FundsforWriters - November 1, 2013

Published: Fri, 11/01/13

Volume 13, Issue 44 | November 1, 2013

Message from the Editor

Roo is a talker. All I have to do is start a conversation with her: "How was your day, Roo? Did you see the deer outside last night, Roo? What do you think about the lastest Duck Dynasty, Roo?" And she'll start carrying on a conversation. She's telling a story in this picture, and all I have to do is make eye contact and say "uh huh" every once in a while and she keeps talking. If only she could type, imagine the stories she could tell.

Editor, FundsforWriters
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Editor’s THOUGHTS

WHEN PEOPLE TURN AWAY

Eventually when you publish a story, start a blog, or present to a group, someone will walk away. Sometimes several will. Sometimes many. For a second it will stun you, then sting a little bit. You'll wonder what you did wrong, and rehash in your head what you could have done differently.

Our natural instinct is to identify cause and effect. What happens to cause a certain reaction? And when we are involved, we gravitate to what WE did. Were WE the cause? We seek hard to see if we are involved for several reasons:

1) We don't want to be the guilty party. 2) We want to be proactive in correcting whatever is amiss. 3) We want to prevent it from happening again. 4) We want to make others' lives better. 5) We want to be successful.

And guess what? We often avoid publishing, blogging and presenting so that we don't have to deal with the above. Why?

1) We don't want to feel guilty. 2) We don't want to have to fix things. 3) We don't want it happening in the first place, much less a second time. 4) We don't want to get involved in strangers' lives. 5) We aren't sure what success is, much less how to handle it.

I think this is why so many stop in place, frozen by what might happen, or what they might CAUSE.

Lack of causing anything always leads to lack of affecting anything. If you do nothing, you cause nothing, and nothing happens. And then we wonder why our stories don't sell.

That means that if you are writing stories and publishing (causing), and putting them out there (still causing), you will create something (success/opinion/reviews/buzz). The reality of it is that some will not like what you do. As I told someone this week who was afraid of writing and publishing even though she craved to do so:

"The worst thing for a writer is when nobody bothers to give you feedback."

You want feedback. Writers are hungry for it. But that means negative as well. Embrace it. It means someone was touched enough to push back.

After last week's editorial about self-publishing via vanity presses, I had a record unsubscribes in one day: 36. Not much, you might say, considering thousands read the newsletter. But I watch such things to keep a finder on the pulse of what I'm doing.

I think I was successful. My story mattered enough to entice a response. Those folks read my point and it struck them hard enough to make them leave. And that means I made an impact. I hope they tell their friends, and I can best hope that over time my words about vanity publishing will sink in deep enough . . . and their writing lives will be much better.

I call that a productive day.

~HOPE

NOTE: A longer version of this editorial can be read (and heard via podcast) at Hope's blog at www.chopeclark.com/blog. Read and hear more of Hope's editorials each week.

WEBSITE - http://www.chopeclark.com
BLOG - http://www.chopeclark.com/blog
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

TOTAL FUNDSFORWRITERS! A reminder that the expanded TOTAL FundsforWriters, that normally goes for $15/year (STILL a great deal), is free with the purchase of any of Hope's books, ebook or print. Send receipt via email to hope@fundsforwriters.com

WORDS OF SUCCESS

The same originality that kids picked on you for when you were a youngster, serves as an advantage when you're an adult.

~Justine Musk

THE SHY WRITER

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. ~Peter Bowerman, Author “The Well-Fed Writer” series

Hope has solutions in The Shy Writer Reborn that let you make the most of who you are instead of asking you to change your personality. ~Linda Formichelli, The Renegade Writer

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Success Story

Hi Hope,

I read about the call for submissions for the Not Your Mother’s Book anthologies in Funds for Writers. They were looking for creative non-fiction pieces on many subjects, so it was easy to find a few topics that seemed right for me. I submitted stories for several of their anthologies, including one titled Not Your Mother’s Book: On Holidays. Many months later I got an email from the editor who was working on an anthology titled, Not Your Mother’s Book: On Being a Parent. The editor for On Holidays wasn’t able to use my story, but she forwarded it to the editor of the parenting title. My story “Figuring It Out” now appears on page 170 of Not Your Mother’s Book: On Being a Parent. Thanks!

Sincerely, Cathy Giordano www.talksallabout.com

featured article

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BLOG PAY FOR YOUR SWEAT EQUITY

By Jennifer Brown Banks

When I began blogging in 2009, I never thought it would become an important income stream that would greatly enhance my writing business. Like most “serious” writers, I saw blogging simply as a means to an end. It was an avenue to build a platform and interest potential publishers and agents for future projects. And everybody was doing it…

Fast forward, it’s 2013. And my blog for writers has paid off big in exchange for over 400 posts, endless hours of creativity, and pounding the virtual pavement to get noticed. And yours can too.

Break through your blog fog and earn money for your investment. But, before you begin implementing these money-making strategies, your blog must meet certain criteria for optimal success.

