SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

North Street Book Prize for Self-Published Books

2nd year. $6,000 in cash prizes. Three categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction. The winner of 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. Gift for everyone who enters. Deadline: June 30. Judges: Jendi Reiter and Ellen LaFleche. Entry fee: $50. Submit online or by mail. Winning Writers is one of "101 Best Websites for Writers" (Writer's Digest). See guidelines, past winners, and enter at www.winningwriters.com/north

Editor’s THOUGHTS

CAN MY INDIE BOOK BE DISCOVERED?

You have an indie book out there, but you'd love to call yourself a traditionally-published author. What does it take for an agent or press to WANT to sign your book....or sign with you?

Remember, there's the book, and then there's you. Some authors bring attention to themselves. Some books take off and garner attention all by themselves. Of course best is optimum to an agent or publisher.

THE BOOK - A CATCH 22

Whether or not the agent/publisher wants your indie book is often decided by how well it sells. But that's the dilemma. If it sells really well, the agent/publisher has to determine if it has saturated the market or not. It may have already peaked and reached the readers it's targeted for, and the agent/publisher may see there's nothing left in it for them. On the flip side, it may not have done well, which is interpreted as the book isn't made well, isn't written well, or isn't about a good topic. So why would they want it? There's a small sweet spot in there to make an indie book palatable to the traditional market. There has to be enough spark left in it for the agent to capitalize upon.

THE AUTHOR - ANOTHER CATCH 22

If your book does well, often the agent/publisher may take a deeper look at the author. How does he market himself? What impact did the author have in the success of the book? What kind of website/blog? How Google-able is he? That type of author can pitch a second book and have great odds of being accepted. But the question is . . . why would he if he's successful as an indie author where the royalties are SO much greater?

We have actually reached the point in publishing that you can make as much or more as an indie author as you can as a traditional author. You'll still have to market yourself hard - VERY hard. You get no relief traditionally in that department. Your books will be more readily available in libraries and bookstores (though IngramSpark is closing that gap), but in reality, you can often get your books placed in bookstores by making appearances and becoming known as a polished author with a marvelous product.

But if that credibility factor still keeps you awake at night, and you just want that traditional accolade checked off your bucket list, pitch traditional to start with. Be very, very patient at the time it takes to work that system. Or if you aren't that patient, work hard as an indie author, knowing that you can pitch subsequent books later to the traditional world, and your success will often depend upon the success of your first book you're selling on your own. 

Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Agency talks about what it takes for an agent to pick up your indie book. It's honest and very informative. Regardless of the road you take, realize that the professional credibility you seek is completely in your hands. Study the successful in the business, indie or traditional or hybrid of the two, and see what you can do to find success in your world.

http://www.macgregorliterary.com/blog/ask-agent-transition-self-published-traditionally-published/


 

WE HAVE 2 NEWSLETTERS - THE FREEBIE and THE PAID SUBSCRIPTION . . . 

Remember that FundsforWriters, this newsletter, is free. Send it to whomever you like and share it liberally. But if you are serious about writing income resources, and your time is limited, consider subscribing to TOTAL FundsforWriters. It comes out biweekly, with 70 contests, markets, grants, retreats, publishers, freelance gigs, magazines and more, It's huge, but it saves you a lot of time searching. It's $18.75 for a year, or 26 issues. To subscribe, simply go towww.paypal.me/chopeclark/18.75 . It will be sent to the email you used unless you specify otherwise.

NOTE TO THE WISE: Send a receipt for one of Hope's books and receive TOTAL for free.    
(**and feel free to steal this graphic for your own site!)






Take a look at our Resources page at the FundsforWriters website. Hope has read each and every one of these books, and most are still dog-eared and highlighted on her book shelf and come highly recommended. 





 

Upcoming Book Signings and Classes! (All times in Eastern.)    May 16 - Moncks Corner LIbrary, SC - Publishing/Marketing - 6:00 PM   May 17 - Sangaree Library, SC - 5:30 PM   May 24 - Darlington Library, SC - Getting Published - 6:30 PM   May 26 - Anderson County Library, SC - Getting Published - 6:30 PM   Jun 7 - McCaskill Book Club - St Andrews Ctr, Cola, SC - 9:30 AM   Jun 10-11 - Hartsville Book Fair, Darlington, SC   Jun 14 - Hanahan Mystery Book Club, Hanahan, SC Library, 4PM   June 21 - Skype - Rinehart Book Club, Florida   Jun 23-25 - Midwest Writers Center Conference - Davenport, IA   July 8-11 - Writers Retreat, Bellwood, NE   July 13-20 - Las Vegas, NV (Open to appearances)   Aug 1 - Batesburg Library Mystery Club, Batesburg, SC -6PM   Aug 18-21 -Killer Nashville Conference, Franklin, TN   Sept 18 - Columbia County Library, Evans, GA - 2:30 PM   Sept 25 - Columbia County Library, Evans, GA - 2:30 PM   Oct 2 - Columbia County Library, Evans, GA - 2:30 PM   Oct 9 - Columbia County Library, Evans, GA - 2:30 PM   Oct 28-Nov 4 - Edisto Beach, SC - booksigning

