Volume 8, Issue 31
August 3, 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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Stuffing the suitcase for the flight to Las Vegas where she'll
spend the next week visiting family. She'll answer your email,
in between kissing the granddaughter, of course.

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

Want Publicity in Major Magazines and
Newspapers?  Join Us Thursday...

You're invited to a free telephone seminar Thursday,
August 7th to discover how to get major print publicity.
You'll hear from editors at Woman's Day and Woman's
World as well as top business writers and entrepreneurs/
authors who'll share how they got coverage in top
publications.  Go here now to register free:
http://www.getmajorpress.com/call193

                 
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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

=====

THE EXCUSE OF BEING SMALL

Seth Godin writes a blog on marketing and is an author himself.
This particular blog resonated with me.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/07/should-small-bu.html

In essence, he ordered some clothes from a merchant through
Amazon.com. The clothes had to be sent back. They stated it
would take a month to process the return. Their excuse for being
slow? They weren't big like Amazon.

The Internet enables the small business, the small writer,
the virgin writer, the newbie writer. The Internet is a great
equalizer. A savvy writer can design a web site, prepare a
newsletter and handle customers as well as a New York Times
bestseller author.

People often imagine FundsforWriters as a business of a half
dozen people researching, typing, proofing, dealing with
subscribers and editing submissions. Fact is, FundsforWriters
is a one-lady show with a contracted proofreader on the side.
That's it! But because the Internet is endowed with so many
features and tools, I'm able to juggle many balls at once.
If this same business had a hard copy newsletter and only
operated via snail mail, those six people would be necessary.

Same goes for marketing your work. The Internet has blogs,
ebook distributers, list groups, e-mail, web sites, ecommerce
products and virtual book tours. If you focus on these enablers,
and use your savvy and polish, you can make a huge dent in
the book reading market.

Saying you are a small time writer or first-time author is
absolutely no excuse. You have the latitude of making your
own decisions. You have the world at your fingertips via
the computer.

Selling your books is completely in your hands.
You have no excuse.
 

    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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7th ANNUAL FUNDSFORWRITERS ESSAY CONTEST
Sponsored by IdeaWeaver
www.ideaweaversoftware.com

FundsforWriters and its annual sponsor IdeaWeaver, creator
of writing and creativity software, announce the 7th Annual
FundsforWriters Essay Contest.

THEME: "The Best Advice I Ever Had."

As is the FundsforWriters trademark, applicants enter with
or without an entry fee, their choice. Prize monies range
from $10 to $200.  Limit 750 words. Deadline October 31,
2008.

www.fundsforwriters.com/annualcontest.htm
Questions to hope@fundsforwriters.com

Also sponsored by:

Shelley Lieber
4Ps to Publishing Success:
Get Your Manuscript Off Your Desk & Into Print
www.shelleylieber.com/work1.htm

and

Original Impulse - Cynthia Morris
Creativity & Life Coaching Resources for Writers
www.originalimpulse.com

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Of course we all have our limits, but how can you possibly
find your boundaries unless you explore as far and as wide
as you possibly can?

I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted
than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done.

~ A. E. Hotchner

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ARTICLE
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NOTE:
BJ Epstein wrote this great piece on obtaining grants. This
is a two-part article entitled "How to Get Grants" from
her personal perspective as a grant writer and grant
recipient for her personal writing. If you recall from last
week, she's received 16 grants in the last year.

Enjoy!  ~HOPE

----

How to Get Grants (PART 2)
By B.J. Epstein

-Always be polite in your dealings with the foundation.
Sounds obvious, right? Well, I have had to deal with
secretaries of foundations who spelled my name wrong or
addressed me as Mr. (I am a Ms.), but I always politely
correct them, or just let it go, rather than write a rude
email such as, "My name is clearly spelled in my signature!
How hard is it to get it right?" I have also had meetings,
such as on behalf of the conference, with people who were
clearly unsure about me and whether I could pull off the
project. Sometimes such people made harsh comments that
hurt my feelings. I always stayed calm and polite and just
explained again who I was and what I could do for them.
Offending people is a sure way of not getting the grant.
 
