FundsforWriters - December 9, 2011
Published: Fri, 12/09/11
Volume 11, Issue 50
December 9, 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 9, 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My new daughter-in-law. Is this baby girl beautiful or what?
I feel like an Amazonian next to her, though. Size 0. I mean,
seriously, who walks around that tiny? I haven't been that
size since I was in the third grade.
I feel like an Amazonian next to her, though. Size 0. I mean,
seriously, who walks around that tiny? I haven't been that
size since I was in the third grade.
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
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writer's Resource: From Creation to Contract
Ghostwriting, rewriting, editing, queries, book proposals &
agent searches from an award-winning author with eighteen
years of experience. Laine Cunningham's opinion has been
sought by CNN Money, the National Writer's Union &
international media on the end of the Harry Potter series,
The Oprah Effect and Sarah Palin's ghostwriter.
Clients consistently receive attention from top publishers
and agents. Fiction & nonfiction, adult & juvenile.
Call today!
Toll-free 866-212-9805 or www.WritersResource.us
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
Read past issues at: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters
=====
WHERE TO FIND THE WRITING JOBS
Writing jobs aren't necessarily advertised on Craigslist
or the local newspaper. These days, employers get swamped
with applications when a job announcement hits the public eye.
Therefore, many employers hire via their connections and
other channels if at all possible. Who can blame them when
it takes days to read and sort applications just to determine
who is worth an interview?
If you want writing work, start beating the bushes, and
here's where to start looking:
1. The Chamber of Commerce
Get their directory and send each member a postcard or
other semblance of direct mail that sings your praises.
Make it polished, people. Very polished. Competition is
stiff.
2. Offer freelance in lieu of full-time, or vice versa.
Let's say you snoop around and see a job, but you prefer
to remain freelance. Contact the employer anyway and offer
to perform contract work and assume the duties, until
he can find someone full-time. You might either land the
full-time job or turn it into a long-term freelance gig.
Same in reverse. Find a freelance gig and offer to work
as an employee because you respect the company so dang much!
3. Contact new businesses.
Often new start-ups aren't quite sure what they need yet.
If you drop your luscious talent into their laps, they
might decide to hire you. Watch for announcements of
grand openings, ribbon cuttings or ground breakings
and step up.
4. Tweak what you're willing to do.
I was a loan specialist in a prior life. However, I became
known for my writing. Soon I was offered special assignments
and eventually promotions that carried me into adminstrative
and managerial roles where my writing was crucial. If you
want to work for a company, apply for whatever they have,
then as opportunities arise, offer to write for them.
Assistant, public relations, secretary - whatever. Be willing
to compromise to get your foot in the door.
5. Everybody you know.
Make it clear to friends, relatives and acquaintances that
you are in the market and ready for hire. In crystal terms,
let them know what you do, what you write. Ask them for
any connections. Even if they don't know at the time, they
might later. And keep mentioning it - tactfully, of course.
You may think Aunt Faye doesn't know anyone, but you
might be surprised at the fact she chats about casserole
recipes at Starbucks with the editor of the newspaper.
Open your mind, people. And venture out. Stand firm
behind your title, writer. Sooner or later, you'll
land work.
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
~~~~~~****~~~~~~
WORDS OF SUCCESS
The secret to success in life is to make your vocation
your vacation.
~ Mark Twain
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARTICLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What the Slush Pile Taught Me
By Kirsty Logan
For the past two years I have co-edited Fractured West, a
print magazine for flash fiction. We have received around
2,000 stories so far, and I've read every single one. I have
also just finished guest-editing a special UK-themed issue
for PANK Magazine, for which I read around 500 stories, poems,
and personal essays. What I am trying to say is: the slush
pile is my friend. It teaches me what works and what
does not.
For example, I have read dozens of stories with one (or more)
of the following characteristics:
The story begins with the point-of-view character waking up,
looking around the room, thinking about things. Often they are
hung over. Even more often, their first action is to hit their
buzzing alarm clock.
A character wanders around a city, thinking about things. Often
they've just been dumped by a girlfriend. In the end nothing
happens.
The 'twist' is that the narrator is really a dog/ghost/inanimate
object.
