Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity Newsletter: September 2023
Terrible Early Reviews of Ten 20th-Century Classics
I enjoy reading bad reviews of great novels — almost as much as I enjoy getting them. (See what I did there?) These books were panned primarily because they broke new ground. Innovative writing and unconventional concepts are rarely well received in the short run. (Also honest portrayals of sex, war, racism and other social ills are generally shunned, at least initially.) However, in the long run, these books have stood the test of time, and are now considered classics. Read more here>>
73 Calls for Submissions in September 2023 — Paying markets
This September 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>>
45 Writing Contests in September 2023 — No entry fees
This September there are more than three dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $15,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. Read more here>>
31 Spectacular Writing Conferences and Workshops in September 2023
This September there are more than two dozen writing conferences and workshops. Some conferences and workshops will be held online, but many will be in-person or hybrid events as pandemic restrictions ease. Virtual events still 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
12 New Agents Seeking SF/F, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Thrillers, YA, Kidlit and more
Here are twelve new literary agents actively seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients. All of these agents work for established agencies with good track records. They are looking for all genres. Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change. Read more here>>
10 Agents Representing Short Story Collections
If you are a skilled short story writer you can find an agent to represent your work. Before you submit your collection, I strongly recommend that you get some of your stories published in literary magazines. Having a track record will help, and prior publication will not harm your chances of getting a collection published. Read more here>>
PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES
41 Feminist and Women’s Publications That Pay Writers
Here are more than three dozen publications that either have a feminist slant, or cover topics that interest women. They accept a wide variety of submissions, including articles, personal essays, fiction, news items, humor, and poetry. Read more here>>
WRITING WORLD
5 Tips for Promoting Your Author Event on Social Media
If you are self-publishing, or even if you are being published traditionally, public events such as talks, book signings, and readings are a must. But simply scheduling a talk or a signing is not enough. Like everything else you do to promote your book, your author event will have to be advertised. Read more here>>
Self-Publishing: The Perils of Instant Gratification
One of the appeals of self-publishing is that there is no waiting time. In traditional publishing, there is a lag, sometimes of a year or more, between the publisher’s receipt of a manuscript and its publication. But keep in mind that it takes between four and six months to market a book. ARCs must be sent to reviewers, pre-orders must be set up, outlets must be notified. If these steps are not taken in advance, there will be no pre-release buzz. And without pre-release buzz, the proverbial tree will fall in the forest, and it will not make a sound. Read more here>>
10 Things We Hate About Agents (And 10 Things They Hate About Us)
Launching into the publishing world can be a painfully enlightening experience for a writer. Not surprisingly, it can be equally as vexing for agents who may not realize that their clients are not only unprepared, but are quite confused as to what is expected of them. But in some cases, it is not merely confusion that causes problems. With increasing numbers of writers submitting their work, exacerbated by fierce competition for publishing slots, frustrations can arise, leading to complaints on both sides. Read more here>>
Write What You Fear
For most people, writing a memoir may not evoke a feeling of mind-numbing terror. But to me, it does. I write children’s fantasy. Even my adult stories conscientiously avoid anything personal. They almost religiously skirt things that might point directly to me, or to any of the difficult, often painful. emotions experienced by adults. I am a feverishly private person, and to go down those paths makes me quake with cowardice. And yet, I find I must. I have had the misfortune of having lived through a war, and that experience, with all its violence, pain, and loss, demands to be written in a time of national crisis.
Let me be clear; I really don’t want to.
So, come with me. Let this be your year to confront the thing you don’t want to write. Are you a non-fiction writer? Write a piece of fiction. Do you write speculative fiction? Write an essay. If you are frightened of writing a novel — do that. If you can’t seem to conquer the short form, go ahead. Write a poem. Write a history book. Do anything you have never attempted. Because to try out new forms, new ideas, new media will only expand you. Read more here>>
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