Volume 8, Issue 9       
March 2, 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.

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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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TOM HOWARD/JOHN H. REID SHORT STORY CONTEST - LAST CALL!

Sixteenth year. Fourteen cash prizes totaling $5,250. Top  
prize $2,000. Seeks short stories, essays and other works
of prose, up to 5,000 words. Winning entries published
online. Both published and unpublished work accepted. Fee
per entry is $12, payable to Winning Writers. Postmark
deadline: March 31, 2008. Judges: J.H. Reid, D.C. Konrad.
Submit online or mail to Winning Writers, ATTN: Tom Howard
Short Story Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222, Northampton,
MA 01060. Winning Writers is proud to be one of "101 Best
Websites for Writers" (Writer's Digest, 2005-2007). More
information: www.winningwriters.com/tomstory

                 
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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

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ADMITTING YOU'RE A WRITER

People react so differently when you profess you are a
writer. Some are gracious, others are stumped as to what
to say, then there are those who don't have a clue and often
wind up saying all the things you don't want to hear.

Your job, if you seriously choose to be a writer, is to
educate them. Don't shrink back if they don't understand
what a magazine feature writer is or that there are thousands
of writers on the bookshelves other than those on the NY Times
Bestseller List.

What I want you to do is not make excuses. I know you do it,
because I've done it. I know tons of information about the
writing world, but if you aren't a writer, you don't know
C. Hope Clark. But C. Hope Clark knows her stuff - or at
least the person I speak with thinks I do by the time we
finish talking about writers.

There are degrees of doctors, lawyers, teachers and business
managers just like there are levels of writers. Some are newbies,
some are part-time, some struggle, some stumble into luck,
some make millions and others fight for nickels until payday.
Because you aren't making a six-figure salary from your writing
doesn't mean you should be discounted.

I recently came back from a visit with my sister-in-law. We
started talking books and authors. Dang...she knew more authors
than I did and had the book collection to prove it - an avid
reader. But before the week was gone, we were talking character
development, plot and author style.

Another friend doesn't write, but she's well-read. She
escorted me to a storytelling conference, noted I jotted down
Southernisms as ideas for dialogue and sent me a guide on the
Southern life as well as a storytelling CD by Kathryn Tucker
Windham to aid me in composing my most recent novel project.

My mother doesn't write, but she talks me up to her income
tax clients and has sold several copies of The Shy Writer
as she delivered clients their IRS Form 1040.

My sister doesn't write, but she and my nephew spoke so
highly of me that I received an invitation to speak to an
entire third grade class about writing.

The point is...be confident about your writing journey. Every
writer is climbing the ladder, and each of us has talents and
short-comings different from our peers. We're ever improving,
and you never reach a point where "you've arrived." When you
think you've arrived, you quit growing, and readers can tell.

Just face the fact you're in this game for life, expanding
your knowledge and abilities on a daily basis. So when
someone asks you what you do, you state you are a writer.
Put a big fat period on it, as if to say you know who you
are...without a doubt. Your confidence is all it takes
for someone to believe you.

    Hope

CHAT TIME

Yep - it's time for the bimonthly chat at Writers Chatroom.
Let's talk markets, grants, Hope's hapless attempt at humor,
you name it.

Sunday, March 2, 2008, 7 pm Eastern Time
(no password needed, just pick a screen name and take a seat)

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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

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http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com

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

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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. No charge.

hope@fundsforwriters.com

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Writing is so difficult that I often feel that writers,
having had their hell on earth, will escape all punishment
thereafter."

-- Jessamyn West

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ARTICLE
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Exploring Your Inner Playwright
By Susan Sundwall

I'm a restless writer. I can only work on certain projects
for so long and then I need a jolt of something new. This
restlessness has led me down more than one writing path and
quite often I've been surprised at my success on some of
them.

One such path was marked "plays and skits," and I reluctantly
set my foot on it. I mean, didn't one have to be related to
Tennessee Williams or something to write a play or even a
short skit? Turns out the answer is no. I just got my brave
up and decided to give it a shot. Here's what I discovered.

Plays and skits are good stories first and foremost, with
the opening lines giving a hint of the plot that your main
characters will be involved in. Characters are introduced
and the story builds through action and dialog, reaching a
climax with the solving of the plot problem shortly before
the curtain goes down. That's a pretty straightforward
blueprint don't you think?