The story concerns someone sitting in a kitchen looking at the
freshly-dug garden; the 'twist' is that they've killed their
husband/wife/father/mother and buried him/her in the garden.
A story about a relationship breaking up, told through an
extended metaphor.
Stories with these aspects are not necessarily bad. They
might be very good indeed. But there are so many of them that
it's hard to say something fresh. Have you ever heard that people
make up their minds about strangers within three seconds of
meeting? The same is true for stories. Your final line might
be killer, but if the first three paragraphs are boring or
clichéd or clumsy then the reader might not get that far - and
even if they do, their opinion is already soured by the beginning.
So why waste time describing the character waking up? Why use
the same tired twists as hundreds of other writers? You have a
unique and original voice, so use it! You might be protesting:
'But my story about a man waking up with a hangover and wandering
around the city thinking about his ex-girlfriend is different!'
And maybe you're right. Maybe it is. But is it better than the
dozens of other, very similar, stories in that editor's inbox?
You'll improve your chances of publication by producing work that
is fresh and individual - after all, you only get one chance to
give that good first impression.
I know you won't apply this advice to your own writing. Two
years ago, I wouldn't have either. But I challenge you to
volunteer as a slush reader - for a week, or a month, or as
long as you can - and then tell me I'm wrong. Read fifty
stories that begin with the main character waking up, and
then see if you can bear to write that beeping alarm clock.
Useful Links:
Stories We've Seen Too Often at Strange Horizons
http://www.strangehorizons.com/guidelines/fiction-common.shtml
A Story Written Entirely In Clichés at the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3563975.stm
BIO
Kirsty Logan writes, edits, teaches, and reviews books in
Glasgow, Scotland. Her short fiction appears in numerous
literary magazines and anthologies including Best British
Short Stories 2011 (Salt), as well as broadcast on BBC Radio
4. Get in touch at kirstylogan.com .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPETITIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOMESTART BRIDGWATER SHORT STORY PRIZE 2012
http://www.homestart-bridgwater.org.uk/index.php/short-story-prize-2012
---
ENTRY FEE £7 (100% going to the Charity's work).
First Prize £500. Second prize £200. Third prize £100.
Deadline February 1, 2012. Stories, on any theme, must be
not more than 2,200 words in length. Each should be written
in English.
=====
BLUE MESA REVIEW CONTEST
http://bluemesalit.wordpress.com/about/
---
$17 ENTRY FEE
Blue Mesa Review is a literary magazine put out annually
by the creative writing department at the University of
New Mexico. They accept submissions of fiction, poetry, and
creative non-fiction from all over the country. Deadline
December 31, 2011. 1st Prize in fiction is publication and
$1,000. Runners up will receive an honorable mention and a
chance at publication. Original, unpublished fiction, 7,000
words or less. All unpublished poetry manuscripts of 5
poems maximum will be considered. The poetry winner will
receive $750 and publication in Blue Mesa Review Issue 25,
and two copies of issue 25.
=====
THE LAINE CUNNINGHAM NOVEL AWARD
http://www.blotterrag.com
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
Over $1,600 in cash and prizes for book-length fiction. Now
in its third year, the contest is administered by The Blotter,
one of the largest circulating literary magazines in the U.S.
Winning entries are published in The Blotter's print and online
versions. Novels, novellas and short story collections in every
category are accepted. Winners have included crime fiction,
mainstream, literary and alternate history novels as well as
a collection of short stories. Deadline is January 31, 2012.
1st prize $500 plus $400 in books (usually whatever bestselling
author has signed books in the library we collect over the year
goes to the first place winner if there is only one). 2nd prize
$125 plus $400 in books. 3rd prize $400 in books. All three
receive publication of an excerpt on separate months so they
are the highlight of that month's issue, a certificate, and all
three are considered for additional national awards that can
only be accessed by the magazine (i.e., for which authors cannot
self-nominate).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRANTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STEP BEYOND MOBILITY FUND
http://www.eurocult.org/uploads/docs/1188.pdf
---
Our mobility scheme supports cross-border movement of artists
and cultural workers to experience diversity and cross-cultural
cooperation within a larger Europe. You must apply via our
website www.eurocult.org/mobility/apply-step-beyond NO LATER
THAN EIGHT WEEKS before the intended travel date (this is the
deadline for applications). With each Eastward enlargement, the
European Union acquires new borders and therefore new neighbouring
states. The ECF wishes to strengthen cultural ties between those
European countries that are not currently members of the EU and
the present EU countries through supporting individual mobility
in the setting-up phase of cultural and artistic initiatives.
