Showing posts with label contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contests. Show all posts

Friday, August 14, 2020

* SHARING OLD POSTS *

While trying to decide what to write about in my "new" blog posts, and not being able to come up with much of anything, I had the most scathingly brilliant idea (Yes, Cathy C Hall! https://c-c-hall.com/ )

I'm going to re-post some from the past, at least for now or until I feel as if I can write something decent again. When I look back and read some posts from my early blogging years, 2009-2013, I feel as if I'm reading someone else's writing. I truly mean it! I think to myself, Wow, that is some beautiful writing, and then I remember that I'm the one who wrote it! 

Oh, and you know what else was wonderful to read? All the comments, and some from people who aren't blogging anymore, which made me sad. Their blog either is totally gone, or they haven't posted in years. It makes me want to go back through emails and see if I have one for many of them, and see if we can catch up with each other that way. 

And, maybe I'll have contests again where I give away a book, or bookmark, or fancy pens, etc.

Thanks to all who stop by to make sure I'm still alive and bouncing off the walls! 😄


~~~~~~


And I'll end with a couple of favorites from Maxine:

"Ever feel like you've had too much coffee? Me neither." 

"Fashion magazines are society's way of saying 'If you don't feel inadequate already, read one of these!'

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

* WRITING CONTESTS & CONTESTS & CONTESTS ~ OH MY! *

Recently I came across a ton of writer contests and calls for submissions and fortunately managed to copy and save all the links, so I could share them on my blog!

Many of these are very unique. I'm not posting these for any kind of PR because I've never heard of most of them. But if you're at all interested, click on the links and read more. Some have entry fees, some have huge prize money, and more. 

THE FIRST LINE LITERARY JOURNAL 
http://www.thefirstline.com/index.htm 


18th ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST (2016)
http://www.greatamericansong.com/index.php?utm_content=bufferef974&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#


SCRIPT PIPELINE TV WRITING CONTEST
https://scriptpipeline.com/shop/tv-writing-contest?utm_content=buffer0128d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


 
WRITERS DIGEST SHORT SHORT STORY WRITING COMPETITION
http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/short-short-story-competition?utm_content=buffer9f024&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


THE 2016 RELEVANT READS STORY OF THE YEAR CONTEST
 
 
FIDDLEHEAD 26TH ANNUAL LITERARY COMPETITION
https://thefiddlehead.ca/contest?utm_content=bufferd2afc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
 
 MAGIC OXYGEN LITERARY PRIZE 2016/17


 

 
 

I'd also like to welcome my three newest followers - Arlee Bird of Tossing It Out , Delores Lowndes of Mumblings , and Jennifer Darlington of Lady Laughing Loudly I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!
 
(And I apologize for forgetting to welcome you the very day
 your photo popped up in my Followers.)
 
 
Happy writing, everyone!
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

* A CONDO, A LAKE, AND WRITING OPPORTUNITIES *

Over the past few months, I've been on a blog dry spell, in fact it's been so dry, it's been more like a desert, or White Sands, New Mexico!

I haven't been posting, replying to comments, or commenting on other blogs the way I used to, while feeling terribly guilty at the same time. I kept telling myself that I didn't have the time, didn't have the energy, etc. But I've come to realize those were not the problems. I just didn't feel motivated.

This evening, though, I have the desire to share some writing information, plus some photos. I took the four pictures below just the other day and wrote about them on Facebook. If we're "Friends" on Facebook, I'm sure you can read it there, too, if you'd like.

Custom clay chimes made about 40 years ago
 by my deceased sister, Jo Ann.
 

 
Vern checking out the scenery!
 

 
Vern and I walking on the boardwalk next to the lake.
 

 
I love this photo! We were walking and I called his name so that he might stop and look at me.....which he obviously did! J

 
 
This is where we've moved! It's a beautiful area not far from our previous house, and we just can't get over the fact that we LIVE here! We still feel as if we've been on a working vacation....helping friends move into this condo, and then we remember...WE LIVE HERE! J

~~~
 

Hey, all you writers out there! Here are some great Calls for Submissions and other info.
 
