Issue Five Hundred Fifty Six – Authors Publish Magazine

Brink Literary Journal: Now Seeking Submissions

Ella Peary — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 18:47:09 +0000

Brink is a print journal of hybrid and cross-genre writing. They publish both emerging and established writers, and they especially like to showcase authors who don’t fit within the boundaries of traditional disciplines. In doing this, they hope to create a community that connects people and ideas that were otherwise divided: “By providing space primed to instigate new ideas, Brink fosters dialogue and collaborative community across disciplines and cultural divides.” They aim to showcase writing from a diverse range of voices, and they especially encourage trans writers to submit.

Since launching in 2021, Brink has been published twice a year in print. Each of their five previous editions contain writing from around fifteen contributors, and each edition is themed. Past themes include “Desire,” “Certainty,” and “Trouble.”

There are also selections from each issue available for free online. It’s a good idea to read these selections before submitting to get an idea of what they like.

Brink accepts submissions twice a year, in January and July. Right now they’re open through January 31, and they’re seeking submissions on the theme of “Boundaries.” They’re also interested in writing that explores the idea of “being on the brink.”

Authors of hybrid writing may submit work of any length. It’s worth noting that hybrid writing is not the same as experimental writing: “Instead, it is a style that prioritizes the combination of multiple literary and artistic elements to produce a readable, engaging piece of work.” They especially like hybrid work that combines both written and visual elements.

Although Brink is mainly focused on publishing hybrid writing, they also accept poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Authors of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction—and cross-genre writing that blurs these boundaries—may submit work of any length. Brink does also accept translations.

Brink pays authors published in their journal. Poets receive $25 per poem. Authors of prose and hybrid writing receive $50 for work under 1,500 words, and $100 for work over 1,500 words.

Brink accepts submissions online using Submittable, not via email or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw work published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published writing.

Brink only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you would like to learn more or submit to Brink, please visit their website here.

Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.

LSU Press: Now Accepting Manuscript Queries & Proposals

Emily Harstone — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 18:46:03 +0000

LSU Press was founded in 1953 by Louisiana State University to help support the work of the university. They publish scholarly and general interest books, mostly about Louisiana and the south.

According to their site, their current areas of interest include:

African American studies
American history
Atlantic World history
Caribbean history
Civil War studies
Environmental studies
Fan studies
Foodways
Landscape Architecture
Literary studies
Louisiana archaeology
Louisiana history and culture
Media studies
Poetry
Roots Music
Southern environmental history
Southern history
Southern social justice issues
World War II

You can visit their active series page here, to see what their current focus looks like. A lot of the these imprints focus on the south but many also go beyond that scope. They also publish poetry.

If you are serious about submitting I’d really focus on spending time browsing the catalogue of the series your work would belong in. Each series page shares information to the series editor, although all submissions are redirected to the relevant acquisitions editors who you can learn more about here.

You can not submit an un-revised thesis dissertation and they have specific advice in terms of revising thesis dissertations.

They ask that poetry proposals include a cover letter, a one-page summary, as well as a few sample poems that are part of the manuscript, and a current resume or CV.

All proposals that are not for poetry manuscripts should include a cover letter, title, table of contents. information about competitive titles, and a resume or curriculum vitae. They also want to know a rough total word count, and information about proposed art. They do not want to see your whole manuscript at this time, but you must include sample chapters also.

They will only reply if they are interested in seeing more.

To learn more about submitting to them, please visit their website here.

Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2023 Guide to Manuscript Publishers. She regularly teaches three acclaimed courses on writing and publishing at The Writer’s Workshop at Authors Publish. You can follow her on Facebook here.

12 Ways Authors Can Use Instagram Reels to Increase Engagement

A Guest Author — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 18:43:20 +0000

By Ishitta Nigam

Picture this. You enter a café for your morning cup of coffee. There’s a queue, and you are patient enough, but your stomach grumbles in disagreement. You finally reach the counter and begin to recite your order,

“Hi, I would like to have a cappuccino and a…”

“…a croissant du beurre with extra butter melting on the top?”

You go speechless for a moment, but your heart swells at the realization. Someone at the café knows what I want?

You nod to the staff beaming at you and take out your card to pay.

“It’s on the house. Please take a seat, and you’ll get your order there.”

Still scouting for the right question, you glance around and find an empty table. You walk over and slip into the seat. A minute later, a hand pushes a tray of coffee and a croissant with butter melting on the top in front of you.

“There you go,” the waitress says, “I also sprinkled some cinnamon on your coffee. Just the way you like it.”

She turns away, but you call out, “Ummm… excuse me? How do you know what I want?” She turns around and grins,

“Oh, me and that guy on the counter,” she points to him, “we have read your book four times. Big fans! We saw a Reel where you were making breakfast. You know, we have had your coffee with cinnamon and a croissant with melting butter thrice since then.”

