Volume 9, Issue 1
January 4, 2009

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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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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.

Are you the next VIP Author?

Writing is a passion. Publishing is a business. VIP Authors
know the difference.
 
Now is the best time in the history of publishing to be an
author because everything is changing. "It was the best of
times, it was the worst of times." Get it? There are more
opportunities to get published than ever before--if you know
what you're doing. And with all the changes, it's harder
than ever to know what to do. But what if you had a mentor
to guide you? Want to know how to fi-i-i-i-nally get that
book published?
 
Free Call: "How to Make 2009 The Year of The Author"
When: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 2pm - 3pm ET (11am - 12pm PT)
Details: http://vipauthors.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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NOTE:
SterlingHouse Publishing (from December 21 edition of this
newsletter) is a vanity publisher that offers contracts
requiring authors to buy large quantities of their own books.
They are listed on several beware lists. Visit with caution.
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2007/03/victoria-strauss-sterlinghouse.html

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HOMETOWN NICHE PRESSES

I saw this article in the Charleston Post and realized how true
it was. Niche presses have a place. Considering these days that
the major presses are in dire straits, and the successful find
new ways outside the norm to become known, niche presses might
be the way to go for you in your search for publication.

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/dec/27/charleston_based_publisher_thriving_nich66367/

The History Press covers history and native stories of regions.
Headquartered in Charleston, SC, a city wrought with history,
this press is actually improving, growing and increasing in size.
A friend of mine writes fiction about mill villages, and I sent
this press to him. Perfect match.

Start with a search of your city, region and state. You'd be
surprised at the small presses in your own backyard. I did a
search of South Carolina presses and came up with:

University of South Carolina Press - http://www.sc.edu/uscpress/
Hub City - http://www.hubcity.org/submissions.html
Sandlapper Publishing - http://www.sandlapperpublishing.com/
Arcadia Publishing - http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/
Joggling Board Press - http://www.jogglingboardpress.com/
Bob Jones University Press - http://www.bjupress.com/
Ninety-Six Press - http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/96Press/press.htm

Contact colleges and universities. They know the state presses.
Talk to bookstore managers. They know the locals as well. Go
to your local bookstores and study the local author section.
Note who publishes them.

When I teach about grants, I advise grantseekers to start close
to home seeking grants. Grant providers like to endorse hometown
heroes. Same goes for small presses. They love a successful local
author. Those small presses are trying to make names for themselves,
too.

We all know that selling books is about the effort thrown
into the marketing, not who prints the book. The writer who
becomes savvy with promotion and partners with a hungry press
might find the successful connection he needs.

Self-publishing takes tons of upfront money. Large publishing
houses can hardly give you the time of day. Find your local
niche press to locate the best balance for your dream book.

    Hope

FLASH! LET'S TALK!

Hope offers coaching/consulting.
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ConsultHope.htm

====

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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2009 BYLINE DAILY CALENDAR

It's out! Just in time for holiday shopping!

This daily writers' calendar is perfect. 2009 will be
Hope's fifth year using this marvelous writing tool.
See writers just like yourself on each weekly post.
Keep up with literary conferences, author birthdays.
Manage your submissions. Its uses are endless.

Offered each year by FundsforWriters.

www.fundsforwriters.com/Bylines.htm

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FUNDS FOR THE ESSAYIST UPDATED!

We receive lots of requests for this one. You'll find
over 300 resources in this 102-page ebook.

www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm

As always, if you've purchased this ebook in the last
two months, we'll send you a free copy upon request.
Just email hope@fundsforwriters.com with the approximate
time you purchased the ebook.

We updated Grants for the Serious Writer in November!
Available on the same page.

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to
put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity
and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

-- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Everyone's been fairly quiet this week. If you have a success
story, especially one that links back to a discovery in
FundsforWriters, let us know. We'd like to pat you on the back.

E-mail to: hope@fundsforwriters.com

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ARTICLE
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Writing:  A Defense Weapon

By Joan Foley Baier

Someone refuses to give you a sizable refund (mine was over
$4,000); another person claims the product you bought is not
faulty; a third company has Customer Service personnel speaking
to you from another country, often in barely understandable
English. Their only job apparently is to record service calls,
not to take messages or provide help. Several calls later, you
still do not have results.