Monkey Star Press http://monkeystarpressbooks.com/call-for-submissions/ is looking for stories for two upcoming "Mom" anthologies. I don't know anything about this press, but I think it looks like a good place to submit your stories.
 
Chicken Soup for the Soul http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics is also looking for stories for eight upcoming anthologies. We all know that Chicken Soup for the Soul has a fantastic reputation. Give it a try! What's holding you back?
 
Are you aware of the site Winning Writershttps://winningwriters.com/ It is one of THE best sources for just about everything concerning writing: Good, reliable contests to enter, contests and services to avoid, tons of resources to help you find what you're looking for, etc.etc. I just love this site. Every year they host the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest with a deadline date of April 1st.....which I totally forgot about this year. Hmm, guess I had too much to remember, therefore lots of things were forgotten! J
 
~~~
 
Oh, how true!!
 
 
 
Hmm, if I read this one paragraph one more time
I think I'll scream!
 
 
Isn't it funny that I've mentioned Chicken Soup for the Soul books in my past few posts?? Even if you've NEVER submitted anything before, give it a try! Leave a comment about it, too, please! 




Wednesday, October 1, 2014

* WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG BREAK FOR WRITERS EVERYWHERE *

Happy October 1st 2014!
Writerly News
 
Hello Everyone ~ Although I have missed blogging, being away from it this past month has been good for me. One less thing to stress about.
 
I'd like to be able to announce that I've gotten tons of writing accomplished....but I haven't. I HAVE, though, succeeded in doing some really good marketing in my area. My memoir is now being stocked in two more local gift shops, J and I have many more places to call on.
 
More about all that at a later time. Today I want to share contests and calls for submissions I've recently come across. 

* * Note: I will be sending out my 2nd newsletter sometime very soon. If you haven't signed up yet and would like to, please go to my website and fill out the info: http://www.beckypovich.com/contact-me-for-newsletter-comments-and-book-clubs.html 
 
 
 
Publishing Syndicate: This is the Not Your Mother's Book On... _ _ _ _ _ publisher. They always have call outs but the current ones look like these three.
NYMB...On Sex: Immediately!
NYMB...On Military Life: January 1, 2015
NYMB...On Menopause: January 1, 2015
 

 
Page & Spine; a weekly literary magazine, is having their First Annual Christmas Contest!  They will pay $100 for the Best Story, plus another $100 for the Best Poem! There's only a $5.00 entry fee for each item submitted. Their website also says: showcasing emerging writers. I really don't know anything about them, but it's a legitimate site! So, go for it! I'd love to hear from anyone who enters!
 
 
The Copperfield Review; A Journal for Readers and Writers of Historical Fiction, is now accepting historical short fiction, poetry, and history-based nonfiction for Copperfield‘s first anthology. I think this sounds so exciting, because I don't remember ever coming across an anthology for historical fiction writers! (It also says they have changed their guidelines, so be sure to read everything. I didn't look enough to notice if there was an entry fee or not, either.)
 
 
The Furious Gazelle; Halloween Contest. Deadline October 24th. (I'm getting lazier as I type, so look it up for more info!) J
 
Chicken Soup for the Soul FOOD Contest: Yes, Chicken Soup has a food contest! This link takes you to the information which is listed on Facebook. The deadline to enter is December 29th. It sounds like a lot of fun. I keep forgetting about it, but I want to enter, too.
 
 

 
Dreams & Premonitions - Deadline 12/31/2014
Hope & Miracles - Deadline 10/30/2014
Inspiration for Nurses - Deadline 11/30/2014
Living a Life of Purpose by Volunteering - Deadline 12/31/2014
Stories about the Christmas Season - Deadline 1/31/2015
Support for Therapists/Mental Health Professionals - Deadline 12/31/2014
Thanks to My Mom - Deadline 10/20/2014 (I think this is a new, extended date.)
Time to Thrive - Deadline 12/31/2014
 
 
 
Okay everyone out there who writes or even thinks about writing - -  there's a little bit of everything right here for you to try!!
 
 
I've noticed I have some new Blog Followers and as always I want to acknowledge them. I'm not sure but I think I have three new wonderful blog friends......
 
 
* Welcome to my newest followers: Beauty Ink, Michael Mixerr, and Sherri Ellis at Mama Diaries. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *
 
 
In honor of it being October 1st, and because of my love of autumn and the stunning colors the leaves become, I'm ending with a quote about....Trees!
 
 
 
 
 "Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration


Thursday, June 26, 2014

* MORE...LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE *

In spite of time flying by every day, I'm managing to get a few important things accomplished.

 

Papers, notes, printed e-mails, bills, pencil holders, and stapler, etc. Oh, and the much needed diet soda. I think there's also a cup of coffee hiding behind my laptop!
(I really must get my desk painted (the one with all the drawers!) and brought into my office/spare bedroom.) 
~~~

