Volume 13, Issue 23
June 7, 2013

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FUNDS FOR WRITERS

Chosen for Writer's Digest's
101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

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Engaging conversation with a FundsforWriters follower at the SC Book
Festival! That jacket shined much brighter than I thought it would!

Editor: C. Hope Clark
Website: http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Email: Hope@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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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Tidewater Murder

by C. Hope Clark

Giveaway ends June 12, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

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

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WRITE FOR ANY MAGAZINE

Write-what-you-know has its purpose. Why bother gaining experience
or studying anything new if you can't use it? Why become an expert?
As a freelancer, if you limit your writing to only what you know,
you become stale after a period of time.

I profess that you can write about for almost any magazine. Here are
three tricks to picking up a magazine and determining a pitch for the
editor:

1) Interview an expert in a magazine's field.

You may not know squat about the subject matter of a magazine,
but if you interview someone who does, you have the makings of a
great profile piece. Sure, you need to read up on the individual
so you don't sound completely naive, but you'll learn soon enough
that most experts thrive on explaining what they do. Ask a few
pertinent, intelligent questions, and they'll take off like a rocket,
feeding you all the information you need for a beautiful piece for
magazines you never thought you'd ever qualify to write for.

2) Study press releases.

That means study ALL press releases. Go to http://www.prweb.com/
or http://www.prnewswire.com/ and read what's new. Not only will
you find experts quoted who you can contact for item 1) above, but
you can learn about new findings, studies, revelations, inventions, and
happenings that make for great features. What's fantastic about these
releases is that they list names and contact information for the
people who know the most about the topic matter. Right there in one
place, you have the facts you need to outline a great feature.

3) Pitch something evergreen.

A subject like "How to make the most of a conference" can apply to
magazines for fishermen, golfers, doctors, teachers, writers,
accountants, landscapers, or anyone who attends a professional
conference. "How to hire a great employee from a mediocre pool of
applicants." "How to make your website sticky and appealing."
"How New Year's resolutions really do work." "Travel deals you
never see in the ads." The list goes on and on about how to take a
very general, how-to-live-better piece and apply it to most topics.

So, take those three simple concepts, and unless the magazines
require you have an advanced degree in the subject matter, you have
an open door to endless material for all those magazines you see
in Writers' Market . . . and FundsforWriters.

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
GOODREADS - http://www.goodreads.com/hopeclark
PINTEREST - http://www.pinterest.com/chopeclark
AUTHOR SITE - http://www.chopeclark.com

====

TOTAL FundsforWriters

Love receiving the regular FundsforWriters?
Then give TOTAL FundsforWriters a try. At $15 a year,
it's a great resource of 75 grants, contests, markets,
publishers, jobs and agents delivered every two weeks
to your e-mail.

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/newsletters

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THE SHY WRITER REBORN
An Introvert's Wake-Up Call

Shy types, rejoice! Introversion may seem like a major obstacle to building
a successful writing career, but this wonderful “covers-all-the-bases” book
handily debunks the notion. The only bad news? You’ll have no more excuses
not to succeed! Highly recommended.
~Peter Bowerman, Author
“The Well-Fed Writer” series
www.wellfedwriter.com

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

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply,
to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.

- Storm Jameson -

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ARTICLE
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FICO Scores for Clients?

OR

How to assess the probability of getting paid

By Jennifer Brown Banks

One of the most common complaints about freelance work is pay issues.
From low pay to late pay, to no pay--it’s a “work-related hazard”
that impacts writers of all levels and genres. So pervasive, in fact,
that watchdog efforts through “Writers Beware” and “Whispers and
Warnings” became necessary to protect freelancers and enforce our rights.

Adding insult to injury, is a tough economy, where collections of all
kinds have become problematic. Which is why businesses are doing their
“due diligence” to make sure that customers have a history of timely
payments, and that they are in good financial health before signing on
the dotted line.

This is determined by their collective F.I.C.O (Fair Isaac and Company)
credit analytics.

What is a FICO score?

It's simply a 3-digit number that reflects your credit-worthiness.
Think of it as being like a grading system. And we all have one, if
we've financed a purchase like a house or a car, or a big ticket item.
This score takes into account your history with lenders, what types of
credit you have had, and how long you've had a credit history. The score
ranges from 300-850.

As business owners, freelancers should follow suit and apply a similar
type of screening to assess potential clients. Why? Because late and
missed payments can impact our quality of life, cause undue hardship,
and make it difficult to provide for our families.

And though you can’t obtain their credit information per se, there are
ways for you to easily research and analyze the backgrounds of potential
clients to detect "red flags" and assess the likelihood of future pay
and profitability.

