VOLUME 24, ISSUE 48 | november 22, 2024 |
FOLLOWING THE
CROWD
Earlier this week I posted on social media that I would not be moving to Blue Sky nor leaving Twitter/X. While I am not terribly active on X, I do have a presence that matters. Many writers left for political reasons. I refuse to have anything to do with a political movement that touches my writing. Those
two worlds aren't allowed to coincide. Many writers left because they heard that Twitter/X will allow AI to scrape posts to train its AI. As much as I hate AI, that didn't stir me up. How much can AI learn from X posts? Of course, if that entitles the AI to scrape any attached messages, well that's another story. Still, not enough to make me run for the Blue Sky hills. Others followed their favorite author to Blue Sky. Okay. That's cool. Others followed literary agents they hoped to one day pitch to. Okay, that's quite legit. One of my readers, however, had this to say. "Just keep writing your books and you'll be fine." In other words, focus on what's important. I liked
that. I need to spend way more time writing than on social media. After all, how many of us falls down the social media rabbit hole several times a week (if not daily) and loses track of time . . . and the precious minutes we need to pen our stories. Plus, I am not one to jump too quickly into the fray. I'll let it play out a bit and see where it goes. A lot of online entities come and go,
each having had their day in the sun. |
Taught by Danielle Wolffe, ghostwriter of over a dozen memoirs (published by top houses), poet, and writing coach. A sensitive coach who specializes
in human rights/trauma-based stories. A six-week writing workshop designed to teach basic, creative tools that create the best version of your memoir. Learn to lock in the framework so your inner artist can run amok. Write an emotionally powerful book that resonates with readers. It’s a critical time to share our stories. We all need to tap into what we’ve got and connect our wisdom, skills and experiences with broader communities. This workshop teaches new authors to produce stronger books. The Craft of Memoir Writing course includes the option to have some of your workshop material included in a poetic 100-page prescriptive non-fiction book about memoir writing. The book will be available (free for workshop participants) before spring. - Learn
the building blocks of writing (character development, dialogue, structure, tone, plot, point of view, voice, tension, setting).
- Learn poetic devices for filling gaps in memory, clever ways to disguise characters for legal or safety purposes, writing through trauma, giving yourself permission to tell your story.
Authors with the best
intentions and compelling stories often write their books blindly, without having learned or practiced some of the basics, and wind up frustrated. Everyone who has dreamed of writing a book, can write one with the proper tools. Learn some tricks, then embark full force into writing your story. *A few class slots will be available for free or on a sliding scale. Gift certificates
available. Workshops start on Tuesday December 10 (afternoon) OR Wednesday December 11th (evening) and run for six weeks (holiday weeks excluded). Cost: $425. Click here for more
on The Craft of Memoir. A DIFFERENT VIEW OF WRITING PROMPTS
Honestly, I hate writing prompts. Some people swear by them. I do not like the idea of writing empty words that don't have a home to strive for. I don't like writing in
circles just for the fun of it . . . because it isn't fun for me. What is a prompt? If you look online (and avoid the AI generalities that just don't cut it for me), you learn that a prompt is a specific topic used to channel your writing. In other words, you need a purpose to write. The writer is searching for something to write about. Frankly, I have an endless supply of ideas
already. Have I participated in prompt writing? Yes, I have. Each time I did, I sat in a class setting. The instructor threw out an idea, a setting, something . . . that we were supposed to write around in a given period of time. When faced with that, I invariably throw in my own characters I already have written about before, and see what they do. Or I set the prompt in a setting I love. Or I take
the challenge in the prompt and attempt to give it a mission in a future book. In other words, I need a reason to write something, and a need to see the potential to use it later. Sometimes I see prompt writing as a reason to write without commitment to goal setting. Many writers are afraid of goals and afraid of commitment to something as ominous as a novel. Many aren't sure of what kind of writer
they want to be. Prompts may or may not help those problems. In my limited opinion, prompts keep you from taking on a serious task. Some websites offer daily prompts. Writing magazines offer monthly prompts. Classes try to teach writing tools via these prompts. To me, if the writing you are about to do
does not have energy behind the idea, is not powerful enough to make you want to write, you need to keep searching for a project that does prompt that force. That power is what gives you incentive to write. Writing prompts are like running on a treadmill for exercise. Sorry, but I want to write where there are hills and obstacles, weighty ideas and emotion. I want challenges and potential to drive my words instead of a benign prompt that forces me to write without feeling. Again, just my two cents. -November 22, 2024 - Newberry Library - Newberry, SC - 3 PM Eastern -November 23, 2024 -
Irmo Chapin Holiday Market, Crooked Creek Recreation Center, Chapin, SC - 8AM - 2PM Eastern -January 9, 2025 - Newberry Fine Arts Club, Newberry, SC - 10AM Eastern -March 22, 2025 -
Writer's Digest Mystery/Thriller Writing Virtual Conference - "Person, Place, or Crime: Where to Start Your Mystery" - 1PM Eastern -April 23, 2025 - Artist 5 Show, Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC - 6 PM Eastern -May 17, 2025 - Pelion Library Book Club, 206 Pine St, Pelion, SC, Saturday, 1-2PM Eastern
Email: hope@chopeclark.com to schedule events, online or otherwise.
