Announcements & Links-Here's What's Cookin'...

Jen's Homemade Beef Stew & Cornbread 

Happy New Year, folks!
Fancy meeting you here. :-)
What a blessing and a pleasure to have you join me for another year of learning, earning, literature, and laughter, as it relates to the writing life.

Beyond resolutions, I continue in my commitment to help you know more and grow more in 2016.
I really value your readership, friendship, feedback and support.

Please feel free to reach out to me through the comments section, or via personal email, to pose any questions or suggestions you might have, as we move forward.

Here's the 4-1-1 for this week...

• Pen and Prosper is now a paying market! Effective December of 2015, guest posts accepted will be compensated. It's not enough to pay your cable bill, but you can replenish your chocolate stash, or treat yourself to your local Starbucks! I'm seeking quality, original submissions of 250-800 words--on blogging, social media, marketing, or any timely topic related to writing. If chosen, you will receive 10.00 by PayPal upon publication and one link with Bio. Please submit to: Gemsjen@yahoo.com.  I look forward to reading your work.

• My new poetry book has been released. Yay! "7 Wide" is now available for your reading pleasure, through Amazon.com. If you enjoy my blog, I think you'll dig my poetry too. It has over 40 poems on love, life, and social issues (from my perspective). Get a "behind the scenes" look at the lady behind the blog. Here's a link to order, if you are so inclined. :-) http://www.amazon.com/7-Wide-Jennifer-Brown-Banks/dp/1682299783

• National Storytelling week is officially celebrated January 30-February 6, 2016. This marks the 16th annual National Storytelling Week, which celebrates the power of stories; whether it's the ones shared through bedtime rituals with your children, or those that shape the steamy romance novels you enjoy. For more info on events and activities that you can participate in, or promote on your blog, contact the Society for Storytelling at their website .

• Seeking to earn pay for your say? Blogger Jobs has a database of opportunities to explore, based upon your preferences and areas of interest. Search by keywords or location. See what you can find here: http://www.bloggerjobs.biz/

• Pen and Prosper has just been designated as a "Top 100 Blog for Authors & Bloggers" for 2016 by Feedspot.com today! We're listed as # 25. Yoo hoo! See the other great sites chosen at http://blog.feedspot.com/2016/01/08/top-100-writing-blogs/

• The Muffin is seeking your submissions for their "Speak out" section. A feature published every Friday on writing, inspiration, tips for authors, book reviews, etc. Brief, but substantive is the key here. To learn more, visit the Muffin for specific guidelines.

• Writers Weekly will pay writers $40.00 upon acceptance for tips, tools and techniques published through success stories shared.

That's it from my end today.
Feel free to share your news, success stories, calls for submission, or comments.
Have a great week ahead!

I'm looking forward to an awesome year!