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Volume 15, Issue 47, November 20, 2015 |
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Message from the Editor
After a lot of traveling, it's great to be home for a while. Some of you ask about my chickens now and then, so here's a pic of my young flock of Buff Orpingtons. Fifteen of them. Beautiful, healthy, sweet birds that don't fight or get irritated. They just love a little attention, lots of food, and offer ample eggs in return. Don't you wish all life was like 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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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS
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HAS IT GOTTEN DESPERATE?
It is funny how emails from readers serve as prompts for each week's editorial thoughts, and this week is no exception. Received a question from an indie author who asked me where he could obtain statistics on how much money indie writers make. BookScan and other entities attempt to monitor traditional sales (not that they get it correct, but they try), but he felt there had to be something somewhere monitoring the same for indie.
Then he gave me his statistics, and how low they were.
"A friend of mine told me one of his 'bestsellers' sold 300 copies. That was eye-opener for me, because I honestly thought someone in his position would do better than that. I started self-publishing in late 2009 and have put out 23 books. I've sold 2917 copies for a total of $5793.73. This averages $1.98 a copy. I'm personally committed to print books, but probably 75 percent of all my sales are ebooks. This also averages to about 126 copies of each of my 23
titles. However, I can say I have one book which clearly outsells the others and accounts for about 85 percent of all my sales. I love writing short stories (I can't seem to write novels) but readers aren't captivated by my collections. A few of them have sold over 100 copies but most sell less than 50. These seem like dismal numbers to me, but I do have a few other friends who are writers who say these numbers are better than theirs."
What's happening these days is that writers don't sell as many books because there are so many books out there. There are also so many tools popping up to advertise books for FREE, 99 cents and $1.99. Daily and weekly publications tell you were all the secret best deals are. So:
1) Readers expect to pay less for books than they used to.
2) Writers receive less money and feel they have to write more to take up the slack.
3) That puts even more books out there, so readers don't know what to buy and they stick to "lists."
4) The lists start charging for appearances in their lists.
The spiral continues. It used to be that writers had to have three to four books to be a success. Now it's closer to ten. And after attending a recent mystery conference, I'm learning that the serious writer has two dozen or more.
My suggested solution?
1) Don't forget traditional publishing. They still get your name out to more regions.
2) When indie publishing, pump serious attention into quality, to include financial investment.
3) Don't forget to write well. Don't shortchange your craft for quantity.
4) Be patient, keep writing, and know that this phase will change for another.
Don't let it freak you out. New indie authors do not make money. Those that do have been busting their asses for a long time. Nobody is an overnight success. So keep on keeping on. Only the diligent survive this business.
= = =
Now . . . take a peek at the video trailer for Edisto Jinx. It was created by Jerome McCain, from BookFrenzyStudios.com I'll never try to make a trailer on my own again, and it won't take the whole minute of this trailer for you to see why.
Thanks
- Hope
Holiday savings galore!
Lowcountry Bribe and Tidewater Murder (ebooks) are featured by Amazon (and
therefore B&N) in a monthly holiday special. $1.99 for November only.
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Upcoming Book Signings and Classes!
Nov 21 - Palmetto Chapter Sisters in Crime, Grecian, West Cola, SC - Noon
Dec 19 - Palmetto Chapter Sisters in Crime, Private Residence - 2PM
Jan 14 - Calhoun County Library, SC - The Habits of Successful Writers - 6:30 PM
Jan 26 - Darlington Library, SC - The Habits of Successful Writers - 6:30 PM
Feb 1 - Night Harbor Book Club, Chapin, SC - 7PM
Feb. 13 - Workshop - Georgia Writers Assoc, Kennesaw, GA
Feb 23 - Darlington Library, SC - Telling the Story - Plot Development - 6:30 PM
Mar 22 - Darlington Library, SC - Character Development - 6:30 PM
Apr 26 - Darlington Library, SC - Successful Editing - 6:30 PM
May 24 - Darlington Library, SC - Getting Published - 6:30 PM
Jun 23-25 - Midwest Writers Center Conference - Davenport, IA
Check out all of Hope's books
For the most up-to-date information about Hope, contests, writing industry information and giveaways, keep up with Hope on Twitter and Facebook. Things get more interesting in real time!
