Babble.com is an online parenting zine with a hipper, more sarcastic edge. They bill themselves as "the magazine and community for a new generation of parents," and focus on parents of the infant to toddler age range. They launched in 2006.
The latest:
Babble's most popular column has been "Bad Parent." They used to publish it once a month or so, but they've recently decided to post a new one every week. So they'll be looking for first person essays from lots of writer parents. They also want more dad perspectives.
The columns are essays admitting to kid-raising strategies that "the rules" might diagree with: not babyproofing, losing your temper, or walking around the house naked.
Pay:
Their rate is around .50 a word, (if you're a new writer you may get less). They sometimes pay more if the article requires extensive research. They also pay a kill fee of 25%.
Caution: Their voice is very distinct, and it can be hard to get an acceptance. I got lucky with an essay on breastfeeding for "Bad Parent," but I haven't had much luck since (but my kids are also older and it's harder for me to remember those days). You may have to submit several essays before you hit the right tone/topic. Just be sure to do your homework and study them before submitting. In my experience they pay promptly are lovely to work with.
You'll need to write the whole essay and send it with your query. My query was very short (see my example below) Let the writing speak for itself in this case. Check their submission guidelines for more information.
Example Query Letter
Ada Calhoun
Editor-in-Chief
Babble.com
Dear Ms. Calhoun:
Enclosed at the bottom of this email is my 1,150 personal essay against breastfeeding. I'm not a radical, and I have no grassroots organization. I just know there are other mothers like me who didn't find a madonna-like satisfaction in nursing their children. In fact, we nearly lost our minds. (Briefly summarized the topic of article and the length is in their range)
I love the honesty and humor of Babble, and its edgy tone is a perfect fit for this essay. (Showed them I've read the magazine before submitting)
I am an English instructor at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO and a freelance writer. I'm currently working on articles for Missouri Life Magazine and Fiery-Foods & BBQ.com. (I don't think you have to be published to break in to Babble - the essay is what counts)
I look forward to hearing from you.
Tricia Grissom
(include contact info)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Having Trouble With Dialogue? Check out Eavesdropping Writer
Realistic dialogue is hard. Many writing tomes recommend you listen real-life conversations you overhear, but how often do we actually do that? I'm too busy listening to the voices in my head. There's no room for more personalities.
But now I can go over to the mesmerizing blog Eavesdropping Writer. She posts blog-worthy conversations she hears, including full character descriptions. You can't make this stuff up. Thanks to Andrea McMann who recommended this riveting site in the comments over at Writer Mama.
In this spirit, I'll recreate a conversation I overheard in the checkout line at the grocery store. I wish I had written down more accurately, but here goes.
Beep, Beep, Beep (that's the cash register)
The girl checking me out is maybe 17, the bag boy she's talking to is around the same age. She's wearing the standard grocery store smock and so is he, but he also has some hopeful stubble on his chin.
Bag Boy: So what are you going to be for Halloween?
Checker Girl: I think a pirate.
Bag Boy: Cool. Do you have an eye patch? Those are so cool.
Checker Girl: Uh, no
Bag Boy: If you get one, can I have it when you're finished?
Checker Girl: (hesitantly) I guess.
Bag Boy: Seriously, you don't even know, like, how bad I want one.
That must have been two years ago, and I still remember it. The writer in me must have had some caffeine that morning.
If you want to make your own writing blog recommendations for Writer Mama, the best recommender (that is so not a word) can win Kelly James-Enger’s, Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money! (Marion Street Books, 2008). She's taking blog suggestions until March 7, 2008.
But now I can go over to the mesmerizing blog Eavesdropping Writer. She posts blog-worthy conversations she hears, including full character descriptions. You can't make this stuff up. Thanks to Andrea McMann who recommended this riveting site in the comments over at Writer Mama.
In this spirit, I'll recreate a conversation I overheard in the checkout line at the grocery store. I wish I had written down more accurately, but here goes.
Beep, Beep, Beep (that's the cash register)
The girl checking me out is maybe 17, the bag boy she's talking to is around the same age. She's wearing the standard grocery store smock and so is he, but he also has some hopeful stubble on his chin.
Bag Boy: So what are you going to be for Halloween?
Checker Girl: I think a pirate.
Bag Boy: Cool. Do you have an eye patch? Those are so cool.
Checker Girl: Uh, no
Bag Boy: If you get one, can I have it when you're finished?
Checker Girl: (hesitantly) I guess.
Bag Boy: Seriously, you don't even know, like, how bad I want one.
That must have been two years ago, and I still remember it. The writer in me must have had some caffeine that morning.
If you want to make your own writing blog recommendations for Writer Mama, the best recommender (that is so not a word) can win Kelly James-Enger’s, Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money! (Marion Street Books, 2008). She's taking blog suggestions until March 7, 2008.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA Monthly Online Contest!
This was in my mailbox today.
Call for March Short-Short Story Submissions She may be mad as a March hare, but the next judge at the Whidbey Writers Workshop Student Choice Contest wants to see your short stories and poems about March Madness.
What does that mean? Stories about tea parties, basketball, the effects of the vernal moon? Something more sinister? I don't know. I'm not sure she does, either. If you have a story that fits the theme, be the first writer in March to knock her socks off and she'll post your story on the MFA Student website, send you $50 cashola, and sing your praises to your local newspaper or writing organization. But keep it short--she won't read more than 1,000 words.
The contest is open to mad hatters, March hares, and writers at all stages of their career, students or non-students, anyone can enter.
Simply go to www.whidbeystudents.com for more information and to find the submission link.
