Market | Cathy C. Hall Writes

Happy 2009!

Hang on a sec-who’s that smiling on the first Friday of the New Year?

Yep, that’s me! On the very FIRST page of the Bylines Calendar for Writers. When I opened this nifty desk calendar, I thumbed through the pages, starting at the back. Halfway through, I got this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. And not funny ha-ha.

Did the editor forget me? I read the ENTIRE calendar. I was almost sick to my stomach before I turned that last page. (Oh, not because of the writing…the writers’ stories are swell! But I was a teensy-weensy bit worried that my writing story hadn’t made the book. Yes, I know, I had the complimentary copy and a nice letter, but I have this funny little gene that pops up every now and then. Also not a funny ha-ha gene. The gene that shouts, “Something’s gonna go terribly wrong here!)

But then, wheee! There I was on page 1! Okay, enough about me…I’ve already told you how wonderful the calendar is and it’s not too late to order. Check it out here, and check out the writer’s guidelines for 2010. Wouldn’t that be funny if you were on page 1 next New Year’s? (And this time, I mean funny ha-ha. I’m smiling now thinking of your funny face. Guess which funny I mean now?)

As it’s the first of the month, I had to check a few sites I visit to find interesting things. That’s what Finding Something Friday is all about, right? So, without further ado, I give to you…a poetry market! (C’mon, you had to see that coming.)

I don’t know if I have the mad skills to write a scathingly brilliant poem, using these words: pillow, break, tantrum, silver, roof, vacant, atlas. But, I do know a Junior Hall who professes to be a poet. So, I think it’s high time that boy proved he learned something on his way to an English degree. He can send in 1 to 5 poems to usethesewords@gmail.com by January 1 and maybe see his name in print (right next to your name!) in the next issue of Use These Words. (Check out the last issue here).

And for you fiction writers, check out the Oceanview Short Story Contest here. And yes, I know it’s a delightful, oceanview scene at the website, but they want un-delightful, twisted stories. And they want them by November 17th.

Oh, and if you have a dog or cat essay, or funny college story essay, or, um, any number of other essays, check out Chicken Soup for the Soul for their latest needs. Click on “Submit a Story” and find out more.

Finally, the beneficent Mr. Hall found the t-word slapped on my arm. And he didn’t find my antics nearly half as funny as I did.