THE SANTA CLAWS CONTEST is for aspiring fiction and creative non-fiction writers who have not professionally published. This contest covers TWO issues: the October Issue (horror / suspense) and the December Issue (holiday / fantasy). SUBMISSIONS for the October Issue (horror / suspense) are now open. Please wait to submit holiday / fantasy material until AFTER October 15th. Liternational Editor’s will select the semi-finalists for publication and judging begins AFTER the December Issue’s release. Winners will be announced on or before St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th).
GENRE
Science Fiction
“A realistic speculation about possible future events.” – Robert A. Heinlein
Sci-Fi is a rational–or at least plausible–exploration of an imaginary world, character or innovative device. There should be enough scientific, mathematical or technological jargon–real or imaginary–to stimulate the reader, but not so much to be a bore (see My Alpha and Omega, for example). Fast-paced, dialogue-driven stories (such as The Human Condition and Look Into My Skies) are always a thrill for us. Above all, we enjoy provocative storytelling. Be bold, take a risk, and reinvent (like NUMBER 723). As for specifics, we’re seeking:
HORROR ( until Oct. 1) – We prefer psychological thriller or “weird fiction,” as opposed to torture and extreme gore (see Locust Street Circus, for example).
FANTASY (submissions open October 15th) – This issue is anticipated for December 15th, but we’re going to take a huge risk and make the traditional Santa stories off limits. We still want magical holiday fun, but we either want to see another culture’s version of Santa or a reinvented Santa from our American authors. We might still publish one Santa story, to keep with tradition, but encourage you to get creative, have fun and reinvent.
Scientific Non-Fiction
Sci-Non-Fi is an exploration of a scientific topic (A History of Vision in Three Dimensions, for example) or cultural analysis (like The ‘Thinks’ of Sakartvelo). Regardless of scientific or cultural emphasis,Non-Fiction that implements creative writing (as in My Body Is A Cage) will go a long way with us. Specifics include:
HORROR (until Oct. 1) – This is a recount of a real scary story or an event that is horrific in nature. Something along the lines of Mourning to Midnight.
HOLIDAY (submissions open October 15th) – Share your families holiday tradition.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- ENTRY FEE: NO FEE.
- COPYRIGHT: All story rights remain the property of the author.
- GENRE: Fiction and / or Non-Fiction (please do NOT submit work targeted at children).
- WORD COUNT: 1,000 to 5,000 words.
- SEMI-FINALIST: ALL semi-finalists will be published in the October issue (horror / suspense) and / or December issue (Holiday / Fantasy) of LITERNATIONAL.
- FINALIST: All finalists will receive cash prizes as follows: $500 for Fiction and Non-Fiction winner, $250 for the Runner-Up (in both categories).
- DEADLINE: October 1, 2012 for horror; December 1, 2012 for Fantasy (please DO NOT submit holiday themed material before Oct. 1st).
- ENTER NOW! SUBMIT HERE.
- ANNOUNCEMENT: Winners will be announced by SAINT PATRICK’S DAY (March 17th).
- ELIGIBILITY: Writers with original fiction and / or creative non-fiction who are over the age of eighteen and have NOT published professionally are eligible. Staff members and featured guest artists are NOT eligible. (See Contest Rules for more information.)
- SUBMISSIONS: You may submit in BOTH categories. You may also make MULTIPLE submissions. However, each contestant is only eligible for ONE prize. (If you win Fiction, you may NOT win Non-Fiction or the runner-up prize in either category.) Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but it is YOUR responsibility to inform us if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- CONTEST RULES: Be sure to familiarize yourself with Contest Rules.
- ENTER NOW!!
For submission guidelines, click HERE.
Good luck!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Filed under:
authors and illustrators,
Contests,
opportunity,
writing Tagged:
fantasy,
Fiction Contest,
Holiday Writing,
Horror,
Non-Fiction Contest 
Happy Holidays, Writers!
Writing during the Christmas holidays can be difficult. There’s too much to do, too much living to do!
Here are some simple low-stress projects to keep you going. Just have fun with these!
Show-Don’t-Tell with Sensory
Go sit at a mall, beside a seasonal skating rink, at a holiday concert. Notice the sensory details of the setting, and write a short piece that incorporates your best Show-Don’t-Tell skills.
Dialogue Is NOT the Same as Real Talk
At that office party, neighborhood cook-out, or local basketball game, eavesdrop and focus on the authentic sounds of dialogue. If you can do it without looking creepy, take a notepad with you and jot down the exact words that people are saying. Transcribe it later and turn it into a short scene by studying how to change real speech into dialogue that matters. How can you use dialogue to imply information, emotions and relationships?
