FundsforWriters - May 18, 2008

Published: Sat, 05/17/08

Volume 8, Issue 20       
May 18, 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.

(For the story about the picture, see Hope's latest column at www.wow-womenonwriting.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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DO YOU GET DIRTY UP TO YOUR ELBOWS?

After three weeks of relatives, I took a day to grab my gas
weed eater and goggles and do some serious weed wacking. The
late-spring weather had jump-started the Johnson grass along
my drive and the weeds in my beds, and I had a yearning to
slay them down to the ground with some satisfying physical
labor. 

As my muscles went to town, I pondered the world, the obstacles
in my life, and the opportunities I needed to pursue. Wiping
the dirt off my face as I changed the string in my trimmer,
I noted the pieces of grass, twig and dirt in my hair, up and
down my legs and up to my elbows. A conclusion hit me.

The only time we get serious work accomplished is when we get
dirty up to our elbows. The dainty, fingertip efforts often
fall short in producing showy flowers, elaborate shrubs or
hearty vegetables. The plants I've quickly slapped in the dirt
do not flourish as well as those I gingerly placed in well-
tilled, properly composted, accurately watered beds.

Full-throttle investment reaps higher rewards.

Many writers write with their fingertips, without getting
smudged and filthy...meaning they write something off the top
of their head without the research, the intensive editing,
the focused study of the publication being queried. Such
shortcuts involve:

1. Not reading the publication being solicited.
2. Not editing the article at least four or five times.
3. Not fact-checking beyond a reasonable doubt.
4. Not interviewing experts and relying on the Internet.
5. Not finding a reliable editor or writing group for feedback.

An editor or reader can tell when you invested thirty minutes
in an article when it deserved more like two or three hours.
The flash, the substance, the phrases that grab a reader by
the lapels aren't there.

When you finish a submission do you have the proverbial
grit under your fingernails, splinters in your hand,
sunburn on your face and ache in your joints? If so, chances
are you put your whole soul into the effort.


    Hope

HOPE'S LATEST COLUMN IN WOW-WOMENONWRITING.COM
"Sell the Funny Stuff"
http://wow-womenonwriting.com/21-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

=====

http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com

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

=====

EBOOKS COMING OUT OUR EARS!

The new ones are AUTHOR IN YOUR POCKET and THE SHORT STORY WRITER.
That doesn't include QUICK AS A FLASH, SHORT & SWEET: MARKETS FOR
YOUR FILLERS, and THE NO FEE CONTEST BOOK. Ebook combos include
a subscription to TOTAL FundsforWriters, our largest newsletter.

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

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never
go any higher than you think."

-- Benjamin Disraeli

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARTICLE
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The Dynamic Duo-
The Beauty of Corporate and Creative Clients

By Jennifer Brown Banks

You've probably discovered that e-zine and magazine markets
won't pay the mortgage, or sustain an ongoing profitable
business. Competition is fierce, publishers don't always pay
as promised, and the typical rate is ten cents to a dollar
per word, usually paid after publication.

To solve this conundrum of how to balance passion against
financial obligations, for many years I toiled at a 9 to 5
gig, while squeezing writing in as time allowed. Then about
five years ago, I was blessed to be downsized from a public
relations agency.  I say, "blessed" because it enabled me
the opportunity to cultivate and grow my work-from-home
business.  I discovered the joy of personal freedom.

I believe it was Emerson who once said that "success" is
living life on your own terms.

Since I already wrote regularly for a few magazines, I
merely built upon that base by adding more publishers. But
I also supplemented my income through teaching creative
workshops at colleges, libraries and arts centers in my city.
Much to my surprise, many of my students needed more
direction, and contacted me after our sessions for additional
writing help. Without the expense of marketing or a lot of
mental muscle, they became my creative clients. It was a
marriage made in heaven.

If you're looking to expand your writing business and your
bank account, here's why both corporate and creative
clients make sense.

