Monday, August 31, 2009

falling for fall & critique mania

Now that August is wrapping up and we’re making the transition into fall, I find myself thinking about organization, setting goals, and clearing my desk for the working months ahead. Maybe it’s the relation of fall to school that always has me thinking autumn is such a great time for working on writing tasks and getting a few big projects from my to-do list accomplished, or maybe it’s just the change in season. But I always feel like fall is the start of something new. A new book; a new collection of poems; a new start….

Summer is such a time of play for me. The workload seems lighter, more playful, and social with readings, festivals, and other events. This change in season brings on a new schedule of events, sure, but it is also one of cracking down and getting to work. I’ve sharpened my pencils, I’ve reorganized my computer files, and I have a nice list of to-dos awaiting my attention as I segue into the next season. What about you? Do you start new projects in the fall? Do you reflect on your progress and set goals for yourself? Do you start drooling at the to-be-read pile, knowing you’ll get around to reading more during the fall than in the busy social months of summer?

Perhaps you’ve been working on something and are eager to receive feedback. If that’s the case, I have to let you know that Aug 31st is the last postmark day to register for the 2009 Critique Mania. This is a fundraiser for Soundings Review, which stems from the Whidbey Island Writers Association. Not only is this a great way to support a fantastic organization for writers, but for a mere $25 a writer can submit 1,000 words of prose or one poem (50 lines max) to be professionally critiqued and reviewed by one of many writers who have volunteered their time to support emerging artists through this fundraiser.

The response is fast – critiques will be returned by October 7th. And, if you have more than one piece you would like critiqued, or wish to have more than one author look at your writing, that’s possible too. So you can pick and choose what you’d like to receive feedback on, select which author(s) you would like to review your work, and all the while you’ll be supporting one of the best writing organizations I have come across.

You can find out more about Critique Mania here and there is detailed info about the participating authors here. Go on, check it out, and if you have something you want critiqued, make sure you get your submission postmarked today!

Also, don’t forget about the upcoming contest! At the end of September, I’ll be randomly selecting a name from the list of blog followers; one lucky winner will receive a personally signed copy of one of my books! So click to follow this blog if you don’t want to miss the latest news, interviews, and guest blogs and snag your chance to win a signed book.

Until next time… happy reading!

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