A Stylish Blog Award

I've been given A Stylish Blogger Award!

Seven Things about myself:

1.
I've edited the opening chapters of my novel so many times I can't see the wood for the trees so, like turning a painting upside down to see it afresh, I'm editing from the bottom (last page) up. So far, its working! I'm going to bite the bullet and say that the final draft will be done, dusted and posted to someone in the publishing world by March 31st! (2011, that is!)

2.
I've a cows lick of Alfalfa proportions - my arch nemesis is Betty Pages fringe...

3.
I'm reading "Living Daylights" by Jennifer Copley (Happenstance), it's wonderful...and about living with the dead...you can read a sample from the sequence here

4.
I'm forty this summer and in need of a Bucket List...any suggestions?

5.
I'm grateful no one can ever, ever make me wear those white tight patterned school socks I spent over a decade sporting, the red imprint they left all over my legs is still vivid. ( in my memory, not on my legs...)

6.
Today, between editing and dish washing, I'd a good old bop to The Ramones. A Highly Recommended, Cheap and Relatively Safe Kitchen Activity. (Might start a list of those!)

7.
I love Bette Davis. She was my role model when I was younger and should've been emulating someone with a halo...unfortunately this tendency has proved hereditary....

Thanks to Ann & Mary for the Award!

I would like to pass the award onto 120 Socks!

Poetry 24

Want to get something off your chest?

Poetry24 is a brand new blog, launched by Martin Hodges and Clare Kirwan.

"The aim is simple: to publish news-related or topical poetry that reflects what's happening in the world, or current affairs. The idea was partly inspired by a response to a poem written by Martin. Blogger, Alan Burnett commented, "I am reading your words and at the same time watching the News24 reports from Cairo and thinking you might have invented Poetry24."

Find out more at Poetry 24

Photograph Prose

"Photograph Prose is a virtual gym for photographic and prosaic stylists to exercise their talents and execute imaginative nerve; creating together inspired works via conscious experience.

I have a very short, short over at Photographprose today. Not one of my sweeter pieces, but I can't be nice all the time!

"Photograph Prose is a forum for photographic and prosaic stylists to combine two of the most powerful artistic mediums into one unique work. Photographers contribute their photo through our Dark Room. Once a photo is developed it becomes part of the UP exhibit, a thought-provoking space for writers. When a writer discovers an image that feeds the brain, their role is to offer thoughtful interpretation, Prose. When these stylistic geni collide we have our final work – the PhoPro. Users of all kinds share their critiques of the PhoPro, replicate the art enthusiast’s experience in a live gallery of visual art; in this case we offer that same experience – virtually."

Venus With Biceps

From Venus With Biceps
Have a good weekend, stay strong!

A Fairy Tale Magazine

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine

Enchanted Conversation is a nonprofit organization for lovers of fairy tales all over the world. This year's first issue will be published on March 20, 2011. Submissions for issue one opens Feb. 21 at 12 a.m., EST and closes at 11:59 p.m., EST, Feb. 24 .

The first issue theme will be "Rumpelstiltskin." Only stories and poems based on that story or its variants will be accepted. But any aspect or character of "Rumpelstiltskin can be the focus of stories or poems. ONLY 10 works per issue will be chosen. Pays 10 cents per word for stories and a flat $50 for poems.

Subsequent Themes;
Issue Two, poetry only, "Snow White" theme.
Issue Three: "Cinderella" theme.
Issue Four: "Little Red Riding Hood" themes.

Click here for more Submission Details

In the spirit of promoting the magazine, there's a contest for anyone
who tweets or blogs to spread the word over at the Enchanted Conversation site!

The Moth Magazine

I received a lovely email this morning from The Moth Magazine accepting my poem "Mister Grey Hair, Yellow Teeth, Finish Me" for their March edition. It's a beautifully produced magazine so I'm thrilled!

Claire Keegan Workshop

Claire Keegan will be running a one-day workshop in Cork City on 21st April 2011 at the Triskel Arts Centre from 10 to 5 (lunch not provided).

Cost: 200 Euro. Five places only.

If you want to enroll for the workshop, please contact Madeleine D’Arcy at madeleinedarcy@eircom.net. Deadline for submission of manuscripts: 7th April 2011.