Argentinas Horrendous Junta Years

ESMA Museum

Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Latin America underwent a period of political instability marked by military dictatorships and authoritarian governments, installed to fight against Communism in the context of the Cold War - and heavily supported by the United States! 

In Argentina, after a long series of military dictatorships, a new coup d’etat declared on March 24, 1976, was the beginning of the most bloody repressive period of its history, also called the Dirty War, ending in 1983.

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The ESMA Museum

The ex-ESMA is emblematic of the dark period in Argentina's history that left an estimated 30,000 people killed or forcibly disappeared, according to human rights groups. Of those, about 5,000 entered the site.  Very few re-emerged.  Established in 1928 to instruct naval officers and sailors, it was the largest and most active detention, torture, and extermination center operated by former genocidal soldiers being tried by civil courts to this day. 

Shackled, handcuffed, and hooded, victims arrived at the building’s cellar first.  For many, it was the last time they stepped on land before being taken away, disappeared, and thrown to their death.  Here, prisoners were tortured, beaten, raped, kept in chains for months on end, hooded – all in the hopes they would give up other people suspected of being "subversives".  Pregnant detainees had their babies taken and given to families with connections to the dictatorship.  Several still don't know their true identities today.

And every week – generally on a Wednesday – detainees were rounded up for what they were told were "transfers" but were in fact so-called “death flights” during which prisoners were thrown out of planes over the Río de la Plata – both dead and alive.

This is the aft door of the Skyvan, from where people were tossed out to fall down into the ocean

The Junta (from Wikipedia):

The Junta, calling itself the National Reorganization Process, organized and carried out strong repression of political dissidents (or perceived as such) through the government's military and security forces. They were responsible for the arrest, torture, killings, and/or forced disappearances of an estimated 22,000 to 30,000 people. 

With the help of Washington, the Junta was aided with $50 million in military aid!!!  

Prior to the 1976 coup, the Alianza Anticomunista Argentina, otherwise known as Triple A, was another far-right group that provoked many deaths and installed methods that continued to be used by the dictatorship. 

Both, the juntas and Triple-A targeted young professionals, high school and college students, and trade union members. These groups became the main targets because of their involvement in political organizations that resisted the work of the right-wing group.  

Additionally, 12,000 prisoners, many of whom had not been convicted through legal processes, were detained in a network of 340 secret concentration camps, located throughout Argentina.  A vast majority of those who were killed disappeared without a trace and no record of their fate.

The military tried to regain popularity by occupying the disputed Falkland Islands.  During theresulting Falklands  War, the military government lost any remaining popularity after Argentina's defeat by Britain, forcing it to step aside in disgrace.  Then allowed free elections to be held in late 1983.  Since then democracy has ruled Argentina.

Under the presidency of Nestor Kirchner, the Argentine government re-opened its investigations on crimes against humanity and genocide in 2006 and began the prosecution of military and security officers.

Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo 

(Spanish: Asociación Civil Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo) is a human rights organization to find their children stolen and illegally adopted during the 1976–1983 Argentine military dictatorship. 

Since 1977, every Thursday at 3:30 pm, the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo walk around the Pirámide de Mayo in the city center of Buenos Aires.  The Mothers walk around the Pirámide de Mayo, wearing white headscarves, a symbol with which they have been identified for years, and demand to know the final fate of their children who were victims of enforced disappearance during the last civilian-military dictatorship.

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Read more:

Dutton, Ilana, "Argentina’s Dirty War: Memory, Repression and Long-Term Consequences" (2018). Summer Research. 308.

https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/death-flight-plane-that-flew-mothers-of-plaza-de-mayo-to-their-death-to-be-repatriated.phtml

https://datactivism.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/las-madres-de-la-plaza-de-mayo-revolutionaries/

https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/308/

https://www.britannica.com/event/Dirty-War

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Camels, Guanacos, Llamas, Alpacas, and Vicunas

 

All of them are related to camels. Guanacos, vicunas, llamas, and alpacas.  But they live in South America, while camels are found in Africa and Asia.  Guanacos and vicunas are wild animals, but llamas and alpacas have been domesticated and were probably bred from guanacos. 

Guanaco 

Standing less than 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall at the shoulder, guanacos have a slender body, long legs, and a long neck. They are shorter and smaller than their camel relatives. Standing less than 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall at the shoulder, guanacos have a slender body, long legs, and a long neck. They are shorter and smaller than their camel relatives. 

Llama: 

It has a longer nose and much less fur on its face than alpaca. Llamas have a longer neck and head and ears in the shape of a banana. This also differs from the smaller alpaca. They are also less hairy. The size and bulk figure distinguish them from the sleeker and smaller vicuña and guanaco. Llamas can have a wide range of colors: brown, white, gray, and black, either solid or speckled.