Don’t count the days. Make the days count.
~Muhammed Ali
Dear Hope- Yesterday I received your list ranking literary magazines. I was pleased to see that CRAFT was on the list. A few weeks ago I entered a 250-word dialogue-only contest sponsored by CRAFT. Although I didn't win, I made an honorable mention. The editors also
gave my writing some much-appreciated praise and encouraged me to submit to them again. Thanks for posting the magazines. Barbara Weddle <<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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Why Personal Stories Sell
By Alex J. Coyne Writing what you know is perhaps the world’s most frequent advice for authors. However, writing about what you’ve been through can unlock untapped potential for selling new stories. I’ve written about stalkers, yoga, and debt – all from a personal perspective. Here’s why personal stories sell. Telling Someone Else’s Story Human interest features tell someone else’s personal story, usually, using interviews, photographs, and case studies. If a topic interests you and you don’t have personal experience, find a source willing to talk about theirs. I interviewed a kidnapping survivor for People Magazine, and talked about a surgeon’s toughest operation. I was given a rare opportunity to interview friend, filmmaker, and artist Deon Maas in Berlin, when he allowed me to ask things I’ve always wanted to know. Learn... and Speak to
Beginners I didn’t know a thing about yoga in 2016, and that’s the perspective that sold a story about Yoga Tips for Beginners to Yoga International. Inexperience is a perspective that readers (and editors) might find relatable - if you can document
what you’ve personally learned. If you’re more experienced, give advice you wished you had as a beginner. This sold How to Tarot: 15 Books for Tarot Beginners. Experience Explains Things Personal experiences can help explain complicated things in plain language, showing readers through your own experience instead of using secondary sources. An editor allowed me to show authors how to fight plagiarism after
I found my writing duplicated in an international newspaper. I talked about debt and paid-up letters for My Credit Status readers, using my own credit as an example. If you’ve gone through something that interests readers, either good or bad, you can sell it
somewhere. Writing is Therapeutic Writing is therapeutic, and sometimes it can help its author to deal with prior events. Simultaneously, the stories can open up rare discussions for readers about those specific topics. Personal notes on post-traumatic stress became an article about The Psychology of Writing Horror. I also talked about depression and anxiety for The South African in 2023. Stressful, traumatic, or unpleasant experiences are worth telling and often meaningful to readers who feel alone or voiceless. Publications and the “My Story” Section Magazines like Reader’s Digest and People Magazine reserve sections specifically for personal stories, where you will more likely sell something gritty and candid rather than standard
features. I pitched the editors of Fate and Fortune Magazine UK, and their response indicated that they were looking for personal case studies instead of the feature I proposed. Personal stories can even become chapters in a
book, like contributing my story about job-seeking for Unemploymentville when a fellow author told me they’re looking for additions. Look for the My Story or Personal Tales section when reading a publication, and you might have an extra editor to
pitch. Sell Your Unique Stories The Joe Rogan Podcast is one of the internet’s most popular, and that’s because it has interviews with anyone you can imagine: ex-criminals, war veterans, martial arts fighters, celebrities, and comedians. It sells because these are unique stories, told from first-person perspective. Writing can sell for the same
reasons: stories that only you could tell. I lived in South Africa’s most murder-stricken area for over 365 days, and survived... Of course I wrote about it. I’ve talked about genetic disorders and health for Medium, and sold several articles about restraining orders after learning
what applying for one feels like. If you explore your own life, you’ll inevitably find good stories to talk about. About the Author: 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.
2226613 © Dana Rothstein | Dreamstime.com
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BETTY TRASK PRIZE
https://societyofauthors.org/prizes/the-soa-awards/betty-trask-prize-awards/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2024.
