Volume 8, Issue 23       
June 8, 2008

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FUNDS FOR WRITERS

Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

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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.

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

GRANT ME THE MONEY

The Practical Guide to Successful Grant Writing Practice,
2nd Edition is a must have for anyone responsible for the
procurement of grant funds.  This book provides details
that will help the grant writer understand the world of
grant making, grant writing and, ultimately grant receiving.

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE TRAINING GUIDE FOR GRANT WRITERS.

To order go to: www.crystalspiritinc.com

ISBN 0-9711938-3-5
160 pages  Paperback  $24.95 + SH
By:  Dr. Vanessa S. O'Neal

Publisher:  Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc.

                 
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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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MAKING TIME

You don't know how hard it is for me to stay indoors. This
time of year I'm weeding, planting, pruning and fertilizing
my huge yard. We took 2.6 acres of woods and converted it into
a homeplace, and I still fight poison ivy, wisteria, dog fennel
and green briar. I just planted a hydrangea, a plant I've always
wanted and never had, and I'm thrilled.

But that doesn't mean I don't write each and every day. It's
like a rubber band. I get outside, inhaling Mother Nature and
building a farmer's tan, and I work until I'm physically beat,
but something keeps drawing me back to my computer chair.
A shower and I'm ready to jump into my words. Skipping a day
makes me feel like I've forgotten to put on my underwear.

"You staying up late?" asks my husband about ten p.m. each
night.

"Probably so. Until I'm too tired to write," I usually reply.
I hate wasting a moment.

I want you to feel that way. Yes, I wrote daily when I had
kids. Yes, I wrote daily when I had other obligations, a day
job, and family obligations. Some days it was a half hour.
Other days for six hours or more. Today, it's full-time.

People ask how I find more than 24 hours in a day. It's
quite simple, actually. I demand I have my writing time.

Of course it's adjustable. When the house is full of guests,
I try to edit instead of create from scratch. When time is
short I seek new markets or outline pieces. I can sit in the
midst of a room-full of people and note ideas from the dialogue.
Life is so full! We can catch writing ideas from the moment
we open our eyes in the morning until we close them at night.
(There's a notepad next to my bed, believe it or not.)

It's taken me a few years to develop the routine, the desire,
the downright NEED to work on my writing, but I've reached a
point where not writing is like someone not getting her morning
coffee, in my case, sweet iced-tea. My day isn't complete
without it.

Don't waste a day, an hour, a moment. Even when you're
watching American Idol (yes, I know David Cook won), or
catching a classic movie, keep a notepad handy. Some of the
best ideas popped into my head while I did other things.
You ought to see my recliner. Magazines to my right, on
the floor, a notebook on top of one pile and reference books
in a basket to my left.

People ask me how to make a living as a freelance writer.
First, you have to want it. Second, you have to do it.
Third, you have to want to do it every time you have the chance.

    Hope

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.

=====

WE HAVE OTHER NEWSLETTERS, TOO

A lot of folks join FundsforWriters newsletter not realizing
we have three others. Shame on me for not making it clear!

FFW Small Markets - markets that pay under $350 or 20 cents/word.
                    Delivered weekly.

WritingKid - markets, contests, scholarships for the young
      writer from late grade school into college.
             Basically, 8-21 years old.

TOTAL FFW - the paid subscription - the super, duper version
            of FundsforWriters only instead of 15 opportunities,
            it lists 80+. Very cool.

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

 
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THE LATEST HOPE INTERVIEW
http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot102.html

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"You cannot kill time without injuring eternity."

-- Henry David Thoreau

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ARTICLE
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Free Software Options for Writers

By Thursday Bram

A writer doesn't necessarily need much more than pen and
paper to make a living. But additional tools do make the
work go faster. Most writers use computers to speed up their
writing process, depending on a word processing program like
Microsoft Word. But there are software programs available that
make Word look only marginally more advanced than pen and
paper. Even better, many of these programs are available for
free as downloads from the Internet -- far cheaper than the
cost of a license for a Microsoft program.

WriteRoom: As writers have transitioned to working on computers,
many have struggled with ignoring all of the distractions that
a computer -- and its Internet connection -- offers. WriteRoom
(hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom) is a word processor
which eliminates a writer's view of her desktop and its
distractions while writing. It is available as a free download,
although the creators of the software invite happy customers to
purchase a copy in order to support future development. While
WriteRoom is only available for computers running Mac, DarkRoom
provides the same functionality for Windows users
(they.misled.us/dark-room).