You have two options:  1) Do nothing more--be a victim; or
2) plan your defense--using your research and writing skills.
My secret defense weapon is to write, not to just anybody,
but to the PIP, the People in Power. (You could call this
Operation PIP Squeak.)

If the person/company who is doing you wrong is licensed to
practice in a particular field, there is always a regulatory
board that oversees the practices and abuses in that field.
Every state has a Real Estate Board, a lawyers' Bar Association,
etc. AARP the Magazine has a column, On Your Side, that
investigates and frequently solves problems. Email
ron@ronburley.com. And there is always your state's
Attorney General.

For a specific guilty company, I go to its website and click
on the About Us button, which usually gives its address and
names of the CEO and other officers.  If that search isn't
successful, go on line to a stock-quoting site (I use
http://scottrade.com). Select Market Information. Enter the
company name or its stock symbol and a whole page of information
appears. Usually its website is noted, but once I found no
names of the company officers there. So I clicked on its
Press Releases; one of its vice presidents was quoted in the
release, and even his email was included!

Once you have the PIP's information, sharpen your weapon.

1) Organize your records:  what you paid, when you paid
it, and to whom. Include written notes on any communications:
the date, to whom you spoke/wrote, and the gist of the message.

2) Make copies of any and all pertinent documents to
send: receipts, checks, contracts.

3) Write a succinct, but thorough, complaint. The easiest
way to write it and for them to read it is to number the
progression of events chronologically. For example:

     a)  On [date], I signed a contract with [name] and paid him
$xxxx.xx. Explain briefly the service or object of the contract.

     b)  [date], the item, or service, was not received nor were
answers to my phone calls.

     c)  On [date] I called the supervisor [name, if possible]
and [received assurance that the job would be done] or [was told
they were not at fault] or...

4) Continue with brief but clear statements of the entire
chronology and then in a final, unnumbered paragraph, state what
you want and expect from the person to whom you are writing.
Include your name, address, phone number, email address, cell
phone.

When you go to the very top and methodically state your case
and what you want as a result, the immediate response is truly
amazing. My experience is that the PIPs don't want their company
names besmirched and demand a quick and proper fix. In one case,
the CEO gave me her cell phone number to call if I should have any
other service failures.

Just as we don't want providers to abuse us, it's wise to not
abuse the PIPs with minor problems. But with a major issue,
when all else fails and you are not getting positive results,
use this powerful weapon of self defense.

BIO
Joan Baier published short stories for children's magazines
many years ago. She has also written, freelance, for local
newspapers as a reporter/photographer and was a technical writer
at Eastman Kodak until her retirement. More recently, she has
been published in "Angels on Earth", "Grit" magazine, "Bread
for God's Children" and "Shine Brightly".

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COMPETITIONS
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ABERDEEN SHORT STORY WRITING CONTEST
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~wap001/doric-competition.shtml
---
NO ENTRY FEE NOTED
The competition is open to all amateur writers over the age
of 16. The story should be concerned with some aspect of life
in North-east Scotland and may be written in Scots, including
Doric, or English or a mixture of the two. The award for the
best entry will be made at the 2009 WORD Festival weekend (May
13-17) at the University of Aberdeen, when the winning story
will be read out by a well-known writer. The story will also be
published in Leopard Magazine. A short story of up to 4,000 words
in length should be submitted by March 31, 2009.

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FRED BONNIE MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL
http://www.rivercitypublishing.com/bonnie.html
---
$40 ENTRY FEE
The contest is open to anyone aged 18 or older, and who has not
previously published a novel. Writers who have published in
other genres (e.g., nonfiction, poetry, children's books, short
stories) are eligible. Works that have been self-published in
traditional print, print-on-demand, or e-book formats will not
be considered, although an author who has published a novel in
one or more of these formats and otherwise meets the entry
requirements may submit a manuscript that has not been published
anywhere before. A novel written as a joint effort by two or
more eligible people may be submitted as one entry. Entries
must be postmarked between January 1 and June 1, 2009.

