FundsforWriters - January 20, 2008

Published: Sat, 01/19/08

 Volume 8, Issue 3       
January 20, 2008

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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.
                 
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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
Read past issues at: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters

=====
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY
 
Received fan and fan-less mail like crazy this week. The
consensus is that half think self-publishing is underrated
and half think there are huge pitfalls that taint it. Like
I said, there are two sides to every coin.
 
Whether you are for or against either one - self-publishing
or traditional publishing - you cannot profess to know the
best route without knowing both. Hating the opposite side
is bigoted - "utterly intolerant of any creed, belief,
or opinion that differs from one's own." ~dictionary.com
 
One reader contacted me, though, making an earnest request.
"Would you consider writing an article explaining what is the
difference between: Subsidy, Vanity Press, Vanity POD Publisher
vs. Traditional, Conventional, or Partnership Publisher? 
In every writer circle I mingle, I hear these names and
honestly I don't know the difference.  I wish I knew in 2004,
before I published my poetry book. But I have to look forward
and not look back."
 
So here are some definitions for those not in the know.
Some writers may argue with minor technicalities of my word
choices, but I'll try to list them clearly using some of the wisdom
of Moira Allen of Writing-world.com .
 
VANITY/SUBSIDY PUBLISHERS
Author pays to publish. The publisher sells the book under
its imprint/name. The books belong to the publisher until
sold. The author receives royalties.
 
COOPERATIVE PUBLISHER
Publisher requires no fee or a partial fee with the author
often selecting what services to purchase in an ala carte
manner. These contracts can retain some rights for periods
of time or apply conditions upon sales and publishing. These
are give and take arrangements most conducive to the author
who knows exactly what he wants and understands the industry.
Author receives royalties.
 
SELF-PUBLISHERS
The author pays for design, print and distribution. The author
owns the book and retains possession of the books printed.
Author owns all rights and receives all income from sales.
 
PRINTER/BOOK PRODUCER
The entity that works with the self-publishers, producing the
books as requested. They are not publishers although they
will often call themselves such. They have no rights to the
book and do not pay royalties. They provide work-for-hire.
 
TRADITIONAL/CONVENTIONAL PUBLISHER
These are the publishers that produce the books you affiliate
with bookstores and famous authors. Publishers like St. Martin's
Press, Random House, Tor, Harlequin, Harper Collins and Putnam.
They buy the manuscript, covering all cost of producing the
book. The author pays nothing. The books belong to the publisher.
Author receives royalties.
 
PUBLISH AMERICA
This entity falls into its own category. It doesn't charge
up front and holds your rights for at least seven years.
There is no editing involved as with a traditional publisher.
What you write is what gets printed, mistakes and all, just
like a subsidy, vanity or self published book. This publisher
has lovers and haters. Read the contract carefully to see if
you agree with this method.
 
It's overwhelming, I know. But after all those months of being
pregnant, you don't pick anyone to nurture or educate the results.
You do the research and make the best selection that will most
endow your offspring with the chance of success.
 
Same goes for your book. The best justice you can give
your book is to take the time to understand who you will
partner with to make it successful.

    Hope

WOW-WomenonWriting.com - The January issue is out!
See Hope's article on wrangling readers, and take time
to read the entire issue. It's an amazing publication!
http://wow-womenonwriting.com/17-Funds4Writers.html
 
=====
 
GOT YOUR CALENDAR YET FOR ALL THOSE 2008 GOALS?
Once again FundsforWriters is offering the Bylines Calendar
for your writing needs. I've used one for going on four years
now, and I'm addicted to it. Listing a writer (like Hope)
for every week along with the writer's personal points of
wisdom makes you realize you aren't alone in this struggle
to make a living at what you love. Order yours today!
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/Bylines.htm
 
=====
 
THE SHY WRITER
Along with THE SHY WRITER purchase, you receive a subscription
to TOTAL FFW. Just send a copy of your receipt via email
to hope@fundsforwriters.com
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/shywriter.htm
 
=====
 
http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com
People are raving about the new look...and the new opportunities
offered four-five days a week.
 
