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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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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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CROWDFUNDING
Welcome to the second week of Indie Month with FundsforWriters.
In case you hadn't noticed, crowdfunding is a remarkable tool for indie authors. For several reasons, the autonomous nature of indie publishing and the empowering freedom of crowdfunding go hand in hand.
1) Platform
If people respect your project posted on a crowdfunding site, they stick around to see you complete the job. And they become the strongest word-of-mouth people in your tribe.
2) Start-Up Money
The money gathered enables you to hire your editor, pay a graphic designer, create a promotional buzz plan, or even purchase books.
I'm a huge fan of crowdfunding. You are in charge, and if that doesn't strike a chord with an indie author, nothing will. There are all types of crowdfunding sites out there, to include Kickstarter.com, Indiegogo.com, RocketHub.com, Peerbackers.com, Microventures.com, and Unbound.co.uk.
One of the newest and freshest, however, is Pubslush.com, designed specifically for writing projects. They take crowdfunding to another level, incorporating platform building. After participating in a panel in Charleston, SC with Pubslush's vice president, Amanda Barbara, I was excited at its potential power in an author's dream to publish.
In my opinion, crowdfunding gives you more options than a grant. You hold the key to your project's success in crowdfunding, whereas you compete with so many others for a grant, often for much less money than you could acquire with a site like Pubslush.com or Kickstarter.com. At least study the active projects on these sites. Not only can you glean ideas for your own project, but you'll learn how to become a serious entrepreneur, steering your own publication.
~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 12-13 - Mon/Tues - Muse Pub Authors listgroup chat on Yahoo
May 20 - Tues, 2:30 PM - Newberry, SC Literary Social Club, Newberry Library
May 21 - Wed, 6:30 PM - SC Writers Workshop, Library, West Columbia, SC
May 31 - Sat, 1-2:30 PM - Books on Broad, Signing, Camden, SC
WORDS OF SUCCESS
"It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say; they're going to write."
~ Sinclair Lewis
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.
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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 CompetitionClark's intensely lush and conversational writing will keep you...turning the pages faster than you can read them. ~Dish MagazineAutographed copies available: see www.chopeclark.com |
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Success Story
Dear Hope,
In 2011, I wrote an essay and entered your contest on "Diligence." I was thrilled when I placed second in one of the categories. I recently rewrote the piece, removing the slant toward writers, and submitted it to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Sweet Home, noting that the original piece had been published on your website with the other contest winners. "Shut Up and Chip" will be included in that anthology when it's released in late May. It's an essay I doubt that I'd have ever written were it not for the prompt from your contest. I've sold several stories, thanks to leads in your newsletter (the best $15 I've ever spent). Thanks so much for continuing to alert us to paying writing markets.
Sincerely, from one Hope to another,
Hope Sunderland
featured article
Serious About Success: Becoming A Business Savvy Author
By Justine Schofield
Self-publishing continues to gain traction and popularity as more and more established and aspiring authors choose to forge their own path in the publishing industry. At the same time, new technologies are making it seem almost effortless to upload a book and showcase it to the world--or, at least to whoever might find it on Amazon. The evolving publishing landscape has created an industry in which authors are much more likely to publish before they're ready.
If an author is serious about being successful, one of the biggest mistakes they can make is entering the book market with no plan or platform. Simply writing and uploading a book to Amazon isn't enough to make a splash in the current book market, which is why it's important for authors to develop a marketing plan that begins before publication.
Crowdfunding is quickly becoming one of the steps authors choose to take in the pre-publication phase of their marketing efforts. People are able to raise funds for a creative project or business venture by collecting many small financial pledges from a large group of people. Conducting a crowdfunding campaign fits seamlessly into the publishing process as a way for authors to not only have the funds to publish or market their books, but also to collect pre-orders, drive traffic to their book and receive reader data.
Campaign creators are able to devise reward tiers that aim to incentivize their audience to pledge financial support to their project. Rewards should be cost-effective for the campaign creator, but also provide value to the supporter. This means that every supporter receives something in exchange for their financial pledge, so authors shouldn't be weary that they're asking people for money.
