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Editor's THOUGHTS
HOW TO WRITE A BOOK REVIEW
Many book aficionados write reviews. That's great. However, if you are interested in writing reviews for publication or payment, you might consider how to formally write a review. In my own search for guidance, I came across this site that actually offers templates to escort you through the process.
http://www.mybookbag.net.au/book-review-template/
But whether you write reviews for Amazon, blogs, magazines or newsletters/ezines, consider getting the formula right. Become known for your reviews and you might wind up as a paid reviewer, or as a minimum have a blog with advertisers knocking on your door.
The University of North Carolina has a great post on this at its Writing Center. http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/book-reviews/ Basically, a reviewer gives the reader a concise summary, offers a critical assessment (good and bad), and ends the review with a suggestion as to whether the audience would enjoy the book.
Dru's Book Musings is a fine example of prolific reviewing. She leans toward the cozy mystery but isn't limited by such, and, oh boy, can she cover ground. Not only does she review, but she allows writers to do A Day in the Life posts with first person pieces by their protagonists. I did one once for Carolina Slade. http://drusbookmusing.com/2014/02/13/carolina-slade/ She has a decent amount of traffic on her site, offers regular giveaways, and appears at conferences. In other words, authors know her.
Or you can do reviews awash with humor or sarcasm or dark slaps, creating a "voice" for yourself. Some of NPR's reviews are done in that vein, such as "Christian Grey Began His Fictional Career as a Vampire". http://www.npr.org/2015/02/08/384695847/christian-grey-began-his-fictional-career-as-a-vampire
Or you can write for online magazines like Charleston Currents, a journal for the South Carolina Lowcountry. http://charlestoncurrents.com/ Or Columbia, SC's Free Times. It took my best query abilities to entice the arts editor to provide an interview/book review of the Carolina Slade series. http://www.free-times.com/arts/agriculture-experience-bears-fruit-in-south-carolina-mystery-series-052814
You can become known for book reviews, but like all forms of writing, you have to be a honed writer, diligent, and consistent. It takes time, but you can find a way to take your enjoyment of reading to the book review level. It takes practice, hard work, and a knack for querying - like all writing. Or you can do reviews on your own, on your blog, and in that case, you need to build up your following and let authors know you are there for them. Then warn the postal person, because free books will flood your living room!
FINAL NOTE: Of course, if you need practice, you are welcome to do so with a Carolina Slade or Edisto Island Mystery. Right now I have a stack of Palmetto Poison copies and a few ARCS of Murder on Edisto. If you are interested in reading either book and leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads, email me at hope@fundsforwriters.com with your mailing address and which book you prefer. I request that the reviews appear within three weeks of receipt.
P.S. TOTAL FundsforWriters is the extended version of this newsletter, with 70 markets, contests, grants, etc. and still at the ten-year-old cost of $15 for 26 issues. A great way to find opportunities to make money, without the hours of searching. Some subscribers have been around since TOTAL's origin a decade ago...they swear by it that much.
P.P.S. Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 7 PM, Irmo Library, Irmo, SC
From Concept to Manuscript - Learn how to apply classic story structure, create characters that readers care about, and find audience-appropriate subject and content. Wow - is that a crazy, all-encompassing, challenging presentation or what! Come hear me instruct on storytelling on my home turf.
THEN...On Saturday March 7, 2-5 PM, at the same library, come meet regional authors at a meet-and-greet affair and ask questions about how authors make their dreams happen and what's next on their agendas. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
-Hope Clark
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Upcoming Book Signings and Classes!
March 3, 2015 - Story Structure Class, Irmo, SC Library - 7 PM
March 7, 2015 - Multi-author signing, Irmo, SC Library - 2-5 PM
March 22-24, 2015 - PubSense, Charleston, SC, Francis Marion Hotel
April 7, 2015 - Chapin Women's Club, Lake Murray Sailing Club, Chapin, SC
April 25, 2015 - One-day Fiction Class, HawksNest Writers, Madison, WI
May 29, 2015 - Savannah Book Club, Savannah, GA - 6 PM
June 20-21, 2015 - Southeast Writers Conf, St Simons Island, GA
June 25-27, 2015 - Freelance Writing, Midwest Writing Center, Davenport, IA
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
Amateurs fall in love with every word they write. ~ William Bernhardt
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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
Hello Hope,
Thank you for all your efforts in bringing paid publishing options to writers. I read all your mailings, even file the ones which have a sliver of hope for publication. I am happy to announce my submission for Potty Anthologies was accepted and will be published this year. Thanks for all you do.
