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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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THE HOW-TO ARTICLE WITHOUT THE HOW-TO
After FundsforWriters was mentioned in a popular blog post, submissions came pouring in, always a welcome sight. Eagerly I open each one. The rejection rate, however, is about 70 percent.
FundsforWriters, like many writing and freelance sites, is in the how-to business. Readers anxiously seek ideas on how to make this craft of theirs marketable and profitable. Also, FundsforWriters has been around a long time - 15 years. At the archives (http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?fundsforwriters) someone can see most of the stories accepted in the past. My readers are pretty dang loyal, so my goal is to provide them with material they can put to good use. So why do so many writers send a how-to article . .
without the how-to in it?
For example, a piece might start with the title, "How to Make Real Money as a Writer." Questions instantly pop into my head with that headline - questions I will expect to be answered as I read. That's how both an editor and a reader will approach your submission.
What's real money?
What are the steps?
Are these steps within my reach?
But then the writer may go on to say:
Become a ghostwriter.
Write greeting cards.
Write comedy.
Write resumes.
Write for newspapers.
Write for magazines.
But...what are the steps? How does a writer master those things? Heck, how do they get started? What's square one? Who buys the work?
Precisely. And that's why I reject so many pieces, as do many other editors. Let's take one of those items, say, become a ghostwriter. If you tell me how to find clients, how to pitch to a publisher, how much to charge, or how to orchestrate a contract on a project, then I have takeaway value. Links, resources, and steps that have worked in real situations. I can finish reading and go into the world, take that advice, and put it into play.
Editors aren't ignorant. They can recognize fluff when they see it. They can also recognize substantive experience and knowledge. Guess which one they're going to buy?
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.
-Hope Clark
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Upcoming Book Signings and Classes!
May 29, 2015 - Meetup Savannah Book Club, Savannah, GA - 6 PM
June 25-27, 2015 - Freelance Writing, Midwest Writing Center, Davenport, IA
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
Talent without discipline
is like an octopus on roller skates.
There's plenty of movement,
but you never know if it's going to be
forward, backwards, or sideways.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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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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Contact us at hope@fundsforwriters.com if you've achieved success through the newsletters. We want to share your news and congratulate you!
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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Grants & A-I-R Opportunities Abound for Writers!
By Laura Lee Perkins
Philanthropy is on the rise. Grants are plentiful, offering funding for specific purposes: publishing, research, workshops, writing, travel, individual/community projects, seminars and more. Grants often require an extensive application process.
Tips for applying for grants:
When applying, you will need a finely-honed mission and letters of recommendation from respected peers. When awarded a grant, you will be required to submit a final report of how you spent the funds and sometimes a sample donation of your work will be requested. Grants are not simply free money. They involve many hours of work, but I have found that it is time well-spent.
Grants have themes. Grant providers offer grants for specific purposes. Make sure that your project is a good match with the grantor's parameters before you begin the application process.
Some grants offer funding within specific geographic boundaries. Is your geographical location a match?
Grants have a mission. Clearly articulate how you will use the grant money. Include a detailed budget. And explain how this project matches the grant's mission.
Demonstrate that your requests match the funding guidelines. Explain how this grant will serve your professional career, help others (now and in the future) and expand the grantor's mission.
Grants are about you, the grant funder and the impact the project will have on others. If you can communicate these three components, you will be a strong candidate!
Some ways grant funds have made a difference:
I have received grants to attend writers' conferences because improved writing skills helped at work.
When I was teaching, I applied for a little-known $4,000 governor's grant for teaching excellence and completed graduate level writing courses using that money.
The local state educators' association funded two $10,000 grants to produce a book with a companion CD about Native American music.
A Quaker Lyman Fund funded $2,000 twice for a book and CD about spiritual connections.
A local bank offered a grant for a writing project for children.
The Alex Tanous Foundation funded two summer projects to bring women to my home for classes for 10 weeks.
