FundsforWriters - October 11, 2013

Published: Fri, 10/11/13

Volume 13, Issue 41 | OCTOBER 11, 2013

Message from the Editor

At Edisto Beach, SC where I never got the chance to see the sand except for this moment for this picture. The rest of the time I was writing, researching, and presenting to the Edisto Book Club (13 readers present!) at the Edisto Bookstore. Nice four days. Came up with a great idea for a chapter lying on the floor during yoga class. (They have yoga in a bar, overlooking the water. Wow.)

Editor, FundsforWriters
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Editor’s THOUGHTS

ROOSTERS

Those who've followed me for years know that I raise chickens. This year, I ran into another writer at a Kentucky conference who also has experience with chickens. She lives on a real farm and loved the agricultural backdrop to my Carolina Slade Mystery Series.

Gina Barlean sometimes writes about chickens, too. After reading her blog post on a rooster, I thought back to find a rooster story of my own (see the comments to that blog post on Samson the Rooster). (http://gmbarlean.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/samson-the-rooster/)

Then the most obvious writing lesson came to mind.

When I acquired my chicks, I ordered sixteen. The company sent me twenty, stating some excuse about needing to pad the box with more chicks, so they threw in four more. Of course, they were roosters. Nobody orders roosters.

But I couldn't discard them. Instead, I built them a separate coop. Four beautiful white roosters. What many people don't know is that roosters together, without hens to complicate things, do quite well.

One day I was feeding the roosters. One in particular, Moe, loved to strut around me, jumping up and down for corn. He ate out of my hand. He'd tease me, running around me when I stooped down, coming around like he'd performed well, then peck from my hand. This went on for a year. I was proud of my roosters, especially Moe.

One day I stooped down. Moe ran around me like always. I waited. Then he popped out from the opposite side, then pecked me in the face! Thank goodness he cut me across the bridge of my nose instead of my eyes.

I'd forgotten he was a rooster first, a pet second. Roosters will show aggression. To them it's just being a rooster. To me, it was not nice at all.

But the fault was mine. He was simply being true to what he was.

When we work with agents, editors, collaborating writers, we love to say we are friends. Most of the time we are. However, we can lose sight of the business relationship. They are agents, editors, etc. first and foremost. We are writers. There will come a time when we do not agree, with it being nobody's fault. Each of us is being who we are.

So when we are bashing an editor for rejecting us, or an agent for not understanding our story, we are getting mad at the rooster for being what he is...a rooster. Maintaining that perspective can save us a lot of frustration. We are who we are, and understanding why the other side has to act as it does, helps keep us sane.

~HOPE

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
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WORDS OF SUCCESS

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

~Confucius

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

Dear Hope,

I have been subscribing to your newsletter "Funds for Writers" for a few years now, but only began to really properly read through it about a year ago. I have always had a passion for writing (since I was 13 years old), but I ended up teaching in Japan for 10 years and so I put my writing aside. I wrote off and on, but I wasn't writing as frequently as I would have liked. At last I finally started to take my writing a little more seriously and so I began to thoroughly look for possible contests I could enter. I found the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series and was selected. They wanted to publish my story along with 100 other stories. I learned later that they had received over 2000 entries. It may seem like a small accomplishment, but it meant a lot to me because my dream was finally coming true. I was going to be published in a book that my friends and family would be able to touch, read and keep forever.

I never would have thought to write for Chicken Soup for the Soul if I had not read your newsletter. Thank you for this wonderful newsletter. I no longer need to spend hours researching contests, publishers, etc., because it is all at my fingertips. I am now subscribing to TOTAL Funds for Writers and I am enjoying receiving it as well.

Many thanks again for helping make a dream come true!

Sincerely, Laurie Ann Mangru

featured article

QUICK QUERY MAKEOVER

By Behlor Santi

A full-time freelance writer needs to churn out enough salable ideas to earn a living. Your articles are your lifeline, the reason you eat and have a roof over your head.

