Volume 8, Issue 8       
February 24, 2008

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FUNDS FOR WRITERS

Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

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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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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crickets and a rushing stream? Rent Sunny Pines Cabin on
Fawn Creek for a week or a month. Sleeps seven, 3 BR,
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$1,600 a month all inclusive. skimethow@juno.com


 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

=====

I WON A CONTEST!

I endorse contests. A lot of writers abhor them. My logic
is they can't hurt...as long as they aren't scams.

Y'all know my novel - the one I've been working on and
submitting to agents for two years now. Well, while I'm
reworking it (at the suggestion of a few agents who are
ALMOST interested, they say), I submit it to contests.
Some are first line contests, others are first chapter,
first ten pages, and so on. This one was the opening 150
words of a work-in-progress. I figured what the heck.
I love my first chapter, love my opening, so I wrote the
$10 check for the entry fee and forgot about it.

You are looking at the winner of the Philip Mangelsdorf
Award for Writing Excellence!  That's a $500 first prize,
y'all. I'm on cloud nine!

http://www.writingformoney.com - Click on Contests.

In the last conference I attended, I listened to an agent
out of California preach about how she needs to recognize
the seriousness of a writer. She wants to know that the
writers she accepts are avid about the business. They
attend conferences, they join professional writing groups,
they belong to critique groups, they've entered contests
and hopefully won awards.

Thus far, I've won a first line contest, placed third in
one first chapter contest and honorable mention in another.
Now I can say I won an excerpt competition for this novel.

The last agent letter I received challenged me to make
two of the characters more daring, more diverse. I'm
accepting her challenge, and I'll answer it with a more
colorful story and proof that I take my writing seriously
... a $500 first place award.

One day, I'm getting a yes. There's no way I'm stopping
until I do.

----

BTW - This web site is opening a new contest - The John
Gardner Contest for the best 150-word character description.
Again, $500, $100, $50 and $25 prizes. www.writingformoney.com

    Hope

EDITING

I'm always telling writers that the book isn't written until
it's been edited multiple times, and not by the author. Read
this excellent article about why editing is needed and how
to lessen embarrassing mistakes when submitting to publishers.

http://writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/004522_02132008.html

=====

http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com

People are raving about the new look...and the new opportunities
offered four-five days a week.

=====

THE NEWEST EBOOK UPDATES

Lots of our readers like to know when we update our ebooks.
This time of year, we update them a few at a time and announce
them each week in the newsletters. The newest updates are:

TIS THE SEASON - seasonal writing
THE NO FEE CONTEST BOOK - contests without entry fees
SHORT & SWEET: MARKETS FOR FILLERS
COOKING UP RECIPES - writing for food markets

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm

NOTE: If you purchased one of these books in the last
60 days, request your update. hope@fundsforwriters.com

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Donald Murray, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist kept a
quote above his desk:

"nulla dies sine linea" -- never a day without a line.

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ARTICLE
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MARKET YOURSELF WITH A NON-FICTION BOOK
By Laurisa White Reyes
 
I once had the privilege of attending an event where the late
Dottie Walters was the keynote speaker. Ms. Walters, best
known for her book Speak and Grow Rich, urged those of us in
attendance to discover our expertise, write a book about it
and use it to market ourselves.      

I never forgot Ms. Walters' advice, though at the time I
wasn't an expert of anything.  A full time mother of four
children, I had published only a handful of articles that
hardly set me apart from the masses.

Then several years ago two things changed my life forever: 
I landed a staff position at a local magazine, and I started
teaching creative writing classes to homeschool students.

As a published writer, I now had a viable commodity and
found a willing customer base among families who wanted me
to teach their children to write well. But what resources
would I use in my lessons?  I had two options:  purchase
workbooks from established publishers or write my own. 

Opting for the latter, I wrote and self-published The Kids'
Guide To Writing Fiction. Soon I was not only earning money
from the class registration fees, but I also made a profit
off the workbooks, profit that otherwise would have gone to
another author.