Celtx: Screenwriters have a wide variety of software options
to choose from. These software programs can help organize
plot points and notes, and even automatically format text as
scripts. Final Draft is one of the best known options and
costs $229 -- more than many writers feel comfortable spending.
However, Celtx (celtx.com) offers almost all of the features
of Final Draft as a free download. Celtx is available for Mac,
Windows and Linux users.

Sonar: It can be a struggle remembering which submissions went
to which publications, not to mention tracking payments and
rights. However, Sonar (spacejock.com/Sonar_Download.html) is
a tool writers can use to track submissions. This Windows-only
program includes options for tracking markets, responses and
even payments. It's not the prettiest piece of software
available, but it does get the job done.

Google Docs: On the surface, Google Docs (docs.google.com)
seems to be nothing more than an online version of Microsoft
Word. The important difference, at least for writers, is that
Google Docs makes it easy to share documents with other people
-- like editors. Even better, multiple people can edit a document
at once, making it easy to determine what changes an editor
wants in a story or an article and make them immediately. Google
Docs is a web application and requires no download. It can be
used with any operating system.

Backpack: For writers in need of a way to organize multiple
projects, Backpack (backpackit.com) may be the answer. Backpack
is a web application that allows users to save notes, create
task lists, and save files and pictures all in one place. The
application can also send reminders about upcoming due dates,
as well as offers a calendar to track a project's progress.
Users can even manage multiple projects at once, although
free accounts are limited to five projects at a time; there
are multiple levels of premium accounts, which allow for
varying numbers of projects at each price level. It's
especially convenient for writers who shift between computers
regularly. 

There are many more software options available online. Some
are free, while others charge a fee. But many of these
software packages offer tools for writers that go far beyond
simple word processing: there are options that can help a
writer with every task from developing a plot to handling the
business side of the profession. It's just a matter of looking.

BIO
Thursday Bram is a freelance journalist of over five years'
experience. She blogs about the business side of freelance
writing at thursdaybram.com.
 

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COMPETITIONS
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ROOM MAGAZINE ANNUAL FICTION, POETRY AND CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTEST
http://www.roommagazine.com/news.html#contest08
---
ENTRY FEE: $27 per entry (includes a complimentary one-year
subscription to Room). Payment by cheque or money order made
out to Room. Non-Canadian entries: $39 Canadian dollars.
Prizes: 1st prize in each category - $500, 2nd prize - $250.
Winners will be published in a 2009 issue of Room. Other
manuscripts may be published. Poetry: max. 3 poems or 150 lines.
Fiction: max. 4,000 words. Deadline July 15, 2008.

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LIFE LESSONS ESSAY CONTEST
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,1735955,00.html?xid=lifelessons
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Deadline September 9, 2008. Theme: What was the most important
day of your life? Open to legal residents of the 50 United
States and the District of Columbia, age 19 or older at time
of entry. Perhaps it was the day of your high school graduation.
The day you started your dream job -- or left a nightmare
workplace. Maybe it was a day noted for its poignancy or one
that was downright hilarious. Whatever your memory of the most
important day of your life is, share it. Enter Real Simple's
first-ever Life Lessons essay contest and you could have your
essay published in Real Simple, with a prize of $3,000. Contest
entries should be a maximum of 1,500 words. E-mail your entries
to lifelessons@realsimple.com, or mail them to Essay Contest,
Real Simple, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 9th floor, New York,
NY 10020.

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WOODSTOCK SHORT FICTION COMPETITION
http://www.wordstockfestival.com/index.php?cID=424
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
The judges, a collection of writers, academics, publishers,
bookstore owners, and literary critics, will choose 10 finalists.
The winner of the competition receives a first prize of $1,000
and publication in the December 2008 issue of Portland Monthly
magazine. All 10 finalists' stories will be published in The
Wordstock Ten, an anthology that will be available at the
festival, at Portland-area bookstores, and online through the
Wordstock website. Every writer who enters the competition will
receive a copy of the anthology. There are no genre restrictions.
Stories should be no less than 1,500 and no more than 4,000 words.

