THE MAY CHALLENGE: QUERY CONTEST – FICTION AND NON-FICTION BOOKS
In our continuing effort to help writers jump-start their careers, we are pleased to launch the 2nd Annual Write On! Query Contest – Books.
The winner in each category—Fiction and Non-Fiction—will have their query letter read by Los Angeles-based literary agent Betsy Amster, president of Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises. They will also receive a gift certificate from iScript.
Second prize is Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2010, courtesy of The Writers Store and an autographed copy of Child of Fire from author Harry Connolly.
Third prize: eBooks, courtesy of VBT: Writers on the Move from authors Darcía Helle Magdalena Ball, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, and Karen Cioffi.
Authors Amy Friedman (Syndicated Columnist, “Tell Me A Story”) and Dennis Danziger (A Short History of a Tall Jew) will select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from the finalists!
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Email your query to Debra@WriteOnOnline.com by Monday, May 31. There is no fee to enter this contest.
For more information and complete submission guidelines, go to Write On! Online.
Winners will be announced on Monday, June 7, on Write On! Online, and in the June Write On! Newsletter.
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Screenwriters, your turn is coming. The Write On! Online – June Challenge will be Query Contest: “Screenplays.”
NEWS
Congratulations to the winners of the Write On! Online April Challenge – Write A “Limerick!”:
1st Place: Paula Bradley – Posted on Write On! Online
2nd Place: Julia Overlin
3rd Place: Cara Holman
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Congratulations to Andrea Helaine, May winner of an iScript, for posting goals on Write On! Online. Post your June Goals and be entered in the monthly drawing to win a FREE iScript. (An iScript is a professionally recorded audio version of a screenplay or novel read by professional readers, similar to an audiobook.) Post your June Goals here.
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Do you like to read or write serial stories? A new internet meme called “#TuesdaySerial,” hosted by Tony Noland (@tonynoland) and P.J. Kaiser (@doublelattemama), just debuted. You can read over the guidelines if you’re interested in submitting and if you’d like to see last week’s participants, you can read the TuesdaySerial Report.
Congratulations producer John Paul Rice, screenwriter Edward Michael Bravo (who was interviewed on Write On! Online last summer), and No Restrictions Entertainment. One Hour Fantasy Girl (2009) is going to be released in THEATERS this June! Read Bravo’s Q&A here.
LA-Based Filmmakers: Film Courage – The Radio Show (LA Talk Radio) hosts “ The Film Courage Interactive” in Los Angeles at the beautiful Downtown Independent the last Monday night of every month. (More info below.) If you are an LA-based filmmaker, have a short film under 10 minutes, and are interested in setting up a Los Angeles screening, please respond to filmcourage@gmail.com for details.
Share your site/blog—and favorite writers site links—in the comments on the Write On! Online Writing Resources post
EVENTS
Celebrate the release of Dennis Danziger’s book: A Short History of a Tall Jew on Thursday, May 13, at 7:30 pm at Village Books in Pacific Palisades, CA.
The Cinefist Screening Series presents an exclusive sneak peek at Gary King’s new arthouse film—What’s Up Lovely—at 8pm on Friday, May 14, at the Downtown Independent theater (251 S Main St. Los Angeles). Filmmaker and cast will be in attendance; there will also be a discussion on how the filmmakers ran successful Kickstarter campaigns to raise over $25K for their next film projects. Details on the Facebook Event Page.
Laurie Dinnerstein is looking for volunteers for the International Gator Day on Saturday, May 15, from 9:45 am to 12 pm. The Gators will pair up with Heal the Bay to clean up Torrance Beach. For more info, email Laurie.
Marla Martenson will be signing her memoir: Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker on Tuesday, May 18, at 7 pm at Book Soup, 8818 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
Film Courage – The Radio Show hosts its monthly Film Courage Interactive on Monday, May 31, from 7 pm to 11 pm at The Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., Los Angeles, 90012. The night consists of two short films, the feature I am the Blue Bird, Directors Q & A, and filmmaker discussion (“support group”) capping off the event. For more info, please visit www.downtownindependent.com or filmcourage@gmail.com.
Save the Date: The first Dream It, Then Do It!: workshop with Debra Eckerling and Marla Martenson will be on Saturday, June 5 from 10 am – 1 pm in Santa Monica. For details and to register, go to Event Brite.
