May 2011 Writing News and Contests

Dear Writers,

Humber Summer Workshop in Creative Writing, a workshop I recommend without hesitation, is taking applications for it's 2011 workshop.

Since 1992, the Humber School for Writers has distinguished itself as a leading centre for the study of creative writing. Their track record speaks for itself: more than 280 of their graduates have been published, including placements by their in-house agency.

Several have been nominated for literary awards, and a few have gone on to win.

Alumna Angie Abdou's The Bone Cage, was one of the five books on this year's Canada Reads. Sarah Selecky’s This Cake is for the Party was shortlisted for the 2010 Scotiabank Giller Prize. Robert Rotenberg had bidding wars in New York, London, and Toronto for his first novel, Old City Hall, and Cathy Marie Buchanan’s The Day the Falls Stood Still sold in Italy, the USA, the UK, and made The New York Times Best Sellers list.

Read more at the Humber College website.

BookClubBuddy.com Contest Winner

The BookClubBuddy.com "What Are You Reading" contest has closed, and a winner randomly selected. Mary McIntyre won for her review of What Disturbs Our Blood by James FitzGerald.

Book Giveaway

While you're visiting BookClubBuddy.com, register for a chance to win 2 signed books by a featured author.

The first new registrant to email me and tell me why they want Gurjinder Basran's novel Everything Was Goodbye, which just won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, will receive two signed copies.

Also read the latest interview with Annabel Lyon, author of the award-winning novel The Golden Mean.

New Creative Writing Contests

I added 40+ new contests to the Creative Writing Contests page this past week, many of them with prizes over $1000.

Of special interest for mystery writers who have yet to publish in the genre, the Tony Hillerman Mystery Novel Competition is open to professional and non-professional writers. The winner will receive publication with St. Martin's Press and a $10,000 advance on royalties.

Closing soon, on May 15th, is the $1500 Lorian Hemingway Short Story Contest for new and emerging writers.

Read a fascinating interview with Lorian Hemingway and note her comments about the sort of writing that wins.

Keep writing, and have a great week!

--Pearl Luke

www.be-a-better-writer.com