VOLUME 26, ISSUE 8 | FEBRUARY 20, 2026 |
IN THE END IT'S ONLY YOU I've been writing for a long time. I've written novels for just under 20 years though I've officially published for 14. By now, a lot of people know I write books, and when I'm introduced to someone new and they learn I write books, I can talk it off the cuff
with no problem. It's part of my nature now. But that also means that I have friends and family who think my writing is just another part of me, no different than feeding chickens, gardening, and going to the gym. No, they don't come to events, and more don't read the books than do. Don't get me wrong. . .I have noble and loyal readers who mean the world to me. However,
I don't see or hear from them every day. That means it's totally up to me to show up to work. I have to love putting words in order. I have to love studying craft. I have to make appearances. I have to keep my social media, newsletters, and website updated. I have to want to do this as if nobody else is there for me. A lot of fledgling writers need atta-boys and
atta-girls to keep going. Sorry, but that isn't going to work. You simply have to love writing to remain in this business. Whether you are writing as a hobbyist, as a wanna-be with hope, or a published author, the burden is on you and only you. All the blame and all the glory is yours. Embrace the control and cherish the satisfaction and quit watching how everyone else is doing. Own your
journey. |
GUTSY GREAT NOVELIST CHAPTER ONE PRIZE $20 ENTRY FEE. Submissions open February 3 – Mar 3, 2026 (5PM ET). The Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize is awarded for an outstanding opening chapter of an unpublished novel. First prize is $1,000; 2nd is $500; 3rd is $250. The prize is open internationally to anyone over 18
writing a novel in English in any genre for adult or YA readers. RIGHTS - A MATTER OF OPINION
Writers look at contests for entry fee, word count, prize money, potential publication, and which influential judge might be on board to read the entries. But what is also important to note is the rights you give up if you win. . . or maybe even if you just enter. Begin with understanding why an entity is even running the contest. What is the motive? Such motives can be: 1) To make money with entry fees. Often the fees tally higher than the prize money and expenses, giving the sponsor a profit. It's how many literary journals stay afloat. 2) To draw attention to other products. Entities might need members, or wish
to sell tickets to courses or classes or editing services, or hope to draw attention to a book or two, and a contest is free advertising to the rest of the entity's assets. 3) To gather assets in the form of all these stories, poems, or prose and use them to populate a website, publish an anthology, or gain a connection to writers' brands for future use. (i.e., We've had successful authors like John Doe participate in our
contests.) There is nothing illegal about any of this. It's not unethical, either. After all, the terms are clear in the fine print you are supposed to read before entering. You know the rights you offer when you submit. You cannot claim ignorance later. You understand why the contest exists in the first place. Most writers understand giving up certain rights when they place
or win a contest. However, many prefer not to lose rights for just entering...especially if they paid for the honor to begin with. Sometimes what and if you enter are dictated by whether you feel you can afford to give up those rights. Even the most reputable contests take rights. I just declined Reedsy's new literary prize because of rights. We had a pleasant conversation about it, and we amicably parted ways. FundsforWriters is not saying do not enter this contest. The entity has a decent reputation. However, the rights terms are as follows, in part (cited out of their email to me in our discussion): Re: rights, these are our terms in part:
Each entrant retains the
copyright to their entry but grants to Reedsy a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, publish, edit and otherwise use the entry on our website(s) and platform(s) to publish all or part of your entry and in all media now known or hereafter discovered at our discretion. ... If your story is selected as Winner (and even if you are not selected as a Winner),
you may still publish the story elsewhere, but the publication must include: the relevant prompt; and acknowledgment to Reedsy.com for providing the prompt that inspired the story. Again, understand why a contest is being held in the first place. The most common (and most desirable) is the contest that only takes limited rights if you place or win, and no rights for entering. Reedsy wants to use your entry as an asset for future
use. You may like that exposure. You may not. Totally your option.
Payment: 8 cents a word, 2 cents for reprints (with varying caps) All accepted stories are featured in our monthly E-zine, and (new this year) annual print anthology! All featured stories
are professionally illustrated (by real, human artists!) No submission fees No restrictions on genre, open to fiction and creative non-fiction 7,500 word limit (or 15,000 for Writer Level Members) Submission period runs from
February 14th through October 14th (Writer Level Members can submit Feb 1st through Oct 31st) -March 21, 2026 - Writer's Digest Mystery/Thriller Writing Virtual Conference
- time TBD -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 -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. “To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.” — Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894), “Familiar Studies of Men and Books”
<<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to hope@chopeclark.com >> Collecting Golden Writing Guidelines
By Alex Coyne
Strong submission guidelines are the cornerstone of being a published author. If you know which publications are receptive and paying, you’re ahead of the writing race.
