Picture Books: Days of the Week Tales/Calls for Submissions

When I begin thinking about my next picture book and stamping out an idea, it seems easy as eating a chocolate ice cream cone on an August afternoon. As I begin the actual writing process, the task takes on a hard-as-nails life of its own as I attempt to figure out how to tell the story. In writing both fiction and nonfiction, the days-of-the-week format is an excellent structure because the built-in beginning and ending can be developed around the first and last days, with a Saturday resolution. Parents and teachers like this type of theme. Not only are you telling a story but the text reinforces the learning of the weekdays. Children love predictable stories in which they can identify the following day before turning the page.

This structure also allows for action. Many events and roadblocks can take place over the period of a week, giving the character time to rethink many of his/her choices. New discoveries can be made as the character works toward solving the problem. The basic structure will be predictable, but the writer has flexibility in creating an imaginative and unique story.

Call for submissions for young writers:
OMG! My Reality! This new anthology will be a collection of personal real-life stories written by and about kids, preteen and teens. We are
looking for humorous, heart-warming, wistful, and inspiring stories written by individuals 25 years old and younger. Your story must be between 500 and 1,200 words, neither more nor less. We will accept stories that have been previously
published if you now have the rights that will allow us to reprint it. As a contributor to books in the OMG! My Reality! series, you will receive:
1. One (1) copy of the book.

2. A T-shirt featuring the OMG! My Reality! logo and the
wording “I’m a published author!”

3. A share of the book royalties. For one year following
publication, you will collect a small percent of the royalties
paid to the co-creaters. Split among 60-plus contributors, the
amount will likely not total more than $50-$100 per contributor.
It could be more; it could be less.
Details at http://www.publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/omg_submit_guidelines.html

Call for submissions for adult writers:
Blaze magazine is full of fun facts, cool games and crafts, and fascinating articles on horses, horse kids and the natural world they share. Promoting literacy of course, it's great for learning about not only horses, but also about nature, history, creative arts, character traits and much more. Geared for kids aged 8 to 14, the magazine is published quarterly. And what's more, Blaze is also a real-life horse. She's a flash Rocky Mountain and the official mascot of the magazine. Subscribers call her their own!
Details at http://blazekids.com/about-2/

Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/

One-Word Resolution/Calls for Submission

A new year is a time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make. This holds true for writing as well as life. Each year many of us make resolutions, and many of those last all the way up to March 1st, and some are broken in fifteen minutes. The challenges we set for ourselves almost never result in reformed habits. This year, I’m trying something new.

A critique buddy—Hi, Janet—proposed the idea of each member of our critique group adopting a word, rather than a resolution, to guide us through the year. Just one word to provide inspiration when we feel down. One word to refer to when we feel joy or disappointment. One word to give encouragement to others who share the love of writing.

I chose the word pleasure. Pleasure has a positive feel, a comforting sound, and it reminds me why I chose writing as a career. I want to celebrate the positive aspects of writing, whether it's informative comments from my critique buddies; a note from an editor, even if it is in the guise of a rejection letter; an observation from a reader or fellow writer; a thank-you from someone I've worked with; anything, everything positive related to writing. Writing is a journey, a pleasurable journey, and I want to enjoy the small steps along the way.

What word works for you?

Calls for Submissions:

Glimmer Train is accepting fiction submission the month of January. Submit up to three stories. Pays $700, plus 10 copies.
Details at http://glimmertrain.com/

Young Writer We would love to see YOUR writing and we might even publish it in Young Writer magazine or here on the website. It can be anything that you want to say, prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction. Just make sure it is your own unaided work, write it as well as you can and send it to us. Let us have your name, your age and your address. We do not pass these on to anyone else. You can send it to us by email or post. Remember, whenever you send your writing off to any publisher, make sure you keep a copy for yourself in case it gets lost in transit. Email word documents (under 600 words in length, please!) to youngwriter@writersnews.co.uk
Details at http://www.young-writer.co.uk/contact/