Here Comes The Sun * * *

The Sun Magazine publishes essays, interviews, fiction and poetry. They tend to favor personal writing, but they're also open to thoughtful, well-written essays on political, cultural, and philosophical themes. In fact, they're open to just about anything except journalistic features, academic works or opinion pieces. They invite us to "surprise them:" they often don't know what they'll like until they read it. This generous attitude is matched by generosity of payment also:

• $300 to $3000 for essays and interviews
• $300 to $2000 for fiction
• $100 to $500 for poetry, the amount determined by length and quality

They may pay less for very short works. Contributors will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to The Sun. They also use 10 to 30 photographs in each issue, so if your creativity includes talent in that direction, The Sun is equally as generous on that score as well:

• $100 to $300 for one-time use of photographs inside the magazine
• $500 for those they use on the cover
• $500 to $1000 for photo essays

The give contributors four copies of the issue in which their work appears, as well as a complimentary one-year subscription. Please go to their website to check out the rest of their submission guidelines and also the snail-mail address to send your work.

The Beat Goes On

One of the last living Beat poets, Michael McClure, will be reading from his work, signing books, talking about his longtime friendship with Bob Dylan, and diving into discussion about the seminal artists community that defined the 60's counter-cultural movement. This rare chance to hear a living legend and award-winning writer will be March 20, at 8pm, at the Skirball Center.

Writing Poetry For FUN and PROFIT ~

Writing poetry can be such a deeply personal thing, sometimes it's difficult to think about ways to make money from it, but, not only can it be done, it can be done in ways other then entering contests and/or sending submissions and hoping. In this article, "Taking the PO Out of Poet," poet and author Jennifer Brown Banks shares some terrific "outside the box" ideas for how to turn your passion into a venture that can net you some cash benefits.

Artists With Convictions

All writers know the power of words -- to transform, to inspire, to change a life. For writers with some extra time and looking to have a real impact, the Unusual Suspects Theater Company is looking for volunteers for their Spring cycle of shows.

This organization works with young men and women in detention camps and group homes. Volunteer artists work with these youth doing writing excercises, improv acting, and just showing up to help steer, mentor, and guide these young people to write and perform an original piece of theater. The writing is surprising, the effect is transformative, and the experience is both trying and exhilerating.

Email or call now to find out how to become involved. Either as a writing or acting volunteer, or even just getting on their mailing list to come to see these incredible shows.

The Write Way To Happiness ~

Sometimes we could use a reminder of the healing aspects of expressing ourselves through writing. Just the simple action of writing a few words about our daily experiences can be a great benefit to our souls. Keeping a journal can reduce stress, help us to set goals and focus on them, improve our sense of well-being and aid us in making time for ourselves. Adding to the joy of this process, your journal can become a treasured keepsake. If you like this idea, but are unsure which approach to take, in this article, Doreene Clement lists 20 different suggestions of journals you can keep.

Do you serve a great cup of literary comfort?

The editors of the "A Cup of Comfort" book series contacted us because they are now seeking personal essay submissions for the following three new volumes:

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

It has been said that military life is “not for the faint of heart.” But neither is it without its benefits and blessings. The popular Cup of Comfort book series now seeks powerful and positive stories about how military life affects the personal lives of service men and women, how family affects soldiers on the job, and how military life affects families. The stories in A Cup of Comfort for Military Families will cover a wide range of topics and reveal a variety of perspectives, experiences, and emotions specific to military personnel and/or their loved ones. All branches; all ranks; active and veterans.