However, some freelancers still believe in the muse myth. If you're a believer in that mystical being, then freelance writing is not for you. This business is for the tough, industrious sort willing to spend many hours creating copy and appropriating ideas.

Dispel the muse myth and become more efficient in your career with these tips. I used them to improve my query output. At the beginning of my career, I submitted about a query a week. As my business skills and creativity bloomed, I grew up to three pitches a day.

1. Many magazines have Twitter feeds embedded at their websites. Website tweets are great places for article ideas, especially if you want to pitch a timely topic. For example, I caught the attention of a regional business-magazine editor by basing a query on a tweet that talked about loyalty. Many businesses struggle to balance attracting new customers and keeping old ones, and my pitch came at the right time. One caveat: Mention the exact tweet -- time, date, and message -- at the beginning of the query. Editors are sometimes the forgetful sort.

2. If you receive a rejection, do what I learned in college creative-writing class. See your sources as fictional characters. Your sources can be as compelling as Mr. Darcy and Carrie Bradshaw. First, describe your source's educational and professional background; delve into their duties, their family lives, what they like, what they hate. For example, write about the fitness instructor you wanted to use in your rejected query from Prevention. Write about her college years at Princeton, her years as a corporate lawyer on Wall Street, how she escaped the rat race and became her dream occupation. Before, she was just an expert in a health article. Now, she can be profiled in a woman's magazine; mentioned in a lifestyle magazine for lawyers or fitness instructors; emphasized in a regional magazine in New Jersey.

3. Write pre-pitches. This idea doesn't work when you're new to an editor. However, if you received encouragement from an editor who rejected your queries, try submitting a brief sentence describing your idea and requesting whether the editor finds it a good match. After publishing my first article on a feminist website, I've learned to regularly send sentence-long pitches to the managing editors. Occasionally I get an acceptance.

Even if you currently write part-time, my tips will help you network with editors. In an industry where you're competing with thousands of other writers and thousands of other ideas, you're only as good as submitting articles on time and building a good reputation with publications. The muse myth doesn't recognize that. Like a lazy romantic partner, it must go.

-- Behlor Santi thebxscribbbler1980@gmail.com www.behlorsanti.net

competitions

THE BRIAR CLIFF REVIEW CONTEST

www.briarcliff.edu/bcreview --- $20 ENTRY FEE. Poetry, creative nonfiction and fiction contest. Deadline: November 1, 2013. $1,000 & publication. Submit unpublished story, essay or three poems. Entrants receive a copy of the issue.

JF POWER PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION

https://dappledthings.submittable.com/submit/24212 --- NO ENTRY FEE. The winner will receive $500. There is no entry fee. The winning story will be announced in February, 2014 and published in Dappled Things, along with nine honorable mentions. Please submit your short story by November 29. The word limit is 8,000 words.

DAVID BURLAND POETRY PRIZE

http://www.davidburlandpoetryprize.com/ --- £8 ENTRY FEE. Writers are encouraged to explore their literary ability for the free style competition. The Judges Michel François and R Freidman will consider not only the Poetic originality of your words but the potential for a recording of your work by Michel François on-line entitled...'Michel Francois and Friends.' Winning Entries in both French and English will include also the Author's photograph with the text of their work. a cash prize of £500, and. a copy of the recording. Deadline May 31, 2014.

SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST NOVEL PRIZE

http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/firstnovel/index.shtml --- $35 ENTRY FEE. The South Carolina Arts Commission, Hub City Press and The Humanities Council SC announce a call for submissions for the biennial South Carolina First Novel Prize. The application deadline is March 3, 2014; a winner will be announced in August. 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 $1,000 advance against royalties. Hub City will publish at least 1,500 copies of the book. Must not have published a novel before, but may have published a book of nonfiction, short stories, poetry or children's literature.

