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Inklings Issue 6.23
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i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
http://www.inkspot.com
Issue 6:23 November 22, 2000
*****************************************************************
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0623.html>
In this issue: In a special double feature, Tammy MacKenzie and
Kerry Hanslits share tips on entering writing contests; and
Charles Deemer (Ask the Screenwriter) discusses whether to write
one's idea as a novel, stage play or screenplay.
This issue sponsored by:
*****************************************************************
Publish today! XLIBRIS exists to help YOU publish in both printed
and e-books, sell through stores and the Internet, and connect
with writing resources. Plus, you keep your rights--forever. To
learn more, call 888-795-4274, write to info@xlibris.com, or
visit http://xlibris.com/pubservices/ps_pubkit.asp, Xlibris.
Where writers become authors.
*****************************************************************
ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright (c) 2000 Inkspot Company Of Canada.
See end of issue for full copyright and contact information.
*****************************************************************
CONTENTS THIS ISSUE:
From the Editor's Desk
New on Inkspot/Book Giveaway/Fresh Ink
Market Information
Ask the Screenwriter
"Choosing a Writing Contest" by Tammy Mackenzie
"Warning: Watch Out for Contest Scams!" by Kerry Hanslits
Inkspot Community Chat Update
Writers' Classifieds
*****************************************************************
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
----------------------
Inkspot was highlighted in the November 20 issue of Maclean's
magazine (in its special annual "Universities Ranking") issue.
Approximately 1.7 million Canadians read each weekly issue of
Maclean's, which has a paid circulation of half a million. The
annual "universities" issues tends to get an even higher
readership, because it gives an overview of undergraduate studies
across the country. To those not familiar with the magazine,
it's something of a Canadian TIME magazine. Inklings was
featured in Danylo Hawalshka's "Tech Explorer" column (p.39).
Here's what they had to say:
"GET IT WRITE"
"Readers who would like to be writers can learn some of the basics
at www.inkspot.com. There are tips on grammar and style, and
links for writers at various levels of proficiency. The U.S.-
based site, founded and run by Debbie Ridpath Ohi of Toronto,
also has extensive information on becoming a freelancer,
including markets for English-language articles and short stories
around the world. A section called Young Writers has information
and links for the under-18 crowd."
-- Debbie Ridpath Ohi
*****************************************************************
Looking for online discussion with other writers? Check out
Inkspot's discussion forum community! Wide range of topics for
writers of all ages.
Forum Topics: http://www.inkspot.com/forums/topics.html
Community Events Calendar: http://www.inkspot.com/events
*****************************************************************
NEW ON INKSPOT:
---------------
In the FEATURES SECTION:
------------------------
HOW TO WRITE A WINNING QUERY LETTER
by Moira Allen
The essential elements of querying, including e-mail queries.
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/queries/query.html
The Complete Non-Idiot's Guide to Breaking into the Computer
Market, by Dee-Ann LeBlanc
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/computers.html
How to Keep Your Newsletter Subscribers
by Angela Giles Klocke
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/klocke2.html
Picture Perfect: Use Photos to Sell Your Articles
by Christine Ridout
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/photos.html
In GLOBAL WRITERS' INK:
-----------------------
Book Scandal in Spain!
by Ysabel de la Rosa
Has your work has been plagiarized abroad?
http://www.inkspot.com/global/articles/spain.html
Writing on the Road
by Jamie McGraw
Travel and write as you go!
http://www.inkspot.com/global/articles/mcgraw.html
The EROTICA WRITER'S RESOURCE:
------------------------------
The Name Game: Do You Need a Pseudonym to Write Erotica?
by Shanna Germain
New in the newly revamped (so to speak) erotica section!
http://www.inkspot.com/genres/erotica/namegame.html
On THE TRAVEL WRITER'S SPOT:
----------------------------
Author David Stanley reveals some truths about guidebook writing.
http://www.inkspot.com/genres/travel/interviews/stanley.html
Check THE GENRE WRITING PAGE for regular announcements and
updates regarding Inkspot's various fiction and nonfiction
genre sections. http://www.inkspot.com/genres
*****************************************************************
INKPRINTS PRIZE GIVEAWAY:
The $100,000 Writer
-------------------------------------------------------------
by Nancy Flynn
Are you tapping into all the freelance markets you can? Are you
developing your business in such a way that you're increasing your
income on a regular basis? Do you know what to charge for business
projects? Whether you're a novice or a seasoned freelancer, Nancy
Flynn's book can help you expand your knowledge of business markets
and give you practical advice on how to charge so you're not
underselling your services.
