Volume 11, Issue 20
May 20, 2011

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FUNDS FOR WRITERS

Chosen for Writer's Digest Magazine
101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

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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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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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WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Just read a post by business guru Seth Godin that addressed
the question "what do your customers want?" His answers were
these:
 
notice me
like me
touch my emotions
do what I say
miss me if I'm gone

Yep. Makes sense. They want attention and respect. They want
appreciation in a noisy world rapt with so much busyness that
we can't hear ourselves think.

Regardless of what type of writing you do, fiction or nonfiction,
adult or youth, commercial or literary, the readership craves one
of the above. Come to think of it, authors want it, too. . . when
we write agents, publishers and editors.

notice me
like me
touch my emotions
do what I say
miss me if I'm gone

Well, guess what? You don't get what you want until your
agents, publishers and editors are comfy in the knowledge you
can deliver these points to your readership. In other words,
you have to give before you can receive.

Writing is emotional - to the reader and to the author. The
author's emotional needs don't come full circle until the work
is sold and accepted by the public and its gatekeepers. But the
readers' needs are immediate.

So, before you focus on writing what works for you, wonder if
it works for the reader. I'm not talking just subject matter.
Is the work smart? Touching, reachable, connected, targeted,
enticing, strong and spilling over with tension, personality,
intellect and/or conviction?

It isn't about you until you've made it all about the reader
first. And they can tell on the first page.

Reference:
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/05/what-people-want.html

     Hope

NOTE:
For a future piece, would you please let me know how much you
made in your first year as a freelance writer? Thanks!!!

E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com

THE BLOG - http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
 

  ~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Write without pay until somebody offers to pay you.
If nobody offers within three years, sawing wood is
what you were intended for."

~Mark Twain
 
 
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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Dear Hope,

A few days ago, I received an acceptance letter for a short
story of mine, "The 1400 Pound Counselor," from FICTION365,
a paying market, which I learned about from your "Small Markets"
newsletter.  Thank you for doing this for writers.  I've been a
subscriber for only a few weeks. 

All the best to you, Eugene H. Bales

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ARTICLE
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Part 1: YOUR ONLINE HOME:
Why an Author Needs an Impressive Website

By Shaila Abdullah

We all understand the worth and value of first impressions.
 
When we prepare to attend our book signings or speaking events,
we dress to impress. We enter in style and dazzle the audience.
It is our moment, and we consider it our personal commitment
to deliver our best. Yet, when it comes to websites, many of
us choose DIY templates or hire nonprofessional relatives to
create mediocre sites.
 
Results can be disastrous for authors seeking to make a
lasting impression in the industry. Homegrown sites tend to
look just that and make the visitors think you are not serious
about your work to make an investment in it. If you are an
author of some merit, chances are you have been Googled. So
would the search findings make you proud or cringe in shame?
 
A website is an author's virtual home. Like it or not, you
will be judged by that site. It is a vital marketing tool
that will not only generate sales and leads for you but will
help you create a fan base.
 
Hiring a professional pays in the long run. When choosing a
website designer, make sure he or she has an impressive
portfolio. You do not want a designer who delivers cookie-
cutter solutions. The downside of using such a designer is
that you will see their store-bought templates everywhere.
A professional web designer provides clients with a series
of questions geared to their particular genre, book, and
personality before providing an estimate. I once had a client
send me pictures of items that she kept on her desk to inspire
her during her creative pursuit. I used elements and colors
of those on her website. In the end, the client owned a site
that reflected her style and personality-just like the
creative environment in her own home.
 
So what are the elements of a striking website?
 
An Easy-to-Access Home Page:
Your home page is your doorway and should contain quick access
to the most important information you want your visitors to
see. A standard home page consists of the author's photo, a
brief bio, and featured books. A few websites also contain
upcoming events, latest blog posts, and Twitter feeds.
Remember, people entering your site through a query would not
necessarily land on your home page, so if certain information
is important to you, it should be present on all pages of the
site.
 
Another element often slighted is the author photo. Make sure
the photo you use is taken professionally. Even if you don't
think you are photogenic, a good photographer will make
you look great.
 