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
"I'm still in love with what I do, with the idea of making things up, so hours when I write always feel like very blessed hours to me."
~Stephen King
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EDISTO JINX
Is it a flesh and blood killer -
or restless spirits?
According to Sophie, the resident yoga mistress and psychic, beautiful Edisto Beach becomes a hotbed of troublemaking spirits every August. But when a visitor dies mysteriously during a beach house party, former big-city detective Callie Morgan and Edisto Beach police chief Mike Seabrook hunt for motives and suspects among the living. With tourists filling the beaches and local business owners anxious to squelch rumors of a murderer on the loose, Callie will need all the help she
can get - especially once the killer's attention turns toward her.
http://www.chopeclark.com/
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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Dear Hope,
Following the devastating losses of two family members over the past five years, I began to write rather feverishly about these twin tragedies. Writing has become a powerful, integrative form of therapy for me, a way to honor my loved ones' memory, and also, quite honestly, an effort to use our family's terrible suffering for some good in the world.
I had never before considered applying for an artist residency, particularly because I have worked for over thirty years as a social worker, and therefore strained to see myself as a writer. However, after learning from your newsletters about grant and residency opportunities, and deciding to "feel the fear and do it anyway," I applied to and won two residencies. My first residency took me to Martha's Vineyard this past September, where through the generous support of Turkey
Land Cove Foundation, I was given nine glorious days during which to focus on my forthcoming memoir, Ripples and Dominos. This experience not only helped to fortify my emerging view of myself as a writer (there, I said it), but additionally, it helped to build momentum for my work, by providing undisturbed time in deep solitude. My experience at Turkey Land Cove Foundation also helped to connect me with a community of artists as well as one of the many organizations eager to support the arts. In
early 2016, I will travel to the Pacific Northwest where another artist residency has granted me two weeks to write in a small cabin in the woods. And yes, I bought my snow boots.
Hope, these votes of confidence in both my vision and my writing goals have become powerful turning points at this early, critical juncture of my evolving career. Thank you for generously sharing with your readers such terrific resources.
Warm Regards,
Lisa Richards
www.dearmalloryletters.com
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FEATURED ARTICLE
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Share Your Skills with Schools – and Get Paid!
By Kate Williams
Writers like you possess special, sought-after skills. You have gold dust to offer!
Literacy ranks high on school agendas, and teachers often find creative writing a stumbling block. No wonder that many schools gladly pay experts to come in and inspire their youngsters. Could this be you?
I’ve been running workshops in schools for years, and find them an ideal accompaniment to writing. Not only can they provide a healthy income boost, but the work is enjoyable too, and the children’s enthusiasm fires up my own. It’s a win-win all around!
Promotion Opportunities
What’s more, school visits provide excellent promotional opportunities. If you have a book to sell, mention it to the schools you approach, with price and links, and take an armful along on every visit, whether for children or staff. If it's a kids' book, ask your school if they can notify parents in advance, so their children can bring requisite money. I sell lots of books this way. A discount helps, and for a further incentive, I set a simple price requiring minimal coins
or notes for child-handling.
Fee
Fees widely vary. Set it low to start with and build up. I’ve reduced mine to about $200 plus travel to accommodate tightening school budgets in the UK; your schools may have more funds. You might like to apply to an agency or organization that specializes in such appearances, and let them arrange everything. In any case, agency websites provide useful information, including an insight into the range of workshop content authors offer. Here are a few to browse (selected and listed
randomly), in Canada, the US and the UK:
1. Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, Writers in the Schools Program: http://writers.ns.ca/programs/writers-schools-wits.html
2. Seattle Arts & Lectures: Writers and Schools, https://www.lectures.org/wits/writers_n_schools.php
3. Writers in the Schools, Houston: http://witshouston.org/
4. Pen/Faulkner Foundation, Washington DC, Writers in Schools: http://www.penfaulkner.org/writers-in-schools/wins-blog/
5. Authors Abroad, UK: http://www.authorsabroad.com
An online search under “authors for schools” will reveal many others in these countries and around the world.