FICO SCORING FOR FREELANCE CLIENTS AND PROJECTS

F---Feedback. When you perform a Google Search on the individual or
company, do you see any complaints? Are Blog comments typically
positive? How about reviews through Amazon or consumer websites? Be
wary if there’s a lot of negative press or shady activities reported.

I---Image. Is their branding smart and savvy? Is their marketing
message clear and effective? Would you “buy into” what they’re selling?
Does the company have a blog? Is it updated regularly with quality
posts? What are the analytics at their site? Do they get a lot of
visitors? To check and assess visit ALEXA.COM for details. Alexa is
a website that provides stats on sites' traffic, demographics, and
success metrics. This is something to consider in your evaluation
process.

C---Continuity. How long has the individual or business been in
operation? Has it been under the same structure and affiliation? Or
have they been in and out of different projects and pursuits under
different names or titles? The point here is that you don’t want to
be affiliated with a “fly by night” or someone who is still
experimenting to find a successful business model, at your detriment.
For relevant details, you can request a “Reliability Report” through
the Better Business Bureau.

O---Openings and Opportunities. This typically means business growth.
A “We’re Hiring” ad or section with listed positions to be filled, on
a website, indicates prosperity, expansion, and success, (at least
on some levels).

You’ve worked hard to land work. But, if you can’t collect what you’ve
earned, you’ve toiled in vain.

Though there’s always a degree of risk when applying to freelance
positions, you can protect yourself by following these timely tips,
and making sure to get everything in writing.

Remember, ignoring red flags could ultimately keep your business
in the red.

BIO:

Jennifer Brown Banks is a veteran freelance writer, ghost writer,
and Pro blogger. Her publishing credits include: Pro Blogger, Men
with Pens, Write to Done, and The Well-Fed Writer. Her blog, Pen
and Prosper was chosen as one of "The Power 100"--Best blogs for
modern writers in 2013 by Livehacked.com.

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COMPETITIONS
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GEMINI MAGAZINE FLASH FICTION CONTEST
http://www.gemini-magazine.com/contest.html
---
$4 ENTRY FEE
Grand Prize: $1,000
Second Place: $100
Four Honorable Mentions: $25 each.
Deadline: August 31, 2013. Maximum length: 1,000 words. All six
finalists published online in the October 2013 Issue of Gemini.
Any subject, style or genre: experimental, mainstream, noir, fantasy,
humor, erotica....Simply send your best, most powerful work.

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WASAFIRI NEW WRITING PRIZE
http://www.wasafiri.org/wasafiri-new-writing-prize.asp
---
ENTRY FEE £6, £10 or £15
The competition is open to anyone worldwide who has not published a
complete book. We are looking for creative submissions in one of
three categories: Poetry, Fiction or Life Writing. £300 will be
awarded to the winner in each category and their work will be
published in Wasafiri. Deadline July 26, 2013.

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THE SATURDAY EVENING POST GREAT AMERICAN FICTION CONTEST
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest
---
$10 ENTRY FEE
The winning story will be published in the Jan/Feb 2014 edition
of the magazine and on our website. The winning writer will receive
a payment of $500. Five runners-up will be published on our website
and receive payment of $100 each. Your story should in some way
touch upon the publication’s mission: Celebrating America, Past,
Present, and Future. Stories must be submitted by the author,
previously unpublished (excluding personal websites and blogs),
and 1,500-5,000 words in length. Deadline July 1, 2013.

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THE RENAL SUPPORT NETWORK ANNUAL RSN ESSAY CONTEST
http://rsnhope.org/
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Renal Support Network (RSN), a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-
run organization that provides nonmedical services to those affected
by chronic kidney disease (CKD), encourages people with kidney
disease to let their voices be heard. This year’s theme is, “Provide
an example of how you became an active participant in your care.” All
submissions must be written by someone who has been diagnosed with CKD.
First Place, $500; Second Place, $300; and Third Place, $100. Essays
must not exceed 750 words. Deadline August 1, 2013.

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HILLERMAN PRIZE
http://www.hillermanprize.com/#!about1/c20ee
---
NO ENTRY FEE
The contest is open to any professional or non-professional writer,
regardless of nationality, who has never been the author of a
published mystery. All manuscripts submitted must be original works
of book length (no less than 220 typewritten pages or approximately
60,000 words) written in the English language by the contestants.
Murder or another serious crime or crimes is at the heart of the story,
and emphasis is on the solution rather than the details of the crime.
The story’s primary setting is the Southwestern United States, including
at least one of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado,
Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. (The decision of the
Competition's judges as to whether or not a manuscript qualifies will
be final.) If a winner is selected, St. Martin's Press will publish
the winning manuscript by offering to enter into its standard form
author's agreement with the contestant. The winner will receive an
advance against future royalties of $10,000. Deadline August 1.

