Guiding you along the writer’s path

THE MASTERS REVIEW’S flash fiction contest is accepting entries until May 31st! As they say on their site, Our love of flash fiction runs deep. And throughout our seven years of reading work by emerging writers we’ve seen some incredible pieces of small and powerful fiction. We are proud to now offer a contest dedicated solely to flash. So here it is: a home for your very best small fiction. Send us big worlds in tiny packages, large ideas with a low word count. Dazzle us with your best fiction under 1000 words.

GUIDELINES:

• Winner receives $3000 and publication
• Second and third place prizes are $200 and $100 respectively
• Stories under 1000 words
• Previously unpublished stories only
• Simultaneous and multiple submissions allowed
• Emerging writers only (We are interested in offering a larger platform to new writers. Self-published writers and writers with story  collections and novels with a small circulation are welcome to submit.)
• International submissions allowed
• $20 entry fee allows up to two stories – if submitting two stories, please put them both in a SINGLE document.
• Deadline: May 31, 2018
• Please no identifying information on your story
• All stories are considered for publication
• Dazzle us

I am so proud of author M. B. Cabot (aka, my very own Aunt Maxine) on the publication of her new kids’ book, GRAMMIE LIVES AT THE MALL, gorgeously illustrated by IRA BAYKOVSKA. Head over to Amazon and get a copy for your favorite kid!

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Congratulations to Royal Palm Literary Award-winning author ANNE HAWKINSON on the publication of SCOTLAND’S KNIGHT: The Rose in the Glade. Now available on Amazon, The Rose in the Glade is the first in a new series that Anne is co-authoring with Scottish Book Trust author PAUL V. HUNTER. To Anne and Paul, may the Thistle bloom forever!

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Happy fourth birthday to Central Florida’s WRITER’S ATELIER! For four years, Writer’s Atelier, a project started by writer RACQEL HENRY, has provided a place where writers can network with other writers and improve their craft. Offering space for other literary groups, writing workshops, and other small literary events, Writer’s Atelier is an invaluable resource for our writing community.

ROXANE GAY IS AN ADVICE COLUMNIST FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES. Recently, she’s received a couple of questions from new/unpublished writers who are growing concerned that middle-ish age (these folks are 47 and 65, respectively) is the wrong time to either start or build a literary career.

In response, Gay says, Throughout my 20s and most of my 30s, I was convinced I was never going to make it as a writer. My writing was constantly rejected, and I took the rejection personally, as one does.

Eventually (obviously!) she met with success—but it wasn’t early success. She says, It is easy to fall prey to the idea that writing success is intrinsically bound to youth. And continues to share her thoughts about the insights that older writers bring to the page—and the world, when given a chance to do so.

Read the entire piece here: Ask Roxane: Is It Too Late to Follow My Dreams?

There, if you’re a yet-to-publish writer whose 20s, 30s, or 40s are disappearing in the rear-view mirror, you’ll find solid inspiration and encouragement to fuel your literary tank for the next leg of your writer’s journey.

One of artist/poet pal SUZANNE LAGRANDE’S paintings recently made the cover of CALYX: A Journal of Art and Literature by Women. CALYX is a forum for women’s creative work. Each issue is packed with new poetry, short stories, full-color artwork, photography, essays, and reviews—all by women.

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HENYA DRESCHER’S novel-in-progress, STOLEN TRUTH, is a Top Ten Winner in INK & INSIGHT’S Apprentice category. Here’s what a judge said: The hook is great. I read this in one sitting, and then read it again, immediately. It’s an exhilarating, harrowing ride. Congrats, Henya!

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Hey, there, RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE! TWO new books out on Oxford UP? Nicely done, sir! Van Cleave fans (and creative types), check out Ryan’s co-authored VISUAL STORYTELLING and his CREATIVITY: A READER FOR WRITERS. See what you think!

Also, thanks, Ryan, for your major shout-out to me in your recent THE WRITER magazine article on writing coaching. I’m thrilled to have been at your literary service!

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So happy to report that MARGARITA MCCARTHY’S poem “Cuba ’95” was a finalist in this year’s Royal Palm Literary Award contest, presented by the Florida Writers Association. May this be only the beginning, Margarita!

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Shout-out to CINDY KNOEBEL, whose short story “The Gun” was recently published by THE STRAY BRANCH in their 2017 Fall/Winter edition, which is now available online and in print. Ms. Knoebel is currently seeking representation for her first novel, a high-stakes, high-spirited Wall Street romp (complete with dismembered Barbie dolls and attempted murder).

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Heartfelt congratulations to JANET COLBERT, one of Broward County, Florida’s, 100 Most Outstanding Women of 2017, who has published her exposé of Florida’s opiate epidemic, STOPPNOW (Stop the Organized Pill Pushers). Visit the STOPPNow website to learn more about how Janet and the other members of the STOPPNow team are tackling this issue.

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OMG, adorable! That’s all I can say about new author FAYE REGISTER’S site! Take a look. And check out her book, CONFESSIONS OF A NAKED, VULNERABLE WOMAN, while you’re there (which is also available on Amazon).