Innehållsförteckning för February 2023 från The Writer

https://www.teepublic.com/sticker/5691383-the-notebook 1. The Notebook Sticker Nicholas Sparks’ debut novel hit all the right notes, and the “If You’re A Bird, I’m A Bird” quote is one of the most indelible literary lines from the past few decades. $2.50, teepublic.com https://www.theliterarygiftcompany.com/products/50-books-to-read-if-youre-a-hopeless-romantic 2. 50 Books To Read If You’re A Hopeless Romantic Book lover Eric Karl Anderson delves into the literary world of romance with recommendations for a slew of titles, from classics to contemporary hits. Bonus: There’s space to jot notes or stars for each book. £7.99 (approximately $9.77), theliterarygiftcompany.com https://outofprint.com/collections/jane-eyre/products/jane-eyre-pouch 3. Jane Eyre Pouch Perhaps even Charlotte Brontë’s 19th-century heroine would’ve found this pouch handy in a pinch. $14, outofprint.com https://www.theliterarygiftcompany.com/products/rebecca-mug 4. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier Mug This ceramic mug showcases the cover design from the English novelist’s most…

Writing Conferences Information in this section is provided to The Writer by the individual markets and events; for more information, contact those entities directly. These are a sampling of what the industry has to offer. For a complete listing, visit writermag.com. ALASKA Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference Homer, Alaska, May 13-16. Offers daily workshops, readings, and panel presentations in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and the business of writing. Manuscript reviews and academic credit also available. Keynote speaker: Robin Wall Kimmerer. Contact: Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference. Erin Coughlin Hollowell. eshollowell@alaska.edu writersconference.homer.alaska.edu ARIZONA Left Coast Crime Tucson, Arizona, March 16-19. An annual event sponsored by mystery fans for readers, writers, librarians, and other mystery and thriller enthusiasts to share their mutual interest in the genre. Guests of Honor: Glen Erik Hamilton, Sujata Massey, and…

Upcoming calls for submissions Passions on the Page Literary Magazine Categories: Flash fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction Description: Pop Lit Magazine is looking for new writers and writers from underrepresented groups for its online publication. Submissions of flash fiction (1,000 words or fewer), poetry (two to five pieces), and creative nonfiction (1,700 words or fewer) are welcome. Deadline: Feb. 1 duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/form.aspx?id=h16Tkmq-6Vz91-nRrhZFw The Short(er) Fiction Contest Categories: Fiction Description: Unpublished stories of 1,000 words or fewer are eligible for this prize, which is $1,000 and publication in American Short Fiction. Multiple entries ($18) are allowed. Deadline: Feb. 1 americanshortfiction.submittable.com/submit/20181/american-shorter-fiction-contest Brink Literary Journal Categories: Hybrid or cross genre Description: Unpublished works of up to 15 pages are eligible for this $1,000 award for hybrid writing. One submission ($22) per entry, and winners will…

Poet Abigail Chabitnoy’s most recent poetry collection, How to Dress a Fish, won the Colorado Book Award in Poetry in 2020 and was a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize. She is a mentor for the Institute of American Indian Arts (AIA) and currently teaches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in its creative writing MFA. She is a Koniag descendant and member of the Tangirnaq Native Village in Kodiak. Her forthcoming book, due out from Wesleyan Press, is In the Current Where Drowning is Beautiful. We sat down to talk about advocacy, responsibility, and craft. The Writer: You’ve just started teaching at UMass Amherst, which has a broader remit than the Institute of American Indian Arts. What’s it like to go from a place that is so centered around…

Paranormal romance (PNR) stories take the basic foundation of a typical romance, where the main characters go through trials and challenges until they ultimately have their happily ever after. But PNR adds another level by incorporating supernatural elements and paranormal creatures. So now, instead of a story of boy meets girl (or boy meets boy or any other combination), it becomes a vampire-meets-girl or werewolf-meets-boy story with out-of-this world powers and abilities and sometimes alternate realms. The driving force behind every romance book is the relationship, regardless of the cast of characters or the rules of the world. The core of any romance story (including PNR) is the emotional connection of the main characters (human or otherwise) and the journey to get to their happily ever after (HEA), or at…

Hi Gigi, I am currently working on a novel between two characters’ perspectives, and I’ve been struggling with how to write it, whether in chronological order or writing each character’s story separately with the plan to merge in revision. I’ve tried both and have struggled with both. Any advice would be much appreciated. —OF TWO MINDS Dear Two Minds, Writers are a funny bunch. You all have unique brains and unique ideas. It’s pretty important to know that what works for one writer doesn’t work for another, so let’s start there. I want to want to add that yours truly hates binaries: Your either/or proposition above is giving me the hives. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and there are definitely more ways to approach this very…

Every writer in a long-term relationship with the work goes through it. Those times when you gaze at the page and have to admit: The passion that drew you together seems gone. Weeks, months, or even years might pass when you and your writing are out of sync. When it feels like an obligation, not a delight. When you stare at the words and wonder why you started up with them in the first place. Maybe you’ve even gone so far as to declare yourself on a break, and you’re uncertain whether you’ll get back together. Perhaps you find yourself asking if it’s all worth it. If you once loved writing but are no longer sure you like it, don’t walk away yet. Use these tips to reignite the spark,…

TOUCH 1 There is an insect on your character’s skin. Which insect is it? What does the insect do? How does your character react? 2 You’re at the beach. Write a story about the visit. How does the sand feel on your toes? What temperature is the water? What sensations do you feel as you walk barefoot along the rocks? Are you worried about stepping on jellyfish or crabs? Does the sand stick to your skin after putting sunscreen on? 3 Your character is at a carnival. He arrives at a booth with a box that says “$1 Per Grab.” He pays a dollar and inserts his hand into the box. Write about what he touches. Does he pull anything out? What does it feel like, and what can you compare it to?…