Finding the Bacon  
By Meg Weaver 

Hi everybody,

Right before the holidays we hardly have time to breathe, much less time to plan for the next year.  But if we want to be professional in our writing careers, we should take that time.

Try to set goals for 2003 that you can measure - and which will be steps along the way to your overall goal five-to-ten years from now.

And, promise yourself to start using editorial calendars.  Learning to read them, and to query based on their content, will get you started towards getting assignments with high-paying magazines like Food & Wine below.  If you want to write for these publications, you will be asked to write to the editorial calendar.  Make 2003 the year you start learning how.

And - please do enjoy the holidays.

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SAVEUR
World Publications
304 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 219-7400
Website: http://www.saveurmag.com 

E-queries: No, mail a query letter

Contact: Elizabeth Parks

Writers' guidelines online: Does not have formal guidelines

Pays: $0.50 to $0.70 per word

Photos: Mostly buys from professional photographers.

Rights: All Rights

Description: This magazine is for people who experience the world food first.

Circulation: 391,000

Notes: The 2003 editorial calendar is available.  "Queries and stories should be detailed and specific, and personal ties to the subject matter are important-- let us know why you should be the one to write the story."

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PITTSBURG
WQED Pittsburgh
4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 622-1360
Fax: (412) 622-7066
Website: http://www.crmn.org/profiles/pittsburgh.html 

E-queries: No, mail a query letter.

Contact: Michelle Pilecki

Writers' guidelines online: No

Pays: $0.25 to $0.50 per word

Rights: First North American Serial Rights

Description: This is a regional magazine for residents of Pittsburgh and surroundings.

Circulation: 75, 000

Notes: The 2003 editorial calendar is available.  "Each issue features a mix of stories that includes a people profile, in-depth news and a service piece, plus feature and lifestyle stories for our target reader:"

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MIDWEST LIVING
Meredith Corporation
1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
Phone: (515) 284-2912
Fax: (515) 284-2877
Website: http://www.midwestliving.com 

E-queries: No, mail a query letter

Contact: Dan Kaercher

Writers' guidelines online: No

Pays: $0.50 to $0.75 per word

Rights: All Rights

Description: This is a regional magazine for people living in the American Midwest.

Circulation: 825,000

Notes: The 2003 editorial calendar is available.  "We welcome your queries and story ideas.  We read all freelance articles submitted, but much prefer to see a letter of query than a finished manuscript."

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HERITAGE QUEST
ProQuest Company
PO Box 40, Orting, WA 98360-0040
Phone: (800) 760-2455
Fax: (801) 298-5468

Website: http://www.heritagequest.com

E-queries: No, mail a query letter or complete manuscript

Contact: Leland Meitzler

Writers' guidelines online: No

Pays: $0.15 to $0.25 per word

Rights: All Rights

Description: This magazine offers tips and tools, covering a spectrum of engaging topics for family researchers at every level.

Notes: This magazine does not publish an editorial calendar.  "Articles for publication in Heritage Quest are solicited from genealogists, historians, librarians, and others interested in family and local history research."

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FOOD & WINE
American Express Publishing Corporation
1120 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 382-5615
Fax: (212) 382-5887
Website: http://www.foodandwine.com 

E-queries: No, contact the editor for an assignment.

Contact: Mary Ellen Ward

Writers' guidelines online: This magazine does not provide writer's guidelines.

Description: This magazine "celebrates all aspects of the epicurean lifestyle, covering the trends, the tables and the talents that define our time's most authentic, exuberant way of life."

Circulation 900,000

Notes: The 2003 editorial calendar is available.  Since the magazines assigns articles, this is one time that the advance knowledge of the editorial calendar is essential.

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These markets are brought to you by Wooden Horse Publishing - a news and resource site for article writers at http://www.woodenhorsepub.com.  Check it out for the latest magazine news and markets, markets, markets.

Air Mail Markets
By Amy Brozio-Andrews

Hello again and welcome to the latest issue of Air Mail Markets. 

This week offers three publishing opportunities for fiction writers. The Capilano Review and PRISM international are literary magazines with a reputation for publishing high quality fiction and poetry. PRISM international also actively seeks translations of poetry, fiction and drama. For writers with a little more unconventional style, Broken Pencil has a bead on the underground, independent and alternative scene; in addition to fiction, the magazine is also known for its book, music, zine and web site reviews, feature articles, rants and items of cultural interest. 