Submission deadline: March 15, 2008 (extended from March 1)
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus copy of book

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR NEW MOTHERS

Few experiences bring forth as many anxieties, blessings, challenges, wonders, and changes as having a baby—whether it’s your first child or fifth, your birth child or adopted child. And nothing is as miraculous as giving birth to or witnessing the birth of your baby. This heartwarming anthology will be filled with birth stories and newborn homecoming stories as well as a wide range of stories about the various experiences, emotions, and concerns involved in adding a new baby to one’s life and family. Potential topics include but are not limited to: nursing (or not), caring for a newborn, bonding/falling in love with infant, lack of sleep, relationship with spouse, how siblings respond, returning to work, balancing responsibilities, post-partum depression, self transformation, unexpected joys, life lessons, small miracles, etc. The majority of the stories will be about birth children, but the book will likely include a couple adoptive stories as well. Likewise, most of the stories will be written from the new mother’s perspective, but we are open to including a few stories written from the spouse’s or a very close family member’s perspective. All stories will be uplifting and positive, no matter how difficult the situation portrayed in the story might be. We do not want stories that simply recount misfortunes and sorrows and that do not clearly reveal a positive outcome or redeeming result (silver lining).

Submission deadline: April 15, 2008 (extended from April 1)
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus copy of book

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

The primary purpose of this book is to celebrate adoptive families and to recognize the extraordinary and challenging experiences that are unique to “chosen children” and their families. We are most interested in stories written by adult adoptive children and their adoptive parents and siblings, but the book will also likely include some stories written by members of the extended adoptive family (grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin), close friends of the adoptive family (i.e. godparent), and birth family members. Virtually any topic relevant to adopted children and their adoptive parents is acceptable—as long as it is authentic, positive, insightful, and uplifting or inspiring. We do not want heartbreaking stories about adoptive parents or birth families that regret the adoption; there is a place for stories of that ilk, but this book is not that place. All of the stories in this collection must show a positive aspect of adoption and must bring comfort or joy or inspiration to those who have been adopted and/or to the families who adopted them—no matter how difficult the experience and emotions portrayed in the story might be.

Submission deadline: June 15, 2008
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus copy of book

All Cup of Comfort stories must be true, original, and positive; narrative essays (creation nonfiction); and 1,000-2,000 words. Entrants pay no fees. Writer's guidelines: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm.

For We Women Of "A Certain Age ..."

Here's a contest for women over 50 -- as one of which, I'm always pleased to see these; makes me think there's something to the idea that wisdom comes with age, and that there are actually people interested in reading about our insights. With that in mind, for those of us to whom this applies, The Portia Steele Award Organization is accepting submissions for their Third Annual Award for Excellence in Poetry, and Award for Excellence in Prose for 2008. There's no entry fee, and each award will be $100.

• Poetry should be no longer than one and one-half pages, double spaced.
• Prose should be no longer than 500 words, with the word count noted on the first page. Fiction or non-fiction is acceptable.
• Use Microsoft Word File Format
• Must be double-spaced and use 12-point Ariel or Times Roman
• Unpublished Poetry and Prose only
• One submission per category only
• Entries may be on any subject
  

Entries will be accepted via email only between 2/14/2008 and 4/15/2008. Send an attachment of your MS Word cover letter with your contact information and your poetry or prose submission with no contact information on the submission (Please) to contest@portiasteeleaward.org. You may also contact them via this email address with any questions or concerns that aren't addressed on their website.

Where to Begin?

Sometimes it's hard to find a starting point to give focus to what we want to write. We feel like writing but don't know where to begin. If this is one of the demons that plagues you, than creativewritingprompts.com may be just what you've been looking for! Here you will find 302 (count 'em) prompts to create stories, poems and other creative pieces. We can be only grateful for that which eases the quest for inspiration!

Show and Tell

Telling it like it is, Show and Tell is a great little evening of original, read personal essay work. It's a regular monthly show at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater in Hollywood. They accept submissions, and the quality of performance/writers is consistently excellent, so even if you're not selected to read, it's still worth, well, seeing and hearing.

Collaborative Script Project

This one's just plain crazy. A collaborative script in and about Los Angeles. The details are as follows, pretty much straight from the LA Observed description:

Welcome the LA Observed Script Project. Eric Estrin, TV writer and moderator of Writer Action website, has written the opening pages of a screenplay set in and about Los Angeles. It has a name, Right of Way, and a mayor who may or may not be shady as the main character. You can write the rest by submitting a few pages of scene and dialogue. Each week he'll select the best pages and post them. Eric explains:

Anyone who’s been part of a writers’ room knows how exhilarating it can be to work with a great team on an exciting project. So picture LAObserved as the room and the whole world as the team....