The Puffin Foundation offers grants to save something endangered. My grant application about authentic Native American music received two grants totaling $3,000 for two books.
Making the most of a residency
Artist-in-Residencies (AIR) have also been a welcome gift during the past 10 years. When I accepted AIR positions at Sleeping Bear Dunes (MI), Acadia (ME), Crater Lake (OR) and Great North Cascades (WA) U.S. National Parks, it became obvious that those without an artistic bent were a bit confused about what I would be doing. "Writing and offering one public presentation about my work," was my response. “Is that all?” some questioned. Yes, that was all. What a gift of time, space and inspiration!
You need to have a vision, clear the calendar, craft an AIR project, gather references and complete your application. Each park offered me a unique experience: Sleeping Bear Dunes reflects Native American legends of the Great Lakes, Acadia's rockbound coast/islands strengthen the soul, Great North Cascades offers majestic mountains, wild rivers, mammoth trees, and Crater Lake’s mystical quality is magnetic! My fifth AIR on Martha's Vineyard at Turkeyland Cove for 17 days of solitude in a magnificent island house resulted in several publications.
I am a writer and a musician. Writers describe their impressions in word paintings. Musicians bring forth inspiration through sound. That is what I do every day during an artist-in-residency. AIR programs offer time for the mind to wander, filling my soul with joy. Profound experiences of beauty and serenity are imprinted upon my soul and will continue to enrich my work for years.
BIO
Laura Lee Perkins, MS is a writer, educator and musician. Laura has been awarded five artist-in-residencies and eleven grants. She was 3rd Place Winner in 80th International Writers' Digest Awards (Inspirational category) and she has released three books in the past 15 months: Lighting Your Spiritual Passion, Native American Flute Tutor and Native American Songs for Flute. The Hope and Miracles CHICKEN SOUP for the SOUL (Feb 2015) includes Laura's essay: THE WHITE OWL. Laura lives near a Maine lighthouse and winters in Arizona.
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COMPETITIONS
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TETHERED BY LETTERS' SPRING LITERARY CONTEST
http://tetheredbyletters.com/submissions/contest-submission
ENTRY FEE $15 per Short Story; $7 per Flash Fiction; $15 for three Flash Fictions; $7 per poem; $15 for three poems.
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 (up to three pages per poem). All winners will be published in F(r)iction. All finalists will receive free professional edits on their submission and be considered for later publication. The prizes are $500 (US) for the short story winner, $150 (US) for the flash fiction winner, and $150 (US) for the poetry winner. Winners will be announced publicly in August. Multiple entries accepted. International submissions welcome. Deadline May 31, 2015.
DICTIONARY OF DIVINE DYSFUNCTION
http://www.divinedictionary.org/writing-contest.html
NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline May 25, 2015. Best words and definitions can be no longer than 160 characters, including the word being defined. No more than three best words per entry, though each word can have up to seven definitions. There is no fee, but we always appreciate donations! In the spirit of transparency, we can only guarantee a percentage of donations received. At the very least winners can expect the following:
First Place - $150, $100 Bling Bling dollars to spend at the launch party, Option to perform as headliner in Spoken Word party presentation, ?VIP entrance to party, Priority seating for up to 10 (paid) VIP groupies, A complimentary bottle of whatever the house is serving, Number one placement of word and definition in the online community dictionary with option to publish legal or anonymous pen name.
Second Place - $75, $50 Bling Bling dollars to spend at the party, VIP entrance to party, Seating for 5 VIP groupies, Starring line up in Spoken Word performance, A complimentary glass of whatever you want to drink,
Third Place - $50, $25 Bling Bling dollars to spend at the party, VIP entrance to party.
HOUSTON WRITERS HOUSE NOVELS CONTEST
http://www.americansocietyfreelancers.com/writingcontests/
$15 ENTRY FEE.
