VOLUME 24, ISSUE 21 | MAY 17, 2024 |
The BOOK CLUB Recently a local lady asked me if I could squeeze in a book club for this week. They had chosen Murder on Edisto and wondered last minute if I'd be available to discuss it. Of course I accepted. I arrived to the smell of shrimp and grits, cheese tarts, cheese biscuits, salmon snacks, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and orange fluff (Southerners know that that is). The aromas were wonderful. The book club consisted of five couples, average age 78-80. Once I got used to people not
hearing, we were good. OMG, they talked the characters like they knew them! They loved Jeb, Sophie, and Seabrook. They hated Raysor. And when they go to Edisto again (they'd all been), would they recognize the house. We talked and ate for over two hours! Book clubs and eager readers are what make writing crazy fun. I went home on a high, and since I
turned in a Slade manuscript last night and had Edge of Edisto released today, well, you could say I was really on a high. But I have to quote one gentleman. Toward the end, he thanked me for coming. "I
really enjoyed the book, Ms. Clark. But even better is that with there being so many books, you've sent me on an odyssey." Oh, yeah. You have to scrape me off the ceiling now. Life is good. |
There's a reason writers throughout history have felt the call to travel, get out in nature, and immerse themselves in unfamiliar territory.
Research shows all of these boost creativity, sharpen observational skills, and help move ideas from possibility to page. That's why they are the foundation of Compass Writers small-group walking writer workshops. Join us for our annual Walking Women Writer's Retreat September 20-29, 2024 in Scotland.
This retreat moves along gorgeous St. Cuthbert's Way, an ancient footpath in Scotland's lush borderlands. Together, we'll write, explore writing forms, and see where the abbeys, historic sites, castles, rivers, and
wildlife we encounter take our imaginations and words. Grounded in the Amherst
Writers & Artists method, women writers of all levels are welcome. AWA's core belief is simple: every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn, and develop their craft.
This workshop will take place September 20-29, 2024. Participants are encouraged to plan to arrive in Edinburgh one to two days before. Space is limited to 6 participants. Registration closes on May 30, 2024.
To register, email Cherylmurfin@gmail.com. Or, you can register online and make a deposit at Compass Writers. On the registration calendar, select September 20, 2024.
Come walk and write with us! Good company, good food, good words await. It will be a journey you won't soon forget.
WHEN ARE YOU SUCCESSFUL? On the outside looking in, the less seasoned writer sees the writer with titles under their belt, or a burgeoning freelance operation, as successful.
They instantly believe that these "successful" people defined their path, slapped a deadline on it, and made it happen. That's how so many writers make money speaking and giving podcasts and webinars, by talking about how they got there. Other writers want a piece of whatever they used to get where they are. Trying to copy other writers makes those writers a lot of money. Success is not when you've arrived. Success is balance. Success is when you achieve happiness from your creative practice. Yes, success can include making money, finding fame, and building a
following, but if you do any of those things and lose any of the happiness you had with your creativity, then you've let success slip through your fingers. A big piece of success is being thrilled at doing what you do. When you earn a living at that, fantastic. But it's easy to spot someone earning a living who's lost the spark. Those are entrepreneurs. They
could sell most anything, because their goal is to sell, not create. Keep creative happiness first and foremost or you never achieve success, regardless of how you define it. TAKE THE NEXT STEP A free goal-setting workshop for writers You have a writing project. What is it, and where are you in the process? How are you making time to move your project forward? In this free workshop, we'll talk about where you are on your writing journey, take a hard look at your writing habits (or lack thereof) and
determine a specific next step you can take to move your writing project (or your writing routine in general) forward. Join creative nonfiction writer, editor and writing coach Kate Meadows online on Saturday, June 1, at 9 a.m. MT (11 a.m. EST) for a jam-packed session of reflection, planning and learning how to make progress with your writing project or
writing routine. Sign up at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/35/1vv6gupo Let's crush your next writing goal together! Kate Meadows is a published writer, proven editor and passionate writing coach with an MFA in Professional Writing. Learn more at www.katemeadows.com. Kate Meadows Writing & Editing Share your story. Bring your idea to life. Reach more people. -May 21, 2024 - Signing and luncheon, Florence Library, 154 S. Dargan St, Florence, SC - 11:30 - 1:00 - reserve a seat. -May 25, 2024 - Book Signing, The Coffee Shelf, 130 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC - 8AM-NOON. -May
29, 2024 - A Moveable Feast, presenter C. Hope Clark, Quigley's Pint & Plate, 257 Willbrook Blvd, Pawley's Island, SC - 11AM - 1PM - sign up here -June
