As you might have noticed from glancing over to the right, we're not exactly sitting under an avalanche of entries this year. And that's a bummer because I love reading poetry. So, what follows are Amy's five reasons why you should enter this poetry contest:

1) Your odds of winning are looking pretty good. We will be awarding three cash prizes, regardless of how many enter. 

2) It's a writing challenge. Whenever you take up a challenge, you've got a finished piece of writing which you can submit to a magazine that publishes poetry. And there are markets for poetry. Why else do you think Writer's Digest goes to the trouble of publishing an entire market book devoted to the subject?

3) It's fun. Yes, poetry is fun to write. Read some of your favorite poets, and let your mind absorb it. Then sit down and let the words flow.

4) Winning or placing in contests helps build your writing resume. It shows your commitment to meet a deadline.

5) You get a free critique. Receiving positive feedback, whether or not you win, encourages you to continue writing. You learn what's working and what needs work. This informs your other writing.

So now you know why you should enter. Now it's time to get crackin'.

Just in time for fall, I've redone my website in earth tones. And, like the changing of the seasons, I've been taking a fresh look at my writing career. Over the past few years, I've spent so much time wearing my editing hat that my writer's hat is feeling a bit strange. But welcome, all the same. My fellow critique group members don't know what to make of me bringing in chapters of my novel for critique--they've gone so long without hearing my work. It's good to feel the momentum again, and believe me, it's been a while. 

A note to my writers who faithfully send work in for editing, (or those considering sending their work for the first time), I won't neglect my editing hat, so keep your stories coming. While writing is a passion, I find that I love to edit and help writers, too.