Volume 9, Issue 31
August 2, 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, 2009

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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.

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PAID SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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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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STOP AND THINK BEFORE YOU PUBLISH

Bowker, the all-knowing source on books in print, released its
2008 numbers on books published.

Traditional publishers declined 3 percent.
Self-published/on-demand books increased 132 percent.
More self-pubbed books were produced than traditional.
This was the second year of triple-digit growth for self-pubs.

But what does this mean?

Self-pubbing advocates can jump up from their seats and pump
their fists in excitement and sense of accomplishment, but
step back and consider the advance from all angles.

According to Southern Review, www.anvilpub.net, this means
that probably more people are publishing than reading.
This assumption might be far-fetched and definitely
unmeasureable, but the reality is more books are being
printed. The readership is still the same and they aren't
speed-reading to make up for the increased number of books.
With the economy down, I imagine folks aren't buying as
many books, either, making the gap even wider between the
number of book writers and book buyers.

More books also means less sales per author. Another school
of thought is that buyers will become so mesmerized by the
huge volume of choices that they stick to well-known names.
Makes sense. Best-selling, hosehold name authors aren't
losing sales. No wonder publishers stick to their stable
of proven authors during down times like this.

Now...consider the fact that ebooks aren't in these figures.
People with Kindles and Sony Readers aren't reading more
books. They are spending their time on ebooks in lieu of
paper books. Thus, even fewer sales per print book author.

Agents are selling fewer books. Publishers are publishing
fewer titles. Conferences are drawing less attendees.
So what's writers to do during these hard times?

1. Develop a platform. You hear the term and think you'll
   worry about it when you have to. Well, now that there
   are more authors then readers, the only way to attract
   customers is to be the squeaky wheel with the gimmick
   or niche that pulls attention. If you think you're just
   a writer and that sales are for publishers, go get in
   the back of the line.

2. Take longer to research, write and edit that book.
   Yes, it's tempting to rush to THE END. But the odds of
   serious sales are against you unless you've maximized
   item one above and have a following. While you're
   working on your platform, also take plenty of time
   writing your book.

3. Hone your skills. Many laid-off people are returning
   to school. So can you. Whether it's an online course,
   a Writer's Digest correspondence cource, a low-residence
   MFA or a class at the local university, dig in and
   decide your writing could use some superior polish
   through the teachings of those who've paved the way
   before you.

No need to rush. You have plenty of time while this
roller coaster, zig-zag, dip-and-dive market settles
down. Why get lost in the fray? Work at your craft instead.
I guarantee you'll be glad you did a year or two from now.

While everyone else is chasing his tail in this rat race,
slow down, take deep breaths, grab a cup of something
special and bask in your writing.

     Hope

NOTE FROM HOPE:

See the big bandage on Hope's finger in the picture above?
Her gardening cost her the tip of one finger this week, so
she's moving slow on a keyboard. If you are expecting a
response, bear with her as she stumbles around. Thanks!

=====

THE BLOG, THE BLOG!
http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com

TWITTER ME
http://twitter.com/hopeclark

CONSULT WITH HOPE
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ConsultHope.htm

I JUST JOINED FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark

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GET THE SUM TOTAL OF FUNDSFORWRITERS - FOR HALF PRICE !!

Ever wish FundsforWriters wouldn't run out of markets each
week? Consider TOTAL FundsforWriters, a paid biweekly version
of FundsforWriters with 75 or more markets, contests, grants,
jobs, and publishers seeking your written word.

ONLY UNTIL AUGUST 1 . . . sign up for TOTAL for $6.00 !!

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

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FREE EBOOKS

Sylvan Dell Publishing just released its NEW next generation
eBooks. They are offering all 45 titles in a free eBook trial
for the next 90 days. Below is a link to a 90-day trial of all
45 Sylvan Dell eBooks:

http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/ebooktrials.php?e=MSBL9J

Code expiration date: 10/31/2009

For guided directions:

http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/documents/eBookOperatingInstructions.pdf

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

Publishing is half luck and timing - swimming through lots
of rejection. You can quit and drown or keep swimming to
the other side.

~ C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters.com
 
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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Hope-

Thanks for the work you do. Your newsletter encourages me
and so many others to keep sending our writing out into the
world. I just received notice that my unpublished novel was
awarded the inaugural Freedom in Fiction Prize. I can't
remember if I learned about the award in Funds for Writers;
but I do know for sure that receiving your newsletter every
week keeps me thinking about such opportunities and encourages
me to always be on the look out for new offerings.
 
