Volume 10, Issue 8
February 21, 2010

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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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

==> Resume writing
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==> Online Video Marketing
==> Write Your Own Money-Making Websites
==> Promotional Copywriting
==> Desktop Graphic Design
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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:
Please be aware that FundsforWriters no longer endorses
The Association of Professional Business Writers - www.apbw.us .

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MARKETING VS. PLATFORM

I received a few emails this week after last week's editorial
that attempted to define platform. Many people still aren't sure
what it is, much less how to acquire it.

When I help writers with nonfiction book proposals, I often
find a shortcoming when it comes to defining the market and
then defining the platform. People seem to run them together,
not understanding the difference. Most want to rush through
that part of the proposal, hurrying to the synopsis, the
biography, or the sample chapters. The marketing aspect of
the proposal, however, is as important as book content.

Let's say the book is about Animal Healers, animals used in
counseling, therapy and support. The author then thinks that
his market is every animal owner in the world, plus every
person dealing with physical or mental ailments who may see
animals as an option in their recovery plan. Big readership,
he says in his proposal.

But he has no idea how to tap that readership, or at least his
proposal says nothing about it. Somehow, he thinks that once his
book is published, it will magically reach the hands of all
these people he said comprised his market. His stated readership
and marketing strategy is full of holes.

His platform is supposed to make that bridge. He is the conduit
from the book to sales, not the supernatural abilities of the
publisher. Agents and editors seek writers who recognized their
readership, created a platform, and state how they will reach
that defined readership via the platform.

MARKET is . . . the potential readers. Define them however
you like. Use statistics, numbers, memberships, geography,
or lifestyle. Just be sure you know the type, style, age,
social level and location of those readers.

Then show how you use your platform to reach that market.

PLATFORM is . . . people who know, follow or recognize you.

PLATFORM is . . . an established audience you can tap into.

PLATFORM is . . . your customer base.

PLATFORM is . . . people who like you enough to support you.

PLATFORM is . . . your reputation.

PLATFORM is . . . a well-known venue you have access to.

PLATFORM is . . . any or all the above.

Your platform can be used to create a market, or the market
can be your established platform. Either way, you not only
say who your market is, but you also inform the agent or
publisher that you have the ability to reach them.

Frankly, the smart writer creates a platform before
completing the book. Many writers get irritated at the fact
that celebrities land book deals so much more easily than
the struggling writer - good writers. That's because a
celebrity's platform is his market.
 
The book may be great, the best ever written on a subject.
However, if the publisher, the ones forking out the dollars to
print the book, can't estimate sufficient sales from the
market and platform equation, it isn't worth publishing.

Know your market. Know your platform. If you aren't sure
about either one, back up, slow down and analyze your project.
Nobody buys a cookbook from an unknown chef. Nobody buys an
animal healer book from someone who isn't an expert on the
topic. Something in your platform has to connect with the
customer to make that sale.

Defining yourself sells a book faster than perfect prose.

     Hope

MOBILE WRITERS GUILD WORKSHOP - MOBILE, ALABAMA

Hope Clark will lead as the first of three writers in
a weekend workshop on Saturday, March 13, 2010 with her
presentation: Funding Streams: How Serious Writers Plunge In.
Also presenting will be Author Nancy Swan on Developing a
Writer's Platform and Dr. Sharee Broussard on What Grantors
Look for When Reviewing Applications.

Cost: $35, lunch included
Time: 9AM - 4PM
Location: St. Luke's School, 3975 Japonica Lane, Mobile, AL

To register or request information, email
mobilewritersguild@gmail.com of call 251-751-2519

http://sites.google.com/site/mobilewritersguild/

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BYLINES DAILY DESK CALENDAR IS AVAILABLE!

Many have asked when the calendars would be ready.
This year's Bylines features writers from 26 states and
4 foreign countries (Ireland, Great Britain, Australia
and Canada). This is the 7th edition.

This is the calendar Hope has used for five years.
See why so many FundsforWriters readers can't wait
for it each year. Sells for $14.95.

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/Bylines.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 JOINED FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

Why worry? Look at all the things we have and be happy.

