Websites, Social Media, and Flyers! Oh My!

Starving Pen is officially up and running, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us! We've got an awesome start to our writing community, but there's definitely room for growth. Here are some things we're working on, to create a better experience for you!

The Website
We're up and launched, but we're not perfect. Neither Danny nor I have much real website design experience, so it's been tough and a little slow going figuring it all out, but we're getting there! We're working on cleaning up the layout and design of the site, so it's prettier and more user friendly. Don't be surprised if you go to the website one day and it looks a little different than it did the day before. You're not crazy, we're just trying to create the best online writing experience we can.

We're also discussing the possibility of changing the time frame between editions. Right now both weekly updates and updating as pieces come in are on the table. This all depends on how many submissions we get on a regular basis, of course, and we won't be able to accurately judge that for another few months. Keep your eyes open for updates! We'll be sure to let you know when we decide!

Have suggestions for the website? Let us know!

Social Media
We have both a Facebook and Twitter account that are updated at least semi-regularly. I try to update at least once a day. We want to be better about promoting ourselves, our authors, and suggesting all sorts of resources for you. If we have any major announcements, they'll hit the social media sites first, so be sure to keep an eye out! Also, invite your friends to 'like' or follow us! Spread the word about Starving Pen! We want as much feedback as possible, so we can become one of the best online literary magazines and writing resources out there.

Fliers
Really, this only applies to you if you're a student of UNI (for now!). Danny and I are currently working on drafts for different flyers to hang around campus. We'll update to let you know when and where they are. Let us know what you think! And just because I'm super nice, here's a sneak peak at the black and white version printed version. Remember, this is only a first draft.

 Like what you see? Have suggestions? Let us know!

That's all I have, for now. As always, we'll keep you updated on the latest Starving Pen news. Until next time!

-Courtney S.

Starving Pen Co-Founder 

We're Live!

http://starvingpen.com/ 

We can't believe it's really happened. Starving Pen Magazine has officially launched! I wanted to take the time to give an extra special thank you to everyone who submitted for our first edition. This wouldn't have been possible without you. We look forward to reading more of your work! And for those who haven't submitted yet, we look forward to reading your work too!!

Danny and I have put a lot of ourselves into this site, and we're so happy that people like the idea. We really want to turn Starving Pen into a resource for aspiring writers. I guess we're both still in shock that it's really happening. We put in a lot of hours to make this site, and it looks like everything is finally coming together. It's really a beautiful thing. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean the site is perfect. Not by any means. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas about the site. What do you like? What don't you like? Do you have suggestions for how we can make it better? We want to hear from you!

Don't forget! Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook! We'll keep you updated on all the happenings! The next deadline is October 22! We'll update the content on November 1! We look forward to reading our new submissions!

A Little Update

Hey all!
 

So today we got our first submissions! Danny and I are so excited we can hardly contain ourselves. We thought this awesome news deserved an awesome update. Clearly, you guys are working hard to meet our September 16th deadline (keep those submissions coming!!). We wanted to let you know what we're up to, too!

1. Website Stuff. This has been our main focus. We've been working on creating images/labels for the different pages we're going to have, as well as researching the best place to register the domain/set up the site. We're even possibly going to a seminar hosted by Google to help small businesses, etc set up websites and network. It's an exciting time, but also full of new obstacles and stresses. It has definitely been a learning experience.

2. Submissions. Yay submissions!! This site won't work without you guys. Now that we have our first submissions rolling in, we'll be working on our slight edits, and figuring out the best way to organize them. Plus! Danny and I have both been working on our own pieces to contribute the first edition. After all, we're aspiring writers too. We can't wait to hear what you guys have to say!

3. Tips and Tricks. For each edition, there will be one or two articles posted on the site, full of lots of information about all things pertaining to writers. We're also looking for publishers AND published authors to interview, so if you fall into either of those categories and would like some free publicity, contact us! We'd love to pick your brain.

4. Spreading the Word. We're a new site, but we want as many people to know about us as possible! We can only do so much, so tell your writer-friends to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. These sites are our main form of communication - we post updates, advice from past authors, inspirational quotes, and much much more. Check us out!

That's all for now. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at starvingpen@gmail.com. And don't forget!! Our first deadline is September 16th! Our first publication will be October 1st!

It's been an exciting adventure so far. We can't wait it takes us, in the future.

-Courtney S.

Starving Pen Co-Founder

Now Accepting Submissions!

It's official!! Starving Pen is now accepting submissions for its first publication (to be posted October 1st). Submissions are due by 10pm on Friday, September 16. Please be sure to look over our submission guidelines before sending us your pieces. Our staff is looking forward to reading all of your wonderful work! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at starvingpen@gmail.com.

New Logo!

Check out our new logo the staff has created! Let us know what you think!

Submission Guidelines - First Draft

Hey Readers!
We have our first draft of our submission guidelines! We're pretty happy with them, but we know they could probably use a once-over from our readers. We are completely open to suggestions, so please, read through them and let us know what you think! You can either comment on this blog post, or email us at starvingpen@gmail.com.