I've pasted a part of the news release below.

<<< Jessica McCann has won the inaugural Freedom in Fiction
Prize for her historical novel, All Different Kinds of Free.
The international prize recognizes the best unpublished work
of fiction with the greatest potential for imparting the ideas
of free markets, liberty and personal responsibility. The honor
includes a $10,000 cash award. It is sponsored by The Mackinac
Center for Public Policy (www.mackinac.org) and supported by
the Rodney Fund. >>>
 
Thanks again and keep up the good work you do!
 
Jessica McCann
Email: editor@jessicamccann.com
Web: www.jessicamccann.com

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ARTICLE
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"Wishing for a Break"
by Shelby Oppermann
 
Consumers are looking for comfort and humor, and the newspaper
is no exception. Yes, you hear that newspapers are on the
decline, but most towns will stil carry a weekly paper for
residents to turn to for all their local events and news.
 
A comment I made in passing to a friend who wrote a weekly
column turned out to be a wish come true. I asked her to let
me know if she ever tired of writing her column to let me know. 
It was always a dream of mine to write a newspaper column. 
It's not that I was sure I could write an article every week;
I just made the comment. 

Be careful what you wish for. My friend decided to go back
to college. She called my bluff. I had a few days to write
some quick articles and think of a title for my column. I
wrote four articles by Monday morning and my title became
"wanderings of an aimless mind." That particular title left
me open to write about whatever crossed my little mind. 
 
Some of my most popular articles have been about unknown
county treasures. Some about my daily adventures. Your county
is probably filled with exciting treasures as well. Your
column could be the "go to" place for all this information.
 
My husband is afraid to say anything to me for fear it will
show up in one of my articles. My two grown sons are watchful
as well. I listen carefully to conversations or remember all
the crazy things that happen to me during the week. Much to
my amazement, my random thoughts have made my column extremely
popular. My picture appears in the headline, and I can't go
to many places without being stopped and told how much people
enjoy my writing.

I fell into my column, but you could actively contact your
local newspaper and ask to send writing samples. Offer to
test drive a column for a month. The pay is not large: $25
per 700 average word article, but it has given me newfound
confidence to write. With a guaranteed weekly column to
produce, you gradually write smoother and better. It is a
perfect avenue for writers who wish to write what is in their
heart.

The response from your readers is worth as much if not more
than the pay. If you would like to see a sample of my article
style, please check out www.countytimes.net , "Wanderings of
an Aimless Mind."
 
E-mail your local columnists. Tell them how much you enjoy
their style, ask to send something of yours, and let them
know that if they ever run out of ideas or need a vacation,
you would like pinch-hit. I know one of the top humorist
article writers in the country, and have learned even the top
dogs reach a point when they begin to run out of ideas.
 
BIO
Shelby Oppermann is a Custom Picture Framer with 28 years
experience in Leonardtown, MD. She is also an accomplished
artist, and painter of award-winning miniatures. Shelby
writes a weekly column for the County Times newspaper in St.
Mary's County, MD.

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COMPETITIONS
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THE PATRICIA BIBBY FIRST BOOK AWARD
http://www.tebotbach.org/tebot_ad.html
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
Winner will receive $1,000 and book publication. The competition
is open to all poets writing in English who have not committed
to publishing collections of poetry of 36 poems or more in
editions of over 400 copies. Entries of 50-84 pages of original
poetry in English must be postmarked by October 31, 2009.

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ALIMENTUM POETRY CONTEST
http://www.alimentumjournal.com/submissions.html
---
$15 ENTRY FEE (includes one-year subscription)
Accepts entries September 1 through December 1, 2009. First
prize $500 and publication for a single poem. Two second prizes
of publication. Final judge internationally renowned poet
Dorianne Laux. Submit up to 3 unpublished poems related to
the subject of food or drink. No simultaneous submissions.
Winners will be contacted and announced on website March 1,
2010. All contest submissions will be considered for publication.

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DISCOVERING NEW MYSTERIES CONTEST
http://www.newmysteries.org/submission_guidelines/
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Discovering New Mysteries is now accepting submissions of
original plays, screenplays, teleplays, and short stories
for both adult and youth audiences. Deadline for submissions
is August 30, 2009. A panel of professional readers will
blindly review the submissions and narrow the field to the
final mysteries, who- dunnits, cops-n-robbers, courtroom
dramas, thrillers, suspense or adventures. Nearly $20,000
in cash prizes for winners + prestigious Angie Awards.

