Volume 12, Issue 4
January 27, 2012


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FUNDS FOR WRITERS

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

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Attending a local conference (non-writing related, too, can you believe it?)


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.



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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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Read newsletter online at: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
Read past issues at: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters

=====

WRITING FOR WRITERS

It's daring to write for writers. We don't often think so,
because we are amongst our own. We understand each other.
On the other hand, however, I think we are throwing ourselves
to the wolves when we do. After all, to write for writers,
shouldn't we profess to have a degree of expertise and
history at the craft before claiming we have answers? When
we write about the one time we published or the rejection
letter that opened our eyes or how to overcome writer's block
when we have no publishing credentials, we tend to embarrass
ourselves and show our ignorance. Of course those stories
don't make the big magazines, but they find their way to
many online locales.

Maybe I'm being brash, but it never ceases to amaze me at
how new writers think they can start writing by submitting
to writing magazines when, in actuality, they should be
reading and digesting them instead. It's like a teacher
fresh out of college, before she spends two months in the
classroom, writing for Teacher's World. Who does she think
she is?

There are exceptions, however. When you claim expert status
you can write for a writer's magazine. If you are an editor,
or as I broke into Writer's Digest, a grant expert, or a
teacher. You might not be a writer, but you're thick in
the writing world. Or maybe there's an essay section that
asks for personal experiences so that everyone struggling
can learn without making the same mistakes.

But if you are writing an article, with the idea that you'll
publish it in a writing publication, stop and think. Look at
the readership. Are you in the right stage of your career to
be advising others? Again, I'm not chastising. I'm trying to
keep you from making an error.

Bylines in writing magazines give us more credibility
as writers. To feel like one of the fold. To be more of a
professional. To feel worthy. Go ahead and write that piece,
but before you submit it, stop and ask yourself if you'd be
willing to get up before a writers' crowd at a conference
and preach what you just wrote. Are you that solid in your
material that you can stand unabashedly before a roomful
of experience and teach those ideas?

Just doing a reality check here. I want you to publish. I want
you to speak. I want you to gain credibility. But I don't want
you to leap too soon. For whatever stage you are in your writing
life, here are a few markets for your writing articles. Good luck!

Writer's Digest
http://www.writersdigest.com/submission-guidelines

The Writer Magazine
http://www.writermag.com/en/The%20Magazine/Submission%20Guidelines/2003/06/Submission%20guidelines%20for%20The%20Writer.aspx

Canadian Writer's Journal
http://www.cwj.ca/03-00-cwj-guid.htm

New Letters
http://www.newletters.org/submissions.asp

The Writer's Chronicle
http://www.awpwriter.org/magazine/guidelines.htm

Poetry Magazine
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/submissions

Writers' Journal
http://www.writersjournal.com/Writer%27sGuidelines.htm

Writing That Works
http://www.writingthatworks.com/guidelines.htm





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 2012 BYLINES DESK CALENDAR IS BACK!

The 2012 Bylines Desk Calendar contains pieces from 53 writers
in 25 states, plus Ireland and the UK. If you've never seen a
Bylines Calendar, you're in for a treat. Each week contains a
short nonfiction piece from writers just like you. Even Hope has
a piece in this edition! This spiral bound week-to-week calendar
conveniently lies flat on your desk, for easy use. It's the
perfect size for . . . your desk, and since it's all about
writers, it's entertaining and educational as well as practical.

