“Vietnamese American Vu Tran says when he writes fiction, he is less concerned about using any ‘factual experience’ he has had, but instead seeks to relate the ’emotional experience’ he has lived.” — The Writer Magazine, December 2015 When I read this, I sat up and paid attention. “Aha,” I thought, “Brilliant idea to tap into the emotional element of an experience and bring that into fiction writing.” Vu Tran used a traumatic event in his life to explain a pivotal character in his fiction. “. . . fiction writers can often have more impact if they draw on their emotional experiences rather than just relating what actually happened.” Vu Tran used this philosophy when writing Dragonfly (set in Las Vegas) while in Chicago. “. .. the distance from Las Vegas worried me at first. But I decided the emotional memory of Las Vegas . . . allowed me to…
Category: Just Write
Conjunctions . . . submit if you dare.
Conjunctions is accepting submissions for the Fall 2016 issue, Conjunctions: 67, Other Aliens, a collection of works of literary science and speculative fiction: innovative short stories, poetry, and essays that explore the vast precincts of unfamiliarity, of keen difference, of weirdness and not belonging. “’Alien’” is a powerful and flexible word. Aliens are Other, aliens are the stuff of science fiction and fantasy, aliens are traditional literary figures who, when we witness our ‘normal’ lives through their strangers’ eyes (think Frankenstein), cause us to see ourselves anew. Indeed, we become the unfamiliar ones. ” “Conjunctions on the Web features an ever-expanding constellation of innovative fiction, poetry, drama, interviews, and other work by some of the leading literary lights of our time. . . We are always adding new selections to our current inventory of contemporary writing. ”
Broad Street seeks writing that shows the truth in a new way
Broad Street magazine is “always looking for more talent . . . so if you have an interesting piece of nonfiction—poetry, essay, reportage, memoir or other writing—or art” . . . Submit! “Nonprofit semi-annual magazine featuring true stories told in many different ways. Seeks beautiful crafted poetry, essay, reportage, memoir or other writing that present the truth in a way that’s new and special.” — The Writer magazine, June 2015 Submisssions/themes, see if there is something just right for you. Upcoming theme: Birth, School, Work, Death (submit until April 1, 2017 for spring/summer 2017 issue). The Seven Ages of Man have become the Four Ages of Humankind. We’re born, we learn, we work, we die. Broad Street has conceived of a four-part magazine with several features exploring each phase of life. Give us your origin stories, your schoolroom struggles, your cubicle frustrations, your tales of passing on. Where has this road taken you? …
Find the right magazine for your article.
Rachael Herron wrote an article, soon to be published in Vogue magazine. Not about “fashion, beauty, culture, living, runway, met gala.” Rachael’s article is about clearing out craft supplies. Imagine that. What a brilliant idea! I imagine most crafters would benefit from an article about how to organize material and/or encouragement to let go of scraps of fabric, wisps of ribbon, etc. Do you have a special skill, a hobby, a special interest? Write about it. Think about a magazine that might seem an unusual fit. Tweak your essay to fit the magazine’s demographics. Research the magazine’s mission statement, purpose, intent, masthead. Do you have a pet peeve, an obsession, a unique collection? Turn your thoughts into an article, then research and submit! Browse magazines at the library. Search online for potential magazines. Find the right magazine for your piece: Every Writer Wikipedia List of American Magazines How a Freelance…
Writing settles my soul —Rachael Herron
Today’s “Just Write” post is an excerpt of Holly Robinson’s interview of Rachael Herron. (Edited for brevity. Click on Huffpost link below to read entire interview.) Holly Robinson writes: One of my favorite things about being a writer is having the chance to meet other writers whose books I admire. I probably admire few books as much as I do Splinters of Light, my new friend Rachael Herron’s powerful, poignant, and surprisingly comic novel inspired by a People magazine article about the impact of early-onset Alzheimer’s on a woman and her family. In the hands of another writer, this topic could be dreary and depressing, but Rachael spins a story of resilience and love that leaves you believing in the healing power of family and forgiveness. Splinters of Light is a reading experience you won’t soon forget. Here’s a look at how Rachael works — she’s a prolific author of romance novels,…
