TOP SPONSOR 

 

EDITOR'S THOUGHTS

HOW AN EDITOR THINKS

I'm not sure if you've noticed but there are a handful of writers who I enjoy working with for FundsforWriters material. They have several articles on the blog and in the newsletter feature section. These writers have proven they recognize the FFW voice, understand the readers, and can follow guidelines. 

An editor will ride a good horse to death rather than go through the effort to break in a new one. 

However, that does not mean that editors only rely on the tried-and-true writer, because those writers have limited experience. They can't say everything and be everything that the publication needs. Fresh voices are important. Being at the forefront of information matters. And, again, the old writers don't know everything. 

But a new writer, testing out a new market, needs to present as true a submission to the publication's mission as they can. Shooting in the dark is only going to convince the editor you do not respect them and all the work that's gone before. An editor knows what they want. They understand the voice they've molded for the readers they've worked hard to collect. To pitch something way off the mark of the mission, to pitch something that might just as easily been AI written, to hope an editor takes 1,000 words instead of 600, is to not only land a rejection (or silence) but to damage your name. 

Editor pay isn't much. They aren't sitting in high-backed leather chairs at glass desks with assistants bringing them spiced coffee and biscuits and the final top ten submissions of the day. 

Instead, envision a messy desk with day-old coffee and assorted sticky notes and calendars, hoping to work only eight hours instead of ten that day. They have multiple deadlines which include numerous ones missed by those who meant well, and some who don't care. They often sift through submissions themselves, hoarding them to do them all at once, looking for the first reason to cast each one aside in attempt to find a nugget. 

The first submission they read that day may have nothing to do with the publication, maybe a piece on yoga when the publication is about writing. Another is 1,200 words when the editor is limited to 800. If the topic is fantastic and the writing golden, they might contact the writer and give them a second chance. If the writing is mediocre, they don't bother. 

To write an editor back and challenge them is to slip your throat for future submissions. 

But those few who have learned how to treat an editor, how to write to guidelines, and how to keep deadlines, receive the occasional reply that says, "This is great. we'll take it. Do you have any more ideas for me?"

SUPER SPONSOR 

HOPE'S APPEARANCES

 
SUCCESS QUOTE

SUccess Story

Dear Hope,
 
I was recently able to submit a small poetry manuscript through the help of Poetry Bulletin (which you listed in a recent newsletter) that covered a submissions fee for me through PayPal! There is a prize attached to this opportunity along with accepted publication (if the submission is accepted), and I just wanted to say thank you for posting such resources to help struggling writers such as myself. Whether my submission is accepted or not I am encouraged to have such support as this (and if I am accepted that would be fantastic!). 
 
Thank you for always looking out for other writers; it means more than you know!
 
God bless you!
 
Matt Berg 

 - - - 


If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to hope@chopeclark.com 

Featured article

Pink Stilettos in a Brown Boot World

By Susan Traugh
 
A fellow writer sent her manuscript for me to critique. I'd published over a dozen stories for a particular outlet, and she wanted to see if she could get her story published with the same publisher. So, of course, I agreed to look over her work.

The outlet that she hoped to write for had a reputation for publishing lots of short stories and was a perfect outlet for new writers attempting their first break.

But, the outlet required that the writer follow certain rules. In this case, the stories must be: 1) true; 2) told in first person; 3) limited to 1,200 words; 4) follow one incident or thought in a complete short story; 5) be upbeat.

Other than the last two rules, the instructions clearly laid out the other three requirements. Yet, the story my friend gave me was a compilation of memories, 2,000 words long, and meandered from first to third person throughout the telling. 

While the last points are not laid out in the rules, a few minutes spent reading the published stories reveals a clear pattern to the kinds of stories this publisher accepts.

When I pointed this out to my friend, she said, "But, the story was so wonderful, I thought they'd make an exception."

The answer is: no—they won't. 

Most publishers have hundreds of stories to choose from for each available slot. Why would they pick something that doesn't meet the minimum requirements when 99 other good stories lined up behind it will?  

The easiest way for a publisher to reject a writer's work is to not follow the rules...to not listen to what is being requested. 

Imagine that you went shopping for brown boots. It's winter, it's snowy, and you need strong, rugged boots to handle the elements. But, the store manager wants to sell you some lovely pink stilettos. In fact, those heels may be utterly gorgeous, but, if you need boots for the snow, you simply have no need for pink stilettos—no matter how beautiful they are.

So, too, with "wonderful stories." Regardless how wonderful your story is, if it is not what the publisher is looking for, it will be discarded just as quickly as those pink stilettos. 
            
