Jan. 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop newsletter

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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER

University of Dayton

January 2004

mailto:erma@udayton.edu

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I'm sure fame and fortune are two of your resolutions for 2004. A good start would be to enter this year's Erma Bombeck Writing Competition. Last year, more than 1,100 writers entered. You can read an interview with Leigh Anne Jasheway, the winner of the 2003 humor category, at http://www.humorwriters.org/Jasheway.html

There's no entry fee and cash prizes will be awarded. What do you have to lose? Enter today at http://www.wcpl.lib.oh.us/adults/erma.html

There are still some spots open for the March Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop in Dayton, Ohio. To register, see http://www.humorwriters.org/Registernow.html

Keep writing -- and hope to see you in March!

Tim Bete

Humor columnist (http://www.TimBete.com) and director, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (http://www.HumorWriters.org)

P.S. Feel free to forward this newsletter to all your writer friends.

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THURBER PRIZE IS BACK

The Thurber Prize for American Humor is back after a three-year hiatus. Thurber House is a non-profit literary center in Columbus, Ohio and the former home of American humorist, author, and New Yorker cartoonist James Thurber. Thurber House presented its first Thurber Prize in 1996 as a biennial award to recognize the art of humor writing. Past winners include David Sedaris, the staff of The Onion, and Ian Frazier.

See http://www.thurberhouse.org/prize/default.htm

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COLUMN IDEAS

Los Angeles Times columnist, Dana Parsons, recently wrote about column ideas and the people who suggest them. Very funny piece.

See http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-me-parsons28dec28.column

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NATL. DIR. OF EDITORS AND WRITERS FOR HIRE

Elizabeth Lyon, author of "Nonfiction book proposals anybody can write," is looking for writers and editors who would like to be listed in the National Directory of Editors and Writers for Hire, to be published by M. Evans and Co. in Feb 2005. The listings are free. To get a listing form, contact Elizabeth at elyon123@comcast.net. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2004. For information about Elizabeth, see http://www.elizabethlyon.com

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IS POD FOR YOU?

A good list of the pros and cons of self-publishing.

See http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/isit4me.htm

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WHAT YOU GET FROM REJECTION LETTERS

Jenna Glatzer shares what a writer can learn from letters that say "no, thanks."

See http://www.writing-world.com/basics/form.shtml

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THE EVENT OF A LIFETIME

The 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop will offer sessions on humor and human interest writing, finding an agent, syndication, TV writing and more. Network with writers from 31 states and Canada at the event of a lifetime. It's all happening at the University of Dayton (Ohio) from March 25-27, 2004.

MEET THE FACULTY: http://www.humorwriters.org/Speakerbios.html

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: http://www.humorwriters.org/Sessions.html

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PROFITABLE PERSONAL ESSAYS

Dawn Goldsmith shows how to sell your personal experiences.

See http://www.writersweekly.com/articles/092403-01.html

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WHO'S PUBLISHING WHAT?

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HUMOROUS MYSTERY WINS HONORS Kathryn Lively's "Saints Preserve Us," won the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Award for Best Mystery. See http://www.kathrynlively.com

SCHREIBER PUBLISHES "WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?" Brad Schreiber has written the definitive book on how to write funny. In it he compares writing screenplays with fiction and non-fiction in all forms. See http://www.brashcyber.com

WILSON PENS "BOTH SIDES NOW" Connie (Corcoran) Wilson's humorous look at life is now available online through 1stBooks. See http://www.ConnieCorcoranWilson.com

THE TRUTH ABOUT COWS AND OTHER FARM ANIMALS Leigh Rubin, creator of the Rubes cartoon, forays into the fantastical and fanciful world of farm animals. See http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/193199336X

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HUMOR WRITER OF THE MONTH: KAREN RINEHART

Newspaper columnist, Karen Rinehart, is the queen of the Bus Stop Mommies. She recently found a publisher for her book, "Invisible Underwear, Bus Stop Mommies and Other Things True To Life."

See http://www.karenrinehart.net/brothers_turn_40.html

If you'd like to be considered as our featured writer, send an e-mail with a link to one of your columns to: mailto:bete@udayton.edu

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WRITER'S DIGEST BOOK GIVEAWAY

Each month we give away a book on writing to a few of the subscribers to this newsletter. If you're subscribed, you're entered to win! This issue's winners are:

* Jackie Fishman from Potomac, MD

* Thom Bluemel from Arcadia, CA

Each has won a copy of "Agents, editors and you: The insider's guide to getting your book published." They've also won an Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop mouse pad.

Thanks to Writer's Digest for providing the books for our giveaway. To learn more about the book we gave away this month, see http://www.writersdigest.com/store/booksdisplay.asp?id=10817

Stay tuned! You could be next issue's winner!

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MARKETS, CONTESTS AND MORE

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MOMS IN PRINT: Moms In Print publishes select works by a wide variety of mom authors. They accept fiction, non-fiction and poetry. See http://www.momsinprint.com/submission.html

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PUB BUZZ: A great source of author and book news. See http://www.pubbuzz.com

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PRINT EXPERT: Bob's print guide defines dozens of printing terms. See http://www.bobs.co.uk/print/glossary.html

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CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE MUSIC LOVER'S SOUL: Looking for stories about holiday music and its magic. See http://www.MusicLoversSoul.com

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NETWORK WITH OTHER HUMOR WRITERS: Network with other humor writers. Join the e-mail discussion group for past attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and those who would like to attend in the future. To join, visit the Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/humor_writers

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SUGGEST A RESOURCE If you have a favorite book or Web site, let me know at bete@udayton.edu. mailto:bete@udayton.edu

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OTHER ERMA BOMBECK WRITING WORKSHOP LINKS

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WORKSHOP FACULTY http://www.humorwriters.org/Speakerbios.html

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE http://www.humorwriters.org/Sessions.html

ERMA MUSEUM http://www.ErmaMuseum.org

FREE SCREEN SAVER http://www.humorwriters.org/Screensaver.html

FREE NEWSLETTER http://www.humorwriters.org/Newsletter.html

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