Friday, August 09, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Arkansas Society of Children's Book Wrriters and Illustrators
Arkansas SCBWI Retreat 2013
The 17th annual
Arkansas SCBWI Retreat for Writers of Children's Literature will feature
hands-on workshops led by Alexandra Arnold, editorial assistant at Katherine
Tegen Books (imprint of HarperCollins), and small & in-depth guided
critique groups with participating writers. At the retreat, writers will learn techniques
to strengthen their works-in-progress, submissions and writing
skills. Registered attendees will submit pages from a manuscript in
advance (by Sept. 4) and receive feedback from the editor at the retreat.For more information, go to Arkansas SCBWI Retreat page. To register, go to the Arkansas SCBWI online registration form
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Ozarks Romance Authors/Contest
Detailed instructions on how to enter, including cash prize information, is available here: http://
Monday, July 22, 2013
Children Soup for the Soul(R) Stories Needed
We’re Looking for Stories! Provided by Kathy Temean's Writing and Illustrating email newsletter
We have many Chicken Soup
for the Soul® books in development and are adding new titles all of the
time. We are always looking for new stories and poems and hope
you have some for us to consider. Take a look at the list of our
future book topics to see if you have a story or poem on a subject we are
looking for and then please submit it to us.
If you have a great story or
poem you want to submit but we are not collecting for that topic at this
time, please save it and check back with us soon. Our list of
Possible Books Topics is added to frequently and hopefully, in the near future, we
will add a topic that will be a perfect fit for your story or poem.
We prefer that you submit your
stories only once, but if you believe your story fits in more than one book
topic, please indicate which other topics you have submitted it for in the Comments line on the
submission form. You can submit your story by going to the link at the bottom
of the page. Thanks!
Here Are Our Future Topics:
Miracles Happen
Everyone loves to read about
miracles in Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Everyone has experienced
extraordinary events in their lives that cause wonder and astonishment. Why did
these things happen? Perhaps the only explanation is divine intervention. We are
looking for true stories in this multi-faith book that will awe you with
examples of amazing events. Miracles do happen every day. The deadline for story and poem
submissions is August 15, 2013.
Multitasking Mom’s Survival
Guide
Moms are the busiest people in the
world! They juggle kids, husbands, jobs, housework, paid work, volunteer work,
parents, pets, etc. How do they do it? Sometimes they are successful and get
everything done. Sometimes… disasters happen! Busy moms – here is your chance
to pass along your words of wisdom, your lessons learned, your funny or
embarrassing moments. Pretend you’re talking to a friend and share your
wonderful stories with other busy moms. The
deadline for story and poem submissions is July 31, 2013.
My Guardian
Angel
We are looking for stories from
people who believe that they have encountered or been helped by angels. How did
your angel manifest himself or herself? How did your angel help you or someone
you know? Please do not send stories about people who are “angels” because they
do nice things, and also please do not submit eulogies where you say that your
loved one is now an angel. The
deadline for story and poem submissions is December 31, 2013.
Overcoming Challenges
Life is filled with challenges. We
have all gone through trying times and have had to overcome difficult
situations. We would like to know what challenges you have faced in your life
and what you did to overcome them. Are you recovering from health problems,
financial difficulties or the loss of a loved one? What changes did you make to
help you cope with these issues and turn negative into positive? Your stories
will give our readers inspiration and insight into how others are coping and
let them know that there is hope even in adversity. The deadline for story and poem
submissions is October 31, 2013.
Reboot Your
Life
Were you in a rut? Was your life
boring and dull? Hopefully you did something positive about that. What kind of
a major changes did you make that brought back your purpose, passion, and joy?
Did you start a completely new career, have a travel adventure or find a new
hobby? Was it a new love interest or an attitude adjustment that helped you
reboot your life? We want to hear your stories. Stories can be serious or
funny, but we definitely want them to inspire our readers to take a chance and
give them the courage to reboot their own lives. The deadline for story and poem
submissions is November 30, 2013.
Recovering from Traumatic Brain
Injuries
With a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
occurring every 18.5 seconds in this country, chances are you have been touched
in some way by this experience. TBI is the signature wound of our returning
soldiers. It is literally changing the rules for athletes from the NFL to the
public schools. If you have sustained a TBI, if you are a family member
dealing with the challenges of TBI, or if you are a health care professional
inspired by TBI survivors, we want to hear your story. What do you know
now that you wish you knew then? What helped you most in your recovery? What
lesson did you learn from an amazing survivor of traumatic brain injury? The deadline for story and poem submission
is November 30, 2013.