As for the story itself, it starts with what I think is a pretty cool premise: an L.A. mayor, Russell Napolitano, hell-bent on reshaping the city by building a transit system. (No, it’s not based on anyone we know. At least not closely.)

I have some ideas about where I want the story to go. First off, it’s going to be a drama, a darkish murder mystery filled with glamour, wit and big dreams, the stuff of life in Southern California. The region, both in real life and as hinted at in the script’s opening pages, is a place on the verge of great change. The tension behind that shift should provide plenty of subtext for our screenplay. But know this: If your vision goes off in an unexpected direction, and you can convince me it works in 1-5 pages, bring it on! This will be a true collaboration.

There's a t-shirt in it for you if your pages make the script. Plus, of course, the admiration of your peers.

Got Erotic? In the Rain?

If your writing has the steam of eroticism, this contest is for you! Desdmona's latest sex story contest will take place in the rain. It could be one of those warm afternoon drizzles, or a gushing torrent, but whatever it is has to contain some of "that wet stuff falling out of the sky." You may enter up to two stories of 1,000 words or less by March 31, 2008. There is no entry fee. Prizes will be awarded to the judges three favorite stories:

• 1st Prize: $250
• 2nd Prize: $150
• 3rd Prize: $75
• Honorable mention prizes of $25 will be awarded at the discretion of desdmona.com and the judges.

Entrants must be at least 18 years old, and no child pornography will be accepted. Your story must have a title, and all your characters must be fictional. Please go to their website for the rest of the contest guidelines, and then tap into your erotic imagination and let your story flow!

Blog-ability

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has a blog on the Los Angeles Times website. Now, normally, there'd be no reason to direct folks to another blog site, but his eclectic topics are great sources of unusual information, ideas, and little-known biographies. Focusing on African-American personalities (the first female black lawyer in the US, jazz great Herbie Hancock, first female airline pilot, for example), health tips for those over 50, and commentary from an insider perspective on the latest sports news and scandals, it's a treasure trove of things that are interesting -- and inspiring -- to know and think about.

Paid Markets for Writers

I happened upon this Web site, FundsforWriters, focused on finding "paying markets for writers." From their site:

"Other websites provide guidance on how to write, how to query, how to format manuscripts, and so on. We give you direction on the funding streams. We focus on markets, competitions, awards, grants, publishers, agents, and jobs for your writing abilities."

They have quite a few newsletters so that the opportunities they find are delivered to your inbox or you can peruse the listings on the site. At a cursory glance, their market listings seem to lean toward wholesome content, so this might not be the resource for you if you are looking for places to submit edgier work. Maybe they will ring in here and let us know. In the meantime, I've subscribed to their lists so you might want to check them out, too.

UPDATE: Hope at FundsForWriters did chime in and said that they do list edgier stuff as it comes up. Click on comments below to see her response. Thanks, Hope!

Can You Come Up With Answers? Of Course!!

Common Ties asks the world 20 questions. They pair the answers with art and publish their favorite 10 every Friday. Your answers, which may be prose or poetry, should be 50 words or less, and answers paired with art have a greater chance of acceptance. The current questions are:

1. What door do you wish you never opened?
2. What is your most obsessive thought?
3. What is your favorite place in the world, and why?
4. What's the one thing your parents don't understand about you?
5. If you could relive a single day or moment, what would it be?
6. What were the strangest circumstances under which you have been intimate?
7. Under what circumstances have you been closest to death?
8. What is the most gracious act of kindness you have witnessed?
9. What is the worst betrayal you have ever experienced?
10. What is the most bizarre thing you have ever seen or done?
11. What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
12. What is your earliest, most vivid memory?
13. What is the most meaningful "I love you" spoken by you or to you?
14. What was the single most terrifying moment of your life?
15. If you have experienced a moment of sudden faith or loss of faith, what prompted it?
16. If you could take back one thing you have done, what would it be?
17. What is your greatest talent or accomplishment?
18. What is the most joyful moment you have experienced?
19. What is the most painful moment you have experienced?
20. Open Question: Submit your own question and answer. No answer is off-limits, and it can be on any personal theme. Here is a sample list of 20: abortion, addiction, adolescence, break-ups, crime, death, depression, eating disorders, humor, lucky breaks, mental disorders, moral dilemmas, pets, poverty, racism, religion, sex, suicide, turning points, war.