Through the reward-based model, authors are able to offer their book as a reward, which essentially allows them to collect pre-orders through their crowdfunding campaign. This presents not only a way for authors to gauge their audience, but also get a head start on book sales and encouraging reader reviews.
Conducting a crowdfunding campaign also provides authors with a tangible way to market their book before publication. It can be difficult to promote a product that doesn't yet exist, but a crowdfunding campaign serves as a landing page for readers to learn more about the author and their upcoming book. Even if an author doesn't need funding, there is a great promotional opportunity that comes along with conducting a crowdfunding campaign.
Lastly, this tool can help to forge a direct connection between authors and their readers. Authors don't have access to their readers through marketplaces such as Amazon and traditional bookstores, but through a crowdfunding campaign, authors are able to engage with their supporters and can also receive data on who their supporters are and where they came from. Engagement is key to building a readership community and market analytics from campaign supporters will help authors focus future marketing efforts.
Being an author is no longer about writing and publishing. Authors need to be business-minded and cultivate their writing into a platform. Being familiar with industry and market trends and also knowing what tools are available to help them engage with their audience are the keys to success. Crowdfunding may only be one step in the publishing process, but it's quickly becoming one that shouldn't be overlooked.
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BIO: Justine Schofield is the development director of Pubslush, a global crowdfunding platform only for books. Authors can raise funds and gauge initial market viability for their book projects. A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, she is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Lesley University. Justine has become a prominent voice in the publishing industry and an advocate for educating authors and publishers about crowdfunding. She has contributed to IBPA's Independent magazine, Self-Publishers Monthly, Book Marketing Magazine, Business Banter and many more online publications. She has spoken on panel discussions about crowdfunding for authors and continues to foster the growth and development of crowdfunding within the publishing process. She tweets for @pubslush. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
competitions
WRITERS VILLAGE SUMMER CONTEST
http://www.writers-village.org
$24 ENTRY FEE. $4,800 is the top prize on offer for short fiction in the Writers' Village International Short Fiction Award summer 2014. Second prize $800, third prize $400 and 15 runner up prizes of $80. The top 50 contestants also gain a free critique of their stories, win or lose. Judges include Larry Block, a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America, and Jill Dawson, Orange and Whitbread-shortlisted author of eight novels. Winners will be awarded the title 'Winner, the Writers' Village International Short Fiction Award summer 2014' and see their work showcased online. Any genre of prose fiction may be submitted up to 3,000 words, except playscripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed world-wide. Deadline June 30, 2014.
ENTRY FEE £2 PER POEM.For unpublished poems up to 40 lines or fewer on any subject, theme or form. £750 plus five runner up prizes of pamphlet collections. Deadline May 30, 2014.
MSLEXIA WOMEN'S POETRY COMPETITION
https://mslexia.co.uk/whatson/msbusiness/pcomp_active.php
ENTRY FEE £7 FOR UP TO THREE POEMS.For previously unpublished poems of any length and in any style. First prize £2,000 plus two optional extras: a week's writing retreat Cove Park and a mentoring session with the Editor of premier magazine Poetry Review. Second prize: £400. 3rd prize: £200. Seventeen other finalists will win £25 each. £1,000 For best poem by a previously unpublished woman poet. All winning poems will be published in Mslexia magazine. Deadline June 16, 2014.
MSLEXIA WOMEN'S PAMPHLET COMPETITION ENTRY FEE £20. This competition is for short collections of 20-24 pages of 18-20 poems. You must be a woman poet who does not have full-length collection published. First prize publication by Seren Books in 2015, plus £250, 25 complimentary copies of the pamphlet and a 10 percent royalty on sales. One or more poems from the pamphlet will be published in Mslexia magazine.
LOREEN ARBUS DISABILITY AWARENESS COMPETITION
http://www.nywift.org
This is a film completion grant of $7,500 to a woman filmmaker for a film on physical or developmental disability issues. Director and producers are eligible to apply. Films may be of any length or genre, and must be works-in-progress that have completed principle photography. Filmmakers must be U.S.-based. Receipt deadline June 6, 2014.
