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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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INDIE ATTITUDE

While I'm on a Joel Friedlander high (last week's issue), I had to sink my teeth into a piece he had on his blog recently. http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/05/the-secret-sauce-for-indie-publishers-attitude/

(NOTE: Did you see last week's special offer for his formatting templates that make your books look awesomely professional and polished? Joel has created coupon code FFW35 for FFW readers. When you use FFW35 at BookDesignTemplates.com you get a 35% discount on anything on the site. Coupon expires on June 10.)

The blog post was titled The Secret Sauce for Indie Publishers: Attitude. Nina Amir was the author of that post, and she advised that an Indie attitude needed to consist of:

1) Willingness
2) Optimism
3) Objectivity
4) Tenacity

I loved reading the comments afterwards, some from readers who obviously were not interested in an attitude adjustment, preferring to remain in their I-can't-do-this or you-have-to-know-somebody mindset.

Actually, the Indie attitude is just a healthy attitude toward life. You don't have to be a writer, and your attitude doesn't have to be about writing. And if you want to take attitude and  boil it down to one word, you can stop with the first in Nina Amir's list: WILLINGNESS.

If you are willing to do whatever it takes to change, try new things, learn new ways, attempt trial and error, and write until you figure out how to play this game and make a living at it, it just might happen.

I had a long conversation with my editor the other day about more books, a new series, and how I view my writing career. In the exchange, I let her know that whether I'm published or not, I'll write my stories. And if I cannot find a publisher, I'll self-publish. It's just what I do, and I'll adapt to whatever I need to in order to keep doing what I'm doing. She was impressed at my "attitude" toward the future. Frankly, I see my future no other way.

Why not be willing to adapt . . . when it makes me better or more successful? Why not learn new ways . . . if old ones have quit working? Why not step outside my comfort zone . . . if staying inside it confines me to a routine that isn't moving me forward?

It's all attitude. You've met those people in your life, the ones with a great outlook and a willingness to improve. They are exciting to be around.

So why can't that be you?

~HOPE

WEBSITE - http://www.chopeclark.com
BLOG - http://www.chopeclark.com/blog
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
GOODREADS - http://www.goodreads.com/hopeclark

WHERE TO FIND HOPE IN MAY:

May 27 - Tues, 2-4 PM - Bunko Party and Book Signing, Chapin, SC
May 31 - Sat, 1-2:30 PM - Books on Broad, Signing, Camden, SC
June 13 - Fri, 3-5 PM - Edisto Bookstore Book Signing, Edisto Island, SC

PUBSMART 2014

Remember how I ranted about how great PubSmart's conference was in Charleston, SC in April? Well, they have videos of the entire conference available. I earn no commission from this offer; I just wanted you to know it was available in case you (maybe sharing the cost with your writing group) wanted to see what you missed and what you may want to sign up for in Spring 2015!

The package of 20 online ready-to-view videos are available at http://pubsmartcon.com for $149.95. Code -- Sponsor14VT -- is available for use by FundsforWriters readers. Using the code will afford you $20 off the package price.

NOTE: Conference videos will only be available to view/download until July 15, 2014, then full attention turns towards PubSmart 2015! If any questions, please feel free to email us at info@pubsmartcon.com

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Our advice to an aspiring author today might be to do one of two things: either build a time machine and travel ten years into the past to query their work -- or self-publish today.

~Hugh Howey and Data Guy

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 - Or receive a free subscription with the full-price purchase of a Carolina Slade Mystery or The Shy Writer Reborn - ebook or print. Email your receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com

	The Carolina Slade Mystery Series http://www.chopeclark.com/Book Three is out!!!!!Carolina Slade is the real deal - Southern charm, a steely determination, and a vulnerability she'll never admit to. Slade is at her absolute best in C. Hope Clark's Palmetto Poison so hold on for the ride! ~Lynn Chandler-Willis, best selling author and winner of the 2013 Minotaur Books/PWA Best First Private Eye Novel Competition ========== Clark's intensely lush and conversational writing will keep you...turning the pages faster than you can read them. ~Dish Magazine ========== Autographed copies available: see www.chopeclark.com

Success Story

Hey Hope!

I'm excited to tell you that my story, "The Bubble Bath," was included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Sweet Home. I waited until I received my copies and made sure it was in there before writing to you. I was over the moon when I got the acceptance email and didn't want to jinx anything until I saw it in print. They really did publish it! I originally wrote the story for the Washington Centerville Library's Erma Bombeck contest. I've been submitting to various Chicken Soup for the Soul calls for submissions for who knows how many years now. But I know I learned of both it and the Erma Bombeck one via you so...thanks! I'm now a Hope Clark FFW Success Story!

Courtney Lynn Mroch
www.courtneymroch.com
www.hauntjaunts.net

featured article

Can You Really Write an eBook in a Week?