When pitching a story to a publisher accepting freelance pitches, then, pitch your pink stilettos. But, if a publisher has asked for brown boots then read their rules (both written and implied) and give them exactly what they seek. 
            
1.     Read the rules. Make yourself a checklist of outlined rules (for example word count, POV, specific topic, keywords, etc.)

2.     Read what they publish. Study back issues. Note the tone; slant; focus.

3.     Edit. Professional writers make sure that grammar and punctuation are top-notch before mailing.

4.     Identify how to submit. Don't send snail mail if they only accept email. Don't send via a link if they request submissions in the body of the email. Be sure to send everything they request—bios, headshots, etc.

5.     Honor deadlines. Submitting after a deadline is a guarantee of rejection, assuming they take the time to bother. Save yourself looking bad and meet the deadline or wait until next time.

Sometimes new writers really want to "shine" in their pink stilettos. But, there is real satisfaction when you provide trusty "brown boots" and see the results of your efforts rewarded by a publisher’s acceptance.

Bio: Award-winning author Susan Traugh writes curriculum for teens with special needs in order to earn a living, but she feeds her passion by freelancing and writing short stories and novels. Find her at www.susantraugh.com or see her weekly blog on helping teens transition into adulthood at www.transition2lifedailylivingskills.com/blog.
 

3953291 © Igor Terekhov | Dreamstime.com

23066266 © Falaterphotog | Dreamstime.com
 

COmpetitions

Emerald Theatre Company's 6^th Annual 10-minute Play Festival.

This year's theme is The 7 Deadly Sins : PRIDE, ENVY, SLOTH, WRATH, GREED, LUST, GLUTTONY...  Playwrights choose one and get creative!

CONTEST RULES: No more than 10 minutes in length, 10 pages maximum, no more than 3 characters and relates to the theme.

Absurd, Comedic, Dark, Dramatic, Farce, Tragedy...literal or figurative, that is up to you! Work must be original and unproduced. These are black box productions so minimal sets required.

SUBMISSON RULES: Send 2 printed copies. Cover page should only have the plays title and what SIN is represented. On a separate page include playwrights name, address, phone and email. These do not count as one of the 10 pages.

ENTRY FEE: $10 money order/check payable to Emerald Theatre Company
DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

Winners contacted and announced July 1, 2023 and the play festival is September 1-3, 2023

1^st - $100 plus a medal plus stage performance
2^nd $ 50 plus a medal plus stage performance
3^rd a medal plus stage performance

A total of 7 plays will be performed.

For additional information email Hal at hharmon299@aol.com and also check our website at etcmemphistheater.com


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JUDITH A MARKOWITZ AWARD FOR EXCEPTION NEW LGBTQ WRITERS
https://lambdaliterary.org/awards/special-awards/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 17, 2023. The Judith A. Markowitz Award for Exceptional New LGBTQ Writers recognizes LGBTQ-identified writers whose work demonstrates their strong potential for promising careers. The award includes a cash prize of $1,500. Two prizes are awarded annually. This award is for a writer, not a book. The application must therefore focus on the qualifications of the writer, not the qualities of a book. The applicant must have written and published at least one but no more than two books (including chapbooks) of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. The applicant must be of demonstrated ability and show promise for continued growth. The applicant must show meaningful engagement with LGBTQ literary communities.

HARPER'S BAZAAR SHORT STORY COMPETITION
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a36157/harpers-bazaar-short-story-competition/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 26, 2023. We invite published and non-published authors to submit an original story of up to 2,200 words on the theme of ‘Notes’ to shortstory@harpersbazaar.co.uk. The winner and a guest will receive a two-night stay, including breakfast and dinner, in one of the beautiful treehouses at Callow Hall in the Peak District, as well as the chance to see their work published in Harper’s Bazaar. The competition is open to UK residents only, aged 18 and over, published or unpublished. 

BLACK CAUCUS EBOOK AWARD
https://bcala.librariesshare.com/bcala-ebook-contest/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2023. Each year, BCALA honors the best self-published eBooks by an African-American author in the United States in the genres of Fiction and Poetry. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora. Each genre prize winner shall receive $2,500, formal recognition at the Black Caucus of ALA Literary Awards, and BCALA Ebook Award Digital Seal to use in marketing. 