1-8, 2024 - The Gutsy Great Novelist Retreat, Bar Harbor, Maine - writer-in-residence -June 13, 2024 - Edisto Island Bookstore - Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC - 3-5 PM
-June 22, 2024 - Richland County
Library, Ballentine, 1200 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo, SC - 2:30-3:30 PM - July 9, 2024 - South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library, 200 Sunset Dr, West Columbia, SC 29172 - 5:30-7:00 PM -October 5-12, 2024 - Edisto Bookstore, exact dates in that week TBD -November TBD, 2024 - Irmo Chapin Holiday Market, Chapin, SC - 8AM - 2PM -May 17, 2025 - Pelion Library Book Club206 Pine St, Pelion, SC, Saturday, 1-2PM
Email: hope@chopeclark.com to schedule events, online or otherwise. "We have our Arts so we won’t die of Truth.” ~ Ray Bradbury in Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You <<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to hope@chopeclark.com >>
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Secrets From the Writing Fellowship Of My Dreams
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By Louisa Eunice As a freelance writer, I came across the words "writing fellowship" late in my career. Believing I had every stone turned, I was surprised to come across nurturing and fully paid opportunities for writers.
It was unbelievable to find out that institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and Brown Universities offered paid opportunities
for writers at any stage of their careers. As a fellow, you deliver lectures, program events, attend readings, and teach courses for an academic year or two.
Like the daredevil I am, I decided to throw caution to the wind and send fellowship applications to see what would come of the effort. While I didn't pass the first few rounds of applications, I was accepted into a writing fellowship program
eventually. The American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship welcomed my prowess and gave me a learning opportunity. Research,
Research, Research! I can't stress this enough! Turn the internet upside down to find the best writing fellowships. I spent over a month searching through keywords like "best writing fellowships for freelance writers" and "writing fellowships with the highest success rates," to narrow down my options. Part of researching is understanding fellowship requirements, which helps you apply
accordingly. I found that noting down different requirements and major differences noted from my research helped me remember what I needed to submit and emphasize in my actual application. Understand the Purpose Once you narrow down your list of fellowship programs, dig deeper to
understand their purpose. Ideally, you should connect with the organization's mission and vision. Even if your writing is brilliant, it may not match what the organization is willing to support. I took time to note mission statements and determine why my project would help a particular fellowship in its effort to be successful. Remember, this process is a two-way street. You and the fellowship sponsor have needs and goals. Read and Re-Read the Guidelines You only have one shot at applying. This may be the most important application of your year (it was for me), so reading the guidelines once doesn't cut it. Review the instructions with a fine-tooth comb. While there are simple applications, others such as the New England Foundation Fellowship take a great deal of time to prepare. Submit the Best Creative Sample You've Ever
Written Depending on the instructions, your sample should be an excerpt of your ongoing writing or a previous project. Your language should be compelling and words to the point. Avoid clichés and fillers; every word should have meaning. Provide fresh turns, insights, perspectives, and metaphors. Add anything and everything that will make your application stand out. I wrote a short, powerful
story, less than the word limit, and my application still made it through. Go with your gut while not being extreme in your differences. Important Things to Remember Your fellowship application contains three significant legs: your writer's statement, work process, and genre of choice. Be
intelligent and precise with your answers. Ensure these statements are written in the first-person present tense to communicate effectively. Depending on the award, these three things can vary in length, so be open to rewrite multiple times to meet the requirements of each opportunity. Also, I found that redundancy is common in some fellowship applications. Don't be afraid to repeat your thoughts but be excellent in your wording. This year, I have my eye on the National Centre for Writing Residency. Full disclosure, I always wanted to go to Slovenia, and this would be the perfect way to
do so. Bio:
Louisa Eunice is a freelance writer who has experience writing B2B and B2C content for a variety of audiences and publications. She also writes short-form marketing content for an array of unique brands. Some past organizations Louisa has worked with include Wealth Of Geeks, Writers Weekly, TapDesk, Captive
Network, Reviewed, and many more. https://muckrack.com/louisa-eunice
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SAINTS & SINNERS SHORT FICTION CONTEST
https://www.sasfest.org/#contests
