FundsforWriters - September 12, 2014

Published: Fri, 09/12/14

Volume 14, Issue 36 | september 12, 2014

Message from the Editor

Winnie doesn't stay in a lap long unless you have a blanket and a treat. In my study she leaps in my lap for a quick slap series of kisses then jumps down on Roo. I can be in the midst of a chapter, and bam, she's right there, licking, then gone again.

Editor, FundsforWriters

Email Hope | Visit Website

Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326

FFW has proudly been on the Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2001

Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. Use information listed at your own risk. FundsforWriters gives no warranty to completeness, accuracy, or fitness of the markets, contests and grants although research is done to the best of our ability.

WEBSITE - http://www.chopeclark.com

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

SOUNDCLOUD - https://soundcloud.com/hopeclark

iTUNES - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/c.-hope-clark/id885577265

Read the Newsletter Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Editor's THOUGHTS

YOU SIGNED UP FOR A CONFERENCE - NOW WHAT?

You paid your conference fee and reserved your motel room. Now what? You're finally going to a writers conference, but now that you think about it, you aren't sure what to do once you get there.

First, make sure this is a conference that suits your needs. If you are unpublished and seeking agents or publishers, then don't stick to a conference that focuses on craft, and vice versa. Make sure the majority of the classes fit your goals.

Second, while you're researching this conference, dig deeper and research the teachers, agents, and so on. What about these people merits sticking them up in front of a class? If you see teachers that really haven't published much, think twice. Anybody can teach. You want teachers who have published and performed, as well.

Third, participate in at least one critique or pitch session. Unless you are green as a gourd and just dipping your toe in the water, you have a piece you've been working on. Toss it into the fray and see what feedback you get. They might rip it up, but that's okay. You show you've got guts and you walk away much more educated than you were before.

Fourth, plan your agenda. Don't wait until you get there to decide what you want to attend. They publish that schedule ahead of time for a reason. Map out your days and evenings to include the questions you want to ask and the goals you hope to achieve. Get the most of your sessions.

Fifth, meet at least one new person per session. Speak to those at your table or seated around you. There's a wealth of networking opportunity available to you at a conference, and that networking might be the biggest plus you come home with.

Sixth, plan your clothes. Sounds like a woman thing, right? Wrong. You'll be sitting for long periods of time. You might have to trek up and down stairs or from one end of the motel to the other to make classes. Look sharp but make it comfy. Throw in a scarf, the boots, or those special pieces of jewelry. Give the person you meet something to remember you by.

Seventh, plan your one-liners. If you've read The Shy Writer Reborn, you know that I'm keen on one-liners. Plan for those expected questions someone will ask like: what do you write, what's your current story about, why are you at the conference, what have you published, etc. Come prepared with succinct answers. You'll sound smart, trust me.

Seventh, pack your writing stuff to include:

=> two copies of your WIP (just in case)

=> business cards (don't say WRITER/AUTHOR on it and avoid Vistaprint templates)

=> notebook - You'll not only take notes, but you'll dabble on your WIP as these productive ideas come to you in class. I've rewritten chapters in class before as the teacher led me to a new concept.

=> name tag - They'll give you one, but consider having a permanent, professional one made. I have two: one with a magnet and one with a pin, so that they can go on anything I wear. People remember tags, and if yours is unique, they'll remember you more.

=> one-sheets - See this article on one-sheets. These are marvelous if you are pitching and speak volumes about your creativity and professionalism. http://www.fundsforwriters.com/something-to-remember-you-by/

Before the last day, take a moment to go over your notes and goals and determine what you're lacking, then approach the teacher, writer or agent while you can. Walk up and ask the question. That's why they are there, and what you paid for.You can do this, and you can do it better if you go prepared.

-Hope Clark

Mystery Writers of America University (MWA-U) is a full-day, low-cost writing seminar designed to teach participants the essential skills needed to craft a novel. The college-level courses are taught by published writers and experienced teachers. The core curriculum includes:

After the Idea - Jess Louery

Dramatic Structure & Plot - Laura DiSilverio

Setting & Description - Richie Narvaez

Character - Carolyn Haines

Writing as Re-Writing - Hallie Ephron

The Writing Life - Hank Phillippi Ryan

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Westin Peachtree Plaza, Chastain D & E, 6th Floor

210 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA

Cost: $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers

To register, go to:

http://mysterywriters.org/mwa-university/mwa-university-atlanta/

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Most people use twenty verbs to describe everything from a run in their stocking to the explosion of an atomic bomb. You know the ones: Was, did, had, made, went, looked. One-size-fits-all looks like crap on anyone. Sew yourself a custom made suit. Pick a better verb. Challenge all those verbs to really lift some weight for you.