  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~
 
WORDS OF SUCCESS
 
Any effort that has self-glorification as its final endpoint
is bound to end in disaster.
 
~ Robert M. Pirsig
(Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)
 
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ARTICLE
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FUNDSFORWRITERS READERS WRITE IN ON SELF-PUBLISHING
Since so many writers contacted me about the topic of self-
publishing versus traditional, I thought I'd list a few of
the comments for you.
----
DIANE LAU
I think you also have to weigh what you bring to the table
as a self-publisher against what traditional publishers have
to offer you, both pro and con. I had contracts with three
book publishers in my career. One of them tried to renege on
our contract. One went out of business before my books went
to press, and the other went out of business just as a heavily
promoted new title was about to release.  
 
I am able myself to do everything it takes to create print
and ebooks of a caliber equal to or better than traditional
publishers.  My daughter is a professional graphic artist,
and one of my friends is a superb editor. I have 15+ years
professional marketing experience. I can price my books
competitively and still make more per copy than I would if
traditionally published.
 
I'm sure I will never make enough this way to live off my
writing, but then, that's never an easy feat no matter what
approach an author takes. Self-publishing is worth considering
for part-time and hobby authors. Depends who you are and what
you want!
 
BIO
Diane Lau is Publisher of Living Beyond Reality Press
(www.livingbeyondreality.com) and authored Do-It-YourSelf-
Publishing, a complete instruction manual for being your own
publisher.  She also writes as Diana Laurence, best known for
the Soulful Sex anthologies of tasteful, erotic romance
fiction (www.dianalaurence.com). 
 
===
LURA ZERICK
At age 77, because of the time element, I believe that self-
publishing is best for me. With traditional, even if the
manuscript is accepted, there could be a wait up to two years
before publication. I might not have that time. I have been
very active in promotion but now my doctor says nomore 500-
miles alone.
Lura Zerick
Author/Speaker/Singer
 
===
JOANNE LIGGAN
I have published 2 books, one POD, the other through a subsidy
publisher.  Being impatient, I felt I was spending too much time
and money sending out queries when I could use that money toward
having the books published right away. 
 
I learned with POD that bookstores won't carry your book unless
you already have a proven sales record.  The POD publisher didn't
edit unless you paid huge fees.  They offered a marketing package
at additional cost, but it was only a "how-to".  So I went with a
subsidy publisher the second time around who promised to edit and
market.  They lived up to their word.  The problem is, there is still
a stigma attached to subsidy publishers.  Other traditional houses
view them the same as a self-publisher. 
 
If you want the respect of the traditional (or mainline) publishing
houses, you need to stay away from self-publishing, POD publishing,
and subsidy publishing.  If you simply want to have your book
published and don't mind the stigma, go for POD! 
 
BIO
Joanne Liggan, Author of Heir of Deception and Air of Truth
Public Speaker/Educator, Founder of the Hanover Writers Club
and the Hanover Book Festival
 
===
SEAN McLACHLAN
Writers need to know that traditional publishers don't see self-
published books as really published. I worked as a copyeditor at
a vanity press for a time and I have to say not a single book
crossed my desk that I would have considered publishable. That
doesn't mean ALL self published books are bad, but a whole lot
of them are. There are some pretty lousy New York Times
bestsellers too, but the fact of the matter is that the offerings
from PublishAmerica, iUniverse, Authorhouse and the like are at
a much lower standard than what's coming out from Tor, Harper
Collins, Penguin and the other biggies.
 
As for good editing in self published books, yes, some are very
well edited, but that reflects how much the author paid, not
how well the author writes.
 
Some self publishers can do well, but they have to spend much
more time doing sales than I am willing to give. I prefer
writing. I hustle my books too, but I want the majority of my
writing time to be actually spent writing.
 
