BASIC STRUCTURE & CONDITIONS:

3 per group, plus mentor.

Chosen by me from the list of applicants.

If you’re currently or have ever been part of a religious writing group, and are chosen for a team, you must be very careful not to bring your preconceived moral guidelines into your group. You may, of course, write as you wish – simply don’t force your views on others.

You must be willing to work with others of varying backgrounds, and be willing to work with others where they are, without condemning, without trying to change their voice or morals to fit your preferences. That said, everyone will be expected to function using a few very basic, generally non-restrictive guidelines (below).

Each team will choose a name for their group from a list provided by me, to help with very minimal logistics.

These groups will not be “run” by me, and I have no desire to control, but basic guidelines are always wise.

Teams will not access a central point or website, though I will post updates on our Facebook PYP page.  I may also establish a general Facebook page targeting TEAM PYP happenings; stay tuned.  My goal is to provide structure in a non-restrictive manner, giving you, the artist, the greatest freedom to establish your talents and develop your craft.

THE SPECIFICS:

Each team will focus on writing SHORT STORIES for the GENERAL MARKET (non-religious).  Most successful novelists began their career with short stories, and standard non-religious magazines are admittedly harder to break into than other markets. We will have to be the best to be published by the best, and that should always be the goal.  A secondary consideration: it’s easier to write and critique a short story, and this will give us time to get our groups comfortable with each other, not to mention getting the kinks worked out of what I hope to be a longterm PYP help to authors.  Set the novels aside awhile in your PYP groups and let’s begin at the beginning. (Of course, you’re free to do your own novel work on the side as you see fit, or work on them via team members, but the priority should be to wow the mentors, and me, with the short stories first and foremost.)

I’d like us to do this in quarters: 3 months at a time.

TIMELINE (2011-2012):

First quarter, July – September, up to a 1000 word short story in any genre except erotica. Include research on which general market magazines you could submit it to.

During the month, team members will work among themselves on their stories.

At the end of each and every month, each team member will submit their story to their mentor for suggestions and comments.

At the end of the quarter, each team member will send his or her polished story to me for suggestions / comments.

After that, each team member will decide if further changes should be made or if their work is ready to be sent out to their chosen magazine markets.

Each quarter will follow this same format with the exception of the word counts.

Second quarter, October – December, one short story in any genre or cross genres, except erotica, up to 2500 words, along with a list of recognized general market short story magazine outlets you might submit it to (at least 5).

Third quarter, January – March, an up to 3,500 word short story of any genre or cross genres, except erotica, and a list of recognized general market magazines suitable for such   (at least 5).

Fourth quarter, April – June, an up to 5,000 word short story of any genre or cross genre, except erotica,  and a list of at least 5 magazine outlets for such – general market, please.

Of course, if you want to try your hand at more than one short story during each quarter, feel free to do so, but I think focusing on only one, giving it time to rest for a good month or more before a final edit, will produce much better material, and I highly recommend that.

Also, note that each story can be substantially under top word count limit, but not over.  For instance, if a quarter proves to be especially busy for you, feel free to reduce your word count goal on a particular story from, say 5000 words to 1000 words, or such.

Again, ONLY non-religious magazine markets will be targeted. The reasoning for that is simple:  the standards for pure writing quality is almost always higher in the non-religious markets than in the religious markets. If you wish to submit to a religious magazine on the side, fine, but it won’t count toward what I hope will be some sort of award system via TEAM PYP recognitions.

A very small, but fun, incentive could be something like: one completed year and a published short story in a general market magazine will garner you a TEAM PYP t-shirt, or some such. I’m open to suggestions for reward incentive ideas.

TEAM PYP BASIC GUIDELINES:

no general moral or religious restrictions beyond “acceptable community standards” – i.e., engage creative license, but use common sense too

limit sexual graphics – no pornography

language should suit character and situation

if you use religious references, keep them real and in fitting with the character and situation; religiosity must be as skillfully crafted as anything else, if not more so. this is NOT a religious or Christian writing program.  we’re small groups of writers serious about excelling in the writing craft.  all gratuitous religious references will be tagged for removal

ABOUT MENTORS:

I’ll be looking for several top-notch mentors to handle one or more groups: authors who have either been published in general market publications, editors who have edited general market material, etc. More on that here. If you think you may be a qualified mentor, and are willing to put forth the minimal amount of time required for this, please contact me directly at contact@portyonderpress.com.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

My goal is to provide an atmosphere and the talent necessary to help writers become serious, award-winning producers of the most excellent material on the market, crossover or general market, in their genre of choice. Of course, I can’t guarantee anything, as the results will depend on your efforts, skill level, and determination. But I can provide the forum: the team strategy, the ongoing motivation, and high quality mentors.

I’d love nothing more than to see marginal authors improve their craft so substantially in the first year or two that I would gladly consider them for publication through PYP, but of course, you’re free to seek publication elsewhere.

Ready to work hard? Ready to receive input that will drive you to be the best you can be? Ready to seek out markets for your short stories – the best markets out there? Then jot me a note:  contact@portyonderpress.com, and get on the potential list of TEAM PYP members, and LET’S GET ROLLING! (Include your name, email, and a very brief writing bio including writing groups you’re involved in or have been involved in, genre(s) of choice, and approximate skill level.)

I should receive all requests for participation in the upcoming July 2011 – June 2012 groups no later than June 15th, 2011. Others will be put on the list for next year’s teams. You should receive a response from me on or around June 20th, 2011. Thank you!

~Chila Woychik, Publisher / Managing Editor, Port Yonder Press