VOLUME 24, ISSUE 43 | octoBER 18, 2024 |
ASK FOR
PAYMENT Novice freelancers think they have to write for free to begin their career and to gain clips to show to future clients and editors. Every once in a while, a new writer says they will write for free for me if I would give them a chance. Listen: Cheapening your worth is not going to
land you the job. Anyone who asks to write for free for me, is instantly rejected. Our guidelines are clear, and the good get paid. Those writers whose submissions are lacking, don't. Bargaining does no good, and as a matter of fact, gives you the appearance of being inexperienced, desperate, and unconfident. If you do not have confidence in yourself, why should anyone else? Charge for your work. You can negotiate price, but do not negotiate whether there should be one. |
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. WHEN SNAFUS HAPPEN - EVEN ON BOOK RELEASE DAY!
While at my annual Edisto Beach retreat recently, partially to work and partially to get away, I picked up the local newspaper. It's published monthly and is
sort of informative, sort of gossipy, and partially public service announcements. It provides me a flavor of the beach and its people, though, I've learned I have to take it with a grain of salt since it has a tendency to get opinionated. But that's one of the joys of small town living. They posted my book signing wrong. The bookstore posted October 25 when I was scheduled for October 10. The book
listed was Edisto Tidings versus Lake Murray Money. The day was Friday when signings
have always been on Thursdays. The bookstore owner had no idea the why and how of it. All I could do was sign for those who came per the signage at the bookstore, and then I signed all the remaining stock so anyone showing up on the 25th would at least have a signed book. Two weeks before I left for Edisto, when all this happened, I was scheduled to appear at the Newberry Opera House. Hurricane
Helene killed that. The day I arrived home from Edisto, a women's club told me they'd cancelled an upcoming appearance. Then as fate would have it, the latest release, Lake Murray Money, comes out on the day my husband has open-heart surgery, October 18 . . . today. Yes, while you are reading this, I am in a waiting room in Lexington Medical Center. He ought to be okay, but this is no little procedure. I
could throw in a couple more issues around my writing, but you get the point. Sometimes things don't work out as planned. Some of them are disappointing. Others are necessary. Others you look back on and are appreciative things turned out like they did. But the point is to proceed. Ninety percent of the time these things are not personal. They are not directed at you. They just happen. How you handle them says a lot about your character . . . and your tendency to focus on success downstream, not
setback you can do nothing about. - Do you want to know why the book cover is a crucial marketing asset?
- Would you like to save time on googling all-book-design things because you don't know much (or nothing at all) about designing your book cover and formatting the interior?
- Are you looking for help in creating your dream book cover but don't know where to start?
Grab your free copy of "Behind the Scenes of Your Dream Book Cover and Interior" written by a
professional Book Designer, Karolina Wudniak. This free resource will answer all your questions about the design of your book: how to work with the designer, when to start, how much time is needed and more! BONUS:
You'll also get the Book Design Checklist that complements the guide AND will
keep you on track and support your publishing goals!
GET THE GUIDE HERE!
About the author:Karolina is a Book Designer turning manuscripts into books that can fly high. She helps self-publishing authors with book cover design, layout formatting and book marketing design. You can find out more on her
website. -October 30, 2024 - South Carolina Library Association's Annual Conference, Columbia Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201 - 2 PM -November 12
-Bennettsville Book Club, Bennettsville Library, SC - 4PM -November 22 - Newberry Library - Newberry, SC - 3 PM -November 23, 2024 - Irmo Chapin Holiday Market, Chapin, SC - 8AM - 2PM -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.
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." —Walt Disney
<<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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Let's Talk about a Legal Transcription By Alex J. Coyne
What does it take to become a scopist (legal proofreader) and transcriptionist? I’ve worked for legal agencies and registered court reporters -- and with training, so could you. Legal transcription is technical and detailed, however, also
lucrative as a part-time income or career. What a scopist does Scopists work with court reporters and judicial services, turning raw court transcripts
(“stenotype”) into coherent, readable drafts. A scopist works from a court reporter’s notes, which are transcribed using a special shorthand. Results resemble a technical dialogue, which is usually further used for reference by lawyers or in future court appearances. A scopist can also work with audio notes, for which some transcriptionists also use foot-pedals and external keyboards to make their job more
efficient to play-and-pause without skipping a beat. Sometimes, the job crosses over with audio transcriptions of expert depositions (e.g. ballistics experts or doctors) or testimonies and statements, also used in court. Get trained: scoping courses There’s no official certifying body for court scopists; however, court reporters have to register with
their country and/or state with a serial number. You’re encouraged to make sure court reporters are registered with the city’s court where you intend to work. Get training from a reputable training school, with suggestions being Scope School (ISS), Scoping International, and Court Reporter Education. A list of National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) approved schools can also be found here. Scoping formatting and legal shorthand
(“stenotype”) is best learned from a reputable course. However, yes, you can still learn it from books, and many do. Books and resources There are excellent books and resources for legal proofreading, scoping, and the formatting (or grammar) required for doing either. Books are recommended as a supplement for courses, and technical dictionaries (e.g. for medical terminology) will also become