However, good guidelines can be difficult to source, and they’re individual to every author. Here’s how to sift through the pile and find the golden guidelines. Searching for Pages and Guidelines Search for guidelines using different engines: DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Google can each produce individual results. I sold “Ouij-e: Summoning Spirits Online” to Fate & Fortune Magazine – but only after switching to DuckDuckGo for my searches. Bonus tip: turn off AI Search and Personalized Results via search engine settings, or use incognito mode. Add keywords to your search matching your niche (e.g.
“submission guidelines technology” or “write for us music magazine”) and add keywords like “pay” or “rate” to look for ones more likely to list their pay. Searching for niche “pagan” markets connected me to The Wild Hunt’s guidelines, and I sold “Are Massive Multiplayer Online Rituals the
Future?” and soon after submitted my first piece to the quarterly Witches Magazine. Markets that don’t list their requirements are much more likely to say: “We have no need for writers,” or “We don’t have a writing budget.” Public guidelines and “write for us” pages produce better
results than cold pitching markets without open guidelines. Use Lists and Databases Feel free to use lists of paying guidelines (like “9 Paying Horror Markets for Writers”). I discovered Great
Bridge Links (“The Overlap Between Bridge & Backgammon”) and Gifts for Mystics through such a list, adding wonderful editors I’ve known for
years. Substack is another useful platform where creators can post their writing to a paid audience. Many Substack newsletters and publications will have submission guidelines for authors too (how to search Substack). Medium is similar, and led me to contribute an essay about my health to a newsletter. (“Spider Hands”) However, always check the list’s post date. Many “lists” are top-ranking ones but outdated. Geek
Native is listed as a paying market in many places, though has recently changed its guidelines. Remember that editors are likely flooded by submissions once they’ve been added to a list of guidelines. Give it a couple weeks or more before following up. “Fake” Guidelines and Buggy Websites There are a few guidelines that just seem to sit there, but don’t respond to authors. That’s because they don’t represent real markets or publications. “Fake” guidelines will have an obvious call for submissions but soon feel out of place. Like finding a writing post on a website filled with real estate ads, or pages that don’t link anywhere. Sometimes, the site looks right, but there’s no working contact form. Buggy websites,
pages with dead links, or forms that never reply (or even send) are a dead giveaway for fake. These guidelines can be a spammer’s lure to harvest information and email addresses. Don’t always go straight for the guidelines page. Spend time on a website and see if there are recent posts and an authentic history for the publication you want to submit to. Using Database Links Listicles are useful, but continue searching for your own guidelines. Database websites and newsletters can also lead to finding guidelines. For example, there’s Freedom with Writing, Writers Weekly, Who Pays Writers, FundsforWriters, and Freelance Writing. Authors can also hire an assistant researcher (via Fiverr, LinkedIn, or social media) to find markets. I’ve done customized submission research for other writers. File and Collect Your Own File and collect your own guidelines database. Deliberately look for guidelines, and bookmark ones found coincidentally. Make it a conscious exercise just like writing and set aside days or times for it. Sort your guidelines, marking out their responsiveness, sales, and details like the word count and pay rate. Over time authors develop their own individual list – and
it will take time to naturally develop your own list of reliable, accepting publications and editors that you trust. That’s the pulse of constant publication: it’s not a fast process, but it carries sustainable results. About the Author: Alex Coyne is a journalist, author and editor. He has
written for a variety of publications and websites, with a radar calibrated for gothic, gonzo and the weird.
