I hope you found part one of this update useful. Here’s part two, with more places to submit, and contests to enter.
First, though, member Libby Waterford is teaching a couple of useful virtual classes in April. The first is Writing Dynamic Fiction which will cover the following aspects of craft: dialogue, active voice, backstory, point of view, and show not tell. If you have an in-progress manuscript or are at the beginning of a new project, this class will help you come away writing more dynamic fiction. Begins April 9. The second is a two-hour workshop on April 24, from 10-12 noon. – Writing Faster. Libby writes first drafts in 40-90 days on average, so she should know. She’ll discuss mindset, tools and techniques, and how to set yourself up for successful writing sessions.
The 2021 Connecticut Literary Festival’s Anthology is accepting submissions for their second volume writing by Connecticut writers. (Defined as residing in Connecticut by January 1, 2021.) They are looking for fiction and creative nonfiction (3,500 words max), and poetry (2 poems max). Submission details here. Deadline: April 15.
Connecticut Center for the Book is accepting submissions for the 2021 Connecticut Book Awards, which recognize the best books by authors and illustrators from Connecticut or books about Connecticut. Categories include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, for adults, and for young readers. Entry fees start at $40 for a 2,000 copy or less print run. Submissions will be accepted through April 30. For guidelines and to submit, please visit their website.
The Poets’ Salon runs a monthly virtual meetup for poets, where you can read and ask for critiques of your work, or simply come to listen.  They also offer a comprehensive list each month of places to submit your work.
Hudson Valley Writers Center runs a virtual open mic on the third Friday of each month, so I’m sorry this is appearing too late for February. But they also offer members a number of writing workshops every week. And they have a chapbook contest for poets, whose winners are published by their own press.  This link will get you to their calendar for March. Membership is $60 per year.
Jane Friedman recently featured a useful guest blog post by Mike O’Mary regarding ways of increasing your book reviews. He runs LitNuts, a newsletter for readers where authors can feature their book for $25 and a reduced eBook price, to encourage sales and reviews. Both the article and the site are worth checking out if you’re promoting your book.
Authors looking for places to submit their work of any length, from poetry to full-length books, should sign up for the Authors Publish Newsletter. Published once a week, it keeps tabs on which journals and small presses are open for submissions of unagented work. Free. They run paid writing workshops too.
If you’re a freelance writer, Sonia Weiser offers a Opportunities of the Week newsletter with pitching opportunities. SHe’d like you to pay $3 per week, or whatever you can. Sounds like a good deal to me for those of you who are looking for paid writing opportunities.
For a break from writing, try this. The Bruce Museum in Greenwich is offering a Virtual Exhibition of Children’s Book Art – an exhibition of children’s book illustrations from the archives of artist, illustrator, and author James Stevenson (American, 1929-2017), Fun / No Fun: Children’s Book Art by James Stevenson will be on view to the public from March 6-May 23.  Adults know Stevenson as the witty and prolific New Yorker cartoonist; kids know him as the author and illustrator of hundreds of children’s books that induce fits of giggles. And who couldn’t use some of those?
In the meantime, keep writing!