Opportunities in the Great Big Literary World- May 2, 2011

Song of the Day: Shine by Laura Izibor
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfosF1hrOvw

   Hello all! Hope the weekend was fantastic for you all. I ended up having another busy weekend, though it didn’t start off that way. I had never intended my weekend to be so jammed packed. In fact, I re-arranged my schedule at work so that I could have Thursday through Monday (today) off. I was going to use that huge block of time to work on my thesis. Slowly, thing after thing kept coming up. I even tweeted that sometimes I feel like people demand too much of my time. It’s true. I can’t say no to people. If someone asks for my help, or asks me to be somewhere, I can’t help but oblige. It’s a strength and a weakness. I’ve been thinking about using some of the money in my savings to go on a writers retreat. I’d like to get away from the stresses of my life and just write. No Distractions. During my writing retreat, if someone asks me to show up somewhere, I’ll have no choice but to tell them, “Sorry, I’m out of town.” Do you ever feel like your being pulled in a billion directions? How does that affect your time to write? Take a look at the opportunities for this week.

Contests:

1. Spring Blog Carnival- Books, Books, and MORE Books!

This contest involves a huge book giveaway! Over 170 blogs are giving away free books! Instead of listing all the blogs, I’ll just give a link to Julie A. Lindsay’s blog and you can find the list there. Each blogger may require something different, but I did visit a few where all you have to do is leave your name and contact info and you’re entered. What could be easier?

http://blog.juliealindsey.com/julie-lindsey/spring-blog-carnival-hop-giveaway-may-1st-may-8th/

2. Cheerios New Author Contest

Cheerios is hosting a contest open to new writers only. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 and a possible publishing deal with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, in addition to having their book featured in Cheerios cereal boxes nationwide. Entrants must write an original story in English or Spanish, suitable for children ages 3-8 years old. Contest Deadline is July 15, 2011. I didn’t see an entry fee so I’m assuming it’s free to enter.

http://www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com/

3. Lost Horse Press- Idaho Prize for Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Lost Horse Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. poet. Manuscripts should be at least 48 pages. Entry fee is $25 and the contest deadline is May 15, 2011.

http://losthorsepress.org/the-idaho-prize/

Calls for Submissions:

1. 34th Parallel is accepting submissions of stories (fiction and documentary), poems, photographs, and art.

http://www.34thparallel.net/submit.html

2. 5×5 is accepting submissions for their “Visitors” issue until August 1, 2011. The magazine accepts fiction, poetry, non-fiction, visual arts, and comics.

http://www.5x5litmag.org/Submit.html

My literary magazine has reached over 100 followers on Twitter! In order to celebrate Pam, Quita and I will be hosting a contest. To enter you must do two things:

• Tweet about the contest and “@” Black Fox in your tweet (Our twitter: @blackfoxlit)
• Go to our Facebook Page and tell us your favorite book, short story, or poem (brownie points if you like us too!)

This contest is only open to Black Fox Twitter Followers. If you’re not a follower, you can follow at any time in order to enter. 😉

We will give away 3 prize packs which will include:

A Black Fox T-shirt, pen, notebook, and a print copy of  the First Issue of Black Fox!

Our Facebook page can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Black-Fox-Literary-Magazine/103883499675744

Open the whole month of May!

Our fiction contest has also been extended until June 1, 2011! Enter your best fiction now! Happy Writing!