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Catalyst News
September
2007
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Catalyst News and Views from AnnA
September 21st, 2007
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Lots of interesting news on the success of self-published
authors and the power of using the web to demonstrate your
talents that I hope will encourage you onwards this month, plus
information on upcoming writing competitions that might stir you
into action. Oh, and just to help out, I have included some
encouraging words from your fellow creatives to keep you going!
Now the weather is changing there really is no excuse because
think how nice it will to stay indoors and be creative, won't
it? To your continuing growth and creativity - AnnA
IN THIS ISSUE:
AnnA on the air
Getting a publishing deal through the Internet
Self-published to mainstream success
Short stories wanted
Inspiring quotes
Advance Workshop Notice
ANNA ON THE AIR
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If you would like to hear my dulcet tones, as opposed to
'hearing me' in print, then tune into The Holistic Network show
which is broadcast weekly from Brighton as part of the community
radio network. It is an the on-air magazine about health and
happiness, and you can hear me talking about being a creativity
coach and my new book on procrastination, interspersed with some
good music
The show goes out this Saturday 22nd September at 8.0am for all
you early birds, and then repeated the following Monday at
2.00pm and Tuesday at 800 pm to listen to after lunch or while
making dinner. If you are in Brighton you can hear it on 97.2 PM
or through the internet on your computer at www.radioreverb.com
GETTING A PUBLISHING DEAL THROUGH THE INTERNET
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A first time writer has secured a six-figure two book deal from
Transworld after his work appeared on the www.YouWriteOn.com
website. The site is funded by the Arts Council and any writer
can post the first 10,000 words of a novel and it is then
critiqued by the other members of the site. One person who
spotted it was Sara O'Keefe, an editor at Orion books who
offered valuable feedback, and encouraged him to get an agent
and offer the book to a number of publishers. Transworld won the
deal and his first book 'Whom The Gods Destroy' is now with them
and he is working on his second book. Two other writers featured
on the site have also been offered agency representation so
watch this space for news of their success. To find out more,
visit the website at www.YouWriteOn.com
SELF PUBLISHED TO MAIN STREAM SUCCESS
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Lancashire writer and lawyer, Neil White, took matters into his
own hands when his efforts to get his novel 'Fallen Idols' to be
accepted by either a reliable agent or any publisher went ahead
and self-published it himself. Now his perseverance has been
rewarded as was approached by HarperCollins who bought it for
their Avon imprint and offered him a three-book deal.
Other self-published books that have been picked up by
mainstream publishers include 'The Idiot Girl's Action Adventure
Club' by Laurie Notaro, 'Legally Blonde' by Amanda Brown and
'Pipsqueak' by Brian Wiprud.
SHORT STORIES WANTED
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As a genre, getting short stories published has always been a
bit of a struggle, but if this is your preferred medium then
there are now a couple of opportunities for you. The first is in
a new literary magazine 'Short Fiction' which is dedicated just
to short stories. First issue is out next month is you want to
have a look at it, and it will then be published annually and
contributors will be paid as there is Arts Council funding
available to support the project. Start writing now, as they are
accepting submissions from 1st January 2008 up until 1st July
for the next issue. The Editor dealing with it is Anthony
Caleshu at the University of Plymouth Faculty of Arts and you
will find full details on the website at www.uppress.co.uk/shortfiction.htm
If women's fiction for the 50+ market is more your style, then
what about writing for the Woman's Weekly Fiction Special. They
publish eight issues a year and stories can be from 1-5000
words. For full editorial guidelines send an sae to the Fiction
Department at Woman's Weekly, King's Reach, Stamford Street,
London SE1 9LS or email Maureen_street@ipcmedia.com but before
you start to write anything, make sure you are familiar with the
magazine's style and content by reading at least 3-4 issues.
Also check out the short story competitions below.
COMPETITION TIME
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Sometimes the deadline, and challenge, of competition is what
you need to get those creative juices flowing, so here are some
to tempt you. I will keep updating you in future issues with
more competitions for you to consider with longer lead times for
you to finish your work in.
Novel, novella or short stories - for new writers and guaranteed
publication for the winners. Details www.cinnamonpress.com and
DEADLINE 30th November, 2007
Audio short stories -Commonwealth competition, stories on any
theme and winners are compiled onto a CD. First prize £2000 and
details from http://www.cba.org.uk/ DEADLINE: can be submitted
between 1st January and 1st May, 2008.
Poetry - Academi Cardiff International up to 50 lines- details
at www.academi.org
DEADLINE 1st February 2008
New Novel - send first two chapters and concluding chapter, and
must be able to complete within one year if you win. Details at
www.chapteronepromotions.com and they also have competitions for
poetry and children's writing as well. DEADLINE 29 February,
2008
Children's stories up to 2000 words - details at
www.childrens-writers.co.uk.
DEADLINE 31st March 2008
INSPIRING QUOTES
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Worried you are not talented enough to be a success? Let
American humorous writer Robert Benchley, reassure you. "It took
me 15 years to discover that I had no talent for writing. But I
couldn't given it up because by that time I was too famous." As
Benchley was a noted member of the literary group The Round
Table, which met at the Algonquin Hotel in New York, and whose
members included Dorothy Parker, his tongue was probably in his
cheek at the time. However I can certainly think of at least two
incredibly wealthy best-selling authors who are great
storytellers but appallingly bad writers, so don't give up hope!
ADVANCE WORKSHOP NOTICE
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I have been invited by The South, Arts Council funded
organisation for writers in Sussex, to run another workshop for
them in November. If you want to kick your procrastination
habit, then join me on Saturday the 10th in Brighton for a
morning of inspiration, exercises and an action plan that will
help you stop procrastinating and start afresh. If you want to
join the advance booking list, then please email me so I can
give you priority before the South mail it out in October.
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To find out more about AnnA's work, or to contact her, visit her
website: www.catalystonline.co.uk
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