VOLUME 24, ISSUE 45 | november 1, 2024 |
IT TAKES A LOT
SOMETIMES I had trouble writing this newsletter. Truth is, I've had a lot come at me the last few months, and I seem to have hit somewhat of a wall. Not block. I can write through that. It's finding the lessons to teach when I am spending time attempting to preach back at myself. Most people
don't know that I had a television/movie contract that took months to negotiate. The deal was totally signed off on and in the works. But most people do not keep up with Hollywood and television, and the writer's strike last year did a hell of a lot of damage to television and theater. The corporations that handle all the studios in existence decided to cut back on a few of them. Mine was one of them. While I do have an agent, a producer, and a scriptwriter still shopping the books, that was a
but of a kick in the gut. Then I wrote two books this year, getting both done by October 1. The fastest I've ever written. Without a doubt that effort tired me, and I'm finding myself a bit exhausted from the constant daily sprint. Then there was the hurricane. . . no biggee, right? Not any
serious damage, but the cleanup, the lack of power and water, the damage to my community, and the knowledge that what didn't destroy us, almost did our neighboring states. The storm did, however, cancel a major event of mine, in which I was invited to do a show at the Newberry Opera House. Ordered hundreds of books for that event and one on its heels . . . books stacked in my guest room. Then
husband had to have open heart surgery. Many of you have met him at my appearances. Strong guy. He gave me a scare or two in the midst of it all, plus I had to cancel several more appearances. Add to all of that the toxic behaviors of so many people online, on television, and even around me with federal and local elections, and I'm about ready to crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head,
and sleep for a year to get past all of this. I've never seen people so caustic in my life. Understandably my patience is thin. People thinking sarcasm and negativity actually makes a difference in convincing the other side anything . . . well, let's just stop there before I put an ugly name to it. Bear with me. I haven't even listed everything 2024 dropped on my head, but I'm telling myself things
could be worse. Please, try not to tell me your stories of how you've had it worse (I'm sorry if you have, but I've weathered enough in my own arena not to take in more negative thoughts at the moment), but instead know that I'm alive and still kicking, just at a different speed for a week or two more until my feet are back under me. The newsletters are still alive and well, and the fall 2025 novel will be started soon (spring 2025's novel is already written and at the publisher, and thank God
for that). Thanks for being there. |
WRITER'S RETREAT Join WOMEN READING ALOUD on our 2025 international writer's retreat on the island of Madeira in Portugal. With a subtropical climate, Madeira boasts an abundance of flowers and lush vegetation, diverse landscapes, fantastic hiking trails and delicious food. Enjoy the luxury of a 5-star hotel/spa. Surrounded by nature, you'll write, walk, hike, read, swim, and relax. This retreat emphasizes the natural environment of the island. Daily writing workshops focus on the process of writing and the satisfaction experienced when nature and art
come together. This writer's retreat is perfect for nature seekers and sea lovers. An excursion trip to the capital city of Funchal guarantees an experience rich with culture. WRA is happy to host our 31st writer's retreat for
women writers of all genres as they travel the writer's journey. TITLES AND HEADLINES
I like to scan emails on my phone, sorting and culling what I have to take action on. Then I go back to my desktop where my massive screen and lots of space makes my writing life easier
to handle. What I wind up doing is deleting a lot of email on the fly, with the majority of it deleted based upon the subject and first line of the message. Seems to me that people are losing touch with the knowledge that a strong subject makes the recipient open the email. And a strong opening line makes them continue to read your proposal. I've rejected articles on the subject
alone. I've also rejected a submission based upon the title of the piece. Sure, a title can be changed, but if the pitch is weak, and the title is weak, doesn't it hold water that the piece itself will be lacking as well? Not fair, you might say, but when faced with two hundred emails a day (at least), and a long line of pitches, one just cannot afford to hope that the writing in the
manuscript is way better than the the pitch or title. Same goes for book titles. There's something incredibly magnetic about a savvy book title. Put it on a professional cover, and your book is likely to be sold off the shelf without the first page being read. Our problem is we work so hard
on the guts of the writing that we tire of needing to parse words for a title for a manuscript we've already poured our sweat, blood, and soul into. We want to move on with it. After all, the writing will prove itself out, right? Sorry, but you might get someone like me, with a lot on her plate and a ton on her mind, who has to get through a lot of submissions before going outside and cleaning up
hurricane damage or making a doctor appointment. Or someone who only has the money for one book and doesn't have the time to read deeply into the story to make a decision what to purchase. Attempt to be brilliant with both your titles and your subject lines. Those emails in which you are fighting to sell your work need to be inviting. And that manuscript you spent two years writing won't make it to
first base if the title doesn't grab. Those small snippets of writing have to be as good as anything you've written if you want anyone to read further. -November 2, 2024 - Book signing, The Coffee Shelf, 130 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC - 8AM-NOON -November 12, 2024 -Bennettsville Book Club, Bennettsville Library, SC - 4PM -November 22, 2024 - Newberry Library - Newberry, SC - 3 PM -November 23, 2024 - Irmo Chapin Holiday Market, Chapin, SC - 8AM - 2PM -January 9, 2025 - Newberry Fine Arts Club, Newberry, SC - 10AM -May 17,
2025 - Pelion Library Book Club, 206 Pine St, Pelion, SC, Saturday, 1-2PM
Email: hope@chopeclark.com to
schedule events, online or otherwise.
