W R I T I N G W O R L D

A World of Writing Information - For Writers Around the World

http://www.writing-world.com

Issue 9:14 8,449 subscribers July 16, 2009
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK, by Dawn Copeman THE WRITING DESK - Reslanting, by Moira Allen NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING WRITING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES FEATURE: Writing for Family History Magazines, by Rosemary Bennett THE WRITE SITES -- Online Resources for Writers WRITING CONTESTS WITH NO ENTRY FEES The Author's Bookshelf

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FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S DESK
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Making Things Harder Than They Are
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I've done some time travel. I was sorting through my desk drawers (yet another writing avoidance strategy), when I came across my old notebook, the one I used when I first started freelance writing.

I was just going to throw it out, but then I started to look through it. Wow! It was amazing seeing my early enthusiasm for my new-found career. Pages upon pages of story and article ideas, covering a wide variety of topics, some of which were clearly based on Calls for Submissions I'd seen at the time. There were brief paragraphs outlining story ideas and nonfiction articles, research notes and even the draft of two successful queries to TimeTravel-Britain.

There were contact details for a wide variety of magazines, some of which showed I was aiming far too high (not that I knew it at the time).

But what amazed me most about this book was my unbridled enthusiasm for the craft, the energy I had and the sheer number of article ideas I'd come up with and the number of queries I was sending out.

I wish I were so prolific now. Then I had four hours a week to do my writing, whilst my young daughter was at nursery. Now I work at home, and although I do home-school my daughter, I still have around four hours a day in which I could write, yet I often don't. Is it that because I have more time I've become lazier, choosier about projects I undertake?

Nowadays whilst I still check 'Calls for Submissions' I find myself dismissing most of them: not my area, I know too little about it, there's bound to be someone with more experience in this area. Then, I just went for it. Brainstormed ideas, figured out angles, and queried. It worked, too.

Looking back, it all seemed so simple. Now, however, it seems to have gotten so hard. Why, I wonder, do we make life more difficult for ourselves as we progress in this craft? Is it partly recognition of our strengths and weaknesses as writers? Or is it that we grow scared of breaking into new areas or markets? Or is it just that we find ways to make life more difficult for ourselves?

I'm hanging on to that old notebook. In fact, there are a few blank pages at the back that I'm now pressing into use again. Having had the chance to revisit an earlier version of me as a writer, I'm going to try a fresh approach to my queries, the one the novice writer in me tried. It worked before; let's see if it can work again.

-- Dawn Copeman, Newsletter Editor


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CHILDREN'S WRITERS - Improve your competitive edge and publishing record with this vital monthly newsletter of editors' wants and needs, market studies, and genre analyses loaded with editors' tips and insights into subjects and styles they're looking for right now. Get a Free issue and see. http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/M5474

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THE HERO'S JOURNEY: Ever wanted to be able to structure a best-selling story or novel around your character's hero/heroine? The Hero's Journey is the way to do it. http://kangs.robparnellher.click2sell.eu

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THE WRITING DESK - Reslanting, by Moira Allen
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How much do I have to "reslant" a piece for it to be considered "new"?

Q: If I have an article titled 30 Ways to Train Your Dog and in it I include 10 things not to do while training the dog. Can I pull out those ten ways and include them, word for word, in a new article called 10 Things Not to Do While Training Your Dog? Is it okay to submit both articles at the same time to two different publications?

A: When an article is reslanted, it is generally written as an article that would be considered "different" from any other article you've written on the same subject. I.e., taking a portion of one article and marketing it as a separate article doesn't really constitute "reslanting." (Really, it's an excerpt.) The best way to test whether something is "reslanted" is to put yourself in the reader's shoes. If you read the two articles in two different publications, would you think they were different articles? Or would you regard them as being the same? If you would regard them as the same (or regard one as being an excerpt of the other), then they are, essentially, the same. This means they are the "same article" with respect to the rights you are selling -- you won't be able to satisfy one editor's request for, say, "first" rights or "exclusive" rights to a piece if you are selling a portion of that identical piece to someone else. That being said, you can submit even the same article to two different publications if those publications are willing to accept non-exclusive one-time rights to the material. If, however, either publication (or both) want first rights, or exclusive rights (e.g., exclusive electronic rights), then you can't. You have to honor whatever rights you are offering -- and that usually means the rights that are requested by the publication (which you'll know by reading its guidelines). Since most publications that deal with a specific topic like "pets" are likely to be competing, this is even more reason not to try to pitch the same article (or very similar articles) to two at the same time. Most likely, each will get wind of the fact that you've sold something similar to a competitor, and that would be enough to make each editor decide never to work with you again. It's nice to sell as many different pieces as you can, but it's even better practice to try to build solid relationships with editors. An editor who likes to work with you and feels that you are reliable is one who will (a) accept more of your material and (b) probably start giving you assignments, which will be much more beneficial in the long-term than selling two similar articles now.

