FundsforWriters - November 11, 2007

Published: Sat, 11/10/07

 Volume 7, Issue 45       
November 11, 2007

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FUNDS FOR WRITERS
Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
 
Editor:  C. Hope Clark
Mailto:    Hope@fundsforwriters.com
Website: http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Newsletter: 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.
                 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
=====
 
WRITING BOOK REVIEW
THE POWER OF PROMOTIONAL GROUPS, By Karen Wiesner
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/nonfiction.html
 
As a rather shy individual, I read The Power of Promotional
Groups with reservations how it would affect me - a loner.
Before I was done, I'd dog-eared pages, highlighted links
and underlined whole paragraphs. I'd heard of writers
coordinating together for promotion, but never had I realized
how serious these groups can be...and how much promotion they
garner for the members. From identifying writers that click
together to coordinating shared advertising - even how to
publish an anthology or joint venture, this publication covers
every possible question you'd have in originating a promotional
group of writers. Whether you need to share financial expenses,
crave a promotional partner to dull the stress of public
appearance or wish to ride on the coattails of others to
increase attention for your work, this is a book that teaches
you how there's "strength in numbers" in a big way when it comes
to being a writer and selling your wares.
A unique book covering a unique subject - how to promote in numbers.
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/nonfiction.html
 
=====
 
HOPE'S REVELATION
 
I've uncovered a new bad habit of writers. Most of us know many
of the old, tried and true tendencies that bite us in the butt,
but this one didn't come to light until I'd closed our annual
contest.
 
Writers assume too much without reading the guidelines.
 
Yeah, we know many writers, especially newbies, do not read the
guidelines as closely as they should. We've all screwed up in
that department at one time or another. But editors and agents
spend precious time making sure rules and parameters explain what
they seek in a story, book, play or poem. Then writers ASSUME
they know better, or ASSUME the recipient would make an exception
for them, or ASSUME an editor would overlook a few flaws. Of
course, all that ASSUMING falls like a rock into an editor's
waste can.
 
Now that the deadline is over, I can speak more openly. Two
individuals vented to me about the FundsforWriters contest being
only for women. Both were men. Neither one read all the guidelines
or they would have seen that the contest is open to everybody,
just as it has welcomed everybody for the previous five years.
They ASSUMED that since the sponsor was a women's organization,
that FundsforWriters only solicited women's writing. They also
ASSUMED that since the winners last year were women, that we
catered to women.
 
One threatened to write about me in an editorial. They other said
the contest was rigged. I suggested both enter. Neither did.
 
Competitions are tricky things. Some encompass a wide assortment
of entrants and others are more finely tuned.
 
For instance, let's talk about geography. The WISCONSIN PEOPLE
AND IDEAS SHORT STORY CONTEST seeks short stories by residents
of Wisconsin.
<http://www.wisconsinacademy.org/news/releases/090507.html>
 
However, ST. LOUIS WRITERS GUILD 2007 SHORT STORY CONTEST
accepts entries from the entire US and Canada, not just St. Louis.
<http://www.stlwritersguild.org > Neither does the SANTA FE
WRITERS PROJECT LITERARY AWARDS only accept entries from Santa Fe.
<http://www.sfwpawards.com/guidelines.php>
 
The North Louisiana Story Tellers and Authors of Romance hold
an annual romance novel writing contest. All the agent and
editor judges are women, but they accept entries from all sexes.
<http://www.nolastars.com/page-contest.html> Yet when you check
out thriller and horror contests, you notice more male names.
But that doesn't mean women write better romance and men write
better thrillers, and rarely do the contests in those genres
limit entrants to one sex or another.
 
You don't judge a book by its cover. Don't judge a contest,
grant, publisher and agent without doing your homework as to
what they actually accept. If there are parameters that tie
your hands, pass it by and seek one that caters to you. You
might not be eligible for a contest in Washington State, but
you might qualify to enter one for Texans. You might be too
young for one contest and too old for another.
 
Look at it this way...no contest is open to everyone. You have
to be published or unpublished, from a given state, from a
specific country, be a certain race, profess a certain
gender, be a certain age. You might need a degree. Your
self-published book might not qualify in a traditional book
contest.
 
