Volume 9, Issue 40
October 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, 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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2010: A Publishing Odyssey
 
Publishing has changed more in the past year than it has in
the previous 50. And the rate of change is getting faster and
faster. The rules that seemed to be written in stone have
begun to erode and are disappearing entirely.
 
Change is exciting and confusing at the same time. There are
more opportunities to get published than ever before--if you
know what you're doing. Now, with all the changes, it's harder
than ever to know what to do. And, wrong decisions can be
costly errors. But what if you had a mentor to guide you to
the next step--no matter where you are right now?
 
Join publisher and author Shelley Lieber in a free teleclass
that will help you make informed decisions about how to:
 
--Choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing
--Avoid scams
--Choose the right POD publisher
--Publish your work as an ebook, audio book or print book
--Find print and digital markets for your work
--Build a waiting audience before your book comes out
--Use social networking sites effectively (and not waste your time)
--Create a buzz with free publicity
 
Free Class: "2010: A Publishing Odyssey"
When: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 2 pm ET (11 am PT)
Details: http://wordywoman.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

=====

ARE YOU A MINI-ENTREPRENEUR?

Kelly Corrigan is a first-time author selling her book.
She went on a three-week selling spree doing readings,
speaking to bookstores, holding book parties with her friends
as hosts. She had someone record a video for YouTube. She
splurged on a professional website. A year later she sold
80,000 copies of the hardback and 260,000 paperbacks. The
YouTube video trailer did it for her.

An article in the Washington Post does a great job explaining
how a writer has to be marketing savvy to make serious sales,
whether traditionally published or self-published. What I like
about this piece is that it admits there isn't one method of
marketing. There isn't a sure-fire way to market yourself and
hit it big. Hitting it big isn't supposed to be easy. You don't
hit it big unless it is next to impossible to get without exhausting
work and a determination to keep going when the odds are against
you.

No one sells books without becoming an entrepreneur.
No one sells books without a strong online presence.

Please understand those two sentences. Print them out in big
letters and tape them to your refrigerator or tack them to your
bulletin board.

When you visit Kelly Corrigan's site at www.kellycorrigan.com/
you'll realize in the videos that this woman has a presence.
You don't have a presence, you think. Actually, you do. A
presence comes when you feel good about your writing. When
you think your book has a place in humanity. When you think
you've told a grand story. It comes when you can't wait to
tell people about your tale.

Kelly's book is a memoir. This woman pulls it off well. You
know the genre - the all or nothing genre that hates or
loves you. A good memoir feels like a fiction story, not
history. Her story weaves like a good mainstream story. But
it took her reading it on camera to make her sales take off.

Finally, I want you to look at her website. Again, it's
www.kellycorrigan.com. I receive many queries about how to
design a great website. Here you go. It's simple and says
all the rights things.

You can do this. Just be willing to do this to include all
the little things. They add up to a great, wonderful thing
when you do.

http://tinyurl.com/yc92ztp
OR
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/23/AR2009092304603.html

     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

VIP AUTHORS SUPPORTS YOUR WRITING!
Get our FREE 53-page PUBLISHING SUCCESS ebook, loaded with
insider tips and resources to help you launch and skyrocket
your writing career at http://vipauthors.com.

 
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Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites is now accepting nominations for next
year's list. If you appreciate our website, please consider nominating
Writer Gazette for the 'Writer's Digest's 101 Best Sites of The Year'!
To nominate Writer Gazette for 2010, please send your nomination to:
writersdig@fwpubs.com with "101 Websites" as the subject line. January
1, 2010 is the deadline.

=====

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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TWEETEBOOKS

Mini-ebooks. 20 markets in selective niches for $1.99.
www.fundsforwriters.com/tweetebooks.htm

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success;
for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles."

-- Samuel Smiles

 
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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Hope-

I just received word that my short story entry "A Tree Fell"
won first place in this year's Wild Violet contest. It can be
read at: http://www.wildviolet.net. Never would have learned
of this contest were it not for your diligent work. Thank you.

Gay Ingram

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ARTICLE
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CONTRACT? ... DON'T SIGN YET!

By Valerie Coulman

I received an email from a colleague not long ago with a
very excited subject line. A book contract! The writer had
a few questions and was asking for advice.

The more questions this writer asked, the more my heart
sank. I've been through my share of scams and bad publishers
and I've learned some questions every writer should ask
when an offer comes.

