Trying to Find an Agent?

Avoid the common pitfalls of finding an agent. Pay attention to these tips offered by writer and editor Natalie R. Collins and you're sure to make your path to getting published easier to follow.

"The Editor's Prize" Best Poem Contest

August 31, 2007 is the submission deadline for the Margie Review's Best Poem Contest. Grand Prize is $1000 and publication in Margie Volume 6. Margie will publish all 12 finalist poems. Submit an entry fee of $15 for 3 unpublished poems, each up to 60 lines in length. Additional poems may be submitted for $5 each.

Zoetrope's 11th Annual Short Fiction Contest

Your work will be judged by Joyce Carol Oates herself if you enter this short-story contest by October 1, 2007. 1st prize: $1,000, 2nd prize: $500, 3rd prize: $250. Please go to their website for complete contest guidelines. Note: there is a $15 per story entry fee.

Ellen LaForge Memorial Poetry Foundation Poetry Prize

This contest deadline of August 31, 2007 is right around the corner, but if you already have 6 poems totaling no more than 12 pages, send a SASE to: Ellen LaForge Memorial Poetry Foundation, Poetry Prize, 172 Auburn Street, #2, Cambridge, MA 02139 for contest guidelines. This could lead to a $1000 prize and publication in the Ellen LaForge Memorial Poetry Prize Annual. There is a $10 entry fee per submission.

First Annual Tonka Fiction Contest

The winning entry will be published and it's author will receive $1000 and a personalized, engraved plaque featuring a print of the cover art from the award issue! Second place is $100, third place is $50, and there will be 10 Honorable Mentions. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable as long as you let them know. Entries must be postmarked between August 15 and November 30, 2007, and there is a $10 entry fee. Check out their website for the rest of the contest rules.

American Literary Review Sponsors 3 Contests

A small submission fee of $15 will get you in the running for any one of three annual contests: short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Entries must be postmarked by November 1, 2007. First prize is $1000 and publication in their Fall 2008 issue.

And now, for something fun...

Get off that computer for a second on Sunday and go check out friend-o-LAwritersgroup.com and former moderator, J. Keith Van Straaten's cult hit live on stage show, What's My Line. Remember the old television show where they blindfolded the celebrity guest panel members and they had to guess a stranger's off-the-wall occupation by asking questions? Click on over there and go buy your ticket to the last show of the season! They sell out quickly so clickety click click on over there darlings.... go. now. stop reading already. Geez it's not like you have to turn off the computer to buy your ticket. :)