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Volume 15, Issue 22, may 29, 2015 |
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Message from the Editor
Yep, that's a boot on my foot. For six weeks thanks to a screwed up tendon that won't cooperate. Looks crazy, but on the bright side it means living in comfortable shoes and clothes for a while, and being driven around. Less housework. But it gives me NO excuse not to get some writing done. Oh the stages of life we go through.
Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
FFW has proudly been on the Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2001
Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. Use information listed at your own risk. FundsforWriters gives no warranty to completeness, accuracy, or fitness of the markets, contests and grants although research is done to the best of our ability. |
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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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NOTE: 30 percent off for FundsforWriters readers for a short time. Click here.
Grammarly sucked me in and owned me after only ten minutes of using it on my latest manuscript, Edisto Jinx. Though my grammar skills are solid, Grammarly pointed me toward flow issues, awkward wording, repeated wording, and yes, the occasional grammar oversight. I caught myself changing sentences and enjoying the second set of eyes. Grammarly is truly one of the simplest and most useful editing tools I've ever experienced. ~C. Hope Clark, award-winning mystery author, www.chopeclark.com, and editor of FundsforWriters.com
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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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WHAT TO DO WITH SHORT STORIES?
Recently I received a simple email from a reader who stated she wrote mostly short stories, and she had no clue what to do with them. She felt the day of the short story was over, and that hers had no chance of being published. She also asked how to make any money with them. These days, short writing is often interpreted as free to read, and she wanted to make a dollar or two from her effort.
I understood her frustration and desire. Immediately, I asked her how many publications did she buy each year that catered to the short story. She could count them on one hand. You can guess my response to that. If she's not supporting the short story market, how can she expect to make money from it? Same goes for poetry, mysteries, sci-fi and the rest. {Okay, rant over.)
From there, I suggested the following methods to earning income from short stories:
1) Contests
In case you are new to FundsforWriters, I post many contests, and only those that pay $200 or more. Short story competitions are popular in the contest world. They usually charge entry fees, which are used to fund the prize money and cover expenses of judges and online promotion. Try to work one a month into your regimen. Contests are no different from submitting to editors. You risk rejection, but you also play the odds of being discovered and published in addition to putting a few dollars in your pocket.
2) Self-pub shorts on Amazon
Self-publishing isn't just for novels or how-to books. What's great these days is that you can sell ebooks, e-shorts, or chapbooks online, regardless of word count. Your short might not make more than 99 cents, but it's read, and you're on your way as a short story author.
3) Magazines and anthologies
These calls for submissions don't holler loud, so you'll need to pay attention to venues like FundsforWriters to find them. Of course you need to sign up for FundsforWriters, and preferably TOTAL FundsforWriters as well. (See http://www.fundsforwriters.com/total-subscription-special/ But here are some markets to help your efforts:
http://thewritelife.com/where-to-submit-short-stories/
http://www.amazon.com/Novel-Short-Story-Writers-Market/dp/159963841X/fundsforwriters
http://www.sfwa.org/category/information-center/advice-for-new-writers/where-to-submit/
http://thereviewreview.net/publishing-tips/show-me-literary-magazines-pay
4) Crowdfunding
Do you have a short story project in mind? Pitch it in a crowdfunding campaign at Kickstarter.com , Indiegogo.com , Pubslush.com , Unbound.co.uk or any of two dozen others. These are the most common and reliable for authors. Study the successful campaigns and learn from the masters. Earn money for your project and build a following at the same time.
Short people rock!
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, Kevin Barry's on River Street, Savannah, GA - 6:45 PM
June 25-27, 2015 - Freelance Writing, Midwest Writing Center, Davenport, IA
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle, and a victory."
~ Mahatma Gandhi
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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 just wanted to thank you personally for connecting me, via Total Funds, to my first Writer's Residency! I saw the listing for Sundress Academy of the Arts last Fall, applied, and spent two heavenly weeks on a working farm outside of Knoxville, TN this January -- all because of your newsletter.
As it turns out, the organization is quite young and I got in when the getting was good, so to speak -- now they are full for the next six-plus months and I think it would be harder for a newer writer like me to get my foot in the door. This was the perfect opportunity for me, a Californian with a debut novel set in Tennessee!
I so enjoy this newsletter and mention it to almost every aspiring writer I meet. Thank you for creating such a useful resource and for offering it at such an affordable price.