Stories about
Cats
We love stories about our cats. They
are part of our families or perhaps it might be better to say that they allow
us to think of them as family! We include them in our celebrations and buy them
gifts for special occasions. They have a special place in our lives and in our
hearts. What do you do to make your cat feel special? What does your cat expect
from you? How has having a cat changed your life? We know you’ll have many great
stories for us about how you cater to your cat and how your cat is included in
your family. Stories can be serious or humorous… or both. The deadline for story and poem
submissions is August 31, 2013.
Stories about
Dogs
We love stories about our dogs and
the amazing things they do. They are part of our families. We include them in
our celebrations and even buy them gifts for special occasions. They have a
special place in our lives and in our hearts. What do you do to make your dog
feel special? What does your dog expect from you? How has your dog changed your
life? We know you’ll have many great stories for us about how you pamper your
pooch and how your pooch is included in your family. Stories can be serious or
humorous… or both. The
deadline for story and poem submissions is August 31,
2013.
The Dating Game!
We’re publishing a book on dating!
First dates, blind dates, group dates… we want to hear about all of them.
Meeting the family, embarrassing moments, break-ups and make-ups… we want all
of your war stories. Did you meet your perfect match online? Did you have an
office romance or start a relationship with someone who was just a friend? How
about first dates after divorce, reconnecting with a person from your past, or
even simply finding your happily-ever-after where you least expected it? Tell
us everything from love at first sight to dating disasters. For this book, we
prefer contemporary stories. They will be favored over stories about events
that happened decades ago. We are accepting stories from men and women 18 years
and older. The deadline for
story and poem submissions is July 29, 2013.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Filed under: authors and illustrators, Book, inspiration, opportunity, Places to sumit, publishers Tagged: Book Topics, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Looking for Stories, Poems
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Historical Ozarks Mills
To take the old mills tour, the "Historic Ozarks Mills" book is a must! It has more than 25 historic grist mills, that still
exist, with over 120 full color pix. It also includes directions, a
map, history, folklore and other stories. These mills are in some of the most
beautiful places you'll ever visit by book or in person! Check-out the web site
to browse and order at www.photozarks.com <<< click here. There's more than on the site. So
contact Photozarks if you don't see what you're looking for. Contact info is
below.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Monday, July 08, 2013
Helpful Information for Writers & Illustrators
Helpful Information for Writers & Illustrators
Creative Writers &
Illustrators – List created by Mary Nida Smith
Book: The Writer’s Guide to
Queries, Pitches & Proposals by Moira Allen.
Society of Illustrators http://www.societyillustrators.org
Check your library or
bookstore for books on Writing and finding a market. Read Writer’s Digest and
The Writer magazines
Formatting a manuscript:
Cover page: Name, address,
phone, email and website to your top left.
To your top right: genre,
fiction or non-fiction and word count.
Prepare your manuscript
correctly.
Before querying an agent make
sure she presents your genre
Read guidelines for their
requirements, review the agent/agency, submit to the correct person (agent
or/and editor).Stick to the rules.
Websites resources;
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Ozark Regional Arts Council July Exhibit
ORAC Exhibit at ASU Vada Sheid Community Center
All photographs taken by Linda Armstrong
with the help of Anni Worster
Artist/Illustrator Carole T. Jones
Carole wearing her trademark pin
Sun-e-dale Knoll
L-R Mary Nida Smith member ORAC,
Deborah Lively President ORAC,
Deborah Lively President ORAC,
Carole T. Jones July Exhibitor
Mark Schuyler,
Mark Schuyler,
Riverbend Custom Framing.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Food Poem
Food for
Thought
By Mary Nida
Smith ©
Some mornings
come scrambled.
Vegetables I nibble
wishing I was a bunny.
Meats are chewy
not on my plate,
I stock pile
my food too high
with lots of Idaho
spuds and gravy.
I should ration
desert is near-by.
People call food –
vittles, chow or grub,
it doesn’t matter
I eat too much.
I need a diet.
Thoughts on food
throw away all cookbooks.
Run out and play,
that’s for me.
Photo of Easton & Dakota taken at Gaston's Resort having lunch.
Poem was written & posted on children's author's blog for June's poem.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
David L. Harrison Children's Book Author
This was posted on children's author David L. Harrison's W.O.M blog
Mary Nida Smith
DEVONSHIRE POND
By Mary Nida Smith
Gray clouds welcome
the morning with mist
descending downward
toward Devonshire Pond.
Pulling veils of fog
creating strange scenes,
eyes glow
above half buried logs.
Bullfrogs’ voices echo
between spring cattails
playing leapfrog
along water’s edge.
Sunrays push through
pulling fog upward
to display pollywogs
and dragonflies flirting
with turtles asleep
until temperature warms
to lift gray clouds
from Devonshire Pond.
