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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
August 2005
mailto:erma@udayton.edu
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Dear writer:
After the 2002 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, I started this newsletter. Three years later, more than 4,000 writers subscribe to it. We've come a long way.
The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop has come a long way, too. Since it started in 2000, nearly a thousand writers have attended and learned from New York Times best-selling authors, Pulitzer prize-winning columnists, agents and editors. In the next few issues I'll share information about our March 23-25, 2006 writers' workshop. The lineup of speakers is already strong and includes Dave Barry, Susan Reinhardt, Gordon Kirkland, Craig Wilson, Jodie Lynn, Kristin Godsey, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Leigh Anne Jasheway Bryant, Mark Shatz and Richard Hunt, among others. I hope to see you there!
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
director, Erma Bombeck Writers'
Latest news...
NSNC WILL GIVE AWARD TO BUCHWALD
Art Buchwald will be the 2006 recipient of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists' Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSNC's conference next summer in Boston. Read more.
I NEVER ASPIRED TO BE A COLUMNIST
Carrie Metz-English didn't set out to be a columnist. But that's where she ended up. Read more.
SIX FIGURE FAKING IT
Could a red convertible be the key to successful writing? LouAnn Edwards thinks so. Read more.
THE ODDEST PROJECT IN THE HISTORY OF POETRY
The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form wants to have at least one limerick for each and every word in the English language. You can help. Read more.
BOB NEWHART'S LIFE AND CAREER
"I had to write to do my own comedy writing when I first started because I couldn't afford to pay anyone else," Newhart said. "Writing is still one of the loneliest jobs in the world, looking at that blank piece of paper. But once you get caught up in it, it's very rewarding." Read more.
NOW HEAR THIS
Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson and former Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop faculty member, shares tips on breaking into the voice acting business. Read more.
AWARD FOR POSITIVE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER
The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) will present an award to the author of a book that best promotes the organization's mission "to advance the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits." Read more.
ADVICE FOR AUTHORS
Marketing guru, Seth Godin, provides some unconventional wisdom, such as "book publishing is an organized hobby, not a business" and "blurbs don't sell books." Read more.
BESTSELLERS ARE A WOMAN'S WORLD, BABY
Male writers may soon become obsolete, according to a new study by POD publisher lulu.com. After conducting a study of the bestselling books of the past 50 years, the Website has boldly predicted that writing books will soon become a woman’s job. Read more.
USING FICTION TO SELL FICTION
The top results in a Google search for "Jayne Dennis" are a Web page with a photo of the B-list actress posing on a red carpet, and a fan site full of snapshots and gossip about Ms. Dennis's relationship with actor Keanu Reeves. The twist: Jayne Dennis doesn't exist -- not in the real world, at least. Read more.
CARTOON NETWORK LOOKING FOR ADVISORY TEAM MEMBERS
The Cartoon Network's new Tickle U Advisory Team! plans to spread the word to mothers and families about the power of humor and the importance of laughter. To help as an advisor, visit their Web site.
IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE MARKETS
Kelly Lyrik shares tips and information about getting published in seven in-flight magazines. Read more.
Humor writer of the month
JILL TATE
Jill Tate's weekly humor column appears each Friday in the Columbus (Nebraska) Telegram and her "Wacky, but True News" appears weekly in the Access Sioux Falls (South Dakota) newspaper. She is currently being held hostage by her husband and six children. 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:
* Gale Manning-Weithers
* Peggy Simpson
* Ken Marten
Thanks to Emmis Books for providing the books for our giveaway!
Who's publishing what?
PAST WORKSHOP FACULTY
O'KEEFE PROVIDES RESOURCES: Steve O'Keefe offers handouts from the Internet marketing presentations he gave at the 2005 PMA Publisher's University.
PAST WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
CRACKED AT BIRTH: Kathryn Mahoney's book of humorous essays covers everything from giving birth to a kitchen, to surviving the slings and arrows of outrageous toddlers.
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
NEW VONNEGUT: A Man Without a Country is Kurt Vonnegut’s first major book in nearly a decade. It's a "hilariously funny and razor-sharp look at life."
Markets, contests and more
LET THEM EAT CAKE: Looking for hilarious stories about wedding days from women who have been part of the big day (bridesmaids, brides, guests, strangers, caterers, officiants). For complete details, contact Lisa Taggart at weddingessay@earthlink.net.
WRITERS WITH HUMOR DISCUSSION GROUP: The Writers With Humor Discussion GROUP provides a forum to submit your work and critique other member's writing. Regular participation is requested. For more information, write to Margie at margieculbertson@hotmail.com
MEET THE AUTHOR: See and hear authors introducing their books in their own words. Read more.
BOOK REVIEW SERVICE: TCM Reviews offers review services for all published ebooks and books of any genre. Read more.
SCREENWRITING CONTEST: Grand prize is $16,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to attend Screenwriting Expo 4. Read more.
ESSAY CONTEST: FundsforWriters sponsors an annual essay contest to allow writers to express success in some manner. This year, the theme is "They Actually Paid Me to Write." Read more.
PENN. WRITERS' CONFERENCE: The 11th Annual Writers' Conference at Penn, in Philadelphia, presents workshops covering the artistic and technical as well as the business aspects of writing, including "Humor Writing: It's No Joke" with Tanya Maria Barrientos. Read more.
THAT FIRST LINE: If you've written a great opening line for a book, movie, comedy act, stage play, poem, short story, article or song, enter it and you could win $500 and gain a little well-deserved recognition, while supporting national literacy. Read more.
ANTHOLOGY COURSE: No-charge course for writers who want to write for the popular anthology/compilation market. Read more.
LITERARY MAGAZINE FOR MOM WRITERS: New magazine features writing by mothers on the ups and downs and challenges of motherhood, including creative nonfiction essays, columns, book reviews and profiles about mom writers. 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
