Where Themes Come from

Image Courtesy: Google

Practicing the craft of writing every day is as important as reading books to engage the imaginative and artistic faculty on a daily basis. Daily writing tones and prunes the skills of a writer to perfection. The internet has no shortage in the number of ‘How-to’ pages. They will tell you how to write a story, a book, a love letter, or even a computer code. Perhaps, there is a ‘How-to’ page on how to find themes for your stories, or articles, or poems as well. I am not concerned about those sites, here. However, what I do feel concerned about is a website that might tell you where to find your themes.

Bin to Bestsellers: the Importance of Other People in your Writing Life

Making money writing is the hardest job on planet earth, however, there are people who do it effectively and make a living out of it. Being not one of them is not your problem, but aspiring not to be one is.

Is finding a publisher the best option for you as a writer? Richard Bach once mentioned in an interview; it’s not a publisher a writer searches for, but an editor. This relationship is one that should last for a lifetime. An editor understands where the music of words has to be slowed down or where it must run faster. But to get one worthy enough, you must do a lifetime’s waiting.

As a beginner in freelancing and in professional writing, how do you get an editor whose service can be worthwhile? Beginners are always stuck with the same problem; lack of funds. This in turn hampers your look out for an editor. Good editors are sale items with relatively high price money. There are many writers’ communities that offer editing services. Even some literary agencies offer you with editing services. However, if you are a first timer and one without enough weight in your bank account, hiring an editor for your book or manuscript will not be, normally, easy.

The best way to tackle this situation is to find reliable and easy options for editors. One need not go much farther for this end. Just look around and you will find yourself to be blessed with many minds, gifted with the one serum of eternal life—love—around you, ready to help reading your manuscript.

Showing your manuscript to your friends and family or girl friend would be a better option. In such a case, the money spent would be much close to null on editing services. The best editors are those who actually care for our work. You must be open to their criticisms; however, in harsh criticisms you can always rely on their lack of professional experience as the hideout from humiliation.

Stephen King, when he wrote his first novel, Carrie, did not think it would make up to the publishing standards and threw it into the bin. But his wife Tabitha King accidentally discovered the manuscript and read it. Thinking that it would be something worth of a quality, she put it back on the table and later helped King to rework on it. The novel went to become a best seller of its times and was made into a successful Hollywood movie.

This is one real life example from the life of America’s most celebrated and enthusiastic writer, Stephen King. This could be yours too. A relationship not just helps an individual to maintain one’s emotional health but the creative output as well. Now wait your sweet heart to tell you where to put the period.

If you liked this article, you might like my book too. Take a look.

About Anu Lal:

Anu Lal is the author of Wall of Colors and Other Stories. He lives in Kerala, South India. He blogs at The Indian Commentator 

You can catch up with him in Facebook too.      

 

UPDATE: Name Change + Magazine

Hey Bookit! Blog readers!
   Those of you who are following our Facebook, you probably know that we've recently been going through a lot of changes - not the least of which being the name of our store. Bates Books is now Chapter One or CH1 for short. In addition to this change there's been some major movement in Chapter One's efforts to print a magazine.

As many of you may remember from our previous post - when Chapter One owners, Sean and Erika, announced that they were starting up with a bi-weekly magazine - this project was initially intended to hit the press in early July. However, with a lot of thought and planning, Book-it!'s magazine debut has been pushed back to the 1st of September, and, instead of being bi-weekly, is transitioning into a monthly tabloid-style publication.

For it's pilot publication, it's going to stick close to home, mostly distributing to Utah County. But, if all goes well, they'll rapidly expand throughout the state and even into Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada with plans to go national. But don't be alarmed! If you don't live in Utah and are interested in getting a hold of a copy, you can always purchase a subscription (or single copy if you like) online here or (if you're really interested in supporting their cause) you can donate in exchange for goodies at their Indie Go-Go project funder.

Cover art for the first issue is done by the wonderful Jess Smart Smiley. And the content - though still secretive at this point - includes a number of authors and comic artists that range anywhere from the magazine's home state of Utah, to international talent.

"For those of you who know a little bit and have been hearing rumors, we will be selecting the top two blog entries from the month of July to  receive rewards for just being awesome! This is based on viewing statistics (which thanks to Google Analytics we have) and also on a vote between myself, our developer Sean, and our head blogger Jamey based on skill, interest, and frequency. The top blogger for July will receive a $50 reward, as well as the runner up getting $25 rewards. Now, mind you, due to our slim number of bloggers, one blogger may end up with more than one reward... for me, this is a sign that we just need to get more bloggers on board! So, if you're looking to blog on writing, creativity, or you have some awesome reviews to write, this is the place to do it."

-Erika B
CEO Chapter One

In addition to this competitive blogging, the magazine is anticipated to have a creature creation competition to see which artist can create the best creature or character. Further details will be provided in the first publication of the magazine.