=====
KACHEMAK BAY WRITERS' CONFERENCE
http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu/scholarships.htm
---
An early number of partial and full scholarships are available
for application covering the $325 registration fee only.
Transportation to and from Homer and conference activities,
housing and incidentals are the recipient's responsibility.
Previous recipients of a scholarship may not be considered.
To apply, individuals must submit a letter describing why
they want to attend the conference and reasons for scholarship
assistance need. Applications are due March 12. Applicants will
be notified of their status by April 6.
=====
OP-ED PROJECT SCHOLARSHIPS - see Seminars
http://theopedproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=76
---
We are committed to making The OpEd Project programs affordable
for any woman who is committed to changing the world with her
voice. To that end, we provide full and partial scholarships
for up to 40% of participants in any seminar. Our scholarship
protocol is as follows: We ask anyone requesting a scholarship
to "pay in words" by sending us a request in writing telling
us why the assistance is needed, what op-ed you are committed
to writing, and how it will contribute to changing the world.
If a discount of more than 50% is needed, we request that you
first contact your university or employer to see if they will
match our scholarship, before requesting additional support from
us. If that option is unavailable to you, we ask that you submit
a 750-word draft op-ed, in order to be considered for a majority
or full scholarship. Locations Wash DC, Boston, LA, San Francisco,
NYC, Chicago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TRAVERSE
NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S MAGAZINE
NORTHERN HOME & COTTAGE
http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/Contact-Us/Writing-Submission-Guidelines/
---
We want features to have entry points. As we use it, the term
includes sidebars and extended captions designed to bring in
a reader not enticed by the main subject. For a 2,500-word piece,
perhaps 1,800 words would be devoted to the main body, and the
rest divided into three sidebar-type sections. Topics include
nature and the environment, regional culture, personalities,
the arts (visual, performing, literary), crafts, food & dining,
homes and cottages, history, outdoor activities (e.g., fishing,
golf, skiing, boating, biking, hiking, birding, gardening).
One-time right to publish in our magazines and right to publish
on our web site. Fees: $200-$700. Articles work best for us at
1,500 to 3,000 words. Departments are limited to 700 words.
Traditionally we covered the Northwest Michigan counties of
Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse,
Leelanau, Manistee, Otsego, Cheboygan and Mackinac. We now
regularly venture beyond our traditional turf, however, and
run pieces based in the northeastern Lower Peninsula and the
Upper Peninsula.
=====
RELATE MAGAZINE
http://www.relatemag.com/about/
---
The mission is to inspire teen girls to pursue their dreams
with confidence and to teach them to be an example for others
in their speech, life, love, faith and purity. Topics include
design, entertainment, the future in terms of college and jobs,
beauty, faith, life, quizzes. Average article is between 650
and 1,600 words in length although longer work will be considered.
Sidebar information is also encouraged, as well as graphics,
including illustrations, and photographs.
Feature Article (around 1,800 words): $350-$700
General Article (around 800 words): $150-$200
DIY Article (around 500 words): $50-$100
Teen Profile (around 800 words): $200-$250
Reviews (around 200 words): $50-$75
Celebrity Interviews (around 1,200 words): $500-$700
Quizzes (around 800 words): $100-$200
=====
DECISION MAGAZINE
http://www.billygraham.org/DMag_WritersGuidelines.asp
---
Decision magazine's purpose is to set forth the Good News of
salvation in Jesus Christ with such clarity that readers will
be drawn to make a commitment to Christ; to encourage, teach
and strengthen Christians to walk daily with Christ and to
reach out to others for Christ. Publishes articles about
finding Jesus, sharing faith and personal experience. Pays
up to $400 for up to 1,500 words. Pays $200 for Finding Jesus
columns pieces of up to 600 words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRITER/REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
Location Washington DC
http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/303242200
---
Deadline November 14, 2012. Reports and writes stories that
adhere to the highest principles of professional journalistic
ethics. Provides fairness and balance in all articles and
photographs. Aggressively responds to breaking spot news.
