FundsforWriters - September 2, 2011
Published: Fri, 09/02/11
Volume 11, Issue 35
September 2, 2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 2, 2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sherlock, my favorite rooster who
is such a sweetheart,
and Harper, our black Labrador, getting to know each other.
I'm sort of anxious for the photographer to grab the pic
before either the fur or feathers start flying.
and Harper, our black Labrador, getting to know each other.
I'm sort of anxious for the photographer to grab the pic
before either the fur or feathers start flying.
Editor: C. Hope Clark
Mailto: Hope@fundsforwriters.com
Website: http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAID SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mailto: Hope@fundsforwriters.com
Website: http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAID SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOM HOWARD/JOHN H. REID POETRY CONTEST - LAST CALL
9th year. Ten cash prizes totaling $5,550. Top prize $3,000.
Submit poems in any style or genre. Both published and
unpublished work accepted. Winning entries published online.
Entry fee is $7 for every 25 lines, payable to Winning Writers.
Postmark deadline: September 30. Judges: John H. Reid, Dee C.
Konrad. Submit online or mail to Winning Writers, Attn: Tom
Howard 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, 2005-2011).
More information: www.winningwriters.com/tompoetry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
Read past issues at: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters
=====
PROTECTING TURF
If you are like me, you study blogs. They can be quite time-
consuming, but I want to know the latest as well as become
enamored with those writers who can be savvy, snarky or
profound. I also want to expand my own knowledge and feel better
about myself.
But in reading Bob Mayer's blog, Write It Forward, I stopped
and realized something I really should have understoood
on my own. Each blog has its own agenda. Not a theme, but
a motive. And a slant. And a personal bias.
And I can't take any of them at face value.
That's not a bad thing. If you've had experience with
critique groups, you realize that you do not want to use
all corrections from all the writers. Otherwise, you'd
have a mess, lose your voice, and distort the story. It's
easy to tell people how to write. It's harder to write.
So when people blog, they are reporting on their views,
offering advice based upon their experiences. It can be
tricky. Sometimes we can become infatuated with the person
and begin to take his or her advice as gospel.
You need to feel confident enough in yourself to be
selective of advice.
Any agent is going to speak from the side of traditional
publishing. She might talk about self-publishing being
another tool, but she will lean traditional. An author
who's sold a thousand copies of his e-book will sing
from the rafters about e-pubbing. A freelance editor will
tell you that his services are absolutely mandatory
before you publish anywhere. A traditional author who
went independent will paint a different picture than
the self-pubber who signed traditional.
Keep in mind that any opinion is just that - an opinion.
There is nothing absolute in any blog. To some, this is
an uneasy feeling. They are seeking answers. They want
a solid foundation under their feet so they know where
to go from there.
Publishing is in such transition that authors decide
where to place their feet. And what's grand is that
they can decide one method one day and months later
decide to take another direction . . . and still be okay.
That ought to be exciting!
But to fairly new writers, it's not because they aren't
sure of who they are yet. It's like an eighth-grader
being asked to confirm which profession they'll enter
in college. It's just too soon. They need to learn more,
digest more classes, practice their writing to develop
a sense of self-assurance.
There is no faking it in this business. Sales and critics
clearly let the public know whether you know what you are
doing.
So, read the blogs. Take the information with an arms-
length approach. But keep writing as if none of that
mattered. Study many opinions before establishing one
of your own, whether it's about first person, self-pubbing,
or genre selection.
These bloggers need you more than you need them. Therefore,
consider yourself a customer, shopping for blogs that fit.
Be choosy.
I want you to be happy with who you are, before you
start comparing yourself to others. Because every blog
has a turf, and it might not be the one that feels the
best under your feet.
Hope
THE BLOG - http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
ABOUT.ME - http://about.me/hopeclark
=====
THE ANNUAL FUNDSFORWRITERS CONTEST IS OPEN
The 10th Annual FundsforWriters Essay Contest seeks nonfiction
submissions. First prize $400. Five additional cash prizes.
Zero entry fee and $5 entry fee categories. Theme: Diligence.
Limit 750 words. Email submissions only.
Guidelines at www.fundsforwriters.com/annualcontest.htm
=====
NOTE:
$35 seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Tues. and Wed.
October 4-5, 2011. Creative Many Professional Practice Seminar.
Developed by ArtServe Michigan and presented in partnership with
ArtPrize and UICA, this two-day intensive workshop is designed
to empower artists to take the next step in building sustainable
professional creative practices. Creative Many for Artists will
cover communications, cultivating funding/ resources and
strategic planning for creative practitioners, whether emerging
or established. http://tinyurl.com/43jnlzb
=====
DOUBLE NOTE:
From the Writer's Union of Canada regarding Lobster Press:
It has come to the attention of the Union's Grievance Committee
that some Lobster Press contracts include a clause, that while
reverting rights to the author upon termination of the agreement,
goes on to state that the Work will then be jointly owned by the
Publisher and the Author, revenues will be shared 50/50 and
decisions will be made by majority votes of the co-owners. When a
contract between an Author and a Publisher is terminated, it is
industry standard for the rights to revert to the Author and
for the Author to retain full ownership of the work. Lobster
Press has refused to remove this clause.
