Insight into office life at Writer's Digest Books

This morning I was reading the SF Signal blog and deciding whether I wanted to watch the Wookie/vacuum cleaner clip when I heard a Wookie. Now, my head phones were plugged in but not on my head, so it wasn’t coming from my computer. Who else would be listening to a Wookie? None of the other resident nerds are close to my cubicle. Then I heard it again. And again. My curiosity was up, so I went exploring. On the far side of the cubicle aisle next to me, I found Amy Schell (editor for HOW and WDB) kneeling on the floor of Grace Ring’s (designer for the WDB, HOW and TOW lines) cubicle, watching a video clip on the computer.

The clip is for a DVD to be included in one of our upcoming books (something about inkblot monsters whose title is completely escaping my memory). Anyway, the author speaks backwards, and then plays the tape backwards so you can understand what he’s saying. When it goes backwards, he sounds like a Wookie. It was a mystery solved for each of us. I found out what the noise was, Amy figured out what he was saying (Welcome to Daily Monster), and my Wookie comment elicitated a "That's what he sounds like!" from Grace. All in all, a nice little adventure.

On to the nitty-gritty useful stuff.

Contests

The second annual Penknife Press Short Story Writing Contest. Entrants must be 21 years of age, and not immediately related to anyone who works for Penknife Press. Contest is open now until 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, September 30, 2007. Send your 5000 - 10,000 word ms to contest@penknifepress.com. “The story should have a social and/or political theme that reflects current events.” One entry per person. The prize winners will be selected by a neutral judging panel and will be rated on writing skill, story content, and social relevance. First Prize: $1,000. Second Prize: $600. Third Prize: $400. Selected winners and runners-up shall be included in a collection of winners' stories to be published by Penknife Press at the end of the contest. Authors will be paid in copies of the e-book.

The deadline for the StoryQuarterly Fiction Contest has been extended to November 30. The contest offers a First Prize of $2,500, a Second Prize of $1,500, a Third Prize of $750, and ten finalists will each receive $100. Categories are short stories, short short stories, and novel excerpts. Entry fee of $20.

The Tonka Fiction Contest. Competition for short stories sponsored by the Minnetonka Review. Prizes: First prize $1,000, publication and plaque; Second prize $100; Third prize $50; 10 Honorable Mentions. Finalists are chosen by editorial staff and readers. Winners are chosen by guest judge Robin Lippincott. Entry fee: $10 and includes copy of award issue. Make checks payable to Minnetonka Review. Contest open now through Nov 30. Entries should be unpublished. Open to all writers living in the USA. Length: Max 6000 words. Cover letter should include name, address, phone, e-mail, word count, novel/story title. Title only on ms. Results announced February.

Submissions

Here’s something else to do with your published work. Virginia Arts & Letters Live is seeking short stories by Virginia writers to be read by actors. Stipend of $150, deadline is December 1st. Query or submit via iziegler2@gmail.com.

If you have a story on the subject “Freak,” then you might want to send it to Fiction International. They’re actively looking for stories on that subject from now until December 15th. Submit hardcopy text or images to Harold Jaffe, Editor, Fiction International, Dept. of English, San Diego State Univ., San Diego, CA 92182.

Brand new literary journal! The Packingtown Review out of the University of Illinois, Chicago. "Packingtown Review publishes imaginative and critical prose by emerging and established writers. We welcome submissions of poetry, scholarly articles, drama, creative nonfiction, fiction, and literary translation, as well as genre-bending pieces." They need comics/graphic novels, ethnic/multicultural (general), experimental, feminist, gay, glitz, historical (general), literary, mainstream, military/war, translations. Does not want to see "uninspired or unrevised work. We also would like to avoid fantasy, science fiction, overtly religious, or romantic pieces."  Length: 3000-8000 words. Publishes short shorts. Writers receive 2 contributor's copies. Pays on publication. Acquires first North American serial rights. "We are looking for well crafted prose. We are open to most styles and forms. We are also looking for prose that takes risks and does so successfully. We will consider articles about prose."

Revolving Door

It's been a busy week. These are just the editors and agents who have been moving around.

Random House Trade Paperbacks: Porscha Burke has been promoted to assistant editor, reporting to Jane von Mehren.

Books & Such Literary Agency: Etta Wilson was hired as an agent specializing in representing young adult and children's books for both the general and the Christian markets.

Susan Rabiner Literary Agency: Holly Bemiss was hired as an agent focusing on young authors, narrative nonfiction, and graphic novels.

Atlas Books: Janet Min Lee has been promoted to associate editor.

Wildstorm: Ben Abernathy has been promoted to Senior Editor in response to the firing of Scott Dunbier as Executive Editor.

Holiday House: Regina Griffin, v-p and editor-in-chief, will leave the company September 14 to pursue other opportunities. Mary Cash, v-p and executive editor of Holiday House, has named to succeed Griffin.