GUTSY GREAT NOVELIST CHAPTER ONE PRIZE $20 ENTRY FEE. Submissions open February 3 – Mar 3, 2026 (5PM ET). The Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize is awarded for an outstanding opening chapter of an unpublished novel. First prize is $1,000; 2nd is $500; 3rd is $250. The prize is open internationally to anyone over 18 writing a novel in English in any genre for
adult or YA readers. JERBOA LIT 250 MINI-CHALLENGE
https://www.jerboalit.com/
$15 ENTRY FEE. We send you a prompt, and your story (250 words this time) is due 48 hours later. The prompt will include a genre and item that must appear/be used in your mini-flash. The best part of the
Mini-Contests is the quick turnaround: although this contest does not offer feedback, results are announced within a month! Join us by registering for the 1st Jerboa Lit 250, running February 27-March 1, 2026. AUTUMN HOUSE PRESS FICTION PRIZE
https://www.autumnhouse.org/submissions/fiction/
$35 ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2026. The winner will receive book publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book. All finalists will be considered for publication. Fiction submissions should be approximately 150-300 double-spaced pages (37,500- 75,000 words). All fiction sub-genres (short stories, short-shorts, novellas, or novels) or any combination of
sub-genres are eligible. Autumn House does not publish genre fiction; however, this certainly doesn’t mean your book can’t have elements of mystery, fantasy, romance, etc. We also do not publish YA or children’s lit. SNOWBOUND CHAPBOOK AWARD
https://tupelopress.org/snowbound-chapbook-award
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2026. The Snowbound Chapbook Award includes a cash award of $1,000 in addition to publication by Tupelo Press, 25 copies of the winning title, a book launch, and national distribution with energetic publicity and promotion. The Snowbound Chapbook Award is open to anyone writing in the English language, whether living in the United States or abroad. Chapbook manuscripts
should number between 20 and 36 pages. THE HAZEL ROWLEY PRIZE
https://biographersinternational.org/award/hazel-rowley-prize/
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 1, 2026. The prize is open to all first-time biographers anywhere in the world who are writing in
English, who are working on a biography that has not been commissioned, contracted, or self-published, and who have never published a book-length biography, autobiography, history, or work of narrative nonfiction. One prize of $5,000. Upload a proposal, writing sample, and resume in one document totaling no more than 20 pages. EYE CONTACT AWARD IN GENRE FLASH FICTION
https://sites.google.com/setonhill.edu/eyecontact/guidelines/genre-flash-fiction-prize
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2026. Theme Symphony. Genre Fantasy. Submit the best genre story that lands 1000 words or less by the deadline — and that also fits the theme — and you could not only be accepted into the magazine but win a cash prize
(or gift card equivalent) of $250!
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING UTAH ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS
https://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/fellowship/
Deadline March 6, 2026. The Utah Artist Fellowships are $5,000 awards that recognize the careers of Utah artists demonstrating exceptional creativity in their
fields. Fellowships will be awarded in each of these categories: Literary Arts – Five fellowships; Performing Arts (Music 2026) – Five fellowships; Visual Arts & Design Arts – Eight fellowships. PETER BULLOUGH FOUNDATION
https://www.peterbulloughfoundation.org/spring-and-fall-residencies
The Peter Bullough Foundation provides intimate, focused residencies to artists and writers, with diverse backgrounds and interests. The ideal applicant will be self-directed, motivated, able to work independently, and interested in engaging with the local community. The Peter Bullough Foundation offers free accommodations for three artists at a time in Dr. Bullough’s former home, a renovated 1840’s house
with private bedrooms and shared bathrooms and common spaces. Location Winchester, Virginia. Fall residencies begin in August, September, and October, and November and spring residencies start in late January, February, March, and April. Applications are open for 5-6 weeks at a time, opening in mid-January for fall residencies and in mid-April for spring residencies. VERMONT CREATION GRANTS
https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/artists/creation/
Deadline April 5, 2026. Grant awards are a flat amount of $5,000. Creation Grants support Vermont artists or artist groups in creating new work. This highly competitive program is reviewed by an independent panel of practicing artists and arts professionals.
Individual artists and artist groups may apply. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply. HEMINGWAY-PFEIFFER WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE
https://hemingway.astate.edu/2025/10/13/2026-writer-in-residence-opportunity-announced/
NO
ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2026. Candidates with an MA or MFA in a relevant field are preferred. The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott, Arkansas, is pleased to announce its 2026 writer-in-residence position. The residency will be for June 2026 and includes lodging at a beautiful loft apartment on the downtown square in Piggott over the City Market coffee shop. The writer-in-residence will also have the opportunity to work in the studio where
Ernest Hemingway worked on A Farewell to Arms. The residency includes a $1000 stipend to help cover food and transportation. The writer-in-residence will be expected to serve as mentor for a week-long retreat for writers at the educational center. RHODE ISLAND MAKE ART GRANTS
https://arts.ri.gov/grants/make-art-grant
Make Art Grants (MAG) support Rhode Island artists to create or continue specific artwork in any discipline. Projects must have specific goals, though completion and public showing of the art is not required. Projects must be artist instigated and organized, outside of institutional support and structures. Open to projects of all arts disciplines, from artists of all levels, funds can be used to support experimentation, materials,
space rental, paying collaborators, documentation, and artist stipends. Award Amount: Up to $5,000.
