Author Network - resources for writers

Ezine Receive monthly updates from the site. News of competitions, sites, and more.

Looking Over The Writer's Shoulder: "The storyteller becomes bound by his own decisions; he must follow one chosen route from beginning to end." A new article by Paul Grainger looks at the writing process from the perspective of the writer and the reader.

Things to do to Avoid Writing: Katie Gould takes a wry look at the things authors find to do to avoid writing.

Our 'Writer in Residence' Paul Saevig considers how to tackle writing advice: 'Choosing Your Training as a Writer': or 'How To Evaluate Teachings on Writing For Your Own Best Interest', looks at the problems the plethora of guidance can create.

California Literary Review: Insightful, irreverent book reviews, thought provoking essays, and interviews with talented authors.

How To Write A Book: Information on how to write a book including book writing tips, how to write a fiction book, writing childrens books, writing fantasy books, writing a book proposal, book writing software, format for writing a book, and books on writing.

Self Publishing: Information on self publishing including self publishing books, self publishing presses, self publishing printing, self publishing software, self publishing services, self publishing children's book, self publishing comparison, self publishing sites, and childrens self publishing.

GodSeed: Promoter of the Sci_Fi and Fantasy Author. Our members post their books to our library and bookstore. Enter short story contests. Member book reviews.

Dynamic Fiction: was developed to establish an online presence for amateur writing. Our goal is to provide a central internet location for users to read and comment on fictional stories, book reviews, essays, poems and more. Dynamic Fiction’s content is rooted in the idea that group effort yields higher quality material, so we encourage you to give us feedback and and we wish to entertain each and every user by doing so.

Man In The Moon: a website for poetry written by children. Here you can read lots and lots of brilliant poems, read all about children's poet Michael Rosen and play some games. You can also pick up some tips for writing your own poetry, learn a few toe-curling jokes and e-mail us your poems.

hagsharlotsheroines: Hagsharlotsheroines is a vibrant new story telling site, filled with tales of raging demons, pioneering physicians, infamous pickpockets, fickle goddesses, heroic fighter pilots, inspirational artists, chariot riding warriors, pretenders to the throne, witches, writers, murderers, revolutionaries, spies… and all women; members of the so called “weaker” sex. We welcome submissions from our members and provide a valuable writer’s tool kit for aspiring writers. Access to the site requires registration – but membership is free. We also send out a monthly newsletter to members containing our Story of the Month.

Appalachian Authors’ Guild: The AAG is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to provide avenues of support and networking to Appalachian authors by assisting our members in marketing and selling their products.

Welcome to Author Network - we provide an extensive range of resources for writers.

Latest News

Scriberazone: are bringing out an anthology of the best work that has been featured on the site since 1999. Contraflower is a lush read and they are very excited about releasing this to the public. The expected publication date is August 2005, and it will be on sale on the website as well as on Amazon and at other good book retailers. We hope you'll buy it and support great poetry by fabulous new writers.

Writers on the Net at writers.com: On-line Writing Classes starting in May & June. New classes in screenwriting, storytelling, writing for the web, and the prose poem.

Writing Competitions:

SpecFicWorld.com's: Annual Speculative Fiction Contest is dedicated in helping aspiring science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers find an audience for their work along with putting a little cash in their pockets. The contest is open to both published and unpublished writers. $300 in cash is up for grabs plus publicaqtion. $7 entry fee.

Crocus Books: The search is on to find the best new novel from a North West writer, as Crocus Books, the Manchester based publishers, launch their latest competition. The competition is open to all writers living in North West England. It costs £15 (waged) or £10 (unwaged) to enter. The closing date for stage one of the competition is 2nd January 2006. The winner of the competition will receive £1,000 as part of a publishing deal with Crocus books. For further details and an entry form please send an SAE to: Crocus Novel Competition, Commonword, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS.

Caistor Yarbrough CYS Specialist Creative Arts Status Poetry competition: Theme: School Days. The Entry fee for each poem is £1.50 and there are three age categories - 11 years and under, 12 years – 16 years, adults. Prizes include, a large trophy to keep + £50. Publication of the poem in a poetry book of the 100 best entries. A Workshop day for your nominated school by the well known poet and author Geoff Tims (UK Only). Closing date for the competition is 22nd July, 2005.

Bitten: Vampire Short Fiction Contest. We're currently receiving submissions of less than 5000 words in the form of previously unpublished short stories from amateur or developing writers on vampire-themed fiction. The contest is open to writers over the age of thirteen(13) from any country. Entry fee of $3(US). First Prize: $100; Second Prize $50; Third Prize $25. Contest Closes July 31, 2005. Submissions accepted via email only. For further information, please see our website.