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GRANTS
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SHARPS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/sharps.shtml
---
This is an open call by BBC writersroom to find the next
generation of writing talent. To apply, send us an original
30-minute TV script exploring 'the nation's health'. It doesn't
need to be a hospital precinct drama - you can explore 'health'
in its broadest possible senses. Twenty writers will be selected
for a workshop, which will involve writing exercises as part of
the selection process. Eight final writers will be selected for
a week-long residential, with an intensive focus on developing
their work, craft, and writer's 'toolbox', with input from BBC
Drama Production and professional writers. Each of the eight
writers will also receive a £500 bursary, mentoring from
in-house development teams at the BBC, and a showcase rehearsed
reading with professional actors. Deadline June 16, 2008.
Must be a resident in the UK or Eire.

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SOAPSTONE
http://www.soapstone.org/
---
Soapstone provides women writers with a stretch of uninterrupted
time for their work and the opportunity to live in semi-solitude
close to the natural world. In addition to that rare but essential
commodity for a writer--a quiet space away from jobs, children, and
other responsibilities--Soapstone provides something less tangible
but also invaluable: the validation and encouragement necessary to
embark upon or sustain a long or difficult writing project.
Located in Oregon's Coast Range, nine miles from the ocean, the
retreat stands on twenty-two acres of densely forested land along
the banks of Soapstone Creek and is home to much wildlife. The
writers in residence enjoy a unique opportunity to learn about the
natural world and join us in conscious stewardship of the land.
Soapstone is set up for two writers at a time, each with her own
writing studio. From an applicant pool of 300 to 400, approximately
thirty writers each year are awarded residencies of one to four
weeks.

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STEPPING STONES
http://www.terraincognitacenter.org/res.htm
---
Our residencies are intended to cradle and nurture the creativity
of our guests. Positions exist here for artists of all types,
visual, writers, poets, composers, visionaries, scientists,
ecologists, naturalists (anyone whose job includes writing). We
do require participants to demonstrate seriousness of purpose.
Stays can last from a minimum of one week to a maximum of one year,
or more with pre-approval. We operate on a sliding scale residency
fee based on the individual's ability to pay. We suggest a
contribution of 30 euro/ night. We encourage applicants of all
financial abilities. In the event that a resident can make no
contribution, we do have a subsidy program available for those
who qualify. The Foundation is able to offer in the range of 1/3
- 1/2 of our residencies for free or at a reduced cost. We accept
applications on an ongoing basis, with September 15 - December 15 -
March 15 - July 15 being batch cutoffs. Location Azores Islands.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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MY ONTARIO MAGAZINE
http://ont.ca.flyerservices.com/cached_banner_pages/publication.aspx
---
MY ONTARIO, a new, annual magazine complete with engaging and
entertaining articles, fresh travel ideas, beautiful images
of Ontario. Published by the Ontario Tourism Marketing
Partnership. You can request a free copy at the following page:
http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?language=EN&site=consumers&key1=travelGuides
Aimed at families and upscale consumers in the Canadian
market and will highlight Ontario travel experiences and
ideas, including resorts and family getaways. A new publication
launching soon. (Go to the online version of the magazine to
find the masthead, editors and address.)

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NORTHWEST COAST
http://www.nwcmagazine.com/writers-guidelines/
---
Northwest Coast is always on the lookout for new, skilled
freelancers interested in writing about the greater Columbia-
Pacific region. As a place-based publication, virtually any
aspect of life in the area is potential material for a story.
Feature Articles (1,500-3,000 words) are the centerpiece of the
magazine. Pays up to $450. Featurettes (600-1,500 words) are
snapshots of some particular person, place, or thing on the
Northwest Coast and may appear in any section of the magazine
from Nature to Food to History. Pays up to $200. Off The Shelf
(1200-1,500 words) is a section that highlights a classic work
(fiction or non-fiction) from the Northwest literary canon that
inspires you. Pays $200.

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RISEUP
http://www.usariseup.com/
---
RiseUp is a weekly newspaper magazine insert, which will address
race relation issues, and be distributed through major
metropolitan daily and weekly newspapers in the top 15-25
metropolitan areas. The primary goal of RiseUp is to provide
an ongoing forum with information and tools to improve race
relations. The magazine will address important issues affecting
the nation and its racially diverse and ethnic communities.
RiseUp will cover, in-depth, timely topics in the areas of
health, education, politics, business and cultural uniqueness.
Query via email.

