Volume 8, Issue 7       
February 17, 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Gwynne Spencer, PO Box 525, Monmouth, OR 97361
For information, e-mail: gwynnespencer@aol.com

                 
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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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PING MOMENTS

Took me a couple of years of writing regularly before I
identified the PING moments. I spent, and still spend, hours
each week searching markets and marrying my skills and ideas
to the guidelines of a publisher. Sometimes I don't enjoy
what I write, but I have the knowledge to produce a money-
making article. So I do it. It pays the rent.

Periodically, however, moments flash before me when I
produce this marvelous concept for an article. Not a maybe
piece, not an informative piece, but a feature with so
much personality it pings. My success rate with those
blazes of brilliance is quite high. As soon as I send the
email or drop the envelope in the mail, I feel an acceptance.

I have more PING moments today than I did five years ago.
PINGS still arrive out of the blue, but they're more expected
than they used to be. They feel right, like the story is
meant to be written and the market can't wait to get it.

PINGS have to happen on two levels. The story is remarkable
and the market fits it like a glove. The phenomenon cannot
be forced. It's like working in a day job. You stumble and
fumble around learning the ropes, studying the procedures,
asking for help. Two or three years into the job you sense
a new independence about you. You handled a project without
help. You solved a dilemma. Someone may have asked you for
assistance. You've garnered this pot of skills on which you
can depend. Sure, you've much more to learn, but you have your
PING moments where you're a bright and shining star.

I just sent a PING article to a magazine. It wrote itself.
I feel 80% assured it will sell. Five years ago, I birthed
about two of these per year. Today it's monthly. As I
continue in my journey, I expect the odds to improve.

We cannot grab PING. We cannot pursue PING. We cannot
force PING. PING is a natural phenomenon that grows with
experience. The only way to acquire it is to write a lot,
submit a lot, and study why you were accepted or rejected.

PING articles are the angelic moments when your hard
work magically opens doors to opportunity - when your
conscious becomes your subconscious and your writing
finds a voice.

    Hope

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.

hope@fundsforwriters.com

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

"If you can not write well, you can not think well, and if
you can not think well, others will do your thinking for you."

~George Orwell

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ARTICLE
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Don't Toss Away That Lost Contest Entry:
The Hidden Benefits of Writing Contests

By Joyce Laird

I make my living as a freelance writer and journalist. Over
three quarters of my work is for industrial magazines, with
the balance divided between consumer magazine features and
fiction. Those form the basis for paying my bills. However,
I try to squeeze in at least one or more writing contests
every month. I've been doing this for years for several reasons.

First, it gives me a way to stretch my imagination and writing
skills by delving into different types of media (essays, memoirs,
creative non-fiction, non-fiction opinions, flash fiction and
all sorts of off-the-wall fiction topics).

Next, it forces me to meet an entry deadline, which hones my
imagination and/or research talents.

Finally, it gives me a wealth of new stories for my recycling
file folder. This becomes a "to-do" project file for topics
that I generally would not write about in my normal day-to-day
assignments.

Do I win a lot? Hardly. I think out of the last 100 contests
I entered, I won two, placed as a finalist in about four and
lost the rest miserably - not even making mention in the lowly
runner up lists. Why continue? It's the recycling that pays off.
Out of all the contests I have entered and lost, I've recycled
a minimum of 75% and sold them all - either as they were, with
a little modification to increase or decrease length, or as
queries that became final features in well paying magazines.

I just spruce them up and send them out (after I know I didn't
win, of course). I have sold my losing contest entries to a
wide range of magazines as essays, short features or expanded
topics where I used the contest entry for a "pitch" and the
editor asked me to do more research on it and give them a full
feature.

I am a firm believer that if you want to succeed in making a
living as a writer, until you make the big break with your
killer novel (if that is your goal), you need to work all the
angles available to you. Contests are a great way to experiment
with that.

I have had 3 of my "losing" essays purchased by Chicken Soup
for the Soul books. I have had losing humor essays, numerous
mystery shorts and full features purchased by Woman's World
magazine. I have expanded losing contest topics into features
that sold to a wide range of magazines I would not have queried
if it were not for that poor, orphan story sitting in my
recycling folder, nagging at me to do something with it.

My recommendation is to enter all the contests you can and
stretch the boundaries of your comfort zone. This is one case
when it truly is "Not Whether You Win or Lose, but How You Play
the Game." If you toss off a lost contest manuscript and let it
die, then you may have lost a great opportunity that, with a
little research and a few emails to the right editors, could
add extra money to your kitty. Is there a writer who doesn't
need that?