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2024. The winner will be selected from this year’s submissions of original, unpublished short stories between 3,000 and 7,000 words with LGBT content on the broad theme of “Saints and Sinners.” One grand prize of $500 and two second place prizes of $100 will be awarded. In addition, the top stories will be published in an anthology. SAINTS & SINNERS POETRY CONTEST
https://www.sasfest.org/#contests
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 15, 2024. One grand prize of $500 and two second place prizes of
$100 will be awarded. The contest is open to all LGBTQ+ writers. Authors who have published in other genres are eligible. Submit 2-4 original, unpublished poems of any style, written in English, with a combined length of up to 400 lines. TWFEST FICTION CONTEST
https://tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2024. $1,500 first prize. Domestic airfare (up to $500) and French Quarter accommodations to attend the Festival in New Orleans. VIP All-Access Festival pass
for the next Festival ($600 value). Public reading at the next Festival. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of fiction. Published books include any book with an ISBN, including self-published. TWFEST ONE-ACT PLAY CONTEST
https://tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2024. $1,500 first prize. Domestic airfare (up to $500) and French Quarter accommodations to attend the Festival in New Orleans. VIP All-Access Festival pass
for the next Festival ($600 value). Public reading at the next Festival. This contest is for emerging or previously unpublished playwrights. Plays should run no more than one hour in length (one act or approx. 60 pages.) SPRING FOX TALES PRIZE
https://blackfoxlitmag.com/contests/
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 2, 2024. The theme for this round is “Montage of Misfortunes.” Submit your strongest fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and they will choose one winner that interprets the theme best. The prize is $300 and print publication in the Summer 2024 issue. All submissions
are considered for publication in the Summer 2024 issue. GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING MISSISSIPPI MINI-GRANTS
https://arts.ms.gov/grants/
Deadline June 1,
2024. Mini-Grants for Individuals are reimbursement grants that support established and emerging professional artists based in Mississippi by providing funds to assist with professional development, such as attending a training, conference, or workshop. Individual mini-grants can receive a reimbursement grant of up to $500. MISSISSIPPI ARTIST
ROSTER
https://arts.ms.gov/grants/
Deadline June 1, 2024. The Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster is a listing of artists who have been accepted to the Teaching Artist Roster, the Mississippi Artist Roster, or both. Individual
artists or arts groups who may apply will then go through a thorough review by a panel of artists, presenters, and educators. NEW JERSEY FELLOWSHIPS
https://www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/new-jersey-state-arts-fellowships/
Opens June 1, 2024. Individual Artist Fellowships are awarded to practicing New Jersey artists through an anonymous, competitive application process to help them pursue their artistic goals. Categories for writers are Playwriting/Screenwriting and Poetry. Past awards have ranged from $4,000 –
$32,000.
BRAINFACTS
https://www.brainfacts.org/about/how-to-pitch-to-brainfacts
We’re looking for freelance science writers, journalists, and multimedia creators with a strong portfolio in science communication to pitch us story ideas about the brain and nervous system. We pay a flat rate for assignments based on roughly a dollar (USD) per word. We assign long (1000-1200 words), medium (700-900 words), and short-form (500-800 words) written and multimedia stories. INKCAP JOURNAL
https://www.inkcapjournal.co.uk/pitch/
Inkcap Journal publishes a small number of stories from journalists and writers. We are interested in reported features,
interviews and essays. Pitches should reflect Inkcap’s focus on the environment in Britain: England, Wales and Scotland. We generally pay between £100-300 per story, depending on its complexity and the level of reporting involved. POETS & WRITERS
https://www.pw.org/about-us/about_poets_%26amp%3B_writers_magazine
Our editorial content is divided into the following four sections. See the editorial theme list. News & Trends: brief articles (500-1,200 words) that keep our readers abreast of pertinent information in the writing and publishing industries. The Literary Life: essays (1,500-2,500 words) on the more contemplative aspects of writing, ranging from creative process to the art of reading. The Practical Writer: advice and how-to articles (1,500-2,500 words) that offer nuts and bolts information about the business of creative writing. Features: profiles of and interviews with (2,000-3,000 words) contemporary writers who reflect the rich
diversity of current American literature. Other features include articles and essays (2,000-3,000 words), frequently grouped into special sections, that provide an in-depth look at subjects of interest to creative writers, such as writers conferences and residencies, small presses, regional writing, and the distinctions of genre. BACKGROUND
MAGAZINE
https://www.backgroundmag.com/contribute