~ Araceli Segarra

 
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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Dear Hope,

Your publications continue to be the very best source for
regional competitions.  I love entering these because I know
my work is deeply considered by people who have a true passion
for reading, and turn that passion into action.  Who could ask
for better readers than that?

Last year one of my focuses was on novel competitions. 
Thanks to your good information, I won two: 1st place in
the Kansas Writers Association's first chapter contest
(http://www.kwawriters.com/competitions.htm) and, just today,
3rd place in the Smoke City Narrators' first pages and pitch
competition (winners officially posted mid-February http://www.janicewiley-dorn.com/smokecitynarrators/pitch1st5contest.html).

Also last year, I had the great pleasure of releasing my
award-winning memoir in poems, Even Before My Own Name, as
a free download at www.TracyKoretsky.com.  It is my way of
giving back to all of my fellow writers and the hard-working
editors who have been so kind to me.  

Have a great day.  I'll see you Friday in the newsletter!

All the best,
Tracy Koretsky

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ARTICLE
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No Health Insurance Doesn't Have to Mean Expensive Health Care

By Sonya Weiss
 
I am a full time freelance copywriter and marketer. I am also
mom to four children with a genetic autonomic malfunction.
Their bodies don't regulate their heart rate, blood pressure,
body temperature and a host of other functions that it should.
 
One of my daughters was hospitalized in the cardiac unit and
later ended up needing two costly surgeries. Even though we
have medical insurance, our deductible is pretty high. Because
of the out-of-pocket costs, I've learned a few tips to deal with
medical expenses that might come in handy especially for writers
without health insurance.

Never take a bill at face value, especially if it's a large
hospital bill. Errors are more common than you think. If you
notice a mistake, ask for an audit.

If you can pay cash to pay a hospital bill and the bill is a
large one, the hospital will give you a better rate. Some will
even cut the amount in half. But you won't get that savings if
you don't ask. I asked for a reduction in one bill that was
close to $2,000 and got it.

Some pharmacies keep coupons and discount cards given to them
by drug companies beneath the counter in a binder. Ask for a
discount coupon or card. Our local CVS is great about this and
not only do they try to help patrons save money on medication,
but you also earn 2% back on purchases with the CVS card. If
the medication is expensive and the pharmacy is out of deals,
call the drug company and ask for a discount card or coupon. We
get $50 a month off my daughter's Nexium because I asked. Astra
Zeneca allows for free prescriptions for some of their medications
even for single people. To check for help with medications, go to http://www.pparx.org/en/prescription_assistance_programs/list_of_participating_programs
Also, don't be afraid to ask your doctor for samples.

Most doctors and hospitals enter into a contract with insurance
companies. The doctor might charge $70 for an office fee but is
contracted with the insurance company to accept only $38. Ask
if you can pay a contracted fee as if you had insurance. Ask
the same with a hospital bill.

If you're a woman and need your yearly mammogram but don't have
health insurance, go to http://ww5.komen.org/Affiliates.aspx?ecid=vanityurl:3/
and you can find help through your local affiliate office. I
learned about this a few years ago when I wrote a story on a
cancer survivor and had to contact my local affiliate office for
research.

Take advantage of the free health screenings offered by your
local hospital. Again, all you have to do is ask. Find out where
they're being held.

If you find out that you have a serious medical condition such as
diabetes and need a free meter, call the manufacturer and ask if
they have a free meter program. Most do because they want you to
use their product. Plus, they'll give you free batteries or a new
meter when you need one.

If you ever need to travel to see a specialist and have to stay
overnight, ask the doctor if they have anything set up with a
local hotel to help cut patient's costs. Our specialist had that
in place and saved us $150 above normal room rates for a two-night
stay.

Don't be afraid (or ashamed-pride is an expense many of us can't
afford) to ask for what you need to take care of your health.
 
BIO:
Sonya Weiss is a freelance copywriter living in South Carolina.
She specializes in Internet business marketing and is passionate
about helping people save money on health care costs.
 