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JOBS
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WRITER-EDITOR
Location Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church, VA
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=72383101&aid=27015391-268&WT.mc_n=MKT000125
---
Deadline June 9, 2008. Employing Agency: American Forces
Information Service. Serves as writer-editor for American
Force Press Service (AFPS) electronic and print publications. 
In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for the planning
and development of comprehensive news and internal information
materials to enhance the understanding of DoD goals and
objectives among the uniformed and civilian members of DoD
and their families. 

=====

LINUX FEATURE WRITER
Location Telecommute
http://linux.com
http://SourceForge.com
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=555962
---
You must have at least two years of hard-core daily newspaper
or online reporting experience and love computer tinkering to
succeed in this contract freelance position. (Hands-on Linux
experience is a *huge* plus.) You will produce news articles
and feature stories for Linux.com. You must be self-motivated
and organized enough to work with little or no supervision. Pay
$200 - $400 per article, up to three articles per week. Could
become a full-time position by the end of 2008. Preference will
be given to applicants who live near major IT activity centers
such as Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston or Washington, DC., but skill
and reliability are more important than location. Please apply via
email to EiC Robin 'Roblimo' Miller -- robin@roblimo.com -- with a
brief note and/or resume in an open file format (not .doc) or /msg
roblimo on irc.oftc.net.

=====

LARCHMONT CHRONICLE
Location Los Angeles, CA
http://www.journalismjobs.com/job_listing.cfm?jobid=675829
---
Needs freelance reporters. Monthly newspaper in LA seeks
reporters with journalism experience. Send resume to
jane@larchmont chronicle.com

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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HUMAN & ROUSSEAU
http://www.nb.co.za/page/main-manuscript/87/
---
Regarded as one of the most esteemed general publishers in
South Africa, Human & Rousseau was founded in 1959 with the
aim to publish and promote Afrikaans books in particular.
Today, the company also publishes a great number of English
titles. The emphasis is on quality Afrikaans and English books,
popular reads, children and youth books for the general and mass
markets.

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INCENTIVE PUBLICATIONS
http://www.incentivepublications.com/contact.asp
---
Incentive Publications, Inc. publishes teacher resource
materials. We publish no fiction. If you have a manuscript
that you think would be suitable for our needs, you may send:
a letter of introduction; a table of contents; a sample chapter;
and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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INNER OCEAN / NEW WORLD LIBRARY
http://www.newworldlibrary.com/client/client_pages/submissions.cfm
---
Our works appeal to a large, general audience. We presently
focus on high quality books in the following categories:

spirituality
personal growth
women's interest
religion
sustainable business
the human-animal relationship
Native American interest
the environment

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SPONSORS
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DEANE WAGNER POETRY CONTEST
Sponsored by the St. Louis Writers Guild.
http://www.stlwritersguild.org/ (Click on Programs)
---
$10 ENTRY FEE / $5 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL POEM
The contest seeks to discover exceptional, unpublished poems
and to encourage poets everywhere through recognition and
rewards. Any topic is allowed. Deadline June 14, 2008.
Limit three poems. Introductory memberships to the St. Louis
Writers Guild given to all winners. Winners and honorable
mentions honored at a special public reading in August 2008.

First place $200
Second place $150
Third place $100
Honorable mention (3) - $10 each

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HOODOO MONEY

Mystery, romance, murder and mayhem - even a hoodoo curse!
What more could an ardent reader ask for when seeking shady
refuge from a sizzling Texas afternoon?

HOODOO MONEY, a novel by Sharon Cupp Pennington
ISBN 10: 1933157240    ISBN13: 9781033157245

Successful children's author Braeden McKay is content to
live vicariously through her imaginary heroine, Platypus Pearl,
and a gaggle of adventurous, web-footed cohorts -- until a working
vacation in New Orleans shakes up her quiet, structured world.
Had she known that souvenir nickel stolen from the grave of a
hoodoo woman would catapult her into a nightmare of betrayal and
murder, she would have insisted her friend put it back.

Available through all major online and bricks-and-mortar
bookstores. Amazon.com link - http://tinyurl.com/6cb3t7

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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
$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

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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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