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Editor's THOUGHTS
GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT
When convincing anyone that you are a writer (which is getting harder and harder to convince anyone of these days), how do you start?
Here's what usually turns me off, and what probably turns off others as well:
1) I just wrote this story. Would you read/review/edit/buy it?
2) I self-published my first book. Would you read/review/edit/buy it?
3) I've been working on this book for years. Would you read/review/edit/buy it?
4) My book was just published. It's only $1.99. Would you read/review/edit/buy it?
5) I wrote a children's book (or fill in the genre). Would you read/review/edit/buy it?
Okay, admittedly I am more inclined to ask a question about number 5) because the writer at least identified the genre. If they said mystery, I might ask them for the information they should have given me to start with!
What is the book about?
The story comes first, people. Not the author, not the method of publishing, not the cost, not the history of how it came to be. Remember the following sentence. Print it out. Post it on your refrigerator.
Readers don't care about the writer until they care about the writing.
With so many people forgoing traditional publishing and going indie, writers are under the impression they no longer have to pitch. With agents and publishers out of the picture, they shoot right into publishing, forgetting that they still have to convince others somehow that their work is worthy.
You still have to pitch to readers, reviewers, and anybody buying your book.
Coax me. Query me. Sell me. Show me that this book will make me happier having read it. Give me a blurb that sucks me in. Create a tagline that makes me want to turn the book over and read the blurb. Design a cover that makes me open the book. But don't go into your personal history, trials, and accolades. That's a huge turnoff.
If you want me (or anyone else) to read your story, convince me the story is a good one. It's that simple.
-Hope Clark
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Upcoming Book Signings!
Carolina Slade and Edisto Island Mysteries make great Christmas presents!
November 15 - 8-2:30 - Crooked Creek Park, Chapin, SC
November 22 - 2-4 PM - Westwood Barnes & Noble, Charleston, SC
December 6 - 2-4 PM -Indigo Barnes & Noble, Hilton Head, SC
December 13 - 2-4 PM - Barnes & Noble, Mt Pleasant, SC
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
By the way, would you convey my compliments to the purist who reads your proofs and tell him or her that I write in a sort of broken-down patois which is something like the way a Swiss waiter talks, and that when I split an infinitive, God damn it, I split it so it will remain split, and when I interrupt the velvety smoothness of my more or less literate syntax with a few sudden words of barroom vernacular, this is done with the eyes wide open and the mind relaxed and attentive. The method may not be perfect, but it is all I have.
~Raymond Chandler
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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 |
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Success Story
Dear Hope,
I write everyday and submit my short stories, essays and flash fiction on a regular basis. I want to give a big shout-out to you, Hope! Thanks for the market info provided in your FundsforWriters and TOTAL newsletters, I have some exciting writing news to share. My story, "The True Meaning of Christmas" appears in the November/December 2014 issue of Good Old Days magazine. Also, three of my stories were accepted for the following new titles in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series: The Cat Did What?, Touched by an Angel and The Power of Forgiveness.
Your inspiration, assistance and support are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Georgia Hubley
Email: geohub@aol.com
featured article
Easy How-to Articles
By Sue Carloni
Do you enjoy writing personal essays but find there aren't enough markets for your manuscripts? Don't leave them on your hard drive. Instead, use your personal experiences and turn your essays into how-to articles by offering tips and instructions for readers. You will find more markets for your manuscripts, and they will sell more easily.
When reviewing the sales I've had over the years, from the first manuscript I sold to my most recent sale, I discovered that a good portion of them were personal essay/how-to articles. In these articles, I shared anecdotes of what worked for me in certain circumstances and the insights I gained. I then gave tips on how readers could apply the knowledge to their own situations.
IDEAS
For example, one of my how-to articles described how my husband and I co-owned a water ski boat with another couple. I pointed out how well our arrangement worked and why it made sense because of the high cost of new boats. I then outlined what should be included in a written contract, such as how many weeks of vacation per year each person can use the boat and what to do if one person wants to sell his part of the co-ownership.
I also included a photo of our co-owned boat. I sold the article and photo to a water ski magazine, followed by reprint sales to three boating publications and a regional lifestyle magazine.