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COMPETITIONS
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WRITERS-EDITORS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL WRITING COMPETITION
http://www.writers-editors.com
---
ENTRY FEE $3-$20.
Open to all writers. Deadline March 15, 2010. Nonfiction,
fiction, children's and poetry divisions. Published and
unpublished accepted. First place in each category $100 plus
certificate. Second place $75. Third place - $50. Honorable
mention certificates.

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PEN PARENTIS WRITING FELLOW COMPETITION
http://penparentis.org/contest.html
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Contest open to parents. Entrants must be the parent of at least
one child under 10 yrs old. While we accept submissions from
anywhere, contestants are advised that there is no travel budget.
All contestants must be responsible for their own transportation
costs to the reading location in Manhattan. Accepting entries
from March 1 through April 17, 2010. Looking for fiction shorts
not to exceed 1,200 words.

One winning author will be showcased for one year on our website
as the "Pen Parentis Writing Fellow," a new emergent author worthy
of notice. The Fellow will receive a public showcase of the winning
new work in a stunning literary location in New York City, paired
with an established author who may function as inspiration and guide.
Winner also receives $1,000, presented at the Pen Parentis Literary
Salon on September 14, 2010. Pen Parentis encourages, but does not
require, attendance to subsequent readings at the Libertine Library
in order to 1) be introduced to other authors and 2) network with
prospective editors, agents, and readers. Finally, Pen Parentis will
feature the winner on our website for one year, updating his/her
accomplishments to the community, and will link to their author
website, if any, and will promote the author when he/she attends
regular Pen Parentis author salon events.

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HOUSTON WRITERS GUILD SPRING WRITERS CONTEST
http://www.houstonwritersguild.org/Contests.htm
---
Deadline March 3, 2010. Three categories.

Novels & Screenplays - Any Genre
First Prize $1,000. Second Prize $500. Third Prize $250.
$20 entry fee. Send first 15 pages + synopsis.

Short Story - Any Genre
First Prize $100. $15 entry fee. 3,500-word limit.

Personal Essay
First Prize $100. $15 entry fee. 3,500-word limit.

 
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GRANTS
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GREATER PITTSBURGH ARTIST OPPORTUNITY GRANTS
http://pittsburghartscouncil.org/artistoppgrant.htm
---
Beginning in 2010, applications will be considered twice per
year. Postmark deadlines will be March 1 and September 1.
An opportunity may be one of many things - An invitation to
exhibit at a prestigious gallery, to audition for a major
dance company, to study with a mentor or renowned teacher.
It might be juried in some way or available only through a
competitive selection process. In any case, it should not
duplicate experiences the artist has had in the course of his
or her ongoing work, and it must lead to professional growth
in the artist's career in a clear and meaningful way.

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ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE NEEDED AT TENNESSEE PRIVATE SCHOOL
Todd Johnson, c/o WebbSchool
9800 WebbSchool Drive, Knoxville, TN 37923
E-mail -Todd_Johnson@webbschool.org
http://www.webbschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=102869
---
Independent Day School seeks both visual and non-visual Artists
in Residence. Enthusiastic working artists (authors, musicians,
actors, directors, etc.) sought for creative position working
with students half time and producing own work half time during
5-week on-campus residency. Flexible personality, able and willing
to provide K-12 students access to his/her own artistic thoughts
and processes, as well as ability to help students with their own
artistic growth required. Stipend, housing, travel and public
workspace provided. Application Deadline March 1, 2010. Send:
letter of interest/intent, resume, list of references and phone
numbers, examples of one's own work (images, manuscripts, CD's,
DVD's, etc.) and SASE for return of examples.

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BYRDCLIFFE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
http://www.woodstockguild.org
---
One-month residencies from June-September in the Catskill
Mountains, Woodstock, NY. Fellowships available for painters
and playwrights. Pollock-Krasner: $1,100 plus free tuition
for five artists. The Milton and Sally Avery Fellowship:
$700 plus free tuition for an artist. The Bernard and Shirley
Handel Playwright Fellowship: $500 stipend that includes tuition.
The cost per 4-week session: $300. Application fee.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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TURKEY COUNTRY
http://www.turkeycountrymagazine.com/contributor_guidelines.html
---
Features run 1,000 to 1,200 words and range $350 to $550 in
payment. Departments run 500 to 1,000 words and range $250 to
$350 in payment. Turkey Country is the official magazine of
the National Wild Turkey Federation.

