Volume 13, Issue 36
September 6, 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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Not sure what I was pontificating about with Larry DeKay, coordinator for the Business of Writing Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, but hubby thought it important enough to snap a picture for posterity. Mark that conference for 2014, y'all.

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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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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YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE

As children, we dared to dream and tell stories about anything and everything. Monsters, pirates, super heroes, princesses, Prince Charmings and zombies. We started out by imagining a situation where something was amiss. Then we created dilemmas and solutions, eventually ending the story with a spectacular conclusion.

And we've outgrown that.

As we grew up, our parents told us to quit being shy, quit acting up, quit behaving like a child. The unexpected result was that we quit using our imaginations . . . quit knowing how to be creative, no longer seeing the world as phenomenal situations with remarkable journeys and mind-blowing endings.

I think our parents did us a disservice telling us to grow up, and we are most likely doing the same to our progeny. Why not let our kids evolve without making them quit being imaginative? Let them remain children.

As grown-ups, we struggle opening a story with action, with an exceptional incident, with a point where the protagonist is grasping at how to get her feet back under her. Instead, we feel the need to build up all this background material, introducing people and their histories, setting the stage, leading up to the moment in a methodical manner.

We never did that as children. We jumped right in! We always started where the action was!

As children we got to the point. As authors, for some reason we feel the need to ease into it, which, if you think about it, ruins the moment.

As youth, we were colorful, daring to have pivotal moments that maybe made no sense initially, but in the end came out as the perfect solution.

Discard your adult tendencies. Dare to be a child again. Then point that untethered imagination toward storytelling and see how far you can soar.

Hope

The Carolina Slade Mystery Series - www.chopeclark.com

On Tidewater Murder: Terrific. Smart, knowing, clever…and completely original. A taut, high-tension page-turned—in a unique and fascinating setting. An absolute winner! ~Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winning author

On Lowcountry Bribe: With a story that moves so fast you are sure to get a case of literary whiplash, LOWCOUNTRY BRIBE is almost impossible to put down. Written with grace and ferocity, I for one can hardly wait for a second helping of this unpredictably un-pretentious and hard-scrabble down-home gal. ~Rachel Gladstone, Dish Magazine

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

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Purchase any of Hope's books and receive a one-year subscription to TOTAL FFW free. Send receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

~ Helen Keller

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SUCCESS STORY
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Dear Hope -

I just got word that my residency fellowship in Taos, via the Wurlitzer Foundation is set! I'll be spending next summer there in a small, adobe cottage writing full time.

http://www.wurlitzerfoundation.org/

This opportunity--like many others that have made a big difference --came my way via your "Funds for Writers" newsletter, and I can't thank you enough.

Yours truly,

Caroline Sposto

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ARTICLE
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Inside Secrets to Greeting Card Writing Revision

Written by Sandy D. Forbes

The legendary Emily Dickinson once stated, “A wounded deer leaps the highest.” The same holds true for successful greeting card writers. We constantly pour out creative ideas into verses in hopes of landing a sale, and when some of our creations receive rejection, taking a leap to revision is our wisest recourse.

Greeting Card Publisher Oatmeal Studios (www.oatmealstudios.com), accepts short humorous verses that possess a punch line sure to bring a smile to the toughest consumer. Sun Day Greetings (www.sundaygreetings.com), however, is more subtle regarding humor and sentimental verse. In lieu of this, is it possible to revise a rejected verse like this:

(Picture of a pretty woman sitting on a bus bench)

O: Dear friend, getting older

I: is such a bummer!

Let’s try lightening this statement up to the one hundredth power!

(Picture of a beautiful older woman dressed impeccably. Her husband escorts her to the table at a restaurant. Her husband speaks.)

O: Getting older

I: sure looks amazing on you! Happy Birthday!

Understanding what is not working and opening up your mind to telling a more interesting story are the keys to revision.

Whenever a publisher requests to see samples of my work, I like to have sample verses handy that I can just cut and paste in an email like the one below:

(Picture of a cat standing on two paws/the other two paws rest in a chair. A birthday cake and a bottle of champagne sit on a table nearby.) (Cat speaks)

O: Break open the bubbly!

I: And don’t forget to pour a little bit in my bowl! Happy Birthday.

Try a few of your own by writing down the first part of a verse (start your sentence with an action verb). Think about ideas you can add to make the second part of your verse funny. Take your mind to fun places and see what lands on the page!

