We had an excellent meeting on Wednesday, and lots to talk about. Among other things, there are two author events and two contests for Microfiction (variously defined as 500 words or less, or 100 words or less. Read on to find out more.
Here’s a chance to meet three bestselling authors of historical fiction. On March 21, from 7-9pm, the Pequot Library is hosting Robin Kall of the Reading with Robin podcast, as she talks with, Lauren Willig (Band of Sisters), Heather Webb, (Strangers in the Night) and Sarah Penner (The Lost Apothecary) Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit Operation Hope and Pequot Library. VIP registration + mingling is $75, and includes priority seating, an exclusive VIP reception to meet and greet with the authors at 6 p.m., light bites and wine, book signing, and more. General admission registration costs $20, and includes the presentation and Q&A program only. Click here to purchase your tickets.
On March 30, from 7-9pm the Westport Writers Workshop is offering a free event to celebrate the book launch of two of their instructors: Amanda Parrish Morgan with her New Yorker Best Book of 2022, Stroller, and Suzanne Farrell Smith with her newly published essay collection, Small Off Things: Meditations from an Anxious Mind. Readings will be followed by a Q&A moderated by their Program Director, Liz Matthews, and the evening will include book giveaways, a raffle, and light refreshments. Details here.
This seems to be a month for microfiction contests. I can see why contest organizers like them – the entries are quick to read. But be aware that definitions of what constitutes microfiction vary greatly. Here are two, and they both offer feedback on your writing.
Canadian-based Writing Battle is a peer-powered Microfiction competition where everyone receives feedback from other competitors. You write and submit one story and read ten other submissions, so you get feedback from ten other writers. And the top two stories from each genre are given feedback and judged by industry professionals. You have two days to write Microfiction up to 500 words, if you join by April 4 ($16) or May 5 ($20). The next “battle” is for the even shorter Nanofiction (up to 250 words) with deadlines of July 4 ($16) or August 4 ($20) There are cash prizes for the winners. More details here
Meanwhile, NYC Midnight, who organize regular short story writing contests, is kicking off its fourth annual 100-word Microfiction Challenge on April 28. It challenges writers worldwide to create very short stories based on genre, action, and word assignments in 24 hours. Feedback from the judges is provided for every submission, writers retain all the rights to the stories they create, and there are thousands in cash prizes for the winners. The entry fee is USD$24* until the early entry deadline of March 30, 2023, and USD$29* until the final entry deadline of April 27. Learn more here.
Do you want to write a thrilling crime novel? ProWritingAid, the editing software company, is running a free virtual Crime Writers’ Week from April 24-27 on how to craft an unforgettable crime story and share it with the world. Learn from award-winning authors, including Sophie Hannah and others in live sessions. Discover strategies for outlining, editing, publishing, marketing, and more. Connect with like-minded crime writers in networking events. Details here.
Connecticut authors Cindy Eastman and Trudy Swenson are looking to publish an anthology, Everyday Grief giving space to women’s unique voices of grief, incorporating your story, your experience, and your understanding of grief. They are interested in creative non-fiction (750-3000 words) for this anthology, but may consider poetry (2 poems) or short fiction (1500-3000). Deadline June 30. Each selected contributor will receive at least two complimentary copies of the anthology. For full details, click here.
Our old friends at Authors Publish have come up with a list of small presses, most of whom accept unagented submissions, but only from writers in the country where they publish. Most of the presses on this list accept work from writers with a specific geographic region or nationality. Some have very strict limitations, and others are more lenient. All the publishers on this list primarily publish authors from the country they are based in by a wide margin, even if they don’t have formal guidelines that state this.
Hope this is helpful – Look for more news on Monday!