By David G Masters

If you could write a book every week, what would you write about? Is it even possible to write a book in a week?

Browse Amazon, and you'll find all kinds of writing books promising to teach you how to write a book in just a few days. I used to be cynical about these claims. I was a plodding writer. I believed you had to write slowly, otherwise you'd create shoddy work. The promise of writing a book in a week was hyperbole - or so I thought.

Things began to change for me when I discovered that Isaac Asimov wrote over 500 books in his lifetime. On further examination, I found that other authors had equally prolific outputs. Belgian novelist Georges Simenon also wrote and published more than 500 books. Meanwhile the children's writer Enid Blyton authored over 750 novels and story collections.

Still I clung to my old beliefs. "Sure, they could do it," I told myself. "But they had special gifts. For most writers, slow is normal."

I believe I was right that for most writers, slow is normal. But in all other respects, I was wrong.

Fast writing continued to seem impossible to me until I had no choice in the matter.

I'd been a professional blogger for several years, and then I got my first ebook client. I was thrilled. But the work came with a special request. My client needed the ebook finished within one week.

Could I do it? I was terrified, but I wanted to give it a try. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. Now, I could discover what I was capable of.

That week, writing slowly was no longer an option.

I got up early on Monday morning and began work. I started writing at 7.30 a.m., pushing myself to write as fast as I could. I poured my heart into every word. If anything, my writing seemed more vibrant for not being churned around my brain before being committed to the page.

I finished the first draft by Thursday, and had Friday for edits. I submitted the ebook on Friday afternoon with hours to spare.

I'd done it. I'd pushed through all my misconceptions and fears about writing. I'd learned I was capable of far more than I previously imagined possible. What's more, I knew I'd created something good. My clients were delighted with my work. But what would readers think?

Eventually, the first review came in. Five stars. I'd really done it!

How much did I write that week? Ten thousand words. A relatively short book, but a respectable length ebook. Looking back, and knowing what's possible for me now, 10,000 words doesn't seem like a whole lot. But at the time, it seemed like a miracle.

If you've never tried writing fast, I recommend seeing what you're capable of. Challenge yourself to double your daily output. Even if what you write isn't perfect, because you've written twice as much as usual, you'll have an extra day free for editing. And chances are, you won't need to do nearly as much editing as you think.

You'll only discover what's possible by pushing yourself to your limits. One thing's for sure: You will surprise yourself.

By writing fast, you'll come to enjoy writing more, you'll increase your earning potential, and you'll no longer spend time feeling stuck, wondering what to write.

So why not give fast writing a try today? I'd love to hear how you get on.

BIO
David Masters is a freelance blogger and author of several ebooks, including The Prolific Writer's Toolbox. www.davidgmasters.com

competitions

MAY SARTON NEW HAMPSHIRE POETRY PRIZE
http://www.bauhanpublishing.com/contest/
Bauhan Publishing is accepting poetry submissions for this year's May Sarton New Hampshire Poetry Prize. The winner will receive $1000, book publication, and 100 copies of the published book, as well as distribution. Deadline: 06/30/2014. Fees: $25.

LUCILLE CLIFTON POETRY PRIZE
http://backbonepress.org/contests/
$10 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline June 15, 2014. Please submit no more than three unpublished poems, no more than five pages in length. The selected winner will receive $250 and publication on our website along with honorable mentions.

 
BACOPA LITERARY REVIEW PRIZES
https://writersallianceofgainesville.submittable.com/submit
$11 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline June 30, 2014. Bacopa will award publication & cash to 9 winning submissions:
1st Prize = $350 (1 each for Poetry, Fic & Creative Nonfiction)
2nd = $200 (1 each for Poetry, Fic & Creative Nonfiction)
3rd = $100 (1 each for Poetry, Fic & Creative Nonfiction)

RATTLE POETRY PRIZE
http://www.rattle.com/poetry/prize/guidelines/
ENTRY FEE $20 (TO INCLUDE ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION).
One $5,000 Winner and ten $100 Finalists will be selected in a blind review by the editors of Rattle and printed in the Winter 2014 issue;  one $1,000 Readers' Choice Award will then be chosen from among the Finalists by subscriber and entrant vote. Open to writers, worldwide; poems must be written in English (no translations). Send up to four poems per entry. There is no line-limit. Deadline July 2014.

GRANTS / CROWDFUNDING

HUB CITY WRITERS HOUSE RESIDENCIES
http://hubcity.org/writersproject/fellowships-and-scholarships/the-writers-house-residencies/
The Writers House provides two residencies per year in an historic cottage in downtown Spartanburg, S.C. The program is open to emerging writers in the United States who have completed a college degree in creative writing within the past five years or are pursuing a graduate degree in writing. Residents receive lodging, utilities, and a twice-monthly stipend; they are responsible for their own transportation and meals.