=====
TRIPLE NOTE:
FUNDING YOUR HABIT - CLASS IN BEAUFORT, SC
If you are a new writer, seasoned writer or just a writer
seeking avenues to earn money for your work, this presentation
is for you! Instructor C. Hope Clark is founder of
FundsForWriters.com, a website and family of newsletters that
reach 40,000 readers each week. Her specialty is finding grants,
contests, markets, freelance gigs, and opportunities for writers
who wish to write for more that a pat on the back.
Technical College of the Lowcountry
http://www.tcl.edu/continuing-ed/life-enrichment-center
Dates/Time/Location
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 2:30p-5:30p, Beaufort Campus
Cost $69
To Register 843-525-8205
~~~~~~****~~~~~~
WORDS OF SUCCESS
The universe is full of magical things
patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
~ Eden Phillpots
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope,
I have been offered a second contract from Educational Design
Services, L.L.C. and Rowman & Littlefield. Thanks to your
advertisements and attention to credible sponsors, I was able
to submit my work and have it accepted. Since my last concern
about how to solicit blurbs, I took your advice: "to step out
in confidence." I was able to get two highly-regarded experts
in education to read and offer comments on the manuscript. Both
companies have been extremely professional and helpful in this
very new process. I cannot say enough about your inspiration to
this effort. God bless and keep on doing what you do.
Charlese Brown
http://charleseblog.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARTICLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Making a Living Online as a Copywriter
by Kristine M Smith
At the end of 2008, after a year of experience as a full-time
copywriter at a brick-and-mortar firm, I decided to hang my
shingle online. It was a risky proposition but by then I had
been a freelance writer for 35 years and had self-published
four well-regarded books. I was no slouch as a wordsmith.
But putting myself out there was daunting: I'd compete with
tens of thousands of other folks, many with impressive
portfolios and stellar feedback. Wresting enough work to keep
my head above water would not be easy.
I hemmed, hawed and hesitated, then dipped my toe in. I only
bid on projects I could ace. I made $2K in two months as a
newbie. The reviews from my clients were all terrific.
Gaining confidence, I bid on more projects in 2009. As client
feedback and portfolio grew, I received invitations from
buyers. I refused a lot of them out of fear until one client
insisted I was the only copywriter he would consider. I told
him I had never written a long-form sales letter, and hated
reading them! My forte was short sales letters. Nothing
dissuaded him, so I agreed to spend 20 minutes writing the
beginning of one "on spec." If he liked it, he would pay me.
If it wasn't up to snuff, he wouldn't pay me or leave feedback.
He loved it, so I fulfilled the commitment while gaining a
new skill.
Today I bid on projects that stretch me; otherwise I would
stop growing as a copywriter. But whenever I do, I let the
buyer know I'm being stretched, that it may take a little
longer, and that there may be a hiccup or two along the way.
So far, I've made every deadline (by more than a few days) so
I continue to receive great reviews even on the "stretchers."
My suggestions--based on what I've learned:
Starting out, only bid on projects you know you'll ace.
Your client feedback will tell the tale.
Add your best production to your online portfolio. Get
your clients' permission for work you've written for them.
Nail down the parameters of every project before you bid.
It's amazing how many clients want to keep you forever once you
start! Thank them for their enthusiasm, then let them know that
additional work will be done under a REPEAT PROJECT, or that
they'll have to agree to append an additional milestone with
your additional charges for new obligation(s) under your
existing agreement.
Don't begin work for any client until escrow has been
funded. Most buyers at Elance are reputable, but if you don't
adhere to this, you'll get burned eventually.
Check out the buyers' history. View the ratings they've
given other providers. If they seem overly nit-picky or punitive,
steer clear. Don't risk your reputation on chronically-crabby
clients.
Email me ( kristinemsmith@msn.com ) and I'll be happy to send you
an Elance article I wrote and a content questionnaire I compiled
so you can quickly get up-to-speed on what a good project
description (from the buyer) should include and what kind of
information you'll need from clients to make them 110% happy.
BIO
Kristine M Smith has been stringing words together since
grade school far surpassing the 10,000 hours prescribed in
The Tipping Point for gaining proficiency. She has written
five books. Today Kris makes a living as a copywriter and
editor. You can contact her at http://www.kristinemsmith.biz/
and see her profile, portfolio, client feedback and certified
test results http://www.elance.com/s/kristinemsmith/.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPETITIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE NEW GUARD CONTESTS
http://www.newguardreview.com/
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline September 22, 2011.
