World of Writing Newsletter: The Art of Yoinking
This week's newsletter tells you how to get paid - and celebrates yoinking.
WordNerd: Yoink!
The WordNerd loves the word yoink, its onomatopoeic sound. And as a Simpson fan, she was tickled to discover that the word was invented by a Simpsons writer. Bart Simpson and his friends would shout "Yoink!" every time they took something they shouldn't.
It sounds a bit like yank, but also like the upward stroke on a violin, used in old comedies to indicate something being stolen. The WordNerd sometimes turns it into a verb. "Sorry, I'm afraid I yoinked your crisps."
Photo Description: The word Yoink! appears in yellow writing on a red background.
What’s Going On: Christmas Writing Presents
Well, it is coming to that time, whether you like it or not. So, I'm going to give you a few Christmas present ideas for the writerly loved one in your life – or for yourself.
I will create a voucher for one of my Writing With Me services, which are one-to-one service that help people develop their writing skills – and finish their books. If you'd like to find out how to buy these vouchers, drop me a mail on derbhile@writewordseditorial.ie.
Grammar Grouch: Eighty-Two Ears
The Grammar Grouch heard a sad tale about a funeral. The funeral in itself was sad, but he was even sadder to read that the deceased was 82 ears. The Grammar Grouch presumed that the person did not have multiple ears but was in fact 82 years.
The Grammar Grouch feels that a typo at a funeral is unforgiveable. At times of stress, a typo could be what tips you over the edge.
Writing Resource: Words Ireland Payscale
Writing and pay is always a vexed issue. We write because we love it, but it's also important that we value our time and our skills. WORDS Ireland, an organisation which advocates for writers, has created a payscale for writers.
The payscale tells you what you can expect to receive if you're giving a workshop, mentoring or forming part of a panel.
For those outside Ireland, the scale may still be a useful yardstick that you can convert into your own currency. Here's the payscale if you want to take a look.
Submission Opportunity: Heimat Review
Heimat is a new American journal and it accepts submissions via email, not online, so no submission fees. The word Heimat means home and the journal aims to be a home for writers.
Heimat's reading period lasts until 15 December, and as well as accepting poems stories and flash fiction, they accept one-act or 10-minute plays. Have a look at their submission criteria here.
Oh, and a bit of a follow up from the last newsletter – Martina Dalton won poem of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards. Sincere congrats to Martina.
If you'd like to chat about any aspect of this newsletter or anything wordy, you can get in touch with me via derbhile@writewordseditorial.ie or 0876959799.