Meeting Reminder - June 6th

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet tat 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The Author Spotlight is Hope S. and the writing prompt is "1001 Awesome Words."Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet tat 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The Author Spotlight is Hope S. and the writing prompt is "1001 Awesome Words."

Author Visit - John Coy

Children/young adult author John Coy will speak at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Oshkosh Public Library, under the Dome. Get the inside story on what it takes to create a book. Hear about Coy’s latest release, Top of the Order, and get a sneak peek at his upcoming book. The event is free and open to the public.

Life Lessons Contest

Dan mentioned this at the July 18th meeting:

Real Simple (magazine) is holding its second annual Life Lessons writing contest. There is NO entry fee; cash prizes awarded. Deadline: Sept. 7, 2009. The theme is: When did you realize that you had become a grown-up?

For more information and submission guidelines, click here.

End of Life Stories

Creative Nonfiction (magazine) is holding a contest for the best nonfiction story dealing with death, dying.

From their website:

We're seeking new essays that explore death, dying, and end of life care, for a collection to be published by Southern Methodist University Press. We’re looking for stories that transcend the “I” and find universal meaning in personal experiences. We hope to include stories representing a wide variety of perspectives—from physicians, nurses, hospice workers, social workers, counselors, clergy, funeral directors, family members, and others. We want narratives that capture, illustrate and/or explain the best way to approach the end of life, as well as stories that highlight current features, flaws, and advances in the healthcare system and their impact on professionals, patients, and families.

Essays must be vivid and dramatic; they should combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant element of research or information. We’re looking for well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.

Creative Nonfiction editors will award one $1500 prize for Best Essay, and two $500 prizes for runners-up.

Guidelines: Essays must be: unpublished, 5,000 words or less, postmarked by December 31, 2009, and clearly marked “End of Life” on both the essay and the outside of the envelope. There is a $20 reading fee (or send a reading fee of $25 to include a 4-issue CNF subscription); multiple entries are welcome ($20/essay) as are entries from outside the U.S. (though subscription shipping costs do apply). Please send manuscript, accompanied by a cover letter with complete contact information, SASE and payment to:

Creative Nonfiction
Attn: End of Life Stories
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Awesome Words Contest

Pank Magazine is sponsoring a 1001 Awesome Words Contest. That's it, there no other other rules except the entry has to be 1001 words or less; any form, any genre. Entry fee is $15; all entries receive issue copy.

Prizes: $750/500/250 plus publication.

Deadline: Midnight September 30, 2009.

For entry rules, click here.

Spring Green Literary Festival

The Spring Green Literary Festival, Sept. 11-12, 2009, brings together nationally renowned authors and poets meet with area wide lovers of books and writing to explore the importance of the literary arts to human understanding. Confirmed authors are Tony Earley, Hillary Jordan and Benjamin Percy.

Fees are $57; an optional writer's workshop is $30.

For more information, click here.

Author Visit - Allen Absorge

Mystery author Allen Ansorge will do a book signing with “Crossing the Center Line," at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh.

Writing Prompt - July 18

The writing prompt for Saturday, July 18, comes from a book title on creative writing by Sark: Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper.