Apparently, Fall is the time for book festivals and events. Here are a just few of the ones happening in Connecticut. The list is followed by a class for those interested in publishing a book, and some contests, places to submit, and more.
The Connecticut Book Festival will be taking place in West Hartford on October 7 from 11-4pm . Over 50 Connecticut authors will be there with their books in all genres, from children’s and general fiction to thriller and horror. No need to register, and it’s free.
The CT Lit Fest, taking place on October 14 from 9-4pm is a book festival presented by Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. A literary carnival under one roof in the center of Connecticut. A day for writers, teachers, students, and readers to mingle and discover new voices. Events run throughout the day. Admission is free. There’ll be readings, talks, performances, and an interactive typewriter installation where you can type something on one of a bunch of classic machines. It was fun last time to watch young people trying to figure out how typewriters work! The main gallery hosts a book fair to showcase publishers, journals, writing programs, and arts organizations. It features writers Wally Lamb and Antoinette Brim-Bell, also featuring Victoria Buitron, Sean Frederick Forbes, plus readers (including yours truly) from the 2023 CT Literary Anthology (pre-order here) and a live recording of Writer Mother Monster Podcast.
The Norwalk Library is now looking for authors for their Norwalk Local Author Festival, to take place on November 3-5. You are considered a local author if you live anywhere in Connecticut, or any of the neighboring states. They provide free author tables, but the number will be limited to 100, so trust me, it pays to apply early. We have more authors in this area than they can accommodate! Complete the application for a table here. You don’t need to be there for all three days.
Save the date – November 18 – and join me and eleven other authors in various genres at HUBCAP in Wallingford as we chat, personalize, sign, and gift-wrap books ready for holiday gift-giving! See you there!
CLASSES
Interested in publishing your book? Gain an insider’s view of book publishing at this five-session program, You Wrote a Book, Now What? beginning October 10. Led by literary agent, Jan L. Kardys, Chairman of Unicorn Writers’ Conference, Jan will cover all aspects of publishing including finding a literary agent, query letters, publishing agreements, the various departments within publishing companies, self-publishing vs. traditional book publishing, subsidiary rights, marketing, and utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies and social media services to increase visibility to literary agents, publishers and readers alike. 20 places available $65.
CONTESTS AND AWARDS
Eyeland’s Book Awards are open for unpublished manuscripts until October 20. There are multiple categories, including fiction (novels or novellas of any genre), single-author short story collections, poetry, historical fiction, memoir, children’s etc. 8,000 words min, no max. $35 entry. Winners are considered for publication by Strange Days Books and translation into Greek. The winner receives a holiday in Athens.
Flash prose is a versatile, dynamic form of storytelling with an energy all its own. CRAFT Literary Magazine is currently taking submissions for its Flash Prose Prize, whether fiction or nonfiction. Submissions are open until October 31. Three winners will receive $1,000 each, with publication. Three additional editors’ choices will receive $200 each, with publication. Submission guidelines here.
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is launching its 10th annual writing competition for middle school students (6th-8th grade) titled, “My Museum Adventure,” which ends December 1, with an awards presentation in early 2024. Writers are tasked to write an essay about a historic landmark or a museum they have visited in the past or plan to visit in the future. What did they see and learn? Who was the most inspiring or memorable person featured? What was the most intriguing artifact displayed and why? View requirements & guidelines here.
Christopher Fielden’s newsletter contains details of dozens of writing competitions and other publishing opportunities that have recently been added to his website. Many of them are in the UK, which means if you succeed, you’ll be internationally published! Hundreds of them are listed on his website.
Digital Dreamers Magazine has recently opened for rolling submissions from writers aged 10 to 25. It’s all about young writers gaining experience by having their work published. They accept writing of any form, art, photography, poetry of any form, trends writing and tutorials. They plan to publish 3 or 4 times a year. 3,000 words max for prose, 400 lines for poetry. No submission fee.
Authors Publish recently published an article, A New Ruse By Publishers to Make Authors Pay to Publish, about a couple of publishers who are selling their publishing services by offering other things, like free classes, to attract the unwary writer. Worth a read, so you can recognize the ruse when you see it.
On a more encouraging note, they’ve also published lists of five paying literary magazines to submit to, and 47 Themed Calls for Submissions. These are calls and contests from 39 magazines/anthologies/presses. Calls include the end, solarpunk, food & feasting, crabs, feisty felines and other fantastical familiars, the unknown, literary curiosities, personal ghost stories, and nightmares before bed.
Hope this keeps you going until next month!