All the best to you,
Deanna Ross
Monterey, CA
http://thejinxes.com
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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What to Do When Your Work Is Stolen
By Devyani Borade
 The unthinkable happens. Your work is published without your knowledge, consent or compensation. Whether it is large slushpiles, lack of time, memory lapses or non-existent ethics, there's no excuse for unprofessionalism or deceit. If the publication gets away with it once, they may do it again!
Sure, you challenge them. You take the moral high ground, argue facts logically, point out copyrights, escalate to publishers or web domain owners; but your remonstrations fall on deaf ears. When editors don't remedy the situation early and sufficiently, here's how you can take action.
Publicize
Reputations carry businesses, but are fragile. Social media is a powerful tool, but an untamed beast. Nothing travels faster than bad news. Use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or your own mailing lists of writers/editors/sources to make noise.
However, before you bandy about anyone's good name, remember publicity is a two-way street. Choose your words carefully. Don't post on a public forum in a passion. Defamation charges can be difficult to defend, and the last thing you need is to have your life stolen too.
Invoice anyway
What have you got to lose? Invoicing a publication that has published your work without permission sends a clear message that you are a professional who knows the industry. PayPal has a professional template and a reminder system. Make your invoice due on receipt and clearly state terms and conditions including penalties for delayed payments.
Join forces
Yours may not be a solitary incident. Ask around. Someone may have experience dealing with the publication's idiosyncrasies and may be able to advise you.
Hit them where it hurts
Magazines exist for sales. Contact the retail outlets where the magazine is sold and inform them of the transgression. They may stop stocking it.
Go to court
Before you recourse to judiciary as your last resort, consider:
a) Money: Lawyers' fees are ruinous. Unless you claim Donald Trump as a relation or have engaged a lawyer to work pro bono, think twice.
b) Time: Court battles can drag on for years. You may end up resigning your great-grandchildren to life revolving around courthouse working hours.
c) Effort: Meetings, filing forms, understanding the law, dealing with red tape - there are an awful lot of legal hoops to jump through that drain energy. Will your court battle drain you of the sheer physical stamina to attend your daughter's graduation ceremony, steal the mental inclination to host that long-overdue dinner party, rob you of the emotional wherewithal to cope with a friend's illness?
d) Scandal: Court cases are open affairs. You may think truth and public interest are on your side, but there's no guarantee how the case will develop. Your reputation may emerge out of the ordeal smelling like a bouquet of roses, or it may crawl out looking like
something the cat dragged in. Can you live with the local garbage-man and that cute shop assistant at your favorite boutique knowing all about your dirty laundry?
e) Practicalities: If you live in the US and the publication is based in Singapore, how do you propose to duel?
So weigh pros and cons, calculate cost versus benefit and take action.
Or finally, write off the loss and move on.
It's great to be principled and fight for fairness. It's also natural to feel to want to get even. But is the article worth the tumult? If not, consider it an occupational hazard and move on. Lesson learned.
Whatever you do, hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. Remain positive, proactive, and don't stop writing. As freelancer Judee Fong says, "Thieves steal only from the best!"
Bio:
 Devyani Borade writes on the humor and pathos of everyday life. Her articles on the craft, business and heart of writing have been accepted/published by nearly all writing-related publications in the USA and UK. She likes to eat chocolates, read comic books and try her husband's patience! Visit her website Verbolatry at http://devyaniborade.blogspot.com to contact her and read her other work. This article was inspired by a true incident. Read the full story here: http://devyaniborade.blogspot.com/p/tampa-bay-parenting-magazine-steals-work.html
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COMPETITIONS
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BRAIN MILL PRESS NOVELLA CONTEST
http://brainmillpress.com/submission-and-contests/
$25 ENTRY FEE.
The 2015 Driftless Unsolicited Novella contest seeks 20,000-40,000 word novellas on the theme Over. Three winning novellas, selected by a prominent author, will receive a $250 cash prize, a publication contract, and royalties for the novella with Brain Mill Press. The cash prize is not an advance against royalties. Royalties commence with the internationally-distributed digital release. Deadline June 1, 2015.
THE RATTLE POETRY PRIZE
http://www.rattle.com/poetry/prize/about
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline July 15, 2015. The annual Rattle Poetry Prize now offers $10,000 for a single poem — plus a total of $3,000 and publication to ten finalists. With the winners judged in a blind review by the editors to ensure a fair and consistent selection (past winners have ranged from the well-known to the previously unpublished poets), an entry fee that is simply a one-year subscription to the magazine, and a large Readers’ Choice Award chosen by the writers themselves, we’ve designed the Rattle Poetry Prize to be one of the most writer-friendly contests around.