Leaf Books: short story and non-fiction competition is for new short fiction and non-fiction between 4000 and 5000 words. First prize £200 and publication as a Leaf Book. Runners up £50 and publication. Entry fee: £5, make cheques payable to Leaf. Please label work by genre and include all contact details including email. Entry forms on the website, or send to Leaf, GTi, Valleys Innovation Centre, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN. Closing date 31 August.

The Dabbling Mum Free Essay Writing Contest: No Entry Fee. First place receives $35 in gift certificates and a leather-look organizer with calculator.great for those ni-person meetings! 3 Winners picked. Non-cash prizes total $100. Contest Begins: Now. Contest Ends: July 4, 2005. Enter by online form only. In 500 words: Write an essay using this sentence as the beginning sentence: "The day I found my 'true' purpose in life was..."

The New Writer magazine: Prose and Poetry Prizes 2005. One of the major annual competitions for short stories, novellas, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection - the special edition of The New Writer magazine each July. Closing date 31 October 2005. See website for further information including guidelines and entry fees, or send SAE for an Entry Form to The New Writer, PO Box 60, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2RE.

Creating Reality: 3rd Haiku Competition - write a free form or traditional 5-7-5 Haiku on any subject. We welcome both traditional Haiku and inventive, contemporary spins on the Haiku so be as imaginative as you like and win £100 for 17 syllables! Prizes 1st £100, 2nd £50, 3rd £25. The closing date is June 24th 2005. Flash 300 Competition - the closing date is July 25th 2005. £5 for the first entry and £3 thereafter. No need for an entry form, just put your name and title on a separate sheet of paper as competition is judged anonymously. Full details of all competitions available on website.

Writers Group Seeks Cat-Related Contest Entries: The international Cat Writers' Association Inc. (CWA) is accepting entries for its 12th annual Communications Contest for writers, photographers and editors in print, online and broadcast media. All published writers and photographers are eligible, regardless of CWA membership. Rules and entry forms are available after April 1, 2005, from the CWA website () or by sending a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope to contest chair Beth Adelman, 69 Poplar St., 2C, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The deadline for submitting entries is July 1, 2005.

The Bill Naughton Short Story Competition: Bill Naughton's success as a writer stems from his ability to appeal to a very broad spectrum of readers in a manner and style that can be easily understood. Therefore, in judging our annual short story competition priority is given to stories, which, in our view, display qualities similar to those found in Bill Naughton's work. However, this rule is by no means exclusive and we are most eager to acknowledge excellence where we find it. Entry Fee: £5.00 (Sterling), €7.00 (Euro) or $8.00 (U.S. Dollars) per story. Three stories may be submitted for the price of two. [No Entry Form required.] Postal Entries: Bill Naughton Short Story Competition, Box No 2005, Aghamore, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Ireland. Closing Date: Friday 2nd September 2005. Prize Money: First: € 200.00 / Second: €130.00 / Third: € 65.00. Prizes will be presented at the Kenny Naughton Autumn School.

Calyx: A Journal of Art and Literature by Women, is holding its fourth annual Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Contest and, if possible, we would like to have the contest information posted posted on your site. This contest is open to women only, and the prize includes publication in the journal and $300. All submissions must be sent from March 1 through May 31, 2005 to CALYX, Lois Cranston Poetry Prize, PO Box B, Corvallis OR 97330 with an entry fee of $15.

The Frogmore Poetry Prize 2005: The winner of the Frogmore Poetry Prize for 2005 will win two hundred guineas and a life subscription to The Frogmore Papers*. The first and second runners-up will receive seventy-five and fifty guineas respectively and a year’s subscription to The Frogmore Papers. Shortlisted poets will receive copies of the anthologies Decade: Ten Years of the Frogmore Poetry Prize and The Silent Key: Selected Poems from the Crabflower Pamphlets. Adjudicator: Jackie Wills. Closing date for submissions: 30 June 2005. See website for more details.

For more listings see: Competitions.

Reviews:

Fear of Writing: For Writers and Closet Writers: By Milli Thornton. Nonfiction/Writers/How-To. If you are so blocked that you don’t believe this, Milli Thornton will take care of that. Her exuberance--her pure force of will--will see to it not only that you read Fear of Writing but that you also read it right. That is, you must pause to do the exercises which she calls (aptly) “fertile material.” And if you but think of sitting back on your laurels for having gone this far, her enthusiasm will propel you forward. Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Contact email: hojoreviews@aol.com.

