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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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Back by popular demand: A three-week online retreat
that guides and inspires through daily workshops,
meditations, and exercises to help you heal and let go
of what doesn't nurture you, embrace your writer-self,
find your voice, and be the writer you were meant to be.
Invest in yourself with an experience participants are
calling "illuminating," "nurturing," and "life-changing."
"Retreat for the Writer's Soul” starts March 16.
Scholarships are available. Sign up now >>
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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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AN ONLINE HOME MATTERS
Recently I met some new writers through their pitches for FundsforWriters. They had no online presence. They had some links to work they'd done, but no online identity. I declined both pieces.
My reaction sounds harsh at first blush. If the writing was good, why not accept the article? After all, it's about information sharing, right?
Not completely.
Stop and think: Writers want to be published. They want their work to be read by others, so they pitch to markets with good readerships. They want to capitalize on a market's strength, its readers. Not only to make a name for themselves, but also to earn an income. The larger the readership, usually, the larger the payment.
What you may not consider is that an editor wants to take advantage of a writer's platform, too. Common sense tells us that an editor will accept a pitch from someone with thousands of followers versus someone with less. Why? Because the writer's readers can increase the editor's readership. So if a writer has no online personality, an editor is less inclined to sign him on.
These days, an online presence is as critical as an address and phone number. In many venues, readers can feel cheated if they read a piece they like, but cannot click a link to read more about the author, or find more work from the author. Additionally, that online home base gives a writer more credibility.
Actually, you could be accepted or rejected based upon your online presence as much or more than on your pitch. Competition is that stiff these days. What type of presence do you need as a minimum? Pick one: a website, a blog, Tumblr, an Author Central page at Amazon, or Facebook (assuming it's professional in appearance).
Anonymity is fine if you want to be invisible. Editors, however, prefer writers willing to be front and center. We criss and cross these days online, and the business is all about numbers of readers.
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
If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.
~ Stephen King
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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
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Hi Hope!!!
I'm really excited to have a success story to share with you...because of you.
I recently found out my manuscript The Ghost of Laurie Floyd is a Finalist in the Chanticleer Book Reviews Mystery & Mayhem Awards 2014. I found out about the contest from FFW and decided to take a chance. There's still more rounds of judging before the winner is decided in March of this year, but I'm really excited to have made it to the finals...and to let you know I'm there because I knew of the contest thanks to you!
Courtney Lynn Mroch
Author Site: www.courtneymroch.com
Haunt Jaunts: www.hauntjaunts.net
The Ghost of Laurie Floyd... now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
Finalist in the Chanticleer Book Reviews Mystery & Mayhem 2014 Awards!
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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Five Research-backed Tips to Supercharge Your Freelance Writing Income
By Tasha Lessey
You read tons of tips on how to increase your income, but how do you decide which are worth your limited time? After all, there are only so many hours in the day, and bill collectors aren’t known for their patience.
It's simple. You focus on the tips that have been proven to work. Here are five of them, garnered from the best practices of successful freelance writers and good old fashioned scientific studies:
1. Prospect in the right places
Successful writers go where the money is. Freelance writers Mridu Khullar Relph and Tom Ewer
, who both net $100 per hour, don’t write for content mills or search for work in bargain basement bidding sites like Elance. Instead they focus on clients who pay writers a decent wage. Here are some links to get you started:
http://www.makealivingwriting.com/140-websites-that-pay-writers-updated-2014/.
http://www.writersincharge.com/more-websites-that-pay/
http://esmeenetwork.com/top-websites-paying-100-per-guest-post/
2. Retain and gain
Regular clients are the key to good, consistent income. It is 50% easier to sell to existing customers than to brand new leads (Marketing Metrics). Not only that, but a 5 percent increase in customer retention can increase a company’s profitability by 75 percent (Bain and Company). Work to keep your existing clients and watch your income grow.
3. Specialize to command higher rates
As successful freelance blogger Marya Jan puts it, “You can demand higher rates if you are a subject matter expert.” This is a universal truth, and is echoed by Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, one of the most influential financial books ever written. In it, he advocates specialized knowledge as the fourth step towards riches.
4. Wow your clients
Just doing your job is not enough to skyrocket your income. You must deliver superior customer service and superior writing. This will bring a flood of new business your way through enthusiastic referrals from your existing clients. According to AdAge, 20 to 50 percent of purchases are the result of a word-of-mouth recommendation. And a Nielson 2012 online survey found that 92 percent of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family above all other forms of advertising. The best part? Word of mouth advertising is free.