THE PRISM PRIZE FOR CLIMATE LITERATURE
https://homeboundpublications.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2023. The prize carries an award of $1,000 and publication of the winning manuscript. Seeks to promote and support fiction, poetry, and literary nonfiction writing in the emerging genre of climate literature. Preferably no more than 65,000 words for nonfiction or fiction submissions and no more than 125, 8.5 x 11 pages for poetry. At this time we only accept manuscripts from authors residing in the United States or the United Kingdom. 

TEXAS REVIEW POETRY BREAKTHROUGH SERIES - SOUTH CAROLINA
https://texasreview.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 1, 2023. The TRP Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series seeks to highlight a first full-length collection by an emerging poet from each state in the southern U.S. This particular one is for South Carolina. Manuscripts must be between 50 and 100 pages in length. Open to any poet born in South Carolina, currently residing in South Carolina, or who lived in South Carolina for five consecutive years at any point, who has not yet published a full-length collection of poetry. The author may have published chapbooks or books in other genres. Winner will receive a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.

BUFFALO BOOKS FICTION PRIZE
https://buffalobooks.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2023. We are open only to novels — from 40,000 to 80,000 words — that are set in or explore the Midwest, the Great Plains, and/or the alleged flyover portions of the West. One book will be selected for publication. The winning writer will receive an honorarium of $500 and publication under a standard royalty contract.

GRAYWOLF PRESS NONFICTION PRIZE
https://www.graywolfpress.org/about-us/submissions
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2023. A $20,000 advance and publication by Graywolf Press will be awarded to the most promising and innovative literary nonfiction project by a writer not yet established in the genre. The winning author will also receive a $2,000 stipend intended to support the completion of their project.

ROMANCE ON THE ROAD TRAVEL WRITING COMPETITION
https://intrepidtimes.com/romance-on-the-road/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 19, 2023. Write an original, factual, first-person travel story about a time you experienced romance while traveling. Feel free to explore romance in all of its manifestations, but ensure that your travel story builds itself around the context of a place or experience. Editors will be looking for originality, voice, and a satisfying story arc that captures attention and makes use of imagery to pull the reader along at every step. One winner and up to three runners-up will be selected to have their work published on Intrepid Times. The winner will be paid a cash-prize of US $200, and the runners-up will receive our standard fee. Please write between 1200 and 2000 words. 

WILBUR SMITH BEST PUBLISHED NOVEL PRIZE
https://www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org/awards/best-published-novel-2019
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 17, 2023. The Best Published Novel award is designed to celebrate the best adventure stories of the last year. We invite novels to be submitted by publishers and literary agents. The award accepts entries by authors of any nationality, writing in English. Prize: £10,000. 

WILBUR SMITH BEST UNPUBLISHED NOVEL PRIZE
https://www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org/awards/best-unpublished-manuscript-2019
£30 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2023. The prize is exclusively for unpublished writers. Writers must not be represented by a literary agent, or be under an existing or future contract to any publisher. The work submitted must not have been previously self-published, or have been published in full or in part through any publisher or other media. To participate, writers must submit their opening three chapters totalling no more than 10,000 words and a full plot outline of no more than 1,000 words detailing where they imagine the story will go. We are keen to encourage writers of all backgrounds and, as such, are offering fee waivers for authors who cannot make the financial commitments of entry. We know excellence doesn’t happen overnight, so this award will support five individuals by providing them with regular one-to-one mentoring and editorial guidance from a first-class editor, developing their manuscript over the course of eight months, from fledgling idea to complete first draft. Writers must be prepared to commit time over those eight months to complete their work, which we expect to be around 70,000 words. Once finished, each manuscript will be considered by publisher Bonnier Books UK and all writers will receive guidance on seeking a literary agent.

AUTHOR OF TOMORROW (16-21 YEARS)
https://wilburnisosmithfoundation.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2023. Prize: £1,000 and digital publication with Worldreader. Young writers must submit a short adventure story between 1500 and 5000 words in length. The competition is open to writers of any nationality writing in English.

AUTHOR OF TOMORROW (12-15 YEARS)
https://wilburnisosmithfoundation.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2023. Prize: £100 and digital publication with Worldreader. Young writers must submit a short adventure story between 1500 and 5000 words in length. The competition is open to writers of any nationality writing in English.

AUTHOR OF TOMORROW (11 YEARS AND UNDER)
https://wilburnisosmithfoundation.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2023. Prize: £100, plus £150 in book tokens for your school, library or charity of choice. Your story will also be published digitally with Worldreader. Young writers must submit a short adventure story up to and including 500 words in length. The competition is open to writers of any nationality writing in English.

