Sunday, March 30, 2014

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Gazing Grain Press feminist chapbook contest

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONSGazing Grain Press feminist chapbook contest

About: An inclusive feminist poetry & hybrid chapbook contest edited by George Mason University MFA alumni and sponsored by the Fall for the Book literary festival. This contest is open to feminists of all genders and sexualities and is meant to promote socially conscious poetry and hybrid writing to a wide audience. We adhere to no one “definition” of feminism—we encourage a broad and diverse range of approaches. Challenge us!
Reading Period: March 15-June 1, 2014.
Prize: Publication, 10% of print run, and invitation to read at the 2014 Fall for the Book literary festival in Fairfax, VA (accommodation and travel within the continental United States will be paid). 
Runners-up and/or designated finalists will also be invited to receive recognition at the event. Contest finalists will be considered for publication in the Gazing Grain Press miniature series of limited-run, handmade artist books.
Judge: Dawn Lundy Martin
***Full Submission Details on Website
1.  This competition is open to all poets writing in English who have no affiliation with the judge, the editors, or the George Mason University MFA program.
2.  The author’s name should not appear anywhere in the manuscript itself. Include identifying information only where it is asked for in the submit form. Editors will read submissions blind.
3. Manuscripts must be between 15 and 25 pages (not including front and back matter), numbered accordingly, with only one poem per page. Every manuscript should include a title page, a table of contents, and an acknowledgements page, if applicable.
4. The manuscript should not have been previously published in any complete form; however, previously published individual poems are acceptable. We also accept simultaneous submissions.  Notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions are accepted, with a separate reading fee for each manuscript.
6.  The winner will be selected in early July, and the book will be published in September. The winner will be honored with a reading and reception at the Fall for the Book literary festival in Fairfax, VA (September 11 to 18, 2014).
Manuscripts are read by the editors, who will select a set of finalists to send to the judge for winner selection. 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Rising Writers Workshop Open to Write by the Rails Members

We are now opening up our Rising Writers Workshop to WbtR members.  Information is below.  Please remember to email June Forte (home1270@msn.com) your name and lunch preferences asap as we need to give the caterer a count.  If you can, please scan the registration form and email it to June.  Otherwise, just send your name and lunch info and bring the form with you on Saturday, along with your $25 registration fee. 

You must register by Thursday to order lunch.  After that, lunch will be your responsibility.

**Please note: Because the businesses that donated items for door prizes donated them specifically with young writers/students in mind, WbtR members will not be eligible for door prizes.  Thank you for understanding.  

Rising Writers Workshop is SATURDAY!

The Rising Writers Workshop is this Sat., Mar. 29. Volunteers meet Wed., Mar. 26 at 7 pm at Trinity to stuff folders & do a final walk-thru to make this grant-sponsored workshop a success for young writers.  More volunteers are welcome!

If you’d like to ATTEND the workshop as an adult, space is available and the sessions are phenomenal! RSVP to June Forte at home1270@msn.com as soon as possible with your preferences on the registration form, attached here or you can download it at HERE and bring $25 on Saturday.

Rising Writers Workshop is March 29 @ Trinity Episcopal Church, 9325 West St, Manassas

10 am              Registration
11 am              Morning sessions with break and refreshments
12:30 pm         Lunch and author tables
1:30 pm           Afternoon sessions with break and refreshments
3:00 pm           Open mic
3:45 pm           Door prizes