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.