FundsforWriters - January 17. 2014

Published: Fri, 01/17/14

Volume 14, Issue 3 | January 17, 2014

Message from the Editor

Who do we have here? That adorable, wriggly little puppy is Winnie, a brindle-colored mini-dachshund we adopted this week. Today she is nine weeks old, and she's already learned that there's a bed in my study for my cheerleading puppies. She and Roo sit in front of my heater under the desk and snooze contentedly as I work and write. Roo is tickled to have a buddy. Suddenly Roo looks immense! LOL

Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
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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

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

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WHAT WE DON'T SAY

We have opinions about so many things in our lives, but there are so many we dare not express aloud. For instance, these are sure to spark a conversation at a party:

1) Not liking Christmas.
2) Not liking to read self-published books.
3) Not liking Duck Dynasty.
4) Not liking babies.
5) Not liking marriage.
6) Not liking gay marriage.
7) Not liking Republicans (or Democrats).
8) Not liking cats.

Any one of those will have people verbally at each other's throats in 2.3 seconds. So we keep our opinions to ourselves in a society that's supposed to be grounded in free speech.

This is fertile ground for writing material. Magazine markets love having the common, acceptable way of thought turned on its ear somehow to make for a more intriguing feature piece. Novels become trendsetters when they take the etiquettely unspoken and elaborate keenly and obnoxiously on the subject.

The common way of thought does not make for a bestseller. Yet we fear taking stands on controversial topics. However, you can take a subject, catch attention with it, and still come out on the other end not terribly unscathed. For instance:

1) You hate Christmas. However, what about a story that involves a bunch of Christmas-haters coming together? Makes for a good freelance piece, short story, or chapter in a book.

2) You hate reading self-published books. However, you can create a fabulous blog post or magazine piece on the specifics of what you disliked in, say, five self-pubbed books so that people realize that there are reasons so many self-pubbed books fall by the wayside.

3) You don't like Duck Dynasty. However, you can do an article talking about how your dislike for Duck Dynasty made you study why so many people from all levels of society still enjoy it? What's the reason for such an anomaly?

4) You don't like babies. What a great piece about how society pushes people to live the standard family structure, and you show some very successful, happy, non-baby families that work? To include a family that adopted older kids. A young couple who sterilized themselves to reduce population. A single person who donates her time to seniors instead. I can see a great fiction piece using this type of angle.

You get the picture. When a subject sparks debate, take notice. These are the subjects that command attention, and ultimately contracts and sales.

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

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer.

- Ray Bradbury

TOTAL FUNDSFORWRITERS

TOTAL is the paid subscription to FundsforWriters. 70+ grants, contests, markets, publishers and more for the serious writer. $15 annual subscription for 26 biweekly Friday issues to your email. www.fundsforwriters.com

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

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,

After thirteen years of teaching, I took a leap of faith and asked for a one-year sabbatical to focus on writing. I'd been fighting burn-out for several years, and, after making some inroads and experiencing a few small writing successes, decided it was time to do or die. The fact that my husband and I have four children, medical bills, and a mortgage was not lost on me, and my decision registered high on the gossip meter in our small town (population 1400). The stakes, you see, were high. Failure was not an option.

The going has been rocky with a series of stops and starts. I find myself flying high one day and scavenging the content mills the next in an effort to make ends meet. And I've resorted to substitute teaching a little here and there because I miss the daily contact with students. But am I happy? No. I'm ecstatic. This is my dream, and your weekly newsletter has been a major resource that has helped me find the courage to chase it down. The stress of full-time teaching no longer follows me home at night. Our bank account is lighter, but I'm finding truth in the old adages about money and happiness.

Your website and newsletters have buoyed me throughout this experience. You've provided me excellent advice, promising leads, and, above all, the encouragement I need to keep plugging along. And so it is with great pride and gratefulness that I tell you an article I submitted to "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has been selected for inclusion in the upcoming edition dedicated to Multitasking Moms. I sat on my office floor crying tears of gratitude for over a half hour after receiving notice of acceptance. That email reinforced that I am a real writer and that my voice matters, and it never would have come to pass without your weekly newsletter.

Thank you seems like such an insubstantial phrase to offer to you for all that you've done for me, but please know that I mean it from the very bottom of my heart. You are an inspiration and a mentor to me and so many others like me.

Blessings to you and yours (and a pat on the head for Roo),

Crystal Plante
http://www.ceplante.weebly.com
Twitter: ce_plante
Facebook: CE Plante
Author of the YA novel "Out the Other Side"

featured article

BOOK SIGNINGS - THE NEW PLATFORM?

