Thanks to WRWA member Dave Rank for this tip for a new publishing opportunity.

DRG Publishing is launching a new magazine, Town Square, which celebrates life and nostalgia in small town America, and they're looking for writers to share stories and photos!

Town Square is a magazine in which readers share the joys they find from simply living in their towns. This magazine wants to highlight vibrant, active, smaller communities where people know their neighbors, count many of them as friends, and often depend on them. The publishers says, Town Square will be filled with stories and photos from people who live in, or used to live in, smaller communities and absolutely loved it, showcasing people from coast to coast, sharing the joys of small-town life.

To submit an article, all it takes is a letter or picture that describes what you believe to be the best parts of living in your hometown. Are you part of a quilting circle? Do a bunch of you meet at a local diner and crochet? Maybe a bunch of you meet at a friend's house every week to scrapbook. Whatever it is, tell us about it and send in a picture of you doing what you do. Is there someone in your town who always brightens your day? Maybe it's the mail carrier who always hands you the post with a smile, or the counter lady at the local bakery who slips in an extra cookie for your child. Is there an annual event that brings everyone in your town together? Share photos of past events and tell a little bit about your annual church rummage sale, pumpkin festival, fireman1s picnic, carnival and fair. The more unusual the event, the better. Be sure to include the dates of your next event so readers can be invited to join in the fun. Do you have a signature dish you1re practically required to bring to every potluck gathering? Do you have a few surefire favorites that draw raves and requests-and guarantees an empty dish to bring home? Share the recipe with the rest of us-along with a photo of the last gathering you brought your dish to!

Don't be shy. Send them in! You can start by checking out www.TownSquareMag.com. You can send your submissions directly from our Web site, by e-mail to , by regular mail to Town Square stories, 306 East Parr Rd., Berne, IN 46711, or by fax to 260-589-8093.

[Editor's Note: This magazine seems tailor-made for many WRWA writers, so I e-mailed Town Square for submission guidelines and heard back from Managing Editor Dianne Schmidt: “We do not have formal writer's guidelines because we are not looking for professional writers. We are looking for fun, heartwarming, unique stories of small town life and activities. We will include stories of various lengths from only 2–3 paragraphs to up to about 600 words. We will consider a story whether it is submitted electronically or sent by mail (even handwritten is ok). If writers in your association are from small towns they may have some great stories to send to us. For all stories published we will send the contributor 2 comp copies of the magazine as well as a special gift. If a story is submitted that we feel makes a good one-page feature and includes photos we will also pay a nominal fee (approximately $50-$75) as well.”]

Less than two years after opening her creative writing studio, AllWriters' Workplace & Workshop, Waukesha writer Kathie Giorgio now takes on independent magazine publishing. The British literary journal, Quality Women's Fiction, was originally launched in December 1994. Giorgio's short stories appeared in the magazine several times. When the chance came to own and publish an already established magazine, Giorgio jumped at the chance. “QWF is an excellent international literary magazine, and I plan on taking it to the next level, and the next and the next,” she says. “I am very excited to be at the helm of a magazine that supports and encourages women writers.”

The magazine now finds its home in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The first American published issue, which will be QWF's 50th issue, is planned to come out in January 2007. Submission guidelines and subscription rates are listed on the AllWriters' Workplace & Workshop website, http://www.allwriters.org/qwf.asp.

All Writers' Workplace and Workshop offers on-site and online writing courses in all genres and abilities of creative writing. It also provides coaching and editing services. A schedule of classes and registration is available online at http://www.allwriters.org. For more information, call (262) 446-0284

UW-Madison Continuing Studies in Theatre, in partnership with the University Theatre and the Madison Repertory Theatre, is proud to announce the Wisconsin New Play Project.

Created to foster the development of new works, Wisconsin Wrights features an opportunity for three playwrights to receive workshops and readings of their work as part of the University Theatre Summer 2007 season. In addition, one of the three selected plays will be featured as part of the Fall 2007 Madison Repertory Theatre Madison New Play Festival.

Deadline for submission: January 15, 2007

Complete details about eligibility, submission guidelines and requirements, and the play selection process are available at the Wisconsin Wrights website.
http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/theatre/new-play-project.htm