BLW members participating in the Writer's Digest November PAD Chapbook Challenge

Bearlodge Writers members Pat Frolander, Maureen Blake, Amanda Fall, and I are participating in the Writer's Digest November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge. Each day in November, Robert Lee Brewer, poet blogger for Writer's Digest, is giving a prompt, and those of us taking the challenge then write a poem tied to the prompt.

Participants can post their work, or not; all four of us have been posting our daily poems. The poems are to be written after receiving the prompt, not previously written work.

The chapbook challenge comes into play after the November prompts have concluded. All participants will have the month of December to revise and organize their November poems into manuscripts of 10-20 pages, emailing the manuscript to Brewer by midnight January 5, 2010. He and his wife, poet Tammy Foster Brewer, will announce a winner on Groundhog Day.

Check out our poems, and those of many other poets, at http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/
(after linking through to the comments page, use your browser's "find on this page" function to locate our names easier; most days have had well over 100 poems posted in the comments)

We are enjoying the process, though it is a bit scary to post poems that have had little (if any) editing. And very interesting to see how the prompt materializes in the poem from each writer.

For me, this is a personal challenge, too, writing on demand to a particular idea--trying to craft a poem on the fly, and create something worthwhile.

Wish us luck! Jeanne Rogers

Open House\Book Signing for Pat Frolander

All are invited to an open house and book signing honoring award-winning Sundance poet Patricia Frolander on Monday, October 26 at the Community Room of the Crook County Library in Sundance, Wyoming. The event, which will run from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., is hosted by Bearlodge Writers and friends of the poet, and will debut Frolander's new chapbook, Grassland Genealogy (Finishing Line Press, July, 2009).

Frolander, who promises to entertain those attending the event with poetry about raising children, weathering ranch life, and life in general, is celebrating more than a new book. She was recently notified that her poem, "Father, when You call," was named the 2009 winner of the 17th Annual National Senior Poets Laureate Competition. Sponsored by Amy Kitchener's Angels Without Wings Foundation, the competition draws entries from all over the United States. Picked as best from more than 700 entries for this year, "Father, when You call" brings its author both prestigious recognition and a cash award.

Frolander has also recently been notified that U. S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser (2004-2006) selected her poem, "Denial," for use in his weekly column, American Life in Poetry. Kooser's column is supported by the Poetry Foundation and Frolander's piece will be used in the June, 2010 publication.

This poet, who admits to digging deep when she pens her lines, is definitely on a roll. Determined to keep the momentum going, she's submitting more—-already has a new manuscript making the rounds—-and is also on the schedule for a reading and workshop (with fellow Sundance poet Jeanne Rogers) at the Campbell County Library in Gillette, and other upcoming events. Her work has appeared in a number of anthologies, newspapers, and magazines, and she often speaks to the joys and problems of Wyoming ranch life when she shares her lines at gatherings throughout the region. One recent event was an old-fashioned parlor reading in Glendo, Wyoming, with fellow poets Katie Smith and Jeanne Rogers.

Grassland Genealogy will be available for purchase at the signing. You may also pick up a copy from the author or from your favorite local bookstore, or order it from Backpocket Books, 364 Farrall Road, Sundance, WY 82729 (307-283-2665) for $14 plus shipping and handling. It is also available from the publisher, Finishing Line Press, at http://www.finishinglinepress.com/NewReleasesandForthcomingTitles.htm.

Please join us October 26, 2009, at the Crook County Library meeting room from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to celebrate poet Patricia Frolander and her new chapbook, Grassland Genealogy. (We'll be serving some fabulous refreshments, too!)

Wyoming State Historical Society Book Awards

Standing Witness: Devils Tower National Monument, A History (National Park Service) was in the very good company of works by fellow Wyoming Writers, Inc. members at the awards given at the Wyoming State Historical Society annual meeting in September.