These classes led to an invitation to speak at a statewide
homeschool conference.  While the conference itself did not
pay, I sold my books in the merchant hall. Months later,
attendees still purchase my books via my website. I now plan
for other appearances at similar conferences and have been
asked to teach my writing classes to homeschool groups in
other cities.  These opportunities translate into future book
sales.
           
Referring back to Ms. Walters' advice, somewhere along the
line I became an expert.  Not that I am rich or famous or
hold advanced degrees in my field, but within my own world,
the world of homeschooling, I am an expert in teaching
children how to write. People buy my books in order to
access that expertise.
           
Believe it or not, you just might be an expert, too! Maybe
you are the best fundraiser in your PTA, or as a coach you
have a knack at teaching kids good sportsmanship.  Perhaps
you've been successful at starting a home-based business,
or, as a writer, you can give advice on how to break into a
niche market.
           
Whatever you do well is potential material for a non-fiction
book.  But just as important as having a book to sell is
having a ready-made market for it.  My market is homeschoolers. 
For Marla Cilley, author of Sink Reflections, her market is
women who want an organized system to cleaning their homes.
For you it could be any social, religious or professional
circle where you can dispense your morsels of wisdom.

Three thoughts of advice on writing a non-fiction book:           
     
First, a saleable non-fiction book should fill a need.  You may
be the greatest hamburger griller in the world, but if your book
about hamburgers is one of dozens just like it, the book won't
sell.  Do your research and identify the competitive titles.
Study what aspect of your topic they haven't covered.  Your
book should be fresh, unique, one-of-a-kind.
           
Second, your book should appeal to a large enough segment of
the population to make it worth your while.  If you want to
write a book that caters only to stay-at-home dads who make a
living selling stuff on eBay, then your market will be small
your book next to impossible to sell. Think of ways to broaden
your book's appeal.
           
Finally, let your light shine!  Once your book is written and
published, don't be afraid to be the expert your readers expect. 
Don't market your book. Let your book market you!  Besides, the
reason why anyone would buy your book is to learn what you know. 
Remember, you're the expert!
 
Bio:
Laurisa White Reyes is an editor with Mapletree Publishing
and the proud mother of five children. When she isn't
homeschooling, folding laundry, or picking play-dough out of
the carpet, she writes books and articles or plays computer
games.  She can be contacted through her website at
www.laurisawhitereyes.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPETITIONS
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STRONGEST START NOVEL WRITING COMPETITION
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/competition/strongest_start.html
---
$7.95 ENTRY FEE FOR UNLIMITED ENTRIES
1st Prize $2,000 Professional Editorial Package and $100, 2nd
prize $50, 3rd prize $25.  Run by the TheNextBigWriter online
community, the competition provides a $2,000 professional
editing package for the writer who submits the most compelling
starting three chapters.  The judges include a NY Times Best-
selling author, a former literary agent and publisher from
HarperSanFrancisco, and the previous year's winner.  Writers
may submit as many novels as they like and will receive
feedback on every entry.  Deadline April 16, 2008.

You must be a member of TheNextBigWriter to enter this contest.
There is a nominal fee for membership which provides you with
entry into online writing workshops.

=====

LORIAN HEMINGWAY SHORT STORY COMPETITION
http://www.shortstorycompetition.com/
---
$12 ENTRY FEE
The first-place winner will receive $1,000 in cash, while the
second- and third-place winners will receive $500 each. Created
to support and encourage the efforts of writers who have not yet
achieved major-market success. To be eligible for the 2008
competition, stories must be original unpublished fiction,
typed and double-spaced, and they may not exceed 3,000 words in
length. There are no theme restrictions. Deadline May 1, 2008
for $12 entry fee. $17 for each story postmarked from May 2 up
to and including May 15. Entries postmarked after May 15, 2008,
will not be accepted. Winners will be announced at the end of
July 2008 in Key West, Florida. All entrants will receive a
letter from Lorian Hemingway and a list of winners, either via
regular mail or e-mail, by October 1, 2008.