-If you need letters of reference, ask the referees early
(i.e. weeks before the application is due) and give them
all the information they need. Give them the name and
address for where they should send their letters. Provide
letters and stamps if snail mail is required. Tell them all
about the foundation and why you think this grant suits you.
Give them the latest copy of your CV, your list of
publications, writing samples, and anything else that is
appropriate, so they have enough information about you to
write a good letter. One of my grants came from a foundation
in Sweden. None of my referees knew Swedish, so they could
not read the website that offered information on how the
letters were to be written and what issues should be addressed
in them. Therefore, I translated all the relevant details for
my referees. I was later told how helpful this was. Make the
process of writing letters as easy for your referees as possible.
 

Following the steps above should help you as you apply for
grants. But writing a great letter and being polite is not
all that you need to do. Here are a few final tips for after
you've submitted your application:
 
-Here's another obvious point. Thank your referees and anyone
else who has helped you as you applied. For one application,
the administrator actually took the time to let me know that
one of my references hadn't arrived and since the reference
was coming abroad, she offered to accept the letter by e-mail
for the time being. The letter did eventually arrive, but the
fact that she both let me know and helped me find a solution
to the problem was something I definitely thanked her for. It's
good manners to be grateful to anyone who goes out of their way
for you.
 
-If you do not get a grant and no reason has been given,
whether in the letter to you or else on their websites (such
as in the form of a press release about what projects they
have supported and why or in statistics), write to the
administrators and ask if they can tell you why. Say that you
would like to know so you can make your application stronger
for the next time. Whether they give you this information or
not, if you do apply again, clearly state both that you have
applied before and that you have developed since your last
application. Then say what you have done differently and/or
what is new with your project since you last applied.
 
-Add all the grants you've received to your CV and your
 website. As I said above, the knowledge that others have
sponsored and believed in you often can have a domino effect
that makes additional foundations look at you differently.
 
- Many foundations require a detailed report of what you did,
sample work finished during the time of the grant, and
complete budgets for how you spent the money. Keep careful
track of all the money you have spent. Get receipts and have
a running spreadsheet for the period of your project.
Depending on the grant, different things count: if you bought
a pen or a notebook or an ink cartridge for your printer, if
you traveled by train to a workshop, if you bought groceries,
workshop fees, if you took time off work, etc. Be very clear
in advance about what you can use the money for. Provide the
foundation with the complete budget and report and anything
else they want to see by the deadline they give you.
 
I hope this advice will help you successfully apply for more grants!

BIO
B.J. Epstein is a translator, writer, editor, and Ph.D.
student in translation studies, and she is the proud recipient
of grants from the Welsh Academi, the Karin and Hjalmar
Tornblad Foundation Fund, and the Anglo-Swedish Literary
Foundation, among other awards. More information about her
is available at http://www.awaywithwords.se and
http://brave-new-words.blogspot.com/
 

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COMPETITIONS
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SOLAS AWARD FOR TRAVEL WRITING
http://www.besttravelwriting.com/
---
$20 ENTRY FEE
Deadline September 21, 2008. With the Solas Awards we honor
writers whose work inspires others to explore. We're looking
for the best stories about travel and the world--funny,
illuminating, adventurous, uplifting, scary, inspiring,
poignant--stories that reflect the unique alchemy that occurs
when you enter unfamiliar territory and begin to see the world
differently as a result. We hope these awards will be a catalyst
for those who love to leave home and tell others about it.
$1,000 Gold
$750 Silver
$500 Bronze
Plus individual awards in categories.

=====

EMS SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www.halifaxems.org/
---
$35 ENTRY FEE
Halifax, Vermont EMS announces a nation-wide short story contest.
This fund raising effort will split the proceeds between the
authors of the top three stories and the newly-formed emergency
medical services squad in rural Halifax, Vermont. Short stories
must relate to EMS in some manner. Stories are solicited from
anyone whether they work as a first responder or not. Stories
must be well written and read well for a general audience. At
the conclusion of this year's contest, Halifax EMS will publish
a collection of selected stories submitted during the contest.
Deadline September 1, 2008.

