VOLUME 24, ISSUE 27 | june 28, 2024 |
Rejection with Purpose Sometimes we fear pitching. We fear pitching to an entity (publisher or magazine or blog) that we fear is over our heads, or too good for us. We fear pitching because of rejection. We fear we'll look silly. We fear of someone laughing at our efforts. The list goes on. So we don't. Or we do it less. Or we do it
only to markets that aren't quite as competitive or on as steep a curve. Which makes us our own first and foremost obstacle to success. Listen, we don't know how good we are until we get rejected. That measures us, and tells us more about how we write, and where to improve. We want
rejection. To be easily accepted is acknowledgement we know what we are doing . . . at that level. But what if we want more? Rejection should be our goal. Find where we fall short. See what we cannot do well. Learn what we are lacking in order to do better. We don't improve until rejection becomes our
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WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE? Authoring a professionally written book is a great legacy piece for your family and community. But if your writing project has stalled for months (or years), it can be frustrating. That's why ghostwriting is a great option. We do
all the work, and you get all the credit!
HOW IT WORKS.
My name is T.L. Champion, the Legacy Ghostwriter. My team works with authors who are mature adults (55+) and have a great story to tell. Together, we will decide whether your project is a novel, memoir, or "how-to." Then, your book will be polished, professionally edited,
and published on Amazon, giving it international exposure. Our clients love this seamless process! WHO HAVE I WORKED WITH IN THE PAST? Here are examples of projects I've developed for clients: • The heroic journey of one of the
first women to run a maximum-security prison with inmates on death row • The legacy of a man who fought Joe Frazier for the heavyweight title in his college years • The story of a woman who was neglected as a child and the consequences it presented as an adult • The philosophies of a
popular hip-hop artist who opened for top musicians in his industry yet couldn't pay his bills • The memoir of a man who grew a business that he later sold for millions • A goal-setting guide that helps people track their success after changing behaviors (like substance abuse) • The story
of a woman who overcame PTSD after being strangled by an intruder in her sleep Over the years, my clients have stated that I've "captured their voice," which is often a concern before working with a ghostwriter. I love talking to aspiring authors and take pride in helping people realize their dreams. To realize yours, contact T.L. Champion at tl@champion-studios.com to share your story with the world. Information can be found at www.Legacy-Ghostwriter.com. HOW DO YOU TELL THE SCAMS?
Victoria Strauss of the Writer Beware blog, has been
around for ages informing writers how to not get taken by the less than reputable entities out there in the publishing world. In her latest article written for Writer Unboxed, titled Cheated, Swindled, or Scammed: What's a Writer to Do?, she gives you options on what to do once you
have been bamboozled. However, the best way NOT to get bamboozled is to: 1) Learn the ins and outs of publishing, from self-published to hybrid to traditional;
2) Research to the nth degree anyone you intend to go into business
with;
3) Learn who an entity has done business with/published in the past, and reach out to them for opinion/testimonial/advice. You would be surprised, however, at how many people do NOT do one, two, or all three of the above, then afterwards get upset at not receiving the services they expected. A lot of people hang out a shingle as a publisher. Any kind of publisher. They can call themselves any of the three types and still scam you. Being called indie, hybrid, or traditional does not mean they are not scammers. I had a lady recently tell me at an event that she was NOT self-publishing. She was going with a hybrid, which was a higher quality level of publishing. Um, it isn't about the level . . . it's about the credibility, history,
reputation, and validity of the publisher, regardless what kind. Same goes for editors, formatters, and cover designers. So, your job as a writer is to take off your writer hat and put on your business hat and start doing the hard homework. 1) Ask what you get for your money. How long will it take? What
do you get if they fall short? At what point do you get your money/rights back?
2) How long will it take to get the job done (which is defined in great detail so all parties best understand)?
3) How long have they been in business? 4) What are their credentials?
5) Who have they worked with before? (Then you
contact them.)
6) What are the titles of previous books?
7) What does Google (or Bing or Edge or whomever) say about them in a search? Include in your search words like "complaint," "scam," and "awards."