GRANTS / CROWDFUNDING
BERNHEIM WRITING RESIDENCY
http://www.sarabandebooks.org/bernheimresidency
Deadline: May 31, 2014. Participants in the summer residency spend two to six weeks at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, an idyllic 14,000-acre nature preserve near Louisville, Kentucky. Each resident lives in a private, fully-equipped cottage on the grounds and enjoys access to Bernheim's extensive forest, gardens and arboretum. Residents offer two public readings or discussions during their tenure and may devote the rest of their time to writing in a pristine, natural setting.
MINNESOTA STATE ARTS BOARD ARTIST INITIATIVE GRANTS
Supports and assists artists at various stages in their careers with grants of $2,000-$10,000 to encourage creative development and career building opportunities. Open to artists in all disciplines who reside in Minnesota. Deadline: June 13, 2014 (literary arts), July 11, 2014 (performance arts), August 1, 2014 (visual and media arts).
NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM AND TV IN-KIND PRODUCTION GRANTS Grants of in-kind post production services to films directed and produced by New York area-based women filmmakers. Grants for an on-line session and/or a sound mix will be awarded to help complete a work-in-progress. Films may be up to one hour long in any genre, and must have completed principle photography and be at a rough cut or fine cut stage to be eligible. Deadline June 9, 2014
ERNEST HEMINGWAY WRITER-IN-RESIDENCY
http://www.ehfop.org/
A free one-year residency at the historic Queen Anne house in Oak Park, IL where Hemingway was born and the place where the author wrote many of his epic works. Deadline June 1, 2014.
UNBOUND
http://www.unbound.co.uk
The Unbound model is very straightforward: The author pitches an idea and if enough readers support it, the book goes ahead. Unbound is both a funding platform and a publisher, fulfilling all the normal publishing functions but also splitting a book's net profit 50/50 with the author.
FREELANCE MARKETS
HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE
http://homeedmag.com/about.php
Home Education Magazine provides focused and extensive coverage of homeschooling and the issues of importance and concern to homeschooling families, advocates, and supporters. HEM has also been turned to as a source of information about homeschooling by legislators, educators, researchers, and the media. Pays up to $150.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NURSING
http://www.editorialmanager.com/ajn
Reflections is for previously unpublished, personal essays exploring any aspect of nursing, health, or health care. While most are insightful first-person accounts of memorable nursing experiences, we don't restrict the form or content. Authors may be nurses, patients, family members, or creative writers-and may write on any topic that enhances our understanding of nursing or health care. Our stories enlighten us, help us grow, and move us forward in our profession. Reflections offers you a chance to share your story. Pays: $150 for essays that run 800-850 words. See website and download the "Reflections" document for author guidelines. Magazine also runs an Art of Nursing section, for which they consider poetry and very short 'flash' fiction that focuses in some way on nursing, health, or health care. Pays $150 honorarium. See website and download the "Art of Nursing" document for author guidelines.
RURALITE
http://www.ruralite.org/learn-more/writers-guidelines/
Ruralite magazine is a monthly family-oriented, general-interest publication used by 47 rural electric cooperatives and PUDs in seven Western states to communicate with their members. Payment ranges from $50 for a short, 100- to 200-word feature to $500 for a major, well-illustrated article.
MISSISSIPPI MAGAZINE
http://www.mismag.com/pdf/mismag_writers_guidelines.pdf
Mississippi Magazine is a bimonthly publication that celebrates the positive points of the state--from interesting people and places to homes, gardens, food, history, and culture. The editors buy first publication rights and pay on publication. Word length: up to 1200 words/article. Pays up to $350/article.
ESCAPEES MAGAZINE
http://www.escapees.com/magazine/Docs/WritersGuidelines.pdf
The editors welcome articles on all stages of RV life, especially relevant mechanical/technical information. Maximum story length is 1,500 words. Payment: $150/article.
