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Volume 15, Issue 23, JUNE 5, 2015 |
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Message from the Editor
Summer is just about here, and I love it in spite of the heat and sweat. My porch faces north with two ceiling fans overhead. That and some sort of iced drink means I spend evenings plotting, editing, or simply talking story with hubby - while watching the woodpeckers, great blue herons, osprey and cardinals through one of two sets of binoculars I keep at hand. While I'm not a serious bird watcher, I love doing it, though I prefer to do so from my porch chair instead of going into the wild. Hope you are enjoying good weather wherever you are. And don't forget to enjoy the birds.
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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Get feedback for your writing at FanStory.com. Enter writing contests with cash prizes.
UPCOMING CONTESTS AT FANSTORY.COM
Triolet Poetry Contest - A triolet is a poem with only eight lines and a specific rhyme scheme. $100 prize. Deadline: Thursday, June 11th.
New Arrival Poetry Contest - Write an Acrostic Poem for this poetry contest. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word. View an example in the announcement. Deadline: June 17th. $100 prize.
Share A Story In A Poem - Write about anything. Write it anyway you want. But tell a story with your poem. $100 prize. Deadline: June 24th
Just three out of over 50 contests available every month. All contests are free with a membership fee of only $6.95 each month. Find out more.
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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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WHO WON'T BUY YOUR STORIES?
We are preached to over and over to sell to our targeted market. We should build our platform by finding the places where our readers hang out. Yet the majority of writers do not get this right. They yell to everybody, then wonder why they don't sell books.
Since you cannot determine specifically who reads your type of book, maybe you ought to look closer at who will not read your books.
OTHER WRITERS
While writers are readers, their time is torn between reading their genre and writing their genre. Their first priority is writing a good story, and chances are they will read quality, established authors in order to learn from the masters. They are not quick to read new authors. Yes, you can throw examples at me to the contrary, but if you are targeting your peers, you are diluting the effectiveness of your self-promotion.
NON-READERS
The majority of the people do not read many books. Sad but true. Let's look at some statistics at http://www.statisticbrain.com/reading-statistics/ that will hurt your writer heart; I know it did mine.
56 percent of young people claim to read 10+ books a year. Sounds good, right? Then look at this: 50 percent of US adults cannot read an 8th grade level book. So guess what everybody is reading? Children'ss and YA books.
33 percent of high school graduates don't read a book after high school. 42 percent of college graduates don't read a book after college.
70 percent of adults have not set foot in a bookstore for five years. And 57 percent of books read are not completed.
FAMILY
That's right. Just because you write and read does not mean your family will take up the torch for you. Most of my family has not read my books. They aren't readers, or they don't read my genre. Yes, it hurts a bit, but you need to take this into account when you are making sales. People laugh that mothers write all the reviews or buy up dozens of your book, but in reality, they don't.
When you don't target your books, you are spinning your wheels, making noise at people who will not read NY Times Bestselling authors much less your work. While it seems scary that so few people read, it does make sense that you take your time and focus on markets where your readers may reside. Blogs, bookstores, libraries, local clubs . . . just stop and think who will be interested so that you don't waste your time on those who aren't.
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!
June 25-27, 2015 - Freelance Writing, Midwest Writing Center, Davenport, IA
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
I like villains because there’s something so attractive about a committed person – they have a plan, an ideology, no matter how twisted. They’re motivated.
~Russell Crowe
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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,
My name is Treasure Shields Redmond and I am a native Mississippian and a poet now based in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. I subscribe to your list and several others. You have advocated subscribing to this and publications in order to take your "writing business" seriously. Just a few months ago the yahoo CWROPPS list (curated by poet and professor at SIU Carbondale, Allison Joseph) posted a chapbook Contest hosted by Argus House Press. (http://www.argushousepress.com). Well, guess what? I just became the co-winner of the chapbook contest for my collection of poems about Fannie Lou Hamer entitled *chop*!
I exhibited the persistence you always advocate and I had been sending out the manuscript for several years. The manuscript was shortlisted a couple times and I received valuable feedback even through rejection.
Thanks for your wonderful list and other writers like Allison Joseph who provide opportunities for the community of writers!
