* WRITING CONTEST APPROACHES DEADLINE *

How many of you know about and/or read the magazine Real Simple ?

I have subscribed to it off and on and I really like it. It's always full of great ideas for every part of your life, and also recipes for those with more of a "gourmet talent" than I have! (And the pictures are nice to look at!)

Anyway...just today it popped into my head that I hadn't seen or heard anything about Real Simple's Annual Life Lessons Essay Contest. I remembered it was in the fall, so I went to their website, and voila'....there it was - - -

http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-website/contests-sweepstakes/eighth-life-lessons-essay-contest-rules

Here is this year's question:

What was the most dramatic change you ever had to make?

Wow, can it already be the NINTH Annual?? I entered the contest a time or two, but always at the last minute, knowing even before I hit the Submit button that my essay wasn't anywhere near the quality of writing that was required.

There's still time! Here are four reasons why you should enter this contest!

1) It's FREE to enter.

2) The first place winner receives $3,000!

3)  The second-place winner will receive $750.

4)  The third-place winner will receive $500.


So, those of you who can whip up an essay in 1,500 words or less, and submit it online by 11:50 P.M. ET on September 19, 2016 (that's next Monday!)....give it a try!

I wish everyone the best of luck!

...or whatever your writerly drink of choice is!

* A WRITING COMPETITION *

Hello writer friends! How many of you entered the 2016 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition? I actually managed to get an essay written and submitted before the deadline...which was yesterday. Whew!

I don't remember when I first became aware of the contest, but I know I entered once or twice, way back when I was a novice at writing...I'm talking a real neophyte. Reading through one of those entries was downright painful & embarrassing, but it was also something else...a verification that I've grown as a writer. I definitely believe that being part of a good critique group(s), and writing associations, and having encouraging friends...writers and non writers both, has had a profound effect on me. All of those elements have helped make me a better writer.

Have I grown enough, though, to be a winner in such an eminent competition? Only time will tell....around March 17th, that is!

~~~

 

P.S. I just have to mention that one of my writing pals, Donna Volkenannt, was the First Place Winner (Global Humor Award) in the 2012 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition! I think I was almost as excited as she must've been! I wrote about Donna on my blog: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-friend-won-erma-bombeck-contest.html

 

And here is her winning story: http://www.wclibrary.info/erma/winners_detail.asp?id=881&color=&year=2012

 

 

I can only hope that I, too, will become a member of such an elite group of writers.

 

 

Just one of my favorite Erma quotes:

 

“My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.” - Erma Bombeck   

WRITING AND CONTESTS AND DEADLINES

Two years ago, I was one of 30 people chosen to audition for the Listen to Your Mother show in St. Louis, Missouri. I didn't do well at my audition and I'm sure that's the reason I wasn't chosen to read my story at the actual event. I knew I blew it, so I wasn't upset with the judges.

I considered submitting a mother-related story again last year, but I was busy promoting my memoir, and didn't participate.

This year, though, as the submission days began to zoom by, I considered it further and determined that if my muse would cooperate, I'd give it a try. And so, at 11:45pm on February 16th, (15 minutes before the deadline!) I hit the "Send" button and it was officially entered into the contest.

The show is Saturday, May 9th, 2015.

Many days, my time seems to go by like this, but when there's a deadline looming, I make myself work - - which is writing - - which is work!

 

This morning at 9:14am, I received an e-mail that began like this:
"Congratulations! We enjoyed reading your [...]." 

And even though it said "Congratulations," I still thought it was going to be a kindhearted rejection letter!

But as I continued reading, it said I was one of 40 chosen to audition! I'm a bit more confident this year, so hopefully I'll do a better job reading my story. My time slot is Saturday, February 28th at 2:00pm. Wish me luck!!

~~~

What about all of you?? What are you working on? Any particular contests or calls for submissions? Writing on your blog or in a journal? I'm interested, so please comment and let us know, especially if you have anything new to share.

~  ~  ~

My fonts are messing with me again and I'm trying to ignore the problem. Acckkk!

* LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE: CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS & CONTESTS *

The Mark Twain House & Museum’s Inaugural "Royal Nonesuch" Humor Writing Contest for writers of all ages from all corners of the globe......THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED! 


