VOLUME 24, ISSUE 25 | june 14, 2024 |
It's Been Busy I thoroughly enjoy the questions I receive at signings. Since the release of Edge of Edisto on May 17, I've had quite a few appearances with one more to go on Saturday, June 22 at 2 PM
at the Ballentine branch of the Richland County Library (1200 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo, SC 29063) and yet another at the South Congaree Library in Columbia, SC on July 9 at 5 PM. One gentleman said he followed my Facebook posts about how many words I was writing while at the writer's retreat in Maine. It averaged 2,000 words per day. However, I told him, my norm is 1000 words. That gives me a first
draft in three months or so, giving me another month to edit. He was a relatively new writer, and he grinned. "I can do that." There I stopped him. He had never written anything book length. While the 1,000 words per day was commendable, I told him, finding his voice was more important. With a first or second book-lgneth project it takes so much trial and error to define your voice. It's more than
storytelling . . . it's telling it in a definitive way. I'm not sure he got that, which is okay because most new authors do not get that. Voice is elusive and intangible and so much harder to define that learning show not tell or passive voice. You cannot carve it out and make it a goal. You can only write and write, read and read, then write and write more until you learn that
there's a certain way that your words flow, and it's your voice and your way. Don't rush voice. It's what makes you a particular author instead of just another one.
|
GUTSY GREAT NOVELIST PAGE ONE PRIZE $20
ENTRY FEE. Submissions open June 17 – July 17, 2024 (5PM ET). The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize is awarded for an outstanding opening page of an unpublished novel. First prize is $1,000; 2nd is $500; and 3rd is $250. The prize is open internationally to anyone over 18 writing a novel in English in any genre for adult or YA readers. KICKSTARTER
Crowdfunding has been around for decades. It's a manner of telling the world what you have to offer, how you intend to make it successful, and asking for financial endorsement. Many genre fiction writers self-publish by earning
funds to do so via crowdfunding. The largest crowdfunding tool to use is Kickstarter. There are thousands of projects on the site, so start by going under Publishing. Then search for the projects category that interests you. I used FICTION in this link. Then I broadened the search to UNITED STATES and sorted by MOST FUNDED, because I wanted to see the successful campaigns/books. (See here) There are some serious projects here. On this search I did, the books were funded well over 100% of their requested amount. Some as high as
4000%. That's exciting. However, what I want you to see is how these campaigns were formed. Link into each of them and see what they are offering, how they offer it, the rewards they offer, and how they make themselves appealing. I suggest Kickstarted. Now, they request that your campaign (you have to
declare the dollar amount you need) has to be totally funded before they pay out to you. As a former federal lender, I like this. To partially fund a book is to court with running out of money and failing. That's why these campaigns are so strong, and better to learn from. However, if you want a crowdfunding campaign in which you get whatever money is pledged, even it your project isn't totally
funded, consider Indiegogo.com. Again, search for the successfully funded projects under Publishing and see how it's done well. I do not suggest any other crowdfunding platform. The seriously funded literary enterprises limit themselves to these two. You will have to promote, and you will have to do a
rather detailed plan on what you will do with every dollar, but if it gets your book funded, it's well worth it.
FREE MASTERCLASS FOR WOMEN WRITING NONFICTION BOOKS Finish Your Nonfiction Book: 3 Shifts You Need to Make This
masterclass is for you if you're a woman writing nonfiction and you feel like: - You've been working on your book FOREVER and you don't know if, how, or when you'll ever finish.
- You don't know if continuing to work on your book project is even worth it anymore.
- No one cares about your story or will want to read it anyway, so why
bother?
- You can never find the time or energy to give dedicated and focused attention to your writing.
- You're stuck and you don't know what your book needs, so you may as well just shelve it for a while.
- You really could use some extra support for your writing and book project, but you don't know how or where to get it.