Betty Trask left a bequest to the Society of Authors in 1983 to fund prizes for first novels written by authors under the age of 35 in a traditional or romantic style. Each year a single prize winner receives £10,000 and the remaining fund is split between the shortlist. EXETER NOVEL PRIZE
https://www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk/2024-exeter-novel-prize.html
£20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 1, 2025. First prize - £1000 plus trophy. Five finalists receive £100 and a paperweight. We accept the first ten thousand words including synopsis of a novel that has not been accepted for publication by a traditional publishing
house. It is open to all authors anywhere who are without representation by a literary agent at the closing date, whether or not they have previously been published. For an extra fee, we will write a one-page appraisal of your submission. All genres accepted. Entries should take the form of the opening of your novel (not a random selection of scenes) and must not exceed a total of ten thousand words, which includes a synopsis of not more than five hundred words. BLOCK FOX LITERARY CONTEST
https://blackfoxlitmag.com/contests/
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline December 1, 2024. The theme for this round is “Fragments of Time.” We are open to loose interpretations of the theme in any genre, as always. Please
submit your strongest fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and we will choose one winner that we feel interprets the theme best. The prize is $325 and publication in the Winter 2025 issue. All submissions are considered for publication in the Winter 2025 issue. Submissions should be no more than 5,000 words. For poetry, send up to three poems in the same document. For flash fiction, send up to two stories in the same document. STORYSHARES
https://app.storyshares.org/contest/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 13, 2025. This year, $15,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs, in addition to publication in both digital and print form. Winners will be announced on April 7, 2025. Winning stories and those selected as
runners-up will be included in the Storyshares library, which is currently serving tens of thousands of students in all 50 states and over 180 countries. Entry is free, unlimited, and open internationally. JIM BAEN MEMORIAL SHORT STORY AWARD
https://www.baen.com/contest-jbmssa
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 1, 2025. One entry only. The National Space Society and Baen Books applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen. Write a short story of no more than 8,000 words, that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space
exploration. Entries can be from any country. The GRAND PRIZE winner will be published as the featured story on the Baen Books main website and paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submittals, currently .08/word. The author will also receive an engraved award, free entry into the 2025 International Space Development Conference and a year's membership in the National Space Society.
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING ORI CREATIVE GRANT
https://ori-mag.com/pages/ori-creative-grant
We’re calling on our subscribers to decide where our grant funds go. Shortly after each issue is released, our subscribers
will vote for their favorite story and contributor. The winner will receive the grant for their next independent project. We've implemented this into our business so as we grow, the grant grows with us, helping close the creative circle, build community, and push travel journalism to places it’s never been. 2% of magazine revenue goes directly to the Ori Creative Grant. MUDHOUSE
RESIDENCY
https://mudhouseresidency.slideroom.com/#/login
Deadline December 1, 2024. The Mudhouse is an artist residency located in the village of Agios Ioannis on the Island of Crete, Greece. Welcomes visual artists, writers, musicians and performers. The Mudhouse Residency provides
accommodations, studio space, and two meals each day for the two week duration of the residency, in the village of Agios Ioannis, on the Greek island of Crete. Full Fellowship Awards are based on the merit of the applicants work while Partial Fellowships are need based. CHULITKA LODGE RESIDENCY
http://chulitnalodge.com/artists
Deadline December 1, 2024. Chulitna Lodge Wilderness Retreat seeks to provide the time, space, clarity and facilities for all forms of creative professionals or enthusiastic hobbyists to make and meditate. From visual artists, to writers, to scientific researchers, music, dance and more we encourage all to apply for our various programs. Chulitna Lodge is 180 miles from the
nearest road, with fly-in access only; a historical landmark on the shores of Lake Clark National Park in Alaska. There are three ways to participate as an artist at Chulitna. Fellowship – No fee, all expenses related to room and board + travel stipend, participate in chores and dishes. Resident Artist – Highly reduced fee, small daily chore participation. Honarary Resident – No application required, no work required, full-fee with full-service, come make and enjoy! MCCOY GRANT
https://sibaweb.com/blogpost/1157249/505593/McCoy-Grant-for-Bookseller-Writers-Now-Accepting-Applications-for-2025
Deadline March 21, 2025.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 McCoy Grant for Bookseller Writers. The grant is offered by SIBA in partnership with New York Times bestselling author Sarah McCoy, (Mustique Island) for any unpublished southern women or nonbinary booksellers who harbor ambitions to be published writers. Two grants of $1,500 each will be awarded to be used toward craft development (writing classes, retreats, conferences, travel), work-related materials (notebooks, laptops, software,
research, etc.), childcare, bills, or any other financial obstacle. PRAIRIE RONDE ARTIST RESIDENCY https://prairierondeartistresidency.com/about/apply/
We’re looking for individuals who are
highly independent, engaged and curious. We do not limit our residency to any specific medium, but rather are looking for diverse artists who can creatively interact with The Mill. We host three sessions annually and accept 2 – 4 residents per session. Accepted residents receive a stipend of $2,000 for 5 – 6 weeks, a $500 travel grant and private housing. We work with residents to share their work with the community (a gallery show, public workshop or other). Location Vicksburg,
Michigan.