1) On June 16th, I mentioned: The Royal Nonesuch National Humor Writing Contest, Deadline June 30, 2014  https://twainhouse.submittable.com/submit/26632

Well....I'm happy to say I've been working on something to submit to this. Just hope I can get it completed in time!

2) I hadn't said anything yet about another contest I entered last month, but receiving an e-mail today prompted me to do so now. No, the e-mail didn't contain any exciting news! At least, not what some of y'all might be thinking! BUT, it was exciting to me. Here are the first couple of sentences:
 
Greetings!
We wanted to give you a quick status update on your entry in the 22nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Your book has been processed and has now shipped to the judge!  

I'm pretty sure I first heard about this contest from my friend, Marcia Gaye. (Thank you, Marcia!) I was in a panic to get my entry form mailed on the deadline date of May 30th, and a few days later I noticed it was extended to June 13th. That didn't bother me, though, I was just glad I got it sent in! The factor that held me back was the entry fee. It was exorbitant!! But I emptied my piggy bank and dug under the couch cushions and collected enough money for it. Winners will be notified by October 17th, which sounds like a long way off, but it's only four months. Please keep your fingers crossed! 

3) I've been reading some of the books my author friends wrote and I will be posting a review of sorts as soon as I can. Also, if anyone would like to be highlighted on my blog, please e-mail me. (Even if we already discussed it, because I might need a reminder!)


Myrna, this photo is for you!
(I'll explain it on another blog post.)

~~~

One of the books I've been reading is a pure gem: Round Up the Usual Subjects: Thoughts on Just About Everything, by Robert Brault
(Robert is the amazing author of many sayings, some of which have been posted over the years on his blog, and particularly a very famous one: "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

Here is another new favorite I just discovered in his book. The chapter is "Perseverance," and it's the Keynote Thought:





"How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it." -- Robert Brault

Monday, June 16, 2014

* LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE *

It's Time for Another Living the Writer's Life

 
 
Along the same theme as my Nostalgic Sundays posts being about memories, I'm also going to have frequent blog posts titled, Living the Writer's Life. They will be about....you guessed it: Writerly Things! I need to decide on a photo for it too, like the Andy Griffith dinner table for nostalgia. (What do y'all think about this one? I loved this when I used it for my blog header, but since it wasn't an "official" BlogSpot header, I had some problems with it. Any other suggestions, other than a laptop, or pen in hand kind of thing?)

 
For weeks I've mentioned Calls for Submissions and Contests that I've come across, and I'm finally getting the chance to post them. I wish I remembered where I saw each of them, so I could give credit where credit is due, but unfortunately I didn't write it down.

Click on the links below for complete contest rules and guidelines.  Good Luck!



Good Housekeeping: All About Love Contest, Deadline September 1, 2014.


Real Simple: Life Lessons Essay Contest, Deadline September 18, 2014
 

Mark Twain:
The Royal Nonesuch National Humor Writing Contest, Deadline June 30, 2014
 
I'll have more to share in the next few days.
 
 
"If writers stopped writing about what happened to them, then there would be a lot of empty pages." - Elaine Liner
 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

* I'M BACK AND HAVE SO MUCH TO SHARE *

Well, I finally got my blog straightened out. The right column that was seen correctly by my readers, had totally disappeared (to me) from the right side of my blog, and was on the left side, at the bottom, after all the posts. Weird, huh? After searching online for some answers, I deleted a couple of links that were inside posts, and changed the images from Medium to Small on Melissa's guest post. Don't know which one did the trick, but something happened and, voila, it's fixed! Thank goodness. Things like that drive me....well....Bonkers!

