Writing the Life Poetic

"The Life Poetic iPoem Contest" deadline extended to November 1!

Sage Cohen, author of Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry (Writer's Digest Books, 2009) invites you to submit up to three poems that express the spirit of "the life poetic" to "The Life Poetic iPoem Contest" by November 1. Sage will be choosing 365 poems for inclusion in an iPhone app that features a poem a day for a year.

Following are the prizes and submission guidelines:

ENTER TO WIN:

First prize (value of more than $295)

• Free tuition in an upcoming Poetry for the People online class with Sage Cohen (non-transferable)

• Signed copies of three books by Sage Cohen: WRITING THE LIFE POETIC: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, THE PRODUCTIVE WRITER: Tips & Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success, and LIKE THE HEART, THE WORLD poetry collection.

Second prize (value of more than $125)

• A review of your 10-page poetry manuscript + 1/2 hour editorial consult with Sage Cohen

• Signed copies of three books by Sage Cohen: WRITING THE LIFE POETIC: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, THE PRODUCTIVE WRITER: Tips & Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success, and LIKE THE HEART, THE WORLD poetry collection.

Life Poetic prize (exposure = priceless!)

I will choose 365 winning poems, including first and second prize winners, to be published in the "Life Poetic" iPhone app, which will feature one poem per day and give users a panoramic experience of the "life poetic". Winners will receive one free copy of the "Life Poetic" iPhone app.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Poem specs:

• Please submit up to three unpublished poems.
  
• Each poem should have NO MORE THAN 20 lines.
• Poems should express the poet's interpretation of the theme "The Life Poetic."

Submissions specs:

• Submission should be a single Word doc that includes: cover letter + one poem per page (for a maximum total of four pages).
• Please include your name, email address, phone number and birthday (Month and day) on every poem.
• Cover letter should include one URL you'd like to appear as a bio credit after your name.
• Please name Word doc with your first/last name. For example, mine would be: sagecohen.doc.
• Send submissions to: Sage(at)sagesaidso(dot)com. You will receive confirmation within 48 hours of receipt.
• One submission of up to three poems per poet, please.

Deadlines:

• NEW DEADLINE: Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. PST on November 1, 2010. 
• Winners will be announced by January 1, 2011.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please ask them in the "comments" section here, and I will answer them for everyone. I can't wait to read your poems!

Make Your Story Sing (and Sell): a workshop with Sage Cohen and Jessica Morrell

Want to spend a delicious day at one of the most beautiful places on earth, learning how to make your language leap off the page? I'd like to spend that day with you! Let's do it.

Make Your Story Sing (and Sell)
a workshop taught by authors Sage Cohen and Jessica Morrell
The Center for Contemplative Arts, Manzanita, Oregon
October 23, 2010 -- 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $80

To me the greatest pleasure in writing is not what it's about but about the music the words make. ~ Truman Capote

Writers often believe that it takes a knockout plot or idea to see their work in print. Of course, what you say is important; but many writers don’t realize that how you say it matters just as much. The truth is that the beauty of your sentences and strength of your voice can help take a solid piece of writing from the slush pile to publication.

Stories are built of sentences, and sentences are built word by word. An artfully-crafted sentence can bring shivers of recognition in the reader, stir his or her emotions, build or release tension and take the action forward. When words are consciously chosen for impact, you can keep your reader on the edge of his or her seat from start to finish––whether you’re writing a personal essay, a piece of fiction or a how-to article.

Join two inspiring writing teachers and authors for a deep dive into the possibilities of language. Through a mix of writing exercises, inspiring examples, generous handouts and personal instruction, writers of all genres will learn how to make potent language choices that will bring your great ideas to life and increase your odds of publication.

Instructor Bios:

Sage Cohen is the author of Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, The Productive Writer: Tips and Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success (forthcoming in December 2010) and the poetry collection Like the Heart, the World.

Jessica Morrell is the author of Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us, A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected; Bullies, Bastards & Bitches, How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction; The Writer’s I Ching: Wisdom for the Creative Life, Voices from the Street; Between the Lines: Master The Subtle Elements Of Fiction Writing; and Writing Out the Storm. Find her at thewritinglifetoo.blogspot.com.

