Volume 10, Issue 53
December 31, 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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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

 
                 
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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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HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010, in hindsight, was quite productive for me, but I
didn't realize it until right before Christmas. Newsletter
readers jumped up almost 10,000 in 2010. FundsforWriters
made the Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers
for the tenth year in a row. I achieved a fourth Chicken
Soup acceptance. And I landed a contract for my mystery
novel.

2011 is already gearing up for new experiences. My youngest
son is getting married to a girl I absolutely adore. And
my book will be published and released. I'm sure book two
will consume much of my time not to mention finishing book
three. I scheduled four conferences thus far as well. I'm
sitting here pondering what goals to establish for 2011,
and it's rather hard to do because an editor is dictating
some of my journey.

This past week I asked my Twitter and Facebook readers to
reduce 2010 to one word. Then do the same for 2011 in one
word. Then, looking at the difference between the two,
set goals.

In 2010, I was patient, my word of choice. In 2011, however,
I'll have to be ambitious. But now I serve two masters,
FundsforWriters and Bell Bridge Books (the publisher), so
I guess I establish two sets of goals, in hopes they overlap
in places to the good of all.

In most of the feedback I received on this little project,
most people showed shortfalls in 2010 and hope for 2011.
As a whole, I believe 2010 felt depressing. The economy
sank like a rock and hasn't resurfaced yet. The publishing
industry lost its shirt in profits (or lack of). Ebooks,
however, soared, as did the sale of electronic readers.
Agents started sounding a little more positive, but we
still saw some like Nathan Bransford bail out of the
industry. He left being a notable literary agent and
assumed a techie position in San Francisco while writing
YA books on the side.

In other words, 2010 was a bumpy ride, and seatbelts were
in order no matter where you turned. People lost jobs
like crazy, but some managed to turn the sour situation
into lemonade by starting new enterprises in the writing
industry.

So, with 2011 fresh and squeaky clean ahead of you, how
do you plan to master it? Sitting back in 2010 didn't
serve you well, so maybe it's time to get proactive and
tackle your future.

Fate does not run your writing career. You do. It's
time to look at:

1. finding new markets
2. finishing the novel
3. beginning a blog
4. finding the perfect agent
5. landing a publisher
6. establishing your writing career
7. attending a conference to find your footing
8. locating or starting a critique group
9. publishing in that magazine you've feared for too long
10. finding a writing mentor/partner

Proactive means taking charge instead of waiting for
events to find you. You'll fare much better, appreciate
yourself more, and open new doors of opportunity by
grabbing 2011 and molding it to your desires.

If 2010 wasn't to your liking, make a change.
No one else will.

Happy New Year!

     Hope

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

TWITTER- http://twitter.com/hopeclark

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

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have,
and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful
lest you let other people spend it for you."

~ Carl Sandburg ~

 
 
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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Hope,

Thanks to you I entered the Chaos Magazine contest and won
second place! I am thrilled and inspired to get more on the
computer and out of my hands. Great Christmas gift, eh? Thank
you so much for being there-real and kicking!

Frances Melling

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ARTICLE
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Living the Dream

By Ginger Marcinkowski

Something happens to women as they age. It's not just about
hair that sprouts out of unnatural places, nor the waves of
heat that wash over our sagging flesh. No, it's something much
more exciting. It's the chance to live out a dream.

It happened to me at age fifty-five. A tiny hope I'd harbored
most of my life surged to the surface like a volcanic eruption
one night. My husband and I were both picking at our dinner,
half-watching a television sit-com.

"I want to be a writer," I blurted.

"So what's stopping you?" my husband said, never taking his
eyes off the television.

I'd been expecting some sort of protest, some awkward glance
that would pooh-pooh my little dream. I hadn't thought of a
comeback if he'd actually said, "Go for it." I had no plan. For
days, I walked around in a fog, wondering what I should do next.
 