The Pros of Creative or Personal Clients

  •   Creative, or personal, clients pay on the spot for
    services.  I typically charge $40 to 100 per consult for one
    hour of my time.  No more waiting for weeks or months for
    checks in the mail.
  •   Personal clients are more flexible--they typically
    don't have imposing deadlines or many dictates.
  •   They are great to network with; if they are pleased
    with your services they give referrals.
  •   They tend to be very generous and grateful for
    "quality" services.   For example, beyond their "tab", many
    of them have bestowed gift cards at bookstores, gift
    subscriptions for writers' publications, herbal teas, and
    bonus pay beyond what they owed me. When was the last time
    a publisher was so appreciative?
  •   They provide human interaction, which makes working
    from home less solitary.


    The Pros of Corporate or Business Clients

  •   They give a sense of legitimacy to your business.
  •   Corporate clients look impressive on a business resume.
  •   They help you to become a disciplined writer because of
    deadlines, editorial calendars, and budgets.
  •   They can expand your online visibility and put your work
    before unfamiliar, niche or normally unreachable audiences.
  •   Their rates are sometimes higher for fewer hours. I once
    made $500 for an 800-word column that took two hours to
    write. I then sold it to another market two months later
    for extra pay.

    Ready to expand your horizons?

    Here are a few "pick-up" places to add to your current client base:

    WWW.CRAIGSLIST.ORG
    WWW.JOURNALISMJOBS.COM
    WWW.WOODENHORSEPUBLISHING.COM
    WWW.WRITERGAZETTE.COM

    Once you have a good mixture of both types of work, you'll
    discover why it's the perfect blend for business success!

    BIO
    Jennifer Brown Banks
    Senior Editor, Mahogany Magazine, http://www.mahoganymagazine.com
    Veteran Freelance Writer and Consultant
     http://www.writergazette.com/jenniferbrownbanks.shtml
     

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    COMPETITIONS
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    FIELDREPORT AWARD FOR TRUE-LIFE STORIES
    http://www.fieldreport.com
    ---
    NO ENTRY FEE
    $40,000 in total prizes awarded July 1, 2008. 
     
    www.fieldreport.com
    Password: truelife
     
    FieldReport is a new web site that awards significant cash
    prizes for the best in personal writing. This call for
    submissions is for FieldReport's pre-launch beta period.
    The reading period for the contest is May 1, 2008 through
    June 30, 2008. Prizes are awarded July 1, 2008. Post 2,500
    words or less by going to the web site and typing in the
    password "truelife." (without the quotes).
     
    To submit, each participant must create an account and rank
    other pieces on the site. All submissions must be true
    (nonfiction) stories that actually happened to the author.
    Authors retain copyright subject to a license granted to
    FieldReport as specified in the agreement on the site.
    First prize: $20,000 for the top-rated story of true-life
    experience, as determined by quality rankings of the FieldReport
    community of reviewers; all bylines are hidden in the review
    process to eliminate bias. Category prizes: $1,000 for the
    top-rated story in Animal Beings; $1,000 for College Life;
    $1,000 for Crisis + Change; $1,000 for Food + Drink; $1,000
    for Friends + Relations; $1,000 for Home + Garden + Auto;
    $1,000 for Life + Me; $1,000 for Love + Hate; $1,000 for
    Music + Arts; $1,000 for Oddball Events; $1,000 for On the
    Job; $1,000 for Parenting + Pregnancy; $1,000 for Spirituality
     + Religion; $1,000 for Sport + Challenge; $1,000 for Style +
    Beauty + Body; and $1,000 for Witness to History. There will
    be a $2,000 for the winning story in Brush With Fame, and
    another $2,000 for the winner of Travel + Nature.