BIO
Sean McLachlan, freelance writer, author, and editor
"Moon Handbooks London" (Avalon: 2007)
"Missouri: An Illustrated History" (Hippocrene Books: 2008)
"Byzantium: An Illustrated History" (Hippocrene Books: 2004)
 
=====
MINDY BARAD
Several years ago, some colleagues and I were trying to figure
out how to cover the expenses of an MFA in creative writing
(because, as we all know, so many authors today are publishing
their first work from such a program|). Your piece was very
open and honest, a great substitute for going out to hear a
publisher/agent speak. An MFA program would be the way to go
for any writer, especially if it costs the same as self-
publishing (to which is attached a stigma, no matter what).
 
Best, Mindy Barad
 
=====
 
MERILYN JACKSON
Anyone who has been writing for even a short time ought to know
there is some stigma to self-pubbing. There is a delightful
university student here who excitedly told me she finally got
her book published. She asked me if I would review it for the
daily where I review books. I was so excited for her. But when
I found it was self-pubbed, I knew my editor would turn it down
and so did not even pitch it. At a glance, it did indeed show
poor editing.
 
I suppose there is a good reason to self-pub if you know how
to market. But if you really believe you have a good article,
book or story, doing your homework to find the right publisher
at the right time is the way to go. There are many tracks to
getting published, but yes, they do take a lot of effort,
strategies and faith in yourself and your subject.  Traditional
publishers want to see that you are capable of all three before
they place a bet on you.
 
Best to all, Merilyn Jackson
 
====
Hope,
 
Having been a publisher for a regional house, I agree completely
with what you said in this column. And the smaller publishing
houses learn from the larger publishing houses concerning self
publishers. It isn't because the smaller publishers want to be
just like the huge New York houses. Rather, it is because they
cannot afford to re-invent the wheel. To not discuss something
because it will upset people is like sticking our heads in the
sand. And you can quote me on that!
 
BIO
Carrie McCullough spent nearly a decade as a copy editor/editor/
book editor for newspapers in Georgia and South Carolina. She
began her career in book publishing as director of marketing in
2004 for Harbor House in Augusta, GA. She worked her way to
publisher. She started her own business, McCullough Consulting
in October 2006, specializing in manuscript editing and submitting,
as well as publicity for writers. Carrie can be contacted at
carriemccullough@bellsouth.net or 706-798-9545.
---
NEXT WEEK...back to the regular articles. Hope these opinions
and viewpoints have helped you.   ~HOPE

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COMPETITIONS
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ONCE WRITTEN POETRY CONTEST
http://www.oncewritten.com/Contests/PoetryContest.php
---
ENTRY FEE $10/$15
First Prize: $500 and publication. Runner Up: $100 and
publication. Deadline March 31, 2008. No length limit.
 
=====
 
STELLA KUPFERBERG MEMORIAL SHORT STORY PRIZE
http://www.symphonyspace.org/shorts/writing_contest
---
The winning submission, selected by Amy Hempel, will be read
as part of the Selected Shorts performance at Symphony Space
on May 21, 2008. The story will be recorded for possible later
broadcast as part of the public radio series. The winner will
receive $1,000. Deadline March 14, 2008. Submit a single short
story that addresses the question or the general theme, Are We
There Yet? You may interpret this question however you please.
Note that the other stories in the Selected Shorts program on
May 21, 2008 are all stories that take place in transit - in
cars on road trips, on planes and trains, or walking from one
place to another - but we also welcome submissions that use
the theme of the evening, "are we there yet?," as a diving
board into other literary territory.
 
