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Monday, November 22, 2010

Writing Jobs in Michigan for Nov. 22

Monday Nov. 22 - MI Writing Jobs

Data Entry: Ann Arbor

Psychology Bloggers: Ann Arbor/Telecommute

World of Warcraft Bloggers: Telecommute

DVD Writers: Telecommute

Heavy Metal Music Reviews: Telecommute

Typist: Dearborn

Researcher for Writing Business: Grand Rapids/Telecommute

Associate Editor/Auto Enthusiast: Michigan/Telecommute

Creative Director - Automotive Advertising: Southfield

Marketing Copywriter: Wixom

Oracle Reports Developer: Grand Rapids

Medical Technical Writer: Traverse City

Content Writer Needed: Telecommute

Assistant News Director: Clio

CopyPress Writer: Telecommute

Expert Writers: Telecommute

Erotic Writers: Telecommute

Natural Health/Organic Living Blogger: Telecommute

Friday, November 19, 2010

Silence of Reading (Independent Bookstores in Michigan)

I owe my post title today to poet Rg Gregory whose lovely poem Silence of Reading gives us a beautiful, but brief glimpse into the experience of another reader, an experience that is oft reflected in our own reading experience. I will include the entire poem at the bottom of the post; however, I am writing today to connect all of you inspiring Michigan Writers with some inspiring Michigan reader's retreats. These little havens, also known as bookstores, give us a place to investigate the world through the words of others. 


Let's pay homage to the writers who have given us their voice and to the amazing people that house those beautifully bound books in a place worthy of their messages. These bookstores are small, community driven businesses that choose people over profit. Visit them and be grateful for their existence in our world. 

Books and More: Albion

Blue Phoenix Books: Alpena

Aunt Agatha's: Ann Arbor

Bookbound: Ann Arbor

Crazy Wisdom Bookstore: Ann Arbor

Literati Bookstore: Ann Arbor

The Dawn Treader Book Shop: Ann Arbor

Nicola's Books: Ann Arbor

Squirreled Away Books: Armanda

Tattered Pages and Tea: Bay City

Horizon Books: Cadillac, Petoskey and Traverse City

Safe Harbor Books: Cedarville

Taylor's Books and More: Coldwater

John K. King Used and Rare Books: Detroit

Archives Book Shop: East Lansing

Curious Book Shop: East Lansing

Saturn Booksellers: Gaylord

Evolve Books and Gifts: Glen Arbor

The Cottage Bookshop: Glen Arbor

Between the Covers: Holland

BookBug: Kalamazoo

Kazoo Books: Kalamazoo

Buy The Book: Kawkawlin

Everybody Reads Books and Stuff: Lansing

Leelanau Books: Leland

Snowbound Books: Marquette

Bestsellers Books and Coffee: Mason

Sleepy Hollow Book Shop: Midland

Book Nook: Monroe

The Book Nook and Java Shop: Montague

The Next Chapter Bookstore and Bistro: Northville

Oak Park: Book Beat

Triple Goddess Bookstore: Okemos

Great Northern Bookstore: Oscoda

Mclean and Eakin Booksellers: Petoskey

New Horizon Book Shop: Roseville

Forever Books: Saint Joseph

Mother Moon - Metaphysical Books: Saugatuck

Books Connection: Shelby Township

Lowry's Books: Sturgis

Brilliant Books: Suttons Bay

That Used Bookstore: Tecumseh

The Bookie Joint: Traverse City

Brilliant Books: Traverse City

Higher Self Bookstore: Traverse City



silence of reading by Rg Gregory
i like the silence of reading
flat on my stomach on the woollen floor
my legs waving upwards like the fronds of ferns
and in my mind
gigantic screaming monsters
or the mystery ship
scuttling crablike to the shore

i am lost to the spell of words
the enchantment of sea in the silent shell
i hear nothing apart from that racing world
alive in this room through my staring eyes
and the hush of my stifled breath
i miss the passing of time
the gale outside
and the very loud knock at the door

Friday, November 12, 2010

Get to Work - It's Submission Time

If you want to be a writer, you have to write. It sounds simple enough, but many writers while away the hours on internet searches, scanning Facebook, clipping their toenails and doing anything, but writing. One way that I keep myself plugged into writing is by submitting. Sometimes I spend a day penning a short story about ghosts just because there's an upcoming contest (usually a free one) that has hauntings as a topic. It's not my area of expertise, short stories in general are not, but it forces me to leave my comfort zone, put away my bruised and bloodied manuscript and open my mind to fresh ideas, new characters and an entirely different style of writing.

