Volume 11, Issue 12
March 25, 2011

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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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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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AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING POLLYANNA...

I'm tired of bad news. I'm tired of people greeting each
other with their latest crisis. No, I'm not playing down
Japan's disaster - it pains me. No, I'm not belittling
the economy. But I'm exhausted from people seeking something
to complain about instead of finding the highlights.

Don't think I'm naive. I've lost friends, been divorced,
endured Hurricane Hugo. I also worked a job where I
foreclosed people and literally had them evicted. I've
seen animals abused and people injured and diseased.
Bad things happen. So why is it that so many of us have
reached a point where we can't say hello without spouting
drama?

We can talk ourselves into negativity, and guess what?
It comes across in our blogs, queries, emails, phone calls,
and now Tweets and Facebook posts. We can spew complaints
globally on podcasts and YouTube. We're superbly good at
spreading the gloom via multi-media means.

But guess what? People become weary of it.

In my book The Shy Writer: An Introvert's Guide to Writing
Success, I tell people to look in the mirror and smile
before giving an interview or making a phone call. Seeing
yourself happy translates into positive energy. If you see
charming, you are charming. Tell me this...if you had the
choice of speaking to someone cheerful or someone deadly
serious, which would you choose?

Now, put yourself in the shoes of editors, agents,
publishers, blog readers, online surfers, Tweeters,
and so on. You enjoy more those who look at the proverbial
bright side. Their writing is uplifting. Their charisma
attractive. Editors and agents much prefer delightful
clients to those more broody.

I've been known to shut off the news in order to lighten
the air in the room. I've refused to answer phone calls
when I thought I'd be overwhelmed with depressing rants.
One can only take so many wet blankets.

Now, put yourself again in the place of editors, agents
and readers. What if they had a bad day before they
met up with you or your submission? You might be the last
straw. I have no doubt that writers that query without
flavor are often cast aside. It's timing in many cases.
However, a cracker-jack letter written in good spirit
might earn a second look for no other reason than
entertainment value.

The better your outlook, the higher your success rate.
Quote me on it. If you think you'll succeed, you will
one way or the other. Others will sense it and want
a dose of whatever it is you're drinking.

     Hope

TIME FOR THE QUARTERLY CHATROOM

Come to Hope's Chat on Sunday, March 27 at 7 PM Eastern.
No password required. We chat about anything writing related.
You ask the questions.

www.writerschatroom.com

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

TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark

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

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

You really have to be yourself, and get into it, because the
audience feeds on it--and tune the rest out.

~LeAnn Rimes
 

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ARTICLE
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Six Ways to Reconnect with Your Freelance Network

By Susan Johnston

For non-fiction writers who need new freelance projects or
simply want to strengthen their network, reaching out to
existing contacts can be a highly effective strategy. Although
cold emails or phone calls sometimes yield results, you'll
often reap a higher return on investment by contacting clients
you've worked with in the past or chatting with others in your
industry who may be able to give referrals.

What's your excuse for reaching out? Here are are six of the
(many) ways you can reconnect with someone.

1. Send a card. The holidays may be over, but you can come
up with other reasons to send cards. Maybe New Year's or St.
Patty's Day cards? It's a good excuse to reach out to people
you've worked with in the past and wish them the best, plus
it's more likely that your cards will get noticed. I also
send cards to the freelance writers I chat with on a regular
basis.

2. Ask to connect on LinkedIn. While LinkedIn can be a great
place to track down an editor's name or figure out who to
contact about copywriting opportunities, it's recommended
that you only send invites to people you actually worked with,
rather than people you want to work with. But if you notice an
editor or colleague is on LinkedIn, asking to connect can be a
smart way to subtly remind them that you exist and want to
continue the relationship (plus, if an editor or client leaves
their current job, you'll still be able to keep in touch).

3. Forward an interesting article. Not every email has to lead
to an assignment. Editors are always looking for the latest,
greatest stats, studies, and more, so if you see something
relevant that they might not have, a quick email helps keep
you on their radar. In one instance, I forwarded an editor a
link about an interesting idea in South Africa, figuring she'd
never assign it to me, but at least she'd know that I'm up on
the industry she covers. Though I couldn't fly to South Africa
on my own dime to do a feature, she asked me to email the
founder and write a blurb about it.

4. Congratulate your contact. It can be a bummer when a
favorite editor or client leaves their job. But it's also
an opportunity for you to land a new client! When I read in
Gorkana or MediaBistro's Revolving Door that one of my contacts
has been promoted or a new job, I'll often send a quick
congratulations email (depending on the relationship, I might
also mention that I'm available if they need freelancers in
their new position). You can also do this for fellow freelancers
who've scored a really kick-ass clip or exciting new gig,
because it's good karma!