Read the fine print, folks. And don't let an opportunity pass
you by because you read the title wrong or saw a picture that
led you to believe you didn't fit in. Your voice might be
exactly what the judges want to hear, regardless of who, what
or where you are.

    Hope
 
Remember my agent remarks last week?
Take a look at my agent article at WOW-womenonwriting.com .
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/15-Funds4Writers.html
 
=====
 
http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com
People are raving about the new look...and the new opportunities
offered four-five days a week.
 
=====
 
THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN...WRITER'S DIGEST'S 101 BEST WEB SITES
 
Nominate us for Writer's Digest's 101 Best Sites for Writers.
Please send your nomination, along with our web name FundsforWriters
and www.fundsforwriters.com, to: writersdig@fwpubs.com Subject "101 Sites".
Thanks!
 
=====
 
OUR NEW NEWSLETTER SERVICE
Aweber.com is the host of our newsletters. If you have a need
for a newsletter hosting service, this one is highly
recommended. http://www.aweber.com/?285524
 
=====
 
THE SHY WRITER - SECOND EDITION is out!
If you've been dawdling, waiting to purchase THE SHY WRITER,
wait no more. The newest edition is out with a few new
chapters, new examples and fresh ideas. As always, a subscription
to TOTAL FundsforWriters comes with any purchase of the
paperback version. See more at: www.theshywriter.com
or www.fundsforwriters.com/shywriter.htm
 
~~~~~~****~~~~~~
WORDS OF SUCCESS
 
"Being miserable is a habit; being happy is a habit;
and the choice is yours."
-- Tom Hopkins

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ARTICLE
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Writing in the midst of tragedy
By Amanda Southall
 
Some stories are so powerful that they rattle even the writers
to the core. Last spring I reluctantly found myself at the
center of an international tragedy when Seung-Hui Cho killed
32 people and himself at Virginia Tech, my alma mater.
 
Before I even had a chance to contact my brother, a sophomore
at Virginia Tech, an editor sent me to Blacksburg with five
assignments. By the time I reached campus the tragedy hit home
when I learned that a close friend of mine was in Norris during
the shooting and that the sister of another friend was killed.
By the end of the week another editor unearthed an article
about Tech's mascot I pitched almost two years ago.  During
the day I was attending press conferences, conducting interviews
and contacting editors.  After the work was done, I was struggling
to make sense of what happened to people I care about in a place
I loved.
 
Tragedies present a unique blend of challenge and opportunity
for writers.  Along with a variety of stories to be told comes
the difficulty of working in an emotional environment.
Whether it is national, local or personal, every tragedy has
victims with dynamic stories to tell.
 
When writing about tragedy, it is important to remember to
consider the victims, the story and yourself.
 
The victims:  First and foremost, victims and survivors should
be treated with dignity and respect.  Approach your subjects with
sincere honesty and sensitivity.  If your goal is to exploit their
experience they will sense that immediately.  Clearly identify
yourself, where the article will appear and what it will convey.
In the interview phase, prepare to listen.  Talking is the worst
mistake you can make in an interview.  Don't start with the hardest
questions.  Instead, open with general questions and see where they
lead "What can you tell me about Chris's life?" or "What were some
of Kim's hobbies?"
 
If you don't make it to the interview stage, leave your number or
card and explain that you can be reached if he or she wants to
talk later. Some of the best stories start off with rejection.
 
The story:  Difficult stories should be told with overt accuracy,
specific details and sensitivity.
Before you write, check and double-check facts.  Your interview
subjects may be confused or distracted so ensure accuracy by
verifying names, spellings, and even events.
 
When you start writing, tell the story without harping on gory
details. Include pertinent facts that will tell the story without
doing unnecessary harm to the subject, or the readers.  Focus on
specific information that will connect readers with the story
rather than shock-value anecdotes.  A truly life-changing experience
doesn't need to be dramatized or exaggerated.
 
Yourself:  Most writers don't foresee being affected by covering
a traumatic event, but Ernie Pyle knew better.  His coverage of
World War II earned him the Pulitzer Prize in 1944, but tested
his spirit:  "I've been immersed in it too long.  My spirit is
wobbly and my mind is confused.  The hurt has become too great."
 
Interacting with victims or witnesses of traumatic events can take