Knightsville Poetry Contest - $1,000 for an exceptional work
of narrative and/or experimental poetry. Three poems allowed
per entry. Up to 300 lines per poem.
Machigonne Fiction Contest - $1,000 for an exceptional work of
literary and/or experimental fiction. Submit up to 7,500 words
of prose. We're accepting flash, long storiers and all in
between. Novel excerpts welcomes as well if can stand alone.
=====
WRITERS VILLAGE CONTEST
http://www.writers-village.org
---
$15 ENTRY FEE (FOR TWO ENTRIES)
All entrants gain a free critique of their story in the fall
2011 round of the Writers Village Best Writing award. Prizes
totalling $640 can also be won for short fiction in any genre.
The top award is $400, with a $160 second prize and third prize
of $80, plus five runner-ups gain a free entry in the next round.
Winners will be awarded the title Winner, the Writers Village
Best Writing Fall 2011 Award and see their work showcased online.
Stories up to 3,000 words may be submitted in any genre of prose
fiction, except playscripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed
world-wide. The fee is $15 for two entries and multiple entries
are permitted. Deadline is September 30, 2011.
=====
MIGHTY RIVER SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www6.semo.edu/universitypress/mrss.htm
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Searching for the best short story on any theme. Winner
receives $500 and publication in the journal. Must be unpublished,
and no more than 30 double-spaced pages. Deadline October 1, 2011.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRANTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MARYLAND SELECTED FOR 2012 WRITERS EXCHANGE AWARD
http://www.pw.org/about-us/maureen_egen_writers_exchange_award
---
Poets & Writers has selected Maryland for the 2012 Maureen
Egen Writers Exchange Award. Each year since 1984, Poets &
Writers has invited writers from a selected state to apply
for the award. Deadline for Maryland writers to apply is
December 1, 2011. Limit ten pages of poetry, 25 pages of
fiction. No reprints. Must have never published a book or
have published no more than a full-length book in the genre
in which they are applying, and have resided in MD for at
least two years. Winner in each category receives $500,
a trip to NYC in October 2012 to meet agents, editors, etc.,
and one-month residency at the Jentel Artist Residency
Program in Wyoming.
=====
SOLSTICE LOW-RESIDENCY MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.pmc.edu/mfa-financial-aid
---
The Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program
offers four $1,000 fellowships for first-semester students
entering the program during the winter residency/spring
semester: The Dennis Lehane Fellowship for Fiction, The
Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction, The
Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People's Writer
of African or Caribbean Descent, The Sharon Olds Fellowship
for Poetry. Fellowship applications are due October 14, 2011
(not a postmark date; materials must be received in our
offices before or on October 14).
=====
JACK STRAW WRITERS PROGRAM
http://www.jackstraw.org/programs/asp/2012/WP2012_application.shtml
---
Deadline October 31, 2011. Artists living outside of the Puget
Sound region may apply, but should be aware that expenses for
travel, lodging, etc. are not included in the award. Literary
groups applying to the Writers Program are limited to three
persons. The Writers Program receives more than a hundred
applicants, from which 12 writers are selected. The curator
will base his or her selections upon the excellence of the
work represented in the support materials provided by the
applicant, and his or her subjective response to the applicant's
work sample in comparison to the other submissions received.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMERICAN COWBOY
http://www.americancowboy.com
---
Note: No guidelines online or otherwise.
American Cowboy magazine strives to portray the spirit of
the West and appeal to western enthusiasts. It features
profiles of country-western musicians, rodeo performers,
and western artists along with pictorials of the western
landscape. Covers western decorating and fashion, current
events affecting the West, travel, food, history, rodeos,
horses, reviews, and cowboy poetry. Pays up to 25 cents/word.
Query via snail or email. Active Interest Media, Inc.,
American Cowboy Magazine, 921 Walnut Street, Suite 250,
Boulder, CO 82801 or contact e-mail editor@americancowboy.com
=====
MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS
http://www.modelairplanenews.com/contact-us/
---
Published by Air Age Media, the largest multi-media company
dedicated to enthusiasts of radio-control planes, helicopters,
cars and boats, aviation and diecast collecting, Model Airplane
News is distributed around the world. Pays up to $600 for
features up to 2,000 words. This magazine is about collecting,
building and flying model airplanes. Eighty percent freelance.
=====
THE NATION
http://www.thenation.com/about-and-contact
---
The Nation will not be the organ of any party, sect, or
body. It will, on the contrary, make an earnest effort to
bring to the discussion of political and social questions
a really critical spirit, and to wage war upon the vices
of violence, exaggeration, and misrepresentation by which
so much of the political writing of the day is marred.