5. Share relevant opportunities. When I see a lead that's not
quite right for me, I'll share that lead with someone else who
might be a perfect fit. I also try to help my friends who are
searching for full-time jobs, because I'm contacted by recruiters
on a semi-regular basis even though I have very little interest
in leaving the freelance life. You could do the same thing with
your editors or clients if you know them well enough. Say your
editor mentions that she's looking for a wedding photographer
or a tailor who specializes in vintage clothes. If you know
someone great, then hook them up!

6. Invite your contact to meet in person. If you live nearby to
your client or editor, then inviting them to lunch or coffee can
help strengthen that relationship. Alternatively, if you're
taking a trip to NYC or another city where editors or clients
are located, this can be the perfect excuse to invite them out
for coffee. I did this with a trade magazine editor earlier this
year, and I've definitely noticed a difference in the frequency
of assignments and the ease with which we banter over email.
You can also do this with freelancers in your area to swap ideas
or leads.

BIO
Susan Johnston is a freelance writer who has contributed to
The Boston Globe, DailyCandy.com, Self magazine, and
WomenEntrepreneur.com, among other places. Her ebook, The
Urban Muse Guide to Online Writing Markets, is available at
www.Susan-Johnston.com. 
 
 

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COMPETITIONS
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FINE LINE SHORT STORY COMPETITION
http://shop.editorial-consultancy.co.uk/shortstorycompetition/
---
£5 ($8/€6) ENTRY FEE
The competition is open to anyone. Maximum word count 5,000
words. There is no minimum word count. Whatever your taste,
style or inspiration, submit your tale and you could win £200
($320/€230) and publication in The Fine Line Short Story
Collection. Deadline May 31, 2011.

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11th POETRY ON THE LAKE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
http://www.poetryonthelake.org
---
ENTRY FEE: $10
Judge: Don Paterson. Deadline May 15, 2011. Suggested
theme is 'Stone'. Prizes: €400, 2 x €200, 3 x €100.
Categories: Open (max 60 lines) - Formal (max.40) - Short
(max 10).

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EVENT NONFICTION CONTEST
http://www.douglas.bc.ca/visitors/event-magazine/contestdetails.html
---
$29.95 ENTRY FEE
Three winners will each receive $500 plus payment for
publication in EVENT 40/3. Other manuscripts may be published.
Deadline April 15, 2011. Maximum entry length is 5000 words,
typed, double-spaced.

 
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GRANTS
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ARKANSAS ARTS COUNCIL
http://www.arkansasarts.org/whats-new/detail.aspx?id=154
---
Applications are now being accepted for the Fiscal Year 
2012 Individual Artist Fellowships. Deadline to apply for
the $4,000 fellowships is April 22, 2011. $4,000 opportunities
to those in poetry, sculpture and music.

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ORANGE COUNTY GREAT PARK SEEKS ARTISTS FOR RESIDENCY
https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=553
---
The Orange County Great Park (OCGP) in Irvine, California is
now accepting RFQs for a 6-month artist in residence program.
Open to artists of ALL creative disciplines (including all
areas of visual and performing arts, interdisciplinary arts,
literature and poetry, design, and architecture), this call
is seeking FOUR artists with high artistic quality and a
desire to engage with the community. Artists will be encouraged
to present screenings, performances, exhibitions, workshops, or
lectures throughout their residency and must create a proposal
for installation or production (which may or may not be
implemented) by the end of their residency. Housing accommodations
are NOT available. Call closes April 8, 2011. Residency will
begin as early as July 1, 2011. $7,500 stipend.

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THE PLATTE CLOVE ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
http://www.catskillcenter.org/index.php/-catskill-center-/our-programs/arts-a-culture/the-platte-clove-artists-in-residence-program
---
$30 APPLICATION FEE
The Catskill Center also offers the Platte Clove Artists-
in-Residence program. Deadline April 1, 2011. Location near
the towns of Tannersville, Hunter and Windham in upstate NY.
Open for residencies from July 1 through September 30.
Residencies run three days to one week. Artists selected
will be asked to submit work inspired during the residency
for inclusion in a show.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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SUBTROPICS
http://www.english.ufl.edu/subtropics/submit.html
---
Subtropics seeks to publish the best literary fiction, essays,
and poetry being written today, both by established and emerging
authors. We will consider works of fiction of any length, from
short shorts to novellas (up to 15,000 words) and self-contained
novel excerpts. We give the same latitude to essays. We
appreciate work in translation and, from time to time, republish
important and compelling stories, essays, and poems that have
lapsed out of print. For stories and essays, Subtropics pays a
flat fee of $1,000 ($500 for a short short) for North American
first serial rights. Poets are paid $100 per poem.