Need to kick your freelance biz into high gear? Write a 150-word
summary of your plans for your freelance business in the year 2001
and why you think Nancy's book is just what you need to pump the
blood back into your biz.
If your entry is selected as the winner, you win a copy
of this book! Enter your submission for this challenge at
http://writers-bbs.com/inkspot/index.cgi?forum=bookchallenge
Entry deadline is November 30, 2000.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
We had 185 entries for the November 17 Quick Pick Giveaway of
the 2001 Writer's Market - Internet Edition! The winners are:
Jon Symons (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Scott Hancock (shancock@hiwaay.net)
Jack Trammell (jtrammel@hanover.k12.va.us)
Robert Villanueva (Rvsshine1@aol.com)
Stephanie L. Smith (smitsp@hotmail.com)
Their winning entries will be published in the November 22nd
issue of BookStop.
Jean Burbidge won a copy of "Dark Thoughts: On Writing: Advice
and Commentary from Fifty Masters of Fear and Suspense" in the
November 17th Challenge.
*****************************************************************
FRESH INK
---------
Peter's Place of Freelance Journalism - correction
--------------------------------------------------
The correct URL for Peter's Place is:
http://freepages.writing.rootsweb.com/~petersplace/index.htm
Four Ways to Bring Settings to Life (by Moira Allen)
----------------------------------------------------
Energize your story with lively descriptions and settings!
http://www.themestream.com/articles/231337.html
Talkaboutbooks
--------------
If you like books, you'll find something of interest on this
site, which features author interviews, "communities" focused
on specific topics and authors (such as C.S. Lewis), cooperative
stories, chats, events, and more.
http://www.talkaboutbooks.com
ifilmpro
--------
Interesting collection of film industry resources, including
Hollywood news, box office ratings, links to filmmaking and
screenwriting resources, services, and more.
http://www.ifilmpro.com
musicjournalist.com
-------------------
Billed as "the information resource for music writers and
photographers," this site offers a number of resources,
including a newsletter with tips on writing for the industry
and industry market news.
http://www.musicjournalist.com
** Please send suggestions for Fresh Ink to freshink@inkspot.com
*****************************************************************
MARKET INFORMATION
------------------
Please get current, detailed guidelines before submitting to
publications if possible. Don't submit to email addresses unless
specifically stated. Include a SASE for surface mail replies.
More market info at: http://www.inkspot.com/market/.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
"FNASR": First North American Serial Rights, "SASE":
self-addressed, stamped envelope, "simsubs": simultaneous
submissions, "mss": manuscript, "RT": response time, "GL":
guidelines, "cc": contributors' copies.
Markets Editor: Sal Towse (ST). Research assistants: Shane Stacks
(SS), Margaret Shauers (MS), Jan Edwards (JE).
**-----------------------------------------------------**
STORYHOUSE.COM
Editors/Proprietors: Todd and Esther Cowing
4019 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; (503) 233-1144; fax
(503) 232-2702
STORYHOUSE.COM is a website exploring the art and philosophy of
coffee and storytelling. It is the Web presence of a Portland
coffee-roasting and coffee home delivery service. FREQ: Ongoing -
labels are printed for once-a-week coffee deliveries to
subscribers. NEEDS: Original works for coffee labels. Art,
stories, letters, articles. Immediate need is for nonfiction
material. Generally looking for stories of all kinds. Stories are
run over several weeks, so chapter or section breaks should be at
1,000 words. Also needs poetry, debate and academic pieces, and
graphic art. Currently collecting good answers to the question
"What is the most important thing you have ever done or seen?"