One evening my husband pushed a stack of paper at me, data on
all of the MFA programs around the nation. My mouth went slack
in surprise. "Here you go, Honey," he said, pulling four papers
out of the stack. "I've researched them all for you. I've
narrowed them down to what I think will work for you, these
four are your best bets. You can still keep your job AND do
these programs online."

"But. . ." I protested.

"No excuses Honey. It's time you did what you really want to do.
Besides, I'm retiring in a couple of years and I need you to keep
working." A wide smile cut into his face as I threw my arms
around him.

I chose the Wilkes University low-residency MFA program, because
it offered the flexibility of two eight-day residencies on the
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania campus each year, and a chance to
interact with staff and students in person and online. Students
choose from five tracks of study: poetry, fiction, non-fiction,
screenplay and play writing. Tuition costs are $610 per credit
hour. Thirty credit hours are required for the Master's Degree
and an additional eighteen hours for the completion of the MFA.

The quality of the instructors and the outlets provided for a
student's completed work surprised me. Students work with mentors:
published authors, screenplay writers, stage playwrights and poets.
I work with the very talented, Sara Pritchard, author of the
threaded short-story collections, Crackpots & Lately. Having a
professional writer, as well as a skilled instructor available
online and by telephone has been invaluable to my learning the
craft of writing well. During the June 2010 residency, an agent
from New York read and gave an honest verbal and written critique
of my work, all part of the Wilkes program. I then got to enjoy a
one-on-one meeting with her during residency, an opportunity I'd
not heard of in other MFA programs. We "pitched" our work to
several agents and editors. Playwrights had off-Broadway readings
by professional actors. Wilkes's relationships with authors,
agents, editors and publishers have given me opportunities I'd
never dared to think about before this program!

I'm at a crossroads now, somewhere between ecstatic and afraid,
one semester away from receiving my MFA. I've completed my first
book and will be shopping it to an agent with the help of
professionals I've met. Other writers in the program have
encouraged and supported me the whole way; friends I'll never
forget.

Was it worth it? Every last harried minute of it! I'm living my
dream and writing like crazy!

Visit http://wilkes.edu/pages/412.asp for more information!

BIO
Ginger Marcinkowski is an aspiring author who's recently
received her Master's Degree in Creative Writing from Wilkes
University in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is currently pursuing her
MFA there. She placed in the Smoke City Narrators Novel Pitch,
and the Phillip Mangelsdorf Competition in Writing Excellence
and has received numerous Honorable Mentions in various
creative writing contests. She is an active blogger and is
in the editing process of her first complete manuscript.

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COMPETITIONS
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CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY POETRY CENTER AWARDS
FIRST BOOK AND OPEN BOOK COMPETITIONS
http://www.csuohio.edu/poetrycenter/contest1.html
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
$1,000 and publication in the CSU Poetry Series is offered
for the best full-length volumes of original poetry in English
submitted by February 15, 2011. The First Book Award is given
to an author who has not previously published a book of poetry.
The Open Competition is for poets who have previously published
at least one full-length collection. Manuscripts are eligible
for the First Book competition if the author has not published
or committed to publish a collection of his or her poetry in a
book of 48 or more pages with a press run of at least 500 copies;
if an author's prior books were all self-published or published
by subsidy presses, they should still enter the First Book
competition. Entry to the Open Competition is limited to authors
who have published at least one full-length collection of original
poetry in English (of 48 or more pages with a press run of at
least 500 copies) with a non-subsidy press.

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KUNDIMAN POETRY PRIZE
http://www.kundiman.org/prize/
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$28 ENTRY FEE
Deadline February 11, 2011. The Kundiman Poetry Prize welcomes
submissions from emerging as well as established Asian American
poets. Entrants must reside in the United States. The winner
receives $1,000, book publication and a New York City feature
reading. Manuscripts must be typed, paginated, and 50 - 70 pages
in length (single-spaced).