Wordy Verses Most people tend to wait until the last minute to shop for a birthday party or any other special occasion. Imagine a consumer in a store with only a few minutes to choose the perfect card. Consumers prefer words that have a smooth flow—a perfect rhythm. Wordy verses like “your caring loving beautiful character” and “you’re the super kindest most thoughtful angelic person I know” are simply too much to chew on, especially when you are in a rush. Publishers avoid buying wordy verses because consumers avoid them as well! Instead, aim for clarity.

The Sentimental Publisher

There are publishers that prefer emotional-type verses like Blue Mountain Arts (www.sps.com). I love writing these type of verses because I have so many family members and friends who invoke loving emotions within me.

Revise rejected sentimental verses by rephrasing your ideas and allow your heart to do all the talking.

--List what makes the recipient unique.

--State feelings the recipient invokes.

--Explain the hopes you have for the recipient on the occasion you’re celebrating.

What to Do When Revisions Do Not Work

If you have revised your piece with no success, keep hope alive! Send your work to another publisher. Another pair of eyes may be just what you need to make a sale.

Reach For Success

According to the Greeting Card Association, the greeting card industry raked in over seven billion dollars in annual retail sales last year. That is more than enough incentive to aim high by utilizing the tools necessary to turn greeting card writing rejection into greeting card writing success!

BIO
Sandy Forbes has been a published writer and novelist for most of her life. Sandy’s writing talent was initially discovered by her middle school teacher when assigned to write a story based on a picture from a magazine. Her teacher gave rave reviews and encouraged Sandy to keep on writing. Sandy has since written for magazines, such as “The Dollar Stretcher”. She is also the author of a young adult fiction entitled, “Sinking Sam”. Sandy’s love for writing ranges from writing greeting cards, articles, novels, and poetry. She is multifaceted and truly enjoys sharing all the information that she has learned to help other writers succeed!

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COMPETITIONS
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CINNAMON PRESS SINGLE POEM PRIZE http://www.cinnamonpress.com/competitions/ --- ENTRY FEE £4 for 1 poem, £10 for 3 poems. There are prizes of £1000, £250 & £50 + publication. Open to all writers – published and beginners. Deadline 30 September 2013.

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CINNAMON PRESS DEBUT POETRY COLLECTION PRIZE http://www.cinnamonpress.com/competitions/ --- ENTRY FEE £12. Deadline November 30, 2013. Prize of £500 + a publishing contract and up to 25 runners up published in a poetry anthology. Open to those who have not had a full collection published.

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AURA ESTRADA SHORT STORY CONTEST http://www.bostonreview.net/contests#FictionContest --- $20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2013. The winning author will receive $1,500 and have his or her work published in Boston Review, the summer of 2014. First runner-up will be published in a following issue, and second runner-up will be published at the Boston Review web site. Stories should not exceed 5,000 words and must be previously unpublished.

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LES FIGUES PRESS: NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) BOOK CONTEST http://www.lesfigues.com/submit/ --- $25 ENTRY FEE. Online submission deadline: September 15, 2013. Guest judge Aimee Bender will select a manuscript of 64-250 pages for publication by Les Figues Press. Eligible submissions include previously unpublished manuscripts of poetry, novellas, prose poems, innovative novels, anti-novels, short story collections, lyric essays, hybrids, and work not otherwise specified. Prize: publication and $1,000. All entrants receive a Les Figues title of their choosing (anthologies excluded). Multiple and simultaneous submissions allowed.

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DOGWOOD MULTI-GENRE CONTEST https://dogwood.submittable.com/submit --- $15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 15, 2013. Dogwood welcomes entries in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for its annual contest with a $1,000 grand prize for one winning entry. The grand prize winner will be chosen from winners in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Winners in the other two genres will receive prizes of $250. All submissions considered for publication in the 13th annual edition of this print and e-pub journal.

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GRANTS
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RESIDENCIES AT LEDIG HOUSE http://www.artomi.org/program.php --- Guests may select a residency of one week to two months; About ten at a time gather to live and work in a rural setting overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Ledig House provides all meals, and each night a local chef prepares dinner. Daytime is reserved for writing and quiet activities, while evenings are more communal. Deadline October 20, 2013. Location New York State.