=====

WILLOW SPRINGS WRITING CONTEST
http://willowsprings.ewu.edu/contests.html
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
If you would like to submit in fiction, please keep entries
to 7,000 words or less. If you would like to submit in poetry,
the limit is five poems. If you would like to submit for both
prizes, please use two separate envelopes and two entry fees.
Deadline March 15, 2008. All contest entrants will receive the
Willow Springs issue containing the award-winning works.
Fiction pays $500 and poetry pays $400.

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GRANTS
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FICTION/POETRY FELLOWSHIPS
http://creativewriting.wisc.edu/institute.php#originalfellowships
---
$20 APPLICATION FEE
Poets and fiction writers who have completed an MFA or a PhD
in a creative writing program (other than the University of
Wisconsin's MFA program) by August 15 of the fellowship year
are eligible to apply for a Wisconsin Institute poetry or
fiction fellowship if they have not had a book of poetry,
fiction or other creative work published or accepted for
publication as of the postmark date of application. Fellowship
recipients must spend the academic year (approximately August
15-May 15) in Madison at the University of Wisconsin, where
they will write, teach one creative writing workshop each
semester, and give one public reading from their work in
progress. Poetry and fiction fellowships pay $25,000 for the
academic year. Fellows also receive generous health benefits.
Deadline February 29, 2008.

=====

CARL DJERASSI FELLOWSHIP IN PLAYWRITING FELLOWSHIP
University of Wisconsin
http://creativewriting.wisc.edu/institute.php#originalfellowships
---
The Carl Djerassi Distinguished Fellowship in Playwriting will
provide a stipend of $45,000 for a playwright in residence at
UW Madison during the spring semester (approximately January
15-May 25). The playwright will also receive health benefits
and office space in the suite where the Creative Writing
faculty and the other fellows of the Wisconsin Institute for
Creative Writing are housed. During the residency, the fellow
will teach one course in playwriting with no more than twelve
students. Deadline April 1, 2008.

=====

COLORADO ART RANCH RESIDENCY
http://www.coloradoartranch.org/residences.htm
---
$30 APPLICATION FEE
Colorado Art Ranch provides literary and visual artists with
four weeks of living and studio space to work uninterrupted.
We encourage emerging artists, as well as established artists,
to apply. There may be opportunities to work on ranchland or
in a printing studio. Each residency has a mix of 5 to 6
artists and writers. Residents are responsible for travel,
food, and an application fee of $30. Artists will be
responsible for shipping or removing their work at the end
of the residency. Each resident will get their own room, but
may share a bath and cooking facilities. Residents receive
free admission to the Artposium. Artists and writers may apply
online. Deadline March 1, 2008.

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

HER SPORTS
http://hersports.com/contribute.html
---
Her Sports is for smart, active women who use sports and
fitness to balance their busy lifestyles and who are looking
for more in a magazine than the mainstream health and fitness
publications offer. Wide diversity of feature sections and
columns. General fees range from $150 to $450.

=====

WHERE SAN FRANCISCO
http://www.wheresf.com/aboutus.htm
---
WHERE San Francisco is the only monthly visitor magazine,
with maps, that features informative articles and hot tips
on shopping, dining, entertainment and attractions in and
around San Francisco .

=====

GROWING WEALTH
http://www.growingwealthmag.com/pdf/writersguide.pdf
http://www.growingwealthmag.com/?page_id=92
---
For those who want to build wealth beyond the boundaries
of traditional growth products offered by banks. Offers
readers entrepreneurial opportunities to pursue independent
funding sources and investment options. Also touches upon
personal financial planning. Has a three-tiered level of
payment depending upon length and research. Pays up to
$750 for up to 2,500 words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
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IN-HOUSE WRITER
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/262902-161
---
Deadline February 29, 2008. In this position, you will develop
creative strategies and written and online materials across
accounts, work closely with the agency's leadership on new
business proposals and write content for our website, blogs,
podcasts, and clients' blogs. You have spent time in a public
relations firm, ad agency, research institute, foundation,
non-profit or the political arena. Or, perhaps you are a
journalist ready to make the leap to "the other side" in an
agency that is deeply committed to working with mission-
focused clients. A minimum of three years of experience is
required.

