I don’t know about you but submitting my work has become very time-consuming, confusing, and stressful. The sheer number of journals, magazines, and contests from which to choose is overwhelming. Where to start? Which one is the best fit for me?
In the past, I’ve used Duotrope, NewPages, and The Review Review to help narrow my selections, but hell, by the time I get through reading and researching, I’ve missed the deadlines. And, it seems I’m not alone feeling so frustrated with the process.
In the June issue of the Literary Hub, Erika Dreifus discusses the submission process and provides a list of 13 questions to ask before submitting to any literary journal. You can read her article and the questions, here.
Want a way to stay up to date? Get the details on awards, contests, general submissions, and deadlines? Now you can.
Darkness has descended on our nation, but it didn’t arrive on its own accord. The horror that happened in Dallas last night is a new low for our country, and now we find ourselves more divided as a people than every before.
I want each one of us to stop and think for a moment – What would our world look like without the brave men and women who wear the badge and walk the beat every day to keep each one of us safe? I can tell you, without police officers, the world we know would turn into chaos and anarchy.
I’m not minimizing the concerns of officer-related shootings. I understand people are upset and want answers about the shootings in Baton Rouge and Minnesota, but we don’t know what happened. It’s time to reserve judgment and let the investigation and the facts speak the truth.
Darkness has indeed descended on out country. We have a choice, to buy into the dishonest rhetoric, blame it on guns, or band together as citizens and support those who run toward the danger so we might stay safe.
I stand with every officer and first responder. I pray for the families who lost a mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband, or wife. I stand with each officer during this dark time and say, thank you for your service. Thank you for keeping me and my family safe. You are my hero.
“Today I’m participating in a group blogging! WOW! Women On Writing has gathered a group of blogging buddies to write about finding love in unimaginable places. Why this topic? We’re celebrating the release of Michael French’s twenty-fourth novel. Once Upon a Lie (Terra Nova Books) is an exploration of the secrets families keep, and the ways those secrets can tear a family apart.
Growing up in South Carolina, one would expect me to know how to Shag. No, not shag – I’m an American, not a Brit. I mean, I had two daughters, so I knew how to shag – but I didn’t know how to shag. Okay, that’s way too much information and not what I was trying to say.
Let me start again – I grew up without learning how to do our state dance, the Carolina Shag – a partner dance done primarily to Beach Music. I loved dancing but as a single mom, I had long outgrown my high school dance moves. It was time to learn more adult moves – I meant to say sophisticated dance moves. Jeez. Getting this story out is harder than I planned.
When the time came, after my divorce, to get back into the dating game I decided a good place to start was to learn our state dance. Our local YMCA offered lessons and I signed up. However, with two little ones, a busy work schedule, and a very tight budget, I was unable to attend those first round of classes.
Months later, I tried again and with both young daughters in tow, I showed up at the YMCA ready to dance. Settling the girls in a corner, the oldest child with her homework and the youngest her blankie and pacy, I joined the other late bloomers for my first lesson in the art of the Carolina Shag and then the unimaginable happened. On the very first night, I met my husband – the love of my life.
I still remember the first time I saw him walk through the door. Tall, dark and handsome wearing black slacks and a red sweater, his dark brown eyes had me at ‘hello’. Over the course of eight weeks, I learned to shag, twirl, spin, and follow his lead. That was nearly thirty years ago.
I went to the YMCA to learn to dance, but I found love. Unimaginable.
Two hundred forty years ago on July the 4th 1776, thirteen colonies declared their independence from England, which lead to the formation of the United States. On that day, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. You can download your copy here. I encourage everyone to read it.
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Click to Tweet.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Click to Tweet
On this Independence Day, we find ourselves in a dangerous and divided country. Faced with one of the most contentious presidential elections in my lifetime, and terrorists who are out to destroy our country, we are in trouble. But, we the people have choices.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” Click to Tweet
Understand this election is not about your side or mine. It’s not about gender, glass ceilings, or dynasty politics. It’s not about an outspoken businessman. This election is about us, our future, our children and grandchildren’s future. It’s about the security of our nation both physically and economically.
So, while you celebrate our country’s independence with barbecue, and fireworks, realize we are at a crossroads.
Our choices are limited this year but think, carefully, my friend – the spin is in and whichever lot you cast will determine the future and direction of our country. Independence is not free.
Be safe this July 4th and don’t forget to thank those who serve to keep us safe and independent every day. To those men and women, I say:
I don’t know about you but submitting my work has become very time-consuming, confusing, and stressful. The sheer number of journals, magazines, and contests from which to choose is overwhelming. Where to start? Which one is the best fit for me?
COW PASTURE CHRONICLES 