Summer publishing opportunities

Hi, all!

While cruising Craigslist's writing jobs, I came across this post, from a poetry chapbook publisher looking for submissions. The publisher, Big Table Publishing Company, is made up of writers who promise not to reply with form letters. They sound like nice people, and this could be a great opportunity to get your work out there, especially if you have a collection of poems that could make up a chapbook. Find out more information about their submission guidelines here.

Another post offers an opportunity to submit fiction or nonfiction up to 5,000 words. It's from 10ktobi.org, a.k.a. 10,000 Tons of Black Ink, run by the Literary Writer's Network. Looks like 10ktobi publishes lots of work on their website, then puts together a print edition of the strongest online work at the end of every year. Be sure to check out 10ktobi.org's "About" section, as well as their submission guidelines. No payment available, but exposure is a great thing. As Lisbeth said in her intro to agents and publishing, having any kind of audience or exposure is a plus when you're trying to sell your work.

If you have the time this summer, consider submitting to either of these places. Let us know how it goes! And even though WIP is on summer hiatus, you can always send your work to the listhost for feedback.

Summer reading list

Long overdue, here is the open post for our summer reading list. I'll include a few here; leave your suggestions in the comments.

Intruder in the Dust - William Faulkner
Trickster's Choice - Tamora Pierce
The Greenlanders - Jane Smiley
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

Yesterday's meeting

A few of us met last night, and talked about the chapter Lisbeth had submitted from her project, "Fortunate Ones." We talked a lot about worldbuilding, which is more relevant to some of you than to others, as well as about how to apportion information for readers without making it feel like backstory is being heaped on them. To that end, the workshops this fall will focus less on getting ideas and getting started than on how to put those ideas into action -- in other words, how to get past Chapter 1.

You guys also missed an extended clash about the merits of Frank Herbert's Dune. Very entertaining!

There might be a meeting next week; please mention in your comments which day and time would be best for you. We're also taking submissions for next week; otherwise you guys will have to put up with reading my project.

Also, would anyone be interested in having another reading this fall? It would be in mid-November or later. We would need to have people sign up to read their work, as well as any musical acts you guys can get your hands on.

Lastly, keep thinking about NaNoWriMo. It's not as far off as you think!

Summer WIP

Since a few of us will be in Chicago this summer, I thought it might be fun to hold a few meetings or just hang out and talk about writing. If you're down for that, let me know. The first meet-up probably wouldn't be until July. And just so you know, all of you will have to listen to me agonize over my B.A. at least twenty times. Hope that's okay with you.