Oct. 2003 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop newsletter

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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER

University of Dayton

October 2003

mailto:erma@udayton.edu

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More than 150 writers from 29 states and Canada have already registered for the 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. The workshop will be held in Dayton, Ohio, from March 25-27, 2004. At the rate registrations are coming in, we could sell out in the next month. If you're thinking about attending, please register soon so you're not shut out.

This issue includes part two of my series, "Anatomy of a first book," in which I'm walking through the entire process that landed me a book contract -- from Web site promotion, to branding, to contract negotiation, to writing the book. Part two describes the book proposal I wrote and tips for writing your own.

Keep writing -- and hope to see you next March!

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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ANATOMY OF A BOOK PROPOSAL

In part 2 of the "Anatomy of a first book" series, I describe how I wrote my book proposal and what information I included.

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

Missed part one? See ANATOMY OF A QUERY LETTER at http://www.humorwriters.org/QueryLetter.html

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INTERVIEW WITH TODD PINSKY

Every humor writer would love to get Dave Barry to provide a testimonial. When I chatted with Todd Pinsky, he told me how he accomplished the feat.

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

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WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE IS BOOMING

More than 150 writers from 29 states and Canada have already registered for the 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. Plan to be in Dayton, Ohio, from March 25-27, 2004 for the event of a lifetime.

MEET THE FACULTY: http://www.humorwriters.org/Speakerbios.html

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: http://www.humorwriters.org/Sessions.html

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HOW TO MAKE WAVES IN SELF-PUBLISHING

John Blumenthal describes why and how he self-published his book, "What's Wrong With Dorfman?"

See http://www.writersweekly.com/success/080603-03.html

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NSNC ANNOUNCES 2003 COLUMNIST CONTEST WINNERS AND KICKS OFF 2004 COMPETITION

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists announced its 2003 columnist contest winners and is kicking off its 2004 competition. There are three categories. One category is for general interest and humor columns in two circulation groups -- newspapers above 100,000, and under 100,000. The second category is for notes/items columns in newspapers of any circulation. The third category is for online columns.

See hhttp://www.columnists.com

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185 LINKS FOR WRITERS

We've posted a huge number of new links for writers on our Web site.

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

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TOP 10 SITES CREATED BY WRITERS

Writer's Digest magazine recently picked the top 10 Web sites created and maintained by writers. You may find some ideas for your own Web site by visiting some of these sites.

See http://www.humorwriters.org/top10sites.html

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KURT VONNEGUT

The official Web site of one of my favorite authors.

See http://www.vonnegut.com

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I LOVE TO WRITE DAY

November 15 is "I love to write" day. To celebrate, writing events will be held at schools, libraries and bookstores.

See http://www.ilovetowrite.com

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HUMOR WRITER OF THE MONTH: DAVE FOX

Dave Fox is a freelance humor and travel writer, and public speaker. He also spends several months in Europe each year as a tour guide for Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. A former news anchor for Wisconsin Public Radio, he has written for a variety of newspapers, magazines, and book publishers.

See http://www.davethefox.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 Joanne Johnson from Madison, Wisconsin. Joanne has won a copy of "Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why" by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman, as well as an Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop mouse pad.

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

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MARKETS, CONTESTS AND MORE

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SUCCESS WANTED CONTEST: Funds for Writers is holding a contest for good stories about unique writing successes, so other writers can gain insight into the possibilities that exist for their talent. See http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFWcontest.htm

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KIDS QUOTES WANTED: Kate Harper Designs, a greeting card publisher, holds a kids greeting card contest three times a year. See http://hometown.aol.com/kateharp/myhomepage/business.html

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ROUGH GUIDES SEEKS TRAVEL STORIES: Have you had dysentery in Dharamsala, malaria in Mombassa or been stung by a jellyfish on the Barrier Reef? The Rough Guide to Travel Health needs your stories of getting ill -- and getting better -- while traveling. See http://www.roughguides.com/about/workforus.html

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CUP OF COMFORT: Looking for stories on about spirituality and mothers & sons. See http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm

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BABY BOOMER WOMEN ANTHOLOGY: Dotsie Bregel is looking for stories from the heart and give readers feelings of connectedness, encouragement and support. See http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/guidelines.htm

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ALL FREELANCE WORK: Thousands of freelance jobs posted daily. See http://www.allfreelancework.com

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FREE CREATIVITY NEWSLETTER: Creativity coach, Eric Maisel, offers a free newsletter to boost your creativity. See http://www.ericmaisel.com/mailing.html

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GET PUBLISHED! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! Get published! To find out how, visit http://www.1stbooks.com/erma.html

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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OTHER ERMA BOMBECK WRITING WORKSHOP LINKS

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

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE http://www.humorwriters.org/Sessions.html

ERMA MUSEUM http://www.ErmaMuseum.org

FLIGHT HUMOR CONTEST http://www.flighthumor.org

185 LINKS FOR WRITERS http://www.humorwriters.org/links.html

ERMA T-SHIRT http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=ermashirt&rf=EBWW0203

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

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

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

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