1. It must be professional in content and design, with a specific niche and a clearly identifiable target audience.

2. It must provide social proof. Success breeds success. This can be demonstrated through testimonials from satisfied clients, the number of followers you have, or icons reflecting awards your blog has won or industry recognition. For example, in a very prominent place on my site, I display my “Best of the Web” designation, and my Writing-World.com’s recognition for “Awesome Blogs”.

3. It must show consistent updates and maintenance. This conveys a sense of commitment, and builds credibility and trust.

4. It must provide good take-away value. Now let’s look at your money-making strategies:

Ad Placement: There is a common misconception that in order to make money through ads, a blogger must have “super-star“ status, a massive following, or be willing to settle for a few bucks a month in ad clicks. Not true. Over the last few years, I have earned thousands of dollars, and have had well-known companies and authors such as Good Earth Tea, Healing Hands Massage Clinic, Five Star Publications, and novelist Randy Richardson place ads for their books and services at my spot. If you’d like to experience something similar, you can either pitch individuals or organizations directly, or place a tab on your site that says “advertise here”. Be sure to have your current stats available, and be able to explain how placing an ad with you can help advertisers to reach their goals and their target market. In other words, what’s in it for them?

Blogging Jobs: Using my blog as an oline resume has helped me to hook new clients for my ghost writing, marketing, and other creative services. Through it and testimonials, I have been hired to set up other writers’ blogs, provide creative consultations, and even contribute to e-book projects.

Contests and Competitions: Most people don’t see contests as a way of making money through their blogs. But it is. Money can be made both directly and indirectly. For example, a pivotal point in my blogging career came years ago when I placed as a Top 10 Finalist at Write to Done’s annual competition. Though I didn’t get a monetary gift, it gave me mad creative props with blogging peers, and my first paying advertiser. A friend of mine actually won $500 with her blog, through a theme-based contest. It could happen to you!

Blogging is a lot of hard work. Follow these timely tips to get a greater return on your sweat equity, with less trial and error.

BIO: Jennifer Brown Banks is a veteran freelance writer, pro blogger and columnist. Visit her award-winning site at Pen and Prosper (www.penandprosper.blogspot.com).

competitions

CHARLES CAUSEY POETRY COMPETITION http://thecharlescausleypoetrycompetition.wordpress.com/ --- ENTRY FEE £7. First Prize: £3000 Second Prize: £500 Third Prize: £100 Deadline November 18, 2013. Prize is for an individual poem. Limit 40 lines. Open internationally. Remember to include the entry form on the website.

WHITE PINE PRESS POETRY PRIZE http://www.whitepine.org/poetry_prize.php --- $20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2013. The award consists of $1,000 and publication by White Pine Press. Manuscripts must be between 60 and 80 pages in length. Poems must be original, but may have appeared in magazines, anthologies, or chapbooks. Translations are not eligible.

CRAZYHORSE PRIZES IN FICTION, NONFICTION, POETRY http://crazyhorse.cofc.edu/prizes/ --- $20 ENTRY FEE (includes subscription). Winners in each category receive $2,000 and publication. Submissions accepted in the month of January 2014 only. Submit up to 25 pages of prose or three poems. All entries considered for publication.

THE FIDDLEHEAD'S 23rd ANNUAL CONTEST http://www.thefiddlehead.ca/FHcontest.html --- $30 ENTRY FEE. Short-fiction submissions up to 6,000 words. One poetry submission is 3 poems; no more than 100 lines per poem. First place $2,000; second and third places $250. Prizes per category. Deadline December 1, 2013.

THE LASCAUX PRIZE IN SHORT FICTION http://lascauxreview.com/contests/ --- $5 ENTRY FEE. Stories may be previously published or unpublished. Length should not exceed 10,000 words. $500 and publication. Deadline December 31, 2013.

GRANTS

ARIZONA ART TANK http://www.azarts.gov/grants/special-initiatives --- Arizona Art Tank invites artists and arts organizations with an entrepreneurial spirit to jump into the deep end, swim with the sharks, and face The Panel in a grant program unlike any you’ve ever experienced. Competing head-to-head against fellow artrepreneurs, you’ll pitch your innovative arts venture to a live audience and a panel of experts at one of five Art Tank events across the state. Deliver the best pitch and you could walk away with up to $10,000 in seed funding. Have you got what it takes to survive the Tank? Grant Guidelines will be available on October 30, 2013. The application deadline is Tuesday, December 10, 2013.

THE JACK STRAW ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAMS http://www.jackstraw.org/programs/asp/2014/2014_apps.shtml --- Offer established and emerging artists in diverse disciplines an opportunity to explore the creative use of sound in a professional atmosphere through residencies in our recording studios and participation in our various presentation programs. Deadline Monday, November 4, at 5:00 pm.