Reports feature stories that provide diversity and broad
audience appeal. Provides photographs to accompany stories
and looks for opportunities to supply standalone feature or
news photographs. Regularly produces profile stories and
longer pieces on significant newsmakers and leaders within
the coverage area.
=====
JOURNALIST AND STRINGERS FOR ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS
Solicitation Number: POV-FY-12-Q1-R
Locations Various
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/BBG/ADM/MCONWASHDC/POV-FY-12-Q1-R/listing.html
---
The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), International
Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), Voice of America (VOA), and Office
of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) are seeking qualified individuals
for freelance Radio, Television, Internet, and/or Multi-Media
English and/or foreign language news broadcasting assignments
in Washington, DC; Miami, FL; and various overseas locations
that are not serviced by full-time VOA and/or OCB staff
correspondents. Assignment areas include script writing,
editing, on-air announcing, technical and production services,
photo editing, video journalism, graphic illustrating, producing
programming using state of the art multi-media platforms, and
audience mail analysis. Deadline December 31, 2011.
=====
STAFF WRITER
Location Virtual
http://journalismjobs.net/job_listing.cfm?jobid=1298676
---
Are you edgy, knowledgeable and informed? Do readers await your
posts in anticipation of your bold statements, original angles
and unique insights? Does your writing provoke rousing discussion
and debate? If this describes you, we want to hire you. Join the
team at Crowdsourcing.org, the #1 site globally for news and
insights on crowdsourcing and crowdfunding models.
Crowdsourcing.org is the most respected and influential online
property dedicated to the fast-growing phenomenon of crowdsourcing
and crowdfunding. We are looking for a staff writer to help drive
an original and unique editorial agenda, to further develop our
individual style and personality, and to continue to draw and
grow the largest daily audience of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding
industry professionals, site owners, crowd workers and
crowdsourcing and crowdfunding fans.
The successful applicant will write daily blog posts and maintain
the site's Twitter feed. We're looking for someone with several
years experience writing about technology for online media, and
some familiarity with the subject of crowdsourcing and
crowdfunding. Applicants should be self-driven, ambitious
individuals that demonstrate strong writing skills and the
ability to work under deadline pressure. Please send clips
and CVs to eric@crowdsourcing.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCARLETTA PRESS
http://www.scarlettapress.com/submissions.htm
---
We are now accepting manuscripts in the following genres:
literary and commercial fiction, memoir, how-to, political
and social science, and business books.
=====
SIMPLY READ BOOKS
http://www.simplyreadbooks.com/submission_guidelines.php
---
Simply Read Books is presently seeking manuscripts in the
following genres: Middle Grade Fiction, YA Fiction, Graphic
Novels, Non-Fiction for Kids.
=====
SILVER DOLPHIN BOOKS
http://www.silverdolphinbooks.com/
---
Silver Dolphin Books publishes activity, novelty, and educational
nonfiction books for preschoolers to 12-year-olds. We will
consider submissions only from authors with previously
published works. We do not publish any fiction or poetry.
All juvenile submissions must contain accompanying artwork
or a plan for an illustration program. No picture books.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Ghostwriting, rewriting, editing, queries, book proposals &
agent searches from an award-winning author with eighteen
years of experience. Laine Cunningham's opinion has been
sought by CNN Money, the National Writer's Union &
international media on the end of the Harry Potter series,
The Oprah Effect and Sarah Palin's ghostwriter.
Clients consistently receive attention from top publishers
and agents. Fiction & nonfiction, adult & juvenile.
Call today!
Toll-free 866-212-9805 or www.WritersResource.us
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
Read past issues at: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters
=====
WHERE TO FIND THE WRITING JOBS
Writing jobs aren't necessarily advertised on Craigslist
or the local newspaper. These days, employers get swamped
with applications when a job announcement hits the public eye.
Therefore, many employers hire via their connections and
other channels if at all possible. Who can blame them when
it takes days to read and sort applications just to determine
who is worth an interview?
