The Newstream, April 2006
The Newstream
A Newsletter for the Woodstream Writing Community,
Where we share our news with you
--and your good news with one another!
www.woodstreamwriters.com
April 2006
In this issue: JOIN US: Show Off Your CreativiTEA!| PUBLISHED, LAUDED, AND APPLAUDED: Woodstream Writers Bursting Out All Over!| HOW NOW, BROWN COW?: For Writers of Color
E-mail us to unsubscribe: remove@woodstreamwriters.com
>If you didn't already see it, beg, borrow, or steal a copy of Saturday, April 8th's, Orlando Sentinel and read the "Good Living" section's lead article featuring Woodstream Writing Workshops!
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Join Us!
Upcoming Woodstream Writing Events
SpecialTEAS? Woodstream Workshops is brewing up "An Afternoon of CreativiTEA" in lovely Lake County, where we will serve up iced cakes and pots of inspiration--not to mention yummy quiche, crustless sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream! Join us on Saturday, April 22nd from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a rollicking (yet, ladylike) afternoon of writing, revelation, and lemon cream.
The $55 cost includes lunch, tea, dessert(s!!), and a full, "eat-while-you-write-shop." Writers (and tea-drinkers!) at all levels of experience, welcome! We have just a few seats left at the table.
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Summer Write-A-Thon! At a Writing Marathon, writers of all levels, all genres stretch their creative wings and FLY across an entire day of craft, prompts, and learning. Join us Saturday, June 10th, 9:00 a.m.- 9:30 p.m., in Altamonte Springs, for cameraderie and creativity. Engaged by a wealth of writing prompts, you'll wonder where the day has gone--until you see the pages you've produced! Fully catered, we supply breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages, and after-dinner wine. Fourteen writers, $110.
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All-Day'n'Night-Shop--A Weekend Writing Extravaganza! Here's an event to look forward to when those hazy days of August hit. Part writing retreat, part slumber party, this overnight writing adventure will include ten writers, a day-and-a-half full of facilitated writing exercises, writing experiences, and writing fun--not to mention five meals, and full "snack coverage," beverages, assorted & sundry treats.
Whether you're looking for time to devote to an in-progress manuscript or seeking the twinkle of new ideas to develop later, these two days will fit the bill. We'll write, we'll critique, we'll rest, we'll play. Please join us Saturday, August 19th, at 9:30 a.m, through Sunday, August 20th, at 2:00 p.m. for the end-of-summer fun. $215, all-inclusive.
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Contact Jamie@woodstreamwriters.com for more information--or to register--for any of these events. All Woodstream Writing Workshops use the Amherst Writers & Artists method.
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Published, Lauded, and Applauded!
Woodstream Writers' Latest Triumphs
Breaking news! Woodstream alum Julie Compton is pleased to announce that she has signed a contract with Port Town Publishing for the publishing of her novel, Best Intentions. Release date is July 1, 2006. Best Intentions received a 2nd place in the Royal Palm Literary Award in 2004 in the Unpublished Adult Fiction category.
What a coup, Julie. Take a bow! (Now how's that second novel coming??)
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Picture this: Woodstream's own writer/artist Joan Mansson spent months creating the illustrations for the second edition of Patio Escapes, and now she's garnering her dues. Text by Judith Kahn, published by Bookmasters, Ohio, Patio Escapes is a visual and literary tour of some West Coast restaurants that invite diners to sup under the stars. The book is due in stores this June, and Joan has already booked her flight to San Francisco for the launch party!
We lift a glass to you, Joan!
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Great news from Woodstream poet Laura Ross: "I got word back that I am going to be published in the April issue of Shemom," she writes. A small magazine published a few times a years, Shemom publishes work related to the experience of motherhood. Laura also won first prize in poetry in the Mount Dora Festival of Music and Literature for her lovely memory poem "Miss Vermillion."
We couldn't be happier for you, Laura.
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And, speaking of poets . . . Poet and Woodstream wonder Lisa Bernardini is rapidly gaining recognition outside our small pond. Nominated by her UCF Masters of Fine Arts program, Lisa joins the ranks of new poets being considered for the 2006 edition of the national annual anthology Best New Poets.
Lisa, our buttons are bursting!
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Hot off the press! Woodstream Writer Jose Miranda is trying his hand at the newspaper game! Look for his new column in the next edition of the weekly Pine Hills News. A free paper, you'll find the PHN in locations in and around the Pine Hills community.
Congratulations, Jose! Have a stogie on us.