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COUNTRY MAGAZINE
http://www.country-magazine.com/guidelines.asp
---
Country is for people who "live in or long for the country." Our
content reflects the rural lifestyle with relaxed, conversational
writing and top-quality photography. We showcase the benefits and
pleasures of country life, the beauty of rural America and folks
with interesting tales to tell. Much of each issue is based on
contributions from readers. All freelance material is considered
on a speculative basis unless a specific assignment is made. We
pay, upon publication, $250 for any story that runs a full page or
more. The only exceptions are "God's Country," an 8- to 10-page
text-and-photo feature, for which we pay a flat rate of $2,000,
and poetry, which appears only in Country EXTRA; we pay $50 for
each published poem.

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BITCH
http://bitchmagazine.org/contributors-guidelines
---
Features are 2,000 to 4,000 words of meaty critiques, essays, and
articles on pop culture from a feminist perspective. We're looking
for sharp-eyed perspectives on pop culture and the media, brimming
with personal insight and wit. Features vary in format: interviews,
reported pieces, and critical essays are welcome, as are roundups
and graphically driven formats like timelines, charts, and comics.
In addition to features, we're in search of shorter pieces for the
front of the magazine. Our front-of-book section features 1,000-
1,500-word columns on film, television, language, activism,
advertising, publishing, and more, with pieces taking the form of
reviews, critical essays, Q&As, and activist profiles. We're
always on the lookout for Love It/Shove It items. Love/Shoves
are short (under 500 words) but sharp-eyed and cogent analyses
of the latest things that either pleased you or enraged you.

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JOBS
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COPYWRITER (SEVERAL POSITIONS)
Location Arlington, VA
http://www.journalismnext.com/jobdetails.cfm?jid=6252
---
POLITICO seeks talented, detail-oriented and experienced copy
editors to join its stellar copy desk full time. One position
will be a Saturday-to-Wednesday shift. The ideal candidate must
have at least 10 years' experience editing for a newspaper,
magazine, wire service or news website and must demonstrate a
strong command of grammar, familiarity with AP style and an
ability to work swiftly and efficiently under tight deadlines.
The candidate should also possess superior headline-writing
abilities. A strong knowledge of and interest in government
and politics is preferred.

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CENTRALPARK.COM CONTENT DIRECTOR
Location New York, NY
http://www.ed2010.com/jobs/whisperjobs
---
CentralPark.com is looking for a Content Director that's passionate
and knowledgeable about Central Park. You will be helping in all
areas of website content management including re-writing existing
content, creating new content, creating newsletters, answering user
inquiries, posting news/events and more. The position is ideal for
someone looking to build their portfolio and be involved with one
of the most recognizable brands in the world. This role is part-
time with flexible working hours of up to 20 hours per week.

=====

COLUMBUS ALIVE ASST EDITOR
Location Columbus, OH
http://www.ed2010.com/jobs/whisperjobs/2010/02/columbus-alive-assistant-editor
---
Columbus Alive, the city's No. 1 entertainment publication, is
seeking a creative, hardworking Assistant Editor. This position
will write and edit content for the weekly newspaper and website
covering a variety of topics related to young adults and city
life. You will have a vision for connecting with readers in
their 20s and 30s.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS
http://www.uapress.ua.edu/catalog/CategoryInfo.aspx
---
Considers upon merit almost any subject of scholarly interest,
but specializes in communications, military history, public
administration, literary criticism and biography, history,
Jewish studies, and American archaeology. Accepts nonfiction
translations.

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COMFORT PUBLISHING
http://www.comfortpublishing.com/
---
Comfort Publishing Services is a general trade book publisher
dedicated to providing the tools and services that benefit
modern authors. Although we adhere to the traditional publishing
concept that the publisher assumes the financial risks and expenses,
we are able to bring books to the marketplace that might otherwise
remain unpublished. Represents all but screenplays, scripts,
theses, textbooks and books of quotes.