FOLDING ROCK
https://foldingrock.com/write-for-us/
Deadline December 1, 2024. We’re always on the hunt for the best new creative fiction and non-fiction in, from and connected
to Wales. We accept work by writers at any stage and age, and we pay for every piece we publish – the same rate for seasoned authors and first-time sharers alike. Folding Rock‘s focus is on the bold, the innovative and the exciting, and our taste is more literary-leaning than genre-based. This doesn’t mean we don’t want your horror, sci-fi or romance – we just want them to be doing something new and ambitious with their forms. Our recommended submission length is between 2,000 and 4,000 words.
Issue One theme: Roots. We pay a universal rate of £360 per piece. THE MILL
https://millmediaco.uk/write/
For most of our publications, we pay around £200 for a quick-hit and approximately £300 for something more reported and we also
have the budget to pay significantly more for highly investigative stories that take months of work. We also cover reporting expenses if they are agreed in advance with the commissioning editor. And we will pay an appropriate ‘kill fee’ if the story doesn’t work out. Mill Media is leading a renaissance in high-quality journalism across the UK. We believe in great writing, deep reporting and giving readers a sense of insight and connection that has been lost in the era of clickbait and
mass-produced online media. THE OBJECTIVE
https://objectivejournalism.org/pitch-us/
Our budget currently allows us to pay $0.50 a word, though particular projects may have special rates. We split our stories between news and
commentary, and have five sub-categories for stories: Media Workers, Community Engagement, International Context, Story Frame, and Language. We are also accepting submissions for our Civic Media Series with Free Press and members of the Future of Local News Collective. MODERN SOUTH
https://modernsouthmag.com/
We're here to spotlight all the things that make the American South great: those sweet Southern traditions like twinkling lightning bugs and all things toile print, while also celebrating all the wonderful, refreshing things we bring to the table in modern America. We're rocket scientists and farmers, miracle workers and teachers, whiskey aficionados and musicians, entrepreneurs and caretakers, and
everything in between. Paying $150-$200 per story depending on word count and the amount of research/interviews needed. Pitches to hello@modernsouthmag.com CLIMATE HOME NEWS
https://www.climatechangenews.com/
Deadline December 31, 2024. Looking for original and justice-focused stories on the industries that produce the technologies we need for the energy transition. Also looking for pitches on the manufacturing of clean energy technologies (especially wind turbines and solar PV) in South East Asia for a Climate Home News series. Rolling deadline to the end of the year and paying
around $1 a word for a 1,500/700 story. Pitch Project Editor Chloe Farand at chloe.farand@outlook.com
NEW LEAF LITERARY
https://www.newleafliterary.com/submissions-3/
At New Leaf Literary & Media, we are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Only query us for fiction when your
manuscript is COMPLETE. Only query us for non-fiction when your proposal is COMPLETE. Do not query more than one agent at New Leaf Literary & Media. International submissions are welcome. MARSAL LYON LITERARY AGENCY
https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/
We want to work with authors not just for a book but for a career — we are dedicated to building long-term relationships with our authors and publishing partners. Please do not query more than one agent at our agency at the same time. For more details on each of our agent’s specific tastes, visit the AGENTS page. STONESONG LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.stonesong.com/submissions
For Fiction: Include the first chapter or first 10 pages of your work, pasted into the body of your email, so that we may get a sense of your writing. Please do not send attachments. For Nonfiction: Include your bio, credentials, social
media analytics, previous publications in major media or books, and any other media, so that we may get a sense of your author platform. If you have not received a request from us within 12 weeks, consider that we have passed.
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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