Grammar Girl Helpful Web Site

I have found the Grammar Girl web site to be quite helpful particularly in the case of reading what has been written prior to a rewrite. You can sign up and receive regular tips from the web site that are certain to come in handy during your writing process.

Pulitzer Prize Winners for 2011

I am a big fiction buff and was excited to hear about the winner for 2011. Jennifer Egan won the 2011 Pulizter Prize for Fiction with her book "A Visit From the Goon Squad." I just picked it up and will post a review upon completion. Here is a link to the story on her win.

Pulitzer Prize Winners for 2011

Narrative Magazine Contest

The deadline for the Narrative Magazine Contest is July 31st, 2011. Prize money and publication in Narrative is offered for a short story, a short short story, an essay, or an excerpt from a work of fiction or creative nonfiction. Online submission is available.

Glimmer Train Press Fiction Open

Polish up your favorite short story and submit to Glimmer Train by June 30th. Easy online submission is available and this is an excellent opportunity to release your grasp from your work and allow someone else to provide an opinion as well as a chance for publication and a cash prize.

Our Stories Emerging Writers Award

Our Stories Literary Magazine is by far one of the coolest sites I have run across. Talking about writers that are down for the cause, the writers who put together the magazine feature an Emerging Writers Award (deadline July 31, 2011) whereby your work is critiqued and you are provided with feedback page by page. Check out the web site for all of the details including a You Tube clip so you can see how they work. Big ups to Our Stories for their awesome service to the writers community.

Submission Listings In Progress

As BWW makes the return to the Internet the site is currently being updated. Contests information should be completed by the end of the week. Write now!

Favorite Short Story Collections

Here are just a few short story collections that are at the top of my list:

The Complete Stories of Franz Kafka
All Aunt Hagar's Children by Edward P. Jones
In Between the Sheets by Ian McEwan
In the Arms of Our Elder's by William Henry Lewis
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt by Aimee Bender
Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link

And the list goes on...

The Art of the Short

As writers we work hard to find our niche in the field. I have found like good chocolate be it Godiva, Zchocolates, Nonnie Waller's Truffles or other brands, it is the small and decadent experience and savoring the taste in that moment that mesmerizes me. Such is the case with the short story.

Having read endless collections of short stories I quickly became a fan and learned the art form. I enjoy picking up a collection and being able to complete a story especially when traveling. I even chose to write a collection of short stories as my MFA Thesis. And where writing short stories is an excellent way to hone your craft, it is not the length of the story but more so the mechanics and completeness of creating the perfect arc while keeping your reader entranced, in addition to being a good storyteller that really creates a satisfying story. If you can craft a good short story you can improve your writing skills immensely. There are also many short story contests out there that provide the opportunity to submit your work.

Let me share with you a story that we workshopped while attending Antioch University's MFA Program. This particular story is categorized as flash fiction and is one of my favorite stories on the planet. It is titled Jumper Down by Don Shea.

Welcome to Black Woman Writing

If you are reading this blog we have something in common. I will do my best to provide up to date information on literary magazines submissions and deadlines, contests, the latest top reads, MFA Programs, workshops and other information related to writing. BWW has been off the grid for a while due to life events. I'm back. Welcome to my world...no to our world as writers.