IdeaGems Blog on Posterous http://ideagems.posterous.com Most recent posts at IdeaGems Blog on Posterous posterous.com Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:57:00 -0800 Our Special Holiday Issue is hot off the press! http://ideagems.posterous.com/our-special-holiday-issue-is-hot-off-the-pres http://ideagems.posterous.com/our-special-holiday-issue-is-hot-off-the-pres

Winter-2012-issue-cover
IDEAGEMS MAGAZINE a brand new look!

Our Winter Issue is NOW posted and available for purchase. (Makes for a great stocking stuffer!) You can see the new promotion on www.ideagems.com with an "order now" button at the top of the page. This will take you directly to MagCloud to order print copies. To see what great reads we recommend, click on the "Book Look" button at the top of the far left column. 

This issue brings you lots of winter cheer with great holiday recipes by International Chef, Tor Sporré, not to mention the amazing artwork of California water-colorist, Linda Boltman and fantastic photography from Hawaiian adventurer, Cynthia Adventure. In the holiday mix, we have poems that sparkle and inspire, the true life travel and survival story of Colleen Barnes, and a heartwarming veteran's story by prolific Israeli author, Dov Silverman.  

Enjoy the read! Have a great holiday!

Cheers, 

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748
http://about.me/laurienotch

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:36 -0700 Spooky Fun for Halloween! http://ideagems.posterous.com/spooky-fun-for-halloween http://ideagems.posterous.com/spooky-fun-for-halloween
Fall-2011-cover-page

It’s that spooky time of year once more and we have loads of terrifying and entertaining tales in store! We hope you sink your fangs into our Halloween fare of real-life ghost hunting, avant-garde artwork, hairy-scary stories, raving wine reviews, creepy poetry, unholy holiday recipes, and morbidly more! We are pleased as pumpkins to print the works of our many talented writers and artists and are proud to offer many of them their first crack at getting published.

The magazine is now online at www.ideagems.com where you can click on the cover page art to go to the MagCloud order site. Here's the direct link to order print copies: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/287744. The 'zine is also available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/IdeaGems-Magazine-Halloween-Special-ebook/dp/B005YBZ0DC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1319484251&sr=1-3

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748
http://about.me/laurienotch

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:46:00 -0700 Did you know....? http://ideagems.posterous.com/did-you-know http://ideagems.posterous.com/did-you-know

Dabatyh_cover

...That the very first ghost stories ever recorded go back to ancient Greece? That Mary Shelly wrote "Frankenstein" on a bet? That H.P. Lovecraft felt that alien creatures were coming to him through another dimension? 

Horror has always been one of the most marketable forms of literature -- certainly my favorite to write. Since it is popular in movies, TV, and video games, horror writing can be done for fun and profit. 
  
Learn how the masters do it, beginning with this educational and entertaining online course: The Art of Writing Horror through KSURF virtual university.  It's easy and affordable. 
 
If you're ghoulishly good, your stories will be reviewed with commentary by the instructor (me, Laurie Notch). The best ones will be selected for the IdeaGems Magazine Halloween Issue which gives you a publishing credit. 

I will be posting as often as I can on The Art of Writing Horror blog at http://horrorwriting.ksurf.net/ with tantalizing tips, 'ooky' updates, freaky facts, weird writers, and creepy conjurings to put the spell on all you potential horror writers out there. Let's begin with a little brain teaser...

Ftzdotcom_edited-1

Can You write Zombie Haiku?

A haiku is a syllabic poem that doesn't have to rhyme but most contain a total of 17 syllables. The traditional format is 3 lines, first line with 5 syllables, second line with 7, and third line with 5. Here's an example following traditional format:

Leave me be, zombie! (5)

Far away, I have to flee! (7)
Oh, wait. You bit me! (5)
(written by Laurie Notch)

Often, writers stick to the total of 17 syllables, but arrange them differently line by line:

Zombies,
Crawling, catching, eating
The brains of heroes of the unborn.
(written by Archie Richardson) 

 Writing Zombie Haiku is a wonderful, relatively painless discipline to get your brain power going and the creative juices flowing. (Brains! Yum!). Feel free to post your Zombie Haiku on the comments page of this blog or on our Feed The Zombie group page on Facebook. The only requirements are that 1) you keep to the haiku style of 17 syllables, and 2) zombies must be mentioned. You can write about any theme from sports to food to dating to politics. Here are a couple more examples to give you the idea and keep you inspired!

Theme: the Workplace
Zombie slackers sit
Heads on desks, so bored to death.
The brain dead abound.
(written by Laurie Notch)

Theme: Fine Dining 
Brains are delicious!
Since you have no need for yours,
May I dine on them?
(written by Ralph Dumain)

Go ye therefore and (de)compose! 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:05:00 -0700 Tough Lit IV is hot off the press http://ideagems.posterous.com/tough-lit-iv-is-hot-off-the-press http://ideagems.posterous.com/tough-lit-iv-is-hot-off-the-press

Tl4-cover

You asked for it and you got it! Here is the fourth in our special TOUGH LIT series, a masterful mixture of murder, mayhem, and mystery peppered with poetry that packs a punch, edgy literature, and tough travel tales.