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OTHER PRESS
http://www.otherpress.com/
---
Other Press attracts authors who are guided by a passion to
discover the limits of knowledge and imagination. We publish
novels, short stories, poetry, and essays from America and
around the world that represent literature at its best. Our
nonfiction books--should they be history, current events,
popular culture or memoir--explore how psychic, cultural,
historical, and literary shifts inform our vision of the
world and of each other.

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SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PUBLISHED WRITER WILL EDIT YOUR NOVEL, MEMOIR, POETRY

If you're going to work with an editor, work with the best.
Have your writing edited by an award-winning, professional
writer and editor, someone who actually knows how to help you
prepare your writing for publication.  Richard Krawiec has
published novels, biographies, text books, plays, and a story
and poetry collection.  He won the 2009 Excellence in Teaching
Award from UNC Chapel Hill for his online writing courses. His
essays, feature articles, and reviews have appeared in major
newspapers and magazines across the US. The NY Times, LA Times,
Publishers Weekly have reviewed his work. His awards include
National Endowment for the Arts and NC Arts Council grants, as
well as nominations for the National Book Award, Best American
Short Stories, and Pushcart Prize.

Opportunities in Italy and Greece with Linda Lappin, novelist,
poet, and essayist (author  of KatherineÙs Wish  and The Etruscan).  

MULTIGENRE WORKSHOPS SUMMER 2010
Learn to Capture the Soul of Place in Your Writing. 

All writers have their secret spiritual geographies.  Learn to
discover yours.  In these workshops, through  writing exercises
designed to stimulate memory and enhance creativity, prose
writers and poets will retrace their inner itineraries and unlock
impressions linked to the special places in their lives. Centro
Pokkoli, Vitorchiano, Italy: May 30 - June 5. $1,250 includes
single room with private bath, all meals, workshop fees, excursions.
Mochlos, Crete: August 16 - 21. $1,200 includes single room with
private bath, 1 group dinner or lunch per day, workshop fees.

www.pokkoli.org  
www.lindalappin.net   
Contact:  linda.lappin@gmail.com

Go on a retreat with private writing tutorial at Centro Pokkoli 
in charming medieval village near Rome and Orvieto and discover
its unique soul of place. Revise your manuscript or create new
work assisted by acclaimed poet, novelist, and creative nonfiction
writer Linda Lappin (NEA, Iowa Writers Workshop, Geneva Writing
Group Writing mentor, Seal Press, Pushcart nominee, ForeWord
Finalist, IPPY gold medal winner).

www.lindalappin.net  
www.pokkoli.org
Contact  linda.lappin@gmail.com

 

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We give professional book reviews to published books and manuscripts.
Why wait? Take advantage of our Express Review Service.

Let us promote your book at a very affordable rate. 
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Do you need your manuscript edited and proofread?
We polish your writing to perfection at an unbeatable price.

We help authors succeed!
For more information please visit: http://pacificbookreview.com

THE WELL-FED WRITER

In less than four months, Peter Bowerman built a lucrative
"paying-all-the-bills" commercial writing practice:
writing for businesses, large and small and for hourly
rates of $50-$125+ (and did so with NO industry contacts,
previous paid writing experience or writing training.

No, this isn't a huge course on how to get rich writing.
It's a reality story, condensed in a book that teaches
you how to do the same. For less than $20, grab the
know-how that many pay hundreds of dollars to learn.

The work I do today is the stuff of dreams ... stress-free, romantic,
fun. And all sorts of everyday people do it. Like me, they've left
behind the drudgery of 9-to-5 ... the boring desk job ... and today
they get paid to follow their bliss. As far as I'm concerned, it's
the best job in the world. Who wouldn't want to travel the globe
and get paid for it?  ~Steenie Harvey

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TURN YOUR PICTURES INTO CASH
The Photographer's Shortcut to Travel Writing Success

=====

SOCIAL NETWORKING:
The 21st Century Way to Find New Clients

Jim Turner has laid out his highly successful system for using
social networking to find new clients.

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS STUFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2010, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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