~Janet Fitch

The Carolina Slade Mystery Series

http://www.chopeclark.com/

On Palmetto Poison. 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

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 joined Funds For Writers in the fall of last year and shortly thereafter, paid for a to Total Funds for Writers subscription once I saw how helpful it could be. And it paid off. I had tried for a year and a half previously to attract an agent and made a couple hundred inquiries with no success. What is really great is that you list publishers and agents who will look at unpublished authors' work. I started to query some of the publishers you had listed but gave up on the agents. One publisher I queried responded with a request to see the whole manuscript and I emailed it off immediately. We worked out the details and they published my book on September 1, 2014. It is available on Amazon as an e-book only. I don't know where you track down all the leads, but I sincerely appreciate your good work. Without it, I may never have found my publisher.

Thanks,

Matt Lenz
Author of Defenseless
Published by Not So Noble Books

featured article

Making Print Pretty with Microsoft Word

By Chris Eboch

Print on Demand makes publishing print books easy, but to look professional, formatting is key. Here are general tips for a polished layout using Microsoft Word. Check your Help menu for specifics on your version of Word.

Start setting up as you write:

=> Use the indent setting rather than tabs or hitting the space bar several times. This allows you to adjust your indentations precisely. (Use the Find and Replace option to remove tabs or extra spaces, replacing with nothing.)

=> Use section breaks rather than page breaks between chapters. More on this later.

Save a document specifically for your print version, separate from your ebook version. Set your page size to the book's trim size. 6" x 9" is common.

For margins, use Custom Margins. Select Multiple Pages and then Mirror Margins for different inside and outside margins. For CreateSpace POD, your interior margin must be at least .375" for books up to 150 pages, and .75" for books with 151 to 400 pages. Other margins must be at least .25 inches but may be larger for aesthetics. You may also need to adjust your header and footer distances to get the margins you want. I use Top Margin .7; Inside .75; Gutter 0; Bottom .3; Outside .3. Find print books that are visually appealing to you and measure their margins.

The first page is automatically a right-hand page. Make this a title page. The following pages list the publisher, ISBN, dedication, etc. Study traditional books on your shelf for ideas. Use "section break" between every page.

The first chapter should start on a right-hand page. All other chapters can start on either the left or right page in novels. Non-fiction books should have a blank page before each chapter. If you need a blank page, insert an additional section break.

Choose your font and type size. Adjust the leading, the space between lines. In Word 2007, go to the Home Tab -> Paragraph -> Line Spacing and choose Exactly and then the leading you want. 12.4 and 13.3 are common for leading, but you may want more or less depending on the font and font size. Make sure you're not cutting off hanging letters from the line above. Double check in the PDF version of your document, as it may look different from the Word version.

Use a serif font and keep fonts simple. Avoid large passages of hard-to-read italics, cursive-style fonts, etc.

Use double justified text (not ragged right). Title and other front matter may be center justified.

Format chapter headings. You may want to center these and adjust the size. Study other books for ideas, and play around to see what's possible.

Use the Insert button for any interior art.

Insert your Headers or Footers with page numbers. Use "alternating pages" to put your author name on one page and the book title on the facing page. Adjust the font and font size. Remove any extra returns forcing hidden blank lines.

Set your header with "no header on first page," to remove headers on title pages and the first page of each chapter. Avoid headers in your front and back matter. Using section breaks between every page plus "no header on first page" should remove these.

Review for widows, orphans, rivers, etc. Be sure your formatting is consistent.

Save a copy as a PDF, choosing "standard" format. Check the ISO option if it's not embedding the fonts.

Double-check that all your formatting came through, such as italics and spacing.

Now you can upload your document. CreateSpace leads you through the process. Make sure that you choose the trim size equal to your formatted document. Order a proof copy and study it for errors.

And now you're in print!

Resources

Industry standards from The Chicago Manual of Style

Proper typography marks, such as em versus en dashes

Tips for using graphics within the text

DIY Book Formats has an online tutorial for "How to Format a Book in MS Word"

CreateSpace has downloadable templates and instructions

CreateSpace's Trim Size chart lists available trim sizes

BIO:
Chris Eboch (www.chriseboch.com) is the author of over 30 books for children, including The Genie's Gift, a middle eastern fantasy; The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; and The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure. Her craft guide Advanced Plotting helps authors fine-tune their novels. Chris also writes novels of suspense and romance for adults under the name Kris Bock: www.krisbock.com

competitions

LEXI RUDNITSKY FIRST BOOK PRIZE
http://www.perseabooks.com/poetryprize.php
$25 ENTRY FEE.
Entrants must be women with American citizenship. Submitted manuscripts should be at least 40 pages. This annual competition sponsors the publication of a poetry collection by an American woman poet who has yet to publish a full-length book of poems. The winner receives an advance of $1,000.00 and publication of her collection by Persea. In addition, the winner receives the option of an all-expenses-paid residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, a renowned artists retreat housed in a fifteenth-century castle in Umbertide, Italy. Deadline October 31, 2014.

