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Volume 15, Issue 27, JUly 3, 2015 |
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Message from the Editor
"Writers Block: When Your Imaginary Friends Stop Talking to You" One of my favorite t-shirts (actually my most comfortable). I'm not having block here lately, but being at two three-day conferences back to back in two different states, atop the boot on my foot and family coming down ill . . . it seems life is gobbling up my time of late. Someone asked recently why they hadn't seen me much on social media . . . what was wrong. LOL - just trying to find moments in my day, y'all.
Oh, by the way, some people have asked when my next signing occurs on Edisto Island, SC. Well, looks like it's July 16 at 4PM at The Edisto Bookstore. Hope I can see you there! The bookstore owner says she can't keep the book in stock! Loving that!
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
Haiku Poetry Contest - Haiku is a form of poetry that only uses three lines. A popular format is to have the first line contains five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables. Deadline: This Tuesday, July 7th. $100 prize to the winner. Find out more: http://9nl.it/0opi
Ask A Question - Write a poem where the first or last line of each stanza asks a question. There must be at least two stanzas in your poem. All poetry type accepted. Deadline: July 14th. $100 prize. Details: http://9nl.it/t3xu
Sonnet Poetry Contest - Can you write a poem like Shakespeare did? That is the challenge for this contest. See an example in the contest announcement. $100 prize. Deadline: July 17th. Contest Announcement: http://9nl.it/6hrt
1-6-1 Poem -Write a 1-6-1 syllable poem. It has three lines that rhyme. The first line has 1 syllable, the second one 6 syllables and the last line 1 syllable. The subject can be anything. $100 prize. Deadline: July 21. Cash prize! Details: http://9nl.it/64gz
Just four 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: http://9nl.it/2rtk
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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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THE WORST TIMES FOR WRITERS
Everywhere online we read how today is the best time to be an author. So many options, so much opportunity, so many do-it-yourself chances to break away from the stereotypical, old-fashioned publishing ways.
And so many ways to screw it up.
I don't know about you, but when I walk into a store, and the choices overwhelm me, I often don't make a purchase. Why? Because the chances are greater that I'll purchase the wrong item for my need, or I'll spend too much, or I'll get flamboozled by a gimmick. That's why I hate monster malls and rows of stores.
But there's so much do-it-yourself available to us today, you may argue. We can take our lives in our hands and mold them as we see fit.
But what if I want to write, write well, and want professionals to guide me along the way so I make fewer mistakes in the marketing and production? There are so many snake-oil salesmen out there these days, promising they format, edit, sell and design your book better than the next guy, charging you only X dollars to make you a bestselling author.
There is so much noise out there that it can immobilize you . . . or force you into a quick decision that turns out to be wrong.
I argue that it's the worst time for authors. That's not a positive message, but if you have the right mindset, you can work it to your advantage. That's assuming you are a long-tail type of professional and not one of those eager to jump in and make a dollar overnight.
That latter type will eventually crash and burn. They'll leap in, maybe make a dollar or two if they have a thimble of talent, but then either the reader will see through them, recognizing them as someone who prefers the dollar over the legacy, or the author will tire of the ordeal. I believe that over time, the quick publish sorts, the ones who decide to write today and publish tomorrow, will lessen in number. Unfortunately, we're in a time where they are peaking. We need to go back to being patient.
Those of us who enjoy writing for the long-haul, who would write regardless of the outcome, need to learn to hang tight, write long into the night, and weather this phase. We need to polish our stories to where they are worth reading, worth remembering, worth publishing on anyone's terms. We need to avoid looking out of the corner of our eyes at the flashes in the pan all around us and be determined to slow down, write well and publish wisely.
Yes, it might be a difficult time for writers, but it's often those hard times that make for the best insight . . . and the best opportunity.
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!
July 8, 2015 - Interview with Hope, BookKarma Webcast
July 16, 2015 - Signing at Edisto Bookstore, Edisto Island, SC
July 31-Aug 1 - Mississippi Writers Conference, Oxford, MS
Sept 16 - Louisville Writers Group, Louisville, KY (GO TIGERS!)
