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May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue

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Writing Editor Blogs
Guide to Literary Agents Blog
by Chuck Sambuchino
GLA Editor Chuck Sambuchino keeps track of all news related to literary agents and writing conferences on his blog. Common features include agent interviews, new agency listings, agency profiles, upcoming conferences of interest, contests and other publishing opportunities, valuable writing resources, submission tips and information, and a blogroll of other agent blogs. Read Chuck’s Blog
There Are No Rulesby the editors of Writer’s Digest
Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest. You’ll get an inside look at the work, play, and passion of the publishing business and find practical tools for success. Read There Are No Rules
Questions & Quandariesby Brian Klems
Don’t know the difference between “who” and “whom”? Facing an ethical dilemma about accepting gifts from subjects? Let the informative (and humorous) columnist Brian A. Klems answer some of your most pressing grammatical, ethical, business and writing-related questions. Check out his advice and don’t hesitate to ask a question—your writing career will thank you. Read Brian’s Blog
Poetic Asidesby Robert Brewer
Published poet Robert Lee Brewer blogs on issues affecting poets from the poet’s perspective. As the editor of Writer’s Market, Brewer also shares insights on the publishing industry, especially as it relates to poetry and the poetry markets. He also explains poetic forms, interviews other published poets, and provides the occasional poetry prompt. Read Robert’s Blog
Concerning Literary Agents and Self-Publishing: Part 2

This past weekend at a writers’ conference, I heard a lot of good information from fellow presenters regarding why many books are self-published, as well as the realities about how self-published books that tell a writer’s personal story almost never get picked up by big houses. Read more
Life Changingly Awesome Query Letters Part 4: Maxim Magazine
To: Gene NewmanEditor-in-Chief/Programming DirectorMaxim Magazine From: Kevin “Kevlar” Alexander Re: A Chill Feature Query Dear Mr. Newman, ‘Sup, bro. First up, allow me to drop some serious props. For more than ten(ish) … Read more
Poetry news from here and there
If you live in the Boston, MA area or will be visiting in early November, mark your calendar for The Somerville News Writers Festival V, to be held at the Jimmy Tingle … Read more
Some Good News!
Yes, I’m on vacation, but I also have Internet access tonight. So, of course, I have to share some good news from today. You see, I received my contributor copy of Otoliths … Read more
Around the Properties 7/24/2007
Here’s what’s going on around the other Writer’s Digest properties: Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market Editor Alice Pope has blogged like mad recently with the release of Harry Potter 7. Also, her first … Read more
Agent Advice: Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary

This installment features Chip MacGregor, founder of MacGregor Literary in Portland, Ore. In addition to Chip’s many years of agenting, he is also the author of several books and a veteran of the publishing industry.
He is seeking: While his clients write in a variety of genres in adult fiction and nonfiction, each writes from a Christian perspective. Though the agency does represent new, unpublished writers, Chip prefers to receive first contact with a writer through a referral or at a writers’ conference. Read more
Letting Go of Perfectionism
Hi Writers,I was sitting in an online workshop last week. Dozens of other magazine and book editors were present as well as much of upper management, including our CEO. And he made … Read more
Bon Voyage, Robert!
As Robert notes below, he’s going on vacation. I’m sure readers will miss him, and I definitely will! The nice thing about a blog done in partnership is the advantage of presenting … Read more
The Newest Genre: Cyberbilly
Cyberbilly: A writing genre that crosses cyberpunk with hillbilly. A writer in Georgia said he’s writing in this new genre. That said, his detailed definition of what exactly constituted ”cyberbilly” was confusing at best (and … Read more
Mathematics and poetry, as well as 2 tributes
Before I launch into the news today, I should let you know that I may not be posting much between now and next Tuesday. ‘Tis the season for summer vacations, and my … Read more
Words of Wisdom: Author Bob Mayer

Searching for some fiction writing advice? Look no further than Bob Mayer, a man with many accomplishments. Mayer has written more than 35 novels, has been on just about every bestseller list out there, and is now with his fourth literary agent. Read more
One Story? You Need 5 Versions

I’ve seen a lot of novel synopses recently, and thought I should post some information on how writers need many versions of their one tale. Read more
My Adventures in Georgia

My Georgia odyssey is over (…for now). I returned yesterday from the Harriette Austin Writers’ Conference in Athens, Ga., and, of course, immediately passed out on my bed at home. How quickly one passes out when returning home is a true sign of how intense the conference was. Read more
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #720
SPAM prompt line: Are you still with short ramrod? (Sorry for the late prompt post–it was a distracting day.) That squirt Ramrod. What a character! Everyone in your class got … Read more
Agent Advice: David Hale Smith of DHS Literary, Inc.

This installment features David Hale Smith, founder of DHS Literary, Inc. in Dallas. His sales and management work has been mentioned in numerous publications, including Publishers Weekly and Daily Variety.
He is seeking: He works with literary and commercial fiction – especially mysteries, suspense novels and thrillers—as well as a broad range of nonfiction. Read more
County Fairs and Poetry Revisited
Yesterday when I posted about poetry at a local county fair I didn’t realize that there’s actually quite a bit of activity in this area. Out of curiosity, I entered “county fair … Read more
Hyperbole, Wolves, and a Brief Foray into Poetry
Best Question-Based Searches That Found Their Way To My Blog Today: “What’s Raven Symone’s cell phone number” and “who makes the reading glasses that Donny Deutsch wears?” Helpful Answers to Above Questions: … Read more
On the Way to Georgia…
I always make it a habit to check out what books people are reading when they’re near me on an airplane or in the airport. Here are the titles I spotted people … Read more
Okay, Harry Potter, Why Not
I had a good time reading this post and (especially) the related comments at The Atlantic Online about who does and doesn’t read Harry Potter. I don’t like popcorn that much, but … Read more
The Importance of Setting Poetry Goals
This is probably a long overdue follow-up to Nancy’s “Published is Published” post from 6/27/07, but late is better than never, right? The whole issue of whether it’s right or wrong for … Read more
County Fairs and Poetry
Last night I went to the Warren Co. Fair here in southwestern Ohio with my mother to check on her entries in quilting and sewing. She won a bunch of ribbons of … Read more
Two Early Morning Submissions
So I got up bright and early this morning to prepare a couple submissions (to The Journal and Black Warrior Review), which I sent out on my way in to work. My … Read more
Lyrics & poetry; birthdays
“Lyrics taught as poetry,” by Anthony Geraci for Ohio State’s The Lantern, looks at how one English professor attempts to build interest studying poetry in a new way. *** Also, I’m shamelessly … Read more
Defining Book Proposals, Outlines and Synopses

Q: When submitting to agents, 1) Do sample chapters need to be consecutive or should they be random? 2) What is a proposal package? 3) Why send a synopsis and bio since both are in the query letter?
– Randy L. Read more


How Thunder Gets Stolen
I came across this interesting post by Pamela Redmond Satran (hat tip to The Poetry Foundation’s Dispatches: News feature online) about “Maya Angelou’s Best Poem Ever”–which was actually written by Satran as … Read more