TWISTED ROAD
https://twistedroadpublications.submittable.com/submit
$16 ENTRY FEE.
We are seeking stories that reveal the lives of marginalized groups and individuals by developing complex characters and realistic settings. For Twisted Road Publications, “Southern Gothic” means examining the social order of the new south, which we believe is as fragile and the realities behind it as disturbing as anything Faulkner imagined. However, since some of the best stories in the “Gothic” tradition are from outside the region, entries do not necessarily have to be set in the South, nor does the author have to be southern. Word limit 6,000 words. Deadline July 31, 2015.
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://fscottfestival.org/festival/short-story-contest/
$25 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline August 14, 2015. Open to residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. No restrictions to subject matter. Limit 4,000 words. First prize is $500 and invitation to speak at the festival award ceremony on October 10, 2015. Two runner-up prizes of $100 each.
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GRANTS
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FRACTURED ATLAS
https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/
Fractured Atlas wants to help you raise money for your artistic work. As the country’s largest arts fiscal sponsor, we provide accessibility, efficiency and affordability. We work with thousands of artists and arts organizations to provide education and support for raising funds.
HOTEL MARIA KAPEL RESIDENCY - NETHERLANDS
http://hotelmariakapel.nl/wp/residency/
Once a year HMK sends out an open call for artists, writers, curators and researchers (individuals or groups) to hand in a proposal for a residency period. A residency typically lasts for one or two months. During a stay in our guesthouse, residents are invited to develop, execute and present new work in the chapel/exhibition space, or research and develop a specific project culminating in an event, exhibition, presentation or publication. The Netherlands is a small country that is easy to navigate by train, and we stimulate artists to also use the residency as an opportunity to explore other places, museums and project spaces. In order to apply, HMK requests a small application fee of €15.
MESA VERDE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
http://www.nps.gov/meve/getinvolved/supportyourpark/artists_in_residence.htm
Mesa Verde National Park is proud to announce the 2015 Artist-In-Residence (AIR) program. This program offers professional writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form while being surrounded by the inspiring ancient architecture of the Ancestral Pueblo people and the sweeping natural landscape of the park. The year's residencies are selected at once. Sign up to be notified when the next round of applications are accepted. Location Colorado.
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
http://www.nps.gov/gumo/getinvolved/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence.htm
The Artist-In-Residence Program offers professional writers, composers, and all visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the park. The Artist-in-Residence Program is intended for artists working in a variety of mediums. One or more artists may be selected each year for our residency program. Professional two-dimensional visual artists, sculptors, musicians, writers, crafts persons, and photographers are encouraged to apply. Location Texas. Sign up for information. Applications usually taken beginning in the fall.
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FREELANCE MARKETS
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TRAINS
http://trn.trains.com/Magazine/Contributor%20Guidelines/2010/07/Contributor%20Guidelines.aspx
TRAINS buys news stories and feature articles covering railroading's past and present, including first-person recollections. We do not buy travel stories, poetry, or fiction.
Standard manuscript rates begin at 10 cents per word.
RUG HOOKING MAGAZINE
http://rughookingmagazine.com/node/4660
Our goal is to provide high quality articles and photographs about the art and craft of rug hooking, and how-to articles on techniques and projects. Rug Hooking readers are passionate about rug hooking, and they value informative articles about the craft and the people involved in the field. They also enjoy the high quality projects that they find in our magazine.
OKANAGAN LIFE
http://okanaganlife.com/contributors-guidelines/
Okanagan Life is a regional character magazine serving Okanagan residents Valleywide from Salmon Arm in the north to Osoyoos in the south. We want to see a passionate sense of Okanagan pride as you explore the Valley’s most fascinating and diverse people, places and activities. Combine the pastoral allure of the region with smart, entertaining dabs of urban sizzle and small town seductiveness. Pay ranges from 20 cents to 25 cents per published word, depending on experience (paid within 30 days of publication). Location Kelowna, BC Canada.
AMC OUTDOORS
http://www.outdoors.org/publications/outdoors/contributor-guidelines.cfm
AMC Outdoors inspires readers to get outside and get involved by providing high-quality coverage of outdoor recreation, education, and conservation topics throughout the Northern Appalachian region, from Maine to Virginia. We generally pay $500-$700 for features and $150-$400 for department columns.