Boost Your Bookings
To earn more, consider widening your age range or content. I drew fresh interest by including songs with ukulele. E-bulletins to readers as well as educators also help, especially ones offering discounts.
Fit to Suit
Fit your bookings round your writing, using the lulls in one to take advantage of the other. Opportunities may be intermittent at schools as their diaries fill fast and even big budgets run dry sometimes, or you might be between book releases.
Here are few tips to see you on your way:
- Arrangements: Confirm booking details in writing, including content (poetry/story-writing/drama/journalism) and fee.
- Lesson plan: Prepare a mix of activities to keep kids on board, including some physical ones like artwork, singing, drama, or an outdoor performance, depending on age, space, time and facilities.
- In the classroom: You’ll have a staff member with you, so don’t panic! Keep calm, and maintain a lively pace. If you enjoy it, they will as well.
- Working with children: Check requirements in your area for working with children. You may need a criminal history record check to confirm you are eligible.
Oh, and one more thing: Get a good night’s sleep before that alarm goes off! Children are energetic!
BIO
Kate Williams is a published children’s poet with about 150 poems in a range of books, pamphlets and magazines for youngsters. She also writes for teaching magazines and writing websites. Website: poems4pockets.blogspot.co.uk
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COMPETITIONS
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NEW ISSUES POETRY PRIZE
http://www.wmich.edu/newissues/sub-guide.html
$20 ENTRY FEE.
$2,000 and publication for a first book of poems. Open to poets writing in English who have not previously published or self-published a full-length collection (40+ pages) of poems. Deadline November 30, 2015. The winning manuscript will be named in May 2016 and published in the spring of 2017. Submit a manuscript at least 40 pages in length.
TROUBADOURS POETRY AWARD
https://whisperingprairiepress.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE.
Troubadours Poetry Award: Van Morrison or Nora Jones? Send us poems inspired by modern troubadours. Any form is welcome. Be inspired by a musician and/or song of the troubadour/story-telling tradition. First prize $1,000. Enter up to three poems per entry fee. Deadline November 30, 2015.
TARTTS FICTION AWARD
http://www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu/htm%20(web%20pages)/Main%20Website%20Pages/tartt_first_fiction_award.htm
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Winning short story collection will be published by Livingston Press at the University of West Alabama, in simultaneous library binding and trade paper editions. Winning entry will receive $1,000, plus our standard royalty contract, which includes 100 copies of the book. Author must not have a book of short fiction published at time of entry, though novels are okay. In keeping with Tartt’s biography, we are looking for an author who has yet to publish a fiction collection. Deadline
December 31, 2015. Manuscript length 160-275 pages.
SILLERMAN FIRST BOOK PRIZE FOR AFRICAN POETS
https://africanpoetrybookfund.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline: December 1, 2015. The book prize is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. An “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa, who is a national or resident of an African country, OR whose parents are African. The winner receives $1,000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press. Manuscripts should be at least 50 pages long.
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GRANTS
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CANADIAN TRAVEL GRANTS FOR PROFESSIONAL WRITERS
http://canadacouncil.ca/writing-and-publishing/find-a-grant/grants/travel-grants-for-professional-writers
Travel Grants enable writers, translators, literary performers, spoken word artists and storytellers to
respond to invitations to specific international literary events that are important to their artistic development and career, and within Canada, participate in a writer’s residency.
OREGON LITERARY FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.literary-arts.org/what-we-do/oba-home/fellowships/
Oregon Literary Fellowships are intended to help Oregon writers initiate, develop or complete literary projects in poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama and young readers literature. Writers in the early stages of their career are encouraged to apply. The awards are merit-based.