If you want writing work, start beating the bushes, and
here's where to start looking:
1. The Chamber of Commerce
Get their directory and send each member a postcard or
other semblance of direct mail that sings your praises.
Make it polished, people. Very polished. Competition is
stiff.
2. Offer freelance in lieu of full-time, or vice versa.
Let's say you snoop around and see a job, but you prefer
to remain freelance. Contact the employer anyway and offer
to perform contract work and assume the duties, until
he can find someone full-time. You might either land the
full-time job or turn it into a long-term freelance gig.
Same in reverse. Find a freelance gig and offer to work
as an employee because you respect the company so dang much!
3. Contact new businesses.
Often new start-ups aren't quite sure what they need yet.
If you drop your luscious talent into their laps, they
might decide to hire you. Watch for announcements of
grand openings, ribbon cuttings or ground breakings
and step up.
4. Tweak what you're willing to do.
I was a loan specialist in a prior life. However, I became
known for my writing. Soon I was offered special assignments
and eventually promotions that carried me into adminstrative
and managerial roles where my writing was crucial. If you
want to work for a company, apply for whatever they have,
then as opportunities arise, offer to write for them.
Assistant, public relations, secretary - whatever. Be willing
to compromise to get your foot in the door.
5. Everybody you know.
Make it clear to friends, relatives and acquaintances that
you are in the market and ready for hire. In crystal terms,
let them know what you do, what you write. Ask them for
any connections. Even if they don't know at the time, they
might later. And keep mentioning it - tactfully, of course.
You may think Aunt Faye doesn't know anyone, but you
might be surprised at the fact she chats about casserole
recipes at Starbucks with the editor of the newspaper.
Open your mind, people. And venture out. Stand firm
behind your title, writer. Sooner or later, you'll
land work.
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
~~~~~~****~~~~~~
WORDS OF SUCCESS
The secret to success in life is to make your vocation
your vacation.
~ Mark Twain
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARTICLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What the Slush Pile Taught Me
By Kirsty Logan
For the past two years I have co-edited Fractured West, a
print magazine for flash fiction. We have received around
2,000 stories so far, and I've read every single one. I have
also just finished guest-editing a special UK-themed issue
for PANK Magazine, for which I read around 500 stories, poems,
and personal essays. What I am trying to say is: the slush
pile is my friend. It teaches me what works and what
does not.
For example, I have read dozens of stories with one (or more)
of the following characteristics:
The story begins with the point-of-view character waking up,
looking around the room, thinking about things. Often they are
hung over. Even more often, their first action is to hit their
buzzing alarm clock.
A character wanders around a city, thinking about things. Often
they've just been dumped by a girlfriend. In the end nothing
happens.
The 'twist' is that the narrator is really a dog/ghost/inanimate
object.
The story concerns someone sitting in a kitchen looking at the
freshly-dug garden; the 'twist' is that they've killed their
husband/wife/father/mother and buried him/her in the garden.
A story about a relationship breaking up, told through an
extended metaphor.
Stories with these aspects are not necessarily bad. They
might be very good indeed. But there are so many of them that
it's hard to say something fresh. Have you ever heard that people
make up their minds about strangers within three seconds of
meeting? The same is true for stories. Your final line might
be killer, but if the first three paragraphs are boring or
clichéd or clumsy then the reader might not get that far - and
even if they do, their opinion is already soured by the beginning.
So why waste time describing the character waking up? Why use
the same tired twists as hundreds of other writers? You have a
unique and original voice, so use it! You might be protesting:
'But my story about a man waking up with a hangover and wandering
around the city thinking about his ex-girlfriend is different!'
And maybe you're right. Maybe it is. But is it better than the
dozens of other, very similar, stories in that editor's inbox?
You'll improve your chances of publication by producing work that
is fresh and individual - after all, you only get one chance to
give that good first impression.
I know you won't apply this advice to your own writing. Two
years ago, I wouldn't have either. But I challenge you to
volunteer as a slush reader - for a week, or a month, or as
long as you can - and then tell me I'm wrong. Read fifty
stories that begin with the main character waking up, and
then see if you can bear to write that beeping alarm clock.