www.fundsforwriters.com/Bylines.htm



~~~~~~****~~~~~~

WORDS OF SUCCESS


Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know
to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.

~Steve Jobs

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SUCCESS OF THE WEEK
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Hope:

I'm delighted to be on your subscription list. I responded to
an ad for Cool Well Press in an earlier newsletter from you.
This publisher accepted my World War II novel, Alexandra's Secret,
and the book will be published in March. Thank you for providing
such an excellent market!

Cordially,
Annie Laura Smith


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ARTICLE
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EXPLORE THE BUSINESS OF GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING

By Gail R. Shapiro

Many professional writers are asked to help charities write
proposals for grants. How do you get started as a professional
proposal writer?

Most of us began by volunteering to raise funds for a non-
profit organization with which we already were involved.
Others started by answering an ad for a grant writer. (Note:
this term often is used incorrectly. The one who writes the
proposal is a "grant proposal writer," the one who gives the
money writes the grant). Many times, little or no compensation
is offered by small or start-up non-profit organizations
asking for proposal writing help. You obviously can choose
to volunteer your time, either to get more experience in
learning how to write proposals, or because you love the
mission of the organization.

But for those who dream of becoming a paid professional in
the field, it's important to understand that grant proposal
writing is not simply creative writing. It takes training,
as well as technical knowledge, both in non-profit management
as well as in the "business" of your client's organization.
It can also require knowledge of the funders in your particular
geographic area, as well as each one's specific focus and
priorities.

Most grant proposal writers are hired by non-profits, schools,
and agencies. Many others are free-lance consultants working
for a regular group of clients or taking occasional assignments.
Beware of offers to pay you a percentage of monies raised!
Working on a percentage basis (or small fee plus percentage)
not only is not advantageous either to the client or the writer,
but it also violates the Code of Ethics of the Association of
Fundraising Professionals (www.afpnet.org), to which many of
us belong. It is unlikely that a professional who cares about
advancing philanthropy and donor-based fundraising would work
on a commission basis. In addition to being unethical, it
devalues your time and skills.

Most proposal writers charge by the project or by the hour, as
it is difficult to tell ahead of time how long it will take to
prepare a proposal, particularly if one has not worked before
with a particular client. Much depends on what the client
already has prepared, how cooperative they are about getting
information to the writer in a timely way, whether this proposal
is a top priority for them, and so on.

Before you accept even a volunteer position as a proposal writer,
be sure that the program or project for which the client is
requesting funds is fully developed, has a feasible budget, and
a good evaluation component. Developing this material is the
duty of the program staff who will be implementing the project
or program. Missing any one of these components means that, in
addition to being a proposal writer, you will be expected to
serve as: program developer, evaluation specialist, and maybe
even budget developer.

An experienced proposal writer normally has some knowledge of
all these components and skills. If you are called upon to do
more than write the proposal itself, make sure you are properly
compensated. If you don't have experience in these areas, then
volunteering with a NPO may be a good place to start one's
career. Keep copies of all proposals you write, even those that
are not successful. You can learn as much from failures as from
successes.

Always be mindful of your client's confidentiality and proprietary
information - grants are competitive, and the agency most likely
will not want their work shared with others.

While the field is competitive, there is always room for good
people in any profession. If you are not directly involved in
providing vital services to a specific population to help them
improve or change their lives, or in making your community more
livable or beautiful, or in protecting our environment, then
obtaining money for those who do this work is a great contribution
to make to the world. We wish you well in your endeavors.

Carla C. Cataldo and Gail R. Shapiro
Excerpt adapted from:
Get That Grant, The Quick-Start Guide to Successful Proposals

BIO
Gail R. Shapiro, Ed.M, and Carla C. Cataldo, M.P.P., offer
consulting services to non-profit organizations. Together
they have 55 years of experience writing successful proposals
in education, health, human services, transportation, the arts,
and other fields. They have taught hundreds of students
nationwide how to write polished, winning grant proposals.


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COMPETITIONS
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100 WORDS OR FEWER WRITING CONTEST--FICTION
http://www.100wordsorfewerwritingcontest.com
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
A checkmark evaluation is $10, a critique $40.

BONUSES: Three entries will earn you a free checkmark evaluation;
