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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
February 2005
mailto:erma@udayton.edu
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Dear writer:
My first book is hot off the press and already selling well. It has
reached top-30 Amazon.com best-seller status in the parenting
Award and has been called "a must-read for any new parent" and
"the funniest read for parents of any age." Obviously, I'm thrilled!
Now I'm knee-deep in the publicity process and need to take a little of
my own advice. I've always told writers to ask for help when they need it.
The writing community is usually so supportive that the best way to further
your career is by asking other writers to help you. I advise writers to be
specific when they ask for help. While I'm often the one giving advice, now
it's my turn to ask. I'd like you to consider doing two things for me:
1) Buy a copy of my book. You can order autographed copies at my Web site. It's also available at Amazon.com.
2) Tell 10 of your friends about my Web site -- www.timbete.com. In addition to getting a good laugh, they can enter to win free coffee.
Thanks in advance for your help. I'll keep you posted on the success of my book. And please let me know about your recent writing successes. We love to share them in this newsletter.
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
Latest news...
THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS JOHNNY
Comedic legend Johnny Carson dies at 79. Heaven is a funnier place.
THE STRUCTURE OF HUMOR
Using formats in your writing allows you to produce material faster and funnier -- and sell more pieces. Read more.
THE LITERALIST AND THE HUMORIST
Ever work with an editor who's a literalist? Marsha Marks has. Read more.
ENTER WRITING CONTEST BEFORE FEB. 18
The ninth annual Erma Bombeck Writing Competition is open for entries. Last year's competition, sponsored by Washington-Centerville Public Library and the University of Dayton, drew more than 1,200 entries from 48 states and 19 countries. You can enter this year's contest between now and Feb. 18, 2005 (midnight, EST). There is a limit of one entry per person. Entries must be submitted using the contest's online form.
USING WHO YOU ARE TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
Inside every procrastinator is a person who uses procrastination in profoundly original and skillful ways to get what they need. Read more.
VALENTINE'S MESSAGES FOR EDITOR
Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares messages that will endear you to editors on Valentine's Day and forever more. Read more.
THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH STRATEGY
Ross Macpherson, president of Career Quest, shares that the secret to job hunting is networking. Read more.
GONE FISHIN’...IN OTHER WRITERS’ BIOS
Jenna Glatzer reveals why you should read an article all the way to its end: to discover new markets for your writing. Read more.
NO TIME TO FINISH YOUR BOOK?
Book coach Judy Cullins offers seven time-efficient tips for completing your project. Read more.
BLOG READERSHIP SURGED 58 PERCENT IN 2004
Rob McGann examines how 2004 became the “Year of the Blog.” Read more.
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY 2005 LIST OF BANISHED WORDS
No more “You’re fired!” No more “flip flopper.” Say goodbye to the words that penetrated our vocabulary last year. Read more.
NEWSPAPERS BAFFLED BY DECLINES
No one likes stacks of old newspapers laying around their house collecting dust. PC Magazine examines what it means for the newspaper industry if this is the cause for their readership decline. Read more.
A WORKING WRITER’S WEB SITE: PUBLISH, PROMOTE AND PROFIT?
Danielle Hollister provides you with reasons why writers should have a personalized page on the Web and references to help you set one up. Read more.
Humor writer of the month
KAREN MCQUESTION
Karen McQuestion has been published in Newsweek, the Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Wisconsin Academy Review and CNI Newspapers. Visit her Web site.
Emmis Books giveaway
Each month we give away a book on writing to a few subscribers to our newsletter. If you're subscribed, you're entered to win! This issue's winners are:
Elizabeth Rider
* Anita Lee
Thanks to Emmis Books for providing the books for our giveaway.
Who's publishing what?
PAST WORKSHOP FACULTY
PAST WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
DEATH IN THE CARDS: Sharon Short's new book will be published March 1 by Avon Books.
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
Markets, contests and more
WHERE TO GET PUBLISHED FOR FREE ONLINE: Danielle Hollister provides an extensive list of Web sites accepting submissions. Read more.
ZULU PUBLICATIONS: Airlines Magazine from Zulu Publications is looking for freelance submissions. Read more.
STORIES ABOUT DEPARTURE AND CHANGE WANTED: Hourglass Books is currently reading submissions for their second short story anthology, Leaving Home. You can also join their free mailing list to receive details about forthcoming projects as they're available. Read more.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Meadowbrook Press, focusing on books for parents and children, seek stories for their upcoming nursing tales anthology. Read more.
A CUP OF COMFORT FOR GRANDPARENTS: Share stories of extraordinary experiences in ordinary lives. The Adams Media Corporation seeks submissions for the latest release of their Cup of Comfort series. Read more.
THE HEART OF A FATHER: Beginning March 1, editor Wayne Holmes will accept submissions for the second volume of The Heart of a Father. Read more.
BOOKFLASH BULLETIN: Add your press release to this bimonthly bulletin e-mailed to 3,700 media and publishing professionals. Read more.
THE NEVER ENDING E-BOOK OF WRITING MARKETS: Discover new places to sell your writing. Pay once; get 100 new markets every month. Read more.
TOM HOWARD/JOHN H. REID SHORT STORY CONTEST: Submit short stories, essays or other works of prose by March 31. Early submissions are encouraged. Read more.
BUSINESSFILM ELAN SCEENPLAY CONTEST: BusinessFilm Elan, the cinema development branch of BusinessFilm Productions, is seeking short comedy screenplays for their Freedom Fries 2005 contest. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 15. Read more.
ROCKING CHAIR READER: Seeks submissions for "Something Old, Something New." Read more.
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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.
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SUGGEST A RESOURCE: If you have a favorite book or Web site, let us know at bete@udayton.edu.
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Copyright 2005, University of Dayton
