writer's block
Need some inspiration so you can finish your novel? Or do you want tips on how to improve your writing skills? No matter what aspect of writing you are interested in, this section of inSITES will cover it.
Featured in this Issue
- The Definition of "Published"
- Blog Question for Fiction Writers: To Journal or Not to Journal
- May and June Writing Contests-Enter Before It's Too Late!
Writer's Block Resources
- Helpful Links
- Writing Books I Recommend
- Current Bestsellers in Literature & Fiction
- Current Bestsellers in Non-Fiction
- Marketing for Artists CD
- Share Your Ideas
The Definition of "Published"
Copyright laws state that a work
is considered published when the author makes it available to the
public on an unrestricted basis. So does that mean if you post an
e-book version of your novel on your website, it is considered
"published"? Maybe. The truth is the laws haven't completely caught up
with the electronic age. Different sites gave different answers, but
most of them agree that if you want to copyright a piece, do it BEFORE
you post it on the Internet just to be safe. If you have excerpts of
your work online, that does not mean the whole work is published.
Here's a paragraph from U.S. Copyright Law, 2007:
“Publication”
is the distribution of copies or phonorecords of a work to the public
by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or
lending. The offering to distribute copies or phonorecords to a group
of persons for purposes of further distribution, public performance, or
public display, constitutes publication. A public performance or
display of a work does not of itself constitute publication.
To me, that means that unless you sell it, it hasn't been published, but I can't be sure; the law is muddy in this area.
I
would certainly not assign an ISBN number to a work
and/or sell it until you've had it copyright protected. It costs
$35 for a collection of unpublished works, so get your writing protected
today!
Learn More:
top of page June Writing Contests
Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition-Deadline: May 15, 2009, Entry Fee: $15. A prize of $3,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents is given annually for a poem, short story, or work of creative nonfiction. Submit a poem of up to 32 lines, a short story of up to 4,000 words, or a work of creative nonfiction of up to 2,000 words. The entry fee for poetry is $15 ($10 for each additional poem). The entry fee for prose is $20 ($15 for each additional entry). The deadline is May 15. Send an SASE, e-mail, or visit the Web site for the required entry form and complete guidelines.For the latest news from the world of literary contests, including awards statistics, tips on entering competitions, and interviews with frequent winners, check out G&A: The Contest Blog. Writer’s Digest, Annual Writing Competition, 700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990.
Annual Dream Grant is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an investment in potential; it is a "no-strings attached" award in support of writers' dreams. Deadline is June 1. There's a $20 processing fee, and the winner receives up to $800.
L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest is offered quarterly—with the next deadline as June 30—for unpublished speculative fiction. There is no entry fee, and the winners receive prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500 quarterly with a grand prize for the year of $5,000.
Margaret Reid Poetry Contest for Traditional Verse seeks poems in traditional verse forms, such as sonnets. Both published and unpublished work accepted. Deadline is June 30. There is a $7 reading fee for every 25 lines of poetry, and 1st through 4th place prizes of $3,000, $1,000, $400, $250.
Full list of Grants & Writing Contests from Poets & Writers Magazine
Helpful Links for writers
- Grants & Awards: Your Guide to Writing Contests
- New York Foundation for the Arts
- University of Chicago Writing Program
- Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Reference
- Guide to Literary Agents Blog
Writing Books I Recommend
Marketing for Artists CD
Based on Susan Lee's successful Marketing for Artists presentation, this highly informative CD can be viewed on your pc or printed. It includes the following sections:
- Marketing for Visual Artists
- Public Relations for Visual Artists
- Marketing & PR for Writers (information for published and non-published writers)
- Photoshop Tutorials
- How to Photograph Your Artwork
- Portfolio Creation and Organization (hard copies and online galleries)
- Complete clickable links to recommended instructional videos, marketing books and software
- Clickable links to artists resources on the web including grants, mailing lists, benefits for artists & more
Order your Marketing for Artists CD now for only $15 (+$5 S&H)
Share Your Ideas
Have an idea for an article or have a cool site or video you'd like to share? Please fill out this form and you may see your idea in the next issue!