Whether you pay for a contest or not is up to you. I for one,
don't like to gamble, so I set a $12 maximum on contest entries
and try to seek out those that have no entry fee first. The
funny thing is that of all my lost contest entries that went
on to become future sales (from $200 to $2,000) were from lost
free contests.

Writing newsletters and websites (such as this one) are
excellent places to look for contests. You can also Google
"free writing contests" - or just "writing contests", as you
prefer. The Writer's Market is also a good place to find all
types of contests, both paid and free, but you do have to be
a paid member to use the online resources. You can always pick
up a used copy of the current Writer's Market book for a low
fee on Amazon.

If you win a contest, toot your horn and get the word out.
If you don't win, don't get down. Turn that losing fiction,
essay or flash into cash. Everyone recycles article topics to
fit new magazines, so do the same with your contest entries.
It pays off.

BIO
Joyce Laird is a freelance writer and industrial journalist.
Aside from being under contract to several Industrial
magazines, her features have been published in many consumer
magazines including, American Fitness, Cat Fancy, Grit,
Mature Living, Vibrant Life, and Woman's World. She is a
regular fiction contributor to Woman's World and essay
contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul Book series.

NOTE:
Hope Clark offers a No Entry Fee Contest ebook at
www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm

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COMPETITIONS
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CUTBANK PRIZES
http://www.cutbankonline.org/contests_new/index.html
---
$13 ENTRY FEE
CutBank is pleased to announce the Montana Prize in Fiction,
the Montana Prize in Creative Nonfiction, and the Patricia
Goedicke Prize in Poetry. Deadline February 29, 2008. Winners
receive $500 and publication in CutBank 69. All submissions
will be considered for publication in CutBank. Entry fee
includes a one-year, two-issue subscription to CutBank,
beginning with the prize issue, CutBank 69.

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UNPUBLISHED AUTHOR AWARD
http://www.goongirl.org/events/scholarship/writing_award.asp
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Applicant must mail four copies of an original, unpublished
fiction work (short story or novel excerpt) not to exceed
2,000 typed words on double-spaced pages. The $500 winner
will be invited, along with a guest, to attend our annual
awards ceremony and work may be featured in the Go On Girl!
Quarterly newsletter and/or on our website. Deadline
March 15, 2008. Note - the mission of the Go On Girl!
organization is to encourage the literary pursuits of people
of African descent.

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CUP OF COMFORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm
---
NO ENTRY FEE
It has been said that military life is "not for the faint of
heart." But neither is it without its benefits and blessings.
One thing is certain: it is an experience like no other --
both for the soldiers and for their families. For this book,
we want positive and powerful stories about how military life
affects the personal lives of service men and women (enlisted
and officers), how family affects soldiers' on the job, and
how military life affects family members (primarily spouses,
children, and parents but also siblings, grandparents,
grandchildren, aunts/uncles, fiancés, etc.). Any situation or
subject that is significant and/or unique to military personnel
and their loved ones is acceptable. Our goal is to compile a
collection of uplifting stories that cover a wide range of
topics and reveal a variety of perspectives, experiences, and
emotions specific to military families. Stories may be written
by the service man or woman or by a loved one; military service
may be current, recent, or past.

Submission deadline: March 15, 2008 (extended from March 1)
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus
copy of book. All Cup of Comfort stories must be true, original,
and positive; narrative essays (creation nonfiction); and
1,000-2,000 words. Entrants pay no fees.

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GRANTS
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REGIONAL REGRANTING PROGRAM FOR MICHIGAN RESIDENTS
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-18833_18834_18841-58844--,00.html
---
Michigan administers its grant programs through nineteen
regions. On this page you can find your county and see what
individual grants are available to you. For instance,
Kalamazoo has emerging artist grants offered quarterly
in $4,000 amounts.

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REGIONAL REGRANTING PROGRAM FOR INDIANA RESIDENTS
http://www.in.gov/arts/2569.htm
---
Arts providers have better access to services and there is
increased public awareness and advocacy for the arts at the
community level. Indiana administers its grant programs through
twelve regions. On this page you can find your county and see
what individual grants are available to you. Deadlines and
amounts vary. While at the web site, sign up to be a grant
panelist. The best way to learn about getting a grant is to
serve on a panel that analyzes them.

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OHIO INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS
http://www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/guidelines/IndividualCreativity.asp
---
Individual Excellence Awards are either $5,000 or $10,000.
Grant amounts are determined by the review panel. Individual
Excellence Awards are peer recognition of creative artists
for the exceptional merit of a body of work that advances or
exemplifies the discipline and the larger artistic community.
Deadline September 1, 2008.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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DOG FANCY
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/dogfancy/writers_guidelines.aspx
---
DOG FANCY is devoted to the care and enjoyment of all dogs,
purebreds and mixed breeds. Our goal is to provide our readers
with easily accessible information they need to be responsible
dog owners. Word count: roughly 850 to 1,200 words.

