Notes for Writers for Jan. 31, 2020

The best writing tips, guides, and gigs of the week

Hi There,

Did you watch the Grammy’s? As the nominees for Album of the Year were announced, Billie Eilish mouthed, “Please, don’t be me.” A Gif of the moment is below. I didn’t watch the Grammy’s because I’m the specimen of uncool. (Seriously, while searching for this clip, I misspelled Elish’s name. And not accidentally.)

Anyway, my wish is that you, too, will be successful in your creative endeavors. And when you are, may you be Billie Elish humble.

Have a beautiful weekend, friend,

Nick

This Week I

• Read about Marcelo Hernandez Castillo and other Undocupoets.

• Reviewed Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King.

• Wrote about why you need a style guide for your writing.

• Ranted about employers taking advantage of freelance writers.

Tweet of the Week

Neil Gaiman @neilhimself

Late? You aren't even expected to show up yet. Read this, it will give you some perspective: tor.com/2017/11/16/wri…

Tyler Jones @ShadowsofAeon

@neilhimself Hello Neil! I've been watching your lectures and I watched your documentary "Dream Dangerously" as well as stumbling upon your Masterclass but I have an important question. I am going to be twenty-eight years old in April isn't it too late to be a writer?

For all writers

• 3 Surprising Ways Journaling Makes Me a Better Writer

• How Photography Can Improve Your Writing

• 7 Writing Tips From Roald Dahl

• Show, Don’t Tell

• Top Mistakes New Writers Make

For Freelance Writers

• How to Attract More Clients as a Freelancer

• This Person Left Their Six-Figure Job for a Freelance Writing Career

• How to Plan a Break from Freelance Writing

• One Key to Succeeding as a Freelance Blogger

• How to Farm for New Clients

Now You, Authors

• Writing Tips From the Don Winslow Universe

• Top Writing Tips From Your Favorite Aussie YA Authors

• How to Format a Book for Publishing

• Basing Fictional Characters Off of Real People

• 3 Top Tips to Banish Writer’s Block

And You, Bloggers

• How to Find New and Exciting Topics to Write About

• Why the Most Important Thing You Can Invest in Your Blog is Time

• 15 Pillar Posts Every Blog Needs

• How to Start Getting Organic Traffic to Your Blog

• 6 Reasons Your Blog Needs a USP

Writing Gigs

• Freelance Show Note Writer Wanted

Calls and Contests

• Belmont Story Review, Volume 5 (Deadline: Feb. 1)

• The Charles Crupi Memorial Poetry Contest for Michigan high school students (Deadline: Feb. 1)

• Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award (Deadline: Feb. 1)

• 2020 Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices (Deadline: Feb. 2)

• Zócalo Public Square Poetry Prize (Deadline: Feb. 3)

• Spread the Word Life Writing Prize; U.K.-based poets over 18 (Deadline: Feb. 3)

• Ballard Spahr Prize for Poetry; Poets residing in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Michigan (Deadline: Feb. 14)

• Lex Allen Literary Festival Poetry and Fiction Prize; U.S. undergraduate students only (Deadline: Feb. 14)

• Ballard Spahr Prize for Poetry 2020; Poets living in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Michigan (Deadline: Feb. 15)

• Cash Prizes for LGBTQ Writers (Deadline: Feb. 17)

• Western Australian Premier's Book Awards; Western Australian writers, illustrators (Deadline: Feb. 17)

• 2020 Nelson Algren Literary Award (Deadline: Feb. 17)

• Jewish Book Council Open Call for Short Story Submissions (Deadline March 1)

One for the Road

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