We run two types of news items: comments (approximately
750 words), which are brief analyses of news developments,
e.g., a Supreme Court decision or a change of government in
Mexico; and articles (typically 1500-2500 words), which
combine reporting and analysis to provide in-depth looks
at issues. Our standard payment for a comment is $150;
for an article $350-$500 depending on length. Payment for
arts pieces is dependent on length; generally $225 and up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WEB EDITOR
Location Washington DC
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=101885743
---
Deadline September 6, 2011. The Web Editor will be responsible
for editing, writing, and proofreading copy for the Corporation's
websites and for drafting and editing messages for social media
including the Corporation's blog, Facebook pages, and Twitter
channels.
=====
SPEECH WRITER
Location Belgium
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=102007442
---
You will draft speeches, articles and statements for the
Secretary General and other senior NATO officials. Take
part in policy development discussions relevant to the
drafting of speeches.
=====
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Location Chicago, IL
http://www.prairie.org/jobs
---
The Illinois Humanities Council seeks a resourceful Communications
Manager to increase public awareness of and visibility for the
IHC, its mission, and its programs with broad and targeted
audiences, donors, program partners, the media, elected officials,
and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable
experience in using multiple media platforms in reaching broad and
targeted audiences.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLUEWOOD PUBLISHING
http://www.bluewoodpublishing.com/Submissions.html
---
We are always on the lookout for quality submissions of any
length, from short stories with a minimum of 3,000 words up
to full length novels. We will not consider works of less
than 50,000 words for printing. Bluewood Publishing is a
royalty paying publisher, and the services we provide are
not charged to the author. Please ensure your manuscript
meets the guidelines. Accepts a wide variety of fiction
and nonfiction. Heavy emphasis on e-publishing.
=====
DRAUMR PUBLISHING
http://www.draumrpublishing.com/submissions.php
---
We are currently seeking submissions for Draumr Publishing
fiction genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror,
mystery, adventure, suspense/thriller, non-bbw romances
(including all the subgenres listed above), and gay/lesbian
stories. DP has a minimum word count requirement of 50,000
words and there is currently no maximum. Please send query
letters along with your first three chapters and story
synopsis to submissions@draumrpublishing.com.
=====
ECHELON PRESS
http://www.echelonpress.com/
---
All queries MUST include a full Marketing Strategy. This
report must be sent as an attachment. Queries that do not
include a Marketing Strategy will be deleted without
consideration. We are accepting queries in the following
genres and lengths. eBook only. Send submissions to
echelonpress@gmail.com . The acquiring editor for Echelon
Press is Karen Syed.
Genres:
Romance (no erotica)
Mystery (Series: humor, hobby, occupational, travel, international)
Thriller/Suspense (Series: hardcore, noir, police procedural)
Western (Series: humor, traditional)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9th year. Ten cash prizes totaling $5,550. Top prize $3,000.
Submit poems in any style or genre. Both published and
unpublished work accepted. Winning entries published online.
Entry fee is $7 for every 25 lines, payable to Winning Writers.
Postmark deadline: September 30. Judges: John H. Reid, Dee C.
Konrad. Submit online or mail to Winning Writers, Attn: Tom
Howard 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, 2005-2011).
More information: www.winningwriters.com/tompoetry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
Read past issues at: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters
=====
PROTECTING TURF
If you are like me, you study blogs. They can be quite time-
consuming, but I want to know the latest as well as become
enamored with those writers who can be savvy, snarky or
profound. I also want to expand my own knowledge and feel better
about myself.
But in reading Bob Mayer's blog, Write It Forward, I stopped
and realized something I really should have understoood
on my own. Each blog has its own agenda. Not a theme, but
a motive. And a slant. And a personal bias.
And I can't take any of them at face value.
That's not a bad thing. If you've had experience with
critique groups, you realize that you do not want to use
all corrections from all the writers. Otherwise, you'd
have a mess, lose your voice, and distort the story. It's
easy to tell people how to write. It's harder to write.
So when people blog, they are reporting on their views,
offering advice based upon their experiences. It can be
tricky. Sometimes we can become infatuated with the person
and begin to take his or her advice as gospel.
You need to feel confident enough in yourself to be
selective of advice.
Any agent is going to speak from the side of traditional
publishing. She might talk about self-publishing being
another tool, but she will lean traditional. An author
who's sold a thousand copies of his e-book will sing
from the rafters about e-pubbing. A freelance editor will
tell you that his services are absolutely mandatory
before you publish anywhere. A traditional author who
went independent will paint a different picture than
the self-pubber who signed traditional.
Keep in mind that any opinion is just that - an opinion.
There is nothing absolute in any blog. To some, this is
an uneasy feeling. They are seeking answers. They want
a solid foundation under their feet so they know where
to go from there.
