CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS, CONTESTS, SPECIAL E-BOOK SALE, ETC!

Hello everyone! I can't believe it's been nine days since my... last confession....Oops! No, that's definitely not what I meant to type. But as I said those words in my mind, some very old memorized lines from my childhood popped right into my head!

I'm at my library branch, using one of their computers because I haven't been able to post anything new on my blog since January 22! It's been driving me nuttier than normal. I could reply to comments on my blog, and on others' blogs, but that's all I could do. I couldn't get to Layout or any other editing type areas. I'm REALLY hoping my son, Scott, can fix it for me.....hope, hope, hope....

Now, here's a truly dumb thing I did, by not doing something. I forgot to print and bring the Word document that contains all the things I wanted to post on here this afternoon.

SO, for now I'll just provide a few tidbits to hopefully get your attention and interest!

**  Please stop by Women's Memoirs at the link below. They're having a fabulous 53 HOUR E-BOOK SALE, to launch their brand new series of four e-books, spring, summer, winter, fall. Please hop over and check them out. The covers are gorgeous and I'm sure the stories included are wonderful!

http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-news/february-1-the-day-to-get-inspired-and-improve-your-memoir-writing/ 

~~~

**  Julie Luek is the winner of a print copy of my memoir, from Margo Dill's blog when I was the guest blogger. Congratulations, Julie!

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** I have some calls for submissions and contest info....at home in my Word docs. BUT, I think I remember at least some of them:

A call for submissions for a new literary magazine in Ontario, the Tin Roof Press. Our inaugural issue launched with much success in December 2013.  This will be a quarterly magazine, published seasonally.  The next issue - our Happiness issue - will be published in March 2014.  The deadline for submissions is Feb 10, 2014. *Note: I checked with Jen McGuire, the editor, and they ARE accepting submissions from Non-Canadians, too.*

The Tin Roof Press is named after a legendary old bordello that once ran perched high on a cliff overlooking Georgian Bay called the Tin Roof.  It was so named as a nod to Margaret “Mag”  Matthews, an ancestor of mine who was the Madame of the Tin Roof and a local legend. 

The Tin Roof Press is looking for stories full of irreverent humour.  Or tragedy.  Or lust.  Or horror. We want to treat our readers to an exceptionally fun, engrossing read.  And we are looking for writers who feel up to the task.

Submissions of short stories (under 2500 words) and poetry can be sent to jen@tinroofpress.ca.  To get a sense of what we're looking for, check out the pdf version of our beautiful magazine online or email jen@tinroofpress.ca to subscribe if you would like a copy - though they are running out quickly. 

Hope you like the new magazine!

All best,
Jen McGuireeditor/publisher
Tin Roof Press

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** The Erma Bombeck Contest deadline is coming up soon! February 17 at 8:00AM -- EASTERN Standard Time. I suggest sending it by Feb 16, just to be sure! 

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I have an exciting bit of news about a new marketing tool I discovered. I have rented a display case at The Cultural Arts Centre in St. Peters, Mo. to advertise and sell my memoir! 

 

Jan. 31-March 24

What's on the Horizon?

All Media Landscape Art Show and Competition

Receiving: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Reception: Friday, Jan. 31, 6-8 p.m. 

The reception, as you can see is tonight! There will be all kinds of artwork on display: paintings, drawings, photography, etc....plus the three or four display cases. Stop on by if you're in the area....and we don't get bad weather! 

 

Gotta run.....My time on the computer is about to end!

Thanks for stopping by!

Margo is My Hostess, Critter Alley is The Mostess, & It's Dang Cold Here!

Well, it's another bitterly cold night here in the good ol' Midwest. I find it quite funny that this is the coldest and snowiest winter we've had in about THIRTY YEARS and it's the first winter The Ronald and I have had to go OUTSIDE with Vern when nature calls. Our previous house didn't have a fenced back yard, but we had a long chain that hooked up right next to our back patio door. All we had to do was slide open the door, hook up the chain to his collar, and off he went. But, this winter, we live in the two-story townhouse, and we have to walk Vern on the leash whenever he "has to go." I'm trying to stay Pollyanna-ish about it...but it's getting kind of hard. Hey, I'm not always happy!...But I was able to savor a glorious view the other morning. The sun was coming up in the East, and the moon was still high in the western sky. Such beauty! And I reminded myself right then and there how grateful I am for my life. I am healthy and I can go on walks with my beloved dog. I get exercise and fresh air. I can see and hear and smell. I just bundle up the best I can, and Vern wears his bright red coat, and off we go! We always warm up when we get back inside. 

  And now, some writerly news. Margo Dill is hosting me on her blog today! I wrote a short guest post and we're also having a give-away for a print copy of my memoir. Please stop by, say hello and enter to win, even if you've already read it. You can always give it to someone else as a gift.

  Also, I didn't know it, but Pat Wahler at Critter Alley also wrote a blog post about my memoir. You can read it HERE.

  I still have plenty of writerly things to share, but again, they will have to wait another day or so. 