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GOLF TIPS
http://www.golftipsmag.com/submissions.html
---
Covers golf tips, golf instruction, equipment, travel and
pays at a professional level. Covers US and international
travel and events.

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OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER
http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/content/submissions.shtml
---
For enthusiasts with a special passion for nature, travel
and outdoor sports. We take a fresh look at the modern
photographic world by encouraging photography as part of a
lifestyle associated with outdoor recreation. Editorial is
intended to demystify the use of modern equipment by
emphasizing practical use of the camera in the field,
highlighting the technique rather than the technical.

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JOBS
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TECHNICAL WRITER-EDITOR (HISTORY)
Location Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church, VA
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=68414326&aid=27015391-1428&WT.mc_n=MKT000125
---
Deadline February 26, 2008. Employing Agency: Army Corps of
Engineers. Write informative, well-written historical products
that are supported with historical analysis & synthesis. Work
with CEHO staff & others to review & evaluate historical
products & make revisions. Serve as CEHO interface with
HQUSACE printing & publications staff.

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WEB COPYWRITER
Location Danbury, CT
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3xcgo4
---
Ethan Allen is designing and building a new world-class web
site and launching an overall new online presence. Ethan Allen
is actively seeking a talented web copywriter with enthusiasm
to learn the brand to effectively translate it online. 3-5 years
related web copywriting experience preferred. (a blend of
traditional and web copywriting is acceptable). A degree in
communications/related field.

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FREELANCE GRANT WRITERS
Location Sacramento, CA - on-site not required
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/etc/564046554.html
---
Conservation Strategy Group, a Sacramento based natural
resources consulting and lobbying firm is seeking freelance
grant writers. Qualified candidates will have experience with
state, federal, and private foundation land, water, and natural
resource related grant programs. Send statement of qualifications,
writing sample, and references to resumes@csgcalifornia.com.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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WALES LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.waleslit.com/about.php
---
Wales Literary is interested in works of narrative nonfiction
(creative nonfiction or literary journalism), especially if
the work espouses a progressive cultural or political point
of view, projects a new voice, or, simply shares an important,
compelling story. Wales Literary also supports writers of
quality fiction. Fiction or nonfiction, the agency is looking
for talented storytellers--with a special interest in writers
from the Northwest, Alaska, the West Coast, and what have
become known as the Pacific Rim countries.

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RLR ASSOCIATES
http://www.rlrliterary.net/index-2.asp
---
We are not taking on any new clients writing illustrated
children's stories, science fiction or fantasy. We do not
handle plays or original screenplays. We have authors in
all genres, from history to thrillers, to memoir, to sports,
to children's picture books and YA novels. In addition to more
conventional author representation, we have developed an expertise
in extending brands and developing licensing opportunities into the
book world for our corporate clients.

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TESSLER LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.tessleragency.com/
---
We handle writers of quality non-fiction and literary and
commercial fiction. Our non-fiction list includes popular
science, reportage, memoir, history, biography, psychology,
business and travel.

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SPONSORS
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BARRINGTON EDITORIAL
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

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WRITERS' RETREAT IN THE NORTH CASCADES OF WASHINGTON

Need a quiet place to write where you can see stars and hear
crickets and a rushing stream? Rent Sunny Pines Cabin on
Fawn Creek for a week or a month. Sleeps seven, 3 BR,
fireplace. Come alone or with a group. I'm a professional
writing coach. I can be available for individual or group
instructions.   Special rates for April, May and June --
$1,600 a month all inclusive. skimethow@juno.com

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GRANTS FOR WRITERS: FOLLOW THE MONEY

Download this recorded class that is jam-packed with immediately
useful specifics about grants that exist to help actualize
writing projects. Don't leave money sitting on the table! In
this class, you'll gain an overview  of the grant process
followed by key funding sources you can access.

Go to www.lulu.com/content/1270501 for details and to order.

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2008 SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE

2008 Spirited Woman Circle Launches 3rd Season March 4th -
Presented by Spirited Woman (Creative Fun for Inspired Women)
the popular "up close & personal" 1-hr. phone "telechat"
conversation series returns with famous women authors and media
personalities. You get to participate and ask questions. The 8
guests involved (from Jacquelyn Mitchard to Catherine Ryan Hyde)
have sold more than 20 million books. Series runs from March 4
to October 7, 10-11 am PST. Pre-register required. $15/per
conversation. Now running 8-part series special at $99.

For guest line-up and dates:
http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_circle

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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

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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

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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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