Brick . . . anthology of enthusiams
Brick features literary nonfiction about arts and culture: book reviews, personal essays, memoirs, interviews and letters. That’s you: Essayists and Memoirists. For today’s place to submit, I was looking for something fun. Excited to find Brick. Brick has been called many things: an “anthology of enthusiasms” (Michael Ondaatje), “the best literary publication in North America” (Annie Proulx), and “more fun than any other literary magazine around” (Robert Hass). Brick is where the world’s best-loved writers have wide, lively, personal discussions about art, culture, and the written word. Brick was founded in London, Ontario, in 1977 by Stan Dragland and Jean McKay. From 1985 until 2013, Michael Ondaatje led the magazine and helped to establish its international reputation, leaving a legacy of intellectual curiosity and passion for the written word. Brick’s mandate: to create a beautiful product filled with the most invigorating and challenging literary essays, interviews, memoirs, travelogues, belles lettres,…
The Blotter Magazine might be perfect for you
Is The Blotter Magazine a good place for you to submit your work? Maybe. Read on. “The Blotter Magazine exists to nurture underground, outsider literature and art and to provide it to a wide audience. We believe that the economic viability of good art and writing should not interfere with its life, liberty, or happiness; and we deliberately seek to avoid the pretension and “overintellectualism” for which the world of literature and art has become known. Our goal is to treat contributors, donors, and readers alike with dignity, friendship, and respect. The Blotter Magazine is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. That organization currently publishes The Blotter Magazine and is pursuing a book-publishing venture. . . . In May, 2003, the magazine began distributing free at selected newsstands in the North Carolina Triangle area. Since then, our free distribution has expanded to other fine cities in the Southeast. We also ship subscriptions…
Got fiction, essay , poetry, art? West Marin Review wants.
Fiction! Essays! Poetry! Art! Got any? West Marin Review, a literary and art journal, wants ’em. Deadline: September 1, 2016. West Marin Review is such an upbeat publication, this should be called Upline: September 1, 2016. Need ideas for material to write about? Click Prompts. Choose one and write. Edit. Submit. West Marin Review Submission Guidelines. Cover art for current issue of West Marin Review.
The Bitter Oleander is ready for your submission.
The Bitter Oleander Press: Home of Fine Poetry Collections and The Bitter Oleander: A Journal of Contemporary International Poetry & Short Fiction The Bitter Oleander Press publishes works that contain imagery revealing a “world we thought we knew but were mistaken.” We believe in bringing our readers and writers face to face with each other, with the reality of our uncommon world, like the one that exists in grape seeds blown by hurricanes into hidden corners doors form when closed. The Bitter Oleander prefers “poetry devoid of clichés and predictable twists of well-worn or entrenched truths. We prefer a heightened music driven by a profound linguistic rhythm.” “Because we are open to submissions from all cultures, people and languages, we regard their investment of time spent submitting and creating to be very critical. We pride ourselves on answering every request, every order, every submission, every letter of gratitude and annoyance…
New England Review
The March/April 2016 issue of Writer’s Digest Magazine is bursting with excellent information for writers. For example: Details about submitting to New England Review. New England Review: “Offers readers poems, stories and essays that are formally inventive and traditional.” There is a $2 fee for poetry submissions and $3 fee for prose. About NER: “By publishing new fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that is both challenging and inviting, New England Review encourages artistic exchange and thought-provoking innovation, providing publishing opportunities for writers at all stages in their careers. ” Payment: Payment for work published in the journal is $20 per page (with thanks to a grant from the NEA), $100 for cover art, plus two copies of the issue in which the work appears and a one-year subscription. For online publication in NER Digital, payment is $50 and a one-year subscription to the print magazine.