Publishing is in such transition that authors decide
where to place their feet. And what's grand is that
they can decide one method one day and months later
decide to take another direction . . . and still be okay.
That ought to be exciting!
But to fairly new writers, it's not because they aren't
sure of who they are yet. It's like an eighth-grader
being asked to confirm which profession they'll enter
in college. It's just too soon. They need to learn more,
digest more classes, practice their writing to develop
a sense of self-assurance.
There is no faking it in this business. Sales and critics
clearly let the public know whether you know what you are
doing.
So, read the blogs. Take the information with an arms-
length approach. But keep writing as if none of that
mattered. Study many opinions before establishing one
of your own, whether it's about first person, self-pubbing,
or genre selection.
These bloggers need you more than you need them. Therefore,
consider yourself a customer, shopping for blogs that fit.
Be choosy.
I want you to be happy with who you are, before you
start comparing yourself to others. Because every blog
has a turf, and it might not be the one that feels the
best under your feet.
Hope
THE BLOG - http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
ABOUT.ME - http://about.me/hopeclark
=====
THE ANNUAL FUNDSFORWRITERS CONTEST IS OPEN
The 10th Annual FundsforWriters Essay Contest seeks nonfiction
submissions. First prize $400. Five additional cash prizes.
Zero entry fee and $5 entry fee categories. Theme: Diligence.
Limit 750 words. Email submissions only.
Guidelines at www.fundsforwriters.com/annualcontest.htm
=====
NOTE:
$35 seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Tues. and Wed.
October 4-5, 2011. Creative Many Professional Practice Seminar.
Developed by ArtServe Michigan and presented in partnership with
ArtPrize and UICA, this two-day intensive workshop is designed
to empower artists to take the next step in building sustainable
professional creative practices. Creative Many for Artists will
cover communications, cultivating funding/ resources and
strategic planning for creative practitioners, whether emerging
or established. http://tinyurl.com/43jnlzb
=====
DOUBLE NOTE:
From the Writer's Union of Canada regarding Lobster Press:
It has come to the attention of the Union's Grievance Committee
that some Lobster Press contracts include a clause, that while
reverting rights to the author upon termination of the agreement,
goes on to state that the Work will then be jointly owned by the
Publisher and the Author, revenues will be shared 50/50 and
decisions will be made by majority votes of the co-owners. When a
contract between an Author and a Publisher is terminated, it is
industry standard for the rights to revert to the Author and
for the Author to retain full ownership of the work. Lobster
Press has refused to remove this clause.
=====
TRIPLE NOTE:
FUNDING YOUR HABIT - CLASS IN BEAUFORT, SC
If you are a new writer, seasoned writer or just a writer
seeking avenues to earn money for your work, this presentation
is for you! Instructor C. Hope Clark is founder of
FundsForWriters.com, a website and family of newsletters that
reach 40,000 readers each week. Her specialty is finding grants,
contests, markets, freelance gigs, and opportunities for writers
who wish to write for more that a pat on the back.
Technical College of the Lowcountry
http://www.tcl.edu/continuing-ed/life-enrichment-center
Dates/Time/Location
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 2:30p-5:30p, Beaufort Campus
Cost $69
To Register 843-525-8205
~~~~~~****~~~~~~
WORDS OF SUCCESS
The universe is full of magical things
patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
~ Eden Phillpots
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope,
I have been offered a second contract from Educational Design
Services, L.L.C. and Rowman & Littlefield. Thanks to your
advertisements and attention to credible sponsors, I was able
to submit my work and have it accepted. Since my last concern
about how to solicit blurbs, I took your advice: "to step out
in confidence." I was able to get two highly-regarded experts
in education to read and offer comments on the manuscript. Both
companies have been extremely professional and helpful in this
very new process. I cannot say enough about your inspiration to
this effort. God bless and keep on doing what you do.
Charlese Brown
http://charleseblog.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARTICLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Making a Living Online as a Copywriter
by Kristine M Smith
At the end of 2008, after a year of experience as a full-time
copywriter at a brick-and-mortar firm, I decided to hang my
shingle online. It was a risky proposition but by then I had
been a freelance writer for 35 years and had self-published
four well-regarded books. I was no slouch as a wordsmith.
But putting myself out there was daunting: I'd compete with
tens of thousands of other folks, many with impressive
portfolios and stellar feedback. Wresting enough work to keep
my head above water would not be easy.
I hemmed, hawed and hesitated, then dipped my toe in. I only
bid on projects I could ace. I made $2K in two months as a
newbie. The reviews from my clients were all terrific.
Gaining confidence, I bid on more projects in 2009. As client
feedback and portfolio grew, I received invitations from
buyers. I refused a lot of them out of fear until one client
insisted I was the only copywriter he would consider. I told
him I had never written a long-form sales letter, and hated
reading them! My forte was short sales letters. Nothing
dissuaded him, so I agreed to spend 20 minutes writing the
beginning of one "on spec." If he liked it, he would pay me.
