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Creative Writing BlogIf you have an RSS reader, be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed for automatic updates whenever I add something new. Mar 11, 2010, Creative Writing ContestsCreative Writing Contests with big cash prizes Permalink -- click for full blog post "Creative Writing Contests" Mar 10, 2010, Creative Writing ContestCreative Writing Contest Permalink -- click for full blog post "Creative Writing Contest" Mar 10, 2010, BANGBird song. The shrill yip of the dog across the street. A grumble of an engine as it drags a car up a hill. Music. No, not music. Rap. The autumn chill Permalink -- click for full blog post "BANG" Mar 10, 2010, ResilienceThe house had lain vacant since spring and the two lollipop trees on the patio were sucked dry by the summer wind. Lollipop trees. That's what Jeremy would Permalink -- click for full blog post "Resilience" Mar 6, 2010, What an Editor Does for an AuthorIt's not always clear to those who haven't published a book what an editor does for an author that the author can't do for herself through self publishing. Here's a great summary in an article taken from the Huffington Post. For more on self publishingClick Here. Mar 5, 2010, Amazon announces shortlist for first novel prizeThe six nominees for the 2009 Amazon.ca First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are: - "No Place Strange" by Diana Fitzgerald Bryden, Key Porter Books - "Come, Thou Tortoise" by Jessica Grant, Knopf Canada - "The Golden Mean" by Annabel Lyon, Random House Canada - "Goya's Dog" by Damian Tarnopolsky, Hamish Hamilton Canada - "Diary of Interrupted Days" by Dragan Todorovic, Random House Canada - "Daniel O'Thunder" by Ian Weir, Douglas & McIntyreThe winner will be announced at the annual Amazon.ca First Novel Award event in April in Toronto. The winner will receive $7,500 CDN - the largest Canadian prize for a first novel. All finalists will receive a $750 gift certificate redeemable at www.amazon.ca. Mar 4, 2010, Free AudiobookFree Audiobook Permalink -- click for full blog post "Free Audiobook" Mar 4, 2010, Ebook sales statisticsThe ebook sales statistics from the International Digital Publishing Forum are worth a look. The graphs show the dramatic rise from 2002 through Q3 of 2009. Mar 3, 2010, How to turn Novel Excerpts into Short StoriesSo few writing contests offer opportunities to submit novel excerpts. So I've had a brilliant idea which has in turn generated an equally brilliant, if Permalink -- click for full blog post "How to turn Novel Excerpts into Short Stories" Mar 2, 2010, Comma or full-stopI would like your expert opinion on the paragraph below from my son's English worksheet on punctuation exercise. Quote: Sorry, do I know you? the woman Permalink -- click for full blog post "Comma or full-stop" Feb 28, 2010, Gotham Writers Workshop.Gotham Writers Workshop Permalink -- click for full blog post "Gotham Writers Workshop." Feb 26, 2010, Professional Manuscript FormatUse a professional manuscript format for short or long fiction Permalink -- click for full blog post "Professional Manuscript Format" Feb 26, 2010, How to Contact Editors or Writing MagazinesIs it okay to contact editors of writing magazines by fax? Can I fax or email my stories to them or do I have to use mail? If I use mail, how will I know Permalink -- click for full blog post "How to Contact Editors or Writing Magazines" Feb 24, 2010, Another copyright win for publishersFile-share company RapidShare has been providing free access to copyrighted material, in e-book form, most of them academic texts. A German court approved an injunction against them, preventing them from giving the books away. This is an important decision for authors and sets a precedent that may help prevent electronic theft of copyright material. Feb 21, 2010, Authonomy.comI've mentioned Authonomy.com before, but for those writers who have not yet heard of it, you will want to check it out. Authonomy.com is a HarperCollins web site, and a virtual version of the traditional "slush pile." A publisher's slush pile consists of all unsolicited manuscripts that get read if and when anyone has time to do so. In the past, a good book would occasionally be found in the slush pile, and if there were not quite so many books, and more staff, publishers would likely look at more of them. However, publishers receive thousands of unsolicited ms. a year, and the staff they have is already overworked, so it's rare that anyone is discovered through the slush pile these days. With their online version, however, the odds are a bit better. Authors can register at Authonomy.com and