VOLUME 26, ISSUE 13 | MARCH 27, 2026 |
LEARNING THE ROPES This week, a writer told me she had written two children's books, drawn the pictures, and now wanted to publish. She wanted me to teach her in a return email how to format her book, because she needed that knowledge ASAP. Another wrote me saying they write "original stuff" to include children's books. They are continually rejected. They can't get people to recommend their literary blog, much less read it. They wanted me to tell them how to be successful and get people to read their material. I tell everyone this. Anyone can write a book. That's not saying it's good, but just realize that writing is in everyone's grasp. And these
days, anyone can publish. Go through Amazon or go wide or go turn-key vanity or hold out for traditional. But to want to publish fast and be seen is not something you do overnight. - Learn ALL the ways of publishing before choosing.
- Have a long-range plan for your book, books, and writing in general.
- Have a long-range plan for getting yourself seen, heard, and
read.
- Slow the heck down.
When you make mistakes publishing, it is next to impossible to undo them. Remnants of bad publishing tend to stick around for a long while. Once you publish badly, and someone reads or buys that bad book, your name fails with it. Once you publish cheaply and badly, then if you later want to traditionally publish, that past will haunt you in a publisher's or agent's eyes. Slow the heck down and do your due diligence in becoming a writer. These books do not sell themselves. Your thorough writing, thoughtful planning and careful publishing do that. |
THE TRUTH ABOUT WRITER GROUPS
A reader asked, "Can you or one of your authors give new writers guidelines for how to find a writers' group? I'm interested in finding a group where I can get feedback from experienced writers and have an opportunity to read and comment on their works in progress.
(Learning how they build their stories will help me build mine.)" Good question. But it's a dilemma, too. First, successful writers groups are difficult to break into since they've done the hard work of establishing, culling, and shaping a group into something that works. You often have to be recommended by a member. Some are more open than others, but if you are
seeking something with experienced writers, they often confine themselves to...established writers. I have belonged to numerous writing groups, and this is what I found. If you are diligent about writing, you work your way up. When you get published, and your writing gets more seasoned, you may reach a point where those who are hobby writing, or just getting started, cannot contribute much to your improvement. The beginners are
gleaning tons from the experienced writer, but the experienced writer is mostly doling out instead of receiving. That why seasoned writers eventually winnow their group down to a handful of like souls at a similar stage in their careers and break away. I used to belong to two solid writing groups. I ultimately published and my career was taking off. The in-person group no longer contributed to my writing. Some were too intimidated to
critique. In my second online group, we were more substantial, but that too wound up with my separating into a smaller group of similar minds and talent. It's just the natural order of things. You start with general writers groups of all caliber. Anything goes. Then you gravitate to kindred spirits and launch your own group. Each of you then knows the unspoken parameters of what your group wants to incorporate into the fold. One day
you may wind up with just beta readers you trust, but it is awfully nice to have a small group of trusted allies who share each others work. Start with your state's writers organization. Most states have them. Or ask your library and local bookstores. Look on Facebook and social media. Realize that it's a process. If the first group doesn't excite you, find another. Belong to several. Then learn to define what really works for
you.