My Inner Pilgrimage Journal: By Christina Rodenbeck (Writer and Editorial Consultant). Nonfiction/Adult/Journaling and Writing. A Journal that Inspires Writers and Others To More Glorious Memories. Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Contact email: hojoreviews@aol.com.

Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments: Inspiration in a How-To Book - Jenna Glatzer Shares the Essence of Freelancing. Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson - contact email: hojoreviews@aol.com.

For more listings see Reviews.

Markets:

Turntable + Blue Light: We are an underground literary and culture magazine seeking submissions from Europe and the U.S. We favor experimental and underground work and would love to discover new and different voices in poetry.Arielle Guy, Editor. Word One New York, Turntable + Blue Light, 358 7th Avenue, No. 101 Brooklyn, NY 11215.

Mslexia: the magazine for women who write, publishes poems and short stories based on a theme (email postbag@mslexia.demon.o.uk for guidelines or ring 0191 2616656). We pay £25 per poem and £15 per thousand words of prose.

DigitalPulp Publishing: publishes and distributes poetry, pulp fiction, literary fiction and young adult books for the digital age. DPP delivers books for all popular digital formats: PDAs (Pocket PC/Palm), MP3 players, e-book readers, cell phones and computers.The company is actively looking for contributors and encourages authors to contact them.

SAW welcomes unsolicited submissions of a wide spectrum of poetry, by post, or email by January 31st for the April issue, or June 30th for the September issue. There will be a maximum of 80 lines per poem, including title and stanza breaks, allowed on all future submissions. Postal submissions should be typed on one side only of A4 white paper, double spaced. Each page must include the author’s name and address. A stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed with submissions, if you would like your manuscripts returned. Please ensure the envelope is large enough and postage is sufficient. If you are not in the UK please send the appropriate number of International Reply Coupons. Email submissions should be sent in the body of a message rather than attachments. Email Colin Shaddick for further information.

Associated Content: Publish your articles, reviews and opinions on Associated Content.com. We are looking for original and insightful content ranging from health to car reviews and stock tips. Payment is via Paypal and varies per accepted submission from $10 - $80. To join our team, select “submit content” at www.associatedcontent.com.

Halcyon: a modern pulp magazine produced in the United States - Bloomington, Indiana. Our newsprint magazine specializes in vintage pulp-style science fiction. We are always eager for fiction and art submissions from established and aspiring authors.

TIMETRAVEL-BRITAIN.COM: Call for submissions. Moira Allen, Editor. EMAIL: editors@writing-world.com. TimeTravel-Britain.com is a combination of a travel e-zine and a travel database. The emphasis of the site is "historic destinations." We want every article on the site to give the reader an idea of the history of the site or area being covered, as well as a glimpse of what the visitor to that site can see today. The site is expected to "go live" in early spring 2005. We're looking for a variety of travel features, including: "All About the Town...". "Destination Feature.". "Miscellaneous Feature.". "Worth a Stop.". "Short Miscellany.". We're also interested in column proposals. Columns will initially run bimonthly; pay is $100 per column. Photos are strongly recommended. Please see our online guidelines for more details.

Delivered: The short story book. The book contains new, vibrant fiction from great authors, mixed with quiz questions, factoids, poetry and crosswords. Delivered is always looking for new writers. Your story can be on any subject but must not exceed 3000 words. No payment, but no fee for submitting stories. Your stories should be sent by email to: grimmy1@tiscali.co.uk or got to the website for more details.

Short-Story.Net - Submit short stories & poems, or read and offer constructive criticism on the work of others. Also, a growing resource of creative writing tools, tips and services.

Conferences and Literary Festivals:

Mid-Western Christian Book Fair: Sept 23-24, 2005. Venue: Johnson County Fairgrounds, Iowa City, Iowa USA. Visit the website for more information or call 1-319-3519695.

UBUD Writers & Readers Festival: 8-11 October, 2005. Workshops 6-11 October, 2005. Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Open to anyone who appreciates the Arts and Literature. The program will feature challenging and stimulating venues including: Bi-lingual readings, discussions, poetry, workshops, bookshops, perfomances, exhibitions, book & magazine launches, literary lunches, musical events, cultural tours.

Writing, Creativity and Ritual: A Writing Retreat for Women on the Ancient Isle of Avalon! Glastonbury, England, July 14 to July 22, 2005. Also enjoy a Post-Retreat Adventure to London, July 22 to July, 27, 2005

For more listings see Literary Festivals.

Magazines and Websites for Writers:

English PEN: is a literary membership organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature and freedom of expression. I hope you don not mind but I have already added your website to our links page (see below) and I was wondering if you could do the same in return. We run several programmes and literary events which you may be interested in also.

