Know somebody who with the experience to conribute to upcoming anthology, Motherhood and Domestic Violence (working title), which will explore the complexities of mothering in a violent home through
stories, essays, and poems written by survivors?

Possible Topics:
Your reactions to your children witnessing your abuse.
Losing or giving up custody of your children.
Making decisions about the abusive relationship based on what you thought
was best for your children.
What do you wish you had done differently?
What do you think you did well?
Good writing skills are helpful, but not necessary – we will work
closely with contributors to polish their writings. Or, if writing your
story seems too daunting, send us a tape. Mostly we are looking for the
heart and wisdom of our story-tellers.
• Send a typed, if possible, double-spaced submission by either mail or email  to: Mary Zelinka, PO Box 3047, Albany, Oregon 97321-0700; or email to <motherhooddv(at)yahoo.com> *replace (at) with @
• Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope so we can return submissions
we are unable to use. Submissions without this cannot be returned.
• Each contributor chosen for the anthology will receive a copy of the
book when it is published.
• It may take time for you to write your story. We’d like to know you are
considering making a submission, however, so send us a letter by March 1,
2009 with your contact information so we can offer our assistance.
• Final drafts of stories, essays or poems must be postmarked on or before
November 1, 2009. The final selection process will begin then.
Questions or concerns?
email to <motherhooddv(at)yahoo.com> *replace (at) with @

ttp://www.langston.com/PSGW/

Sheila Bender is on the faculty for memoir and personal essay.

On October 16, Northwind Reading Series will offer a special evening of Writing on Writing: Works and thoughts from writer/teachers Brenda Miller, Suzanne Paola and Sheila Bender.  Judith Kitchen, Assistant Director of the Rainier Writing Workshop, will be master of ceremonies.  The readings will start at 7 pm in the Northwind Arts Center, 2409 Jefferson Street.

Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola, Professors in Western Washington University’s Creative Writing Program, Sheila Bender, Publisher of Writing It Real and Judith Kitchen, Assistant Program Director at PLU’s Rainier Writing Workshop, all work in the memoir and personal essay genres. Each will present from work they have published about writing, a piece intended to describe the process to those who study writing.  Following the 25-30 minutes of reading, Judith will toss out questions to start a lively discussion among presenters and audience.
Brenda Miller is the author of Season of the Body (Sarabande Books, 2002) and co-author of Tell it Slant: Writing and Shaping Creative Nonfiction (McGraw-Hill, 2003).  Her newest collection of essays, Blessing of the Animals, is forthcoming from Eastern Washington University Press in 2009.  Her work has received five Pushcart Prizes and has been published in such journals as Fourth Genre, Creative Nonfiction, The Sun, Utne Reader, Georgia Review, and Witness.  She is an Associate Professor of English at Western Washington University and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Bellingham Review.

Suzanne Paola has written two books of nonfiction, A Mind Apart: Travels in a Neurodiverse World and Body Toxic, a New York Times notable book, as well as four books of poetry. She coauthored Tell It Slant: Writing and Shaping Creative Nonfiction with Brenda Miller.  Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, Orion, and numerous journals and anthologies. She is currently working on a  new book of nonfiction dealing with the subject of adoption, contracted with W.W. Norton.
Sheila Bender has written nine books on writing, including Writing Personal Poetry from Writer’s Digest Books, Writing and Publishing Personal Essays from Silver Threads and Perfect Phrases for College Application Essays from McGraw-Hill. She publishes Writing It Real, an online instructional magazine
for those who write from personal experience and directs the yearly Writing It Real in Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. She continues to be a visiting adjunct faculty member at Pima College in Tucson.

Judith Kitchen has edited three anthologies of short nonfiction pieces (In Short, In Brief, and Short Takes) for W. W. Norton.  In addition, she is the author of two books of essays, one novel, a book of poetry, and a book of criticism.  She regularly reviews poetry (twice yearly) for The Georgia Review and her articles about writing have appeared in The Seneca Review, Fourth Genre, American Book Review, etc.  With former U. S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, she has recently completed editing an anthology, The Poets Guide to the Birds, forthcoming from Anhinga Press in time for Christmas.

The readings are free and open to the public.  Donations are gladly accepted to support Northwind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting the arts to our community

About country living after moving from the city:  http://www.nypost.com/seven/09182008/realestate/back_to_the_land_129546.htm

After you read this week’s article, comment here with your own answers to Rodney Merrill’s questions on writing.

Here is info on an essay contest sponsored by Galmour magazine.  Deadline is Dec 31, 2008.  Visit the website below for  details:

http://www.glamour.com/contact/nonfictionContest

Also, past winners can be viewed at

http://www.glamour.com/magazine/2008/05/essay-winner-surviving-cancer

and

http://www.glamour.com/magazine/2006/10/widow-essay

November 3, 2008 deadline

http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards

http://www.writersdigest.com/article/10-basic-ingredients-of-a-successful-thriller

As of September, I’ll be writing the Grammar ‘N Style column for Writer’s Digest award-winning The Dabbling Mum dot com. For several years this site has been recognized as one of WD’s 101 Best Websites for Writers.

Click on the writing tab at the top of the home page, then look for the grammar tab on the left.

http://thedabblingmum.com

My blog: http://sky-highview.blogspot.com/