You beam back at her and realize it is time to thank the friend who shot your video and uploaded it on Instagram.

Every author wishes to be read and loved. When you put your heart out there, it deserves to be seen. While reaching an audience is easy, securing their undivided attention is a brain scratcher.

That’s why authors need social media. It helps you connect to your audience and gives them a glimpse into the wizard behind the words.

Videos grab the audience’s attention on social media like none other. In fact, short form video is the most viewed content on the internet, and Reels rule the roost with over 2.35 billion active users per month. They are short videos of at most ninety seconds that help you quickly reach the maximum number of people on Instagram. You can shoot one by swiping left on the Instagram app or upload one directly.

Reels depict micro-fiction. Here’s an example. Lost in thoughts, you just got a firm grip on the climax when your dog barges in, drenched in what you hope is only mud, takes a leap of faith at you and crash lands on your laptop.

Your kid captures that precious jump on his phone. It’s hilarious and worth going on your profile. But, you wonder what it conveys to your audience?

It reveals three crucial truths about you.

First, you are a dog person, probably like one-third of your readers.

Second, you are as human as those who dive into your stories.

And third, you have to deal with the same filth as them, yet you create a world they love being transported to.

The result is a palpable connection between the person behind the book and the readers viewing the video.

Interestingly enough, Instagram accounts with a lower number of followers enjoy as good a connection with their audience. Moreover, if your audience includes millennials and Generation Z, you cannot ignore Reels because they spend up to three hours a day swiping up on Instagram. And if your audience has left their 30s and 40s behind, it is time you let them know who they have been reading all this while.

Wondering what goes on Instagram Reels? Here are the top 12 ways you can use this brilliant tool to connect with your readers.

All the examples here are still images, but if you click on the source links under the images, you can see the full original reels.

1. To introduce a book you have been working on.

Let your readers know what you have been up to between releases. It stirs the water and gets the audience queuing up before the book launch. Alex Bracken seems to do a great job at that.

2. To reveal your version of the character.

Let your readers fall in love with the protagonist of your story. Share a character image created using graphics or fan art to keep readers engaged after they finish reading your book.

For instance, who wouldn’t fall in love with a red haired hunk with wings? Here’s to all Simon Snow fans.

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3. To leak quirky anecdotes from your life.

Keep the audience hooked by sharing personal stories. So, if you secretly take line dancing lessons, how about letting your readers in? It helps your audience get to know you personally.

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4. To announce book giveaways, discounts, book readings and other events.

Reels are a great way to announce a giveaway, upcoming discounts or any book reading events you are planning.

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5. To tell the readers where they can buy the book.

Chances are most of your audience will be active on Instagram. Let them know where to look for your book: Amazon, Kindle, or Indigo?

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6. To post your achievements.

For instance, you could announce winning an award like Holly Jackson, who recently won the Author of the Year Award at the TikTok Book Awards. Give your readers another reason to pick up your next book.

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7. To announce your live sessions.

Announce a book reading or a Live session on Instagram. To hook your audience, you can shoot a creative invite using Reels or upload one.

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[SOURCE ABOVE – LINK BROKEN?]

8. To share tips on writing.

Share your ideas and your story of becoming a writer through a short video on Reels. You could also offer some hacks to overcome writer’s block and inspire budding novelists among your followers.

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9. To unveil your audiobook.

Got your audiobook ready? Share a preview through Reels and nudge your listeners to tune in for the complete story. You can share some anecdotes about the voices behind the characters. It helps your listeners connect at a deeper level.

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10. To unbox the first copy of your book.

The look, the feel, and the aroma. Share your true expressions with the ones who matter as much as your characters: your readers. Shoot a video as you unbox the first copies of your publication and let the readers in on the excitement.

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11. Sharing your book reviews.

Tell your readers what they have been missing. Sharing your successful book reviews reveals your true mettle as an author.

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12. Or just to keep the audience engaged.

Use Reels to stay connected to your audience, especially the millennials and Generation Z, at a deeper level. Authors can be ‘easy to recollect’ when they often appear on Instagram. Plan activities around your book and post them as Reels to gauge your audience’s reaction.

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Besides flooding Instagram, Reels get shared a lot on WhatsApp, too. They come in handy whether your aim is marketing, sharing something special with the readers, or announcing a sequel.

You need Reels to bridge the gap between you and the ones who make you an author.

Author Bio: After a decade in B2B Corporate Sales, Ishitta took up content creation full time. She started her blog, www.salestors.com, and became a professional content writer. Today, she writes professional blog posts, website and social media content, and ad copy. She loves to scribble poems and short stories in her free time. You will find her work on various platforms, like Wattpad, Reedsy and Poetizer. She’s reachable at isha1410nigam@gmail.com for a chat.