ONGOING
Scriptchat was created for the purpose of bringing new and seasoned screenwriters together to learn and grow. Since screenwriters are global, Scriptchat has two chats each Sunday: 8pm GMT is EURO #scriptchat, moderated by Mina Zaher (@DreamsGrafters) and 8pm EST, moderated by Jeanne Veillette Bowerman (@jeannevb). The same topic is discussed at both chats., and the topic changes every week. Remember, Script Chat is a community, not competitors. Everyone has something to learn. All transcripts are posted on the blog, as well as tons of screenwriting resources: http://www.scriptchat.com.
Want to hear your work read? AltScreenPlay meets on Thursdays 7:30 – 10 pm, at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA, and is moderated by Matt Byrnes, mbbyrnes@gmail.com. First reading starts at 8 pm; and readings begin in the order in which the author arrived. Bring 1-10 pages of your screenplay, and make enough copies for each role. No RSVP necessary. Feel free to sit in without bringing any material of your own.
The Los Angeles Public Library now has a Screenwriters Workshop four Saturdays a month at different branches, from 10:30 am – 12 pm, and every Sunday in the Farmers Market community room from 3 – 5 pm, hosted by Sasha Karova. Learn format and workshop original material (screenplays, 1/2 hour sitcom, and 1/2 hour and 1 hour episodic) with an open reading or read-through. Open reading is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP to WritersUnblock@aol.com.
Meditation Friday Nights at The Learning Garden the 2nd Friday of the month. Meditation begins promptly at 8:00 pm. Please dress in layers and bring a blanket and cushion to sit on. Meditation lasts about 40 minutes around a fire in the peaceful surroundings of the Garden. Donations go to The Learning Garden. For more information contact Camille at (310) 382-4323.
WRITE ON!
Our June Meeting will be on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Please have newsletter items to Debra@WriteOnOnline.com by June 7.
Write On! Online Author Q&As are posted every Tuesday and Friday. Check out the interviews posted since the last newsletter:
Filmmaker Gary King, What’s Up Lovely
Sally Shields, The Daughter-In-Law Rules
Webisode Writer/Director Tina Cesa Ward, Anyone But Me
David & Jennifer Skelly, Improv for Writers
Marla Martenson, Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, the How to Do It Frugally Series
Mediabistro Co-Host Michelle Thatcher
Published Authors: Share your knowledge by participating in a Write On! Q&A. Email debra@writeononline.com for more information.
Check Write On! Online for a new Expert Column every Thursday:
Diane Sherry Case talks about Writing for Recovery
Jen’s Gems … For the Healthy Writer: Are Your Hips “Hip”? by movement and fitness coach Jennifer Waak
Write On! Poets by Cara Holman
Write On! To Write & To Hustle by Shannon Mary Flaherty.
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Authors of all ages, go to Purple Pencil Adventures for “Why Write? Mondays” and Friday writing adventures! Plus, an interview every Wednesday.
Teen Freelancer, Maxine Frendel
Writer/director Suzi Yoonessi, Dear Lemon Lima
Emily Smucker, author of teen memoir Emily
Christopher Combates, author, Law of Attraction for Teens
Keep an eye out for info on Purple Pencil Adventures’ Kids Writing Camp. Please check out the website and Facebook Page.
FRIENDS OF WRITE ON!
Dream It, Then Do It!: Communications specialist/ writing motivator Debra Eckerling and life coach/ matchmaker/author Marla Martenson have teamed up to bring you workshops, tools, and inspiration to turn your dreams into reality. The first workshop is scheduled for June 5 in Santa Monica. Become a Fan on Facebook.
iScript.com has added a new audiobook component to their offerings. Now, you can get high-quality audiobooks made of your writing!
Read the StoryLink eZine for interviews, expert columns. contests, and events. The May eZine, which includes an interview with The Blind Side writer/director John Lee Hancock, will be posted on Tuesday, May 18th.
Visit the May Virtual Book Tour – Writers on the Move for interviews, articles, reviews, and more! My Article – “Social Networking” – was posted on site earlier this month.
Speechless? Need a helping hand? Let Word’s Worth Editing Services help you find the “write” way to say it, every time. From literary projects to academic and business services, Word’s Worth provides high quality editing and proofreading, with a personal touch.
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If you’d like to support Write On! Online and promote your business or service, email Debra@WriteOnOnline.com.