"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." —Martin Luther King, Jr.
<<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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A Smart Writers’ Smartphone By Alex J. Coyne
I was asked to review a short story collection called NSFW by David Scott Hay, and in the process learned that, surprisingly, the manuscript was entirely written and edited on a smartphone. Smartphones are capable
of writing and editing stories. While they’re distinctly different from computers or desktops, phones are very effective tools when used to their full capabilities. Here’s how (and why) to consider your smartphone as a writing device. Why Write on a Smartphone? I remember being on a deadline when my computer’s hard drive failed during the height of
lockdown. A replacement computer would take weeks to replace, but the next deadline had was within only hours. As a result, that month’s blog for Bridge Base Online was typed entirely on a smartphone at a hotel. Emergencies, portability, and convenience are good reasons to
consider your smartphone a professional writing device. Small adaptations, like word processors and external keyboards, increase its potential capabilities. Mobile Word Processors Start with a mobile word
processor and find one that’s easy for you: some authors prefer feature-heavy monsters, while others want distraction-free writing environments. I’ve tried good ones, including Zoho Writer, LibreOffice Android, WPS Office for Android, and Hemingway App. You can also link directly to Google Docs with an app, or choose mobile Microsoft Word. After downloading your word processor, change your keyboard size, or alter your font size for better visibility. Connecting Gadgets and Powering
Up An external keyboard makes smartphone typing a quicker, more comfortable experience. Simple USB keyboards for computer use can connect directly to smartphones using what’s called a USB-OTG cable. It converts the charging port to a USB-capable port, usable for memory stick storage or keyboards. Smaller, portable mobile keyboards plug directly into charging
ports. A Bluetooth-capable keyboard is your other option for comfortable typing. Usually, you have to switch the keyboard on (with your phone’s Bluetooth-setting ON), “pairing” the device with a code that your phone will
show. Bluetooth devices use batteries, usually smaller ones like AA or AAA, which need regular replacement or recharging with regular use. Expect to run out of batteries at inconvenient times, and always have spares in your kit. Smartphone battery life will also decline fast when using connected devices, multiple apps, or Bluetooth-settings. For this, I’ve always kept at least one fully-charged powerbank in the
writing kit. Voice-to-Text Phones are also capable of easy, effective voice-to-text conversion. Speak your notes into your smartphone, and you have a hands-free means of getting your thoughts on paper. Google services has voice-to-text already integrated into your device’s keyboard. Some avoid Google citing privacy concerns, for which you can also consider alternatives like Otter and Speechnotes Expanding Your App Library Smartphones are personal tools, and you’ll eventually prefer your own selection of apps stretching beyond word processors. I’ve installed dictionaries like Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com for Android, and Cambridge English Dictionary. Add Post-It Android
or Evernote for making quick accessible notes. Fade In Pro and Celtx is great for screenwriters, and Scrivener, though a paid tool, can be useful. I can also recommend Adobe Scan and CamScanner for scanning documents, or for converting handwritten notes into text writing. Get a trusted cybersecurity app. Bitdefender, Avira, or AVG are recommended choices. Smartphone Tricks for Better Performance Modern smartphones are more powerful than older computers, though can still develop issues like resource overuse or storage problems. The first common Android-related problem is storage running out. Buy a sizeable external memory card, otherwise residual and
downloaded files could become wasted space fast. Also, frequently clear apps’ stored information (via App Settings > Clear Cache), and delete your unused apps or old downloads. Smartphones are far more powerful than DOS-based computers, typewriters, and the old-fashioned writing quill - and an increasing amount of authors are using their smartphones to write. Bio: Alex J. Coyne is a
journalist, author, and proofreader. He has written for a variety of publications and websites, with a radar calibrated for gothic, gonzo, and the weird. Sometimes, he co-writes with others.