 

Alpaca:

Alpacas are more reminiscent of a small llama than slimmer guanacos and vicuñas. They have straight and pointed ears. Alpacas have cute faces with a lot of furs and rounded noses. Their hair grows densely on their legs and cheeks. There is a much bigger variety of natural colors of their fur than of llamas, 22 in total, which range from white to black with various shades of brown and grey.

 

Vicuña:

Vicuñas are the smallest and most delicate of the four. They look similar to guanacos, but are more delicate and smaller and have shorter heads. Their ears are also pointed and share a similarly colored coat. It means light brown backs with white hair on the bellies, necks, and legs. Vicuña is the wild ancestor of the alpaca.

All of these animals are very shy, and as soon as you stop your car or bus to take a photo, they run away.  

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The guanaco's population, reduced by nearly 95 percent from the original number believed as much as 50 million, is now predominantly based in Patagonia.  Many farmers shoot them too as they don’t want them to eat the few grasses that they think are reserved for their sheep herds.  And instead of using dogs to herd the sheep and stop predators, they build fences everywhere …

An oft-quoted reference to wildlife from the ranch-land owners in Argentina illuminates the issue, “Todo son bichos”, translated as, “They are all insects”.  This has led to the hunting of pumas, guanaco, Darwin's rhea, Patagonian Humbolt skunk, Patagonian armadillo, in fact virtually everything that moves - cruelly producing an unbalanced, unhealthy ecosystem.

It is disheartening and shocking to see so many of the guanacos dead:  Often when they try to leap over the ranch fences, they are stuck on the barbed wires, cannot get forth or backward, and miserably die - often over hours and days.  Sometimes, even vultures pick on them while they are still alive.  In some areas, for example, when I took the bus to El Paine, I could see them from the road, hanging in different stages of life or dead still on the fence or the carcasses nearby. 

Read more here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanaco

https://www.cascada.travel/blog/5-Fascinating-Facts-About-Guanacos

https://theecologist.org/2013/apr/16/fencing-plan-south-america-threatens-wildlife

https://theecologist.org/2013/feb/18/running-grassland-queen-patagonia

https://www.nathab.com/know-before-you-go/south-america-travel-tips/patagonia/wildlife-guide/guanaco/

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Happy New Year to all Writers and Publishers

Happy New Year / Feliz Ano Nuevo / Bonne Année

Dear readers, writers, and publishers:  All the very best for the next 365 days and beyond!

I hope you enjoyed the holidays and you are eager to tackle the upcoming writing and publishing season with new books.

 

Before writing your next book, map out your plan for how and to whom you want to sell it.  For example: Set Goals for Writing and Publishing- this includes setting goals around getting your book done and launching it.

Find and Build Your Audience - really give thought to who your reading audience is, what’s important to them, and how you will connect with them. Join groups on social media where your reading audience “hangs out.”

Develop a Book Marketing Plan and Timeline- marketing and selling books is easier and more profitable when you have a plan and timeline.

Build relationships with Your Local Bookstores and Libraries – if getting into libraries and bookstores is part of your marketing plan.  Also, explore what type of author events they host.

And if this is not enough, find 52 resolutions, one for each week, here https://www.writerscookbook.com/new-years-resolutions-for-writers/

 

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WRITING CONTESTS

 

International Booker Prize The International Booker Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. The work must be published by a UK or Ireland publishing house. Authors are not permitted to enter their own works. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 to each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Eligible are works published between December 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024.  Deadline: January 12   https://thebookerprizes.com/booker-prize/entering-the-booker-prizes 

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Orwell Prize Open to nonfiction first published in the UK or Ireland. (See publication deadlines.) Genre: Nonfiction, including entries addressing political, social, cultural, moral, and historical subjects. Prize: £3,000.00. Deadline: Jan 24 https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-prizes/rules/#special 

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Hillman Prize for Journalism Prize: $5,000. "Since 1950, the Sidney Hillman Foundation has honored journalists, writers and public figures that pursue investigative journalism and public policy in service of the common good." Deadline: Jan 30 https://www.hillmanfoundation.org/hillman-prize-journalism 

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Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing Titles must be published in Canada. Self-published books are not eligible. A book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers and has the potential to shape or influence thinking on contemporary Canadian political life. Prize: Winner: $25,000;  Finalists: $2,500. Deadline: Jan 31 https://www.writerstrust.com/awards/shaughnessy-cohen-prize-for-political-writing/guidelines/ 