four entries, a free critique. See the website for examples of
winning stories, checkmark evaluations, and critiques.

CATEGORIES: "Eating" and "Uncommon Character." Your story must
relate to one category or the other, but the connection to the
category can be loose. The deadline is February 18, 2012.

PRIZES: Two First Prizes of $400--one for each category; two
Second Prizes of $50 each.

Our Final Judge is Erica Bauermeister, best selling author of
The School of Essential Ingredients and the more recent Joy
for Beginners.

Please pay attention to specifications on the 'WHAT WE WANT..."
page, and also the winning story at the end of that page. The
writer initially responded to information about our contest
in Hope's FundsforWriters.

Our deadline is not far off. Let's see what you can do!

=====

MEMOIRS INK
http://www.memoirsink.com/writingcontestguidelines/
---
$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline February 15, 2012. First prize $1,000, second $500,
third $250. Limit 1,500 words. Memoirs Ink is looking for
original, well-written personal essays, memoirs, or stories
that are based on autobiographical experiences. The narrative
must be in first person, other than that, the contest is open
to any type, genre or style of story. Stories can be funny or
sad, serious, artsy or fragmented. We are interested in
pushing the boundaries of memoir and also in just regular
memoir that doesn't try too hard--so long as it moves us.
This contest is open to any writer, any age, writing in
English--that means Canadians, Brits, Australians, Ugandans
and anywhere else.

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SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST NOVEL PRIZE
http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/firstnovel/
---
$35 ENTRY FEE
The South Carolina Arts Commission, Hub City Press and their
literary partners announce a call for submissions for the
biennial South Carolina First Novel Prize. The application
deadline is March 19, 2012. The winning author will receive
a book contract with Hub City Press, an award-winning
independent press in Spartanburg, S.C. Upon successful
execution of the contract with Hub City, the winner will
receive a $500 advance against royalties. Hub City will publish
at least 1,500 paperback copies of the book.


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GRANTS
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BARBARA DEMING MEMORIAL FUND
Susan Pliner, Executive Director
Money for Women/Barbara Deming
Memorial Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 309, Wilton, NH 03086
---
The Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund awards grants
of up to $1,500 to poets, fiction and nonfiction writers, visual
artists -- as well as for a mixed-genre category (illustration
and text) -- who are feminist women. Application fee is $20.
Two application deadlines each year: December 31 (art and fiction)
and June 30 (nonfiction and poetry). Fund does not maintain email,
phone, or website. To request application materials, write above
address and include SASE.

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CREATIVE CAPITAL OPENING UP TO APPLICATIONS
http://creative-capital.org/apply
---
On February 1, 2012, Creative Capital will begin accepting
online Letters of Inquiry for grants in Emerging Fields,
Literature and Performing Arts. To be eligible to apply, an
artist must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident,
at least 25 years old, a working artist with at least five
years of professional experience, and not a full-time student.
Selected grantees receive up to $50,000 in direct support and
a suite of services valued at more than $40,000. The Inquiry
Form will be open until March 1, 2012.

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THE STARR CENTER FELLOWSHIPS
http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/fellows/index.php
---
Through its fellowship programs, the Starr Center supports
innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to the American
past - especially by fostering the art of written history.
Visiting fellows find a place where they can retreat from daily
responsibilities and focus on their writing projects - but also
one where they are stimulated by interactions with students,
faculty, and distinguished visitors. Location Charlestown, MD.

The Center's Patrick Henry Visiting Fellowship supports
outstanding writing on American history and culture by both
scholars and nonacademic authors; it offers a $45,000 stipend
for the academic year, plus living arrangements and other benefits.
Deadline for the 2012-13 Fellowship is February 15, 2012.

The Hodson Trust-John Carter Brown Fellowship is open to
applicants from a wide range of disciplines who are pursuing
projects on the literature, history, culture, or art of the
Americas before 1830. The award supports two months of research
and two months of writing. The stipend is $5,000 per month for
a total of $20,000, plus housing and university privileges.
The deadline for the 2012-13 Fellowship is March 15, 2012.

The Center also offers other short- and longer-term fellowships
in Chestertown, as well as special student research fellowships
for Washington College undergraduates.



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FREELANCE MARKETS
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COLORADO EXPLORER
http://www.coloradoexplorer.com/submissions
---
Colorado Explorer Magazine is monthly magazine that promotes
travel and outdoor activities around the state of Colorado.
We publish photographs, and travel and adventure stories about