LENGTH: 1,000 words. Longer pieces may be used and serialized
over several labels. RTS: "We don't want absolute rights to your
work. You retain the copyright and the right to republish your
work in any other forum you choose. We reserve the right to
reprint anything of yours we used on future labels or Story
House publications." Licensing agreement. PAYMENT: $25 FOR
1,000 words. More flexible for poetry and graphic art. Prices
are usually negotiated after seeing work. Payment for most
submissions is usually within 30 days of receipt of signed
contract. Some submissions may be accepted, but paid upon actual
publication on a label. This applies when editors like a piece,
but do not have an immediate opening for it. Contract will
specify payment terms. Additionally, writer receives one can of
coffee as well as three copies of any label containing the work,
upon publication. RT: Varies. SAMPLE COPIES: Sample labels may
be viewed on the website. COMMENTS: All authors must agree to
submit to an editorial process. See specifics in Guidelines.
SUBMISSION: Prefers submissions be attached to an e-mail message.
Put "submissions" in the subject line of the e-mail. Mail also
accepted via USPS. Please see guidelines for details about
preferred submission formats. (JE)
URL: http://www.storyhouse.com
GL: http://www.storyhouse.com/submissions/submissions.htm
E-MAIL: mrcoffee@storyhouse.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
FLESH AND BLOOD
Editor/Publisher: Jack Fisher
121 Joseph Street, Bayville, NJ 08721
FLESH AND BLOOD: QUIET TALES OF DARK FANTASY & HORROR is a
hardcopy, digest-sized magazine featuring dark fantasy, bizarre,
and supernatural stories. FREQ: Three times yearly. CIRC: 500.
NEEDS: "I'm currently in need of horror/dark fantasy work. Work
should have one or more of the following elements: darkly
fantastic, surreal, supernatural, bizarre, off-beat." LENGTH:
4,000 wds max. GL: Send ms or query as text in body of e-mail,
or attached in MS Word format. "No multiple submissions and no
simultaneous submissions. Reprints are fine." RIGHTS: FNASR and
reprint rights. Author retains copyright. PAYS: 1/2c-2c/word,
2-3 months after acceptance. RT: 1-3 weeks. TIPS: "We will accept
fiction up to 4,000 words (usually 16 typed pages). Not one word
over. Stories should be well written, unique, entertaining, and
imaginative. The more descriptive and dark, the better! We DO NOT
want to see stories of the following: stories with insane main
characters; stories about obese people who eat others or who are
evil; stories not set in the modern day; garden-variety work
(tired vampire, werewolf stories. And yes, I do get these often!);
work about evil gods and their followers; stories based solely on
monsters; excessive gore, blood, sex etc. We may be called Flesh
and Blood, but we publish subtle, magic realism, bizarre,
eccentric, avant-garde work or any mix thereof. A 'lighter'
version of horror, dark fantasy, and fantasy is also acceptable
as long as it's good. We now accept fantasy work, which means
that elves, fairies, and the like are all acceptable (not wizards,
unicorns, or sword & sorcery). Feel free to send me a good witch
or ghost story just as long as it's very different. Fairy tales
with strange, surreal twists are also welcome! We like magic,
magic-realism, and a good dark fantasy, too!" (SS)
URL: http://www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/3459/fnb.html
GL: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/zxcv/blood.html
E-MAIL: HorrorJack@aol.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
RAINY DAY CORNER
Editor: Linda Duprie
6022 N. 29th Street, Arlington, Virginia 22207
RAINY DAY CORNER is a website and print newsletter providing
information and tips to help with homework, family, the working
parent, and writing contests for kids. FREQ: Monthly. NEEDS:
"Short articles on how to deal with homework dilemmas, how to
get children interested in reading and writing, all aspects of
education K-8, family, working parents (how to deal with this
issue, whether you work from home or out). You may also query
with an article idea." LENGTH: 1,000 wds max (flexible on
certain topics). GL: Submit/query via postal mail or e-mail. For
postal, use standard ms format and include SASE. For e-mail, send
as text in body of e-mail. For both types of submissions, please
include a short bio. Multisubs, simsubs, and previously published
material all accepted. RIGHTS: "Artists and writers retain all
rights to their work [after initial publication]. Rainy Day
Corner reserves the right to archive published work. Reprints
accepted and preferred until we are able to pay writers more."