=====
 
PER CONTRA PRIZE
http://www.percontra.net/8pcprize2guidelines.htm
---
$10 ENTRY FEE
$1,000 First Prize. Top ten stories will be published in
Per Contra in our 2008 editorial calendar year, with the
authors paid our regular professional publication rates. 
Stories must be at least 1,000 words and may not exceed
3,000 words. Deadline January 31, 2008. Here is your chance
to be featured alongside award-winning writers.
Per Contra has featured winners of The MacArthur Award, the
Caine Prize, the Orange Prize, the Walt Whitman Award, the
Flannery O'Connor Award, the Pushcart Prize and more.  Per
Contra has published authors from the United States and
North America, South America, Europe, Africa and South Asia .
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRANTS
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CREATIVE WORK FUND - SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
http://www.creativeworkfund.org/index.html
---
The Creative Work Fund invites artists and nonprofit
organizations to create new art works through collaborations.
It celebrates the role of artists as problem solvers and the
making of art as a profound contribution to intellectual
inquiry and to the strengthening of communities.
 
Literary artists include those with experience writing
poetry, spoken word poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. 
(Playwrights apply with performing artists.) Performing
artists may be creators--such as playwrights, choreographers,
and composers--or may be performers. The performing arts
encompass dance, opera, performance art, theater, and vocal
and instrumental music. Grants in both categories will range
from $10,000 to $40,000 and will be awarded in September 2008.
Deadline March 5, 2008 for letter of intent to apply.
 
=====
 
ALL ROADS FILM PROJECT SEED GRANTS
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads/seed-grants.html
---
The All Roads Seed Grant Program funds film projects by
and about indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture
filmmakers year-round and from all reaches of the globe.
The program seeks filmmakers who bring their lives and
communities to light through first-person storytelling.
Submission deadlines are quarterly on the 15th of each March,
June, September, and December. Award notifications are made
approximately six weeks after each of these dates.
 
=====
 
PHILLIP ROTH RESIDENCE
http://www.bucknell.edu/x3756.xml
---
Must be more than 21 years of age, must reside in the United
States, and must not be enrolled as a student in a college or
university. Please note that the 2008-09 Roth Residence will
be awarded to a poet. Prose writers may apply in spring 2009
for the 2009-10 Residence. Deadline February 23, 2008.
Location Lewisburg, PA.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
CRACKED
http://www.cracked.com/submissions.html
---
Fiction and nonfiction satire and humor. Needs interviews
of comedians, essays on comedy and creative writing. Will
consider comics. Pays 50 cents/word for all rights.
 
=====
 
AMERICAN EDUCATOR
http://www.aft.org/pubs-reports/american_educator/submission.htm
---
American Educator is the quarterly professional magazine of
the American Federation of Teachers. We are interested in
articles on a wide range of topics, including new trends in
education, politics, well-researched news features on current
problems in education, education law, professional ethics,
and thoughtful or thought-provoking pieces and essays that
explore current social issues relevant to American society.
Articles may vary in length from 500 to 2,500 words. Pays
$300 and up.
 
=====
 
LADIES' HOME JOURNAL
http://www.meredith.com/mediakit/lhj/print/index.htm
http://www.meredith.com/mediakit/lhj/print/contact_us.htm
---
"Ladies' Home Journal is a magazine for the modern American
family woman who celebrates and cherishes her family
relationships but also seeks ways to enrich, indulge and
improve herself personally, especially in terms of emotional
mastery. Ladies' Home Journal's rich history as an advocate
to improve public health, as well as being a champion for
women's dynamic role in society is alive and well in the
magazine today." ~Diane Salvatore, Editor-in-Chief
Pays $1/word. Detailed writer's guidelines available by
email to lhj@mdp.com .