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MASSACHUSETTS STARS RESIDENCIES http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/programs/residency.asp --- Grants in the STARS Residencies go to MA schools to fund residencies for artists, scientists, and scholars. The program provides $500-$5,000 to support creative learning residencies of three days or more.

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IDAHO QUICK PROJECT GRANTS http://www.arts.idaho.gov/grants/indquick.aspx --- QuickFund$ support professional development and new or exemplary arts projects. Open to emerging and established artists who have attained a certain level of proficiency as represented by work samples, the grants provide timely assistance for projects, activities, or travel to seminars, workshops, and conferences. The Commission’s emphasis is on increasing the skill of the applicant; focusing on the process rather than product; production rather than promotion. Up to $1,500. Quarterly deadlines.

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THE WINCHESTER WRITERS' CONFERENCE http://www.writersconference.co.uk/friends.htm --- This independent group of writers works together to raise funds that are awarded as a limited number of bursaries to writers who wish to attend the Winchester Writers' Conference but who need partial support.

Those who wish to apply for a bursary award should write a letter specifying the following:

Your writing experiences Classes you have attended Writing organisations to which you belong Writing successes Your objectives for the future and your reasons for applying

Deadline to receive your application is May 26, 2014. Successful applicants will receive a £50 voucher that they can apply to defray the expenses of the Winchester Writers' Conference weekend.

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UCROSS FOUNDATION RESIDENCIES http://www.ucrossfoundation.org/ --- The Ucross Foundation Residency Program offers the gift of time and space to competitively selected individuals working in all artistic disciplines. The Foundation strives to provide a respectful, comfortable and productive environment, freeing artists from the pressures and distractions of daily life. Deadline October 1, 2011. Location Wyoming.

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FREELANCE MARKETS
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MAKE: TECHNOLOGY ON YOUR TIME http://makezine.com/contribute --- MAKE is a do-it-yourself technology magazine written by makers. There are four types of content in MAKE: Projects, Features, Reviews, and Everything Else. (If you have an idea for something that doesn't fit in one of the first three areas but is still related to do-it-yourself technology, we'd like to hear about it, too – hence the Everything Else category.) We pay $25 to $100 for a review. Payment for other types of content will be negotiated - up to 50 cents/word.

We have several sections with articles about interesting things made by people or groups of people. "Made on Earth" is a section with large photos of projects and their makers, along with 200-word stories about them. "Maker" is a longer profile of a dedicated maker-of-cool-things. And we also have 600- to 1,000-word articles about groups, companies, clubs, and technologies relating to DIY projects.

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MILITARY HISTORY http://www.historynet.com/about-military-history-magazine --- In each issue our award-winning writers and historians reach back across the sweep of recorded human history, bringing to life the world's pivotal wars and warriors, profiling the great generals, assessing key conflicts, strolling hallowed ground, sharing the stories of the many and honoring the selfless sacrifice of a few. We also bring you up to date with the latest history news and reviews of the best writing in the genre. Very open to freelance writers. Query with source list and possible artwork, if available. Pays up to $400 and buys all rights.

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THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE http://www.hbook.com/about-us/submissions/ --- Both The Horn Book Magazine, a bimonthly publication, and The Horn Book Guide, a semiannual publication, review children's and young adult books that are published in the United States. The Horn Book Magazine also reviews audiobooks. The Horn Book Magazine accepts article submissions. The Horn Book Guide is exclusively reviews and does not accept article submissions. Articles submitted to The Horn Book Magazine should be of a critical nature on some aspect of children's literature and should be no longer than 2,800 words in length. Articles of 2,000 to 2,800 pay up to $400. Columns of 2,000 to 3,000 pay up to $400. Also provides two copies.

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QUILL http://www.spj.org/quillabout.asp --- The official publication for the Society of Professional Journalists. Quill will review and consider unsolicited manuscripts as well as queries. Pays $450-$600 for 1,500- 3,000 words.

