Writer Unboxed

This picture pretty much captures how I feel today, which is why I can’t conjure up a thinking post. My cognitive abilities should return to normal after the Odyssey of the Mind competition is over. But I’m a coach. And the meetings are held in my house. And I’m surrounded by props and paint and wads of duct tape and strange gluey masses. Maybe the glue has migrated to my brain, I can’t say for sure, though at this point I won’t rule anything out.

Still, I can still give you some updates.

I had a terrific telephone interview this (see?) yesterday morning with the author of Save the Cat, screenwriting wizard, Blake Snyder. We talked screenplays, novels, genres, formulas, the Oscars and a little about adaptations. Look for it to begin, in at least two parts, starting March 21st.

Tomorrow, Grimspace author Ann Aguirre guest blogs with us, and I think she’ll be giving away some goodies, so don’t miss it. And be sure to come back Friday for part 2 of my interview with her.

Look for an interview with Kathleen and Jason Pinter–The Man in Black–beginning March 7th. (Psst: Jason just sold movie rights on one of his books, so big congrats to him for that.)

Look for other great interviews in the future with children’s writer Verla Kay; editor Lisa Rector-Maass; debut author and professor of rom-com at UCLA, Billy Mernit; YA author Caroline Says; historical fiction author Robert Low; mystery/suspense author Michael Gruber; women’s fiction author –and former David Letterman writer– Jill A. Davis; and MORE. How is that possible, you ask? It’s because we’re good. Really, really good. And very modest.

In other news, today marks the release of Marsha Moyer’s latest book, Return of the Stardust Cowgirl. Says Publisher’s Weekly: The fourth installment in Moyer’s marvelous Lucy Hatch series (after Heartbreak Town) is as refreshing as an icy cold Coke on a hot afternoon in northeast Texas. Marsha is a great wordsmith, so I’m sure this latest book won’t disappoint. If Amazon is doing its job, my copy is en route.

From the WU mailbox: News of a “Dazzling Dogs” writing contest.

If you love dogs and love to write, this is your chance to tell us your best dog story. The winning essays will be published in a book and get a license for Logical Expressions’ IdeaWeaver writing and creativity software ($50 value). The Grand Prize winner also receives $50 and the opportunity to be featured in a case study.

Check it out HERE.

Here’s a big opportunity, from Writer’s Digest:

Writer’s Digest is now accepting entries in its 77th Annual Writing Competition. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer’s Digest.

Click HERE for more info.

Here are two other contests that my friends at GIAM have alerted me to.
* If you write mystery/suspense–with or without romance–check out the Daphne du Maurier Contest. The contest is open to both unpublished and published authors, and the deadline is March 15th. Find full contest details on the Kiss of Death website HERE.
* If you write romance or women’s fiction, check out the Fabulous Five Writing Contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. The goal: make your first pages as compelling as possible. Deadline is March 1st, so check out the details HERE.

There’s still plenty of room in Barbara Samuel’s Girls in the Basement class, if you’re interested. I’m taking the class that begins March 1st and really looking forward to it.

Have you heard about Ann Rice’s pledge to write a new book for Lestat lovers? That the Booker Prize is going to pick its “Best Ever Winner?” Did you know Harlequin will be posting some “Meet the Editor” podcasts? That Philip Pullman is getting into writing comics? That Amazon has chosen 100 semifinalists for its Breakthrough Novel Award? Then you must not have been keeping up with the WU Google Notebook. Remedy HERE.

How about you? Have any writerly news to share? Feel free to post about any contests or interesting tidbits in the comments section. Write on, all!

Therese Walsh co-founded Writer Unboxed in 2006. Her debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, sold to Random House in a two-book deal in 2008, was named one of January Magazine’s Best Books of 2009, and was a Target Breakout Book in 2010. She's never been published with a lit magazine, but LOST's Carlton Cuse liked her haiku best on Twitter, and that made her pretty happy.

Therese Walsh

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