My book won an honorable mention in the Publication-Books-Nonfiction category, along with Marcia Meredith Hensley's Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West (High Plains Press) and Diana Allen Kouris for Riding the Edge of an Era: Growing up Cowboy on the Outlaw Trail (High Plains Press). Top honor for nonfiction went to Nancy Heyl Ruskowsky for Two Dot Ranch: A Biography of Place (Pronghorn Press).

Another WWInc member, Mackie d'Arge, received the top award for fiction with her novel, Lifting the Sky (Bloomsbury USA Children's Books).

Congratulations, all!

Jeanne

Cancellation of open house-book signing for Pat Frolander

The open house-book signing event scheduled for tonight, Monday, September 21, 2009, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Crook County library meeting room has been cancelled. Pat is very, very ill.

We will reschedule for a Monday in October, but no date has been selected yet.

Sponsored by the Bearlodge Writers, the event will be a celebration of the publication of Pat's first chapbook, Grassland Genealogy. Please check back for further information.

Parenting Anthology Call For Submissions

Parenthood

City Works Press seeks poetry, fiction, prose and art on motherhood and/or fatherhood for our upcoming anthology. Give us your moments of sublime joy as well your dark nights of the soul. Talk about birth, nursing, relationships, adoption, same-sex parenting, high tech conception loss, etc. Tell us what it means NOT to have children. Limit 2,500 words for fiction/prose or 4 poems. Please attach a short bio.

DEADLINE: January 4, 2010

Send to:
City Works Press
ATTN: Mamas and Papas
San Diego City College
1313 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

National award for Pat Frolander

Pat Frolander is the 2009 winner of the 17th Annual National Senior Poets Laureate Competition sponsored by Amy Kitchener's Angels Without Wings Foundation headquartered in Monterey, California. Her award-winning poem, "Father, when You call"--selected from over 700 entries--also garnered a cash award.

Congratulations, Pat!!

Patricia Frolander's Grasslands Genealogy

Now Available:

Patricia Frolander's Grasslands Genealogy

The distance between Bearlodge poet Patricia Frolander's Boston, Massachusetts childhood experiences and her life as a Wyoming ranch wife must be counted in more than miles. It is a cultural revolution of sorts, a self-development that is more than simply "a growing up." It is the story of a woman not afraid to dig deep . . . a woman willing to take a hard look at the grassland she loves . . . a woman who will readily admit she is not in absolute control of her life.

In her newly-published Grassland Genealogy (Finishing Line Press, July, 2009), Frolander shares forty years of ranching, raising children, and poetry. Her lines sing "a heart-deep melody." They capture the essence of the land and its people, revel in the blessings of close friends and closer family, and reflect upon hardships caused by unpredictable weather, markets, and livestock.

Frolander's authenticity evokes laughter . . . and tears. With it she plays the reader's life experiences by sharing hers. She coaxes, nurtures, calls us out past that safe zone we build around our memories; she makes us see that everything, including life's smallest mishaps, must be engaged. Robert Roripaugh, Wyoming Poet Laureate 1995-2002, sums up Frolander's poetry when he says it will "develop a reader's appreciation for her understanding of the subtle strands of heart and mind that tie humans and animals to each other and the grasslands they share."

Grassland Genealogy, a paperback, is Pat Frolander's first book. It is available for $14.00 plus shipping and handling from Backpocket Books (click on "Books" on this website) or from your favorite bookstore. You may also purchase a copy from the publisher, Finishing Line Press, P. O. Box 1626, Georgetown, KY 40324, or check their website,
http://www.finishinglinepress.com/NewReleasesandForthcomingTitles.htm for ordering information.

Microfiction Call for Submissions

Cinnamon Press

Call for submissions for new anthology of microfiction/prose poetry

We are looking for pieces of microfiction, sometimes called short short fiction or flash fiction, and pieces of prose poetry that tell a story in under 600 words. There is no minimum word limit.