JOBS
WRITER-EDITOR
Location Riverdale, MD
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/369120600
Particularly interested in recent college graduates. Two vacancies in Riverdale, MD working for the US Department of Agriculture. Deadline May 14, 2014. Pays $42K to $55K. The program duration is one year and upon successful completion of program requirements, the incumbent may be converted to a term, career, or career conditional position.
COPY EDITOR (FOOD TOPICS)
Location New York, NY
http://ed2010.com/whisper-jobs/thedailymeal-com-copy-editor/
We are seeking a food- and grammar-obsessed editor who can head our copy desk. The Copy Editor will work alongside the editorial team to proofread and perform basic fact checking of all content including but not limited to recipes, slideshows, articles, and restaurant reviews.
PUBLISHERS / AGENTS / SELF-PUB PROFESSIONAL
WITNESS IMPULSE PRESS
http://wmmorrow.hc.com/witnessimpulse/welcomenote
Here are some clues to what we're looking for:
Police procedurals
Atmospheric thrillers
Mystery series
Psychological suspense
Historicals
Murder, mayhem, and the macabre
Cool Springs Press is the leading publisher of step-by-step how-to books for both DIY gardening and home improvement. Our state and local gardening books are tailored to specific regional environments across the United States, while our renowned series of foolproof home improvement books have long been trusted on both the bookshelf and the job site.
QUARRY BOOKS
http://www.quarrybooks.com/
Quarry Books provides high-end, beautifully designed, visual inspiration and reference books on art, crafts, food, pet care, and lifestyle topics for aspiring artists, artisan hobbyists, food enthusiasts, DIYers, and makers.
Voyageur Press publishes high-quality books and calendars that illuminate, inform, and instruct on the appreciation and preservation of American heritage and culture--authentic American life, including pop culture, music, film, sports, cooking, lifestyle, and regional topics.
RACE POINT PUBLISHING
http://www.racepointpub.com/
Race Point Publishing is dedicated to publishing high quality illustrated books in a variety of subjects ranging from Art, Cooking and Craft to Entertainment, Performing Arts and Pop-Culture as well as History, Transportation and Travel. As a general interest publisher of illustrated books we strive to balance both form and function to deliver authoritative content in a beautiful package that will delight and inspire the consumer.
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SPONSORS
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The Book Don helps you bring out your perfect book, whether that means content editing, line editing, proofreading, brainstorming, or simply providing feedback and encouragement.
The Book Don works with authors on all types of books or shorter works, including literary fiction, academic work, memoirs, nonfiction, essays, and journalism. Other services include query letters, book proposals, grant proposals, agent database searches, research assistance, and copy for websites and other promotional materials.
Learn more at YourBookDon.com. Contact the Book Don here. Mention this ad to receive 10 percent off (new clients only). Then look as these kind words from past clients:
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WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Self-publishing...e-publishing...conventional publishing?
The publishing world is changing quickly. Multi-published author Cynthia MacGregor gives you all the facts and helps you compare and decide.
AVAILABLE AS A BOOK OR DVD.
ALSO AVAILABLE: 2 CDs for writers: BREAK THAT WRITER'S BLOCK and if rejection slips have got you down, MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION FOR WRITERS.
~~ Available at: www.crescentcovecreativity.com
Think Something New, Write Something New
Crack Open Your Fierce, Original Voice This Summer
Just five 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
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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
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
**Note that FundsforWriters.com places paid advertising in this newsletter, ALL ads being related to writers and the business of writing, screened by FundsforWriters to make sure the information is suitable for writers and their endeavors to improve their careers. But the mailing list is not sold to third parties. You will not receive this newsletter without your permission. It's physically impossible since recipients must opt-in, giving us permission to send the newsletter. If at any time you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, click the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of each newsletter. We want you to enjoy this newsletter at your pleasure, not be forced to read anything you do not wish to receive. The website is not advertised using unsolicited messages by Aweber, affiliates or other third parties. Direct any complaints, suggestions, and accolades to Hope Clark at hope@fundsforwriters.com. We are an anti-spam site.
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