Happy Friday, everyone! Here’s a link we thought you’d love, followed by some announcements you won’t want to miss. Have a great weekend, and don’t let the Oscars distract you from your writing!
– Sara
Cool Tool For Writers: What Words Do You Abuse?
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/word-frequency-counter-for-writers_b23017
A friend of mine recently looked over her work-in-progress and noticed that she’d used the phrase, “I took a deep breath,” about ten times in one chapter. What words and phrases creep into your writing a little too often? Give the Phrase Frequency Counter a try, and you might just be surprised!
Cedar Park Kids Magazine Seeks Freelance Writers
Andrew Hodges, editor and publisher of the new magazine Cedar Park Kids is looking for writers who live in the Central Texas area, specifically in Cedar Park and Leander. Article length will run from blurbs ($25) to 600-1,000 word feature articles and departments ($50 to $100). The subject matter is everything that would interest parents with children. Anyone interested should email info@cedarparkkidsmagazine.com with a paragraph about your writing experience and a list of ideas for articles.
The Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Project – FREE!
Aspiring Writers of Mysteries, Cozies, Suspense, Thrillers and True Crime are invited to submit a one-page synopsis and the first 500 words of your unpublished manuscript to the Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Project, co-sponsored by Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter. Writers that are selected will each be matched with a published Mentor Author for one-on-one sessions, and recognition at the Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Event on May 15, 2011. This is not a contest – there is no judging and no fee. It is a wonderful opportunity for writers unpublished in the mystery field to get to talk with and be mentored by published authors. Full details about the March 31, 2011, deadline submission can be found at http://www.hotxsinc.org.
Cast Your Nominations for the Fifth Annual Sage Award
The Barbara Burnett Smith Mentoring Authors Foundation is pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Sage Award. The Sage Award will be awarded to the Mentor Author that demonstrates an outstanding spirit of service in mentoring, sharing and leading others in the mystery writing community. The Sage recipient will be honored at the Seventh Annual Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Event on Sunday, May 15, 2011, at Barnes & Noble Westlake in Austin, Texas. The recipient will offer the Keynote Speech. In addition, each of the Aspiring Writers will have the opportunity to meet with his or her Mentor Author for an extended discussion. This Event is the culminating activity of the Annual Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Project. The Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Project is co-sponsored by Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter. In a one page e-mail, please send the name and contact information of your nominee and the reasons for your nomination to The Barbara Burnett Smith Mentoring Authors Foundation at <wsmith@catalystraining.com>. NOMINATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 16, 2011.
Law Students for the Arts Presents “Ask An Attorney Clinic”
Join the Law Students for the Arts on March 31st from 6:00-8:30 PM for an event they’ve dubbed: Ask An Attorney Clinic. The event aims to provide free legal advice to artists of all modes and mediums in a setting where both clients and students can learn from the experience. It will take place at the downtown Austin offices of the law firm Fulbright & Jaworski (600 Congress Avenue, 23rd Floor). Interested artists must RSVP to the organization-wide email address at artslawclinic@gmail.com.