 
VERMONT STUDIO CENTER FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org/fellowships
Deadline June 15, 2014. 43 fellowships are available with various qualifications.  In 2013, VSC awarded 124 fellowships to artists and writers. In 2014, VSC has increased by 50 percent the number of VSC fellowships available to all artists and writers based on merit.

 
SPIRIT OF WRITING GRANT
http://crystalspiritinc.com/philanthropy.html
The Spirit of Writing Grant focuses on "WRITING".  People of all ages aspire to write, whether for fun, therapy, romance or to be published. The purpose of the Spirit of Writing Grant Program is to provide funding to assist with projects that will enhance ones writing and assist individuals with furthering their desire to write, perform, or publish. Deadline July 31, 2014. Grants range between $500 and $2,500.

 
BERKELEY FILM FOUNDATION GRANT PROGRAM
http://berkeleyfilmfoundation.org/appsgeneral.html

The BFF fund will support Bay Area, California emerging and established independent filmmakers whose work combines intellectual clarity with creative use of the medium. BFF awards grants in the production, post-production and distribution stages. In 2014, they will be focusing primarily on post-production and distribution categories. The maximum grant request is $12,000. Deadline: May 30, 2014.

 
EQUAL VOICE JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.journalismcenter.org/article/equal-voice-journalism-fellowships-and-scholarship
The fellowship, funded by the Marguerite Casey Foundation, helps emerging and professionals journalists report on poverty issues faced by many communities in the United States. The judges  award a $4,000 reporting allowance plus as much as $1,000 in travel compensation. Deadline May 31, 2014.

FREELANCE MARKETS

FREELANCE WRITERS FOR LIFESTYLE AND LEISURE WEBSITE
http://www.indeed.com/job/Freelance-Writer-Lifestyle-Leisure-Website-at-TNB-Interactive-in-Brooklyn,-NY-01cc017818b5e829
We're a Brooklyn-based lifestyle startup looking to hire a few freelance writers to blog about planning celebrations, entertaining at home, the best recipes for parties, making the perfect cocktail and/or how-to tips for those aspiring to be the next B. Smith or Martha Stewart. We pay $150 per blog post (500-word minimum for each post). Writers are paid on a monthly basis for stories assigned and posted on our site. This is not a full-time position.

 
AARP
http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/info-05-2010/writers-guidelines-aarp-magazine.html
People 50+ live their most fulfilling lives. Story idea letters for specific features and departments should be one page in length and accompanied by recent writing samples. Features and departments cover the following categories:

 
AVENUE MAGAZINE
http://www.avenueedmonton.com/contributors-guidelines
Avenue is a full-spectrum city and lifestyle magazine that takes an insightful look at how our community is evolving, keeps abreast of key movers and shakers and offers survival- guide advice to living here well. The magazine is a provocative and useful read for the active, curious and sophisticated city-dweller interested in everything from the arts and home fashion, to municipal politics and scientific breakthroughs. Stories published in Avenue must have a strong relevance to our Edmonton readership, and should offer a unique perspective on the topic. Our tone is thoughtful, polished and confident. Stories run 500 to 2,000 words, with shorter pieces typically published in our health and fitness, arts or humor departments.

 
CATALYST MAGAZINE
http://www.catalystmagazine.net/writers-guidelines
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. Please note: We are primarily looking for writers to approach us with story ideas they would like to write. Our feature stories generally run 2,000-4,500 words. Smaller stories usually run between 600-1500 words. We pay $.10/word, upon publication. Some in-depth, research-heavy articles will be paid at $.12/word. We are most interested in pieces on the following topics:

 
COUNTRY MAGAZINE
http://www.country-magazine.com/contributor-guidelines/
We pay $250 for story submissions that run a page or more. Contributors published in "Mailbox" or "Little Humor" receive a gift certificate for a one-year subscription, or subscription extension, to Country Extra. Most other contributors will receive an authentic hand-forged iron dinner triangle. In our "Just For Fun" section, photos garner a dinner triangle; jokes and short items earn payment of $25. Generally, a published one-page story runs 400-500 words in length. Country magazine celebrates the breathtaking beauty, engaging people, enduring values and spiritually rewarding lifestyle of the American countryside.

JOBS

SAN FRANCISCO TRAVEL GUIDE WRITER
Location San Francisco, CA.
http://www.avalontravelbooks.com/acquisitions.php
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/wri/4470498736.html
Avalon Travel is seeking a professional writer to author the Moon Map Guide San Francisco guidebook. This is a contract position, not a full-time office job. The writer should live in or near San Francisco or must have very close ties to the city and go often. The writer must be very knowledgeable about the city's attractions, should be able to provide strategic planning advice for travelers, and should have previous experience writing about San Francisco.