Useful Links:
Stories We've Seen Too Often at Strange Horizons
http://www.strangehorizons.com/guidelines/fiction-common.shtml
A Story Written Entirely In Clichés at the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3563975.stm
BIO
Kirsty Logan writes, edits, teaches, and reviews books in
Glasgow, Scotland. Her short fiction appears in numerous
literary magazines and anthologies including Best British
Short Stories 2011 (Salt), as well as broadcast on BBC Radio
4. Get in touch at kirstylogan.com .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPETITIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOMESTART BRIDGWATER SHORT STORY PRIZE 2012
http://www.homestart-bridgwater.org.uk/index.php/short-story-prize-2012
---
ENTRY FEE £7 (100% going to the Charity's work).
First Prize £500. Second prize £200. Third prize £100.
Deadline February 1, 2012. Stories, on any theme, must be
not more than 2,200 words in length. Each should be written
in English.
=====
BLUE MESA REVIEW CONTEST
http://bluemesalit.wordpress.com/about/
---
$17 ENTRY FEE
Blue Mesa Review is a literary magazine put out annually
by the creative writing department at the University of
New Mexico. They accept submissions of fiction, poetry, and
creative non-fiction from all over the country. Deadline
December 31, 2011. 1st Prize in fiction is publication and
$1,000. Runners up will receive an honorable mention and a
chance at publication. Original, unpublished fiction, 7,000
words or less. All unpublished poetry manuscripts of 5
poems maximum will be considered. The poetry winner will
receive $750 and publication in Blue Mesa Review Issue 25,
and two copies of issue 25.
=====
THE LAINE CUNNINGHAM NOVEL AWARD
http://www.blotterrag.com
---
$25 ENTRY FEE
Over $1,600 in cash and prizes for book-length fiction. Now
in its third year, the contest is administered by The Blotter,
one of the largest circulating literary magazines in the U.S.
Winning entries are published in The Blotter's print and online
versions. Novels, novellas and short story collections in every
category are accepted. Winners have included crime fiction,
mainstream, literary and alternate history novels as well as
a collection of short stories. Deadline is January 31, 2012.
1st prize $500 plus $400 in books (usually whatever bestselling
author has signed books in the library we collect over the year
goes to the first place winner if there is only one). 2nd prize
$125 plus $400 in books. 3rd prize $400 in books. All three
receive publication of an excerpt on separate months so they
are the highlight of that month's issue, a certificate, and all
three are considered for additional national awards that can
only be accessed by the magazine (i.e., for which authors cannot
self-nominate).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRANTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STEP BEYOND MOBILITY FUND
http://www.eurocult.org/uploads/docs/1188.pdf
---
Our mobility scheme supports cross-border movement of artists
and cultural workers to experience diversity and cross-cultural
cooperation within a larger Europe. You must apply via our
website www.eurocult.org/mobility/apply-step-beyond NO LATER
THAN EIGHT WEEKS before the intended travel date (this is the
deadline for applications). With each Eastward enlargement, the
European Union acquires new borders and therefore new neighbouring
states. The ECF wishes to strengthen cultural ties between those
European countries that are not currently members of the EU and
the present EU countries through supporting individual mobility
in the setting-up phase of cultural and artistic initiatives.
=====
KACHEMAK BAY WRITERS' CONFERENCE
http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu/scholarships.htm
---
An early number of partial and full scholarships are available
for application covering the $325 registration fee only.
Transportation to and from Homer and conference activities,
housing and incidentals are the recipient's responsibility.
Previous recipients of a scholarship may not be considered.
To apply, individuals must submit a letter describing why
they want to attend the conference and reasons for scholarship
assistance need. Applications are due March 12. Applicants will
be notified of their status by April 6.
=====
OP-ED PROJECT SCHOLARSHIPS - see Seminars
http://theopedproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=76
---
We are committed to making The OpEd Project programs affordable
for any woman who is committed to changing the world with her
voice. To that end, we provide full and partial scholarships
for up to 40% of participants in any seminar. Our scholarship
protocol is as follows: We ask anyone requesting a scholarship
to "pay in words" by sending us a request in writing telling
us why the assistance is needed, what op-ed you are committed
to writing, and how it will contribute to changing the world.