It's worth repeating (because several editors have repeated it to me recently) that writers should familiarize themselves with a publication before submitting a query or finished work for consideration, and should always include International Reply Coupons instead of US stamps when including a SASE with your submission when sending it outside the United States. Just read and follow the submission guidelines, and you're halfway there…

Bonne chance!

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The Capilano Review
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5

Website: http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/about/publications/capilano-review/tcr/index.html 
Managing Editor: Carol Hamshaw 
Email: tcr@capcollege.bc.ca 

Snapshot: Issued tri-annually, The Capilano Review is a literary and visual arts magazine known for publishing the best in challenging new fiction, poetry and drama. The magazine has received multiple National Magazine Awards, Western Magazine Awards, and a citation from the Canadian Studies Association. Previously published writers include Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Duncan McNaughton, Brian Fawcett, and Audrey Thomas. 

Writers' Guidelines Online: Yes, at http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/about/publications/capilano-review/tcr/submit.html 

E-Queries: No

Payment: $50-200 (USD$32-128)

Rights: First North American Serial

Notes: Submissions must include a SASE with the appropriate postage if within Canada, or International Reply Coupons if outside Canada. Be sure your name and address are on the manuscript. Allow up to four months for a reply. No simultaneous or electronic submissions will be considered. Most of the submissions The Capilano Review receives are not appropriate to the magazine; please be sure to research this market carefully and review several back issues before submitting your work. 


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Broken Pencil
PO Box 203, Station P
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S7 CANADA

Website: http://www.brokenpencil.com 
Editor: Emily Schultz
Email: editor@brokenpencil.com (fiction submissions should be sent to fiction@brokenpencil.com)

Snapshot: Published tri-annually since 1995, the Toronto-based Broken Pencil is exclusively devoted to underground and independent culture. Publishing reviews of zines, books, music, web sites, and videos as well as feature articles and original fiction, think Readers' Digest goes underground and meets Utne Reader. Submissions are accepted for the following departments: Pencil Sharpener (up to 400 words on cultural events or personalities); Rant (around 700 words, first person POV, related to independent/alternative culture/lifestyle); Features (about 1000-3000 words on independent/alternative culture, personality profile, alternative trends, etc.); Fiction (50-3000 words of not previously published material). 

Writers' Guidelines Online: Yes, at http://www.brokenpencil.com/about/submit.php 

E-Queries: Accepts

Payment: $30-300 (USD$19-192) 

Rights: Not specified

Notes: According to Broken Pencil's web site, "don't even bother [submitting] if you haven't already checked out the magazine." Copies may be ordered by mail for $5, through Broken Pencil's subscription page, or found at bookstores throughout North America. Pitch with specific ideas, and consider including a few clips with your query. As this is a tri-annual publication, please be patient in waiting for a reply to your query or submission. 

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PRISM international
Creative Writing Program, UBC
Buch. E 462 - Main Mall
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Canada

Website: http://prism.arts.ubc.ca/ 
Tel: 604-822-2514
Fax: 604-822-3616
Editor: Billeh Nickerson
Executive Editor: Mark Mallet 
Email: prism@interchange.ubc.ca 

Snapshot: Well know for publishing fiction and poetry, Vancouver's PRISM international also publishes creative nonfiction, drama, and translations (only when undertaken with the permission of the original author). Issued quarterly, PRISM international has published the works of then-newcomers Margaret Atwood, Jorge Luis Borges, Michael Ondaatje, Seamus Heaney and more. 

Writers' Guidelines Online: Yes, at http://prism.arts.ubc.ca/submit/index.htm 

E-Queries: No

Payment: $40 (USD$25) per printed page of poetry, $20 (USD$12) per printed page for all other genres, an additional $10 (USD$6.40) per printed page is paid if PRISM decides to publish your work to its web site (with your permission). Contributors also receive a one-year subscription to the magazine. The editors also award $500 (USD$320) to the contributor of the poem they select as the most outstanding in each volume. 

Rights: First North American Serial

Notes: Please allow at least two to six months for a response to your submission. Enclose a SASE with your submission; non-Canadian writers should be sure to use International Reply Coupons. No simultaneous submissions will be considered, nor will work which has been previously published anywhere on the Internet (save online writers' forums for discussion). Romance, horror and science fiction are not usually published by PRISM international. Foreign submissions from countries other than the United States are especially welcome (apparently those of us south of the Canadian border send PRISM lots and lots of submissions and don't give anyone else a turn…). 

