I came across this bit for a new magazine.


'Do you have short stories or poetry looking for a place to be published? Do you have something to say or to share in a personal essay but can't find a place to share it?

April 2005 is the launch date for "Penwomanship," a magazine for the creative woman writer.

"In searching for places to publish my own writing, I realized the selection was very limited," says Penny White, publisher of the new monthly periodical. "While there are many magazines which publish fiction and poetry, there are very few which publish strictly women's writing. I decided it was time to do something about it."

The magazine will contain at least 48 pages of women's writing, artwork and photography.

"From the response received thus far," says White, "we may even be able to print a 64-page magazine with our first printing."

Although seeking original submissions for the magazine, White likes to think of it as a type of "Reader's Digest" for women's writing.

"I hope women will be motivated and inspired to write about their personal experiences," says White. "All submissions we receive will be considered for publication."

Initially, the website featured written material by Ms. White.

However, upon receiving submissions from women who had heard about the website via word of mouth, White updated the site for November with other women's writing.

"The print version of the magazine will include more writing than the website is able to hold," states White. "We plan to include a featured writer each month in the print version, along with short anecdotal pieces, writing tips, word play games, women's quotes, puzzles and some non-fiction articles of relevance to women and their lives."

But what's with the name of the magazine?

White smiles. "There is an interesting story behind that. And that story can be found on the website."

The website, www.penwomanship.com, has received nearly 6,000 hits in its first month.

"We're already receiving submissions from Italy, Great Britain, Canada and Nigeria," says White. "It's very exciting because we do plan to be internationally distributed."

White says that, in addition to short stories, poetry, personal essays and the like, she is also seeking short-short humor pieces, advice columns for women in the areas of women's health issues, finances for women and writing tips for women.

Submissions can be made via submissions@penwomanship.com in the body of the e-mail only. Attachments will be deleted unopened. Submissions may also be snail-mailed to Penwomanship, P.O. Box 235, Pine Lake, GA 30072-0235.

For more details, please read the submissions guidelines on the website.

Pay is currently five contributors' copies until the magazine is able to pay contributing writers. White hopes to accomplish this within the next two years.

Subscriptions are also available via the website. A printable subscription form is also available on the website. In addition to introductory rates, all subscribers will have the opportunity to win one of three handmade queen-sized quilts in a drawing to be held next April.

For more information contact Ms. White at penny@penwomanship.com.

Not entirely sure whether the rage in my veins is begging for me to launch a rival magazine - for male writers only - or a DOS attack on their website to stop people viewing it.

I'll have to reflect upon my feelings, and let the sulphurous antagony boiling in my veins to relent before making an informed decision.

Needless to say, I question the need for such a publication.

IB,

I had a story rejected a couple of days ago because the editor felt it was more suited to a woman's magazine (though not a wommag). In order for me to submit to such a mag, it must exist! LOL

However, you should feel free to submit to FHM. (Or is it FMH? Can't remember.)

Ani

But isn't FHM full of pictures of naked and nearly naked women, 'pub' jokes, and tales of chavs?

Missing the point that should such publications not exist, there would be no need for them.

And the only prose accepted by FHM is submitted by brain dead morons bragging about the number of brain-cells they've lost after consuming enough alcohol in one night to kill a horse.

Okay, but what if pieces written by women that look at relationships by men and women are excluded from consideration on the basis that they should go to women's magazines? (Excluded even those those same magazines would print a relationship story told from a male point of view.) And I'm not talking about formulaic stories for wommags, either.

Ani

<Added>

I mean relationships between men and women. I was thinking between, so why did I type 'by'??? I don't get it.

I say that same story can find a home on another magazine. I sincerely doubt that the same story, albeit with a male name attached, would be more likely to win a place in a magazine.

A male point of view makes it a different story, perhaps one more in tune with the magazine's reader base.

There are any number of existing publications that welcome stories from both male and female writers without discrimination. But this matters not to women, who again are seen to be banding together in an age where men cannot do likewise for fear of being branded mysoginist, sexist, or just plain bigots.

IB, look in the Jobs and Ops on site. There are any number of comps etc that are exclusive to writers from a particular area, writers under or over a certain age, writers of a certain ethic origin. If it's another market for somebody's writing and people want to buy and read the magazine why worry?

<Added>

And Ani, thanks for posting this.

Nurturing local or young talent is one thing, deliberately excluding one sex from your submission base is quite another.

IB, it's not my submission base, and there's much I could say on this subject but I don't intend to give you the opportunity to argue pointlessly. Let's save our energies for writing. Incidentally, have you posted anything recently?

No, and nor do I intend to.

IB, I wish you fabulous skies, meadows full of fragrant blossoms, peace, love and everything that's beautiful.

Nell x

On an impulse I sent them a short story by email, (Burnt), and I've just heard that they've accepted it for a future edition. That was quick!

Thanks again ani.

Nell.

Oooh, that's fantastic, Nell!

Ani

Well done, Nell!!

LoL

A
xxx