected the story for publication. Self-published stories are not eligible. Stories published in the online versions of print journal or magazines are eligible provided that the online version of the journal or magazine is accessible by the general public.

2) Anyone may nominate ONE story for the award. This means that readers of magazines can nominate one story and that writers can nominate one their own stories, provided the story was published in 2006 in an online magazine. Editors of online magazines and journals can nominate up to THREE of the stories published in their magazine during 2006.

3) To be eligible for nomination, a story must be longer than 1,000 words.

4) In addition to nominations from writers, readers, and editors, the Million Writers Award will also use a small number of preliminary judges to nominate stories for the award and to screen nominations from writers, readers, and editors. The names of the preliminary judges will be released after the award has been announced.

5) From all of the nominees, the judges will select the "Notable Stories of the Year." From this list of notable stories, Jason Sanford, the fiction editor of storySouth, will chose the top ten stories of the year. The overall winner of the year's award will be selected by a public vote from among the top ten stories of the year. The public vote will use a secure voting system.

6) The online journal or magazine gaining the most "notable story" selections will be named as the Million Writers Award publication of the year. The editors will also select one publication as the Million Writers Award new magazine or journal of the year. Other awards for excellence may also be given out, if the editors feel there is a reason for doing so (such as highlighting a journal or magazine for doing something new or unusual which added to the overall prestige of online publishing).

7) Stories originally published in storySouth are not eligible. While stories from storySouth are naturally the best fiction being published anywhere (in the humble view of storySouth's editors), it would be a conflict of interest to nominate or judge fiction we originally published.

8) Nominations of stories will begin March 15, 2007 and end April 15, 2007. The list of notable stories of the year will be released on May 7, 2007, with the top ten stories released on June 1, 2007. Voting on the top story of the year will begin June 1, 2007, and will end July 1, 2007.

9) Any attempt by writers to distort or manipulate the public vote will result in the disqualification of their respected stories. Writers are allowed to promote their own stories during the vote and to ask others to vote for them. Attempts to repeatedly vote for their own story or to compromise the secure voting system will result in disqualification. The editors of storySouth have final authority to determine if any writer is attempting to distort or manipulate the public vote and the editors' decisions regarding disqualification are final and can not be appealed.

To Nominate a Story

To nominate a story, readers and editors will submit their name, a valid e-mail address, the name of the nominated author, the name of the magazine or journal, and a URL hyperlink to the story. The URL must go directly to the story's page in the online magazine or journal that originally published it. Links to author home pages where the story is posted are not eligible. DO NOT e-mail the entire story to any storySouth editor. Doing so will guarantee that a story is not considered for the award.

The URL for making nominations will be posted on the Million Writers Award main page on March 15, 2007.

Please make sure that the e-mail you use to nominate a story is the same e-mail the judges can contact you with later on. Your e-mail address will only be used to contact you with information about the award and the winners. It will not be given out to anyone else.

How Can I Help?

If you want to help promote this award and online writers in general, please pass the word about this contest or link to this page. Also, please consider supporting storySouth by making a donation to help cover the costs of the award.

For more information, please e-mail Jason Sanford at storysouth@yahoo.com.

The Hugo Award
(Science Fiction Achievement Award)

SUBMISSION: O. Henry Prize Stories

2007-05-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

Throughout the year, magazine editors submit their issues to The O. Henry Prize Stories series editor, Laura Furman. The stories must be published in Canada or the United States, and originally written in English. Novel excerpts and works in translation are not considered.

From the multitude of stories submitted, the editor chooses twenty winners that stand out above the rest and up to fifteen additional pieces highlighted in the collection as the list of recommended stories. Each juror then reads the twenty winning stories in manuscript form, without knowledge of author names or publications. Without consulting one another, they each select their favorite and write a short essay about what led them to their choice.

More about . . .
Submitting stories
Series editor Laura Furman
The 2006 prize jury

SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Is there a deadline for submitting stories?

There is a new deadline for The O. Henry Prize Stories. Stories must reach the series editor by May 1. If a finished magazine is unavailable before the deadline, magazine editors may submit scheduled stories in proof or in manuscript. Stories may not be submitted or nominated by agents or writers.

Where does a magazine editor submit issues to The O. Henry Prize Stories?

The address for submission is:

Professor Laura Furman, O. Henry Prize Stories
English Department
University of Texas at Austin
One University Station, B5000
Austin, Texas 78712

Should magazine editors select the stories they think best or should they send an entire issue?

The series editor wishes to read magazines in their entirety, not as individual selections. Please send complete issues at the time of publication.

News! SHALLA Magazine submissions read by literary agent

2007-05-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

News!

Literary Agent, Alana Lennie of theLennie Literary Agency & Authors Attorney will be reading submissions at SHALLA Magazine.

