“October is #NaNoPrepMo” Write Now Columbus – October 2020

 

Write Now Columbus – October 2020

Hi Writers:

With colleges back in session and groups and bookstores figuring out how to host online events, the central Ohio writing event scene is abundant. I posted 43 events on the calendar. Much of the world has headed to zoom. This makes competition for attendees greater than ever. I hope you’ll continue to “attend” central Ohio events.

I don’t usually post contests, but as a board member of the Women’s National Book Association of San Francisco, I’m honor bound to tell you about the . Submissions are open. I wrote a bit here about how contests are a sometimes overlooked path to publication.

Writing Articles

If you’re not (yet) following me on your favorite social media channel, you won’t know that I’ve begun to post writing-related information and articles at 7pm every evening. Here’s a sample of recent posts:

“Getting in The Right Zone To Write” by Greta Solomon

New podcast! Word Matters | Merriam-Webster – NEPM Podcasts

The Anonymous Lawyer Behind @nyttypos

Artist Relief Organization Extends COVID-19 Grants to End of 2020

Writing Prompts

Each day at noon on my social media channels, I continue to post a writing prompt using the hashtag #tenminutesgo. Here are a few from last month:

A time when everything mattered . . .
A time when nothing mattered . . .
My big dream . . .
A time I stayed quiet . . .
This time I’m going tell the truth . . .

If you write fiction, write these from the point of view of one of your characters. Set that timer, “Ten minutes. Go!”

NaNoWriMo

Speaking of fiction, it’s October which makes it #NaNoPrepMo, time to prepare for National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo.) I’ve written about my love of NaNoWriMo on my blog. I’ll spare you a repeat. For those of you not aware, it’s a writing challenge that begins November 1st. Like most things, it will be virtual this year. So no write-ins at Colin’s Coffee. *sadface* But the challenge lives. We plan now. In November, we write like mad!

Intern

If you know of a college student looking for an internship, my intern graduated and I could use a new one! The lucky candidate can add “intern to award-winning author” to her LinkedIn profile. Reply to this email for details.

My Activities

This month has been lovely busy with many “featured ins” which you can find here, and several workshops.

I was also surprised and honored to be invited to join this panel on “” on The Writing Cooperative’s “This Week in Writing” podcast.

Thursday I’m giving a webinar at the Columbus Bar Association. It is open to anyone, but there is a fee. Lawyers are eligible for CLE. I’m always grateful for these opportunities.

Thank you!

I’ll close with some much-needed levity from this piece in McSweeney’s, “.”

Thank you for subscribing to Write Now Columbus. Please tell your friends!

Take care and please, for the future of us all, wear a mask!

~ Nita

Nita Sweeney
(c)Nita Sweeney, 2020, all rights reserved

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Writing Contests and Competitions: Another Path to Publication – Write Now Columbus – December 2019

Writing Contests and Competitions: Another Path to Publication – Write Now Columbus – December 2019

 

Writing Contests and Competitions: Another Path to Publication – Write Now Columbus – December 2019

When trying to get a book published, most writers think about agents and publishers. This is an excellent strategy. But there’s another, sometimes overlooked path: contests and competitions.

Many writing contests offer publication as the prize. But even winning or placing in a contest that doesn’t offer publication can boost the book’s status in the eyes of agents and publishers. And, winning or placing in a contest with a different piece of writing lends the writer credibility. Agents and publishers pay attention.

Many years ago one of my poems won the “Poet’s Choice” award in the Dublin Arts Council poetry contest. When I was pitching manuscripts of first Memorial, and more recently, Depression Hates a Moving Target, to agents and publishers, I included this tidbit in my bio.

More recently, an early manuscript of Depression Hates a Moving Target (then titled Twenty-Six Point Freaking Two), was first a semi-finalist and then a finalist in the Faulkner Society Wisdom competition. Those credentials helped Mango decide to publish the book.

A few days ago, the now published Depression Hates a Moving Target was nominated as a finalist in the Dog Writers Association of America writing competition “Human Animal Bond” category. You can bet I will include that credit in the book proposal for the next book I pitch to Mango.

Were do you find these contests and competitions? A google search will bring up many, but here’s a few places to start:
  • Submittable – This service includes all manner of submission options including contests. It is free for writers, but expect to pay a fee to enter each contest.
  • Duotrope – This service charges a nominal fee to subscribe.
  • Poets & Writers Magazine – P&W offers a nice list of submission options in the back of each issue and online.
  • NewPages.com – This online index provides a wide variety of information about publishing including many calls for submissions including contests and competitions.
  • Writers Chronicle – Published by the Association of Writers and Writers Program, this magazine includes a list of grants, awards, and publications.
  • Local writing groups – Here in central Ohio, groups including Ohio Writers Association, Buckeye Crime Writers, Ohio Poetry Association, and Central Ohio Fiction Writers hold contests.
  • Other writing groups – Some “local” organizations host writing contests open to writers from any locale. For example, the San Francisco chapter of the Women’s National Book Association holds competitions from time to time.
  • Competitions for self-published books.

Please research each contest before entering. Unfortunately, scams abound. Check their website for prior winners and don’t hesitate to ask other writers if they have ever heard of the contest.

Send only your best work, but do send! And if you win or place, be sure to let me know. I love spreading the word when writers succeed.

Winning!

Winning!

I entered a contest. I didn’t mean to win. I thought the picture of the prize was ugly. We had to name three ingredients to include in a sushi roll. I listed the three most disgusting things I could think of. I can’t even remember them now. But, the joke was on me.

I won!

She arrived today. Yes, we “sparkle sisters” (the wearers of Sparkle Skirts brand athletic skirts) refer to each skirt as “she.” And each skirt has a name. I’m calling this one, “On a Roll.”

Get it?

Imagine my surprise when I opened her and loved the colors. She’s so bright and cheery. Perfect for the rainy weather we’ve been having.

Sparkle Skirts didn’t intended for it to be a writing contest, but I’m counting it as a writing success!

Planner Eating Dog Needs Name

Columnist and certified laughter leader Pat Snyder needs your help naming the dog that will appear prominently in her upcoming book, The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life. She’s sponsoring a contest to tag the beast. Here are the details:

This mischievous guy will romp through the pages of my soon-to-be-released book, “The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life.” Like the other dogs in our lives that disrupt our plans, his belly’s full of planner pages, but he’s hungry for one more thing: A Name. Contact Pat with your choice, along with your name, address, phone number and why you chose the name, by March 31. The lucky winner will receive a caricature drawn by book illustrator Michael H. Whiting of the winner’s own dog (or cat or other favorite pet), which will be presented at a local book-signing.

Go to her website http://www.patsnyderonline.com/ to see the dog’s caricature and enter to name that dog.

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