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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
June 2005
mailto:erma@udayton.edu
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Dear writer:
I've been working with the Bombeck family to digitize their home movies. The movies, from the 1960s and '70s, span the time from before Erma had her first newspaper column to after she was a best-selling author and regular on Good Morning America.
Some people cringe at the thought of watching home movies. But the Bombeck home movies are fascinating because they're so similar to the home movies of every family -- birthday parties and holidays, kids mugging for the camera, summer vacations. The movies show a typical family doing typical things.
But about those everyday experiences, Erma wrote more than 4,000 columns and 12 best-selling books. She was able to find interesting details in all parts of her life. You can do the same.
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
director, Erma Bombeck Writers'
Latest news...
BOOK PUBLISHING GOES UP; BOOK SALES GO DOWN
Despite widespread agreement that too many books are crowding the marketplace, a record number of new titles came out in 2004, a recent study estimates. The Book Industry Study Group predicts better sales this year, however. Read more.
SHE WHO LAUGHS LAST
Christy Stratton was hired to write scripts for Fox's King of the Hill without actually interviewing for the job. Really. Read more.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL
Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop faculty member Dr. Mark Shatz says classroom levity boosts student interest and participation. Read more.
AMAZON HOUSE?
What if Amazon.com, the country’s biggest online bookseller, started publishing short pieces they could post for sale in an iTunes-like way? It might just become a reality. Read more.
BRAD PITT LOVES YOUR BOOK
Celebrity endorsements may not cost a thing other than time, patience and persistence. Literary agent Penny Sansevieri tells how to get a famous face to promote your book. Read more.
NSNC GIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO HAMILL
New York newspaperman Pete Hamill is the recipient of the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Read more.
SMALL-TIME PUBLISHERS ADD UP TO BIG BUSINESS
With the help of the Internet, independent publishers are generating sales worth billions. As these under-the-radar companies gain momentum, New York publishers are no longer the only gatekeepers to what gets into print. A recent report gives details. Read more.
GO AHEAD, PROCRASTINATE!
Is it possible that procrastination is simply one way to deal with the stresses in life? And if so, is it such a terrible habit? Read more.
DINE NOW, SIGN LATER
During what are being called “presell tours,” publishers are picking up the check for first dates between authors and booksellers. Malcolm Jones has the scoop on the latest weapon for publishers’ never-ending crusade to get readers buying books by lesser-known authors. Read more.
BOOK SENSE CROWNS “THE BOOKS OF 2005”
The Book Sense Book of the Year Awards represent those titles independent booksellers most enjoyed handselling during the past year. Check out which books topped their list. Read more.
KIRKLAND TO PRESENT SEMINAR
Former Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop faculty member Gordon Kirkland will present “Writing Humor -- Even on Days When You Don't Feel Funny,” at the Washington-Centerville Public Library in Centerville, Ohio on Saturday July 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information contact Sue Shay: (937) 610-4419 or sshay@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Humor writer of the month
MARYBETH HICKS
Marybeth Hicks is the author of "Then again..." a weekly column appearing on Sundays in The Washington Times newspaper in Washington, D.C., and syndicated to several prominent Web sites and publications across the country. Marybeth is under contract with a noted literary agent to develop a parenting book based on two of her columns, "Bringing up Geeks" and "Rules for raising uncool kids." She hopes to have her book published in 2006. 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:
* Che Didian Anye
* Marykay Moreland
Thanks to Emmis Books for providing the books for our giveaway!
Who's publishing what?
PAST WORKSHOP FACULTY
COCHRAN’S CARTOONS RECEIVE PRAISE: Tony Cochran, creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip “Agnes,” was among those honored this year by the Parents for Behaviorally Different Children.
PAST WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
COLUMNIST WITH A BOOK DEAL CAN’T HELP BUT SMILE: The Best of Smiley, a collection spanning two decades of Smiley Anders’ six-day-a-week columns from The Advocate in Baton Rouge, La., is available from AuthorHouse.
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
THE ALL-SPORTS MOM: Humor columnist and writer Paula Schmitt has published Living in a Locker Room: A Mom’s Tale of Survival in a Houseful of Boys.
SHOP 'TIL HE DROPS: Jerry Zezima’s essay, “Shop 'Til He Drops: Confessions of a Supermarket Dad," will appear in July’s issue of Family Circle. The article gives readers an insight into being the designated driver during a husband-wife food shopping spree: He drives the cart and she shops.
CHICK-LIT COMPILATION IS TRIPPIN’: Dena Dyer and Laurie Barker Copeland have published The Groovy Chicks' Road Trip to Peace. The book has been featured in CBA Marketplace, Christian Retailing, and will appear in an upcoming issue of Working Mother.
SUNDBERG’S POETRY GETS PUBLISHED: After Esther Leiper critiqued a poem in Writer’s Journal, Norma Sundberg replied by sending along one of her own poems with an accompanying letter. Now, both Sundberg’s poem and letter are published in Leiper’s May-June issue in the “Esther Comments On” column.
Markets, contests and more
CUP OF COMFORT FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS: “A Cup of Comfort” anthology seeks heartwarming true stories about this unique time in a woman’s life for their latest volume. Submissions are due by July 15, 2005. Read more.
CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: Personal, anecdotal stories about the exceptional aspects of parenting an autistic (or a related disorder) child are sought. Submissions are due by Oct. 1, 2005. Read more.
“ADOPTION JOURNEY” ANTHOLOGY SEEKS SUBMISSIONS: Editor Paula Schmitt is looking for birth mothers, adoptive mothers and adopted daughters who would like to share their inspiring story in “Adoption Journey.” E-mail paula@paulaschmitt.com for more information.
WRITING AND LITERARY E-ZINE: Inkwell Newswatch Writing and Literary E-zine is a monthly online resource brimming with how-to articles on writing fiction, nonfiction, journalism, comedy, poetry, screenplays, plays, radio and online material, and more. They currently seek readers, writers and advertisers. Read more.
WRITING FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY: ABC Entertainment and The Walt Disney Studios Writing Fellowship Program gives more than a dozen writers the chance to develop their craft by working full time in television or feature films. Applications are due by June 30, 2005. Read more.
ONLINE HUMOR-WRITING CLASS: Who said summer is only for sipping on lemonade? Brush up on humor-writing fundamentals in a 10-week online workshop. Read more.
HUMOR WRITING CONTEST: “Queen Jaw Jaw” is conducting a new writing contest on her homepage, www.queenjawjaw.com. Click on “Jaw Jaw Contests.”
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, DAVE HAVE ANSWERS: The Web site www.davekingedits.com gives visitors a chance to have their writing questions answered for free by Dave King, a contributing editor for Writer's Digest and the co-author of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.
FREE RESOURCE FOR WRITERS: Post press releases, find out information on authors and guest speakers, check out literary events happening in your area -- even post your media events for free. 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