Although, I didn't see it listed anywhere on the website except for these small words in the Guidelines: Ends in 4 days, 11 hours, I received an e-mail yesterday, stating that the deadline has been extended to July 14th, 2014

So, there's still time for those interested in submitting a humorous story!

~~~

 

Blue Mountain Arts is looking for greeting card poetry/prose! The earliest deadline is July 15, 2014 for their "Christmas & General Holiday" cards. Scroll down to the bottom of the Writers Guidelines page to find out about the other upcoming cards.

 

 

Blue Mountain Arts is also having its Twenty-fifth Biannual Poetry Card Contest. Deadline is December 31, 2014.

 

 

~~~

 

And of course, there's always submissions going on at NYMB...Not Your Mother's Book, which wants "....only hip, fun, modern and very-much-today type stories that will entertain our readers."

 

And at Chicken Soup for the Soul, which most people are familiar with.

 

~~~



 

 

 

A clean corner of my desk...a long time ago!

 

* Welcome to my two newest followers Sherry at The Charm of Home, and Fabby at Fabby's Living. I hope you'll both stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *


 

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by." -- Douglas Adams

 

 

"One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple." -- Jack Kerouac



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!

* NOT ANOTHER HALLOWEEN BLOG POST *

I've seen lots of blog post titles today about Halloween...and on that subject.. I got nothin'! So, my post is about...Guess what? Writerly things!

~~~

I have another idea concerning bookmarks, but I won't post about it this time until it's more than just an idea. ☺

Right now I'm somewhat overwhelmed with all the marketing information that's out there. I've begun to not only "Save" info in my documents, but also print lots of pages. (I'm old-fashioned that way. I need actual paper and print sometimes!) Especially with all this info. I have a 3-ring binder now so I can keep it all in an orderly fashion. 

I shared some of my newly found information on my October 9th blog post, when I wrote about Sandra Beckwith's fantastic site, Build Book Buzz. If you're a writer and haven't signed up yet for her newsletter, you're really missing a lot. 

Speaking of newsletters, I received Publishing Syndicate's newsletter this morning. I've included the link because it has a wonderful interview with Teri Rizvi, founder of Erma Bombeck's Writers' Workshop. The workshop is held every other year, and 2014 is one of THE years! I've promised myself that I'm going to be able to attend this one...

The writing competition (held every year) opens on January 6, 2014, which is my birthday! ... Hmmm, maybe that will be my good luck charm! One of my local writing buddies, Donna Volkenannt won FIRST PLACE earlier this year! (I don't remember if it was in the Humor or Human Interest category, but it was very funny!)     

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

That's it for now. I'm ending with an inspiring quote...           

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, 'Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams.' Then they put the box away and bring it out once in a while to look in it, and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, 'How good or how bad am I?' That's where courage comes in.” -- Erma Bombeck

