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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
October 2005
mailto:erma@udayton.edu
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Dear writer:
I subscribe to quite a few writing newsletters. But recently, I've got hooked on blogs about writing. Here's what I'm reading:
Miss Snark, the literary agent, "in which Miss Snark vents her wrath on the hapless world of writers and crushes them to sand beneath her T.Rexual heels of stiletto snark." While she often uses langauage that may be too colorful for some people, Miss Snark provides fantastic insights into the life of a literary agent and the publishing world.
The Writing Life: Terry Whalin provides a glimpse into his work as an aquisitions editor and writer. Terry will be speaking at the 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop.
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
director, Erma Bombeck Writers'
Latest news...
HELP THE VICTIMS OF KATRINA
Poets & Writers magazine has compiled a list of ways for writers to aid in the relief efforts for the victims of hurricane Katrina. Read more.
"WE PERSONALLY KNOW AT LEAST 30 FAMILIES WHO LOST EVERYTHING"
Kristen Twedt, a Mississippi columnist and Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop attendee, discusses her state's post-Katrina damage and resilience. Read more.
HUMOR AFTER TRAGEDY
The Miami Herald recently interviewed Dave Barry. The topics discussed range from his theory of humor to himself as a “meta-booger humorist.” Barry will speak at the 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. Read more.
TEACHING HUMOR: AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK SHATZ
Comedy teacher, Mark Shatz, provides great advice, such as "never accept third-party checks." Read more.
CAMERON TO SPEAK ON CAMPUS
Award-winning author and columnist W. Bruce Cameron will speak at a free event at the University of Dayton at noon on Friday, Oct. 14, in room 141M in Virginia W. Kettering Residence Hall. Read more.
TAKING HIS HUMOR CAREER SERIOUSLY
Forget book tours: Your Web site is much more important when it comes to marketing yourself. Just ask this year's winner of WD's Best Writer's Web Site contest. Read more.
MAKING THEIR OWN BREAKS
Technology is helping aspiring writers, musicians, artists and filmmakers go from amateur to pro. Who needs an agent when you've got the net? Read more.
PROTECT YOUR WRITING
With this comprehensive literary law guide you can gain a full understanding of copyright, trademark, and contract laws. The website also includes links to legal articles and informational writing seminars. Read more.
BECOME A BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
Get tips from an anonymous “publishing giant” on how to turn your manuscript into a bestseller. Find information for writers of all kinds from freelance to screenwriters. Read more.
THE TRUTH ABOUT POD
WBJB Radio aired a seven part series on Print on Demand publishing. The series includes interviews with current and former employees of the top three on demand publishing houses. Read more.
THINK YOU’RE TOO BUSY TO WRITE?
Kate White, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, gives advice on writing a book while juggling a full-time job, kids, and a generally crazy life. Read more.
BUY A FRIEND A BOOK WEEK
Started in July 2005, this new celebration of literature takes place four times every year, in the first weeks of January, April, July, and October. The website explains the benefits of participating, other than receiving a book yourself. Read more.
NEED A LAUGH?
Newsweek writer Marc Peyser previews this Fall’s new line up of sitcoms. Read more.
GOOGLE ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DESTROY ALL INFORMATION IT CAN'T INDEX
PIONEER PRESS NAMES UD GRAD EDITOR
Thom Fladung, a University of Dayton graduate and speaker at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, is the new editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Fladung was previously managing editor at the Detroit Free Press. Read more.
Humor writer of the month
DORSETTA HALE
Dorsetta Hale has had essays published in the San Jose Mercury News, San Mateo County Times and is a columnist for the Pacifica Tribune. She is also the author of Twenty Three Poems And A Likely Story (Jungle Peach Press, 1997). She works full-time as a 911 Public Safety Dispatcher, where she writes in between emergencies. 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:
* Chris Dolley
* Cathy Pai
Who's publishing what?
WORKSHOP FACULTY
AWARD WINNER’S FIRST BOOK OF POETRY: Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s first chapbook of poetry, Tracings, will be released in October. She is also
WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
AWARD WINNER: Ohioan author Julie Clark Robinson has been named a finalist in the USA Book News Award Contest in the Self-Help category. Her book Live in the Moment gives suggestions, offers anecdotes, and uses humor to provide techniques for living life to its fullest.
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
ART COMEDY: Dominic Molon, Michael Rooks, Judith Olch Richards team up to put together a book of “situational comedy” in recent art.
GREAT HOUSEWARMING GIFT: Homeowner Haiku is a great gift for new homeowners. Sherry Karver and Jerry Ratch’s poetry and artwork sum up the process of buying and selling homes, as well as making a house your home.
Markets, contests and more
FUNNY SHORT STORY CONTEST: Meadowbrook Press is searching for short, funny, true stories about breastfeeding for an upcoming anthology. Prizes range from $50 to $200. The deadline is October 1. Read more.
AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HUMOR CONTEST: The Humor Press wants your short stories for their America’s Funniest Humor bimonthly contest. Send your funniest short stories by November 30th for a chance to win cash prizes. Read more.
YOUR CHOICE: NO ENTRY FEE or $5 ENTRY FEE
Contest theme: “They Actually Paid Me to Write.” Up to 700 words in essay form. Deadline October 31, 2005. Two categories open to applicants. $5 entry fee makes entrant eligible for the $150 first prize. No entry fee makes entrant eligible for the $50 first prize. Second prize $30 in both categories. No limit to the number of submissions. Essays must be unpublished, original, and in English. Winners announced December 1, 2005. Read more.
EGO SEARCHES: Monitor blogs and news portals for mentions of yourself. Read more.
FIND A PUBLISHING JOB: The Publishers Lunch Job Board offers job postings from many publishing houses across the country. The site also provides publishing related news. Read more.
FIND A GOOD BOOK: The Litblog Co-op offers reviews of contemporary fiction and writing news. It also allows you to post your opinion about the featured works. Read more.
SELL YOUR FILM: Reelbrokers.com offers a forum to find help producing your film. Reelbrokers can assist finding everything from a seller to the right film crew. Read more.
TIPPING POINTS DIGEST NEEDS YOUR HELP: The FingerTip Press is looking for humorous self-help pieces and success strategies for couples. They are searching for both original and published material to help launch their new Web site. 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