At the moment, we have a goal to be published by the beginning of September, but are hoping to get it to the presses as soon as mid August. For further updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook, as well as on our Indie Go-Go account where we are seeking sponsors and subscriptions!

Awakening the return of wisdom by the Awakening Poets: A review

The awakening poets, aka Sheena Zenz, Nicole North and Darren Garmer,  describe themselves as "an artists collective dedicated to sharing metamorphosical language codes with a growing, awakening audience"

When we were first asked to review awakening the return of wisdom, I admit I was a little unsure as to what I was going to discover, however as soon as I started reading I realised that the collection does indeed have an otherworldly feel about it, and to me it seems as if it has been streamed from a higher spiritual plane.

This stunning collection of over seventy poems is both enchanting and lyrical, and stimulates the senses in such a way as to leave the reader full, yet craving more. I can honestly say that I have never had the pleasure of reading a collection of poetry of this calibre, and constantly felt as if the poets were guiding me on my very own magical mystery tour into the unknown.  The language used is at times unusual, however it is completely accessible and I never felt out of my depth, or left behind. The artwork in the collection is also exceptional,  and whilst I have purchased the collection on kindle I think it would be better appreciated in book format as the collection totally lends itself to being read by candle light.   I also think that if at all possible the poets should consider having this made into an audio book as it would be a wonderful collection to meditate to.

My only real concern initially with this was the price;  the kindle version in particular seemed very steep, however now that I have read it  I don't begrudge a single penny.   If you only ever purchase one collection of poetry in your life, then make sure it is this one!

Awakening the Return of Wisdom is available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Awakening-Return-Wisdom-Sheena-Zenz/dp/1482373408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367263257&sr=8-1&keywords=awakening+the+return+of+wisdom

Find out more about the Awakening Poets:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvirgoebooks.com%2Fawakening-the-return-of-wisdom.html&h=OAQH0Uv0X

https://www.facebook.com/AwakeningTheReturnOfWisdom

Ingrid Hall is the author of Granny Irene's Guide to the Afterlife - Revenge.  She also offers free interviews, book reviews and spotlights to indie authors.  Find out more at http://www.ingridhall.com

Book-it: A Bi-Weekly Magazine

If you know anything about books, you probably know that they have something to do with publishing. For decades, authors got their big break with magazines. I could probably list the number of authors that first published their books as a series of episodes in magazines, but then this article would be so long that you might just lose interest in this paragraph and then we'd never get to the good news.
 On this note, Bates Books has an announcement to make: in addition to the Book-it! blog, we are starting up a bi-weekly magazine.

 For those of you that don't know, Sean and Erika Bates have a crazily fantastic dream of starting a book store that harbors all sorts of creativity. Their motto, "Where creativity has a home", is a testament to that. They want to make it just a little bit more. Well, no, that's an understatement, they want to make it a whole lot more. This is the first step in the overall effort of Bates Books: move forward into a publishing company. Their exact words are, "Well, it's gotta start somewhere."

What they are looking for and how you will be compensated if selected is:

4 Featured Novels (to be published one chapter at a time) - $15 per chapter
6 Short Stories (varied genres) - $50 per story

3 Comic Artists (willing to do a few pages or strips a month) - $50 per publication
4 Tech Journalists  - $50 per article

And, of course, Advertisers

As for the fees? $10 per application of short stories, novels, and comics. Meaning if you submit one short story or comic strip/page: $10. If you submit 5 short stories or comic strips/pages: $10. However, if you are submitting a novel, please keep it to one novel per submission. If you are interested in more information or putting in an application, please contact Erika personally at corsetsandcodices@outlook.com
She will get back to you when we announce whose pieces got accepted.

Tech Journalists
Please send your applications to Sean at jordansean18@gmail.com
He will be reviewing them and will get back to you within the month.

Bloggers
We will be voting for and featuring the 3 top blog posts off our Book- it! blog. The top bloggers will be awarded $50 for each of their blog posts that make it into the magazine. Which, of course, means are looking for more bloggers! Blogging for Book-it! is an unpaid internship for the first 5 months after which salary is negotiated. Please send applications to the head of our blog department, Jamey Meteer jamey.meteer@gmail.com  
She will be getting back to you within the month.

Advertisements
If you are a small business in Utah or Idaho looking to expand your client base, show off some of your wares, or are get the news of a sale out there, please contact Sean for more information about advertising with Book-it! jordansean18@gmail.com

!!!ATTENTION ALL WRITERS!!!

Check out these AWESOME opportunities!!!

Aerogramme Writer's Studio, a popular writing blog based in Australia, just published a post with prizes, publication opportunities, and other events happening in April 2013 for emerging and established writers. 

The Horatio Nelson Fiction Prize
opens to entries on 1 April. Conducted by Black Balloon Publishing, the winner will receive a book deal including US$5,000 up front. The prize is for unpublished manuscripts of 50,000 words or more.

William Callihan of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency
is seeking new clients. He is particularly interested in narrative non-fiction, comedy, pop culture, American history, crime and commercial thrillers, literary fiction.