See it on www.ideagems.com Print issues and electronic downloads available on MagCloud: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/272134. Also available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Tough-Lit-IdeaGems-Magazine-ebook/dp/B005NS2J7Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1316527395&sr=1-1

Thank you to all the wonderful writers who make each and every issue possible!

 

Enjoy the read! Please pass the good word!

Cheers,

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748
http://about.me/laurienotch

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:10:00 -0700 Machinima Project Seeks Producers and Contributors http://ideagems.posterous.com/machinima-project-seeks-producers-and-contrib http://ideagems.posterous.com/machinima-project-seeks-producers-and-contrib
Machinima is animation using a game or virtual world engine to create real time action. My associate, Wayne Graves, produced a short series called AV451 for under $400 and poor equipment. Now, our goal now is to do the full-length film with hired talent and proper equipment to give it a crisper, more professional look. Backed by a quality animated film, we are gearing up to start a small online machinima community with writing classes and collaborative projects to further the art.

I am always intrigued with new, fresh ways of telling a story. The art of machinima has yet to really reach maturity, so it's almost an open field to play in. It's also relatively cheap to make. The film will be approximately the length of a long feature film at a fraction of the cost. And with online viewership through major machinima sites reaching into the high millions, the potential is exciting. Warner Brothers did a machinima series called "Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series," so you can be assured that Hollywood is paying attention.

To see how you can participate, go to: http://www.indiegogo.com/Machinima-Project-AV451.

We are further launching live-streaming online courses on the art and process of machinima film production, including the tools we use, tips and tricks, and anything else related to this project that can help others do the same, or do even better. 
 Classes will be launched as the completed series and community is launched.We are also creating a behind-the-scenes looks and a "how-to" course through this process.

You can see series 1 at http://av451.com

Thanks for checking out our project. And please pass the good word!

 

 

Av451

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:14:40 -0700 Author's Ego vs Editor's License http://ideagems.posterous.com/authors-ego-vs-editors-license http://ideagems.posterous.com/authors-ego-vs-editors-license As an author, I understand the pride that comes with every accomplished work. I also know the ego-bruising that comes with every rejection.  How many times has my precious creation been kicked to the curb or cut at the last minute by some editor's license to call the shots? Recently, I had an author brusquely remove her work from our publication because we couldn't run her story in the issue we had initially slotted it for.

As an editor, I find myself having to make the harsh calls for the sake of limited space or special feature. It is hard for me to notify writers, who have toiled day and night on their beloved story or poem, that I won't be able to include the work. Yes, on occasion, this is exactly the call I have to make. And of course, the ego-bruising begets reactionary lashing out by said author.

Let's be reasonable, people. If you're a writer, you seriously need to get used to what might feel like abuse but isn't. What is with this sense of entitlement? Being published is an honor and a privilege that many may never achieve! Take Kathryn Stockett, author of "The Help." She suffered over 60 rejections before some kind editor saw the value of her work. Now the book is slotted for feature film production. I can sit here all day and cite case after case of authors enduring the onslaught the slings and arrows of outrageous editorial license, but I don't see the need to beat that stale old nail into your heads any deeper. 

Last minute cuts, final rejections, even whittling down well-crafted writing so that it can fit into a column are all par for the course! Learn to take it on the chin with a modicum of grace! Don't throw a diva's snit--especially when you haven't reached that level of recognition as an author! And even then, behaving like a spoiled brat is in poor form. 

The best thing to do is lean forward and move on with your work. If you believe in your powers of creativity, you will get there! 

As for those authors who flipped their wigs because I couldn't print their stories, they have kicked a gift horse in the mouth. As a Managing Editor, I do call the harsh shots, but I am true to my word. If I say the work will be published, it will be--perhaps not in the issue at first intended, but I will always find a home for it down the line. Our magazine remains true to its mission to help writers showcase their  'wares'.

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748
http://about.me/laurienotch

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:15:14 -0700 Last Chance! http://ideagems.posterous.com/last-chance http://ideagems.posterous.com/last-chance 13 hours and counting down until our independent film project campaign shuts down. See how you can help save this important project and be a producer! http://www.indiegogo.com/Sore-Loser

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:11:40 -0700 New! IdeaGems Magazine! http://ideagems.posterous.com/new-ideagems-magazine http://ideagems.posterous.com/new-ideagems-magazine
For the past 6 years, we have been running with the title ADVENTURES FOR THE AVERAGE WOMAN, which was meant as a tongue-in-cheek commentary about how women often feel about themselves and their abilities.  In truth, no woman should ever feel average, and several have expressed as much about our magazine’s title. So, in the spirit of respect for our readers’ and critics’ opinions, we are now going to adopt the title IDEAGEMS MAGAZINE.  We will still remain the showcase for all the undiscovered literary and artistic treasures out there.  Moreover, we are staying true to our mission to give writers their first break in the world of publishing.

