Creative Writing Blog

Feb 2, February 2nd Book Giveaway: Man & Other Natural Disasters

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:28:32 GMT

Simon Peters, a recluse full of half-cocked theories on every subject from heart-broken shrimp to the Jungian consciousness of DNA, meets Minerva, a twenty-two-year-old business major whose ghostly resemblance to Simon’s dead sister compels him to reveal the horrific natural disasters that killed each of Simon’s family members, one by one.

But parts of Simon’s story do not add up. When he finds Minerva passed out and bleeding on his bathroom floor, he must conquer the tyranny of his own memory and confront what really happened that summer of 1962. But the truth, when uncovered, proves no less astonishing than the original tale.

Based on real historical events, Man & Other Natural Disasters is a testament to the power of story in a world too often shaken by forces outside our control: nature, terrorism, death—even love. Of all the planet has yet to throw at us, the question remains: can we recover from the worst natural disaster yet—ourselves?

For your chance to win this book, visit: http://www.bookclubbuddy.com/2012/02/man-other-natural-disasters-by-nerys-parry/

Jan 27, Amy Einhorn publisher of The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:10:35 GMT

My agent sent me the link to this article about Amy Einhorn, publisher of "The Help" and several other bestsellers.

The article chronicles the editor's upward climb from her first $13,000 a year job as an assistant at Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

“If you needed a new pencil you’d have to go down to the supply room and there was this little woman Rose who was like four feet tall and you’d say you needed a new pencil,” Ms. Einhorn remembered. “She’d say, ‘Come show me your pencil.’ You’d show her and she’d say, ‘You still have two inches left. You can’t get a new one.’”

These and other details provide fascinating insight into the business.

Also, it's easy to understand why editors have to be so selective in choosing amongst the many novels submitted to them. As my agent, Denise Bukowski, puts it, "once you have hit the big time, your bosses expect you to do it every time, and better, which tends to make you extremely selective. Editors would rather buy nothing than buy a book that fails."

Most importantly, I feel, is what Ms. Einhorn has to say about the submissions:

“I need to be able to convince you in thirty seconds of speaking to make you want to read the book,” she said. She said she received around 1,000 submissions in her first year at the imprint, and does not spend much time on manuscripts that do not draw her in from the first page. “I’d worked at places where we’d published some incredibly beautiful line-by-line novels but there was this sort of MFA navel-gazing aspect to them and they didn’t sell, so I knew I didn’t want to do that.”

Jan 26, January 26th Book Giveaway: On Toby's Terms

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:42:15 GMT

BookClubBuddy.com January 26th Book Giveaway ~ On Toby's Terms by Charmaine Hammond.

On Toby’s Terms, by Charmaine Hammond, chronicles Toby’s journey from incorrigible to incredible. Toby, is a Chesapeake Bay retriever, adopted at age five, from an animal shelter.

Soon after Toby entered the life and home of Charmaine and her husband Chris, Toby proved to be a holy terror who routinely opened and emptied the hall closet, turned on water taps, pulled and ate things from the bookshelves, sat for hours on end in the sink, and spent his days rampaging through the house, destroying everything in his path.

Oddest of all was his penchant for locking himself in the bathroom, and then pushing the lid of the toilet off the tank, smashing it to pieces. After a particularly disastrous encounter with the knife-block in the kitchen, and when the couple discovered Toby’s bloody paw prints on the phone, they decided Toby needed professional help.

For your chance to win this book, visit Getting 2 Know Charmaine Hammond

Jan 24, Creative Writing Prompts

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:35:59 GMT

These interactive creative writing prompts with photographs stimulate creativity and are fun to use for private or classroom use.

Jan 24, ALBERTANS YOUR BOOK AS A BUSINESS COURSE

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:26:04 GMT

~ ALBERTANS YOUR BOOK AS A BUSINESS COURSE The Ultimate Systematic Approach to Sell Your Book

MARCH 1, 2012

Make your book a business Create multiple opportunities for selling your book
Develop systems to every aspect of book writing, promotion, media, events, marketing and platform building
Create a community of champions and sponsors to sell your book and sponsor aspects of your book business
Meet special guests and hear expert interviews!