Copyright (c) 2009 Moira Allen

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TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR NOVEL--Bring a Novelist's Boot Camp to your writing group! As featured at RWA National, Love is Murder Mystery Con, RT,Duckcon SF Convention, and many more! Full- and half-day workshops available. Find out more at http://www.storytellerroad.com/Classes.htm

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NEW WORKS OF MERIT PLAYWRITING CONTEST is accepting scripts through July 31, 2009. For information and submission guidelines please go to http://www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net Join our Facebook Group: New Works Of Merit Playwriting Contest. In its 7th year, the contest is a project of Merit Theater and Film Group, Inc.

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NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING
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Lulu.com Purchases Tainted Poetry.com
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The infamous Poetry.com, home to the "International Library of Poetry," exists no more. Instead, Lulu.com has bought the domain name and is turning it into a poetry-only version of Lulu.com. Lulu's idea is that the site will be a place where poets can connect with other poets and have feedback on their work. The site also offers no-fee poetry contests with daily ($25), weekly ($250) and yearly ($5000) prizes. One of the downsides of the new site is that all the work that poets had paid to display on poetry.com has disappeared. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/dk9h2g

Authors Bring Forward Publication Dates to Beat Dan Brown
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September in the UK is not normally a time for a huge number of book releases. It is, in fact, a relatively quiet period. But not this year! This year most of the major book releases that would normally take please near Christmas are all happening in the first few weeks of September. The reason: the authors and their publishers want a chance at hitting the No.1 Bestseller spot and they know that they won't do this if they wait to launch their books until after September 15th, when Dan Brown's sequel to the Da Vinci Code is published. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/koawk7

World's Oldest Bible is Now Online
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The world's oldest Bible, written in Greek on parchment in the fourth century, has finally been assembled from the remaining pages that are scattered around the world, and the bible in its entirety has been published online. The Codex Sinaiticus has been put online to allow anyone around the world to study it freely. For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/oq6bp2

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MAKE STEADY MONEY AS A TRAVEL WRITER: Secrets of Selling Travel Stories Without Traveling, by Jack Adler, specialist in consumer travel reporting. Examples of published articles, sample topics, how to develop a specialty, write queries, use your background and area plus much more. 288 pp, $14.95. http://www.rdrpublishers.com/catalog/item/3014102/6693813.htm

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WRITING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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Freelance Writers Wanted by MakeMeHeal.com
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We are seeking experienced freelance writers to write articles for two major websites (combined audience of over 1 million readers) involving the world of beauty, plastic surgery, and anti-aging. Compensation: Get paid per article published. $20 per article and above. The most talented writes have the potential to be offered full-time writing/editor positions. Please provide 1-2 writing samples with your resume. Please send your resume, writing samples and a cover letter to us via _ HYPERLINK " http://www.makemeheal.com/contactus/index.php" _Our Online Message Center_ (be sure to select "Get A Job With Us" as a subject for your message). http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/jobs/index.vm

Zug.com seeks humor articles
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Zug.com are looking for your funniest true-life stories, pranks, or experiments. Post your funny article on the website; if you get a reader rating of 4 or higher after one week, we'll pay you $20 for the article. Want to earn more money? Submit several articles. Once you earn a reader rating of 4 or higher for your articles, you are eligible to join our Writers Group, where you earn more money/publicity for each article. Articles must meet these guidelines:

- The story must be true

- The story must have at least 2 photos (stock OK/ real preferred)

- The story should not be published elsewhere on the Web

- The story should have length of 500-750 words

http://www.zug.com/about/lp/write/index.html

ToMuse.com seeks bloggers $25 per post
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See site for details http://tomuse.com/writers/

Writers needed by Wisegeek.com $10 per article
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See site for details: http://www.wisegeek.com/faq.htm

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UNPUBLISHED GUY - *Nearly serious* diversions for writers. Whether you are a casual or more active writer, this site will ease you into the writing mindset with a healthy dose of educational schadenfreude. http://www.UnpublishedGuy.com

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FREE Article-Writing Course Orientation Taught by 35-year veteran writer and author, Patricia Fry. Learn how to establish an article-writing career. Promote your nonfiction book through magazine articles. First lesson of this 6-week online article-writing course FREE--no obligation to sign up. For more information: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm. Questions? PLFry620@yahoo.com

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FEATURE: Writing for Family History Magazines

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by Rosemary Bennett

Family history research is a very popular hobby these days. If you are one of the growing band of enthusiasts you probably subscribe to a family history magazine, or at least read one or more of these publications from time to time. But have you ever considered them as a potential market for your writing? Perhaps you have assumed that all the content is written by professional genealogists and researchers and that the keen amateur would stand no chance of being published. If so, think again. Although it is true that the more in-depth type of article, giving detailed information on how to do the research, is usually written by professionals, there are many openings for the amateur historian, and most of these are paying markets.

