Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Unknown Writers’ Contest


Sponsored by the Denver Woman’s Press Club
Enter and Become an Award-Winning Writer!
For more information call 1-303-839-1519 or go to http://www.dwpconline.org/.
·      Fiction: $20 per entry
·      Nonfiction: $20 per entry
·      Poetry: $10 per entry (up to three poems per entry)
A separate entry fee of $20 must accompany each fiction and nonfiction entry; $10 for each poetry entry (up to three poems per entry). Checks are payable to Denver Woman’s Press Club.
Each entry must include:
·      Completed entry form.
·      Cover sheet with manuscript title, word count, author’s name and telephone number, and category entered.
·      Two copies of each manuscript or poem, with title and page number on each page. Author’s name must not appear on the manuscript or poem.
·      Separate entry fee and entry form must accompany each entry. Entries must be sent to the address below for the attention of the listed party.
·      Self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) large enough for the return of the manuscript or poem pages and judges comments. (Four or more pages require extra postage.)
Cash Prizes: Three prizes will be awarded in each category. First prize: $125; second prize $75; third prize $50.
Contestants may submit only one entry per category but may enter all categories.
Manuscripts must be typewritten, double-spaced (poems may be single-spaced), one side only, on white paper (8½ x 11 inches).
Submission deadline: Postmarked no later than Saturday, February 12, 2011.


Unknown Writers’ Contest Reception: Saturday, April 9, 2011, from 2-4 PM.
Entry Form
USE A SEPARATE FORM AND CHECK FOR EACH ENTRY – PLEASE PRINT
Duplicate if necessary. Form also available at the Denver Woman’s Press Club web site (http://www.dwpconline.org/)
Name:................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Address:............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
City: ......................................................................................................  State: ...........................................  ZIP Code:..................................................
Email: ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Daytime Phone: .................................................................................  Evening Phone: ..............................................................................................
Please tell us how you learned about the competition: ..........................................................................................................................................
Enclosed:     ________ Check to cover ($20 fiction, $20 nonfiction, $10 poetry) payable to Denver Woman’s Press Club
                      ________ Two (2) copies of each manuscript
                      ________ Self addressed stamped envelope (Note: Four or more pages require extra postage; have package weighed.)

Mail entries to: The Denver Woman’s Press Club, P.O. Box 460508, Aurora, CO 80015, for the attention of:

Fiction Chairperson

Nonfiction Chairperson

Poetry Chairperson


Requirements:
·      Contest is open to both men and women.
·      Entrants must be Colorado residents, age 18 or older.
·      Entrants have never been professionally published.
·      Contestants may not have won first place in the 2010 competition.
Categories:
·      Fiction: Short story. Max. 2,000 words.
·      Nonfiction: Essay (personal experience, opinion piece, etc.) Max. 2,000 words.
·      Poetry: Entry may include up to three (3) poems. Maximum 100 words each (not including title). Any form.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Origins - Boxing Day and Christmas Crackers


Boxing Day

In England and in Canada, the day after Christmas is traditionally known as Boxing Day, and is a public holiday.
There are two likely theories regarding the origin of Boxing Day. The first and most likely is that the people who worked in service (those who worked "below stairs") had to work especially hard on Christmas Day and were therefore given the next day off.  On that day, they would receive a gift in a box containing money, and/or a trinket of appreciation from their employer. The reason for placing the money in the box was that the value of the present depended on a servant’s status.

The second theory is that that the alms boxes in churches were opened the day after Christmas, and the money was distributed to the poor in the community.

Christmas Crackers

The concept of the Christmas cracker began when Mr. Thomas Smith, an English confectioner, noticed during a trip to Paris that Bon-Bons, a sugared almond that was wrapped in a twist of waxed paper sold particularly well. He liked the idea, and when he returned to England in 1847, he began wrapping his confectionery and placing it in brightly colored boxes. The sweets were an immediate success, especially among the ladies, but, being a good businessman, he knew he had to keep ahead of the competition. He designed a lightweight, colorful paper tube with a saltpeter strip running through the center. The friction cuased by the cracker being pulled apart ignited the  saltpeter strip, making a loud crack. Later, Smith added other items to the tube such as a motto, a sweet (candy), a paper hat, and even a small trinket.

World Champion


My long time friend, Barbara Sanderson, is now World Champion of Squash in her division (70-74). I always knew she was good, remember watching her years ago, the way she concentrated on her matches, her fitness, her dedication to the sport, etc. In fact, it was Barbara who taught me how to play, and gave me my first Lady Grey racquet, a prize from one of her competitions. Congratulations to my very dear friend.

Photo: Front row - third left, Barbara Sanderson.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Gleneagle Women's Club

Just last week, I had the pleasure of presenting a program before seventy-five members of the Gleneagle Women's Club of Colorado Springs. The club began in 1991, and has grown over the years to more than one hundred and twenty members. They are very involved with philanthropic issues raising money for local charities, but they also enjoy themselves by doing such activities as hiking, horseback riding, book clubs, knitting and crochet groups, etc. Club members provided me a scrumptious meal, and wine before I gave my presentation. Afterwards, I did a book signing, and answered questions about the stories I had told during my presentation.Great food, great audience...what more could one ask for?

A Treasure in Monument, Colorado

Covered Treasures, a bookshop in Monument, Colorado, is absolutely true to its title. The shop is always buzzing with customers who can enjoy a cup of coffee, and browse without pressure from the staff. Not only are books are for sale, but greeting cards, gifts and much more. In these days of huge book shops, it's a pleasure to find such personal help and assistance from people who really know their business.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Birthday Boy

Imagine finding a poster sized birthday card on your desk on your special day? My son, Stuart, is a Creative Director at VML an advertising company in Seattle, and not only did the staff collaborate on the poster, but they also gave me a plug too by including my latest book, Forbidden. Thank you VML staff  - appreciate it.