1. How quickly did they accept my manuscript?

This might seem like an irrelevant question, but a traditional
publisher takes time (lots of time!) to read a query or
manuscript, consult their in-house committee, do marketing
research and generally make sure it fits their list before
coming back to you with an offer. If your manuscript is
accepted very quickly it might be because it's the greatest
thing to ever hit the market, or it might mean they simply
aren't as discriminating as you'd want them to be with your
work.

2. Are they asking me for money?

If they expect you to pay any portion of the publishing
costs, they are not a traditional publisher. I'm not saying
traditional is the only option. Many people find non-
traditional publishing (subsidy, print-on-demand or self-
publishing) the right venue for them. But if that's the
choice you make, do it intentionally, not because the
publisher was unclear of their format or terms.

3. How long has this publisher been in business?

Publishers can spring into life overnight, it seems, and
while that may be the energy you want to tap into, it
should raise questions about the company. A colleague once
contacted me about a publisher in my state with three
different "houses" and I had never heard of them, even after
seven years of living next door to their headquarters.
Not a good sign.

4. What is the publisher's part in the production of my book?

Do they offer editorial support? Design input? How is cover
art handled? Illustrations? If they don't perform or contract
those services, then you will be the one that has to find a
good content editor or graphic designer or illustrator and
pay them yourself. (And don't be pressured into using their
referrals.)

5. What marketing resources do they use?

Do they only sell from a single source, like their site, or
do they connect with other online/physical bookstores? The
more mainstream the genre, the easier it should be to find
through traditional distribution channels. If their titles
only show up in obscure blogs and journals, it should be a
caution light.

6. Have other writers had trouble with them?

A quick search will likely find authors that have published
with them. Try courteously asking about their experience with
XYZ Publishing. Ask your colleagues, as my wise friend did.
Check sites like Editors & Preditors
(http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors), or Google "XYZ
Publisher complaint" or "XYZ Publisher scam" to see if any
alerts come up.

A book contract is exciting. It can validate our dedication
to writing and it's pretty good for the ego, too. It is the
goal of the hours we spend honing our craft and spilling our
souls. It also comes with a sense of urgency. What if this is
the only offer I'll ever get? I see a problem but this is what
it takes to get published, right?

Don't let that pressure upset your business sense. Always
remember, you owe it to yourself and to your manuscript to be
sure that you understand the contract you are offered before
you sign. Don't let the contract become the problem in the plot
of your publishing journey.

Bio:
Award-winning writer and artist Valerie Coulman asks questions
for a living. From non-fiction magazine articles to children's
picture books, those questions lead to fun and informative
places. Visit www.valeriecoulman.com to learn more.

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COMPETITIONS
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FIRST ANNUAL MY AFRICAN DIASPORA SHORT STORY COMPETITION
http://www.myafricandiaspora.com/contest.php
---
$10 ENTRY FEE
We're looking for fiction that is unique, stories with
characters we'll remember, plots that leave us thinking.
The contest is open to anyone, any race, any country, any
continent. The only caveat? The main character must be of
African descent. The contest runs from October 1 - December
31, 2009, winner announced February 1, 2010. Entries must
be 1,500 words or less. First Place: $500. Genre Winners:
$25 Borders Gift Card. Each winner will have his story
and a feature article published on myafricandiaspora.com .
The winners and top three entries in each genre will have
their short stories published in a short story collection
at the end of the year.

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MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT SHELLEY AWARD FOR IMAGINATIVE FICTION
http://www.rsbd.net
---
$10 ENTRY FEE
First prize $1,000 and publication in Rosebud Magazine. Four
runners-up receive $100 each and publication. Submissions will
be considered for publication in Rosebud. Deadline October
15, 2009. Original unpublished works of fantasy, fiction,
mystery and horror are welcome, but the editors are also
open to any stories that reach beyond the boundaries of those
genres, take a variety of literary and creative risks, and tell
a good story. Ideal length is 1,000 to 3,500 words, but we will
consider up to 4,500 words.

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FAILBETTER NOVELLA CONTEST
http://www.failbetter.com/Novella.php
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Deadline May 15, 2010. Prize $500. One entry allowed per
person. Stories must be at least 8,000 words but less than
a novel. Send only the first 5,000 words. All entries will
be considered for publication.