My most recent how-to article shared how meaningful it was when friends and family waited with me during my husband's brain tumor operation and how I've waited with friends while their loved ones were in surgery. I offered tips on providing support during this anxious time, such as bringing a snack basket, offering encouragement, and praying with them.
We all have our own unique personal experiences and areas of expertise. I draw on my experiences from water skiing, parenting, church activities, volunteer work, living with a chronic illness, and working as a teacher's aide.
Where does your expertise lie? What experiences have improved your life? What knowledge have you gained from your experiences that you could share through tips or insights to help readers going through similar situations?
THE WRITING
A good way to get started in the how-to genre is by reviewing your essays that haven't sold yet and all those that have been published for which you still retain reprint rights. Many of these essays can be rewritten to become how-to articles. After determining what insight you gained from your experience, you are ready to begin writing.
Start with an anecdote of your personal experience, lead into your insight in conversational paragraphs or bullet points, and offer tips. Finally, summarize the main point of the article and leave readers with words of encouragement.
You can also include a sidebar with additional information on your subject matter. When I wrote about the joys of sponsoring needy children, I included a sidebar listing organizations that offer sponsorship and included contact information, along with the associated monthly costs.
SELLING HOW-TO ARTICLES
How-to articles are ideal for reprint sales, bringing in extra income without a lot of extra effort. An article sharing how I improved our family's dinner hour sold to five publications - one woman's magazine, two family magazines, and two regional parenting magazines. As long as the circulation doesn't overlap, submit to as many markets as possible, following each magazine's guidelines.
You don't need to give up writing personal essays because of limited markets. Turn those essays and personal experiences into how-to articles and watch your sales grow.
BIO: Sue Carloni is a freelance writer living in Wisconsin with her husband Kurt. She has been published in more than 50 magazines, including Guideposts, Woman's World, Christian Communicator, Byline, Christian Leadership, Teaching Tolerance, and Teachers of Vision.
competitions
BOULEVARD SHORT FICTION CONTEST FOR EMERGING WRITERS
http://www.boulevardmagazine.org/partners.html
$15 ENTRY FEE.
$1,500 and publication. Deadline December 31, 2014. Boulevard's Short Fiction Contest for Emerging Writers is open worldwide to people who have not yet published a book of fiction, poetry or creative non-fiction with a nationally distributed press. Stories may be up to 8,000 words and must be previously unpublished.
2015 SUMMER RESIDENCY CONTEST
https://universityofarizonapoetrycenter.submittable.com/submit/34227
$15 ENTRY FEE.
The Poetry Center will award one residency each summer for one poet to spend two weeks in Tucson, Arizona developing his/her work. The residency includes a $500 stipend and a two-week stay in a studio apartment located within steps of the Center's renowned library of contemporary poetry. The residency is offered between June 1 and August 31. Deadline December 15, 2014. Writers at any stage of their careers may apply; emerging writers are welcome.
TARPAULIN SKY PRIZES
https://tarpaulinsky.com/mss2015/
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline November 30, 2014. Instead of choosing one manuscript this year, we're going to pick two. Each author will receive $1,000 ($500 cash, $500 book-tour expenses) plus contract and 25 personal copies. Books will be published in Spring 2016. If time and resources permit, we may choose additional manuscripts for publication (but not for cash awards). We are not terribly concerned if the manuscript is 48 pages or 480 pages. We will pick what we like, as always, regardless of page count or genre.
WRITERS' VILLAGE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FICTION AWARD
http://www.writers-village.org
$24 ENTRY FEE.
$1,600 is the top prize on offer for your short story in the Writers' Village International Short Fiction Award winter 2014. The second prize is $800, third prize $400 and there are five runner up prizes of $80. A further ten Highly Commended entrants will receive a free entry in the next round. Everyone wins because every contestant, win or lose, gains feedback on how their stories were graded - plus tips for improvement. Winners will be awarded the title "Winner, the Writers' Village International Short Fiction Award winter 2014" and see their work showcased online. Any genre of prose fiction may be submitted up to 3,000 words, except play scripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed worldwide. Deadline December 31, 2014.