These would be inspirational starting points even if there weren't the chance of publication and payment!! Please go to their website for further guidelines and how to submit.

Skir-Crazy

The Skirball Cultural Center, perched on Mulholland and Sepulveda, almost next to the Getty, is full of unexpected and great activities, lectures, exhibits, and film screenings. Whether it's a screening of "Rebel Without A Cause," a book group intriguingly entitled "Around the World in Five Books", the acclaimed Bob Dylan exhibit "Bob Dylan's American Journey" (complete with the ability to play along with Dylan!), a lecture and q&a on the recent Hollywood Writer's Strike, courses on mysitcism in contemporary art, or theater performances, the Skirball is a treasure trove of artistic inspiration.

Sanora Bartels featured at Hotel Cafe Reading Sunday, February 17

“Tongue & Groove”

A monthly offering of short fiction, personal essays, poetry, spoken word and music.

This month featuring: Heather King “Redeemed”, Chiwan Choi, Sanora Bartels, Liz Dubelman, Conrad Romo, and music by Logan Heftel.

Sunday the 17th of February
6:00-7:30 pm
The Hotel Café
1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
1/3rd of a block below Hollywood Bl.
Hollywood, Ca 90028
$5.00

Conrad Romo has another Scientology piece. Heather King, a regular on “All Things Considered”, comes to us with second memoir, “Redeemed”. Sanora Bartels is the co-founder of LAwritersgroup.com and has completed her first full poetry manuscript “11th Hour”. Chiwan Choi, a homegrown LA literary treasure, is also an editor, publisher and writing teacher. Liz Dubelman, two time Emmy winner and honcho of Vidlit.com, is the novelist of “What Was I Thinking?”. Salt Lake City homeboy Logan Heftel is our musical guest

Listen, do yourself a favor and show up for this cultural buffet. See and hear what t&g is all about because as always it’ll be… pound for pound, word for word, and beat for beat, a fine and cool experience.

Get there early. Seating is limited and we’re starting on time.

Conrad Romo (323) 937-0136
www.tongueandgroovela.com
www.hotelcafe.com

Travel 'Zine Seeking Submissions

TRAVEL THRU HISTORY is a unique new travel ‘zine dedicated to exploring historical and cultural experiences. If you have toured the pyramids of Egypt, trekked through the Berber villages of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, explored the ancient ruins of Greece or immersed yourself in another culture, we’d like to hear from you. This is a site for writers to share their travel experiences in a creative literary way through travel articles, essays, journals and creative non-fiction memoirs.

Readers will be taken on fresh, often overlooked experiences and adventures that will provide a valuable insight into the past as well as the lifestyles of other cultures.

To send a story or query a story idea please check the categories and read the writer’s guidelines and previously published articles. Response time: two weeks - month

Payment is from $10.00 up to $25.00 for a feature (for U.S. contributors paid in US money order). New writers are welcome!
submissions@travelthruhistory.com

(There is no set publishing schedule except we try to post stories under each category once a month)

They hope to hear from you soon.

W. Ruth Kozak (editor/publisher)
B.C. Association of Travel Writers
Federation of B.C. Writers

Check out their site at:
www.travelthruhistory.com

The Basics of Writing Poetry ...

There are many instructive articles about writing, but this one by writing coach Jessica Page Morrell is one of the most thorough and instructive I've come across since I started writing for the LAwritersgroup.com blog. She begins with a quote from the Norton Anthology of Poetry that is worth repeating here:
'A poem is a composition written for performance by the human voice. What your eye sees on the page is the composer's verbal score, waiting for your voice to bring it alive as you read it aloud or hear it in your mind's ear.'
She goes on to offer suggestions and insights into:

• The importance of keeping a notebook
• Joining the writing life
• Looking to your own life for material
• Using poetry to express emotion
• Style tricks
• Style: Line
• Style: Stanza
• Style: Shape and format
• Style: Repetition

She packs a lot of information into short paragraphs, and simply reading her suggestions is inspirational.