its toll.  To truly write and convey the emotions of a traumatic
event the writer must actually feel those emotions.  Be prepared
for the psychological stress that can come with being immersed in
a traumatic event through experience, interviews and the writing
process. In the midst of writing about a traumatic event know your
limits, take breaks, and talk to someone about your experience. 
Learn how to deal with the stress, and if it seems too overwhelming,
seek professional counseling.
 
Traumatic events impact and connect the human spirit like little
else can.  Putting someone else's life-changing experiences into
words is both a challenge and an honor that should be handled as
professionally and humanly as possible.
 
BIO
Amanda chose not to have a bio.
 
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COMPETITIONS
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MERTON PRIZE FOR POETRY OF THE SACRED
https://www.mertoninstitute.org/merton_prize.php
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Poetry that expresses, directly or indirectly, a sense of
the holy or that, by its mode of expression, evokes the
sacred. The tone may be religious, prophetic, or
contemplative. Deadline for submissions: Postmarked by
December 31, 2007. First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention
Prizes, $100 each.
 
=====
 
GOLDEN CORRAL MILITARY ESSAY CONTEST
http://www.goldencorral.net/military/essay.asp
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Persons 13 years of age and older, who have served or whose
parents have served in the US Armed Forces, are invited to
submit an essay conveying the pride they have in their parent's
or their own Military service as well as share their educational
aspirations. Six winners will be awarded cash prizes to further
their education. There are two age brackets: 1) ages 13-17 and
2) ages 18 and older. The two Grand Prize winners (one in each
bracket) will receive $5,000 cash, first place winners (one in
each bracket) will receive a $2,500 cash prize, and the third
place winners will receive a cash prize of $1,000. Cash prizes
will be awarded after January 31, 2008. Deadline November
12, 2007.
 
=====
 
MONA SCHREIBER PRIZE FOR HUMOROUS FICTION AND NONFICTION
http://www.brashcyber.com/mona.htm
---
$5 ENTRY FEE
Deadline December 1, 2007. Works up to 750 words in length.
1st: $500. 2nd: $250. 3rd: $100.

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GRANTS
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BOB COSTAS GRANTS - TEACHING WRITING
http://www.collegeboard.com/counselors/teachers/costas_grants.html
---
Deadline November 16, 2007. Grants of $3,000 each will be
awarded to teachers who are doing an inspiring job of teaching
their students to write and who will benefit most from a grant
to enhance a successful project.
 
NOTE: I just learned about this grant - sorry about the short
deadline. However, if you like dealing with schools, now is
the time to contact a teacher and suggest this grant that
could possibly incorporate you as a key player.  ~HOPE
 
=====
 
CITIZENS SCHOOLS FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/249130-68 (Boston, MA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597123625-292 (Malden, MA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597322306-245 (Campbell, CA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597488707-181 (Daly City, CA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597531805-158 (Redwood City, CA)
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/249148-72 (San Jose, CA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597617613-81 (Lowell, MA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597659595-157 (New Bedford, MA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597746377-217 (Springfield, MA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597798699-241 (Worchester, MA)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597935711-229 (Newark, NJ)
http://www.idealist.org/match/597971055-280 (Charlotte, NC)
http://www.idealist.org/match/598006237-84 (Austin, TX)
http://www.idealist.org/match/598040988-46 (Houston, TX)
---
The Citizen Schools National Teaching Fellowship is a two-year
service program that offers a diverse range of experiences and
hands-on leadership development to people of varied backgrounds
who have high potential as educators and community builders.
The opportunity includes service as a team leader at a Citizen
Schools campus, professional development in partnership with a
community organization, and the opportunity for to enroll in a
pioneering Master's program in out-of-school learning.
 
Teaching Fellows receive an annual stipend of $22,200, plus a
generous benefit package including full health care coverage,
50% dental coverage, three weeks' vacation annually, extensive
training, in addition to a transportation allowance or transit
