Lydia Said:

Are there any legitimate non-fiction or fiction writing contests out there that you can win money?

We Answered:

There are tons of legitimate contests. Look up Writers Market 2007 (2008 may be out by now). Don't know if it's online but the actual book should be in your library. There's a whole section on them. Writer's Market is your best tool as a new writer. Good luck!

Kristin Said:

Has anyone ever sold any writing after taking a course with the writers bureau?

We Answered:

I have not taken any course with the writers bureau. Ask the writers bureau for a list and the contact numbers for those who have achieved./

Beth Said:

If I am doing a course in Developing Fiction but want to write short stories as well...?

We Answered:

If there is a creative writing course available in your area then go along to it. You will learn a lot not just from the tutor but from the others attending the course as well. People in a group tend to bounce ideas off one another by asking questions. Some people don't like to ask questions in case they are seen as being a bit thick but a creative writing course tends to make people bypass thoughts like that. Short story writing is an art in itself and if you really want to write then go one of those. Creative writing classes usually cover short story writing as well as novels. Good luck with your writing whatever you decide.

Donald Said:

When is a short story considered literature?

We Answered:

Some writing programs and professors are pretentious like this.

When I was looking and English Lit and Creative Writing graduate programs, I interviewed with many professors who had this narrow mindset and limited view of literature. In fact, I walked out on one professor at UT (and cost myself any shot at getting in the graduate program) when he said that Tolkien was just an over-hyped children's story and was not considered valid as literature and no one could ever convince him otherwise. I said something like "Really? I'm amazed you could read it and say that." And he replied that he never read it because it was and over-hyped children's story. So I got up right then and left in the middle of the interview knowing that wasn't the place for me.

Basically literary fiction is just code for "realism." It is a good skill to work on regardless of the genre you want to write in, but what it really means is probably that that is what your teacher reads and writes and they aren't willing to go outside their own comfort zone.

Daisy Said:

What does it mean to cite a canon when writing fan fiction?

We Answered:

you have to say what book, author, what you are writing about. a disclaimer saying that it is not yours.