Out Of The Mist by C. P. Bergman This will be a departure from my usual mystery column because I need to address a problem that is a real life mystery. Perhaps you've encountered a similar experience. In all my years of writing and sending my material out, I've never encountered a publisher or magazine who simply and rudely neglected to honor the self-addressed, stamped envelope and return a manuscript if there was no interest in it...until recently. This is a mystery to me. Why would people in this line of work not uphold an industry standard that is a staple and honored tradition, and simply return the material when the postage and envelope or mailer is included? They need not even include a reject form, but just return the author's work if they had no interest in it. This happened with an article I'd submitted to two publications on collectables: Collection Bulletin out of Canton, Illinois, and Collector's Showcase, Source Publications out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Not only was there a manuscript involved, but photographs as well, so there was considerable monetary expense. If either of these publications had the inane "no unsolicited manuscripts" policy, it was unknown to me, but even so, ample postage and return mailer had been included, so why not do the right thing? By the way, that "no unsolicited manuscripts" business violates our civil rights, equal opportunity rights, and is just plain nasty. Listen ye of the publishing industry: If you can't be bothered to do your job and read at least a portion from a submission, maybe you should go into a different line of work. Did it ever occur to you that you just might find a gem among what you consider chaff? I have mentioned my experience in order to caution any of you who may have been considering submitting to these two publications. The mystery remains: if a publisher hasn't got the time or patience to review all incoming material, it's time to do something else because that company hasn't got in its bones the love of literature or the common sense to do its job. Why don't you make room for those who truly love the art of writing? Some markets for mystery: Crimestalker Casebook Andrew S. McAller, Editor 121 Follen Rd. Lexington, MA 02421 Fiction: 1,000 - 1,500 words Poetry: 15-35 words Pays 2 -3 cents a word DoubleTake 1317 W. Pettigrew St. Durham, NC 27705 Short stories: 3,000-8,000 words Novel exerpts: 5,000-8,000 words Pays competitively on acceptance. Mystery Time Box 2907 Decatur, Illinois 62526 New Mystery Magazine 101 W. 23rd St. PMB #7 New York, NY 10011 Grants For Writers by C.P. Bergman The following information regards grants for writers: George Bennett Fellowship: awarded annually to anyone embarking on a career as a writer who can take the time to complete a project. Selection is made for a manuscript in progress. The committee favors writers who have not been published by a major publisher. The grant is for $6,000 plus room and board for the writer and his\her family during the academic year. Send SASE for information and application. Deadline: December 1. Apply to: Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833 Also sponsored by the Phillips Exeter Academy is the Phillips Foundation Journalism Fellowship Program. This is a $50,000 full-time and two $25,000 part-time fellowships to working journalists who have less than five years' professional experience in print journalism. Write for additional information and application to the address above. Deadline: March 30 The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Maine offers a prize of $1,500 and accommodations during the month of September. This award is given to six accomplished poets and fiction writers who are 50 years or older. It targets writers who earned recognition early in their careers and are now reemerging with new work. Send an SASE for application and guidelines.  Deadline: May 1. Address: Fine Ats Work Center in Provincetown, Senior Fellowship Program, 24 Pearl St., Provincetown, MA 02657 George Washington University invites applications from writers of fiction to teach two semesters at the university. The salary is about $48,000 plus benefits package. If you have demonstrated a commitment to teaching and have some published credits, you may apply. You need not have conventional academic credentials. Residence would take place in the Washington area while the university is in session, September through April.  For application write to: Jenny McKean Moore Writer-in-Residence Grant Department of English George Washington University Washington, DC 20052 Writing Tip: WRITE WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW! You read it right. If you have a yearning for a topic, take it on. RESEARCH. Don't let anyone-expert or professor-tell you "Write only what you know." If everyone heeded that ill advice, think of all the great books that would never have been written. After all, Ray Bradbury never went to Mars, yet he wrote "The Martian Chronicles," as well as other beautiful science fiction projects. Margaret Mitchell didn't live during the civil war, yet we feel she might have been there when we read "Gone With the Wind." H.G. Wells didn't travel in time, yet voila, "The Time Machine." Get going. Research…and imagine!

An Interview with Mark Moersch
By C.P. Bergman

When I first encountered the writing of Mark Moersch, I became infiltrated with the excitement of a great find. Making a discovery is always gratifying, and to the artistic world where I live and breathe, it's especially fulfilling.