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HOBBY FARMS http://www.hobbyfarms.com/corporate/contact-us.aspx --- Hobby Farms is a general-circulation magazine, directed to hobby and small farmers or those simply living (or wishing to live) in the country. Hobby farmers are homesteaders, as well as those living in rural areas near larger, suburban areas. They raise traditional livestock like cows, horses, goats, pigs and chickens and alternative livestock, such as alpacas, llamas, emus, Jacob sheep, Scottish Highland cattle and other rare breeds. The magazine caters to the on-farm aspects of rural living. We need informative, in-depth, upbeat articles (about 2,000 to 2,500 words in length) that will help readers better understand and enjoy the rural lifestyle. Short pieces accepted up to 500 words. Also considered personal experience essays up to 1,000 words. We pay $300 and higher for feature articles; “Happenings” articles receive $50 to $75 per piece. Accompanying high- quality photographs are paid additionally for any that are used.

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PUBLISHERS / AGENTS
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MUSA PUBLISHING http://musapublishing.blogspot.com/p/submissions.html --- Musa will consider submissions of any length from short story to epic novel for all imprints. Royalty ebook publisher.

Calliope — our romance imprint. We are looking for all sorts of contemporary m/f romance, including erotic and sweet romances. This imprint will have an adult-only website.

Clio — our historical fiction imprint. We have particular interest in traditional Regency romances, classical Rome and Greece, ancient Egypt. Westerns, medieval and Renaissance, French Revolution, Victorian and Edwardian stories. Also actively searching for non-romance historicals.

Erato — our LGBT imprint. Beneath the Erato banner, we are seeking romance, erotic romance and contemporary fiction, as well as speculative fiction or paranormals.

Euterpe — our all-YA imprint. We are seeking MG and YA literature in all genres including: historical, romance, contemporary fiction, paranormal, adventure, mystery/ suspense, fantasy, science fiction, horror. We are particularly excited about our LGBT line. The Euterpe site will accept no heat level beyond sweet.

Melpomene – our Mystery/Suspense/Thriller imprint. We are seeking tales of mystery or suspense. We're looking for the mystery that's not easily solved, but one that makes you remember all the little clues at the end.

Polyhymnia – our Action/Adventure imprint. We're looking for fast-paced, hard knocks, no-holds-barred stories.

Terpsichore – our Contemporary Fiction imprint. We're looking for stories of modern literature: women's fiction, humor and nostalgic tales not quite old enough to qualify as a historical.

Thalia — our Paranormals imprint. For paranormal romance, we're seeking heat levels from low to hot. This is for vampires, shapeshifters and other paranormal-type folks.

Urania — our Speculative Fiction imprint. This imprint plays host to science fiction, fantasy and horror—and all the various subgenres under the SF umbrella.

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BUNKER HILL PUBLISHING http://www.bunkerhillpublishing.com/about-2/ --- Founded in Charlestown, at the foot of one of Boston’s best- known monuments, Bunker Hill Publishing is an independent publisher with an exciting list covering the arts, photography, science, history and books for the very young. Publishing beautifully designed, high-quality illustrated books at very affordable prices, the company works closely with museums and cultural institutions worldwide as well as with individual authors and artists.

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HELEN HELLER AGENCY http://www.helenhelleragency.com/agents/ --- Crime fiction, general fiction, nonfiction of all genres, first fiction, commercial YA and adult fiction, high concept historical fiction.

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POPCORN PRESS http://www.popcornpress.com/ --- Popcorn Press is a micropublishing house based in southern Wisconsin, devoted to publishing poetry and fiction that is both genuine and unique.

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CRICKHOLLOW BOOKS http://www.crickhollowbooks.com/about --- Crickhollow Books is an independent book publisher of quality nonfiction and fiction, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We publish titles for adult and young readers – appealing, effective, and influential books with a lasting, positive impact. Although we aren’t exclusively Midwestern in subject matter, we are Midwestern in spirit. Our books are neighborly, down-to-earth, and practical, but always have time to share a good story, well told. Current interests include instructional guides for writers; books on history, culture, and outdoors/ adventure; and, for young readers, historical novels with a strong sense of place and cultural heritage.

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SPONSORS
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Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

11th year. $5,500 in prizes will be awarded, including $2,000 for a poem in any style and $2,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Both published and unpublished work accepted. All entries that win cash prizes will be published on WinningWriters.com (over one million page views per year) and announced in the Winning Writers Newsletter, with over 40,000 subscribers. Entry fee is $8 for every 25 lines. Enter online or by mail. Postmark deadline: September 30. Judges: John H. Reid, Dee C. Konrad. Winning Writers is one of the "101 Best Writing Websites" (Writer's Digest, 2005-2012).

See guidelines, past winners, and enter at www.winningwriters.com/tompoetry

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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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