May 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop newsletter

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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER

University of Dayton

May 2004

mailto:erma@udayton.edu

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Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Chris Neely died last Friday after a short illness. Chris was only 37 years old and is survived by his wife and seven-month-old son. He won third-place in the 2003 National Society of Newspaper Columnists' contest for humor columns in newspapers with circulations greater than 100,000. Chris was a great talent.

I was the judge of 2003 NSNC contest and first exposed to Chris' writing there. Here's what I wrote about Chris' winning entries:

"Chris Neely's self-deprecating humor is contagious. His writing shows a diversity of styles, from lambasting Jerry Lewis to showing his fondness for typewriters versus computers. Chris has a unique ability to let you inside his mind and life in a way that makes you cheer for him, even when you know he's off his rocker."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Neely family and Chris' co-workers at the Star-Telegram.

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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FAMILY VALUES

After eight years, the writing staff of Everybody Loves Raymond is an extended family.

See http://www.wga.org/WrittenBy/0404/raymond.html

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MORE COLUMNS FROM WORKSHOP ATTENDEES

Samantha Bennett wrote about the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. See http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04105/300308.stm

Other attendees have also shared their thoughts with us.

BALDNESS BASHING: During the workshop, Wayne Adams was proud to be bald. See http://www.coprolites.org/page17.html

GLOWING ELBOWS: Donna Mattingly walked in with great anticipation, and out with tremendous motivation. See http://www.humorwriters.org/DonnaMattingly.html

TOP 10 THINGS I LEARNED: Melissa Baumann shares what she learned at the workshop. See http://www.humorwriters.org/BaumannTop10.html

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REUNION SHOWS ON CBS

CBS is airing The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited (May 11 at 9 p.m.) and The Carol Burnett Show: Let's Bump Up the Lights (May 12 at 10 p.m.). Ray Romano is host of the Van Dyke program, which reunites Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner and Rose Marie in their original roles. Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Wagoner join Carol Burnett to air never-before-seen clips.

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25 WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BOOK

Connie Corcoran Wilson shares how she promoted her book, "Both Sides Now."

See http://www.humorwriters.org/25WaystoMarket.html

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IN DEFENSE OF THE LOWLY PUN

Lorie Boucher writes "Tolerance of, and respect for, the simple pun can free us from our haute, 21st century, intellectually smug sense of humour."

See http://www.writersblock.ca/spring2004/essay.htm

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FAITH OF A MUSTARD SEED

When University of Dayton graduate Westina Matthews penned a short, inspirational book, Have a Little Faith: The Faith of the Mustard Seed, she was astounded by how her simple message of hope touched other people.

See http://www.humorwriters.org/MustardSeed.html

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BOOK PROPOSAL & PROMOTION RESOURCES

Steve O'Keefe was on the faculty of the 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and is the author of "Complete Guide to Internet Publicity." He provided a list of online resources, including sample book proposal pitch letters and online promotion campaign materials.

See http://www.humorwriters.org/OkeefeResources.html

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PUTTING PEN TO PAPER

Getting from a stack of blank paper to a published book can be a daunting experience. Dee Power and Brian Hill are keeping a journal online so you can read about their challenges and achievements as they research and write "The Bestseller: Success Stories from Top Authors and the Editors, Agents, and Booksellers behind Them."

See http://www.BrianHillAndDeePower.com/journal.html

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HOOK 'EM

Darlene Ryan provides some tips on promoting your book through local and regional radio.

See http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/001311_02252004.html

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WHO'S PUBLISHING WHAT?

THEY LIED! TRUE TALES OF PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH and BREASTFEEDING: A compilation of stories, including a few by attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. See http://www.vivavocepress.com

TWEDT APPEARS ON MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RADIO: Mississippi Public Broadcasting has recently recorded columns by Hattiesburg American columnist and freelance writer Kristen Twedt for broadcast during the Morning Edition, Day to Day and All Things Considered segments on Mississippi Public Radio. See http://www.etv.state.ms.us/radio/programs/commentaries/0404/main.htm

MISADVENTURES OF MOMS AND DISASTERS OF DADS: Edited by Kerri Charette, this collection includes 59 funny, moving and entertaining pieces -- several from attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. See http://www.momsinprint.com

SECRETS OF SYNDICATION: Jodie Lynn, who spoke at the 2004 writers' workshop, has published "Syndication Secrets: 10 Must-Do, Tried and True Rules In Getting Syndicated." See http://www.syndicationsecrets.com

GREATEST EULOGIES OF OUR TIME: Cyrus Copeland has compiled the greatest eulogies, which includes Phil Donahue's eulogy of Erma Bombeck.