The Sherwood Anderson Foundation Grants
for emerging writers offers up to US$20,000 to a person who has written at least one but no more than two published books of fiction. NB: An entry fee of $100 in payable. Closes 1 April.

Penn State Altoona
is seeking to appoint a fiction and creative non-fiction writer for a one semester residency. The residency offers an emerging writer a salary of $10,000 in return for teaching one introduction to creative writing workshop during the Fall semester. Review of applications will begin on 1 April and continue until the position is filled.

Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading
publishes one story a week and opens for submissions on 1 April. During the spring submission period only previously unpublished work will be considered. Fiction ranging in length from 2,000 to 10,000 words will be considered and each contributor is paid US$300.

Paulo Coelho
is conducting a live chat on Goodreads on Tuesday 2 April. A great chance to ask the best-selling Brazilian novelist a question or two.

The Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writingis for unpublished works of fiction or non-fiction of at least 20,000 words. Entries close 3 April (Australian entrants only). The winner will receive a publishing contract worth AUD$10,000.

The AV Club
is looking for contributors. Interested applicants should submit a sample Newswire or GJI style entry. Closes Thursday 4 April.

Beijing International Screenwriting Competition
is open to all US-based contestants of any nationality. Entries for the feature film division close on 7 April. Five winners will get an expenses-paid week in Beijing plus $1,000.  Entries for the Short Film Competition close 20 April. Ten winners will receive an expense-paid week in Beijing. All winners are then in the running for a US$15,000 grand prize.

Open City Creative Non-fiction Fellows
will each be awarded US$5,000 and receive career guidance, and publishing opportunities. Open City is an online magazine published by the Asian American Writers’ Workshop. Applications close 8 April. Fellowships start in New York City on 30 April.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships
award up to five aspiring screenwriters with fellowships of US$35,000. The regular entry deadline is 10 April, though late entries will be accepted until 1 May (additional fees apply). The fellowships are open to writers worldwide.

The Writers’ Couch
is a new initiative from Cascade Media which invites writers to pitch feature film projects. To apply you must have completed a feature-length screenplay for the project you wish to pitch; be over the age of 18; live in the UK; and not have literary representation. Applications close 15 April.

The Aurora Awards
recognises the best Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy writing. Categories include best novel, best short fiction and best graphic novel. Nominations close 15 April.

Monash Undergraduate Prize for Creative Writing
is open to undergraduate students from universities from across Australia (including international campuses of Australian universities). First prize is AUD$4,000. The winner will also receive tickets to the 2013 Emerging Writers’ Festival and a paid publication opportunity in The Emerging Writer. Entries close 15 April.

Writing II: Rhetorical Composing
is a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) conducted by Ohio State University. The course focuses on developing and refining critical reading, composing, responding, and argument skills. The program commences on 22 April.

How to Write a Synopsis Workshop
is a one-day event being conducted by The Guardian newspaper in London on Saturday 27 April. Check the website for other workshops being conducted throughout the year.

The Nick Darke Award
celebrates the best writing for stage, screen and radio, awarding the winner £6,000 to allow them to complete their script. Open to all writers aged over 16, interested applicants  should submit an outline of their story idea (theatre, radio play, feature film, short film) in 750 words suggesting character, plot and structure and pitch it in 25 words or less. The deadline for submissions is 29 April.

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contestcloses to entries on 30 April. Open to any type of original short story, essay or other work of prize, the winner receives US$3,000 (plus there are minor prizes). Entries should be maximum of 5,000 words.

Henry Hazlitt Contest for Business Fiction
offers a prize of $500 and a $2,000 advance against royalties for publication. The prize is given for a novel on the theme of business or entrepreneurship. Manuscripts up to 90,000 words are eligible. Closes 30 April.

Random House Australia’s Hooked 
is a new digital-first romance imprint for readers aged 15+. Hooked is currently considering manuscripts between 60,000 – 80,000 words. Authors who are published will receive a standard royalty. Submissions must be received by 30 April.

St. Francis College Literary Prizeis accepting entries throughout April (closing 1 May). The Prize awards a mid-career author US$50,000 for their 3rd to 5th novel.

The Iowa Summer Writing Festival
held on the campus of the famous Iowa Writers’ Workshop offers an extensive program of weekend and one-week writing courses. The festival runs between 9 June and 28 July. Workshops are limited to 12 persons each and early registration is encouraged.

Pan Macmillan Australia’s Manuscript Monday
accepts unsolicited manuscript submissions between 10am and 4pm AEST every Monday. Types of works they are looking for include commercial fiction, children’s books and young adult, literary fiction and non-fiction. Interested authors should sent three chapters of their manuscript and a synopsis of up to 300 words. Manuscripts will be read within three months.

Soho Press
is one of few American publishers which does put a priority on unsolicited manuscripts from new writers. Interested authors should send three chapters (or fifty pages) and a cover letter to the attention of the acquisitions editor.