Crazy for Calendars

This time of the year I go crazy for calendars.

I can't help myself. I justify buying them or picking up my complimentary copies from church or businesses because it's a way for me to get organized for the new year, keep up with family and school and sporting events, and track my goals, plus I just love calendars, especially pretty ones.

Today at Barnes and Noble I spent some time looking at the calendars, which were reduced by 50 percent. That's my kind of sale. I didn't buy one, but I've got my eye on a couple and might return later if I can justify buying another one, even if only to look at the pretty pictures. (I'm easily amused.)

I feel guilty wanting to have another calendar because I already have these:

2011 Saints from the Catholic Extension, which has been "providing Catholic calendars for nearly one hunderd years." Got this one after Mass from our parish. Each month has a large photo of a saint with a saying from them. This family calendar will be posted above the phone to jot down events.

Weekend Projects 2011 from True Value "Start right. Start here." Picked up this one while paying for keys at the local hardware store. It includes a checklist of monthly projects and things to do around the house. I'll give this one to Walt. He's our weekend projects guy.

2011 black pocket planner with my name embossed in gold from the Lakota children at the St. Joseph's Indian School, where I donate money sometimes. This one goes in my purse. The folks from St. Joseph Indian School keep sending me free stuff and I feel guilty if I don't send money to pay for the free stuff they send.

2011 Reading Writers calendar. It's free and a very handy way to track submissions and deadlines. I'll print off a copy for each month and keep in a folder or post on the bulletin board in my office to track deadlines and payments.

Blue Mountain Social Butterfly downloadable calendar from Blue Mountain Arts. For birthdays, anniversaries, and such. You have to register to receive it, but it's free and pretty and reminders are delivered to your PC (or laptop). Some folks might hesitate wanting to do that, but I'm trying it to see if it helps me stay on top of events.

So far, that's it, but it's not even January 1st yet, so I'll probably give in and buy a couple more. And I haven't been to the Hallmark store lately, where I usually pick up a free pocket planner.

How about you? Any favorite calendars to recommend?

Call for Submissions from ApronStrings

Being an Irish-American, I have a fondness for all things Irish, and the trip my sisters Kathleen, Bridget, and I made to Ireland in 1995 is one of my favorite memories. My writing friend Dianna Graveman knows about my fondness for Ireland, and she sends me call outs with an Irish slant.

Last year she sent me a call out for an Irish Inspirations anthology from Blue Mountain Arts. I submitted an essay "Coming Home," which was accepted for publication and is included in the anthology.

Anyway, Dianna e-mailed the other day with a call-out, which she also posted about on her Write in the Midwest blog. The magazine, in Wicklow, Ireland, is ApronStrings: Essential Reading for all Mothers. The editors are looking for stories from "mothers of all ages in all stages." The primary focus of their magazine is on personal essays, but they accept feature articles and some short stories. Irish and International writers are invited to submit. Payment varies, depending on length.

For complete details, including payment information, visit the writers' guidelines page of their website.

Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat! (that's Good Luck! in Irish Gaelic)

Irish Inspirations Anthology Now Available

Today in St. Peters, MO: Light snow, currently 25 degrees. I saw the sun today and can hear birds chirping outside my office window. Yay!

The sunshine isn't the only reason I'm in such a good mood. On Tuesday I received a lovely surprise in the mail--two copies of Irish Inspirations: Stories and Wisdom That Celebrate the Magic of the Emerald Isle from Blue Mountain Arts in Boulder, Colorado. Last year I submitted an essay titled "Coming Home," which was accepted for publication in the anthology. I was paid promptly and told the I would receive two copies of Irish Inspirations upon publication.

Those two copies couldn't have arrived at a better time. The first one, which I have autographed, is going to be included as part of an Irish-themed basket my sister Bridget has been putting together for a fundraiser raffle. Bridget has also collected donations and other items for the basket, which include a bottle of Jameson's whiskey, a gift certificate to McGurk's Irish Pub in O'Fallon, lots of items with shamrocks on them, a clock, and other lovely gifts.

The fundraiser this weekend is a benefit for my niece, Alexandra Duly, who at the age of 22 was diagnosed with brain cancer last fall. The fundraiser for Alexandra will be at The Pine Room, a cozy tavern in the older section of St. Charles. The Pine Room is not too far from Lindenwood University. The address is 1102 Perry Street, Saint Charles, Missouri. The phone number is: 636-754-6237. I'll be there around 4 p.m., so if any locals are in the neighborhood, I hope you can stop by and visit.

Oh, you can also purchase copies of Irish Inspirations directly from the publisher, Blue Mountain Arts, or at places like Carcker Barrel Restaurants.

Sláinte! (That's Cheers! in Irish Gaelic)

Blue Mountain Arts Seasonal Submission Dates

Today in St. Peters, MO: Mostly clear tonight, low 3 degrees. Brrr.

On the weekends I generally don't post on my blog, but while cleaning my office space last night I discovered a copy of some writer's guidelines with a very short deadline. (I'm really trying to get organized in 2010.)

In an envelope from Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. I found guidelines with a list of seasonal poetry submission dates.

One of this month's deadlines is tomorrow. Yikes!

The deadlines for January are:
Easter - Jan 4, 2010
Mother's Day - Jan 25, 2010

The publisher wants contemporary prose or poetry written from personal experience that reflects the thoughts and feelings people want to communicate to one another but don't always know how to put into words. The poem length does not matter, so long as it can fit on a card. They publish long and short pieces.

They do not want rhymed poetry, religious verse, one-liners or humor.

Try to avoid words or phrases such as "special," "gift," "sending you a hug," and "angel."

Mail postal submissions (typewritten, one poem per page, your name on every page, SASE). Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number with your submission and e-mail address if you wish periodic e-mail updates of their current needs to:

Blue Mountain Arts Editorial Department
P.O. Box 1007
Boulder, CO 80306

or

e-mail to editorial@sps.com They DO NOT accept attachments or website links. Type and paste text into the body of your e-mail. Submit as many different works as you wish in the same e-mail, but include your name, address, and telephone number. E-mail submissions will receive a reply as receipt of submission.

They respond within 2-4 months, but do not respond to e-mail submissions that are not chosen. So if you do not hear from them within 4 months, assume your work is not under consideration.

They pay $300 per poem for worldwide, exclusive rights to publish on a greeting card or other products and $50 per poem for one-time use in a book.

If you have questions, e-mail editorial@sps.com

Good luck!

My Essay Accepted by Blue Mountain Arts for Irish Inspirations Anthology

Today's forecast for St. Peters, MO: High 90 degrees, chance of thunderstorms.

It might be hot outside, but I'm feeling pretty cool today after the letter and contract I got in the mail on Saturday. My essay, "Coming Home," has been accepted by Blue Mountain Arts for an anthology tentatively titled Irish Inspirations. You can't see me right now, but I'm doing a happy dance--make than an Irish jig--or maybe a reel. My contract didn't specify a publication date, but I'll keep you all posted. The letter mentioned Blue Mountain Arts is seeking greeting card writers. Click on the link for details.