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Editor's THOUGHTS
BOOTSTRAP TIME
This essay is not about the whipping kind of bootstrap, but the kind you pull yourself up by. The kind many of us have forgotten existed.
I received an anonymous request on my website, but I replied, wanting so badly to help this person get centered in his fight to be a writer...or his enlightenment that maybe he isn't cut out to be a writer. Yes, there are some of those out there, and believe it or not, they never recognize themselves.
I will not quote the person because the grammar was poor, but it went something like this:
I have written a book.
A well-known publisher wants to publish it.
The publisher said it needed lots of work.
They will not publish it on their own because of the work it needs.
If I still want it published, they'll do so for $2,000.
I want this book to reach people.
Can you help me get money to make it happen?
This is how many books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more become published. This poor individual thought that paying the money would get someone to look at the book, fix it, and put it out there.
I wrote him back and told him to forget about publishing and start learning how to write. If a vanity press tells him that the book needs work, dang...the book needs work. Time to suck it up and face the fact that his writing needs serious attention over a serious period of time until the book is as good as it can be.
In other words...
Anyone can publish a book.
Only good books sell.
Only well promoted good books sell well.
And you control it all.
Nothing will make you feel more accomplished than to sweat blood and learn:
1) how to write
2) how to edit
3) how to publish (all methods)
4) how to sell
There are too many tools and resources out there not to educate yourself. Yes, it takes time. All good things in life take time and dedication. My wish for you is to feel the fire to make your writing work well.
-Hope Clark
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Upcoming Book Signings!
Carolina Slade and Edisto Island Mysteries make great presents!
December 6 - 2-4 PM -Indigo Barnes & Noble, Hilton Head, SC
December 12 - 3-6 PM - Books on Main, Newberry, SC
December 13 - 2-4 PM - Barnes & Noble, Mt Pleasant, SC
December 20 - 2-4 PM - Westwood Barnes & Noble, Charleston, SC |
WORDS OF SUCCESS
Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.
~Samuel Johnson
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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
Hi Hope,
Well, this is the second time this year I feel compelled to send you a success story about my writing thanks, in no small part, to the great advice and encouragement I get from reading FundsforWriters. Now I have astory in the recently released Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas in Canada book. Of course, this was fantastic in and of itself, but based on that accomplishment my local library has asked me to conduct their inaugural writer's night on December 11 whereby I will read my story, talk about my publishing experience and kick-start a monthly writer's group. All in all, quite a remarkable year for my writing. Thanks for your newsletter and all the valuable writing and marketing tips it contains.
Brian Wettlaufer
Franklin, WI
featured article
What is a List of Publications, and Why Does It Matter?
By Noelle Sterne
For freelancers who write short pieces, a list of publications (LP) where we've successfully appeared is essential. Creating it may be a dull left-brain task, but even if you have few publications so far, starting an LP gives you advantages for your career.
Here's what to include in your list:
Articles, essays, stories, blogs, guest blogs, poems, interviews, book reviews, forewords, introductions, letters to editors of well-known newspapers, and, of course, books you've published. Include radio interviews, live talks, and panels you've participated in.
There are a few ways to organize the list:
I like to organize mine by year, in reverse chronological order. Another writer I know divides his credits by genre and then chronologically. Here's one of my print publication entries:
GENRE: Writing how-to.
ARTICLE: Writing Blocked? Try These Six Simple Tools. 850 Words. Romance Writers Report, March 2014, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 21-22.
And an online one:
GENRE: Writing how-to.
ARTICLE: Told and Retold: Reinventing Classic Fairy Tales, 1560 Words. Children's Book Insider, July 2014, pp. 4-5. http://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-07.pdf
Resist the urge to include everything you've ever written. Don't add pieces accepted, even paid, but never published. Don't add letters you published in newsletters or newspapers.
Where you store your LP depends on your goals:
I keep my master LP in a computer file labeled "List of Credits." I post a few pieces on my website. Hope Clark wisely points out that these pieces can "come up in a Google search." I use recent publications for my email signature and queries. You can also link to pieces from Facebook. The key is to sprinkle discriminately, not dump to brag.