Sincerely,
Michelle Smith
www.YourSpiritualGarden.com
featured article
MAKING FREELANCE PITCHING PERSONAL
By Behlor Santi
Recently, I had an impasse in my writing career. So I read more books on technique, critiqued other writers' works when I could, and continued to fine-tune my query-writing skills. But I wasn't attracting the assignments that challenged me and filled my bank account.
That is, until I got personal.
Do Your Research
I took to heart Dale Carnegie's defining advice. In his seminal book, How To Win Friends and Influence People, he emphasizes the importance of knowing names. People love to hear the sound of their names. Businesspeople who act warm, according to Carnegie, are more successful. Acting on this advice, I learned that studying potential clients' professional and personal triumphs does give you an advantage.
For example, I wanted to write for a consumer magazine, and I learned through social media that the editor graduated from Stanford. My article talked about hotels near Ivy League colleges, so I mentioned Stanford in the query I sent. Even if the editor rejected my first query, knowing about his education makes future queries on similar topics a surer fit.
Don't Give Up
Yes means yes, and no means no, but in freelancing those yeses and nos may give you options.
I contacted a potential client who previously had rejected one of my magazine-article queries. Her magazine only accepted advertorials, but I didn't accept that declarative answer. At her LinkedIn profile, she stated that another one of her companies operated inspirational retreats. I have written about my struggles with poverty and depression.
"So," I asked in another email, "are you looking for speakers for your retreats? I've written essays about how I overcame struggles in my life."
"Send a one sheet detailing your biography, as well as testimonials from other clients," she emailed me back.
I didn't write an article for this client, but I gained another opportunity as a public speaker.
Use Humor
Ever wonder why comedies sell more than dramas? It's human nature to laugh. The world can be scary, and people make sense of the world by humor. Make people laugh, and usually you build connection.
Here in New York City, it's cold -- too darn cold. I contacted a new LinkedIn connection who lives in sunny Southern California. I could have just asked about writing opportunities. But I greeted him by saying, "Greetings from COOOOLD NYC."
My risk paid off. Less than an hour later, the client contacted me back, mentioning how much he adored New York -- except for the winter cold. I also received a referral to a web editor who wants to read my clips.
The next time you're networking with potential freelance clients, add personal touches. Use influence to land yourself into a new gig.
Resources
How To Win Friends and Influence People on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4R2p9WnzAo
Jenna Glatzer's Guide For Newbie Freelance Writers
http://www.right-writing.com/guide.html
Marketing 101 for Freelancers on Social Media
http://www.makealivingwriting.com/marketing-101-freelance-writers-13-social-media-works/
Email Template for Potential Freelance Clients
http://have-a-word.com/email-template
Mistakes to Avoid on Social Media
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141105001857-20834435-10-mistakes-to-avoid-in-social-media-marketing
Using Humor In Business Communications
http://www.cision.com/us/2014/03/whats-so-funny-using-humor-in-business-communications/
BIO
Behlor Santi regularly contributes to fundsforwriters.com. Email her at nycwriter1980@mail.com.
competitions
PHOEBE CONTESTS
https://phoebe.submittable.com/submit/36319
$17 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline March 1, 2015. Accepting submissions for the annual fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry contests. The winners will be published this spring/summer in Phoebe 44.2. Fiction limited to 5,000 words. Prize $850 and publication in Phoebe 44.2 (online issue).
Poetry limited to four poems and ten pages. Prize $850 and publication. Creative fiction limited to 5,000 words. Prize $850 and publication.
PRIME NUMBER MAGAZINE AWARD FOR POETRY
https://press53.submittable.com/submit/
$15 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline March 31, 2015. Submit one unpublished poem, no more than three pages. First Prize: $1000 plus publication in Prime Number Magazine. Second Prize: $250 plus publication in Prime Number Magazine. Third Prize: Publication in Prime Number Magazine.
JAMES JONES CONTEST
http://wilkes.edu/academics/graduate-programs/masters-programs/creative-writing-ma-mfa/james-jones-fellowship-contest.aspx
$30 ENTRY FEE.
The James Jones Fellowship Contest is now in its 24th year. It awards $10,000 to an American writer with a first fiction novel in progress in 2015. Two runners-up will each receive $1,000. Entrants are asked to supply a two-page outline of their entire novel, plus the first 50 pages of the work. The outline maybe a chapter outline or brief synopsis of the novel. If a manuscript is selected for the final round of judging, the author will be asked to send another copy of the originally submitted first 50 pages plus pages 51 to 75.
The fellowship is only for unpublished first novels: collections of short stories, memoirs and self-published novels are not eligible. To enter this contest, writers must be United States citizens. Deadline March 15, 2015.
