“You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.” Ray Bradbury
CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Opportunity Knocks
COMMONWEALTH WRITERS sponsors an annual short-fiction in English prize and is open for entries through November 1, 2018. Demographic restrictions. No entry fee. Cash award. Details HERE.
CUTTHROAT, a journal of the arts, Worlds into words into Worlds, will accept submissions of through October 30, 2018, ten days from this posting, for an anthology of Chicanx writing to be published in 2019. Of interest: poetry, essay, short stories, memoir, flash fiction. Details HERE.
THE FIDDLEHEAD is open through November 30 for poetry and will open for fiction and nonfiction in January. “We particularly welcome submissions from Indigenous writers, writers of colour, writers with disabilities, LGBTQQIA+ writers, and writers from other intersectional and under-represented communities. If you are comfortable identifying yourself as one or more of the above, please feel free to mention this in your cover letter.” Details HERE.
FOGLIFTER JOURNAL is open for submissions of poetry, prose, cross-genre work, text-image hybids, and drama through December 1st in preparation for their spring issue. No submission fees. Details HERE.
GHANA WRITES LITERARY GROUP has an open call for submissions of poetry to be considered for a special anthology, Bodies and Scars. Demographic restrictions. Deadline: October 30, 2018. Details HERE.
HER STORY MATTERS, the journey of a woman is collecting personal stories about gender indifference. Details HERE.
HerSTRY, Empowering Women Through Storytelling says, “Telling your story is a revolutionary act.” Personal stories are invited. Details HERE. (scroll down)
THE SUN MAGAZINE Personal. Political. Provocative. Ad-free. A reader-supported publication, this magazine publishes nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. “We tend to favor personal writing, but we’re also looking for provocative pieces on political and cultural issues.” Paying market. No submission fee. Details HERE.
THE WALRUS is an independent publication and, according to its site, a registered nonprofit in Canada that is “invested in the idea that a health society relies on informed citizens.” This magazine is open for submissions of short essays, long narrative journalistic pieces (query first), and arts and culture. Online publication includes fiction and poetry. Details HERE.
I often get requests to read and critique poetry and short stories. I don’t have that kind of free time and it’s not something for which I have any passion, which makes me your worst option ….
However, for those of you who’d like some feedback on your stories and poems, I think you might find Sixfoldoffers a workable and rather unique solution. I haven’t played with it myself (it’s on my to-do list), but I like the sound of it. Writers and readers vote on and critique stories. Check it out. The entry fee is just $5, not unreasonable. There are cash awards for best story and best poem. The deadline for the current round is: October 24th. If you have something ready to go, now’s your chance. Details HERE.
REMINDERS:
The Poet by Day
WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT
Response deadline is Monday, October 22, at 8 p.m. Pacific. Poems on theme are published on this site on Tuesday, the October 23. Details HERE.
The BeZine
Call for submissions for the December issue.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be. Submissions for the December issue – themed A Life of the Spirit – close on November 10 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific .
Please send text in the body of the email not as an attachment. Send photographs or illustrations as attachments. No google docs or Dropbox or other such. No rich text. Send submissions to bardogroup@gmail.com.
Publication is December 15th. Poetry, essays, fiction and creative nonfiction, art and photography, music (videos or essays), and whatever lends itself to online presentation is welcome for consideration.
No demographic restrictions.
Please read at least one issue. We DO NOT publish anything that promotes hate, divisiveness or violence or that is scornful or in any way dismissive of “other” peoples.
December 2018 issue, Deadline November 10th, Theme: A Life of the Spirit
The BeZine is an entirely volunteer effort, a mission. It is not a paying market but neither does it charge submission or subscription fees.
Previously published work may be submitted IF you hold the copyright. Submissions from beginning and emerging artists as well as pro are encouraged and we have a special interest in getting more submissions of short stores, feature articles, music videos and art for consideration.
COMPETITIONS
CUTTHROAT, a journal of the arts, Worlds into words into World has three competitions open for entries at this time: The 2018 Joy Harjo Poetry Award; Barry Lopez Nonfiction Award; and the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Award. These contests are open for submissions through October 31, 2018. First Prize in each genre: $1300 and publication. Second Prize in each genre: $250 and publication. Honorable Mention: Publication. $20 entry fee. Details HERE.
THE FIDDLEHEAD sponsores an annual contest for best short story and best poem with $2,000 awards in each category and $250 for honorable mentions in each category. Entry fee. Deadline: December 3, 2018. Details HERE.
2019 SONIA SANCHES-LANGSTON HUGHES POETRY CONTEST sponsored by Split Rock as part its commitment to “raise the visibility and prestige of poetry of provocation and witness.” Open for entries through November 1. Cash awards. Publication. Details HERE.
SOUTHWORD FICTION CHAPBOOK COMPETITION or 10,000-15,000 words “which can consist of a novella, a long short story, several short stories, a collection of lsh fiction, or a mix of stories and flash fiction. Entry fee: 25 Euros. Deadline: October 31, 2018.Two categories: Best Irish Entry and Best International Entry. Cash award and twenty copies of the chapbook. Details HERE.
