Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity Newsletter: December 2022
Revolutionary Road: The Art of Dialogue
Revolutionary Road is not only an example of how to artfully, yet without any seeming effort, establish characters through dialogue, it serves as an example of how to create transparency through using language that cuts to the heart of description without drawing attention to itself. Despite its unpretentious delivery, or, more likely, because of it, that kind of language packs a wallop. Read more here>>
65 Writing Contests in December 2022 — No entry fees
This December there are more than five dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $45,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. Read more here>>
102 Calls for Submissions in December 2022 — Paying markets
This December there are more than eight dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays. Read more here>>
5 Distinctive Writing Conferences and Workshops in December 2022
Because of the holidays, writing conferences are sparse in December. That doesn’t mean there are none worth attending. The New York Pitch Conference is well worth attending if you are ready to publish a book. This conference draws editors from all the major publishing houses, as well as agents who want to hear your pitch. If you write commercial fiction or nonfiction, this conference is a career starter. Read more here>>
AGENTS SEEKING CLIENTS
5 Agents Seeking Nonfiction, Speculative Fiction, Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Memoirs, Short Story Collections, and more
Here are five established literary agents actively seeking clients. All work with reputable literary agencies with good track records.
Trinity McFadden is interested in compelling practical and narrative nonfiction in categories including social & cultural issues, feminism, religion & spirituality, history, biography, reportage, subcultures, and mental health & wellness. She is also interested in select suspense, upmarket, literary, and book club fiction.
Lorna Hemingway (UK) is searching for picture books.
Viola Hayden (UK) wants fiction and nonfiction.
Maggie Sadler is seeking adult, YA and MG fiction.
Lily Dolin represents clients in both fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, she is drawn to dark and offbeat humor, gripping narratives, strong commercial hooks, family dynamics, and nuanced female perspectives. For nonfiction, she is looking for short story collections and memoirs that are funny, outrageous, shocking, emotional, or all of the above. She also enjoys true crime, pop culture, and narrative history.
5 New Agents Seeking Kidlit, SFF, Mystery, Horror, LGBTQ+, Romance, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction and more
Here are five new agents actively expanding their client lists. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients.
Saffron Dodd is seeking middle-grade fantasy, contemporary middle-grade, mystery thrillers and rom-coms.
Laura Southern wants fantasy, science-fiction, and horror, rom-coms, and narratives set in the South as well as memoir and narrative nonfiction. In young adult and middle grade, Laura is interested in speculative fiction across any subgenre, as well as select contemporary fiction.
Thomas Hill is interested in representing authors in Thriller/Suspense (political, military, religious/cult, psychological, espionage), Historical, Science Fiction (AI, utopian/dystopian societies, alternate history, Western (mountain men, cowboys, Native voices). Thomas also welcomes nonfiction submissions in narrative nonfiction, memoir, and business.
Emma Konn wants LGBTQ+ Focused Stories, Psychological Thrillers, Romance Genre, Enemies to Lovers Trope, Graphic Novels.
Fergus Inder is seeking Shakespeare adaptations, unconventional narrators, heists, Dickensian coming-of-age stories, operas (space or otherwise), metafiction, satire, really good food writing, and sexy and crushingly sad millennial literary fiction.
PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES
Subscription Services for Self-Published Authors
Self-published authors should consider offering their books on subscription services because, as far as publishing goes, the more venues the better. You should get your book onto as many sites, and in as many formats, as you can. Read more here>>
15 Literary Magazines Open NOW — SFF, Horror, Essays, Poetry, Genre Fiction, and more — Paying markets
Here are 15 publications that are open to submissions right now (no deadlines). All are paying markets, and none charge submission fees.
You can find upcoming calls for submissions with deadlines on my page: Calls for Submissions. Get a jump on next month’s calls for submissions by checking that page periodically. (I only post paying markets.)
WRITING WORLD
Mega-List of Book Reviewers Accepting Self-Published Authors
Here is a truly enormous list of online book reviewers who accept self-published work in speculative fiction (scifi, fantasy, horror, paranormal). I’ve gleaned these reviewers from Book Blogs, SFF websites, and various blogrolls, and have verified that they are happy to accept requests from Indie writers. Read more here>>
Is there really a huge difference between what men and women read?
There are, as I have long suspected, differences between men and women. According the the National Endowment of the Arts, men are more likely to read nonfiction books than fiction, while the opposite holds true for women: 55% of women read fiction in 2012, and 48% read nonfiction. Read more here>>
Terry, we’ll miss you: Quotes, Quips, and Courage
Death is a taboo topic in the United States. We like to believe that by eating the right food, exercising regularly, and avoiding EMFs we will live forever. (Though, I have yet to meet an immortal, American or otherwise.) As always, Terry Pratchett, makes us face reality. “I enjoy my life,” he says. “I wish to continue it for as long as I am myself, knowing who I am, recognizing my nearest and dearest. But I have my appointment with Samarra.” Read more here>>
Saul Bellow: Saying what you damn well please
In spite of all the accolades Bellow received during his lifetime (and after) Bellow thought of himself as a “working stiff.””Celebrity interferes with the business of writing,” he said. “But it gives you a certain amount of confidence. Before, I said anything I damn pleased, and I did it defiantly. Now, I say anything I damn please, but I do it with confidence.” Read more here>>
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