Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity Newsletter: November 2022

Erica Verrillo
Curiosity Never Killed the Writer
6 min readOct 28, 2022

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November Means NaNoWriMo!

November is write (ahem) around the corner, and we all know what that means! It’s time to sit down and write your novel. Go ahead and panic. There are thousands of other writers who feel like tearing their hair out right now, same as you. But given the excellent distraught company you will be keeping, why not? Read more here>>

42 Writing Contests in November 2022 — No entry fees

This November there are more than three dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $50,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. Read more here>>

73 Calls for Submissions in November 2022 — Paying markets

This November there are more than six dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays. Read more here>>

13 Notable Writing Conferences and Workshops in November 2022

This November there are more than a dozen writing conferences. Many conferences and workshops will be held online, but some will be held in person or use a hybrid format.These writing events offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions — there is something for everyone. Read more here>>

AGENTS SEEKING CLIENTS

8 New Agents Seeking Children’s Fiction, Horror, Romance, Thriller, YA, Speculative Fiction, Nonfiction, LGBTQ+ and more

Here are eight new agents actively expanding their client lists. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients

.Kendall Berdinsky is interested in seeing upmarket romance, book club fiction, cozy mysteries and psychological thrillers, and narrative nonfiction.

Katie Gisondi is seeking Children’s Fiction, Horror, Romance, Thriller, Young Adult. Non-Fiction: LGBTQ, Pop Culture, Science. Favorite sub-genres: Contemporary Romance, Gothic Horror, Nature, YA Fantasy.

Kendyll Drilling is mostly interested in fiction for all ages.

Cole Lanahan is actively looking for all genres of YA, all genres of adult romance, psychological suspense and thrillers. In nonfiction she is looking for humor, business, self-help, lifestyle, and arts and crafts books.

Tamara Kawar is actively seeking graphic novels for all ages and across genres; science fiction, fantasy, horror, and historical fiction for middle grade, YA, and adult readers; upmarket and book club fiction, especially genre-bending stories, and those with an international bent; and adult & YA rom-coms and romance featuring LGBTQ+ characters. She also represents select nonfiction for young readers, including illustrated projects.

Kristen Terrette wants Faith-Based Fiction and Memoirs, Women’s Crime Thriller and Children’s Literature.

Zach Honey is primarily seeking thrillers and other adult fiction, especially those set in rural places, mountainous regions, or any other hard to reach corners of the world. His other interests hiking, skiing, music, boardgames, golf and other outdoor activities and he is open to non-fiction pitches in these categories.

Rick Lewis represents authors of speculative fiction titles in the Adult and YA categories, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and magical realism.

Read more here>>

Agents Seeking Paranormal Romance Writers

There are many established agents looking to represent paranormal romance. Make sure you read the agency website and the agent’s bio before submitting. Submission requirements frequently change, and agents may close their lists or switch agencies. Read more here>>

PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES

18 Cookbook (and Nonfiction) Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts

Here are 18 cookbook publishers welcoming proposals from authors — no agent needed! And, as an added bonus, many of these publishers also accept nonfiction in other categories. (Remember, non-fiction publishers want proposals, not manuscripts.) Make sure to read the full submission guidelines before you submit. Read more here>>

24 Poetry Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts

This is a list of publishers that do not require an agent, and which offer royalties, however modest. All of them publish book-length collections and/or chapbooks. As always, read submission guidelines carefully before submitting. Read more here>>

WRITING WORLD

How to Research an Agent

Whether you meet an agent in person, or find one online, you have to do your research. Does the agent represent your genre? Is he/she willing to take on new clients? Does she/he have a good track record for sales? Which publishers has the agent worked with? How does he/she treat clients? All of these questions are important, and all can be answered by researching agents online. These are the steps to take for researching an agent. Read more here>>

How to Get Reviews for Your Self-Published Book

Getting reviews is the bane of the self-published author’s existence. Without access to major media channels, self-published authors have to rely on contacting individual reviewers, which is roughly the equivalent to handing out flyers in malls. Read more here>>

51 Facebook Groups for Writers

Facebook groups are a great way to connect with readers and other writers. In addition, they provide a venue for announcing your new release, promoting your free days on Amazon, discussing topics related to publishing, and marketing and writing tips, and anything else related to books. Read more here>>

Writing Advice from Frank Herbert: Concentrate on story

Frank Herbert’s advice is something published writers need to keep in mind as well as aspiring novelists, especially as they launch into experimental forms. Stories need to have a beginning, a middle and an end — although not necessarily in that order. Read more here>>

Like this newsletter? Want to get a jump on next month’s calls for submissions, agents seeking clients, free writing contests, and publishing news? Sign up for the Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity newsletter. It’s free, because I LOVE WRITERS! (I also have a TON of free writing resources on my blog. Check it out.)

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