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Taught by Nicole Breit, award winning author + writing coach
This 60-minute live workshop will teach you what narrative therapy is and how it can support an
empowered approach to personal storytelling.
By applying the principles of narrative therapy to writing autobiographical work you'll uncover aspects of your story that highlight your strength + resilience, and write about your "multi-storied life" from a place of self-awareness and empowerment!
We'll also discuss: - How journaling
and storymaking can be tools for healing + self-exploration but differ in 1 important way when processing trauma.
- How to apply the 5 Rs of empowered storytelling to incorporate key details most writers neglect to include in their stories.
- How to draft a time-saving narrative-therapy informed story summary before you sit down to write your next piece
This workshop is perfect for writers of all levels of experience who want to explore difficult subject matter while centered in their power (e.g. loss, mental health, illness or disability, violence and/or abuse and interpersonal trauma). GEMINI POETRY OPEN
https://gemini-magazine.com/poetry-open-2025/
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 2,
2025. First prize $1,000. Second Prize $100. Four Honorable Mentions $25. Any subject, style or length. Entry fee includes three poems. MARLOWE AND CHRISTIE FLASH FICTION PRIZE
https://www.marloweandchristie.com/flashfictionprize
£9-11 ENTRY FEE. Early deadline December 5. Regular deadline December 15. Prize £250/$325. Entries must be inspired by Christmas and no longer than 250 words. Winners will be announced before Christmas. MUDFISH POETRY PRIZE
https://mudfish.org/submissions/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 15, 2025. A prize of $1,200 and publication in Mudfish is given annually for a single poem. Winning poem and two honorable mentions will be published in Mudfish 25. Entry fee entitles three poems to be submitted. T PAULO ORCANSE PRIZE FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE
https://highhorse.blog/t-paulo-urcanse-prize-for-literary-excellence/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2024. 1st Place: $250, publication on the website, and an optional interview with the
Editors. 2nd Place: $100, publication on the website. 3rd-5th Place: $50, publication on the website. Open to poets, writers, and essayists of all colors and stripes. JF POWERS PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION
https://dappledthings.submittable.com/submit/24212/j-f-powers-prize-for-short-fiction
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2024. The word limit is 8,000 words. Only one submission per author will be accepted. Winners of the J.F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction will be announced in April 2025 and published throughout the subsequent issues that year. 1st place: $700. 2nd place: $300. Up to 8 honorable mentions:
publication in the journal and a one-year subscription. GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING A Writer's Cornucopia" is the theme for the November/December 2024 My WRITEDAY Subscription Box. I love my WriteDay boxes; each one has been a fun surprise and has given me a lift when I most needed it! ~Gerry W., MWD subscriber For $59.00, My WRITEDAY is a bi-monthly subscription box containing a writing craft book and curated products from authors, creators, and
small businesses to writers and readers in the continental U.S. It's unique because many products are sourced from writers who are also crafters and artisans. Click here to subscribe and see the array of holiday, mystery, middle school, and teen/young adult gift boxes available for a limited time.