Amy Brozio-Andrews is a freelance writer living in New York;  she writes on a variety of topics for print and online publications, and is hard at work on her first novel.  Please feel free to check out her website at www.penpadandpixel.com, and e-mail her at amy@penpadandpixel.com. 

Promoting Your Prose
By Mary Emma Allen

WRITING LETTERS FROM YOUR CHARACTERS

When your readers enjoy your books, they become fascinated by your characters. They often want to know what happens to these characters after the book ends or what’s going on in their lives on a day to day basis. Also, what has happened to them that isn't mentioned in the book often proves interesting to your readers.

This is particularly true if you're writing a series using some of the same characters. They seem like real people to your readers, people they want to know better.

When your characters (whether they're people in novels, fantasy characters, or animals in children’s books) write letters to the readers, it helps maintain interest and promote your works. Also, as your characters "write" these letters, new situations and events may evolve which you could develop into other books or stories.

How To Use Character Letters

You'll discover a number of ways you can use letters from characters to further publicize your book(s), to keep your name and titles before your readers.

*Letters in your Newsletters, print and e-mail:
Make letters from your characters a regular part of the newsletters your readers subscribe to. Usually these are free newsletters which also may give information about your book signings, workshops, appearances at conferences, and books in progress.

* Letters on Web Sites:
Place these letters on your web site. They may appear there instead of, or in addition to, letters in newsletters. These also may be letters readers can print off your site, if they desire.

*Separate Letters to your newsletter subscribers:
In between newsletters, send occasional letters to your subscribers via e-mail. One author, whose newsletter I receive, has begun sending out these letters from characters. Even though I'm not familiar with her characters, I've found them fascinating. The letters have increased my interest in the author’s books.

*Post cards you can print off the author’s web site:
Some children’s authors place material on their web sites that one can print off. The animals from her books write messages on the cards. You can print them to save or to send to others.

*Post cards you send to youngsters from your characters:
Since you have to be careful about sending cards to children, either by e-mail or postal mail, you may include these in mailings to parents.

*Post cards you give out at book signings and school visits:
These postcard/letters could be used as handouts at your appearances at book stores, libraries and when you visit schools. Autograph them for your young readers.

(Incidentally, you can make these post cards with your computer and printer.)

What Do You Include?

The letters and post cards that I've seen from characters read just as though that person were writing me a message. They're conversational and seem to be in the tone and language of that character. Think about what you'd write in a letter to someone. Then put yourself "in your character’s shoes."

For instance, Sarah Jane, in my story, Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed, might write to a friend in Boston or to readers. Sarah Jane and her family have moved to the wilds of New Hampshire in the 1700s.

"Dear Amanda,
I had to pick blackberries today to dry for winter food. You'll never believe what happened. It was hot and I got so tired. I stopped to rest.

Then I heard Shep barking.

He found a native girl on the far side of the berry patch. She hurt her foot and couldn't walk.

Papa and Stephen were away getting supplies. Mama and little Lucy and I were all alone.

What should I do? We weren't sure what the natives would do because we were living where they used to hunt. We didn't know that when we built our cabin and cleared our fields. Then we heard about the attacks at Dover.

But I couldn't let her stay there when she was hurt. What would you do? What do you think I did........"

This gives you one idea for a letter. You can leave the reader in suspense. You can tell about your adventure more fully. Or you simply chit chat about everyday happenings concerning you and related characters.

Let your character write as though he/she were talking to the readers. In this
case, I had Sarah Jane write to a particular person. However, you also can say, "Dear Friends," "Dear Readers," "Hello," or whatever you think fits the occasion.

Just for fun, try writing some letters from your characters to your readers, your fans, or a group of school children you visited. This could be a fun way to write a thank you note if you gave a talk, taught a workshop, or visited a school. Even if you never mail, e-mail, or publish the letter, this exercise gives you insight into your character.

If you currently write letters from your characters or do so in the future, I'd enjoy being on your mailing list.

© 2002 Mary Emma Allen

Mary Emma Allen writes for children and adults, fiction and non-fiction, newspaper columns and travel articles. Her books include those for writers, quilters, caregivers, and children. Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed is one story in Mary Emma’s anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery and the accompanying coloring book. Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed soon will appear as a picture book, too. Visit Mary Emma’s web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea; E-mail: me.allen@juno.com.