 
MULTISKILLED JOURNALIST
Location Topeka, KS.
http://www.journalismnext.com/jobdetails.cfm?jid=8571
The Topeka Capital-Journal is looking for a multiskilled journalist with strong reporting, editing and pagination skills. Responsibilities would include web-first reporting shifts actively pursuing breaking news. Applicants should be comfortable with a point-and-shoot camera and able to use Twitter, Facebook, blogs and video in reporting. Applicants should have solid news judgment and accuracy under deadline pressure. The successful applicant also must be able to work copy editing and pagination shifts. Knowledge of AP style and InDesign is necessary. Send resume, clips and references to tomari.quinn@cjonline.com, or call (785) 295-1212 (785) 295-1212 with questions.

 
MANUSCRIPT EDITOR
Location Chapel Hill, NC.
http://thesunmagazine.org/about/announcements/2014/63
At least three years of editorial experience at a magazine, book publisher, or newspaper, or in an equivalent environment. Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Familiarity with the type of writing published in The Sun.

(NOTE: They also have an opening for an editorial assistant.)

PUBLISHERS / AGENTS / SELF-PUB PROFESSIONAL

THE GERNERT COMPANY
http://www.thegernertco.com/
Our client list is as broad as the market; we represent equal parts fiction (commercial and literary writers, both well-known and soon-to-be, whether writing for adults or younger readers) and nonfiction (biographers, memoirists, journalists, essayists, bloggers, and writers of trade and scholarly nonfiction in subjects ranging from sports and history to current events and science). We sell domestic, foreign, and subsidiary rights for our clients and partner with subagents in select foreign markets and in the film/TV industry.

 
HOWARD MORHAIM LITERARY AGENCY
http://morhaimliterary.com/submissions.html
Appears that Paul Lamb and Maria Ribas are the two agents accepting submissions at this time. Paul's tastes lie strongly with nonfiction in a wide variety of genres and subjects, notably business, political science, sociology, memoir, travel writing, sports, pop culture, and music. He is also interested in crime, mystery, and literary fiction. Maria's interested in cookbooks, self-help, health, diet, home, parenting, and humor, all from authors with demonstrable platforms. She's also interested in narrative nonfiction and select memoir, but she's looking for a story that is absolutely unputdownable. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and proficient in Italian and will be working with select foreign authors.

 
REES LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.reesagency.com/
We represent the following genres: literary and commercial fiction, memoirs, history, biography, business, self-help, psychology, and science.

 
INKWELL MANAGEMENT
http://inkwellmanagement.com/contact/
In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters). We currently accept submissions in all genres except screenplays. Due to the volume of queries we receive, our response time may take up to two months. In addition to its full-time agents and their assistants, the InkWell team includes a tireless foreign rights department, a dedicated social media, marketing and publicity expert, and a meticulous contracts manager. We also join forces with leading literary agencies in every foreign market and have agents based in Australia, Boston, and Dallas.

.

SPONSORS

All-inclusive writing vacation in New Hampshire

Live Free And Write

August 17-22, 2014, Dexter's Inn, Sunapee, NH

Join us in New Hampshire for a supportive writing retreat. Enjoy the refreshing New England summer with plentiful writing time, encouraging workshops, homemade meals and time to relax. Spend the week writing in either "Reimagining Memoir" with Mimi Schwartz or "Free-Writing Intensive" with Douglas Goetsch.

"I've never done an overnight writing retreat before and was amazed at how much writing happened just being away from home. The atmosphere was perfect: open, honest, sincere and so encouraging. Definitely worth the money, the drive and the time!" -- Anne, Belmont, MA

Register by July 1 and save $50: www.murphywriting.com/nh

Think Something New, Write Something New

Crack Open Your Fierce, Original Voice This Summer

Just three spots remain for this unique writing retreat on a beautiful secluded island at Stout's Lodge, one of the most extraordinary historic lodges in the country. You will be guided away from repetitive thinking in order to break new ground in your work. Stout's is nestled on a wooded island all to itself amid a symphony of lapping waves and birdsong. But it's not just stepping back in time into deep peace, or the innovate writing workshops, or the daily yoga with live music, or the guided meditation that allows you to finally breathe, relax, and create. It's the journey back to your own fierce, original voice: that is the Elephant Rock Summer Solstice Retreat. All levels and genres welcome. Tuition includes 5 nights' lodging and all vegetarian meals, daily writing and yoga sessions, nightly bonfires with live music, evening of readings, private guitar concert, Solstice Eve celebration, and more. Inquire soon. This retreat sells out.

For all retreat details, visit Elephant Rock Retreats at: http://elephantrockretreats.com/upcoming-retreats/

Contact: Jeannine Ouellette - elephantrockretreats@gmail.com or call  612-801-2566 612-801-2566

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)

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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

Fine print

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 2000-2014, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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