8) Where are they physically located? (Scams are easier to pull off if you are dealing with someone outside of your own country.)
9) Ask
someone experienced to look at the fine print of the contract. You do NOT have the liberty of just writing and not worrying about the credibility of the publishing/editing job. If you get scammed, look in the mirror. Did you happen to jump a little too quickly? I hope you never have to take that look, honestly, so if you haven't been scammed, stop and think before leaping. Too many get awestruck about the excitement of being published before they realize they can really screw this up. And it's next to impossible to unpublish after publishing badly.
- 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 -October 5-12, 2024 - Edisto Island Library, Hwy 174, 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. “One of the humbling things about having written more than one novel is the sense that every time you begin, that new empty page does not know who you are.” – John Irving
<<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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Leverage Themed Calls for Ideas and Income
By Lisa Timpf
Resistance. Bookmarks. Dragons. Dreams. These are just a handful of examples of recent or pending "themed" submission calls posted on the
Publishing . . . and Other Forms of Insanity web site, one of my go-to resources for submission venues. In my own writing, themed calls have played a key role in idea generation and sales. Brainstorming related to specific themes has generated a number of poems and short
stories I might not have otherwise written. But what are the keys for success? I turned to authors on the Science Fiction Canada list-serve, as well as three anthology editors, to gather their thoughts on themed submission calls. In the
Beginning Many of the writers who responded to my questions about themed calls noted they are selective about which calls to respond to, and they focus on themes that generate ideas they feel enthusiastic about. For some, the first step is to check whether a draft or finished story in their inventory might fit the call's parameters. Others brainstorm new ideas. Science fiction
author Robert Runté noted that often "one of [his] three usual casts of characters will muscle in and suddenly [he has] a story idea that fits into that universe." The universe being the themed call. Originality Matters Runté also noted that he tries to get past the "obvious" ideas when brainstorming. That's important, according to Terri Leigh Relf, who has edited a number of drabble (one-hundred-word stories) anthologies. Relf says that out of 100 submissions she might receive for a given issue "ten basically have the
same plot line." Shannon Allen, who edited the noir detective anthology The Astronaut Always Rings Twice concurs, stating that she often receives several similar submissions. In addition to coming up with original ideas, Allen recommends "going deep" on the theme: "if
the call is for stories that have an ocean theme, make sure you incorporate the ocean into your story and it's not just a setting item." And There's More Rhonda Parrish, editor of Saltwater Sorrows,
says, "If I am engaged with your story on an emotional level—any emotional level—that is definitely a point in its favour." Allen notes it's important to "love what you are writing," and finds that in the pieces that stand out "there is a spark to them." Allen recommends submitting stories in the middle third of the submission period, noting, "submitting in the middle allows the editor to read and savor a story and they will be more likely
to remember aspects of the story more clearly when making selections for the anthology." Keep the Faith Allen observes, "Just because a story is passed on doesn't mean it is not a good story. It could be as simple as it was not the right feel for the anthology or . . . another story just fits the flow of stories already picked better." Parrish agrees, stating, "When I am reading for an anthology I have to pass on a lot of really, really good stories." In looking at my own submission data, I found that only half of my published poems and stories that originated in response to themed calls, landed in the market they were created for. Others found a home elsewhere. This proves that a rejection by the first market isn't a reason for
despair. The bottom line: keep the faith and keep submitting. A well-written piece should find a home. Like me, many of my SciFi Canada colleagues find writing for themed calls to be worthwhile. If you haven't tried writing for a themed anthology or magazine issue yet, why not give it a try? You just might find a new passion. Bio: Lisa Timpf is a retired HR and communications professional who lives in Simcoe, Ontario. Her poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and book reviews have appeared in New Myths, Star*Line, The Future Fire, and other venues. Lisa's speculative haibun collection, In Days to Come, is available from Hiraeth Publishing. You can find out more about Lisa's writing and artwork at http://lisatimpf.blogspot.com/.