As always, we are looking for fresh submissions for our future issues, both our seasonal themes (winter, spring, summer, and fall) and our TOUGH LIT series devoted to crime, dark fantasy, horror, sci-fi, gritty and edgy literature.

Send comments and submissions to: ideagems@aol.com. Be sure to check out our submission guidelines on our website: www.ideagems.com and look for up-coming special themes. 

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748
http://about.me/laurienotch

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:15:00 -0700 WHAT'S A WIDGET? http://ideagems.posterous.com/whats-a-widget http://ideagems.posterous.com/whats-a-widget

I am on a learning curve about Web tech stuff. I only just managed to post new widgets on my PRODUCTION NOTES blog at http://www.laurie-notch.blogspot.com/ and created a new profile page on About.Me http://about.me/laurienotch as Web presence is exteremly crtical for independent creative endeavors.

And now I will attempt to embed widgets onto this blog 1) just toprove to myself that I can do it and 2) to urge people to take a look at two terrific indie projects on IndeiGoGo. Granted, it doesn't mean much if no one reads this post. But nothing vetnured, nothing gained. 

 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:25:00 -0700 BE A PRODUCER ON TWO TERRIFIC PROJECTS! http://ideagems.posterous.com/be-a-producer-on-two-terrific-projects-98784 http://ideagems.posterous.com/be-a-producer-on-two-terrific-projects-98784

We need help to get our short indie film and comic book projects off the ground for good causes.

The first is our short film SORE LOSER which deals with domestic violence in the deaf community in a very creative format. Learn more at: http://www.indiegogo.com/Sore-Loser

Then there's our superhero comic book project which aims to shed light on the issues of wounded and traumatized war veterans. Learn more at: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Adventures-of-Zombieman

Above all, please pass on the good word to all you know!

Feel free to post comments or ask questions: lnotch@zogbyentertainment.com [[posterous-content:pid___0]][[posterous-content:pid___1]]

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:25:00 -0700 BE A PRODUCER ON TWO TERRIFIC PROJECTS! http://ideagems.posterous.com/be-a-producer-on-two-terrific-projects http://ideagems.posterous.com/be-a-producer-on-two-terrific-projects

We need help to get our short indie film and comic book projects off the ground for good causes.

The first is our short film SORE LOSER which deals with domestic violence in the deaf community in a very creative format. Learn more at: http://www.indiegogo.com/Sore-Loser

Then there's our superhero comic book project which aims to shed light on the issues of wounded and traumatized war veterans. Learn more at: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Adventures-of-Zombieman

Above all, please pass on the good word to all you know!

Feel free to post comments or ask questions: lnotch@zogbyentertainment.com 

Sore_Loser_facts_on_deaf_violence.wmv Watch on Posterous
Zombieman_teaser.wmv Watch on Posterous

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:43:50 -0700 $10 AND YOU CAN BE PART OF AN INDIE FILM! http://ideagems.posterous.com/10-and-you-can-be-part-of-an-indie-film http://ideagems.posterous.com/10-and-you-can-be-part-of-an-indie-film
$10 can help our short film get made! Be part of a great little project with a good social message and award-winning potential!

Go to http://www.indiegogo.com/Sore-Loser to read all about how this little movie has an important message about a serious problem. Your contribution cam make it all happen!

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE AND SPREAD THE GOOD WORD!!!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:39:03 -0700 New Issue and an exciting Indie Film Project http://ideagems.posterous.com/new-issue-and-an-exciting-indie-film-project http://ideagems.posterous.com/new-issue-and-an-exciting-indie-film-project HOT OFF THE PRESS! True crime stories of abduction, robbery, women facing danger, and more! Check out our TOUGH LIT III issue: http://www.ideagems.com/  Just click on the cover page to order print copy or PDF Download. Click on the Amazon Kindle button to order the Kindle version. Your purchase helps us in our mission to promote women writers.

Also, be a producer and help us make a short film with an important message. For details, go to:http://www.indiegogo.com/Sore-Loser  

Cheers,

Laurie Notch
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
Zogby Entertainment  www.zogbyentertainment.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:35:28 -0700 Get a film credit! http://ideagems.posterous.com/get-a-film-credit http://ideagems.posterous.com/get-a-film-credit
IdeaGems Publications is proud to be part of the "Sore Loser" short-film project with Zogby Entertainment. Become a contributor and help create a powerful short film that tackles the very serious and little known issue of deaf-on deaf violence. You might even get a film credit!