Submit your short stories, poems, essays, screenplays, one-act plays today!

For more:

SHALLA MAGAZINE

our press release

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200705/1178908504.html

SHALLA Q&A with Literary Agent, Dr. Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary Agency

2007-05-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

You’re invited!

Join us for our free online Q&A with Literary Agent,

Dr. Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary
Agency.

TriadaUS Literary Agency was incorporated in April 2004.

Our Founder,
Dr. Uwe Stender, has a Ph.D. in Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.
He also studied at the University of California, Berkeley and
the Universitaet Goettingen, Germany. He taught at both Carnegie Mellon University
and the University of Pittsburgh and has been widely published in scholarly
journals and books. Uwe was a guest speaker at several major conferences including
the SCWC in San Diego, the “Crimebake” (Mystery Writers of America
New England Chapter), CAPA-U in Hartford, Connecticut and the Novels in Progress
Workshop in Louisville.

TriadaUS has established strong relationships with all the major publishing
houses. We also have strong Hollywood contacts and are working very closely
with Principal Entertainment for TV and Motion Picture rights.

Our best known clients are former CNN
anchor Daryn Kagan, bestselling author
and relationship expert Dr. Joel Block, Today show and ivillage contributor
and nutrition expert Amy Hendel, legendary NBA referee Bob
Delaney, and
popular Romance author Jennifer Horsman.

Q&A
with Dr. Uwe Stender on:

Thursday,
May 10, 2007

11
am to 12pm pst (or
2pm-3pm est)

Registration is FREE at

The ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group

JOIN US!

Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats.php

****Permission to forward is granted and requested********

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS: SHALLA Magazine

2007-05-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

SHALLA Magazine
features high quality fiction (experimental, literary, genre, multicultural, etc), poetry, essays, excerpts from screenplays, one act-plays, etc.

Our submissions system is open to all forms of writing that have been previously published.

• Please include a cover letter with the following information: Full name (as you wish to be credited in the magazine), contact information, and a brief bio citing previous publications.

• Please title your email: SUBMISSIONS: “put the title of work” –“word count”

• You can address your submission to: Shalla

General Guidelines

Fiction/Non-Fiction
Including (but not limited to) short fiction, flash fiction (100-500 words), short-short (500-1,000 words), short story (1,000-10,000 words) commentary, essays, and experimental works• Maximum length: 10,000 words • Manuscripts should be in block form o This means: no paragraph indents, single-spaced with double-spacing between paragraphs • Acceptable file formats: .doc, .rtf, .txt o We will only accept submissions copied into the body of an email message, for works under 1,000 words • Preferred file format: .rtf

Poetry
Including (but not limited to) free verse, haiku, lyric, concrete, narrative, and experimental works• Maximum length: 1 single-spaced pages • Acceptable file formats: .doc, .rtf, .txt o Please send as a .rtf file. • Preferred file format: .rtf
Please, no simultaneous submissions

Please email your submissions to shalla_editor@yahoo.com

Thank you.

www.shallamagazine.com

Shalla Takes Pictures for SHALLA Magazine

2007-04-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Shalla Takes Pictures for SHALLA Magazine...

Which one will make the cover?

What do you think???

Join Us! Q&A with Publisher, David Smitherman

2007-04-21T12:36:00.001-07:00

****Permission to forward is granted and requested:********

Online Seminar: May 3, 2007

11 am PST to 12pm PST

"Get Your Book Published"

with David Smitherman, publisher for Palari Publishing

Dave is the publisher of Palari Publishing, a traditional, royalty-based publishing company that has produced fiction and nonfiction titles since 1998. Dave started as an editor for other publishers and soon formed Palari Books to produce interesting titles by deserving authors, especially first-time writers.

Registration is FREE at

The ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group

JOIN US: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShallaDeGuzman

Thanks!

Shalla DeGuzman

http://www.shalladeguzman.com

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS: The Houston Literary Review

2007-04-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Houston Literary Review promotes the best poetry, prose, short stories, and visual art from Texas and beyond. Contributors featured in each issue are artists from around the world. We are especially interested in promoting creative visual artists and photographers.

Whether you are a veteran craftsman or learning to use your voice or artistic sight, The Houston Literary Review wants to hear from you.
We welcome unsolicited submissions.

Electronic submissions are preferred, but postal mail submissions are acceptable (but only on a CD disk).
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notice must be given immediately upon receipt of notification that a manuscript has been accepted elsewhere.
Submit original, unpublished poems. A poem is published if accepted by a publisher in any medium, including online publication, or if it is posted to an online forum that is accessible to the public.
Submit no more than three poems for inclusion in an issue unless submitting for a special section. Visual artists and photographers are asked to submit a segment of work that best illustrates their talent and point of view. Visual art should contain a written descriptive framework that enables viewers an opportunity to better understand the creator's perspective.