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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. CALEDONIA NOVEL PRIZE
https://thecaledonianovelaward.com/rules-entry/
£28 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 15, 2024 GMT. This is an Edinburgh-based, international award
for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres for adults and YA. Pays £1,500 top prize; £500 for Highly Commended novel; free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre for the writer of the best novel from the UK and Ireland. Must be 18 or over. Entrants should send us their first 20 pages plus 200-word synopsis. THE PLAID HORSE EQUESTRIAN WRITING
CONTEST
https://www.theplaidhorse.com/writing/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 1, 2024. 2024 Theme: A trainer who has made a significant impact on your life. Authors of any age and experience level are valid for entry. To be eligible, entries must be works of prose, at any length. We regret we cannot consider
poetry. The Grand Champion prize will be awarded to a single author. The prize will include a $5,000 cash prize and a featured publication in The Plaid Horse (in print and online). 5 Champion prizes will be awarded $500 cash prize and a featured publication in The Plaid Horse (in print and online). 10 Reserve Champion prizes will be awarded $250 cash prize and a featured publication on theplaidhorse.com. (Thanks www.erikadreifus.com) ANTHOLOGY MEMOIR COMPETITION
https://anthology-magazine.com/awards/memoir-competition/
€15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2024. Memoirs submitted must not exceed a maximum of 1,500 words. The winner will receive a €500 and the chance to see their work
published in a future issue of Anthology. LEDBURY POETRY PRIZE
https://ledburypoetry.org.uk/home/ledbury-poetry-competition-2024/
£6 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 8, 2024. The competition
is international, open to poets writing in the English language. First Prize: £1000 cash and a week’s poetry course with Arvon. Second Prize: £500. Third Prize: £250. Winners will be invited to perform their work at Ledbury Poetry Festival 2025. Arvon is the UK’s leading creative writing charity with a wide range of residential and online writing courses. The length of each poem must not exceed 40 lines. NOT QUITE WRITE PRIZE
https://notquitewritepodcast.com/prize/
AU$25 ENTRY FEE. Competition commences at midday 12.00pm AEST Friday 19 July 2024 (Sydney, Australia time). Entrants have until midnight AEST on Sunday 21 July 2024 to submit a 500-word piece of original fiction in
response to the given criteria. The prompts are announced by email and will be available in the exclusive Participant Lounge. The competition is open to all ages and levels of ability all over the world. Prizes AU$1,000, AU$500, AU$200, AU$100, AU$50 (four prizes of $50).
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING RHODE ISLAND TEACHING ARTIST ROSTER
https://arts.ri.gov/grants/rhode-island-teaching-artist-roster
A directory of teaching artists who have been approved by public
panels to work in educational settings. The State's Arts Council has endorsed the teaching artists' skills and credentials when they are added to the Roster. Educational sites and individuals use the Roster as a resource to engage an artist for an arts learning project. Once accepted, writers are paid by the arts council for appearances. ASJA EMERGENCY FUND
https://www.asja.org/what-we-do/weaf/weaf-application/
WEAF offers grants to professional freelance writers who, because of illness, disability, natural disaster, or extraordinary professional crisis, are unable to work. INDY ARTS MENTAL HEALTH &
WELLNESS GRANTS
https://indyarts.org/grants/mental-health/
Indy Arts Council is now offering Mental Health & Wellness Grants to support artists and creative workers in navigating and preventing addiction and substance abuse. These grants aim to help artists who are experiencing social and emotional challenges, but
don’t have sufficient means to obtain treatment. Applications are due on the last day of each month and will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Must be a resident of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, or Shelby County in Indiana. INTERNATIONAL ARMENIAN LITERARY ALLIANCE GRANTS
https://armenianweekly.com/2024/04/16/iala-announces-its-2024-annual-grants-for-creative-writing-and-translation/
The International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA) is pleased to announce its three new annual grants for one writer and two translators whose works-in-progress show exceptional literary and
creative ability. Applications open on September 1 until September 30, 2024, and winners will be announced in December 2024. THE ONION WRITER FELLOWSHIP
https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/the-onion-the-onion-fellowship-49bc77b7-6c97-42b2-a5e4-49c7900f25ed
America’s Finest News Source, The Onion, is seeking talented writers and creators to join The Onion Writing Fellowship. The Fellowship is a six-month-long intensive and esteemed program beginning Late August that has produced the majority of The Onion’s current writers and numerous former writers and editors. This is a full-time,
in-office position. $35,000, paid on a semi-monthly payroll schedule (or the equivalent to $70,000 per year). Full eligibility for our benefits offering, including Medical, Vision, Dental, Disability, and Life Insurance. (We fully cover the cost of our base medical insurance for the employee.) We also offer Unlimited PTO, in consultation with your Manager. There are two fellowship positions available this session.
