FundsforWriters - July 19, 2009

Published: Fri, 07/17/09

Volume 9, Issue 29
July 19, 2009


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          
FUNDS FOR WRITERS
 
Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
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.

 
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PAID SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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VistaPrint USA 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
 
=====
 
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING
 
A writer recently asked me how long to wait when querying
publishers about her book. She received six rejections, all
generic, and was waiting for another. Waiting!! She was giving
each publisher time to reply. Of course, she became depressed
and asked what should she do to try harder getting her book
published.
 
I offered these suggestions:
 
1. Submit to many more publishers and agents. Do not wait for
one to get in touch before querying another. I pitched 72
agents before finding mine. Get ready to query a lot.
 
2. Make sure you query each one individually - no form letter.
Note in each query WHY you chose that agent/publisher. 
 
3. Keep the query to 350-400 words. Include the following
paragraphs:  a hook opening and/or reason you selected that
publisher/agent, basic information about the book, your bio
and a closing.
 
4. Start writing books two and three. When I obtained my
agent, she asked the status of book two. Luckily it was
written and undergoing edits. She then asked for outlines
for books three and four. Be prepared to rattle those off
when asked by an agent/publisher. You should never be NOT
writing. A book should always be in progress if you intend
to publish books. Never wait to see what happens to book
one before writing book two.
 
5. Whether or not to obtain a literary agent is up to you.
Are you comfortable with negotiating contracts? Are you
familiar with the publishing world? The more help you need
learning contracts and the publishing world, the more you
need an agent. Some publishing houses ONLY deal with agents.
 
6. Platform - What are you offering besides the book? A lot
of the time, a book isn't rejected on its merit - it's
rejected on the author's merit - or lack of. What in your
bio convinces the author/publisher that you are the right
person to write this book . . . and sell it. The query has
to sell you as well as the book. The market is tight, and
there are lots of good books. Agents seek good authors as well
as great reads.
 
7. Subscribe to www.publishersmarketplace.com if you are
seriously seeking agents and publishers. This site shows the
current contracts being signed and which agents and publishers
are active.
 
8. Join the professional organizations in your genre or
writing niche.
 
Actually, you shouldn't be waiting. You should be busy.
Success is sweeter when you don't see it coming, because
you're so preoccupied putting words on paper.
 

     Hope
 
 
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
 
=====
 
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
 
=====
 
REFERENCES FROM HOPE
 
These books are highly recommended for your writing shelf.
Many of these are dog-eared on my bookshelf. Consider
adding them to yours.
 
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/References.htm

 

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~
 
WORDS OF SUCCESS
 
"Creativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity
and limitations, the latter (like the river banks) forcing
the spontaneity into the various forms which are essential
to the work of art or poem."
 
-- Rollo May
 
 
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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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I found this contest in your list of opportunities earlier
this spring, and had forgotten about it when I received word
that I'd won first place.  I was so pleased with the check
and certificate sent to me, but also by the kind words, i.e.
that my story was one of the strongest submitted in Chistell's
eight years of running the competition.  Needless to say, I
LOVE the opportunities you make available. 
 
My most sincere thanks, Karla Stover
 
NOTE: Karla references the 9th Annual Chistell Writing Contest.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2460114.htm

 
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ARTICLE
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Author Platforms:
Why Background Matters, and How to Get the Right One
 
By Ally E. Peltier 
 
In the publishing industry, a "platform" is everything about
you that helps sell your book. Besides writing ability, your
platform is your primary selling point to agents and publishers.
Even a few key elements, referred to as "planks," can improve
your chance of success. 
 
THE NONFICTION PLATFORM: educational, professional, or
substantial personal experience; membership or officer
standing in relevant organizations; print or Internet credits;
a mailing list; an established audience; or an "expert"
reputation with the media. 
 
Readers choose books by experts over non-experts, and publicists
get more media attention for credentialed authors. Credentials
need not include an academic degree if your other planks are
significant, but the right degree helps. For example, a
gastroenterologist writing about heartburn has a strong
advantage. If you aren't a certified professional, have one
write your introduction or an endorsement. Your platform must
illustrate that readers can and will trust your authority. 
 
