VOLUME 25, ISSUE 13 | MARCH 28, 2025 |
BOOK SIGNINGS An author held a signing recently at my local coffee shop. To support a fellow author, I attended and bought a book. She, in turn, bought my newest release, Edisto Storm, because The Coffee Shelf also handles book sales in our area. Well, she happened to have two others interested in her books at her table, and we struck up a conversation. The author introduced
me, told them I also wrote, and they promptly each bought one of my books (after buying hers, of course). Those two ladies who bought my books, began talking about beaches in South Carolina and about visiting Edisto, and got excited about reading the rest of the series. The owner of the store, standing nearby and watching the interaction, pulled me aside and told me that with the added interest of my new release, she wanted to
double her usual purchase of the new title. Never let your identity as a writer falter. You are a writer wherever you go. You never know when someone will ask you to speak, sign a book, or go online right then and there and order several of your titles. Own who you are. If you aren't there yet, remind yourself to show up everyday to work so you'll soon arrive.
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There's a reason writers throughout history have felt the call to travel, spend time in nature, and immerse themselves in unfamiliar territory. Research shows that all of these boost creativity and help move ideas to the page. And that's what Compass Writers' small-group walk-and-write retreats are all about. Join us for our 2025 Women's Walk & Write Retreat September 20-29, 2025, starting in Melrose, Scotland, and writing across 70 miles to land on Holy Island, England. This retreat moves along gorgeous St.
Cuthbert's Way, an ancient pilgrimage path through Scotland's lush borderlands. Together, we'll walk, write, play with other creative forms, and see where the challenges, sites, and wildlife along the way take us. Grounded in the Amherst Writers & Artists method, women writers of all levels are welcome. Limited to 6 writers
for an intimate experience. Registration closes on May 30, 2025. To register online, simply go to September 20 on the registration page calendar. For more information, email Cherylmurfin@gmail.com. PERSON, PLACE, OR PLOT
I recently presented a webinar for Writer's Digest on Person, Place, or Crime: How to Start a Mystery. I love these presentations, and I love talking mysteries. However, I realized the talk was applicable to
most genres, actually. For instance, one attendee asked me about their situation. They inherited their grandfather's journal. Turns out he was quite the spy and crime fighter in his day; something nobody really knew about that history. The author was starting the book in a study, reading the grandfather's journal. They asked if that was correct. First, there is no correct
way. 1) You write to your strengths. Start with person, place or plot depending on what you write strongest, or
2) You jumpstart the story with the tool that does the best job for the particular story you are telling.
3) You define the genre you are writing and decide which best serves that readership as an opening.
4) Which do you think best serves your brand?
5) Are you writing a stand alone or part of a
series?
6) Open it three different ways and see which catapults the story best. There isn't one way to open a story. And only you can determine the strongest and best. Just be willing to be open-minded as to the options. You just might educate yourself and open doors for your craft.
The Art of the Novella, the third Wayward Wormhole for Craft-Minded Writers This year the workshops are in Barbados with instructors Tobias Buckell, Karen Lord, Premee Mohammed, and Cat Rambo, on February 7-21, 2026. Submissions open April 1. Fee is $2500 (does not include accommodations, food, or transportation costs).
Now in its third year, the Wayward Wormhole provides craft-focused workshops for fantasy, horror, and science fiction writers, always in a location that will inspire and delight. Find more details at https://www.catrambo.com/wormhole/
-March 29, 2025 - Book signing, The Coffee Shelf, 130 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC - 8-11:30 AM. -March 29, 2025 - Read Freely Fest, Richland County Library, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia, SC - 2:30 PM -April 10, 2025 - The Edisto Bookstore, Edisto Island, SC - 3-5 PM -April 23, 2025 - Artist 5 Show, Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC - 6 PM Eastern - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC -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 - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC -June 7-14, 2025 - Gutsy Great Novelist Retreat,
Bar Harbor, Maine
Email: hope@chopeclark.com to schedule events, online
or otherwise.
