Mile High Scribes Meeting -- March 2, 2009

March 2, 2009

7:00 PM

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Barnes & Noble

Park Meadows

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Speaker: Danica Favorite

Your writing: Business or Hobby?

Learn how to determine whether your writing qualifies as a business or hobby for tax purposes. Danica will also discuss how to properly set up a writing business.

Danica Favorite works as a message board host for eHarlequin.com and as a curator for the Steeple Hill MySpace and other social networking platforms. She also works as a tax preparer and instructor for H&R Block. If she’s not reading a book, she’s writing one. Or creating something in her head. She loves stories that bring hope even in the midst of tough situations.

Visitors Welcome

Even if you are not yet a member of ACFW

Write for Bit & Bridle Mag

Are you interested in contributing to Bit & Bridle Magazine? We are now accepting freelance submissions from writers and photographers over the age of 16. Please read the information carefully before submitting your work for consideration.

Sincerely,

The Editorial Staff

mail@bitandbridlemag.com

WRITER’S GUIDELINES………………………………………..

Bit & Bridle is a Christian-owned magazine with a faith-based perspective. While we do not exclusively publish columns that make mention of Christianity, we do expect all submissions to be clean and free of foul language. Please keep this in mind before submitting any written work to the editorial team.

Who reads Bit & Bridle?

A large percentage of our readers are female between the ages of 13 and 25. Because a big portion of our readership does not own a horse, we try to include columns that will interest readers as a hobbyist alone.

What is Bit & Bridle looking to publish?

We will consider all submissions, but we will only print manuscripts that we feel display the writer’s creativity and knowledge. We prefer that writers have a basic familiarity of the horse. We also do not accept simultaneous submissions that are unrelated to our main subject. Example: We would not accept a manuscript about the parts of a tractor, but we would consider a manuscript about how the tractor is useful for manure removal and barn maintenance.

What are the general requirements?

We require that all submissions are at least 300 but not more than 2000 words in length. If you’re writing, for example, a treat recipe, 300 words would be sufficient. If you’re writing a feature story, the word length would need to be any where from 1000-2000 words. We also ask that you credit your sources when quoting information given to you from another person or website. In addition, please avoid borrowing any copyrighted text without the owner’s permission. It is not necessary for you to double space your work, but we do ask that you try to use correct spelling and writing style. The better your manuscript looks, the more likely your chances are to be selected.

PHOTOGRAPHERS GUIDELINES…………………………..

What type of photos do you need for Bit & Bridle?

We are more than happy to take a look at any type of generic horse, farm, or outdoor shots. We do not consider photography that is unrelated to the purpose of our magazine (horses). We will consider scenic shots providing that they have some type of equine theme. You may also email us for current requests. **Please do NOT send edited photos that have text or unnatural edits.**

Where do I send my manuscript or photos?

You can email your manuscript to mail@bitandbridlemag.com, or to our post office box at:

Bit & Bridle Magazine

P.O. Box 22

Adams, NY 13605

**Please include your full name and contact information.**

What’s in this for me?

Since Bit & Bridle is a fairly new publication, we cannot offer payment in exchange for your manuscript at this time. We will, however, provide you with a copy of the magazine with your published work. If a long-term writing position with our magazine is offered due to a display of exceptional writing ability, compensation terms will then be discussed.

Colorado Chrisitan Writers Conference

Get this widget!

I volunteered to help Marlene Bagnull get the word out about the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (May 13-16, 2009) because she is so busy planning and preparing this amazing event. I’m excited to spread the word because it redirected me to the writing God wanted me to do. Read more about that HERE.

The theme is Write His Answer. Last year we had the same theme but God has given Marlene an amazing new direction. I can’t wait to sit in on these general session topics:

• Writing His Answer in the Impossible Storm
• Writing for God’s Glory, or my Own?
• Writing to Social Justice Issues
• Christian Writers Behold a Sunrise …or a Sunset?
• Persisting in the Vision
• Obeying the call to Write
• And these are just the general sessions!

Read about the continuing sessions and the workshops HERE.

Notice the blog badge above? Would you help spread the word by placing it on your blog? Please be sure to add the website for further information: www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado

Ctitzen Journalists Wanted

Needed immediately: volunteer Citizen Journalists who want to report on news and events in their community. Applicants must live within their community and have a desire to discover and write about news events therein. A degree in journalism is not necessary, just the ability to write about and possibly photograph newsworthy events. Training will be provided. The volunteer position has the possibility of evolving into a paid position.

Citizen Journalists are needed in the following areas: Parker, Franktown, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Happy Canyon, Highland Ranch, Lone Tree, and Castle Pines. Send an email expressing your interest to YourNews(at)comcast(dot)net. Include your name, address, and phone number and we’ll get back to you ASAP with the details. (Found in Tidbits Newspaper)

Three Reasons to Enter the 2009 Genesis Contest

It’s that time of year again. The ACFW Genesis Contest is officially open for entries. I’ve entered the Genesis Contest two years in a row and I plan to enter again this year. There are three main reasons why I think it’s such a valuable experience:

You can get your writing out there. If you want to be a writer, you’ve got to get your work out there. Allowing people to read your writing is not only intimidating, it’s downright difficult. It means being vulnerable and opening yourself up to criticism. But it’s so important. For me, entering the contest has been a significant growth experience, and has given me the opportunity to get my work in front of agents and editors. All finalist entries are judged by professionals in the publishing business. You never know … one of them might like what they see.

You can get honest, anonymous feedback. Each time I have entered the Genesis Contest, I have received insightful feedback that has helped shape my writing. Last year, as a finalist, one of the judges included very practical advice that helped me improve the manuscript to the point that it actually won first place in a Romance Writers of America contest a few months later. The best thing about the judging is that it’s completely anonymous, so you know the judges are making their assessments based solely on your writing.

You can start getting used to subjectivity. I know this is one of the biggest complaints about entering contests. One judge may score you really high while another scores you really low and it can be hard to reconcile the two responses. But it is also a great exercise for learning how to process feedback. Someday, when you are a published author, you’ll receive feedback from your readers. Readers coming from different cultures, different walks of life, different viewpoints. Writing is subjective. The best thing we can do is learn to be open to others’ ideas and opinions, prayerfully consider how each comment should impact our writing, and graciously use criticism as tool for growth in our writing as well as in our lives.

There you have it, three very important reasons to enter the 2009 Genesis contest. All entries must be received by March 31, so get to work! Check out http://www.acfw.com/genesis/ for more information.

CCWC May 13-16, 2009

For more information, or to get on the mailing list, click HERE.

Last year, I had the privileged of attending the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and it was life changing. Surrounded by the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, God spoke to my heart and redirected my writing. In fact, I've reaped the benefits from it all year long. If I find I’m out of focus, I refer back to the direction He gave me and I’m able to get back on track.

The theme this year is: Write His Answer. Isn’t that what we all long for? To write the novel He wants you to write; write for the publications He wants you to write for; and write the passions He put in your heart? Then you won’t want to miss this conference. Ask God, does He want you to be there?

Watch the slide show below to get a feel for the conference.

Mile High Scribes Meeting - Feb 2, 2009

February 2, 2009
7:00 PM
*
Barnes & Noble
Park Meadows
*
Speaker
Jan Parrish

Fear of Failure* Fear of Success

Does fear pulverize you? Are you afraid to fail, yet afraid to succeed? Come find out how to make 2009 your most productive writing year ever!

Visitors Welcome
Even if you are not yet a member of ACFW

Due to an unexpected conflict, Tiffany Stockton will speak at a later date.