~~~
 
My speaking event at the Cahokia Library on Monday, the 21st was a great success. The Friends of the Library invited me to talk about my writing. I also spoke about my ties to Cahokia and how I love it and still drive around and reminisce. There was a Q&A session, and book sales, and signings. All in all a wonderful evening! A few friends drove quite a distance to attend, one in particular. Thank you all very much! I hope to do many more of these types of presentations in libraries near and far!
 
~~~
 
Spring has really sprung here in the St. Louis area, and I am VERY thankful for that! Today was a perfectly glorious day. High temp around 70 - 75, and very low humidity. Aww... if only we could have about six months of that! This morning I took a couple of pictures from my office/bedroom window of the beautiful tree in bloom in the yard across from us. This one is the best, and of course Vern is enjoying the scenery, too! (You can click on the photo to see it much bigger.)
 
 
 
I have all kinds of notes here and there about things I wanted to remember to blog about....Well, they have once again gotten buried in the mountains of papers on top of my desk/kitchen table. (No, I still haven't begun painting my fabulous desk yet. That's another project on my To Do List!)
 
 ~~~
 
 
One other thing I wanted to share is about Call Outs for Submissions and/or Contests. I've come across a ton of them lately, due to various newsletters I've subscribed to. Here are just a few:
 
1) Publishing Syndicate -- Not Your Mother's Book ...On Working for a Living. They need your true stories NOW. Go to their website to learn more, right now!!
 
2) Have you ever checked out Writing-world.com? This site has a plethora of writerly information that covers just about anything you want to know. Copyrights, contests, how-to, grammar, etc. etc.....and it includes most genres.
 
3) Also Winning Writers shares contests and other resources for writers.
 
~~~
 
 
That's it for today. Wishing everyone a fabulous rest of the weekend!!
 
 
"On Saturday afternoons when all the things are done in the house and there's no real work to be done, I play Bach and Chopin and turn it up real loudly and get a good bottle of chardonnay and sit out on my deck and look out at the garden." -- Maya Angelou

Friday, January 31, 2014

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!
~~~

** 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
~~~
** 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! 

~~~
 
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!

Friday, August 9, 2013

WRITER'S BLOCK PROBLEM SOLVED!

I discovered why I had such debilitating writer's block! I was trying to write a story for the wrong book. Yeah, me! Can you imagine? No wonder I couldn't come up with the right words. 

My story would've fit quite nicely in the "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven," but not in "Miracles Happen." That deadline and publication date swooshed by ages ago, so I have no idea why or how I got the two mixed up.


~~~

Along with that discovery came another light-bulb-moment. In this case, the wrong book isn't just about anthologies. What I really want to do is to continue on with the sequel to my memoir! 

~~~
So in a winding, cosmic kind of way, I've gotten back onto the right path. I should know better. In fact, I do, but I have a tendency to believe I should also be submitting stories to contests, anthologies, and magazines. That is just putting way too much pressure on myself. Sometimes it takes the proverbial whack on the head to wake me up. And I can honestly say, "I have been awakened!" The sequel is my only priority. 