"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
– Langston Hughes
Hi Hope -
I have a story in the current edition of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series. I saw the link to submit stories from your weekly newsletter. This edition centers on dog stories. My story is about a dog I once had named Maxine who I paid $2.00 for when I was a social worker in a decrepit neighborhood. That was 1988. I loved that dog to bits. She died in 2001. Thanks a lot. Debra J. White
<<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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Best Practices for Shopping Your Novel to Hollywood
By Mark Heidelberger
Having your book turned into a film or series offers fans the chance to engage through a different medium, opens the work up to an entirely new audience, and creates an additional revenue stream. But how do you get your book in the hands of a Hollywood producer who can bring it to
the screen? While there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, some best practices that will give you an edge. Write a Visual Book The first step is to write a book that Hollywood finds adaptable. Some stories are more attractive in this regard than others. Those featuring strong visual elements, hooky concepts with high commercial appeal, and flawed characters with compelling arcs are catnip for producers, directors and stars, as are books based
on true stories. For inspiration, read books that have already been adapted into movies and follow industry trade magazines like Variety or Hollywood Reporter to gauge trends. For more info on judging adaptability, read my article here. Protect Your
Work The first thing to do before shopping your book around Tinseltown is to make sure it’s copyright protected through the U.S Copyright Office. Clearly adding a copyright notice to the beginning of the book, watermarking pages and using digital rights management (DRM) platforms to encrypt or otherwise restrict access to legitimate readers will help protect you against unscrupulous types. Generate Publicity The
more notoriety your book gains, the more attractive it appears to film buyers. Submit the book for awards and accolades; many of them recognize self-published books, so traditional publication isn’t a must. Get bloggers and critics to review on websites and in newspapers. If you have no idea how to do that, hire a freelance publicist. And generate a following on social media platforms by collaborating with influencers who will respond to the book’s subject
matter. Query Producers Generate a list of producers whose work you like, complete with email and snail mail addresses, by getting an IMDb Pro account, then query them directly. For best practices on this, read my article here. But check their websites or reach out to ensure they accept unsolicited queries first. If so, play up attractive stats in your letter, be it awards, a true story angle, or a large reader base. Get an Agent Unfortunately, most big name producers won’t respond to unsolicited
queries unless they come from bona fide literary agents. These agents will act as middlemen between you and the producers, utilizing their existing connections to seek out film and TV adaptation opportunities as a way to supplement a traditional publishing deal. Research platforms like Publishers Marketplace or the AALA to find agents who rep books like yours, then query them. Work with Your Publisher Publishers are usually active in seeking film and TV deals if they think a book is highly adaptable. They connect with film agents at places like CAA and WME who can pitch the book to Hollywood producers and studio executives. Make
sure to have a conversation with a potential publisher about your interest in having the book adapted for the screen before signing with them to make sure they see the same opportunity you do. Pay for Pitching and Networking Services What if you’re self-published and don’t have the reach to Hollywood agents? Well, this town is all about networking, and if you’re willing to invest a bit in your own success, there are platforms out there that
will help you generate access. For a modest fee, sites like Slated and Stage 32 allow you to build a project profile and/or pitch your book to agents and filmmakers. Sellingyourscreenplay.com and Self-Publishing
Review offer paid query blasts. And producers for hire like Buffalo 8 and yours truly provide executive producer services that include pitching to an internal network of industry pros. Hire a Professional
Screenwriter Assuming you’re willing to let someone else adapt your book, and you have some decent funds set aside (perhaps from book sales), you could hire a working screenwriter who is already repped by a Hollywood agency. Any writer worth their salt is going to be a member of the WGA, so you’ll have to pay guild minimums; however, chances are once that writer has finished the script, they’ll want to see it get made just like you, so their agent will become your
ally as they shop it around. To hire a screenwriter, find their agent’s contact info through IMDb Pro and call to say you’re looking to hire them on assignment. Again, there’s no straight line between writing a book and getting it to the screen, but making sure it’s ripe for adaptation, learning to write a strong query letter, generating publicity, soliciting allies, and investing time and money in yourself are all factors that can help elevate your
chances.
BIO: Mark Heidelberger co-founded Beverly Hills-based Treasure Entertainment in 2000, serving as a film executive, producer and literary manager until 2011 before going freelance. Film and TV credits include Harsh Times, Comfort, Ninja Apocalypse, The Basement, Take the Night, Pray for Rain, Hallmark Channel’s You’ve
Got a Friend and the just-released Last Night on Earth. Often times, he performs ghostwriting services on screenplays in addition to his producing duties. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America. He holds a BA in Film Studies from UCSB and an MFA in Producing from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television.
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The 30-Day Writing Challenge Are you ready to spring into writing? Join the 30-day writing challenge hosted by The Writing Desk! The challenge runs from April 1-30, 2025. Your task? Write 15,000 words! Throughout the challenge, you'll get: - Daily emails with your word count goal
- Weekly emails with advice on building sustainable writing habits and overcoming roadblocks
- Weekly email check-ins
- Four live co-writing sessions with your host, Bailey, and fellow challenge participants
You'll also receive a PDF workbook with progress trackers, information about
each week's writing habit, and more. Learn more and sign up here! Visit www.usethewritingdesk.com and email bailey@usethewritingdesk.com with questions.