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GRANTS
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THE SUNDANCE INSTITUTE/ALFRED P. SLOAN COMMISSIONING GRANT
http://www.sundance.org/sloan/
---
An annual cash award for a science- or technology-related
film that is at an early stage of development, such as full
treatment or early screenplay draft. The program is funded
by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and administered by the
Sundance Institute. The award includes a cash grant of up
to $20,000 to provide support during the writing period, a
stipend of up to $5,000 for a science advisor, plus creative
support during the writing process from a select group of
advisors, the possibility of a fellowship to a Sundance
screenwriters lab, and strategic and practical support from
the Sundance feature film program staff. Deadline September
8, 2009.

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JONATHAN LARSON GRANTS
http://americantheatrewing.org/larsongrants/
---
The grants program was established 13 years ago as a place
for individual creative theatre artists to turn to for
financial support and encouragement. Individuals may apply
as lyricists, composers, composer/lyricists, or composer/
lyricist/bookwriters. Individual bookwriter applications
are not accepted. Collaborative teams may apply together
as composer and lyricist or composer, lyricist, and bookwriter.
Collaborators who work together regularly are strongly
encouraged to apply as a team.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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ANDERBO SEEKS NOVELIST
http://www.anderbo.com/guidelines.html
---
Anderbo.com "Best New Online Journal" is seeking to post
ONE unpublished entire novel on its website by December 1,
2009 for at least the following six months. We will look
at the FIRST 30 PAGES (up to 10,000 words) of your e-manuscript
and decide within 60 days if we want to see more. THERE IS NO
READING FEE and all literary rights will remain with the
author. No novel submissions will be accepted after September
1st. We guarantee to choose and use one manuscript, and to
pay an honorarium of $300 to the chosen author upon publication.

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WRITER'S MARKET
Robert Lee Brewer, Editor, Poet's Market
Email: robert.brewer@fwmedia.com
---
Accepting article pitches for 2011 Poet's Market until
September 1, 2009. In body of e-mail, please outline your
article idea and include a short bio. Send an e-mail with
the subject line: 2011 Poet's Market Query: to
robert.brewer@fwmedia.com . Please reference the 2010 Poet's
Market to get an idea of what articles have been accepted in
the past. I'm mostly interested in business/marketing-related
pieces, but craft-related articles are fine, too. NOT
interested in poet interviews, profiles.

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HEALTH
http://www.health.com/health/service/about
http://www.health.com/health/service/contact-us
---
Health.com is produced by editors and journalists dedicated
to delivering accurate, trusted, up-to-date health and medical
information, for consumers. We focus on problem-solving
content to help you make decisions during complicated,
stressful times. Pays up to $2/word.
 

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JOBS
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WRITER-EDITOR
Location Washington DC Metro
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=82452632&aid=27015391-2579&WT.mc_n=125
---
Deadline August 14, 2009. Employing Agency: National
Transportation Safety Board. Edit aviation accident reports,
safety recommendation letters, responses to petitions for
reconsideration of probable cause, speeches , comments on
proposed rulemaking, routine correspondence, and other
documents written by NTSB staff.

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WEB NEWSROOM INTERN
Location New York, NY
http://nytimes.contacthr.com/13764402
---
The internship in the Web newsroom involves participating
both in the packaging of online news in The Times's fast-
paced newsroom, as well as assisting in the development of
interactive projects and features for internal content
management systems. The intern will work with producers,
reporters and editors who work on both the Web site and the
newspaper.

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PROOFREADER
Location Durham, NC
http://tinyurl.com/nxo4p9
---
We're looking for a passionate, motivated, and creative
individual to join the McKinney team as a Proofreader.
Individual will be responsible for checking layouts,
mechanicals and manuscripts for grammar, punctuation,
spelling and client -  specific accuracy; checking with
executives and department heads on questions of authenticity
and accuracy; and researching information as requested by
agency departments. Bachelor's degree and one year's exp.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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TURNER PUBLISHING
http://www.turnerpublishing.com/
---
Looking for a wide variety of genres. We love southern
fiction. But really, we accept all kinds because the element
that we look for - is that it is good. We'll produce a
romance novel if it is stellar, a mystery, a YA novel. But
we aren't doing children's books right now, nor horror, or
graphic novels. But we accept: mysteries, fantasy, sci fi,
cook books, non-fiction of all sorts, travel guides, literary
fiction, mass market fiction, etc.