pass. If the Fellowship is awarded an AmeriCorps renewal, select
Teaching Fellows will receive a $4,725 AmeriCorps Education Award
upon successfully completing each year of service. Citizen
Schools is a leading national nonprofit provider of out-of-
school learning programs for students in 6th, 7th and 8th-grade.
We uniquely mobilize caring adults of all pursuits and professions
to be full partners in education.
 
=====
 
ISRAEL PROJECT MEDIA FELLOWSHIP
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/115847-231
---
The Israel Project (TIP) Media Fellowship is open to under-
graduate and graduate students as well as recent college or
graduate school alumni who are starting their careers in
journalism or strategic communications/Israel advocacy (please
note that undergraduate students must have completed at least
two years of college/university to be eligible for consideration).
TIP teaches techniques designed to increase accurate and fair
coverage of Israel and Jews in the American and global news
media. Throughout the summer, Fellows meet with top-level
journalists, Middle East analysts and strategic communications
professionals. They also put their knowledge to use in writing
assignments, many of which are published during the fellowship;
staff and plan TIP press conferences and briefings; and undertake
in-depth research projects.
 
Fellows will choose from one of two locations:
Jerusalem, Israel (Session I); or Washington, D.C. (Session II)
Application Deadline: February 15, 2008
Session I (Jerusalem office): June 9 - Aug. 8
Session II (Wash., D.C. office): July 14 - September 15
March 15, 2008 - Acceptance Notification

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FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CIRCLE PETS
http://www.incirclepets.com/icp_freelance_sub.pdf
---
An online community for urban animal lovers. Maintains a
local focus in San Francisco. Usually 250-500 words. Pays
fifty cents/word.
 
=====
 
CONSUMER ECONOMIST
http://www.consumereconomist.com/
---
The mission of the Consumer Economist is to empower its
readers with information, insights, and inspiration to make
better economic decisions, and achieve better quality of life.
The preferred length of an article is between 900 to 2,500 words.
Payment for a submission is in the range of $50 to $400.
 
=====
 
ONLINE
http://www.infotoday.com/online/authors.shtml
---
ONLINE is written and edited for librarians and other
professionals who routinely use online services for information
delivery, research, and knowledge management. Articles are
directed to the "hands on" searcher and to managers of
information resources in business, professional, and educational
environments. ONLINE stresses practical, how-to advice on the
efficient and effective use of electronic information. The
readership runs the gamut from novice to experienced researcher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
STAFF WRITER
Location Ft Myers, FL
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?sc_extcmp=JS_JobAlert_Title&ipath=PSSK0&psa=1&Job_DID=J8C5BN6Z0G5DP6VG6GB
---
Develop, research and report clear, accurate stories. Cover
assigned beat, cover breaking stores, take initiative, spot
trends, develop sources. Generate and execute enterprise,
centerpieces. Layer stories for age, gender, race, ethnicity,
geography. Communicate with editors, plan coverage, file daily/
weekly plans, write and update budget lines. Generate photo/
graphics assignments; take mug shots as needed. College degree
preferred. Some previous experience in journalism through work,
internships or formal education.
 
=====
 
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Location Queens, NY
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/249185-285
---
Oversee and manage web page; creation and coordination of all
agency publications/materials; Creation and coordination of
eNews; Maintain relationships with media and write and issue
press releases; Produce an Annual Report; and other duties as
assigned by Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
 
=====
 
WRITER-EDITOR
Location Washington DC
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=64495809&AVSDM=2007%2D10%2D25+10%3A49%3A09&Logo=0&pg=2&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&customapplicant=15513,15514,15515,15669,15523,15512,15516,45575&q=writer
---
Deadline November 21, 2007. Pays $55,706 - 86,801. Employing
Agency: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives.
The incumbent will prepare and/or edit comprehensive inspection
reports, correspondence, statistical summaries, directives,
memoranda and other written documents.  Analyzes, interprets and
presents research and study findings regarding a variety of
subjects related to the Bureau's inspection program (technical
input and analysis are supplied by Division special agents,
inspectors, and management analysts). 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