Sending Submissions
We prefer email. Please send your written work as attachments to:
editor@thehoustonliteraryreview.com
Please send visual artwork to:
photoeditor@thehoustonliteraryreview.com

If submitting written work through the US mail:
Submissions should be in Microsoft Word format. The font should be no smaler than 12 point.
Provide your contact information on the first page of your submission: name, address, telephone number and email address. CDs will not be returned.
Send submissions to:
The Houston Literary Review3000 Woodland Park Drive, Suite 2708, Houston,Texas 77082

*for more

***********

Simply Scripts: If you like to study Scripts

If you're learning the Dialect in Alabama (samples)

Dialect Sample Files

How to Write Realistic Dialogue in Fiction: How to Make Your Characters Sound Real Enough... but Not too Real!

Things to Do in Alabama

***

Links for writers

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS: The Southern Review

2007-03-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Southern Review: Published Quarterly at the State Louisiana University

Submission Guidelines for Poetry and Fiction

The Southern Review publishes fiction, poetry, and excerpts from novels
in progress. We subscribe to the set of standards for good art staked
out by John Gardner in his book On Becoming a Novelist: the work must
(1) create a vivid and continuous dream; (2) demonstrate authorial generosity; (3) reveal intellectual and emotional significance; (4) be rendered with elegance and efficiency; and (5) exhibit an element of strangeness.

Although we are willing to publish experimental writing that appears to have a valid artistic purpose, The Southern Review also agrees with Flannery O’Connor’s observation that a writer is free to try and get away with whatever he wants, but that it had been her experience that there wasn’t much one could get away with. We are, finally, looking to publish the best work that arrives in the mail. Poetry lengths preferred are one to four pages; fiction, four to eight thousand words.

Manuscripts must be typewritten—fiction double-spaced—and accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes with sufficient postage to cover return.
Only occasionally, at the editors’ discretion, will a response be e-mailed to
an author. We are sorry, but we cannot accept international postage coupons in lieu of an SASE. Queries are not necessary. Only previously unpublished works will be considered. Allow at least two months for editorial decisions.

*read more

*******

Coming May 6

Shalla is on LitBits

"Going Bontoc"

Shalla DeGuzman

Read Shalla?

"The Fish In My Bed"

Shalla DeGuzman

Shalla LIVE! On MadHatters Review Issue 6

***

And, ever dated someone from online?

E-Crush

Shalla DeGuzman

now on Word Riot: good writing, no remorse

*******

SHORT STORY AWARD for NEW WRITERS category:

Spring: February 1 – March 31. Results will be posted at http://www.glimmertrain.org/ on July 1.

Fall: August 1 – September 30. Results will be posted at http://www.glimmertrain.org/ on January 2.

Reading fee: $15 per story.

Prizes: 1st place wins $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue. 2nd/ 3rd-place: $500/$300, respectively.

Other considerations:

Open only to writers whose fiction has not appeared in any publication with a circulation over 5,000. (Entries must be entirely unpublished.)
Stories not to exceed 12,000 words.

I suspect that more than a few editors fail to read beyond the first paragraph of stories sent them by unknown writers. Not so with the editors of Glimmer Train—they seek out new voices in fiction and provide them with valuable exposure. Shortly after my work appeared in Glimmer Train, a collection of my short stories was accepted for publication. —George Makana Clark

***

Welcome to Duotrope's Digest, a database of over 1650 current markets for short fiction, poetry, and novels/collections.

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS: Experimental Fiction

2007-03-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Literary Chaos is looking for courageous, experimental writers in the spirit of Julio Cortazar, Donald Barthelme, and Italo Calvino. We will publish fiction authors and poets monthly.

Please do the necessary research to know what an experimental writer is.

Play with form, language, style, anything—and make it brilliant. When submitting to Lit Chaos, please do not send previously published work or simultaneous submissions. If you feel we have kept a piece for too long, tell us you are submitting it elsewhere. We should respond within a month although anything is possible. See more info for more info. After that:
Send submissions to editor@litchaos.com

In the subject line of your email, please include:

Submission — category — title.
For example, if you are submitting a poem titled "The Pack of Peanuts ", write:
"Submission — Poetry — The Pack of Peanuts"
In the body of the email, paste your story or poem(s) and attach it as a Word document with no smart quotes, please.
Include a short biography, and (if you think it's necessary) a one sentence summary of the piece.
For more info click here.
Also, consider our Cronopios' Flash Fiction Prize. The winner will earn cash and outstanding bragging rights! See Contest Rules!