If a discount of more than 50% is needed, we request that you
first contact your university or employer to see if they will
match our scholarship, before requesting additional support from
us. If that option is unavailable to you, we ask that you submit
a 750-word draft op-ed, in order to be considered for a majority
or full scholarship. Locations Wash DC, Boston, LA, San Francisco,
NYC, Chicago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FREELANCE MARKETS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TRAVERSE
NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S MAGAZINE
NORTHERN HOME & COTTAGE
http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/Contact-Us/Writing-Submission-Guidelines/
---
We want features to have entry points. As we use it, the term
includes sidebars and extended captions designed to bring in
a reader not enticed by the main subject. For a 2,500-word piece,
perhaps 1,800 words would be devoted to the main body, and the
rest divided into three sidebar-type sections. Topics include
nature and the environment, regional culture, personalities,
the arts (visual, performing, literary), crafts, food & dining,
homes and cottages, history, outdoor activities (e.g., fishing,
golf, skiing, boating, biking, hiking, birding, gardening).
One-time right to publish in our magazines and right to publish
on our web site. Fees: $200-$700. Articles work best for us at
1,500 to 3,000 words. Departments are limited to 700 words.
Traditionally we covered the Northwest Michigan counties of
Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse,
Leelanau, Manistee, Otsego, Cheboygan and Mackinac. We now
regularly venture beyond our traditional turf, however, and
run pieces based in the northeastern Lower Peninsula and the
Upper Peninsula.
=====
RELATE MAGAZINE
http://www.relatemag.com/about/
---
The mission is to inspire teen girls to pursue their dreams
with confidence and to teach them to be an example for others
in their speech, life, love, faith and purity. Topics include
design, entertainment, the future in terms of college and jobs,
beauty, faith, life, quizzes. Average article is between 650
and 1,600 words in length although longer work will be considered.
Sidebar information is also encouraged, as well as graphics,
including illustrations, and photographs.
Feature Article (around 1,800 words): $350-$700
General Article (around 800 words): $150-$200
DIY Article (around 500 words): $50-$100
Teen Profile (around 800 words): $200-$250
Reviews (around 200 words): $50-$75
Celebrity Interviews (around 1,200 words): $500-$700
Quizzes (around 800 words): $100-$200
=====
DECISION MAGAZINE
http://www.billygraham.org/DMag_WritersGuidelines.asp
---
Decision magazine's purpose is to set forth the Good News of
salvation in Jesus Christ with such clarity that readers will
be drawn to make a commitment to Christ; to encourage, teach
and strengthen Christians to walk daily with Christ and to
reach out to others for Christ. Publishes articles about
finding Jesus, sharing faith and personal experience. Pays
up to $400 for up to 1,500 words. Pays $200 for Finding Jesus
columns pieces of up to 600 words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOBS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRITER/REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
Location Washington DC
http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/303242200
---
Deadline November 14, 2012. Reports and writes stories that
adhere to the highest principles of professional journalistic
ethics. Provides fairness and balance in all articles and
photographs. Aggressively responds to breaking spot news.
Reports feature stories that provide diversity and broad
audience appeal. Provides photographs to accompany stories
and looks for opportunities to supply standalone feature or
news photographs. Regularly produces profile stories and
longer pieces on significant newsmakers and leaders within
the coverage area.
=====
JOURNALIST AND STRINGERS FOR ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS
Solicitation Number: POV-FY-12-Q1-R
Locations Various
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/BBG/ADM/MCONWASHDC/POV-FY-12-Q1-R/listing.html
---
The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), International
Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), Voice of America (VOA), and Office
of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) are seeking qualified individuals
for freelance Radio, Television, Internet, and/or Multi-Media
English and/or foreign language news broadcasting assignments
in Washington, DC; Miami, FL; and various overseas locations
that are not serviced by full-time VOA and/or OCB staff
correspondents. Assignment areas include script writing,
editing, on-air announcing, technical and production services,
photo editing, video journalism, graphic illustrating, producing
programming using state of the art multi-media platforms, and
audience mail analysis. Deadline December 31, 2011.
