Soul Shelter First-Person Essay Contest

Win a generous cash prize for your writing--and get a shot at publication- -in the Soul Shelter First-Person Essay Award.

Submit your best 400-1,500 word first-person essay on the subject of balancing fortune and fulfillment for a chance to win a grand prize of U.S. $1,000 and publication on the Soul Shelter blog. Cash prizes totaling an additional $1,000 will be awarded to seven runners-up.

Every entry will be considered for publication online. There are no entry fees, and with all submissions made online, you won't even have to pay for postage.

Interested? Visit Soul Shelter to review contest rules, read the FAQ, and upload your entry by July 1, 2008.

Here's how to get started:
1. Review the Award Rules at http://www.SoulShel ter.org/
2. Write your entry (400-1,500 words in length).
3. Upload your entry using the form at SoulShelter. org

The Soul Shelter First-Person Essay Award will be judged by a team of published authors. This is not a vanity press, hence no entry fees--and no future solicitations for payments of any kind. Contact information provided by entrants will not be used in any way except to notify award winners, nor will it be shared with any third parties for any reason whatsoever.

Please do not contact the Soul Shelter authors regarding the contest; the Award is sponsored by Ideogram, LLC, an independent marketing resources firm in Portland, OR. Read the FAQ thoroughly before submitting your entry. Good luck! Ideogram LLC 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. No. 322 Portland, OR 97214 USA

Contest

I received this information today, and I thought it might be of interest to some writers reading this blog.

NEW ANGEL HORSES WITH A MISSION TRUE STORY CONTEST

The Power of Story to Change Hearts and Minds about the Treatment of Horses

The pros and cons of horse racing are being hotly debated because of Eight Belles' tragic death after this year's Kentucky Derby. Allen and Linda Anderson, authors of a popular anthology series that includes Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope (New World Library,2006), are looking for true stories about equines that inspire rather than outrage animal lovers.

Their Angel Animals Network (www.angelanimals.net) is sponsoring the 2008 Angel Horse Contest to find the most thought-provoking horse stories and consider them for publication in their book, Angel Horses with a Mission (New World Library, Fall 2009). There are cash prizes and no entry fee. Complete contest rules and a downloadable entry form are at www.angelanimals.net/awards.html or write with SASE to 2008 Angel Horses Contest, POB 26354, Minneapolis, MN 55426.

Allen Anderson says, "By showing how the immense spirit, heart,and intelligence of horses enables them to fulfill a higher purpose, we hope the power of true stories will persuade people to challenge brutality and the practice of treating horses as disposable possessions. "

The Andersons suggest considering the following questions and entering the contest by writing about profound experiences: "Has a horse performed an act of compassion, protection, healing, or heroic courage? Have you had a miraculous or mystical experience with a horse? Did a horse lead you to finding your purpose in life? Do you know a horse who has taken on the mission of giving service?"

Good luck!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School

I received this in my e-mail inbox today, and I thought I'd share!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School to be published Fall 2008.

We are looking for true stories and poems about your high school years. Weprefer stories written in the first person and no more than 1200 words. We would like to include stories and poems on the following topics, amongothers:
• Regrets (lessons learned from making bad choices)
• Sports (making the team, or not. Winning the game, or not. Social aspectsof sports).
• Clubs
• Music
• Religion and faith – its place in your life
• Dating and sex
• Embarrassing moments
• Humorous moments
• Issues, good and bad, with instant messaging, Facebook, texting, cellphones, emails, the web in general
• Self image, self acceptance – would include coming out, eating disorders,different body types
• College applications
• Grades, SATs, ACTs
• Military decision, trade school, or other non-college plans for after highschool
• Family relationships – siblings, parents, other family members
• Puberty – early, late, being a short boy, being a tall girl, etc.
• Friends – best friends, losing friends, cliques, support of friends
• Tough issues – divorce, cancer, suicide of friend, death, drunk drivingdeath, pregnancy
• Failures and rising above them

If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will beprinted in the book. You will also receive a check for $200 and ten freecopies of your book, worth more than $100. If your story is published by us, we will copyright it in your name and youwill retain your rights to resell the story to another publication.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoupf orthesoul. com/form. asp?cid=submit_ storyDEADLINE IS MAY 31, 2008 although we may accept stories after that date if we have room.