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ADDICUS BOOKS
http://www.addicusbooks.com/submission_guidelines.cfm
---
Seeking titles on: consumer health, self-help, psychology,
business, economics, investing, and books of regional interest
-- true crime. We prefer first a proposal outlining the nature
of your work, who your market is and information about your
background.

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ALONDRA PRESS
http://www.alondrapress.com/Home_Page.html
---
We do not have any specific guidelines in regard to the type
of literature we are looking for. Our principal criterion is
that the work be well-written and targeted for thoughtful and
reflective readers. Possibly we ourselves do not know what we
want. But we will certainly recognize an outstanding work
when we see it.  Our prospective authors who wish to get an
idea of what we might like should first read one of our books.

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SPONSORS
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GIVE ME YOUR NEEDY MANUSCRIPT
     If  there's a spark of  life in  it I'LL FAN IT

@"Your critique helped me turn the book around."
 -Jess Stearn,author of Edgar Cayce,Sleeping Giant     

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With agents and publishers receiving hundreds of manuscripts
a week, it's not surprising they often dump anything with
spelling or grammatical errors in the trash, no matter how
brilliant the story! It's harsh, but it's how they separate
professionals from amateurs.

You've spent a lot of time creating your manuscript. Let
me help you give it the best chance to get noticed. And
if you're publishing yourself, you don't want any typos
to ruin the finished product. From a technical Proofread
to a Light Edit, pick the service that works for you. 

See Editing101.com for full details and glowing references.

http://Editing101.com

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AWARD WINNING NOVELIST, STORY WRITER WILL EDIT YOUR WORK

Winner of the 2009 Excellence in Teaching Award from
UNC Chapel Hill, Richard Krawiec has published novels,
story collections, plays, memoirs, poetry, feature articles,
and Young Adult biographies.  He's won NEA and NC Arts Council
grants, been nominated for the National Book Award and
Pushcart Prize. He was a Finalist for the 2009 Indie Book
Awards for Poetry.
 
It's hard to publish these days. 
Let someone who knows what they're doing help
you prepare your work for publication.

http://home.mindspring.com/~rkwriter/

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BE THE STAR YOU ARE FOR TEENS - BASH BENEFIT - YOU ARE WELCOME

The literacy charity, Be the Star You Are!®, founded by
Cynthia Brian is celebrating its 10th anniversary of
service on September 13 with a Books and Bands Bash
Benefit. Her new book, Be the Star You Are! for TEENS
will be launched at the event with thirteen contributors
on hand to autograph copies. Cynthia is excited because
 many major media outlets have signed on as sponsors
including Diablo Magazine, KCBS, KPFA, Lamorinda Weekly
Newspaper, World Talk Radio, Voice America, and Garden Pro
Radio.

They'll be dancing under the stars, food, vendors, raffles,
and even a bone marrow registry. For information and tickets
go to www.bethestaryouare.org. All proceeds benefit charity
and are tax deductible.

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In just 6 hours, you could be on your way
to earning $500-$1,500 for writing a single page of web copy ...
 
If you love writing but just haven't figured out how to make
money with it, listen closely ...

There are literally millions of websites that need writers
who understand how to write for the search engines (like
Google, for example). What this means is, re-writing existing
content, so that it becomes more visible to the search engines. 

And in just 6 hours, you can learn all you'll need to know
to get a jumpstart in this lucrative and highly rewarding
market. Read on to find out how becoming an SEO copywriter
could be just the ticket you've been looking for ...

http://www.awaionline.com/b8/seocopywriting

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7th year. Fifteen cash prizes totaling $5,350. Top prize $2,000.
Submit poems in any style or genre. Both published and unpublished
work accepted. Winning entries published online. Entry fee is
$7 for every 25 lines, payable to Winning Writers. Postmark
deadline: September 30. Judges: J.H. Reid, D.C.Konrad. Submit
online or mail to Winning Writers, ATTN: Tom Howard Poetry
Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060.
Winning Writers is proud to be one of "101 Best Websites for
Writers" (Writer's Digest, 2005-2008).

More information: www.winningwriters.com/tompoetry

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WORLDWIDE FREELANCE MARKETS - Serving the freelance writing
community for 10 years. Come and try our searchable database of
writing markets from North America, Europe and around the world. 

http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

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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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