Six authors. Six journeys. One powerful circle. Please join us as we welcome these incredible voices to the room:  Pat McNeely Bonnie Stanard Every genre carries
wisdom, and every voice adds something distinct to the space. From fiction to memoir, these women are stepping forward to share their books and the lived experiences behind the pages. There is a particular energy that fills a room when a woman reads her own words. We invite you to be part of that connection. Reserve your seat today and join us for a journey of conversation, courage, and collective storytelling. -April 1, 2026 - Her Story, Her Voice, open to public ($18 each and catered), Something Small Catering, 2510 Main Street, Suite A, Columbia, SC - 5:30-8PM - 6
invited authors to read -April 6, 2026 - Night Harbor Book Club, Chapin, SC (Hope is moderator, book Before the Coffee Gets Cold) -Apr 15, 2026 - Book Club, Noon to 2 PM - Elgin, SC (members only) -April 16, 2026 - Brookhaven Book Club, 3001 Stanbury Dr, Matthews, NC -7-9PM -April 18, 2026 - The Coffee Shelf, 130 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC 29036 -8AM-noon -April 30, 2026 -
Edisto Bookstore, 547 SC-174, Edisto Island, SC - 3-5PM -June 4, 2026 - Chapin Library, Chapin, SC - 1-2 PM -June 13-20, 2026 - Gutsy Great Novel Retreat, Bar Harbor, Maine - Hope as author-in-residence -July 25, 2026 -
Smoking Guns Sisters in Crime Zoom meeting - Noon - Zoom -October 27-28, 2026 - SC Library Conference, Columbia Convention Ctr - lunch speaker -November 15-21, 2026 - Edisto Beach, signings TBD
Email: hope@chopeclark.com to schedule events, online or otherwise. “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” — Jodi Picoult
<<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to hope@chopeclark.com >> The Pros and Cons of Adapting Your Own Novel
By Mark Heidelberger
You’re a proven novelist with one or more published books to your name. You clearly know story, plot, conflict and character. You’re riding high on
accolades from readers who are eagerly anticipating your next literary masterpiece, but you’re also hungry to try something new. That’s when a friend casually says, “Have you ever thought about adapting your novel for the screen?” A light bulb goes off. “Yeah, why not?” you think. “It would make a great movie.” Let’s assume that’s true. The next question you should ask yourself is, “Do I adapt it myself?” To answer that, you should first assess the pros and cons. THE PROS Underlying Rights You already own the copyright to the source material, and adapting the screenplay yourself creates a very clear chain of title that mitigates the possibility of legal quandaries. It also negates the need for lawyers to draft a lengthy writer-for-hire agreement. Full Access You already have immediate access to all the intellectual property – not just the novel itself, but the research, early drafts, character breakdowns and other world-building materials. There’s no need to spend time watermarking, copying and/or delivering material to others, some of which you might not want shared anyway. Understanding the Source Material Nobody knows the source material like you do, and you won’t need to spend time articulating it to others. Having deep knowledge of your characters means you understand better than anyone else how they act and speak, which is highly advantageous when maintaining authenticity. Creative Control Managing all creative aspects of your screenplay is far easier when attempting an adaptation of the work solo. Outsiders will bring their own perspectives, some of which may be anathema to your source material, and this means not having to fight it out with them. Cost Savings Adapting the screenplay yourself will save a good chunk of change, especially if you were thinking about hiring a professional WGA writer. The guild minimum as of May 2025 for the first draft of an adapted screenplay alone is $35,796, a hefty price for something that may never get made. And this doesn’t factor in legal fees, pension and health, and other costs. CONS Emotional Attachment Even the most professional writers can get attached to characters, plotlines, scenes or other creative choices that might hinder the quality of an adaptation. Hiring an outside writer can provide a bulwark here, but only if you’re truly willing to let them make changes without getting angry or defensive. Lack of Screenwriting Experience You’ll have to learn a whole new format with a very different set of conventions – one that prizes pragmatism, brevity and the conveyance of visual, filmable information. These tendencies can often frustrate authors who are used to having near limitless space to ruminate on, say, a character’s thoughts or state of mind. Significant Time Commitment Writing a screenplay is time-consuming, from creating outlines and beat sheets to cranking out a first draft to performing the inevitable rewrites it’ll take to attract a producer’s attention. This is time that will take away from your other literary endeavors, like the next book. No Entertainment Industry
Connections Many novelists have no foot in the film world. But hiring a professional screenwriter means you now have an ally with some entertainment cache. If that person has produced credits, industry connections and maybe even a film agent, she can leverage those resources to help get the project set up. After all, it’s now her work, too. Risk of Alienating
Your Fan Base Fans of the source material often want highly faithful adaptations, and while a poor reception might largely be due to a lack understanding about the inherent differences between the mediums, a self-adapted work means that ire will be directed solely at you rather than shared with others. As is the case with much in life, there is no right or wrong
answer to whether you should adapt your own work. There’s only the question of whether it’s right or wrong for you. Once you assess the trade-offs, you’ll be able to make an informed decision going in. 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 recently 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.