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More newsprint news: Drucilla Tyler, who, if things continue in this vein, will soon be writing the editorials herself, reports that she has had yet another letter published in the Orlando Sentinel Friday Forum--this one on Friday, March 31st! Her topic was Boot Camp for juveniles. Her writing, as always, was powerful and persuasive. No wonder they like her so well.
Good for you, Dru.
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How Now, Brown Cow?
Publishing Information, Tips, and Opportunities
Daphne Slocombe at AWA headquarters sends us this: ColorLines, the national newsmagazine on race and politics, is proud to announce its first issue devoted to fiction! ColorLines (http://www.democracyinaction.org/) seeks short stories and novel excerpts written by people of color. They are specifically interested in fiction that tackles race, politics, and immigration. They will consider a range of genres including fantasy, literary stories, crime, and mystery.
Submission guidelines as follows: Deadline is July 15, 2006. Submissions should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
Send as an electronic version (as a Microsoft Word attachment or rich text file) to daisy@arc.org . The subject line of your e-mail should read: SUBMISSION and your full name. The piece should not have been previously published. Let us know if you're submitting it simultaneously to other publications. Payment: $100 plus two copies of the magazine.
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Thanks to Woodstream essayist Kay Adrid who passed along the following from Guideposts Magazine: "Tell us a great story and we'll bring you to the Guideposts Writers Workshop in Rye, New York, for five days, all expenses paid. We're looking for true, first person stories--not sermons or essays. It can be your own story, or it can be ghostwritten for someone else. Study the magazine, get a feel for our style, then put us in your shoes. We'll pick 15 of you for the Guideposts Writers Workshop, October 9 to 13."
HOW TO APPLY: submit an original, unpublished, first-person story of no more than 2000 words, typewritten and double-spaced, about a true personal experience. Show us how faith made a difference and how the experience changed you. In a cover letter, tell us about yourself and your writing experience. Submit your entry postmarked no later than June 24, 2006. Mail manuscripts to Guideposts Writers Workshop, 16 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016 or e-mail to wwcontest@guideposts.org. Notifications by mid-August 2006. Writers who have attended previous Guideposts workshops are not eligible.
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Remember when novelist Jody Rehman introduced us to the Creative Writers Notebook literary newsletter? She told us that in each issue a publishing agency reveals their expectations, requirements and guidelines. Very interesting stuff. Well, now, the new CWN editor, Jim McGann, is offering to mail a complimentary issue to any Woodstream pal who'd like one. If you're reading this, and you're interested, e-mail Jim at jmcgann38@earthlink.net and give him your mailing address.
Thanks Jim. We owe you one!
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Well, that's all for this issue! Remember to let us know what's news, and . . .
. . . keep up the good work!
Jamie Morris,
Woodstream Writing Workshops
www.woodstreamwriters.com
Find Newstream back issues at http://www.woodstreamwriters.com/newsletter/index.html.
Stay up-to-date on other Central Florida literary event--go to http://www.sunscribbles.com
and subscribe to Scribbles e-newsletter there.
The Newstream, March 2006
The Newstream
A Newsletter for the Woodstream Writing Community,
Where we share our news with you--and your good news with one another!
www.woodstreamwriters.com
March 2006
In this issue JOIN US: Free Workshop! | PUBLISHED, LAUDED, AND APPLAUDED: Woodstream Writers "Show Up" | HOW NOW, BROWN COW?: An Opportunity for Poets
E-mail us to unsubscribe: remove@woodstreamwriters.com
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Join Us!
Upcoming Woodstream Writing Events
FREE WORKSHOP THIS FRIDAY! Jamie Morris will offer a free AWA workshop presentation at the New Writers Group, this Friday, March 17th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Located at the Maitland Art Center, 231 W. Packwood Avenue, as part of a series--an informal FREE group of writers helping writers that meets the third Friday of each month. Contact Mike Whisenant to learn more: 407.538.1111 or m_whisenant@bellsouth.net.
ROOM WITH A VIEW: Maitland Workshops begin Monday, March 20th. Join us for ten weeks of writing and critique in our cozy loft--with a wonderful view! We have just a few seats available for Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings, and Tuesday evenings. Cost is $295.
NEW!! Eight-Week Creative Writing Workshop at Mount Dora's fabulousDickens-Reed Bistro & Books. This AWA-style workshop is open to all writers, all genres. Eight Wednesday evenings, 6:30-9 p.m. Starts April 5th. Cost is $260. Only one seat left.
