Monday, September 9, 2024

More places to send your short prose and poetry (and get paid by some of them)

See information about upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.

Note: You can now get new postings on Quick Brown Fox delivered straight to your Inbox as I publish them. Subscribe to the new Quick Brown Fox page on Substack here: https://brian999.substack.com/

 

Freefall: Canada’s magazine of exquisite writing

Freefall is a literary magazine based in Calgary, Alberta. It publishes two issues a year, with one of them dedicated to their annual prose and poetry contest. They accepts submissions of h poetry, fiction, non-fiction, literary reviews, author interviews, and visual arts.

For prose, submit up to 4,000 words. They accept short stories and novel excerpts; nonfiction, including writing-related or general-audience topics; creative nonfiction; plays; and postcard stories. Pays $10 per page in the magazine (to a maximum of $100) and one copy of the issue your piece is published in.

For poetry, submit 1–3 poems of any style. The length of any individual poem cannot exceed 6 pages. Pays $25 per poem and one copy of the issue your piece is published in.

For art, submit photographs of original artwork or any other subject matter. Photos must be submitted in black and white with maximum dimensions of 6” by 4”, minimum 300 dpi, and artistnametitle name scheme. FreeFall pays $100 for cover art/photos and one issue copy upon publication. They also provide the artist/photographer a one-page bio inside the issue to promote themselves.

For interviews and book reviews, submit proposal queries only (guidelines supplied when proposal approved). Pays $50 and one copy of the issue in which your piece is published.

Deadline for upcoming issue: September 30, 2024. Full guidelines here.

 

Blue MarbleReview is a quarterly online literary journal showcasing creative work of writers ages 13–22. They publish sort fiction, poetry, nonfiction, photography and art.

Pays $30 U.S. per published piece or $75 for cover art.

For fiction, submit stories of 1,500 words or less. You may submit up to three pieces at a time.

In nonfiction, they publish memoir, personal essays, travel adventure, and the occasional research paper and book review. You may submit one or two pieces at a time.

For poetry, submit up to three poems; otherwise, wide open.

With art, submit up to four pieces (scanned, jpeg format) or four photographs.

Full submission guidelines here.

 

Uppagus literary journal accepts poems, flash fiction, and visual art. 

“Uppagus is your childhood friend that adults never meet. They think he's imaginary, but you know better. Adults fear the psychological damage they'll cause by disbelieving you. So one day, they all start pretending to see him too.

“That makes Uppagus real. Doesn't it?

Uppagus is a mother-son venture, something we do for fun.”

Submit up to four poems or one flash fiction piece. They prefer flash fiction shorter than 750 words.

For visual art, submit up to six files (.jpg or .png)

Full submission guidelines here. No deadline; accepts submissions on an on-going basis.


CommuterLit is looking for short stories, memoir, novel excerpts and poetry (one poem or a series of poems), in any genre, with a word count of 500 to 4,000. They always need stories. This is one of the best places in Canada to get your first publication.

Deadline: Ongoing. Full submissions guidelines here.

 

See information about upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.

For information about other places to send your short works, see here (and scroll down).

 

 

 

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Kudos to Susan, Carolin, Sharon, Anne, and Deborah!

If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published, if you’ve won or placed in a writing contest, if you’ve gotten yourself an agent, or if you have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your good news gives us all a boost. 

Also, be sure to let know if you're looking for a writers' group or beta readers; a notice in Quick Brown Fox, will help you find them. 

Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

 

Hi, Brian.

I really enjoyed working with you in class! I’m combing through all of the notes now and working on the next round of revisions on my book.

In the meanwhile, here’s where I’m getting published:

On Sunday, August 25th, “Sending Flowers” appeared in 101 Words (here).

On Sunday, September 1st, “Kindred Spirit” appeared in Uppagus Magazine (here).

And on Thursday, September 19th, “Perfect Child” will appear in 101 Words.

Best -

Deborah Sale-Butler

P.S. Deborah also just had a piece published in Commuter Lit here.

See details of upcoming weekly classes here.

For information on submitting to 101 Words, to Witcraft, and a couple other great places send your short work, see here. For information on submitting to CommuterLit (and a few other interesting places) see here.

 

Hello, Brian.

I just got word from Witcraft that I have been short-listed in their annual contest. Just wanted to share that with you. I have to start somewhere and I am happy to start with this small win. I will let you know how I stack up in the standings.

Cheers! Onward and upward!

Anne Louise Pittens

 

Hi, Brian.

I thought you'd get a kick out of this photo:

On Saturday, August 17, I had a great day signing books at the St. Catharines Indigo/Chapters Store. At my side was my Number One Fan and Best Sales Rep – my 93-year-old mother, Alice Frayne. She was my coach when I was a little girl learning to read and write and is now the first reader of all my stories. It was a blessing for us to have the opportunity to chat with book lovers about my novel, The Sound of a Rainbow, published by Latitude 46. 

All the best,

Sharon Frayne

Note: The Sound of a Rainbow is available here.

For information about submitting to Latitude 46, see here. Note, this link also includes information about PulpLiterature, which is always open to short fiction up to 10,000 words, poetry, and graphic novels. Plus, their “The Raven” short story contest re-opened Sept 1 and the deadline is Oct 15, 2024, so follow the links!


Hello, Brian. 

Great news! I am on a list.

My narrative nonfiction manuscript God Quest: God Discovered in Everyday Places hit the short list for The 2024 Word Guild Annual Awards under the category Castle Quay Best New Canadian Manuscript (The 2024 Word Guild Awards Short List). The book spotlights profound human stories: experiences of God by ordinary people in everyday places.

 Through a narrative of story-telling God Quest: God Discovered in Everyday Places reveals God’s presence in daily living. Struggles with unemployment, mental breakdown, illness, accident, family dysfunction, life partnership, and even dreaming weave new meaning. These shared experiences are the bridge uniting the divide between our understanding of the world and God’s place in our lives—grace and spiritual evolution discovered in unexpected places. 

My writing quest began ten years ago while attending your creative writing workshops. I am grateful for all I learned, and the journey continues. Sept. 14, 2024 is the Word Guild winners and awards ceremony.

I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Carolin M. Paradis

carolinmparadis.com

 

Hi, Brian.

You've been in my mind as last week one of my personal stories was published in the Globe and Mail's First Person column. 

Early last year, I took your Writing Personal Stories virtual class. After reading one of my pieces, thoughtful feedback from classmates gave me more courage to share my writing on the sensitive topic of involuntary childlessness. As encouraged, I did submit the story shared with the class to the Globe & Mail, but didn't hear back. Then earlier this year, I submitted another piece and they ran it last Wednesday online and in print on Thursday.

My original title was “The Empty Nest.” The headline for the online version is “An empty bird’s nest always leaves me melancholy” wasn't written by me – in fact, I'm not fond of it as it doesn't reflect my thinking. Overall, though, I appreciate the opportunity. 

I will see you again in another class - perhaps in winter session.

Best wishes,

Susan Fancy

See Susan’s First Person essay here.

For information on submitting a First Person essay to the Globe and Mail {and a few other great places to submit}, see here.

***

See all my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day  retreats here. ~Brian

See more good news from your fellow writers here (and scroll down).

Note: You can now get new postings on Quick Brown Fox delivered straight to your Inbox as I publish them. Subscribe to the new Quick Brown Fox page on Substack here: https://brian999.substack.com

 

Friday, September 6, 2024

You're invited to "Writing Kid Lit – the Next Level"

Writing Kid Lit – The Next Level!

Online: Monday evenings, 7 – 9 p.m.
Sept 30 – Dec 2, {or to Dec 9 if the course fills up.} No class Oct 14 or 21.

This course is for adults {or teens} interested in writing picture books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade books, or Young Adult novels. It’s meant for people who have previously taken a kid lit course or who otherwise know the basics of the contemporary market for children’s literature. 

