../Publishing

TallGrass Writers + Outrider Press

Outrider Press has published many acclaimed books including Whitney Scott's Listen to the Moon, a collection of prize-winning poetry, and Dancing to the End of the Shining Bar. Since 1996, Outrider has produced with TallGrass Writers Guild the renowned "black and white" anthology series, so named because of their unique signature covers, each different but all designed solely in black and white. FOR COMPLETE ANTHOLOGY GUIDELINES, see below.

TallGrass Writers Guild

The TallGrass Writers Guild is open to all who write seriously at any level, whether they write little or much and whether or not they write for publication.

Outstanding writers including Adrienne Rich, Marge Piercy, Tillie Olsen and Valerie Miner formed a national guild in 1977. The Chicago branch was founded in 1980 and became a nonprofit corporation in 1988. TallGrass, as it became known in 1999, is an independent, largely self-supporting arts guild.

TallGrass Activities and Events

The TallGrass Writers Guild gives formal literary readings and performances throughout Chicagoland, presenting readings at University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois/Chicago, Borders Books/Music, Women & Children First, 57th Street Books, Footsteps Theater, Barbara's Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones Booksellers, Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center and the historic Chicago Cultural Center.

Themed readings take place each spring and fall at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, and are free to all. The TallGrass Writers Guild Performance Ensemble provides customized programs on various themes to organizations such as The Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. Two-four promotional readings for the annual anthology are scheduled throughout the summer and fall. Both beginning and established writers are encouraged to join and actively participate in TWG activities, especially the Open Mic Readings, "the most encouraging and supportive readings in Chicago," held upstairs at The Bourgeois Pig, 738 W. Fullerton, Chicago on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For details on upcoming events including TallGrass-sponsored Featured Author readings and Open Mics, call 219-322-7270 or email us at tallgrassguild@sbcglobal.net or outriderpress@sbcglobal.net.

Publications

TWG publishes a bi-monthly newsletter for its 150 members. The newsletter contains calls for manuscripts, announcements, organization and member news, book reviews of traditionally-bound books and audiobooks, and a calendar of cultural events including literary, fine and performing arts. TWG, with Outrider Press, has published the following annual anthologies and CD (all prices include applicable taxes + s/h...add additional $4.50 s/h for addresses beyound the 50 United States):

· Prairie Hearts, our 1996 anthology on The Midwest; $21

· Alternatives, our 1997 "roads less traveled" anthology; $21

· Freedom's Just Another Word, our 1998 anthology on concepts, responsibilities and yearnings for freedom; $21

· Feathers, Fins & Fur, our 1999 animal-themed anthology; $22

· Earth Beneath, Sky Beyond: Nature and Our Planet (2000), our anthology on the natural world; $23

· A Kiss Is Still A Kiss, the 2001 romance-themed anthology; $23

· Take Two-They're Small, the 2002 anthology on Food; $24

· Family Gatherings (2003), our holidays, weddings, and wakes anthology; $24

· Things That Go Bump in the Night, our 2004 collection on The Supernatural; $24; OUT OF STOCK

· Falling in Love Again (2005), our anthology on second chances at romance; $24

· Vacations: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly (2006), our anthology on "Are we there yet?"; $25

· A Walk Through My Garden (2007) - the flower pots to grand landscapes anthology; $25

· Wild Things: Domestic and Otherwise (2008) – from boisterous grandchildren to creatures of the wild; $25

· Fearsome Fascinations (2009)—“Come into my parlor…” $25

Our Latest Offerings

· The Sounds of TallGrass (2007) - first in a series of spoken word CDs w/musical
backgrounds composed and performed by Grammy contender Keenan Baxter and featuring
award-winning authors reading selections from their work - $20.30

· I (heart) TallGrass Writers Guild baseball cap in light tan - one size fits all. $16; OUT OF STOCK

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Anthology—Complete Guidelines

In affiliation with TWG, Outrider Press has published the outstanding anthologies listed above since 1996 and continues the series each year with a different theme. Email outriderpress@sbcglobal.net with questions.

TallGrass Writers Guild

Literary Anthology/Contest Guidelines – 2010

Sponsored by Outrider Press in affiliation with TallGrass Writers Guild

DEADLINE: 2-27-10 (may be extended). For updated information, email tallgrassguild(at)sbcglobal.net or outriderpress(at)sbcglobal.net – Substitute @ for (at) as with all email addresses.

Theme: Change/seasonal change; planned publication date: late summer/early fall of 2010.

Working title is “Seasons of Change.” We look for work about the natural world but interpret broadly; geopolitical and deep personal change are acceptable.

Previously published and simultaneously submitted mss. OK. Especially interested in poetry.

All poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction submissions are read and evaluated by in-house editorial staff; submission does not guarantee acceptance; those entries that make the final cut are forwarded to independent judges for possible award of $1000 in cash prizes for First ($500 each for poetry and prose) as determined by the judges. Also: 2nd and 3rd places, and Hon. Mention. All winners receive Featured Reader status at the Kick-Off Reading at Chicago Tribune Printers Row LitFest (pending LitFest scheduling), the nation’s third largest book fair of its kind. Each published contributor receives a free copy of the anthology.

