Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 54 Writing Contests in February 2018 - No entry fees

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 54 Writing Contests in February 2018 - No entry fees:

For such a short month, February certainly delivers when it comes to writing contests. There are no fewer than 54 free contests this month.

As always, every form and genre is represented. There are prizes for novel manuscripts, poetry, short stories, essays, works of nonfiction, children's books and more. Some of these contests have age and regional restrictions, so be sure to check submission guidelines before submitting.

Many contests are offered annually, so if you miss your ideal contest this year, you can always enter next year. For a month-by-month list of free contests see: Writing Contests

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Copious Flowers | not even Solomon in all his glory • surrounded by goodness, beauty and truth

Copious Flowers | not even Solomon in all his glory • surrounded by goodness, beauty and truth:

Father Stephen Freeman recommends Walter Wink’s book Naming the Powers:

A book worth looking at viz. the powers is Walter Wink’s Naming the Powers. As successive volumes of this came out, I thought it got a bit strange, but I remember this volume as very much worth the read.

I just read Wink’s book, found it eminently worthwhile, and have shared selections here.

In addition, below are my brief responses to Wink’s book. This book recommendation from Father Stephen comes in the comments to his blog post “When Chaos Ruled the World – Part I” (January 9, 2018).

Monday, January 08, 2018

CS Lewis’ Response to Critics of The Lord of the Rings: The Dethronement of Power | Earth and Oak

CS Lewis’ Response to Critics of The Lord of the Rings: The Dethronement of Power | Earth and Oak:

When Tolkien began there was probably no nuclear fission and the contemporary incarnation of Mordor was a good deal nearer our shores. But the text itself teaches us that Sauron is eternal; the war of the Ring is only one of a thousand wars against him. Every time we shall be wise to fear his ultimate victory, after which there will be “no more songs.

An Argument for a Liberal and Rational Approach to Transgender Rights and Inclusion - Areo

An Argument for a Liberal and Rational Approach to Transgender Rights and Inclusion - Areo:



The rights and social inclusion of trans people is a heated topic right now and, as usual in our present atmosphere, the most extreme views take center stage and completely polarize the issue. On the one hand, we have extreme social conservatives and gender critical radical feminists who claim that trans identity is a delusion and that the good of society depends on opposing it at every turn. On the other, we have extreme trans activists who claim not only that trans people straightforwardly are the gender they experience themselves to be but that everyone else must be compelled to accept this, use corresponding language, and be fully inclusive of trans people in their choice of sexual partners.