CHALKBEAT
https://www.chalkbeat.org/pages/first-person-guidelines/
Chalkbeat publishes personal essays in a series we call First Person. Our goal is to elevate the voices of students, educators, parents, advocates, and others on the
front lines of trying to improve public education. We’re not looking for traditional opinion pieces. We’re seeking essays centered around the writer’s personal experience or observation. Our pieces are usually around 800 words. First Person pays $125 per piece. PITTSBURGH'S PUBLIC SOURCE
https://www.publicsource.org/pitch-to-publicsource/
https://www.publicsource.org/publicsource-policies-for-contributor-freelance-journalist/
We regularly publish essays from residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania who want to share a deeply personal story tied to life in our region.
Essays are longer, more narrative-driven and go through a collaborative editing process. We also take portraits of our essayists. If you’re a local journalist with a story idea to pitch, please use our long pitch form. It walks you through the questions we consider when commissioning reported work. Pays $300-$1000. CHICKEN SOUP
http://www.chickensoup.com
Deadline May 1, 2026. Please submit your true stories about the entire November and December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year's festivities too. All submissions need to be true — we do not publish fiction. Stories should be no longer than 1,200 words and in first person. You will receive a check for $250 and 10 free copies of your
book. LIBERAL CURRENTS
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/submission-guidelines/
Articles are 1500 words or less and published frequently. We pay $200 per article published. Essays are longer than 1500 words. This does not mean they are 1600 words. On average they are 2000 to
3000 words, but they can be longer. These will typically be pieces that cannot done in less than 2000 words. Regardless of the final length, we pay $350 per essay published. Liberal Currents publishes writers of diverse perspectives who share an unflinching commitment to freedom, pluralism, and democracy, in opposition to authoritarianism at home and around the world. Our mission is to create a home for mere liberalism, where the many conflicting currents of the liberal tradition can enter into
productive conversation. INKSTICK
https://inkstickmedia.com/contribute/
Inkstick is written explicitly by and for you: a broad, inter-generational, and diverse group of real people impacted by global security. Inkstick pays only for original, reported articles. We expect journalists to work
ethically and rigorously, conscious of ethical codes of the profession, intentional listening, and harm reduction. Freelance reporters, please inquire about current rates. Pay around $500.
CHASE LITERARY
https://chaseliterary.com/about
In fiction they are looking for literary or commercial projects in either contemporary or historical settings. Open to anything with a strong sense of place, voice, and, especially, character and plot. In
nonfiction they are keen to see memoir, natural history, science, current affairs, journalism, history, humor, and biography. Original business and self-help books stemming from expertise are also of serious interest. GHOSH LITERARY
https://www.ghoshliterary.com/about
The agency offers world
wide literary representation for print and digital media and all allied rights, including motion picture, theatrical and multimedia rights. Ms. Ghosh's literary interests are wide and eclectic, and she is known for discovering and developing writers. She is particularly interested in literary narratives and books that illuminate some aspect of human endeavor or the natural world. She does not typically represent genre fiction but is drawn to compelling storytelling in most guises. JASON YARN LITERARY
https://www.jasonyarnliteraryagency.com/
Jason Yarn Literary Agency is a boutique agency representing award winning and #1 New York Times bestselling authors of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. JYLA is based in New York City and handles all rights and
media. KEYES AGENCY
https://keyesagency.com/submissions/
In general, Emily is looking for all types of books for young readers and the young at heart. In non-fiction, she is looking for non-fiction picture books (though only biographies of individuals who do not already have a book about them),
interesting non-fiction for middle grade and young adult readers (particularly from podcasters, YouTubers and those who already have a platform), and select adult non-fiction. Genres Represented: Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Fantasy, Horror, Women’s Fiction, Science Fiction, Pop Culture and Humor LAUNCHBOOKS LITERARY
https://launchbooks.com/submissions/
Interested in popular science, technology, narrative nonfiction, sports, adventure, concept driven nonfiction with sociological bent, business, current events, politics, humor, popular culture, scifi, cyber-thrillers, fantasy, urban fantasy, pop culture, and genre crossing fiction.
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
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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