4 Local Literary Venues

Every summer we include some literary travel spots in our family vacation. However, this year, I decided to also spotlight some local (within approximately 30 miles of my house) locations. I love that there are so many small business owners able to celebrate their love of literature.

1. The Book Nook Inn: We attended a Steampunk themed wedding here. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing with various buildings and bedrooms themed after different time periods, a pool, a game room, water hole for fishing, a movie room, seating areas with a fireplace, a gypsy wagon, balconies, porches, gazebos, libraries, and decor that changes with the seasons. There is also an event center that offers a variety of indoor and outdoor possibilities for your gathering. Located in Lumberton, Texas and run by the sweetest couple, I highly recommend this charming inn whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or planning that special occasion. https://booknookinn.com/ 

2. Boss Lady Books: This locally owned company is also located in Lumberton, Texas. While I have not been yet myself, I had a friend recently recommend this locale. Part bookstore and part event center, this shop looks amazing and I can't wait to check it out. https://boss-lady-books.square.site/

3. Fleur Fine Books: I gave a book signing here once (click the tag below to see that post), and I've been back multiple times to purchase books I couldn't find in other locations. I love that a local seller can provide what I desire and the money stays in my community. They have a location in Port Neches and another in Galveston. While I have not been to the Galveston location, the local one is located in an old church. Both are run by another sweet couple.  https://www.fleurfinebooks.com/

4. The Charmed Page: Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana I believe this one has only been open for a few months. A friend recently made me aware of this new location when I ran into her at the bank. While most of their books are new, they do offer several shelves of used books in a variety of genres for approximately a dollar each. They also host a variety of events and had some of the cutest decor that has now inspired my own classroom decor for this upcoming school year. https://charmedpagebooks.com/

How about you? Have you been to any great literary locales lately? Do you know of any small business owners you could support locally?

55th Anniversary of Apollo 11

This week marks the 56th Anniversary of Apollo 11. Apollo 11 was the American spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC, and Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon's surface six hours and 39 minutes later, on July 21 at 02:56 UTC.

The last few years, I have celebrated this week with friends and family in the industry. Last year, I celebrated the anniversary, and space travel in general, by visiting the Infinity Science Center in Mississippi. This science center honors Fred Haise in particular as he is from Mississippi. Haise has his own parking spot at the center and can still be seen visiting and fundraising to honor the museum and commemorate NASA's past.

To learn more: https://www.visitinfinity.com/ and Astronaut Fred Haise

NASA, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX have all become synonymous with the celebration of space travel. However, few people realize how they might participate or become a part of space history. If you'd like to learn more, please check out my articles: Apollo 11 Anniversary and Blue Origin, Wally Funk, and More. For those of you asking for more information about the interviews, or watching the ones I mentioned last time: http://www.countdowntothemoon.org/ or check out this article on the gentleman (Nathan Price) doing the interviews: League City man conducted 1,840 interviews on NASA's moon mission

How about you? Are you interested in participating in an interview? Are you inspired by the human grasp for space? What has surprised you most about reaching for the stars? What are you most looking forward to in the future? Have you read any good SPACE travel books?

9 Submission Opportunities

1. REFRACTIONS GENRE FLASH FICTION CONTEST: https://www.unchartedmag.com/2024-calendar/ - ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 1-31, 2025. We want your stories of 1,500 words or fewer in all of our genres for the Refractions: Genre Flash Fiction Prize. So sharpen those pens and flex those fingers. We’re excited to offer the winner of this prize $1,000 and publication, while the second- and third-place winners will receive publication and $300 and $200, respectively. Also, OCTOBER and DECEMEBER dates.

2. BOOKS LIKE US FIRST NOVEL CONTEST: https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/avid-first-novel - Deadline July 14, 2025. Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is pleased to announce the launch of the fourth BOOKS LIKE US First Novel Contest. The aim of the contest is to facilitate access to the publishing process for writers from underrepresented groups, and to celebrate the diversity of readers across the United States. Encouraged to submit twenty-five pages of an original adult novel using the online form. The author of the selected novel will be awarded the opportunity to enter into a $50,000 book deal with Avid Reader Press.

3. BLACK VOICES IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE WRITING CONTEST: https://go.teachercreatedmaterials.com/free-spirit/black-voices-childrens-literature-writing-contest - NO ENTRY FEE.  Deadline July 22, 2025. Sponsored by Free Spirit Publishing (an imprint of Teacher Created Materials) and Strive Publishing. Black writers residing in the United States can submit unpublished children's stories for ages 0–4 or 4–8 featuring authentic, realistic Black characters and culture. Three prizes: $1000, $500, $250. All entries are considered for publication.

4. - 7. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Possible Book Topics | Chicken Soup for the Soul - NO ENTRY FEE. Topics include Grandmothers, Miracles/Messages/Angels, Funny Stories, and Holidays. Dues dates July, August, and February.

8. NOT QUITE WRITE PRIZE FOR FLESH FICTION: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/fleshfiction/?utm_source=funds+for+writers&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=comp+list - FREE ENTRY! Deadline August 24 2025 AEST. The Not Quite Write Prize for FLESH Fiction calls for erotic stories of up to 1,500 words written in response to the theme: "Making the unsexy irresistible." Compete for cash prizes plus a trophy, a range of "spicy" sponsored prizes, and the chance at print publication. Please note: All characters must be consenting adults and all characters must be fictional (no fan fic). Overall Winner AU$500 and a trophy. Category Winners (x5) AU$100 (excludes the Overall Winner).

9. STORYHOUSE BIOGRAPHICAL NONFICTION CONTEST: https://www.storyhouse.org/contest2025.html - NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2025. A biographical entry must be a true story of an individual(s) known to the author personally--not a fictional or historical character.  Autobiography, of course, must be a true story about the author's life, the whole or an episode. Biographical stories, especially those from older people, or about them by children and grandchildren, are especially appropriate for our mission--to "preserve the extraordinary stories of 'ordinary' people." Stories from any country are fine, although they must be written in English. Language in the stories should be free of words or scenes not suitable for children, since many children read the stories and some actually post their stories. One prize of $200 for the winner, $100 for the runner-up, and certificates of achievement for all finalists.

IWSG: Trying a New Genre

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.

JULY QUESTION - Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

MY ANSWER - I've thought about trying a cozy mystery. I've enjoyed reading multiple and even watched them on television. I just haven't built up enough confidence to try one of my own, yet. Do you recommend any to read?

What about you? Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?