    =====

    GLASS WOMAN PRIZE
    http://www.sigriddaughter.com/GlassWomanPrize.htm
    ---
    NO ENTRY FEE
    For a work of short fiction or creative non-fiction (prose)
    written by a woman.  Length: between 50 and 5,000 words. The
    top prize for the fourth Glass Woman Prize award is US $600
    and possible (but not obligatory) online publication; two runners
    up prizes of $100 each and possible (but not obligatory) online
    publication. Subject is open, but must be of significance to
    women. My criterion is passion, excellence, and authenticity
    in the woman's writing voice.  Previously published work and
    simultaneous submissions are OK. Deadline September 21, 2008.

    =====

    FINELINE COMPETITION
    for Prose Poems, Short Shorts, and Anything In Between
    http://www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/midamericanreview/index2.html
    ---
    $10 ENTRY FEE
    1st Prize: $1,000 + Publication + Engraved Contest Commemorative
    Pen. Ten Finalists: Notation + Possible Publication. Deadline
    June 1, 2008. 500-word limit for each poem or short. All
    participants will receive Mid-American Review v. XXIX, no. 1,
    where the winners will be published.


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    GRANTS
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    TEXAS FILMMAKERS GRANTS
    http://www.texasfilmmakers.org/
    ---
    Deadline: May 31, 2008. Texas Film & Video Grants is a program
    designed to provide financial assistance to independent and
    emerging media makers who live in the State of Texas.
    Assistance is provided to artists whose work shows potential,
    skill, and creativity. Awards are distributed on a per-project
    basis; at a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per
    project.

    =====

    CREATIVE WRITING GRANTS FOR PROFESSIONAL WRITERS - CANADA
    http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/writing/ri127227329682968750.htm
    ---
    Deadline October 1, 2008. The Grants for Professional Writers
    program covers subsistence, project and travel expenses. The
    Creative Writing Grants component gives Canadian authors
    (emerging, mid-career and established) time to write new
    literary works, including novels, short stories, poetry,
    children's literature, graphic novels and literary non-fiction.
    Applicants must be Canadian citizens or have Permanent
    Resident status. Grants from $2,000 to $25,000.

    =====

    MISSISSIPPI MINI-GRANT
    http://www.arts.state.ms.us/grants/for-individuals.php
    ---
    Deadline June 2, 2008. Provides grants of up to $500 to
    support the professional development of individual artists
    by helping to fund: travel and registration for appropriate
    conferences; promotional efforts (such as printed invitations
    for a gallery opening); or artistic supplies (such as paint,
    film, or clay). Artist Minigrants are competitive and do not
    require a cash match.
     

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


    MENTAL FLOSS
    http://www.mentalfloss.com/magazine/submissions.php
    ---
    Mental Floss Magazine is an intelligent read, but not too
    intelligent. We're the sort of intelligent that you hang out
    with for a while, enjoy our company, laugh a little, smile a
    lot and then we part ways. Great times. And you only realize
    how much you learned from us after a little while. Like a
    couple days later when you're impressing your friends with
    all these intriguing facts and things you picked up from us,
    and they ask you how you know so much, and you think back on
    that great afternoon you spent with us and you smile. Pays
    up to 35 cents/word.

    =====

    DRAFT MAGAZINE
    http://www.draftmag.com/?q=mag
    ---
    DRAFT delivers the stories you won't find anywhere else.
    Exploring everything from the little-known pub down the
    street to selective breweries here and abroad and all other
    imbiber's interests - food, travel, sports, technology,
    entertainment, and leisure - DRAFT combines a fun and quippy
    style with unparalleled knowledge to deliver the definitive
    resource for the beer lover's lifestyle.

