12/20/11:  My usual blog day slipped past in a "holidaze" blur, but Tuesday dawns with a little more open space.  I managed to get into the email my monthly column for Stimulus, the Phoenix Writer Club newsletter. and for those of you who do not see it, here are some of the markets/contests I listed there that you may want to consider as you launch your 2012 writing efforts.

OCEAN MAGAZINE publishes stories, articles, essays ad poetry about the ocean–scientific, creative, environmental, recreational, spiritual–inkeeping with its celebration and protection of our oceans. For details: www.oceanmagazine.org/contributorsguidelines.aspx

THE PREMISES:  "If you'd like to get paid for your fiction. . . On the Premises magazine aims to promote newer and/or relatively unknown writers who can write creative, compelling stories."  Pay is between $40 and $150 for short stories that fit each issue's broad story premise:  ". . .any gentre, literary, mystery, fantasy–aimed at adult readers.  Current contest theme is HOME."  Deadline, Jan 28, 2012.

ESCAPE INTO LIFE first annual fiction contest.  Cash prizes with winners to be nominated for nationally-recognized awards in 2012. See www.escapeintolife.com/fiction/eil-announces-first-annual-fiction-contest/

Happy Writing !–Willma