Skirt Magazine Seeking Essays for 2010

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season; here's a little something to think of for the new year.

Skirt has posted their list of essay themes for 2010.
Submit your essay on the first of the month before the one you're aiming for. So if you want it to go in February's "I Heart...." issue, submit by January 1.

Check their contributor's guidelines for details, and then read "The 1 Second Rule" to get a feel for their style.

Harlequin Under Fire For New Self-Publishing and Critique Services

Harlequin first announced a new ebooks division called Carina Press, and now they've started a self-publishing arm and a critque service that leaves a bit of a bad taste considering all the aspiring authors court them. Read about it and their revoked RWA status at Agent Kristen Nelson's blog.

St. Charles Community College Coffeehouse Open-Mic

Friday, November 13 is the next Coffeehouse Open-Mic Night at St. Charles Community College.

I am hoping to make this one, so say hello if you come. But all the white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies are mine! Hands off!

Moving Day!

Okay, actually that was yesterday. Holy cheerios, it's been a long haul, but I am finally in the process of moving into my new home.

So please excuse me from blogging for the rest of the week, and posts may be sporadic after that. I hope to have at least one a week, but we shall have to see how well my new internet hook up works :) Thanks to everyone who's been rooting me on in the great house search. I'm home.

Samhain Seeks Angels and Demons Romance Stories

Inkyblots reports that Samhain is looking for a few good Angel/Demon Romance stories. The deadline is November 1st and stories should be 20,000 to 30,000 words.

Alimentum: Literary Magazine About Food

As we head into the great season of eating, I thought I'd feature a lit mag dedicated to gustatory delights and frights, Alimentum. They publish food-related fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry. Right now they are hosting a poetry contest.

Deadline: December 1, 2009

Prize: $500 and publication

Entry Fee: $15 (Includes one year subscription)

Submissions: Via Snailmail Only

Alimentum

P.O. Box 210028

Nashville, TN 37221

Here are some menupoems they have online.

I could wax poetic about food, no problem. Now where is that verse I wrote about bread?

Borders Open-Door Poetry Video Series Writing Advice

If you haven't seen Borders Open Door Poetry Series, check it out. The music combined with poets reading their work is balm for the soul. They are on episode seven, so if you have seen it, but haven't checked back, there are new clips.

In this latest episode, Patricia Smith also gives writing advice about the most valuble tool a writer has in this short clip. Check out her poem "Spinning Till You Get Dizzy."  Beware. You may get stuck there for awhile. It's like potato chips; you can't eat just one.