How to Enroll: Send a check for $80 to Jessica Morrell, P.O. Box 820141, Portland, OR 87282 Please include your email address and a phone number. A confirmation email will be sent when your check is received along with further instructions.

What to Bring: Please bring writing materials, two colored highlighter markers, two-three paragraphs of a writing sample, and questions about language and craft.

The grace of acronyms (and the life poetic), brought to you by Laura Loescher

THE LIFE POETIC and the POETIC LIFE in acronyms

By Laura Loescher

 
 Trust
 Human
 Evolution
 
 Love
 Is
 Flowing
 Endlessly
 
 People
 Of
 Earth
 Travel
 Into
 Consciousness
 
 
 
 Laura’s
 Intuition
 Follows
 Every
 
 Possibility
 Of
 Endless
 Truth
 In
 Creation
 
 
 Presence
 Offers
 Every
 Trouble
 Into
 Compassionate
 
 Loving
 Inquiry
 For
 Enlightenment
 
 Presence
 Opens
 Each
 Time
 I
 Can
 
 Lean
 Into the
 Fluidity of
 Everything
 

Get your productivity infusion here

Want to be more productive in your writing life -- in just a few minutes? You can learn common mistakes to avoid by checking out this free, online article at Writer's Digest: "Top 10 Pitfalls Writers Should Avoid".

The companion, print piece "10 Ways to Be a Productivity Pro" is featured in the "Big 10" (September) issue of Writer's Digest -- available now in your favorite bookstore. This is a first-of-its-kind issue, with a wide range of satisfying suggestions and insights from bestselling authors such as Jodi Picoult, Sherman Alexie, Natalie Goldberg, Chuck Palahniuk, and many more.

Both articles offer a quick snapshot of the range of tips and tools, strategies and systems that will be offered in my latest book, The Productive Writer, for writers of all genres, forthcoming in December of this year!

To your productivity!

Reading Local is seeking short fiction and nonfiction from Portland writers

Hi, folks! Arthur Smid is helping Reading Local Portland find short stories to publish. He asked that I share this invitation with you -- and I'm doing so because I love Reading Local and appreciate their good work in service to our community. I hope you'll participate! Here is Arthur's note:

By seeking out emerging talent, requesting stories from established writers, and accepting submissions, the online literary journal at Reading Local Portland will create awareness among writers of their contemporaries and build an audience for new work. The goal is to provide an online page of Portland-based literary fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Beginning in September, Reading Local will publish one new story (up to 1,500 words) each week from writers living in the Portland area. We are not able to pay contributors at this time. Authors retain all rights and own their work. Send your story (up to 1,500 words) with a brief bio (and link to your website) to smidarthur(at)gmail(dot)com.

Four more days to submit to "The Life Poetic iPoem Contest!"

There's still time to submit to "The Life Poetic iPoem Contest!" Your poem could appear on an iPhone app that features a poem a day for a year.

Enter to win a variety of prizes, with a total value of more than $400 -- plus the priceless delight of having your poetry shared far and wide.

Get all of the details here!

Become a productivity pro with two, new articles in Writer's Digest

Want to be more productive with your writing process and results than ever before? I have two, new articles that may help.

Check out "10 Ways to Be a Productivity Pro" in the "Big 10" (September) issue of Writer's Digest -- available now in your favorite bookstore or purchased here. This is a first-of-its-kind issue, offering a wide range of satisfying suggestions and insights from writers including Jodi Picoult, Sherman Alexie, Natalie Goldberg, Chuck Palahniuk and many more.

My companion piece, "Top 10 Productivity Pitfalls For Writers To Avoid" is available for FREE on the Writer's Digest website. Together, the two articles give you the "do's" and "don'ts" (according to me) of productivity in the writing life!

Both pieces offer some of the greatest hits (and tips) from my latest book: The Productive Writer: Tips and Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success -- to be released in December of this year.

What are your favorite productivity tips and tricks? I'd love to hear what keeps your writing (and publishing, promoting, and platform-building) going strong in the comments below!

Wishing you peace, poetry, productivity and prosperity,

Sage