2

Third Coast publishes poetry, fiction (including traditional and experimental fiction, shorts, and novel excerpts, but not genre fiction), creative nonfiction (including reportage, essay, and memoir), drama (including both performed and unperformed pieces) and translations. We encourage new as well as established writers.
We recommend you look at an issue before submitting. You may order single issues (a current issue is $8; a back issue is $6) by sending a check made out to Third Coast; see address below. Write “Sample Current Issue” or “Sample Back Issue” on the envelope.
Third Coast considers only unpublished work. We accept simultaneous submissions but ask that you notify us immediately if your piece is accepted elsewhere.

Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). Submissions without SASEs or international reply coupons cannot be acknowledged or returned. Direct your submission to the appropriate editors:

Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry or Drama Third CoastDepartment of EnglishWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI 49008-5331

3

Tahoma West Submission Guidelines

Accepting:
Any thought expressed in a creative, unique, specific, and purposeful way!
Previously unpublished work only in the following genres:
Fiction
There is a 3000 word limit on fiction writing, which includes short stories, experimental fiction, humor, stage plays, screenplays, comedies, horror, romantic, western, science fiction, or any imaginary writing.

****

*******

Coming April 4, 2007

SHALLA CHATS with Alice Andrews

“Biofiction Introduced”

Shalla DeGuzman

First of all, who’s Alice?

Alice teaches psychology with an evolutionary lens at the

State University of New York at New Paltz, and is the editor/publisher of Entelechy: Mind & Culture, an evolutionarily-informed interdisciplinary online journal. She is also the author of Trine Erotic, a novel that explores evolutionary psychology and other behavioral science themes.

Alice is currently working on a book (based on her essay with the same title, published at

Metanexus) called An Evolutionary Mind

(to be published as part of Imprint Academic's series: "Societas: Essays in Political and Cultural Criticism"), and plans to begin writing another novel soon.

only at:

www.shalladeguzman.com

What does Entelechy publish?

Heard of BIOFICTION?

Biofiction is not a neologism. (See below for its other uses and meanings.)

In the sense that I am using it, however, it is new; it refers to fiction or creative nonfiction that uses biological, neurological, psychological and/or evolutionary language and/or lenses. That is, a work of biofiction might explicitly deal with biological and /or evolutionary ideas, or it might incorporate biolanguage (see below). It may also do both, as my writing often, but not always, does.

For a while I used the term evolutionary fiction when writing about my own fiction and that of some others; but I soon realized that that term was too limiting (though I still use it in specific instances). At the same time that I felt evolutionary fiction was too restrictive, I was engaged in thinking about literature from a Darwinian and cognitive perspective and doing so primarily through a list called biopoets.

-Alice Andrews, editor, Entelechy: Mind & Culture

*read more

***********************************

*****BONUS*********

Modern Drunkard Magazine (does not publish experimental fiction, but here is what it does like)

Make sure your piece is specifically about drinking. Specifically. Send your submissions to mailto:editor@moderndrunkardmagazine.comin either .txt or Microsoft Word .doc format. There's a large backlog, so it may be a while before you hear from us. If at all. If you don't hear from us within four months, you may deduce your submission wasn't selected. We edit for content and space, sometimes rather heavily. Be prepared for changes.

We accept all manner of fiction, though experimental fiction is less likely to be published. Hemingway, F.Scott, Mencken and Bukowski are good models to follow. The story should be imbued with drinking. If alcohol hasn't reared its lovely head by the second page, you're on the wrong track. Putting a drink in the hand of your protagonist does not a drinking story make. If you can replace the booze with coffee and the plot isn't affected, you're trying to pull a fast one. Avoid writing about writing and being a writer. And while it's commendable that you wrote the piece while hammered, that's no excuse for haphazard grammar and bizarre punctuation. Leave that to us, we're quite good at it. Exclamation points do not make a sentence more powerful. Not even triple exclamation points. The vast majority of our submissions are fiction, so realize the competition is ferocious. One to four thousand words.

SHALLA: Literary Journals to Check Out

2007-03-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

1. The New Yorker [1-year subscription] Magazine Subscription Condé Nast Publications
$47.00Average Customer Rating:

2. New York Review Of Books Magazine Subscription New York Review of Books
$69.00Average Customer Rating:

3. Harper's Magazine Magazine Subscription Harper's Magazine
$14.97Average Customer Rating:

www.shalladeguzman.com

4. The Atlantic Magazine Subscription The Atlantic Monthly
$24.95Average Customer Rating:

5. Foreign Affairs Magazine Subscription Council on Foreign Relations
$44.00Average Customer Rating:

6. Foreign Policy Magazine Subscription Foreign Policy
$19.95Average Customer Rating:

7. Smithsonian Magazine Subscription Smithsonian
$12.00Average Customer Rating:

8. The Wilson Quarterly Magazine Subscription Pro Circ
$20.00Average Customer Rating:

9. Granta Magazine Subscription Granta
$39.95Average Customer Rating:

10. Zoetrope Magazine Subscription Azx Publications
$19.95

11. London Review of Books Magazine Subscription Pro Circ
$35.00Average Customer Rating:

12. London Review of Books Magazine Subscription Pro Circ
Debra Di Blasi says:

"Far more than reviews: excellent exposition on a wide variety of topics."
$35.00