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YOUNG CHRISTIAN SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www.livinglightspublishing.com/p/about-contest.html
---

THEME: In today's world, we see economic hardship and other
troubles all around us, whether in Europe, North America, or
the developing world.  How has your faith grown through
difficult situations and hard times?  How has God helped you
or your family with a particular great need?  Judges will be
looking for well-written, heart-warming, realistic stories
that portray the importance of family, sincere Christian values,
and faith in God. Deadline March 17, 2011. Length: 1,500 to
3,000 words.

Young Professional (17 thru 90+):

Aspiring Writer (12 thru 16):

English as Second Language (International):

 
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GRANTS
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ARTISTAY
http://www.artistay.org/en/blog-artist-in-residence.html
---
The service of artistay is intended for artists with a specific
project of their own, looking for a place in France that will
offer ideal circumstances in which to complete it. Submit an
up-to-date CV; documentation of your work, if you don't have a
website (5 to 10 images / writing sample(s) / music sample(s) /
videos, etc.); a short description of the work to be carried out
during the residency; a letter of recommendation or professional
references (if possible); any further information that might be
relevant to your choice of residency.

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EVERGLADES ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
http://www.nps.gov/ever/supportyourpark/artistinresidence.htm
---
The Everglades National Park Artist in Residence in Everglades
(AIRIE) program offers artists the opportunity to live and work
in this unique environment for a period of up to one month. The
works completed under this program will contribute to the public
understanding and appreciation of Everglades National Park. It is
hoped that these works will characterize the Everglades for
present and future generations, giving park visitors and the
general public an opportunity to see our heritage through the
eyes, and ears of the contributing artists.

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GLOBAL ARTS VILLAGE - INDIA
http://www.globalartsvillage.org/residencies.htm
---
A residency can provide much needed time away from your normal
environment and routine. You are encouraged to develop your work
based upon your Indian experience and inspiration. The Village
offers residency programs to emerging, mid-career and established
artists. Residencies are offered for all major creative disciplines
(visual, performing, literary, healing arts) and we also welcome
professionals, researchers and scholars. Residents choose from
standard, duplex or accommodations in administrative staff quarters
and are provided with work studio space, three prepared vegetarian
meals per day, laundry service, broadband wi-fi internet access
and airport pick-up. Specific requirements, benefits, conditions
and additional information are outlined within the program and
facility descriptions. India is a land full of contrast, beauty
and surprises. The residencies provide the perfect amount of
time to absorb the Indian experience, create work and allow for
travel time before or after the residency period. Selection
Procedure: Applications are reviewed by a panel and selection
is based upon your current body of work, project description,
and motivation to develop your art, project, and/or work in
India.
 

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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THRIVING FAMILY
http://www.family.org/sharedassets/correspondence/pdfs/GeneralInformation/TF_Writers_Guidelines.pdf
---
Focuses on marriage and parenting from a biblical perspective.
Most articles address marriage and the needs of families with
four to twelve-year-olds in the house. Pays 25 cents/word for
columns and features.

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IN TOUCH MAGAZINE
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/writers-guidelines
---
In Touch magazine strives to inspire, encourage, educate, and
change lives by communicating God's Truth, and connect people
to God's work through In Touch Ministries. Columns include
Second Story, Mighty In Spirit, By Faith, Solving Problems
God's Way, Family Room. Pays 30-35 cents/word.

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GARDEN & GUN
http://gardenandgun.com/writers-guidelines
---
Garden & Gun is a dynamic lifestyle magazine that's all about
the magic of the New South--the sporting culture, the food, the
music, the art, the literature, the people, and the ideas. It
is an enthusiast publication devoted to all things indigenous
to the South and the Caribbean, and its main pursuit is a love
of the land and a dedication to the sporting life.

