Author Archives

Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Writers-Editors Network Writing Contest

by

I have a rule about trying one writing contest a month. Although, I don’t always find one that’s worthwhile. (Guess that “one contest a month” is technically not a rule, huh?)

BUT, here’s a contest that I think is worthwhile and reputable (even if they’ve gone and changed the name). It’s the 2009 Writers-Editors Network 26th Annual International Writing Competition (formerly CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition). Now you see why I didn’t put the whole title in the post title.

And if you think the name of the title is long, you should see the guidelines/info. So, I’m just going to give you the gist and you can go check out all the added whatnot here.

The contest has several categories I could enter, but what interests me the most is the children’s category.  It’s technically called the Children’s Literature Division: Unpublished or self-published Short Story/Article/Book Chapter/Poem (all in one category).

The entry fee is $10.00 for non-members as long as the entry is under 3,000 words.  That’s in my financial comfort zone. Now, I just need to decide whether to send my book chapter or a short story. Or I suppose I could send an article, too. As long as I send something in by March 15, 2009.

That’s just a few weeks away. I better start writing. And finish reading those guidelines. I have a rule about reading contest guidelines very carefully (and that’s one rule I do follow!).

Finding Something Friday on February 13th

by

Friday, February 13th is one of those “it could go either way” kind of days.

If you’re thinking of hearts, chocolate, roses and rubies, you’re the kind who might appreciate my Valentine post to Premium Green over at the Muffin (WOW’s blog). It’s not terribly mushy, but I’m not gonna lie. I got a little choked up when I read my “I (heart) PG” list.

On the other hand, if you’re thinking that just reading a blog post about Friday the thirteenth is risky business, then you might be cowering under your computer till tomorrow. But if you crawl out from under the computer, you can check out Dog Oil Press. This is a great find for a day like today. They’re looking for submissions of 961 words (or 981 words?…I’m not sure why the odd number. Maybe it just makes them laugh) that are darkly humorous. DOP is a relatively new market (thanks to PG for bringing it to my attention!) so they’re still looking for submissions. And they’re a paying market. Not vast amounts of money, but enough to buy a big, old box of chocolates. And I’m not gonna lie about that, either. I could eat a whole box of chocolates…all by myself. And probably write a darkly humorous 981 story about the episode.

So, maybe Friday the thirteenth will turn out lucky for me. One way or the other.

P.S. Want to win a copy of Writer Mama? Leave a comment (yes, you can leave it here today) about why you love writing. And if I draw your name, a brand-spanking new book will be on its way to you before you can say “Isn’t that the book by Christina Katz?”