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The Commonwealth Short Story Competition 2009 (United Kingdom)

The Commonwealth Short Story Competition is a prestigious, annual competition open to anyone who is a citizen of a Commonwealth country, whether an amateur or professional writer. There is no restriction on theme, but the stories must be new, original, and of no longer than 600 words (around four and a half minutes when read aloud).

Five regional winners are chosen, for Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Canada, Europe and the Pacific, of which one is then selected as the overall winner.

Each year 26  winning and highly commended stories from the different regions of the Commonwealth are recorded on to CDs and broadcast on radio stations across the Commonwealth.

The overall winner of the competition receives £2,000, regional winners £500 and each highly commended author £100.

Rights: “Winners will retain the copyright but assign the broadcasting rights (including audio on demand) to the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association to pass on to its members. Winners will also assign publication rights to the CBA and the Commonwealth Foundation, and the rights for the story to be sold on any audio medium by the CBA. Both these rights are non-exclusive. The winners will also assign rights to the CBA to use the story for press and promotion and for using on the website.”

Please note there is no entry form or fee for this competition.

DEADLINE: send by snail mail to the Commonwealth Foundation by 11 May 2009

Short Story Competition’ should be clearly written on the envelope, and on the subject line on emails.

More information is available from the Commonwealth Foundation’s website

**Seawoman’s 2 cents – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL

Commonwealth Short Story Competition
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association
17 Fleet Street
London EC4Y 1AA
UK

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7583 5550
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7583 5549
Email: story@cba.org.uk
Website: www.cba.org.uk

PRISM International Magazine (Canada)

PRISM international is a quarterly magazine out of Vancouver, British Columbia, whose mandate is to publish the best in contemporary writing and translation from Canada and around the world.

They are looking for original, unpublished material in short fiction, poetry, translation, creative nonfiction, and drama. Include a brief cover letter with a short bio and publications list. Work that has appeared on the Internet is not wanted unless it has only been posted to writers’ forums for discussion.

NB. NO EMAIL SUBMISSIONS ARE ALLOWED.

We purchase first North American serial rights, and pay $40/printed page for poetry, $20/printed page for prose. Contributors receive a one-year subscription to PRISM international. The editorial board awards an annual $500 prize to an outstanding poetry contributor in each volume.

We accept submissions year round. Due to the high volume of submissions we receive each month, reply times range between 2 to 6 months, depending on the time of year.

Read the COMPLETE DETAILS FOR SUBMISSIONS at the website.

MAIL SUBMISSIONS TO:

PRISM international
Creative Writing Program, UBC
Buch. E462 – 1866 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Canada

E-Mail: prism[at]interchange[dot]ubc[dot]ca

Chicken Soup For The Soul Anthologies (USA)

Chicken Soup For The Soul is a widely read anthology series with numerous titles.  You are paid an honorarium and a free copy of the volume.  They focus more on prose but poetry is also accepted.

Although your poignant, true stories don’t have to have a particular theme, it is useful to visit the site from time to time to see upcoming ones.

They look for an ” inspirational, true story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is a story that opens the heart and rekindles the spirit. It is a simple, inter-denominational, living art piece that touches the soul of the readers and helps them discover basic principles they can use in their own lives. They are personal and often filled with emotion and drama. They are filled with vivid images created by using the five senses. In some stories, the readers feel that they are actually in the scene with the people.”

Story guidelines are at the website.

They prefer you to submit directly at the website.

**Seawoman’s two cents – A few years ago my poem “Beauty of The Bald Head” made the final 100 of more than 1,000 entries received for the 1st Chicken Soup For The African American Soul. (Aww shucks!)

A few examples of upcoming titles are below:

Christmas and Holidays
We love holidays! We know you do too. We are collecting stories for our next holiday book. There is no deadline date for story submissions.

Dysfunctional Families
These serious or hilarious, oh so true stories will touch your heart and make you see that even in the most difficult situations, other families are not all that different from your own. Share your stories with others who may realize we all have the same in-laws, siblings, parents, etc. Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect most of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!). The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Teachers
We have all had that one teacher who has made a difference in our lives. And teachers, remember that one student who made you know why you decided to be a teacher and who you will never forget? We are looking for stories from both teachers and students that will tell that unforgettable story. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Thanks Mom
We are looking for stories of thanks from “children” of all ages about their moms. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn’t matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Tough Times for Tough People
Most of us have lost money and many are losing their jobs, homes, or at least making cutbacks. Many of us have also faced life-changing natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires, as well as health and family challenges. We are all going through difficult times, some with more dire consequences than others. We would like to know what changes you are making in your lives that reflect the times.  These stories will give you, our readers, inspiration and insight into how others are coping. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2009.

Christmas Miracles Anthology (USA)

Christmas Miracles is a book project-contracted with St. Martin’s Press, one of Macmillan’s publishers-for late 2009 release. They seek true stories of miracles that took place at Christmas. They must revolve around that special time of year.