13. National Geographic Magazine Subscription National Geographic Society
Debra Di Blasi says:

"A treat for the eyes and brain."
$34.00

14. Juxtapoz Magazine Subscription High Speed Productions
Debra Di Blasi says:

"Art beyond the confines."
$35.00

15. Murder Dog Magazine Subscription Murder Dog
Debra Di Blasi says:

"Read it for the idiosyncratic writing, if not also for hip hop culture."
$26.00

16. Bomb Magazine Subscription New Art Publ/Bomb Magazine
Debra Di Blasi says:

"The dialogs are usually revealing; sometimes the fiction excerpts are good."
$26.00

17. New York Times - National Edition Magazine Subscription New York Times
Debra Di Blasi says:

"Not written for 8th grade readers. Rx: crossword puzzle every day!"
$676.00Average Customer Rating:

SHALLA: Previous Posts

Here's a List of Writing Competitions; Flash Ficti...

Coming 2007! A Smart Author's Toolkit: Insider's G...

News! Shalla is now on SAVOY Online Feb. 2007 Issu...

Have You Checked out Shalla at The ShalladeGuzman ...

SHALLA NEWS: CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS AND SHALLA CHATS W...

SHALLA: Know Flash Fiction? And, CALL-4-SUBMISSION...

Shalla: HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Tips on Writing Short Stor...

Shalla de Guzman Honors Nobel Prize Laureates

Written a Novel? Like to know what's Next? PLUS! O...

SHALLA READS: FICTION and FICTION MARKETS

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS: The Laurel Review

2007-03-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

The Laurel Review prints poetry, short fiction, essays and reviews. Aesthetic schools don't matter to us; what matters is that the poem or story or essay presents a real investigation of the art and what it is to be human. We read from September 1 to May 1, and we try to reply promptly, though we don't always manage that. We prefer a submission be three to five poems or a single story. Please include a brief cover letter, and a SASE for our reply.

Send Submissions to:

GreenTower PressDepartment of EnglishNorthwest Missouri State University800 University DriveMaryville, MO 64468

In short, we want good poems and stories, we hope to be able to recognize them when we get them, and we print what we believe to be the best work submitted.

Best Wishes
The Editors The Laurel Review

****

*******

Coming April 4, 2007

SHALLA CHATS with Alice Andrews

“Biofiction Introduced”

Shalla DeGuzman

First of all, who’s Alice?

Alice teaches psychology with an evolutionary lens at the

Alice is currently working on a book (based on her essay with the same title, published at

Metanexus) called An Evolutionary Mind

(to be published as part of Imprint Academic's series: "Societas: Essays in Political and Cultural Criticism"), and plans to begin writing another novel soon.

only at:

www.shalladeguzman.com

What does Entelechy publish?

Heard of BIOFICTION?

Biofiction is not a neologism. (See below for its other uses and meanings.)

-Alice Andrews, editor, Entelechy: Mind & Culture

*read more

***********************************

Read Shalla?

"The Fish In My Bed"

Shalla de Guzman

Shalla LIVE! On MadHatters Review Issue 6

***

And, ever dated someone from online?

E-Crush

Shalla de Guzman

now on Word Riot: good writing, no remorse

*********************************

Joyce Carol Oates, what a talented writer!

Have you read her short story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

How about, The Assignation: Stories by Joyce Carol Oates

Editorial Reviews from Amazon.com

In 44 short narratives, "Oates has captured precisely an essential presence and instant in the lives of her characters," commented PW. " Logical as daydreams, with endings similarly as interrupted or unforeseen, these stories reveal a master of the form, writing at her efficient, full-tilt best ." Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. See all Editorial Reviews

Joyce Carol Oates and Literary Journals that Feature her work

And did you know???

Here's one run by Raymond Smith and Joyce Carol Oates ONTARIO REVIEW PRESS and Ontario Review.

For more: JCO

Like Experimental Fiction?

Check out Gertrude Stein and her use of Cubism

Tender Buttons: Gertrude Stein Online. in-depth literary analysis on Stein.
Gertrude Stein. Stein links.
Gertrude Stein Resources. A list of useful Stein links & info.
Gertrude Stein Collection at Bartleby.com. full text of Stein's prose poem "Tender Buttons" and her classic work of fiction Three Lives.
Gertrude Stein (University of Pennsylvania). A compilation of Stein original works.
Gertrude Stein Quotations (MemorableQuotations.com).

