Blog Archives

Authors Wanted for a "Showcase of Talent"

9/29/2010

Sleepytown Press is sending out an invitation for all authors to submit short stories for a “special” short story collection that will feature every genre of writing.

This is your chance to be included in this “one-of-a-kind” book.

No royalties will be paid to the authors, but authors will be allowed to order as many books as they wish at an author cost. Submitting stories gives the authors permission to purchase books and sell them at book signings and school visits.

A retail price will be set for the book. If an author sells a book at a signing, he/she may keep any profit above the cost of the book.

This is a great way to get your stories in print and give you one more publishing credit to your name. It is always a boost to have your work and name in print.

It is FREE to submit short stories for the Anthology. Send in your stories today. Authors may send in 1 - 3 short stories of any length.

Story Submissions Close: When we have 50 stories.

Publishing Date: The goal is December 2010, before Christmas.

The top stories will be selected for the anthology. We may or may not publish all stories. Sleepytown Press reserves the right to select the stories to fill the page count needed for the book. After the target number of stories is met, we will ask the authors if they would like to keep their stories on the “list” for the next anthology. If an author chooses to not keep the story on the “list,” it will be released to the author.

Email submissions to: sleepytownpress@yahoo.com

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A Good Thing for Spring

9/27/2010

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I "might" be asked to go to Meridian, Mississippi in March and do a "one-day" workshop for writers. The Topic: "The Ins and Outs of Publishing." This will be a three hour workshop. It needs to be board approved. My fingers are cros
Date: TBA (Saturday)
Time 2:00PM - 5:00PM.

Schedule:
A. "Workshop A" 1 hour 15 minutes.
BREAK
B. "Workshop B" 1 hour 15 minutes.
C. "Question and Answer" Until all questions have been answered.

I will have examples of all books published by Sleepytown Press.

Meridian is less than three hours from me. After the workshop, I will visit a little while and then head to Vicksburg the next day. This will be a good time for me and Sleepytown Press.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

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Feed-Back from my Writing for Magazine's Class

9/23/2010

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I just got back my feed-back on the first assignment for the writing class that I am taking. I thought it would be good for me and also force me to think in a different direction.

I am very excited to get feed-back from my instructor so soon. I was afraid it would take weeks and weeks. This is great. I am not good at waiting. I want it yesterday.

She did remind me of something that I have always told writers...It is better to "show" than "tell." She highlighted a section of my story and told me that it would have been more effective to "show." That is right. I agree. I will take the advice and try to do better next time.

Sometimes, we forget that the reader has no idea of what is inside of our heads while we write. We know where we are headed and they do not. We have to show them. We have to explain better. I also used this "the institute" and I really should have given it a name so that the reader knows a little more about it. Maybe the name also gives meaning to the action.

All in all, I was very pleased with the comments.

I do admit that the last comment made me smile. My instructor said Very intriguing!

That made the entire assignment worth while. Don't we all want readers to read what we write and say "Intriguing?"

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"One Year to a Writing Life"

9/21/2010

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The other day, I was looking at books. i was reading titles and reviews and suggestions. I came across a book by Susan M Tiberghien titled "One Year to a Writing Life." (Twelve lessons to Deepen Every Writer's Art and Craft) It sounded interesting, plus it had some very good reviews. Yes, I always read the reviews. I want to know what others think about books that I am interested in reading.

The book is a treasure-box of exercises and prompts and examples that make the writer think. I like that. It is also a book for a writer at any stage. I really think that I am going to enjoy the book. I also love it when a book is practical. I like things that I can use.

Some have said that reading this book is like being in her workshops.

The twelve lessons are as follows:
1. Journal Writing
2. Personal Essays
3. Opinion and Travel Essays
4. Short Stories and the Short-Short
5. Dreams and Writing
6. Dialogue
7. Tales: Folk, Fairy, and Contemporary
8. Poetic Prose and the Prose Poem
9. The Alchemy of Imagination
10. Mosaics and Memoir
11. Rewriting
12. Writing the Way Home

It is suggested that the writer spend one month on each lesson. Of course, anyone may rush, but I think that rushing would make it too easy to miss something important.

When I looked over the chapters, I noticed that some of these subjects are actually areas that I have wanted to explore. This is going to be good for me.

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Writing Course: First Assignment Sent-in

9/20/2010

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Just an update on the Writing Course that I am taking. I thought it would be good for me. I am looking forward to the comments from my instructor. I had to do two things. First, I did a bio on my life. This was to give the teacher a view of me and who I am. I also had a bio of the teacher to read so that I know her a little better.

