Month: August 2012

National Writing Contest in Fiction

Prescott College encourages submissions from writers of all levels, including emerging or early-career writers. The annual contest awards $1000 plus publication for the first place winners in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Finalists in each genre will be recognized as such, published, and paid in copies. Cost of entry: $15. Every entrant receives one copy of the 2013 issue, a $10 value. The issue will come out in late spring 2013. There is no theme for this issue; work is selected upon artistic merit. Submissions are accepted August 15 through October 1, 2012.

For more information, please visit their website.

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Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this contest information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition. Entrants should always research a competition prior to entering.

You Catch More Flies with Honey…

I write some edgy stuff. That might be to my detriment. I sometimes talk about my actual beliefs – I have this thing about honesty – I’m sure that hurts me. I’ve gotten some flack about the fact that I don’t hate homosexuals for instance. Apparently, homophobia is still all the rage. Sorry, I like the gays. I am in the business of selling my writing and, to a certain extent, myself. The Internet is forever. Whatever I throw up there sticks. And it reflects on me. I refuse to be dishonest. But at least I’m nice. Continue reading “You Catch More Flies with Honey…”

Mr. Pish Announces New Release

Postcards from Mr. Pish East Coast EditionAuthor K. S. Brooks and her sidekick Mr. Pish are pleased to announce the release of their new educational children’s book, Postcards from Mr. Pish: East Coast Edition.

Mr. Pish, the lovable Jack Russell Terrier, leads readers on an expedition down the East Coast of the United States in Postcards from Mr. Pish Volume 3. With each new discovery, the traveling terrier sends a postcard with full-color photographs and engaging text geared to promote outdoor learning and literacy. Mr. Pish’s enthusiasm inspires young and old to read, explore and learn in a fun way.

Postcards from Mr. Pish: East Coast Edition is the fourth book in the Mr. Pish Educational Series promoting outdoor learning and literacy. It was released by Cambridge Books on August 14, 2012. It is available in print from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. The electronic versions will be available soon.

The Reader’s Ear

I have always been interested in the peculiarities of speech. The ways in which people pronounce or use certain words or phrases, their verbal tics and mannerisims, their accents—it all intrigues me.

We are often told that when writing dialogue, we should write the way people speak. This is supposed to lend authenticity to your dialogue and keep it from sounding stilted. A lot of authors address this by sprinkling in swear words, because “That’s how people really talk.” Okay… Continue reading “The Reader’s Ear”