Mary Nida Smith
DEVONSHIRE POND
By Mary Nida Smith
Gray clouds welcome
the morning with mist
descending downward
toward Devonshire Pond.
Pulling veils of fog
creating strange scenes,
eyes glow
above half buried logs.
Bullfrogs’ voices echo
between spring cattails
playing leapfrog
along water’s edge.
Sunrays push through
pulling fog upward
to display pollywogs
and dragonflies flirting
with turtles asleep
until temperature warms
to lift gray clouds
from Devonshire Pond.
- Lovely description, and visual through poem. It drew me into nature’s dance, with the pollywogs, dragonflies, and sleeping turtles.
- Thank you one and all for your kind words. I am glad everyone enjoyed my journey to Devonshire Pond.
- you’ve captured a beautiful moment in time, Mary.
- Love those sundays pushing through. You’ve captured it so well!
- Mary Nida
Beautiful Beautiful - Really nice, Mary NIda. I can see it, feel it, and hear it.
- Yes, Mary, I can see this scene. There is something mystical in fog on water. My poem describes a harbor in Maine, so I can relate to your Devonshire Pond coming to life, too. I can hear those bullfrogs!
- Mary Nida, DEVONSHIRE, is such a beautiful sounding word. It drew me in immediately. The images are so alive. I visualized the poem as a picture book.
i love ‘…spring cattails/playing leapfrog/along water’s edge.’ and ‘Sunrays…/pulling fog upward’
- Mary Nida Smith:
I hear the fog tumbling down with the clouds and then levitating up with dragonflies.
What gracious movement!
Jeanne Poland
- I love the image of dragonflies flirting with turtles!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
FREE VERSE POETRY
FREE VERSE POETRY GROUP, December 2008 created a CD of their poetry produced by Ron Miller. Free verse with many personalities. Sit back, relax with a cup of coffee or a drink of your choice ... and listen to the flow of storytelling in verse. It has a calming effect where you'll want to replay it more than once. 'EXPRESSIONS' cost only $10.00. To order call Stephen Johnson 405-2846 or email watermarkstudio@hotmail.com
WATCH for their soon to be released CD 'Driftwood.' People will continue to marvel at the talent THE FREE VERSE POETRY GROUP, MOUNTAIN HOME, AR., who bring to those who enjoy poetry a DC that they will be proud to share with friends.. Sixteen poets will read two or three poems with music background to accompany the mood of the poem being read. Beautifully and professionally produced by musician, songwriter, poet and artist Ron Miller.
WATCH for their soon to be released CD 'Driftwood.' People will continue to marvel at the talent THE FREE VERSE POETRY GROUP, MOUNTAIN HOME, AR., who bring to those who enjoy poetry a DC that they will be proud to share with friends.. Sixteen poets will read two or three poems with music background to accompany the mood of the poem being read. Beautifully and professionally produced by musician, songwriter, poet and artist Ron Miller.
Monday, May 06, 2013
Writing & Publishing Information
Coffee Town Press
Deer Hawk Publishing
Sky Horse Publishing
Writer Beware: http://sfwa.org/beware/printondemand.html
Patricia L. Fry web: www.matilijapress.com Blog : www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Donna Marie Merritt
Check this latest book of Donna Marie "What's Wrong with Ordinary?" Poems to celebrate Life. http://donnamariebooks.com and http://Wikipedia.org/wk/donna_marie_merritt
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Barbara Cooper love her commitment!.
After some publicity
Ninety-six-year-old LA blogger Barbara Cooper found her Fall In Love for Life making online bestseller lists. I
figured anyone who is 96 years old should get a kudo, even if they haven’t
written a children book. Copied from "Writing and Illustrating" blog of Kathy Temean.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Author K.D. McCrite, coming to Mountain Home, AR
Author K.D. McCrite, will be speaking at the Creative Writers & Illustrators meeting Saturday, March 23, 1 p.m., at Baxter County Library
The public is invited to hear K.D. share her writing experiences. She will have books for sale & signing. Besides her adult novels, she is the author of the teen series; The Confessions of April Grace.
For information call 431-5369Saturday, February 23, 2013
Marsha Arnold -PRANCING DANCING LILY
Mary,
I'd so appreciate your sharing with all your Midwestern friends and social
media contacts about my new storybook app PRANCING DANCING LILY. Remember Lily,
inspired by my father's Kansas dairy herd?
If
you download, would so love a cheery review with lots of sparkly stars. :) t is
evidently really important the first week.
