Reading is part of writing. Read to become a better writer, to be entertained, and to learn. Finding a special place to read is divine. Today’s post is inspired by Evan Dunn, writer at Porch.com. and inspired by the concept of Hygge. Excepted from Evan’s article about creating a Reading Nook: If you love to curl up with your favorite books, a Reading Nook can be the perfect way to enjoy this beloved pastime. From nonfiction books to thrillers and romance novels, reading is one of the best ways to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday living. If you’re thinking about creating your own Reading Nook, read on for some tips and tricks that will inspire you to craft a perfect reading space. Why Create a Reading Space? For those who have a habit of reading often, creating your own special space will make it even more enjoyable. There are lots…
Category: Just Write
Qwerty Magazine
The submission period for Qwerty Magazine, Issue No. 44, Winter 2022 is now open. Qwerty is a graduate student-run magazine at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada. Work submitted between now and September 2021 may not be read and responded-to immediately. The number one criterion, above all else, is mastery of craft. “Though Qwerty has primarily published literary fiction and fine art, we have no qualms with publishing genre fiction that subverts convention, experimental work that inverts tradition in pursuit of innovative storytelling, or images that play on the senses in unusual ways. So go ahead: send us your stories that tap into the lower depths of the public consciousness. And also send us your poems and photos about the zombie apocalypse. So long as it’s exemplary, we’d be delighted to feature your work in future issues of Qwerty.” Fiction/Creative Non-Fiction: previously unpublished fiction and creative non-fiction up to 5,000 words in…
Personal Essay – Pivotal Event Plus . . .
A personal essay isn’t your life story. It’s a pivotal event. The narrator has an epiphany, or is changed at the end of the story. “Personal essays represent what you think, what you feel . . . your effort to communicate those thoughts and feelings to others . . . What is the point of your essay? Don’t belabor the point too much; let the point grow out of the experience of the essay. It might be true, in fact, that you didn’t even have a point to make when you started writing your essay. Go ahead and write it and see if a point develops.” — The Personal Essay More on personal essay: How to Write a Personal Essay Writing Personal Essays Personal Essay is Memoir in Short Form Still don’t know how to start? Gather your writing implements: Paper, pen, pencil, writing device, choose a writing prompt and…
Ploughshares
Ploughshares has published quality literature since 1971. “Our award-winning literary journal is published four times a year; our lively literary blog publishes new writing daily. Since 1989, we have been based at Emerson College in downtown Boston.” Submissions accepted from June 1 to January 15, at noon EST for: The Journal Plouoghshares Solos series, featuring longer works of fiction and nonfiction Look2 essay Submission Guidelines
Using a book as your how-to textbook.
Choose a book you like and in the genre you want to write as your how-to-write manual. For example, Maiden Voyage, a memoir by Tania Aebi: Aebi starts her story on her 37th day at sea, at a point when she is terrified. Rather than give us the back story of how all this began, she starts at a high action point. She describes her immediate situation: Because of strong winds and choppy waves, she hasn’t been able to eat, sleep, relax, or think. We get the sense of imminent danger. And then, to build suspense and tension, she reveals, “The weather can only get worse.” We hear a little about her emotional and mental state. She wants to go home to her family. ALL this, on the first page. Still on page 1, we get a “visual” – seeing her as she gets into her foul weather gear. There…
Pleiades
Pleiades: Literature in Context features poetry, fiction, essays. The Pleiades Book Review (PBR) is a literary supplement to the magazine featuring both essay reviews and shorter reviews of books released primarily by independent publishers. POETRY Please send 3-5 poems. We are particularly interested in work that embraces risk and is lyrically inventive. We value work that gives voice to a range of lived experiences and employs a mastery of expression. Work of any length will be considered, and we look forward to reading your most polished poems. FICTION Pleiades is looking for exceptional fiction, with a focus on well-developed characters, memorable language, provocatively-wrought subject matter, and immersive settings. While there are no length requirements, our journal has limited space, and manuscripts over 12,000 words will especially need to impress. Some stories may be considered for our “online exclusives” category. CREATIVE NONFICTION While we enjoy essays and nonfiction in all forms, we are particularly…
Pilgrimage Magazine
Pilgrimage Magazine, founded in 1976, is published twice a year and is based in Pueblo, Colorado. The magazine is dedicated to exploring story, spirit, witness, and place. Artist/Writer Guidelines Pilgrimage welcomes previously unpublished creative nonfiction, fiction, translation, and poetry year-round via Submittable during our open calls. We also feature one visual artist per issue, with full color artwork on the covers and black and white artwork in the interior. Send what you think might fit, regardless of whether or not it matches an upcoming themed issue.
The Paterson Literary Review
The Paterson Literary Review International magazine features fiction, poetry, interviews, and essays. Submission Guidelines Praise For the Paterson Literary Review “A great poet once said that art is not life because ‘Art has its own dynamic. It is a runaway train which society either boards, or does not board.’ Editor Maria Mazziotti Gillan decided from the beginning that the Paterson Literary Review would board that train and bring with it all voices, all people, not just a few—not only the dominant cultures, but each writer who has a genuine story to tell. We thank her for an all-inclusive literary magazine with a high degree of excellence—a journal that is global as well as deeply personal. “—Grace Cavalieri, Producer & Host: “The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress”
Moonpark Review
MoonPark Review is an online literary journal devoted to publishing compelling, imaginative short prose that breaks our hearts, haunts us, makes us laugh, or gives us hope. We love flash fiction, prose poems, and hybrid forms. We are currently reading for Issue 17, Fall 2021. If you send us a story with a happy ending, make us believe it. 750 word maximum. To get a sense of our aesthetic, read our previous and current issues. You could also check out our interviews at Six Questions For…, Duotrope, and Lambda Literary.
2021 Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest
Poetry Contest news from Alan Lowe:Inviting All to Enter 2021 Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest Wishing you good health and peace during these difficult and confusing times. Looking on the bright side, the 17th Annual Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest is open to young and old. Contest theme: If Life Were A Game Show, What Would Poets Say? The five contest categories: Let’s Make A Deal To Tell The Truth The Price Is Right Family Feud Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Poets may submit a maximum of three poems, no more than one in each of three of the five contest categories. Everyone is encouraged to enter the contest. Poets do not have to live in Lincoln, CA to be eligible. There is no entry fee. Young Poets, 18-years of age or under, are encouraged to submit poems and will compete in a special “Young Poets” category. “Rules and Entry Form” can…