COLORADO PRIZE FOR POETRY

http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/colorado-prize-for-poetry/ --- $25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 14, 2014. Manuscripts should be at least 48 pages but no more than 100 pages. The theme and style are both open. Authors do NOT need to be residents of Colorado or the United States. The winning book-length collection of poems will be published by the Center for Literary Publishing and distributed by the University Press of Colorado in the fall of 2014. The author receives a $2,000 honorarium.

GRANTS

SOROS JUSTICE MEDIA FELLOWSHIPS

http://www.soros.org/grants/soros-justice-fellowships --- Supporting individuals with innovative projects that address criminal justice-related issues, particularly in relation to the needs of low- income communities; communities of color; immigrants; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities; and women and children. Fellowships are 1 year and support print and radio journalism, film and video post-production and dissemination, and book projects. Award includes a stipend of $50,000-$70,000, up to $4,000 for project-related expenses, $2,500 for health insurance, funds to attend fellowship-related gatherings, and access to ongoing technical assistance resources. For experienced filmmakers only. Receipt Deadline: October 23, 2013.

FRAMELINE FILM AND VIDEO COMPLETION FUND

http://www.frameline.org/filmmaker-support/frameline-completion-fund --- Provides grants of up to $5,000 to emerging and established LGBT filmmakers. Projects must be about LGBT people and their communities; any film or video format of any length and genre is eligible. Applicant must have creative and financial control of project; students may apply as long as they maintain control. Projects must have 90% of production finished and be in the post-production phase or ready to begin post as soon as funding is in place. Deadline: October 31, 2013.

ARTErra RESIDENCIES

www.arterra.weebly.com --- Encourages cross-disciplinary artistic creation in a small rural village in Portugal. Artists may stay from 3 days to 6 months. Artist responsible for travel, residency fee (budgeted on a case by case basis according to the artist's needs), and meals; residency provides room, work space, and some materials and tools according to the artists' needs.

OLIVE B. O'CONNOR FELLOWSHIPS

http://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/fellowship/2938 --- Deadline: January 15, 2014 (received). Writers of nonfiction and poetry who have recently completed an MFA, MA, or PhD in creative writing, and who need a year to complete their first book, are encouraged to apply. The selected writers will spend the academic year (late August 2014 to early May 2015) at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. The fellows will teach one creative writing course each semester and will give a public reading from the work in progress. The fellowship carries a stipend of $37,500 plus travel expenses; health and life insurance are provided.

SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

http://www.scbwi.org/ --- Each year the SCBWI sponsors two student writer scholarships to the Summer and Winter Conferences for full-time university students in an English or Creative Writing program. Deadline: Winter Conference in New York December 15. Must be at least eighteen years old to apply. All full-time students enrolled in an accredited educational institution are eligible to apply. Scholarship winners receive admission to all conference events including keynotes and breakout sessions. (Award does not include travel and hotel expenses.) Entrance to the Writers’ Roundtables, a roundtable-style manuscript critique of the first five hundred words of your manuscript with literary agents and editors. Exclusive exposure to industry professionals at the conference. An SCBWI Conference advisor to help navigate the jammed-packed weekend. See website or contact kayla.heinen@scbwi.org for more info.

FREELANCE MARKETS

SMELL THE TRUTH

http://smellthetruth.org/ http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth --- Nationally-syndicated online news publication seeks high quality, experienced journalists that are knowledgable and enthusiastic about cannabis culture. Interested in national, regional, and local news coverage on all things cannabis related. Basic writing skills are a must; online experience, photography skills, including video, and an ability to engage readers via social media are all pluses for applicants. Ability to meet deadlines is critical. Payment ranges from $50-$300 for 150-500 words. Possible cannabis driven topics: Health, Business, Politics, Legal, Activism, Science, Medicine, Hemp, Culture.

LOUISIANA COOKIN

http://www.louisianacookin.com/ --- Louisiana Cookin' is the only national magazine for the connoisseur of Louisiana's unique culture, cuisine, and travel destinations. Published six times a year, each issue contains more than 50 authentic recipes, with tips from professional chefs and home cooks alike. Accepts email queries to jyl@louisianacookin.com. Articles are 1,000 to 2,000 words plus recipes, and pays $350. Columns are $250. Kill fee 20 percent.