Effective Content
Your website content should be free of factual and grammatical
errors. Have a professional editor review the content before
the site goes online. Develop content based on the intent of
the site. If selling books is the primary goal, make sure the buying information

stands out.  Take a test drive as a visitor
and see what the experience of buying is like. Fix the hurdles
you encounter. 
 
Another point to consider is whether you want a book-centric
or an author-centric site. Unless you are a one-time wonder
or wish to have a separate website for each book, go for
author-centric to allow you to showcase all of your work in
one place.
 
Visual Look
A good website designer will seek your opinion on imagery
and colors.  Visuals are important in determining how long
someone remains at the site. Ask yourself these questions:
Are elements balanced and placed in a harmonious way? Does
each element have a place in fulfilling the site's mission?
Do images complement or complicate the theme? Do colors
support your personality and genre?
 
Ease of Navigation
Every home needs an effective floor plan applicable to the
needs of the owner. Standard navigation items are needed on
all author websites, such as a bio, list of books, media kit,
and contact information. If you have won any awards, create an awards area. Make room

to include excerpts; it's an effective
tool to hook readers into buying your book. If you are an
active author on a tour, a news and events section would be
helpful. Ask your designer to develop that section and your
blog in a way that enables you to update content yourself.
If you will be constantly adding or editing content on your
site, have your designer develop your website in a content management system, which

would provide you with complete
editing control over all the pages of the site.
---

BIO
Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning designer and author and
has created numerous websites, marketing materials, and
e-mail marketing campaigns for authors. She can be reached at
shailaabdullah@gmail.com or www.shailaabdullah.com/houseofdesign.

PART 2 next week...
 

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COMPETITIONS
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HIDDEN RIVER ARTS - FICTION AND DRAMA CONTEST
http://www.hiddenriverarts.com/
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline June 30, 2011. Prize of $1,000 and publication in
The Hidden Review. Two categories: 1. best unpublished short
story or novel excerpt (limit 25 pages) and 2. the best
unproduced full-length play.

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LIGHTSHIP INTERNATIONAL LITERARY PRIZES - MULTI-CATEGORIES
http://www.lightshippublishing.co.uk/
---
ENTRY FEES - £8, £10, £12
Lightship Publishing is an independent publisher based in
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK. The winners of the Lightship
International Short Story Prize and the Lightship International
Poetry Prize will be awarded £1,000 each. The winner of the
Lightship International Flash Fiction Prize will be awarded
£500. Lightship Publishing will be publishing a paperback
anthology of the winning entries, in partnership with Alma
Books. The winner and nine runners-up in each competition -
Short Story, Poetry, and Flash Fiction - will be published.
Lightship Publishing will stage an awards ceremony for the
winners and runners-up in Kingston-upon-Hull in October 2011.
Deadline June 30, 2011.

Poetry limit - 200 words. Flash short story entries should not
exceed 600 words. Short story entries should not exceed 5,000
words.

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DROMINEER LITERARY FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS
http://www.dromineerliteraryfestival.ie/Competitions.aspx
---
POETRY
5 EURO ENTRY FEE
Limit 40 lines per poem. Deadline August 19, 2011. All entries
must be of previously unpublished work. Copyright remains
with the author subject to Dromineer Literary Festival having
the right to first publication. PRIZES (EURO) 1st Prize 500.
2nd Prize 350. 3rd Prize 150.

SHORT STORY
10 EURO ENTRY FEE
Limit 600 words per story. Deadline August 19, 2011. Must be
unpublished work. Copyright remains with the author subject to
Dromineer Literary Festival having the right to first publication.
PRIZES (EURO) 1st Prize 500. 2nd Prize 350. 3rd Prize 150.
 

 
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GRANTS
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WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST
http://www.wcmt.org.uk/
---
Fellows receive a travel grant to cover return and internal
travelling, daily living and insurance within the countries
visited. 2011 Fellowships were for 4 to 8 weeks. To travel
in 2012, see one of the 10 categories below and apply now
with a relevant overseas project. No qualifications are
required. Applicants must demonstrate that their project will
bring real benefit to others in their community, profession
and in the UK as a whole. Must be a British citizen.