In less than two years Charmaine has written four books (3 published by Bettie Youngs Books), developed a number of products for the corporations she serves as a professional speaker and trainer, and has one book in development to become a major motion picture.

The secret? She treated her book as a business and she will show you how you can too!

Jan 24, Why is it important not to overuse names in dialogue?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:40:11 GMT

Why is it important not to overuse names in dialogue? ANSWER You haven't provided your name, so I will make one up and call you Jess. Well, Jess, to

Jan 24, When A Story Isn't Short

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:27:29 GMT

Hi Pearl! Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you on putting such a fantastic web resource together. I wrote for a free press in high school and I completed

Jan 22, Plot in Fiction

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:22:44 GMT

A better plot makes better fiction. Learn to plot your stories.

Jan 19, Readers: Win Lorri Neilsen Glenn's new book

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:31:40 GMT

Lorri Neilsen Glenn, author of Threading Light: Explorations in Loss and Poetry, answers two questions for BookClubBuddy.com.

Lorri Neilsen Glenn grew up in Western Canada in several small railway towns, and moved to Nova Scotia in 1983. She began writing as a freelance journalist, became an academic, and turned to writing poetry at age 50. Her recent books include Lost Gospels (Brick, 2010) and Combustion (Brick, 2007). Lorri’s award-winning creative nonfiction and poetry have appeared in such as Grain, Arc, The Malahat Review, and Prairie Fire. She is the editor of several books including an anthology about mothers of the 1950s, forthcoming from Guernica Editions in 2013.

Former Halifax Poet Laureate (2005-2009), Lorri has taught poetry and creative nonfiction in Ireland, Europe, Australia, Chile, and most provinces of Canada. (A Greek retreat for writers is planned for spring, 2012). Lorri lives and works in Halifax.

Each week BookClubBuddy.com highlights one author and gives away either a book or an Amazon gift certificate in a random draw from registered readers.

REGISTER for your chance to win and to learn of new books and authors you may not otherwise hear about.

Jan 19, Creative Writing Contests and Competitions

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:22:23 GMT

Creative writing contests and competitions with big cash prizes like the ones below can provide a real step up for writers. Writing competitions can jumpstart a career.

Jan 18, Character Name Generator - Create Interesting and Plausible Character Names

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:40:56 GMT

The automated character name generator is a simple tool that makes choosing character names quick, fun, and easy.

Jan 18, Readers: Win The Unsettled by Mona Fertig

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:47:42 GMT

Mona Fertig, author of The Unsettled, answers two questions for BookClubBuddy.com. Her sensual collection of poetry is the giveaway for the week of January 12th to January 18th.

Mona Fertig lives on Salt Spring Island, BC where she and her husband, Peter Haase, own and operate Mother Tongue Publishing.

Mona is very active on the literary scene and is often the driving force behind events. She was born in Vancouver,BC, and attended Vancouver School of Art. In 1978, she founded The Literary Storefront, a salon style literary center in downtown Vancouver, which became home to the first BC office of The Writers' Union of Canada.

She has published 14 books and chapbooks of poetry and has given readings from Vancouver to Newfoundland, New York to San Francisco.

She has been a bookseller, founding member of the B.C. Federation of Writers, the Feminist Caucus-League of Canadian Poets, the B.C. Book Prize Committee. She has been the B.C. Rep for P.E.N. Canada, BC/Yukon Rep for The Writers' Union of Canada and has sat on many literary juries.

Each week BookClubBuddy.com highlights one author and gives away either a book or an Amazon gift certificate in a random draw from registered readers. REGISTER for your chance to win and to learn of new books and authors you may not otherwise hear about.

