Volume 10, Issue 47
November 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, 2010

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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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Check out Literary Living, the 12-week online program
for serious, aspiring writers like you.

Learn more at www.literaryliving.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

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EGGS IN ONE BASKET

When I worked in the agricultural arena once upon a time
(my degree is in agronomy), we'd visit farmers and stress
the importance of diversification. They often looked at us
wearing our suits, representing bureaucracy, and figured
we had no clue what we were talking about. Many of them
went out of business sticking to their one or two crops of
soybeans, cotton or corn.

Writers are stubborn in much the same way. They consider
themselves novelists, poets, copywriters, grant writers,
or bloggers. Fiction writers hate nonfiction as much as
nonfiction writers abhor fiction. Technical writers struggle
with a flighty spirit when they're accustomed to nailing
down the facts.

They also tend to write the same type stories for magazines.
They specialize in parenting, pets, travel, cooking,
technology, outdoors or politics.

They write short pieces or long works. They write present
tense or past. First person or third.

In reality, we should have a plan where we incorporate
easy writing, moderate writing and difficult writing.
In other words, diversify so we have income that
ranges from high odds of acceptance to long shots.

The easy pieces keep us positive, to a degree. Someone
likes us (no we haven't gotten over rejection emotions
completely). The mid-level writing challenges us, but
success is obtainable with a little sweat. The long range
writing could be a novel accepted by an agent or traditional
house. Maybe acceptance from a magazine editor we've
dreamed about for years. How about a column that finally
came about because of years of building a platform?

Set a number for each. Five short term, three mid-level,
one long range goal. You pick the numbers. The point is
to diversify, which not only makes you grow as a writer,
but it gives you immediate satisfaction while striving
for serious, career-altering goals as well.

Avoid the ruts. With a spectrum of destinations on your
horizon, you remain enthused and improve your writing
income as you also build that platform, plank by plank.

POSTCARD NOTE:

Wow, the FundsforWriters discount special postcards I
mentioned last week went in a puff of smoke. I hated
having to refuse people, so I came up with a new idea.
If you have an event, writer's group or conference
coming up at any time - next month or next year - let
me know. I'm ordering another stash of these cards just
for your writing friends and attendees.

Email hope@fundsforwriters.com and tell me how many
you need. Thanks!!!

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DON'T FORGET TOTAL FUNDSFORWRITERS

If you're ready to take your writing to a new level,
consider subscribing to TOTAL FundsforWriters. It's like
the regular FundsforWriters newsletter only five times
bigger!  Only $15 for 26 biweekly issues delivered via
email for a solid year.

www.fundsforwriters.com/total.htm

OR

Order THE SHY WRITER: An Introvert's Guide to Writing Success
or $15 or more of ebooks or Tweetebooks, and receive TOTAL
for free.

www.fundsforwriters.com/shywriter.htm
www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm
www.fundsforwriters.com/tweetebooks.htm

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THE BLOG - http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com

TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark

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

FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance."

- Calvin Coolidge

 
 
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ARTICLE
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My Tips for writing Successful Press Releases for Income

By Steff Green

Non-writers struggle with the concept of a press release -
they don't know how to summarise their business into a page
and make their products interesting and relevant to an audience.
That's where you, the writer, can help. For a writer with the
knack for marketing, writing press releases can be a lucrative
venture.
 
I got my start writing press releases through a friend who
runs her own alternative clothing business. I wrote all her
product descriptions, so when she needed a press release to
send to magazines, I did some research online and wrote up a
release. She landed a feature in a major magazine, and I
realised I might be able to find more business writing press
releases.
 
Through friends and family, I wrote press releases for other
small businesses - like mother-daughter bridal businesses -
that recommended me to other businesses. Now I write press
releases and marketing copy for numerous small business
clients, mostly creative businesses like Etsy shops and
fashion blogs.
 
Journalists expect to read press releases in a certain
format. Practise by writing a press release for your writing
business. At the top of the page, write "FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE" (if the release is time-sensitive, write "FOR
RELEASE BEFORE/AFTER <date>"). Underneath, write your
contact details, the date, your catchy title, and your
brilliant content.
 