Hi there, I'm Janna Maron and I'm a book coach for women writing nonfiction. It's my joy and pleasure to hold space for women telling personal stories that they know will help others. Click here to sign up for this free masterclass to learn about my philosophy for establishing a holistic approach to getting a book done (including the successes of many of my clients). -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. “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” – Henry Ward Beecher
<<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to hope@chopeclark.com >>
|
|
|
The Metaphysical Author
By Alex J. Coyne I've written about a plethora of topics over the years, but metaphysical, occult, and spiritual writing is a more specific authorship path. Only you can decide if it feels right for you. In case you aren’t sure, here’s how to branch into metaphysical writing,
and why it can be fulfilling. Understanding belief systems in writing There's a Venn-diagram crossing paganism, naturism, wicca, the occult, and metaphysical topics like crystals or tarot. Spirituality (paganism) isn't akin to wicca (religion), or metaphysical topics that do not require a religious basis. There’s a lot to sift through and a lot to
respect. I've interviewed the Tarot Museum (Gifts for Mystics),
but also wrote about the Holy Bible translated into Zulu for The South African in 2023. The point is to achieve careful balance and write respectfully. If you don't share
an opinion, cover the topic without bias, and document with resources, like you would any subject you land as a writer. Interviewing the cream of the crop Interviews sell, especially when they're topical (for new book or tarot deck releases) or with key figures considered experts. I've interviewed pagan founding father and eccentric Oberon-Zell Ravenheart (Gifts for Mystics). I also interviewed founding figure Raymond Buckland (Penton Press), as one of the last interviews before his passing. If there's someone you'd like to interview, pursue them – even if the story doesn't have a right-now buyer yet. You might land a pitch to a publication because you already have the
contact. Studying tarot personally Tarot is a direction that takes study and practice. I'm very proud of the Tarot Museum
interview. I've written about the subject several times for other markets as well, like Gifts for Card Players. Use a resource like LearnTarot or Alison.com to know meanings, readings, and more. Read your own cards or even practice giving readings for friends. I've never had a knack for astrology but enjoyed tarot reading enough to make it a brief side-hustle. Tarot can be a great way to steer fictional characters, believe it or not. (Google “tarot for writers.”) Websites like Tarot.com and Biddy allow readers to list their services. Facebook groups (like the Tarot
Marketplace) are another way to meet tarot enthusiasts. I've even picked up a reading or two through Fiverr before. There are also Tarot Associations, with room for fans and readers. I've also written about this for The Penny Hoarder. Your experience becomes fodder for your stories. Conferences and events Conferences help you connect with other metaphysical authors. At the same time, you’ll
meet bloggers, website owners, tarot readers, and others who offer their services. Conferences and events like the Mystical Minds Convention, Staarcon, and the UK Tarot Conference are a wonderful way to view the industry in one spot. For writers, it's a good opportunity to market. Speak to the organizers and present a talk, share your own resources, or
give readings. Distance isn't a barrier. Some conferences welcome virtual visitors, too. Editing, proofreading and other jobs in this vein You'll also find jobs like editing and proofreading as a metaphysical author. It's about your knowledge as a language professional, together with your experience in the topic – whether it's tarot or Garnerian Wicca. Sell yourself as
an editor or writer – with your extra skills as a plus that makes you perfect for this job, publication, or pitch. Build a relevant portfolio. Metaphysical fiction Metaphysical topics and related ones can also become foundations for fiction. Studying tarot, astrology, and mysticism as a non-believer can still be fascinating – and still be room to write. I've loved
authors for doing their historical, metaphysical research right. Scenes with tarot, for example, where you can tell the author researched their behind off, energize the reader (and the editor considering the writing). Justin Gustainis has a background in bodyguarding and defence, but the author sure gets his tarot scenes on point – and as a fellow author, I love this. I've used many
metaphysical and occult topics in fiction, and written about it for a ReFiction piece that outlines how metaphysical topics can become stories. Bio: Alex J. Coyne is a gonzo journalist, writer, and proofreader. Sometimes, he is joined by his cowriters. His features have been published in a wide array of international publications, like People Magazine, The Citizen, Caribbean Compass, and Writers Write.
|
TWFEST POETRY CONTEST
https://tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 15, 2024. Grand Prize $1,000. VIP
All-Access Pass ($600 value) for the next Festival. Public reading at the next Festival. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of poetry. Submit a collection of 2-4 original, unpublished poems of any style or theme, written in English, with a combined length of up to 400 lines. TWFEST VERY SHORT FICTION CONTEST
https://tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 15, 2024. Grand Prize $500. VIP Pass to the Festival ($600 Value). Public reading at the next Festival. Publication in New Orleans Review Archive Features. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a
book of fiction. A submission is one original short story, written in English, up to 1,000 words. BOOKSIE SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://www.booksie.com/contest/the-booksie-2024-short-story-contest-35
$6.99 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2024. The contest is open to all genres and themes. You can enter a previously posted story on Booksie or post a new one and enter it. Grand prize winner $500, gold winner badge shown on Booksie and encoded on the blockchain as proof, a writer option to receive an additional $100 contract from WorldMaker Media to publish the winner as a Booksie Limited Edition. Two runners-up $100, silver winner badge shown on Booksie
and encoded on the blockchain as proof, a writer option to receive an additional $50 contract from WorldMaker Media to publish the winner as a Booksie Limited Edition. The maximum length is 5,000 words. THEATRE503 INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING AWARD
https://theatre503.com/503studio/award25/
OPEN THE MONTH OF JUNE 2024. You are an eligible writer if you have not already had a full-length play of more than 65 minutes produced for three to four weeks or more in any theatre, and two weeks or more in a major subsidised theatre/organisation including a national tour. £3,000 in prize money and £3,000 as an advance against 8% of the gross box
office.
