FundsforWriters - September 20, 2013

Published: Fri, 09/20/13

Volume 13, Issue 37 | September 20, 2013

Message from the Editor
Working in my study with my dachshund Roo asleep in my lap. She's getting too big for this, but she doesn't think so. Her fat butt won't go under my keyboard anymore, so she wraps herself around my side, gets warm and dozes. She's been known to rest her head on the keyboard, throwing a few choice words of her own on my screen.

Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
FFW has proudly been on the Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2001

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.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

GET WEBSITES THAT ROCK, BOOK COVERS THAT SIZZLE

Shaila Abdullah has over a decade of experience designing websites for authors. 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.

MENTION THIS AD AND GET 10% OFF (NEW CLIENTS ONLY)

EXISTING CLIENTS EARN 8% REFERRAL FEE FOR SENDING IN NEW CLIENTS

E-mail Shaila: info@myhouseofdesign.com View portfolio: http://myhouseofdesign.com/authors/ Services for authors: http://myhouseofdesign.com/services-for-authors/

A few testimonials from happy clients:

"Superb work, excellent customer service. Just marvelous overall.” —C. Hope Clark, author, founder of FundsforWriters, http://chopeclark.com | http://www.fundsforwriters.com

"Since working with Shaila I now have a beautiful book that hit #1 one on Amazon, a monthly newsletter that captures the attention of my valued readers, and a beautiful website that has generated a tremendous amount of interest in my subject matter with over 245,000 hits." —Carolyn Brent, author of Why Wait? http://www.caregiverstory.com/

"When I first saw Shaila’s work, I was struck by the fact that each site she designs is not only beautiful but also perfectly reflects the personality of the business it represents. Her suggestions, insight, and artistic talent made the final product much better than what I’d envisioned on my own.” —Jacqueline Adams, writer, http://jacqueline-adams.com/

Editor’s THOUGHTS

HELP, I HAVE NO CLIPS

I received an email entitled "What do I do?" from a FundsforWriters reader who strived to finally pitch to magazines. Some of the guidelines requested clips. Here were his words:

"So the tricky part is, many editors welcome the query with clips. Right. Who came first, the chicken or the egg? And I don't have clips. What would you suggest?"

Many new writers and freelancers worry way too hard about this predicament, which isn't that big of a deal. Yes, there are editors out there who are anal about clips, but then there are others who aren't that concerned.

When we are starting out, we don't have the experience. So we have to demonstrate in other ways that we are worth our salt.

1) Write a smacking, crazy-hot, mind-boggling query letter.

2) Have a marvelously-wild article idea never done before.

3) Explain how you are qualified to write this article.

4) Follow all the guidelines for the magazine.

Don't tell them you have no clips. Don't tell them you are new. Don't tell them you've only written for your church bulletin or community newsletter. Don't tell them you are young, old, retired, disabled, anxious, laid-off, stay-at-home mom, or any of that stuff that means nothing to a frantic editor running full speed to meet his deadline.

Instead, only offer him what he needs.

Offer a good story, professionally prepared, but a person who knows his/her stuff. Write your query well enough so that he doesn't care whether or not you included clips. He can read it right there on the page/screen that you can write. He won't care the clips are missing if you nail the pitch.

Now you have no excuse. Everyone starts without clips, but only a handful don't let that stop them. And editors are fine that a herd of writers don't pitch them because of their non-clip status. That means less submissions for them to cull.

Don't be part of that herd.

~HOPE

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Anybody who writes a book is an optimist. First of all, they think they're going to finish it. Second, they think somebody's going to publish it. Third, they think somebody's going to read it. Fourth, they think somebody's going to like it. How optimistic is that?"

~Margaret Atwood

The Carolina Slade Mystery Series
http://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

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

Success Story

Hi Hope,

Thanks so much for publishing this newsletter. I have greatly increased my freelance prospects and assignments because of it!

The flash fiction article in one of your recent articles moved me to reach out to you and share. I run a free group for writers on Facebook called Theme Writing, where we post a theme every week and writers write a scene or story inspired by the theme. The URL is

https://www.facebook.com/groups/themewriting/. I'd love it if you could share the information in the newsletter.

Also, I just wanted to say that because of motivation I've felt from reading this newsletter, I queried Arcadia Publishing with a book idea, and I'm happy to say that Images of America: Keweenaw County will be released by them this May! And I'm currently working on a cookbook proposal, too!

Thanks so much for everything you do!