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JOBS
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WRITER-EDITOR
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=67176087&aid=27015391-1118&WT.mc_n=MKT000125
---
This is a standing register and will be used to fill
anticipated vacancies throughout the United States.
Deadline July 10, 2008. Example locations: Randolph AFB, TX;
Lackland AFB, TX; Andrews AFB, MD; Columbus AFB, MS; Keesler
AFB, MS; Langley AFB, VA; Pentagon AFB, VA; Maxwell AFB, AL;
Wright Patterson, OH; Eglin AFB, FL; Tyndall AFB, FL; Macdill
AFB, FL; Hurlburt Field, FL; Robins AFB, GA; Nellis AFB, NV;
Little Rock AFB, AR; Arlington NGB, VA; Boling AFB, DC;
Peterson AFB, CO; Hanscom AFB, MA; Hill AFB, UT; USAF Academy,
CO; Scott AFB, IL; Davis Mothan AFB, AZ; Kirtland AFB, NM.
Conduct final reviews of proposed publications for style,
design, layout, and editorial aspects before release. 
Deadline July 10, 2008.
 
=====
 
WRITER-EDITOR
http://tinyurl.com/2tgp4n
---
Deadline July 10, 2008. Conduct final reviews of proposed
publications for style, design, layout, and editorial aspects
before release.  Perform substantive editing, proofreading,
reorganizing and rewriting to ensure message is clear,
effective and well written.  Gather and develop information
by researching factual materials through available sources. 
Edit text for grammatical correctness, clarity, appropriate
reading level and consistency with regulations and style and
format requirements of the media and the publications used. 
Employing Agency: Air Force Personnel Center.
Many vacancies and locations:
Randolph AFB, TX 
Lackland AFB, TX 
Andrews AFB, MD 
Columbus AFB, MS 
Keesler AFB, MS 
Langley AFB, VA 
Pentagon AFB, VA 
Maxwell AFB, AL 
Wright Patterson, OH 
Eglin AFB, FL 
Tyndall AFB, FL 
Macdill AFB, FL 
Hurlburt Field, FL 
Robins AFB, GA 
Nellis AFB, NV 
Little Rock AFB, AR 
Arlington NGB, VA 
Boling AFB, DC 
Peterson AFB, CO 
Hanscom AFB, MA 
Hill AFB, UT 
USAF Academy, CO 
Scott AFB, IL 
Davis Mothan AFB, AZ 
Kirtland AFB, NM 
 
=====
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Location Phoenix, AZ
http://tinyurl.com/28fu2a
---
Assignments include advertising copy, news releases and
articles, newspapers and newsletters, exhibit plans, and
schedules. Major responsibilities include assisting the
(A&PA) Chief in implementation of advertising programs for
Active Army and U.S. Army Reserve; coordinating and
implementing numerous sales promotion activities with
recruiters; and writing, designing, editing, and publishing
the Bn newspaper, the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) newsletter
and other command information products. Deadline January
28, 2008. Employing Agency: U.S. Army Accessions Command.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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CORNERSTONE LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.cornerstoneliterary.com/
---
Submit queries via postal. Do not send manuscripts except
upon request. Represents literary fiction, mystery, horror,
commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, YA, children's,
multi-cultural, food, lifestyle, travel, health and more.
 
=====
 
JILL GRINBERG AGENCY
http://www.agentquery.com/agent.aspx?agentid=48
---
Accepts queries via postal only. Represents literary fiction,
sci-fi, commercial fiction, fantasy, women's fiction, romance,
historical, YA, children's and middle grade. Also, history,
biography, politics, science, travel, true story, spiritual,
current affairs, business, finance, psychology and health.
 
=====
 
FAYE BENDER LITERARY
http://www.fbliterary.com/
---
Faye Bender Literary Agency represents a diverse range of
literary and commercial fiction,  YA  fiction, and
high quality non-fiction.

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SPONSORS
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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
 
=====
 
PROMOTE YOUR BOOK AT ONCEWRITTEN.COM
OnceWritten.com, a resource for new authors, offers a variety
of affordable promotional opportunities. From partnerships at
the West Hollywood Book Fair to online advertising starting at
$25, to free promotional opportunities, learn more about how
you can join our website, a Writer's Digest pick for three years
in a row. www.oncewritten.com/JoinUs.php
 
=====
 
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BUSINESS STUFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

C. Hope Clark
E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Copyright 2000-2008, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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