OBRAKE BOOKS
http://www.obrake.com/booksindex.html
---
Obrake Books is inviting authors - first time authors,
unpublished authors, published authors and established
authors. Accepting both Fiction and Non-Fiction submissions.
Books submitted and accepted now will be published between
September 2007 and fall 2008.
 
=====
 
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
http://whiskeycreekpress.com/submissions.shtml
---
Whiskey Creek Press is a royalty-paying publisher of works of
fiction and non-fiction of all genres by authors, new or multi-
published. We are primarily an ebook publisher offering the
reading public the very best titles in electronic format
(ebooks), available via direct download to our retail
customers from our website. We also offer the option of
publishing in trade paperback format for most of our titles.
We do not offer advances, but pay quarterly royalties based
on retail sales and wholesale orders.
 
=====
 
THIRD WORLD PRESS
http://www.thirdworldpressinc.com/mission.php
---
Third World Press provides quality literature that primarily
focuses on issues, themes, and critique related to an African
American public.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
THE WRITERS' BRIDGE
 
Are you serious about freelancing, but weary of sending
article query letters into a void? The Writers' Bridge
offers personalized help with marketing, editing and even
finding ideas, all for a price a freelancer can afford.
 
Join us, and we'll adopt you.
 
Contact Darrell Laurant at writersbridge@hotmail.com
for more information.
www.thewritersbridge.com
 
=====
 
OLYMPUS FILMS, LLC
Take Your Project to the Next Level!
 
Need to put your project together in a coherent fashion,
but are stuck!? Your storyline rocky? Does your theme escape
you, run like an Olympic sprinter away from you?
Move to the next level in your film by contacting Mr. Vasicek.
He will bring you 35 years of writing and filmmaking experience.
Rates/Fees affordable, negotiable and fair to fit your budget.
Contact Don today so that you can move forward tomorrow!
Donald L. Vasicek
http://www.donaldlvasicekolympusfilmsllc.ekwa.com
 
=====
 
COVER TO CONTENT
Take Your Writing Project to the Next Level
 
The growth of independent publishing and film production companies
offers exciting new opportunities for today's first time writers. 
Owen/Gilbert partners with novice writers to edit, rewrite and
ghostwrite existing works and story concepts into polished
manuscripts; designs tailored covers and interior layouts; then
delivers a professional book or screenplay package to appropriate
publishing and film production affiliates.
Visit us at http://www.covertocontent.com
 
=====
 
WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
 
Prepare now to earn more money in 2008! Did you see Penny
Leisch's feature article in the July issue of Equine Wellness?
It's about how to take pet photos. You can write this type of
article too. This workshop is an easy self-study package written
for writers, by a writer.
 
For only $15, you'll learn to earn up to 40% more. Good photos
are your key to new markets, eye-catching promotions, and
illustrating your own cards and books.
 
Free shipping thru 12/31/07 on any item in the online boutique 
Check it out at http://www.pennyspensandpics.com/
 
=====
 
WORLDWIDE FREELANCE WRITER - Download a free list of writing
markets if you subscribe this week. Our database has almost 2,000
writing markets from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia.
http://www.worldwidefreelance.com
 
=====
 
ARE YOU A STARVING POET?
 
Even if you're not, how would you like a free resource coming
to you monthly via email?  Subscribe to the free newsletter,
The Poetry Market Ezine, by logging onto www.thepoetrymarket.com
and using the sign up box, or send any email to: 
poetrymarket-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
 
The newsletter features poetry markets, contests, and news.
Listed as one of Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for
Writers 2007, The Poetry Market ezine has been exclusively
catering to poets for over 6 years! 
For general info, send any email to tpme@thepoetrymarket.com
 
=====
 
Advertise with FundsforWriters !!!
Advertise with FFW Small Markets!
 
ADS FOR $9 AND UP!
$ 9 - one week in FFW Small Markets
$30 - four weeks in FFW Small Markets
$20 - one week in FundsforWriters
$60 - four weeks in FundsforWriters
$25 - one week in both FundsforWriters & FFW Small Markets
$75 - four weeks in FundsforWriters & FFW Small Markets
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/adrates.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS STUFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

C. Hope Clark
E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Copyright 2000-2007, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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