Our Independence Day!

Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776.

This weekend, and Monday specifically, the United States of America celebrates our Independence Day.

This is my dad at 18. We have a family full of men who have served in various branches of the military.

Two weeks ago, I shared a post about the history of our national anthem if you'd like to check that out here: https://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2023/06/national-flag-day-and-star-spangled.html

Thank you to all of the men and women who have served, or are currently serving, our country in ANY way. You are appreciated more than you know.

I'm spending some time celebrating with family and friends. I hope you are all able to do the same.

Are you reading any great books this week?

4 Submission Opportunities

Four Submission Calls with Fast Approaching Deadlines:

LIMNISA CONTEST
https://www.limnisa.com/shortstorycompetition2023
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 2, 2023. Win a writing holidau. Send in your short story and win a week-long writing holiday by the sea in Greece. Theme: A room of one's own​. Send your short story of 1500 words maximum. First prize is one week Writers’ Retreat in 2023 or 2024 at seaside location near Agios Georgios, Methana, Greece. Full board, seven nights accommodation in single room, optional yoga sessions, literary evening, use of all Limnisa facilities: beach, bikes, international library etc. Subsequent prizes are discounts on the retreat. Your entry is FREE  but please provide a link to show you follow us on Facebook / Instagram and to show you have shared news of Limnisa and the competition. For a fee of £50 we offer a professional evaluation of your story. 

 

KILLER NASHVILLE SCHOLARSHIPS
https://www.killernashville.com/killer-nashville-scholarships
Killer Nashville offers several scholarships each year. Scholarship amounts vary depending upon need and the scholarship is awarded up to the full out-of-pocket costs to attend Killer Nashville conference. Funds will be awarded to authors who demonstrate need in an essay format. Applicants should submit their entries no later than July 14, 2023. Scholarship recipients will be asked to give a presentation at the Killer Nashville Awards Dinner.

MASON JAR PRESS PRIZE IN POETRY
https://masonjarpress.com/1729-prize-in-poetry
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2023. Send us your book-length works of poetry. We tend to prefer work that pushes the bounds of literary norms. Submission cap: 500. The winner will receive a $1,000 award, contributor copies, and quarterly profit-sharing. The contract will stipulate all further details.

 

 GRANUM FOUNDATION PRIZES

https://www.granumfoundation.org/granum-prize

NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 1, 2023. The Granum Foundation Prize will be awarded annually to help U.S.-based writers complete substantive literary works—such as poetry books, essay or short story collections, novels, and memoirs—or to help launch these works. Additionally, the Granum Foundation Translation Prize will be awarded to support the completion of a work translated into English by a U.S.-based writer. Competitive applicants will be able to present a compelling project with a reasonable timeline for completion. They also should be able to demonstrate a record of commitment to the literary arts. One winner will be awarded $5,000. Up to three finalists will be awarded $500 or more. One translation winner will receive $1,500 or more. Only U.S. residents 18+ are eligible for funding, and prizes must be spent in the U.S. Funds cannot be used specifically for travel or for study at an educational institution. At this time, we are not accepting screenplays, stage plays, or children’s picture books.

National Flag Day and "The Star Spangled Banner"

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States of America on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. This is also the day the United States Army celebrates its birthday.

On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned a poem which was later set to music and in 1931 became America's national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." The poem originally titled, "The Defence of Fort M'Henry," was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the war of 1812. The sight of those "broad stripes and bright stars" inspired thousands. If you've never heard the story before, try the video below. 

Have you ever heard this story before? Do you know the words to this poem/song? Can you think of any other piece of writing that has influenced thousands?

IWSG: Replacing Writing

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

JUNE 7 QUESTION - If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?

MY ANSWER - I would probably just dedicate more time to my other hobbies such as photography, crochet, sewing, etc.

How about you? If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?