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PRAIRIE FIRE
http://www.prairiefire.ca/guidelines.html
---
Send a maximum of six poems OR one story per submission and
send only one submission at a time. Maximum length for fiction
is 10,000 words. Submissions from anywhere outside Canada must
contain international reply coupons or Canadian postage or
your e-mail address. Prairie Fire is a quarterly magazine that
looks like a book. Each issue is loaded with stories, poems
and articles. Pays up to $500 for fiction, $250 for essays/
articles/editorials, and up to $225 for poetry.

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St. ANTHONY MESSENGER
http://www.americancatholic.org/ContactUs/writers_articles.asp
---
St. Anthony Messenger is a monthly, general-interest, family-
oriented Catholic magazine. It is written and edited largely
for people living in families or the family-like situations
of Church and community. The preferred length for articles is
2,000-2,500 words. Generally, nothing less than 900 words will
be considered. Payment for articles and fiction is 20 cents/
word.

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JOBS
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MANAGING EDITOR
Location Cambridge, MA
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/sSFWXkTtDjNp
---
Spare Change is a street paper based in Harvard Square in
Cambridge, MA, with a 19-year history of acting as the voice
of the homeless and low-income community in Greater Boston.
The Editor must seek out and assign stories, whose topics
frequently relate to homelessness and other issues related
to social justice; journalism that is locally-centric and
produced by marginalized persons is given preference.
Job starts June 1, 2011.

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WRITER (REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER)
Location Grafenwohr, Germany
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=97830879&aid=27015391-18311&WT.mc_n=125
---
Deadline April 1, 2011. Stars and Stripes, the independent
daily newspaper devoted to covering the U.S. military, is
seeking an intrepid reporter to join our news bureau in Europe.
Based in Grafenwoehr, Germany, this reporter will cover a major
U.S. Army base located there as well as more general topics,
producing a mix of local stories affecting the Grafenwoehr
military community and broader enterprise pieces of interest
to the worldwide military audience that Stars and Stripes serves.
Reporter will also travel to war zones regularly to support the
Mideast bureau. We seek a curious and hungry reporter with a keen
eye for compelling stories. And we want a multimedia, web-savvy
journalist who is as comfortable taking great photographs and
recording compelling video as writing riveting ledes, taut nut
grafs and authoritative big-picture analyses.

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LEGISLATIVE REPORTER
Location Salem, OR
http://www.journalismnext.com/jobdetails.cfm?jid=6886
---
This reporter will be involved in covering politics and
government in the capital for state, national and international
audiences. This person will report to the Salem correspondent
and the Oregon news editor, based in Portland. This person
will cover both the House and Senate and could also be assigned
to non-government stories, if needed.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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THE HISTORY PRESS
https://historypress.net/
---
Our passion for preserving local American heritage cannot
be sustained without the collaboration of community residents
and historians themselves. Please feel free to get in touch
with our staff if considering publishing your work. Infused
with local color, titles published by The History Press
showcase a community's character through story and picture.
While useful as resources for research and preservation, we
see our books as touchstones for community identity, and for
that reason, we are committed to validating community histories
that national houses and university presses too often have
ignored. Our books are highly readable, often brief and aimed
at a general readership. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept
fiction or genealogy proposals.

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LINN PRENTIS LITERARY
http://www.linnprentis.com/submissions.html
---
Linn Prentis Literary is always looking for new authors.
We are excited by fresh, intelligent voices and though our
current client base is mostly made up of science fiction
and fantasy authors, we are constantly on the lookout for
innovative stories that do not fit that mold.

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LIPPINCOTT MASSIE McQUILKIN
http://www.lmqlit.com/placeholder.html
---
A full-service literary agency that focuses on bringing
fiction and non-fiction of quality to the largest possible
audience. Represents adult fiction and nonfiction, poetry,
and children/YA.

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SPONSORS
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THE CONFIDENT FREELANCER -- March 26, 2011

http://web.me.com/quillgoddess/The_Confident_Freelancer/Welcome.html

A one-day Webinar co-hosted by Devon Ellington and Lori
Widmer, featuring 9 on-line sessions including The Fast,
Lucrative Article, Where To Find Work, How to Create and
Maintain a Clip File, and The Importance of Working Long and
Short. Network with other freelancers, Q&A sessions with
Lori & Devon, win a free fiction or non-fiction critique,
receive coursebook with all the lectures. One day only.
More information and registration at the above link.

Affordable Coastal Retreats for Women by Women

 

WRITE BY THE WATER offers 5 day retreats for aspiring and
published writers in all genres. Work w/In-house author,
Skype w/NYC agent/editor, meet like-minded women.

We provide bed, breakfast & lunch, plus time, space and
motivation to write. Don't put it off any longer.

 

Apply now for 2011 coastal retreats:

June 3-7, 2011  New Jersey 
October 7-11, 2011 Vancouver

 

5 days for $899, 3 day weekend $599, Early Bird discounts

Call 678-777-9618 Or online: http://writebythewater.com

 

 

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

=====

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 2000-2011, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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