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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS

ON BOOK BANNING

I am so tired of book banning being designated a political tool. A Republican or Democratic thing. And I wish book banning wasn't painted with such a broad brush, as if banning a book applies to every venue across the nation, or in many cases, across a state.

Book banning is a phrase now used to incite, not solve a problem. People are too caught up in pointing fingers and placing blame than anything else. 

The reality, as usual, lies in the middle.

There are levels of book banning, if you want to use that term, but in an attempt to remove the political flavor, lets call it book selection. That's all it is, book selection, and libraries have been "selecting" which books to stock their shelves with since the beginning of libraries. 

Just like parents have been selective on what they wanted their children to read. A parent is fully entitled to select (and withhold) certain books for their children. They do not have the say so of what goes in a library that has the responsibility of meeting the needs of all. 

That said, however, a school librarian is trained to stock shelves with age-proper books. That's not book banning. That's doing their job like they were educated and trained to do. They do not have the right to tell a child what they have to read if the parent isn't on board with it. It's not a fight thing. It's an understanding thing. People cannot read each other's minds. 

Public library staff are expected to stock almost anything, often limited more by budget and the number of times something is checked out than politics. They serve the entire community, all factions of it, populating the shelves with the needs of their particular demographics in their jurisdiction, to the limit of their budget.

Bookstores can offer anything and everything with their choices dictated by personal preferences and whatever way the commercial winds are blowing. They serve whomever they deem to be their customer base. 

We seem to forget the driving forces of each book venue, their budget, and their mission statement.

We all have personal, political, and cultural leanings. We have no right to push others to think like we do. I love a live-and-let-live mentality. I won't tell you what to read if you don't tell me. If a venue does not have the books I like, I'll go elsewhere or maybe even ask them to order it. If they say no, then fine. If they do, fine. And honestly, when it comes to schools, if a teacher wishes to assign a potentially combative title to their students, they should have options in case any student or parent has issues. Parents and teachers have to cooperate with each other in order for the child to best learn.

Again, live and let live . . . respecting each other's wishes. Diversity, whether you like what that means in your region, is real, wherever you are. Live. And. Let. Live. 

Frankly, I am open to all types of books being available to the public . . . in a public library or bookstore. Schools, however, should be about education at an age-appropriate level, and paralleling the approved curriculum. To me, that's putting children first, parents second, and politics last. 

Yes, I expect feedback on this, but that's okay. 

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Featured article

Indexing, See also Freelance Work

by Peggy Joque Williams

An indispensable tool, the back-of-the-book index enables nonfiction readers to find information efficiently and quickly. Writing those indexes offers another income opportunity for freelancers.
As a lover of nonfiction, I decided to add indexing to my freelance writing and copy-editing business. 
What better way to spend my time than going through a biography or how-to book and collecting and alphabetizing key words, I thought. Couldn’t be easier.

Wrong! 

After engaging in coursework and reading books such as Nan Badgett’s The Accidental Indexer and Nancy Mulvany’s Indexing Books, I discovered that indexing is a unique skill set requiring the ability to spot themes, organize details into related sets and subsets, and determine when a detail warrants inclusion or is a passing mention and not needed. 

That said, freelance indexing is a challenge that appeals to many freelancers. Some indexers are generalists. However, indexing is often sourced out to writers who have expertise in specific fields such as technology, medicine, art, law, or even children’s nonfiction books. 

Benefits and Challenges of Freelance Indexing 

Job availability is, of course, the main benefit. Numerous nonfiction books are published each year, and those books need indexes. Other media use indexes as well: professional journals, newspapers, legal documents, corporate materials, catalogues to mention a few. 

An indexer can expect to charge between $2.50 and $6.00 per indexable page, sometimes more. The density of the book will affect the fee rate, as some books will have more entries per page than others.   

The challenges to indexing can include the cost and learning curve of training. The days of indexing on 3x5 cards and sorting them alphabetically into shoeboxes are gone, so specialized software such as Cindex™ or Macrex is also needed.

Tight deadlines are often imposed by publishers. Sometimes only a couple of weeks are available between a final locked-in copy of the book and the printing date. The publisher might also have space limitations affecting how many entries can be included, making for challenging decision-making.

Where to Get Training

The University of California Berkeley offers a highly regarded program—Indexing: Theory and Application.  The American Society for Indexing (ASI) has online training courses as well. They also have ongoing webinars and other educational opportunities for working indexers.

