|
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Editor's THOUGHTS
NOTE: Girls Life Magazine appears to be slow to pay lately. Many magazines go through such times and remain live and viable. Just wanted you to know.
---
YOUR HOME BASE ONLINE
Ah, got a little push back from last week's post about how writers shouldn't post articles or try to sell books without an online presence. I love pushing those buttons.
Some thought writing was about the creativity, not necessarily about the sales. They purported the webpage as almost selling out, and that the artist need not tie himself to an online page. Others just did not feel techie enough to have a site, but they felt okay enough to submit to others.
Sorry, but you can't USE the Internet to support yourself then state you don't need it.
These days, if you use it, you best have a link to where people can learn more. Otherwise, you wasted your effort. Not having a link means you write for you and nobody else. You want the satisfaction of seeing your work in print, but you don't want to connect with the reader. I wrote an eleven minute podcast on that topic this week, entitled Face-to-Face? Or Face-to-Screen? http://www.chopeclark.com/blog
Whether you need a home base online is not up for discussion. But you have options if you are HTML/CSS phobic. Let's look at where you can find a home base online.
Blogger.com - A very simple blog platform that can be used as a simple website.
Wordpress.com - Same as Blogger with a tad more of a learning curve.
Facebook - Yes, a fan page can be your home page if you keep it professional.
Tumblr - If you're a picture fan and prefer brief comments, this is your baby.
LinkedIn - For your resume and experience. It's becoming quite interactive.
AboutMe - A one-page info sheet about you with a cool way to insert pics.
Weebly.com - Simple website, but try to avoid making it look like a 1999 template.
And here's one you probably never thought of: Pubslush.com. It's a crowdfunding program but also a homebase program if you choose to use that side of the house. It's where you can plant yourself as well as sell your books.
I once landed a $750 opportunity because I had my resume online. Someone Googled me and found I was qualified for her magazine's assignment. It happens.
Not having an online address is like not having a mailing address. When people cannot find you in this technical time and age, they assume you don't need work, don't care to work, or don't have respect for your work. Show them otherwise, and plant yourself a flag on some page online, then tell everyone where you can be found.street.
-Hope Clark
|
DEADLINE TODAY!
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
Only those who will risk going too far
can possibly find out how far one can go.
~ T. S. Eliot
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MURDER ON EDISTO
A big city detective
A Lowcountry crime
When her husband is murdered by the Russian
mob, Boston detective Callie Jean Morgan suffers a mental break and
relinquishes her badge to return home to South Carolina. She has no idea how to
proceed with her life, but her son deserves to move on with his, so she relocates
them to the family vacation home.
But the day they arrive on Edisto Beach, Callie
finds her childhood mentor and elderly neighbor murdered. Her fragile sanity is
threatened when the murderer taunts her, and the home that was to be her
sanctuary is repeatedly violated. Callie loses her fight to walk away from law
enforcement as she becomes the only person able to pursue the culprit who's turned
the coastal paradise into a paranoid patch of sand where nobody's safe. But what
will it cost her?
Purchase any of Hope's books and receive a one-year subscription to TOTAL FFW free. Send receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Success Story
Hi Hope,
When I wanted to learn more about writing markets, I signed up for your free newsletter. It gave me the courage to enter contests and pitch my work to markets. Last year, I signed up for the Full FFW Newsletter. I was thrilled to have my article published in September, in Every Child (Australia), a magazine I learned about through your newsletter. In addition, I recently had a couple of blog posts and articles published. The weekly newsletter keeps me going! Thanks so much and good luck to you with your new book. And a very happy birthday to you. May you have many more happy, healthy years of inspiring
people!
Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/kaila-weingarten/30/994/90b
NOTE:
Kaila references TOTAL FundsforWriters, our paid subscription that offers 70 markets, contests, grants, and more in each biweekly newsletter. $15 for the year, or free with the purchase of Hope's latest novel, Murder on Edisto. Just send Hope a copy of your receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com
featured article
A Runner's Guide to Writing
By Tucker Cummings
Writers, by nature, are a sedentary lot. A productive writer has to sit down for long stretches if they want to make any progress on a project. But as someone who writes for a living and enjoys long-distance running, I have some advice: get off your duff and go for a jog.
Even though it may cut into your writing time, picking up a running habit can help you become a more motivated, disciplined, and well-paid writer. By internalizing certain tips that make you a better runner, you are also internalizing habits that can improve your discipline when it comes to writing on a regular schedule.
Here's my advice for running and writing:
1. Just thinking about it doesn't get you anywhere. With both running and writing, you have to actually do the work, and not just think "Boy, I should really do some work today." In both running and writing, it's easier to keep up your pace and good habits when you've got plenty of momentum. If you need a little help getting started, Fitness Magazine's Running 101 guide is a great place for beginning runners to get their bearings.
