Wake Up with Spring Writing Contests

Okay writers - February is drawing to a close and March is nipping at our heels. Let's follow the words of Doug Larson, "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush," and seize this great moment of renewal to pour some new energy into our writing. Look at the contests below and find something that resonates with you, and then find another one and another one. Submit again and again and you may find that all of your efforts now continue to feed you as winter dies and life is born again. 


The Southeast Review - The World's Best Short Story Contest - Fee:$15 - Deadline: March 15th


Arts and Letters Short Story Competition - Fee:$15 - Deadline: March 15th


Gulf Coast Contest for Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction - Fee:$23 - Deadline: March 15th


Fish Publishing One Page Flash Fiction Contest - Fee:$14 - Deadline: March 20th


The Pinch Literary Awards in Fiction and Poetry - Fee:$20 - Deadline: March 15th 


Ninth Annual Glass Woman Prize for Short Fiction of Creative Nonfiction by a Woman - Fee:Free - Deadline: March 21st


Narrative Magazine Winter 2011 Story Contest - Fee:$20 - Deadline: March 31st


Grain Magazine's Annual Short Writing Contest - Fee:$40 - Deadline: April 1st


The Gemini Magazine Short Story Competition - Fee:$4 - Deadline: March 31st


Personal Essay/Creative Nonfiction Contest - Fee:$10 - Deadline: April 15th


GCWA's Let's Write Literary Contest - Fee$8 - Deadline: April 15th


My First Car Contest - Fee: Free - Deadline: March 4th

Writing Jobs for Feb. 23rd

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Grant Writer Needed: Ann Arbor

Writer/Editor: Ann Arbor

Technical Writer- Medical IT: Ann Arbor

Internet Research and Website Content: Birmingham

SQL Developer and Report Writer: Detroit

Consultant and Writer: Detroit

Technical Writer: Grand Rapids

Service Writer: Holland

Staff Writer: Ithaca

Managing Editor: Jackson

Technical Writer: Kalamazoo

Technical Writer: Kalamazoo

Web Writer: Keego Harbor

Course Outline and Syllabus Needed: Livonia

Facebook Page Writer: Macomb

Writers for Advertising Company: Macomb

Part-time Copywriter: Sylvan Lake

Medical Technical Writer: Traverse City

Technical Specifications Writer: Troy

Technical Editor: Warren

Telecommute (From Home)

Content Writer

Skyword Inc. is Hiring Freelance Writers 

Content Writer for Wordpress

Market Research Analyst 

Food Retail Advertising Copywriter 

Writer/Editor for Book 

Academic Freelance Writers 

Women's Magazine Writers 

Accounting and Financial Experts Needed 

Small Business Blogger 

Submissions

Seeking Submissions for Book about Depression 

Will Post Soon

Sorry writers for the delayed posts. I am in sunny Fort Lauderdale and have not had a moment to post, but intend to hit a coffee shop shortly and will get job updates out to you. Keep writing and I hope that your weeks are going well.

Writing Jobs for Thursday Feb. 17th

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Biology Exam Question Writer: Ann Arbor/Telecommute

Medical Writer: Ann Arbor

Reporter: Big Rapids

Writer/Editor: Birmingham

Writers for Red Thread Magazine: Detroit

Technical Writer: Detroit

Gambling Writer: Grand Rapids/Telecommute

Process Documentation Analyst/Writer: Grand Rapids

Technical Writer: Kalamazoo

Technical Writer: Kalamazoo

Technical Writer: Lansing

Technical Writer: Livonia

Technical Illustrator/Writer: Menominee

Communication Intern: Midland

Copywriter: Rochester

Writer and Multi-tasker: Southfield

Policy and Process Technical Writer: Southfield

Copywriter: St. Joseph

Technical Writer: Taylor

RFP Writer: Troy

Telecommute 

Video Interviews 

Part Time Freelance Editor 

Writers for Men's Lifestyle Buyers Guide 

Writers Needed

Blogger for Site About Interviews 

Writer/Editor 

Assistant Editor/Translator 

Article Writer

Clothing and Shoes Writers

Rewrite Resume

New Editor, Medical Technology 

Submissions and Unpaid Projects

Taboo Jive Seeks Content Writers 

Lifestyle Bloggers 

Online Magazine Looking for Contributors 

New Literary Mag Seeks Content 

The only cure for writer's block is insomnia.  ~Merit Antares

Writing Videos and Lectures

Happy Valentines Day Writers

I recently read an article in the magazine The Writer about creating your own  MFA program. I personally have considered an MFA about a zillion times, but always abandon the idea due to high costs, school locations and limited enrollment. I have also read extensively on both sides of the MFA debate and never feel strongly that an MFA is a career maker for aspiring authors. However, I do think that  learning the craft of writing is an important part of improving as a writer and I continually search out books, articles and free workshops to do just that.