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Submission Guideless - All Pieces

1. Must be 18 years or older, in order for Starving Pen Magazine to publish your work(s).
2. In your email submission to us, please send us two copies: a PDF format and Microsoft Word document of your work(s). 
3. All pieces should be edited to the best of your ability. Starving Pen Magazine has a zero tolerance plagiarism policy. If you are found to have plagiarized, you will no longer be allowed to submit work, and we will not protect you from legal consequences in any way. Seriously. Don’t be a jerk. Write your own stuff, or don’t write at all.

Submission Guidelines - Fiction & Creative Nonfiction

1. All stories must be submitted in Times New Roman, size 12 font, single spaced.
2. While there is no minimum length requirement, Starving Pen Magazine has a twenty (20) page maximum per submission. There is a five submission limit per issue (aka five submissions per month). 
3. Each submission must have a complete story from beginning to end. 
4. Edit. Edit. Edit.  Our staff will do, at best, light editing of your work (obvious spelling and grammar mistakes). Your submitted work should be edited and polished to the best of your ability. If we find that your piece needs drastic edits, our staff reserves the right to request further editing before publication.
5. Rarely, Starving Pen Magazine may contact authors to ask their permission to edit their piece and place the edits online as an example for other members. This is completely voluntary and the author will not be penalized if they decline.
6. When Submitting your work, please label in this order:

• Title
• Author’s Name
• Author’s Pen Name (if applicable)
• Fiction or Creative Nonfiction

Submission Guidelines - Poetry

1. Starving Pen Magazine holds a ten (10) poem maximum per edition (aka ten poems per month).
2. All poems must be written of reasonable font type and size.
3. Because of the various forms of poetry, our staff will do NO edits on submitted poems. Please be sure to edit your work to the best of your ability before submitting.
4. Starving Pen Magazine will only accept written forms of poetry, no videos will be accepted.
5. When submitting your work, please label in this order

• Title
• Author’s Name
• Author’s Pen Name (if applicable)
• Type of poem (optional)

Submission Guidelines - Serial Works

1. Starving Pen Magazine defines Serial Works as multiple submissions from members that follow the same characters - such as submitting multiple chapters of a novel. They are essentially multiple short stories. Serial Works follow the same submission guidelines as the Fiction and Creative Nonfiction submissions, except for the following.
2. If you submit a work as a Serial Story you are expected to submit a continuation of the piece, at least once every three months. If you plan on writing a serial story, you must be willing to commit to a minimum of five submissions. You will be assured a slot, as long as you follow this guideline.
3. If an author who has contributed a Serial decides to “scrap” the piece, or leave it unfinished, Starving Pen Magazine reserves the right to contact the author to discuss the possibility of transferring the story to a Creative Commons licensing (aka allow others to continue the story).

Submission Guidelines - Collaborative Pieces

1. If two or more authors decide to work on a collaborative piece, they must email the Starving Pen staff before submission so guidelines may be established. Collaborative pieces will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
2. When submitting a collaborative piece, each author will be given credit for the entire  piece, even if one author discontinues writing and the other(s) finish the piece.

The First of Many

Hello Everyone, and welcome to our new blog!!

Clearly, the kinks are still being worked out as we try to get everything put together perfect, so please bear with us if you notice a lot of changes happening at first.

Danny and I are so excited to start Starving Pen Magazine! It's something we're both passionate about, and we hope you enjoy all of are work. The purpose of this blog is to give you guys detailed updates of our progress and upcoming events and/or changes. We figured this will be a fun way to keep in touch and let you guys get to know us and the site!

We're just getting started, but here are some things to look forward to:

1. Our logo! We're still thinking of ideas but as soon as we get it finalized, it'll be everywhere.
2. The website! While we've got our twitter, blog, and facebook page (coming soon) set up, we're still exploring options of domains and websites to use. Once we figure out the best course of action, we'll be working hard to get the website up and running. Right now, our goal is to publish the first set of submissions on October 1, 2011. We have a lot to do, but we can handle it. It's not like we're busy college students or anything, right? Oh wait...
3. Submissions! Starting in September, we'll be accepting submissions to the site for publication! Be sure to check out the website for our submission requirements. We're excited to read your work! 
4. Tips & Tricks! The website will also have a page dedicated to all kinds of tips and tricks for keeping the creative flow....uh, well, flowing. This page will be full of all sorts of suprises, and possibly even interviews with authors and publishers! 
5. Much, Much, More! Starving Pen will be an evolving magazine. Danny and I are totally dedicated to making this site a great resource for young writers who are trying to make a name for ourselves. So as the magazine grows, we'll do our best to meet your needs. To do this, we need your feedback! Be sure to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, email us, and check back here frequently.

We fell in love with the idea of Starving Pen Magazine, and we hope you do too! So let's make a deal. We'll do our very best to keep you updated on our progress, and you start writing for our first publication. Deal?! Great!

Ready or not (but we totally are),
-Courtney

P.S.
Did I mention how excited we are? Because...we are!