From your LP, you can extract an Abbreviated List of Pubs (ALP) in your queries to editors using what applies to each editor's needs. The ALP can:
1. Show you're a professional.
2. Demonstrate your organizational ability, consistency, and attention to details. Editors will assume you'll use these qualities for their assignments.
3. Provide verifiable evidence of your credits.
4. Show your seriousness, marketing savvy, and ingenuity.
In Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, Jenna Glatzer counsels about judicious ALP choices: cite credits for publications in which you've had great relationships with editors (they compare notes). And avoid overly creative (read: fabricated) entries.
5. Show your interests and flexibility. Editors may then consider you for other types of assignments. A magazine editor rejected my article about journal writing, but noting my children's publication credits, she invited a piece on children's writing.
FOr you, an LP can:
1. Be a record of your completed pieces.
2. Remind you of publications you've forgotten and how you've undersold yourself.
3. Prompt you to recall genres you've written in and would like to explore further.
4. Give you a convenient source for extracting credits for many purposes.
5. Enable you to announce everywhere, "I've published, oh, about 3,562 articles."
6. On dark days, it shows your line of your progress, motivates you to write and submit, and reminds you of your achievements.
Your LP is a gift to yourself disguised as grunt work. Easy to keep current, your LP will continue to boost your confidence as you add to it and quietly crow over your latest successes.
BIO:
Author, editor, ghostwriter, writing coach, and spiritual counselor, Noelle Sterne publishes fiction and nonfiction in print and online venues. With a Ph.D. from Columbia University, Noelle for over 28 years has assisted doctoral candidates to complete their dissertations. Her book, Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams (Unity Books), uses examples from her practice, writing, and other aspects of life to help readers let go of regrets, relabel their past, and reach their lifelong yearnings.
Visit Noelle at http://www.trustyourlifenow.com.
competitions
READER'S DIGEST POETRY PRIZE
http://www.rd.com/poetry
NO ENTRY FEE.
The simple rules are to craft a compelling poem, in fewer than 16 lines, that the judges deem as the best. The finalist will receive a cash prize of $500, plus publication. Deadline January 31, 2015. Open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over.
ESSAY MAMA CHRISTMAS WRITING AWARD
http://www.essaymama.com/blog/essaymamas-christmas-writing-contest/
NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline December 25, 2014. The 15 best works will be added to the printed "Best EssayMama's Stories: Christmas Edition" book and published on the best resources for writers. $330 will be given to each of the top three writers. Limit one story. Limit 4,000 words. Topic Christmas.
THE JAMES WHITE AWARD
http://www.jameswhiteaward.com/rules
OPTIONAL ENTRY FEE.
The James White Award is a competition for original short stories of not more than 6,000 words by non-professional writers. The closing date for entries to this year's competition is midnight (GMT) 31 January 2015 The winner will be announced at Dysprosium, Eastercon 2015 (3-5 April, 2015) during the BSFA Awards ceremony (details to be confirmed). This year's prize is £200 plus publication in Interzone. The competition is free to enter but we encourage authors (and others) to support the competition by making a donation, if they can. Deadline January 31, 2015.
WRITER' VILLAGE SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www.writers-village.org/
ENTRY FEE £15 (approx $24).
Every entrant wins because everyone, win or lose, gets personal feedback on how their story was graded. Deadline December 31, 2014. First Prize £1,000 ($1,600), Second Prize £500 ($800), Third prize £250 ($400) and 5 short-listed entrants will win prizes of £50 ($80). Any form of short story may be submitted up to 3000 words and in any genre (eg. mystery, romance, fantasy, crime, science fiction, children's, etc). Entries will be accepted from anywhere in the world, provided they are in the English language.
NIGHTLIGHT READING WRITERS CONTEST
http://www.nightlightreading.org/writing-contest/
NO ENTRY FEE.
Geared to at-risk boys in the 10-12 year age group who often stop reading for pleasure. Nightlight Reading's goal is to fund and promote literature that appeals to boys and keeps them engaged and reading. Short stories limited to 5,000 words. Theme is Adventure. Deadline December 31, 2015. First Prize: $1,000 award plus certificate and publication of the story. Second Prize: $500 award plus certificate and publication of the story. Third Prize: $300 award plus certificate and publication of the story.