TROUBADOUR INTERNATIONAL POETRY PRIZE
http://www.coffeehousepoetry.org/prizes
£5/6/$8 ENTRY FEE.
First £5,000, second £1,000, third £500 plus 20 prizes of £25 each plus a spring 2015 coffee-house-poetry season-ticket plus a prize-winners' coffee-house poetry reading with Amy Wack and Neil Astley on December 1, 2014 for all prize-winning poets. Deadline October 20, 2014. Poems must be in English, must each be no longer than 45 lines.

SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARDS
http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/1/apply
NO ENTRY FEE.
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Three awards each consisting of $5000 and a framed plaque, will be given annually in each of the following categories: birth through grade school (age 0-10), middle school (age 11-13) and teens (age 13-18). Deadline December 1, 2014. May be fiction, biography, or other form of nonfiction. Must portray the emotional, mental, or physical disability as part of a full life, not as something to be pitied or overcome.

SISKIYOU PRIZE FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE
http://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/submissions.html
$25 ENTRY FEE.
The contest is open to unpublished, full-length prose manuscripts, including novels, memoirs, short story collections, and essay collections. "New environmental literature" refers to literary works that focus on the environment, animal protection, ecology, and wildlife. We're looking for work that redefines our notions of environmentalism and sustainability, particularly when it comes to animal protection. The winner will receive $1,000 and book publication. Deadline September 30, 2014.

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN BOOK AWARD
http://www.northerncoloradowriters.com/upcoming-events-mainmenu-133/writing-contests/374-
top-of-mountain-book-award
$25 ENTRY FEE.
Two categories - fiction and creative/narrative nonfiction. Open September 15, 2014 to February 1, 2015. Finalists will be announced and notified on or around March 1, 2015 and the winners will be announced in March 27, 2015 during dinner at the NCW 10th Anniversary Writers Conference. Attendance at the conference is not required. First Place: Framed certificate and $1,000 in each category. Finalists: Certificate. The contest is open to unpublished novel-length fiction of any genre. (MS does not need to be completed, but estimated word count for the finished novel should be 65,000 words or more.) Authors may be previously published, as long as the submission is an unpublished work (self-published counts as published).

GRANTS

WRITERS OMI AT LEDIG HOUSE
http://www.artomi.org/program.php?Writers-OMI-4
Deadline October 20, 2014. Omi International Arts Center is located two and a half hours north of New York City in the historic Hudson River Valley. Guests may select a residency of one week to two months; about ten at a time gather to live and work in a rural setting overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Ledig House provides all meals, and each night a local chef prepares dinner. Daytime is reserved for writing and quiet activities, while evenings are more communal.

NEBRASKA FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.nebraskaartscouncil.org/artists/individual_artist_fellowships
The Nebraska Arts Council announces the call for entries for the 2015 Individual Artist Fellowship (IAF) award program in Literature (Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry). The NAC IAF Fellowship awards, determined via a competitive program, are provided to resident Nebraska writers from throughout the state in the form of cash awards and public honor. Awards available include: Distinguished Achievement awards of $5,000, as well as $2,000 and $1,000 Merit awards. Deadline November 17, 2014.

THE JACK STRAW ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
http://www.jackstraw.org/programs/asp/2015/2015_apps.shtml
Offer established and emerging artists in diverse disciplines an opportunity to explore the creative use of sound in a professional atmosphere through residencies in our recording studios and participation in our various presentation programs. Artists may apply to only one program per year. Deadline Friday, October 31, 2014. Must be postmarked or delivered by 5:00 pm on the due date.

NEW HAMPSHIRE CRITIQUE PARTNER MATCH
http://nhwritersproject.org/content/register-now-nhwps-critique-partner-match-autumn-2014
NHWP matches writers seeking critique partners. You can apply to be paired with a fellow writer for peer editing, critique, and commentary. Once matched, we encourage you and your partner to meet regularly (a minimum of four times over the course of the four month cycle) in order to share and give comment on your current projects. That's it! Participate to meet a fellow writer, engage creatively, and receive some useful feedback on your writing!