Oct 29-Nov 1 - Killer Nashville Con, Nashville, TN
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.
~ Greg McKeown
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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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Hope -
I actually give you credit for the publication of my first book. I'm a very shy writer. I was near the end of "The Shy Writer Reborn" with almost every sentence underlined. The morning of the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery, I had decided that I didn't really need to go. I started reading your book, and I was convinced that I should go mingle with writers and mention my book to some editors. Not long after I got there, the head of Solomon & George Publishers told me to send her the book. They published "Second Cup," and the next year I was a presenter at the Alabama Book Festival.
Thank you so much for your time.
Mary Adams Belk
https://www.facebook.com/maryadamsbelk
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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The Turtle Wins the Writing Race: 4 Life Lessons of a Freelance Writer
By Shelley Little
When it comes to this wild and crazy ride of freelance writing it’s the serious-minded, slow turtle who wins the long-fought tedious race. Writing in any capacity is a journey — one that seems uphill most days.
My journey into the writing world began eight years ago. The bills were piling high, and my poetry wasn’t paying, so I ventured out into freelance copywriting.
How did I land my first job? Well, I’m the kind of girl who jumps in with both feet and then later thinks about drowning. I literally picked up the phone, called my local newspaper and asked to speak to the editor. The conversation went something like this:
“Hi there! I’m a writer and I was wondering if you have any freelance jobs I could do?”
To my astonishment her answer was, “Yes, in fact I have a story I need covered this weekend at the local museum. Try it, and we will see if you are a good fit”.
That was it! I landed my first official paid writing job. Here are two takeaways from that experience—
1) I actually called myself a writer. Not, I want to be a writer, I hope to be a writer someday — no, I laid claim to my title even though up until that point I had only written bad poetry.
2) I had nothing to lose. I encourage you to look up local newspapers in this US directory ( http://www.50states.com/news/) as this job led to ongoing work that I still do.
Of course, the pay wasn’t astronomical and most of my assignments were on weekends with tight deadlines. That’s where lesson three comes in:
3) If you want to succeed, be willing to start humble.
In search of more work, I happened upon a little site called Elance (
https://www.elance.com/php/landing/main/login.php?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elance.com%2Fmyelance). Elance has its good and bad points; it is like a family member — once you spend too much time with them you need a break. Elance is an online platform that connects users with copywriting jobs around the world. You create a free profile, giving you monthly credits to apply to jobs. After some frustration, I managed to land a blog writing job.
The job was fabulous! I wrote for a home decor and decorating site called Stagetecture ( http://stagetecture.com/#sthash.x239KsFr.dpbs). Again, the pay wasn’t high, but I was offered a featured bio with links. Eventually, I left Stagetecture, but I maintained close ties with the editor, always staying in touch in one manner or another.
Guess what happened over two years later? The editor called me saying, “I have a friend who runs this fabulous online magazine. He pays really well and the site gets over 3.8 million unique visitors per month.” I was sold, and I still write for this company today.
If you only take away one thing from this entire article, I hope it’s this last lesson:
4) All jobs, no matter how meager they seem, can lead to other jobs. Never burn a bridge. Maintain close, professional connections with past clients. Some people have friends in high places, and their connections can become yours if you play your cards correctly.
Today, I feel like an accomplished writer, a turtle who after a long-fought race has finally crossed the finish line, winning a prize called experience.