Videos online are a great (free) way to learn more about writing, publishing and everything that falls in between. Check some of them out below:

Mary Kate Mackey explains, "How to Write Using a Story Arc."  (Author shares a short segment from her workshop The Writer's Workout)

MIT World: The Craft of Science Fiction (Full lecture with author Joe Haldeman)

How to Write Your Book with Lisa Tener (This is a 3 part series about writing a book that includes scheduling, outlining, support and more - geared towards nonfiction)

The Writing Show (A variety of great podcasts with writing tips. There are other articles here as well)

The Power of Place on the Forum Network (Travel writer Tom Haines on time and place)

Writing Tips from Writing Alchemy: Marinate your Head in Character Research (Video about author David McCullough's process when writing characters. There are many good writing videos by Writing Alchemy)

Publishing Advice for Writers (Very short video about publishing resources on the web and other tips)

Internet Marketing for Writers (Author Matthew Peterson on craft, marketing and building readership)

Joyce Carol Oates on Writing Characters (Short video about characters)

Techniques for Memoir Writing (Author Michele Longo Eder on crafting a memoir)

Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depth of your heart; confess to yourself you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Writing Jobs for Fri. Feb. 11th

Writing Jobs in Michigan 

Scientific Method Paper: Ann Arbor

Grant Writer for Clean Energy Invention: Ann Arbor

Medical Writer: Ann Arbor

Technical Writer: Auburn Hills

Automotive Service Writer: Benton Harbor

Technical Writer: Canton

Associate Editor: Dearborn

Freelance Writer for AutoShopper.com: Detroit and Telecommute

Grant Program Writer: Detroit

Vigilante Journalists: Detroit

Technical Writer: Farmington Hills

Writer: Flint

Technical Writer/Project Manager: Grand Rapids

Medical Writer: Kendle

Logistic Engineer/Technical Writer: Kingsford

Technical Writer: Livonia

Website Product Description Copy Writer/Editor: Marine City

Transcriber: Portage

Service Writer: Roseville

Outdoor Survival Creative Writer: Royal Oak

Senior News Producer: Saginaw

Technical Writer: Sterling Heights

Technical Writer: Sterling Heights

Telecommute

Freelance Web Writers 

Writers for H.S. Publication

Blogger for Internet Television Site 

Online News Writers and Bloggers 

Assistant Editor 

Small Business and Small Business Finance Bloggers 

Writing Internship 

SEO Writers Wanted 

Stock Market and Economy Writer

Freelance Web Writer

MMA Writer 

Submissions

Short Story Submissions 

Stories or Scripts for Short Films 

Short Fiction for L Magazine 

The Daily News Press is Seeking Submissions 

Don't Forget National Writers Series Scholarships

In case I have not mentioned it before, one of the incredible aspects of the National Writers Series in Traverse City is that it awards scholarships to future writers. That's right - not only does the series bring amazing authors from all over the world to speak right here in Michigan - they also use a portion of the money raised to provide several $2,000 scholarships to students. In addition, winning students receive a master's class in their genre and their work will be considered for publication in The Dunes Review. Look below for eligibility and deadlines, but visit the link for more in depth questions. 


Also - if you're reading this and know of a student in one of these counties who loves to write, let them know!  


Deadline for submission: February 28th (So Hurry)


Eligibility

Eligible writers must be residents of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County; attend public, parochial or home school; and be a 2011 high school graduate or a senior during the 2010/2011 school year.

Visit the National Writers Series Website for more Information.