TETHERED BY LETTERS' WINTER LITERARY CONTESTS
http://tetheredbyletters.com/submissions/contest-submission
ENTRY FEE: $15/Short Story; $7/Flash Fiction; $7/poem.
We are currently accepting submissions for our short story contest (1,000 to 7,500 words, open genre), flash fiction contest (55, 250, or 500 words), and poetry contest (max of three pages per poem). All finalists will receive free professional edits on their submission and be considered for later publication. The prizes are $500 (USD) for the short story winner, $150 (USD) for the flash fiction winner, and $150 (USD) for the poetry winner. Winners will be announced publicly after April 1st. International submissions welcome. Deadline February 28, 2015.
GRANTS
ARTSMITH ARTIST RESIDENCY
https://artsmith.submittable.com/submit
Each year Artsmith grants Artist Residency Fellowships of time and space in the San Juan Islands for artists, scholars, and writers to create new works. Beginning in January 2016, applicants can apply for one week or up to four weeks. The residency takes place at the historic Kangaroo House Bed and Breakfast on Orcas Island. Send cover letter, including residency statement of intent, contact info for two recommenders, and commitment that you can spend the entire week in residency (maximum 250 words to be pasted in online form). Send up to ten pages. Deadline May 31, 2015. $35 Application fee. The workshop is limited to 12 participants.
SOUTHEASTERN WRITERS CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
http://www.southeasternwriters.org
We're excited to announce that Southeastern Writers Association is offering two scholarships for the summer workshop at Epworth-by-the-Sea in St. Simon's Island, GA. All you have to do is submit a 300-word essay on why you should be selected to attend the fiction writing sessions on June 19-21 or the nonfiction writing sessions on June 21-23. Be creative. Show your personality. We want you to be a part of our 40th anniversary of writers helping writers. The entry deadline is midnight April 15, 2015. Please note: The scholarship pays for tuition only. The scholarship recipient will be responsible for their accommodations. Please email your entries to DebraAyersBrown@gmail.com with a subject line of SWA Fiction Scholarship or SWA Nonfiction Scholarship.
SOUTH ARTS LITERARY ARTS TOURING PROGRAM
http://www.southarts.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/literary-arts-touring/
Through its Literary Arts Touring initiative, South Arts will award grants of up to $2,500 for literary projects that contain both a public reading and an educational component such as a writing workshop. The project can include single or multiple writers involved in an event (writers series, festivals, or single engagements). The maximum grant request is 50 percent of the writers' fee(s). Qualified projects must take place between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016. To be eligible, organizations must be designated as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a governmental organization and be located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee.
NOTE: Contact an organization and suggest this method of covering your fee.
ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL
http://www.arts.on.ca/site4.aspx
Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has established resources for Deaf artists and artists with disabilities. OAC will provide up to $500 per individual in one fiscal year towards the costs of accessibility services [e.g. translation from American Sign Language (ASL) or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) to English or French, a personal assistant to read aloud OAC documents or to transcribe verbal responses and prepare the written application, assistive devices or software].
FREELANCE MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL LIVING
http://internationalliving.com/about-il/write-for-il/write-for-international-living-magazine/
International Living magazine aims at providing a scope and depth of information about global travel, living, retiring, investing, and real estate that is not available anywhere else at any price. Payment is upon publication. International Living buys all rights and we pay $250 for 840 words and $400 for 1,400 words. As regards photographs, if we use one of yours we pay $50 for one-time use and you retain the rights.
NEW WEST
http://newwest.net/main/article/writers_guidelines/
The main topics we cover and discuss on New West are broadly: Culture, politics, growth, demographics, energy, environmental issues, new economy (tech, biotech, venture capital, etc.), tourism and travel, lifestyle, outdoors, wildlife, Western literature, film and food. We pay by the story and payment ranges from $50 for smaller, local stories to up to $500 for more complicated, regional pieces. We're also always on the hunt for big, investigative stories and projects and on occasion break the bank if we think it's worth it. So, shoot high if you think you have one of those in your pocket.
DAILY SCIENCE FICTION
http://dailysciencefiction.com/submit/story/guidelines
Wants speculative fiction from 100 to 1,500 words in length. Also accepts flash series -three or more flash tales built around a common theme. Pay 8 cents per word (more if selected for anthology).
CALLISTO MEDIA
http://www.callistomedia.com/about.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/wri/4880595016.html
Are you a published writer with experience in writing health books, diet books, or cookbooks? Callisto Media is a startup publishing company of best-selling non-fiction. We have immediate projects for published writers with experience in the following areas: ADHD and Diets for Managing GERD. We provide detailed outlines and project requirements. A typical project takes 60-100 hours (30,000-40,000 words) to complete and pays $3,000-$4,000.