Truly,
Treasure Shields Redmond
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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Writer on a Niche – Finding a Writing Home
By S.E. Batt
Budding freelance writers know they have to find clients, write great articles, and keep the ball rolling. But new writers wonder what to write about.
A writer can research the markets, think of an article, and then pitch. While this is a very decent way of finding places to write for, there is another way to make freelance writing work.
First, discover your veins – the kind of veins where ores are found. These veins come in the form of topics, and you mine each seeking a steady income. List topics you enjoy writing about, topics that strike your passions and your loves. These are your veins of profit. At this time, don’t discriminate between a topic that seems profitable and one that seems far-fetched.
It’s too easy for a writer to succumb to their inner editor, the critical voice within that tells the writer what they can and can’t do. That inner editor may easily cast down fun or passionate subjects as unprofitable. Ignore this criticism, because there’s a very real chance you may convert that topic into a stable business – no matter how crazy the idea.
Are you a fan of cats? Do you enjoy them, photograph them, or even take care of them professionally? Your Cat Magazine wants your articles.
Do you love to skydive? Perhaps think about submitting to Parachutist Online. Have a bulging collection of model cars? The aptly-named Model Cars Magazine might just want to hear about it.
Want to write about a topic, but take a Christian stance about it? Try Relevant Magazine. There are way more magazines than the standard newsstand glossies. Some of these editors drum their fingers waiting for pitches about these odd interests you love.
But why stop at one vein? An article about a great, cheap recipe you use on a daily basis could go either in cooking or money management. Even if the topic you love isn’t represented by a magazine, you could pick the idea apart and change the focus.
You’ll find good sources at FreelanceWritings magazine database, where you browse by genre and enter search terms to find your niche. Contently recently put up their own database , a large list with visible pay rates. If your topic is very niche, you can search through Google by entering your topic of interest and adding “write for us”, “submit article”, “submission guidelines” or “writers guidelines” in quotation marks. The search results may contain a lot of markets wanting articles for free, but this search is a good way to discover the smaller magazines that don’t receive much coverage in places like Writer’s Market.
I went after a magazine that accepted articles about videogames; not just reviews and interviews, but opinion pieces as well. Loading up the FreelanceWriting database, I entered video games into the Writers Guidelines search, and found the submission guidelines for Paste Magazine. One query letter and article commission later, and I had an article in print with them.
Find your veins, from your qualifications, passions, and hobbies, and then find the people who have an ear ready to listen to you.
BIO
S.E. Batt is a passionate writer. He writes freelance non-fiction for various websites, and moonlights as a fiction writer when he finds the time to do so. He enjoys cats, tea, and a good keyboard, even though they're fatal when placed all together. http://www.sebatt.com
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COMPETITIONS
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UNFINISHED CHAPTERS (Anthology)
https://unfinishedchaptersanthology.wordpress.com
ENTRY FEE $5.
Top three prizes $200, $100, $75. Seeking short essays about love, loss, relationships and wishful do-overs. Deadline July 1, 2015.
NCW PERSONAL ESSAY/CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTEST
http://northerncoloradowriters.com/upcoming-events-mainmenu-133/writing-contests/307-2012-writing-contests
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Northern Colorado Writers is hosting its 5th annual nonfiction competition. You don't need to be a member or in Colorado to enter. Prizes are 1st: $1,000; 2nd: $250; 3rd: $100. Winners, honorable mentions, and editor's picks will be published in and receive a free copy of the winners' anthology, Pooled Ink. This year's nonfiction judge is Colorado Book Award winner BK Loren. Open to any style, up to 5,000 words. Deadline: June 30.
HIGHFIELD PRESS - “Picture Worth 1000 Words” SUMMER 2015 ESSAY CONTEST
http://highfieldpress.wix.com/contests#!summer-2015-contest/ct1y
$20 ENTRY FEE.
The Highfield Press Summer 2015 Essay Contest is open! We invite writers to submit an unpublished essay (500-1,000 words) inspired by the theme, “Summer Reflections” and the given photo. We love the abstract shapes and colors reflected in the gentle waves of the inspiration photo online. Does it remind you of a romantic lakeside story? A fun pool party? Or an ill-fated day at sea? We'd love to hear your spin on a story inspired by our photo. Submission may be a personal essay, memoir, narrative nonfiction, commentary, travel piece, historical account, biography, or short story. Deadline July 15, 2015. $1,000 Grand Prize and online publication. Two runners up receive Highfield Press gifts. Writers retain all rights.