QUEBEC COUNCIL OF THE ARTS
http://www.calq.gouv.qc.ca/artistes/litterature_en.htm
This grant category is intended for professional writers, storytellers and spoken word artists in the literary domain who satisfy the eligibility criteria for Development and Mid-career grants. Mid-career grants - The writer must have published at least two books or a minimum of five different texts in a context recognized by his peers and in a literary genre eligible for a grant from the CALQ. The storyteller and the spoken word artist in the literary domain must have realized at least
one solo creation in a context recognized by their peers. Development grants - The writer must have published at least six books in a context recognized by his peers in a literary genre eligible for a grant offered by the CALQ. The storyteller and the spoken word artist in the literary domain must have realized at least six solo creations in a context recognized by their peers. For development and mid career grants, self-publication in any form is not recognized.
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FREELANCE MARKETS
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FAMILY FUN
http://images.meredith.com/parents/pdf/WritersGuidelines2013.pdf
Founded in 1991, FamilyFun is the country’s number-one magazine for families with children ages 3 to 12. On every page, we give parents the information and inspiration they need to create unforgettable family moments. We’re the trusted experts on family cooking, vacations, parties, holidays, crafts, and learning—all the essentials that enrich the precious time families share. Several columns and features available paying roughly $1.25/ words.
WOMAN'S WORLD
http://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/womens-world-800-for-very-short-romance-stories/
Note that Woman's World itself does not have posted guidelines. Freedom with Writing wrote and obtained the guidelines and posted them on their website. Woman's World pays $1/ word for short, contemporary romance stories of 800 words.
BEE CULTURE
http://www.beeculture.com/write-us/
Bee Culture is the magazine of American Beekeeping. We cover beekeeping – its history, how-to-do everything beekeeping covers, equipment used and made, and even the humorous side of this craft. But there’s so much more to the world we touch – pollination, honey plants, gardening with bees, wildlife and woodland plantings, and all the creatures that bees affect and interact with. With over 100 pages for most issues, we generally run 15–16 articles, all averaging
1,000-2,000 words. Pays ten cents/word.
BRAIN CHILD
http://www.brainchildmag.com/about/writers-guidelines/
Brain, Child: the Magazine for Thinking Mothers (est. 1999) is accepting personal narratives for its forthcoming themed blog series called “Brain, Mother.” The blog invites writers to submit for two deadline-drive themes:(Theme #1) Birthdays: Yours, your child’s, or a parent’s special day. The editors invite you to share a memorable birthday celebration. Topics can include: musings of a milestone birthday, writing “no gifts” on your child’s party
invitation, the choice not to invite the entire class to your child’s birthday event, or a checklist of the best birthday books to offer to parents–and kids. Deadline: December 15, 2015 (Theme #2) Grandparents: heartfelt stories about the value and love of grandparents and grandparenting. Topics can include: the labors of grandparenting teens, enduring the anguish and loss of a grandparent’s death, fostering aging parents while rearing your own, etc. Deadline: January 15,
2016.Word length: 750-1,200 per submission.
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JOBS
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ARIZONA CALL FOR TEACHING ARTISTS
http://azarts.gov/news/call-for-teaching-artists-az-creative-aging-teaching-artist-institute/
Deadline: December 1, 2015. The Arizona Commission on the Arts is now accepting applications for the AZ Creative Aging Teaching Artist Institute - a comprehensive training program that will introduce teaching artists to the variety of settings, programs, and partners that make up the creative aging field, while providing skills -building activities allowing participants to attain the specialized knowledge needed to work successfully with older adults.
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AGENTS / PUBLISHERS
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CLEAN READS
http://cleanreads.com/content/6-submissions
Open submission call for Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Regency Romance. Wants well-written, clean manuscripts with no language and no gratuitous sex.
WALRUS PUBLISHING
http://www.walruspublishing.com/submissions-2/
Walrus Publishing is pleased to review fiction manuscripts of any genre except for pornography. We are dedicated to helping new writers bring their works to publication. We do not publish poetry. We don’t accept novels less than 50,000 words. Preferably, manuscripts will be at least 60,000 and no longer than 120,000. (Exceptions can be made but only in extraordinary cases.) We don’t accept poetry collections.