One half of the entry fees for the writing contest will be
reserved for prize money for winners. We charge $35 for each
submission. First place will receive 25% of the pot. $1,000
minimum for first place. Second place will receive 15% of the pot.
Third place will receive 10% of the pot. The theme for this
quarter will be birth and rebirth.

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FIELDREPORT - SECOND CONTEST
http://www.fieldreport.com
---
NO ENTRY FEE
FieldReport, a new web site that has been called American Idol
for writing, has just announced the first FieldReport Prize for
Experiential Writing, a prize of $250,000 to be awarded December
1, 2008, for a single true-life story of 2,000 words or less.
As far as we can determine, this is the world's largest prize
for a single piece of writing. In addition to the grand prize,
a $25,000 scholarship will go to the best teen submission.
 
On July 1, 2008, FieldReport announced the winners of its
$40,000 beta contests, including $20,000 Beta Grand Prize winner
Murr Brewster, an Oregon mail carrier who had never published a
story before. Among the other beta winners were best-selling
author Laura Fraser, essayist and anthology editor Shari
MacDonald Strong, and New York Times "Habitat" columnist
Stephen P. Williams.
 
In order to qualify for the grand prize contest, enter a true-
life story and win one of twenty $1,000 category prizes awarded
each month leading up to the December 1st awards. Enter a story
between now and mid-August to win one of the September 1st
monthly prizes. Qualifiers are chosen by our patent-pending
Objective Community Ranking Engine so that quality, not
popularity, pushes the best FieldReports to the top. Read this
story [http://tinyurl.com/6k3hm6] to find out more about
FieldReport. Good luck!

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GRANTS
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VERMONT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/Default.aspx?tabid=149
---
The purpose of an Artist Development Grant is to provide funds
to artists for artistic and professional skill development, as
well as for the development of promotional or marketing materials.
Grants are intended to support activities which will enhance
the career development of artists. Grant amounts range from
$250-$1,000. Grant awards will generally not exceed $500.
However, grants for a higher amount may be considered on a
case-by-case basis for proposals in which emerging artists
are requesting funds to prepare work for a new or first time
significant performance or exhibition opportunity. Applications
are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted ONLINE at
least 60 days before an event or activity is to occur. 

=====

KENTUCKY PLAYWRIGHTS' SEMINAR
http://silvercreekwriters.com/TrishApplicationKWPS08.html
---
The Kentucky Women Playwrights' Seminar (KWPS) is a nine-
month seminar primarily funded by The Kentucky Foundation For
Women for seven Kentucky women writers to explore the techniques
of playwriting and to dramatize issues that impact their lives
and encourage positive social change.  The project will
culminate with these emerging women playwrights sharing their
feminist pieces during public readings as a part of the Second
Friday event, a Berea community program. Deadline has been
changed to August 8, 2008. If selected you agree to:

*Write 1 ten-minute play and 1 one-act play
*Attend Second Friday reading of your ten-minute and one-act plays
*Create appropriate publicity materials relating to your public reading
*Write a bio for use in all publicity materials
*Attend nine monthly seminar sessions
*Submit 1 of your plays (written while in the seminar) to a
theatre or a playwriting contest
*Contribute in a positive way during critique sessions of
fellow participants
*Be willing to edit work prior to public reading
*Pass on what you learn to other Kentucky women writers
*Pay $75 for the nine-month seminar  (If this is a hardship
please attach a note of explanation on your application)

=====

ARIZONA QUICK TURNAROUND GRANTS
http://www.azarts.gov/qtg/index.htm
---
Quick Turnaround Grant (QTG) applications are accepted by
mail between July 1 and May 1 annually, or until all grant
funds are expended. Grants are based on a fiscal year calendar
(July 1 through June 30 of the following year) and proposed
activities must take place within this timeframe. Applications
for all Quick Turnaround Grant categories must be submitted at
least 6 weeks in advance of an activity. Individual professional
development grants within this category are limited to $750.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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MUSTANG MONTHLY
http://www.mustangmonthly.com/contactus/index.html
---
Anything and everything from the current to historic models
of the Ford Mustang. Query first.