5. Increase your productivity
Writers get paid to write, and the faster you can write the higher your income. If you get paid $100 an article and take two hours to write it, your hourly rate is $50. Reduce your writing time to one hour and your rate bumps up to $100 per hour, double your previous rate. How do you increase your writing speed? First avoid the time suck of over research. There is nothing wrong with being thorough but you don’t have to interview ten people for a 300-word blog post on the latest skin care breakthroughs! Do just enough to support the arguments in your article.
Second, resist the urge to endlessly tinker with your piece. Edit and rewrite as necessary, but don’t let the perfectionist in you take over.
Lastly, work on your typing speed — the faster you type, the faster you can write. You can learn how for free at http://www.typingclub.com/ and http://www.keybr.com/
You can make more money with your freelance writing. Implement some or all of the above tips and watch the difference it makes to your bottom line.
BIO
Tasha Lessey is a freelance writer and author of the sci-fi thriller, Smokescreen. She would love to hear from you! Connect with her on Linked In.
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COMPETITIONS
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ELDRITCH PRESS DARK POETRY CONTEST
http://www.eldritchpress.com/dark-poetry-contest.html
NO ENTRY FEE.
The Eldritch Press Dark Poetry contest will open for submissions on February 1, 2015 and will run until September 1, 2015. We will announce the winners on Halloween. Three poetry collections will be chosen for the following prizes: First Place: $1,500 and a three-year publishing contract with Eldritch Press! Second Place: $1,000 and a two-year publishing contract with Eldritch Press! Third Prize: $500 and a one-year publishing contract with Eldritch Press! Open to poets who have yet to publish a full-length-book collection of poetry, including self-published in any genre. Minimum 50 pages to a maximum of 100 pages.
ARTPRIZE ANTHOLOGY
http://readwritelive.org/anthology-competition-2015
$20 ENTRY FEE.
This book is a collection of poems, short stories, and personal essays, published every year during ArtPrize, an internationally-renowned art competition held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A panel of well-read individuals from within the local Grand Rapids community selects the top 25 submissions that are then published in the anthology. Of these, the top three are awarded impressive cash prizes ($1,000 for First Place, $500 for Second Place, and $250 for Third Place). Open March 1, 2015 to April 30, 2015. You do NOT have to be from the Great Lakes region to enter this contest; it is open to national and international audiences.
SUNDRESS CHAPBOOK COMPETITION
http://www.sundresspublications.com/
$10 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline March 30, 2015. Seeks poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or any combination thereof. Manuscripts must be between twelve to twenty-five pages in length, with one piece per page. The winner will receive a $200 prize, plus publication as a beautiful full-color PDF available exclusively online. Runners-up will also be considered for publication.
MARK TWAIN HUMOR CONTEST
https://twainhouse.submittable.com/submit/38076
$12 or $22 ENTRY FEE.
Submit 7,000 words (or fewer) of any original work of humor writing. Submissions must be in English. Submissions are not required to be in the style of Mark Twain or about Mark Twain. We want to hear your voice. And we want you to make us laugh! Deadline July 10, 2015. 1st Prize: $1,000 (Adult), $600 (Young Author). 2nd Prize: $500 (Adult), $400 (Young Author). 3rd Prize: $250 (Adult), $200 (Young Author). Three Honorable Mention Prizes: $100 Gift Certificate for the Mark Twain Museum Store (Adult & Young Author).
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GRANTS
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NEA CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWSHIPS
http://arts.gov/grants-individuals/creative-writing-fellowships/grant-program-description
The NEA Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. We typically receive more than 1,000 applications each year in this category and award fellowships to fewer than 5 percent of applicants. Deadline March 11, 2015.
CHRONICLE BOOKS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/designfellowship/
Five fellowships are available in our Publishing Design, Marketing Design, Children’s Design, and Digital Publishing Design groups. These fellowships provide six months of hands-on experience to recent graduates interested in embarking on a career in book, package, or digital publishing design. Deadline March 2, 2015.
PAUL ARTSPACE
http://paulartspace.org/
Paul Artspace is a residency program based in St. Louis, Missouri that offers living and studio space for local, national, and international artists/writers and curators. Through providing time and space, Paul Artspace promotes thoughtful discourse and artistic exchanges within the greater cultural community.
NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE ROSTER
http://www.nh.gov/nharts/grants/artists/aieroster.htm
The Council invites applications from professional artists in all disciplines who are experienced in their field/s and can make a strong personal commitment to working in an educational setting with students, educators, administrators and parents to apply to the Arts in Education (AIE) Roster. Interested artists should contact the Arts in Education Coordinator Catherine O’Brian to discuss their application prior to submitting it. Deadline May 1, 2015.
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FREELANCE MARKETS
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NEW WELSH REVIEW
http://www.newwelshreview.com/submissions.php
The majority of articles in New Welsh Review are specially commissioned by the editor, but if you have a proposal please email a brief synopsis (300 words maximum) in the first instance to the editor. Please include a brief biography. We pay in the region of £170 per article upon publication. You are welcome to communicate with the editor in either Welsh or English but submissions should be in English unless they are part of a translation project. Short stories must be typed, single-sided and double-spaced, in the region of 2,500 to 3,000 words, although we do on occasion publish shorter stories and microfiction. Poetry submissions should consist of not more than six previously unpublished poems. Poems must be typed and single-sided. We pay in the region of £100 for a short story and £28 for each poem, upon publication.
CLARKESWORLD
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/
Clarkesworld Magazine is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and audio fiction. Word Limit 1,000-8,000 words (preferred length is 4,000). Pay Rate 10 cents/word for the first 4,000 words, 7 cents/word over 4,000.
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. Payment is ten cents USD/word.
ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY CLUBHOUSE
http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/submission-guidelines
Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse readers are 8- to 12-year-old boys and girls who desire to know more about God and the Bible. Their parents (who typically pay for a subscription) want wholesome, educational material with Scriptural or moral insight. The kids want excitement, adventure, action, humor or mystery. Your job as a writer is to please both the parent and child with each article. Generally 15 to 25 cents/word. $200 and up for feature-length fiction stories. $150 and up for nonfiction stories.
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JOBS
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NO JOBS THIS WEEK
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AGENTS / PUBLISHERS
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VOX DEI PUBLISHING
http://www.voxdeipublishing.com/about-vox-dei.html
Our mission is to provide books for a primarily Christian audience that edify and entertain, encourage and inspire. While Christian themes are woven throughout our fiction, our purpose is not to preach a sermon but rather provide a quality alternative to the secular market for entertainment. Our non-fiction titles are intended to help readers explore the Bible in a more personal way and grow in their walk with Christ, while being informal in voice and approach. Whether fiction or nonfiction, our goal is to shine the light and love that is central to the Christian faith into a dark and messy world.
CURIOSITY QUILLS PRESS
https://curiosityquills.com/submission-guidelines/
Curiosity Quills Press is a publisher of hard-hitting dark sci-fi, speculative fiction, and paranormal works aimed at adults, young adults, and new adults. We provide our authors with a full-service publishing experience, marketing support, and technical know-how, while ensuring that these literary marauders are truly the cream of the crop through a highly selective acquisition process.
STOBBE LITERARY AGENCY
http://stobbeliterary.com/submission-guidelines/
Open to anyone who subscribes to the basic Christian doctrines, the Nicene Creed, for example. I will not represent someone whose views differ significantly from what I believe the Bible teaches. Les Stobbe handles fiction and nonfiction for adults. Sally Apokedak handles children's books, fantasy, devotionals, Christian living, and adult inspirational.
3 SEAS LITERARY AGENCY
http://threeseasagency.com/submissions.html
Cori Deyoe represents all sub-genres of romance, women’s fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries and select non-fiction. Linda Scalissi is interested in representing authors of women’s fiction, thrillers, young adult, mysteries and romance. Michelle Grajkowski primarily represents romance, women’s fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction along with select non-fiction projects with a terrific message. She is currently looking for fantastic writers with a voice of their own.
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SPONSORS
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Are you looking for a great writing workshop?
Join us at the Southeastern Writers Workshop, Epworth-by-the-Sea, St. Simon’s Island, GA
on June 19-23 (Fiction June 20-21 & non-fiction June 22-23). Attend both for maximum benefit!
Get the details at southeasternwriters.org. Register today.
GET PAID TO WRITE: Become A Freelance Writer!
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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?
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"Shaila helped us redesign the website for our writers' conference. She went above and beyond, looking through thousands of our pictures to choose the best, and often wrote chunks of content for us to fill in gaps. Shaila was wonderful to work with and it was worth every penny." —Amanda Murphy, Managing Director of the Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway
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Fine print
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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
**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.
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