PRIMETIME
http://www.PrimeTimeBookshelf.com
PrimeTime (w ww.PrimeTimeBookshelf.com), an imprint of AcuteByDesign (www.acutebydesign.com), is seeking one puzzle-type book for its spring 2016 lineup. Author must be willing to aggressively promote his/her book, but we are a conventional publisher and do NOT require any financial participation from the author. We are particularly interested in logic puzzles, such as mini-mysteries that challenge the reader to solve a variety of mysteries, or
other puzzles that require the reader to put on his/her thinking cap and logicize the answer, but we are open to other types of puzzles including but not limited to word puzzles. We do NOT, however, want to see either sudoku or x-word puzzles. Do you have an idea for an entirely new kind of puzzle? We'd love to see it. Our primary audience is readers 50 and up. Please send submissions or queries to: submissions@primetimebookshelf.com.
ALSO -
AcuteByDesign ( www.acutebydesign.com), a children's publisher specializing in multicultural/diversity books, is on the hunt for one or two middle reader or YA titles for our spring 2016 lineup. Emphasis is on fiction although we will not reject nonfiction out of hand. Preference given to stories in which one or more characters is/are ethnically diverse: Latino, African American, Native American, Asian, etc. Full manuscripts preferred but
queries/partials are welcome too. To submit, please go to our website (again that's www.acutebydesign.com) and navigate to the submissions page.
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SPONSORS
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- Visibility. Recognition. Reward.
- Submissions close December 20, 2015.
- 1,000-5,000 words.
- Author retains ownership of work.
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Join my mentoring starters program
for want-to-be *paid* freelance writers
Next program start date:
23rd November – 18th December 2015.
Enrollments are now open.
More info can be found on my website: https://melanietoye.wordpress.com/1194-2/
or email: melanie.toye@gmail.com
I am giving you my successfully used plan and techniques to not only get you started in your freelance writing career but to also have you earning an income.
Murphy Writing of Stockton University Presents the 23rd Annual
WINTER POETRY & PROSE GETAWAY
January 15-18, 2016, Stockton Seaview Resort, Atlantic City, NJ area
Treat yourself to a writing getaway that will advance your craft and energize your writing. Enjoy challenging and supportive workshops, insightful feedback and an encouraging community. Choose from fiction, memoir, screenwriting, songwriting and poetry. Scholarships available.
"I had a more enriching experience at the retreat than in the book-writing group I attended for a year. Our workshop leader was at the top of the scale, keeping the workshop intensive, genuine, supportive and inspiring." — Juliet, Aspiring Novelist, Philadelphia, PA
LITERARY TECHNIQUES FOR GENRE WRITERS
Want to move from encouraging rejections to actual acceptances?
Cat Rambo's "Literary Techniques for Genre Writers" can help you
take your writing to the next level. This on-demand class can be
taken at your own pace, letting you work through sections and
exercises when time permits.
Rambo, a Nebula and World Fantasy Award nominee with over
200 fiction credits, is a clear and compelling teacher who mixes
lecture, annotated examples, and exercises to help you learn how
to write selling fiction. Find out more about Rambo's on-demand
classes at http://catrambo.usefedora.com/
BookFrenzy Studios provides professional video marketing services for authors including Cinematic Book Trailers, Promotional Videos and Social Media Video Ads. To learn more, visit their website at www.bookfrenzystudios.com
NOTE: This is the company for Jerome McClain who did my book trailer for Edisto Jinx. You should have seen the jaws dropping open as authors, agents, and editors alike saw the quality of the video trailer for Edisto Jinx on a screen at Killer Nashville. AWESOME!
Mediabistro is a bastion of creative professional development for people at any level of learning. We offer classes across all disciplines, from Novel Writing to Marketing, to Public Relations and Social Media.
For a limited time, we are offering new students 10% off any course! Visit our online course catalog to find the course that is right for you and register today.
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
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.
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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.
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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
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