Categories mystery/thriller, Sci-fi/fantasy, historical or contemporary women's fiction or romance, middle school, young adult. $100 winners in each category. $500 Creme de le Creme, best of all categories winner. Send first ten pages plus a cover page. Unpublished only. Deadline April 30, 2015.
SOUTHEASTERN LITERARY TOURISM INITIATIVE SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://selti.org/2015-selti-short-story-contest/
NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline: May 31, 2015. Invites submissions of stories that are set in a tourism attraction of the Huntsville, Alabama metro area and use a creative angle to encourage readers to visit the Huntsville area. Winning story will be published online at SELTI.org and ihearthsv.com and include photos, tourism guide, and a link to the tourism attraction promoted. Awards will be presented to the top three short stories - fiction or creative non-fiction. $300/$100/$50.
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GRANTS
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NATIONAL STORYTELLING BRIMSTONE AWARD
http://www.storynet.org/grants/brimstone.html
Grants of $5,000 will be awarded in support of model storytelling projects that are service-oriented, based in a community or organization, and replicable, to some extent, in other places and situations. Projects should have impact beyond their own communities, organizations, or clients; inspire excellence in applied storytelling work; and communicate to new audiences the humanitarian possibilities of storytelling. Deadline April 30, 2015.
SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA ARTS COUNCIL GRANTS
http://semac.org/grant-categories.php
In this round of grantmaking, the council will be awarding grants in the categories of Artists in Education, Individual Artists, and general operating support. Qualified projects in all categories must have a focus on the fine arts (i.e., the development, education, performance, and/or showcasing of the arts) and must include an accessible public capstone event to benefit the citizens of southeastern Minnesota. Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded to support artist residencies in schools. Deadline July 1, 2015.
P73 PLAYWRITING FELLOWSHIP
http://www.page73.org/programs/p73-playwriting-fellowship
Year-long support program for early-career playwrights. Page 73 serves as producer and advocate, providing support for career development, $10,000 toward the development of one or more new theatrical projects, and a cash stipend of $10,000. Candidates must be U.S. residents living in the U.S. at the time of the fellowship who have committed to playwriting as a professional goal. Applicants must have completed at least 2 full-length plays or at least three one-act plays and have a new play in the very early stages of development, or an idea for a new play that would benefit from the resources provided by
the fellowship. Deadline April 15, 2015.
BUZZFEED FELLOWSHIP
http://www.buzzfeed.com/saeedjones/buzzfeed-emerging-writers-fellowship#.xfVRaqPpzx
During the four-month program, the writers in this fellowship will benefit from career mentorship and editorial guidance while also receiving financial support. During their time in fellowship, writers will be expected to pitch, report, and write with the added benefit of writing workshops, panel discussions with editors and writers from throughout the industry, and assigned readings. Mentorship within the program will focus on teaching writers how to thrive as freelancers as well as on staff at media organizations. The
writers selected for the fellowship will work with BuzzFeed News’ senior editorial staff and be based in New York. Fellows will receive a stipend of $12,000. Deadline October 1, 2015.
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FREELANCE MARKETS
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RECOMMENDED READING
https://electricliterature.submittable.com/submit
A magazine by Electric Literature. Publishes one story a week. Though Recommended Reading features original fiction as well as reprints, we will only consider previously unpublished stories during our spring submission period. Recommended Reading publishes fiction ranging in length from 2,000 to 10,000 words, and pays each contributor $300. We accept simultaneous submissions. We can only consider one story by an author at any given time. The spring submission period will take place during the month of April.
TEXAS HOME SCHOOL COALITION
http://www.thsc.org/about-thsc/opportunities-at-thsc/writing-opportunities/
THSC REVIEW is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November. We appreciate authors who are familiar with our magazine and its general content and style. We are interested in curriculum reviews as well as how-to articles that explore different approaches for various learning styles — in particular subject areas such as math, writing, spelling, history, good citizenship, etc. We welcome submissions that seek to encourage and inspire home school families. The ideal length of an article is, for one page 650–750, for two pages 1,000 – 1,250. Pays $100.