THE FICTION PLATFORM: connections to published writers; an
established readership and mailing list; prior publications;
and connections that might lead to reviews, serial sales,
interviews, signings, or other appearances. 
 
Fiction writers need visibility more than a degree--think
print/online publications and readings. However, the right
degree can be beneficial. For publishers, a master's degree in creative
writing represents connections via your academic program to authors
who might provide endorsements; a devotion to your writing career
(i.e., you're likely to produce more work and are a good long-term
investment); and the ability to teach at universities and notable
conferences, increasing exposure and sales potential. 
 
A great platform mitigates an essentially risky process for
publishers by showing them you are marketable and understand
book promotion (increasingly the author's responsibility).
It also indicates where and how big your audience is. Bigger
audiences equal greater expected sales, which can get you a
bigger advance. If no one's heard of you, publishers may be
more cautious--hence a smaller advance, if you get an offer
at all.
 
Turn your planks into a platform by following these exercises:
 
--Find potential audiences. If you're writing a book for
new mothers, look for OB/GYN associations, parenting advice
groups, and so on. If you're writing a novel about a new mother, do a similar search.
 
This list has multiple purposes. 
 
--Build your network. Get involved in key organizations on
your list by becoming a member, running for office, writing
for their newsletter or website, and volunteering. Network
with people who share your interest by attending meetings,
joining online chats, or participating in conferences. These
connections are critical resources for developing your
platform. Don't overlook local organizations--personal
contacts are more likely to help you when you call on them.
 
--Beef up your resume. Choose three topics relevant to your
subject on which you could write or speak. Pitch your ideas
(or offer a reading) to at least five venues from your list.
Unless you already have great contacts, start small, using
each achievement to build up to bigger venues. The goal is
to obtain contacts, credits, and a mailing list. Publishers
love authors with regular speaking engagements and publications
because they know that these generate built-in book markets.
 
--Go online. Blogs provide wide exposure and are great for
accumulating readers. Yahoo Groups allows you to create and
manage a free distribution list (such as for an e-newsletter).
Create a Web presence and tell everyone you know: add links
to your business cards and email signature. Get as many
unique visits or subscriptions as possible. Even a small
following will help publishers take you more seriously.
 
Put as much effort into your platform as your writing, and
you'll have more than just a leg to stand on. 
 
BIO
Ally E. Peltier is an editor, writer, and publishing
consultant formerly of Simon & Schuster. A Phi Beta Kappa
graduate and Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing, her
work has appeared in a wide variety of places, including
The Writer and Writer's Digest. She also ghostauthors
nonfiction books and teaches writing workshops. Learn more at
 
www.ambitiousenterprises.com

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPETITIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
ON-ANGELS MAGAZINE ART & LITERARY CONTEST
http://www.onangelsmagazine.com/about.html
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
Deadline August 15, 2009. OnAngels Magazine is dedicated to
promoting creative talent and the interaction with humans
by Angels globally. There are three categories of literature;
Fictional Short Stories, Non-Fictional Short Stories and Poetry.
All categories are welcome, as are entrants from all countries.
All entries MUST have an ANGEL theme. Religion will not play a
part in any of the judging. You must be at least 18 years old
to enter.
 
First Prize  (US) $3,000 in each category with a Matching Grant
to the Charity or University/College Department of your choice .
 
Second Prize  (US) $1,500 in each category with a Matching Grant
to the Charity or University/College Department of your choice .
 
Third Prize  (US) $500 in each category with a Matching Grant
to the Charity or University/College Department of your choice .
 
Honorable Mention  (US) $200 in each category with a Matching
Grant to the Charity or University/College Department of your
choice .
 
=====
 
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ZOETROPE: ALL-STORY SHORT FICTION CONTEST
http://www.all-story.com/contests.cgi
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
First prize: $1,000
Second prize: $500
Third prize: $250
The three prizewinners and seven honorable mentions will be
considered for representation by the William Morris Agency,
ICM, Regal Literary, the Elaine Markson Literary Agency,
Inkwell Management, Sterling Lord Literistic, and the Georges
Borchardt Literary Agency. The deadline is October 1, 2009.
Entries must be: unpublished; strictly 5,000 words or less.
 
=====
 
ED MARKHAM PRIZE FOR POETRY
http://reedmag.org/drupal/?q=node/21
---
$10 ENTRY FEE (Five poems)
Writers are invited to submit poetry manuscripts of 3-5
original unpublished poems. The first place winner will be
selected by 2009 Guggenheim Fellow Lisa Russ Spaar. The
first-place winner will receive a $500 cash prize. The
winning manuscript will appear in the 2009 issue of Reed
Magazine, and runners-up also will be considered for
publication. All entrants will receive a complimentary copy
of the 2009 issue of Reed Magazine. Deadline November 1, 2009.

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRANTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
BORDER CROSSER GRANT
Inga Niemann via telephone (+49 30-816996-64)
E-mail (niemann@lcb.de)
www.bosch-stiftung.de/grenzgaenger
www.lcb.de/grenzgaenger
---
Deadline October 31, 2009. Whoever wants to discover Central,
Eastern and Southern Europe or China, whoever plans on a
publication in German and wants to start for research trips
in the East, can apply for funding. The publications should
be able to reach a broader audience and help to bring about
a greater understanding for the countries of Central, Eastern
and Southern Europe, and China. Literary prose and essays,
photo (text) books, child and youth books, but also scripts
for documentaries and sound radio contributions are welcome.
One can apply for all-inclusive research grants varying from
2.000 to 10.000 €. From all incoming applications, an
independent jury selects several projects for funding. Apart
from this monetary funding, the "border crossers" are supported
in the public presentation of their work.
 
=====
 
OPEN MEADOWS FOUNDATION GRANTS
http://www.openmeadows.org/
---
Funding to individuals and to nonprofit organizations that
are led by and benefit women. Grants of up to $2,000 support
projects that are designed and implemented by women and
girls; reflect diversity of community served by the project
in both its leadership and organization; promote building
community power; promote racial, social, economic, and
environmental justice; and have limited financial access
or have encountered obstacles in the search for funding.
Deadline August 15, 2009.
 
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CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD FOUNDATION
http://isherwoodfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26
---
Grants will be awarded to writers who have published at least
one book of fiction, either a novel or a collection of stories.
Each grant is for $4,000. The grants are intended to enable
writers to set aside time for writing. All applicants must be
American citizens. The novel or story collection must have
been published at the time of application. Young adult novels
do not satisfy the publication requirement for our grants.
The Isherwood Fellowships are very competitive. We receive
several hundred applications each year for the grants.
Applications for 2009 grants will be accepted between September
1, 2009 and October 1, 2009.
 
 
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FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/writer-guidelines.html
---
Each issue of the magazine contains five or more features,
roughly balanced between U.S. and foreign subjects. Generally,
we are interested in places accessible to most travelers, not
just the intrepid or wealthy. The types of destinations we
cover vary widely, from mainstream to adventure travel.
 
=====
 
TRAVEL & LEISURE
http://www.travelandleisure.com/contact/index.cfm#ed
---
Readers are sophisticated, active travelers who look to T&L
for planning both pleasure and business trips. Please note
that a place is not an idea, and that editors are looking
for a compelling reason to assign an article: a specific angle,
news that makes the subject fresh, a writer's enthusiasm for
and familiarity with the topic.
 
=====
 
ARIZONA HIGHWAYS
http://www.arizonahighways.com/static/index.cfm?action=group&contentID=151
---
The site states guidelines are being revised. Pays up to
$1/word. Features stories on places to go and things to do,
on the state's unique scenic environment, on its flora and
fauna, on its people and on the history and culture of the
Old West. They use experience-based travel stories, rather
than guidebook or list stories, and particularly like adventure-
travel stories and stories on Indian arts, crafts and customs.

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
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TECHNICAL WRITER
Location Anchorage, AK
http://tinyurl.com/msqz6d
---
Employing Agency: Minerals Management Service. Deadline
July 24, 2009. Responsible for precise and effective
presentation of scientific and technical material affecting
the OCS minerals-leasing program.
 
=====
 
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/REPORTER
Location Ossining, NY
http://www.ed2010.com/jobs/whisperjobs/2009/07/boutique-media-group-associate-editor-reporter 
---
Boutique Media Group is looking for an all-star associate editor/
reporter to work out of its Ossining, New York office. We cover
interior design of hospitality spaces - hotels, restaurants,
spas and night spots - and interior products such as textiles
in markets both here and abroad - it's fun. The candidate must
be willing to commute to our Ossining-based office, five days
a week, write content for several publications, handle production
of at least seven publications annually under the direction of a
senior level editor and various other editorial duties.
 
=====
 
REPORTERS/BLOGGERS
Location Denver, CO
http://www.journalismnow.com/viewJob.php?jid=956
---
The Center for Independent Media (CIM) seeks two reporter/
bloggers to cover Colorado politics at the state, county and
local levels. At least one of the positions will be based in
Denver. The reporters will be part of a statewide team that
executes daily investigative reporting and blogging for CIM's
news site ColoradoIndependent.com. Successful candidates will
each be responsible for at least 2 long-form articles and 15
blog posts per week.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
ROD HALL AGENCY
http://www.rodhallagency.com/
---
The Rod Hall Agency is a London-based specialist literary
agency for film, television and theatre. Represents writers,
writer-directors and directors with highly distinctive and
original voices.
 
=====
 
THE GREENHOUSE LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.greenhouseliterary.com/index.php/site/how_to_submit
---
We specialize in children's fiction - from high-concept/
character-led series aimed at the 5+ age group through
middle grade to young-adult/crossover novels. We are NOT
looking for picture book texts or illustrators, non-fiction,
educational or religious/inspirational work, poetry, or
writing aimed at adults.
 
=====
 
FOX LITERARY
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/fox/
---
Represents commercial fiction, some literary fiction and
nonfiction with broad commercial appeal. Actively seeks:
young adult fiction (all genres), science fiction/fantasy,
romance, historical fiction, thrillers, and graphic novels.
Always interested in books that cross genres and reinvent
popular concepts with an engaging new twist (especially
when there's a historical and/or speculative element involved).
On the nonfiction side, interested in memoirs, biography, and
smart narrative nonfiction. Also memoirs and other nonfiction
about sex work, addiction and recovery, and pop culture.

 
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SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
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/
 
 
=====
 
 
 
 
 
 
=====
 
 
 
 
 
ARE YOU THE NEXT VIP AUTHOR?
Writing is a passion. Publishing is a business.
VIP Authors know the difference.
 
Would your book be published today if you had someone to
mentor you every step of the way? Would you be closer to
your goal if you knew how to:

==> Decide if you should traditional publish or self-publish
==> Find legitimate agents and publishers and avoid scams
==> Choose the right POD publisher
==> Find markets for your work
==> Build a waiting audience before your book comes out
==> Use the Internet to market and sell your work
==> Use social networking sites effectively (and not waste your time)
==> Get free publicity

There are more opportunities now to get published than ever
before--if you know what you're doing. Publisher and author
Shelley Lieber combines traditional publishing expertise
with new media technology to teach authors how to
create books, ebooks and audio books. Join VIP Authors
as we make 2009 The Year of the Author.
 
For free newsletter and benefits:
http://vipauthors.com

 
=====
 
CALL FOR ENTRIES!
 
Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest
 
Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject or write a
short story, 5 pages max., on any theme, single or double-
line spacing, neatly hand printed or typed.
 
Entry fees:
Poetry Contest: $5 per poem
Writing Contest: $10 per story
 
Writing Contest
First Prize: $500, 2nd: $250; 3rd: $100
 
Poetry Contest
First Prize: $250, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $50. 
 
Postmark deadline: July 31, 2009.
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com/ for details and to enter!
 
 
=====
 
 
 
HOW TO USE WEB 2.0 TOOLS TO WRITE, PUBLISH,
SELL AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK
 
FACT: Publishers want authors who have their own online platform
and an audience ready to buy their books.  Self-published authors
need a platform even more.
 
But how can you build this author platform?
 
The Author 2.0 Blueprint is now available to give you ideas and
tips for writing, publishing, sales and book promotion using
Web 2.0 tools. Featuring blogs, social networking, YouTube,
podcasting, Amazon.com, ebooks, the freemium model,
print-on-demand, article marketing, online PR and more.
 
You can download it for free. 
 
 
=====
 
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

 
=====
 
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

=====

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

 
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