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

Gutsy Great Novelist Writing Retreat

- - - 

VERMONT CREATION GRANTS
https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/artists/creation
Deadline April 3, 2023. Grant funds may be used to compensate the artists for time spent creating new work, to purchase materials, or to rent equipment or space for the  process. This highly competitive program is reviewed by an independent panel of practicing artists and arts professionals. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply. These are $4,000 grants.

RASMUSON FOUNDATION - ALASKA
https://rasmuson.org/grants/individual-artist-awards/project-awards-and-fellowships/
Deadline March 1, 2023. Individual Artist Awards, which seek to support artistic growth and exploration of new creative ground for artists and culture bearers living and working in Alaska. In addition to individual artists, groups and collaboratives (two or more artists working together) are eligible for Project Awards and Fellowships. Award recipients receive a grant, professional development and promotion of their work. Awards are $10K to $25K. 

DIVERSO: BLACK WRITERS IN FOCUS
https://writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/black-writers-in-focus
DIVERSO is a student-run film nonprofit dedicated to changing the face of entertainment by empowering the next generation of underrepresented storytellers. Vetted by a rigorous committee of all Black readers, four talented students will spend ten weeks over the summer fine-tuning a writing sample with a personalized mentor, attending panels and classes with industry leaders, and learning from the best by shadowing in a writers' room. Selected students will receive a $6,000 stipend to support a part-time commitment over 10 weeks. Interns are expected to make a 20-hour commitment each week. The internship program will be hosted virtually over the summer (June 6th - August 19th).

GEORGIA ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM GRANT
https://gaarts.org/what-we-do/grants/arts-education-program-grant/
Deadline March 3, 2023. Arts Education Program Grants support arts programs delivered to K-12 students in a variety of disciplines, including visual art, music, theatre, dance, media arts, and creative writing. Grant Request: Between $1,500 and $8,000. Eligible Applicants: Non-profit organizations, government entities, public libraries, schools and colleges/universities. (NOTE: Writers can work with these organizations to be funded through this grant.)

THRILLERFEST BIPOC SCHOLARSHIP
https://thrillerfest.com/registration/scholarships/
Deadline March 20, 2023. ITW is awarding one scholarship to a BIPOC author writing a thriller manuscript featuring a BIPOC protagonist. Scholarship recipient will receive a $1000 (USD) stipend and a free pass to attend ThrillerFest XVIII, which takes place May 30 – June 3, 2023 in New York City.

THRILLERFEST UNPUBLISHED AUTHOR SCHOLARSHIP
https://thrillerfest.com/registration/scholarships/
Deadline March 20, 2023. One scholarship to an unpublished author who is writing a mystery/thriller novel (80-100k words). Scholarship recipient will receive a $1000 (USD) stipend and a free pass to attend ThrillerFest XVIII, which takes place May 30 – June 3, 2023 in New York City.

  

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

THE GUARDIAN
https://medium.com/@jessicaelisabethreed/how-to-pitch-to-me-2022-edition-f345b65c232a
Seeks deeply reported stories with a narrative arc. Also good personal essays. Commissions reporters who write about places they know, to include writers from all corners of the US. Word count 2,000 to 4,000 words. Pays 60 cents to a dollar per word. Send pitches to Jessica Reed at jessica.reed@theguardian.com

XTRA MAGAZINE
https://xtramagazine.com/contribute
Xtra is an award-winning digital magazine and community platform covering LGBTQ2S+ politics, culture, sex, relationships and health. We tell stories in multiple ways: Short and long features, profiles, Q&As, essays, opinion pieces, explainers, video documentaries and podcasts. Xtra’s “Love Like Mine” column celebrates LGBTQ2S+ love in all its forms—romantic, familial, platonic and more. Pays around $350 per piece. 

VIA MAGAZINE
https://mwg.aaa.com/via/pitch-guidelines
While we may highlight other areas of the West, our main coverage footprint extends across Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska, with most of our readers residing in Northern California and Arizona. Our main categories are: Road Trips, National Parks, Places to Visit, Things to Do, Eat & Drink, Travel Tips, Car, House & Home, How to, Smart Guides, and Your Money. Seeks to teach readers how to enjoy everything that’s beautiful, intriguing, adventurous, fun, and delicious in their backyards and throughout the West. Pays up to a dollar per word. 

