Sept. 2002 newsletter

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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER

University of Dayton

September 3, 2002

mailto:erma@udayton.edu

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We're already starting to plan the spring 2004 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and are looking for humor writers, agents, editors and publishers to speak. We're especially interested in speakers who can provide advice on getting published in different markets (e.g., newspapers, magazines, greeting cards, TV, movies, Internet). If you think you're qualified -- or would like to recommend someone --

send me an e-mail at bete@udayton.edu (mailto:bete@udayton.edu).

Keep writing!

Tim Bete

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

co-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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MERRY WIVES AND OTHERS

So, you hated history in high school. This history of domestic humor

writing will pique your interest. It includes many speakers from past

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, including Art Buchwald, P.S. Wall and

Liz Carpenter.

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

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INTERVIEW WITH BRUCE CAMERON

Bruce's New York Times best selling book "8 Rules for Dating

My Daughter" has been turned into an ABC show airing this

month starring John Ritter.

See http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=bruce&rf=EBWW902

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ARE YOU A COMEDY TRIVIA EXPERT?

This quiz will test your knowledge.

See http://www.talkingcomedy.com/spring2002/LIBM-sp02/MW-LIBM-sp02.html

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LAUGH LAB

Take part in a huge experiment to find the world's funniest joke.

http://www.laughlab.co.uk/home.html

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LEARN HOW THE PROS MAKE 'EM LAUGH

The Humor Institute provides free downloads of publications such as

"How the pros make 'em laugh" and "Secret of creating 'client specific

humor."

See http://www.humorinst.com/handout

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PRESS KIT

Debbie Ridpath Ohi tells how to prepare the perfect package

to "spread the word" about your book.

http://www.writing-world.com/press/press03.html

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UNDERSTANDING THE AGENT'S JOB

This article from Script Magazine discusses why first-time script writers

need to understand an agent's job.

See http://www.scriptmag.com/ezine_plus/categories/Columns/story200.html

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MONA SCHREIBER PRIZE FOR HUMOROUS FICTION AND NON-FICTION

Writers of comedic essays, articles, short stories, poetry,

shopping lists and other forms are invited to submit. Works

up to 750 words in length. Humor is subjective. Uniqueness

is suggested. Weirdness is encouraged. Deadline: Dec. 1, 2002.

Entry guidelines: http://home.pcmagic.net/brashcyber/Mona.htm

2001 winners: http://www.troikamagazine.com/contest/contest_home.html

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HUMOR WRITER OF THE MONTH: JASON OFFUTT

Jason Offutt has written a humor column for 12 years. (You'd think

it'd be done by now.) Jason is the managing editor of a

new Kansas City-area entertainment magazine called "The X."

See http://examiner.net/asiwassaying2/

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 Debra Aman from Columbus,

Ga. Debra 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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SHOW US YOUR SHORTS!

Writer's Digest magazine wants your bold, brilliant, but BRIEF

fiction! The 3rd Annual Writer's Digest Short Story

Competition is now accepting entries of 1,500 words or less.

See http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/short_story.asp

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RESOURCES FOR WRITERS

JOEDITZEL.COM

If it has anything to do with comedy, it'll be at

joeditzel.com, the world's largest comedy portal.

See http://www.joeditzel.com/index.php?mid=8

TOONOPEDIA

A Vast Repository of Toonological Knowledge

See http://www.toonopedia.com

PR LEADS

A cost-effective publicity program for authors.

See http://www.prleads.com

THE SCREENWRITER'S WEB

Screenplay marketing advice.

See http://breakingin.net

BOOK ZONE PRO

Essential tips and tools for publishing professionals.

See http://www.bookzonepro.com

If you have a favorite book or Web site, let me know at bete@udayton.edu. mailto:bete@udayton.edu

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COLD? GET AN ERMA T-SHIRT

The official Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop T-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.'" Buy

one at the Erma gift shop.

See http://alumni.udayton.edu/rd.asp?cd=ermashirt&rf=EBWW802

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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. 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=EBWW1002

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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