=====
STAFF WRITER
Location Virtual
http://journalismjobs.net/job_listing.cfm?jobid=1298676
---
Are you edgy, knowledgeable and informed? Do readers await your
posts in anticipation of your bold statements, original angles
and unique insights? Does your writing provoke rousing discussion
and debate? If this describes you, we want to hire you. Join the
team at Crowdsourcing.org, the #1 site globally for news and
insights on crowdsourcing and crowdfunding models.
Crowdsourcing.org is the most respected and influential online
property dedicated to the fast-growing phenomenon of crowdsourcing
and crowdfunding. We are looking for a staff writer to help drive
an original and unique editorial agenda, to further develop our
individual style and personality, and to continue to draw and
grow the largest daily audience of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding
industry professionals, site owners, crowd workers and
crowdsourcing and crowdfunding fans.
The successful applicant will write daily blog posts and maintain
the site's Twitter feed. We're looking for someone with several
years experience writing about technology for online media, and
some familiarity with the subject of crowdsourcing and
crowdfunding. Applicants should be self-driven, ambitious
individuals that demonstrate strong writing skills and the
ability to work under deadline pressure. Please send clips
and CVs to eric@crowdsourcing.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCARLETTA PRESS
http://www.scarlettapress.com/submissions.htm
---
We are now accepting manuscripts in the following genres:
literary and commercial fiction, memoir, how-to, political
and social science, and business books.
=====
SIMPLY READ BOOKS
http://www.simplyreadbooks.com/submission_guidelines.php
---
Simply Read Books is presently seeking manuscripts in the
following genres: Middle Grade Fiction, YA Fiction, Graphic
Novels, Non-Fiction for Kids.
=====
SILVER DOLPHIN BOOKS
http://www.silverdolphinbooks.com/
---
Silver Dolphin Books publishes activity, novelty, and educational
nonfiction books for preschoolers to 12-year-olds. We will
consider submissions only from authors with previously
published works. We do not publish any fiction or poetry.
All juvenile submissions must contain accompanying artwork
or a plan for an illustration program. No picture books.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPONSORS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
=====
Last Call for Entries: Poets & Writers!
Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest. Write a poem,
30 lines or fewer on any subject or write a short story,
5 pages maximum length on any theme, single or double
30 lines or fewer on any subject or write a short story,
5 pages maximum length on any theme, single or double
line spacing, neatly hand printed or typed.
Writing First Prize: $500, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $100
Poetry First Prize: $250, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $50.
Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story.
Postmark deadline: December 31, 2011.
=====
GOOD OAK PRESS helps authors get their books published.
Our services include cover design, typesetting, ebook
formatting and publishing, and POD printing and publishing.
Please visit our website at www.GoodOakPress.comto learn more
about how we can help you achieve your dream of being published.
www.GoodOakPress.com
=====
WOMEN READING ALOUD has been offering writing workshops,
special events and writing retreats to women writers since 2003.
Register now for the Writer's Weekend Retreat in Sea Girt, NJ,
one block from the ocean, April 27, 28, 29, 2012.
Check out our 10-day Writer's Retreat in June, 2012, on the
island of Alonnisos in Greece. Workshops modeled after the
Amherst Writers and Artists Method.
Visit our website for details.
Be part of a unique writing community.
Director, Julie Maloney
Visit: www.womenreadingaloud.org
Contact: julie@womenreadingaloud.org
=====
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 let's 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint
any editorials, contact hope@fundsforwriters.com for permission.
Please do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your
publication is considered a valid right to publish.
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
-----------------------------
special events and writing retreats to women writers since 2003.
Register now for the Writer's Weekend Retreat in Sea Girt, NJ,
one block from the ocean, April 27, 28, 29, 2012.
Check out our 10-day Writer's Retreat in June, 2012, on the
island of Alonnisos in Greece. Workshops modeled after the
Amherst Writers and Artists Method.
Visit our website for details.
Be part of a unique writing community.
Director, Julie Maloney
Visit: www.womenreadingaloud.org
Contact: julie@womenreadingaloud.org
=====
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 let's 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint
any editorials, contact hope@fundsforwriters.com for permission.
Please do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your
publication is considered a valid right to publish.
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
-----------------------------