Writing Jobs for Saturday Feb. 5th (Michigan and Telecommute)

Writing Jobs in Michigan 

Wolverine Fan Bloggers: Ann Arbor

Technical Writer: Ann Arbor

Technical Writer Intermediate :U of M Ann Arbor

Technical Writer Senior: U of M Ann Arbor

Internet Research and Web Content: Birmingham and Telecommute

Grant Writer: Bloomfield Hills

Content Writer: Detroit & Telecommute

RFA Writer: Detroit

Technical Writer: Detroit

Technical Writer: Houghton

Overflow Writer: Lansing or Telecommute

Engineering Technical Writer: Muskegon

Content Writer for Construction Company: Oakland County

Staff Writer: Owosso

Freelance Copywriter: Troy

Technical Writer: Troy

Editor: Warren

Technical Writer: Warren

Telecommute (From Home)

MLA Copy Editor

Educational Study Guide Writer

Freelance WorkKeys Test Question Writers 

Entertainment Writer 

Freelance Contributing Editor - Virology/Neurology 

Journalism/Social Media Intern 

Academic Freelance Writers 

Web Content Writer

Freelance Content Development Assistant 

Contributing Writers for Sustainable Architecture and Design Magazine 

Content Writer (low pay)

Social Gaming Writer

Call for Submissions 

Science Fiction Short Stories 

Y2K The Big Nothing 

Short Essay Contest 

One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment.  ~Hart Crane

Events in Michigan for Writing and For Fun

I went skiing last weekend and I was reminded why it is so important for writers to experience the world. It is through all of our senses that we write the words that create the story. To write of winter, I must feel the cold breath of falling snow, see it glitter in yawning waves, taste its vanishing wetness and hear the silence that accompanies it after it has smothered all of the rustling on the forest floor. I live in the snow and I can speak of the joys and sorrows that accompany such a beautiful but often barren, landscape.

I suggest to all of you writers to get out into the world. Don't let the blistering winds and knee-deep snow drifts deter you from experiencing this glorious planet. Look below for a whole slew of activities from writing events to art classes that get you out of the house and into the realm of sensation.


Writing Classes and Workshops

Learn to Writer Love Letters: Virgil Carr Cultural Center in Detroit: Feb. 10th at 6PM

NMC Extended Ed Writing Courses: Classes range from Broadcast Journalism to Writing as a Means to Heal: Traverse City (Times Vary)

LCC Continuing Education Classes include Memoir Writing, How To Write for Magazines and Others: Spring of 2011 in Lansing (Dates and Times Vary)

Springfed Arts Winter Writing Workshops (Times and Locations Vary Beginning in Feb.)

826 Michigan Writing Workshops for Kids and Teens: (Times and Locations Vary)

Author Readings and Signings

Book Signing and Author Talk with True Crime Writer John Timmerman: @ Schuler Books in Grand Rapids: Feb. 8th at 7PM

Support Debut Author Courtney Allison Moulton at her launch party for Angelfire: @ Schuler Books in Lansing: Feb. 19th at 2PM

Horizon Books Author Signings with Linda Rau from 12pm to 2pm and Marie Cook from 2pm to 4pm: Saturday December 5th in Traverse City

Aunt Agatha's Books: Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. meet authors Barbara D'Amato, Sharon Fiffer and Vicki Delany, when they talk about and sign their new books: Ann Arbor 


Launch Party for Gaylord Author Mary Backlund: @ Saturn Booksellers in Gaylord: Thursday Feb. 24th 


Several Events at Kazoo Books in Kalamazoo including Discussions that explore Black History, The World of Children's Books: Writing, Editing and Publishing, and Author Signings (Dates and Times Vary)

Fun Stuff to Do

Art Class- Winter Landscapes in Oils: Feb. 5th and 12th in Brighton

Box Factory for the Arts: Lots of awesome art-centric activities from writers' groups to valentine making: St. Joseph, MI  (Dates and Times Vary)

Traverse City Comedy Festival: Feb. 10-13 in Traverse City

Cherry Capital Winter Wow Fest: Feb. 18th - 21st in Traverse City

An Evening with the Writers of Mad Men: Feb. 3rd (Today!) @ 7PM: Traverse City Opera House

7th Annual Midwest Hip Hop Summit: Feb. 4th and 5th: Ann Arbor

Body N' Soul Wellness Expo: Feb. 11th in Mount Clemens

Crystal Mountain - Mardi Gras on the Mountain: March 5th at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville

Detroit's Winter Blast: Feb. 11th thru 14th in Detroit

Mark Your Calendars for Future Writing Events

National Dzanc Workshop Day : Date- 04/09/11 : Two separate workshops - one in Royal Oak and one in Ann Arbor

Grant Writing Class: May 5th and 6th 2011 - Detroit