Front-of-book pieces: 200 to 500 words
Columns: 700 to 1,200 words
Features: 1,500 to 3,000 words

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JOBS
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PROGRAM DIRECTOR/ASSOC. EDITOR
Location Chicago, IL
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/6kmmbPfKcw8d/
---
The Neighborhood Writing Alliance (NWA) provokes dialogue,
builds community, and promotes change by creating opportunities
for adults in underserved Chicago neighborhoods to write,
publish, and perform works about their lives. NWA sponsors
free, weekly, and ongoing writing workshops for adults in
libraries and social service centers. Participants are
encouraged to write poetry and narrative about their everyday
lives, personal histories, and neighborhoods. Selected pieces
are published in the award-winning Journal of Ordinary Thought
(JOT) and performed at 35 events annually. Duties fall under
the categories of program development, writing workshops,
publication, relationship building. Bachelor's degree in a
related field. Three years of experience in writing workshop,
teaching, adult education, or ESL situations, preferably in
a leadership position.

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WRITER-EDITOR
Location Washington DC
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=95053049&aid=27015391-231210&WT.mc_n=125
---
Deadline January 11, 2011. Employer Federal Railroad Administration.
The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional
who is comfortable in a fast-paced work environment, and
interacting with senior leadership; exhibits creativity, sound
judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and sensitivity to
protocol, deadlines and timetables; has direct experience in
developing multimedia presentations, effectively utilizing
social media tools and basic marketing communications tactics;
possess a strong work ethic, strong logic and reasoning skills
and a demonstrated ability to accurately interpret literal and
thematic subject matter; is mature, responsive, and able to
work as part of a small but nimble team of public affairs
functionaries within a diverse, multicultural, rapidly evolving
organization. 

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REPORTER
Location Baltimore, MD
http://www.journalismnext.com/jobdetails.cfm?jid=6748
---
The Baltimore Business Journal is looking for an entry-level
reporter/researcher. The ideal candidate will be hungry to
break news in a highly competitive market, produce accurate
and thorough lists of our biggest and fastest-growing businesses
and be willing to take on many tasks in a very busy newsroom.
Send a cover letter, clips and resume to Editor Joanna Sullivan
at jsullivan@bizjournals.com or to 1 E. Pratt St. Suite 205,
Baltimore, MD 21202. Explain why you want to work in journalism
-- and for the BBJ.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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ASTRAEA PRESS - E-PRESS
http://www.astraeapress.com/about-astraea.html
---
Astraea was formed in 2010 when two friends saw the need for
a non-erotic e-publisher that offers wholesome reads but still
maintains the quality of mainstream romance. The first titles
will be launched in February 2011. 50% royalties on
AstraeaPress.com site sales. Looking for any genre of romance
or sub-genre of romance, young adult, fiction of all shapes
and sizes. Not looking for erotica, gay, menage, fan fiction,
poetry and non-fiction, manuscripts less than 15,000 words or
more than 100,000 words, or anything you wouldn't let your
Grandma Betty read.

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SYNERGEBOOKS
http://www.synergebooks.com/subguide.html
---
SynergEbooks is a non-subsidy digital publishing house, not a
vanity press or self-publishing site. Pays royalties of 15-40%
on electronic formats and CD-ROMs, and 15% on paperbacks.
Children's book authors and illustrators will receive 25%
royalties in all formats. "We expect that anyone who is submitting
a book to a digital publisher is computer literate, and understands
that most of the marketing done for a book published in this format
will be via the internet." They consider print publishing for
titles only after they've proven themselves online digitally.

SUBMISSIONS WILL BE OPEN JANUARY 2, 2011 - FEBRUARY 15, 2011 ONLY

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RESPLEDENCE PUBLISHING
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com
---
Accepts queries and proposals in the romance subgenres of historical,
paranormal, horror, contemporary, romantic suspense, erotic romance.
Also accepts submissions in four word-count levels: 12K-18K words,
19K-30K, 31K-60K, and 61K-90K.

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.

Contact rkwriter@gmail.com, www.rkeditor.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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