your fast friend fast. Books describe professional standards and formatting, though because it’s a niche direction, there are few great ones. Consider reading Punctuating the Legal Transcript, Morson’s English Guide for Court
Reporters, Court Reporting: Bad Grammar, Good Punctuation, and The Proofreading Manual: A Guide for Court Reporters, Scopists & Proofreaders. Connect with job boards, reporters, and groups Mainstream job boards sometimes have viable job listings, like Indeed: however, my jobs came from connecting directly with court reporters via email -- and looking them up through legal-advertising websites like this Scopists Directory and US Legal Support. Facebook groups are useful, with specific groups that exist for scopists and reporters looking to connect. Suggested beginnings include: Court Reporters &
Scopists Connect, Court Reporters/Scopists Connection, and Scopists and Proofreaders (available here). There’s also Medical Terminology for Scopists and Court Reporters Scoping software Court reporters use specific keyboards (the hardware), and software producing transcriptions meant for legal cases. If you’re proofreading legal transcriptions, you can choose to work either in scoping software, or with PDF documents: with the software, you will have a larger pool of potential clients. However, if you’re intending to help court reporters transcribe their recordings and
notes (as a scopist), you’ll need their preferred software to access (or share) their files. For example, you can’t access Photoshop files on Paint, and scoping software is like that. The most common software used are StenoCAT and Case CATalyst. Options aren’t vast, and it’s
because scoping is more specialized than your average job. Sometimes, you can legally buy someone else’s second-hand copy for cheaper. Other things you’ll need Scoping can be lucrative, especially for those with legal experience and interest. Purchase the best keyboard you can afford to buy (for speed), and a pair of decent high-quality headphones (for
hearing accents and past echoes). If assisting justice sounds like a good job, start scoping. I’ve enjoyed almost every minute. 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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"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 JOHN UPDIKE REVIEW EMERGING WRITERS PRIZE
https://blogs.iwu.edu/johnupdikesociety/the-jur-emerging-writers-prize/
NO ENTRY FEE. Rolling deadline. A $1000 prize plus publication in The John Updike Review, awarded annually to writers 40 years of age or younger. The writing may be scholarly or bellestristic in nature. Academics, critics, graduate students, assistant professors, novelists, poets, and short story writers are encouraged to submit 10-30 page essays. Submissions are open and rolling. SERVICESCAPE SHORT STORY AWARD
https://www.servicescape.com/short-story-award
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2024 EST. For this award, any genre or theme of short story is accepted. All applicants should submit their original unpublished work of short fiction
or nonfiction, 5,000 words or fewer, to be considered. Along with receiving an award for $1,000.00 USD, the winner will have his or her short story featured within our blog, which reaches thousands of readers per month. MINOTAUR/MALICE DOMESTIVE PRIZE FOR TRADITIONAL FICTION
https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks/submitmalicedomesticmanuscript/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2024. The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Mystery Novel (including self-published works and ebooks). All Manuscripts submitted: a) must be original works of book length (no less than approximately 65,000 words) written in the English language. GEIST SHORT LONG-DISTANCE WRITING CONTEST
https://www.geist.com/contests/the-2024-short-long-distance-writing-contest
$25 ENTRY FEE Deadline November 12, 2024. Send us a story, 500 words or less, fiction or non-fiction, that spans two or more
Canadian time zones. This could mean a physical transition across time zones (like a road trip), or an implied transition between them (like a phone call). First Prize: $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $150. All winning entries will be published in Geist and on geist.com. STORY UNLIKELY SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://www.storyunlikely.com/#contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 31, 2025. There are no restrictions on genre: fantasy, sci-fi, memoir, fiction/nonfiction, etc. Limit 4,000 words (5,000 for members). There are no restrictions on age or location of participant. $1,500 first place, $1,000 second place, $500 third place. The winning story will be featured on
Story Unlikely's website, will be strongly considered for our annual (print) sample magazine, and may be sent out as the bonus story for signing up, which means a lot of exposure to the winner. All three placing stories will be published in the monthly issue, and all three will be illustrated. To be eligible for the contest, all writers must be signed up to Story Unlikely's monthly issue. Did we mention it's free? GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING HYPATIA IN THE WOODS RESIDENCIES
https://hypatiainthewoods.org/
Application deadlines are quarterly: February 15 (for October-November-December of the current year), May 15 (for
January-February-March the following year), August 15 (for April-May-June the following year), and November 1 (for July-August-September the following year). We welcome applications for residencies from women in the arts – broadly defined to include visual, written, and performing arts, as well as other similar forms of creative expression – in entrepreneurship and in academic professions. Location Shelton, WA. MOONDANCER FELLOWSHIP
https://www.writerscolony.org/fellowships
The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) is pleased to offer the 2024 Moondancer Fellowship for authors who express their passion for the natural world and concern for the environment through their writing. This fellowship is open
to poets, fiction writers, playwrights, screenwriters, essayists, memoirists, and columnists. Prior publication is not a requirement. The successful applicant will demonstrate insight, honesty, literary merit, and the likelihood of publication or production. The fellowship winner will receive a two-week residency at WCDH to focus completely on their writing. EQUITY GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS IN
HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
https://tnartscommission.org/news/equity-grants-for-individual-artists-in-hamilton-county/
Deadline October 30, 2024. Funding is available for artists with disabilities who live and work in Hamilton County. Grant funding will be
available in three funding categories: Artist Works, Equipment, and Professional Development. Disciplines considered include Visual (2D, 3D, Installation), Fine Craft, Media (Film, Photography), Performance (Dance, Music, Theater), and Literary. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 in funding. FOLKIST SPACE RESIDENCIES
https://folkist.space/residency
At Folkist Space, our definition of folk art is creative work with its roots in, or branches into, the everyday lives of regular working people. The folk art we love spans genres, mediums, and cultures, but is always rooted in the urgent aliveness of folks who are not separate from the world but fully immersed in it. From textile arts to creative
non-fiction, traditional music and dance, documentary photography, theatre arts, and more, we're looking for all kinds of creative folks. Each selected artist resident will receive an unrestricted $500 stipend, and studio space at the Art Center for the week of their stay. Location Clinton NY. NEBRASKA MICRO-GRANTS
https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/apply/micro-grants/
ROLLING DEADLINE. Micro Grants provide up to $500 of non-matching funds for Nebraska artists and organizations applying for a NAC grant for the first time. Focuses on enhancing an artist's marketing, business, or creative skills through equipment purchases, training, and professional development. The
Letter of Interest (LOI) must be received no less than six weeks prior to the start of the project or purchase of equipment.
CBC
https://www.cbc.ca/news/first-person-faq-1.5927006
https://x.com/cbcthandiwe
First Person columns are personal stories and experiences of Canadians, in their own words. This is intended to showcase a more intimate storytelling perspective, and allow people from across the country to share what they have lived through. Limit 600 to 700 words. CBC Edmonton specifically pays $560 flat rate for a First Person piece. BEST COLLEGES
https://boards.greenhouse.io/rvedufreelancenetwork/jobs/3483117
As a freelance financial aid writer for BestColleges, you will craft original content covering a variety of financial topics relevant to higher education, including blog posts and resource guides related to planning and saving for college, paying
for college and college budgeting, applying for financial aid, types of financial aid, loan refinancing and consolidation, etc. Additional opportunities to cover general higher education topics (degrees, career planning, student life, etc.) if desired. Compensation starts at $100 for every 500 words. IOWA REVIEW https://iowareview.org/content/writers-guidelines
The Iowa Review looks for the best poetry, fiction, and nonfiction being written today and is often pleased to introduce new writers. Non-contest fiction and poetry manuscripts are welcome from August 1 to October 1 only. Non-contest nonfiction manuscripts are welcome from August 1 to November 1. The page limit for
prose is 25 pages and for poetry is 8 pages (query by e-mail if you have a longer poem). Prose submissions should be double-spaced. We pay $1.50 per line for poetry ($100 minimum) and $0.08 per word for prose ($100 minimum).
SOURCEBOOKS CASABLANCA
https://read.sourcebooks.com/submissions-casablanca.html
Sourcebooks Casablanca has since become one of the fastest growing romance fiction publishers.
We publish all genres of romance, including paranormal, historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. Our submissions are currently OPEN to both agented and unagented projects. SOURCEBOOKS HORROR
https://read.sourcebooks.com/submissions-horror.html
We are actively acquiring agented and unagented Horror fiction including Own Voices, marginalized voices, inclusive and diverse stories. We’re looking for strong writers of all ethnicities, races, sexualities, gender identities, abilities and ages, whose stories have something fresh to offer in the Horror genre. 5 PRINCE BOOKS
https://www.5princebooks.com/submissions.html
We are currently seeking Contemporary Romances, both stand alone titles and series. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Contemporary 50+ Romances. Main characters in the story must be over 50-years-old. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Contemporary Valentine's Day Romances. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed
90,000).
Stories must be based around Valentine's and include Valentine's Day in the story. Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Contemporary Spring Romances. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must be based in the spring, or have an HEA that happens in the spring. Stories must include an HEA
ending. We are currently seeking Contemporary Beach Romances. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must be based in the spring, or have an HEA that happens in the spring. Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Contemporary Christmas / Holiday
Romances. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must be based around Christmas / Holidays and include Christmas Day or Holiday Celebrations in the story. Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Paranormal Romance (Ghosts, Spirits, Magic, Shape Shifter, Time-Travel, Vampire, Thriller, Psychic). Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed
90,000). Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Romantic Suspense. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Historical Romance ( 20th Century, American, Highlander, Medieval, Pirates, Scottish,
Time-Travel, Victorian, Western and Frontier). Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 100,000). Stories must include an HEA ending. We are currently seeking Contemporary LBGTQ+ Romance. Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must include an HEA ending. We are
currently seeking Contemporary Rock Star Romance (One of the main characters must be a rock star). Manuscripts must be at least 50,000 (not to exceed 90,000). Stories must include an HEA ending.
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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