Win Stuff with Alberta Magazines Conference Tweets!

For our twitter-loving blog readers, I thought I'd share the details of our first ever Alberta Magazines Conference twitter contests! But first, be sure to follow AMPA @albertamags #AMC2012 for real-time updates during the conference.

Today through March 9:
1) Put on your contest thinking caps to prepare your 140 character tweet (including #AMC2012) and tell us which conference session you want to attend most and why! Check out conference sessions at www.albertamagazines.com/conference.
2) Each of your tweets gets you a chance to win a full Alberta Magazines Conference pass (value $265)!
3) Contest closes March 9 at 4pm.

March 22 & 23:
1) Throughout the conference, tweet the best advice you got or your favourite conference moment (include #AMC2012)
2) Each of your tweets gets you a chance to win a fabulous prize to be announced at the Wine & Cheese event Friday afternoon
3) Contest closes March 23 at 3pm.

Happy tweeting!

Alberta Writing and Magazine Contests Galore!

I confess I'm going to shamelessly self-promote for a moment. I'm running a contest on my personal blog where all you have to do is tell me your favourite travel experience or destination. Just share in my comments and you could win a free night at any Delta Hotel or Resort across the country. Easy peasy, right?

That got me thinking about other contests. From Alberta magazines, there are a good number of prizes to be won, not to mention the chance to be published. Here's a rundown for you to go enter today!

• Win tickets and CORE gift cards through Avenue Calgary for the 'T'was the Night shopping event at the CORE. Contest closes Nov. 24, 2011.
  
• FreeFall literary magazine is accepting submissions for its Annual Prose and Poetry Contest with special guest judge/editor Stephanie Bolster. Contest closes December 31, 2011.
• Alberta Views is looking for a surprising view of Alberta. Submit a photo for a chance to win $1,000 and be published in Alberta Views in 2012. Contest closes December 31, 2011.
• Wine Access wants to send you to the Cayman Islands. Contest closes December 31, 2011.
• City Palate wants to know where you read your City Palate. Send in a photo of you reading the mag to win one of three fabulous weekend resort packages. Contest closes February 1, 2012.
• Tell Birthing magazine what your family's most effective preventative/natural health tip is and you could win a free naturopathic consultation. 

Several ongoing contests run are always happening too. Check out:

• up! magazine's three monthly travel contests to win great gear like WestJet travel vouchers;
• Calgary’s Child Magazine offers a variety of family-friendly contests and giveaways--all the time;  
• Canadian Scrapbooker offers several contests including a Win on Wednesdays contest every week on Facebook;
• Western Living holds a contest every issue for a Western Canadian getaway.
• Lethbridge living offers a free Family Pass to the Galt Museum and Archives in every issue.

Happy contesting!

-- Colleen Seto

AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

A Cure for the Winter Writing Blues

You would think that with all this recent frigid weather your writing would be flourishing, filling the void that this long winter has created. After all, you are all cooped up in your cozy abode, eating out of boredom and longing for warm summer nights. So what better way to pass the time than to write, right? Here’s what I have to say about that: Easier said than done!

If you’re anything like me, you operate on motivation. Sure, you could write about the window frost or the gray clouds that loom overhead, but at some point you’ll lose interest. Here is a list of writing contests to help jump-start your creativity this spring season.

Script Frenzy!
Challenge: 100 pages of original scripted material
Deadline: April 1 – 30, 2011
Cost: Free
Prize: Self-satisfaction
For more information, check out the website: www.scriptfrenzy.org

Routes Magazine Short Story Contest
Challenge: A family-friendly short story up to 2,000 words
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Cost: $30 per submission
Prize: $1,000, publication in Routes magazine, and a one-year subscription
Check out the details on the AMPA website: www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/contests.php#RoutesContest

The Writers’ Union of Canada: Writing For Children Competition
Challenge: Any piece of writing for children up to 1,500 words
Deadline: April 24, 2011
Cost: $15 per entry
Prize: Winner and finalist entries will be submitted to three children’s book publishers
For more information, visit the website: www.writersunion.ca/cn_writeforchildren.asp

Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book And Magazine Awards
Challenge: Non-fiction for social justice writing that is exceptionally well-written and researched
Deadline: June 17, 2011
Cost: Free, but specific criteria apply
Prize: $2,000
Full details at: www.greberwritingaward.com/submissions.htm

Alberta Views Annual Short Story Contest
Challenge: Short story of a maximum 3,000 words
Deadline: June 30, 2011
Cost: $30 (includes one year subscription)
Prize: $1,000 and publication in the December 2011 issue
Further information on the Alberta Views website:
www.albertaviews.ab.ca/2011/01/25/alberta-views-2011-short-story-competition

---Andrea Cubala
Volunteer AMPA Blogger

MagaScene: Awards Finalists Announced! (issue 81/March 2011)

FEATURE

Alberta Magazine Awards Finalists!
The Shortlisted Entries for Showcase and Achievement Awards… 

NEWS
AMPA’s New Blogger-in-Residence Seto Shares Her Insight
Professional Development Grants for Canadian Culture
Shortliffe Leaves Magazines File Changes at Canadian Heritage 

EVENTS

Get Publishing 2011 At the Edge of Print 

AWARDS/CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Donations for Webb-Bowerman Foundation Silent Auction
2011 Editors' Choice Awards
Routes Magazine Short Story Contest
Alberta Arts Days Funding 

JOBS

Editorial Intern, Avenue Edmonton Magazine

Graphic Designer, Source Media Group

Win Tickets to the Cannes Reel Fundraiser!!!!

AMPA is giving away two tickets to the Cannes Reel Fundraiser at Flames Central (Calgary) November 30th! The tickets include dinner, the reel viewing, and some fabulous table companions:

The Calgary Marketing Association presents the Cannes Reel of the world's best (and funniest) commercials at a fundraising event for the National Advertising Benevolence Society.

Not only is this event sure to entertain, it will also serve as the CMA's annual Christmas party -- a great opportunity to network with the media, marketing professionals, and creative agencies.

To enter, simply email ampa@albertamagazines.com with the subject CANNES. The winner must be a resident of the Calgary area.

The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association is a proud sponsor of the Cannes Reel Fundraiser.

50,000 Words In 30 Days

by Andrea Cubala

On November 1^st, I opened my laptop and starting writing. With a story in mind (the same story that’s been in there for years, waiting for a push) I typed at 1,667 words every day to make sure I was off to a good start in completing the goal: 50,000 words by midnight on November 30^th. Well, it’s day twenty and where am I? About 16,007 words short… Seeing that number makes my heart hurt. But the stress is worth it.

Why do I do it? I came across Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) last year. Run by the Office of Letters and Light, Nanowrimo’s home base is in Berkeley, California—but the location doesn’t matter because anyone can participate! The premise is simple: write 50,000 words between November 1^st and 30^th. There is nothing to win but your own satisfaction. Last year, I got to 38,000 words and I can honestly say it was an extremely satisfying experience. Pushing your creative limits, getting to know your characters, and watching your imaginary world unfold before your very eyes are just some of the perks along the way. Plus, you get a taste of what it’s like to be a true writer; one who continues even in the face of adversity.

I know it is now more than halfway through the month (please, don’t remind me) but don’t let that stop you from joining in. Challenge yourself. Write 10,000 words and see how it feels. Or even just 5,000. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Get Your Write On!

by Andrea Cubala

Thought you were too late to share your creative talents? Think again. Other Voices has extended the deadline of their poetry/story contest to October 15^th. The entry fee for the contest ($25) gets you a one-year subscription to the magazine, which strives to represent the diverse voices of those who aren’t always heard.

To submit your creative works, or to see contest details, simply visit this page. If you find yourself hesitating, perhaps the prizes will sway you: $250 + publication for the winning entry, and a choice between Other Voices accessories for all honourable mentions!

To find out more about Other Voices and to read from previous issues (all with artistic eye-catching covers), visit: http://www.othervoices.ca/.