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Edinburgh Short Story Awards First Prize £3,000 - Open to writers worldwide. Second Prize £500 - Open to writers worldwide. Isobel Lodge Award £750 - Open to unpublished writers living in Scotland. Write Mango Flash Award £300 - Open to writers worldwide. Publication is offered to authors of the top twenty stories (or more) in our next anthology.  £10 Entry Fee.  Deadline Feb 29.    https://www.scottishartstrust.org/short-story

There are many benefits for authors to participate in writing contests and awards:

• The award website usually posts a list of participating books and names of authors
• It gives you a great opportunity to talk on social media & your blog or website about your participation
• Some contests even seek votes publicly over the internet, additionally to the jury
• Literary awards such as Dzanc Books/Guernica have very attractive prizes, such as travel to Europe and a scholarship

If you win or be short-listed in an award you certainly can use this fact to advertise for and print it on your book's cover, or even place a badge on it and on any promotional material, including your website or blog, casting a positive light on your book. 

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WRITERS RESIDENCIES 

  

Essere Residency 

The Essere Residency is a program designed to encourage the creative and personal growth of writers and artists at all stages in their career, as well as those exploring new forms of self-expression.  Sept. 21 - Oct 5, 2024.  Tuscany, Italy.   Deadline Jan 15 https://essereresidency.org/ 

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Volland Foundation The is committed to providing time and space for creative practitioners of a wide range of disciplines to gather in a community setting for work, thought and exchange of ideas, and to experience immersion in a unique ecosystem and rural culture. About 100 miles west of Kansas City, Volland is located in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Flint Hills of Kansas.  Deadline Jan 19  https://vollandfoundation.org/2024-volland-residencies/ 

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  Montello Foundation Residency The artist retreat at the Montello Foundation is meant to be a retreat from the urban environment. It will provide a new perspective for residents’ work and give residents space and time for undisturbed experimentation and reflection for two weeks. We are accepting national and international applications. There is no fee for artists to stay at the retreat, but artists are responsible for their travel expenses and for their meals. A residency is always for two weeks. The residency season is always from the beginning of May until the beginning of November. The retreat is located on 80 acres in an undeveloped valley near Montello in the North-Eastern corner of Nevada.  Deadline Jan 21 https://www.montellofoundation.org/pages/montello_retreat_main.htm 

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Japan/USA Creative Fellowship Program Each collaborative U.S.-Japan team will receive a $25,000 grant and will have one year to complete their project.  This grant may be utilized for any expenses directly associated with the project, including but not limited to travel between Japan and the United States, any living expenses in Japan, project materials, etc. Applicants are required to apply as a U.S.-Japan collaborative team. All proposals must involve collaborations between a U.S. artist (or group of artists) and a Japanese artist (or group of artists) who is either a citizen or permanent resident of Japan and maintains their professional practice within Japan.  Both the U.S. applicant and their Japanese collaborator are expected to have the status of professional creative artists. This means the artist(s) must have presented to the public/published or the equivalent in the last 2-5 years.  Deadline Feb 1 https://www.jusfc.gov/creative-artists-programs/ 

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FREELANCE WRITING OFFERS 

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Dollars & Sense  

A progressive economics magazine that explains in a popular way both the workings of the economy and struggles to change it. Articles may be on any economic issue, including the environment, community organizing, urban conflict, inflation, unemployment, union reform, welfare, changes in government regulation... a broad range of topics, as long as the article has an economic theme. Features (1500 to 3000 words): In-depth articles on a broad range of topics. Active Culture (250 to 400 words): Briefs on activism—a shareholder campaign, union victory, etc. Reviews (700 words): Coverage of recent books, movies, and other media. Pays up to $400 per article. https://dollarsandsense.org/write.html 

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House Digest Home design and lifestyle site House Digest is looking for enthusiastic, hard-working freelance writers with love and expert-level understanding of gardening to join our team. Ideal candidates have at least three years of experience writing content for print or the web with a focus on plant care, gardening, and the outdoor space as it relates to home. We are looking for creative individuals who are self-sufficient and versatile. These positions are work-from-home with flexible, stable hours. Location does not matter; U.S. and international candidates are encouraged to apply. Research, pitch, and write 2600- to 3000-word articles in a custom CMS with a one-week to one-day turnaround, depending on the topic and timeliness of the article. https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/static-media/job/88647594-freelance-plants-and-gardening-feature-writer-housedigest-com  

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  As the holiday season winds down, a new sense of excitement is in the air.  Now is the time to take a leap and go for it. Carry a notebook everywhere!  Ideas will come to you, and inspiration will strike in the most unlikely places.  Don’t be caught without a notebook or pen handy!  Happy New Year! 

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Successful Publishing – Newsletter December 2023

 

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

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– 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

http://www.chickensoup.com

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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!