BIOSTORIES MAGAZINE ESSAY CONTEST
http://www.biostories.com/Contest.php
$10 ENTRY FEE.
bioStories Magazine is pleased to announce its second annual essay contest. The theme for 2015 is: Elders. We encourage writers to interpret the theme broadly and creatively. Deadline for entry is February 16, 2015. Winner receives $250 and publication. Entries may be up to 3,000 words, must be nonfiction, and cannot be previously published.
GRANTS
WRITING BETWEEN THE VINES RESIDENCIES
http://www.writingbetweenthevines.org/retreat-locations/locations
Writing Between the Vines offers writers a space to work, a place to create - surrounded by the beauty and majesty of vineyards in locations around the world. Funded through application fees and in partnership with wineries, Writing Between the Vines provides writers the time to focus on works in progress or cultivate new ideas in residencies of up to one week in length at no charge. Writing Between the Vines is open to applicants writing fiction and non-fiction, and encourages applications from wine, food, and travel writers. $25 non-refundable application fee. All housing costs are covered. All other costs associated with participating in the retreat, such as transportation, meals, and personal expenses, are NOT COVERED and the sole responsibility of the applicant.
COVE PARK RESIDENCIES
http://covepark.org/apply-or-book
Cove Park is a Scottish artists' retreat located on the Rosneath peninsula, an hour's drive west of Glasgow, Scotland. In 2015 Cove Park is offering a minimum of three literature residencies. The residencies are open to writers around the world. In 2015 Cove Park is offering a minimum of three literature residencies. The residencies are open to writers around the world. Deadline December 1, 2014.
INDIANA ARTS COMMISSION
http://www.in.gov/arts/individualartistprogram.htm
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) encourages Hoosier artists in the disciplines of dance, literature, music, theatre, and folk arts related to these traditional disciplines to apply for career development grants through the Individual Artist Program. Artists with disabilities are also encouraged to apply for projects related to the eligible disciplines either through the discipline directly or through the access category. Deadline to apply for a grant of up to $2,000 is 4:30 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2015.
FINE ARTS WORK CENTER
http://web.fawc.org
Since 1968, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts has run the largest and longest residency Fellowship in the United States for emerging writers and visual artists. Artists who have not had significant recognition for their work and writers who have not yet published a full-length book or creative work are welcome to apply. Fellows receive a seven-month stay (October 1 - April 30) at the Work Center and a $750 monthly stipend. Fellows do not pay or work in exchange for their Fellowships in any way. Fellows are chosen based on the excellence of their work. The deadline for the 2015-2016 Writing Fellowships is December 1, 2014.
FREELANCE MARKETS
BOULEVARD
http://www.boulevardmagazine.org/projects.html
Boulevard strives to publish only the finest in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. While we frequently publish writers with previous credits, we are very interested in less experienced or unpublished writers with exceptional promise. Minimum payment for prose is $100, maximum is $300. Minimum payment for poetry is $25, maximum is $250.
FIBONACCI
http://fibonaccifinearts.com/index.php/medi/fibonacci-fine-arts-digest
We are the premier fine arts magazine in the Mountain West. We cover a large region, from Jackson, WY to Las Vegas NV, but are based in Salt Lake City, UT. We cover four sections of the fine arts bailiwicks: visual arts, performing arts, music, and film. We are open to creative and modern interpretations of "fine art," but content must focus on skilled, trained artists or classical arts. Pays 12 cents/word.
MEDICTESTS
http://medictests.com/hiring/
We're looking for stories and articles that add value to students who are just starting out or first year medics. These are primarily 500-1,000 word topics that can cover everything from How to deal with a bad partner and Surviving Clinical Rounds to Beginner's guide to Scene Command. Contributing authors are paid a base rate per published article (generally between $50 and $100) and also a flex rate based upon the success of the article.
HOME CARE INSIGHT
http://www.myseiubenefits.org/insight_magazine
Home Care InSight in the Northwest's only magazine serving the needs and interests of the fast-growing Home Care Aide population. Home Care Aides are a critical part of the long-term care system and few media outlets speak to their unique issues and concerns. InSight contains news and in-depth feature stories that highlight the work of the Home Care Aide and help share best practices in home care and healthy living.