In the first paragraph, summarise the who/what/when/where/how/why
of your release into one sentence. Your content elaborates
on this summary with further information and quotes. For
more information on press release layout, read:
 
http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles3/press-release-tips.htm
http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp
 
My Tips for Writing Successful Press Releases:
 
Involve Client's Input
 
Before writing a press release, I send the client a short
questionnaire. I ask them to describe their intended
audience, if they have any specific publication they want
to target and what sets their business apart. I then ask
them to describe their product in three words.
 
With this information, you can be certain you're meeting
the client's marketing needs, and that the release targets
the relevant market.
 
Tell a Story
 
A press release isn't a profile of a business and their
products - it's a news story. You know you've written a
good press release if it's printed word-for-word in the
media.
 
Often, a press releases uses recent scientific studies to
identify a consumer problem, then explains how your client's
product / service solves that problem. Other releases tell
the stories of ordinary people overcoming great odds to
follow their dream of starting their own company, businesses
supporting charity events, receiving an award or recognition,
or developing an innovative product.
 
As the writer, it's up to you to find the best story - or
"angle" - to hook media interest for your client's business.
Many clients require several press releases - each focusing
on a different story targeted at a specific media outlet.
 
Use Facts and Figures
 
Use concrete information - quotes from your client or other
industry experts, statistics and recent scientific studies.
Facts and figures show the journalist the potential for a
feature on the topic.
 
Connect with People
 
When people read newspapers or magazines, they want to feel
a personal connection with the stories - press releases should
be about people, not products. Show the journalist how your
client's company helps people.
 
Write a Catchy Headline
 
Look at newspaper headlines for inspiration - the headline
needs to grab the attention of a busy journalist, and entice
them to read the full story. Use short snappy phrases and
action-oriented words.
 
You'll find plenty of press release writing advice online or
in marketing books. With a little practise, you'll discover
writing and selling press releases isn't difficult at all.
In fact, writing a successful press release is a challenging
and exciting opportunity for any writer.
 
Bio:
Steff is a freelance writer, alternative blogger and heavy
metal maiden with over 100 articles in print and online. Find
out more about Steff and her Grymm & Epic Guide to Blogging
ebook on her website - http://steffmetal.com.

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COMPETITIONS
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ANDERBO POETRY PRIZE
http://www.anderbo.com/anderbo1/anderprize2010.html
---
$10 ENTRY FEE
$500 cash and publication on anderbo.com. Deadline December
15, 2010. Limit six poems per poet.

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GEMINI MAGAZINE POETRY OPEN
http://www.gemini-magazine.com/poetryopen.html
---
ENTRY FEE: $5 (up to three poems)
Grand prize: $1,000
Second prize: $100
Third prize: $50
Honorable mention (3)
Deadline: December 31, 2010. All six finalists will be
published in the February 2011 Issue of Gemini. We welcome
work from widely published poets as well as dedicated newcomers.
That's the spirit of Gemini Magazine--no straitjacket, no rules,
everyone gets a chance. No restrictions on content or length.

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THE MAYOR'S POETRY COMPETITION
http://www.enfield.gov.uk/poetrycompetition2010
---
ENTRY FEE £3 PER POEM
All poets over age 16 are invited. The London Borough of Enfield
sponsors this event. Deadline January 31, 2011. Limit 50 lines
per poem.

 
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GRANTS
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FIVE WINGS ARTS COUNCIL
http://www.fwac.org/index.asp
---
Non-Matching Grants up to $5,000 are available to public schools
(of Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass and Crow Wing Counties of
Minnesota) to supplement the arts education already being
provided to area students.  Project examples include, but are
not limited to artist residencies, arts education field trips,
and other non-curriculum arts activities.

NOTE: When the school has to apply, as an artist you need to
connect with teachers with a plan on how you can aid their
classes through one of these grants, offering you a residency.

DOUBLE NOTE: Most states have these either through state arts
councils or city/regional arts councils. Google your area.
If you have a school in your pocket, you can grab these types
of opportunities.