OTHER INFORMATION and NEWS
Poet, poetry teacher and consultant to Second Light Network of Women Poets
Congratulations to English poet, Myra Schneider, on her new website. Check it out HERE. Myra’s latest collection is Lifting the Sky (Ward Wood Publishing, 2018). She has published some ten other poetry collections in addition to a book on writing and, early in her career, some young adult novels.
“Zora left the South to support herself, but she never ran away from it. She told real stories of her place. She exploded the reality of Southern living for her time.” Mashama Baile
Prolific Yorkshire Poet, Paul Brookes
FYI: Paul Brookes, a stalwart participant in The Poet by Day Wednesday Writing Prompt, is running an ongoing series on poets, Wombwell Rainbow Interviews. Connect with Paul if you’d like to be considered for an interview. Visit him, enjoy the interviews, get introduced to some poets who may be new to you, and learn a few things.
The Poet by Day always available online with poems, poets and writers, news and information.
The Poet by Day, Wednesday Writing Prompt, online every week (except for vacation) and all are invited to take part no matter the stage of career or status. Poems related to the challenge of the week (always theme based not form based) will be published here on the following Tuesday.
The Poet by Day, Sunday Announcements. Every week (except for vacation) opportunity knocks for poets and writers. Due to other weekend commitments, this post will often go up late.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be – always online HERE.
Beguine Again, daily inspiration and spiritual practice – always online HERE. Beguine Again is the sister site to The BeZine.
YOUR SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS may be emailed to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Please do so at least a week in advance.
If you would like me to consider reviewing your book, chapbook, magazine or film, here are some general guidelines:
send PDF to jamiededes@gmail.com (Note: I have a backlog of six or seven months, so at this writing I suggest you wait until June 2018 to forward anything.Thank you!)
nothing that foments hate or misunderstanding
nothing violent or encouraging of violence
English only, though Spanish is okay if accompanied by translation
your book or other product should be easy for readers to find through your site or other venues.
TO CONTACT ME WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR THE POET BY DAY: thepoetbyday@gmail.com
TO CONTACT ME REGARDING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BeZINE: bardogroup@gmail.com
PLEASE do not mix the communications between the two emails.
Often information is just that–information– and not necessarily recommendation. I haven’t worked with all the publications or other organizations featured in my regular Sunday Announcements or other announcements shared on this site. Awards and contests are often (generally) a means to generate income, publicity and marketing mailing lists for the host organizations, some of which are more reputable than others. I rarely attend events anymore. Caveat Emptor: Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. I currently run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers. My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman. My poetry was recently read byNorthern California actor Richard Lingua for Poetry Woodshed, Belfast Community Radio. I was featured in a lengthy interview on the Creative Nexus Radio Show where I was dubbed “Poetry Champion.”
“You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you’e working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success – but only if you persist.” Isaac Asimov
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
CUTTHROAT, a journal of the arts, Worlds into words into Worlds, will accept submissions of through October 30, 2018, ten days from this posting, for an anthology of Chicanx writing to be published in 2019. Of interest: poetry, essay, short stories, memoir, flash fiction. Details HERE.
CONTESTS open for 11 more days …
The 2018 Joy Harjo Poetry AwardBarry
Lopez Nonfiction Award, and
the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Award
These contests areopen for submissions through October 31, 2018. First Prize in each genre: $1300 and publication. Second Prize in each genre: $250 and publication. Honorable Mention: Publication. $20 entry fee. Details HERE.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and the associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The River Journal,The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
“Junk sickness is the reverse side of junk kick. The kick of junk is that you have to have it. Junkies run on junktime and junkmetabolism. They are subject to junk climate. They are warmed and chilled by junk. The kick of junk is living under junk conditions. You cannot escape from junk sickness anymore than you can escape from junk kick after a shot.” William S. Burroughs, Junky
nobody tells her how to spend her pay
so she thought nothing of passing a buck
to the man – bronze with sun and dirt –
clutching his poverty and homelessness
scag*-dancing his way down Mainline Street
“In 2015 about a quarter of a billion people used drugs. Of these, around 29.5 million people – or 0.6 per cent of the global adult population – were engaged in problematic use and suffered from drug use disorders, including dependence.” MORE United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
*****
“Today, more than 7 million people suffer from an illicit drug disorder, and one in four deaths results from illicit drug use. In fact, more deaths, illnesses and disabilities are associated with drug abuse than any other preventable health condition. People suffering from drug and alcohol addiction also have a higher risk of unintentional injuries, accidents and domestic violence incidents.” MORE Gateway Foundation
WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT
There are many people whose lives are touched by the ramifications of substance abuse. In my own country, it is estimated that more than two-thirds of families have felt the impact of addiction. Maybe your experience inspires anger or sadness. Maybe it inspires compassion. Tells us about your views, feelings or experiences in your own poetry.
Share your poem/s on theme or a link to it/them in the comments section below.