 
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GRANTS
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PACIFIC PIONEER FUND - PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
http://www.pacificpioneerfund.com./
---
Their purpose is to support emerging documentary filmmakers.
The term "emerging" is intended to denote a person committed
to the craft of making documentaries, who has demonstrated
that commitment by several years -- but no more than ten --
of practical film or video experience. The board meets three
times a year. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
The forthcoming application deadlines are 12/15/09, 04/15/10,
and 08/15/10.   Rejected applicants must wait one year to
reapply. Grants to support filmmakers are limited to filmmakers
or videographers who live and work in California, Oregon and
Washington.

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ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL GRANTS
http://www.prairie.org/grants/funding/5303
---
The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) funds public humanities
programs in Illinois that are shaped by and significantly
involve humanities scholars and/or other community experts.
It is our priority to support programs developed by, for,
or aimed at reaching new or historically neglected audiences.
The Illinois Humanities Council funds not-for-profit
organizations that are developing programs for Illinois
audiences. Mini-grants up to $2,500 and major grants up to
$10,000.

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WISCONSIN ARTS BOARD COLLABORATIVE GRANTS
http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov/static/accgrant.htm 
---
Application deadline October 15, 2009. Applications available
online. The purpose of the Artist and Community Collaborations
Grant program is to encourage collaborative projects between
artists and their communities that support the development
of the individual artist, use the power of the arts for
community renewal, and actively engage community members.
Funds are available for artists who initiate a partnership
project with a community organization that will also act
as the fiscal agent (nonprofit, community resource agency).
 

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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FULL SPIRIT MAGAZINE
http://www.fullspiritmagazine.com/
---
This new publication needs articles in the following areas:

GIVING TO RECEIVE  "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit"
Articles about reaching out to others, tithing, compassion
and charity projects, mission work, etc. We can offer stories,
testimonies, and examples of how giving to others not only
makes a difference in their lives...but in our own.

TRANSFORMATIONS "Blessed are those that are Weeping"
This will be a place to feature articles and testimonies on
such things as overcoming addictions, personal limitations,
fears and anxieties, false beliefs, and social obstacles.
God works miracles every day. But for someone struggling they
may not easily see how God is transforming them.

CONNECTIONS "Blessed are the Peacemakers"
Central in our lives are relationships. Whether friends, family,
partners, colleagues, or total strangers, the people in our
lives add meaning, dimension, purpose, and fulfillment. These
articles and stories will show how God works with everyone to
bring His Plan. Articles on how God has healed relationships
are especially welcome.

EVERYDAY CHRISTIANITY "Blessed are the Pure of Heart"
Some things are mundane in our eyes, but when God is
involved nothing is minor, everything is significant. It
all has meaning. Here is a great way to share how God makes
a difference in our everyday life. Even in the middle of
chaos we can always see evidence of God - sunsets, smiles,
laughter, and little gestures of kindness. These articles
can help remind us all of how God is all around us.

ADVICE COLUMN
Several writers offer their answer to a question in each
issue, in order to offer a range of thoughts and perspectives.

Pays 75 cents/word for articles up to 2,000 words in length.
However, the average submission would be around 1,000 words. 
All electronic submissions and questions can be sent to:

submissions@fullspiritmagazine.com

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GRAY'S SPORTING JOURNAL
http://grayssportingjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=222&Itemid=106
---
Manuscript length depends on subject. If you can tell the
story in 3,000 or even 1,500 words, then be kind to yourself,
your readers, and our editors. We reject many manuscripts
that are well written but just too long. Gray's is published
seven times a year, including three themed issues: the Fly
Fishing Edition (April), the Upland Bird Hunting Edition
(August) and the Expeditions and Guides Annual (December).
Because 90 percent of our readers are bird hunters and 85
percent are fly fishers, we're always looking for good fly-
fishing and upland-bird-hunting manuscripts for these issues
and throughout the year, but don't confine yourself to these
themes. We expect competent, vividly written prose--fact or
fiction--that has high entertainment value for a very
sophisticated audience. We pay from $600 to $1,250 for features,
based on quality, not length; yarns average $300; poems, $100.
We pay $50 to $300 for photographs. For Expeditions pieces, we
pay $850 plus $75 per picture published. All payment is made
upon publication.

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DOLLARS & SENSE
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/write.html
---
Dollars & Sense is a progressive economics magazine that
explains in a popular way both the workings of the economy
and struggles to change it. Articles may be on the environment,
community organizing, urban conflict, inflation, unemployment,
union reform, welfare, changes in government regulation...a
broad range of topics that have an economic theme.

