Monday, September 28, 2009
September 28, 2009 by Mary Anne
Filed under Writing Contest News
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I have added this category to WriteSuccess to capture and share a variety of writing-related announcements, news items and what have you that I receive each week that really don’t belong anywhere else on the site–sort of like the old “Calls for Writers” section of the ezine. Here’s what you’ll find in today’s post:
Aspiring Cat Writers: Plan to Attend The CWA Conference
Hungry Man’s “Use Up the Box” Essay Writing and Recipe Contest
Aspiring Cat Writers: Plan to Attend The CWA Conference
Got the itch to write about cats, dogs or pets in general? Already doing some writing but want to refine your promotional skills? Need an editor or publicist? This conference is for you. The 16th Annual Cat Writers’ Association (CWA) Conference will be held November 19-21, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, White Plains, New York. This will be the first time that the CWA conference is held in conjunction with the Westchester Cat Show, November 21-22 at the Westchester County Center, Bronx River Parkway, White Plains, New York.
The conference features as its Friday dinner speaker, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, a practicing veterinarian, writer, and published author who appears on Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets and is also a talented stand-up comedian. The special Saturday lunch speaker, Leslie A. Lyons, PhD is associate professor at the University of California, Davis and will speak about using genetic research to improve pet health. Her recent work has resulted in a documentary for National Geographic.
The conference will also feature18 seminars to help writers explore new topics, identify good sources, pitch to editors, learn new social media and interviewing skills and more. Editor/agent appointments will also be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A Pet Book Autograph Party will take place on Saturday afternoon at the Westchester Cat Show, just in time for holiday gift buying. Finally the conference will include the Annual Awards dinner featuring the prestigious Muse Medallion Winners and more than $10,000 in prizes. Conference registration can be made online at http://www.catwriters.org/annual-info.html .
For more information please visit http://catwriters.org.
*****
Highlights Contest for Writers of Children’s Stories
Top prize $1000.
The Next Iron Chef essay Writing Contest
Win a $20,000 scholarship to a culinary school.
“Do You Still Write?”
September 27, 2009 by Mary Anne
Filed under From My Desk To Yours
WriteSuccess Quote:
“Middle age is when your old classmates are so gray and wrinkled and bald they don’t recognize you.”- Bennett Cerf
This weekend was my (hand over mouth, mumble-th) high school reunion.
We started with an informal happy hour Friday night. None of us wore name tags, so sometimes I needed to lean towards someone I hadn’t totally lost touch over the past (mumble-some-odd) years and ask, “Who’s that?” Other times I simply resorted to an honest blank stare when someone whose eyes looked vaguely familiar peered into mine and said, “Mary Anne?” Happily my long-term memory didn’t totally fail me, so on occasion I was the one who recognized the other person first, only to see the blank stare in return. It got to be kind of a fun game.
Last night we attended the more “formal” affair, although many of those in my generation eschew formal attire; our idea of “dressing up” means not wearing jeans, or maybe wearing a sports jacket with jeans. 
I wasn’t particularly popular in high school, outside of my own wonderful circle of friends. Yet invariably, at every reunion I’ve attended, a couple of people I exchanged words with in high school ask about the one thing they remember about me. “Do you still write?”
How wonderful to be able to look them in the eyes after all these years, smile, and say, “Yes. Yes, I do.”
The tools I use to write with have changed dramatically, with the exception of the pens I use to scrawl thoughts in my journal. I can’t even remember the last time I’ve seen a typewriter, much less used one, and believe me, I don’t miss Correcto-Type, Wite-Out or carbon paper whatsoever.
The markets have changed very much, too; since my high school graduation hundreds of magazines have folded, others have been born, and of course the internet has offered both new opportunites and challenges for writers who want to make a living from their craft.
But what has stayed the same decade after decade is that people can ask me whether I still write, and I can still say yes. I wish the same for you as well. Because if you are here reading this, that is what you wish for yourself.
Here’s to your writing success.
~Mary Anne
Shift Your Strategy to Make More Money Writing
September 21, 2009 by Mary Anne
Filed under Guest Articles
By Susan Carter
It’s become common practice to search for writing opportunities online. After all, it’s easy to do from the comfort of your own computer, and there are dozens of sites listing available projects. The trouble is that you’re usually competing with 20, 30 or sometimes hundreds of other writers from across the globe for the same
project. And, if you’re using a bidding site, it doesn’t take long before someone is bidding so low that you can’t AFFORD to win the project!
If you want to make more money, increase your chances of getting the work, and build potential for repeat business from the same client(s), then it’s time to shift your strategy and take your search offline. It is rare to find online opportunities that pay as well as offline work.
Here are three quick tips to get you started:
1. Do your homework.
Choose a handful of local businesses –preferably those you already frequent – and conduct a little research. For example, let’ssay you target a small retail business. Check out the website. Browse the store. Make small talk with the owner. Then think of ways you can be of
benefit to that business. Is the website poorly written? Do they have a newsletter or ezine? If so, can it be improved? If not, determine how it
would benefit the business to start one. What kind of advertising do they do?
2. Present yourself as an asset.
Good writers help businesses do better by producing materials like great ads, intriguing rticles, and informational newsletters, ezines,
or booklets that bring more people in the door. When you demonstrate how you can be an asset to the business, you increase your chances of getting work.
3. Over deliver.
When you get the job, make sure you do the best job possible and strive to over deliver whenever you can. Small business owners talk to
each other. The potential for word-of-mouth referrals from a few happy clients—as well more business from them in the future—is the
jumpstart that can launch your writing career.
About the Author: Susan Carter is an author, editor and independent publisher of books to help small business owners and aspiring writers thrive in the competitive marketplace. Get more articles and tips like this by signing up for the weekly Monday Muse at www.writerprofits.com