The focus of the class will be on your work – picture book manuscripts or chapters of novels or nonfiction books for young people that you’ll present to the class for feedback as to how to make them even better. We’ll also have discussions, talks from the instructor, and two children’s authors as guest speakers:

Guest speaker Lana Button has 14 children’s books, with Orca, Kids Can Press, Owlkids, Tundra, Nimbus and Pajama Press, including her latest, First Ones on the Ice (Nimbus) See You Later, Alligator! (Scholastic), Tayra's Not Talking (Kids Can Press – see here), The Cow Said Boo (Pajama Press – see here), and Tough Like Mum (Tundra / Penguin Random House – see here). 

Lana has several books scheduled for publication through 2028, including a series of early chapter books with Orca Books and a 2025 Groundwood picture book, co-written with Eric Walters.

Lana has been awarded the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Award and the Crystal Kite Award. Her picture books have been shortlisted for The Blue SpruceThe Shining Willow, the Jean Throop IODE Award and the Rainforest of Reading, and have been recognized as Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Bets and the IBBY Outstanding Book for Young Children.

Find out more about Lana and her books at www.lanabutton.com and connect with her on social media @lanabuttonauthor  

Guest speaker Erin Silver is an award-winning children’s author and freelance writer. Her books for children include Rush Hour: Navigating Our Global Traffic Jam (Blueberry Award winner) and Sitting Shiva (Ontario Library Association Best Pick, Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor, Vine Award finalist, and TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award finalist).

She's also the author of: Good Food, Bad Waste: Let’s Eat for the Planet; Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend Themselves; In It To Win It: Sports and the Climate Crisis; and All Consuming: Shop Smarter for the Planet. 

Several additional nonfiction titles about plants, animals and climate change are forthcoming. Visit her at erinsilver.ca

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular blog for writers, taught creative writing at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Saint John. Brian is the author of a children's version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Tribute Publishing). But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.  

Read reviews and other pieces about or inspired by Brian's writing courses, workshops, and retreats here (and scroll down).

Fee: $220.35 plus 13% hst = $259

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.  

Monday, September 2, 2024

Kudos to everyone who's made the longlist for the CANSCAIP contetst!

Hi, Brian.

Thank you for all your wonderful teaching and feedback. I made the CANSCAIP longlist for my picture book (“I am a Cheetah”) and YA manuscript (“The Memory Collector”), and I attribute this to you. Now fingers crossed for the short list!

YvonneDenomy

Children's author Lana Button,
one of the guest speakers for 
our upcoming Kid Lit course

***

Note: See details of our upcoming weekly course, “Writing Kid Lit ~ The Next Level,” here.

And see details or our one-day “Writing for Children and for Young Adults” workshop with Karen Li, publisher at Groundwood Books on Sept 22 here~Brian

***

Hi, Brian.

Two of my picture books (“Tofino Tidepools” and “The Best Beach Day Ever”) have made the CANSCAIP longlist!

Vanessa Bedford Gill

 

Also, special congrats to many others from my classes who have made the long list this year:

In picture books (Title – Author): 

Good Morning/Good Night – Andrea Bishop

The Best Beach Day. Ever. – Beth Elliott

The Very Stinky Princess – Jillian Hamilton Oley

Eager Beaver: Nature's Superhero! – Heather McLennan

Harriet and the Heat Wave – Heather McLennan

Willa and the Wildfire – Heather McLennan

Mery and the Box – Janet Tufts

A Monster's Guide to Children – Susan Wollison

Catherine McKenzie, the 2023 winner
for Middle Grade (Yay Catherine!)

And in Middle Grade:

Wicked Like a Witch – Christine Michaud

Riches – Penny Thompson

Rebel Dragon – Sally Wylie

 Plus, I recognize more names from one-day workshops – congratulations to you all!

(And if you've been in my weekly classes and I've managed to leave you off my list of congrats, please forgive me! I remember stories better than names.) ~Brian

CANSCAIP offers this competition for would-be authors of picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels each year. This is a great opportunity, and thanks to the wonderful efforts of numerous volunteers, the hundreds of entries, not only get read, they get comments.

***

See all my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day  retreats here.

See where else your fellow writers are getting published, landing agents, winning contests, and more here.

And if you’ve had any good news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your success gives us all a boost. 

Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca