VOLUME 24, ISSUE 49 | November 29, 2024 |
HAPPY
THANKSGIVING
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, then Happy Thanksgiving. If you don't, then happy day regardless. Some of you have already celebrated. We celebrate on Friday in my house, and right now I am exhausted. I won't go into a cliche about being thankful for this and that. Honestly, I don't think you need a
holiday for that. It is a nice jump start, however, for you to remind yourself that you should count your blessings every day, and not just when you eat turkey and dressing. This has probably been my worst holiday season in terms of writing. Or rather, not writing. I have not followed my own advice about writing through anything. But I have broken the ice and started on the Fall 2025 Edisto book.
And I heard from my publisher that the spring release for the next Edisto book could be the end of February! That sort of makes me want to get back into the groove. But enjoy yourselves. These holidays can be stressful (God knows they can be for me). Try to take care of yourself. And try to put a few words on a page. |
Workshop Title: Mastering High-Stakes Tension and Suspense in Your NovelDo you want to keep readers on the edge of their seats, hanging onto every word? In this one-hour workshop, you'll learn the techniques that make suspense novels
unforgettable. Join me to discover how to build tension that grips readers from start to finish, and create a story that's impossible to put down. You'll leave with powerful tools to craft nail-biting suspense and high-stakes scenes that deliver the thrill your readers crave. Mastering High-Stakes Tension and Suspense in Your Novel
Create
Thrilling Stories That Keep Readers Hooked From Beginning to End
Workshop Overview
You know the feeling: that heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat excitement when a book is so intense you can't look away. As a thriller writer, creating that feeling is your ultimate goal—but it's also one of the biggest challenges. In this exclusive 1-hour workshop, you'll learn the secrets to writing high-stakes tension that grabs your readers and doesn't let go. We'll cover everything from pacing tricks to raising the stakes, giving you practical techniques to elevate your suspense writing and make your story unforgettable. Who This Workshop Is
For
This workshop is designed for thriller and suspense writers who want to: - Intensify tension and suspense in their stories.
- Craft scenes with high stakes that keep readers glued to the page.
- Master pacing techniques to control momentum and create page-turning excitement.
What You'll Learn
In just one hour, you'll discover: - How to Layer Conflict and Raise the Stakes: Learn how to gradually intensify conflict and increase stakes to maintain tension from start to finish.
- Pacing Techniques to Drive Momentum: Understand the rhythm of suspense,
including when to speed up and slow down, to keep readers hooked.
- Secrets to Building Anticipation and Uncertainty: Use foreshadowing, subtle clues, and delayed reveals to create a sense of dread and excitement.
- Crafting Nail-Biting Scenes: Write scenes with the kind of intensity that keeps readers fully immersed and eager for more.
Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024
⏰ Time: 11 AM - 12 PM PST
💻 Where: Live online via Zoom (*recording will also be available)
💰 Cost: $27 Why You Can't Miss This
This isn't just another writing workshop. It's a focused, actionable session that will give you the tools you need to take your thriller to the next level. Imagine writing scenes that leave readers breathless, characters pushed to their limits, and plot twists that keep them guessing. If you're ready to captivate your audience and create truly suspenseful stories,
this workshop is for you. Ready to bring high-stakes tension into your writing?
HOW TO FIND AN EDITOR FOR YOUR MANUSCRIPT
This is quite the common question. We've written our story, but we aren't sure it's decent enough to pitch. Time for an editor, but how to find one who is seasoned
enough, qualified for your genre, and affordable? 1) Talk to other authors. It's best to talk to authors who have gone all the way and published. Authors who are quite satisfied with their editorial assistance. Authors who are serious writers, but just thinking about it. 2) Seek reputable online
sources. For instance, writer and author Joanna Penn is remarkably reliable in her research, and she keeps a nice list at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/editors/ She won't feed you a scam. Jane Friedman is a master guru in all things publishing, and she likewise keeps a reliable list. https://janefriedman.com/resources/ 3) Check the professionals. Editorial Freelancers Association allows you to check out their members director. https://www.the-efa.org/hiring/ You can even post your project for someone to get back with you. 4) Check other reputable sources like Writer's Digest with its 2nd Draft critique service. https://writersdigestshop.com/collections/2nd-draft When vetting an editorial service, ask the following: 1) Do they have experience in editing books, particularly in your genre? 2) How many of their authors have gone on to publish? While it's not an editor's fault if an author doesn't follow through, a good editor tends to work with authors who want to see their name published. 3) Do they have testimonials and references? Cutting corners on editing is not what you want to do. Chances are, the higher caliber of editor you hire, the higher caliber your writing becomes.