***

Writers, heard of Google Alerts?

Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.

Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

monitoring a developing news story
keeping current on a competitor or industry
getting the latest on a celebrity or event
keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

Create an alert with the form on the right.

You can also sign in to manage your alerts

CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS: Mid American Review

2007-03-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

Mid-American Review is an international literary journal dedicated to publishing the best contemporary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations.

Founded in 1981, MAR is an official publication of the Department of English and the College of Arts & Sciences at Bowling Green State University.

MAR is proud of its tradition of featuring the work of established artists. Writers such as Carl Dennis, Rita Dove, Stephen Dunn, Linda Gregg, Yusef Komunyakaa, Philip Levine, Mary Oliver, Richard Russo, William Stafford, James Tate, Melanie Rae Thon, David Foster Wallace, and C.K. Williams have all appeared in MAR. But we also pride ourselves on our publication of new and up-and-coming writers, case in point our recent Unpublished Writers Issue.

Lastly, MAR is dedicated to introducing non-English speaking voices to our audience through our translation chapbook series. Work from MAR has been reprinted in The Best American Poetry, The Best American Short Stories, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, Pushcart: Best of the Small Presses, Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards, New Stories from the South, Poetry Daily, and Harper's Magazine.

MAR also sponsors the Sherwood Anderson Fiction Award, James Wright Poetry Award, and Creative Nonfiction Award, as well as the Fineline Competition for Prose Poems, Short Shorts, and Anything In Between

Submission Guidelines:

Stories, poems, and essays will generally be returned or accepted within one to five months, depending on our publication schedule. MAR does accept and read submissions year round. As of now, we do not accept electronic submissions.

*read more

***********************

Watched Shalla?

Shalla Now in MadHatters Review, Issue 6

Glimmer Train (a Top 10 Lit Journal)

2007-02-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Glimmer Train welcomes the work of established and upcoming writers.

We especially appreciate work that is both well written and emotionally engaging. Please let us read yours!

If it is chosen for publication in Glimmer Train Stories, you will be paid upon acceptance. Your story will be prepared with care, and presented in a handsome, highly regarded literary journal to readers all over the country (even a few in Ireland, England, and Australia).

If you've seen Glimmer Train Stories, you know that we go to some lengths to honor our contributors and their writing.

CLICK ON CATEGORIES, IN BLUE BELOW, for specific details on when you can submit work for each category, when you can expect to hear results, how much (if any) is required for reading fees, how much we pay for accepted pieces, and if there are particular restrictions, such as word count limitations.

In all cases: We are interested in original, unpublished pieces. We don't publish stories for children, and we don't publish poetry or novels.

Multiple submissions are okay. (You can send more than one submission per competition, if you like, or submit the same story for different categories, if it qualifies).

Simultaneous submissions are not okay, I'm sorry, especially in competitions. (It breaks our hearts to fall for a story we can't publish.)

We are happy to consider your stories whether they are submitted as competition entries or standard submissions. There are no reading fees for standard story submissions.

On the other hand, the monetary award paid to competition winners is more substantial than the already tidy $700 payment for accepted standard submissions, and agents seem to be on the lookout for competition winners.

ALL stories are read and appreciated and considered for publication by the same diligent readers either way. So relax and choose the category that suits you.

Please use our online submission procedure. Just click on the SUBMISSIONS button above to get started - it's easy and it saves postage and paper!

Please doublespace and use a 12 point font size to save our eyes; other than that, simple formatting is best for our system. See FORMATTING in the Need Help? Have Qs? section on the submissions page if you have concerns or questions.

To check results of any competition after the "results" date, go to www.glimmertrain.org and see the link to the Top 25 lists in the lower right portion of the page.

We are eager to see your work!

Please scroll down to view the categories and click on the category names for details.

Standard SubmissionsWelcome in January, April, July, and October. (Results within 12 weeks.)

Short-Story Award for New WritersEntry dates: Spring - February 1 through March 31. (Results on July 1.)Fall - August 1 through September 30. (Results on January 2.)

Very Short Fiction AwardEntry dates: Summer - May 1 through July 31. (Results on November 1.) Winter - Nov 1 through January 31. (Results on May 1.)

Fiction OpenEntry Dates:Summer - May 1 through July 15. (Results on October 15.)Winter - November 1 through January 15. (Results on April 10.)

Family MattersEntry dates: April - April 1 through April 30. (Results on September 1.) October - Oct 1 through Oct 31. (Results on March 1.)

Glimmer Train Press, Inc. • 1211 NW Glisan Street, Suite 207, Portland, OR 97209 USA

******************

Did you know?

Shalla writes for Article99

******************************

Like to read Iraqi Blogs?