The types of article accepted from the freelance can be surprisingly varied. For example, in the US, Ancestry Magazine asks readers to send in a variety of things such as family photos of ancestors making history (with a 50-word story explaining the picture), a favourite family recipe, an article describing how you eventually tracked down an elusive ancestor, and photos and descriptions of family heirlooms. The payments vary from $50-$300.

In the UK, "Your Family Tree Magazine" publishes readers' case histories, and also runs a "Skeleton in the Cupboard" article in which a reader tells the story of an ancestor who had criminal tendencies or was perhaps a notorious womaniser. The latter type of article is 700 words in length. Other family history magazines run similar sections and many in the US publish writers' guidelines. These can appear under a variety of names including "Author Notes," "Submit," "Contributors' Guidelines," etc., so visit the website of your favourite magazine and read their requirements carefully. Magazines in the UK are less likely to publish guidelines, so the procedure here is to send an enquiry to the editor. In this you should set out brief details of your proposed article and ask any relevant questions, such as whether the magazine pays for contributions. Whether or not there are guidelines, a careful study of the magazine must now be made. What is the style of the magazines? Is it scholarly or an easy read -- aimed at the knowledgeable amateur or the beginner? Do the articles written by amateurs contain details of how they found the information about their ancestors, and if so how much detail is given? If such information is included, is it given in a box or in the body of the article? All these points must be born in mind when planning your own article. As well as the magazines published in the writer's own country there may be the possibility of writing 'cross-border' articles. If you live in America, did your ancestor come from the UK? Might his adventures be of interest to UK readers as well as those in the US? If you live in the UK, did an ancestor move to America or Canada? His adventures might appeal to readers in his country of origin and his new homeland. Besides all these opportunities, there are also openings for social history pieces. Many people are becoming interested in more than just tracing their ancestors and researching their lives. They want to know what life in general was like for their ancestors. If you have looked into an aspect of this perhaps you could write an interesting article setting the scene in which your ancestor lived. Another possibility is to give details of your ancestor's occupation if this was unusual, especially if it is now obsolete. Similar pieces might also be suitable for local history magazines, although in the UK at least these are not always paying markets. As well as magazines dealing exclusively with family history, there are openings for articles on the subject to be sold to other types of magazine. For example, I am a retired civil servant and some years ago I sold an article outlining the problems and pitfalls of family history research to a civil service retirement magazine. It transpired that the editor had recently taken up the hobby and jumped at the chance of some hints and tips on the subject. The article was not difficult to write as it was based on problems encountered by my husband and myself when researching our own family history -- problems of which beginners might not be aware. The article earned me a very worthwhile fee. Other types of publications such as those for women, hobby, retirement, and general interest magazines might also accept something based on your researches, especially if there was an interesting story involved. It does no harm to enquire. Or what about a trade magazine relating to the trade in which your ancestor worked? Editors of trade magazine sometimes like pieces that entertain their readers as a change from the work-related type of article. A bonus of writing this kind of piece is that you have already done the research while looking into your own family history. Below are details of a few of the magazines that accept articles from readers. You probably know of others, including online journals, so don't forget to check them out. Family history research can be expensive, so why not let your writing subsidise it?

US/Canada
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Ancestry Magazine http://www.ancestrymagazine.com Guidelines under 'Submit'

Family Chronicle - http://www.familychronicle.com Guidelines under 'Author Notes'

Discovering Family History - _ http://www.discoveringfamilyhistory.com Guidelines under 'Author Notes'

Internet Genealogy - http://www.internet-genealogy.com/ Guidelines under 'Author Notes'

Family Tree Magazine - http://www.familytreemagazine.com Guidelines under 'Writers' Guidelines'

UK -- Family Tree Magazine, and Practical Family History - _ http://www.family-tree.co.uk This applies to both titles.

Your Family Tree - http://www.yourfamilytreemag.co.uk

Family History Monthly - http://www.familyhistorymonthly.com

Who do you think you are? - http://www.bbcwhodoyouthinkyouare.com

Ancestors Magazine - http://www.ancestorsmagazine.co.uk Guidelines under 'Writing for Ancestors Magazine'

Cyndi's List - http://www.cyndislist.com/

Writers may also find it useful to browse Cyndi's List. Under 'Magazines, Journals, Columns & Newsletters' are links to a variety of publications from many countries.