2. Consistent work is required to make progress. You are never going to beat any personal bests when it comes to running speed unless you run on a regular basis. Likewise, you aren't going to finish that novel without putting in regular effort. If you go too long between sessions, it'll almost feel like you have to start from scratch.
3. It doesn't have to be a solo pursuit. Some athletes prefer to run alone, but others prefer to run with a group. Likewise, while writing does require some degree of isolation, you can find the support you need to keep you motivated through social connections. Try doing a work-in-progress readings at your local bookstore, or workshopping your piece with a local writer's group.
4. You'll hurt yourself if you go at it too hard. Run too long or too hard, and you'll risk an injury. Carpal tunnel jokes aside, this applies to writers as well, who can burn themselves out when working under a tight deadline. Even marathon runners take a break the day after a race: If you can bang out 40 pages in one day, that's awesome, but give your brain (and your fingers) some time to recuperate afterwards.
5. Do it, rain or shine. Once you have a streak going, you won't want to break it. A little rain shouldn't stop you from running, and it will even make you feel happy on a dreary day. Likewise, forcing yourself to write a page or two on a day when you mental weather is a bit gloomy is a great way to feel like you're in control of your future as a writer.
Once you've developed discipline, it's almost like the work does itself. I'll always remember the day I went out on a casual jog, looked down at my phone, and saw I'd run a 10k without even trying to. Likewise, with disciplined writing habits inspired by the runner's rules for success, you might look down at your laptop one day and see you've written the better part of a novel without even realizing it.
Picked up a running habit? Write about your experiences for one of these fitness magazines:
Bio: Tucker Cummings is a prize-winning writer based in New England. She has written for Yahoo!, Heavy.com, Living Social, Hilobrow.com, and a number of Fortune 500 clients. Her creative work includes a contribution to The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities, edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer, as well as a short story in Future Lovecraft. Her short story collection Tiny Bites is available through iTunes or Smashwords.
competitions
VINE LEAVES VIGNETTE COLLECTION AWARD
http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/contests.html
$25 ENTRY FEE.
The Vine Leaves Vignette Collection Award includes a cash prize of $500, publication by Vine Leaves Press (paperback and eBook), 20 copies of the paperback, worldwide distribution, and promotion through Vine Leaves Literary Journal and staff websites. Author will receive a 70 percent net royalty on all eBook and print sales. Submit a 50 to 60 page manuscript (poetry: 60 poems max; prose: approx 800 words maximum per piece, 20,000 words max in total; each vignette must begin on a new page. Collections may be a mixture of both poetry and prose). Deadline February 28, 2015.
MUSEUM OF WORDS FLASH FICTION CONTEST
http://www.museodelapalabra.com/en/short-tales-contest/4-edition
NO ENTRY FEE.
The Cesar Egido Serrano Foundation's fourth Museum of Words international flash fiction contest is now accepting entries. The competition is for very short fiction pieces of up to a maximum of 100 words. The winner will receive a prize of $20,000, with three runners-up each receiving $2,000. This contest is open to writers from all countries and entries are accepted in four languages: English, Spanish, Arabic and Hebrew. The slogan for the 2014 contest is Mandela: Words and Concord but there are no subject or genre restrictions. All stories entered must be original and unpublished. With such a generous prize on offer, the contest is extremely competitive. The last Museum of Words contest attracted 22,571 entries from writers in 119 countries. Deadline November 23, 2014.
HOWARD NEMEROV SONNET AWARD
http://theformalist.evansville.edu/contest.html
$3 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline November 15, 2014. Sonnets must be original and unpublished. No translations. Writers may enter up to twelve sonnets. Sonnet sequences are acceptable, but each sonnet will be considered individually. $1,000 to best sonnet.
RHINO FOUNDERS PRIZE
http://rhinopoetry.org/contests/founders-prize/
$10 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline October 31, 2014. The winner will receive $300, publication in the next issue, will be featured on our website, and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Two runners up will receive $50, publication in the next issue, and will be featured on our website. We occasionally nominate a runner-up for a Pushcart Prize. All contest submissions are considered for publication. Send up to five unpublished poems (no more than 5 pages total).
GREAT PLAINS WRITERS' CONFERENCE PRIZE
http://greatplainswritersconference.wordpress.com/awards/great-plains-emerging-writer-prize-submissions/
$15 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline December 1, 2014. Given annually to a writer of the Great Plains region who has not yet published a book, but whose work and career shows exceptional promise. The winner will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a featured reading at the conference in Brookings, SD in March, 2015, as well as land travel and lodging. All genres open; include a maximum of 15 pages of poetry or hybrid-genre work, or a maximum of 20 pages of fiction, nonfiction, drama, or screenplay.