    (Following retrieved from Byline Magazine.)
    On Tap (beer-related) and On Tap Life (not beer-related),
    150-400 words. Sports and games and travel - 900 words.
    Features cover anything of interest to guys, such as cars,
    sports, adventure and profiles of guys with dream jobs.
    No beer reviews. Pays up to $1/word. Query with clips to
    Jessica Daynor - jessica.daynor@draftmag.com

    =====

    CONSCIOUS CHOICE - The "Enlightened" Urban Lifestyle Magazine
    http://consciouschoice.com/info/submissions.html
    ---
    Conscious Choice examines developments in alternative
    health care, nutrition, ecology, the environment, green
    businesses and sustainable development, urban planning,
    spirituality, personal growth, social justice, progressive
    politics, and renewable energy, among the many topics we
    have covered in our many years. The articles we publish
    are intended to help our readers build active, balanced,
    and conscious lives. We accept features in a variety of
    lengths from 200 to 2,000 words, plan issues 4-6 months
    in advance, and pay within 30 days of the month of
    publication. Typical payments range from $50 to $600, with
    more consideration given for longer pieces, clean copy and
    writers who supply usable art and have an established track
    record with us. We limit our book reviews to nonfiction books
    within our areas of interest, and when possible like to
    highlight local authors or preview authors' visits to
    Chicago.


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    JOBS
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    WRITERS
    Location Miami, FL
    http://jobrific.com/writer
    ---
    Freelance for Miami SunPost, Miami-Dade's largest independent
    news weekly with an audited print circulation of 48,000-plus.
    Assist our coverage of Miami, Coral Gables, Miami-Dade School
    Board, and Miami-Dade County. Also seeking part-time copy
    editors. Email resumes and clips to Erik Bojnansky or fax
    to 305-538-6077.

    =====

    CORPORATE MARKETING WRITER/REPORTER - 80% FROM HOME
    Location Newark, NJ
    http://www.adeccousa.com/JobSeekers/JobSearch/Pages/JobDetails.aspx?jobid=US_EN_1_023828_7419253
    ---
    Seeking a freelance Marketing Corporate Communications writer
    to cover events and telecommute on various company related
    communications. You will be writing for their website, their
    newspaper, on events, employee profiles and training materials.
    Must have current writing samples related to the above listed
    materials and areas. Most of the work will be done from home
    but about 5-6 times a month (subject to change) based on events
    you will be working onsite in N.J.

    =====

    COPY WRITER
    Location Beverly Hills, CA
    http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=71627764
    ---
    Netflix seeks a creative, intelligent writer to join the Site
    Content Team as a freelance copywriter. This person will work
    remotely to write original, descriptive movie and TV episode
    synopses. The ideal candidate has a passion for film and TV
    and for the written word. This person must be detail-oriented,
    self-motivated and prompt with meeting deadlines. He/she must
    also be able to take constructive criticism and improve upon
    his/her work immediately. He/she must also be able to adapt
    the tone and language of synopses to respective audiences.


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

    NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS
    http://www.newsociety.com/NSPeditorialguidelines.php
    ---
    New Society Publishers is a progressive publishing company that
    specializes in books for activists, books that contribute in
    fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and
    just society. We sell our books to a North America-wide market,
    using trade distributors in both Canada and the United States,
    as well as through direct mail and the Internet. Our mandate is
    to work for broad social transformation toward sustainability,
    through nonviolent means.

    =====

    OUTBACK BOOKS
    http://www.outbackbooks.com/submit.php?osCsid=13616ac59b8bf3dbb1aa88946ae0fc83
    ---
    CQU Press & Old Silvertail's Outback Books welcomes manuscript
    submissions from authors around Australia on the subject of
    Australian outback or history. Unfortunately, unless there are
    exceptional circumstances, it is usually not possible to
    publish fiction or poetry.

    =====

    WINSUN LITERARY AGENCY
    http://winsunliterary.com/
    ---
    Considers submissions in the following categories:
    Action/adventure, detective/police crime, family saga,
    humor/satire, juvenile, literary, mainstream, mystery/
    suspense, picture books, psychic/thriller/supernatural,
    religious/inspirational, romance, biography, child
    guidance/parenting, current affairs, how-to, memoirs.


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


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    =====

    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!
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    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 !!!
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    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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