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Copyright (c) 2009 by Rosemary Bennett

For information on writing family history visit: http://www.writing-world.com/creative/family.shtml

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WORLDWIDE FREELANCE WRITER - You can download a free list of writing markets if you subscribe this week. Discover almost 2,000 writing markets from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australasia. http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

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THE WRITE SITES
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Ticket2Write.com
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This is a must-bookmark site, especially if you are working on fiction or poetry of any kind. There are some great resources here; I particularly liked the "structure of the mystery novel" article. Plus it has lots of poetry markets and daily updated news from the publishing world. http://ticket2write.tripod.com/index.html

The-Greenlight.com
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A new UK screenwriting site, with articles, interviews, downloads, course reviews and much more; looks like this is shaping up to be very useful! http://the-greenlight.hostei.com/index.html

Of Ages Past
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Although this site is no longer being updated, it is still worth a visit or two. The archives contain a vast amount of information for writers of historical fiction. My tip is to click on archives, then on articles to see the full range for yourself. http://www.angelfire.com/il/ofagespast/

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CAN'T GET PUBLISHED? Be a Well-Fed Self-Publisher and make a living! Control the process and timetable. Keep the rights AND most of the profits. Here's the step-by-step blueprint used to create a full-time living from ONE book! By the award-winning author of The Well-Fed Writer. http://www.wellfedsp.com

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WRITING CONTESTS

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This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. Unless otherwise indicated, competitions are open to all adult writers. For a guide to more than 1000 writing contests throughout the world, see Moira Allen's book, "Writing to Win: The Colossal Guide to Writing Contests" (http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml).

HELEN SCHAIBLE SHAKESPEAREAN/PETRARCHAN SONNET CONTEST
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DEADLINE: September 1, 2009 GENRE: Poetry DETAILS: Submit a traditional 14 line sonnet PRIZE: $50, $35, $15,three honorable mentions, three special recognitions URL: http://www.illinoispoets.org/pdf/2009schaibleannounce.pdf

LIFE LESSONS ESSAY CONTEST
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DEADLINE: September 7, 2009 OPEN TO: US residents aged 19+ GENRE: Nonfiction DETAILS: 1500 word personal essay on the following theme: "When did you realize that you had become a grown-up? Perhaps it was when you first paid taxes or met your son's first girlfriend. Whether the experience was difficult, funny, easy, or bittersweet, share your lesson and you could win." PRIZE: $3000, publication in Real Simple, round-trip tickets for two to New York City, hotel accommodations for two nights, tickets to a Broadway play, and a lunch with Real Simple editors. URL: http://tinyurl.com/kk5ajx

THE INTERNATIONAL MATIA POETRY COMPETITION
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DEADLINE: September 15, 2009 GENRE: Poetry DETAILS: Short poems only, less than 100 words. PRIZE: $100 CAD for first place. $50 CAD 2nd Place - $25CAD 3rd Place. URL: http://www.mattia.ca/competition13/rules13/rules13.html

ATLAS SHRUGGED ESSAY CONTEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
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DEADLINE: September 17, 2009 GENRE: Nonfiction OPEN TO: Full-time 12th graders or college students DETAILS: 800-1,600 word essay in answer to one of the three questions on the website. PRIZE: $10,000, Five 2nd Prizes of $2,000, three 3rd Prizes of $1,000, 20 finalist prizes of $100, 20 semifinalists of $50 URL: http://tinyurl.com/rp6ul

REVIEWFUSE POETRY CONTEST
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DEADLINE: September 25, 2009 GENRE: Poetry DETAILS: Poem fifty lines or fewer. Must register with ReviewFuse to participate (registration is free). PRIZE: $100 URL: http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/category/writing-contest/

DOGS AND WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM CONTEST
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DEADLINE: September 30, 2009 GENRE: Creative Nonfiction DETAILS: 2000 words maximum story that demonstrates the benefits for a woman who fulfills a life purpose by partnering with a dog to perform extraordinary physical, emotional, or spiritual service. PRIZE: $250, five 2nd prizes of $25, five honorable mentions URL: http://www.angelanimals.net/contestrules.html
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AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF: Books by Our Readers
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Einstein's Question, by Steve and Deja Whitehouse

Ginger High, by Melissa Burmester

No Teachers Left Behind, by HBF Teacher

Find these and more great books at http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.shtml

Have you just had a book published? If so, let our readers know: just click on the link below to list your book. http://www.writing-world.com/books/listyours.shtml

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ADVERTISE in WRITING WORLD or on WRITING-WORLD.COM! For details on how to reach 60,000 writers a month with your product, service or book title, visit http://www.writing-world.com/admin1/adrates.shtml

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Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com http://www.writing-world.com

Editor and Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (editors@writing-world.com)

Newsletter Editor: DAWN COPEMAN (editorial@writing-world.com)

Copyright 2009 Moira Allen Individual articles copyrighted by their authors. Back issues archived at http://www.writing-world.com/newsletter/index.shtml

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