Written by Laurie Notch, this short film should pack a punch and enlighten audiences at film festivals all over the world!

To learn more, go to: http://www.indiegogo.com/Sore-Loser 

And thank you, our new contributors, toward helping us out! We still need more to make it happen! Pass on the good word!

Cheers,

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:11:42 -0700 Exciting Spring Issue http://ideagems.posterous.com/exciting-spring-issue http://ideagems.posterous.com/exciting-spring-issue
Just an FYI, our spring issue is out. http://www.ideagems.com  Enjoy! And please spread the good word.

Cheers,


Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:54:06 -0700 Halloween Issue is out! http://ideagems.posterous.com/halloween-issue-is-out http://ideagems.posterous.com/halloween-issue-is-out Spooky reads and fun scares! Check out our Halloween issue: http://www.ideagems.com

Please pass on the good word and help us in our continuing effort to give burgeoning writers a chance!

Cheers,

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:38:37 -0700 Writing Horror for Fun and Profit! http://ideagems.posterous.com/writing-horror-for-fun-and-profit http://ideagems.posterous.com/writing-horror-for-fun-and-profit
Do you have nightmarish notions to spin into terrifying tales? With Halloween just around the corner, try your hand at writing horror. Learn how the masters of horror do it, build up your beast of a story, and get it published or turned into a screenplay. To further explore and learn more, go to http://vu.ksurf.net/#ixzz0yfR0DEeQ

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:39:44 -0700 New Special Issue is out! http://ideagems.posterous.com/new-special-issue-is-out http://ideagems.posterous.com/new-special-issue-is-out See our new TOUGH LIT issue: http://www.ideagems.com Feel free to pass on the link to generate interest in our continuing efforts to publish burgeoning writers and artists. This issue is also available on iPad and Kindle.
Tough-lit-cover

Cheers,

Laurie Notch
Managing Editor
IdeaGems Publications www.ideagems.com
P.O. Box 4748
Portland, ME 04112-4748

You have received this email because you are on our mailing list. If you do not wish to be on our list, please let us know and will remove you from it, Rest assured that no information is ever shared, sold, or distributed to other parties.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:57:49 -0800 Adventures for the Average Woman Magazine Blog http://ideagems.posterous.com/adventures-for-the-average-woman-magazine-blo http://ideagems.posterous.com/adventures-for-the-average-woman-magazine-blo
Cover_page

Since 2005, Adventures for the Average Woman (www.ideagems.com) has been a stepping stone for writers on the arduous climb up the steep path to publication. Listed with Writer's Market and the International Women Writers' Guild, our magazine has consistently provided the first opportunity for many writers to get their start as well as to help promote the books of up-and-coming writers. Although we are but a small piece in the publishing puzzle, we have contributed to the careers of dozens of writers to date. Here’s what some of them have to say:

“You have done a lot for me, giving me a stage to display my work and support in your oh so kind e-mails.” - Margaret C. Elam, Author of The Gift  www.wolfetales.com

“I will always remember you for giving me that chance that allowed me to believe in myself and my work.” - Genita Hill, author of My Very Special Brother, www.mailmombooks.com

““Terrific magazine!!! I'm very impressed with the variety of entertainment value. Many kudos to you, and thank you so much for including me. ... ...simply stated, you're awesome.”  - Michael Mehas, Author of Stolen Boy, www.stolenboy.com

"Thanks Laurie. [My story] looks great! And thank you very much for the picture you chose for my page. It's beautiful! I look forward to seeing the hard copies.” - Ali Alavi, Author of The Tombland’s Tale.

“Your work is very motivational!“- Dr. Rosalie Contino, Author of Born to Create

”Let's make a difference together.“ - Mary Gleeson, Executive Producer, Lighthouse Entertainment Productions and author of Reality Bites http://www.lemgllc.com/management.htm

“Thank you for your encouraging and kind words!” - Beate Boeker, Author of Wings to Fly, http://www.happybooks.de/

“Thanks for the wonderful spot for High Spirits in your e-zine.” - Dianne Salemi, Author of High Spirits.

“You're absolutely the best!” - Christy French, Author of The Body Guard and the Dog Show

Every issue purchased helps support us in giving writers a chance to showcase their work. We’re always looking for stories, articles, poetry, artwork for our quarterly issues.

By staying posted to this blog, authors can learn more about
  • the ins-and-outs of the publishing game
  • climbing the credentials ladder
  • how not to gall the editor  
  • links to other publishing opportunities
  • writing as a career rather than a hobby
And more!

Laurie Notch is a published author and the Managing Editor of 'Adventures for the Average Woman.' To learn more about Laurie, just Google her name.

Submission guidelines are posted at www.ideagems.com.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/390366/Adventure_copy02.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3syaWJXUCyTn Laurie Notch IdeaGems Laurie Notch