The Missouri Writers Guild Conference 2010

The Missouri Writers Guild Conference will be in Chesterfield, Mo this year on April 16-18, 2010. I'm hoping to attend if I can get the funds together this year. You can download the registration form and even pay by paypal.

Lots of interesting speakers, agents, and editors to check out, including Wash U creative writing teacher, Catherine Rankovic, who writes Mental Health for Writers. I could use some of that, God knows.

The following literary agents will also be at the conference:

Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency, Denver, Colorado (I love her blog, Pubrants)
Nelson Literary Agency represents fiction for adult, young adult and middle grade books. We work with literary and commercial fiction. For nonfiction, we are only interested in memoir.

We are currently seeking:

Literary (with a commercial bent)

Commercial mainstream

Women's fiction

Chick lit (all types including paranormal, mystery, young adult etc.)

Romance (all types for single title except inspirational)

Science Fiction

Fantasy

Young Adult

Middle Grade

Memoir
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Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, Agent. Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation.

Joanna is looking for children's chapter books to upper YA (non-fiction, contemporary, humor, historical and fantasy *fantasy/sci-fi needs to really stand out, unique), adult romance (historical, paranormal, contemporary), fantasy (urban fantasy, steampunk, unique), up-market fiction (women's, commercial, dark, literary, horror, speculative fic), narrative non-fiction (pop culture, environmental, foodie).

She is NOT interested in mysteries, legal thrillers, corporate thrillers, cookbooks, academic nonfiction, epic fantasy for adults, hi-science fiction, poetry, collections/short stories, screenplays

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Suzie Townsend, Junior Agent; Peter Rubie Agency

Suzie Townsend is a Junior Agent and Peter Rubie's assistant and is just starting to take on clients. She will be actively building her list in April 2010 during the conference. She's a former high school English teacher who likes character-driven YA and adult fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance. She gravitates toward strong female protagonists, complex plot lines with underlying political, moral, or philosophical issues, and stories which break out of the typical tropes of their genre, like Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. For non-fiction, she is primarily interested in narrative non-fiction and true crime.

Family Circle Fiction Writing Contest 2010

It's time, once again, for the Family Circle Fiction Writing Contest.

Entries are being accepted now through September 8, 2010. Submit a fiction story, 2500 word maximum.
It must be unpublished, and you cannot have received a prize or award for it. No foul language, porn, or ritual animal sacrifice. (Go figure, it's Family Circle, people).

Check out the previous year's winners for more info on what they are looking for.

I think they own the story if it wins, so be aware.

St. Louis Writers Guild March 2010 Events

Check out this great schedule of March meetings and workshops from the St. Louis Writers Guild.

Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. - Noon
"See my Byline: Writing for Newspapers and Magazines"  Workshop by Margo Dill

Tuesday, March 9, 7-9 p.m.

Open-Mic Night

Thursday, March 18, 7-8 p.m.
"I'm Pretty Good, So Why Haven't I Been Published," Lecture by Claire Applewhite

Tuesday, March 16, 8-10 p.m.
Loud Mouth Open Mic Night (This one is rated R, folks)

For the Guys Who Write YA

A heads up from young adult agent Kristin Nelson. Her agency's list is short on male clients who write for young adults, and they're looking for more guys to rep. So run your stuff through your critique group and shine it until it squeaks; then submit for your chance. Don't waste an engraved invitation, people.

Open-Mic Coffeehouse Next Week at St. Charles Community College

The next open-mic coffee house for St. Charles Community College will be Thursday, February 18, 2010.

One of these days I'm actually going to make it to one of these. And read something. Out loud.

LaChance Publishing Seeking Stories

LaChance publishing is a non-fiction publisher that publishes books about health topics and fitness. Their "Voices Of" series of anthologies is seeking 500-3,000 word personal essays on the following topics:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Anorexia/Bulimia
Breast Cancer
Depression
Epilepsy

They are also seeking stories about dogs who've made a difference in people's lives. From the website:

MORE Good Dogs Doing Good


"Following on the success of Good Dogs Doing Good, we’re planning a second volume of uplifting, true stories of dogs that have transformed people’s lives.

What we need: True stories of literary merit that show the real, positive and transformative impact a dog has had in your life or the lives of your family or loved ones. For example, has a dog aided you through an illness or given you new insights on yourself or your life? Good Dogs Doing Good itself is the best reference. Your story should be 500-3,000 words.

What we do NOT need: Stories that focus primarily on a dog’s adorable characteristics."

There is no information listed on payment.

Mid Rivers Review Seeking Submissions

The Mid Rivers Review, the literary magazine of St. Charles Community College, is open for submissions through January 31, 2010. So if you have something you've been meaning to send out, here is a place for it.

Check out their submissions guidelines and excerpts from past journals. The poetry is quiet good. I especially like Heather Treseler's Atomic Chicken Dance. Besides poetry, they also accept short fiction, non-fiction essays, photographs, and art work.