PAYS: $5/article. Pays within 30 days of publication. RT: 2-3
weeks. TIPS: "Write on topics relevant to our site. If your
article is writing- or art-related, be sure to write so a child
will understand and without talking down to them. Keep your
articles conversational, but factual. If you're not sure about
the topic, browse the web site." (SS)
URL: http://www.rainydaycorner.com/index.htm
GL: http://www.rainydaycorner.com/Guidelines.htm
E-MAIL: ldupie@rainydaycorner.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
THE WRITE MOVES
Publisher: Kyle Looby
THE WRITE MOVES needs "Articles on any aspect of web writing and
publishing. These may include how-to, marketing, research
techniques, or anything else pertaining to freelance web
writing." CIRC: 3,500. FREQ: Bimonthly. LENGTH: 800-1,000 wds.
GL: "Please query first. Your query should consist of a well
thought-out outline of the points you intend to cover in your
article. Please do not query with a general idea or ask for an
assignment." Send your query as e-mail [address below] with WRITE
MOVES QUERY as your subject header. Multiple queries accepted
but not preferred), and queries regarding previously published
material are also accepted. RIGHTS: One time electronic, plus
display on website for one month. PAYS: $20/article; $10/article
for reprints, plus, "in addition to your byline, we will also
include a picture, bio, and link to your website, if you wish.
You will be paid on the first of the month after your article
has been run. So if your article runs on either the 15th or the
30th of November, your check will be mailed on the 1st of
December." RT: Approximately 1 week. TIPS: "I'm impressed by
writers who take the time to peruse the website and newsletter.
A well written, well thought-out query on an interesting idea on
how writers can make money or achieve success will almost
definitely be accepted. And proper e-mail etiquette is always
appreciated." (SS)
URL: http://www.allthewritemoves.com
GL: http://www.geocities.com/allthewritemoves2000/subguide.html
E-MAIL: kal_1@msn.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
COMPUTERCREDIBLE MAGAZINE
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Rick Simi
Publisher/Managing Editor: Kerry Simi
1249 Jordan River Drive, South Jordan, UT 84095-8250;
(801) 254-5432; FAX (801) 253-0914
ComputerCredible Magazine is a free monthly publication
distributed in the Salt Lake City Area and targeted toward
computer shoppers. It contains informative and/or entertaining
articles for novice, intermediate and advanced computer users.
FREQ: Published monthly. CIRC: 30,000+. NEEDS: Accurate articles
in varying styles, i.e., technical, light-hearted, instructional.
Seeking fiction and nonfiction writers able to explain technical
information to experienced computer users without confusing the
novice reader. Looking for interesting points of view, solutions
and anecdotes on issues faced by computer users. Also looking for
cover art. LENGTH: 300 to 1,500 words. RTS: FNASR and subsequent
electronic rights. Will consider purchase of reprints, if content
is up to date. PAYMENT: On publication, between 5 to 10 cents per
word. $200 for cover art. RT: One week. COMMENTS: Humor and even
fictional stories are welcomed as long as they concern the
application of computer technology. SAMPLE COPIES: Not available,
but magazine content of printed magazine can be viewed on Website.
SUBMISSION: Accept by e-mail ONLY. Items for consideration should
be sent with a biography in Microsoft Word or any other popular
word processing format, RTF or ASCII format. (JE)
URL: http://www.credible.com
GL: http://www.credible.com/writeguide.html
E-MAIL: editor@credible.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Please send market news to Sal Towse, towse@inkspot.com.
