My five writer workshops help keep me abreast of the publishing world–the one that needs and accepts articles, short stories, essays, how-to pieces.Just researching these to the extent I have time for is as instructive for me as for the 30-plus members who are writing everything from poetry and children's stories  to memoirs and travel.  I  keep these workshops to a maximum of eight participants each so that we can hear from each one within two hours.  My how-to handouts range from grammar tips to contests, to specific markets.  These I glean from writer magazines, from on-line writer publications.  Not all members have comupter skills but all are anxious to improve and submit their writing.  Several say they have always liked to write but never thought of submitting.  Many appear to believe that all magazines are written entirely by staff.  Having sold my first article to a magazine at age 19, I can assure them and prove with statistics that freelancers do have a chance at publication–and recipients of pay for their work. 

In responding this morning to one member who has written a humorous essay that would appeal to women , I came upon the guidelines for SKIRT, a magazine that publishes monthly.  Editors want humor and personal essays of interest to women.  This reminded me that I have a piece in my files that this publication might be able to use.  "Surprise and charm us" say the editors.  I sent this information to the inquirer and will get to polishing my own piece to send them later today.

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