Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion Blog

Welcome to the New Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion Blog

2009-04-20T12:37:00.000-05:00

Hi, everybody! Welcome writers! This blog is for and about you. We won't necessarily discuss the how-to's of writing, but we'll talk about what we, as writers, do between the lines of our writing life for joy, inspiration, comfort and fun.

(Technical note - this post will always be on top, so don't worry about the date.)

If you've visited my Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion website you know I am all about everything writer-friendly. In the coming posts I'll share my current favorite writer finds, ways to celebrate, spoil or treat yourself (such as great wines, munchies, chocolates, savory goodies, favorite tunes), cozy cabins you can visit for writer getaways, favorite (easy and healthy, most of the time) recipes for busy writers, inspirational quotes, and more.

The awesome part of this blog is that you have a voice here too. Writers, I invite you to share your favorite finds, recipes, getaways, inspiration, quotes, whatever gets you through the days and nights of your writer's soul.

Always respect copyright notices and post links to the original piece if you quote from another author's work. Give credit where credit is due.

Bon secour, writers. Safe Harbor.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to hear from you soon!

Lynn Carney, owner of http://writerscozycabincompanion.com/

Author Profiles

2009-04-20T00:26:00.004-05:00

Hi, writers. If you are a published author and would like to be considered for our featured author page on http://writerscozycabincompanion.com , please email Lynn at lynncarney5@gmail.com.

If you have a call for submissions, writer's contest or writer's conference to promote on the Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion site, please contact Lynn at the above email address.

Thanks!

Woman's World Fiction Guidelines

2008-11-30T14:27:00.001-06:00

WOMAN'S WORLD FICTION GUIDELINES

Hi, writers. You may be familiar with Woman's World, the perky little tabloid style magazine by the checkout every week in your local market. What you may not know is that they pay $1000 for an 800 word romance short story, and $500 for a 700 word mystery.

That's what I call writer-friendly!

After searching in vain on the Web for their fiction guidelines, I emailed Woman's World.

Here are their most recent guidelines as of December 1, 2008.

WOMAN'S WORLD FICTION GUIDELINES

Romance guidelines:

We buy contemporary romances of 800 words. Stories must revolve around a compelling, true-to-life relationship dilemma; may feature either a female or male protagonist; and may be written in either the first or third person. Characters may be married, single, divorced or widowed; should be down-to-earth - (no yuppies or jet-setters); and their dilemma should be poignantly or humorously conveyed.

Please think carefully about a story's set -tell the story with interesting action and dialogue. (Every sentence, paragraph, and scene of the story should deliver more information about your characters and their situation and/or briskly advance the storyline). We are not interested in stories involving life-or-death matters, nor are we interested in fluffy, flyaway-style romance.

When we say romance, what we really mean is relationship--whether it's just beginning or is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The emphasis in our stories is on real life-which is why we do not buy science fiction, fantasy or historical romance.

We pay $1,000 per romance and retain First North American Serial Rights for six months after publication.

Mini mystery guidelines:

We purchase short "solve-it-yourself" mysteries of 700 words--a count that includes the narrative and the solution. Stories should be cleverly plotted, entertaining cliffhangers that end with a challenge to the reader to figure out whodunnit or howdunnit.

The solution to the mystery is provided in a separate box. Robbery, burglary, fraud and murder are acceptable subjects, but spare the readers any gory details or excessive violence, please! We are also not interested in ghost stories, science fiction or fantasy.

We pay $500 per mystery and retain First North American Serial Rights for six months after publication.

IMPORTANT NOTES!

Manuscripts should be double-spaced in legible size type. Where to send manuscripts:

Fiction Editor, Woman's World, 270 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. Indicate Mini Mystery or Romance on the envelope.

How to send manuscripts:

(1) You must include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to receive a reply. Manuscripts not accompanied by a SASE will be discarded. Note: A #10 SASE is necessary not just for a response, but for your contract if we purchase your story. (2) Please DO NOT fax or e-mail manuscripts--because such submissions do not include SASEs, we have no means of responding to your submission.

Get to know us:

Please familiarize yourself thoroughly with our romances and mini mysteries before submitting your work. Be patient: Because we receive a tremendous volume of manuscripts, our turnaround time may range from one to six months. If you still have not heard from us after that time, feel free to re-submit your manuscript. Please do not call or write us to inquire about a manuscript's status.

