Curated Calls & Competitions

Today IWU would like to acknowledge what looks to be a terrifically useful resource — a wealth of over 80* no-fee, paying opportunities for writers.

*and that’s just for this issue of her newsletter

Erika Dreifus regularly serves up these huge piles of contests, competitions, and other opportunities — potentially saving writers an appreciable amount of online research.

Visit her Practicing Writing website and/or subscribe to her newsletter.

Give, and Maybe: Get!

The Cabin, in Boise, is giving away three prize bundles. You’re automatically entered if you make a donation at TheCabinIdaho.org/give between now and the end of January. (Multiple donations would seem to indicate multiple entries!)

Each bundle includes a $25 Rediscovered Books gift card, a reusable Cabin tote bag, a comfy and warm Cabin beanie, a bundle of books, a Cabin bullet journal with a pen (trust us, we’re picky about our pens), and a handcrafted ceramic Cabin mug.

Treasure Valley Writer?

We want YOU.

A New Program in the Treasure Valley Solicits Writers

If you’re a writer, you might find it difficult to get your work into potential readers’ hands (and ears). Writers Read, a program in Star, addresses the problem by giving writers a chance to read their work in public.

Mark your calendar

Location: Ada Community Library, Star Branch

Free, starting at 5:30 p.m. MT

  • 17 January
  • 21 February
  • 21 March

Your participation will encourage the organizers to continue!

More about it

Every month we’ll meet, featuring up to four authors per event. Participants can read anything they’re working on:

  • fiction, poetry
  • memoir
  • children’s lit
  • nonfiction
  • graphic novels

Writers Read organizer Tina Johnson is looking for writers to read at upcoming events in January, February, and March. “We’re inviting writers with all levels of experience across the Treasure Valley and beyond. “We’re excited to hear from teen as well as adult writers,” she said.

Be the audience

The program also seeks audience members. “It’s a great event for listeners as well,” Johnson said. The program lasts about an hour and includes time to chat with authors around the refreshment table.

If you have any questions, contact Tina Johnson at: starwritersread@yahoo.com
To sift out spam, please use this subject line — Writers Read Firstname Lastname — for example, Writers Read Jane Smith

Bulwer-Lytton (um) Winner!

As they introduce themselves on their website: “Since 1982 the Bulwer Lytton Fiction Contest has challenged participants to write an atrocious opening sentence to the worst novel never written. Our whimsical literary competition honors Sir Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, whose 1830 novel Paul Clifford begins with ‘It was a dark and stormy night’.”

Celebrate the 2022 winner … and view all the other winners (by genre), along with the accompanying Dishonorable Mentions.

Great writerly fun!

2022 grand prize winner

Vancouver Writers Fest – streamed

LIMITED TIME ACCESS — Passes are on sale now for their Digital Festival Release: 30 specially curated events, many previously sold out, representing some of the most intriguing, edifying, and fun offerings from our 2022 Festival, available online. Pay What You Can: $0 – $20 – $100 [recommended] – $250

Update! Extended through 30 JANUARY (was 6 January)