Remember Those Who Forget - The Early Onset Project ~

Those of us who are aware of the immense therapeutic benefits of writing may be especially drawn to this request for submissions by The Early Onset Alzheimer's Project. They have already published one anthology, "The Alzheimer's Anthology of Unconditional Love: Early Onset Dementia," which focused on the 110,000 people in Missouri affected by this disease. Their goal now is to create awareness of how many Americans are affected, and to let these people know where to go for help, that they are not alone. They are seeking true stories about persons with Early-Onset Alzheimer's and Early-Onset Dementia, which develops in people under age 65. There is no entry fee, and the deadline is June 30, 2008. Authors of stories selected will receive a free copy of the publication. Although no other payment will be made, stories will automatically be entered in a contest:

• First Prize: $100
• Second Prize: $50
• Third Prize: $25
• Honorable Mention: $10

You may submit more than one story for consideration, but only one prize will be awarded for each author, and your work should be no more than 2500 words. Stories deemed to be fiction will be automatically disqualified. Please go to their website for complete submission guidelines, and to learn more about this wonderfully thoughtful and heroic enterprise!

Another Good Agent Blog

I'm quickly becoming a fan of agent blogs. Finally the publishing world seems to be catching up with the digital age (God bless all you gen-y'ers). To think I was all excited when agents gradually began accepting e-mail queries.

Read Elizabeth Jote's blog - she already has some great advice that will keep good writers from making stupid political and green mistakes:

Paper Cuts! Glorious Paper Cuts!

She also links to Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips, one of my personal favorite podcasts. Who wouldn't love an agent who listens to Grammar Girl?

La.CityZine Contest - Deadline - Valentine's Day

LA.CityZine.com is putting on a writing competition to showcase unknown talent in LA.

Prizes include:
* $250 Cash!!!
* 10 Vip Tickets to a pre-release private screening of Robert Downey Jr.'s latest film Charlie Bartlett.
* Have your work read and judged by famous author of White Oleander and Paint it Black, Janet Fitch.
* A personalized autographed copy of Fitch's most recent book, Paint it Black.
* $100 Gift Certificate from Threadless.com.
* Have your work published on La.CityZine.com, and be exposed to hundreds of thousands of readers every month.

1,000 words by midnight Valentines day! Check out www.la.cityzine.com/competitions/ for all the details.

Hope you enjoy!

--Mali Elfman
Editor in Chief - La.CityZine.com

From Freckles to Wrinkles: A Sliver Boomer Book ~

From Freckles to Wrinkles: A Silver Boomer Book, is accepting submissions of prose and poetry until April 15 for publication this year. They are looking for stories of lives lived large, or of simple, significant sagas spanning from the Great Depression to September 11. Fiction or memoirs, essays or scenes, poetry, prose, or something in-between, they're interested in stories of ordinary lives lived in extraordinary times. Beyond these simple guidelines, they welcome surprises. They will pay $5 for poetry, and $10 for prose, plus a contributor's copy. If you agree with them that a writer's most productive years are between 60 and 80, and you have achieved this accomplishment, here is a chance to share your wisdom and achieve the public acknowledgment you richly deserve!

Have a question for a Book Agent?

What writer doesn't have a zillion questions to ask a book agent? Check out this new blog by a former Editor at Random House and Warner Books turned book agent. Go ask her all your deep burning questions! Run! Hurry! Do it now before she gets too bombarded! THE BOOK AGENT

High Arts (on a writerly salary!)

Looking for something different from the usual dinner and a movie? Two great ticket services are dedicated to getting people out to live events for as close to the price of a movie ticket as possible: Goldstar and StubDog. Whether it's to live jazz, the hot new play at the Taper, a touring dance troupe, small theater or comedy improv, they offer tickets from about half price all the way to downright free. The seats are good seats, and the prices unbeatable. Goldstar offers weekly emails, alerting you to a thorough listing of popular and unusual live events. StubDog lets you browse by category -- family events, theater, music, art.