About The Writing Desk: The Writing Desk exists to help you tell stories that matter. Dr. Bailey Lang is a writer, editor, and book coach who works one-on-one with authors to build
sustainable, enjoyable writing habits that take your book from draft to done.
REEDSY WRITING PROMPT CONTEST
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
$5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline monthly. Reedsy challenges you to create a short story based on one
of their prompts. The winner will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $250 via PayPal. We'll also consider your submission for a future print and digital issue of our lit mag, Prompted. Write a short story between 1,000 and 3,000 words, submit it from your Reedsy Prompts profile. STORYHOUSE NONFICTION ANIMAL STORIES
https://www.storyhouse.org/contest2025.html
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2025. Stories should be factual and true accounts of an encounter or encounters by the author with a wild animal or animals. These include, but are not limited to, birds, fish, butterflies, snails, lions, bears, turtles, wombats, etc., as long as it is not a domesticated animal or a pet. Stories must be between 1000--5,000 words in length. There are no
international limitations. Stories from any country are fine, although they must be written in English. Language in the stories should be free of words or scenes not suitable for children, since many children read the stories and some actually post their stories. One prize of $200 for the winner, $100 for the runner-up, and certificates of achievement for all finalists. STORYHOUSE GENERAL NONFICTION STORIES
https://www.storyhouse.org/contest2025.html
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 30, 2025. Any appropriate nonfiction topic is eligible. Stories must be true, not semi-fictional accounts. So-called "creative nonfiction" will not be considered. Stories from any country are fine, although they must be written in English. Language in the stories should
be free of words or scenes not suitable for children, since many children read the stories and some actually post their stories. One prize of $200 for the winner, $100 for the runner-up, and certificates of achievement for all finalists. STORYHOUSE BIOGRAPHICAL NONFICTION CONTEST
https://www.storyhouse.org/contest2025.html
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2025. A biographical entry must be a true story of an individual(s) known to the author personally--not a fictional or historical character. Autobiography, of course, must be a true story about the author's life, the whole or an episode. Biographical stories, especially those from older people, or about them by children and grandchildren, are especially appropriate for our
mission--to "preserve the extraordinary stories of 'ordinary' people." Stories from any country are fine, although they must be written in English. Language in the stories should be free of words or scenes not suitable for children, since many children read the stories and some actually post their stories. One prize of $200 for the winner, $100 for the runner-up, and certificates of achievement for all finalists. WATERSTON DESERT
WRITING PRIZE
https://highdesertmuseum.org/waterston-prize/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 1, 2025. In 2025, the Prize will recognize the winner with a $3,000 cash award and a reading and reception at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon on September 25, 2025. Open to nonfiction writers who illustrate artistic excellence,
sensitivity to place and desert literacy with the desert as both subject and setting. No more than 10 double-spaced pages in 12-point type and one-inch margins as a writing sample. GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING THE ESSENTIAL VOICES EDITORIAL FELLOWSHIP
https://greenlindenpress.submittable.com/submit
Deadline July 1, 2025. The Essential Voices Editorial Fellowship
gives an editor the resources and assistance to bring an anthology into the world. Green Linden Press intends to tailor the Fellowship to the editor of the selected project: so previous editorial experience is not required, and those with editorial experience are encouraged to apply. The Fellowship awards $2500 and publication in the Essential Voices Anthology Series. You will also be asked to provide a proposal for an anthology (up to 750 words) that describes the book you imagine
editing. HEDGEBROOK RESIDENCIES
https://www.hedgebrook.org/writers-in-residence
Deadline April 14, 2025. Hedgebrook’s Writer-in-Residence Program supports writers from all over the world for residencies of two to three weeks. Hedgebrook’s mission is to support
visionary women-identified writers, 18 and older, whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come. Location Freeland, WA. HAMBIDGE RESIDENCIES
https://www.hambidge.org/guidelines-apply
Deadline April 15, 2025. The Hambidge Center is situated on
600 forested acres in the mountains of north Georgia and offers miles of nature trails, meadows, waterfalls, a swimming hole and an abundance of wildflowers. The oldest residency program in the Southeast, Hambidge provides a self-directed program that honors the creative process and trusts individuals to know what they need to cultivate their talent, whether it’s to work and produce, to think, to experiment or to rejuvenate. Residents’ time is their own; there are no workshops, critiques, nor
required activities. BANFF EARLY CAREER WRITERS OF YA AND CHILDREN'S BOOKS
https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/literary-arts/early-career-writers-young-adult-and-childrens-books-2025