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GRANTS
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OREGON LITERARY FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.racc.org/resources/oregon-literary-fellowship
---
Completed applications for the 2014 Oregon Literary Fellowships are
due to Literary Arts by Friday, June 28, 2013. Fellowships are
awarded to Oregon residents in poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction,
drama and young readers literature. Fellowships are also awarded to
publishers. No application fee.

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ONTARIO WRITERS' WORK IN PROGRESS
http://www.arts.on.ca/Page118.aspx
---
Ontario-based professional writers may apply for support for the
continuation of new work in poetry or prose, including graphic novels.
Joint applications from a writer and illustrator working on a graphic
project are now eligible to apply to this program. Deadlines June 17,
and October 15, 2013.

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ZION'S BANK SMART WOMEN GRANTS
https://www.zionsbank.com/swsm_grant.jsp?cid=2376
---
Grants up to $3,000 to female residents of Utah or Idaho to support
“the efforts of everyday heroines who strengthen women, children,
and their communities.” Grants are awarded in 5 categories, including
arts and culture. Deadline: June 28, 2013.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INDIAN STUDIES FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.indiastudies.org/research-fellowship-programs/categories-of-fellowship
---
Provides funding to accomplished American practitioners of the
arts to travel to India to enhance their skills, develop their
capabilities to teach or perform in the U.S., enhance American
involvement with India’s artistic traditions, or strengthen their
ties with peers in India. Fellowships are usually 4 months, but
proposals for periods up to 9 months will be considered. Deadline:
July 1, 2013.

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UMASS NEW PLAY LAB RESIDENCIES
http://www.umass.edu/theater/newplaylab.php
---
March 24-April 5, 2014, Amherst, MA. Aims to develop two exceptional
new scripts per year in cooperation with visionary playwrights. Two
playwrights will be chosen for concurrent 10-day residencies during
the mainstage production period of their scripts as public staged
readings directed and dramaturged by UMass graduate students and
performed by UMass undergraduate actors. Each playwright receives
accommodation and a $750 honorarium. Playwright responsible for travel
arrangements and meals. Submitted plays must be full-length; no
musicals. Deadline: July 1, 2013.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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COMMONWEAL MAGAZINE
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/contact-us
---
Commonweal welcomes original manuscripts dealing with topical issues
of the day on public affairs, religion, literature, and the arts. We
look for articles that are timely, accurate, and well written. Pays $100
to $300. Articles fall into three categories:

"Upfronts", running from 750 to 1,000 words, are brief, "newsy" and
reportorial, giving facts, information, and some interpretation behind
the "headlines of the day."

Longer articles, running from 2,000 to 3,000 words, are more reflective
and detailed, bringing new information or a different point of view to
a subject, raising questions, and/or proposing solutions to the dilemmas
facing the world, nation, church, or individual.

"Last Word" column, a 750-word reflection, usually of a personal nature,
on some aspect of the human condition: spiritual, individual, political,
or social.

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CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE
http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/Submission-Guidelines/
---
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.
We do not publish fiction or poetry. Pays $400 to $700 for features
of 1,500 to 2,500 words. Fillers of 150 to 400 words pay up to $150.

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DELAWARE TODAY
http://www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/Contact-Us/
---
Covers people, places, events, lifestyles of the people of Delaware.
History, interview, ways of life. Pays up to $750 for up to 3,000 words.

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NATIONAL PARKS MAGAZINE
http://www.npca.org/news/magazine/writers-guidelines.html
---
National Parks magazine publishes articles about areas in the
National Park System, proposed new areas, threats to parks or park
wildlife, scientific discoveries, legislative issues, and endangered
species of plants or animals relevant to national parks. We do not
publish articles on general environmental topics, nor do we print
articles about land managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau
of Land Management, or other federal agencies. Articles for National
Parks should be directed to a largely nonscientific but well-educated
audience. News articles and smaller departments are 500-1,200 words.
Features run approximately 1,800-2,000 words. We generally pay 70 cents
to $1.00/word—the high end being reserved for our proven contributors.

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CARLSBAD MAGAZINE
http://www.clickoncarlsbad.com/contactus.html
---
Covers profiles, events, travel, lifestyles, and the arts in
Carlsbad, CA. Pays 20 cents/word for articles of 300 to 2,700
words.