upload a manuscript for others to read. If enough members add your manuscript to their virtual "bookshelf" HarperCollins takes notice. Every month they assign a reader to take a look at the top manuscripts. Hint: you'll hook or disappoint potential readers in the first paragraph, so be sure it's strong! For the best discussion on openings I've encountered, pick up a copy of Sol Stein's book Stein on Writing, found in the Library on my web site, or as a free audiobook download Here. Feb 20, 2010, Humber Summer Workshop for writersThe Humber School of Creative Writing in Toronto is now taking applications for its highly regarded summer writing workshop July 10-July 16, 2010. Faculty includes: Elizabeth AbbottDavid BezmozgisWayson ChoyAnthony DeSaBruce Jay FriedmanMary GaitskillAnnabel LyonAlistair MacLeodRichard ScrimgerOlive SeniorMarsha SkrypuchD. M. ThomasMiriam ToewsM. G. Vassanji Feb 19, 2010, Book marketing ideasI've been published by a traditionall publisher, but sales of my novel are slow. Do you have any book marketing ideas that will help me get better exposure Permalink -- click for full blog post "Book marketing ideas" Feb 18, 2010, What Books Really CostIf you've ever wondered what books really cost publishers, and why they need to keep the price higher than most readers like, read this excellent article for a breakdown of costs. Feb 17, 2010, Novelist freely admits to plagiarizingFound this interesting article on Salon.com about best selling author Helene Hegemann. The 17-year-old German author freely admits to plagiarizing in her novel. What's more, news of the plagiarism did not prevent the book from being nominated for the $20,000 fiction prize at the Leipzig Book Fair! Feb 14, 2010, Book Publishing Industry Changing Not DyingThis short article about the book publishing industry suggests that Macmillan's court win over Amazon last week isn't as good for authors as we might think. This is a time of technological transformation, and the business model of the book publishing industry needs to and will change. Feb 12, 2010, Fiction is RejectedI was interested in submitting my story to your website, but apparently I'm well over the Max limit for the character count. I was interested in gettting Permalink -- click for full blog post "Fiction is Rejected" Feb 11, 2010, Writing LogA Writing Log: Why Keeping Track of Time Marks You as a Professional Permalink -- click for full blog post "Writing Log" Feb 11, 2010, Distance learning program for a MA degree / Career opportunities in writingHi, I am interested in a MA degree in Writing or English or Literature (Sorry, I am still in the planning stages). I would be grateful if you can help Feb 10, 2010, Historical ResearchAt the back of Madame Zee you say you did a lot of historical research, some of it on the internet. Is there someplace online to look for information about Permalink -- click for full blog post "Historical Research " Feb 9, 2010, Apple Book Deal Provides Leverage for PublishersApple's more generous terms for publishers has given publisher's leverage with Amazon and now with Google Editions as negotiations begin. Feb 9, 2010, Australia Scraps $95k Literary PrizeAustralia's largest literary prize abandoned after Western Australia's conservative government decided it was a waste of money. Feb 9, 2010, Writing DialogueI have trouble writing dialogue, and I don't know if I'm using character thoughts correctly. I was told to put them into dialogue to make the dialogue Permalink -- click for full blog post "Writing Dialogue" Feb 6, 2010, Get Paid to WriteWhen should you get paid to write? As soon as your work is publishable. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Get Paid to Write" Feb 5, 2010, Creating Characters, Part IICreating Characters That Engage Readers Permalink -- click for full blog post "Creating Characters, Part II" Feb 5, 2010, Creating Fictional CharactersCreating Fictional Characters Readers will Love Permalink -- click for full blog post "Creating Fictional Characters" Feb 5, 2010, love (lower case)I. I really hope we can still be friends, you say. II. Scrolling back through the worst moments of your life, this is at the top. Up there between Permalink -- click for full blog post "love (lower case)" Feb 5, 2010, The Verdana ObitIt's like that old joke, Goudy said. The one that old guy used to tell. Who was it? Youngman? Dangerfield? This isn't funny Goudy. The guy says something Permalink -- click for full blog post "The Verdana Obit" Feb 5, 2010, CartwheelsWould there be a thud when she hit the tile, or would Sheila hear the skull crack? She shudders and clutches Emma more tightly. Thirteen beige Berber Permalink -- click for full blog post "Cartwheels" Feb 3, 2010, Meet Book Publishing Agents at ConferencesLiterary Agents: Meet Book Publishing Agents at Conferences Permalink -- click for full blog post "Meet Book Publishing Agents at Conferences" Feb 3, 2010, Bypassing a Book Publishing AgentLiterary agents:Bypassing a book publishing agent. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Bypassing a Book Publishing Agent" Feb 3, 2010, How Publishing Agents Increase Your Chances of SuccessLearn what publishing agents can do for you and how to hire one. Permalink -- click for full blog post "How Publishing Agents Increase Your Chances of Success" Feb 3, 2010, Finding a Literary AgentFinding a Literary Agent Permalink -- click for full blog post "Finding a Literary Agent" Feb 3, 2010, Macmillan/Amazon SquabbleWhen Macmillan asked Amazon for the same sales deal Apple offers, Amazon refused and pulled all Macmillan books from their store. This action has since been reversed. The Apple business model allows Macmillan to set the price of their books and splits sales 70/30 in Macmillan's favor. The Amazon model allows Amazon to buy books at 50% off the retail price and to set the sales price low to undercut other stores. This is important to writers because the Amazon model significantly reduces author royalties. Feb 3, 2010, Writers Eligible for Employment InsuranceAs of January 31, 2010, self employed Canadian writers are eligible to apply for special Employment Insurance benefits allowing paid maternity leave, parental, illness, and compassionate care leave. Feb 2, 2010, Which Creative Writing Program Do You RecommendPearl: I am a beginning fiction writer and I am interested in getting a creative writing degree to better prepare me for writing novels. What Canadian Permalink -- click for full blog post "Which Creative Writing Program Do You Recommend" Feb 1, 2010, Get Paid More for WritingI've been writing travel articles for newspapers and small magazines, and I'd like to get paid more for writing these articles. I don't want to lose the Permalink -- click for full blog post "Get Paid More for Writing" Jan 30, 2010, Descriptiveness of a story and short story submissionsI'm a gr. 11 (16 years old) student, and in my English classes, it is always recommended to be descriptive and detailed in all our writing. However, when Permalink -- click for full blog post "Descriptiveness of a story and short story submissions" Jan 24, 2010, How do I find a publisher to distribute my self published book?I self published of one of my children's books which did not take off. I will never do that again. I have a few stories ready to go. Is there a Jan 23, 2010, Should I Write Query Letters for Short Stories?A writer I know says that I should never send anything to a magazine without writing a query letter first to see if the editor is interested in my Permalink -- click for full blog post "Should I Write Query Letters for Short Stories?" Jan 20, 2010, Advice about writing programI'm applying to several creative writing programs and I worry about the number of applicants they say they get each year. Is there any way to get Permalink -- click for full blog post "Advice about writing program" Jan 17, 2010, Is private mentoring better than group work?Hi. I'm trying to decide between a workshop that has ten writers and private mentoring. Both would cost the same, but the group would run a few weeks Permalink -- click for full blog post "Is private mentoring better than group work?" Jan 15, 2010, William BlakeThere is no mistake so great as the mistake of not going Permalink -- click for full blog post "William Blake" Jan 14, 2010, I'm a teen. Can I publish?I'm 13 years old. Could I publish a book? I've written a novel about shape shifters and I think its pretty good. ANSWER: If the writing is very Permalink -- click for full blog post "I'm a teen. Can I publish?" Jan 14, 2010, Pay to enter short story contests?What is your opinion of paying for entry to short story contests? Does a writer get any substantive exposure using contests if they are not the Permalink -- click for full blog post "Pay to enter short story contests?" |
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Nominee 2008 IMPAC Dublin International Literary Award Praise for Madame Zee Precise and elegant, with a measured tone that beautifully balances the often bizarre subject matter. ~ Montreal Gazette
Winner 2001 Commonwealth Prize for best first book Canada/Carribbean region Praise for Burning Ground ... lyrical, sensual and erotic, written with a confidence often lacking in first books. ~ Toronto Star |
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