*****************************************************************
Ask the Experts
---------------
*** Please put "Inklings question" in the subject header. ***
Judith Bowen (ROMANCE WRITER) judith@judithbowen.com
David Breeden (POET) dbreeden@schreiner.edu
Charles Deemer (SCREENWRITER) charlesd@inkspot.com
Mark Fowler (LAWYER) askthelawyer@inkspot.com
Ginger Knowlton (AGENT) agent@inkspot.com
Michelle West (SF/FANTASY WRITER) Michelle.Sagara@sff.net
Lee Wardlaw (CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER) lee@inkspot.com
Marcia Yudkin (FREELANCE WRITER) yudkin@inkspot.com
Columnists may be unable to reply privately to every message,
but will answer selected questions in future issues of Inklings.
Please keep your question BRIEF and send it to *one* columnist.
*****************************************************************
ASK THE SCREENWRITER
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Charles Deemer <charlesd@inkspot.com>
Should I write my idea as a novel, play or screenplay?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: I've taken a lot of creative writing courses and enjoy writing
in a variety of forms, including screenwriting. However, I'm
never sure what form is best for a certain kind of story. I get
a story idea and don't know if it should be a novel first, or a
movie first, or a stage play, or what. Are there some general
guidelines that would help me decide?
A: Yes, there are. You need to look at your story from two
perspectives: as a language artist (the rhetorical perspective)
and as a storyteller (the structural perspective). Perhaps I can
best demonstrate what I mean by developing an example.
Let's say your story is this: the First Lady gets kidnapped and
is held hostage by Basque radicals from Spain who want their
point of view supported by the U.S. government. The First Lady,
who is in a bad marriage, ends up falling in love with one of her
captors. How might this story be developed as a screenplay, or a
novel, or a stage play?
The rhetorical universes of these three forms are very different.
Each form has its strengths and weaknesses from a rhetorical point
of view. Most flexible in this regard is the novel: a wide
spectrum of rhetorical approaches is available to the novelist.
If you are most interested in the psychological consequences of
this story, such as exploring the inner life of the First Lady,
then the novel best lends itself and the screenplay least lends
itself to this approach.
Interior dialogue is a standard device in the novelist's toolbox,
but its only equivalent for the screenwriter is voice-over
narration, which in excess becomes very "unfilm-like." Similarly,
the novel handles exposition much better than screenplay.
Background information on the Basque movement, for example, would
be much more easily handled in a novel than in a screenplay. Even
a stage play could do this more readily through the impassioned
dialogue of a character than the screenplay, which depends more
on visual storytelling than dialogue.
The screenwriter uses visual storytelling in a more dynamic way
than any other narrative form, but this method has severe
rhetorical restrictions. The screenwriter does NOT use the lush
descriptive prose of the novelist in describing action, but
rather, suggestive, compressed writing to let important
collaborators like the director know what we should see on the
screen. Screenwriting is suggestive writing more than detailed
writing, which is why many "pure writers," like novelists, don't
like to work in the form.
Another primary tool of the screenwriter is story structure.
Screenplays depend on clear, focused dramatic structure
more than any other narrative form. This means a clear main
character with a clear goal facing clear obstacles, and a story
developed with a beginning, a middle and an end. While beginning-
middle-end storytelling is important in all narrative forms, it
reveals itself more starkly in screenwriting, where the rhetorical
camouflage of the novelist or the dialogue-storytelling of the
playwright are not appropriate. Multiple plotlines, multiple main
characters, and multiple rhetorical styles all lend themselves to
novel writing, not to screenwriting.
Extended poetic monologues and long "talky" scenes lend
themselves to playwriting, not to screenwriting. The playwright
depends almost solely on dialogue to tell a story. This is why
screenplays written by playwrights are often "talky," too
dependent on dialogue and not enough on visual storytelling or
action. Screenplays written by novelists typically are over-
written, with action described in too much detail rather than
only suggested in lean prose. A screenplay, after all, is not a
literary document but a blueprint for a movie. In this sense,
the screenwriter is more like an architect than a writer.