How to Find Indexing Jobs

Networking is probably the most common way indexers find jobs. I landed my first opportunity when I offered to edit my acupuncturist’s new book and then offered to index it on a trial basis. I have since indexed a second book for her. I found another job indexing a book on local history through its hybrid publisher.

Querying university presses, small independent publishers, and hybrid publishers is another path. Even one or two positive leads is enough to get started and to build a resume.
Of course, as with any freelance work, a business website and social media presence are essential. A website will show potential clients that you are a professional.

Where to Get Ongoing Support

The American Society for Indexing is by far the best source of support for both newbies and experienced indexers. Besides networking and educational opportunities, ASI offers an Indexer Locator database and health insurance benefits.  

The Institute of Certified Indexers, the Indexing Society of Canada and the British Society of Indexers offer similar support.

Indexes are integral to many types of publications, and skilled index writers are in demand. For those willing to take the time to learn, there is a financial benefit to indexing. For me, an added benefit is the opportunity for new learning, both from the training involved and from each book I index.

# 
Bio:
Peggy Joque Williams is the co-author of two mystery novels, On the Road to Death’s Door and On the Road to Where the Bells Toll. She is a freelance writer, copy editor, and now an indexer. https://peggywilliamsauthor.com/ 

Books I have indexed:
Frenchtown Cemetery: Old Catholic Burying Ground, Prairie du Chien by Marie Elise Antoine (2022) 
https://www.amazon.com/Frenchtown-Cemetery-Catholic-Burying-Ground/dp/1955656290/ 

The Body-Feedback Acupuncture System: A New Approach to Holistic Medicine
by Michelle Suzy Meramour (2020)
https://www.amazon.com/Body-Feedback-Acupuncture-System-Approach-Holistic/dp/099920694X 

Supporting Your Acupuncture Meridian System: How to Recover Your Health by Choosing the Best Foods, Supplements, and Essential Oils by Michelle Meramour (2017) https://www.amazon.com/Supporting-Your-Acupuncture-Meridian-System-ebook/dp/B0789GC5HC/ 
 

2953739 © Luis Francisco Cordero | Dreamstime.com

COmpetitions

PARSEC SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://parsec-sff.org/short-story-contest/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 1, 2023. Theme is: Preserve or Purge. Limit 3,500 words. The contest is open to non-professional writers; those who have not met eligibility requirements for SFWA or equivalent, sale of a novel or sale of three stories to a large-circulation publication. Stories must be original, unpublished, and unsold to any other market. First-place receives $200 and publication in the Confluence program book. Second-place receives $100. Third-place receives $50. Best Youth Story: Winner receives $50. 

WATERSTON DESERT WRITING PRIZE
https://thewaterstondesertwritingprize.submittable.com/submit/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 1, 2023. The Prize provides financial and other support to writers whose work reflects a similar connection to the desert, recognizing the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and the human narrative. In 2023, the Waterston Desert Writing Prize will recognize the winner with a $3,000 cash award, a residency at PLAYA at Summer Lake and a reading and reception at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon on September 14, 2023. The award supports literary nonfiction writers who are completing, proposing, or considering the creation of a book-length manuscript. 

BETHLEHEM SHORT STORY AWARD
https://bwgwritersroundtable.com/short-story-award-2/
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2023. We are seeking never-published (including online or blog posts) short stories of 2,000 words or fewer on the theme: Holiday Tales. We define holiday stories as those that involve any holiday from US Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, or stories that reference those holidays. (There are many such holidays, so let your imagination fly.) While our theme is broadly interpreted, the holiday must be an important element in the story, not just referred to in passing. (DIE HARD would not be accepted!) First Place: $250 and publication in our upcoming anthology: Season’s Readings: More Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales. Second Place: $100 and publication in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Third Place: $50 and publication in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable.

THE WRITING DISTRICT PRIZE
https://thewritingdistrict.com/the-writing-district-prize-2023/
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 31, 2023. Short stories only. Maximum word count is 3,000 words. First prize $1,000 and publication on the website. Two runners-up of $100. English only. 

F(R)ICTION CONTESTS
https://frictionlit.org/contests/
$10-$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 27, 2023. Categories: Short Story, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, and Poetry. Short stories: 1,001 – 7,500 words. Flash fiction: up to 1,000 words per piece. Poetry: up the three pages per poem. Writers over the age of thirteen are welcome to submit. We accept work, written in English, from anywhere in the world. Poetry and Flash Fiction - first place in each category receives $300 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too. Short Story and Creative Nonfiction - first place receives $1,000 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication, too.