WESTJET MAGAZINE
http://www.westjetmagazine.com/contests/write-us
WestJet Magazine, WestJet’s inflight magazine, is a Canadian travel-lifestyle magazine designed to reach WestJet passengers each month. Story formats are smart, tightly constructed pieces that may range from “charticle” formats to compelling Q&As, features and profiles, infographic style pieces and destination roundups. We are seeking stories that are off-the-beaten path, that examine social trends impacting travel, that are about unusual or quirky little gems not found anywhere else.
THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA - CHICKEN SOUP
http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Send us your stories about what it means to be an American, whether you’re talking about apple pie and baseball, country music and our national anthem, barbecues, national holidays, our military heroes, first responders, American ingenuity, buying “made in America”, our huge and varied country, our diversity and our tolerance, our energy and spirit, and all the other things that make us proud Americans. Deadline November 30, 2015. Limit 1,200 words. Pays $200 and ten copies.
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JOBS
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MULTIPLE POSITIONS
EXPERIENCE OXFORD MAGAZINE
Location Oxford, MS.
http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Hottytoddy.com-Experience-Oxford-Magazine
We are a rapidly expanding new media company publish both on-line and print products. Visit us at www.hottytoddy.com or "If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss..." on Facebook. On our web site check out Experience Oxford Magazine and HottyToddy TV.
CONTENT WRITER
Location American Fork, UT
http://jobs.deluxe.com/us/utah/marketing/jobid7385305-content-writer
He or she will work 40 hours/week creating web copy for locally focused businesses in a variety of industries. The full-time Content Writer may be asked to complete additional tasks, including but not limited to, writing content for websites and blogs, editing content, researching keywords, monitoring content needs, testing new products, and coordinating article publication.
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AGENTS / PUBLISHERS
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BOROUGH PUBLISHING
http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/submit
We are seeking ROMANCE fiction in the following sub-genres: contemporary, erotic romance, fantasy, historical, multi-cultural, paranormal, romantic suspense/thrillers, urban fantasy, young adult.
STRIGIDAE PUBLISHING
http://strigidaepublishing.com/for-authors-2/novel-submissions/
Currently, seeking the following genres: horror, science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, paranormal romance, speculative. Primarily ebook publisher, paying 50 percent royalties.
SLEEPING BEAR PRESS
http://sleepingbearpress.com/submission_guidelines
We review children’s picture book, middle grade, and young adult manuscripts. Please browse our website for an idea of the books we publish. In your submission package, please include a one-page pitch letter including contact information, sample of the work (up to 15 pages), and self-addressed stamped envelope.
FREE SPIRIT BOOKS
http://www.freespirit.com/company/submissions.cfm
Our mission is to provide children and teens with the tools they need to succeed in life and to make a difference in the world. We publish high-quality nonfiction books and learning materials for children and teens, parents, educators, counselors, and others who live and work with young people.
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SPONSORS
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Write in Spain this summer
July 14-21, 2015, Tavertet, Spain
ARE YOU A WRITER WHO LOVES TO TRAVEL? Retreat to beautiful northern Spain to immerse yourself in a supportive week-long writing experience that will energize and inspire you. Enjoy encouraging workshops, plentiful writing time, panoramic cliff top views and excursions to Barcelona and more. Open to poets, fiction, memoir and nonfiction writers. Presented by Murphy Writing of Stockton University.