So let me summarize: if your story depends on the inner life of
its characters and significant background exposition, explore the
novel. If your story depends on dialogue and can be told within a
few settings, explore the stage play. If your story depends on
strong visual storytelling (including exotic locations) and
action, with a clear main character, goal and obstacle, explore
the screenplay.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Charles Deemer is the author of "Screenwright: the Craft of
Screenwriting," which has been called "the bible of screenwriting
for the novice." For more information, visit Deemer's website at
http://www.teleport.com/~cdeemer/book/index.html Also see the
Screenwriters' and Playwrights' Discussion Forum:
http://writers-bbs.com/inkspot/threads.cgi?forum=screen
Copyright (c) 2000 Charles Deemer
*****************************************************************
CHOOSING A WRITING CONTEST
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Tammy Mackenzie <salivan@netcom.ca>
Placing well in a writing contest can be a huge boost for your
career. Like a published clip, a contest win tells editors that
you are a professional who puts out high-quality work.
Unfortunately, winning a contest with a bad reputation or
submitting to a contest that is nothing more than a clever scam
can do more harm than good.
Choose your contests carefully. Deadlines, contact information,
prizes and guidelines change daily -- and many contests cease to
exist after one or two runs. If you buy a book that lists
contests, make sure that the information is no more than one
year old. If you're looking through online lists and classified
ads, make sure that the links are no more than two months old.
Take the time to follow links to web sites, or telephone the
contest coordinator listed in a book. Contest web sites should
have current deadlines, and a telephone call should yield an
informed response to your questions.
Once you've chosen a few likely contests, you need to examine
their reputation and legitimacy. Whether you're surfing a web
site or calling the contest coordinator, there are a few
questions you should get answers to before sending in your work.
1. Who are the judges?
----------------------
Judges should, at the very least, be professionals in writing or
publishing. A professional -- especially a well-known
professional -- is not likely to risk his or her reputation on an
illegitimate contest. Moreover, respected judges add weight to
your potential win.
2. How high is the entry fee?
-----------------------------
Most contests rely on the sale of anthologies to pay for
expenses, but some subsidize their prize with an entry fee. For
works of under 10,000 words, the entry fee shouldn't be higher
than US $10. Exceptions might be if the judge is especially
popular -- for instance, a high entry fee for a horror fiction
contest judged by Stephen King would be more acceptable than for
one judged by John Doe -- or if the prize is a very large cash
purse. Even the smallest contests pull in 20 to 50 entries. If,
at 50 entries, they would be earning ten times the prize they're
paying out, send your work elsewhere.
3. What is the prize?
---------------------
Prizes vary greatly from contest to contest. A contest that
offers only publication is suspect. A small contest offering
publication on the web site will not be much of a credit, and
there's a good chance that the coordinators are getting money
from advertising revenue. A contest that offers publication in
an anthology but doesn't give contributor copies or royalties is
also suspect. They collect all the revenue from the publication
of the anthology, and they expect to collect a lot of that
revenue from "winners" who want copies of their work. Cash
prizes should be proportionate to entry fees, and payable within
a reasonable amount of time. Under no circumstances should it
be the winner's responsibility to collect the purse in person,
or pay to receive it.
4. What rights are requested?
-----------------------------
You should never lose rights to your material simply by
submitting it to a contest. If your work doesn't win, you should
still retain all rights to it. If it does win, you may be asked
to license certain rights to the contest organization -- such as
the right to publish the work in an anthology or on a web site --
but you should not lose all rights. If a contest asks you to
forfeit the rights to your work if you win -- and especially if
it claims any rights to submissions, whether they win or not --
stay away!
4. Who are the past winners?
----------------------------
Unless the contest is on its first run, you should have access to
a list of past winners. If it's feasible, try to contact the past
winners and ask them about their experiences. If you can't
contact them, ask the contest coordinator for references such as
professional writers or publishers, or writers groups that the
contest has dealt with in the past.
