2/4/10–  What with therapy appointments (back, not brain, at least not brain, so far) I have been lax about creating blogs.  However I had a nice surprise yesterday, that I want to share.  Two copies arrived of  an anthology, Voices. It is published by Writers Institute in Connecticut, and carries (along with a total of 76 writers, examples of acclaimed short stories)  Mine, "Cellmates"  not only is printed along with a brief bio and my statement as to how I came to write the story, but my photo(b/w)  is one of the nine included on the cover of the handsome book. The anthology is provided for teachers of creative writing at the college level.

This renews my encouragement to all to submit to anthologies.  I believe I have told you before that four publishers accepted my work in 2009.  So far I've seen the results in only two anthologies, the above mentioned and What I Learned From the Cat, the latest Chick Soup release.–Willma   

1/26/10–The Three Penny Review, based in Berkeley, CA , a quarterly, reports that "at present" they are paying $400 per story or article, $200 per poem.  Accepted by snail mail only; SASE enclosed.

Double space, stories and memoirs, 4000 words or fewer; poetry (single space, o.k. 100 lines max. No simultaneous submissions or work previously published.  They also want critical articles that deal with books, films, theater performances, art exhibits.  

No e-mail contact, but send a SASE for further info to: The Editors, The Threepenny Review, P.O. Box 9131, Berkeley CA 94709

That's my offering for today.  Thanks to Professional Writers of Prescott Webmaster who forwarded the information .–Willma  

1/25/10–What with weekly workshops and three therapy treatments a week  to re-align my tailbone, I have not been able to get to my blog, but want to report a pleasant bit of mail and more urging readers to submit,  submit, and submit.

My short story, "Peligro"  won first place ($300)  in a fiction contest staged by SSA (Society of Southwestern Writers,  based in Tucson) in 2007.  Authors retain rights to their work.  So I submitted it  early in 2009  to a contest in Missouri, put on by "Saturday Writers."  Last week I received a large envelope with the word "Congratulations" inscribed in ink  below my address. This was a nice surprise.  "Peligro" won 3rd place in their 2009 contest, and I am $25 richer.  "Peligro" has now earned me $325 and goes out this week to another contest.

I've mentioned before how different judges render totally opposing opinions.  What one "loves" another finds "wanting."     Don't take one rejection as the need to permanently bury your work.  Keep it on the road.–Willma