places, people, and things to do around Colorado. Colorado has
some of the most majestic scenery in the world and people want
to see photographs and read the accounts of others in these
areas. The maximum word length and fees paid for each feature
article is $0.15 a word. A feature article should be between
800 and 1,400 words. The maximum word length and fees paid for
department articles are $0.10 a word. The department articles
should be between 600 and 1,000 words. (from website - has been
known to pay more per other references)

=====

COLUMBUS PARENT
http://www.columbusparent.com/content/pages/submissions.html
---
No longer accepting unsolicited material. However, if you are
a writer in central Ohio who is interested in being considered
for assignments, please submit your resume and three writing
samples which reflect our magazine's writing style and content.
Articles run around 700 words and columns 300 words. Pays
up to 20 cents/word. Publication and website provides info
on raising children in the Columbus area. Topics include
education, health, child development, entertainment, and
recreation.

=====

CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE
http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/Contact-Us/
---
Connecticut Magazine is a general interest, service and
issue-oriented magazine that covers all aspects of life in
the state--arts, politics, travel, people, business, health,
environment and newsworthy issues. No fiction or poetry.
Deadline is two months prior to publication date. Pays 20%
kill fee. Pays $750 and up for features of 2,500+ words.
Short fillers up to 300 words pay up to $200. Departments
of 500 to 1,800 words pay up to $700.



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JOBS
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SENIOR COPYWRITER
Location Ft Lauderdale, FL
http://jobs.zadv.com/epostings/submit.cfm?company_id=15765
---
Aid in the planning, development and implementation of retail
copy for print and broadcast advertising, including talent and
audio direction, as well as a teacher to junior level copywriters.

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EDITOR/WRITER
Location Los Angeles, CA
http://www.hercjobs.org/c/job.cfm?site_id=793&jb=9248670
---
The Editor/Writer is responsible for writing and editing letters,
documents and other marketing vehicles for the Graduate School.
Identifies and determines topics or subjects for various
projects. Employer University of Southern California.

=====

STAFF WRITER
Location Lewistown, MT
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1315210
---
The Lewistown News-Argus has an immediate opening for a
full-time staff writer. The News-Argus is a twice-weekly
newspaper based in Lewistown, Montana, a community of 6,000
located in the center of Montana. The successful candidate
should possess strong writing and reporting skills, and work
well under deadline in a fast-paced environment. Newspaper
experience is preferred, but not required. Photography skills
are also a plus.


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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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JAMES FITZGERALD AGENCY
http://www.jfitzagency.com/submission-guidelines/
---
As an agency, we primarily represent books that reflect the
popular culture of today being in the forms of fiction,
non-fiction, graphic and packaged books. No poetry or
screenplays. Submit a book proposal package as defined
on the website.

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JANIS VALLELY LITERARY AGENCY
http://janisvallely.com/
---
Janis Vallely is an owner and agent at Flaming Star Literary
Enterprises, a literary agency specializing in upscale
commercial nonfiction. She represents authors and writers
in the realm of diet, health and popular psychology, as well
as memoir and narrative nonfiction.

=====

FLETCHER AND COMPANY
http://www.fletcherandco.com/fletcher_submission.html
---
Fletcher & Co. is a full-service literary management and
production company dedicated to writers of upmarket non-
fiction as well as commercial and literary fiction.

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SPONSORS
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When Your Pen Won't Budge, Read The Morning Nudge!
www.morningnudge.com
 

WRITING AWAY RETREATS:

An all-inclusive destination vacation for you and your muse.
Join staff from major publishing houses like Penguin, Harper Collins
and Random House, NYC Literary Agents & award winning authors.

Meals, beautiful scenery and 10k MS consults in one place.
Retreats held in May, September and October 2012.

This will be one week that will change your writing career forever.

Payment Plans Offered.
Discounts for students, military and hardship cases provided.

Sign up now. Spaces limited.

www.writingawayretreats.info

"This was the best week of my life." ~B. Pedas (Colorado, USA)


 

HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK

Course offering from writer Alexis Grant

Want to accomplish big things in 2012? Hoping to make this
the year you finally figure out how to use social media to
grow your blog or reach other writing goals?

If you've joined Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook but aren't
sure how to make them work for you, check out my exciting
new online course, Make Your Own Luck.

I'm capping this course at 30 participants, so sign up now
if you want a spot!

Alexis Grant
Writer, social media strategist and a Problogger Blogger to Watch in 2012

http://alexisgrant.com/make-your-own-luck