a triple shot of literary excellence
Some folks have noticed that so far in 2018, we’ve seemed rather quiet. Perhaps *too* quiet. So we’re here to offer some behind-the-scenes scoops about our year so far and about what we’ve got planned for the rest of the summer and into the cold-weather months.
“Measuring the Marigolds,” a poetry collection by Miriam Bat-Ami, celebrates place–both the inner and outer landscape of her experience as a mother, teacher and long-term West Michigan resident.
We’re opening drop-in writing/editing/planning hours at our office for you to get stuff done away from the familiar distractions of home.
Used well, metonymy can advance a story. Used poorly, it confuses the flow of the narrative and diminishes the voice of the POV character.
Have you ever been curious about what it takes to grow from “curious about publishing” to “published author?” Consider signing up for our new brief online course, “Establishing Yourself as a Professional Writer.”
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and we look forward to a great upcoming year—a year marked by a new emphasis on network building and community growth.
Caffeinated Press is pleased to announce the release of “Isle Royale from the AIR: Poems, Stories, and Songs from 25 Years of Artists-in-Residence.” This collection of essays, poems and songs was edited by Phillip Sterling and features contributions from 18 author and poets and six visual artists.
Caffeinated Press is pleased to announce that we’ve nominated six authors for the Pushcart Prize, an annual literary series honoring the best of small presses and literary journals.
Caffeinated Press is proud to host our Fall Boost Event this Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 6p to 9p at the Books and Mortar store at 955 Cherry Street in beautiful Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Behold! National Novel Writing Month is almost upon us. As you get ready to write or revise your magnum opus, your friends at Caffeinated Press—presently embroiled in final line editing, so it’s top of mind—offer a few construction suggestions for you
NaNo is coming. Are you ready?
Caffeinated Press is pleased to announce the release of “Jot That Down: Encouraging Essays for New Writers.” This collection of essays was edited by A.L. Rogers and features contributions from 19 published authors, poets and illustrators.
We’re looking for a motivated self-starter to serve as our primary book developer.
Where, oh where, has the summer gone? With all the activity going on at Caffeinated Press, it’s hard to believe we’re already closer to next Christmas than to last.
The Caffeinated Press board of directors is pleased to share that Tabitha Maloley, a long-time senior editor, has joined the board of directors, effective May 26.
Looking for stuff to do to expand your literary chops? Consider these six upcoming opportunities!
As a sign of partnership with GLCL — a literary non-profit advancing, promoting and celebrating the literary arts in our community — we’re offering our office space for drop-in writing and editing time.
Hey, you. Yes, you. You look like a writer. Can I interest you in any of the following opportunities?
Manuscript queries get rejected for all sorts of reasons, but “goodness of fit” and “commercial viability” present an obstacle that a good line edit or peer review is unlikely to overcome.
Whether you’re self-published and need guidance or have been published by a small- or mid-sized press, take comfort in knowing that some strategies — while they’re not guaranteed to sell you even one additional book — have, on balance, proved helpful to other authors looking to grow their sales.
The third installment of our annual house anthology, Brewed Awakenings, will be released this coming October. The reading window for this volume closes on May 31 — so you have plenty of time, and no excuses, for crafting a short story or an essay for submission.
Chris Galford is an author, photographer and journalist with deep roots in West Michigan. His short story, Furniture City, is available in both the print and ebook version of Brewed Awakenings 2. Learn more about this dynamic young man and his craft by visiting galfordchris.com.
The last day of a year that taxed our collective national consciousness draws to a close. Many of us offer a sigh of relief, cut by a sliver of hope that 2017 will prove to be more tranquil and fulfilling. Or at least, marked by less drama and fewer tragedies.
We’re pleased to announce a general refresh of our entire Web platform. Enjoy!
I don’t think there’s a “One Weird Trick” approach to building a writer’s toolkit that will work for everyone. The ways I’ve written in the past don’t work for me today, and today’s method may not work for me a year from now. What’s important is that your infrastructure blend into the background; you should use it, without being aware that it’s there. And when it doesn’t work, change it up.
Although publisher/agent guidelines vary in the specifics, most novel queries require a cover letter, one to three sample chapters and a synopsis. Synopses, however, tend to bedevil early-career writers. They’re presented, usually, as an afterthought, or as some sort of back-of-the-cover tease — and therefore, the synopsis becomes the silent killer of what otherwise could have been a perfect pitch.
A few quick items of interest from your friends at Caffeinated Press — Open office hours today, Sun. Mar. 13, from 10a to 4p. Please feel welcome to drop in, have some coffee, plug into the power and the Wi-Fi,
Even though it might be embarrassing, an occasional trip down memory lane is useful. And it’s worth remembering, too, that your first or second novel will almost surely end up in the back of your file cabinet. That’s OK. It’s healthy. Your goal shouldn’t be to write and then to publish, but rather to write until you’re ready to publish.