With either of these two services, there's now a very affordable way to keep your creative energies well fed.

Call for Essays - Lamberson Corona Press

Lamberson Corona Press is looking for essay writers for an anthology, details as follows:

First and Last Name: Margaret Shaw
Company: Lamberson Corona Press
E-mail: lambersoncorona@gmail.com
Call Description:Wanted personal essays for an anthology on looking back at childhood or adolescence. Nonfiction essays only. For possible publication. Payment: one copy of the book free and ability to buy other copies at cost. (Which you may sell at full price) Send essay 2,000-4,000 wds via email. No fees. Deadline April 1, 2008 Need essays about disabilities and perceptions of the disabled, gender identification, family stories and changing cultural and family traditions (and anything else. Seeking essays that tell a story rather than just about what it means to be a family, etc. Change over time is especially appropriate. Then and now essays. I'm in New York but with email, this is easy.
Contact: lambersoncorona@gmail.com
Payment: There is no payment unless we actually make a profit from the books which so far has not happened. If it did, there would be royalties. We are a new small press. But authors can buy the books at cost and sell them at a higher price which actually can be more than royalties when there are multiple authors involved. (and of course, this also keeps us from making a profit. Amazon.com and other retailers also take a big percentage of the price so being small we are often lucky to break even.) But profit is not our purpose at this time. We do not yet have a website but are planning to have one soon. All information can be obtained through this email address. Many of our authors are college professors who can use the publication for promotion. I am hoping that I get a few responses to fill out the anthology which is coming together but is only half the size we hoped.

Camp Quest West Essay Contest

If you are a middle school student, or you know a writer who is, this contest might interest you: Camp Quest West is announcing an essay contest whose winner will receive a free campership at Camp Quest West 2008, valued at $390! Simply write a short essay, between 200 and 400 words, on any one of the following intriguing questions:

1. Should Intelligent Design be taught in public schools along with evolution? Why or why not?
2. What, if anything, does evolution tell us about the interconnectedness of life and how we should treat each other?
3. Is science the only way of knowing about the universe, or are there other ways? Explain.

The submitted essay must be entirely the work of a middle school student, with the exception of attributed quotations. Any work that does not meet these qualifications will be disqualified and the deadline is March 15, 2008. Please go to the Camp Quest West website for the application form.
Camp Quest West 2008, for campers aged 8 through 15, will be held at Camp Ross Relles in Nevada City, California, from Sunday July 13 to Saturday July 19. In addition, campers aged 16 and 17 are welcome as "staff in training,"

Poetry Reading in the Valley

This just in from Valley Contemporary Poets:

The Valley Contemporary Poets Present:
Don Newton
Poet, artist and supporter of the artsfrom the East Valley

Tuesday, February 19
Cobalt Café
22047 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(just west of Topanga Canyon)

9pm, Free – one drink minimum
Open Mic

Beating Perfection Syndrome

We all want our writing to be the best that it can be, which, in our self-critical eye, is often better than it seems. If you find the desire for perfection to be so strong that it prevents you from writing at all ... well ... that sort of thing not only keeps you from sharing your gifts, it can constrict your soul. Author and copywriter Angela Booth grapples with this problem, and, in this article, generously shares her insights into its causes and consequences, as well as valuable tips on how to overcome it.

Live and In Person

UCLA Live's Spoken Word series is a real chance to hear writers talk about their writing. Single event tickets are now on sale for evenings with such luminaries as Anne Lamott and David Sedaris. Held in UCLA's Royce Hall, these evenings include readings, conversation, and question and answer sessions with the writers.

Be warned, these events often sell out, so don't wait until the last minute.

Writer Beware: The Dangers of Writing Fiction

Although writing about the stuff of our own lives, (non-fiction, memoirs, journals, etc.), may seem as though it would entail more emotional risks than writing fiction, through her own experience, Jennie Nash shows us that the exact opposite is, in fact, the case. She discovered that she revealed more of herself than she anticipated when her first novel was published, and in this insightful and informative article, explains how and why this happened.