Some of my short stories could be adapted to become a play
or skit. I simply imagined them being acted out. Many writers
'see' their characters speaking and moving as they shape their
stories anyway so it's no great leap to write in script form.

And, very importantly, a play is all visual and must be carried
along by the action and dialogue. I love writing dialog. Dialog
puts the human element into any story and lets me have all
sides in building a story through conversation. 

I'll admit, it does take a bit of practice to get into
playwriting mode. But here's a quick idea to test your
potential for play and skit writing. Take an old classic
like 'The Three Little Pigs" and script a few pages. All
that's necessary is that you give each pig a separate line
for dialog. The story set up mainly through that dialog. Give
the pigs some personality and sass. For instance:

Pig 2: (to Pig 1) Hey, did ya see the paper this morning?
That fool wolf is on the prowl again.

Pig 1: Saw it. Don't believe it. I hear he's more huff than
puff and he doesn't scare me a bit.

Pig 2: Ya think? In that case hand me some of that straw.

Pig 1: (hands over straw) Did ya hear old Harley's using
brick for his place? Idiot.

Fun, huh? And the pay? Plays and skits run high and low along
the pay scale like most other types of writing. I've been paid
by the word and by flat rate. Markets abound and each publisher
has its own guidelines and formatting requirements. For plays,
there are also competitions that can result in money and actual
production of the winning entry.

I've had more fun writing plays and skits than almost any
other sort of writing I do. If you're inclined in this
direction at all, check out the following links.

Heuer Publishing- Publishes plays for adults, teens and children.
www.hitplays.com

TADA! Youth Theater with annual contest
http://www.tadatheater.com/abouttada/default.asp?mainframe=/information/contact.asp

Bakers Plays - Plays, contests and festivals
http://www.bakersplays.com/store/play_submission.php?osCsid=af68eb923d1cf63cb1b72270519ca24e

Standard Publishing - Religious program books
http://www.standardpub.com/Quick%5FLinks/Information%20Desk/writersguidelines.asp

Contemporary Drama - For school and church
https://www.contemporarydrama.com/guidelines.aspx

Pioneer Drama Service - Plays, musicals, contests
http://www.pioneerdrama.com/playwrights/playwrights.asp
 
Most of my success, thus far, has been with holiday plays and
skits for children and teens. But I've sold quite a few and
even saw one, Bartholomew the Clueless Shepherd, produced.
So, my inner playwright will continue exploring the path she's
set her foot on and maybe she'll even meet you on it someday!
 
Bio
Susan is a restless freelance writer, children's playwright
and budding cozy mystery author. She writes from her home in
upstate New York.

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COMPETITIONS
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THE PATRICIA DOBLER POETRY AWARD
http://gradstudies.carlow.edu/creative/dobler-award.html
---
$20 ENTRY FEE
This contest is open to any woman writer over the age of
40 living in the U.S. who has not published a full-length
book of poetry, fiction, or non-fiction (chapbooks excluded).
Poems must be unpublished, up to 75 lines. Up to two poems,
of any style, per submission. Submissions must be postmarked
by or before March 10, 2008. The winner will be notified by
April 10, 2008. The winner will receive the Patricia Dobler
Poetry Award, in the form of round-trip travel and lodging
as a participating guest of Carlow's MFA residency in Carlow,
Ireland, June 13-23, 2008.

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JOHN GARDNER WRITING AWARD
http://www.writingformoney.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=5&Itemid=27
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$5 - $10 ENTRY FEE
We want to see your best character description from either
a fiction or a nonfiction piece (published or unpublished). 
Your entry may be up to 150 words in length. Send as many
entries as you wish. First Prize: $500. Second Prizes: $100.
Third Prizes: $50. Fourth Prizes: $25. Honorable Mentions.
Winners will be announced on Writing for Money, and top
winners will be published on the WfM site. Deadline May 15,
2008.

NOTE: This is the second contest for WritingforMoney.com .
The first one was the Philip Mangelsdorf Award for Writing
Excellence which I won with the opening to my ever-evolving
novel. Take a look at www.writingformoney.com and click on
Contests.   ~HOPE

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WOMENETCETERA! Writing Contest
http://womenetcetera.com/viewcontent.asp?sectionID=35758&subsectionID=356887
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Any registered member of WomenEtcetera is welcome to compete.
Requires an entry form. Limited to 500 words. Login on March
10, 2008 and the entry form will be available on the members'
site. Contest begins March 10 and the deadline is no later
than midnight on April 18. Fiction and nonfiction categories.
Prizes in each category. Grand prize $500, first prize $200,
second prize $100. Honorable mentions in each category will
receive books authored by Women Etcetera! Writers and a Logo
Tote Bag and Tee Shirt. Open to women over 40.