-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 3, 2025 - Pelion Library Book Club, 206 Pine St, Pelion, SC, Saturday, 1-2PM Eastern -May 17, 2025 - Speaking of Writing Expo, New Bern, NC - 8-4:30PM Eastern
Email: hope@chopeclark.com to schedule events, online or otherwise.
In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take.
~Eugenio Pace, Microsoft
<<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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What Podcasts Are & How to Use Them
By Alex J. Coyne Podcasts and radio stations are an excellent way of promoting yourself as an author and editor. However, not everyone is familiar with why people are heading to this alternative source for news and entertainment. Here’s how to use podcasts to their maximum
advantage. Podcast Directories Podcast directories are a good resource when you’re looking for podcasts to listen to, or stations to contact for potential coverage. Directories like Podbean, Feedspot, and Podtail list thousands of shows. You can also listen to podcasts via Apple, Google, BBC, and iHeart. One more resource for podcasts these days is YouTube, where snippets of video podcasts are posted on Shorts. Podcast Jobs: Writing for Podcasts If you’d like to write for podcasts, look for open
jobs via shows that you enjoy listening to. Most pages have a website, and most websites have a Jobs or Careers section where they will advertise. You can also check out podcast-specific job boards like PodNews, Upwork, or Sounds Profitable. Podcasts are often looking for researchers, content producers, or scriptwriters. Being Featured on
Podcasts If you’d like to be featured on radio stations or podcasts, contact the show’s host or content producer. Usually, you can do this by going to their website for contact details (like Steven Bartlett’s), or contacting a show’s content producer. I have been featured on GagasiFM and RSG to talk about my articles. When I wrote the article Six String Stocks about vintage guitars, I contacted the content producer for GagasiFM with some interest -- and it worked! If there’s something you’d like to talk about, find out if content producers would like to share it with their audience. Also, once you’ve been featured, ask for a recording-snippet or a download of the content to share it with your own audience. Getting Interviewed There are several ways to appear on a radio station or podcast: live or recorded, remote or in studio. If interviewed live, make absolutely sure that you are in the quietest place possible -- and write basic notes for what you’d like to talk about in advance. This reduces a lot of pressure. If doing so
remotely, charge your devices and minimize distractions. If you are doing it in studio, be early, and make sure you previously asked ahead of time for the questions about your interview. When people stumble or mess up on live television, it’s often amusing. But you won’t feel so when it’s you, so prepare and avoid mistakes. Podcast Contacts and Connections Forge connections and visit the social media pages for podcasts that you enjoy. Sometimes their content producers put out calls for topics, or an advertised show makes you think of something viable to propose. There’s an increasing rise in podcasting groups, like the Black Podcasters Association and the South African Podcasters Guild. The Sports Podcasters Group, Independent Podcast Awards, and People’s Choice Podcast Awards also represent groups with industry interests. If you have industry interest, join and connect with more professionals. Hosting a Podcast Hosting a podcast might be your thing if you enjoy facing
an audience, though I haven’t pursued this route. If you want to host your own podcast, I can tell you from experience as a musician that you will need a good internet connection, a reliable microphone, and some basic audio editing software. RiversideFM advises you to choose interesting, central topics
for each episode. Engage with audiences, and acquire at least a microphone, headphones, recording software, and a camera: that’s the basics. Spotify’s guide says to choose between an audio or video podcast, and to choose an episode length (some are 15 minutes, while others are
60+). Advanced Podcasting Podcasting is popular enough that basic “studio kits” has most of what you’ll need without having to buy individual things. Mixers and microphones can plug directly into computers via USB
these days, though that wasn’t the case when DJ’ing started. Advanced podcasting might also need studio monitors (read: fancy speakers), and a mixer
for adjusting various settings including volume. If you’re in a noisy area, egg cartons and foam affixed to walls can absorb echoes and outside sound. External drives and USB-storage also become useful. 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.