Jan 18, Self Publishing Timeline 2011

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:21:45 GMT

This 2011 Self Publishing Historical Timeline is a fascinating overview highlighting the main events in self publishing over the past year.

Also very illuminating is this article, which provides many interesting facts: Self Publishing Facts

For example:

Average price of a self-published book in 2011 was $1.40, vs. $8.26 for all books in Top 100 
There is a downward trend in both the number of books and the average price 
John Locke is the author with the highest number of books in a single monthly list – 8 titles 
 Five authors stayed in Top 100 for at least 6 months – Barbara Freethy, Darcie Chan, John Locke, J.R. Rain and Michael Prescott 
There are 18 self-published titles in a yearly Top 100 for 2011 (not a single self-published book in Top 100 for 2010)

Overview:

The beginning of the year was the best time – February, March and April were the best months of 2011. This can be easily associated with the hype around Amanda Hocking and her Trylle Trilogy, immediately used by John Locke to increase sales of his Donovan Creed novels.

There is a high rotation of self-publishers and their books in monthly lists. Out of 75 authors listed in all 12 monthly lists, only 5 were present for 6 months or longer. The usual self-published book stays in Top 100 for one or two months. Books from established authors like Suzanne Collins, Sare Gruen, Stieg Larsson or Michael Connelly were present in bestseller lists for most months of 2011.

Jan 10, Novel Plots: Answering the Plea

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:32:02 GMT

Novel plots and plotting fiction worry creative writers during the first draft. Most writers use one of two ways to plot novels and stories, both effective.

Jan 10, Sitemap for Be a Better Writer and Pearl Luke.com

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:23:52 GMT

Sitemap for Be a Better Writer and Pearl Luke

Jan 10, Creative Writing Help

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:23:51 GMT

Creative writing help, lessons, tips, and

Jan 8, Creative Writing Quotes.

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:36:50 GMT

Creative Writing Quotes to inspire Creative Writers. Quotations about writing, words, paragraphs and motivation.

Jan 8, Where to Read Short Stories Online

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:51:50 GMT

Read short stories online. Links to high quality online fiction, the best new literary fiction online offered by the Book Trust, publishers, universities, and quality online journals.

Jan 5, The Creative Writing Masters Degree: How Important Is It?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:44:07 GMT

A creative writing masters degree is not necessary become a published writer, but as a step toward a successful creative writing career, a creative writing degree can't hurt.

Jan 3, What is Creative Writing? Three Vignettes

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:28:29 GMT

What is Creative Writing? This question might best be answered by showing, not telling, as in the three creative writing examples here.

Jan 3, Editing Novels: The First Three Chapters Manuscript Evaluation.

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:27:56 GMT

Editing novels. The First Three Chapters manuscript evaluation will quickly and inexpensively determine whether your novel is ready to send out to an agent.

Jan 3, Sample Writing Feedback

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:22:39 GMT

Sample of actual writing feedback provided to a creative writer after a manuscript review by Pearl Luke, author of Madame Zee

Jan 3, Creative Writing Process

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:13:37 GMT

The creative writing process is personal. Real writers write, and they don't give up until they succeed.

Jan 1, Creative Writing Library

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:56:40 GMT

Creative Writing Library: A library of books for writers

Dec 20, Freelance Copy Editing for Creative Writers

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:56:47 GMT

24/7 Freelance Copy Editing for Students, Creative Writers, and Business--Review tested and cost effective option

Dec 9, Creative Writing Skill: Three Ways to Develop Yours

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:37:47 GMT

Can creative writing skill be taught? A recent newspaper article posed this question to several established authors. Responses varied -- yes, no, maybe

Dec 5, Creative Writing Resources

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:43:52 GMT

Creative writing resources for hours of inspiration, tips, activities, help, and entertainment for creative writers.

Nov 26, What is a Novel? (More Wet Water Please)

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:44:48 GMT

What is a novel? In the past, when a creative writing student would ask this question, my jaw would drop. Over time, however, I learned that this question is not as unusual as it might seem to those in the creative writing professions.