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THE ARTS IN EDUCATION REGRANT PROGRAM - BROOKLYN, NY
http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/29
---
Funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, co-administered
with BRIC. Available to individual teaching artists and arts
nonprofits, working in collaboration with a Brooklyn school.
Supports in-school arts-in-education residencies that blend
arts into th academic curriculum. Deadline December 9, 2010.

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HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND GRANTS
http://www.hocoarts.org/grant_programs.php
---
Artists-in-Education, Baltimore City Arts and Cultural
Organizations, Community Arts Development, Jim Rouse Theatre
Subsidy, and Mark Ryder Original Choreography applications for
the next fiscal year become available February 1, 2011. 

Arts Scholarships provides funding to college-bound seniors
committed to pursuing a career in the arts.  The deadline
for the 2011-2012 academic year is December 13, 2010.

NOTE: I know, the chances of you living in one of these three
areas is slim. However, these entities do not normally advertise
their grant opportunities, since their budgets do not support
the costs. Become affiliated with your town, county, regional
arts council. Search on a grants panel. Learn how grants are
doled out in your geographic area and raise your own chances
for selection.
 

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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PTO TODAY
http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-submission-guidelines
---
PTO Today magazine is an essential resource for leaders of
parent groups (often called parent-teacher organizations) at
the 80,000 elementary and middle schools across the United
States. Articles focus on helping the volunteer leaders of
these groups run their organizations more efficiently and
support their schools more effectively. The magazine is
published six times a year, based on the school calendar;
issues are dated January, March, April, August, September,
and October. Major topic areas we do cover include:
parent involvement, leadership, fundraising, group management,
organization, working with school staff, playgrounds, and
education.

Features run roughly 1,200 to 2,200 words, and the average
assignment is 1,500 words. Department pieces run 600 to 1,200
words. Payment depends on the difficulty of the topic and the
experience of the writer. We pay by the assignment, not by the
word; our pay scale ranges from $200 to $700 for features and
$150 to $400 for departments. We occasionally pay more for
high-impact stories and highly experienced writers. We buy all
rights, and we pay on acceptance (within 30 days of invoice).

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TEACHING THEATRE JOURNAL
http://schooltheatre.org/publications/teaching-theatre
http://schooltheatre.org/sites/default/files/tt_writers_guide.pdf
---
Teaching Theatre is EdTA's quarterly journal for professional
theatre educators. A typical issue includes an article on acting,
directing, playwriting, or technical theatre; a profile of an
outstanding educational theatre program; a piece on curriculum
design, assessment, or teaching methodology; and reports on
current trends or issues in the field, such as funding, standards,
or certification. Honorariums of $50 to $350 are paid for accepted
work. We buy twelve to fifteen articles a year, general
length 750-4,000 words.

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DRAMATICS MAGAZINE
http://schooltheatre.org/sites/default/files/dramatics_writers_guide.pdf
---
The primary editorial objectives of the magazine are: to provide
serious, committed young theatre students and their teachers with
the skills and knowledge they need to make better theatre; to be
a resource that will help high school juniors and seniors make an
informed decision about whether to pursue a career in theatre,
and about how to do so; and to prepare high school students to
be knowledgeable, appreciative audience members for the rest of
their lives. We buy four to eight articles for each issue, ranging
in length from 800 to 4,000 words. We print seven one-act and
full-length plays a year. Honorariums of $25 to $400 are paid for
accepted work.

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JOBS
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NILE GUIDE - LOCAL EXPERTS
http://www.nileguide.com/blog/2010/04/14/local-expert/#more-3315
---
Local Experts receive a monthly sum of $250 for the first two
months while they're getting their destination up to speed. After
two months, performance will be assessed and Local Experts will
move to a traffic-based payment structure. Our hope is that Local
Experts will be able to earn far more money than at current
work-for-hire rates. We seek web-savvy, social media-loving travel
writers to help us create the most kick-ass travel content on the
Web. In this position you will be the grand master of your
destination pages: writing awesome content; weeding out the crap;
and spreading the word on said awesomeness.