Secondly, I had to look at several illustrations and write 500 - 750 words based on the story that the illustration brings to mind for me. I decided to write Fiction. I am sure that I will be required to write something Non-Fiction in the future. For my part, I took the illustration of choice, and I began the story from there. I told from that moment forward. Actually, I had forgotten how soon a person can have 700 words written. I was there before I knew it.

I had a busy weekend, so, I did not look forward and see what the next assignment is for the class. I guess I will do that tonight and post it later.

I asked to be changed to an instructor that accepts email submissions because the feed-back comes quickly. I hate waiting a month for a response. Email submissions are usually answered in 14 days or less.

Again, I will let you know how it goes and then maybe you will like doing something like this in the near future.

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What if I were on the Oprah Show?

9/16/2010

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I read something the other day about Book Publicity. The authors suggested that you imagine yourself on the Oprah Show. Now, some of you are laughing and saying, "Sure, right!" I want to ask something. What is wrong with dreaming high? Everything that you hope might not come true, but what if it did come true?

Imagine yourself being the success that you want to be. I do believe in the "Power" of thinking in a positive manner. We are a people who have grown up with enough negatives. In fact, one of the first words that we learned was "No."

Start thinking "yes." Start thinking I can climb that mountain. It can be me.

YOU are in control of your fate. Now, go out there and take th

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Writing Course

9/15/2010

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I decided to do something a while back. I am taking a course titled "Writing for Magazines." It is through the Institute of Children's Literature. I have looked at their courses and information for a few years. So, I decided to bite the bullet and try out a course.

The course can be used for college credit, if a person takes classes at a place that gives those credits. The Course Manual and books came yesterday for the first part of the course. Feel free to check back here and find out how the Course is going for me. I am interested in seeing how professional the classes are as well as how timely. I want to see if they really do what they say.

As with most writing courses, my first assignment involves two main items. First, I have to write a "bio" about me. Then, I have been given a writing assignment of 500 - 750 words. I get to choose Fiction or Non-Fiction. I chose Fiction.

I sent an email asking if lessons may be sent to my instructor via email. If so, the response back will be hopefully around 10 days. If the lessons have to be sent "snail mail," it could take 4 weeks for a reply. I was under the understanding that ALL lessons could be submitted through email. The answer to this question could break or make me over doing this again. (I hate waiting in line at the grocery store. Why would I choose to wait four weeks for a reply from my teacher?)

The Course includes a Manual and three text books. Check back a

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Sleepytown Press Pictures

9/11/2010

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I have uploaded a number of pictures from the Decatur Book Fair. Go to the page for the book fair and give them a look.

If you are ever close to Decatur, Georgia, you will absolutely love the many shops and restaurants around the square. Make sure and visit the book store "Little Shop of Stories." It is great. I love the way they have the books displayed. I love the atmosphere. It is a great little store.

There are so many places to choose from to eat. When we were there, Ellen took us to P.F. Changs. Honest, that is the best Chinese Food that I have ever put into my mouth. It makes all the local places seem like FAST FOOD. We had the "Lettuce Wraps" first. Amazing! I had Garlic Shrimp...YUM! Zander almost ate all of my shrimp. Beth had Terriyaki Chicken. Then, they surprised us with FREE dessert for our anniversary. it had ice cream, strawberries, blackberries, blue berries, and bananas. My mouth just waters, when I think about it.

I want to go back.

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Book Fair 2010

9/7/2010

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If you live anywhere near Decatur, Georgia, please make plans on visiting the Book Fair next year. It was amazing. It made me wish that I lived in Decatur, Georgia. That little town is incredible.

I met so many people. I talked to so many people. I listened as people shared their own publishing dream. It was wonderful.

If you ever get to Decatur, you must visit The local book store Little Shop of Stories. It is the cutest little store. I wanted to stay there all day. I did purchase a book. Well, actually, Beth purchased a book for me. The place is amazing.

There are so many cute shops and restaurants. You could visit for a week and not eat at the same place twice.

I will go back next year!

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Decatur Book Fair

9/5/2010

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We are at the Decatur Book Fair. It was an incredible Saturday. I made a lot of contacts. Fran is here signing and selling her books. We are getting ready for Sunday at the Book Fair.

Zander was able to see the author of the Lama Lama books. She was awesome. He had his picture taken with her. She signed two books for him. One for him and one for Zoe.

If you live close enough, you really need to visit the Book Fair next yeat. It is huge.

It started with a Pajama Parade.

More later. We are off to walk to the booth area.

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