Thank you again to all the kind souls who took the time to offer advise and suggestions about my writer's block. 

~~~

* A side note: I received an e-mail from my contact at the literary agency. She said I... "will hear back in the next several weeks, depending on the schedule of those in the office." I'm grateful for that because although I don't know how many is considered "several," I do know I can relax, put it out of my mind for a month or more, and continue on. 

~~~

My quote for this evening is one I saw at my chiropractor's office last week. I liked it so much, I jotted it down because I knew I'd never remember it by the time I got home!



"I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense." -- Harold Kushner

Friday, July 5, 2013

* HALLMARK CARD CONTEST *

At the end of my June 28 blog post, I wrote:
"To be continued.....
and
P.S. I'll be having a Give-Away next week, so please be sure and drop in!"



Well, time got away from me, 




so, I haven't gotten my give-away put together yet, 

BUT

here is a contest I'm happy to share with all: 

the Hallmark card contest! It's free and easy to 

enter and submissions are accepted until July 21. It's

part photo contest and part writing!

Give it a try and let me know that you entered!


Remember the old Hallmark card commercials on TV?? Did they make you cry?! I almost always got misty eyed! 



 *Welcome to my newest follower Betsy Brock I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! * 




Have a wonderful, blissful weekend everyone!





“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.“

― Winnie the Pooh

Sunday, January 13, 2013

* Calling All Writers *

Recently I've come across various Calls for Submissions and Contests for Writers. You don't have to be a professional, published writer, either. That's the best part. So, come on everyone, give it a try, especially the ones that are free to enter. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!


Chicken Soup for the Soul:  (You'll find all the info you need when you click this link) *As always, Chicken Soup does not charge a fee to submit your stories, and below are their current anthologies with deadlines approaching.

Devotional Stories for Wives 
The deadline date for submissions is February 28, 2013.

Holiday Stories 
The deadline date for story submissions is February 28, 2013.

Lemons to Lemonade 
The deadline date for story and poem submissions is February 28, 2013.

Messages from Heaven: Love Never Dies 
The deadline date for story and poem submissions is March 31, 2013.

Multitasking Mom's Survival Guide 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is June 30, 2013.

~~~

These next ones came from Lynda Schab's blog On The Write Track. I asked Lynda's permission to share these and she "Sure, Becky!" One of the things I like about these is that they're wholesome places to submit. Example: the Romance Short Stories is for an anthology and says they're looking for: "Clean, sweet, wholesome romances. No steamy love scenes, no erotica. We want clean, sweet, beautiful stories. (and) If it has a natural Christian element to the story, that's great, but it is not a requirement."    Go to Lynda's blog for complete information!

*Romance Short Stories
*The "JOY" Contest
*ACFW Genesis Contest 
*FaithWriters Page Turner Contest 
*FaithWriters Paid Blogging Contest
*FaithWriters Writing Challenge 

*Highlights for Children


(some of these have fees, others are free)


~~~

How many of you get the weekly Writer Gazette E-Newsletter? It's loaded with all kinds of info, and there's a complete list of contests and calls for submissions on their website. 
~~~

Okay, here's a really cool anthology for us women who grew up in the 60s and/or 70s. Times They Were A Changing I've been reading about this for MONTHS, and still have not submitted anything. Well...it's now or never for me...and all of you, because the deadlines is THIS TUESDAY! THE 15TH!  They're accepting poetry and prose. Click on the link for full details. 
~~~

* Welcome to my newest follower Teresa Coltrin of Journaling Woman. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *

~~~


One more thing, since I  haven't had a give-away in a long, long time.... (Didn't I at one time, have a give-away once every month??)

I'll have one today! All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post.


Don't have to be a follower or any other rules. I'll choose a winner by random drawing, and the winner will receive.....a copy of the new anthology, "Not Your Mother's Book...On Dogs." A story of mine is included, titled, "Rocky Loses by a TKO."


Everyone is eligible.....Even my around the world blog friends!!  

I'll draw the winning name on Tuesday the 15th at midnight. 

Winner will be posted on Wednesday, the 16th. 







"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -- C.S. Lewis