GRANTS
THURBER HOUSE CHILDREN'S BOOK RESIDENCY
The Thurber House Residency in Children's Literature offers one talented author a year to a month-long retreat in the furnished third-floor apartment of Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio. Besides having time to focus on his/her own writing project, the resident spends up to ten hours per week teaching children the joys of writing in both a community-based agency and as part of the Thurber House Summer Writing Camp for children. Deadline October 31, 2014. After interviewing select candidates, a decision will be announced by early January 2015.
ARTHUB
http://www.kingmanarthub.com
ArtHub is a new organization that provides visual and literary artists a chance to concentrate on their creative efforts by offering free space to live and work. Renovations are underway in a two-story building in downtown Kingman, AZ. Planned completion of the project is in December 2014. The residency program will begin in January 2015. Deadline November 15, 2014.
AZULE
http://www.AZULE.org
AZULE is an emerging art and community-based organization, offering a retreat and residency program for artists and craftsmen, writers, architects, builders and environmentalists, academics, educators, social workers or researchers, any innovative group or individual, or anyone who wishes to discover Appalachia and AZULE's ways of life. AZULE is situated in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. Hot Springs is seven miles away; Asheville is 50 miles away.
ART OMI
http://www.artomi.org
Omi International Arts Center hosts international visual artists, writers, musicians and dancers on 300 acres in the Hudson Valley region of New York, amidst a 10-acre contemporary sculpture park, The Fields Sculpture Park. Deadline November 30, 2014.
GRIN CITY COLLECTIVE
http://www.grincitycollective.org
From April - October, Grin City's residency program welcomes writers, visual and performance artists for stays of 3-6 weeks. Residents are provided housing and individual workspace. Up to eight people can be a part of Grin City Collective at any point in time. Residents during the Spring, Fall and Summer Residencies pay between $100-$200 per week of stay and are responsible for their own meals. Residents in the Emerging Artist Residency have no fees and receive a food and supply subsidy. Location Grinnell, IA. Deadline November 30, 2014.
FREELANCE MARKETS
CHICKEN SOUP: INSPIRATION FOR NURSES
http://www.chickensoup.com
We are looking for true stories that will inspire, support, motivate and nurture those in the nursing profession. These true stories, of no more than 1,200 words, can be serious or humorous. They should be heartwarming and uplifting stories that will make our readers laugh, cry, sigh or just say, "Wow." 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, worth more than $100. 1,200 words. Deadline November 30, 2014.
FIRESIDE
http://www.firesidefiction.com/submissions/
Fireside publishes original, previously unpublished flash fiction of up to 1,000 words and short stories of 1,500 to 4,000 words. (Firm limit.) We pay 12.5 cents per word, with payment on completion of edits. We buy first world publication rights and six-month exclusivity, as well as the right to reprint the story once, non-exclusively, in a Fireside anthology.
ALASKA QUARTERLY REVIEW
http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/aqr/guidelines.cfm
Alaska Quarterly Review is a literary journal devoted to contemporary literary art, publishing fiction, short plays, poetry, photo essays, and literary non-fiction in traditional and experimental styles. The editors encourage new and emerging writers, while continuing to publish award winning and established writers. The editors invite submissions of fiction, short plays, poetry, photo essays, and literary nonfiction in traditional and experimental styles. Pays up to $200 for prose; up to $50 for poetry.
THE CHANGE AGENT
http://changeagent.nelrc.org/
The Change Agent (est. 1994), a semiannual print tabloid for adult teachers who are advocates of social change, is now open for submissions for its next issue. The theme for this issue is called Prisons and Justice?â This issue will feature reflective and personal stories about mass imprisonment in the U.S. and the effects on our society. Pays $50 for 200 to 1,000 words. Our mission is to provide a low-cost teaching resource that features writings by adult learners and inspires adult educators and learners to make civic participation and social justice part of their teaching and learning.
DRAFT MAGAZINE
http://draftmag.com/new/submissions/
Though many pitches have merit, DRAFT can only assign and publish the most tightly focused, error-free queries that meet our needs and guidelines. Pitches need not be beer-centric, but those that are should focus on beer/brewery news, trends and ideas, rather than the technical aspects of brewing and/or profiles. Aside from beer, we happily accept pitches on topics ranging from food, sports (both professional and leisure), travel, and many other topics. Whatever the focus, it must appeal to DRAFT's audience, and should cover a new idea or story, or provide a unique angle on a topic that's already received media attention. The scope of your query should be national. Pays up to 80 cents/word.
JOBS
FREELANCE COPYWRITERS
Location Virtual
http://jobs.problogger.net/view/8701
You MUST be able to follow very specific directives. These projects are big and come with lots of directives, like how long to make meta descriptions, keywords and HTML coding. English must be your first language. Grammar and punctuation is vitally important. You must be able to copy edit on a tight deadline.
publishers/agents
ATAVIST BOOKS
https://www.atavist.com/atavistbooks/
Atavist Books is in partnership with Atavist, a media and software company that publishes award-winning long-form nonfiction.
