Cindi Myers Market News's Blog

All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.
F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Big News this week is about changes to Dorchester Books’ publishing program. They’re eliminating mass market paperback editions of their books. Mass market books are the size most paperbacks appear in — a size originally designed to fit in slots at grocery, drug stores and news agents. Beginning in September 2010, all books from Dorchester will appear first as ebooks, then several months later as trade paper size. Trade paper is the larger size, similar to hardcover, with a soft cover.  This is a business model followed by many e-publishers — e-version of the book first, then a trade paper version later. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Dorchester and its authors.

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One example of a trade paper release is my current book, Things I Want to Say. Available online and in a bookstore near you this month.

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Delacorte Books announces its 29th Annual Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel. First prize is a book contract with $1,500 cash and $7,500 advance against royalties. You’re eligible to enter if you haven’t previously published a book-length work or young adult fiction. Enter the complete manuscript of a contemporary novel suitable for readers aged 12 to 18. Manuscripts should be between 100 and 224 typewritten pages. Entries must be postmarked after October 1 but before December 31, 2010. Find all the rules here.

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As always, feel free to pass along information from this newsletter to others. All I ask is that you give me credit and include a link. Thanks!

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.  The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” ~Sylvia Plath

Do you write fiction, nonfiction or even poetry related to Florida? Saw Palm Journal has issued a Call for Submissions. Saw Palm is a web and print literary magazine. The editors are looking for fiction to 6000 words, creative nonfiction to 6000 words, interviews with Florida writers or artists,  and 500-word pieces on “Places to Stand in Florida” and “Insane Anecdotes About Florida History.”   For all the details, including how to submit, check out the guidelines.

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Author-Exchange has issued a call for short stories for the STory of the Week feature on their blog. All genres are welcome. No payment that I can tell, but since this is a author promotion service, perhaps you could negotiate some free promotional services in exchange for your story. Check it out here.

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My newest release Things I Want to Say is in stores now.  I know some of you who read this blog have no interest in romance, what I usually write, so here is your chance. Things I Want to Say isn’t a romance. It’s a book about female friendships and family secrets. If this sounds like your kind of book, give it a try.

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I don’t often come across markets of interest to poets, but the Anniversary Gifts by Year website is sponsoring a contest for the best Golden Anniversary Poem. The best 50th anniversary poem wins $100. The funniest poem wins $50. The deadline to enter is September 30, 2010. Find all the details here.

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Editorial Changes/Moves:

As always, feel free to share information from this blog with others. All I ask is that you give me credit and provide a link. Thanks!