Additional Opportunities for Writers

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director, Southern Writers Magazine


Here on Suite T a few weeks ago, I blogged about some immediate opportunities that writers can get in on.  Today, I'd like to update you on some of them and add a couple of new ones to the mix.

SHORT STORY CONTEST 2017
First, I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that the deadline for our 6th annual Short Story Fiction Contest is this Thursday night, June 15th.  If you haven't sent in your <1500 word story yet, the $250 first prize might be the right incentive! The easy guidelines are online.
http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/shorts.html

WHERE WRITERS WRITE
Secondly, I want to thank all the authors who jumped right on the mag's new "Where Writers Write" feature, sending us photos of your work spaces. It's fascinating and fun to get a glimpse of the very spots where great books have come into being. We are full for the July/August issue of Southern Writers, but if you get us your photo and description by July 1st, there's a good chance you'll make it in the September/October issue. Visit http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/promos-2017.html

SIGNINGS AND SELF-PROMOTION
We knew you guys were clever, but some of the promotions you've cooked up and sent us photos of for this upcoming feature have been downright inspiring. If you've developed a creative giveaway for marketing your masterpieces or have a photo from a book signing you're proud of, show it off in Southern Writers Magazine.  http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/promos-2017.html

TITLE WAVE
We've been getting in some very entertaining submissions for this article about how book titles were changed before publication, and the reasonings behind each one. Got a story to share about the evolution of your book's title? Tell us about it at http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/promos-2017.html

GALLERY OF STARS
Each week our online Gallery of Stars gets a ton of visitors seeking to discover authors and new releases (it's only Tuesday and we've already gotten 1,200 hits this week). If you write books, you should be in there! All Southern Writers subscribers are offered a FREE author page in the Gallery. Even if you have your own website (and you do, don't you?), the Gallery is a solid and steadily-seen addition to your promotional platform. Details are at the bottom of this alpha list of authors. As you can see, you'll be in good company! http://authors.southernwritersmagazine.com

SUMMER WRITERS CONFERENCES
The season is heating up with lots of choices that would make a terrific destination for a summer vacation while you regain your writing mojo and get friendly with your fellow wordsmiths. Coming right up, for example, is the popular Mystery Fest Key West this Friday thru Sunday, June 16-18 (www.mysteryfestkeywest.com). Other soon-to-come conferences are in Alabama, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, and Nashville, to mention a few. You'll find this summer's offerings at: http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/conferences.html

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to get the word out about your books and to recharge your literary battery this summer. What a great time to be a Southern writer!