See http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400049466

HOHLBAUM PUBLISHES "AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE ABROAD" Christine Louise Hohlbaum's serialized fiction, "American Housewife Abroad" is available online. See http://www.AnotherChapter.com

MOORE CREATES NEW WEB SITE: Shana Moore has launched Caffeinated Ponderings. See http://www.caffeinatedponderings.com

DC STANFA HAS NEW SITE: DC Stanfa, author of "Goosed by Gravity," has launched a new Web site. See http://www.dcstanfa.com

SHAPUTIS PENS SECOND BOOK: Kathleen Shaputis has published "The Crowded Nest Syndrome: Surviving the Return of Adult Children." Her first book was "Grandma Online: A Grandmother’s Guide to the Internet." See http://www.crowdednestsyndrome.com

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HUMOR WRITER OF THE MONTH: LISA ESPINOZA JOHNSON

Lisa Espinoza Johnson is the author of "Days of Whine and Noses," a book of bite-sized funny stories and observations about the everyday experiences of motherhood. Lisa is writes for Christian Parenting Today and is also an accomplished musician. Her song "Pooped on, Pooped Out Blues" is hysterical. See http://www.CandyKissesMuddyHugs.com

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 subscribers to this newsletter. If you're subscribed, you're entered to win! This issue's winners are:

* Sue Freeman from High Point, NC

* John Hershey from Denver, CO

Each has won a copy of "You Can Write a Column." 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=10660

Stay tuned! You could be one of next issue's winners!

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MARKETS, CONTESTS AND MORE

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BABIES & WEDDINGS: Have a funny, unexpected experience about either Toddlers or Weddings & Honeymoons? See http://www.vivavocepress.com/submit.html

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CUP OF COMFORT: The Comfort and Power of Story seeks true stories for A Cup of Comfort for Faith (July 1 deadline) and A Cup of Comfort for Love (August 15 deadline). See http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm

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THE RIGHT WORDS: Marlo Thomas seeks submissions for an anthology called The Right Words at the Right Time about words that change people's lives. No pay. High profile book. Proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. See http://www.rightwordsbooks.com

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I WANNA BE SEDATED: Anthology on parenting teens, seeks true stories, written in first person. See http://www.sealpress.com/sealcall.html#Anchor-49575

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ANTIOCH WRITERS’ WORKSHOP: July 10-16, 2004 in Yellow Springs, OH (near Dayton). This is the 19th year the workshop has offered its nationally renowned summer writing program, widely acclaimed for its collegiality and professionalism. This year's faculty includes humor columnist and author, Sharon Short. See http://www.antiochwritersworkshop.com

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HUMOR IN KEY WEST: The 2005 Key West Literary Seminar is focusing on humor and includes Dave Barry on its faculty. See http://www.keywestliteraryseminar.org

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$1 PER WORD: A PDF file from the National Writers Union that lists 182 publications that pay $1 per word or more. See http://www.nwu.org/journ/dollarwd.pdf

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CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE LATINO SOUL: Seeks true stories from Latino writers. $300 for accepted stories. See http://www.latinosoul.com

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FAVORITE DOG STORIES: Contest for non-fiction stories of dog heroes, favorite dogs, and interesting or funny dog stories. See http://doghero.com/features/contest.htm

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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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2004 WORKSHOP SPONSORS

University of Dayton National Alumni Association: http://alumni.udayton.edu

Ohio Humanities Council: http://www.ohiohumanities.org

AuthorHouse: http://www.authorhouse.com

National Society of Newspaper Columnists: http://www.columnists.com

Andrews McMeel Publishing: http://www.amuniversal.com/amp

Dayton Daily News: http://www.daytondailynews.com

Books & Company: http://www.booksandco.com/events/dayton04.html

ThinkTV: http://www.thinktv.org

Washington-Centerville Public Library: http://www.wcpl.lib.oh.us

WHIO-TV: http://www.whiotv.com

WYSO public radio: http://www.wyso.org

Dayton Marriott: http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage/DAYOH

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OTHER ERMA BOMBECK WRITING WORKSHOP LINKS

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