~Jennifer Billock - Editor, RetailerNOW Editor, Metro Milwaukee Guide Managing Editor, World Travel Buzz www.jenniferbillock.com

featured article

MAKE QUICK CASH FREELANCING - CONTENT MILLS NOT INCLUDED

By Tiffany Jansen

You’re eating ramen noodles for the third night in a row, stopping between bites to nervously run your hands through your hair. You haven’t seen the inside of a Starbucks in months and you’re pretty sure dust bunnies and moth balls have moved into your wallet. As freelance writers, we’ve all been there. . . at least once. The money keeps going out, but somehow it’s stopped coming in.

At this point, many of us turn to the content mills to earn some quick cash, grinding out dozens and dozens of articles for a pittance in the hopes that we’ll somehow manage to come crawling out of the red.

I know that’s what I used to do.

But, friends, there is another way.

Yes, there is another way to make quick cash freelancing.

So, you – yes, you! Step away from the content mill. And try these tips instead.

1. Tap your networks.

Let people know you’re a writer looking for work. Tell your friends, your family, your Twitter followers, your Facebook pals, your dog. . . Someone’s bound to know someone looking for a writer (okay, maybe not your dog). Why shouldn’t that writer be you?

When I published my very first writer website, I placed the link in my email signature and thought nothing else of it. The next day, my mother had plastered the URL all over her Facebook page. “My baby’s a writer!” I was mortified.

Until representatives from two different companies emailed me about doing some copywriting work for them. Can you guess how they heard about me? My mom’s Facebook page! One of the contacts actually ended up becoming a client.

2. Get in touch with former editors.

Be they from magazines, websites, online publications, newspapers, not-for-profits, or anywhere else, tell them you’re available to take on assignments.

I’ll let you in on a shocking secret: Reliable, easy-to-work-with freelancers are hard to come by. If you turned in good work on time and were a pleasure to do business with, they’ll be delighted to have you back. And if they can’t use you, odds are they know other editors who could.

I recently tried this tactic the last time I was short on cash and got four assignments as a result.

3. Sell reprints of articles you’ve already written.

Find publications that accept reprints, then look through your portfolio to see if you have anything they might be interested in. Because it’s been published elsewhere, you won’t get full pay. But then again, you’ve already done the work, so anything else is just icing on the cake (or this month’s electricity bill).

4. Repurpose old articles and blog posts for new markets.

Not all publications accept reprints, but you can rewrite the material to create something “new” for other markets. If you quoted in the original article, paraphrase in this one. Where you paraphrased in the original, use quotes for the new piece.

You can’t copy and paste word-for-word, and you may have to contact one or two additional sources, but for the most part, it’s just a matter of going back to your notes and coming up with a unique piece for the other publication.

The next time you’re strapped for cash, resist the urge to make a beeline for the mills and try these tips instead. You’ll be amazed at the amount of money that will roll in without having to chain yourself to your desk.

BIO: Tiffany Jansen is an American freelance writer and translator in the Netherlands. She is also the author of an award-winning children’s historical fiction series. You can find out more about her at www.tiffanyrjansen.com.

competitions

WILD LIGHT CONTEST http://redhen.org/losangelesreview/wild-light-contest/ --- $25 ENTRY FEE Red Hen Press and The Los Angeles Review are pleased to announce the first annual Wild Light contest. A prize of $1,000 and publication in The Los Angeles Review are given annually for an exceptional poem. Deadline October 15, 2013. Please submit up to three poems of up to 200 lines each.

CINNAMON HILL PRESS CONTESTS http://www.cinnamonpress.com/competitions/ --- Single Poem Prize £1000, £250 & £50 + publication. Entry fee £4 for 1 poem, £10 for 3 poems. Open to all writers – published and beginners. Deadline September 30, 2013. Debut Poetry Collection Prize Deadline November 30, 2013. Prize of £500 + a publishing contract & up to 25 runners up published in a poetry anthology. The fee is £12 fee. Open to those who have not had a full collection published.

NEW ISSUES POETRY AND PROSE CONTEST http://www.wmich.edu/newissues/ --- $25 ENTRY FEE A prize of $2,000 and publication by New Issues Poetry & Prose is given annually for a poetry collection. Poets who have published at least one book-length collection of poetry are eligible. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 120 pages by September 30, 2013.