Anthologies looking for submissions

Here are three anthologies that are currently looking for submissions:

I am working on three projects and seeking content accordingly. 1. Shattered: Life After A Child's Death Stories of inspiration, strength and determination surrounding the challenging loss of a child. Pay for this project is $50-$200. Piece length 800-1400 words. Submissions, queries and questions can be directed to submissions. shattered@ gmail.com.

2. Angels on Earth Stories of Angels found in everyday life. Pay for this project is $50-$100. No stipulations placed on length currently. Submissions, queries and questions can be directed to submissions. bythefire@ gmail.com.

3. Everyday Heroes Stories of the ordinary doing something extraordinary. Pay for this project is $50-$100. No stipulations are placed on length. Submissions, queries and questions can be directed to submissions. bythefire@ gmail.com.

Website development is currently underway for By The Fire and Shattered. Pieces accepted could appear online or in print. The preferred method of payment is through paypal. Other arrangements are welcomed.Link: http://www.absolute write.com/ forums/showthrea d.php?t=98549

Freelance opportunity

I thought I'd pass this opportunity along...

OneNewsPlaza, a new interactive Web site that provides news analysis from a multi-cultural perspective is looking for freelancers of all experience levels who can contribute content about topics including politics, education, business, personal finance, health, entertainment and more.

All writers will work with editors in One News Plaza's Los Angeles office by phone and e-mail to produce compelling stories interpreting major news events and social trends for a diverse audience. Candidates must be able to report and write independently, meet deadlines and pitch their own story ideas. We expect all writers to provide links to primary documents and related websites with their stories. The ability to produce multimedia elements, such as video or photos, to go with stories, is a plus.

Send cover letter, resume and samples to Darrell Williams - Info@OneNewsPlaza. com

Ghostwriting

Ghostwriting is a viable option for freelance writers. If you are unaware of what ghostwriting is, it's where a writer writes something for someone else, but does not get the credit for his or her work (usually). Instead, someone else, usually the person who requested the writing will take credit for the work. It is not unheard of for famous individuals who are not in the profession of writing to have ghostwriters write books for them.

If you are interested in trying your hand at ghostwriting, you can try visiting and posting articles on the following sites.

www.dailyarticle.com
www.constant-content.com

Each of these websites allows authors to post articles and blog entries on the site and customers to purchase the writings for their site or blog. The customer is not required to give the writer credit when purchasing from these sites.

A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families

A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families

The primary purpose of this book is to celebrate adoptive families and to recognize the extraordinary and challenging experiences that are unique to "chosen children" and their families. We are most interested in stories written by adult adoptive children and their adoptive parents and siblings, but the book will also likely include some stories written by members of the extended adoptive family (grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin), close friends of the adoptive family (i.e. godparent), and birth family members. Virtually any topic relevant to adopted children and their adoptive parents is acceptable-as long as it is authentic, positive, insightful, and uplifting or inspiring. We do not want heartbreaking stories about adoptive parents or birth families that regret the adoption; there is a place for stories of that ilk, but this book is not that place. All of the stories in this collection must show a positive aspect of adoption and must bring comfort or joy or inspiration to those who have been adopted and/or to the families who adopted them-no matter how difficult the experience and emotions portrayed in the story might be.Submission Deadline: 6/15/2008for full details: http://www.cupofcom fort.com/ share.htm

Access, Acclaim, Achievement Screenwriting Contest

The Access, Acclaim, Achievement Contest, sponsored by Creativescreenwriting is awarding over $22,700 in prizes!

Click here for the complete prize list.

These are the contest's rules and guidelines.

Good luck!

Achieving Blogging Success

Yaro Stark is an extremely talented blogger who shares his tips for successful blogging with other bloggers who want to attain success in blogging.

Yesterday, he sent out a newsletter, which details how having the right mindset can help you achieve success. He asserts our mindset can be a great asset or a great roadblock in our blogging success.

He also recognizes that not only do you have to believe you can be a successful blogger, you almost must have a vision for your blog as well as strategies and tactics for making your blog popular in order to achieve success in the world of blogging.

To subscribe to his blogging tips newsletter, please visit: http://www.blogmastermind.com/.

Family Circle's 2008 Fiction Contest

Family Circle's annual fiction contest begins on March 1st.

Please visit their website for official rules: http://www.parents.com/parents/story.jsp;jsessionid=UYUVASFOPGVHJQFIBQNSBHQ?page=8&storyid=/templatedata/fc/story/data/1201811338481.xml.

Participants may submit two pieces of fiction each.