ID 128661326 © Ilham Fahreza | Dreamstime.com
PEN PARENTIS WRITING FELLOWSHIP FOR NEW PARENTS
https://penparentis.org/fellowship/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 17, 2026. One talented writer who is the parent of at least one child under 10 years old will receive $2000 to further
their writing career, a year of mentorship, and will be offered the opportunity to read their winning story online at a Pen Parentis Literary Salon in Fall 2026. The second prize and third prize will receive $500 and $250. Submit a new, never-published fiction story-any genre, on any subject-of up to 440 words. DEAR ALIENS
https://www.dearaliens.net/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 14, 2026. The aliens are coming. They asked us for just one item: a written document from humanity to read before they arrive. Should we share a history of humanity? An introduction to your family? A science fiction story? A description of a sunset? A narrative from your life? A joke? Giving $2,000 USD to the best submission. Second and third place get $250 each. Physically mail in your writing to be
received by the due date (before May 15). (NOTE: This is a first time contest so no track record.) LAURA BOSS POETRY FOUNDATION
https://laurabosspoetryfoundation.org/award
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2026. This fee may be waived for entrants experiencing financial
hardship. Email laurabosspoetryfoundation@gmail.com to request. Submit up to 10 poems, not to exceed 10 pages total, with each poem starting on a new page. Semi-finalists will be notified June 1 and asked to submit full manuscripts (70-90 pages) by June 30. The winner receives publication by New York Quarterly Books, 25 author copies, $5,000 prize, a release reading at The Poetry Center at PCCC
in Paterson. Five finalists receive $100 prize and a reading in Paterson, NJ. THE RIALTO NATURE & PLACE POETRY COMPETITION
https://www.therialto.co.uk/pages/nature-poetry-competition/
£7 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 1, 2026. Poems are invited that deal
with any aspect of nature and place. 1st prize – £1000. 2nd prize – £500. 3rd prize – £250. Poems must have a title and must be no more than 40 lines. Some free entries available for writers on low or supported incomes. FLORIDA REVIEW EDITOR'S PRIZE
https://cah.ucf.edu/floridareview/2026/02/05/2026-editors-prizes-open-for-submission/
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 15, 2026. Editor’s Prizes in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry. Each winner receives publication in The Florida Review and $1,000 upon publication. Entry fee includes subscription to The Florida Review. Prose limited to 9000 words. Poetry limited to five poems. GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING SPORTS WRITING RESIDENCY
https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/literary-arts/sports-writing-2026
Deadline April 8, 2026. Two-week residency encourages the exploration of new ideas in sports writing. This
program is open to fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, freelance critics or curators, artists, and academics, with an emphasis on those who can write for a lay audience with logic, vigour, and charm. Location Banff, Alberta, Canada. BANFF CENTRE ARTIST FUND
https://www.banffcentre.ca/funding-opportunities-artists
Banff Centre's Artist Fund provides financial support to artists from anywhere in many of their programs including full scholarships for Canadian Indigenous participants. MIAMI BOOK FAIR EMERGING WRITER FELLOWSHIPS
https://www.miamibookfair.com/fellowships/
Deadline April 30, 2026. Designed as a 12-month, career-launching experience, the program provides exceptional emerging writers with a $50,000 stipend, professional development opportunities, including teaching creative writing, and sustained engagement within a vibrant literary ecosystem. The Emerging Writer Fellowship for Prose, open to fiction and nonfiction writers, and the Mindich Fellowship for Jewish
Fiction. Must have a book-length project to complete during the fellowship year. CREATIVE CAPITAL GRANTS
https://creative-capital.org/creative-capital-award/award-application/
Deadline April 2, 2026. Seeks proposals from individual artists in
all 50 states. The Creative Capital Award provides unrestricted project grants of up to $50,000 to individual artists to create new work. The new State of the Art Prize provides unrestricted artist grants of $10,000 in individual states.
