Here’s more detail about it: http://writerunboxed.com/2007/09/12/qa-backspace-agent-author-seminars/

The best advice I ever got, and it was from my first agent, was to stop writing short stories. I’m only saying this because she said, what’s your goal, and I said, I want to sell this novel and then write more of them. So she said, why are you writing short stories (knowing practically no one buys short story collections) and I answered because I’m good at them and I can publish them throughout the year and make my resume look better… in order to sell my novel. And she told me the only publication that would give her any leverage in the business was if I got a story into the New Yorker. And then she said, just please stop writing short stories. Put all that extra energy into your novel writing. And everything, EVERYTHING changed from then on. I’m only saying that, if your goal is to write and sell a novel this year, then maybe you can put the poems on hold for a year. And I’d say this to my friend who writes a haiku every day, too. And feel free to ignore my advice, always, but it was life-changing for me, and so I’m going to pass along the tip.

(http://open.salon.com/blog/mikelkpoet)

fora couple of years, and on my FaceBook page,

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1254733243

and I would like to expand on those, audience wise.

My second goal is to find an agent for my recently completed memoir,
“Did You Write The Book of Love?”

(http://kbookoflove.blogspot.com/)

and to complete my next memoir, “Baking Bread From Scratch,”
which I am about 75 pages into.

http://kbakingbreadfromscratch.blogspot.com/

I also want to continue writing 3 to 10 poems a day.

Thanks for asking!
Best to all of you,
Mikel K Poet

I’m a great believer in stirring several pots at once. So once you send out some query letters to agents (http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx), also enter your work into contests or try to publish portions of it here and there.

God Bless You
Mikel

http://rehabtheknovel.blogspot.com/

“After five years of operation and the publication of 10 issues, High Desert Journal has a sophisticated editorial and artistic vision. To further its potential, High Desert Journal is seeking a person with a strong entrepreneurial spirit who has a high regard for arts and literature, plus a skill set for developing and executing a sales and fundraising strategy to make the publication self-sustaining.

This position can be based anywhere in the West. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Quinn at 541-419-9836 or editor@highdesertjournal.com. Or submit cover letter and resume to email address or mail to High Desert Journal, P.O. Box 7647, Bend, OR, 97708.”

http://paperfort.blogspot.com/2010/01/job-opening-with-high-desert-journal.html

The Vernice Quebodeaux “Pathways” Poetry Prize
Postmark Deadline Extended to March 31
The Vernice Quebodeaux Prize, sponsored by Little Red Tree Publishing, includes a $1,000 cash award, publication of a full-length collection of poetry, and a generous royalty contract. All forms and styles are welcome.

The late Vernice Quebodeaux, born in Egan, LA (on the banks of the Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé), was a poet who spent a lifetime struggling with the demands of raising children, family feuds, bigotry, apathy, and indifference to her writing aspirations. On her death the beginnings of a book of poetry called Pathways was found by her daughter, Tamara Martin, and incorporated into a book, Sunday’s in the South. We are honoring her life and cherished goals by creating this competition to recognize the specific unique voices of women poets.

All finalists will be considered for publication, with one selected as the prizewinner with a book published in 2010. Download our complete guidelines (PDF), then send your 60-100 page manuscript with a $20 reading fee to: Little Red Tree Publishing, LLC, Attn: The Vernice Quebodeaux Prize, 635 Ocean Avenue, New London, CT 06320.

Little Red Tree Publishing
The Little Red Tree International Poetry Prize
Postmark Deadline Extended to March 31
The International Poetry Prize, sponsored by Little Red Tree Publishing, includes a first prize of $1,000. The runner-up will receive $250 and five finalists will receive $50 each.

This prize is offered in response to demand for an opportunity to be associated with Little Red Tree by poets who have yet to develop a full collection. It is also an opportunity for Little Red Tree to extend its search and engage with quality poets from around the world who wish to be published.

The prizewinner, runner-up and other honorees will feature prominently, with full biographies, in a special collection called Little Red Tree International Poetry Book 2010. The book will also include a wide selection of poetry from those submitted that did not make the final selection but were considered worthy of publication. We anticipate the book will contain as many as 80 poems, with a free copy to each poet published, and be published in 2010 with a book launch in New London, CT.

All winners and published poets will be invited to read their poems. Download our complete guidelines (PDF), then send your poem(s) with a reading fee of $5 each to: Little Red Tree Publishing, LLC, Attn: The International Poetry Prize, 635 Ocean Avenue, New London, CT 06320.

Little Red Tree Publishing
Little Red Tree Publishing

Little Red Tree Publishing was established in 2006 and is based in New London, CT. Our mantra is simply to produce books that: Delight, entertain and educate.

We have doubled the number of books produced each year and plan to publish 12 full books of poetry in 2010. Part of that plan is the incorporation of a full book of poetry from the Vernice Quebodeaux “Pathways” Poetry Prize and an anthology from the Little Red Tree International Poetry Prize.

From humble beginnings, Little Red Tree has always seen its role, consistent with the finest traditions of small independent publishing, as preserving and expanding the dwindling opportunities for previously unpublished poets and established poets to publish a full collection of poetry. It is our aim that each book attains the highest standards both aesthetically and artistically. Our aesthetic stance is one of quality in all aspects of the content and the physical appearance of our books. We feel passionately that well-crafted and accessible poetry should be celebrated and presented as such with conviction and confidence. Therefore, all our books are coffee-table size, 7″ by 10″—an emphatic statement of intent and a celebration of the poetry.

Our commitment to the individual poet and their work is undivided, and they are involved in every decision until their collection is complete, the book is finished and ready for printing.

We look forward to reading your wonderful poetry.

______________________

CONTESTS HOSTED AT WINNING WRITERS & OPEN NOW

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest
Postmark Deadline: March 31
Now in its 18th year. Prizes of $3,000, $1,000, $400 and $250 will be awarded, plus six Most Highly Commended Awards of $150 each. Submit any type of short story, essay or other work of prose, up to 5,000 words. You may submit work that has been published or won prizes elsewhere, as long as you own the online publication rights. $15 entry fee. See the complete guidelines and past winners.

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest – No Fee
Online Submission Deadline: April 1
Winning Writers invites you to enter the ninth annual Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. We’ve simplified the entry process and increased the prize pool to $3,600, including a top prize of $1,500. There’s still no fee to enter. Final judge: Jendi Reiter. See the complete guidelines and past winners.

War Poetry Contest
Postmark Deadline: May 31
We seek 1-3 original, unpublished poems on the theme of war for our ninth annual contest, up to 500 lines in total. We will award $5,000, including a top prize of $2,000. Submit online or by mail. The entry fee is $15. Final judge: Jendi Reiter. See the complete guidelines and past winners.

Margaret Reid Poetry Contest for Traditional Verse
Postmark Deadline: June 30
Now in its seventh year, this contest seeks poetry in traditional verse forms such as sonnets and free verse. Both published and unpublished poems are welcome. Prizes of $3,000, $1,000, $400 and $250 will be awarded, plus six Most Highly Commended Awards of $150 each. The entry fee is $7 for every 25 lines you submit. See the complete guidelines and past winners.

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Poetry Contest
Postmark Deadline: September 30
Now in its eighth year, this contest seeks poems in any style, theme or genre. Both published and unpublished poems are welcome. Prizes of $3,000, $1,000, $400 and $250 will be awarded, plus six Most Highly Commended Awards of $150 each. The entry fee is $7 for every 25 lines you submit. See the complete guidelines and past winners. The winners of the seventh contest will be announced in this newsletter on February 15.