Play with Opening Lines
Print out this list of excellent opening lines. Over a several day period, take your Work-in-Progress and mimic each of the 12 types of opening lines. Try to write at least a dozen opening lines, but better, write 100 different opening lines for your story.
 | |
NEW EBOOK
Available on
|
For more info, see
writeapicturebook.com
Today, I recived the local Chamber of Commerce's monthly newsletter and perused the calendar. It's only November, but this month alone, four meals, three meetings, two coffees, and one open house are scheduled.
Wonder how jam-packed the December calendar will be?
But as I perused these offerings to get together with business leaders, chamber personnel, and the public, it made me pause and consider how much networking can be accomplished at events like these.
If your holiday season is fastly filling up, consider using some of these tips to make the most of the thankful and merry season.
- Be prepared. Business cards, a writing utensil and a notebook are staples in my purse. Use them!
- Prepare your elevator pitch. Describe what services you offer in a few sentences.
- Determine your goals for the event. Do you want to cover the event for an article? Simply interested in learning new information? Hope you meet a certain individual or group of people?
- Be the hostess, even if you are a guest. Introduce others and help them feel at ease.
- Follow up with people you meet and any contacts they may introduce.
- Thank new sources and keep them updated about your work.
- Don't overindulge. A plate in one hand and a drink in the other makes it difficult to greet others.
- Have fun!
Networking builds business, and if writing is YOUR business, use these opportunities to expand your potential customer base and deck the seasonal halls with your writing savvy.
by LuAnn SchindlerRead more of LuAnn's work at her website.
Wrapping Up Writing
by Deborah Shouse
The chipmunk who rules the exterior of my house, prancing over porch and flower beds, inspires me. The moment I step outside, he disappears into a hidden crevice, a crack, or hole. He has a map of secret places ready for instant refuge.
I think of that chipmunk as I gaze at the calendar, looking for time to write. As the holidays approach, life hums with extra busyness and responsibilities. I seek out secret slivers of time when I can slip away into writing, sliding into a half hour crevice early this morning, a crack between meetings one afternoon, a hole in my evening schedule. In ink, I mark writing periods, making them as large and important as any appointment.
The winter holiday period is rich with imagery, memories, relationships, and emotions. Sitting down to write is like opening a wrapped present that makes no noise when you shake it. I could tear off the wrappings to find a pair of white gym socks or I could lift out a delicate silver shawl. The more writing time I find, the closer I get to the true gift, that of being connected to myself.
* * *
Deborah Shouse is a writer, speaker, editor and creativity coach. Her holiday stories have been featured in Chicken Soup
anthologies, The Kansas City Star
, and The Chicago Tribune
. She has written a variety of business books and memoirs. Deborah donates all proceeds from her book Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey to Alzheimer’s programs and research. Using the book as a catalyst, she has raised more than $80,000.00.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7 Ways to Help Writers Survive the Holidaysby Cindy KerschnerWe're all stretched a little thinner around the holidays; between family visits, catching up with friends, shopping and party obligations, what's a writer to do? This time of year, I stare more at the calendar than I do the clock. That says a lot because I'm a big clock watcher.
Instead of stressing out about it, let this time of year inspire you with new ideas for articles and stories. Here are a few samples from my own ghosts of Christmas past.
1. Write about the consequences of living with dyslexia after you realize your guests arrive on the 12th not the 21st.
2. Hit the home decorating magazine market with tips for cleaning and decorating at the same time; for example, spray painting dust bunnies red and green for Christmas.
3. Surprise the food magazines with your knowledge of cheese acquired from deli counter sampling.
4. Write about the benefits of measuring your car, doorways, and living room ceiling before cutting down and trying to transport a live tree from the farm to your home.
5. Advise parents how to handle your child's hysteria when she finds out you forgot to buy cookies and milk for Santa. Explain that Santa is on a diet and lactose intolerant.
6. Share your survival tips on how to camp out on Black Friday Eve at the Megamart without losing your place in line and not get a bladder infection.
7. Write an article for a blog about how help writers survive the holidays.
Remember that personal experience articles are always in demand. Wow, look at the date! Gotta run!
* * *
Cindy Kerschner lives and works in Northeast PA where she writes, draws, cooks and gardens but not necessarily at the same time. Visit Cindy's website at http://writelane.wordpress.com/.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.jpeg?picon=893)
“Santa Claws”
Very clever lol
Great idea. Thanks for sharing.