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PUBLISHERS/AGENTS
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BLOOMSBURY SPARK
http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/bloomsbury-spark/
---
Bloomsbury Spark is a one-of-a-kind, global, digital imprint
from Bloomsbury Publishing dedicated to publishing a wide array
of exciting fiction eBooks to teen, YA, and new adult readers.
Our outstanding list will feature multiple genres: romance,
contemporary, dystopian, paranormal, sci-fi, mystery, thriller,
and more.

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LIGHTHOUSE PUBLISHING OF THE CAROLINAS
http://lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com/
---
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas is an ACFW approved,
traditional, royalty-paying book publisher. (We are NOT a subsidy
publisher.) We have one standard for judging a work: Is it biblical?
Not biblical as in preaching or teaching, but rather could the story,
scenes, and theme be overlaid with Old and New Testament narratives?
Our characters dance, go to the bathroom, drink, celebrate at parties,
and live an abundant life, just like the characters in Scripture. When
our books project an agenda (and all stories have an agenda), they
point to the goodness of God and his unfailing love, a love that is
expressed most often through the lives of others. We believe there is
a large market for these types of stories.

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SALT PUBLISHING
http://www.saltpublishing.com/info/proposals.htm
---
Salt is actively seeking novel submissions directly from authors.
All works must be aimed at a British market. You do not require an
agent to submit to Salt. We prefer works of less than 80,000 words.
Please note they are only seeking novels in these specific areas:

“NORFOLK GOTHIC”. We are looking for dark fiction set explicitly
in the English county of Norfolk. That is, works which centrally
feature Norfolk settings and landscapes and which deal with the
sinister side of human nature, containing elements of threat,
menace, fear and death.

LITERARY FICTION. We are looking for accessible, original, serious
and compelling literary novels – though not experimental fiction.

CRIME FICTION. We are looking for sophisticated and original literary
crime fiction; dark, fast-paced thrillers (especially those which
feature both UK and continental European settings); traditional
mainstream detective fiction and procedurals.

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3 SEAS LITERARY AGENCY
http://threeseasagency.com/
---
We represent more than 50 authors who write romance, women’s fiction,
science fiction/fantasy, thrillers, young adult and middle grade
fiction, as well as select nonfiction titles. In the twelve years
since the agency doors were opened, our agents have successfully
sold into all the major publishing houses.

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BALDI AGENCY
http://baldibooks.com/
---
The Baldi Agency is an independent and eclectic agency specializing
in literary fiction, memoir and cultural history.

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SPONSORS
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Call for Entries: Poets & Writers!

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest. Write a poem,
30 lines or fewer on any subject and/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: $500.00, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $100
Poetry First Prize: $250.00, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $50.

Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story.

Postmark deadline: July 31, 2013
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for details and enter!

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Join Hope Clark in Louisville, KY this August at
the Business of Writing International Summit.

She will speaking on Funding Your Writing Habit and The Shy Writer.
Attend the Summit to learn how to grow your book sales and build
your author platform. This two-day event for writers and authors
features multiple programming tracks. Tracks include Publishing;
Book Promotion and Marketing; eBooks & Social Media, and the Craft
of Writing. Sessions are presented by industry experts and are
content-rich, timely and relevant to your success in today’s rapidly
changing marketplace.

Over two dozen exciting sessions to choose from; great food;
outstanding networking opportunities; meet published authors;
study the latest tools and resources; all this while learning
how to become successful at the business of writing.

Early registration savings end June 15th.
http://businessofwritingsummit.com

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PQLS provides writers with our trademarked First Read Impression (FRI)
analysis that provides an in-depth roadmap for improving the marketability
of your manuscript, attracting agents and publishers and separating your
work from the dreaded slushpile. Please visit us at www.firstbookdeal.com

An FRI Analysis includes:

An Executive Summary
An overview of FRI methodology
Sections on plot, characters, nuts and bolts and setting
Sections on intangibles and marketability
Final Recommendations
A path forward
An appendix with frequently asked questions and over 50 common
mistakes made by new writers

Follow us on Twitter! (Prof_Query_LS)
For free writing advice go to www.firstbookdeal.blogspot.com

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GET WEBSITES THAT ROCK, BOOK COVERS THAT SIZZLE

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Being an award-winning author herself, she understands the industry, and will
provide you with a content management website that reflects your unique style,
genre, and personality. Other design services such as book covers & interiors,
marketing materials, and email campaigns (newsletters, announcements, etc.) also available.

Testimonial from Patricia Wagner, Quantum-Touch practitioner and
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site's development. She is a joy to work with and I don't say that
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game of Looking for Light."

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Your huge pretty ad could be right here.
FundsforWriters readers are loyal and read these ads.
See our testimonials at http://www.fundsforwriters.com/advertising

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BUSINESS STUFF
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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 2000-2013, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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