GRANTS
JOSHUA TREE HIGHLANDS ARTIST RESIDENCY
https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=2095
Deadline March 15, 2015. The Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency provides artists from around the world seven weeks of time and space in the desert environment surrounding Joshua Tree National Park. Open to painters, sculptors, photographers, writers and musicians. The residency bestows each artist with a place to live, a full studio to work in and a stipend to offset travel costs.
TAMPA GRANTS
http://tampaarts.com/2015-artist-grants-now-accepting-applications/
Since 1989, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County has awarded more than 400 individual artist grants totaling more than $659,000. Now, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County is accepting applications from local artists for grants of up to $3,000 each from its 2015 Individual Artist Grant program. This grant program funds specific projects that will further the artist's career. The application must be received by the Arts Council on or before 5 pm, Friday, January 20, 2015.
ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL
http://www.arts.illinois.gov/AFA-Program
The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) is pleased to announce the release of the Fiscal Year 2015 guidelines for individual artist programs.
ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM recognizes exceptional artists who have created a substantial body of work throughout their career by providing awards to support continued artistic growth. The application deadline is December 15, 2014.
ETHNIC AND FOLK ARTS MASTER/APPRENTICE PROGRAM helps communities preserve their own culture by providing an opportunity for master traditional artists to pass on their skills to a qualified apprentice in a time-honored method. The application deadline is January 9, 2015.
INDIVIDUAL ARTIST SUPPORT PROGRAM assists Illinois artists to realize a career goal, take advantage of a professional opportunity, or to produce and present an artistic project. Open Deadline.
ARTS CENTER OF YATES COUNTY
http://ycac.org/artists.php?page=artistinresidence
This program is open to visual artists, creative writers, performance artists and interdisciplinary artists who can demonstrate professional standing in their field. This residency is an award supported by the Arts Center of Yates County offering a 10-day use of the Sunny Point facility located on Keuka Lake in upstate New York. This lakeside residence with separate studio space is available at no cost. Travel and meals not included. This opportunity includes the expectation that the artist will donate a piece of work representative of his/her style or their Sunny Point experienceto the Arts Center and its members. Deadline usually in May.
BAU INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIP RESIDENCIES
http://www.artistcommunities.org/residencies/bau-institute-camargo-fellowship-residency
BAU Institute is a non-profit 501(c)3 based in New York City. The mission of the BAU Institute is to support visual artists, creative and dramatic writers, composers, performance artists and other arts professionals in the creation and exhibition of new work. BAU Institute offers residencies in France and Italy to provide uninterrupted time and space for the development of new work in settings of cultural interest and extraordinary natural beauty. The BAU Institute arts residency originated in 2004 in Otranto, Italy, an ancient port city on the coast of Puglia and will again be in session June 2015. Online applications are accepted between November 17, 2014 and February 15, 2015 at 11:59PM EST online via submittable: https://bauinstitute.submittable.com/submit . There is a $40 application fee.
FREELANCE MARKETS
VITALITY
http://readvitality.com/subguidelines
Poetry can be any length, and all styles of poetry are welcome. We understand that our mission of "positive casual queerness" may be difficult due to poetry's limited length, and will keep that in mind while reading submissions (subtext and inference of queerness is very acceptable), but positivity is still an important factor. Please do not submit angsty poems. You may submit up to five poems at one time, as long as all poems do not exceed more than 150 lines in total. We may accept as many or as few from those provided for publication. Poetry receives a flat fee of $50 per poem. NOTE: This publication accepts prose as well, but only pays five cents/word for it.
THE ATLANTIC
http://www.theatlantic.com/faq/#20
Always interested in great nonfiction, fiction and poetry. The Atlantic covers consequential news and ideas in politics, business, entertainment, technology, health, education, and global affairs. Flash up to 1,000 words. Short stories up to 7,500 words. Will consider novellas.
BOOK SMUGGLERS
http://thebooksmugglers.com/book-smugglers-publishing
Book Smugglers Publishing is currently open for submissions for short stories to be published between April and June of 2015. For the publication period between April and June of 2015, the theme is: FIRST CONTACT. We are looking for original speculative fiction, between 1,500 and 17,500 words long. We will be paying $0.06 per word up to $500 (although we welcome stories from a minimum of 1,500 words and up to a maximum of 17,500 words long).