PULP - IMPRINT OF ZEST BOOKS
http://zestbooks.net/pulp/
Adulthood in the 21st century begins early and ends late. And Zest Books' new Pulp imprint celebrates those "new adult" years with equally open-ended books â" full of messy lives, valuable mistakes, and profound punchlines. We'll follow our authors and artists wherever their creativity may take them (surprises welcome) and publish books that have an identity all their own. Because while facts may have a reputation for being dry, we're firm believers in juicy nonfiction.
ZEST BOOKS
http://zestbooks.net/zest-books/
Zest Books is an award-winning leader in young adult nonfiction, publishing smart and edgy books on entertainment, history, science, health, humor, and practical life advice since 2006. We publish books that get to the reality of young adult life, rather than the glossy dream world that often dominates pop culture. Additionally, our "True Stories" books and graphic memoirs offer unique insights into the many different ways that we now come of age.
SIMON 451
http://simon451.com/about/
Simon451 is a new imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., dedicated to publishing speculative fiction across categories such as science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, apocalyptic and the supernatural. Our name pays homage to Ray Bradburys seminal science fiction novel Fahrenheit 451, which has influenced countless readers, writers and publishers, and which Simon & Schuster published in e-book for the first time in 2011. General questions or media inquiries? Please contact simon451@simonandschuster.com.
POLIS BOOKS
http://www.polisbooks.com/submissions/
Polis Books is an independent digital publishing company actively seeking new and established authors for our growing list. We are currently acquiring titles in Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Procedural, Traditional crime (i.e. 'cozies'), Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Erotica, Commercial Women's Fiction, New Adult, Young Adult, Humor/Essays.
SPONSORS
Grab Free eBook: How To Sell More Books With Awesome Amazon Descriptions
Hawk'sNest Writers Conference
October 25, 2014
8:30am - 4pm
Black Earth, WI
Cost: $50 (includes catered lunch)
Many interesting subjects plus receive a critique of 10 pages of your manuscript (any genre) plus a 10-minute session with a literary agent for an additional $40.
Further information at: www.hawksnestwriters.com
To register call Kathy at 608-278-8575
Click here to visit Book Design Templates.- Instead
of trying to decide what your books should look like, we've made all
the decisions for you. Just follow our friendly instructional guide,
pour in your text and your book will be ready to go. All your styles and
formatting needs are coded into our templates for easy use. Enthusiastically endorsed by Hope!
ALSO - Our cover templates are out!
The template actually comes with 3 different files, one each for
CreateSpace, Lightning Source/Spark, and a generic template for other
printers. We've also packaged the template with 20 fonts to make using
it even easier.
 Our Anthology, Uncertain Promise, has gone to press!
Compass Flower Press / AKA-Publishing, and Editor, Von Pittman wish to congratulate our winners:
David Collins, Fulton, MO -1st place: ($1000)
Mary Curtis, Los Gatos, CA - 2nd place: ($500)
Marlene Lee, Columbia, MO - 3rd place Tie: ($200)
Sally Whitney, Millersville, MD - 3rd place Tie: ($200)
The following writers' stories are also included in Uncertain Promise:
Wayne Anderson, Barbara Bagwell, Jan Bowman, Susan Clements, Terry Cobb, Theresa Elders, Lilli Flanders, Ida Bettis Fogle, Nidhi Khosla, Joshua Rigsby, Berta Rosenberg, C.R. Rowland, Kit Salter, Ramona Scarborough, Elaine Stewart, Kenneth Wise, William A. Wolff, Lori Younker
Those of you who would like copies of the book at the preorder discount have until Sunday, October 12 to preorder copies and save $5 off the cover price of $15. Shipping is included in the price. If you are able to attend our launch party on October 22, you will receive pre-orders then. Order here. http://akayola.com/
Thank you again, and we hope you will join us in celebrating at our party October 22, 2014 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM! The party will be held at the: Columbia Art League, 207 S. 9th Street, Columbia MO 65201
Many thanks to all our contributors and supporters!
Yolanda, Von, Dominique and the editorial team
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 CODE FFW2014 AND GET 10% OFF (NEW CLIENTS ONLY)
EXISTING CLIENTS EARN 8% REFERRAL FEE FOR SENDING IN NEW CLIENTS
A few testimonials from happy clients:
"Thank
you for the gift of your creativity, insight, and problem-solving as I
threw you question after question. The site captures my spirit and
passion, and it honors my dream since childhood. I feel blessed to have
come across you (thanks C Hope Clark!) and will recommend you to those
who are in the market for a new site." --Lyn Fairchild Hawks, author, http://lynhawks.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
A few client sites:
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 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 with 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. |
|