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MINOTAUR BOOKS FIRST CRIME NOVEL CONTEST
https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks/writing-competitions/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline December 15, 2024. The
Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Novel (in any genre). For the purpose of this Competition, a “Published Novel” means a work of fiction of at least 60,000 words in length that has been published or distributed, in part or whole, in paper or electronic format or in any other medium, excluding, however, self-published works. If a winner is selected, Minotaur Books will offer to enter into its standard
form author’s agreement with the entrant for publication of the winning Manuscript. After execution of the standard form author’s agreement by both parties, the winner will receive an advance against future royalties of $10,000. RHINA ESPAILLAT POETRY CONTEST
https://www.plough.com/en/contact-us/rhina-espaillat-poetry-award
$7 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 30, 2025. The winning poet will receive a $2,000 award and the winning poem will be published in Plough Quarterly. In addition, two finalists will receive $250 as well as publication in Plough. This award honors the achievements of the great Dominican-American poet, translator, and public school teacher Rhina Polonia
Espaillat. The Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award will be awarded for an original poem of not more than fifty lines that reflects her lyricism, empathy, and ability to find grace in everyday events of life without having to be explicitly religious. WOLF POETRY COMPETITION
https://pandemonialists.co.uk/wolf-poetry-comp-2025/
£4 ENTRY FEE. Deadline December 31, 2024. Poetry competition open to poets from across the globe. Open subject. First prize for this competition is £400. Second prize, £150. There are three third prizes of £25. There is an additional prize of £50 for the best poem sent in by someone living in a Wolverhampton postcode. Maximum number of poems in a single
submission is five. THE NINE DOTS PRIZE
https://ninedotsprize.org/
Deadline January 27, 2025. Theme: Is data failing us? The Nine Dots Prize is a prize for creative thinking that tackles contemporary societal issues.
Entrants are asked to respond to a question in 3,000 words, with the winner receiving US$100,000 to write a short book expanding on their ideas. The Nine Dots Prize is an international competition. 2025 WEDNESDAY CLUB OF ST LOUIS ORIGINAL POETRY CONTEST
http://wednesdayclubstlouis.org/poetry-contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 1, 2025. Open to all poets age 18 and over, living in Metro St. Louis. First Prize $500, second prize $300, third prize $150. Winners' Reading: April 9, 2025. All entries are forwarded to the judge, nationally-known poet Steven Straight. The Wednesday Club of St. Louis is a nonprofit women's organization that values literature and
learning.
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING WRITE ON, DOOR COUNTY
https://writeondoorcounty.org/
Deadline December 15, 2024. The 2025 Lorine Niedecker Fellowship, presented to a poet familiar with the work of the 20th century
American writer. The purpose of the fellowship is to encourage research into Niedecker's life and work and to promote new work that deals with the poetry of place. The fellowship provides a $1,000 stipend, a $200 grocery allowance, and up to $800 in travel costs, as well as a two-week residency. The first week, May 4th - 11th, 2025, will be spent at Write On in Fish Creek, WI; the second week, May 11th - 18th, will be spent in Fort Atkinson, WI. TOFTE LAKE CENTER
https://www.toftelake.org/2025residencies
Deadline December 31, 2024. This year we are offering two Individual Artist Residencies. These residencies are focused on individual artists and/or small collaborative teams of all disciplines
(literary, performing and visual arts) who wish to create work in the natural environment and in community with other artists in all stages of their career. There is also time for play and rejuvenation - all in support of each artist’s goals, needs and interests. Lodging is provided- we are not able to provide additional stipends or travel subsidies at this time. TENNESSEE ARTS
FELLOWSHIPS
https://tnartscommission.org/grants/individual/
Deadline January 21, 2025. Fellowships provide those individuals who by education, experience, or natural talent engage in a particular art form or discipline, and live and work in Tennessee. To qualify, an artist must be financially
compensated for his or her work, and this compensation must be a significant source of support for their livelihood. Grants $5,000. VERMONT ARTIST DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/artists/artist-development/
Deadline January 28, 2025. Artist Development Grants support Vermont artists at all stages of their careers. Grants can fund activities that enhance mastery of an artist’s craft or skills or that increase the viability of an artist’s business. Also new this year, Flood Relief Funding. If 2024 flooding significantly and adversely