***Seawoman’s 2 cents – This looks like a GREAT seasonal opportunity.  You

• submit your work right at the site
• can submit previously published work
  
• get a free copy (of course)
• paid an honorarium
• retain all your rights.

What more could you ask for?

The editors request the following:

“We prefer first-person narratives.

This is an excellent opportunity to see your writing in a book with other outstanding authors.

You must follow these guidelines:

• Deadline for stories is December 24, 2008.
• All entries must be double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman, Word document.
• Stories may run from 900 to 1,300 words. We will not consider longer pieces.
• We will edit all stories we accept so that they have a unified voice.
• Your name will be listed with your story and you’ll have a four-line information/resume paragraph at the end of the book.
• Every story must have a positive solution that results from a miracle through events or timing at the Christmas season.
• Every story must have a positive application. That is, you must tell us what you learned from that miracle or how it changed your life.
• You may send an original or a reprint. (If a reprint, please tell us where it was published and assure us that you own the reprint rights.)

If we accept your story, you will retain rights. You’ll also receive a $50 honorarium and a free copy of the book when it is released in October 2009.

We will offer special discounts for contributors who wish to buy additional books.
(We will send that information to you.)”

St. Martin’s Press
175 5th Avenue NY, NY 10010, USA

The Caribbean Writer (USVI)

The Caribbean Writer
University of the Virgin Islands

Excellent annual anthology for submitting your work and building your profile. Former contributors include Kamau Brathwaite, Derek Walcott, Edwidge Danticat, Earl Lovelace, Winston Farrell and Elizabeth Best

Deadline:Always at the end of the year – in 2008: November 30th 2008

Submit poems (5 maximum), short stories, personal essays, (2 maximum not to exceed 15 pages each), and one-act plays. Only previously unpublished work will be accepted. (If self-published, give details).

Book reviews are also welcomed.  Persons interested in reviewing books should contact the editor indicating areas of expertise. Include sample reviews if possible.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Click HERE.

EMAIL: submit@thecaribbeanwriter.org

TransitionsAbroad.com (travel writing competition)

TransitionsAbroad.com invites you to enter its 2009 Narrative Travel Writing Contest with a $500 first-place prize.

Professionals, freelancers and other talented travel writers are invited to write a travel narrative relating to the intrinsic educational aspects of meaningful travel. We are looking for evocative and engaging writing in which sensitive immersion in the country, the people, the food, the land, the art, the rituals, and the culture in general play the leading role in the writer’s self-discovery and enlightenment. We are absolutely not looking for self-involved travelogues or diaries, but rather for a well-crafted and inspirational story which should appeal to those who have traveled independently overseas with open minds, sensitive souls, and empathetic imaginations.

The specific theme for this year’s contest is “Travel in a Dangerous World.

In this year’s Narrative Travel Writing Contest, the first-place winner’s entry will receive $500 (USD), the second-place winning entry $150, and the third-place winner $100.

Any other articles selected as runner-ups will receive a $50 payment.

• Submit an original essay from 1,000 to 3,000 words. Supporting photos in .jpg or .gif format are welcome to illustrate the experience and are considered part of the essay submission.
• To enter the Contest, attach your essay in Word format or copy and paste it into an e-mail. Please include your full name, complete postal address and phone number. Please type “Narrative Travel Writing Essay Entry” in the subject description of the e-mail and send the e-mail to narrativewritingcontest@transitionsabroad.com.
• The Contest begins February 1, 2008, and all entries must be received by December 15, 2008. Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc. will require first-time North American rights for all submissions which are accepted as contest winners and for publication. In addition, Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc. will reserve the right to reprint the story in a future publication. The writer may republish the unedited submission as desired after initial publication on TransitionsAbroad.com.
• Editors of TransitionsAbroad.com will judge entries based upon the following criteria:
  • Sensitivity to the people and culture being described
  • Ability to engage the reader
  • Literary quality
• Winners will be notified by phone, mail, or e-mail by January 5, 2009 for publication by February 15, 2009 due to the time required for all writers spanning the globe to receive payment

The Contest is open to professional, freelance and aspiring travel writers from any location around the globe

Poetry Kanto (Japan)

Poetry Kanto publishes original, well-crafted poems (must read the sample poems).

Submissions (5 poems & brief bio w/ cover letter) are welcome December through May, preferably by e-mail Word attachment.

(No previously published poems or simultaneous submissions.)

All translation must have prior permissions and be accompanied by the original poems.  Writers’ submission guidelines can be found at the site at

Submit poems in English to:

Alan Botsford at alan@kanto-gakuin.ac.jp

Find US$1.00 per Work Markets

Useful article for freelancers I found on Worldwidefreelancers.com.  Used in its entirety with permission of author

Write for Markets that Pay $1 per Word

by Gary McLaren

I guess you would love to receive a check for a thousand bucks. You’re not the only one. An exciting challenge for freelance writers is to break in to high-paying writing markets. I’m not talking about all the magazines that pay twenty or thirty cents per word. I’m talking about publications that pay a dollar per word and more.