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING MY TIME FELLOWSHIPS FOR PARENT WRITERS
https://www.writerscolony.org/fellowships
Deadline August 5, 2024. Writers who are parents of dependent children under the age of 18
are invited to apply. Work may be any literary genre: poetry, fiction, plays, memoirs, screenplays, or nonfiction. The successful application will demonstrate literary merit and the likelihood of publication. Prior publication is not a requirement. Four fellowship winners will receive a one-week residency to allow the writer to focus completely on their work. A $500 stipend will be provided to cover childcare and/or travel costs for each recipient. Location Eureka Springs, Arkansas. CENTRUM RESIDENCIES
https://centrum.org/program/artist-residencies/
Deadline June 30, 2024. The Centrum Artists-In-Residence program has welcomed hundreds of writers, artists and creative thinkers to immerse
themselves in the historic charm and natural beauty of Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. There are multiple types of residencies for different periods of time. CARNEGIE FUND
https://www.carnegiefundforauthors.org/
The
mission of Carnegie Fund for Authors is to award grants to published authors who are in need of emergency financial assistance as a result of illness or injury to self, spouse, or dependent child, or who has had some other misfortune that has placed the applicant in pressing and substantial pecuniary need. We accept applications from any American author who has written at least one book of reasonable length that has been published commercially and received reader acceptance. ELIZABETH GEORGE FOUNDATION GRANTS
https://www.elizabethgeorgefoundation.org/our-impact
Deadline July 1, 2024. Grants are given yearly to unpublished fiction writers, to poets, to short story writers, to
emerging playwrights, and to emerging non-fiction writers. Applicants must be current residents of the United States.
THE SPY
https://www.thelondonspy.co.uk/p/freelancers-how-to-pitch-to-the-spy
We want original journalism about London. Pieces between 1,000 to 2,000 words in
length, with a rate of £0.30 per word. SIXTY INCHES FROM CENTER
https://sixtyinchesfromcenter.org/write-for-sixty-2020/
Sixty welcomes writers and artists of all experience levels and backgrounds to pitch ideas
for traditional and experimental arts writing as well as creative writing around topics and practices that are relevant to the cultural landscapes of the Midwest. Sixty Inches From Center pays a standard rate of $150 per article to writers, photographers, and illustrators. GAZETTEER
https://sf.gazetteer.co/gazetteer-sf-seeking-freelance-story-pitches
We're seeking freelancer story pitches to publish on Gazetteer SF. Stories must be about San Francisco, totally original, and totally different. Beyond that, the City is your oyster. We are particularly looking for food, nightlife, gossip, and opinion pieces. Stories can range
from 300-1,500 words and rates range from $300-800. If things go well, we may be looking to commission regular columns and formats. NEW SCIENTIST https://www.newscientist.com/freelancers/
The majority
of the news section of New Scientist magazine is written by staffers but we are always on the lookout for exciting freelance pieces. On the other hand, features are mostly written by freelancers. Looking for science and technology stories from around the world that will intrigue, entertain and inform the widest possible audience, be they physicists, biologists or people with no science background at all. Rates run roughly £660 for 1,200 words. NONPROFIT QUARTERLY
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/submissions/
We want clear writing that speaks to our audience of nonprofit and philanthropic workers, leaders, and researchers and to social movement activists and organizers. We publish articles from 750 to 2,500
words, though we do make exceptions for extraordinary work. Typical articles are short-form pieces (750-1,500 words) that generally offer updates on important happenings in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors and social justice movements, or long-form pieces (1,500-2,500 words) that offer analysis of such happenings and further critical conversations to advance social justice efforts. For online articles, we pay $500 for articles over 1,000 words.
COACH HOUSE BOOKS
https://chbooks.com/About-us/Submissions
Coach House publishes innovative poetry, literary fiction, drama and select nonfiction. We do not publish children’s books,
cookbooks, fantasy, historical romances, memoirs, mysteries, science fiction, or self-help books. We receive several hundred submissions per year and accept only ten or so. We publish primarily Canadian authors. FREEHAND BOOKS
https://freehand-books.com/submissions/
Freehand publishes innovative and literary novels, short story collections, graphic literature, and works of creative non-fiction. We are not currently reviewing submissions of poetry, young adult fiction, or children’s books. We only publish Canadian authors. UNBOUND.COM
https://unbound.com/about
A crowdfunding publisher that helps get authors published by using platform. Crowdfunding is used to prove there is a readership. Once the funding target is reached, they work with the author to prepare the book for publication. SHEWRITES PRESS
https://shewritespress.com/equality-in-publishing/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 25, 2024. Each year, we run our She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP) contest to offer two women authors publishing packages (plus a 500-book print run), one author per season, to publish on either She Writes Press or SparkPress, which will
be determined by the publisher based on genre and writing style. The STEP recipients will be selected on the basis of the merit of each entry, which consists of a query letter, full chapter summaries, and the first 50 pages of the work. You can also submit a query letter and a full-length nonfiction book proposal. Must be a woman of color.
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. | |
|
|
|