By Wanda Octave

I am a self-published, first-time author. Already, the odds are against me. Added to that, my website needs rebranding, I only have 26 likes on my Facebook fan page and 190 friends on my personal page. As much as I am trying to embrace social media, I prefer the personal touch. I crave to physically connect with my readers.

So in the month of my book’s release, I scheduled a book signing at each of the stores where my book was shelved. I had five book signings and averaged thirteen book sales per event. One book store had only sold four books within the two weeks of my book’s release but on the day of my signing sold sixteen. This may not seem like a lot but I quickly did the math. If I could do a book signing at least four days a week, then I could sell two hundred books a month. And that’s independent of bookstores and online sales. Not to mention residual sales.

I also learned early on that book signings are a great way build your network. You never know who can help grow your business or what connections people have. At a book signing a couple of weeks ago, I met a woman who bought two books and took my business card. I received an email from her later that week for an order of ten copies for her company to include in their corporate gift pack. I met another lady at that same signing, who was very interested in my book, but her toddler was being mischievous so she had to leave. She also took my card and emailed me for two copies a few days later. Turns out, she is the manager of a hotel and put me in touch with the boutique manager to stock my books. At that particular book signing, I had sold twelve copies. But because of the connections made, I sold an additional twelve and secured two contracts. Weekly book signings will follow at that hotel too.

On the surface, book signings seem like a one-off thing to do at launch. That may be so, because people are always looking for a new read. However if you select different locations, you will always find new people looking for something to read. Schedule a book signing at all of your locations in the month of launch. Then move on to malls, airports and other high traffic areas. Seek out special events and activities that could be a perfect fit for your book.

To pull off multiple, successful book signings, you must have a welcoming, pleasant personality. If you are self-published, you already know that you have to be your biggest marketer and sales person. I have sold over 350 books through my personal network and book signings in the two months since its release. That may seem like a small number, but that’s 350 of my books being read and circulated. And that number increases daily. Many people reorder from me directly and not the stores. I have also become a walking book store. I carry at least five books in my car and two in my bag on any given day. I learned early on that you never know when you will meet someone you know, or someone who had been meaning to get your book. If they walk away, you could lose that sale for good. Arm yourself with a pen and "autographed by the author" stickers. People LOVE meeting an author and having an autographed copy of a book. Ride that wave!

BIO - A former Marketing professional, Wanda Octave worked in the fields of banking, real estate and tourism before fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. She currently resides on the tranquil Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia with her husband Simon and daughter Kelci. www.wandaoctave.com, https://www.amazon.com/author/wandaoctave

competitions

CYGNYS SCI-FI AND FANTASY AWARDS
http://chantireviews.com/store/#!/~/product/category=5193080&id=21521218
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$40 ENTRY FEE.
First Place Category award winners for the Cygnus Sci-fi and Fantasy Awards will compete for the Overall Best Book CBR Grand Prize of a $1,000 and 1st Place Genre Awards for $250. Award winning books will also have the opportunity to be placed on the Chanticleer Book Shelves (which sell and promote the winning titles). Additionally, category winners will receive a coveted Chanticleer Book Review; a CBR Blue Ribbon embossed with the Contest Name, Author Name, and Book Title to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals; and the media CBR media publicity packet. Deadline January 31, 2014.

WAG'S REVUE
http://www.wagsrevue.com/submit
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$22.09 ENTRY FEE.
$1,000 first prize (and guaranteed publication), $500 second prize, and $100 third, and all submissions will be considered for publication. The contest is open to all three genres--poetry, essays and fiction--and will be judged by the editors. Deadline February 28, 2014. All 16 issues of the magazine may be read for free our archive.

WRITER ADVICE FLASH PROSE CONTEST
http://www.writeradvice.com/
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$15 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline April 18, 2014. WriterAdvice seeks flash fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction running 750 words or less. First Place earns $200; Second Place earns $100; Third Place earns $50; Honorable Mentions will also be published.

NORTHERN COLORADO WRITERS SHORT FICTION CONTEST
http://northerncoloradowriters.com/upcoming-events-mainmenu-133/writing-contests
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ENTRY FEE $20.
Story can be any style or subject. Prizes are 1st: $1,000; 2nd: $250; 3rd: $100. Winners and honorable mentions will be published in the annual winners' anthology, POOLED INK. Final judge for short fiction is Seth Brady Tucker. Deadline March 31, 2014.

GLIMMERTRAIN FAMILY MATTERS CONTEST
http://www.glimmertrain.com/familymatters.html
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$15 ENTRY FEE.
Looking for stories about families of all configurations. It's fine to draw heavily on real life experiences, but the work must read like fiction and all stories accepted for publication will be presented as fiction. Maximum word count: 12,000. Any shorter lengths are welcome. Held just twice a year: Open to submissions in MARCH and SEPTEMBER. Next deadline: March 31, 2014.