Nov 23, Transitional Words and Phrases in Fiction: 4 Writing Tips

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:34:31 GMT

Using transitional words and phrases in fiction, as in nonfiction, is a matter of creating smooth movement between paragraphs, chapters, scenes, locations, times and characters.

Nov 20, Freelance Editing Sample and Review

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:39:22 GMT

Online Freelance editing services vary widely in quality. This page allows readers to see the actual editing feedback received from Scribendi.com

Nov 16, Good Christmas Book to Make Anyone Feel Good

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:43:46 GMT

One Hundred Butterflies by Peter Levitt is one of my favourite boooks and one I have enjoyed for many years, looking at it often. It was originally published by Broken Moon Press in 1992 and immediately became a favourite of Peter Levitt’s followers. It soon went out of print, but after frequent requests for copies, Peter Levitt has reissued a new edition, this one perhaps even more beautiful than the last, with the same haunting effect.

The short pieces in One Hundred Butterflies are poetic gems, easy to memorize and quote, lines of wisdom that remain with one long after the reading has passed.

Don’t eat so fast.
When you use your sticks
like scissors
you frighten the rice.

Praise from Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones and other books:

“Almost twenty years ago I read these poems and loved them. Now they are back in print and I love them even more. What is better than a short piece, a slice, a moment of words that stops you dead like a black exploding sun? There is real happiness here in this book. Come to it no matter how grieved or unhappy you may be.”

Something about the truth and simplicity in each playful line has forever charmed me. If you would like to make someone feel good, give them this book. A perfect stocking stuffer, and a perfect anytime-anywhere ”thinking of you” gift.

These are the kind of poems that make one smile, and nod, and want the book to never end.

Watermelons and Zen students
grow pretty much the same way.
Long periods of sitting
until they ripen and grow
all juicy inside, but
when you knock them on the head
to see if they’re ready–
sounds like nothing’s going on.

And one more:

Tall grasses
have much to teach
the bowed head of a man

Nov 16, 31st March 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize 1st Prize £1,000

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:36:17 GMT

31st March 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize 1st Prize £1,000

2012 Bristol Short Story Prize is open to all writers, UK and non-UK based, over 16 years of age.

Stories can be on any theme or subject and entry can be made online via the website or by post.

Entries must be previously unpublished with a maximum length of 3,000 words (There is no minimum).

The entry fee is £7 (about $11) per story. The closing date for entries is March 31st 2012.

Prizes:

1st £1000 (about $1570) plus £150 Waterstone’s gift card

2nd £700 ( about $1100) plus £100 Waterstone’s gift card

3rd £400 (about $630) plus £100 Waterstone’s gift card

17 further prizes of £100 (about $150) will be presented to the writers whose stories appear on the shortlist.

All 20 shortlisted writers will have their stories published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 5. The winning story will, also, be published in Bristol Review of Books and Venue magazine.

The 20 shortlisted writers will be invited to an awards ceremony in Bristol in July 2012 when the winners will be announced and the anthology launched.

Any shortlisted writers unable to attend the awards ceremony will be sent their anthologies and prize money.

Judging panel : Ali Reynolds (literary consultant, former Random House editor) Bidisha (writer, broadcaster, critic) Anna Britten (writer, journalist at Venue Magazine)Chris Wakling (novelist, Creative Writing tutor)

Nov 15, Story Starters

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:53:43 GMT

Inspiring story starters and creative writing prompts for adult fiction writers. See how professionals start their stories and create interesting first lines of your own.

Nov 14, Read Short Stories Online: New Online Fiction by Canadian and International Writers.

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:06:26 GMT

Read Short Stories Online: New online fiction by Canadian and International writers, both professional and emerging.

Nov 14, For Safekeeping by Robert Hilles

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:04:01 GMT

For Safekeeping is a new short story by Governor General's Award winning author Robert Hilles. Hilles is the author of more than twenty books of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction. For Safekeeping is a story of one woman's longing for motherhood.