Good luck!
Lynn

Ozarks Cozy Cabins You Can Visit

2008-11-18T01:44:00.009-06:00

This is the lighted bridge I cross to get to Fannie's Barn, my favorite cozy cabin in the Ozarks. This gorgeous, luxury log cabin, nestled at end of a private lane in the lap of 170 acres of wild pine and hardwood forest, is the perfect writer's retreat.

My favorite feature is the full length sunroom, which is "curl-up comfortable" with lovely designer fabrics and homey touches, and views of a clearing where deer gather to graze. Another sunroom houses a 5' by 6' Jacuzzi surrounded by native stone and greenery. Soak your cares away in total privacy.

At night, two big chairs in the loft bedroom offer an island of tranquillity, with only the sounds of wildlife or a pine cone dropping on the roof to break your thoughts. You can snuggle in front of the fireplace and have a glass of wine, watch satellite TV, DVDs or listen to CDs.

Cook to your heart's content in the full granite and stainless steel kitchen, or grill out on the deck while your hubby fishes one of the resort's stocked lakes. (Or do as I do - make him cook.)

Spoil yourself at Fannie's Barn - Cinnamon Valley Resort - Eureka Springs, AR. Full review on my Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion site:
http://writerscozycabincompanion.com/

Tell the manager, Chris, that Lynn sent you. :-)

Cinnamon Valley Resort - rated very writer-friendly.

Recipes from The Cozy Cabin

2008-11-17T02:40:00.013-06:00

Here's some recipes from the cozy kitchen at our Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion website. Now it's your turn. Share your favorite writer-friendly recipe here in your comment.

Old South Salmon Patties

These are so delicious I just had to share the recipe for the best salmon patties I have ever tasted. Prep time is minimal, no fancy or costly ingredients. That's what I call writer-friendly!

1 can Chicken of the Sea Pink Salmon (remove bones and drain well)
1 large beaten egg
1/4 cup plain yellow corn meal
1/4 plain flour
1/2 cup finely minced sweet onion
Mrs. Dash
Black Pepper
3 - 4 Tablespoons real mayonnaise (keeps patties moist)
Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil for frying

Mix all ingredients (except oil) in a bowl. Shape into patties, either round or oblong. Carefully place salmon patties in hot oil (I use a medium size iron skillet) and fry until both sides are golden brown, turning only once. This won't take long, so watch carefully.

Serve hot with tartar sauce and lemon wedges, cabbage slaw, and marinated tomato and cucumber salad.

Totally Addictive Stuffed Jalapenos

(All measurements are approximate. )
12 medium sized jalapeno peppers, cut in half, scraped and seeded

Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese softened
about 1/3 cup Oscar Mayer real bacon bits
about 1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion (more or less)
generous dashes of sea salt, Mrs. Dash & black pepper (we like spicy)
about 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (do not use processed cheese)

Preheat oven: 400 degrees.

(Wear gloves for this step.) Wash peppers. Cut in half. Seed and scrape off all white membranes if you want mild peppers.

Drop in boiling water and boil for 10-20 minutes. (The longer you boil, the milder they will be.) Open the windows or run an air filter for the fumes if you're sensitive. Drain these peppers well on paper towels.

In food processor, finely chop onions and cheddar cheese. Add cream cheese and spices. Blend until just mixed. Stir in bacon bits. Arrange peppers on baking sheet. Fill halves with cream cheese mixture and bake for approx. 15-20 minutes, or until cheese melts. Serve warm or cold.

These are addictive, and healthier than breaded poppers. Prepare more than you think you'll need. They're great the next day.

This recipe is for those who prefer milder peppers. If you like them hot, leave some seeds and membranes and reduce or eliminate boiling time.

Visit our website for writers:
http://writerscozycabincompanion.com

Local Color - Photo

2008-11-17T01:09:00.002-06:00

"Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay." ~Robert Frost

To see more of my photos of the Ozarks, please visit the photo galleries on my Writer's Cozy Cabin Companion site:

http://writerscozycabincompanion.com/

HAPPY AUTUMN!
Lynn