Well, Lah-Tea-Dah! Join us for an "Afternoon of CreativiTEA" when Lake County's Princess of High Tea, Joa Jane, and Jamie Morris, your all-around AWA gal, serve up iced cakes and pots of inspiration--not to mention yummy quiche, crustless sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream! Respondez, s'il vous plait, for this Saturday, April 22nd event. You're in for a rollicking (yet, ladylike) afternoon of writing, revelation, and lemon cream. The $55 cost includes lunch, tea, dessert(s!!), and a full "eat-while-you-write-shop" from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Writing Marathon! We're poised at our starting blocks . . . ready to stretch our creative wings and FLY across an entire day of craft and prompts. We write at all levels, in all genres, and we have room for YOU to join us Saturday, March 18th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., in Altamonte Springs. Engaged by a wealth of writing prompts, you'll wonder where the day has gone--until you see the pages you've produced! Fully catered, we supply breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages, and after-dinner wine. The cost is $110 for the day. Only ONE seat left!
For more details, visit www.woodstreamwriters.com/blog/index.html or contact jamie@woodstreamwriters.com
or call 407.644.5163. All Woodstream Workshops use the Amherst Writers & Artists method.
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Published, Lauded, and Applauded!
Woodstream Writers' Latest Triumphs
Was it Woody Allen who said, "Ninety percent of success is just showing up"? No matter, it's true! That's why we want to congratulate Woodstreamers Kay Adrid, Sherrie Cox, Jeff Davis, Norma Emerson, Adele Azar Rucquoi, and Marie Shafer, who took last month's challenge--"Short notice! Write fast! Borders seeks stories about pets"--and "doggedly" got their stories into shape (and into Borders) on time. Good work, writers! Keep showing up!
Woodstream pal Karen Phillips is making news. Or, at least, she's reporting it in her weekly column, "Stetson's Corner," published in both The Oviedo Voice and The Sanford Herald. Karen's column features local folks, local organizations, and local politics. Read one of her February articles at www.seminoleherald.com. And while you're at it, visit www.weeonesmag.com where you can read Karen's nonfiction article, "Snails, So Special," in the children's on-line magazine Wee Ones. Nice going, Ms. Phillips!
This month, the Karens are really cleaning up! Woodstream's own Karen Fridie wrote--and tidied--her lovely poem "Spring Cleaning" in our Tuesday morning workshop, then sent it off to the International Library of Poetry--who promptly published it in the 2005 edition of their Twilight Musings! Congrats on your clean sweep, Karen.
How Now, Brown Cow?
Publishing Information, Tips, and Opportunities
If "publishing" means "to make public," here's a chance for poets to do just that. Hinda-jonathan Paquette invites Central Florida poets to audition for her Orlando Poetry Troupe. You can also hear them when they perform at the Orange County Public Library in Orlando on Wednesday, April 5th, at 7 p.m. To learn more, e-mail Hinda at poet05@bellsouth.net.
Call for submissions: Spirituality & Health magazine asks writers to detail how they practice opening their hearts in daily life: Do you take a moment to imagine that a clumsy waitress might be having a tough day? Do you make the effort to remember you were once "that young"? Whether it's a daily prayer or three deep breaths, share what you do to soften yourself in this hectic world with S&P, and they'll consider your piece for inclusion in their upcoming book. E-mail your 50-150 word entry to OpenHeart@SpiritualityHealth.com.
The first step to publishing your novel is finishing your novel! Woodstreamer JL Rehman--who just wrote "The End" on the last page of her second novel--knows this all too well! Her first novel, No Middle Ground, took five years to complete. Her second, Death Impressions, took "just" one. JL says a book is like a relationship: "You catch sight of an idea, think about it off and on, figure out if you're compatible. You fight, separate, cry, get back together." But, ultimately, "You might as will stick with it," she says, "because it won't let you get on with your life until it's good and ready." The moral of JL's story? Hang in there! And you, too, will be scrawling those wonderful little words on the last page of your manuscript.
Do you have a good publishing tidbit?
Send it to us so we can share it in the next issue: jamie@woodstreamwriters.com.
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Well, that's all for this issue! Remember to let us know what's news,
and . . .
. . . keep up the good work!
Jamie Morris,
Woodstream Writing Workshops
www.woodstreamwriters.com
Find Newstream back issues at http://www.woodstreamwriters.com/newsletter/index.html.
Stay up-to-date on other Central Florida literary event--go to http://www.sunscribbles.com
and subscribe to Scribbles e-newsletter there.