HOWLING BIRD PRESS FICTION AWARD
http://www.augsburg.edu/mfa/howling-bird-press/
$25 ENTRY FEE.
The competition is open to all writers in English, whether published or unpublished. Author of the winning manuscript receives a cash award of $1,000, which serves as an advance, with book subsequently published by Howling Bird Press under a standard book contract. Deadline June 30, 2015. Manuscripts may be a collection of short stories or a short novel. The collection of short stories may include a novella. Manuscripts should be 40,000–60,000 words.
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GRANTS
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VILCEK FOUNDATION
http://www.vilcek.org/prizes/creative-promise/arts.html
The mission of the Vilcek Foundation is to raise public awareness of the outstanding contributions of foreign-born scientists and artists living and working in the United States. To that end, the foundation is accepting applications from young foreign-born theater professionals for the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in theater. Three prizes of $50,000 each will be awarded to young fashion professionals who demonstrate outstanding early achievement. Playwrights/book writers, directors, actors, designers (sets, costumes, lights, projections/video, sound, and/or puppetry), composers, lyricists, and choreographers are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, applicants must have been born outside the United States, not be more than 38 years old as of December 31, 2015, be a naturalized citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States, intend to pursue a professional career in the United States, and not be a past winner or finalist of the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise. Application deadline is June 15, 2015.
WRITERS OMI AT LEDIG HOUSE
http://www.omiartscenter.org
We welcome published writers and translators of every type of literature. International, cultural and creative exchange is a foundation of our mission, and a wide distribution of national background is an important part of our selection process. Location Ghent, New York. Application deadlines July 15, October 20. No fees and no stipends.
DROP FOGE & TOOL RESIDENCIES
http://www.dropforgeandtool.com/#/creative-residencies/
Drop Forge & Tool's emphasis is on collaborative process and new work development. We prioritize applications for residencies with two or more artists working together. Individual artists are also welcome to apply, although we may ask if you are willing to share the residency space with others. Residencies are available for any length of time, from just a few days to a month. The residency fee is $300 per week to cover direct costs. That said, we have a lot of needs here at DF&T so please contact us if you do not have the funds to cover the fee. In lieu of a fee, you might teach a class, help us with our social networking and marketing materials, or help us to beautify our spaces. We are open year-round (except December), and are currently taking applications for Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Winter 2016 sessions. Location Hudson, NY,
HYPATIA IN THE WOODS RESIDENCIES
http://www.hypatiainthewoods.org/
Hypatia-in-the-Woods was created to provide physical and mental space, solitude and time, for women to pursue their creative endeavors, their muse, undistracted by everyday demands. We invite artists, writers, academics and business women to explore the residential retreat and study center. Location Shelton, Washington.
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FREELANCE MARKETS
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WEXAS TRAVEL
http://www.wexas.com/traveller-contributors-guidelines/
Traveller is the UK's original travel magazine. Pays £200 per 1,000 words printed.
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: THE JOY OF LESS
http://www.chickensoup.com
There's a move afoot to simplify our lives, both in terms of material possessions and in commitments of our time. We have to learn to say no! We have noticed at Chicken Soup for the Soul that we have received hundreds of stories over the years about people happily simplifying their lives, cutting back on material possessions, and reducing their time commitments so they can focus on what is important to them and their families. Share your own stories or resolutions about the joy of less! You will receive $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it. Deadline January 15, 2016.
THE WASHINGTON DIPLOMAT
https://www.globaljobs.org/jobs/3011-silver-spring-maryland-the-washington-diplomat-freelance-writers
The Washington Diplomat is a monthly newspaper that focuses on the diplomatic community in D.C. We’re seeking news writers with expertise in world affairs, U.S. politics and foreign policy. We’re also seeking culture writers who can cover the local arts scene. This is not a full-time position. Freelancers receive about one to two assignments per month, with story lengths varying from 1,000 to 2,000 words and a pay range of $175 to $250 per story for news articles, and about 800 words and $100 for arts stories.
