* Congrats and Give-Away *

First of all, congratulations to everyone who's story or poem was accepted for the Storm Country anthology. That is the book the Missouri Writers Guild put together to donate money to the Joplin, Missouri school libraries.

Now for my contest give-away. As I mentioned in my previous post the only requirement is to leave a comment here! That's it. The one restriction is that only US bloggers can enter. (My apologies to my out-of-country friends!)

Below are the books:

Skipping Christmas: by John Grisham
(hardcover) Cute humorous Holiday book

The Lemon Jelly Cake: by Madeline Babcock Smith
Originally written in 1952. A very charming book!
(paperback)

A Morning Cup of Meditation: by John A. Bright-Fey
Awesome hardcover book for juggling life with meditation!
Also comes with a CD (hardcover)

All three books are in great shape and could even be given as gifts.

Just leave a comment here and I'll choose a winner by random.org on Tuesday, September 13th. **If I receive more than 20 comments, by 20 different people... I know how some of your minds work! ☺I'll choose three winners, and each will receive one book. If I get less than 20 comments, then one person will receive all three books.**



Also, Welcome to my newest follower, Juliann of Daily Snapshot. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need." -- Jerry Gillies

* I WONDER *

Time for another "I Wonder" blog post.

I Wonder: Are any of you writing for any anthologies or contests? I mentioned this last Friday and I'm happy to say that I submitted a story on July 4th for Storm Country. That's kind of appropriate isn't it? Sending it in on our country's birthday.

I Wonder: Will I be able to write two stories to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul before July 31st? I do believe I will. I've already begun one for the "Say Goodbye to Back Pain" book, and I have my eye on a couple of others. 

I Wonder: What books are you reading right now? I just picked up a book from the library (remember...no more buying books...at least for a while!) that I had to wait a couple of weeks to get. That's always a good sign when all the copies are checked out and on reserve, don't you think? The name of it is "Best Staged Plans" by Claire Cook. I happened upon Claire's blog and/or website last month (I have no idea how I arrived there.) She's having a give-away and other things going on. If you want to be inspired, you really must hop over and read about her. She has an amazing story...one that sounds dream-like, but is real. *Hint: one of her books was made into a very popular movie! 

** Also welcome to my newest followers: Diane, Deb, and Harry Goaz. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."-- Henry David Thoreau

* All Things Writerly *

I attended my Coffee & Critique group again today. Most of the time I don't have anything to read, but I always get so much from listening to others read, and then the critiques given as we go around the table. Two of the writers are currently working on stories to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul, which made me think to remind everyone about all their Calls For Submission. Right now they have 12 books they need stories for. (There are various deadlines.) If they accept yours, you receive $200.00, plus 10 free books! Give it try. You've got nothing to lose!

Then I remembered Thin Threads and the stories they're currently looking for. They pay $100.00 for an accepted story. (Different deadlines here as well.) Wonderful blogger friend, Susan, of Writing Straight from the Heart, recently had TWO stories accepted and published in two different Thin Threads anthologies. Congratulations, Susan!!

And please don't forget about the Joplin, Missouri anthology, Storm Country. This one does not pay its contributors because all money raised will go to Joplin's school libraries to purchase books damaged or destroyed in the horrible May tornado. *Although you won't receive any money if your story is accepted, this is a wonderful opportunity for a beginner to be published in a printed publication, if your story is well written, of course. Be sure and read all the requirements....must be a weather related story. Deadline is July 15th.

A brand new journal I just came across, Adanna Literary Journal is having a love poem contest. There's a $10.00 entry fee and 1st Prize is $100.00

I'm not promoting any particular anthology, website, journal, contest, etc. I just like to let people know some of the things I come across... when I remember them! ☺

Welcome to my newest follower: Claudia Schlottman!   I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!


"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" -- Audrey Hepburn