Look below for some upcoming contests and submission deadlines to give your own writing a new twist that you may find suits you even better than your current project. Also, consider writing and submitting something totally out of your element - like poetry when you normally stick with essays - it could open a passage previously buried.

Hayden's Ferry Review - Submission Call for Short Forms - Deadline: 12/15/10

Shaw Poetry Prize (must live north of US 10 in MI) - Three Poems - Deadline: 11/19/10

Lingerpost Wants Poetry Submissions - 3 to 5 Poems - Deadline: None

Saltwater Press Seeking Submissions - Fiction/Nonfiction/Poetry - Deadline: None

Magnolia (Women's Lit. Journal) Seeks Submissions -  Socially Engaged Writing - Deadline: 12/30/10

Ghost Town Lit. Magazine Seeking Submissions - Fiction/Nonfiction/Poetry - Deadline: February

London Writer's Society Call for Submissions - Women Writing on Family - Deadline: 12/15/10

Changes in Life Inspirational Anthology - Women on Challenges - Deadline: 12/15/10

Telling Our Stores Short Memoir Submissions - Memoirs - Deadline: None

Dream Quest One Poetry and Writing Contest - Prose and Poetry - Deadline: 12/31/10

Monday, November 8, 2010

Mark Your Calendar

Hey Michigan Writers - I know that fall (and that other snowy season that's barreling down on us) makes writer's events drop a few notches on the priority list. After all, who wants to strap into a snowsuit and combat boots to go to a reading? But keep in mind that successful writers make their share of sacrifices whether it be writing after a twelve hour workday, two hour commute, once the kids are in bed or simply skipping a date with the couch to pump out an extra thousand words. 


Whatever your personal reasons for avoiding writing events in the chilly months, remember that every event holds the possibility of an amazing connection or piece of advice that launches you further on your path to publication. So I say, rebel against the writer in you that desires solitude and slippers and opt instead for one of these fun and fulfilling events sure to pique your creative mind and provide fodder for that epic novel collecting dust in the corner. 

Author's Forum Presents: Dakota, or What's Heaven For: A Conversation with Brenda Marshall and Tom Fricke
Location: Ann Arbor
Date: November 17  


Author's Forum Presents: Being in Pictures: A Conversation with Joanne Leonard and Sidonie Smith
Location: Ann Arbor
Date: December 1


Weekend Playwriting Workshop at PRTC
Location: Chelsea
Date: Friday Nov. 12 - Sunday Nov. 14


Creative Writing Workshop with George Dila (4 Wednesday mornings beginning Nov. 10)
Location: Ludington
Date: Nov. 10 - Dec 8


National Writer's Series: An Evening with Karl Marlantes
Location: Traverse City
Date: November 12


Motown Literary Jam and Conference Day
Location: Detroit
Date: November 12


Mystery writer Loren D. Estleman visits Aunt Agatha's Bookstore to sing copies of his latest book, The Left-Handed Dollar
Location: Ann Arbor
Date: December 11


Wade Rouse Two Day Writing Seminar at Saturn Booksellers
Location: Gaylord
Date: November 12 and 13 


Reading and Signing by Heather Sellers at Literary Life Bookstore
Location: Grand Rapids
Date: November 11


Poetry with Linda Nemec Foster and Robert Fanning at Literary Life Bookstore
Location: Grand Rapids
Date: November 18


Author Reshma Sapre at Horizon Books - Signing and Reading 
Location: Traverse City
Date: November 12















Friday, November 5, 2010

Michigan Writing Jobs for November 5th

November 5th Writing Jobs for Michigan

Creative Writers and Executive Writers: Telecommute

Automotive Forum Manager: Grand Rapids

Engineering Technical Writer: Milford

Technical Writer: Kalamazoo

Technical Writer: Allen Park

Reporter: Traverse city

Editor: Warren

Technology Blogger: Telecommute

Research/Writer: Detroit

Staff Writer: Owosso

Creative Technical Writer: Detroit

Writer: Dearborn

Automotive Writer and Editor: Detroit and Telecommute

Grant Writer: Saginaw and Telecommute

Feature Writer: Northwest Michigan

Technical Writer: Livonia

Editorial Assistant: Saginaw

Featured Commentary Writers: Unpaid: Telecommute

Music Writers: Telecommute

Personal Finance Blogger: Telecommute

Guest Blog Post Writer: Ann Arbor

Grant Writer: Detroit and Telecommute

Baseball Bloggers: Detroit and Telecommute