BIO: Born in New Brunswick, Canada, Shelley Little, now lives in Iowa with her three children, husband and two dogs. While she holds a Bachelor’s in Forestry and Environmental Science, after having children, she decided to stay home and pursue a writing career. She is now a full-time writer whose articles, short stories and poems have appeared or are forthcoming in: Mamalode, Moms Who Write, The Centrifugal Eye, Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine, Shemom, Writers Block Newsletter for the Midwest Writing Center, The Quad City Times, The Bettendorf News, Women’s Edition Magazine, Stagetecture.com and weekly on Freshome.com. She is currently finishing her first book of poems and hopes to find a publisher soon. In May, she also begins her new role as a volunteer staff member at Mothers Always Write. http://shelleylittle.pressfolios.com
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COMPETITIONS
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RATTLE POETRY PRIZE
http://www.rattle.com
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline July 15, 2015. $10,000 and publication in Rattle is given annually for a poem. A Reader's Choice Award of $2,000 is also given to one of ten finalists. Submit up to four poems of any length with entry fee, which includes a subscription to Rattle, by July 15. All entries are considered for publication.
GOLDEN QUILL AWARDS
http://www.thegoldenquillawards.com/
$15-$20 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline July 15, 2015. Three substantial prizes up to $1,000 in three different categories, plus ten finalists awarded in each category.
Short Fiction 1,000-1,200 Words
1st place $1,000
2nd place $500
3rd place $100
Poetry Up to 40 Lines
1st place $1,000.00
2nd place $500.00
3rd place $100.00
Flash Fiction Up to 500 Words for $500
1st place $500
2nd place $100
3rd place $50
GOLDEN QUILL WRITING AWARDS
http://cuesta.edu/communityprograms/writers-conference/golden_quill.html
ENTRY FEES $15-$20.
Theme: TRANSFORMATION. Each entry must depict the theme, interpreted as you like. Short Fiction: 1,000 to 1,200 words. Poetry: Up to 40 lines. Flash Fiction: Up to 500 words. Short Fiction and Poetry: First Place $1,000, Second Place $500, Third Place $100. Flash Fiction: First Place $500, Second Place $100, Third Place $50. Deadline July 15, 2015.
CRAZYHORSE SHORT-SHORT FICTION AWARD
http://crazyhorse.cofc.edu/crazyshorts/
Deadline July 31, 2015. $1,000 and publication. Three runners-up. All entries considered for publication. Submit one to three short-shorts of up to 500 words each.
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GRANTS
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ARTELES CREATIVE CENTER
http://www.arteles.org/residency.html
Location Finland. Welcoming over 100 selected visual artists, musicians, writers, performance artists, photographers, designers, architects per year. It is an inspiring place to produce original work and collaborate with other energetic and ambitious artists and creative professionals for a concentrated period of time from one to three months.
ARTELLEWA ART SPACE
http://artellewa.com/residency/
artellewa offers artists-in-residence the opportunity to live and work in Ard El Lewa for a period of one to three months. Artists-in-residence integrate with the local community of Ard El Lewa and respond to the local situation in their work. artellewa specifically seeks artists who integrate social action into their artistic practice and who propose projects that incorporate creative strategies for social change in Egypt.
ARTIST HOUSE AT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND
http://www.smcm.edu/art/artist-house
The Artist House is an artist-in-residence program for creative artists and writers, and has two interrelated program goals: 1) to support creative artists, with both emerging and established careers, by offering them the time and space to create new work and 2) to develop programming in which artists-in-residence share their work with the campus and local communities. Artists use their residency to concentrate on a well-focused project or series of works.
ARTSMITH
http://orcasartsmith.org/residency.html
Artsmith’s interdisciplinary artist residency hosts artists, scholars, naturalists, and writers for one to four weeks each January at the historic Kangaroo House Bed and Breakfast on Orcas Island in Washington State’s San Juan Islands. Up to five fellows at a time stay in individual rooms with private baths and have access to the inn's amenities, including wireless Internet and our garden hot tub. Location Eastsound, Washington.
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FREELANCE MARKETS
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MOTHER EARTH NEWS
http://www.motherearthnews.com/writers-guidelines.aspx
A bimonthly magazine that promotes more self-sufficient, financially independent and environmentally aware lifestyles. Fillers/tips pay $25 to $100. Most of our feature articles are written by our Contributing Editors. We sometimes assign articles to freelance writers, particularly those who have experience with our subject matter (both firsthand experience and writing experience).