	THE EDISTO ISLAND MYSTERY SERIES http://www.chopeclark.com/ "A sparkling Edisto Island setting, a flawed heroine, a riveting mystery, and the hint of a paranormal twist makes EDISTO JINX the book for your beach bag. Author C. Hope Clark brings to life the uniqueness that is Edisto, peppering the island with endearing and strong-minded characters that linger in your mind long after the last page is turned." --Karen White, New York Times Bestselling Author, www.karen-white.com On MURDER ON EDISTO - “A taut, high-tension page-turner—in a unique and fascinating setting. An absolute winner!” –Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winning author Purchase any of Hope's books and receive a one-year subscription to TOTAL FFW free. Send receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com For an autographed version, click here.

Success Story

Dearest Hope,

I'm going to write one of those wonderful letters that gives you all the details of the scoop soon enough, but I will share my joy now. I got a book deal with a small press you highlighted in your newsletter just a few months ago, Moonshine Cove Publishing. I signed the book deal yesterday!! This November, How to Raise Respectful Parents will be out. I don't know that I would have ever found my publisher without your gracious efforts.

I have enjoyed your Friday newsletter for several years. It always had a tip or a lead, but mainly your newsletter brought Hope - no pun intended. Opening up the email and newsletter every Friday made me feel hopeful about the possibility that my writing would find an audience, one day. I always looked forward to Friday afternoons because that's when I could begin focusing and writing what I call, "my stuff" instead of someone else's stuff which is what I do during the work week. 

Just a few short months ago, I saw my soon to be publisher featured and submitted my book proposal for young adult nonfiction. I dutifully tailored my prepared book proposal and sent it out. A few weeks passed. Just yesterday, I signed a book deal. 

I could not be more thrilled. I want to encourage you and thank you. Your service is such a well-researched, targeted resource to writers and aspiring authors and to me personally, such a wonderful encouragement. 

Thanks again!
Laura Lyles Reagan, MS
Teen and Parent Communication Author, Speaker, Coach & Family Sociologist
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/laura-reagan-porras/69/244/730
www.heart2heartparents.com​​​​​​​

 

featured article

"What's The Best You Can Do?"
THREE Myths Non-Writing People Believe About Writing

By Ian Chandler
 
I'm a freelance writer who charges professional rates, and clients always ask me to lower my rates. The other day, in fact, I sent a message to a potential client. I gave them my usual rate and got the dreaded question in response: "What's the best you can do?" It's always depressing to hear it, and it's even more depressing to think about its implications.
 
It's no surprise that writing has become massively undervalued in recent years, but it's somewhat surprising to realize how undervalued it's actually become. A few decades ago, $1 per word would have been a respectable professional rate. Today, writers are lucky if they get paid 30 cents per word.
 
And this question – "What's the best you can do?" – reveals what people actually think about writing. Here are three myths that this question creates and what your response should be to each myth:

Myth #1: Less is more.
 
The first and most unsurprising implication of this question is the client's vision of quality. They believe that the less they pay, the better. They're either unwilling or unable to pay for premium writing, but either way, they believe that they shouldn't have to pay a lot. The "best" price is the cheapest.
 
The truth: When it comes to writing, more is more. Full-time freelance writers may not have other sources of income. The more they're paid, the more passionate they'll be, and they'll produce better content. That's not to say writers slack for low-paying jobs, but the truth is that high-paying jobs provide a better impetus for writers. They also set quality standards much higher.
 
Let your clients know that writing is your job. It's not a "side hustle;" it's your lifeblood. Refuse to go lower. Either they'll respect you and pay what you deserve or you'll lose a client you didn't need in the first place.
 
Myth #2: Writing is no big deal.

With the advent of outsourcing, many people have come to believe that writing can be – and should be – something they can cheaply and quickly acquire. They think anyone can do it. They think writers easily churn out compelling copy in a few minutes and send it off.

The truth: Clients need to know that creating a piece of writing is a painstaking endeavor that requires drafting, editing, and meditating. More work goes into one paragraph than most clients will ever realize.
 