~~~

* Welcome to my newest follower Rebecca Douglass. I hope you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! *



"Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat." ~Author Unknown

WRITERLY NEWS ON A COLD, BLUSTERY NIGHT

Today, inside my nice, warm home it was a very busy, writerly kind of day and I accomplished many things. 

Outside, though, it was COLD and windy and I didn't stay out a second longer than I had to. I urged Vern to please hurry and do his thing, which he totally ignored. When we came back inside, even though I'd been bundled up really well, I was frozen. 

This called for two very important things. The first was to make a cup of Maxwell House International Latte, Pumpkin Spice! I normally drink plain ol' black coffee, but when I'm chilled to the bone, I want something special. (I'm not a huge fan of hot chocolate.) I bought this container sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas and I love the flavor.  

The second very important thing was a pair of gloves that I could wear and still type on my laptop keyboard! I just snipped off the fingertips of these Dollar Tree terry cloth gloves and voila...warm hands with fast-flying-fingers! 

~~~

I have so many writerly things to share and talk about, but this post is already getting a bit long. SO, I'll mention a couple of things, and continue with more in the next day or so. How does that sound?

I've been working diligently on a guest blog post which should be available to read sometime soon. I also have two interviews coming up in the next few days, as part of my Book-Blog-Tour. More info on both shortly.

~~~

St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre Writing Series

NEW! The Poet and Writer’s Pen

Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 13, Sep. 18, Oct. 16 & Nov. 20
6:30-8:30 p.m. • $3 per session (in advance or at the door)

Attention all poets and writers! Come join us for a creative, literary and musical evening in our galleries. You don’t have to be a seasoned writer to join us. In fact, you may just want to come to listen. Each writer will be given eight minutes in which to share their original written or musical work. A sign-up will be available at the door. Since time is limited, performances will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to register, please contact the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre at 636.397.6903, ext.1624.

~~~

The above notice is for people in the St. Louis & St. Charles County, Missouri area. A couple of weeks ago when I was at the Arts Centre, I picked up a paper flyer about this event. I searched and searched online for more information, but could not find a thing. Long story short: It was the last thing listed on a web page for "Art Classes." 

There's also this from the same page:

Time for Tea and Creativity: Write it Down!
Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m.

$7 (includes cake, cookies, tea and coffee) 

Spend an enjoyable afternoon among friends learning about far away places and self-expression.

Register in advance at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre or by calling 636.397.6903, ext. 1624. 

Do you wish you could express yourself through poems, short stories, photos or essays? Or, perhaps you already do. Come to this program with an open mind and the willingness to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with others. There will be several fun, interactive games to spark your creative genius. Please bring a photocopied photograph of a loved one (it could be you) to the tea no larger than a 5X7.

~~~

So, to all writers/bloggers in this area, here are a couple of fun and unique events that cost very little! 

I'll be back tomorrow with more Writerly News! Thank you!

DOES IT LOOK LIKE I NEED HELP??

See this mess of books and papers? It looks eerily like my home office.

I can't figure it out. I don't sit around all day doing nothing. I usually get up early and stay up late. And yes, I'm on my laptop blogging, networking, and e-mailing, for quite a while. Then I do some actual writing. I honestly don't waste a lot of time.  

And yet......

Its like that saying, The harder I work, the behinder I get. 