THE SYNOPSIS SKIRMISH
https://darlingaxe.com/pages/the-synopsis-skirmish
$5 CAD. Deadline May 31, 2023. A writing contest for querying authors. Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: does this synopsis convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell? First place: $700 CAD. Second place: $200 CAD. Third place: $100 CAD. One page: maximum 500 words. 

SCREENCRAFT FILM FUND GRANT PROGRAM
https://screencraft.org/fund
ENTRY FEE $39.50. Deadline April 30, 2023. We consider a range of projects, from treatments to standalone screenplays, to fully-packaged projects seeking finishing funds and will choose one to four projects to fund. Grant amounts will vary up to $30,000 depending on the scale and merit of each project. ScreenCraft will offer production grants to talented creators for narrative features, short films, TV pilot series scripts, and documentaries that display originality, vision and exceptional potential. Winners will also have the opportunity to work with the ScreenCraft Writer Development Team for creative development and personalized guidance for the projects needs.

AUHTOR OF TOMORROW
https://www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org/awards/author-of-tomorrow-2019
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2023. Prizes are awarded in three categories: 
Category 1: age 16-21 years. Prize: £1,000. Young writers must submit a short adventure story between 1,500-5,000 words in length.

Category 2: age 12-15 years. Prize: £100, plus £150 in book tokens for their school, library or charity of choice. Young writers must submit a short adventure story between 1,500-5,000 words in length.

Category 3: age 11 and under. Prize: £100, plus £150 in book tokens for their school, library or charity of choice.

Young writers must submit a short adventure story up to and including 500 words in length. Each shortlisted author will also have their work digitally published by our partners at global literacy charity, Worldreader.

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

GOOD BEER HUNTING
https://www.goodbeerhunting.com/style-guide
https://www.goodbeerhunting.com/contact
Good Beer Hunting’s voice is more relaxed than a newspaper, but more buttoned-up than most blogs. Our voice is human, friendly, and confident. We don’t shy away from slang, internet jokes, or a conversational tone, because that’s how people talk to each other in real life. The subject of any Signifier should be a brewery that’s pointing the way (Get it? Signifying!) for other beer producers around the world, doing something unique and special. These well-rounded profiles paint a complete picture of how and why that brewery became special. (3,000-4,000 words) Critical Drinking category includes a couple types of stories: longform question-and-answer pieces, and reported, write-through pieces that are often op-eds or explore beer trends and history. (2,500-5,000 words) GBH brings context and understanding to topical news stories on a daily and weekly basis in our Sightlines section. Whether it's breaking news or getting ahead of trends, these pieces dig into "Why It Matters." (600-2,000 words)
Features pay $700. Mini-features pay $325. Podcasts pay $250. Blog posts $100. 

DAD FIXES EVERYTHING 
https://dadfixeseverything.com/write-for-us/
Deadline April 21, 2023. Pitch Evan Porter, Editor, at evan@dadfixeseverything.com. Pays about $150 per article of 1,000 words. Really looking for writers with published clips in the parenting space, but anyone with a great pitch is welcome. Prefer writers who have experience as a parent or primary caregiver. International writers welcome.

BARN RAISER
https://barnraisingmedia.com/submissions/
Barn Raiser connects local and national perspectives through a network of writers and contributors who live in and care about rural and small town communities. Especially seeking pitches on transportation and libraries, and they can be sent to editorial@barnraisingmedia.com.

POSITIVE NEWS
https://www.positive.news/contact-us/
Positive News is the online and print magazine for rigorous journalism about what’s going right. We report socially relevant and uplifting stories of progress – ranging from the global boom in renewable energy to cities that are solving homelessness – joining the dots between how people, communities and organisations are changing the world for the better. The standard rate is 30p per word. 

DEEP DISH
https://www.going.com/
https://hello-going.typeform.com/to/dn1f5TAs?typeform-source=www.patreon.com
We're looking for around 800 words and pay starts at $300. We want stories that deeply connect a food to a place and its people, history, culture, and traditions. 

GLORIOUS
https://glorioussport.com/about/
If you have something women’s sport and lifestyle related that you want to shout about/explore/get off your chest, we’re all ears! Pitch submissions@glorioussport.com . Glorious is super visual and we love great imagery (we don't use stock, etc.), so imagery that could work is always a plus. We take stories and writers all over the world. Rates depend on word count, etc. Pays £200 to £400 per piece. We are on a mission to elevate women’s sport through the lens of art and culture. We give a platform to stories that deserve to be told and are carving out more space for female voices in sport, be that at grassroots or professional level.