If it wasn't up to snuff, he wouldn't pay me or leave feedback.
He loved it, so I fulfilled the commitment while gaining a
new skill.
Today I bid on projects that stretch me; otherwise I would
stop growing as a copywriter. But whenever I do, I let the
buyer know I'm being stretched, that it may take a little
longer, and that there may be a hiccup or two along the way.
So far, I've made every deadline (by more than a few days) so
I continue to receive great reviews even on the "stretchers."
My suggestions--based on what I've learned:
Your client feedback will tell the tale.
your clients' permission for work you've written for them.
It's amazing how many clients want to keep you forever once you
start! Thank them for their enthusiasm, then let them know that
additional work will be done under a REPEAT PROJECT, or that
they'll have to agree to append an additional milestone with
your additional charges for new obligation(s) under your
existing agreement.
funded. Most buyers at Elance are reputable, but if you don't
adhere to this, you'll get burned eventually.
given other providers. If they seem overly nit-picky or punitive,
steer clear. Don't risk your reputation on chronically-crabby
clients.
Email me ( kristinemsmith@msn.com ) and I'll be happy to send you
an Elance article I wrote and a content questionnaire I compiled
so you can quickly get up-to-speed on what a good project
description (from the buyer) should include and what kind of
information you'll need from clients to make them 110% happy.
BIO
Kristine M Smith has been stringing words together since
grade school far surpassing the 10,000 hours prescribed in
The Tipping Point for gaining proficiency. She has written
five books. Today Kris makes a living as a copywriter and
editor. You can contact her at http://www.kristinemsmith.biz/
and see her profile, portfolio, client feedback and certified
test results http://www.elance.com/s/kristinemsmith/.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPETITIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE NEW GUARD CONTESTS
http://www.newguardreview.com/
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline September 22, 2011.
Knightsville Poetry Contest - $1,000 for an exceptional work
of narrative and/or experimental poetry. Three poems allowed
per entry. Up to 300 lines per poem.
Machigonne Fiction Contest - $1,000 for an exceptional work of
literary and/or experimental fiction. Submit up to 7,500 words
of prose. We're accepting flash, long storiers and all in
between. Novel excerpts welcomes as well if can stand alone.
=====
WRITERS VILLAGE CONTEST
http://www.writers-village.org
---
$15 ENTRY FEE (FOR TWO ENTRIES)
All entrants gain a free critique of their story in the fall
2011 round of the Writers Village Best Writing award. Prizes
totalling $640 can also be won for short fiction in any genre.
The top award is $400, with a $160 second prize and third prize
of $80, plus five runner-ups gain a free entry in the next round.
Winners will be awarded the title Winner, the Writers Village
Best Writing Fall 2011 Award and see their work showcased online.
Stories up to 3,000 words may be submitted in any genre of prose
fiction, except playscripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed
world-wide. The fee is $15 for two entries and multiple entries
are permitted. Deadline is September 30, 2011.
=====
MIGHTY RIVER SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www6.semo.edu/universitypress/mrss.htm
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Searching for the best short story on any theme. Winner
receives $500 and publication in the journal. Must be unpublished,
and no more than 30 double-spaced pages. Deadline October 1, 2011.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRANTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MARYLAND SELECTED FOR 2012 WRITERS EXCHANGE AWARD
http://www.pw.org/about-us/maureen_egen_writers_exchange_award
---
Poets & Writers has selected Maryland for the 2012 Maureen
Egen Writers Exchange Award. Each year since 1984, Poets &
Writers has invited writers from a selected state to apply
for the award. Deadline for Maryland writers to apply is
December 1, 2011. Limit ten pages of poetry, 25 pages of
fiction. No reprints. Must have never published a book or
have published no more than a full-length book in the genre
in which they are applying, and have resided in MD for at
least two years. Winner in each category receives $500,
a trip to NYC in October 2012 to meet agents, editors, etc.,
and one-month residency at the Jentel Artist Residency
Program in Wyoming.
=====
SOLSTICE LOW-RESIDENCY MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.pmc.edu/mfa-financial-aid
---
The Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program
offers four $1,000 fellowships for first-semester students
entering the program during the winter residency/spring
semester: The Dennis Lehane Fellowship for Fiction, The
Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction, The
Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People's Writer
of African or Caribbean Descent, The Sharon Olds Fellowship
for Poetry. Fellowship applications are due October 14, 2011
(not a postmark date; materials must be received in our
offices before or on October 14).