Entering and winning a writing contest can be a very gratifying
experience. When you submit, pay close attention to deadlines
and submission guidelines and edit your work carefully. As in
all writing, be patient. You may not win the first contest you
enter -- you may not win the tenth -- but that win will come with
persistence. Many contests offer critiques as an entry prize, and
you should take heed of the advice offered. Keep submitting, and
when you do win you'll get compensation for your work and a
valuable credit -- not to mention the satisfaction of being
declared the best.
Resources:
----------
Writers Beware
SFWA's page for illegitimate contests and vanity anthologies.
http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/contests.html
Ultimate Media: Tips and tricks to winning writing contests.
http://www.ult-media.com/tips1.htm
Two excellent short story contests:
Salivan Short Story Contest - http://www.salivan.com/
Writers of the Future - http://www.writersofthefuture.com/
The National Book Award
The best of the best. If you meet the qualifications, this is the
book prize to aim for.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/NBF/docs/nbf.html
Lists of writing contests:
--------------------------
Inkspot - http://www.inkspot.com/classifieds/contests.html
The Writer's Nook News Contests Page
http://www.twnn.com/Contests.htm
Speculative Fiction Contests
http://www.tipsforwriters.com/contests.html
Smith's CanLit Contests
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ab297/contests.html
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Tammy Mackenzie lives in Montreal, Canada. She writes fiction
and nonfiction in her spare time. During work hours, she edits
anthologies and coordinates writing contests for Salivan Writing
Works. She also edits SageBase.com, a nonfiction article
database, teaches creative writing and manages a manuscript
editing co-op. For permission to reprint this article, contact
Tammy Mackenzie <salivan@netcom.ca>.
Copyright (c) 2000 Tammy Mackenzie
*****************************************************************
WARNING: WATCH OUT FOR CONTEST SCAMS!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Kerry Hanslits <chanslits@sybercom.net>
Not every writing contest is ethical. How can you tell those
that are from those that aren't? Here are some tips.
On Rights, Contracts and Publication:
-------------------------------------
It is not "normal" for writing competitions or publishers to buy
all rights to your work on an across-the-board basis (i.e., just
because you've entered, whether or not you win). Buying all
rights to winning entries is, however, a normal part of business
for many publishing companies and is not necessarily a reflection
of a company's integrity. What rights are purchased and under
which circumstances should be outlined in the contract you sign.
If you are not given a written contract to peruse (and, if need
be, have reviewed by a lawyer), then you're probably not dealing
with a real company. However, a contract doesn't make a company
bona fide and worthwhile either. You must do your homework and
know the business of publishing so as to be capable of judging
whether or not this publishing/prize opportunity is worth your
time and effort. If you don't know who they are and what they
will/can do for you, how do you know the opportunity they offer
is a worthy showcase for your work?
On Prizes That Involve Land:
----------------------------
Be wary! Many scams are run with this lure, and even those that
are legit should be examined closely. Real estate laws are
complicated and location is essential. You don't want to find
yourself saddled with responsibilities in another state or
country because of winning a contest. Make sure you understand
what the prize is and what winning it might mean to you.
Taxes:
------
Whatever you win or earn, whether it be cash or a non-cash item
like a car, you are responsible for any taxes (duties, whatever)
that go along with it where you live. In the U.S., any earnings
over $600 have to be reported to the IRS. Know what laws apply to
you. Always be wary of huge prizes and take a close look at the
fine print of any competition you enter.
Copyright Laws:
---------------
Know them. This is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the
writing community. I've seen writers spend money and lose
opportunities to earn money simply because they didn't understand
the specifics of this law. Copyright law is an integral part of
the writer's business. It is well worth your time to take a course
in this subject and/or spend time reading the actual laws until
you have a good understanding of them.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Kerry Hanslits lives in Tidewater, Virginia. She works for Pearl
Line Press, a printing and publishing company. She is also the
founder of The Writer & Poet's Treasure Chest, an investigative
journal that specializes in researching writing opportunities.
For permission to reprint this article, contact Kerry Hanslits
at <chanslits@sybercom.net>.
Copyright (c) 2000 Kerry Hanslits
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