Good luck!

Wisconsin Regional Writers Association

The Wisconsin Regional Writers Association is currently holding two conctests: the Florence Lindemann Humor Contest and the Al P. Nelson Feature Article Contest.

Each contest's deadline is March 15th.

You may find the rules for each contest at: http://www.wrwa.net/.

Good luck!

Logical-Lust - Romance and Erotica Market

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Yuwie - Get PAID to blog, post pictures, and social network!

I recently joined Yuwie, a web community that pays you to blog, post pictures, and social network with other Yuwie members. You get paid every time someone views your profile, your comments, your pictures, and your blog! You will also receive payment for every time someone views any of your referrals' blogs, pictures, profile, etc.

What other site do you know of that will pay you to do the things you love?

Moreover, I've met some fantastic friends through this site!

To learn more about this unique opportunity, please click this link:
http://r.yuwie.com/gatosrosados.

Society of Southwestern Authors Writing Contest

Someone who is part of the organization that does this contest every year sent this along to me.

Society of Southwestern Authors Writing Contest deadline: May 31, 2008.

Poetry – 40 lines max
ShortStory – 2500 words max
Personal Essay/Memoirs - 2500words max
Short Stories for Children Ages 6- 12 –1500 words max.

Cash awards each category: First -$300; Second -150, Third - $75.00, Honorable Mention -$25.00. Winning entries published in The Story Teller.Entry fee: $10.00 per entry.

Entry forms/requirementsavailable online: http://www.ssa-az.org/.
Or send SASE to SSAWriting Contest, Entry Forms Dept. PO Box 35484,Tucson, AZ 85740

Short Story Contest

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest:
This year is the 16th annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest.
Short stories or prose up to 5,000 words may be entered into this contest with an entrance fee of $12 per submission.

Deadline for Submissions: March 31, 2008

Winners will be announced on July 15, 2008.

For all the details about this contest, please visit: http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/tomstory/ts_guidelines.php.

Teen book project

"Out of Control" --Teen Anthology PAY: $100I am just looking for uplifting stories about how teenagers see theworld. What was done right and what was done wrong, from theirviewpoint. How did things work out for them? The stories should be fromin the approximate range of 600 words to 6000 words. Illustrations canbe included also as part of the story. For each story used, a fee of$100 will be paid. Also, when published, I would like to send you acopy of the book for taking the time to help. The idea is only to have teensand young adults see that they are not the only ones that certainthings have happened to and also how people worked through things. This willgive each and everyone of us relief. The whole project is a non-profitproject. Any money made will go first to publishing the book, then backto projects for teens. People who have already helped on this projecthave done so through pure love of kids. No one involved with thisproject expects any personal gain for any efforts made. The whole ideais teens to help teens. Send submissions to Eve Willner atmailto:eve@evewillner. comThe Toastmaster magazinePAY: $450Published monthly for approximately 226,000 members in 11,500 clubsworldwide. Therefore, it’s important that all articles are gearedtoward an international audience. We welcome submissions from members andfreelancers living outside North America! All submissions must be inEnglish, however. Our readers are knowledgeable and experienced publicspeakers; therefore we accept only authentic, well-researched andwell-crafted stories. Show, don’t tell! Use sources, quotes fromexperts and other research to back up your views. The best articles have style,depth, emotional impact and take-away value to the reader. A potentialfeature article needs an unusual hook, compelling story or uniqueangle.Profiles of colorful, controversial, historically significant, amusing,unusual or unique people are welcome, but keep in mind that our readerslive in 90 different countries, so stay away from profiles of Americanpresidents or sports figures. We pay up to $450 for an article, but wedon’t automatically offer payment for all articles we accept. Paymentvaries depending on the article’s value to us. Please review ourWriter’s Guidelines below before you submit your article. When you areready to send it, please e-mail it tomailto:Submissions@ toastmasters. org. http://www.writerga zette.com/ sendstudio/ users/link. php?UserID= 947&Newsletter= 145&List= 1&LinkType= Send&LinkID= 5711sent by Liana Metalhttp://LianaMetal. tripod.comLiana MetalReviewer/Writer/ Artisthttp://LianasKerkyr a.blogspot. comhttp://LianaMetal. tripod.com

AMY Magazine

ARMY Magazine submission guidelines may be found at this link:
http://www.ausa.org/webpub/DeptArmyMagazine.nsf/byid/KGRG-6CUQGV