A Family In Baghdad mother: Faiza, sons: Raed, Khalid , and Majid writing down their diaries. Father: Azzam is not interested.

Welcome to Faiza's Arabic Class

Pictures of Baghdad; before, during and after the war... Taken by members of The Family.

Today in Iraq

I am an Iraqi teen age girl. I live in Mosul where I born and grew up... HNK's Blog

Iraq Blog Count

Children's Voice from Iraq
This Blog will speak for ALL the children of Iraq, a voice for the millions of Iraqi children who have grown up under war, sanctions, Saddam and now terrorists. We will speak for the children whose flame of hope is flickering and in danger of going out...

Where Date Palms Grow 34 year old Male living in Baghdad

nabil's blog Life in baghdad ...

*****************

LIST OF LITERARY JOURNALS

Granta (1 of the Top 10 Literary Journals)

2007-02-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

The main guideline for submitting work to Granta is simply to read the magazine thoroughly and ask yourself honestly if you feel your piece meets our criteria. We receive many submissions every day, many of which are completely unsuitable for Granta (however well written).

Here is a list of things that Granta does not publish:

Academic essays, or essays about writers.

Book reviews.

Straight reporting or feature articles whose primary interest is immediate, i.e., stories whose relevancy will not last the life span of the magazine. We have a three-month lead between going to press and being published. The pieces we publish should outlast that period by several years (as the issues themselves do).

Genre fiction. That means: no Romance, Crime, Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Historical.

Poetry.

Travel writing without a story. Then we went to X and a funny thing happened, then we went to Y and another funny thing happened, etc. There should be a narrative focus, a point, a reason for you to tell us the story.
Any issue of Granta magazine will reveal stories or non-fiction that breaks one or the other of these rules to some degree. That's why it's useful to take a look at a copy and try and work out what convinced us about a particular piece.

Here is a list of practical things that will help us to deal with your submission:

Do not send more than two stories at a time.

Submissions should be made by post only. Faxes and emails are not accepted. Please don't send computer discs.

Enclose either a current email address or an SAE and postage:
International Reply Coupons if you are outside the UK (US stamps do not work from the UK. Sorry to state the obvious, but no one seems to be aware of this).

Please indicate (and enclose sufficient postage) if you would like your ms returned, otherwise it will be recycled if unsuitable.

Layout: please type in a plain, legible font on one side of the page.

Cover letter: a brief intro is fine.

Length: we have no length guidelines.

Timing: we aim to respond in three months. However, we have regularly exceeded this timespan, unfortunately, just so you are prepared for a potentially long wait. We do respond to every manuscript eventually.

When submitting fiction please enclose:

A covering letter, to introduce yourself and any relevant information about your writing history.

A synopsis describing the plot and themes of your book (in length anything between 1 paragraph and 2 pages).

The first couple of chapters/first 50 pages of your manuscript. If you have a printed book, then we will accept this instead.

A stamped addressed envelope and postage. If you are outside the UK please send International Reply Coupons.

Please indicate in your covering letter whether you would like the manuscript/proposal returned. If you do, then make sure that you enclose sufficient postage to cover the cost of its return, otherwise it will be recycled if unsuitable.

Submissions should be made by post only. We don't accept faxes, or emails, and please don't send us your work on computer disc.

We cannot take any responsibility for the loss of unsolicited submissions, though of course we make every effort to look after material we receive.
Please address your covering letter to Bella Shand and send your submission to:

The Submissions DepartmentGranta Books2/3 Hanover YardNoel RoadLondon N1 8BE

Due to the large numbers of submissions we receive, it can take some time before we get back to you. We aim to respond within three months, and we do respond to every manuscript eventually.

The Georgia Review (1 of the TOP 10 LITERARY JOURNALS and their Submission Guidelines)

2007-02-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

Manuscripts cannot be considered by The Georgia Review from May 15 to August 15. Submissions received during that period will be returned unread.

click here for Book Review Guidelines

What are we looking for?

Poetry & Fiction: We seek the very best work whether by Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners or by little-known (or even previously unpublished) writers.

All manuscripts receive serious, careful attention; we try to respond within three to five months, but sometimes the ebb and flow of manuscripts causes delays.

Ordinarily we do not publish novel excerpts or works translated into English, and we strongly discourage authors from submitting these. In recent years we have been able to accept less than one-half of one percent of the poetry and fiction manuscripts received.

Book Reviews: In most cases, selection of titles to be reviewed and assignments to specific reviewers are made by the editors, so unsolicited reviews should not be submitted without a prior query. However, we are willing to entertain proposals from reviewers concerning assignments. (Separate, more detailed guidelines for book reviewing are available upon request.)

Art: We publish reproductions (color or black and white) of a wide range of art: paintings, photography, prints, sculpture, and more. Usually we feature one image on the cover plus an interior "portfolio" of 8 additional works, and our editorial preference is for groupings that display an engaging variety within some overall thematic unity.