NC STATE SHORT STORY CONTEST http://english.chass.ncsu.edu/creativewriting/story_contest.php --- NO ENTRY FEE Two categories. You may enter one story in both categories. An unpublished SHORT FICTION story of no more than 20 double-spaced pages; limit 5000 words. The James Hurst Fiction Prize for the winning story is $500. There will also be some Honorable Mention awards. A unpublished SHORT-SHORT FICTION story of no more than 5 double- spaced typed pages; limit 1200 words. Top prize $250. The contest is open to all North Carolina residents except 1) tenured/tenure- track professors in the University of North Carolina system or 2) writers with a published book, 3) previous winners. (**Thanks http://www.erikadreifus.com/ )

BLACK HEART MAGAZINE HAIKU CONTEST http://blackheartmagazine.com/ --- ENTRY FEE: $10 – includes a free copy of Haiku for Lovers. Theme: City of the future. Deadline September 30, 2013. As always, one winner takes it all, including an even bigger cash prize of $250, a free copy of every ebook in the Buttontapper Press catalogue, and a featured spot in BP’s 2014 “Futuristic Haiku” anthology. Send up to 5 haiku per entry.

GRANTS

LILLY SCHOLARSHIPS IN RELIGION FOR JOURNALISTS http://www.religionlink.com/training/contests-and-awards/#lilly --- Deadline October 1, 2013. Journalists will receive scholarships for up to $5,000 each to study religion at any accredited college, university or seminary. Scholarships cover expenses including tuition, registration fees and books. Scholarships are funded by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. to the Religion Newswriters Foundation, RNA’s charitable arm. Scholarships are available to full-time journalists in the U.S. and Canada.

MILLAY COLONY FOR THE ARTS www.millaycolony.org/apply --- The Millay Colony for the Arts application system is now open through October 1, 2013 for the 2014 residency season. The Colony offers one-month residencies to visual artists, composers and writers between the months of April and November. Nurturing the work of artists of all ages, from a range of cultures and communities, and in all stages of their artistic career, the Colony offers comfortable private rooms, private studio spaces, all meals, and ample time to work in a quiet, pastoral atmosphere. The Millay Colony for the Arts is an artists' residency program and artists' center located on the extraordinary property of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay in Austerlitz, NY.

NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION http://www.nhcf.org/page.aspx?pid=1197 --- The Community Grants Program is a broad, competitive program that responds to community needs within New Hampshire and our border communities. The arts is one category they serve.

BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE RESIDENCIES http://www.nps.gov/bicy/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence-program.htm --- The Artist-In-Residence Program at Big Cypress National Preserve offers professional writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline while being surrounded by the preserve's inspiring landscape.

AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY FELLOWSHIPS http://www.americanantiquarian.org/artistfellowship.htm --- The American Antiquarian Society (AAS), a national research library and learned society of American history and culture, is calling for applications for visiting fellowships for historical research by creative and performing artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons whose goals are to produce imaginative, non-formulaic works dealing with pre-twentieth-century American history. Successful applicants are those whose work is for the general public rather than for academic or educational audiences. The stipend will be $1,350 for fellows residing on campus (rent-free) in the Society's scholars' housing, located next to the main library building. The stipend will be $1,850 for fellows residing off campus. Fellows will not be paid a travel allowance. (**Thanks http://www.erikadreifus.com/ )

publishers/agents

CHICKEN SOUP: THE CAT DID WHAT? http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books --- Our cats make us smile every day, but sometimes they really outdo themselves. Whether they came up with the idea themselves, or you put them in a situation that caused them to do something unusual, we want to hear about it! Tell us what your cat did that made people want to ask again and again, "The Cat Did What?" We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We can't wait to read all the heartwarming, inspirational, and hysterical stories you have about your cats! Pays $200 and ten copies of the book. Deadline January 5, 2014.

CHICKEN SOUP: THE DOG DID WHAT? http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books --- Our dogs make us smile every day, but sometimes they really outdo themselves. Whether they came up with the idea themselves, or you put them in a situation that caused them to do something unusual, we want to hear about it! Tell us what your dog did that made people want to ask again and again, "The Dog Did What?" We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We can't wait to read all the heartwarming, inspirational, and hysterical stories you have about your dogs! Pays $200 and ten copies of the book. Deadline January 5, 2014.