Make your client aware that writing is not as easy as they think. Explain what you do to create the best content possible, and they'll respect you for it.
 
Myth #3: Low rates are fair rates.
 
This sounds similar to Myth #1, but this myth propagates the idea that writers can survive on next to nothing. This is due to the rise of people from third world countries entering the freelance economy. In other countries, $2 an hour is a decent wage, but for thousands of others, it's chump change.
 
A similar idea is that writing for low rates is "perfect for students or someone trying to make money on the side." But those people see writing as no more than a "side hustle," so they likely won't put that much effort into it. You, on the other hand, work day and night to create the best content your client has ever read.
 
The truth: Tell your client that great writing is not going to be cheap. If writing is your main (or only) source of income, make that clear. And don't forget to mention how much attention you give to your writing. Tell the client you're worth more because you do more.


BIO - Ian Chandler is a professional writer and content marketer based in Kent, Ohio. His work has appeared on Multiply Authority, The Penny Hoarder, HowlRound, TechGyo, and more. He specializes in creating professional yet approachable content about writing, technology, and men's fashion/lifestyles. Read more about him at http://ianchandlerwriting.com/.


 

COmpetitions

DECEMBER AWARDS - FICTION AND NONFICTION
https://december.submittable.com/submit
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline June 15, 2016. Prizes in each category include $1,500 and publication in our Fall/Winter 2016 issue for First Place; $500 and publication in our Fall/Winter 2016 issue for honorable mention. Limit one story of 8,000 words. 



JUST ADD WORDS
http://videodescriptioncontest.com/
NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline May 31, 2016. Watch a video then write narration for it. Video description should include the information that is most important for a blind or low-vision viewer to understand a film or television program. The goal is to convey as full a picture of the visual content as possible by augmenting the dialogue and soundtrack. Prizes are $2,000, $1,000, and $500. 



THE REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER CONTEST FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION
http://www.hippocampusmagazine.com/2016/05/2016-contest-open-the-remember-in-november-contest-for-creative-nonfiction-has-a-1000-grand-prize/
$12 ENTRY FEE.
$1,000 grand prize plus complimentary registration to HippoCamp 2017. $150 runner-up (1). $25 honorable mentions (3). Deadline September 23, 2016. Previously unpublished memoir excerpts and personal essays of up to 4,000 words are eligible.



NEW ENGLAND POETRY CLUB CONTESTS
http://www.nepoetryclub.org/contests/
$15 FOR UP TO THREE CONTESTS, ONE ENTRY PER CONTEST. 
Deadline June 30, 2016. Many categories for many types of poems, with first prize monies ranging from $200 to $1,000.

 

GRANTS

GREAT RIVER WRITERS RETREAT 
http://www.mwcqc.org/contests/writers-retreat/
The winning Iowa or Illinois writer will receive a seven-day/six-night residency, from September 3 through 9, 2016, at the Benet House Retreat Center in Rock Island, Illinois, a travel stipend, and an invitation to read to the literary community of the Quad Cities. The public reading of their original work will take place on September 7, 2015 at the Midwest Writing Center at 7 p.m. Deadline June 15, 2016.  



COLORADO PLATEAU ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
http://www.entradainstitute.org/2016/04/artist-in-residence-program-2016-apply-now/
The Entrada Institute will award a stipend to an artist or writer to support work that encourages dialogue and discovery about the natural treasures of the peoples of the Colorado Plateau. Applications for the Entrada 2016 Artist in Residence stipend are due by May 23, 2016.



THE ELIZABETH GEORGE GRANT
http://www.elizabethgeorgeonline.com/foundation.htm
The Elizabeth George Foundation makes artistic grants to unpublished fiction writers, poets,  emerging playwrights, and organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth. These grants cover expenses in a number of areas.



INDIEGOGO
https://www.indiegogo.com/explore#/browse/writing
Crowdfund your book. Seek not only funds, but work on creating a platform or following for your project. Draw attention to yourself and earn money to publish, edit, or market your book, script, or play by telling the world what your project is and how it will change the world!


 

FREELANCE MARKETS

LIISBETH
http://www.liisbeth.com/contributors/guidelines/
LiisBeth welcomes queries from women and other writers along the gender continuum from all backgrounds and levels of experience. We look for well-written, edgy, positive, well-informed articles that offers readers’ a feminist’s perspective on entrepreneurship. In general, we pay $500 for a short piece (500-800 words) and $1,000 for longer, more investigative piece (1,000-1,300 words). We believe in the value of premium content. 