Submissions should include approximately twenty high-quality, original slides, transparencies, sharp, glossy, 5" x 7" photographs, or JPEGs of 300 dpi, 5" x 7".

SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS:

Every query or submission to The Georgia Review must be accompanied by a postage-paid and self-addressed return envelope. Work previously published in any form or submitted simultaneously to other journals will not be considered.

Submissions should be limited (except under unusual circumstances) to one story or one essay or three to five poems.

If a submission is known to be included in a book already accepted by a publisher, please notify us of this fact (and of the anticipated date of book publication) in a cover letter.

Unsolicited manuscripts will not be considered from 15 May through 15 August; all such submissions will be returned unread. (Our offices are open year round, but our staff is small and needs the summer months to complete evaluations of the manuscripts already received.)

Scholarly documentation, if appropriate, should adhere to the format outlined in the MLA Stylesheet (2nd edition).

The Georgia Review does not consider book manuscripts.

We will not consider submissions sent via e-mail or fax.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

The Georgia Review pays all contributors; the current standard rates are $40 per printed page for prose and $3 per line for poetry. We purchase only the first serial rights; the author controls all other rights.

SHALLA CHATS with Gargoyle Magazine's Editor, Richard Peabody

*read Writing and Publishing Literary Fiction

*read more

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NEWS!

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Shalla is now on SAVOY Magazine's

February 2007 Issue

Find Shalla on SAVOY's Noir Notebook

(Literati Section)

Literati: Special contributor Shalla de Guzman. Of the Shalla de Guzman Writer’s Group. Shalla’s community connects new writers with editors, literary agents and each other. www.shalladeguzman.com

*read more

Literary Journals Looking for Submissions

2007-02-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

Del Sol Review seeks to publish unsolicited work in the categories of poetry, prose poetry, creative non-fiction, short stories, and flash fiction. All forms and styles are considered. Please note that editors prefer fiction and cnf containing unique and interesting subject matter.
Fiction, creative non-fiction, flash, micro submissions will be accepted from April 1, '07 to July 30, '07. Please address queries and subs to our Managing Editor, Lorena Knight at knight.lori@gmail.com.

Poetry and prose poetry submissions should be addressed to Diana Adams and emailed to poetry-dsr@webdelsol.com.

All works submitted should reside in the body of the mail, or attached as an .rtf file (Rich Text Format). If necessary, italics may be indicated by use of the following characters: [i]...[/i].

NOTE: please proof submissions carefully before submitting.

Expect at least two weeks for a reply. Once work is accepted for publication, Web Del Sol acquires the rights to publish. After publication, rights revert to the contributor. Contributor agrees, however, that any subsequent publication, whether in print or on the web, must acknowledge Del Sol Review. By contributing, you affirm that you have read and agree with the submission guidelines on this page.

Thank you.
Michael NeffThe Editor Del Sol Review

For more: Del Sol Review

In Posse Review is currently not accepting submissions. We are looking for a new submissions editor. Resumes should be sent to submissions@webdelsol.com with the subject line: IPR -Submissions Editor.

Acceptance of work grants In Posse Review electronic rights for 120 days. There is no remuneration. Author retains right to publish work in print at any time. Work is archived online.

Contact the editors at In Posse Review for further information.

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CocoaJava welcomes your contributions. If you would like to write an article about chocolate or coffee drop me an email at lori@cocoajava.com and let me know what your concept is.

I also welcome other creative endeavors! Games, puzzles, graphics, artwork, photography, it's all fair game and helps make the site more fun for everyone.

I believe in giving lots of credit where credit is due, so you can count on your name being prominently displayedwith your creation. I also believe that you alone own the rights to publish your works, and will happily hand them back to you upon request if you wish to use them exclusively elsewhere.

Writing for CocoaJava is a great way to practice the craft of writing, gain exposure, and be a part of CocoaJava's growth. If you aspire to a writing career, just think how handy it will be to be able to point to your articles at CocoaJava!

So, come on, get involved! Share your talent with the world!

Call for Submissions: The Courtland Review

2007-02-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

What kind of work does The Cortland Review publish?

The Cortland Review publishes poetry and short fiction, both solicited and by open submission. Essays, interviews, and book reviews are solicited and/or queried and approved before submission.

The Cortland Review does not accept simultaneous submissions or previously published work. To have your work considered, please follow our general guidelines:

Submit 3-5 poems at a time.

Please do not submit more work if we are still considering your previous submission.

Do not query; we are currently accepting unsolicited submissions.
Include a cover letter with some biographical information.

Make sure your entire submission is submitted in one online submission form.

*read more

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SHALLA reaserches the Iraq War