I do have somewhat of a system. (See my little jotted notes below?) They are some I clipped together in June 2011, to keep track of contests, calls for submissions, and notes for my memoir. At least I had them clipped together! 

And I do have files and folders, but I don't keep up with them. I'm nowhere near as organized as I used to be when I was younger, and worked full-time in offices. My mind is always in a zillion directions now and I don't stay focused. Is it because I'm older? Or because I have so much writerly stuff on my mind? Whatever the reason....now is the time to change!

I've read quite a few blogs lately that have a new Word for the Year. Something they want to focus on. I've decided that's what I need, too. After much soul-searching, the following three words jumped out at me:

Concentrate - Organize - Complete

What do you think? Is there any hope for me?!
Do you have a Word for the Year?



* Welcome to my newest follower Josie Two Shoes. I hope you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! *


*Note: Yesterday, I did get caught up (I think) replying to individual comments on my blog all the way back to December 9th! Today, I'll be making the rounds to as many blogs as I can!





"I'm a disorganized mess. My purse is gross: I once found a shoulder pad, string cheese, and a Christmas ornament in it!" -- Hoda Kotb

* A TERRIFIC BOOK REVIEW *

I'll be back later to reply to your comments, to read as many other blogs as possible, and to leave my comments on them. I honestly appreciate everyone who takes the time to stop at my blog because I know how time consuming it is. 

For now, though, may I please mention that McGuffy's Reader has just posted a terrific review of my memoir.

Word-of-mouth is a wonderful way for a book to be discovered, so I'm very grateful to McGuffy and everyone else who has posted marvelous reviews about From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More. 

Leaving comments on Amazon, Goodreads, Library Thing, etc. are also very helpful. My sincere thanks!




"Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you." -- Eileen Caddy

* It's My Birthday *

¯Today is my birthday.....it's your birthday, too, yeah! ¯

I happen to know that my blog friend, Rachel Cotterill's birthday is also today! Happy birthday, Rachel!

And, my writer/voice talent/stage director/and more..., friend: Heather Elizabeth Lynn Farrar's birthday is also today! Happy birthday, Heather!

(And for a bit of fun, here are some celebrities who also share my birthday: Loretta Young, Danny Thomas, Carl Sandburg, Khalil Gibran, Capucine, Howie Long, Bonnie Franklin, AND Pepe Le Pew!)

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened." -- Jennifer Yane

* It Ain't a Fit Night Out for Man or Beast! *

We're in the middle of what could be a record breaking day or two of snowfall amounts and cold temperatures. I'm not unhappy about it since I love snow, especially watching the snow coming down, and I don't have to drive anywhere today.

Pertaining to the snow "coming down," though.....it's more of a sideways, up and down, twirling around, blowing in the wind, kind of snow!

Poor Vern doesn't quite know what to do when he goes outside, poor guy...and in this weather, all I ask of him is to do it fast! Brrr....

Stay comfortable wherever you are! 

~~~

For the past 50 years or so, (can it possibly be that long ago?!) every time we have really cold days, those words in my blog title pop into my mind. It's a line from a 1933 W.C. Fields movie, The Fatal Glass of Beer. In the movie, W.C. is in a small cabin during a blizzard, with various people coming and going. Every time he opens the door, he says, "It ain't a fit night out for man or beast," and someone off screen belts him with a bunch of fake snow.

And just why do I remember all this? When we were kids, my brother Mike clowned around a lot, and he would imitate W.C., reenacting that scene and always got laughs from everyone around.


P.S. One of my favorite movies is Heidi, from 1937, with Shirley Temple. The first time I saw it, I fell in love with snow globes!

* I'M BACK *

Hello Everyone!

I have my laptop again! My oldest son (the computer guru) kept it for a couple of days, and brought it back yesterday afternoon. All I can say is....What would I do without him??

Plus -- I would have lost everything had I not had my off-site backup system that he installed for me a few years ago! Whew!  

Not sure when I'll post again, or be able to read other blogs and leave comments, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Thank you to everyone who left encouraging comments!

* I wish everyone All Things Wonderful in 2014 *

 

"We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched.  Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential." -- Ellen Goodman