“Interim seeks writing that engages the perilous conditions of life in the 21st century as they pertain to issues of social justice and the earth, writing that demonstrates an ethos that considers the human condition in inclusive love and sympathy while offering the same in consideration of the planet. Because we believe that the truth is always experimental, we especially appreciate work with innovative approaches.” Submissions are welcome from 1 June-1 September and from 1 December-1 March. “We appreciate your continued interest and support and look forward to spending time with your work.” Submissions end September 1, 2019: Poetry Essay Translation [Poetry and Essay] Artwork
Category: Just Write
Freewrites: Opening Doors to Discoveries
Notes from Marlene Cullen’s talk about freewrites. Scroll down for links about how to use freewrites and how to write about difficult subjects without adding trauma. I gave a talk about freewrites at the Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club. I’m sharing my notes so you, too, can enjoy the freewrite method of writing. I love freewrites because they are so . . . freeing. Freewrites can open doors to discoveries. I was thrilled to discover freewrites, unlike short story and novel writing, this was something I could do. I hope these tips help make your freewrites fun and successful in inspiring your writing. What is a freewrite? A freewrite is writing spontaneously with no thinking. Just putting down word after word, with no worries about spelling, punctuation, how it will sound, and no worries about the final product. Sometimes when you are engrossed in your writing project and…
Green Hills Literary Lantern Submissions
Green Hills Literary Lantern is published annually, in July, by Truman State University, Kirksville, MO. GHLL welcomes work from established writers as well as from less experienced writers. Historically, the print publication ran between 200-300 pages, consisting of poetry, fiction, reviews, and interviews, and was printed on good quality paper with a glossy, 4-color cover. The digital magazine is of similar proportions and artistic standards. GHLL reads submissions year-round, and published a new edition in June/July. Reporting time 3-4 months. Writers are strongly urged to read several sample issues in order to learn what sorts of things GHLL prefers. GHLL Submission Details: “What do we like? There are stories I read thirty years ago and still remember. We try to find that sort of thing and publish it. Sometimes it’s a compelling dramatic situation that grabs us by the throat in the first paragraph and won’t let go till the end:…
Worries
Do you write personal things in your journal? Are you able to write what you are really thinking? Do you worry about writing something too personal? What if someone finds your notebook and reads it? Yes, someone could find your notebook and read it and . . . what? Think lesser of you? Find out what you are really thinking? Would that end your relationship? Or, perhaps change it? You could go through life worrying and not doing what you really want to do for fear of what others might think. Or, you can trust that your need to express yourself through writing is more powerful and more important than these worries. You can burn or destroy your notebooks every so often. But then you wouldn’t be able to access these precious memories that you archived. Simple solution: Keep your notebook in a safe place. And trust in the process….
Apparition Lit
Apparition Lit is open for poetry and short story submissions four times a year. February 15-28 May 15-31 August 15-31 November 15-30 Submissions received outside of posted open dates will be deleted unread. 2019 Themes: Retribution (Submission period May 15-31, 2019) Euphoria (Submission period August 15-31, 2019) Apparition Lit also holds monthly flash fiction contests. These stories will follow selected themes and be published online. APPARITION LIT Apparition Lit is seeking original, unpublished speculative fiction that meets their quarterly theme. Speculative fiction is weird, almost unclassifiable. It’s fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and literary. They want it all. Send your strange, misshapen stories. Send stories with enough emotional heft to break a heart, with prose that’s as clear and delicious as broth. They are looking for proactive characters and beautiful language, all wrapped up in a complete story. Diversity is as important in fiction as it is in real life. They want a mosaic…
Writer Advice: Flash Fiction Contest
Lynn B. Goodwin is the creator and producer of Writer Advice. Writer Advice’s Flash Fiction Contest 2019 Submission Information Writer Advice seeks flash fiction of 750 words or less. “Open our eyes. Help us see the world as your characters do.” Finalists receive responses from all judges. Everyone receives a detailed response from award-winning author B. Lynn Goodwin. What is Flash Fiction? For Writer Advice, it is a story of 750-words or less that has a protagonist, a conflict, a setting, excellent use of language, and an ending that we didn’t predict when we read the first line. We enjoy stories with a discovery, complex characters, lovely language, and a tone that rings true. PRIZES: First Place earns $150; Second Place earns $75; Third Place earns $40; Honorable Mentions will also be listed. Submission Details The contest closes on June 1, 2019.
Birdland Journal ready for your writing.
Birdland Journal offers a home for fiction, flash fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction from established and emerging writers. The theme for this issue is “A Matter of Character.” Take this where you want to. Besides a character in a story, how about considering the character of a people or place? Take character out of the box. It might be a person, or an animal or an inanimate object. Deadline: April 15, 2019 Open to Northern California residents only. Previously published material not accepted, including publication in any venue: print, web, and personal blogs.
One slice of the point of view pie
There are many articles and books about point of view. The following is an excerpt from a talk given by author Jim Dodge. Narrator – Who tells the story. The most used pov: First person and third person. There are three types of first person point of view. First person direct. First person indirect. First person objective. First person direct: Protagonist carries conflict and is usually involved. Direct – “it happened to me.” When narrator carries conflict = direct perception. This is the most difficult point of view to work with – has to be compelling voice to hold readers’ interest. If you can pull it off, it’s powerful. Stories move in time and space. Problems with first person point of view: person has to be “everywhere” to get information. First person indirect: Reflective, or indirect: narrator does not carry conflict. Narrator is a character and in a relationship with…
Natural Bridge invites submissions
The editors of Natural Bridge invite submissions of poetry, fiction, personal essays, translations, and art. From the Natural Bridge submission page: Because we are tied to the academic calendar, we will not read between May 1 and August 1. Submit through Submittable There is a $3.00 charge for non-subscribers to submit. This is not a reading fee, but helps maintain the submission service and website. This fee is waived for current subscribers. We will continue to accept submissions free of charge through snail mail. Submissions sent by email will not be read. A few Guidelines. We do not accept previously published work. This includes self-publication and work that appears online. Poetry submissions should be limited to one manuscript of up to six poems at one time. Poems should include the author’s contact information on every page, be clearly titled, and be paginated if longer than one page. Prose submissions should be limited…
Another reason to Just Write!
“Studies show that writing by hand, rather than typing, improves information processing as well as the ability to remember what you’re writing about. Take your learning to the next level by using your brain for what it does best: fusing existing and new information. . . . Crack open a book and once you’ve finished it, write a Goodreads or Amazon review. You might be surprised at what you come up with while mulling it over again.” — “Brain Fitness,” November 2015 Real Simple magazine. Note from Marlene: You will be helping authors and improving your brain fitness at the same time when you review a book and post on Amazon or Goodreads. And if you are inclined, consider writing a review of the Write Spot Books and post on Amazon. The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Discoveries The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Connections The Write Spot: Reflections…