Lynn Carney|Writer

I'm on Twitter and Facebook

2009-04-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Hi, friends. I'd be tickled pink if you would follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/lynncarney

You can also find me on Facebook!

Thanks!

http://lynncarney.com

2009 Pushcart Prize Nominee

2008-12-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

It is my pleasure to share my good news with you. My short story, published in VOICES, an Anthology of Short Stories (May 08) is nominated for a 2009 Pushcart Prize, the most honored literary award in America.

Well, friends, my feet are barely touching the ground! This is what it feels like to have wings. I was still celebrating for my good friend, Velda Brotherton and her Willa Finalist award, when I received my good news from VOICES editor, Delois Mcgrew. This short story means so much to me, and I am thrilled, humbled and somewhat daunted by the fact that it sits this moment before a committee of approximately two-hundred-sixty editors and Pushcart winners, including one of my favorite authors, Joyce Carol Oates.

To my fellow nominees, congratulations. I hope you find me here. We'll talk shop.

Like others who crossed those skies before us, Velda Brotherton and I are living proof that it pays to submit your work to small presses. As writers, we must aim high, but I hope you will never aim so high for achievement that you fail to grasp opportunity. Success isn't always a big brass band. Sometimes, it's a little melody that catches the wind and reaches stars.

Certainly, every writer wants to take flight on those shiny big jets of the major publishing industry, but sometimes . . . small commuter planes will get us where we want to go . Maybe, even to places we only dreamed of going.

Markets

2008-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

WOMAN'S WORLD FICTION GUIDELINES

Hi, writers. You may be familiar with Woman's World, the perky little tabloid style magazine by the checkout every week in your local market. What you may not know is that they pay $1000 for an 800 word romance short story, and $500 for a 700 word mystery.

After searching in vain on the Web for their fiction guidelines, I emailed Woman's World. Here are their most recent guidelines as of December 1, 2008.

WOMAN'S WORLD
FICTION GUIDELINES

Romance guidelines:

We buy contemporary romances of 800 words. Stories must revolve around a compelling, true-to-life relationship dilemma; may feature either a female or male protagonist; and may be written in either the first or third person. Characters may be married, single, divorced or widowed; should be down-to-earth - (no yuppies or jet-setters); and their dilemma should be poignantly or humorously conveyed. Please think carefully about a story's set -tell the story with interesting action and dialogue. (Every sentence, paragraph, and scene of the story should deliver more information about your characters and their situation and/or briskly advance the storyline).

We are not interested in stories involving life-or-death matters, nor are we interested in fluffy, flyaway-style romance. When we say romance, what we really mean is relationship--whether it's just beginning or is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The emphasis in our stories is on real life-which is why we do not buy science fiction, fantasy or historical romance.

We pay $1,000 per romance and retain First North American Serial Rights for six months after publication.

Mini mystery guidelines:

We purchase short "solve-it-yourself" mysteries of 700 words--a count that includes the narrative and the solution. Stories should be cleverly plotted, entertaining cliffhangers that end with a challenge to the reader to figure out whodunnit or howdunnit. The solution to the mystery is provided in a separate box.

Robbery, burglary, fraud and murder are acceptable subjects, but spare the readers any gory details or excessive violence, please! We are also not interested in ghost stories, science fiction or fantasy.

We pay $500 per mystery and retain First North American Serial Rights for six months after publication.

IMPORTANT NOTES!

Manuscripts should be double-spaced in legible size type.

Where to send manuscripts: Fiction Editor, Woman's World, 270 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. Indicate Mini Mystery or Romance on the envelope.

How to send manuscripts: (1) You must include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to receive a reply. Manuscripts not accompanied by a SASE will be discarded. Note: A #10 SASE is necessary not just for a response, but for your contract if we purchase your story.
(2) Please DO NOT fax or e-mail manuscripts--because such submissions do not include SASEs, we have no means of responding to your submission.
Get to know us: Please familiarize yourself thoroughly with our romances and mini mysteries before submitting your work.

Be patient: Because we receive a tremendous volume of manuscripts, our turnaround time may range from one to six months. If you still have not heard from us after that time, feel free to re-submit your manuscript. Please do not call or write us to inquire about a manuscript's status.

Good luck!
Lynn

My Favorite Writer-Friendly Things

2008-11-30T23:11:00.000-08:00

Favorite Getaways

This is the lighted bridge I cross to get to Fannie's Barn, my favorite cozy cabin in the Ozarks. This gorgeous, luxury log cabin, nestled at end of a private lane in the lap of 170 acres of wild pine and hardwood forest, is the perfect writer's retreat.

My favorite feature is the full length sunroom, which is "curl-up comfortable" with lovely designer fabrics and touches, and views of a clearing where deer gather to graze. Another sunroom houses a 5' by 6' Jacuzzi surrounded by native stone and greenery. Great for musing.

At night, two big chairs in the loft bedroom offer an island of tranquillity, with only the sounds of wildlife or a pine cone dropping on the roof to break your thoughts. You can snuggle in front of the fireplace and have a glass of wine, watch satillite TV, DVDs or listen to CDs. Cook to your heart's content in the full kitchen, or grill out on the deck while your hubby fishes one of the resort's stocked lakes. (Or do as I do - make him cook.)

Spoil yourself at Fannie's Barn - Cinnamon Valley Resort - Eureka Springs, AR. Full review on my Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion site: http://writerscozycabincompanion.com/

Tell the manager, Chris, that Lynn sent you. :-) Cinnamon Valley Resort - rated very writer-friendly.

Ozarks Writers League November Meeting

2008-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Hubby and I joined our writer friends in Branson, Missouri for the quarterly OWL meeting. In the early session, children's author David Harrison held a lively discussion on creating children's literature. Thanks for sharing, David. Very enlightening.

After a short break, Wendy Ledbetter Fite, editor of the Nevada County Picayune, who has earned her living for more than a decade with freelance writing, shared her writing secrets and tips. Topics included Internet and newspaper writing and photography. Loved it, Wendy! I could listen to you all day. Thanks for keeping it real.

The highlight of our day was lunch with our good writer friend, Jeanie Horn, who is becoming well-known for her newspaper clips about rural Arkansas.

Anyone who knows Miss Jeanie will tell you that she is a hoot, and when she starts talking about writing, you would do well to listen. That gal knows her stuff. Over steaming bowls of potato soup and huge (as Jeanie put it "Dolly Parton size") yeast rolls at Bob Evans Restaurant, we stirred the old writer's pot and came up with some great ideas for future submissions.

Thanks, Jeanie. You inspired me to light some new fires. We love you, gal.

Happy writing, everyone.