affected your ability to produce, perform, and/or market your work and created a need for immediate relief funds and/or assistance, check for this separate category. Grants are up to $2,000, and there are two grants rounds each year. NEBRASKA ARTIST ROSTER
https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/artist-roster/join/
Deadline December 2, 2024. Nebraska Arts Council’s Artist Roster helps nonprofit organizations and schools bring accomplished artists and performers into communities, giving people the chance to enjoy art to which they may not otherwise have access while ensuring artists get paid for their work. The Artist Roster lists participating touring and teaching
artists and exhibits. New roster artists must apply to be considered before the deadline. THE LEAD
https://national.thelead.uk/p/pitch-us
Always looking for UK-focused op-eds, features and investigations covering social injustice, housing, immigration, racism, inequality and the
environment. The perfect The Lead piece would tackle a systemic problem, propose a solution, and tell readers how they can help - whether by boosting those working for change or by pressuring and persuading those who resist it. Op-eds, which start at £200 per piece and run between 800 and 1200 words. Features, which start at £400 for about 1500 words. For investigations, long reads etc., fees are considered on a case-by-case basis.
LAPTOP MAG
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/about-us#section-write-for-laptop-mag
We're always looking for fresh voices to extol the virtues of mobile technology. Want to write a review? Got an interesting opinion you'd like to share? Send your pitches to laptopmagpitches@futurenet.com. The pay rate is about $.50-$.75 a word (more for writers who are especially good fits). We're looking for pieces in the 1,000-1,500 word range; in another era, you might call them "front of the book" features. Talk of the Town, but for laptops. INSPIRE
THE MIND
https://www.inspirethemind.org/
Next deadline December 15, 2024. Inspire the Mind brings a different perspective from other mental health magazines: viewpoints of clinicians, researchers, and others working within mental health. We want to complement people’s accounts by discussing the scientific evidence
underpinning these personal experiences, while also sharing with our readers ongoing research and clinical work, discussion pieces, and the various links between culture and mental health. We only accept pitches for articles on lived experience and for short stories. Pays £200 for pieces of 1,000-1,200 words. OFF ASSIGNMENT
https://www.offassignment.com/write-for-us
Off Assignment is a literary magazine with a penchant for journeys and a fascination with strangers. We’re looking for writers who travel, poets who wander, essayists with a sense of place, reporters with swollen notebooks, and gourmands with street cart taste. They have several topics to choose from. We consider full drafts only,
and pay $300 for “Letter to a Stranger,” “No Equivalent,” and “Under the Influence” essays. We pay $100 for “Witching Hour” essays.
HIGH LINE LITERARY COLLECTIVE LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.highlineliterary.com/submissions
We know the needs of fiction and nonfiction authors differ greatly. That’s why we offer
distinct divisions under the High Line Literary Collective umbrella—High Line Nonfiction and High Line Fiction. Standing at the cross-section between art and commerce, the agents at High Line Literary Collective facilitate thriving, vibrant careers for writers, artists and creators. Located in the heart of Manhattan. Please note each agent and pitch accordingly. THE FURY AGENCY
https://www.thefuryagency.com/
The Fury Agency is a boutique, full-service literary agency in New York City. Whether the goal is a traditional book deal, exploring subrights for a self-published title/s or mapping out a multi-platform approach for their business, our focus is on the needs of the author and monetizing multiple streams of revenue
to expand the reach of each project and grow the author's career. LK LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.lkliterary.com/about
With 200 books to her credit, and titles at every major trade publisher, Lori Kilkelly is dedicated to continue
bringing meaningful, funny, informative, and moving children's and young adult literature to market, created by the incredibly talented group of authors and illustrators she feels fortunate to work with every day. TRELLIS LITERARY
https://www.trellisliterary.com/submissions
Their interests range from literary to commercial to genre-bending fiction, from narrative to memoir to pop culture nonfiction and everything in between. Please read the agent bios and submissions policies before sending your work.
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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