This is International Blog Against Racism Week , so I wanted to share a book list of multicultural science fiction and fantasy, courtesy of editor Stacey Whitman.

Also this week, Through the Tollbooth has been blogging about poetry. Even if you’re a struggling amateur poet (like me), check out these daily lessons that anyone could benefit from.

And now for the weekly links:

Contests:

1. Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards. Any poem 32 lines or shorter. Deadline: December 15th. First place prize: $500.

2. “Garden Verse” Poetry Contest. Poems 40 lines or shorter. Deadline: September 1st. First place prize:  $250.

Writing:

1. POV switching and goals for our protagonists.

2. Laurie Halse Anderson, whom I adore, is hosting “Write Fifteen Minutes a Day Challenge Month!” Check her blog every day in August for writing prompts and motivation.

3. Tuesday I mentioned how writers sometimes feel like failures or frauds. If that describes you, click here to read all the answers to Nathan Bransford’s question on dealing with the “Am-I-Crazies?”

Marketing:

1. 25 book blogs and pitching a blogger.

2. Marketing strategies.

3. This article explains why I love WordPress so much, and it lists ten cool themes for writers’ blogs.

4. Ways to prepare yourself for publication.

Conferences:

1. Writer’s Digest Conference, September 18-20 in New York.

2. SCBWI Summer Conference, August 7-10 in Los Angeles.

If I had unlimited time and money, I’d go to these conferences—especially SCBWI, which sounds amazing. Maybe next year? I’ll make it a future goal.

Anyone have news or frolics to share??

I can’t believe this is the last day of July—how did the month completely elude me?! Tune in tomorrow for the final installment of “Summer’s Ultimate Novel!”