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GRANTS
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COLORADO ART RANCH RESIDENCIES
http://www.coloradoartranch.org/nextresidency.htm
---
Colorado Art Ranch will host visual and literary artists in
Trinidad, Colorado. The residency begins April 17, 2009 and
ends May 18, 2009. Deadline for applications is February 1,
2009. Each resident will be assigned their own personal Art
Buddy from the community. Your Art Buddy will help orient you
to the town and (if desired) connect you to people and places.
They will also help you set up your give-back to the community.

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SALTONSTALL ARTS COLONY
http://www.saltonstall.org/fellowships/index.php
---
Deadline January 15, 2009. Artists and writers who are NYS
residents are invited to apply for fellowships (i.e. month-long
summer residencies) at the 200-acre Saltonstall Arts Colony in
Ithaca, New York. Five artists are in each session: one
photographer, one poet, one prose writer, two painters,
sculptors or other visual artists. The Colony is located in
the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York.
The Summer Fellowship competition is statewide and is open
to all NYS residents (including NYC).

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SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP
E-mail: SFWriters@comcast.net
---
The San Francisco Writers Conference is proud to announce a
new scholarship for the 2009 event: The Sue Dyer Scholarship
for Writers of Nonfiction. The winner will not only attend the
conference this Feb. 13-15 at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, they will
meet with literary agents and editors who work with nonfiction
writers. Writers who want to be considered for the scholarship
must be residents of the San Francisco Bay Area who write non-
fiction of any kind. Entries must include their contact
information, a one-page writing sample, and a short 'pitch'
(50 words or less) of why they want to attend the San Francisco
Writers Conference. Send an email request to SFWriters@comcast.net
for details about the scholarship.  Submissions can also be
emailed or sent to the Sue Dyer SFWC Scholarship, 291 McLeod St.,
Livermore, CA, 94550. Deadline for entries is January 20, 2009.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS
http://lowres.uno.edu/contest.cfm
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
The University of New Orleans, the pioneer in writing programs
abroad, is pleased to announce the fifth annual writing contest
for study-abroad, Summer, 2009. Submission Deadline: January 31,
2009. Eligibility: Anyone writing in English who has not yet
published a book of 45 pages or more in the genre of application.
Prose submissions should not exceed 4,500 words (about 15 pages
double-spaced). Poetry submissions should not exceed 5 pages
and may include a maximum of 3 poems.

Full fee waivers, including housing allowance, will be granted
to one writer each in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative
nonfiction. Partial awards and honorable mentions may also be
granted. Winners may attend any of UNO's 2009 study-abroad
writing programs:

Writing Workshops in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Writing Workshops in Montpellier
The Ezra Pound Center for Literature, Dorf Tirol, Italy
 

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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PARABOLA
http://parabola.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid=164
---
Parabola is a quarterly journal devoted to the exploration
of the quest for meaning as it is expressed in the world's
myths, symbols, and religious traditions, with particular
emphasis on the relationship between this store of wisdom
and our modern life. Each issue of Parabola is organized
around a theme. Examples of themes we have explored in the
past include Rites of Passage, Sacred Space, The Child,
Ceremonies, Addiction, The Sense of Humor, Hospitality, The
Hunter, The Stranger, and Prayer & Meditation.

Articles run 1,000-3,000 words. Book Reviews run approximately
500 words. Retellings of traditional stories run 500-1,500
words. Forum contributions should be no longer than 500 words.
Article payment generally ranges from $150 to $400. The
payment for epicycles and book reviews is $75.

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AMERICAN JOURNALISM REVIEW
http://www.ajr.org/ajrgart.asp
---
American Journalism Review welcomes submissions from outside
writers. The front-of-the-book section is where most freelancers
and writers break into the magazine. The pieces are anywhere
from 500 to 1,000 words and usually, although not exclusively,
are tied to a current event. Features run from 2,000 to 5,000
words. We have a regular reviewer but do occasionally run
outside reviews. If you've written a book, you're welcome to
send a copy to the Book Editor for review consideration.

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BECKETT MEDIA
http://www.beckett.com/HR/employment.html
---
Beckett Media is looking to add to its pool of freelance
collectibles writers. We continue to seek market-intensive
stories that reflect trends in the card and collectibles
industry. Send your best hobby story idea, a sample of your
writing and your resume to: freelance@beckett.com . Topics
include anime/manga, baseball, basketball, eSports, football,
hockey, online gaming, pokemon, racing and more.