ESSES MAGAZINE
https://www.essesmag.com/
Esses pays $0.50 - $1.25/word, a publication that publishes stories about the people and lifestyle of Grand Prix racing. Covers Formula 1 culture, motorsport, art, fashion, travel, and related topics through written
articles, photography, illustrations, and quarterly magazine issues. Submit to joseph@essesmag.com or jbienkahn@gmail.com REFINERY29
https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/how-to-pitch-refinery29-canada-writer-guidelines
Refinery29’s mission is to help women see, feel, and claim their power. Shine a spotlight on the Canadian stories and issues that resonate with our Gen-Z and millennial audience. We publish personal essays to reported trend pieces to features on race, reproductive rights, and
pop culture. Prefer a strong Canadian angle. Pays $150-$350. MENTAL FLOSS
https://www.mentalfloss.com/about/how-to-pitch-mental-floss
Features can be short (500 words) or longer (800-1500 words). Pays $150 for lists, $125-$200 for features. Looking for voices to write
about the diverse verticals, whether that's history, science, entertainment, language, pop culture, art, or beyond. ELLE
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIheBus6ULMfKHJ1ylRxpZL-z2kJWHyKh51R524udWeysTFQ/viewform
Looking for
freelance writers to contribute to the culture section’s main verticals: Movies & TV, Music, Books, and Theater & Arts. Submit information in the online form, and an editor will reach out should there be a fitting opportunity. Rates $250 and go up by tiers. TOUCHSTONE
https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/submission-guidelines.php
Articles for a broad audience of traditional Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox believers. Original features, Views, communiqués, and reviews paid at the rate of 20 cents per word. Features (18,000–28,000 characters or 3,000–5,000 words). Views (4,000–12,000 characters or 800–2,000 words). Communiqués (7,000–12,000 characters or 1,500–2,000 words). Book reviews (4,000–10,000 characters or 700–1,500
words).
FLAME TREE PRESS
https://www.flametreepublishing.com/submissions.html
Generally interested in science fiction, fantasy, horror and suspense, supernatural. We are looking for novels in the range of 70,000 to 120,000 words. TOTALLY ENTWINED - EPIC
https://totallyentwinedgroup.com/submissions/submissions-epic/
Epic is about the vibrant and dynamic world of young and new adult romance. Seeks submissions of youthful passion, the challenges of coming-of-age, and the excitement of new beginnings.
Whether set in a high school, college, or a fantastical world, we’re looking for narratives that resonate with young readers. TOTALLY ENTWINED - ENTICE
https://totallyentwinedgroup.com/submissions/submissions-entice/
Accepting romance manuscripts 50,000 to 100,000
words. Preference is for series submissions. Billionaire, Dark Romance, Dominance/submission, Mafia/Gangs, MC/Bikers, Omegaverse, Reverse Haren/Why Choose are at the top of the list. TOTALLY ENTWINED - ECLIPSE
https://totallyentwinedgroup.com/submissions/submissions-eclipse/
Eclipse delves into shadowy realms of dark romance, where love and danger intertwine. Interested in dark billionaires, mafia kings, biker gangs, and anti-heroes who blur the lines of right and wrong. Stories evoke intense emotions, explore forbidden desires, and offer complex, multi-dimensional characters that captivate and challenge readers. TOTALLY ENTWINED - ENCHANT
https://totallyentwinedgroup.com/submissions/submissions-enchant/
Enchant is the home for enchanting tales of fantasy and romantasy. We are looking for submissions that transport readers to magical worlds filled with mythical creatures, powerful magic, and epic quests.
FUNDSFORWRITERS FINE PRINT 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
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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
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