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AN EXTRA FUN CONTEST

THE SUNSILK LIFE CAN'T WAIT CONTEST
http://www.lifecantwait.com
---
NO ENTRY FEE
The Contest is open only to female legal residents of the 50
United States, including the District of Columbia, and Canada,
who are 21 years of age or older as of date of entry. Deadline
March 7, 2008. During the Contest Period, you may enter online,
clicking on the promotion link, registering with myspace.com
or logging in to myspace.com if you already have an account,
uploading an original photo of yourself and submitting an
original story in 1499 characters or less that captures your
"life can't wait" moment (the "Entry or Entry Material"). A
Life Can't Wait moment is a time when you made an inspirational
goal or dream happen. One US and one Canadian prize. Each Grand
Prize winner will have the opportunity to have her story filmed
and made into a docudrama. 20 U.S. & 5 Canadian finalists
receive a 4-day/3-night trip for two (2) to New York, NY on or
about 4/3/08 - 4/7/08. Trip includes round-trip coach-class air
transportation for the Finalist and guest, hotel, a styling
session for the winners and $4,000 spending money.

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GRANTS
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JEROME FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS FOR NY MILLS ARTS RESIDENCIES
http://www.kulcher.org/html/artsretreat.html
---
The Jerome stipend is generous, and it is intended to be
comprehensive. It will cover all the artist's personal costs
including: transportation, food, entertainment, supplies, etc.
A four-week retreat carries a $1,500 stipend that is presented
in two payments during the artist's stay. From this a reasonable
deposit of $150 is held to ensure proper cleaning and treatment
of the retreat house. A two-week retreat carries a $750 stipend.
In the end, much of the stipend will remain available to apply
toward bills or projects back home. In addition, The Jerome
Foundation reserves one fellowship, annually, as solely available
for the benefit of an artist-of-color.

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IOWA INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS
http://www.iowaartscouncil.org
---
You may request up to $10,000 for a Major Grant or up to
$1,500 for a Mini Grant, but no more than 50 percent of the
total expenses of the project. Applicant match for the grant
may include cash provided by the applicant, sponsors, ticket
revenue, etc. and in-kind donations of time, materials and
supplies. Artists may use their time as cash match. Deadline
April 1, 2008.

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AL SMITH INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/asf_gdl.htm
---
The purpose of the Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship
Program is to support Kentucky artists engaged in creating
artwork of high quality and to recognize creative excellence
in practicing, professional Kentucky artists. $7,500 awards.
Applicants may be selected for $1,000 Professional Assistance
Awards in lieu of a Fellowship Award. Fellowship and
Professional Assistance awards are based primarily upon the
quality of the work samples submitted by the artist. Awards
are unrestricted and may be used in any way to enhance the
artist's career. Deadline March 15, 2008.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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ATLANTA SALON & SPA
E-mail: info@atlsalonandspa.com
http://atlsalonandspa.com/contact/contact.htm
---
AS&S works with the best local and national contributors to
provide interesting and vital editorial content aimed at the
patron and professional of the beauty business.  Inside AS&S,
you will find a chic, sophisticated forum that highlights and
displays current and future trends, treatments and newsworthy
information. We welcome submissions from freelance writers
on topics pertaining to the Salon and Spa industry. Send us
your ideas and a sample of your work!

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HOLT McDOUGAL
E-mail: ed.services.sci@hrw.com
http://austin.craigslist.org/wri/579186350.html
---
The Science Department at Holt McDougal--Austin, a leader in
educational publishing for middle and high school markets, is
currently seeking to expand its pool of freelance copyeditors.
Assignments will become available in late spring and summer.
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree, at least three years
of copyediting experience, a working knowledge of the Chicago
Manual of Style, and the ability to meet deadlines and perform
high-quality work on a consistent basis. Course work in science;
familiarity with the ACS Style Guide, NIST style, and Science
and Technical Writing; and experience in electronic markup
applications such as InCopy are preferred. Please send a cover
letter and resume to ed.services.sci@hrw.com.

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WEDDING JACK
http://weddingjack.com/writers.html
---
WeddingJack is looking for killer content about the dude-
oriented aspects of the wedding planning process. We are
looking for freelancers to develop short pieces that present: