Volume 9, Issue 34
August 23, 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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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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I NEED A GRANT TO WRITE

Those of you who've been around me a few years must bear with
this message. I deliver these words in one shape or another
about once a year, but always as a result of a flurry of emails
from new readers. Folks see FUNDS for writers and believe I will
swoop down with some stimulus package and fix all sorts of
writing ills. I'm afraid I'm still unable to:

1. Find you an instant publisher.
2. Find you a grant to complete your first book.
3. Find you a grant to allow you to quit the job you hate.
4. Find you a grant that allows you time to write that novel.
5. Find funds to pay your bills while you write.

Honestly, I wish I could do all those things.

Let me solve some myths for you:

1. Almost all writers write while performing another job
   or chasing the kids. A tiny minutiae percentage of
   writers rises in the morning without worrying about
   day work or the bills. You write through the life
   handed to you, often making you a better writer thanks
   to the struggle.

2. Grants for writers go to those who've established
   themselves as writers. It's this comment that often
   makes people mad with me. How dare I accuse someone of
   not being a writer? After all, this person has written
   since the third grade or this other one has penned
   fourteen short stories and three journals of poetry
   over five years. How dare I? Actually, I'm not the one
   drawing the line in the sand. Look at this quote from
   the Mississippi Arts Commission about the definition of
   a writer - a quote representative of all the arts agencies:
 
"...a professional artist producing work of high artistic
quality, Individuals are considered to be professional if
they: earn at least part of their annual income in their
artistic work; consider their artistic endeavors as a
career; maintain a high level of artistic quality; and
make a significant time investment in their artistic
disciplines though practice, performance or production."

Some characteristics of a "professional" writer include:

== Writing income appearing on your tax return.
== A calendar noting regular work, appearances, training undertaken as a writer.
== A chronological list of submissions and copies of acceptances and rejections.
== Receipts of expenses.
== An active website/blog committed to writing.

3. Completing a book also does not make you a writer.
   You've written the words on the page, but are they edited
   to a fine sheen? Have you found a strong voice and
   claimed it as your own? Can someone pick up the work
   and tell from the style that it's yours? THE END does
   not mean you've arrived. Writing takes serious practice
   over multiple projects over several years. People do not
   pick up a pen and write bestsellers without personal
   development and lots of sweat.

Granted, you have a story to tell. But you have to become
a writer in order to tell it well and do it justice. You
do not need a grant to write. You don't have a deadline to
publish.

Harper Lee wrote one novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Do you
want to be remembered for one brilliant story or not
remembered after writing twenty-seven pieces over three years?

Put in the time and effort, and not only will you find
a grant to help you financially, but you'll find credibility,
too.

     Hope

   

Theme: Invisible Writing
Compose 750 words or less addressing this theme in essay form.
Deadline October 31, 2009.

Pay $5 or don't pay anything. You have a choice with FFW.
First, second and third prizes in each category, ranging
from $10 to $200.

NEW: FundsforWriters is featuring Tweetebooks. Yes, you
read right. In this day of social networking in spurts,
FFW has created abbreviated ebooks with abbreviated prices.
Enter the $5 entry fee category of the contest and receive
one free. Or buy one. They are only $1.99.

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/annualcontest.htm
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/tweetebooks.htm

NOTE:
Shelley Lieber and VIP Authors is our Platinum Sponsor this year.
We still have openings for gold and bronze sponsors. See the
deal you can buy for advertising in sync with the FFW annual
essay contest.

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

=====

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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FEROCIOUS PROMOTION FOR THE TIMID AUTHOR

Emphasizing the self-publishing author, the joint authorship
of Gwynne Spencer and C. Hope Clark penned a 64-page ebook
packed with ideas on how to make those sales. With an emphasis
on selling locally and regionally, the book gives you hope
and savvy advice through the occasional sprinkling of cute
weener dog paws throughout.

Being small doesn't mean you can't be ferocious.

www.fundsforwriters.com/ferocious.htm

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into
us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and
it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned
something from yesterday."

-- John Wayne

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARTICLE
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How writing "green" can keep you in the black!
By: Jennifer Brown Banks

It ain't easy being green states Kermit the Frog.

Nobody likes to admit it, but sometimes the "green eyed
monster" and a little friendly competition among fellow
scribes can motivate you to move beyond your comfort zone
and ultimately make more money.

Like most veteran writers, I continually set creative goals
and sometimes use other authors' success as a barometer for
my own. Let's face it, after awhile it takes more than a
byline and a few bucks to keep you upwardly mobile.

For example, a few months ago an associate of mine announced
that she had found an agent to accept her manuscript. I was
really happy for her. Who knows better than another writer
about the perks and pitfalls of this business? But then a
funny thing happened.

Not long after her disclosure, I found myself dusting off
my self help manuscript that remained dormant under my bed
for three years, after being rejected a mere dozen times
by editors at different publishing houses. I'm in a good
place again.

Here's how you too can keep pace and earn more pay than
ever before!

1. Choose a few writers you admire, (either your peers, or
those you consider to be on a higher level). View their
online credits and bios. What have they been successful at
that you've not attempted? What publications have they
penned pieces for that might be suitable for your type of
work?  If they're full-time and you're part time, that
could even be a goal.  My targets? Shaunna Privatsky,
Kathryn Lay, and Wendy Burt.  I love their passion and
productivity, and am inspired by their accomplishments. 
I like to think of it as success breeding success.

2. Collaborate---As the old expression goes, "If you can't
beat 'em join em." Either way, there's money to be made and
additional exposure for your work.  Why not reach out to
someone whose work you admire and see if he or she would
consider working together on a creative project? It's a
great opportunity to pick up a few "insiders' tips" along
the way.

3. Know that greater heights are within your reach. Remember
that your writing "hero" was once where you may consider
yourself to be. Let their success be the spark that ignites
yours.

Keep these pointers in mind as you strive to reach a higher
plateau in your career.  You'll love how you look in green!

BIO
Jennifer Brown Banks is a veteran freelance writer, columnist
and award-winning poet. Visit her site for writers at
http://penandprosper.blogspot.com/
 

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COMPETITIONS
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END OF LIFE STORIES
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
Seeking new essays that explore death, dying, and end of life
care, for a collection to be published by Southern Methodist
University Press. We're looking for stories that transcend
the "I" and find universal meaning in personal experiences.
Hopes to include stories representing a wide variety of
perspectives--from physicians, nurses, hospice workers, social
workers, counselors, clergy, funeral directors, family members,
and others. Essays must be vivid and dramatic; they should
combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant
element of research or information. We're looking for well-
written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.
Creative Nonfiction editors will award one $1,500 prize for
Best Essay, and two $500 prizes for runners-up. Essays must
be unpublished, 5,000 words or less, postmarked by December
31, 2009.

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HARLEQUIN PRESENTS NOVEL CONTEST - UK
http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/07/the-harlequin-presents-writing-competition-2009-is-now-open/
---
The competition entry must consist of either the first chapter
and synopsis of a Harlequin Presents or Modern Heat novel.
Email your entry to writingcompetition@hmb.co.uk. The WINNER
receives an editor for a year. TWO RUNNERS-UP will be given
critiques of their first chapter entries and an editorial
consultation. The competition will close on November 2, 2009
and the winner will be announced in December 2009.

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DIY BOOK FESTIVAL
http://www.diyconvention.com/
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ENTRY FEE $10-$50
The DIY Book Festival will consider self-published or
independent publisher non-fiction, fiction, biography/
autobiography, children's books, teenage, how-to, cookbooks,
science fiction, audio/spoken word, photography, art, comics,
'zines, fan fiction, poetry and e-books published on or after
Jan. 1, 2006. All entries must be in English and have been
self-published or issued by an independent publishing house.
Print-on-demand (POD) authors with iUniverse, PublishAmerica,
Infinity Publishing and other outlets are eligible for the
competition. Grand prize for the 2009 DIYBF Book of the Year
is $1500 cash and a flight to the awards ceremony, held in
February 2010 as part of the annual DIY Convention in Los
Angeles.

 
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GRANTS
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KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY - FAMILY HISTORY
http://history.ky.gov/sub.php?pageid=12&sectionid=3
---
One out-of-state family-history fellowship of $750 for
research at KHS. Two in-state family-history fellowships
of $375 each for research at KHS during 2009. Both in-state
and out-of-state residents are eligible. (Note: Genealogists
doing paid contract research are not eligible for these
fellowships.) Successful candidates in the family-history
category are strongly encouraged to write articles for
submission to Kentucky Ancestors. Family historians are
required to share the results of their research with KHS
for inclusion in the family-history files maintained in
the Martin F. Schmidt Library.

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MISSISSIPPI ARTIST MINI-GRANTS
http://www.arts.state.ms.us/grants/artist-minigrant.php
---
MAC's Artist Minigrant program supports established and
emerging professional artists based in Mississippi by
providing funds to assist with professional training,
promotional efforts, or purchase of supplies. Applicants
may apply for up to $500. Deadline November 2, 2009.

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MONTANA ARTISTS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS
http://art.mt.gov/artists/artists_opportunity.asp
---
Opportunity Grants are given throughout the year to enable
the Council to respond to artists or organizations
opportunities or emergencies. Grants will not exceed
$1,000, and decisions will be dictated by the availability
of funds and the nature of the request. Grants must be
matched dollar-for-dollar in cash and in kind goods and
services.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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MIAMI HERALD - TRAVEL SECTION
http://www.miamiherald.com/816/story/8006.html
---
Interested in articles on spec only. Send submissions to
travel@MiamiHerald.com. Payment is made on publication and
covers print territorial rights in the South Florida
distribution area (Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe
counties) unless otherwise specified. Rates range from $300
for a lead, $200 for a normal-length article, $25 for
photographs used in black-and-white and $75 for photographs
used in color, with a cap of $500 for a story/photo package
with multiple images. We pay $250 for a Quick Trip package,
including story, go box and photo.

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WILD BLUE YONDER
http://tinyurl.com/lborjt
---
Feature articles should be 1,500-2,000 words and fit within
the editorial focus of day trips and 3-day weekends in a specific
city or region. Service articles are 200- to 700-word pieces on
anything that will help eaders travel better, travel smarter,
or find a better value. Dining articles are 1,000-1,200 words
and should cover a compelling food-related subject with a
travel focus. True Traveler city guides are approximately
1,200 words and must be focused on one of the cities posted.

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VERBATIM
http://www.verbatimmag.com/writers.html
---
Payment is made at the time of publication, and ranges from
$25 to $500, depending on length, wit, and other merit.
VERBATIM is published for popular consumption. That does not
mean that it does not publish articles on language that are
scholarly, merely that it is not designed to appeal primarily
to academicians (though many subscribe). VERBATIM publishes
original articles dealing with any aspect of language.

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JOBS
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TECHNICAL EDITOR
Location Baltimore, MD
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=82786742&aid=27015391-1389&WT.mc_n=125
---
Deadline September 2, 2009. Employing Agency: U.S. Coast Guard.
Maintains market awareness in industry MPC technical editing
and promulgation capabilities in order to understand technology
trends, by attending symposia, conferences, capability briefs
and other events.

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STAFF WRITER
Location Phoenix, AZ
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?Media=Newspapers/Wires&JobID=1052002
---
We're looking for a journalist who understands the difference
between magazine-style reporting and the hurried fact-finding
of daily papers. Spanish fluency and a background in hard
news is required. If your copy is as much a pleasure to read
as it is well researched, we want to hear from you. We offer
competitive salaries and benefits. Send your best clips, a
résumé and a cover letter.

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WRITER FOR RADIO SHOW
Location Los Angeles, CA
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?Media=Radio&JobID=1087002
---
Need experienced columnist, reporter or blogger to write for
the Jim Rome Radio Show. Great opportunity. Include cover
letter, resume, and sample rants or "burns". Send to
jimromejob@yahoo.com

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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CATALYST BOOK PRESS
http://www.catalystbookpress.com/
---
Catalyst Book Press publishes 2-3 literary non-fiction books
each year. Per their Facebook page, they are also seeking
non-fiction for teens at present.

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UPSTART CROW LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.upstartcrowliterary.com/
---
Represents adult and children's books, fiction and nonfiction.
The agency prides itself at showing the individual needs
and desires of each of the three literary agents.

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TRANSATLANTIC LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.tla1.com/submissions.php
---
Accepting adult and children's books, fiction and nonfiction.
Please note each agent and what she is seeking at present.

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SPONSORS
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            GIVE ME YOUR NEEDY MANUSCRIPT            

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=====

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/

=====

In just 6 hours, you could be on your way
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There are literally millions of websites that need writers
who understand how to write for the search engines (like
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And in just 6 hours, you can learn all you'll need to know
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could be just the ticket you've been looking for ...

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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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