=====
JACK STRAW WRITERS PROGRAM
http://www.jackstraw.org/programs/asp/2012/WP2012_application.shtml
---
Deadline October 31, 2011. Artists living outside of the Puget
Sound region may apply, but should be aware that expenses for
travel, lodging, etc. are not included in the award. Literary
groups applying to the Writers Program are limited to three
persons. The Writers Program receives more than a hundred
applicants, from which 12 writers are selected. The curator
will base his or her selections upon the excellence of the
work represented in the support materials provided by the
applicant, and his or her subjective response to the applicant's
work sample in comparison to the other submissions received.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMERICAN COWBOY
http://www.americancowboy.com
---
Note: No guidelines online or otherwise.
American Cowboy magazine strives to portray the spirit of
the West and appeal to western enthusiasts. It features
profiles of country-western musicians, rodeo performers,
and western artists along with pictorials of the western
landscape. Covers western decorating and fashion, current
events affecting the West, travel, food, history, rodeos,
horses, reviews, and cowboy poetry. Pays up to 25 cents/word.
Query via snail or email. Active Interest Media, Inc.,
American Cowboy Magazine, 921 Walnut Street, Suite 250,
Boulder, CO 82801 or contact e-mail editor@americancowboy.com
=====
MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS
http://www.modelairplanenews.com/contact-us/
---
Published by Air Age Media, the largest multi-media company
dedicated to enthusiasts of radio-control planes, helicopters,
cars and boats, aviation and diecast collecting, Model Airplane
News is distributed around the world. Pays up to $600 for
features up to 2,000 words. This magazine is about collecting,
building and flying model airplanes. Eighty percent freelance.
=====
THE NATION
http://www.thenation.com/about-and-contact
---
The Nation will not be the organ of any party, sect, or
body. It will, on the contrary, make an earnest effort to
bring to the discussion of political and social questions
a really critical spirit, and to wage war upon the vices
of violence, exaggeration, and misrepresentation by which
so much of the political writing of the day is marred.
We run two types of news items: comments (approximately
750 words), which are brief analyses of news developments,
e.g., a Supreme Court decision or a change of government in
Mexico; and articles (typically 1500-2500 words), which
combine reporting and analysis to provide in-depth looks
at issues. Our standard payment for a comment is $150;
for an article $350-$500 depending on length. Payment for
arts pieces is dependent on length; generally $225 and up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WEB EDITOR
Location Washington DC
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=101885743
---
Deadline September 6, 2011. The Web Editor will be responsible
for editing, writing, and proofreading copy for the Corporation's
websites and for drafting and editing messages for social media
including the Corporation's blog, Facebook pages, and Twitter
channels.
=====
SPEECH WRITER
Location Belgium
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=102007442
---
You will draft speeches, articles and statements for the
Secretary General and other senior NATO officials. Take
part in policy development discussions relevant to the
drafting of speeches.
=====
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Location Chicago, IL
http://www.prairie.org/jobs
---
The Illinois Humanities Council seeks a resourceful Communications
Manager to increase public awareness of and visibility for the
IHC, its mission, and its programs with broad and targeted
audiences, donors, program partners, the media, elected officials,
and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable
experience in using multiple media platforms in reaching broad and
targeted audiences.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLUEWOOD PUBLISHING
http://www.bluewoodpublishing.com/Submissions.html
---
We are always on the lookout for quality submissions of any
length, from short stories with a minimum of 3,000 words up
to full length novels. We will not consider works of less
than 50,000 words for printing. Bluewood Publishing is a
royalty paying publisher, and the services we provide are
not charged to the author. Please ensure your manuscript
meets the guidelines. Accepts a wide variety of fiction
and nonfiction. Heavy emphasis on e-publishing.
=====
DRAUMR PUBLISHING
http://www.draumrpublishing.com/submissions.php
---
We are currently seeking submissions for Draumr Publishing
fiction genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror,
mystery, adventure, suspense/thriller, non-bbw romances
(including all the subgenres listed above), and gay/lesbian
stories. DP has a minimum word count requirement of 50,000
words and there is currently no maximum. Please send query
letters along with your first three chapters and story
synopsis to submissions@draumrpublishing.com.
=====
ECHELON PRESS
http://www.echelonpress.com/
---
All queries MUST include a full Marketing Strategy. This
report must be sent as an attachment. Queries that do not
include a Marketing Strategy will be deleted without
consideration. We are accepting queries in the following
genres and lengths. eBook only. Send submissions to
echelonpress@gmail.com . The acquiring editor for Echelon
Press is Karen Syed.
Genres:
Romance (no erotica)
Mystery (Series: humor, hobby, occupational, travel, international)
Thriller/Suspense (Series: hardcore, noir, police procedural)
Western (Series: humor, traditional)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE MISSOURI REVIEW'S EDITORS' PRIZE
Over $15,000 in Prizes
Postmark Deadline: October 1
Submit your best poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Winners
in each genre receive $5,000, a featured publication in
our spring issue, and a trip to Columbia, MO for a gala
reading and reception. Three finalists in each genre
receive cash prizes and will also be considered for
publication. $20 contest fee includes a one-year
subscription to The Missouri Review.