Features (1,500 to 3,000 words). Active Culture (250 to 400
words): Briefs on activism. Reviews (700 words): Coverage of
recent books, movies and other media.
 

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JOBS
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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT WRITER
Location Boston, MA
Employer Boston Ballet
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/352234-266
---
This position 1) creates web and print materials that reflect
the exceptional nature of Boston Ballet and make a compelling
case for support; 2) ensures that fundraisers have the
communications materials they need to help secure financial
resources from various constituent groups; and 3) supports and/or
manages other written communication projects, both institutional
and programmatic, in collaboration with others in Communications
Team.

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WRITER
Location New York
http://www.idealist.org/en/job/352552-240
---
Employer Homes for the Homeless. Homes for the Homeless (HFH)
is looking for a freelance writer to write the content/stories
for our news bulletin and annual report. The ideal candidate
should be an experienced writer who can craft original content
summarizing/featuring HFH's programs, activities, events and
services in a fun, up-lifting, reader-friendly way.

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WRITER-EDITOR
Location Rockville, MD
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=83317557&aid=27015391-2599&WT.mc_n=125
---
Employer Food and Drug Administration. As a Writer/Editor on the
FDA Consumer Health Information Staff, you will be responsible for:
Researching and writing FDA Consumer Update feature articles and
other materials for FDA's Web site (www.fda.gov/consumer), which
may range from 750-1,500 words; completing articles and other
writing and editing projects under constant and short deadlines; 
communicating with subject matter experts to gather information,
including quotes, on technical subjects for stories and clearing
articles through the highest levels of the agency; and
translating technical or scientific information into language
and formats easily understood by the general public. Deadline
October 9, 2009.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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LOBSTER PRESS
http://www.lobsterpress.com/
---
We are presently looking for picture book manuscripts (written
by Canadian authors only). Please send a brief bio, the book
synopsis, and the full text of your picture book - via email
only - to LobsterPressSubmissions@gmail.com. Please include
all text within the body of your email as we are unable to
open attachments.

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HAMPTON ROADS PUBLISHING
http://www.hamptonroadspub.com/submissions/index.php
---
Though we are not necessarily limited in scope, we are most
interested in manuscripts on the following subjects:

Body/Mind/Spirit
Health and Healing
Self-Help

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PYR BOOKS
http://www.pyrsf.com/index.html
---
Pyr® is a science fiction and fantasy imprint from Prometheus
Books, a leader in publishing books for the scientific,
professional, library, educational, popular and consumer markets.

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SPONSORS
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Editing Packages:
Plot doctoring, proofreading, full manuscript critiques,
and everything in between!

Six Months to a Novel Program:
For first time novelists. Not sure where to start? Want to
finish your novel this time? Get personalized coaching to
see you through.

Editor Jennifer's Six Month Novel Boot Camp:
Has your novel been turned down by agents, editors, or
publishers? Together we can turn it around.

Visit www.EditorJennifer.com to sign up now!

=====

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/

======

WOW! Women On Writing Online Workshops & Classes

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/WOWclasses.html 

Whether you are looking to boost your income or work on your craft, we know that education is an important part of a writer's career. WOW! offers convenient online e-courses on a variety of subjects: freelance writing, fiction and poetry, book proposal writing, online author promotion, how to get an agent, screenwriting and more! All of our courses are offered online--whether through email, website, chat room, or listserv--and are taught one-on-one with the instructor. Have a mentor guide you through a charted course of learning!

Featured courses by starting date:

Advanced Writing for Magazines (ongoing)

An Introduction to the Craft of Screenwriting (ongoing)

Online Author & Book Promotion (ongoing)

Writing for Children: Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers (ongoing)

Theme Power! Poetic Explorations: Poetry Workshop (October 2, 2009)

Creating a Character Sketch (October 5, 2009)

Magazine Writing Success (October 15, 2009)

Get Paid To Write: Become a Freelance Writer! (October 20, 2009)

Short Fiction Writing (November 3, 2009)

Writing "Real Life" Stories for Magazines (November 9, 2009)

Class sizes are limited. Early enrollment is recommended.

Find out more by visiting the WOW! Women On Writing Classroom.

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GIVE ME YOUR NEEDY MANUSCRIPT            

=====

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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