A thousand words. A thousand dollars. That’s what you could earn if you sell your thousand-word article to the right publications. But before you send off that manuscript there are a couple of things you should know.

First, most high paying publications prefer to assign articles after receiving a query, rather than receiving unsolicited manuscripts. So you will need to sell your idea and your ability very well. Which brings me to the second point.

It is very rare for an unpublished writer to break in directly to top magazines. These publications have built their reputation with readers over the years by publishing only the finest writing. The editors are unlikely to give you the time of day if you have never had an article published previously. You need to work your way up.

As with many other careers, it is important to work your way up, proving your ability as you climb each step. So if you want to write for high-paying publications, plan your strategy. Start by building up a few clips with local publications. Next, work your way towards regional publications and medium-paying markets. If you already have your heart set on being published in a particular magazine, try to identify local and regional magazines that will give you appropriate and relevant clips.

Finally when you have built up a good portfolio of published clips, and a reputation as a writer who is reliable and great to work with, you’ll be ready to pitch to the editors of the high-paying markets.

So which markets pay top dollars? Here are several examples, and there are many more listed at my web site.

AARP The Magazine, USA
AaRP was formerly known as the “American Association of Retired Persons”. Features and departments in this magazine cover Finance, Health, Food, Travel, Consumerism, General interest, Profiles or first-person accounts of people who have made a dramatic change in their lives. Pays a minimum rate of $1 per contracted word. Guidelines: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/i/61.htm

Boy’s Life, USA
A general-interest monthly magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America. All articles must interest and entertain boys ages 6 to 18. Major articles pay $400 to $1,500 for 500 to 1,500 words. Departments run 100 to 600 words; payment is $150 to $600. Department headings are science, nature, earth, health, sports, space and aviation, cars, computers, entertainment, pets, history, music and others. Back-of-the book pays $250 to $500. Short stories run 1,000 to 1,500 words and pay $750 and up. Guidelines: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/i/62.htm

Coastal Living, USA
A lifestyle magazine for people who love the coast. Content looks at homes, destinations, activities, and people along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf shores of North America, Hawaii and Alaska. Also coastal Canada and Mexico, and the U.S. Great Lakes. Published 7 times per year. Departments cover homes, travel, lifestyle, and food & entertaining. Pay is typically $1 per word, plus reasonable expenses agreed upon in advance. Guidelines: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/i/63.htm

Enroute, Canada
Air Canada’s award-winning bilingual (English/French) inflight magazine. An upscale travel lifestyle magazine interested in everything from wine to design, popular science to pop music. “As many travellers’ first introduction to Canada, we are proudly Canadian but never parochial about Canadian content.” Pay: base rate is CDN$1 per word upon acceptance. Guidelines: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/i/64.htm

Entrepreneur Magazine, USA
Magazine covering innovative methods and strategies to help readers improve their business operations. Also current issues and trends that affect entrepreneurial companies, as well as new business ideas and opportunities. Features are 1,700 words. Columns (250-400 words) are paid at $1 per word in the following sections: Money, Marketing, Management, Technology, Viewpoint, Miscellaneous. Guidelines: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/i/65.htm

These are just a few examples, but you should be able to find many more publications that pay high rates like these. I’ve listed quite a few more in a list at http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/onedollar.htm

If you plan your writing strategy carefully, and strive towards producing writing of the highest quality, then a thousand dollar pay check could be on its way to you soon.

© Copyright 2006 Gary McLaren

About the Author

Gary McLaren is the editor of Worldwide Freelance Writer. For more information on freelance writing and a database of more than 2,200 writing markets, visit http://www.WorldwideFreelance.com

IFRRO and Getting $$ from Copyrighting Your Work

The International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organization (IFRRO) seeks to protect your work as a creator – whether as a publisher, writer, photographer, visual or graphic artist.

As long as your work has been published – (not necessarily as a body of work, even just included in a publication – newspaper, magazine, journal, ezine etc.) – you (and your heirs) are entitled to benefit financially from your work.

According to the IFRRO Website, “most printed material is protected by copyright. Copyright provides an exclusive right to authorise or prohibit reproduction. The rights holder can either exercise this right individually or collectively.”

There are currently more than 50 countries and associates of IFRRO.

The Caribbean has 4 RROs (and growing!) including:

• Barbados Copyright Agency, Inc. (B-COPY) – bcopy246[at]gmail[dot]com
  
• Eastern Caribbean Copyright Licensing Association (ECCLA) – coming soon!
  
• Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY) – www.jamcopy.com
  
• Trinidad and Tobago Reprographic Rights Organization (TTRRO) ttrrorg[at]gmail[dot]com

Copyright is an intriguing and complex issue, so read and ask questions.

Getting An ISSN#

The  International Standard Serial Number  (ISSN) is FREE and available from the internet.

If you have a magazine, journal, periodical or ezine, you should apply for one to meet international compliance and make it easier for you and your contributors to track their works and associated copyrights.