July 2002 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop newsletter

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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER

University of Dayton

July 1, 2002

mailto:erma@udayton.edu

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Many humor writers belong to the National Society of

Newspaper Columnists. In this issue, Dave Glardon and

Kristen Twedt -- humor columnists who attended the Erma

Bombeck Writers' Workshop -- review the NSNC convention

that took place a few weeks ago. There's also the usual

smattering of markets, humor news and useful resources.

Keep writing!

Tim Bete

Humor columnist (http://www.timbete.com) and

co-director, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

(http://erma.udayton.edu)

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

writer friends.

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NSNC WANTS YOU!

Outgoing NSNC President Peter Rowe of the San Diego

Union-Tribune suggested that attendees of the conference

extend an invitation to other columnists. Kristen Twedt

took it to heart.

See http://www.humorwriters.org/Twedt2.html

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SITTING IN THE HOT SEAT OF SELF-SYNDICATION

Columnist Dave Glardon shares his experience as a

panelist at the NSNC convention.

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

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NSNC WINNERS!

Each year, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists

holds a column writing contest. This year's winners for

humor writing are:

Newspapers with a circulation of more than 100,000:

1st - Joe Blundo, Columbus (Oh.) Dispatch

2nd - Jim Shea, The Hartford (Ct.) Courant

3rd - Bill Ervolino, The Record, Hackensack, NJ

Newspapers with a circulation of less than 100,000:

1st - Michael Miller, South Florida Business Journal

2nd - Michael Gallagher, Ellensburg (Wa.) Daily Record

3rd - Marty Levine, In Pittsburgh Weekly

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WILL SYNDICATES SURVIVE?

Dave Astor's column in Editor & Publisher provides a

detailed syndication outlook. The bottom line: It's not

an easy time for syndicates.

See http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=EP702&rf=EBWW702

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WHY BIG PUBLISHERS MEAN SMALL PUBLICITY

Author Chris Gavaler recently wrote a great article on

marketing and PR for new books, which appeared on

WritersWeekly.com.

See http://www.writersweekly.com/articles/061902-01.html

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LOOKING FOR NEW HUMOR MARKETS?

Larry Tritten tells how to broaden your horizons when it

comes to finding new places to sell your writing.

See http://www.sunoasis.com/tritton.html

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CALIF. COMEDY CONFERENCE -- November 15-17, 2002

Speakers include Rick Overton (Emmy award-winning writer

on HBO's Dennis Miller Live) and Danny Robinson (Senior

VP, head of comedy for Agency for the Performing Arts

with clients including Stephen Wright and Adam Sandler).

See http://www.comedyworkshops.com/frames/CCChome.html

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WHAT DO WRITERS EARN?

This new survey is designed to give writing professionals

more information about what their peers are earning for

different types of work at different levels of experience.

See http://www.realrates.com/authors

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HUMOR WRITER OF THE MONTH: CAROLE MOORE

Carole Moore is a humor columnist and writer with more

than 20 year's experience. She is the author of "The

Perils of Eileen" -- a fictional series about a housewife

turned spy. Her work has appeared in many newspapers and

magazines as well as on CompuServe's Love channel.

You can read Carole's work at:

http://www.thehumorwriter.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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BOOK GIVEAWAY

Each month we give away a book to one of the subscribers

to this newsletter. If you're subscribed, you're entered

to win! This issue's winner is Amy Jo Baker from Orlando,

Fla. Amy has won a copy of "How to Write Funny," edited

by John Kachuba, as well as an Erma Bombeck Writers'

Workshop mouse pad.

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

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RESOURCES FOR WRITERS

PARENTING PUBLICATIONS OF AMERICA

Regional parenting publications often run humor columns.

To find the magazine in your area, visit the PPA Web site.

PPA has 109 member publications.

See http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=PPA&rf=EBWW702

HOW THE GREAT COMEDY WRITERS CREATE LAUGHTER

The consummate work on the craft of creating comedy,

straight from the mouths of the masters. Personal in-depth

interviews with Goodman Ace, Mel Brooks, Art Buchwald,

Abe Burrows, Bill Dana, Selma Diamond, Jack Douglas,

Hal Kanter, Norman Lear, Carl Reiner and Neil Simon.

See http://www.larrywilde.com/bkwrit.htm

CARTOON RESOURCE

Offers the cartoons of leading American and British

cartoonists on more than 700 niche topics -- business,

lifestyle, culture, technology, relationship. Great to

illustrate your book.

See http://www.cartoonresource.com

THE MONA SCHREIBER HUMOR PRIZE

Writers of comedic essays, articles, short stories,

poetry, shopping lists and other forms are invited to

submit. Works up to 750 words accepted. $5 fee to cover

administrative costs -- $500 first prize.

See http://home.pcmagic.net/brashcyber

If you have a favorite book or Web site, let me know at

bete@udayton.edu. ( mailto:bete@udayton.edu )

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ERMA T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!

The official Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop T-shirts are

in. The shirt has the writers' workshop logo on the front

and, on the back, the Erma quote, "When I stand before

God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not

have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used

everything you gave me.'" Take a look and buy one at the

Erma gift shop.

See http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=ermashirt&rf=EBWW702

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NETWORK WITH OTHER HUMOR WRITERS

An e-mail discussion group has been formed for past

attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and those

who would like to attend in the future. To join, send a

blank e-mail message to:

humor_writers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

(mailto:humor_writers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com)

or visit the Yahoo! Group at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/humor_writers

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OTHER ERMA BOMBECK WRITING WORKSHOP LINKS

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ERMA MUSEUM: http://www.ErmaMuseum.org

ERMA T-SHIRT: http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=ermashirt&rf=EBWW702

8 WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR WRITING: http://www.timbete.com/Erma

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

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

SPONSORS: http://www.humorwriters.org/Sponsors.html

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