"The program was one of the most enjoyable vacations I ever had. The friendships, the creativity, the entire experience of the workshop, guest speakers and excursions amounted to a trip I will never forget. It helped me as a writer, as a potential novelist, and I'll be back." — Walt, Linwood, NJ
Learn more and register today: www.murphywriting.com/spain
All-inclusive writing vacation in New Hampshire
Live Free and Write
August 16-21, 2015, Dexter’s Inn, Sunapee, NH
Join us in New Hampshire for a supportive writing retreat. Enjoy the refreshing New England summer with plentiful writing time, encouraging workshops, homemade meals and time to relax. Spend the week in either "Writing and Publishing Retreat" with Amanda Morris or "Free-Writing Intensive" with Douglas Goetsch. Presented by Murphy Writing of Stockton University.
"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 July 1 and save: www.murphywriting.com/nh
T om Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest - Final Month!
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
Transform your unique story or book into a quality motion-picture screenplay. An experienced screenwriter & theatrical producer will ghost-write your screenplay for $1495. The standard Screenplay Ghost-Writing Service gets you a feature length screenplay in .doc and .pdf formats. Pitch and submission services are available in select cases.
* A manuscript, draft screenplay, detailed outline, or treatment is required at this price; may not be available for research intensive projects. Additional compensation is contingent upon production financing. Credits and biographical information are available on request. J.C. Foy. For more information, visit http://21stcenturyfoy.blogspot.com/
Call for Entries: Poets & Writers!
Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest.
Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject and/or write a short story,
5 pages maximum length on any theme, single or double line spacing,
neatly hand printed or typed.
Writing First Prize: $500.00, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $100
Poetry First Prize: $250.00, 2nd: $125; 3rd: $50.
Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story.
Postmark deadline: July 31, 2015
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for details and enter!
REFRESH YOUR WRITING SKILLS THIS SPRING WITH WOW!
WOW ! Women On Writing offers online courses in fiction, nonfiction, short story, personal essay, poetry, screenwriting, freelance, editing, author platform, self-publishing, and more. Work with our award-winning instructors one-on-one and get personalized feedback on assignments.
Here’s a sampling of some of our classes starting soon:
Writing a Children's or YA Novel (April 15)
How to Publish a Short Story Workshop (April 15)
Crafting the Short Story (April 17)
Copywriting with Heart: Jumpstart Your Copywriting Career (April 30)
Get Traffic to Your Website with Inbound Marketing (May 4)
Writing Nonfiction for Children's and Young Adult's Magazines (May 4)
Visit the WOW! Classroom for a full list of classes and workshops:
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/WOWclasses.html
Here's a free checklist of tasks and tools for successfully marketing your book. This site is full of cool tasks, tools, lists, and instruction to make this crazy writing gig work. Highly recommended. ~HOPE
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.
NOTE: I'll be teaching fiction on June 20-21. Any chance I'll see you there? ~Hope)
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!
Joel has created coupon code FFW35 for FFW readers. When you use FFW35 at BookDesignTemplates.com shopping cart, it will give you a 35% discount on anything on the site.
NOTE: This is my web designer, and I recommend Shaila highly. ~Hope
Winner of several AEP and Marcom design awards, Shaila Abdullah has over 20 years of experience as a graphic and web designer. She has assisted over 50 authors and writers with their design needs ranging from websites, books, marketing materials, social media banners, ads, to email campaigns (newsletters and announcements). Being an award-winning author herself, Shaila understands the industry, and will provide you with designs that reflects your unique style, genre, and personality.
MENTION THIS AD AND GET 10% OFF (NEW CLIENTS ONLY)
EXISTING CLIENTS EARN 8% REFERRAL FEE FOR SENDING IN NEW CLIENTS
“After months of collaborating on my vision of a website as a place to showcase my published essays and offer writing and editing services, Shaila Abdullah turned out a site design that is my dream come true. —Kate Meadows, writer and author
"Superb work, excellent customer service. Just marvelous overall.” —C. Hope Clark, FundsforWriters
“Nothing stands in Shaila’s way. From my design requests to technological needs–Shaila had a creative solution to offer at every turn. I value her design services as a trusted part of my business plan.” —Yvonne Pesquera, writer
"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 wish 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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