MOTHER EARTH LIVING
http://www.motherearthliving.com/mother-earth-living-freelance-writer-guidelines.aspx
We strive to create a readable, positive, user-friendly magazine that will be entertaining and informative for readers interested in living a healthy, environmentally-conscious lifestyle. The best way to understand Mother Earth Living’s content and tone is to read the magazine, especially previous examples of articles similar to the one you’re working on. Various sections of the magazine have different requirements. Articles in the four departments — Home, Health, Food and Garden—should be succinct and shorter than features. Features are longer and frequently require vendor resources — information on where you can buy certain products.
GRIT
http://www.grit.com/guidelines.aspx
GRIT celebrates the intergenerational bonds among those who live on the land with spirit and style – a legacy of self-sufficiency, audacious ingenuity and pragmatic problem solving that gave this country its backbone and continues to shape its unique character. DO NOT try to write for GRIT if you know nothing about rural life, gardening or urban farming. Articles are assigned; no editorial calendar is published. An excellent way to have a first article published in GRIT is to become a member of the GRIT blogging team. Contact Jean Teller via e-mail, jteller@grit.com.
CLARKESWORLD MAGAZINE
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/
Clarkesworld Magazine is a Hugo and World Fantasy Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and audio fiction. Accepts 1,000 to 16,000 words. Pays ten cents/word for first 5,000 words, then eight cents/word over. Claims first world electronic rights (text and audio), first print rights (author must be willing to sign copies), and non-exclusive anthology rights for our annual Clarkesworld anthology.
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JOBS
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WRITER-EDITOR
Location Rosslyn, VA
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/408064900
Serves as a writer-editor in the office of the Director of Congressional Affairs. Trade and Development Agency. Handles speeches, talking point, briefing materials and documents. Pays $52,668 to $99,296 depending upon experience.
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AGENTS / PUBLISHERS
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HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit/28674
Central romance is driven by the hero's or heroine's (or both) desire to be a part of a family or community. Stories showcase the comforts of home and a sense of place – particularly the charm of small-town America and the ruggedness of western locales. Must be set in the USA. Western heroes and heroines are very popular – cowboys (ranchers, rodeo riders), law enforcement (sheriffs, deputies, Texas Rangers), etc. All stories must feature strong family elements such as pregnancy, young children, blended families, etc. Warmhearted stories offer a range of tones, from light humor to drama. Level of sensuality is low to moderate. Word count of 55,000 means stories must be fast-paced and plot-driven.
HARLEQUIN BLAZE
https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit/28675
Harlequin Blaze is Harlequin's sexiest romance series, yet there's more to these books than simply sex. We ask our authors to deliver complex plots and subplots, realistic engaging characters and a consuming love story you won't be able to forget. Blaze stories are fun, flirty and always steamy! Word count of 55,000 means stories must be fast-paced and plot-driven. A Blaze heroine is usually between 25 and 33. She knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go and get it. She's confident and has a good idea of who she is. She doesn't need a man to fulfill her, but she'll happily take advantage of the situation if the right guy comes along.
HARLEQUIN HEARETWARMING
https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit/28677
Wholesome contemporary romances that celebrate traditional values, strong communities, family connections and true love. Clean, emotional, satisfying romances that readers can feel comfortable sharing with their mothers, daughters or granddaughters. Romance, family and community are strong features of these stories. No explicit religious or Christian content. Word count of 70,000 to 75,000 allows for breadth and complexity of story, and development of compelling sub-plots.
HARLEQUIN HISTORICAL
https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit/28678
Richly textured, emotionally intense novels set across a wide range of historical periods - ancient civilizations up to and including the Second World War. Word length 75,000 words. Strong and dynamic characters with believable, relatable conflicts, appropriate for the time in which they are set. Central relationship as the driving force of the story.
Historical research and accuracy are essential to bring the world to life! But remember to focus on the romance.
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SPONSORS
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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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"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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