Mark had a lot of ideas and a lot of experiential knowledge, given his background in law enforcement. He is a sergeant in the Itasca, Illinois Police Department. His informational articles are clear and precise, yet interesting and colorful enough to draw any reader into his world, even when the reader might not have any previous encounter with that world. That's important. Often, "what's on the market" lacks a unique voice. No such problem with Mark Moersch. Note the opening of his article, "The First Hunt."

A pair of clear dark brown eyes stared out from the dense forest undergrowth, studying an unwary animal. The antlers atop the animal's head reminded the hunter of a gnarled old oak tree that had been twisted and shaped by many years of wind and storms. He tried not to dwell on the horns, and concentrated instead on the exact spot where he would place his arrow. 1.

The more I spoke with Mark about some of his law enforcement experience, the more stories I could see, particularly those including the element of humor. (I am still waiting for a couple of them, Mark!) It seemed the only thing Mark needed was what we all need: encouragement and somewhere to send his material.

Some of the areas of expertise for Mark are hunting, fishing, and of course, law enforcement, but I know he has plans to branch out. Following are some of the topics we've been discussing.

CPB: When did writing first catch your interest?

Mark: Several years ago. I was on a hunting trip and was told a story about my host and his encounter with a black bear. I thought, "Can I do this?" Well, I didn't write the story right away, and actually entered a writing contest for an outdoor newspaper. I was surprised when I won second prize. This coup gave me the confidence to write the bear story, which I sold to an outdoor magazine.

CPB: What do you most like to write about?

Mark: I like to tell stories about people I've encountered who have experienced unusual things in their lives. While sipping my first martini with the brother-in-law of my neighbor, I learned he lost his leg fighting the Germans in Yugoslavia as a partisan. He told me this incredible story, but never told his family.

CPB: What for you is the most difficult part of the writing process?

Mark: Coming up with an idea is fairly easy-so is the beginning. But the end, tying everything up, is hard for me.

CPB: What part do you enjoy the most?

Mark: When I create a good sentence or description and someone tells me they loved this passage.

CPB: Tell us about your first experience in print.

Mark: Actually, you sparked my creative tinder when you gave me information on a writing contest for a firearms magazine. I thanked you politely and thought what the heck can I write about firearms that hasn't been written already? I kept thinking and came up with an idea. I took second place in this contest and had a subsequent article published in the same magazine. That's when I started to believe in myself. 2

CPB: Being in law enforcement, this would seem like an endless wealth of information. Do you specialize in law enforcement articles, or are you branching out in other areas of interest, and what might those be?

Mark: I'll write about anything I find interesting. I've done articles on hunting, firearms and law enforcement topics.

CPB: Who is your favorite author or authors and why?

Mark: Clive Custler, Carl Hiassen and Mark Twain. Cussler has intricate plots; Hiassen has wacky characters and Twain…well, he's Mark Twain.

CPB: If you could go anywhere in the world for three months and do nothing but write, where would you go and why?

Mark: Sorry I can't say something like the Himalayas, but I don't think I could concentrate enough to write in some exotic locale. I would probably end up on a yak looking for a Yeti.

CPB: Which would lead to a great story! When do you find the time to write?

Mark: Finding the time, or should I say, making the time; with two jobs and a family, my schedule is very busy. My favorite time to write is in the early morning before my family wakes.

CPB: As a writer, what are your greatest strengths?

Mark: Perseverance. I'll keep working on a piece until I'm satisfied.

CPB: What projects are you working on now?

Mark: I'm working on a mystery novel about a conservation officer and I have an idea for a children's story based on a silly story my wife told my daughter.

CPB: What important tips can you pass along to other new writers?

Mark: Always be on the lookout for a story. Don't be afraid to say you're a writer and ask tactful questions if you think there is a story to be told. Don't procrastinate. I waited so long with one story, the main character died before he saw his story in print.

Wise words for all of us. Now I'll leave you with another impressive sample of Mark's writing:

Awakened by the intrusion into its den, the bear stood on its hind legs and looked menacingly at Kauther. Sensing an attack, Kauther snapped his rifle to his shoulder and fired. The first bullet hit the bear in the lower ribs, causing it to reel to the left. Working the lever-action as fast as he could, Kauther's second shot took the bear behind the left ear, killing it instantly. 3.

1. "The First Hunt," INSTINCTIVE ARCHER magazine, page 63, Winter, 1998.
2. The winning article appeared in GUN JOURNAL magazine.
3. "Hunter Kept Promise to Son with '61 Bruin," WISCONSIN OUTDOOR JOURNAL, page 8, August, 1998.