Call for March Short-Short Story Submissions She may be mad as a March hare, but the next judge at the Whidbey Writers Workshop Student Choice Contest wants to see your short stories and poems about March Madness.
What does that mean? Stories about tea parties, basketball, the effects of the vernal moon? Something more sinister? I don't know. I'm not sure she does, either. If you have a story that fits the theme, be the first writer in March to knock her socks off and she'll post your story on the MFA Student website, send you $50 cashola, and sing your praises to your local newspaper or writing organization. But keep it short--she won't read more than 1,000 words.
The contest is open to mad hatters, March hares, and writers at all stages of their career, students or non-students, anyone can enter.
Simply go to www.whidbeystudents.com for more information and to find the submission link.
"Return to Luna" Writing Contest - No entry fee
SFScope has a post about a new short story contest sponsored by Hadley Rille Books and the National Space Society (NSS) called "Return to Luna." They want science fiction stories that capture the pioneering spirit of a moon base. Stories should be set in the near future 50-150 years. Check their submission guidelines for more details.
Entry deadline: June 15, 2008
Length: 2000-6000 words
Prize: Winning stories will be published in an anthology
And remember this great advice about entering writing contests from the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market blog.
Entry deadline: June 15, 2008
Length: 2000-6000 words
Prize: Winning stories will be published in an anthology
And remember this great advice about entering writing contests from the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market blog.
Monday, March 3, 2008
BookEnds First 100 Words Contest - Contemporary Romance
Today the new BookEnds first 100 words contest is for contemporary romance. The rules are the same as the previous contests, but the deadline for this one is tomorrow, March 4th at 9 a.m. EST or 8:00 a.m. Central for us Midwesterners.
Good luck to everyone.
Good luck to everyone.
Do Authors Need Websites?
If you're an author debating about whether you need a website or not, paranormal author Cheynne McCray has a blog post over at Fangs, Fur and Fey that might help. She's collected a sampling of agent comments about how a potential client's website affects his or her chances of getting an agent.
So should you or shouldn't you? The overall consensus seems to be yes - just don't make it look slapdash or unprofessional, or you may do more harm than good - and keep all negative comments (about anything) to yourself. Agents apparently don't like Doug and Wendy Whiner any more than anyone else does - unless they're on Saturday Night Live and we can laugh our butts off at them.
Missouri Writers might want to consider the class at the Missouri Writers' Guild Conference 2008 that helps you design your own website on the spot. Regardless, you might want to buy your domain name even before you're ready to get your website up and running.
You never know who shares your name and might want it for his or her very own. There's also lots of great advice on the web for how to get started designing a website.
Also, check out authors who write in your genre or writing area. Many link to their web design companies. At the very least, you can see what looks professional and what looks like Austin Powers designed it - and create your own accordingly.
So should you or shouldn't you? The overall consensus seems to be yes - just don't make it look slapdash or unprofessional, or you may do more harm than good - and keep all negative comments (about anything) to yourself. Agents apparently don't like Doug and Wendy Whiner any more than anyone else does - unless they're on Saturday Night Live and we can laugh our butts off at them.
Missouri Writers might want to consider the class at the Missouri Writers' Guild Conference 2008 that helps you design your own website on the spot. Regardless, you might want to buy your domain name even before you're ready to get your website up and running.
You never know who shares your name and might want it for his or her very own. There's also lots of great advice on the web for how to get started designing a website.
Also, check out authors who write in your genre or writing area. Many link to their web design companies. At the very least, you can see what looks professional and what looks like Austin Powers designed it - and create your own accordingly.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Hello to All St. Louis Writers Guild Members
Just wanted to say thanks to all the St. Louis Writers Guild members at the meeting today. My compatriot Tricia Sanders and I spoke there this morning. They laughed at all my jokes - even the bad ones.
Here are links to some great networking websites we mentioned (and a few more for good measure):
Preditors and Editors - Reviews of publishers and writing-related businesses
Absolutewrite.com - Writers' online community
Therenegadewriter.com - freelance writing advice from much published writers
The Renegade Writer Wiki - the inside info on magazines provided by freelance writers
Shrinking Violet Promotions - book marketing for introverts
The Writer Mama - Christina Katz blog for writing mothers
Critique Circle - Critique group online
Pubrants - Lit agent Kristin Nelson
Bookends, LLC - Literary agency
Nathan Bransford - Lit agent Nathan Bransford
Genre Blogs
Fangs, Fur, and Fey - blog for published urban fantasy/paranormal authors
Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books - reviews of romance books and their highly questionable covers
Good Girls Kill for Money - the femme fatales of mystery blog about the writing life
Hope to see you all at the Missouri Writers Guild Conference. Stalk those agents and editors online, people!
Here are links to some great networking websites we mentioned (and a few more for good measure):
Preditors and Editors - Reviews of publishers and writing-related businesses
Absolutewrite.com - Writers' online community
Therenegadewriter.com - freelance writing advice from much published writers
The Renegade Writer Wiki - the inside info on magazines provided by freelance writers
Shrinking Violet Promotions - book marketing for introverts
The Writer Mama - Christina Katz blog for writing mothers
Critique Circle - Critique group online
Pubrants - Lit agent Kristin Nelson
Bookends, LLC - Literary agency
Nathan Bransford - Lit agent Nathan Bransford
Genre Blogs
Fangs, Fur, and Fey - blog for published urban fantasy/paranormal authors
Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books - reviews of romance books and their highly questionable covers
Good Girls Kill for Money - the femme fatales of mystery blog about the writing life
Hope to see you all at the Missouri Writers Guild Conference. Stalk those agents and editors online, people!
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