A magazine that focuses on powerful stories of global adventure. Literary long forms are the basis for the magazine. Photography needs to be included. Feature stories range 1,000 to 3,000
words. Essays are 500 to 1,000 words. Thoughts and Opinions are 250 to 1,000 words. Other categories available as well. Strong paying publication. Starting pay is $150, open to negotiations for experienced writers. JELLYBONES MAGAZINE
https://www.jellybones.net/about
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pjjXhmmVgq8k2thB6pF-C8FSAf1xny0kggrPXUn4z04/edit#heading=h.bangcnrz630b
We're relaunching our worker-owned publication at the intersection of music and anti-capitalism. Pitch us ambitious essays that explore a musical topic about which you're passionate within a higher lens of critical / theoretical / historical analysis. We also appreciate entertaining / humorous / unconventional essays that nevertheless reveal something profound about their topic. Full pitch guide online. Contact: ali@jellybones.net if any questions. Pays 10 cents/word. BETWEEN THE LINES LITERARY PRESS
https://btwnthelines.com/about/
BLP is
currently accepting engaging stories in search of a great home. If you think your manuscript pushes the boundaries and will leave us breathless, we want to hear from you. We do accept adult-centered fiction, but do ask that you indicate this in your query letter. Length – mainly looking for full-length novels, but are open to novellas of no less than 40k words. Series – we will happily consider a series as long as each book is a standalone. No unresolved plots with major cliff-hangers.
Exception – if the series is complete, we will consider the series as a whole. Not accepted – Erotic (adult themes okay, but not graphic), Chapter books or those geared towards early readers or short stories collections. SPEAKING VOLUMES
https://speakingvolumes.us/about/
Speaking Volumes is a traditional publishing house that represents many New York Times, USA Today, National Best-Selling and Award-Winning Authors. We publish a wide spectrum of genres which include Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Suspense, Thrillers, and Westerns. Speaking Volumes
publications are available as eBooks, Print Paperbacks, and on Audio. TILBURY HOUSE
https://www.tilburyhouse.com/submissions
Tilbury House publishes a wide range of children’s books, including board books, beginning readers, picture books, and middle grade titles. THey publish both fiction and nonfiction. TELL-TALE PUBLISHING
https://www.tell-talepublishing.com/guidelines.html
Submit to the appropriate imprint.
Dahlia: Romance: Romantic Suspense, Gothic Suspense, Regency, Single Title Contemporary
Stargazer: Fantasy: Paranormal, High Adventure Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk
Nightshade: Horror
Casablanca: Mystery
Thistle: Middle School, Young Adult, New Adult
Déjà Vu: Republication from all genres BROTHER MOCKINGBIRD
https://www.brothermockingbird.net/submissions
What we are looking for: Action/Adventure, Chick Lit, Commercial, Contemporary, Crime/Detective/Cozies, Historical, Horror, Humor/Satire, Literary, Multicultural, Mystery, Picture Books, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Upmarket, Western, Women's Fiction, Young Adult.
Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint any editorials, contact hope@fundsforwriters.com for permission. Do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your publication is considered a valid right to publish out of ours.
C. Hope Clark
E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com Copyright 2000-2024, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326 Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. Use information listed at your own risk. FundsforWriters gives no warranty to completeness, accuracy, or fitness of the markets, contests, and grants although research is done to the best of our ability. FundsforWriters finds open submission calls, contests, and markets from a wide variety of sources, including Erika Dreifus' Practicing Writer newsletter, Erica Verrillo's blog, Authors Publish, Poets & Writers, Duotrope,
Winning Writers, Write Jobs Plus, LinkedIn Jobs, Emily Stoddard, and other newsletters and online sites. Many announcements are submitted directly to FundsforWriters. All must be paying opportunities. Contests must pay a minimum of $200 first place. Submit potential listings to hope@chopeclark.com **Note that FundsforWriters.com places paid advertising in this newsletter. ALL ads are related to writers and the business of writing, screened by FundsforWriters to make sure the information is suitable for writers and their endeavors to improve their careers. While the mailing list is not sold to third parties, other parties do advertise in the newsletter, to include
the occasional solo ad. You will not receive this newsletter without your permission. It's physically impossible since recipients must opt-in, giving us permission to send the newsletter. If at any time you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, click the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of each newsletter. We want you to enjoy this newsletter at your pleasure, not be forced to read anything you do not wish to receive. Direct any complaints, suggestions, and accolades to Hope Clark at hope@fundsforwriters.com. We are an anti-spam site. | |
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