* A Plethora of Writing Contests - March 13 *

* A Plethora of Writing Contests *

Yesterday I deleted this post, hoping it might help restore my newest updates on Blogger Roll List, but it didn't. If you read this on your blog list, please stop by. I've posted on the 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 21st.....yet the Blog Roll List continues to show March 13th as the newest. I can't figure it out, can you?!

~~~~~

My intention for today's post was to mention a couple of Calls for Submission for anthologies, and maybe a contest or two. WELL, I seem to have discovered a treasure trove of them, all on one site: TETHERED BY LETTERS. 

* A Plethora of Writing Contests *

My intention for today's post was to mention a couple of Calls for Submission for anthologies, and maybe a contest or two. WELL, I seem to have discovered a treasure trove of them, all on one site: TETHERED BY LETTERS.

This one site will keep you busy for quite a while, jotting down titles and dates. And since I don't want to overwhelm my fellow writers.....like we're not overwhelmed enough already?!....I'll post more writerly information on another day. (Speaking of dates, today is 03/13/13. Just thought I'd throw that little tidbit of news in!)

Let me know if you intend to submit something to any of these, ok? Best of luck to everyone!

"My goal is to inspire you to make room in your life to be the writer you've always wanted to be." -- Adair Lara, author of Naked, Drunk, and Writing: Shed Your Inhibitions and Craft a Compelling Memoir or Personal Essay
This one site will keep you busy for quite a while, jotting down titles and dates. And since I don't want to overwhelm my fellow writers.....like we're not overwhelmed enough already?!....I'll post more writerly information on another day. (Speaking of dates, today is 03/13/13. Just thought I'd throw that little tidbit of news in!)


Let me know if you intend to submit something to any of these, ok? Best of luck to everyone!




"My goal is to inspire you to make room in your life to be the writer you've always wanted to be." -- Adair Lara, author of Naked, Drunk, and Writing: Shed Your Inhibitions and Craft a Compelling Memoir or Personal Essay

* IT'S DEFINITELY HODGEPODGE *

Somehow another Friday quickly arrived and soon will be phffft! (and I accomplished many things...didn't waste a lot of time ) As soon as I typed that funny word, I remembered there's a 1954 movie with that as the title. Can you imagine?? (It's a comedy with Jack Lemmon, Judy Holliday, Jack Carson, and Kim Novak as the main characters.) 

"Hey Becky. What movie are you going to see at the show this weekend?"

"Phffft!"

"Huh? What did you say?"

"I said, I'm going to see Phffft!"

My goodness, there must've been a lot of unintentional spitting going on when people spoke that word! 

(For trivia buffs, The title "Phffft" comes from Walter Winchell's column which was widely read during the 1950s. When a celebrity couple's marriage broke up, Winchell would describe the break-up as "phffft".)

~~~~~

Have you ever had those annoying "eye floaters"? I've had them off and on for years, but a couple of weeks ago one appeared that was larger and darker. So, I decided maybe I should see my opthamologist. My appointment was yesterday afternoon and I'm happy to report that mine isn't serious, just annoying! I can live with that!

The following is from Webmd.

Eye floaters move as the eyes move. They generally appear to dart away when you try to focus on them.
Eye floaters can appear in many different shapes, such as:

• Black or gray dots

• Squiggly lines

• Threadlike strands, which can be knobby and semi-transparent

• Cobwebs

• Ring shaped

Once you develop eye floaters they usually do not go away, though they tend to improve over time.

Causes of Eye Floaters

Most eye floaters are caused by small flecks of a protein called collagen.

The back compartment of the eye is filled with a gel-like substance called vitreous humor.

How do you like that?? I have "humor" in my eyes!  

~~~~~

Do any of you ever watch Live From Daryl's House on the cable channel Palladia? I stumbled across it a few months ago and I LOVE it! Daryl Hall is the other half of the famous Hall and Oates singing duo of the '70s & '80s. Daryl has other singers come to his house and they play music and sing songs from both their careers. I haven't seen a show yet I didn't like. 

~~~~~

Writing Contest: It's the annual Column Contest of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. You don't have to be a bona fide columnist to enter. There are categories for bloggers, too. Click on the link for full details. Deadline is April 1st. (and that's no joke!)

~~~~~

Yesterday I submitted a story for a contest that I'm really excited about. I worked on it for days! That's all I want to share at the moment, though. Send me some good karma, please!
                                                 ~~~~~

AND, I'm still working a lot on my memoir. When does the editing end?!

~~~~~

P.S. I received Carmelina's package and will share photos of my goodies on Sunday!

* Welcome to my two newest followers Wendy and Susie. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! * 

"Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it." -- Dali Lama

* 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

* Nostalgic Sunday *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Today's Nostalgic Sunday is about a writing contest presented by Matilda Butler & Kendra Bonnett at Women's Memoirs. 

In honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Rosie the Riveter poster, they are looking for true stories about women during WWII. You may not be able to interview any living female relatives, but hopefully you already know some details, or have other family members you can ask.

Rosie the Riveter

(courtesy: Women's Memoirs Blog)

There is no entry fee and if enough quality submissions are received an e-book will be published. Go to: http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-news/two-memoir-contests-close-new-contest-opens/ for all the details, including word count, and deadline. And please pass along this info to everyone you know who might be interested. 

(My mother's first husband was killed in WWII and I plan to submit a story about her life during that time.)

* P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment HERE for my Two-Book-Give-Away! I will choose the winner tonight at 9:00pm CDT, by random drawing. *

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." -- Margaret Thatcher