=====

AMERICAN GIRL
http://www.americangirl.com/corp/corporate.php?section=about&id=8
---
American Girl readers are girls in their formative years,
girls who dream big dreams. We hope to encourage those
dreams and to reinforce each reader's self-confidence,
curiosity, and self-esteem as she prepares to navigate
adolescence in the years ahead. Our lead time is approximately
nine months or more. Not seeking fiction at the moment.

=====

AMERICAN STYLE MAGAZINE
http://www.americanstyle.com/Media/Editorial_Guidelines.pdf
---
A magazine for those who love art. Readers are contemporary
craft collectors and enthusiasts. Covers information about
American crafts in all mediums, including profiles, city
tours, interviews, travel, museums, craft fairs, annual
conference events. Average length 1,000-1,200 words. Columns
500-800 words.

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JOBS
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REPORTER
Federal Times
Location Springfield, VA
http://www.journalismnow.com/viewJob.php?jid=322
---
Expiration August 26, 2008. Gannett-owned Federal Times
newspaper is looking for a smart, industrious, intrepid
reporter anxious to cover news about the federal government
and Capital Hill. Candidates must have the ability to write
at least three high-quality articles plus numerous brief
items each week for the print newspaper and one short story
daily for the Web site.

=====

REPORTER
Village Southwest News
Location Houston, TX
http://www.journalismnow.com/viewJob.php?jid=330
---
Expiration August 28, 2008. Full-time reporter wanted for
award-winning community newspapers. Newspaper experience
preferred but not required. Call (713) 668-9293 for interview.

=====

REPORTER
RCR Wireless News
Location Denver, CO
http://www.journalismnow.com/viewJob.php?jid=327
---
Deadline August 27, 2008. Aggressive reporter needed to cover
wireless business; both print and online. Bachelor's degree
in Journalism or a related field. Two years of reporting
experience is required. Strong interviewing and writing skills.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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ALYSON BOOKS
http://www.alyson.com/submissions.html
---
In addition, to gay and lesbian books (including Advocate
and Out Traveler Guides)--by gay and lesbian authors,
specifically for gay and lesbian readers--Alyson Books
publishes titles in the following mainstream subject categories:
Pop Culture, Theater and Film, Pets, Spirituality, Self Help,
General Fiction, General Non Fiction.

=====

AMERICAN GIRL BOOKS
http://www.americangirl.com/corp/corporate.php?section=about&id=8
---
American Girl Publishing welcomes nonfiction submissions from
authors and agents. We do not accept submissions in the field
of fiction. Our advice and activity books cover subjects of
interest or concern to girls ages 8-12, complete with
illustrations and photographs. Our goal is to encourage their
dreams and to reinforce their self-confidence and curiosity as
they prepare to navigate adolescence in the years ahead.
American Girl Publishing invites proposals for:

Well-focused concepts for activity books, craft books, or
advice books. Nonfiction specifically targeted to girls.

=====

BEARPORT PUBLISHING
http://www.bearportpublishing.com/client/client_pages/aboutus.cfm
---
At Bearport Publishing, we believe that books with good
writing and amazing photos are irresistible to kids. We also
believe that having books kids want to read is one of the
surest ways to foster reading achievement. These two principles
guide the development of all our titles for the K-8 school and
library market.

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

PURPLE SNOWFLAKE

Looking for a way to make your book stand out like a purple
snowflake in a snowstorm? Learn frugal, effective marketing
techniques with the Purple Snowflake Marketing e-book;
with 21 appendices and well over 500 direct links, authors
can begin promotion activities with a click of their mouse
and design a marketing plan for every book they write.

All this and more for under $7 (us).

WWW.sunshinecable.com/~drumit/purple.html

=====

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

=====

Advertise with FundsforWriters !!!
Advertise with FFW Small Markets!

ADS FOR $9 AND UP!

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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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