Holiday Haiku

Atlantic teases
Shells pink and golden
Splintered underfoot

My New Ebook, A Baker's Dozen

My new Ebook is available from http://www.smashwords.com/ . Go check it out, it is a collection of thirteen short stories. They deal with everyday issues and how we cope with what life can throw at us. It is a mix of all emotions really. I hope you enjoy it, do let me know please. If you would like to download a free copy until Oct 20th 2011, the code to use is WD64U
The links are * To view my book  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/90709
                     *To view my profile https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/marybrad

SUBMITTING GUIDELINES A HELP-SHEET

SUBMITTING GUIDELINES

Firstly, make sure your story is polished and proofread.

The following are general standard guidelines when submitting a short story

• Paper size: A4 white
• Font: Times New Roman, although this is a serif font, each letter is proportional to the space it takes up. Courier New is also a serif font where each letter takes up the same space as each other: the i takes up the same space as the m (used mainly in US market and for novels).
• Font size: 12 (both in Times New Roman and Courier New)
• Spacing: Double spacing
• Justification: Title is centred. Story is left justification, this means Right side staggered.
• Get familiar with the magazines you wish to submit too. Buy at least two copies of the magazine and study them. Go to the website of the magazine and check their guidelines, if it’s not on the website then e-mail for a copy of guidelines.
• Think in advance: Magazines work roughly 12 weeks ahead of an occasion and sometimes more, e.g. Christmas, Valentines, centenaries etc. Submit in time.
• Competitions: Read The Rules

The word count varies for each magazine, roughly one A4 page magazine is up to 800 words. The following are a rough guide for fiction in magazines,

Flash- 1000 words              Short story- 1000-3500                   Serial- 4000-8000. 

Cover Sheet (used for novels and competitions): this page has the Title, Author’s Name, Postal Address, e-mail Address, Contact number and Word count.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SUBMITTING AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON!

TITLES HELP-SHEET

TITLES

v     What is the first thing a reader sees when they pick your work to read?

      The title or name of your story. So it is worthwhile putting some thought into it when your work is complete.

 

v     It is helpful that the title you chose is a catchy one that maybe gives a hint of what the story is about.

v     Sometimes the title for a short story is a phrase that has been used in the body of the work. It could be the opening words of the first line or indeed the last words of the story.

v     Try not to use a twist on old clichés or names of films or songs.

v     Try to be original with your choice.

v     Take a blank page and write out the ideas that come to mind. List the names and when finished, pick the one that represents your story best.

v     If you have a favourite author, look at the titles they use for their stories, in what way do the titles and their stories connect?

v     It is not an easy task but worth taking the time to get it right.    

Dialogue Help-Sheet

DIALOGUE:

Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people.

It brings characters to life and adds interest.

Functions of Dialogue:

• Provide information
• Describe place/person
• Create a sense of time
• Create conflict/suspense
• Move the story forward
• Reveal a character’s thoughts

Quotation marks  “ ”

·        Start new line for different speaker.

·        Thoughts are not put in quotation marks.

·        Single quotation marks for quotes from someone/book.

            Quotation marks are outside all that is said

Take Note:

• Be aware of local slang terms, accents, etc.
• It must suit the story and the era the story is set in, (1) A teenager speaks differently from an older person, (2) A northerner speaks differently from a person living in the south.
• Consistency: if you use Isn’t - Can’t, then continue to use it and do not change it to Is not- Can not
• Must listen to how people talk
• Don’t give too much information to your reader, let the story unfold.
• Use profanity and slang sparingly.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog, where I hope to share my thoughts and experiences in the the writing world.