GRANTS

RASMUSON FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR ALASKAN ARTISTS/WRITERS
http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp4418-rasmuson-foundation-accepting-applications-from-alaskan-artists-for-2014-individual-artist-awards
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The foundation has created three award programs for individual artists living and working in Alaska. These awards are designed to provide artists with the resources to concentrate and reflect on their work; to immerse themselves in a creative endeavor; and to experiment, explore, and develop their artistry more fully.

1) Distinguished Artist Awards: One $40,000 annual award for a mature artist of recognized stature with a history of creative excellence and accomplishment in the arts.

2) Project Awards: Awards of up to $7,500 for emerging, mid-career, and mature artists for specific, short-term projects that have a clear benefit to the artist and the development of his/her work.

3) Artist Fellowships: Fellowship grants of $18,000 each will be awarded to mid-career or mature artists to help them focus energy and attention for one year on developing their creative work. Deadline March 1, 2014.

CENTER FOR FICTION FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.centerforfiction.org/forwriters/grants-and-awards
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This grant is generously funded by a grant from the Jerome Foundation, matched by additional funds from individuals. Nine writers will be selected in 2014 and during the one-year fellowship period will receive a grant of $4,000; space and time to write in the Center’s Writers Studio, available 24/7; the option to engage in a mentorship with a selected freelance editor; the opportunity to meet with agents who represent new writers; access to our Writer’s Collection of books on the craft of writing as well as career-oriented publications such as Literary Marketplace; a Center for Fiction membership that includes borrowing privileges for our collection of 80,000 volumes of fiction and fiction-related titles; free admission to all Center events for one year, including our Craftwork lectures series on writing; 30 percent discount on tuition at select writing workshops at the Center; two public readings as part of our annual program of events; the opportunity to submit new work to the Center’s Literarian online magazine. Applicants must be current residents of one of the five boroughs, and must remain in New York City for the entire year of the fellowship. Deadline January 31, 2014.

MASSACHUSETTS ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/fellowsapp.asp
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The Artist Fellowships provide direct, unrestricted support to Massachusetts artists in recognition of exceptional original work, to foster the creation of new art in the Commonwealth. Artist Fellowships in a range of disciplines are awarded to primary creators of original works of art. The Artist Fellowships provide competitive grants of $10,000 and finalist awards of $500. The number of awards per discipline category varies according to the number of applications reviewed, the recommendations of each panel, and program funds available. Apply online in the following categories: Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, Painting. Deadline: January 27, 2014.

M LITERARY RESIDENCY
http://www.chinaresidencies.com/residencies/m-literary-residency
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The M Literary Residency Programme has been established to disseminate a broader knowledge of contemporary life and writing in China today and to foster deeper intellectual, cultural and artistic links across individuals and communities. Applicants do not need to be published authors - unpublished writers are welcome to apply. There are no nationality restrictions for applications. However, applicants should be over 21 years old and be writing in English. Applications will be accepted in the following genres only: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, dramatic prose.

OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL RESIDENCIES
http://www.osfashland.org/en/work-with-us/FAIR-fellowships-internships-and-more/residencies.aspx
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Residencies are opportunities that are exclusive to our Dramaturgy and Literary Management department and they offer the longest opportunity for participants to be in “resident” at OSF. Residencies vary in length. In general, they range between four to eleven months. FAIR currently offers three Residencies: Literary Residency, Dramaturgy Residency, Shakespeare Dramaturgy Residency. Deadline July 1 each year.

FREELANCE MARKETS

CHICKEN SOUP - MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
http://www.chickensoup.com
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If you have had a miraculous, personal experience with an angel, please submit your story. We are looking for stories of true wonder and awe from people who have directly encountered or received help from angels. How did your angel protect you or someone you know? How did your angel help you or someone you know, or even change your life? How did your angel manifest himself or herself? This book is for everyone who has a story, whether religious or non-religious. Please note that we are not looking for stories about people who are "angels" because they do nice things, and also please do not submit eulogies about a loved one who has died and is now an "angel." If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, which lists at $14.95. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it. Deadline March 31, 2014. Limit 1,200 words.

CATALYST
http://www.catalystmagazine.net/writers-guidelines
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CATALYST is a newsprint magazine that has served as Salt Lake City's resource for creative living since 1982. We’re always on the lookout for great local writers, both to take story assignments from our editor as well as to present us with stories and story ideas. Our feature stories generally run 2,000-4,500 words. We use two or three per issue. A shorter story with several sidebars is preferred over a longer story. Smaller stories usually run between 600-1500 words and are usually less formal, often about interesting things happening around town. We pay $.10/word, upon publication. Some in-depth, research-heavy articles will be paid at $.12/word.

