Groovy Software for the Writer

I just got back from lunch with my writer friend, Adele Slaughter. She told me about this great tool on Scrivener that counts your word usage - not just the number of words, but the number of times you use a specific word. And it gives you an entire list of words that are repeated and the number of times they are used.

In other words, how many times does the word "love" come up in your poetry manuscript? Why is this important? Well, if you want to be a more specific writer and, even more important, a more interesting writer, this tool is invaluable. Find the word you repeat, replace it with a more specific word or even better, cut it altogether - all in the name of clearer communication.

I actually purchased Scriveners about a month ago. It's inexpensive, $39.95 and it offers a screenwriting format, index card feature and the ability to move things around; like change the order of your poetry manuscript at the touch of a button instead of the tedious cut & paste, or re-order chapters in the same way. I also love its short story template (ready for submission).

L.A. Review Call for Submissions

The Los Angeles Review, a twice-yearly literary journal published by Red Hen Press, invites our members to submit work during their reading period for their Spring 2010 issue.

Many magazines solicit work primarily from academic programs or from writers in their immediate regions, but The Los Angeles Review takes pride in reaching out to writers wherever they may be working, and actively encourages submissions from writers who may not be well-served by other publications.

Submissions are open until December 1. Full guidelines are available here.

Tweetlove

A. How can we not love someone who uses an interrobang as their logo?

B. Fake anything often rules. Hello... Fake fur. Fake purebreds (muts). Fake milk (soy). Fake eyelashes (ok maybe not so much fake eyelashes).

C. Fake AP Style handbook on twitter? We're in love.

Check them out: http://twitter.com/FakeAPStylebook. Here are a few sample @FakeAPStylebook tweets:

To denote air quotes, "use quotes."

"Buggy jockey" is an insulting term to the Amish and should only be used in the online edition.

And while you're in the mood to laugh, run on over to our other favorite tweeter: Justin from http://twitter.com/Shitmydadsays. It's a 29 year old guy who moved in with his with his dad (so he says) and tweets what his dad says, which rumor on the internet street says it apparently got him an agent and a possible book deal. The tweets are hilarious. The guy has nearly 700,000 followers. Impressive.

Submit yourself to mythium

How can we not love a litmag that says: "Submit! ...seriously, we mean surrender to us. Right Now!"

Click on over to mythium and do as they command: Send them original, unpublished fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or even novel and memoir excerpts.

Their reading period for the Spring 2010 issue began on October 1st.

LA Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition Deadline Approaching

For all you screenwriters out there, don't forget that the deadline for the L.A. Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition is November 2nd. Details below:

Editor/Contact Name	: Jeannie Roshar
Contact E-Mail	: jeannie[at]lacomedyshorts.com
Deadline Date (if any)	: 02-Nov-2009
Publication Type	:
Website URL	: L.A. Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition
Genre(s)	: Comedy Short Screenplays Comedy Feature Screenplays Half-Hour Comedy TV Pilot Scripts
Details	: L.A. Comedy Scripts is now accepting submissions for the 2010 season! The L.A. Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition is held in conjunction with the L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival. Comedy screenwriters from around the world compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes, including travel, accommodations and two VIP passes to the festival in Los Angeles, CA. In 2009, winning scripts were read and requested by some of the biggest names in the industry, including: * The Gersh Agency * Mosaic Media Group * Benderspink * ICM * UTA * Principato-Young Entertainment * Generate * Underground Films * The Gold Company * 3 Arts Entertainment * Larger Than Life * Stars Road Entertainment * Manus Entertainment * Gunn Films So, you think you're funny? Submit your feature-length/short comedy screenplay or your half-hour comedy TV pilot script today! Regular Deadline: November 2nd, 2009.

Lung Poetry Journal Call for Submissions

Lung Poetry Journal, a Los Angeles based literary journal, seeks poetry and flash fiction under 250 words for their upcoming journals.

Lung Poetry Journal : Submit:

From their site:

Issue 03 Submission Deadline: Dec. 5th, 2009
Issue 03 Publication Date: Dec. 10th, 2009

Lung seeks previously unpublished poetry that invokes emotion but avoids the trappings of mediocrity. We cater to fresh, innovative voices that have something original to say. We avoid didactic, esoteric or highly abstract material.

Literary Journals Associated With MFA Programs

When looking for places to submit work, Poets & Writers put together a fabulous list of Literary Journals run by MFA students:

Literary Journals Associated With MFA Programs | Poets & Writers