Cara Bruce

Robot Hearts: Twisted and True Tales of Seeking Love in the Digital Age
We want your true stories of dating and mating in the 21st century. Have you had a funny, strange or horrifying experience with online matchmaking services? Had a cybersex encounter of the weirdest kind? Conducted your relationship mostly online? Been victim of a text-message break-up? Whether you’re living happily ever after or continue to be digitally dumped, you’ve got a story we may want to publish!

We are looking for thoughtful-yet-humorous nonfiction pieces that focus on the uniqueness of trying to make a human connection in this digital age. We are interested in the ideas of love and technology intertwined, for better or for worse. Is dating now so very different from the days of our ancestors? Does courtship still exist in the world of instant-everything? Have ideas of romance changed even within your lifetime? Has technology enhanced or intercepted your chances at a love connection? Has progress gotten in the way of your more primal instincts? The world wants to know!

Guidelines
All essays should be of the true and personal nature, written in the first-person. Focus on one or a few selected events in your life; do not send rants or political speeches. Stories should be titled. Essays should be between 1000 – 5000 words, double spaced, paginated and word-processed. No funky fonts, please.

Please include a brief bio (1-3 sentences) at the end of your submission.

Deadline: Dec 31st, 2009

Please send your submissions to: red@lifesabitchbooks.com or
Life’s a Bitch Books
P.O. Box 4788
Baltimore, MD 21211

Writers chosen for the book will be contacted early in 2010. Their selected stories will be published in an anthology shortly thereafter. Each contributor receives two free copies of the finished book, will be included in publicity promoting the book and will be invited to read at literary events associated with the release of the book. Books will be available on amazon.com  and our company website.

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Image by Tony Acosta
www.tonymech.com

6-Week Writing Intensive: September 15, 2009 to October 27, 2009

Write your truth. Tell your stories. Make a commitment to yourself. Wherever you’re from, whatever you’ve survived, however you live—it’s all fodder for your work. Your unique experiences are vital to creating and critiquing. This multi-genre workshop will serve as a tool for self-discovery and story excavation under the guidance of two professional writers in a focused, supportive environment.

Generate dynamic new material through exercises and peer review; revive dormant work using elements of craft, community and critique. By the end of the course, writers should be comfortable sharing their writing and offering constructive criticism.

This is a multi-genre online workshop for anyone serious about turning life stories into publishable works. Our stories span generations, theme, structure and region. Thanks to the Internet, Life’s a Bitch Books offers access to professionals and dialogue with a worldwide writing community.

We will be publishing 50% to 75% of students’ work (depending on quality) in one of our upcoming anthologies.

Cara Bruce brings fiction, publishing and editing expertise to the class, while Shawna Kenney offers nonfiction and memoir advice. Both have nurtured many writers on their way to publication.

Online workshops allow you to set your own schedule, no matter how busy you are. In addition, online writing workshops give you the opportunity to present your work with no fear. It is often easier to share your most personal experiences online instead of face to face. Assignments are given weekly and feedback is given daily.

Limited enrollment for maximum attention to your work. Waiting list maintained for next workshop. Space may be reserved by sending a writing sample or letter-of-intent to the email address below. All inquiries should be directed to:

info@lifesabitchbooks.com

Total Fee: $250, payable by check, money order, or Paypal
For more information visit our Register page.

A partial deposit is required. Once enrolled, you will receive a password and link to the online Moodle classroom, with instructions for uploading documents and initial introductions. Refer a new student and receive a $25 discount. Email us for more information.

We look forward to reading your work!

For more information visit: www.lifesabitchbooks.com