Entry fees for each category are $16, reduced to $12 each for TWG members

Poetry: Single-page poems to 28 lines – single spacing OK. Prose poems may me treated as prose at judge’s discretion. Reading fee for 1-4 poems: $16US/$12US-TWG member. For 5-8 poems: $32US/$24US-TWG member. 9-12 poems: $48US/$36US, etc.

Prose: 2500 word limit per entry; sections from longer works accepted. Reading fee for each entry: $16 US/$12US-TWG member. For 2 prose entries per person: $32US/$24US-TWG member; for 3: $48/$36, etc.

No limit on number of submissions in either category.

Judges: To be announced

Writers should send two copies of each manuscript (ms.) Plus CD or flash drive as follows: HARD COPY – Double-spaced manuscript on one side, on 8.5”x11” unlined white paper. Single-spacing okay for poetry. Plus: ELECTRONIC – Provide ms. and 4-sentence bio (separate files, please) on flash drive or CD. Windows Rich-Text-Format -- our preference -- or Microsoft Word (not Works). NO ASCII; no centering, bold, italics codes; only Tabs for paragraph indents. Specify word processing program on label + author’s name, phone # and e-mail address. No MAC. If sending a CD, be sure to package securely in bubble wrap or padded envelope to guard against damage in transit. INCLUDE name, address, phone/FAX numbers (w/area code) and e-mail addresses on first sheet of fiction; each sheet of poetry. Your phone number and e-mail address are required on every item. INCLUDE a stamped, self-addressed #10 (business size) envelope (SASE) for response. Mss. shredded/recycled.

Required Entry Form

Name ...................................................................................................................………………………….……….…..

Address....................................................................................................................……………………………………

.......................................................................................................................…………………………………………..

Telephone/E-Mail (E-Mail required) ..................................................................................………………………………......

Category (check only 1 per form; photocopies ok) Prose (Fiction) ..….. Prose (Non-Fiction) ….… Poetry........

Number of entries submitted within category ……….

Title(s)..........................................................................................................................................................................

TWG Member Yes ............ No ............. Amount of Entry Fee Enclosed ..............................

How did you hear about us? ……………………………………………………………….……………………

Past Years’ Anthologies (all prices include shipping & handling)

- Prairie Hearts (1996) – The Midwest - $21

- Alternatives (1997) – Roads less traveled - $21

- Freedom’s Just Another Word (1998) – Concepts of freedom - $21

- Feathers, Fins & Fur (1999) – Animals - $22

- Earth Beneath, Sky Beyond (2000) – Nature - $23

- A Kiss Is Still A Kiss (2001) – Romantic Love - $23

- Take Two – They’re Small (2002) – Food - $24

- Family Gatherings (2003) – Holidays, weddings, wakes + more - $24

- Things That Go Bump in the Night (2004) – The supernatural - $24. Out of Stock

- Falling in Love Again (2005) – Second chances - $24

- Vacations: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly (2006) – “Are we there yet?” - $25

- A Walk Through My Garden (2007) – From flowerpots to farms. - $25

- Wild Things (2008) – Domestic and otherwise - $25

- Fearsome Fascinations (2009)—Vampires, sexy strangers and renegade vegetables--$25

You may write a single check for total entry fees (+ optional TWG membership + publications) if you enter more than one category. Make check payable to TallGrass Writers Guild. Mail:

………Your check for the required reading fee(s) (and TWG membership and publications if desired)

………Your completed entry form(s)

………Submission(s),

………Flash drive or CD; and

………Stamped, self-addressed #10 business size envelope (SASE) to:

TallGrass Writers c/o Outrider Press, 2036 North Winds Drive, Dyer, IN 46311. Info: outriderpress@sbcglobal.net or tallgrassguild@sbcglobal.net or 219-322-7270 or toll-free 866-510-6735

2011 Anthology Theme – A Bird in the Hand: Risk and Flight

2012 Anthology Theme – Deep Waters: Rivers, Lakes and Seas

TWG Member Benefits

· Formal Readings

· Newsletters

· Open Mics

· Publications

· Leadership Opportunities

· Performance Venues

· CD Performance Opportunities

Join TallGrass

Mail this coupon with a $45 check/money order (reduced to $25 for U.S. students and $60 outside U.S reduced to $40 for students). Make payable to The TallGrass Writers Guild and mail to TWG Membership, c/o Outrider Press, 2036 North Winds Drive, Dyer, IN 46311. Membership includes newsletter subscription. All membership renewals fall due July 1st of each year. 1/2 price renewal for those joining the prior Jan-June. All fees are in U.S. dollars. For information/updates call 219-322-7270 or e-mail tallgrassguild@sbcglobal.net or outriderpress@sbcglobal.net.

Name
......................................................................................……

Address................................................................................
.....................................................................................……
.....................................................................................……

Telephone/Fax/E-Mail............................................................................…
...........................................................................................................……

Membership $........... Donation $........... Publications/Merchandise $............
Specify publications/merchandise ordered: .................................................
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Total Amount............................

TallGrass Writers Guild
c/o Outrider Press, Inc.
2036 North winds Drive
Dyer, IN 46311

Outrider Press, Inc.