Microfiction and prose poetry are very short prose pieces that harness a poetic world but still contain a story with a beginning, middle and end, and imply a lot more than their small structure can contain. They are flashes of something – an epiphany, perhaps – that often subvert expectation and work in a minimal structure. Some argue that there is a definitive boundary between prose poetry and microfiction, but you may submit either for this publication.

You may submit as many pieces as you wish, and those chosen will appear in a new Cinnamon microfiction and prose anthology to be published in late 2010, co-edited by Holly Howitt and Jan Fortune-Wood.

Submission Guidelines

Please read these carefully. Due to the large volume of submissions expected we will only be able to process those submissions that conform to the guidelines.

• The deadline for submissions is: 15th August 2009
• Each piece must be no longer than 600 words. There is no minimum length.
• Pieces can be on any subject and you may send several pieces, but please submit them as a single word attachment using a .doc or .rtf format
• Submit pieces to both - Holly Howitt and Jan Fortune-Wood
• with ‘microfiction anthology’ in the subject line.
• In the body of the email please type your name and location.
• Submissions without virus protection will not be opened and read so please ensure your virus protection is up to date.
• We hope to inform everyone who has sent a submission of which pieces will be included by late November 2009. Please ensure that you inform us if your email address changes after sending the submission.
• The decisions of the editors are final.
• All those whose work is selected will receive a copy of the anthology.

The Consequence Prize in Poetry

Consequence Magazine announces The Consequence Prize in Poetry

Volume I

The prize will be awarded in October, 2009 for the best poem addressing current war or armed conflict.

The winner will receive $100, have the selected poem published in both print and online editions of Consequence, be invited to read at the launch of Consequence Magazine's next print edition, and receive a three years subscription to the magazine.

All poems submitted will be considered for publication in both print and online editions.

Our Judge this year is poet and translator Kevin Bowen who will also present the award.

Submission Guidelines

• No entry fee is required.
• Entry deadline is September 1, 2009.
• All poems must be in English: no translations please.
• Submit up to three original and unpublished poems.
• The total number of pages submitted should not exceed six pages.
• Submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter with biographical information, address, phone number and email address.

Email submissions

• Send to: Poetry Editor, consequence.magazine@gmail.com
• Email submissions can be in the form of a Microsoft Word document or embedded in the email.

Mailed submissions

• Send to: Poetry Editor, Consequence Magazine, P. O. Box 323, Cohasset, MA 02025-0323
• Please include a SASE for notification of results and returns.

The Sylvan Echo Call for Submissions

The Sylvan Echo accepts original writing of the highest quality in the categories of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, book reviews, critical writing, and editorials from new and established writers. We are also interested in original artwork and photography. Submissions may be previously published as long as you own the rights or can obtain permission to reprint the work. We accept - nay, encourage - simultaneous submissions. (We do ask, however, that you notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.) All vivid, well-written work will be considered.

Please, no gratuitous or graphic sex or violence. If you’re considering submitting the same piece to both The Sylvan Echo and Penthouse, we’re probably not your market.

Authors and artists retain all rights.

More HERE

Visit the Bearlodge Writers

The following link is to a post written by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen at The Adventurous Writer blog. She created the list from comments made by editors, agents, and publishers attending the Surrey International Writers' Conference.

Though the list was posted awhile ago on the AW blog, Chuck Sambuchino, editor of Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents thought it worth circulating again.

(Not that any readers of the BLW blog have any of these problems with their book manuscript, no siree, just some helpful info to pass on to those writers who are having some trouble.)

http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/freelance-writing/17-reasons-book-manuscripts-are-rejected/

Poetry Publishers Who Accept Electronic Submissions

A listing of places that take electronic submissions, including links to the editor. It appears to be up to date. From Rutgers University.

Poetry Publishers

The Press Pause Now Anthology Project

Call for Submissions: Women Writers

Press Pause NowTM is pleased to announce that it is now accepting submissions for its first anthology. Press Pause NowTM is a unique retreat, workshop, and coaching program whose purpose is to help successful women rethink, refocus, and reenergize their lives. This anthology will capture the stories of successful transitions. Thanks for considering making a submission. Follow updates on Twitter at ppnanthology.

