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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
December 2004
mailto:erma@udayton.edu
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Dear writer:
In the latest issue of Editor & Publisher, Syndicate World columnist, Dave Astor, wrote about possible replacements for Dave Barry. Barry is going on sabbatical in 2005. The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop was well represented in the article. In addition to workshop faculty member, Bruce Cameron, being mentioned as a possible replacement, Astor also wrote:
Standring, Rinehart and Glardon attended the March 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. Coincidence? Maybe. Or, perhaps, the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop is the place to be if you're a humor writer. Mark your calendar for the next one, which will be March 23-25, 2006. By the way, Dave Barry will be there, too.
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
Latest news...
ASK TIM...OR DON'T
I get dozens of e-mail messages each week, asking questions about writing. "How do I become a columnist?" "How do I get syndicated?" and "What should I put in a book proposal?" are just a few. Because I'm often asked similar questions, I created a page with my answers. It also includes books I recommend on the topic of writing. Read more.
AN INTERVIEW WITH SARAH SMILEY
Self-syndicated columnist Sarah Smiley shares thoughts on finding a niche and deodorizing a flight suit. Read more.
GETTING AN AD AGENCY TO WORK FOR YOU -- FREE
Thanks a 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop session about book marketing, Julie Clark Robinson has a series of marketing pieces for her newly released book. Read more.
BE YOUR OWN PUBLICIST
PR guru, Christine Louise Hohlbaum, shares seven ways to promote your book. Read more.
SUCCESS REDEFINED
As you pursue your writing dream, are you enjoying yourself? If not, perhaps you need to redefine success. Read more.
LESSONS FROM A BOOK FESTIVAL
Robyn Jackson says, "Becoming a salesman is all part of the author's job." Read more.
WRITING AS A GIFT
The perfect holiday gift may be your own words. Read more.
ERMA ESSAY CONTEST
The 2005 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition will begin to take entries on Jan. 3, 2005. Read more.
ARE YOU A SHY WRITER?
C. Hope Clark provides more than a dozen tips to help writers overcome shyness and network with others. Read more.
WHAT YOU SHOULD INCLUDE IN A BOOK PROPOSAL?
M.J. Rose provides the ten sections every book proposal needs to be successful. Read more.
STAND UP AND BE COUNTED
From stage to writers' room and back again, many writers are also stand-up comics. Read more.
Humor writer of the month
ALISON BONAGURO
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:
*Emily Combs; Rogers, AR
*Jan McCracken; Camarillo, CA
*Barbara Schmitt; Hingham, MA
Thanks to Emmis Books for providing the books for our giveaway.
Who's publishing what?
PAST WORKSHOP FACULTY
ZEVIN IS FINALIST: Dan Zevin's book, The Day I Turned Uncool, was a finalist for the 2004 Thurber Prize for American Humor. The winner was Christopher Buckley's book, No Way to Treat a First Lady.
PAST WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
LAUGH FULL: Ron Culberson has published Is Your Glass Laugh Full? (Gilbert Belle Press).
LOUDEN TAKES FIRST: Kathy Louden won first place in the humorous speech contest for the Toastmasters Chicago Northwest Division. She also had her first humor article published, in the Nov. 14 San Francisco Chronicle.
ANDERSON WINS -- AGAIN: Dickie Anderson, columnist, essayist and speaker, has won her second Florida Writer’s Association Royal Palm Award for her third book Porch Plenitude -- Feeling Good Every Day.
PEREL PENS RAW NERVES: Syndicated columnist, Saralee Perel, has published Raw Nerves, a humorous suspense thriller.
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
QUEEN JAW JAW ADDS BLOG: Georgia Richardson (a.k.a., Queen Jaw Jaw) has a new blog, All Things Royal.
ZUFA PUBLISHES BOOK: Sophia Zufa has published Why God Has gray Hair.
KING OF THE MILD FRONTIER: Chris Crutcher has published an "ill-advised autobiography."
CULLEN SHARES LAZY ADVICE: Bernie Cullen has published The Lazy Person's Guide to Life.
Markets, contests and more
ADDING WISDOM AWARD: New award program can give your parenting book great publicity. Read more.
INKWELL NEWSWATCH: The Freelance Writing Organization International and the Inkwell News Group has announced the arrival of their new online e-zine. Read more.
NEW WRITING MAG FOR WOMEN: PenWomanship, a new literary magazine for women writers, is looking for submissions. Read more.
E-MAIL TALES: Do you have a true story about use or misuse of e-mail at work? Have you received or sent a message that caused embarrassment or conflict? Read more.
BIRTH STORIES WANTED: Inspirational stories needed for the next edition of Journey into Motherhood. Read more.
HOME COMPANION: After 30 years of live radio broadcasts of "A Prairie Home Companion," the popular show comes to DVD for the first time, offering a rare inside look at one of radio´s most beloved shows. Read more.
OUR FATHERS PROJECT: Did your father teach you an important lesson about leadership or life that you still use today? Submit your story. Read more.
ROBERT BENCHLEY: The Robert Benchley Society is a forum for appreciation and discussion of the work and life of twentieth-century American humorist Robert Benchley. Read more.
CHILD MAGAZINE: Accepts personal essays pertaining to family life. 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 2004, University of Dayton