SUSTAINABLE ARTS FOUNDATION - SPRING GRANTS
http://www.sustainableartsfoundation.org/awards
The foundation will award $6,000 and $2,000 grants. Typically offers five of each award in each application round. To be eligible, the applicant must have at least one child under the age of 18. The foundation offers awards in two major categories: visual arts and writing. We encourage writers working in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and poetry to apply. Deadline February 28, 2015.

FREELANCE MARKETS

CURE
http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/page.show/id/40
Our magazine brings the latest cancer updates, research and education to patients, caregivers and health care providers. We accept queries, but no unsolicited manuscripts. Please include enough detail in queries to demonstrate that you have resources for the science behind every story. Send all queries to editor@curetoday.com. Pay is approximately $1/word with a 50 percent kill fee for the magazine and $0.50/word for web-exclusive content.

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/about/authors/
Diabetes Self-Management magazine is written for the growing number of people with diabetes who want to know more about controlling and managing their diabetes. Our readers need up-to-date and authoritative information on nutrition, pharmacology, exercise, medical advances, self-help, and a host of other how-to subjects. We address the day-to-day and long-term concerns of our readers in a positive and upbeat manner and enable them to make informed choices about managing their diabetes. Most articles range between 2,000 and 3,000 words.

FIT PREGNANCY
http://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/frequently-asked-questions
FIT PREGNANCY is a bimonthly magazine covering health, nutrition, exercise, psychology, food, fashion and beauty issues related to pregnancy. It also includes editorial for parents of babies up to 2 years of age. Queries should be specific. Read the magazine and be clear whether you are presenting an idea for a feature or a specific column. Features (1,000 - 1,800 words) cover broad, timely topics. Columns (550 - 1,000 words).

IDEA FITNESS
http://www.ideafit.com/publications/author-guidelines
IDEA is known for publishing articles that meet the needs of the fitness professional on multiple levels. We are particularly adept at balancing theory with practical application. Our readership includes personal trainers, fitness facility staff, fitness instructors, program directors, business owners and managers, and other health and wellness professionals. Each issue of IDEA Fitness Journal includes feature articles, which are approximately 3,000-3,500 words in length and cover industry issues and research reviews.

MASSAGE MAGAZINE
http://www.massagemag.com/directory/
Massage Magazine is an internationally circulated trade publication for massage therapists and allied health professionals. Payment for articles ranges from $50 to $400, depending on the subject matter, category, length and quality of writing.

JOBS

DISNEY CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT SHOW WRITER INTERNSHIP
Location Kissimmee, FL
https://www.velvetjobs.com/sh/featuredjob/media/guest/51078
Write drafts, creative treatments, pitches, scripts, and other show related materials as you learn under the guidance of the show writer or director.

publishers/agents

FIG TREE BOOKS
http://figtreebooks.net/contact/?contact_area=For+a+Manuscript+Submission
Fig Tree Books sources, publishes and promotes high quality, commercially viable novels that chronicle and enlighten the unique American Jewish Experience (AJE). We do this in three ways: (1) by selecting new voices that have not had the opportunity to publish fiction previously in this genre; (2) by working with authors who have previously published novels, novellas and/or short stories; and (3) by re-publishing works that have been out of print or never been available as an e-book.

CURIOSITY QUILLS PRESS
https://curiosityquills.com/submission-guidelines/
Curiosity Quills Press is a publisher of hard-hitting dark sci-fi, speculative fiction, and paranormal works aimed at adults, young adults, and new adults. We provide our authors with a full-service publishing experience, marketing support, and technical know-how, while ensuring that these literary marauders are truly the cream of the crop through a highly selective acquisition process.

LOIACONO LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/
Jeanie Loiacono has over 70 authors. Her forte is mystery, romance, thrillers, historical/military/southern fiction, and all quality fiction/nonfiction. Her passion is to see her clients succeed.

ANGEL CITY PRESS
http://www.angelcitypress.com/pages/submission-guidelines
Interested in proposals for books with a strong historical/nostalgic angle, salable in both the general book and specialty/gift markets and preferably aimed at two niche markets at once. Book should be at least 60 percent photographic.

ATLANTIC PUBLISHING
http://www.atlantic-pub.com./contact.htm
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. has provided award winning publishing services to authors for 32 years. Publishing your book with Atlantic Publishing is the perfect choice for the non-fiction author looking for a complete, high quality, and personal publishing program that puts you in partnership and expertise of award winning publishing professionals.