Art History
Communities that Work
Discovery and Exploration
Education and Vocational Training
Environment, Food and Rural affairs
Innovation and the Public Services
Medical and Health
Science, Engineering and Technology
The Arts and Older People
Open

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FIRST PEOPLES FUND
http://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/artists_artist_in_business_leadership.html
---
The First Peoples Fund's Artist in Business Leadership Program
is designed to help entrepreneurial Native American artists
develop their marketing and business skills and build self-
sustaining, arts-based businesses. This one-year, self-directed
program provides a working capital grant of up to $5,000 to
support work on a marketing plan/strategy or business goal
as defined by the artist applicant. Additional program benefits
include technical assistance, a professional network of peers,
and travel expenses to FPF's professional development workshops.
The fellowship places emphasis on new works to stimulate
creativity and a renewal of energy in Native art expression.
Deadline September 1, 2011.

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JEROME FOUNDATION MINNESOTA FILM AND VIDEO GRANT PROGRAM
http://www.jeromefdn.org/IV~Grant_Programs/B~Minnesota_Film_and_Video/
---
The Jerome Foundation is accepting proposals for production
grants through its 2011 Minnesota Film and Video grant
program. This program serves individual Minnesota-based
artists who work in the genres of experimental, narrative,
animation, and documentary production. It does not support
installation, new media, or interactive work, which are
subsidized in other foundation programs. It also does not
support commercial, industrial, informational, or educational
work. This program awards production grants to individual
emerging artists whose work shows promise of excellence. Only
personal work in which the artist serves as director and
exercises complete creative control over all aspects of
production will be considered. Students in K-12, undergraduate,
and graduate degree programs are generally not eligible.
Deadline July 15, 2011.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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GERMAN LIFE
http://www.germanlife.com/
---
To suggest a story, send us a query letter (3 or 4 paragraphs)
with backup clips of your idea. Each issue of German Life is
bound by our editorial calendar and seasonal events. Your
manuscript should not exceed 1,200 words. Smaller pieces
appropriate for a sidebar or one of the magazine's departments
should range between 300 and 800 words. Book reviews average
250 to 300 words. Payment is upon publication and ranges from
$300 to $500 for feature articles, from $100 to $130 for
reviews and short pieces, and up to $80 for fillers.

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GRIT
http://www.grit.com/uploadedFiles/GRT/advertising/GritCappers_MediaKit2011.pdf
(editorial calendar)
http://www.grit.com/guidelines.aspx
---
GRIT celebrates the intergenerational bonds among those who
live on the land with spirit and style - a legacy of self-
sufficiency, audacious ingenuity and pragmatic problem solving
that gave this country its backbone and continues to shape its
unique character. GRIT publishes feature-length articles on
topics of interest to those living in rural areas, on farms
or ranches, or those interested in the rural lifestyle.
Articles will be from 800 to 1,500 words. Departments and
columns are generally 500 to 1,500 words. GRIT Gazette items
are 350 to 700 words. Pays up to 35 cents/word.

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THE GROWING EDGE
http://www.growingedge.com/contributors_info.html
---
The Growing Edge magazine focuses on hydroponics, aeroponics,
aquaponics, greenhouses, and other innovative growing techniques.
Provides the most comprehensive, accurate information available
to growers of all levels--from commercial growers and home
hobbyists to educators and researchers. All content-related
queries should be addressed to the editor. New contributors
should include two writing samples (preferably published) and
a resume. Pays 20 cents/word.

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JOBS
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TECHNICAL WRITER-EDITOR
Location Reston, VA
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=99260829
---
Deadline May 30, 2011. Agency: Federal Aviation Administration.
Primarily, the incumbent develops rulemaking documents,
advisory circulars, exemptions, and special conditions; and
uses technical input and guidance from subject matter experts
(e.g., Aerospace Engineers, flight test pilots, flight test
engineers, etc.), as well as input from senior and other
technical writer-editors, the Rulemaking Program Manager,
attorneys, or management officials in developing these
documents. Incumbent may also develop/edit other communications
related documents; or perform other duties as assigned.

