Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

The End of Publishing as We Know It?

A great article in New York Magazine that every writer should read: Have We Reached the End of Book Publishing As We Know It?

Posted by Julie on September 17, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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What a Vision of Publishing

Twelve publisher Jonathan Karp wrote a wonderful piece in the Washington Post on how publishers are failing authors by going for the quick score instead giving authors time to create books of enduring value. If his theory proves true, eventually they will be forced to invest in quality to maintain their niche of media. I hope I live that long. After you've read the article, do visit Twelve's website and read their unique mission statement and !2 Things. Very cool company.

Posted by Julie on June 30, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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Insight into an Agent's Life

We tend to think that agents are like gods playing puppeteer with our futures. Our dreams hang in the balance -- why does it take them so long to get back to us? Read agent Janet Reid's blog post Well Laid Plans Laid Up and you'll understand. Wow, they really are just like us.

Continue reading "Insight into an Agent's Life"

Posted by Julie on May 19, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids: Meet & Greet

Register & Receive our Thank You Prize!

If the child in your life loves to write or if you'd like her/him to gain more confidence in writing, come visit with authors and professional writers Judy Burnett Schneider and Mary Patouillet. The WRITE NOW Writing Camp Founders & Directors will be hosting a Meet & Greet session at Borders in the Shops at Northway on McKnight Road. They'll be there on Saturday, May 10, from noon until 2:00 PM answering questions and displaying some of the work students have completed during their intensive, fun-filled week at WRITE NOW Writing Camp.

Camp registrants will receive a prize, so come one, come all!

WRITE NOW Writing Camp will be held during the week of June 16-20, 2008 in the music section of the North Hills Borders. It is open to students entering grades 5-8. One returning camper's mom said her daughter "loved the camp and used the material she learned there throughout her sixth grade year."

Can't make it to the Meet & Greet? Email Judy at judy@fatplum.com for more information.

We're looking forward to catching up with our past campers and meeting future students, too!

Posted by Judy on May 05, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions
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Auction for Writers: Bid on Agent & Editor Proposal Evaluations

Bidding begins today on Brenda Novak's Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research. The auction features some of the typical auction-type items like camcorders, etc. But this one also has items availble for readers and writers that are quite unique.

For example, as of his writing, you can bid on a proposal to be read by agent Jeff Herman. The current bid is $16. Agent Meredith Bernstein is offering to evaluate a proposal with a 24-48 hour response time. That bid is currently at $330.

Check it out and let us know if you bid and/or win!

Posted by Judy on May 02, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Recommended
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Trusting the Revision Process

Kathie Shoop has a great post on recognizing and respecting the power that revision plays in our work. Check out Draft of Life
on housewifecafe.clifeom

Posted by Julie on April 09, 2008
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Tracy Beckerman is Living my Dream

Tracy Beckerman is a very funny writer with a syndicated column, Lost in Suburbia, and a newly published book, Rebel Without a Minivan . It's a compilation of some of her best columns, and it's excellent. I'm not just saying that because I edited the book. Or because I'm the first person she thanks in her acknowledgments.

As you may have gathered, it's my tertiary involvement with the book that keeps my envy from turning into something ugly. Because I've always wanted to write a weekly humor column. Have I ever tried to secure my dream job? Well, no. But I now recognize the wisdom of my inertia. Because my life is just not as funny as Tracy's.

Tracy was a hip, cool New York city girl until having a baby forced her into the suburbs of New Jersey. As she explains, "It's just one of those things that happens, like taxes and varicose veins." Her essays highlight her foibles and survival strategies adjusting to the double-whammy of motherhood and suburban life. There's cellulite on her thighs and ducks in the pool. Near-brawls in the school-supply aisle and raised eyebrows over her spiky-short haircut. Even vacationing in the Magic Kingdom turns maniacal.

Even if my life were as humorous as Tracy's, I doubt I could convey it with the wit and sarcasm that are her trademarks. My only hope is that she'll publish another book. So if you won't buy it for your own enjoyment, please, pick up a copy so I can continue to live my dream vicariously. You can buy it through any bookseller or at www.RebelWithout AMinivan.com

Posted by Julie on April 03, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Congratulations
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March Writing Contests

Contests are a great way to light the writing fire and put your work out in the world. Here are two with deadlines in March:

Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival Poetry and Short Story Contest closes March 15. Poetry entry fee is $10 for up to 2 poems. Short Story entry fee is $10 for one story 4,000 words or less. Awards are $200.

Story Quarterly's Love Story Contest closes March 31. Entries can be short stories, novel excerpts, essays, memoirs and book-length nonfiction excerpts, no longer than 8,000 words. There is a $20 fee First Prize is $2,500. "The subject is love in any and all of its varieties and incarnations — familial, filial, romantic, platonic, the love of place, nature, animals, possessions, beauty, or truth, love that is intellectual, erotic, patriotic, real or imagined, fulfilled or denied, tragic or comedic. Tell us the truth about love!"

Good luck!

Posted by Julie on February 18, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Calls for submissions
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Erma Bombeck Writing Competition

There's still time to enter the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition. Deadline for entries is February 17. Your personal essay must be 450 words or less in one of two categories: humor or human interest. For complete competition guidelines and online entry form visit the website.

Posted by Julie on February 12, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Calls for submissions
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Pittsburgh in Words

Creative Nonfiction is heading up a great new project to celebrate Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary. Pittsburgh in Words will feature 25 creative nonfiction stories about the city and its people. The project is supported by a generous grant from The Heinz Endowments, and will be published online and in print fall 2008.

Continue reading "Pittsburgh in Words"

Posted by Julie on February 12, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Calls for submissions
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