CONTENT of this Newsletter:
– MY BEST ADVICE
– WRITING CONTESTS
– WRITERS RESIDENCIES
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Hello Writer and Publishing Friends,
Christmas is only three weeks away and another year is almost over… Get some new Contest and Writer Residency ideas and encouragement for the next twelve months in this December Newsletter. But most important of all: Make a backup of your computer! Don’t make the same error as I … Read on:
In many articles and my workshops, I often warned other professionals to make frequent backups of their computers – not to lose any content.
The worst thing that could happen, happened …
I worked on my laptop in the palapa where there is always a cool breeze. Seconds after I got up to grab a water bottle on the counter, a strong wind blew my laptop with a loud pang from the table onto the concrete floor.
The screen turned black and I couldn’t get it back to life. KATASTROPHY !!!
Every time I prepare for long trips, I make a copy of my computer – but this time I was so extremely busy, that I forgot. I worked during this year intensively on several books, many articles, and hundreds of photos.
Thank goodness, there is an Apple store not too far away and I immediately drove there. The technicians were friendly and helpful and worked right away on it. But as it came to my password, the computer flashed: ERROR.
Even though I have been using the same password for at least 10 years. We tried everything… including a new password with the help of the Apple hotline.
I am devastated as I have not only all my work, manuscripts, all the writing, photos, etc. plus all my passwords, addresses, all my financial and administrative things, including all my bookkeeping, as well as my holiday ticket to Argentina. Thank goodness, I have an online ticket. But all the information about Argentina that I collected in the last months for my trip is gone.
I was considering buying an iPad for my travels as it is lighter and smaller, but after I used a borrowed one for two days, I gave up the idea and purchased a new Macbook Air, which cost less than in Canada but only $100 more than an iPad. However, so far I could not find a professional – aka a hacker – who could go around passwords and bring back my laptop content.
To sum it up: DO WHAT I SAY, NOT WHAT I DO : )
Make a backup of your computer TODAY
– WRITING CONTESTS
Chicken Soup: Laughter is the Best Medicine
Receive a check for $250 and 10 free copies of your book for a 1,200-word real story written in first person on the theme of laughter. Looking for stories about something that happened to you in your life — in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home — that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. They look forward to hearing your true stories that are silly, outrageous, and hilarious. Deadline Dec 31
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The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction
Letter Review is offering $1,000 USD total prize pool in a competition for nonfiction up to 5000 words. The Prize is open to writers who live anywhere in the world. Three Winners are announced who are published and share in the Prize money. Up to twenty writers are shortlisted. All entries are considered for publication, submission to the Pushcart Prize, and for further anthologies.
$20 Entry Fee. Deadline Dec 31
https://letterreview.com/information/
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– WRITERS RESIDENCIES
Chaco Culture National Historical Park Residencies – New Mexico
This is a solo residency. It comes with a $2,000 stipend for one one-month stay. Open to all artists, writers, musicians, or performance artists. Located in northeastern New Mexico, an hour and a half from Farmington, NM, and three hours from Santa Fe. The artists will have the opportunity to offer a public event or workshop at the National Park, online, or at one of their partnering locations.
Deadline Dec 7
https://nationalparksartsfoundation.submittable.com/submit
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – July 2024
Comes with a $4,000 stipend for one one-month stay. Residency artists stay at a spacious house just outside the park boundaries. Close to the beaches. The artists will have the opportunity to offer a public event or workshop at the National Park, online, or at one of their partnering locations.
Deadline Dec 15
https://nationalparksartsfoundation.submittable.com/submit
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Hambidge Residencies
The oldest residency program in Rabun Gap, Georgia, Hambidge provides a self-directed program that honors the creative process and trusts individuals to know what they need to cultivate their talent. No matter if it’s to work and produce, to think, to experiment, or to rejuvenate. Residents’ time is their own; there are no workshops, critiques, or required activities.
Deadline Jan 15, 2024
https://www.hambidge.org/guidelines-apply
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Volland Residencies
About 100 miles west of Kansas City, Volland is located in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Flint Hills of Kansas. We are looking for applicants in all stages of their career (emerging, mid-level, professional) and all areas of the globe: local, national, and international. Provides housing and a $500/two-week or $1000/four-week stipend.
Deadline Jan 19, 2024
https://vollandfoundation.org/2024-volland-residencies/
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It’s this time of year when we look back and also forward to new horizons. But most importantly we are thankful for all we have been given this past year. Writing opportunities, a family and many friends, good health, and a joyful life – compared to most people in this world, who know only hunger, resentment, war, and death. We are truly blessed!
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… and many more!