NATIONAL PARKS MAGAZINE
http://www.npca.org/news/magazine/writers-guidelines.html
National Parks magazine publishes articles about areas in the National Park System, proposed new areas, threats to parks or park wildlife, scientific discoveries, legislative issues, and endangered species of plants or animals relevant to national parks. We do not publish articles on general environmental topics, nor do we print articles about land managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, or other federal agencies. Articles for National Parks should be directed to a largely nonscientific but well-educated audience. News articles and smaller departments are 500-1,200 words. Features run approximately 1,800-2,000 words. We generally pay 70 cents to $1.00/word — the high end being reserved for our proven contributors.
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JOBS
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COPYWRITER
Location Seattle, WA
https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=JobProfile&szOrderID=120470&szlocationID=88
The primary duty of this position is to write and edit compelling, effective copy that supports UMAC goals and engages targeted audiences. Writes original content for a variety of UW communications, including, but not limited to: newsletters (print and electronic), brochures, advertising (TV, radio, print, outdoor and Web), event collateral, talking points, messaging and scripts, toolkits, internal communication resources, Web copy, social media and digital content. Creates original content for event communications, including, but not limited to: scripts, speeches, talking points, invitations, signage and promotional content.
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AGENTS / PUBLISHERS
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EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/
Authors earn 45 percent gross royalties from sales off our website and 45 percent net royalties from our distributors. Anthology authors earn 50 percent gross royalties from sales off our website and 50 percent net royalties from our distributors.We are currently accepting completed manuscripts of 8,000 to 100,000 words in all sub-genres of romance and erotic romance, as well as some urban fantasy. Regular Submissions 15,000 words to 100,000 words. Romance on the Go 8,000 to 14,000 words. Naughty Fairy Tales 15,000 to 35,000 words. Planet Alpha 25,000 to 50,000. Anthologies 5,000 to 10,000 words.
THE FRIEDRICH AGENCY
http://friedrichagency.com/
The Friedrich Agency was formed in 2007 by Molly Friedrich, and is located in New York City. We represent a small list of beloved writers, mainly in the categories of literary and commercial fiction for adults and young adults, as well as narrative non-fiction and memoir.
FOUNDRY LITERARY MEDIA
http://www.foundrymedia.com/
Foundry is a full-service literary agency and media development company dedicated to providing the most positive and profitable publishing experience for our clients, from the American book market to foreign publishing, film and TV, merchandise, online media and beyond. Rooted in the tradition of representing writers and other talent in the book trade, the Foundry team is relentless in finding new and diverse ways for our clients to reach wider audiences. Look at each agent to find the one to pitch your particular genre or project.
IRENE SKOLNICK AGENCY
http://skolnickagency.com/who-we-are.html
A literary agency that represents literary and up-market fiction, history, memoir, biography, YA, and middle grade.
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SPONSORS
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HIPPOCAMP: A CONFERENCE FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITERS
Three days of creative nonfiction goodness in a city rich in arts and culture, Lancaster, Pa. Dozens of break-out sessions, panels with publishing professionals and authors, social events, and optional craft and query workshops. Keynotes: Lee Gutkind and Jane Friedman. Lancaster is 2.5 hours from NYC; 1 hour from Philadelphia; 90 mins from Baltimore/DC area. Amtrak station less than mile away. Brought to you by Hippocampus Magazine. Get all the details here: conference.hippocampusmagazine.com. Just for FundsforWriters subscribers, save $10 using code FUNDS upon registration.
North Street Book Prize for Self-Published Books - Final Month!
Deadline: June 30. Sponsored by Winning Writers. Get funds and publicity for your self-published book. Three categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction. The top winner in each category will receive $1,500, a credit towards the high-quality publishing services at BookBaby, free advertising in our email newsletter, and expert marketing advice from Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Book Promoter. We'll award cash prizes of $6,000 in all, with gifts for everyone who enters. Entry fee: $50. Submit online or by mail. Judges: Jendi Reiter and Ellen LaFleche. Learn more at www.winningwriters.com/north
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
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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