OPENLY
https://www.openlynews.com/people/
Openly is a global digital platform delivering fair, accurate and impartial lgbt+ news to a world that isn’t. Powered by original coverage from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Openly also aggregates select lgbt+ news and authoritative reports from other sources, with the ambition of becoming the ultimate destination for trusted lgbt+ news and information from around the world. Seeking interesting and timely first person/opinion pieces for Openly. Pitch Lucy Middleton at  lucy.middleton@thomsonreuters.com . Pays around £300 per piece. 

CAPITAL B ATLANTA
https://capitalbnews.org/about-us/
Capital B Atlanta is the first in a growing network of local newsrooms anchored by Capital B’s national hub. Our Atlanta newsroom publishes need-to-know information — such as how to find affordable housing, apply for benefits, and vote — civic journalism, and accountability reporting, with an editorial strategy informed by intensive community listening and engagement with Black metro Atlanta residents. Pitch Gavin Godfrey, Editor at gavin.godfrey@capitalbnews.org. Pays $250 to $800+ per article.


CUTLEAF
https://cutleafjournal.com/submit/
Cutleaf publishes a new issue every other week. We welcome unsolicited original prose (both creative nonfiction and fiction) and poetry from established and emerging writers during our open submission windows. Cutleaf is interested in fiction of all shapes and sizes, although we are generally interested in work less than 6,000 words. Cutleaf will pay from $100 to $400 for published fiction. Cutleaf is interested in essays in both standard and hybrid forms, under 6,000 words. Cutleaf will pay from $100 to $400 for published nonfiction prose. Cutleaf is interested in poetry of many styles and formats. We will read up to seven poems at a time per author. Cutleaf will pay from $50 to $200 for published poetry. 

QUARTZ AT WORK
https://qz.com/work/1146608/how-to-write-for-quartz-at-work
Quartz at Work is a guide to being a better manager, building your career, and navigating the modern workplace. Our staff of reporters works every day to report the most interesting stories and practices from workplaces around the world. The reason that we want you to write an article is because you bring something unique to it. You may not be the first person to write about, say, how to hire people effectively, but your experience may help you explain why a particular strategy works well. You might approach an old topic from a new angle, or your expertise in a relevant field may help explain a newsworthy event in an unexpected way. Rate is $0.50/word. Email is Gabriella Riccardi, Deputy Editor, at griccardi@qz.com

MY IMPERFECT LIFE
https://www.myimperfectlife.com/features/about-my-imperfect-life
We're launching a fun new column over My Imperfect Life and we need your fun or unusual dating stories, dilemmas and experiences. Ideally first-person but open to ideas. Hit me up at Mariana Cerqueira, Editor, mariana.cerqueira@futurenet.com. Rates are £200/$250. We cover entertainment, fashion, beauty, travel and wellbeing, with a mix of the news you need to know about, inspiring features, interesting interviews, as well as reviews and edits of products you might like.

EDGE EFFECTS - VIOLENT ENVIRONMENTS
https://edgeeffects.net/cfp-violent-environments/
Deadline February 19, 2023. The acceleration of diverse and converging crises—climate disaster and apartheid, environmental racism and resurgent ecofascism, ecocide and land grabbing—reinforce that environmental violence has become an unmistakable feature of contemporary life. Edge Effects seeks submissions that ask how violence is enacted through, for, and on environmental spaces, including land, water, and air. Accepted pieces are eligible for a $250 honorarium. Word count 1000 to ~2000 words.

 

Publishers/agents

THE RIGHTS FACTORY
https://www.therightsfactory.com/about-us
Every agent at TRF is looking for work they can get excited about, in every genre and category. If you’re in the market, we encourage you to look at the agents here and see if one of them seems like the perfect business partner for you. Sixteen agents to consider, each with specialties and preferences. 

METAMORPHOSIS LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com/submissions
Six different agents, each seeking specific topics and genres. Everything from romance to fantasy, middle grade to women's fiction, literary fiction to historical biography. Wide variety. 

LADDERBIRD
https://www.ladderbird.com/
Ladderbird is a boutique literary agency with a passion for bringing marginalized voices to the forefront.  We work with authors at all levels to create the right path towards achieving each author's specific goals. Visit our Agents page to determine who will be the best fit for your work. 

EASTOVER PRESS
https://eastoverpress.com/submit/
EastOver Press specializes in publishing collections of short stories, essays, and poetry. We read and respond to manuscripts on a rolling basis during specific submission windows. Watch the site or subscribe to their newsletter to see the open windows. 

 

FUNDSFORWRITERS CONTACT INFO

FINE PRINT

Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint any editorials, contact hope@fundsforwriters.com for permission. Please do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your publication is considered a valid right to publish.

C. Hope Clark
E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2023, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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