Main Focus

Life is about change. As human beings we’re always changing, growing, tranforming, and transitioning our lives – whether we’re seeking a new job, new career, or new direction. Whether it’s our circumstances that lead us to take a new path or a desire to pursue a goal or dream, we learn that as women we have the power to choose who we want to be, what we want to do, and what kind of life we want to lead.

This inspirational and motivational collection of essays and articles will focus on stories about women and their “press pause moments,” those points of transition when they have decided to take a different path, pursue a passion, or go after a goal or dream. The catalyst and outcome of the journey may be personal, professional, or both. Most importantly we are looking for diversity in the types of stories. We want to hear from all kinds of women doing all kinds of things (in other words, don’t hesitate to submit for fear your story won’t ‘fit!”) This anthology will celebrate the “go for it” spirit shared by women everywhere who define succses on their own terms and find the strength within themselves and among their network of supporters to make it happen.

Guidelines

• Nonfiction essays and articles should be between 800-2500 words in length, double-spaced.
• Only email submissions will be accepted and should be sent electronically as attachments (word doc) to anne@presspausenow.com . Please put the word ‘Anthology’ in the subject line.
• Include a 65-70 word bio as you would like it to appear in the published anthology should your submission be accepted. You may include a website address for consideration.
• You will greatly increase your chances of inclusion if you take care to proofread your work and run a spell check prior to submitting.
• You may submit up to two essays or articles for consideration. Each submission should be sent in a separate email.
• Deadline for submissions is midnight, September 25, 2009.
• Publication is anticipated by early 2010.
• You can stay up-to-date about the anthology’s progress on this blog or follow on Twitter: ppnanthology.

Please Note

Publishing this anthology is a new endeavor; unfortunately at this time we cannot pay for contributions that are accepted. However we will actively promote the anthology and your writing. Inclusion will provide writers with a focused publishing credit.

About the Editor

Anne Witkavitch is currently president of C-Suite Communications, a strategic marketing and communications firm, and founder of Press Pause NowTM, a life design and coaching program that helps successful women rethink, refocus, and reenergize their lives. She is a former Fortune 100 communications executive. Anne’s press pause story began when she decided to pursue a lifetime dream to become a published writer by returning to graduate school at the age of 42. Juggling fulltime career, parenthood, and studies, she earned her M.F.A. in Professional Writing and has published her work in a variety of publications. She also teaches, mentors, and speaks about writing, communications, leadership, and work/life balance.

Narrative Magazine First Annual Poetry Contest

Narrative’s first annual poetry contest runs from now until July 18. In a continuing effort to encourage and support poetry, we’re offering prizes, publication to the top three winners, and a public announcement of all winners and finalists via the Internet and in hard-copy literary trade publications. Wide attention will be brought to the winners and finalists in the contest.

The contest is open to all poets. Entries must be previously unpublished and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest. Each entry may contain up to five poems. You may enter as many times as you wish, but we encourage you to be selective and to send your best work. All entries will be considered for publication.

Awards: First Prize is $1,500, Second Prize is $750, Third Prize is $300, and ten finalists will receive $75 each. All entries will be considered for publication.

Submission Fee: There is a $20 fee for each entry. And with your entry, you’ll receive three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.

Read more on the Narrative Magazine Website

Call for Submissions - On and About Mothers

The Mom Egg Call for Submissions

5 June 2009

We are currently seeking submissions for a special online issue of The Mom Egg, a literary journal, to be released in Fall 2009. Deadline for poetry, fiction, creative prose and art for this issue is July 31, 2009. We are also accepting submissions of other material, such as reviews and interviews. Submission guidelines may be found on the website, www.themomegg.com.

The Mom Egg publishes work by mothers about everything, and by everyone about mothers and motherhood.

Purloined from Creative Writing Contests Blog









Visit the Bearlodge Writers