FANTASTIC STORIES OF THE IMAGINATION
http://www.fantasticstoriesoftheimagination.com/submission-guidelines/
We want stories that cover the entire science fiction and fantasy spectrum. Payment: 15 cents per word on acceptance for original stories (maximum of 3,000 words) or $25.00 flat fee for reprints.
BUZZY MAG
http://buzzymag.com/submissions/
Buzzy Mag is looking for original science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories up to 10,000 words. Thriller, suspense and paranormal tales that cross into traditional speculative fiction are welcome. Magazine also pays five cents/word for book reviews.
JOBS
STAFF WRITER
Location Los Angeles
http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?c=jfennf&joid=174205
deviantART is in search of writers to communicate current events articles with a global perspective that engage and inspire our high energy audience. Subjects center on arts, culture, popular films, literature, video games, and politics. Looking for innovative and driven writers to join a fast paced, high energy Editorial team.
COPYWRITER
Location Delray Beach, FL
http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?c=jfennf&joid=174244
This individual should have at least two years of experience writing direct response copy. New recruits will be working on all kinds of copy: 20-35 page sales packages, landing pages, order forms, book offers, tripwire campaigns, PPC campaigns, and must be willing to relocate to Delray Beach, Fla. (Note: There will be training.)
publishers/agents
ANAIAH PRESS
http://www.authorspublish.com/anaiah-press-open-to-manuscript-submissions/
Anaiah Press is a Christian digital first publisher. They publish faith-based fiction and nonfiction. They are relatively small and new publishing house. They are accepting manuscript submissions for the following imprints: Anaiah Presence (45,000 - 110,000 words), Anaiah Romance (20,000 - 90,000 words), Anaiah Surge (45,000 - 90,000 words), Anaiah Adventures (up to 60,000 words), and Anaiah Inspirations (20,000 - 90,000 words).
VIVA EDITIONS
http://www.vivaeditions.com/features/about.php
Viva focuses on expansion, courage, and joy in life. In short, Viva is about the very best in the human spirit. As publishers, we need to be aware of the different economic environment we are publishing in and respond to what people really need. Now is the time for fresh thinking and stripped-down self-help books that caused inspiration to spring into action.
LEDGE HILL PUBLISHING
http://www.ledgehillpublishing.com/Manuscripts.html
Ledge Hill Publishing seeks short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction. Writing rooted in/inspired by the daily experience of any walk of life. Submissions written by writers of all ages who are also self-identified emerging artists. We prefer previously unpublished work. We will consider reprints, however, if you have the full rights and the work is not currently available online or in print for release.
LEE AND LOW
http://www.leeandlow.com/p/wguide.mhtml
LEE & LOW BOOKS is a quality children's book publisher that specializes in multicultural themes. Our goal is to meet the need for books that address children of color by providing books that all children can enjoy and which promote a greater understanding of one another. Our focus is on fiction and nonfiction featuring children/people of color, for readers ages 5 to 12. Of special interest are realistic fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction with a distinct voice or unique approach. We do not publish folklore and animal stories.
RAINBOW PUBLISHERS
http://www.rainbowpublishers.com/about-us.aspx
We specialize in reproducible, flexible and age-appropriate Bible teaching books that are a great value to churches and Christian Ministries.
SPONSORS
Win $1600 for your short fiction in Writers' Village Award winter 2014
$1600 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.
Any genre of prose fiction may be submitted up to 3000 words, except play scripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed world-wide. The fee is $24 and multiple entries are permitted. Deadline is midnight 31st December 2014. Entry rules plus all winning stories since 2009 can be found at:
The Georgia Author of the Year Awards is currently accepting nominations until Saturday, January 31. Georgia authors published in 2014 are eligible for nomination in one of nineteen fiction and nonfiction categories. Visit http://www.authoroftheyear.org for more information.
Hey folks! Remember the Charleston, SC conference I raved about last
year? I've never been so excited about a conference in my life than I
was with that one. I will be there. Will you?
FundsforWriters
readers can use code FFW2015 when signing up for the conference. That
will entitle them to a 10% discount off VIP or Basic registration.
Discount will be reflected at check-out.
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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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