Deadline June 4,
2025. This self-directed writing residency supports new writers of young adult and children’s books at varying levels of accomplishment—from not-yet-published writers to those with one published book—to improve their writing skills and expand their practice, taking it to the next level. The residency is designed to cater to any new writer interested in mentorship, public reading opportunities, and feedback from faculty and fellow participants. The residency will provide participants
with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth and is open to writers with: no publications, a few publications, or a first book for young adults or children. Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs. Canadian Indigenous scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation costs. RAGDALE RESIDENCY
https://ragdale.submittable.com/submit/317745/2026-residency-program
Deadline May 1, 2025. 18-day residency session for individuals. Based on personal financial considerations, artists determine their own residency fee, and may opt to pay according to our suggested income-based sliding scale. We currently offer 11 fellowships each year. All
qualified applicants may apply for fellowships through this application. A fellowship award includes an 18-day fee-waived residency for individuals and a stipend of at least $1000. Ragdale encourages artists of all backgrounds to apply. Location Lake Forest, IL. CHICKEN SOUP: GRANDMOTHER STORIES
http://www.chickensoup.com
Deadline July 15, 2025. You will receive a check for $250 and 10 free copies of your book. Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their
grandchildren. We are looking for heartwarming, insightful, and humorous stories celebrating grandmothers. Stories can be written by: grandmothers about being a grandmother, grandchildren about their grandmothers, or adult children about their mothers or stepmothers or mothers-in-law as grandmothers. RANGE
https://www.rangetravel.com/contribute-to-range
We’re looking for engaging, thoughtful, and well-researched stories that transport readers to new destinations, reveal hidden gems, and offer practical tips. Pays around $450. HORIZON GUIDES
https://horizonguides.com/journalists
Horizon Guides is a celebration of extraordinary travel. Our readers come to us to learn about the people, places and experiences that take us beyond our comfort zone and expand our understanding of the world. We work with leading travel journalists, guidebook authors and other destination experts to provide insider recommendations about places that the mainstream tourism industry doesn’t want to talk about. There are two main
commission types for Horizon Guides: features for The Journal, or in-depth travel guides. We pay anywhere from £200+ for features and upwards of £400+ for guides, all depending on length. ENTREPRENERSHIP LIFE
https://www.entrepreneurshiplife.com/write-for-us/
If you are interested
in writing more about business and technology, lifestyle, start-ups, and entrepreneurship, then we will definitely take a look at the work you send us. Every article on this site is between 1000 and 1500 words, which allows us to maintain consistency and quality across all our posts. Pay based on assignment. FREELANCE MOM
https://www.freelancemom.com/guest-post-guidelines/
FreelanceMom is a community for moms who believe that women can still be who they are after becoming a mom. We believe the landscape has completely changed and that there is no better time for parents to be a freelancer or solopreneur. We love hearing case-studies and other moms’ stories. Your article should offer current practical and actionable advice, tips and be *in-depth enough that the
reader walks away with new knowledge and new approaches. Guest articles should be between 900 to 1,500 words. Articles that are selected for publication will be paid between $75 to $100 via PayPal.
BOOKLIFE PUBLISHING
https://www.booklifepublishing.co.uk/submissions/
BookLife Publishing is a leading UK-based educational children’s book publisher dedicated to producing a captivating array of fiction and non-fiction titles for children
aged 3-13. BOOKOUTURE
https://bookouture.com/submit-your-manuscript/
We are looking for full-length, commercial fiction and some text-led non-fiction, but no children’s books, film scripts, poetry or short stories. Please send us a complete manuscript of your full-length book in a
clear font with double spacing. We welcome submissions from everyone – agented or otherwise – regardless of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality or socio-economic background. EPOQUE PRESS
https://www.epoquepress.com/submissions
We publish adult literary fiction (novels and short
story collections) and do not currently consider other genres such as children's fiction, poetry, memoir or fantasy. The full manuscript of your work should be attached in either MS Word or PDF format. FAHRENHEIT PRESS
https://www.fahrenheit-press.com/submissions.html
We're not too
bothered if the books have been published before, or if you have an agent, or if you're an established author, or if you're an absolute beginner. All we need is for the stories to be great and the subject matter to be commercial. We publish CRIME & THRILLERS - if your book doesn't fit squarely into that category don't submit, you're wasting your time. We offer a royalty rate of 50% on both eBooks & paperback editions for a 5-year contract.
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 2000-2025, 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
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