JOBS
WRITER
https://jobs-bowenconsulting.icims.com/jobs/1087/1099-writers/job
The Bowen Group in Stafford, CA seeks a highly organized, experienced individual to develop and edit content for various print and online products. Creates and develops content for websites and applications, epublications and print products, Edits content for websites and applications, epublications and print products.
PROOFREADER
http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Wilen-New-York/jobs/Proofreader-660f11f007e42aba
Wilen New York has an opening for a Proofreader/Quality Assurance Specialist on our staff. If you live and breathe grammatical accuracy and find every incorrect word in your mail, articles and online, then you are the perfectionist we need. We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented proofreader who will be responsible for the accuracy of the marketing materials that promote our clients' products and services.
publishers/agents
TEMPO ROMANCE
http://bullittpublishing.com/
We are looking for fresh, new talent with crisp, modern story lines to launch our new contemporary romance imprint - TEMPO ROMANCE. Tempo's stories can be sweet or sassy, serious or hysterically funny as long as it tells a story that today's woman can relate to.
The Tempo romance is approximately 70,000 words with an upbeat storyline and no graphic sex scenes.
NEW PAGE BOOKS
http://newpagebooks.com/?section=submission
Prominent categories for the imprint include Mind/Body/Spirit, Self-Help, Science, History, Paranormal, New Thought, UFO, Ancient Mysteries, and Health titles. We promote the phrase "Expect Something Different" and try to meet those standards with every new season of books.
CEDAR FORT
http://cedarfort.com/submissions
We want to publish uplifting and edifying books that help people recognize what is important in their lives, books people enjoy reading to relax and feel better about themselves, and books to help improve lives. Whether or not a book is written specifically to the LDS market, all of our books should be suitable and uplifting for any group. Currently interested in cookbooks, clean and positive fiction, Mother's Day/Father's Day books, LDS study books, business, practical how-to guides, survival skills, urban preparedness, gardening, and Christmas books.
COACH HOUSE BOOKS
http://www.chbooks.com/contact/submissions
Coach House publishes innovative poetry, literary fiction, drama and select nonfiction. We do not publish children's books, memoirs, self-help books, cookbooks, historical romances, mysteries or science-fiction.
SPONSORS
Nashville Novel Writing Workshop
Is your novel stalled at the starting gate, mired in the middle, or faltering at the finish line?
Or are you an experienced writer who'd like to deepen and enrich your next book?
 Whatever your genre, whether you're a pantser or a plotter,the Question Me a Novel workshop can help.
Taught by Shamus Award finalist Jaden Terrell, this
intensive one-day workshop covers character, setting,
plot, and more -- everything you need to take your
story from idea to finished draft. Saturday, March 7, 2015.
Mention FundsforWriters to get the discounted price.
 T om Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
23rd year. Now with $4,000 in cash prizes, including $1,500 for the best story and $1,500 for the best essay. Send prose submissions up to 6,000 words each. All entries that win cash prizes will be published on WinningWriters.com and announced in the Winning Writers Newsletter, with over 50,000 subscribers. Both published and unpublished work accepted. Fee per entry is $16. Deadline: April 30. Judge: Arthur Powers. See guidelines, past winners, and enter at www.winningwriters.com/tomstory
HOUSTON WRITERS  HOUSE CONTEST
Five chances to place first:
MYSTERY/THRILLER, SCI-FI/FANTASY,
HISTORICAL OR CONTEMPORARY WOMAN'S FICTION,
MIDDLE SCHOOL, YOUNG ADULT
Top Genre Prize (CRÈME DE LA CRÈME): $300
First place in each genre: $100
Entry fee $15. No limit to the number of entries.
Unpublished novels only. Limit ten pages plus cover page.
Submit via email: rpaulding@ sbcglobal.net
Submit via postal: HWH, 12523 Folkcrest Way, Stafford TX 77477
Deadline: March 30, 2015
Rules for the contest: www.houstonwritershouse.com
Questions: rpaulding@sbcglobal.net
Enjoy a FREE Master Class in Creative Writing Success
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highly acclaimed Writers' Village 'Master Class' shows you how to get
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a chapter with 'wow' impact, add new energy to a scene, build a
character in moments, sustain page-turning suspense even through long
passages of exposition... plus 97 other powerful ideas you can use at
once.
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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industry, and will provide you with a content management website that
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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 2000-2015, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326
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