COVEY RISE
https://www.coveyrisemagazine.com/contributor-guidelines/
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Feature articles should be oriented to the following categories: destinations, interesting people involved in any facet of the wing shooting world (conservationists, designers, educators, gunsmiths, manufacturers), venues, art and artists, dogs, and culinary. We look for well-told narratives that go beyond the obvious and explore the intimacy and depths of a person, place, artist or dog. Use as many words as necessary to tell the story, but be sure not to use two words when one will do. Typical pieces range between 750-1,500 words.

GRAND
http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/submit-editorial/
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Read GRAND magazine, listen to the voices and the messages. Then, find a story or an idea that directly relates to the role of grandparenting and/or the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. (In other words, we are not a magazine about aging, or senior citizens; in the U.S., the average age of a first-time grandparent is 48. Our audience is overwhelmingly Baby Boomers.) When you have found a topic, ask yourself two questions: What is this about? And what is this about, really? Then…Answer those two questions to me, in an e-mail (grand@grandmagazine.com) and knock my socks off.

ADDITUDE
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/writers-guidelines.html
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Most of the articles we publish are written by journalists and mental-health professionals. However, we are generally willing to consider first-person articles by parents, employers, teachers, etc. who have personal experience with ADHD or LD and whose insights might be helpful to ADDitude's readers (most of whom are parents of children with ADHD or a learning disability and/or adults with ADHD). Articles are usually 2,000 words or less and payment varies according to the article length, the experience and expertise of the author, and other factors.

JOBS

FREELANCE RESTAURANT CRITIC
Location Phoenix, AZ.
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1555944
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Phoenix New Times has an immediate opening for a freelance restaurant critic. We are looking for a writer who can build on the success of our award-winning food coverage.

RETIREMENT INVESTING BLOGGER
Location Virtual.
http://jobs.problogger.net/view/7966
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We’re looking for a freelance writer with strong knowledge about long-term investing, retirement planning and financial analysis. Write 1-2, 900 - 1,200 blog posts per week about long-term investing, retirement planning, asset allocation, portfolio management, 401k and IRA management, and related topics.

PUBLISHERS

RED WHEEL PUBLISHING
http://redwheelweiser.com/
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Weiser Books has a long history as one of America’s preeminent publishers of esoteric or occult teachings from traditions all around the world and throughout time. New consciousness, metaphysics, magick/magic, astrology, tarot, Wicca, pan-pagan — we publish books to live by for readers on many different spiritual paths.

Conari Press. Inspire, literally to breathe life into. That’s what Conari Press books aim to do ¬— inspire all walks of life, mind, body, and spirit; inspire creativity, laughter, gratitude, good food, good health, and all good things in life. We publish wellness and recovery books, particularly 12-step books, books on health and eating, books especially for women, and books on spirituality, personal growth, parenting, and social issues.

Disinformation Books: Look at the world in a different way, reveal a truth that corporations or government are trying to hide, examine history and science and religion with an open mind, call the Emperor on his outfit. Collect oddities and lists and put them together in interesting ways. Look at where we’ve been and where we might be going without benefit of a political or religious label. That’s a Disinformation Book.

Hampton Roads Publishing: Though we are not necessarily limited in scope, we are most interested in manuscripts on the following subjects: body/mind/spirit non-fiction, alternative health and healing, self-help with a spiritual bent, received wisdom, and religion and meditation from traditions east and west.

CUP OF TEA BOOKS
http://www.cupofteabooks.com/
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Cup of Tea Books is an imprint of PageSpring Publishing dedicated to women’s fiction. Our books invite you to curl up in your favorite chair and get lost in a great story. Some titles will make you smile, others will make you cry. All of them are meant to be savored, like a delicious cup of tea.

DEMONTREVILLE PRESS
http://www.demontrevillepress.com/Demontreville_Press/Home.html
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Demontreville Press, Inc. is an independent publishing house that produces high-quality books that interest readers by telling compelling stories. Initially, the company published only automotive fiction and adventure tales, but has recently branched out to include well-researched books dealing with current affairs and environmental, energy, and infrastructure concerns.

DIVERSION PRESS
http://www.diversionpress.com/publishing_with_diversion_press/what_we_publish
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Our current interests are Academic Non-Fiction, Middle Grade Books, Non-Fiction, Humorous Fiction or Non-Fiction (Yellow Snow imprint). We are not interested in: Erotica, sexually explicit, anything that puts children in a bad light, extreme violence, heavily religious or anti-religious.
We are also not interested in Western's, Romance, Science Fiction, or books of poetry.