KEVIN V. SYMMONS SCHOLARSHIP FOR SECOND CAREER WRITERS http://capecodwriterscenter.org/2013/10/25/announcing-the-kevin-v-symmons-scholarship-for-second-career-writers/ --- This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving and promising candidate to faciliate his or her attendance at the annual Cape Cod Writers Center Conference. Conference is in August each year.

TENNESSEE GRANTS OPEN www.tn.gov/arts --- Guidelines and applications are now available for several Fiscal Year 2015 grant categories (fiscal year begins July 1, 2013 and ends June 30, 2014). Applications will be accepted through the Commission’s eGrant system. Grant categories include: Arts Access (AA); Arts Education (AE: Artist-in-Residence, Community Learning, Funds for At-Risk Youth, and Teacher Training); Arts Project Support (APS); Rural Arts Project Support (RAPS); Cultural Education Partnership (CEP); Major Cultural Institution (MCI); and Partnership Support (PS).

FREELANCE MARKETS

UPSTREET http://upstreet-mag.org/guideline_layers.html --- We invite you to submit your poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction for the tenth issue of upstreet. The submission period for upstreet number ten is from September 1, 2013, to March 1, 2014. Please do not submit previously published works; or more than three poems, two fiction, and two nonfiction pieces per issue. Fiction and nonfiction pieces must be 5,000 words or less. Payment, upon publication, will be between $50 and $150 for poems, and between $50 and $250 for short stories or essays. Each author will also receive one complimentary copy. (Thanks http://www.erikadreifus.com/)

WRITERS WEEKLY http://writersweekly.com/misc/guidelines.php --- A weekly newsletter for writers needs success stories. Pays $40 on acceptance, non-exclusive electronic rights only. Success stories run around 300 words but they're very flexible.

PHILADELPIHA STYLE http://phillystylemag.com/contact-us --- Covers upscale living in Philadelphia. Covers profiles, celebrities, fashion, travel, beauty, arts, dining, food, entertainment, home design. Interested in topics that address the Delaware Valley. Query first. Features are up to 2,500 words and pay up to $500. Columns are of varying lengths and include Currents (fashion), Liberties (beauty and travel), Dish (dining), Life in the City (regional reporting on books, real estate, art, events, dining), Vanguard (people in all these topics), Neighborhood (reporting on up and coming areas in the region). Also pays up to $500.

PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/Contact-Us/ --- Covers issues, events and problems in the Pittsburgh area and Western Pennslvania. Likes to use expose, lifestyle, sports, business, medical, profile and general interest stories. Query with outline and pitch. Pays up to $1,500 and often more for features of 1,250 to 4,000 words.

RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY http://www.rimonthly.com/Rhode-Island-Monthly/About-Us-Advertise/ --- This regional publication brings readers the very best of what Rhode Island has to offer — from people to politics, food to finance. Every month, this unique publication builds upon a powerful, personal relationship with more than 120,000 readers. Wedding, home and travel guides are published under this family as well.

JOBS

WRITER/COMMUNICATONS COORDINATOR
Location Philadelphia, PA
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/BJ5pb638pfsP
---
Gift of Life Donor Program, the non-profit agency serving eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is responsible for recovering and distributing organ and tissues used in life-saving and life-enhancing transplants. This is an exceptional opportunity for the experienced public relations professional who possesses strong writing skills and enjoys writing, editing and overseeing the production of newsletters, marketing materials and related collateral materials used throughout the organization.

PUBLISHERS

MERIT PRESS http://www.adamsmedia.com/merit-press-books --- Under the guidance of New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard, each Merit Press title explores the honest inner workings of today’s young adults — their issues, their nobility, their flaws — in stories that crackle with tension, drama, and compelling issues of teen life.

FEMINIST PRESS http://www.feministpress.org/about-fp --- The Feminist Press is an independent, nonprofit literary publisher that promotes freedom of expression and social justice. We publish feminist literature from around the world.

OR BOOKS http://www.orbooks.com/about-us/ --- OR Books is a new type of publishing company. It embraces progressive change in politics, culture and the way we do business. Our list is highly selective: We publish just one or two books a month, combining established authors with new discoveries.

HATALA GEROPRODUCTS http://geroproducts.com/submissions.html --- Hatala Geroproducts publishes books and games for seniors, in addition to grandparent/grandchild games. All products are “age positive”, which means that they are respectful to seniors, and focus on the positive aspects of aging. All books are “larger print” for easier reading. Books are written by senior authors for senior readers. All products are developed with the help of academic gerontologists and seniors themselves.

HANCOCK HOUSE http://www.hancockhouse.com/staticpages/index.php/HancockHouseSubmissionGuidelines --- Hancock House publishes adult and young-adult non-fiction works primarily in the following categories: Regional History (northern BC / Alaska, Pacific Northwest) Biography / Memoir Environment / Natural History / Birds / Falconry West Coast Native Culture and History Cryptozoology / Folklore / Myth Fishing / Outdoor / Flying Guides / Reference We will consider other categories of non-fiction, but we do not accept or review any works of fiction.