=====

SENIOR WRITER
Location Washington DC
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/263008-58
---
Deadline April 5, 2008. Talented writer/researcher needed
to contribute to publications portfolio and development
program of progressive, pro-choice Catholic organization.
The ideal candidate will have at least three years experience
in writing and research across a spectrum of issues. S/he
will be able to draft grant proposals and foundation reports,
fact sheets, brochures and lengthy policy-related reports for
publication; conduct investigative research using a wide
variety of research tools and analyze results, trends and
other relevant areas for publication. Employer Catholics
For Choice.

=====

REGULAR FREELANCE WRITERS
Location Arlington, VA - on-site not required
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=881845
---
Agra Informa Inc., a B2B newsletter publishing company, seeks
freelancers for two if its flagship publications.

PESTICIDE & TOXIC CHEMICAL NEWS: Weekly trade publication
covering science, regulatory and legislative developments
in the field of pesticides and toxic chemicals seeks freelance
writers for periodic assignments.

FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS: Weekly trade publication covering regulatory
and legislative developments in the field of food safety, with
a strong emphasis on USDA and FDA, seeks freelance writers in
the D.C. area for assignments. Writers with Capitol Hill/
regulatory knowledge preferred.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PAM STRICKLER
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/PamStrickler/
---
PREFER EMAIL queries, including a one page letter with a
brief description of your plot, plus the first ten pages
of your novel ALL PASTED IN the body of the email. Sorry,
unknown attachments will not be opened. Pam is concentrating
the work of her agency on women's fiction and romance.

=====

THE STROTHMAN AGENCY
http://www.strothmanagency.com/
---
We specialize in works of narrative non-fiction and literary
fiction. Located in Boston, MA.

=====

TALBOT FORTUNE AGENCY
http://www.talbotfortuneagency.com/submit.htm
---
The agency represents authors of narrative nonfiction, romance,
women's fiction, suspense, and literary fiction. Does not
handle children's books, westerns, science fiction, fantasy,
poetry, or screenplays.

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SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK PUBLISHING CONTRACTS: BE PREPARED. 

Download this audio class to learn the details about numerous
contractual terms and conditions vital to authors preparing
for a book deal. Insightful commentary supplements contract
details and empowers writers with greater awareness and
resources. Applicable to POD and standard industry contracts.
Notes supplement audio presentation. ($4.95; Length: 64 minutes)

Go to: http://www.lulu.com/content/1251095

=====

HERO JOURNEY WORKSHOP

Good stories grow into enduring works when they are built on
the hero journey. Learn how you can incorporate into your
writing the basics of this powerful plot structure. The Hero
Journey Workbook includes exercises and guided writing
assignments to help fledgling stories become unforgettably
powerful.

Order the $10 workbook.
Available on Amazon or just send a check to Gwynne Spencer,
PO Box 525, Monmouth, OR 97361

=====

www.barringtoneditorial.com

Three levels of editing: polishing for mechanical errors,
line editing for clarity, addressing problems of content
and structure of novels, memoir, nonfiction, poetry, short
stories.

Manuscript Evaluations & online creative writing workshops.
Trained in copyediting. An Assistant Fiction Editor at
recently spotlighted 42opus in The Writer.

PEN nominated associated member.
Bachelors/ UCLA English-Creative Writing Emphasis.
Published in little & literary journals.

Details, rates, references contact: lisa@barringtoneditorial.com

=====

MANUSCRIPT EDITING SERVICES - Fast and Affordable

Need to get unbiased comments on your ms?
Wondering if it's ready for an agent/publisher? I can help!
Services offered: copyediting, proofreading, ms critique,
developmental assistance. More than 10 years of experience
with writers of all skill levels.

Visit www.jacquelincangro.com/editingservices for rates and details.

Or write: contact@jacquelincangro.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's 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
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$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 2000-2008, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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