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JOBS
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TECHNICAL WRITER-EDITOR
Location Washington DC
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=78320313&aid=27015391-30128&WT.mc_n=MKT000125
---
Deadline January 13, 2009. Agency: Department Of Energy.
Writes and/or edits interesting and informative articles and
stories designed to increase the general public's understanding
and appreciation of fossil energy and FE technical research. 
The incumbent will also develop or provide input into speeches
and feature articles by the Assistant Secretary and other senior
FE officials; monitor daily media publications for key articles
impacting oil and gas activities; and respond to requests for
information materials on the nature of Fossil Energy policies or
programs in the oil and natural gas sector.

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EDITOR
Location New Bern, NC
http://freedom.com/careers/job_info.asp?id=1362
---
The Sun Journal, a 15,000 circulation daily newspaper, located
in historic New Bern, NC is seeking an Editor to lead its
newsroom. This is a great opportunity for an experienced,
hands-on journalist to work with a talented staff, produce
a lively interactive Opinion page and engage with a spirited
community. Staff emphasis is on newsgathering focused on the
local community only with a regional site supporting the design
and production of the paper.

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RESEARCHER/REPORTER
Location off-site
http://journalism.berkeley.edu/jobs/details.php?cat=newmed&ID=7190
---
Inman News (www.INMAN.com), an award-winning independent real
estate news company, is seeking a full-time Reporter/Researcher
who can dive into the housing market and find powerful and
provoking news, provide insight and analyses that captures the
attention and inspires the imagination of real estate
professionals and consumers alike.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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SEVERED PRESS
http://www.severedpress.com/
---
Severed Press independent publishers of Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
and Dark humour novels, novellas and short fiction for
collections. Accepting submissions in the following categories:

Novels: Apocalypse/Survival Horror, Dark Humour, Sci-Fi Horror,
and anything out of the ordinary.

Current anthologies: Dead Bait and 2012AD.

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HEYDAY BOOKS
http://www.heydaybooks.com/
---
A nonprofit that publishes books...and does so much more! Learn
about Heyday's vital role in celebrating California's culture
and history. Publishes about two dozen books a year.

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CREATIVE PUBLISHERS
http://www.creativebookpublishing.ca/
---
Creative Book Publishing seeks to advance Newfoundland and
Labrador's publishing sector by producing works of literary
and cultural excellence, and by actively promoting its authors
and their books in national and international markets. Located
in St. John's, Newfoundland, Creative Book Publishing produces
Canadian-authored tradebooks. On average, it publishes 10-14
new titles per year and reprints 8-12 books annually. The
company has published more than 200 books since its inception,
has more than 80 titles on its active list and maintains a
reputable backlist.

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SPONSORS
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Experienced editor available for consultation on your
writing projects. Specializing in magazine-length nonfiction.
I've been on both sides of the red pen, so I know what it's
like. We'll work together to polish your words.

More information: http://readwriterachel.com/services

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CAN YOU TAKE A SIMPLE PHOTOGRAPH?

If yes, you could make $2,000 a week taking snap shots in your
own backyard, on your family vacations, or anywhere in the
world you care to travel. Here's everything you need to know
about this fun and lucrative business:

http://www.thephotographerslife.com/ph2/b8a

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A FUN AND REWARDING SECOND INCOME FOR WRITERS

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be responsible for creating a
happy memory that will stay with a child forever...and get
paid handsomely to do it? With the tremendous recent
successes of children's books, many publishers are looking
to develop first-time authors. When you know who they are,
what they want and how they want it, you'll be ahead of
90-95% of other new writers. If you've ever considered
improving your livelihood by writing for children, this
will make it easier than ever: 

http://www.publishachildrensbook.com/kid/b8a

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CAN YOU WRITE A SIMPLE LETTER?  

If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing
just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to
be. Learn the secrets of this little-known, lucrative business.

http://www.thewriterslife.com/awi/b8a1

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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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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

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

ADS FOR $12 AND UP!

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$90 - four weeks in FundsforWriters & FFW Small Markets

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

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BUSINESS STUFF
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C. Hope Clark
E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com

140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036

http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2009, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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