NATIONSWELL
http://nationswell.com/job-opportunities-join-the-team/
NationSwell is a multi-platform media company focused on elevating and driving action behind the solutions to America's greatest national challenges. We do that through a digital platform on which we tell stories about people and organizations that are doing creative and impactful things to take aim at those challenges. We want to work with talented writers who are passionate about shining a brighter spotlight on the problem-solvers. For feature-length pieces (800-1,400 words), we offer up to $600. For shorter pieces, we offer up to $300. Please send story ideas to pitches@nationswell.com with a subject line that summarizes your story.
JOBS
BOSTON COMMON ONLINE FREELANCE WRITERS
http://ed2010.com/whisper-jobs/tempfreelance-job/boston-common-online-freelance-writers/
The website component for Boston Common magazine (bostoncommon-magazine.com) is looking for online freelancers in the entertainment, dining, culture, and style sectors. The freelancer writer will report directly to the online editor, and will write and develop pitches and assigned content for the website's blog. Applicants must be Boston-based, have impeccable copy editing skills, a knack for writing compelling web content geared toward a sophisticated reader, a wide range of industry contacts, and a firm grasp on Boston's luxury market. Work from home position.
CAPITOL FILE MAGAZINE ONLINE FREELANCE WRITERS
http://ed2010.com/whisper-jobs/capitol-file-magazine-online-freelance-writers/
The website component for Capitol File magazine (capitolfile-magazine.com) is looking for online freelancers in the entertainment, dining, culture, and style sectors. The freelancer writer will report directly to the online editor, and will write and develop pitches and assigned content for the website's blog. Applicants must be DC-based, have impeccable copy editing skills, a knack for writing compelling web content geared toward a sophisticated reader, a wide range of industry contacts, and a firm grasp on DC's luxury market. Work from home position.
publishers/agents
INKSHARES
https://www.inkshares.com/about
Crowdfunded publishing combines the strengths of traditional publishing - expertise, distribution, economies of scale - with the power of communities to select and support great writing. Our platform lets authors pitch writing proposals to communities of readers and supporters. Once they reach their target, we provide the traditional resources of a legacy publisher in development and distribution. Authors don't need to wait months or years for a publisher to acquire their manuscript, nor do they have to invest their own time and money in self-publishing.
HSG AGENCY
http://hsgagency.com/submission-guidelines
They primarily pursue traditional publishing opportunities for their clients, while considering alternative methods of publication and distribution that reflect the growing digital marketplace and new means of sale and publicity for books. They work with each individual client to develop a strategy appropriate to the genre, style and goals of the author. Please send a query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript (within the email-no attachments please!) to the appropriate agent for your book. If it is a picture book, please include the entire manuscript.
THE GERNERT COMPANY
http://www.thegernertco.com/
The Gernert Company is a literary agency located in Manhattan. 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.
GELFMAN SCHNEIDER AGENCY
http://www.gelfmanschneider.com/about-us.html
Among our diverse list of clients are novelists, journalists, playwrights, scientists, activists and humorists writing narrative non-fiction, memoir, political & current affairs, popular science and popular culture non-fiction, as well as literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, and historical fiction. We also exploit all the sub-rights to our clients work including Foreign Rights, Audio Rights, and Film and Television Rights and have been privileged to form working relationships with various co-agents
FOUNDRY LITERARY MEDIA
http://www.foundrymedia.com/
Foundry is a full-service literary agency and media development company dedicated to providing the most positive and profitable publishing experience for our clients, from the American book market to foreign publishing, film and TV, merchandise, online media and beyond. Rooted in the tradition of representing writers and other talent in the book trade, the Foundry team is relentless in finding new and diverse ways for our clients to reach wider audiences. It all begins with the book. Whether you are a first time novelist
or a veteran author, a comedy writer slugging it out in the trenches, or an established film or television personality, we take your book seriously.
SPONSORS
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Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway
January 16-19, 2015, Stockton Seaview Resort, Atlantic City area
Advance your craft and energize your writing at the 22nd Annual
Winter Getaway featuring Kim Addonizio and Stephen Dunn. Enjoy
challenging and supportive workshops, insightful feedback and an
encouraging community. Choose from fiction, nonfiction, memoir,
screenwriting and poetry. Scholarships available.
"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 November 20 and save: http://wintergetaway.com/
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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
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