FIT AND WELL
https://www.fitandwell.com/
Seeks workout trends, strength training, yoga, running, walking and Pilates, but open to any good fitness-related stories. Keen on first-person pitches, talking
about something you've tried, and any stories related to walking. Typically pays $130/£100 for a short, 400-word first person story. More $$ for in-depth researched pieces. Pitch Ruth Gaukrodger, Fitness Editor at ruth.gaukrodger@futurenet.com C MAGAZINE
https://cmagazine.com/opportunities/write
C is interested in writing that addresses art and its various contexts, through emerging perspectives and a mix of editorials, columns, in-depth essays, interviews, artist projects and reviews. Each issue includes articles and reviews commissioned directly by the editors, as well as pieces originating from pitches. We accept pitches
on an ongoing basis up until the deadlines indicated for a particular Call for Pitches. Send pitches to pitch@cmagazine.com, with a subject line that starts with the word PITCH and goes on to indicate the submission type (review, essay, interview, One Thing, for example). Pays up to 45 cents/word. RUNNER'S WORLD
https://www.runnersworld.com/about/a34243071/how-to-pitch-runners-world-magazine/
Runner’s World publishes stories about every aspect of running, from tips on how to get started to human interest pieces to training plans for competitive runners aiming for a new PR, and everything in between. All of our story rates vary and are
dependent on story length, required research/reporting, turnaround time, and more. Pays up to a dollar per word. BIRDY
https://www.birdymagazine.com/submissions/#SubmitGuidelines
Birdy is Colorado’s
premiere independent art and comedy magazine. We’re ALWAYS looking for short stories, poetry, prose, comedy, humor, satire, interviews, exposés, essays, narratives, opinion articles, commentaries, fiction, nonfiction, flash, activist pieces, historical pieces, research, infographics, how-tos and more. Aim for shorter pieces: 250-1,500 words. However, feel free to send longer stories too (1,500-2500.) We accept submissions up to 3,500 words. SANS PRESS
https://www.sanspress.com/submissions
From June 4 to July 2, we are reading short story submissions for our new collection, The Garden! We are looking for stories of any genre that respond to our title and/or cover art. Selected writers will
receive a flat rate of €175 for accepted submissions.
TOTALLY ENTWINED
https://totallyentwinedgroup.com/about-us/#what-we-do
Our aim is to set the platinum standard for authors in the Romance genre. We want you to have a totally
A-list experience, irrespective of where you are in the publishing process. From submission, through editing, to the all important receipt of royalties, we go the extra mile to create an environment where you feel comfortable, valued and totally engaged. We've been going strong as a market leader for fourteen years. As well as being a digital first publishing pioneer, we're also the first publisher to offer an 'Open Publishing' model to authors, giving them a more diverse offering than ever
before. KATE NASH LITERARY AGENCY
https://katenashlit.co.uk/submissions/
Always on the lookout for great stories to share with the world. We welcome approaches from both debut and published authors, across many genres, from any
background. Full length work only. We cannot consider and do not represent short stories or novellas.
At the moment, NOT looking for: Children’s or Erotica. ZENO AGENCY
https://zenoagency.com/submission-guidelines/
If your book fits our current requirements, please email us the first three chapters (or an equivalent segment of around 50 double-spaced pages), a synopsis, and a covering letter. Please note the submissions website as to which agent is currently open to submissions. Our turnaround time is anything up to twelve weeks. Zeno Agency Ltd is a London-based literary agency that works with
writers, illustrators and photographers. We cover fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, with a specialism in adult fantasy, science fiction and horror.
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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