Campusbooks.com: provides a powerful search engine which searches dozens of online bookstores to find you the lowest price on new and used college textbooks. This site is professionally designed and has many textbook-related resources.

Techwriters.com: Providing the sharpest technical writers since 1980 Description: Where you get a Technical Writer, contract or staff, or many technical writers, plus technical writing classes, technical writing training, and an online technical writing course.

Movie Outline Software: "Screenplay Outlining Software for simple story planning, easy scene reorganization and simultaneous reference to successful movies of all genres."

For more listings see Magazines.

Writing Courses and General Advice:

Write here in France: Creative writing courses for beginners and established writers. This lively course helps new writers to begin and to continue with their work. More established writers find new energy and a fresh approach to their writing and value the positive feedback they receive both in the class and individually. Week long residential courses in a peaceful, unspoiled area, staying in our comfortable Mediaeval farmhouse in the Aveyron, France. Visit the website, email: Sharon.Colback@Wanadoo.fr or Tel: +33 5 65 99 7645

StoryStealers.com: offers a free online course/workshop in creative writing, as well as a free 67 page ebook on story writing. The story focuses on drawing inspiration from existing stories, and studying classic storytelling concepts and devices.

University of Newcastle upon Tyne: Postgraduate creative writing courses at the School of English. Postgraduate Certificate - designed for students who wish to develop their skills in creative writing and/or gain accredited training in the specialist skills of teaching creative writing. Programme duration up to 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time. MA Degree - offers intensive workshops, the opportunity to specialise or move between genres, and individual supervision. You will learn about getting published, discuss your own and other people's work, and study different aspects of the written and spoken word. Teachers include Fred D'Aguiar and Tina Gharavi. We also offer six week courses, specialising in a broad range of subjects including Children's Literature, Fiction Masterclass, Writing and Health, Screenwriting and Poetry. For further details call 0191 222 7619 or email melanie.birch@ncl.ac.uk.

WritersCollege.com: offers about 60 online writing classes, both fiction and nonfiction as well as basic courses in grammar, etc.

Screenplay coverage: is an essential tool in the story development process of screenwriting. You only get one opportunity to impress that agent, producer or development executive with your script - don't waste it by sending out material that is not ready. We can help you improve all aspects of your screenplay by providing notes that will guide you in the rewriting process that allow you to strengthen story, develop character, heighten drama, improve concept, sharpen pacing and increase the marketability of your screenplay.

Creative Writing Retreat: Poetry and Prose with Carole Glasser Langille. Sept. 25 - 29, 2005, Nova Scotia, Canada. For experienced writers, and those who have always wanted to begin, join Carole Glasser Langille, a highly-regarded Canadian author, for a stimulating and revitalizing writing workshop at a seaside retreat centre near Peggie¹s Cove, where your accommodation and working spaces look directly out onto the Atlantic. Carole has published three books of poetry and two children's books. She has taught workshops throughout Canada and read internationally.

Want to write children’s books – and get published? Join Alan Durant, acclaimed author of over 50 books, on a residential writers’ course in Northern France. The course will offer the opportunity to develop techniques and share ideas, during one-to-one tutorials and group workshops, with plenty of time for writing in a relaxed holiday atmosphere and lovely rural setting. The course runs from 19.8.05 – 24.8.05. Cost £375 to cover fees, accommodation and all meals. Interested? For further details contact Alan Durant directly by email at alan@durant1234.fsnet.co.uk or by phone on 07944 374734.

Leeds University - MA in Creative Writing. One year full-time. Also two years part-time (though not in 2005/6). For students who hope to become writers or who wish to develop their writing skills. Taught by established professional authors, the course offers the chance to work in a wide variety of fiction genres as well as specialise in any of the major forms – prose fiction, poetry, theatre & radio script or screenplay. Current tutors include Garry Lyons and Simon Kerr. Contact Garry Lyons at g.f.lyons@leeds.ac.uk.

Write on Holiday: Diane and Dave would like to invite you to join them in their villa in the sun for a week’s writing holiday shared with a choice of top class, top-named, vastly experienced writers. How would you like to spend a week’s writing holiday with Willy Russell, Kay Mellor, Julia Darling, Stella Duffy, Jackie Kay or Ken Blakeson? The courses are aimed at those interested in starting to write, writers with some experience, and writers who would like to write full time and earn a living from it.

Write here in France: Residential creative writing courses in the Aveyron, South West France. To inspire writers of all levels. Discover your strengths, improve your technique, gain confidence and direction for your writing. For details of 2005 dates please visit the website or email Sharon.colback@Wanadoo.fr, or call +33 5 65 99 76 45.

For more listings see Courses.