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WRITER-EDITOR
Location Washington DC
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=99365001
---
Deadline May 27, 2011. Agency: Federal Aviation Administration.
If you are the person selected for this position, you will
serve as a writer/editor, strategist, researcher, and delivery
facilitator, developing products in support of the overall
NextGen communication strategy for both external and internal
stakeholder communications. 

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EDITOR
Location St Louis, MO
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=99375171
---
Employer Agency: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Deadline May 27, 2011. The Office of Analytic Visualization
and Operations Research (PK) is seeking to fill several
positions as Editor in the Analytic Visualization Division,
both in the DC area and St. Louis. The incumbent will support
the preparation and dissemination of NGA Geospatial Intelligence
products. Primary duties include reviewing and analyzing draft
material for clarity, consistency, style, format, logic, and
organization, as well as grammar, word usage, spelling, and
punctuation.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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ROSS YOON LITERARY AGENCY
http://rossyoon.com/
---
We are a literary agency specializing in serious nonfiction
on a variety of topics: everything from memoir and history
and biography to popular science, business, and psychology.

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JANE ROTROSEN AGENCY
http://www.janerotrosen.com/submission-guidelines.html
---
Jane Rotrosen Agency is best known for representing writers
of commercial fiction: thrillers, mystery, suspense, women's
fiction, romance, historical novels, mainstream fiction,
young adult, etc. We also work with authors of memoirs,
narrative and prescriptive nonfiction.

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RUSSELL & VOLKENING, INC. LITERARY AGENTS
http://www.randvinc.com/
---
Interests by agent...
Carrie Hannigan - Children's and Young Adult Agent
Jesseca Salky - Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction,
memoir, creative non-fiction having to do with food, beauty,
business, but nothing prescriptive or genre.
Joy Azmitia - Chick-lit, multicultural fiction, romance,
humor, and non-fiction in the areas of travel, pop-culture,
and philosophy.
Josh Getzler - mysteries, thrillers, literary and commercial
fiction, young adult and middle grade (particularly adventures
and mysteries for boys).

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SPONSORS
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PERSONALIZED BOOK EDITING SERVICES!

KATHERINE DON, "THE BOOK DON"

Show Your Book Who's Boss

10th year. Fifteen cash prizes totaling $5,000. Top prize
$2,000. Submit 1-3 unpublished poems on the theme of war,
up to 500 lines in all. Winning entries published online.
Sponsored by Winning Writers. $15 entry fee, payable to
Winning Writers. Postmark deadline: May 31. Final judge:
Jendi Reiter. Include cover sheet with contact information.
No name on poems. Submit online or mail to Winning Writers,
Attn: War Poetry Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222,
Northampton, MA 01060. Winning Writers is proud to be one
of the "101 Best Websites for Writers" (Writer's Digest,
2005-2010).

More information: www.winningwriters.com/war

CALL FOR ENTRIES!

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject or write a
short story, 5 pages max., on any theme, single or double-
line spacing, neatly hand printed or typed.

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: July 31, 2011.

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

WRITING AWAY RETREATS

Named as one of the top-ten creative retreats in the world,
Writing Away Retreats is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
connect with and receive feedback from the very best in the
industry. Every writer gets a 10K word detailed MS consult
with each staff member (3 editors: Kevin Doughten: Penguin,
Anica Rissi: Simon and Schuster, Katie Gilligan: Thomas Dunne,
1 agent: Scott Hoffman, Folio Lit. and 1 NYT bestselling author:
David Corbett) during their 5 day/4 night experience in the
Rocky Mountains. This unprecedented access allows for an
experience that can truly forward your writing career in the
right direction.

For further information go to the website:
www.writingawayretreats.com

Contact Cicily and let her know how she can help you attend
this event. E-mail: creativelivesworkshop@hotmail.com

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.

Contactrkwriter@gmail.com,www.rkeditor.com

For my first advertising for my fledgling 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

An epublishing revolution is sweeping the industry.
We explain what is happening and show you how to
self-publish your own ebooks.

http://www.PublishYourOwnEbooks.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 2000-2011, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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