URBAN OMNIBUS
https://urbanomnibus.net/write-for-urban-omnibus/
Deadline May 1, 2023. Send questions or pitches to info@urbanomnibus.net. We are interested in the relationships between the urban environment and culture, society, politics, and everyday life. Features should explore issues of broad relevance through specific sites, projects, and stories centered in New York City. We especially like to hear from people with a personal or professional stake in their topic. We publish features in a variety of formats, including critical or historical essays, reported articles (2500 words), interviews, photo portfolios, visual projects, and design proposals, among others. Rates begin at $300 for an interview and $500 for a feature and increase in accordance with the complexity and demands of the project. 

NEW LINES MAGAZINE
https://newlinesmag.com/pitch/
New Lines Magazine publishes essays and reportage on a wide range of subjects that focus broadly on the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We also cover politics, culture and controversies in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Russia and Central Asia, and conduct deep-dive investigative journalism based on open-source intelligence and leaked data.

Publishers/agents

TK EDITING

Do you write with purpose? With love? With fervor? If so, then you're my kind of author. Like any editor, I have my favorite genres and story types. Adventure stories with dragons will always have a special place in my heart. But after editing everything from fiction to educational material, I've found that a manuscript's place in the author's heart is much more important. So if you've got a story that you absolutely have to tell or knowledge that must be shared, I would be delighted to help you on that journey.

In thanks to the wonderful resources that Hope continues to provide for us week after week, I'm extending a special offer to each of her readers: 10% off any editing project. Just let me know how you found me.

TK Editing - Editing with passion what has been written with passion.
Email tkeditingservice@gmail.com


- - - 


FLASHLIGHT PRESS
http://flashlightpress.com/submission-guidelines/
Flashlight Press publishes fictional children’s picture books. Make sure your manuscript targets four to eight year olds, is under 1000 words, has a universal theme, deals with family or social situations, and 
feels like a Flashlight Press book. Study our books to determine whether your story is a true fit.

ONEWORLD
https://oneworld-publications.com/about/book-proposals/
Only open to nonfiction at this time. With nonfiction, it is important that you tell us what makes you particularly qualified to write this book. Not all of our writers are academics, but they are all experts in their chosen field. If you have had books published previously, please give as much information about these as possible; if not, please give details of your other writing experience. We do publish books by writers who have not been published before, but please bear in mind that writing a full-length book, particularly if it is intended for the general reader, is a long and difficult process, and that we will require evidence that you will be able to write in the appropriate style, meet deadlines etc.

INKYARD PRESS
https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/inkyardpress
Inkyard Press publishes smart, engaging Middle Grade and YA fiction across a variety of genres, from realistic contemporary to epic fantasy. We are passionate about publishing diverse voices and giving our readers a chance to see themselves and each other in our books.

DALKEY ARCHIVE PRESS
https://www.dalkeyarchive.com/2013/06/28/submission-guidelines/
We publish primarily literary fiction, rarely poetry or non-fiction, and we place a heavy emphasis upon fiction that belongs to the experimental tradition of Sterne, Joyce, Rabelais, Flann O’Brien, Beckett, Gertrude Stein, and Djuna Barnes.

EMP
https://empbooks.com/submit
Don't be Bashful. Just be weird. We love original and unconventional book concepts. We thrive on your creativity and your courage to be different.  We aren't just a poetry press - even if that's what we've been doing primarily.  Give us your essays, your collections of short stories, your novelettes,  your photographic narratives, your mixed media commentaries on the decline of human civilization.  

GREEN WRITERS PRESS
https://greenwriterspressbooks.submittable.com/submit
We are a literary press that publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and youth literature from middle grade to young adult. Our focus is nature, environment, social/racial/environmental justice, gender/and all forms of collective liberation and activism. Our reading period for adult/juvenile fiction, nonfiction, and poetry: May 1, 2023, until June 30, 2023. 

IMMEDIUM
http://www.immedium.com/contactus/submissions.html
Immedium publishes innovative, influential, and insightful books and collaborates with creators who have the same goals. Immedium values fresh ideas, dynamic perspectives, and can-do creativity and transforms them into media that have vibrant markets and international potential. We serve audiences who appreciate originality, skill, and a compelling message. Currently Immedium is focused on publishing in the following book categories:

1. Children's Picture Books:
The general format is 32-pages with color illustrations for ages 4-8 or 6-10.

2. Asian-America:
Contemporary viewpoints on our evolving national identity and changes that have universal resonance.

3. Arts and Culture:
Cutting-edge commentary on the intersection of popular culture, social trends, and our modern lifestyle.
.

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