Entries must be previously unpublished and will not be
returned. Please include no more than 25 typed, double-
spaced pages for fiction and nonfiction. Poetry entries
can include any number of poems up to 10 pages in total.
Each story, essay, or group of poems constitutes one
entry. Submit online or by mail. Please visit the website
at http://www.missourireview.com for complete guidelines.
=====
Over $15,000 in Prizes
Postmark Deadline: October 1
Submit your best poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Winners
in each genre receive $5,000, a featured publication in
our spring issue, and a trip to Columbia, MO for a gala
reading and reception. Three finalists in each genre
receive cash prizes and will also be considered for
publication. $20 contest fee includes a one-year
subscription to The Missouri Review.
Entries must be previously unpublished and will not be
returned. Please include no more than 25 typed, double-
spaced pages for fiction and nonfiction. Poetry entries
can include any number of poems up to 10 pages in total.
Each story, essay, or group of poems constitutes one
entry. Submit online or by mail. Please visit the website
at http://www.missourireview.com for complete guidelines.
=====
How to Write a Dick: A Guide for
Writing Fictional Sleuths
from a Couple of Real-Life Sleuths
by Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman
Available on Kindle $4.99
http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Dick-Fictional-ebook/dp/B00595K1UK
"Forget Google and Bing. When you need to research PI work,
go to the experts, Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman: they
live it, they teach it, they write it. How to Write a Dick
is the best work of its kind I've ever come across."
- Reed Farrel Coleman, three-time Shamus Award winner for
Best PI Novel of the Year & author of Hurt Machine
How to Write a Dick blog tour & articles:
http://howtowriteadick.wordpress.com/
from a Couple of Real-Life Sleuths
by Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman
Available on Kindle $4.99
http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Dick-Fictional-ebook/dp/B00595K1UK
"Forget Google and Bing. When you need to research PI work,
go to the experts, Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman: they
live it, they teach it, they write it. How to Write a Dick
is the best work of its kind I've ever come across."
- Reed Farrel Coleman, three-time Shamus Award winner for
Best PI Novel of the Year & author of Hurt Machine
How to Write a Dick blog tour & articles:
http://howtowriteadick.wordpress.com/
=====
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
=====
COOL WELL PRESS - NEW PRESS
http://www.coolwellpress.com/pages/home
---
We offer a variety of genres including fantasy, mystery,
science fiction, suspense, historicals, Young Adult, and
non-fiction. We strive to bring you the best and brightest
authors and stories that will touch your heart, open your
mind, and keep you thinking long past The End. Cool Well
Press is a royalty-paying publisher of works for sale in
electronic format and trade paperback. We publish two
distinct lines - book-length Young Adult fiction across
all genres and non-fiction in a variety of genres.
http://www.coolwellpress.com/pages/home
---
We offer a variety of genres including fantasy, mystery,
science fiction, suspense, historicals, Young Adult, and
non-fiction. We strive to bring you the best and brightest
authors and stories that will touch your heart, open your
mind, and keep you thinking long past The End. Cool Well
Press is a royalty-paying publisher of works for sale in
electronic format and trade paperback. We publish two
distinct lines - book-length Young Adult fiction across
all genres and non-fiction in a variety of genres.
=====
NEW
BOOK RELEASE: The Heart of a Ready Scribe by Melanie Stiles
Are you ready to connect your passion for writing with your
heart for God? We all have a message to be written for others.
Are you working on yours?
Take this one year journey of weekly encouragement, instruction
and reflection that will enable you to connect your calling to
action.
Is it your time to take on the role of a Ready Scribe?
=====
WHY ADVERTISE IN FUNDSFORWRITERS?
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
=====
ANOTHER FANTASTIC REASON TO ADVERTISE IN FUNDSFORWRITERS
Chalet Publishers, LLC, ran an ad ONE TIME in announcing we
were currently accepting submissions. It had been exactly 24
hours since the newsletter and the ad were distributed. Queries,
chapters, entire manuscripts --- the influx has just now slowed
down. We received way over forty responses to our ad, and they
are still pouring in. (BTW, this is a very good problem!). Just
wanted to let you know we think you and your newsletter rock!
It's just amazing and lets us know just how loyal your fans are.
Joyce Norman,
Chalet Publishers, LLC
http://www.chaletpublishers.com
=====
WORLDWIDE FREELANCE WRITER
We're in the business of writing. For 10 years we've been
helping freelance writers to find paying markets. Please
browse our free database of 750 markets or join Markets
Plus and have 2500 markets at your fingertips.
http://www.WorldwideFreelance.com
=====
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 2000-2011, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326
-----------------------------