Nov 11, Creative writing tips

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:36:15 GMT

creative writing tips for fiction writers.

Nov 8, Finding a Literary Agent

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:00:06 GMT

Finding a Literary Agent

Nov 6, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:39:20 GMT

Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke

Nov 6, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:34:42 GMT

All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath

Nov 6, Get inspired with photographs

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:27:20 GMT

Take a walk. While on your walk snap photographs of the scenery, wildlife, or people. Later, write about your walk. Describe everything you photographed

Nov 6, Picture Perfect Analogies

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 06:46:09 GMT

After introducing the concept of analogies, students are challenged to find visual representations. Students use magazines to make connections between

Nov 6, Word Toss

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 06:01:25 GMT

Went to a workshop recently and this was used as a opener. Have a group of five to 10 form a circle. Take a small beach ball and have the ball passed

Nov 6, Point of View Question

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:59:37 GMT

I am finally figuring out point of view after I finished my novel. It is the story about a young woman who is turning into a goddess. I had to start with

Nov 5, Mentoring Rates

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:47:02 GMT

Mentoring Rates--services and rates for writing feedback, assessment, and courses

Nov 4, DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2012 There is Hope Magazine Writing Contest Top Prize $500 and photo shoot

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:28:07 GMT

There is Hope Magazine is a new biannual magazine which is premiering in June, 2012. This magazine will feature articles of how everyday people are overcoming

Oct 31, How to Use Literary Foreshadowing

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:23:33 GMT

Foreshadowing is a literary device that uses symbolism, overt suggestion, prediction, and other means to provide hints about what will happen later in the plot.

Oct 27, JANUARY 31, 2012. The Creative Nonfiction Down Under Essay Contest. $6,500.

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:49:37 GMT

JANUARY 31, 2012 The Creative Nonfiction Down Under Essay Contest PRIZE: $6500 AUS The literary magazine Creative Nonfiction, in association with the

Oct 27, Metcalf-Rooke Unpublished First Novel Award

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:37:37 GMT

I secured my first book deal after being shortlisted for the Chapters-Robertson Davies first novel contest for unpublished novels. For that reason, I always encourage writers seeking an agent or publisher to enter similar contests. Here is a good one: The METCALF-ROOKE AWARD, given annually to one previously unpublished work of fiction, has been championing new and up-and-coming Canadian fiction-writers since 2005. The winner receives: 1. A publishing contract with Biblioasis 2. A $1,500 cash prize from Steven Temple Books 3. A leather-bound copy of the winning book 4. A regional book tour 5. A profile in The New Quarterly ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to all Canadian writers with an unpublished novel or book-length collection of short fiction. SUBMISSIONS: Manuscripts must be titled, typed, double-spaced and unstapled. All entries must be accompanied by a separate page containing the contestant's full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, manuscript title, a short biography, and a bibliography of any published or forthcoming works. We require that all entrants submit BOTH print and electronic copies. Print submissions can be sent to: The Metcalf-Rooke Award c/o Biblioasis P.O. Box 92 Emeryville, ON N0R 1C0 A .PDF or an .RTF must be sent to: metcalf.rooke@gmail.com. BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED (in the case of print) AND RECEIVED (in the case of PDFs/RTFS) by DECEMBER 31st, 2011. The shortlist will be announced on February 28th, 2012. For more information please write to info@biblioasis.com. For many more contests with serious prize money, visit www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-contests.html

Oct 27, DECEMBER 31, 2011: THE METCALF-ROOKE AWARD, $1500.00

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:21:23 GMT

www.biblioasis.com The METCALF-ROOKE AWARD, given annually to one previously unpublished work of fiction, has been championing new and up-and-coming Canadian

Oct 26, Writing exercise for 16 - 18 age group

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:54:34 GMT

I've found your site on a cold Sunday morning in Italy, and it was like a pleasure flame to me! I am organizing some creative writing lessons for students