All poems on theme will be published next Tuesday. Please do NOT email your poem to me or leave it on Facebook. If you do it’s likely I’ll miss it or not see it in time.
IF this is your first time joining us for The Poet by Day, Wednesday Writing Prompt, please send a brief bio and photo to me at thepoetbyday@gmail.com to introduce yourself to the community … and to me :-). These will be partnered with your poem/s on first publication.
PLEASE send the bio ONLY if you are with us on this for the first time AND only if you have posted a poem (or a link to one of yours) on theme in the comments section below.
Deadline: Monday, October 22 by 8 p.m. Pacific.
Anyone may take part Wednesday Writing Prompt, no matter the status of your career: novice, emerging or pro. It’s about exercising the poetic muscle, showcasing your work, and getting to know other poets who might be new to you. This is a discerning non-judgemental place to connect.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and the associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The River Journal,The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
Kudos and thanks to Sonja Benskin Mesher, Bozhidar Pangelov (bogpan), Marta Pombo Sallés, and Anjum Wasim Dar. A very warm welcome to Bhaga and to Shaik Sana.
I’ve included links to blogs or websites. I hope you’ll visit these poets and get to know their work better. It is likely you can catch up with others via Facebook.
Enjoy! … and do join us tomorrow for the next Wednesday Writing Prompt.
Aaaahhh… This one I like. This one I can enter in With pleasure And melt in it Into Timelessness… The Foreverness, Fullness And Sweetness Of Spirit…
I enjoyed Bhaga’s spontanious response to the last prompt and am delighted to introduce this wise bilingual (French and English) blogger here. Bhaga has mixed ethnic and national origins.She grew up in West Africa and spent significant time in France. You can read more detail about origins HERE and name HERE. The MIssion Statement HERE. Lab of Evolution is a stimulating, though-provoking site and worthy of you time. It makes a soft rather unique expression in our blogosphere. / J.D.
Imagine
But just imagine
Your home next to mine
And
You next to me. .
We’ll be laying
Side by side
Under the tree,
Talking about
Dreams and our
Coming destinies,
And just like that
We’ll live forever
In our own
Timed infinity.
SHAIK SANA tells us, “I’m a medical student from State of Andhra Pradesh in India. Even though I’m committed to medicine, I have a thing for both history and literature. I like writing poems when the idea hits me.”
Sonja Benskin Mesher, RCA paintings (This is her Facebook page, so you can connect with her there as well as view photographs of her colorful paintings.)
“Our fate like cast lead can not
to change.
Nothing can change. ”
G. Seferis
Like a desperate winter …
Do you hear – how do the branches
the trees crack
under the night snow.
Bones under your weight.
You who embraced the frozen
water to see only
your body.
Your remote body.
I spoke to you out of the law.
Sometimes.
Not always
(“forever”it is for the prophets).
How lied your experience,
which accumulate the old gods
in the blood.
The true rulers of fate.
Who else talks behind your voice?
As soon as the homes touch,
who comes with the torches?
Glare of glass, ash
of the stars you make …
And deaf loneliness like a bell
(Lead gives nothing).
I tried.
Behind the ground and the winter.
On the day of John.
Marta writers: “How is it possible to make something timeless when we are finite beings and born to die, as Lana Del Rey sings? Yes, God is timeless, but so are human-made creations and memories that pass from generation to generation. Where does timelessness start? Lewis Carroll gave me an answer when Alice spoke with the Caterpillar. They were both responsible for a bit of inspiration to write this poem.”
“And here is another one with the issue of time linked with cruelty.”
Time and Human Cruelty
Time
cannot be changed
or escaped.
Time is a thief,
a friend to no one
and every day is
a gift.
You cannot change time
or travel back
to reverse those things which
should never have taken place.
People killed for no reason
or
is there ever a reason
to kill other human beings?
Those people did not get lost.
When you’re lost you’ll sooner or later
find the way back.
Or perhaps not.
But you’re not erased from Earth.
Those people were killed,
just a few compared to other countries
in our world.
None of them will ever return
to the world as we know it.
They’ve just been removed too soon,
swept away by the cruelty of others:
white supremacists, Muslim terrorists …
But which governments are orchestrating
such massacres in our world?
Who’s feeding the monsters
is equally a monster.
Let’s tackle the root of the problem.
Only this way we’ll be able to say:
I am not afraid!
Time and human cruelty
are friends to no one:
Charlottesville, Barcelona, Cambrils
and many more.
The outcome is always the same.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and the associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The River Journal,The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
SIXFOLD
Congratulations to English poet, Myra Schneider, on her new website. Check it out HERE. Myra’s latest collection is Lifting the Sky (Ward Wood Publishing, 2018). She has published some ten other poetry collections in addition to a book on writing and, early in her career, some young adult novels.
Often information is just that–information– and not necessarily recommendation. I haven’t worked with all the publications or other organizations featured in my regular Sunday Announcements or other announcements shared on this site. Awards and contests are often (generally) a means to generate income, publicity and marketing mailing lists for the host organizations, some of which are more reputable than others. I rarely attend events anymore. Caveat Emptor: Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 