CHICKEN SOUP: LIVING WITH ALZHEIMERS AND OTHER DEMENTIA http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books --- 101 stories of caregiving, coping and compassion. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia on an on-going basis can be extremely difficult and stressful. If you are caring for someone or you are a patient in the early stages of the disease and are comfortable writing about your personal challenges, we invite you to share your stories. Your story as a caregiver, a loved one or a patient will provide practical advice, encouragement, insight, and support to our readers and will inspire and comfort others going through similar experiences and let them know that they are not alone. 1,200 words. Pays $200 and ten copies of the book. Deadline October 15, 2013.

CHICKEN SOUP: HOME SWEET HOME http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books --- Whether you rent or own, home is where your heart is. It is your safe place in the world. Your home can be a mansion, a cottage, an apartment, a condo, or a mobile home... it doesn't matter. It is yours! It is where you live, where you relax, where you sit around the table with your family and friends, sharing a meal and your stories. We are looking for true stories about you and your home: getting your first home, returning to your childhood home, do-it-yourself repair disasters and successes, moving up or downsizing, moving day or any heartwarming or funny stories associated with home. Stories should be true and no longer than 1,200 words. Pays $200 and ten copies of the book. Deadline November 30, 2013,

YOUR ONLINE BIZ http://youronline.biz/how-to-make-100-per-guest-post/ --- He makes you sign up for his newsletter to get the guidelines, but the information that comes with it is good. I signed up. In essence, once you get the guidelines, he is seeking for guest posts for which he pays $100, on the following topics:

1) Success Stories. Tell me what YOU accomplished important and HOW you did it.

2) Case Studies and social experiments. Especially concerning conversion rates, (e.g. How you increased your email opt in rate or social follower rate substantially? How did you get a YouTube video to go viral?)

3) Exclusive interviews. I’m looking for non-formal frank and candid discussions about important concepts related to finding success online. There is no word count.

JOBS

WRITER (3 VACANCIES) Location Rockville, MD https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/351072600 --- Deadline September 25, 2013. Collaborate with subject matter experts to conduct background research and present medical, scientific, and/or statistical health care related information clearly and persuasively. Write and edit a variety of print and electronic products focused on medical, scientific, and/or statistical health care related research and policy documents for dissemination to the public.

INTERNSHIPS AT SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE Location Washington DC http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1525859 --- Two six-month, full-time, paid writing internships are available at Smithsonian Magazine in Washington, D.C., beginning January 2014. The editorial internship involves writing, blogging and producing multimedia for the magazine's Web site and writing for the print magazine's "Smithsonian" department. The digital internship involves writing, blogging, producing multimedia for the magazine’s Web site, assisting in managing Smithsonian.com’s social media presence and other research and reporting tasks. Candidates for both internships should have a proven aptitude for writing and web journalism skills. A recent undergraduate or graduate degree is a must.

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR Location White River Junction, VT https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/351296500 --- The Director/Producer position will be located at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont. The positions primary responsibility is to assist the Deputy for Education in the production of educational video materials to fulfill the educational mandate of the center.

PUBLISHERS

WOLSAK & WYNN http://wolsakandwynn.ca/ --- Wolsak and Wynn is a literary press dedicated to publishing clear, passionate Canadian voices in poetry and non-fiction.

PRESS 53 http://www.press53.com/Submissions.html --- Press 53 publishes six (6) short story collections, and six to eight (6-8) poetry collections each year, plus (on average) one anthology and one out-of-print classic (under our Press 53 Classics imprint). We no longer publish novels or book-length nonfiction. Aside from authors who win our contests, we look for widely published authors who are active in the literary community and have a manuscript that connects with our editors. We do not find our authors by way of a standard submission process.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/ (Click on Resources for Authors) --- Indiana University Press welcomes submissions in our fields of publication. For the name of the sponsoring editor appropriate for your project, please see the IU Press Staff list. NOTE: This topic list is huge. While it does cover academic subjects like anthropology and American studies, it also covers cooking, children's, animation, memoir, pets, general fiction, gardening, health, nature, and so much more.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PRESS http://utpress.utexas.edu/ --- The Press has become a publisher of international scope, issuing works in a wide range of fields. Our major areas of concentration are American Studies, Anthropology, Old and New World Archaeology, Architecture, Art History, Classics and the Ancient World, Conservation and the Environment, Film and Media Studies, Latin American and Latina/o Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Photography, Pre-Columbian Studies, Texas and Western Studies, and Women's Studies. In addition, UT Press publishes books of general interest for a wider audience on a variety of subjects, including history, current affairs, the visual arts, music, and food, among others. You will notice that we do not publish unsolicited original fiction or any poetry, except for some Latin American and Middle Eastern literature in translation.