Here
are links to trailer and iTunes, Googleplay, and Amazon (it's for iPad, iPhone,
IPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Kindle HD devices, Android):
The easiest link is for trailer and links is: http://bit.ly/YduBtl
The direct iPad link
is: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prancing-dancing-lily/id586489276?mt=8
Prancing,
Dancing Lily is an interactive children's storybook app about a spirited cow
who doesn’t fit in with the herd. She’d rather kick up her heels, so leaves the
farm in search of her perfect dance. Follow Lily around the world,
from New York City to Spain to Senegal. Learn new dances, a bit of geography,
and make new friends around the globe.
Thank you so much,
In Joy,
Marsha Diane Arnold
www.marshadianearnold.com
www.marshadianearnold.com
Prancing Dancing Lily
storybook app
now dancing on iTunes,
Googleplay, & Amazon
Pictures by John Manders
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
TWIN LAKES AREA WRITERS
TWIN LAKES AREA WRITERS
by the Friends of the Library http://www.baxlib.org
Baxter County Poets Association meets
1-2:30 the last Friday of each month at the Donald W.
Reynolds Library, for
information call
Debra Dail at 499-4397 or dails@centurytel.net
The Twin Lakes
Writers who meet at the Donald W. Reynolds Library the
first Saturday each
month 1-3 p.m., will be changing their name to“Creative Writers & Illustrators.”
Retired and non-retired creative writing teachers, English teachers, teen writers,
artist/illustrators and the public who are interested in all genres of writing are welcome
to come, ask questions and share and grow with friends who support your goals.
Future DVD Programs: The Great Courses: Building Great Sentences: Exploring the
Writer’s Craft by Professor of English Brooks Landon – The University of Iowa and
Analysis and Critique: How to Engage and Writer about Anything by Professor Dorsey
Armstrong - Purdue University. For more information email marynida@suddenlink.net
Twin Lakes
Writers meet February 9th 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Second Saturday of
each month at the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship Hall 401 E. 9th Street (Highway 5and College) Mountain Home, AR http://twinlakeswriters.org
Bull Shoals Writers Group meets the second Thursday each
month 2 p.m., in the
building back of the Bull Shoals Library. For more
information call Bob Harper at 870-445-4750
The Free Verse
Poetry Group meets the third Saturday each month at 1 a.m., at the
Donald W. Reynolds
Library. The group is planning to create a CD of members reading twoof his/her poems. For information call Diane Stefan 870-491-5502 or jdstefan@hotmail.com
Check with
Blackbird café at the library for their next open mic and while you are there have a bite to eat - you will enjoy. I love it.
Ozarks Writers League
meets February 16th at The College of the Ozarks.
Their website is http://ozarkswritersleague.org Tuesday, January 08, 2013
TWIN LAKES WRITERS, MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS
I, Mary Nida Smith, Founder (March 1998) of Twin Lakes Writers will be the President as of January 2013. We will be meeting at the Baxter County Library. The schedule is below.
Room Knox A
January- Saturday 5th 1-3 p.m.
February – Saturday 2nd 1-3 p.m.
March – Saturday 2nd 1-3 p.m.
April – Tuesday 23rd 10—noon Brunch and meeting Room Knox B
Knox A
May – Saturday 25th -1-3 p.m.
June - Saturday 1st -1-3 p.m.
July – Saturday 6th – 1-3 p.m.
August - Saturday 3rd – 1-3 p.m.
September – Saturday 7th – 1-3 p.m.
October – Saturday 5th – 1-3 p.m.
Knox B
November – Saturday 9th – 1-3 p.m.
December - Saturday 7thst – 1-3 p.m.
I know it is difficult to meet each writers needs and it is difficult for each one to attend all meetings.
I and the Baxter County Library have tried our best to meet the need of our area writers.
Check library events calendar at http://www.baxlib.org
Information email marynida@suddenlink.net or call 870-431-5369
Room Knox A
January- Saturday 5th 1-3 p.m.
February – Saturday 2nd 1-3 p.m.
March – Saturday 2nd 1-3 p.m.
April – Tuesday 23rd 10—noon Brunch and meeting Room Knox B
Knox A
May – Saturday 25th -1-3 p.m.
June - Saturday 1st -1-3 p.m.
July – Saturday 6th – 1-3 p.m.
August - Saturday 3rd – 1-3 p.m.
September – Saturday 7th – 1-3 p.m.
October – Saturday 5th – 1-3 p.m.
Knox B
November – Saturday 9th – 1-3 p.m.
December - Saturday 7thst – 1-3 p.m.
I know it is difficult to meet each writers needs and it is difficult for each one to attend all meetings.
I and the Baxter County Library have tried our best to meet the need of our area writers.
Check library events calendar at http://www.baxlib.org
Information email marynida@suddenlink.net or call 870-431-5369
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