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Here are 26 calls for submissions in June. All are paying markets. Genres include speculative fiction, horror, personal essays, poetry, steampunk, children's literature, and nonfiction articles. Some of these calls are for themed issues, so make sure you read the full guidelines before submitting. Note : I post calls for submissions during the last week of every month. But if you want to get a jump on upcoming calls, you can find a list of sites that regularly post submission calls (paying and non-paying markets) on  Calls for Submissions . ____________________ Horrors of Hudson Valley "We want original, supernatural horror stories set within the Hudson Valley Region within the State of New York (please note that New York City is NOT considered a part of the Hudson Valley). The time period for your story is up to you–past, present, future, alternate history–but it must take place whole or in part within the Hudson Valley. Hudson Valley is a real place, with a real history, so ...

Jonathan Wolstenholme There are tons of great free writing contests in June. All genres and forms are included, from poetry to short fiction, to essays and full length-works. A few come with substantial prizes and international recognition. Some of these contests have age and regional restrictions, so be sure to read the full guidelines before submitting. Good luck! Note : I post a list of free upcoming contests the last week of every month. But if you want to get a jump on contests, the tab " Free Contests " is regularly updated. Be sure to check there for future as well as past contests - many are held annually. ____________________ Amy Awards . Poets & Writers presents the Amy Award each year to recognize promising women poets, age 30 and under, living in the New York City metropolitan area or on Long Island. Winners receive a modest honorarium and give a reading in New York City. The award was established in 1995 by Paula Trachtman and Edward Butscher of East Hampton,...

June is bustin' out all over! This month features a truly impressive number of conferences stretching from coast to coast. Writing conferences offer so much to writers - master classes, opportunities to talk to authors, pitch sessions with agents, as well as workshops covering every aspect of writing and publishing. In addition, you get to share experiences with other writers - in the flesh! (Nothing beats actual face-to-face contact.) If you can find the time to attend a conference, you won't regret it. Note : For a month-by-month listing of conferences, as well as how to find upcoming conferences in your area, see  Writing Conferences . Many of these are offered annually, so if you missed a conference you'd like to attend, you can always plan to attend next year. ____________________ Iowa Summer Writing Festival . June - July, 2016, Iowa City. Featuring 138 workshops with 60 instructors.  Registrations for weeklong and weekend workshops are accepted on a first-come firs...

Jonathan Wolstenholme Publishing a book is a big accomplishment, so why not throw a party? After all, you hold a party to celebrate your birth, and, frankly, writing your book took more effort. (Your mother probably has a different perspective on your birth. Just FYI.) Basically, a book launch party is a book signing/reading with the added benefit of being fun - and newsworthy. A book launch party is an ideal opportunity for promotion, so don't waste it! The release of a book, especially a book by a local author, is considered news, which means you can get press coverage. It is also a great way to meet your fans, make new ones, and to connect with people who share your interests. Tips on making your launch party a success 1) Plan ahead . Like all events, a launch party requires planning. Where will you hold it? Who will you invite? How will you advertise it? All of these considerations require planning at least three months prior to the release of your book. 2) Pick an appropriate ...

(old poem I found in an old laptop) What’s up faggot? I untangled my headphone cords Walking to the bus stop, Professional New Yorker. Unflinching precision As my fingers unspooled knots. Gathering inside a question. Looking right nor left, I couldn’t tell whether he was On the phone, speaking to a friend, Or talking to me. But to look up Is to acknowledge. Any schoolyard bully knows That trick. I continued to gather The string of cord in my left hand Untangling dangling white Lines as I caught him looking Out on the sidewalk. Either toward Me or the guy behind me, Both of us rushing past him Past the slur sent to Trigger some response. He mumbled something I slowed down, do I dare Turn? The other pedestrian Sped past me, his headphones Firmly entrenched and blasting Loud hideous chaos Into the outerspace of Queens. There is a place where this word lives. I don’t live there, but I visit. This neighborhood of niggers, faggots, spics, Whops, degos, chinks, Curry heads, Rain dancers, butt...

The more time you spend in a store, the more likely it is you will buy something. Seems like common sense, right? But retailers are just beginning to realize they can sell a lot more by slowing down shoppers, and giving them a "shopping experience." Last October, the Wall Street Journal ran an article, The Slower You Shop, the More You Spend , in which they explored this new trend in shopping, dubbed (unsurprisingly) "slow shopping." (We can thank God for small favors - at least they didn't call it "slopping.") According to the WSJ , “slow shopping” is part of a “leisurely and enriching experience that’s not overtly focused on buying something.” It's also a great way to get shoppers to come back. People are inclined to repeat pleasant experiences. Retail stores are employing all kinds of "experiences" designed to make shoppers hang around: Origins offers free mini-facials, Urban Outfitters hosts concerts and art events, and the Austin Wh...

Updated 5/28/21 Goodreads is one of the most powerful social networks for authors looking to connect with readers. At 85 million members, it is the world’s largest site for book recommendations, with readers adding 30,000 reviews to the site every day. What's more, those reviews get syndicated and appear on Google books, USA Today , the Los Angeles Public Library, WorldCat, Better World Books and other locations. As an author, you are probably wondering how you can make use of this popular site. 1. First sign up for an account . This is easy. Just go to  https://www.goodreads.com/  and enter your name, email address, and password. You can also sign up for an account with Facebook.  2. Second, open an author accoun t. To do this, search for yourself and click on your published author name. The author name is listed below the title of your book in the search results. If you do not find your book in the database of published works, see  who can join .   C...