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JOBS
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FULL-TIME COLLEGE SPORTS STAFF WRITER
Location Hoboken, NJ
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/51281867
We’re looking for one full-time writer to add to our staff for our Hoboken, New Jersey (next to NYC) office. We’re looking for candidates who are obsessed with both entrepreneurship and college sports. Ideal candidates will also have relevant experience in digital media. As an employee of College Spun, you will help dictate the site’s editorial direction.
CONTENT WRITER
http://www.alliancetek.com/career.html#
Location Malvern, PA
Responsible for writing web content and attractive description of products, services and technology. Create content for website, Blogs and Social media articles by co-ordinating with technical team and gathering information. Knowledge of SEO writing is preferred. Should have more than 2-3 years of experience in IT industry.
WRITER
Location West Des Moines, IA
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/64511021
The Writer conceives, writes and produces quality, creative and effective marketing collateral within our brand voice. This position supports several marketing channels including social media, public relations, effective print and electronic communication solutions for assigned corporate communications projects.
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AGENTS / PUBLISHERS
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THE GREENHOUSE LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.writing.ie/writing-comps/the-greenhouse-funny-prize-2015/
Greenhouse exclusively represents and manages the careers of authors writing fiction for children, from picturebooks through middle grade novels to sophisticated teen fiction.
STONESLIDE BOOKS
http://stoneslidecorrective.com/another-page-here/
Stoneslide Books pays a modest advance and a very competitive revenue sharing arrangement after publication. We like novels with strong character development and narrative thrust, brought out with writing that’s clear and expressive. If you have a manuscript like that, we’d like you to send it to us. Fiction is the driving force behind what we do. However, we don’t draw distinctions where they aren’t needed. If you have a book-length work of non-fiction, memoir, or something else that seems to fit with our approach, please send it.
CRIME WAVE PRESS
http://crimewavepress.com/submissions.php
Crime Wave Press is open to reading manuscripts from locations around the world. Crime Wave Press is signing authors who can offer complete and edited manuscripts of English language crime novels and we will also consider crime fiction novellas from 20,000 words up. Crime Wave Press publishes both ebook and print format titles, and is extremely flexible in how to tackle a tough and fast-changing market, continually developing new strategies to sell books. We will decide on a case by case basis on how best to market, distribute and promote its titles. We prefer receiving manuscripts that run to no more than 90,000 words.
RIPTIDE PUBLISHING
http://riptidepublishing.com/call-for-submissions
Riptide is happy to announce that we're accepting new submissions for completed LGBTQ manuscripts between 15,000 and 115,000 words! You no longer have to be invited or represented by an agent to submit your manuscript. (Please note that open submissions will close from time to time, according to volume, to all but invited and agented authors.)
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SPONSORS
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A WEEK OF WRITING, YOGA AND SELF CARE IN THE CARIBBEAN
Join Creative Revolution Retreats in Costa Rica this Nov 1-8, 2105 for a women’s only writing & yoga retreat.
To see what we're all about, join Jeannie and Leigh, the women behind Creative Revolution Retreats for a FREE WEBINAR and learn how journaling can fuel your writing. Sign up now!
Feel Like You’ve Bitten Off ... More than You Can Chew?
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4) You’re certain you’ll never be as good as XYZ writer
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6) You think: “What if I’m a failure? What if I’m a success?”
If you’re looking for honest feedback, maybe it’s time to work with a writing coach with a proven track record in helping writers succeed. With Your Story Assessment, you’ll receive a coaching session and concrete ways to improve your story, saving you months or years of frustration. Unleash your imagination with the support and confidence you need! Click here for Your Story Assessment (now 25% off).
Are you tired of marketing your book all by yourself? Do you market through social media, but can't tell if it's working? Want to reach a GLOBAL audience? Bookarma is the answer!
Bookarma connects your books with new readers around the globe -- for only $1.99/month!
David R. Collins Writers’ Conference, June 25-27, 2015
St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa
Presented by Midwest Writing Center
Celebrating the 10th anniversary with special events in addition to the three-day workshops on novel, poetry, freelancing, and more, along with pitches and critique sessions. Faculty includes C. Hope Clark and award-winning novelists and poets. Early bird and volume discounts offered. For details and registration, visit http://www.mwcqc.org/events-opportunities/david-r-collins-writers-conference/
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)
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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.
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“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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