Especially looking for an experienced travel writer/editor to
oversee our Minnesota, Vermont and Canadian Maritimes channels.

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SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING NEEDS FREELANCE OUTDOOR COLUMNIST
Location Cayce, SC or Virtual
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1211573
---
South Carolina Living, the largest-circulation magazine in
the Palmetto State, is looking for a talented outdoor writer
to provide engaging, service-oriented coverage of outdoor
recreation. Topics to include:  hunting, fishing, boating,
camping, motorcross/ATVs, hiking/backpacking, canoeing/kayaking/
rafting, mountain biking, scuba diving--and more.

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EDITOR AT I-ELLA.com
Location New York, NY
http://www.ed2010.com/jobs/whisperjobs/2010/11/i-ella-com-editor
---
Draft daily newsletters, interview celebrities and fashion
insiders, write pieces, draft communication pieces, network,
communication with charity partners. Requires at least 3-5
years of work experience, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0+ from
a good school, have fashion/magazine experience, have a strong
interest and knowledge of fashion. Knowledge of e-commerce a plus.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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FANTAGRAPHICS
http://www.fantagraphics.com/ (go to FAQs)
---
Fantagraphics Books publishes comics for thinking readers -
readers who like to put their minds to work, who have a
sophisticated understanding of art and culture, and appreciate
personal expression unfettered by uncritical use of cliché.
Fantagraphics will practically always reject any submissions
that fit neatly into (or combine in a gimmicky fashion) the
mainstream genres of superhero, vigilante, horror, fantasy,
and science fiction. While some of our publications are suitable
for young readers, we do not publish children's picture books.

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ROARING FORTIES PRESS
http://www.roaringfortiespress.com/index.php
---
Roaring Forties Press welcomes proposals from authors for books
on travel, the arts, and related subjects. Please submit your
proposal (describing the subject, content, market, competition,
and author) with a cover letter to acquisitions@roaringfortiespress.com 

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SELLERS PUBLISHING
https://www.rsvp.com/faq.php
---
Please include a cover letter giving a brief description of the
project and what is included in the package. Your proposal should
include an outline, an introduction, an illustrations list (if
appropriate), sample captions, and text/sample chapters
(approximately 10 to 15 pages of text). Also include a market
analysis of the potential readership for the book, including
title, publisher, and publication date of all similar books, with
an explanation of how your book differs from them. At this time,
we are publishing a line of trade books and gift books. We do not
publish children's books, works of fiction, or academic titles.
Company produces cards, calendars and books.

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SPONSORS
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CALL FOR ENTRIES!

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest.

Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story.

Writing Contest First Prize: $500. 2nd: $250. 3rd: $100.
Poetry Contest First Prize: $250. 2nd: $125. 3rd: $50.

Postmark deadline: December 31, 2010.

Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com/ for details and to enter!

AWARD-WINNING WRITER, PUBLISHER
WILL EDIT YOUR NOVEL, MEMOIR, POETRY

Have your writing edited by an award-winning, professional
writer, editor, and publisher, one who 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. 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. 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. He is founder of Jacar Press.

WHY ADVERTISE IN FUNDSFORWRITERS?

For my first advertising for my fledging business I needed to
make strategic choices within a very limited budget. I chose
to advertise in two places:  the Funds for Writers (FFW)
newsletter and a major writer's magazine (circulation of 100,000).
FFW far outperformed the magazine! From my first FFW ad I got an
immediate and enormous spike in traffic to my web site and within
24-hours had more than 100 people sign up on my website. And that
was just the first ad! Over the course of the six-week ad campaign
I saw a noticeable spike in traffic after each ad hit people's
inboxes and in total garnered at least 500 new sign-ups.

If you're thinking about advertising in FFW, do it!
    
Joan Dempsey, Founder & President
http://www.literaryliving.com

MARKETS PLUS: 2500 WRITING MARKETS

For 10 years Worldwide Freelance has been helping freelance
writers to find paying markets. Search or browse the free
database of 750+ markets. Or join Markets Plus and you will
have 2500+ markets at your fingertips.

http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

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

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

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

http://www.fundsforwriters.com

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

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