MISSISSIPPI MAGAZINE (click Contact then Editorial Inquiries)

http://www.mississippimagazine.com/ --- Celebrates the positive points of Mississippi - from interesting people and places to homes, gardens, food, history, culture, special events, and more. All subjects must have a direct link to Mississippi. Features - $250 to $350 Southern Scrapbook - $25 to $75 On Being Southern - $150 Other departments - $150 to $250

CHARLESTON MAGAZINE

http://www.charlestonmag.com/contact --- Covers the highlights on living in Charleston, SC to include the arts, dining, entertainment, lifestyle, shopping, charity, travel and weddings. Articles up to 1,500 words and columns up to 1,200 words. Mostly written by freelancers.

IN THESE TIMES

http://inthesetimes.com/submissions/ --- We are looking for feature articles that combine original on-the- ground reporting with solid analysis. We are particularly interested in investigative stories that uncover governmental or corporate abuses of power. Feature articles run between 1,200 and 3,800 words in length. Please do not submit articles longer than the maximum word length.

Short features (800–900 words). We prefer stories that are broader than a specific campaign - we are looking primarily for reporting or commentary on important developments or questions of strategy within movements. For this feature, we are more likely to run independent reporting than field reports from organizers involved in a particular campaign.

Short accounts (400-500 words) of an organizing victory (legislative, labor, electoral, anti-corporate, etc.) overlooked by the national mainstream press.

JOBS

HEALTH ECONOMICS WRITER
Location Washington DC
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/352694000
---
Deadline March 17, 2014. The focus of this position is on writing
about complex issues of health policy, which involves working with
individuals and teams of analysts at CBO who are conducting research
in these areas to frame, draft, and edit reports for non-technical
and non-academic audiences. The position may involve conducting
original research on and analysis of health policy issues, but the
primary focus will be on drafting reports and other written products
(such as Congressional testimony) in collaboration with analysts who
are technical experts on a broad range of topics. CBO has very high
standards for the accuracy, precision, clarity, and objectivity of
its written work. Pays $95,000.00 to $140,000 /Year.

PUBLISHERS

CAMEL PRESS h

ttp://camelpress.com/about/ --- Camel Press publishes genre fiction: romance, mystery/suspense, science fiction, horror … or any combination thereof. We publish the books that grab you and hold you in their grip long into the night.

CARINA PRESS

http://carinapress.com/blog/submission-guidelines/ --- Carina Press is Harlequin’s digital-first adult fiction single title imprint, publishing first in digital, with releases in audio and print as well. Our mission is to connect readers with authors who write the stories they want to read. Though Harlequin is mainly known as a romance publisher, Carina Press publishes adult fiction genres other than romance and features books from talented authors in all genres of romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, mystery, and more.

COZY CAT PRESS

http://cozycatpress.com/ --- Cozy Cat Press is a small, independent publishing company that specializes in producing cozy mystery books. Cozy mysteries feature complex and exciting plots with engaging characters. The main character is typically an amateur sleuth, not a professional law enforcement agent. Cozies are books that do NOT include lots of blood, gore, and violence.

FELONY & MAYHEM PRESS

http://felonyandmayhem.com/committing-your-own-mayhem/ --- We publish only mystery fiction. There may come a time when we will publish other genres, but we do not currently have any plans to do so. Additionally, we are not equipped to publish novellas or short stories; our minimum length is about 75,000 words.

TRAILS BOOKS

http://www.bigearthpublishing.com/trails-books-and-prairie-oak-press/ --- Trails Books is the leading publisher of regional non-fiction titles in the Midwest, specializing in outdoor activity guides, sports, home and garden, legends and lore, photography and children’s books. Trails Books publishes a list of more than 100 titles for the Midwest generally and for the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Kansas. Our subsidiary imprint, Quiz Master Books, publishes trivia books on sports and popular culture topics.