Link: https://www.mywriteday.com SURREY LIBRARIES WRITER IN RESIDENCE
https://www.surreylibraries.ca/writer-residence
Deadline November 15,
2024. The goal of this program is to provide support to a local literary arts professional and writers in the Surrey community. Contract start date January 13, 2025, and end date December 12, 2025 (48 weeks); 24 hours per week; $35 per hour. Work on self-directed creative writing project(s) and then share results with the Library and the community at the end of the residency (12 hours per week). Must be legally permitted to work in Canada for the duration of the residency. Recognized as
a writer with a significant body of published writing. Location Surrey BC Canada. WRITING BETWEEN THE VINES CO-RESIDENCIES
https://www.writingbetweenthevines.org/2025
Deadline November 13, 2024. Gather
with your trusted writing partners for a week of writing and thoughtful feedback in a retreat between the vines. Collaborate on shared projects, or work individually. Edit a work in progress, craft a book proposal, or simply take a walk in the vineyard and get inspired. Three locations are eligible for co-residency retreats in 2025. Keller Estate—two writers. West Wines—three writers. And Cast Wines may accommodate up to four. ESSERE RESIDENCIES
https://essereresidency.org/apply/
Deadline November 20, 2024. $30 APPLICATION FEE. Essere Residency is a self-directed program designed to encourage the creative and personal growth of writers, artists and creatives of all disciplines at any stage of their
career or personal self-expression. Days are free to explore your creative vision and share perspectives with artists of different ages and cultures from all over the world. Evenings we come together for inspiring, instructional talks by the Artists in Residence on topics of relevance to all. These talks are followed by a delicious 3-course dinner and wine prepared by our local chef. Address: Private Estate in Cetona, Province of Siena, Italy. There is a Special Fellowship for Emerging Voices
($1,000) available to a writer (of any discipline) who is new in their field - playwrights, screenwriter, songwriters, poets, fiction writers, journalists you name it. Note your need and why you should be considered on your application. GREATER PITTSBURGH ARTS COUNCIL CREATSIVE ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR GRANT PROGRAM
https://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/grants/creative-entrepreneur-accelerator
Deadline February 12, 2025. The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant program provides creative entrepreneurs with small business consulting and $2,000 in critical financial resources to grow businesses and revenue. Must live in Allegheny,
Beaver, Greene, and Washington counties. Eligible applicants must participate in creative fields such as marketing, architecture, visual arts, crafts, design, film and media, digital games, music, entertainment, publishing, or a similar creative field.
THE URBANIST
https://www.theurbanist.org/write
For original reporting using primary sources, we have a limited budget to invest in paying freelance writers. If you are seeking compensation for a
reported article, be sure to specify this in your pitch. We currently use a tiered system for compensating writers in which depth of research, originality of sources, and timeliness are all taken into consideration. Deeply reported long articles could earn as much as $400 in our current compensation system. The Urbanist's mission is to tell stories that inform and influence the public and their leaders — and win them to our vision of people-centered communities in the Puget Sound
region. RELIGION UNPLUGGED
https://religionunplugged.com/freelance-rates
We are currently taking pitches for news feature stories, opinion pieces as well as movie and book reviews. 801 words and up — $300. 600 to 800
words — $200. Op-eds 800 to 1,000 words — $200. Film, TV, and book reviews 800 words and up — $200. Pitches can be sent to Clemente Lisi, who serves as executive editor, at info@themediaproject.org. We cover religion in public life and in people's lives. UNDARK
https://undark.org/submission-guidelines/
Are currently seeking pitches for book-related features under 1,500 words (reviews and excerpts), or op-eds under 1,000 words. Corruption in science? Academic discrimination? Research censorship? Government cover-ups? Undark wants to hear about it. Pays roughly 60 cents/word. CLARKESWORLD
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/
Clarkesworld Magazine is a Hugo, World Fantasy, and British Fantasy Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and
audio fiction. Word limit 1000-22000 words, no exceptions. Pays 12¢ per word. Accepts stories from all over the world. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/about/a37261766/good-housekeeping-freelancers-pitch-guidelines/
When it comes to freelance pitches, we're interested in long-form narratives, deeply reported service pieces and personal essays that offer a compelling point of view, a personal story behind the news, a unique story rooted in the ideas of house/home or a deep-dive guide into a topic that will help improve readers' everyday lives.
Pays over thirty cents/word.
IMAGE COMICS
https://imagecomics.com/submissions
Here at Image Comics we are actively seeking new talent—writers and artists alike—to join the creator-owned family. We do not contract creators;
we’re only interested in publishing original content for which you would retain all rights. Seeking artists and writers. KREGEL PUBLICATIONS
https://www.kregel.com/contact-us/submissions-policy
Kregel Publications
does not accept unsolicited material for review. We do, however, review summaries from The Writers' Edge and Christian Manuscript Submissions regularly. These manuscript-screening services provide an opportunity for you to share your proposal with over 40 Christian publishers simultaneously for a moderate fee. We also accept query letters from professional literary agents. Our mission as an evangelical Christian publisher is to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted,
biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ. QUARTO
https://www.quarto.com/Default.aspx
https://www.quarto.com/staticpages/getintouch/submissionguidelines.aspx
Each of our imprints has its own editorial focus. There are 15 US imprints and 17 UK imprints. From childrens to nonfiction to fiction to coffee table books. HAYMARKET BOOKS
https://www.haymarketbooks.org/pg/submissions
We are interested in manuscripts that are accessible to a wide range of progressive and radical political activists, while also being useful to an academic audience.
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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