MIRASEE
https://mirasee.com/write-for-us/
If you’re an expert in marketing, business growth or audience building, and have previously published on these topics, we’d love to have you contribute. Our blog features talented individuals who want to share their experience and expertise with our community of passionate readers. Pays $200 (10-20 cents/word).



COSMOPOLITAN
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=P%2bTI3UALB1rlCBgvlYElag%3d%3d
Cosmopolitan.com is building a network of talented and eager contributors. We want you to participate! Send us an essay of no more than 800 words about a memorable, crazy, hilarious, or touching college experience. Stories about friends, class, dating, partying, studying, working, interning — anything that happened to you or around you in college is fair game. (Or: Tell us why you didn't go to college, why college is bullshit, what you're doing instead... ) If we publish your essay on Cosmopolitan.com, we'll pay you $100 — and hit you up for future assignments.



GUIDEPOSTS
https://www.guideposts.org/writers-guidelines
Guideposts publishes true stories about people who have attained a goal, surmounted an obstacle or learned a helpful lesson through their faith. A typical story is a first-person narrative with a spiritual point that the reader can apply to his or her own life. The story may be your own or someone else’s. Payment for full-length stories (about 1,500 words) is made when the story is accepted for publication. Please do not send essays, sermons or fiction. Pays up to $250.

 

JOBS

publishers/agents

CALYPSO EDITIONS
https://calypsoeditions.submittable.com/submit
Calypso Editions, a cooperative press dedicated to publishing quality literary books of poetry and fiction with a global perspective, publishes four books each year. In order to maintain our successful track record of discovering exciting new works, we’ll be holding two open submission periods, one for English-language authors (September) and another for work translated into English (May), each year. While we choose not to charge a reading fee, we hope that you will purchase a book from us or from another small press. The Calypso Editions May open submission period is for translations. Please submit your manuscript of translated poetry (between 45-75 pages) or prose (short-stories/novellas/novels, up to 52,000 words) via the Submittable page. Include biographical notes for both the author and the translator. Your submission must be accompanied by 1) the original text and 2) a letter from the rights holder stating that you have permission to translate and publish the work in the United States. 



BRASH BOOKS
http://www.brash-books.com/
We publish the best crime novels in existence. A brash claim? You bet it is. But our award-winning, critically acclaimed authors prove it with each and every one of their amazing books. We’ve got it all: psychological thrillers, murder mysteries, international espionage, and police procedurals from established masters of the craft – as well as premiere books from new voices who are sure to become crime fiction stars.



TYRUS BOOKS
http://www.tyrusbooks.com/submissions
Tyrus Books publishes about a dozen books per year in the crime and literary genres. Our books get award consideration and are reviewed in major trade and consumer publications. We’ve established a pretty good reputation for publishing exceptional books. We aim to keep that reputation.



WIDO PUBLISHING
http://widopublishing.com/submissions/
We are currently accepting manuscripts for submission and are especially in the market for science fiction and fantasy, memoirs, and mystery/suspense. In nonfiction, we will consider essay collections and imaginative and outstanding memoirs with a strong platform. We are not accepting scholarly works or illustrated children’s books at this time.
 

SPONSORS

Ireland Workshops in Young Adult Fiction and Memoir with Jacqueline Kolosov

Tell the Truth, But Tell it Slant

A Writing Retreat Like No Other

Two spots remain for Elephant Rock's Fourth Annual Summer Solstice Retreat, June 12-17! This retreat is truly like no other. You will not workshop. You will not critique. You will not, for just one week, tear the work down. Instead, you will tap into your own fierce, original voice using some of the most innovative, unconventional writing exercises and techniques you will ever encounter. You will fall into open mode, allowing yourself to immerse in the beauty of language, the metaphor in all of life, and the absolute necessity of humor and play as a portal to the profound. All of this creative energy will be deepened by yoga, meditation, chanting, and an intensely supportive and inspiring community of fellow writers. Held on a beautiful secluded island at historic Stout's Lodge at the height of summer, our retreat is nestled in the trees amid lapping waves and birdsong. Be prepared to surprise yourself, and to laugh, a lot. And be ready to leave with seeds for many projects to come. As one writer said last year, "I am still searching for words ... because what happened at Stout's was so huge." That's the heart of the Elephant Rock Summer Solstice Retreat. All levels and genres welcome. Tuition includes 5 nights' lodging and all vegetarian meals, daily writing, yoga, & meditation, kayaks and outdoor activities, evening readings, bonfires, and music, Solstice Eve celebration, and more. Don't wait. This retreat is nearly full and always sells out.

 For all retreat details, visit Elephant Rock Retreats at: http://elephantrockretreats.com/upcoming-retreats/

Contact: Jeannine Ouellette – elephantrockretreats@gmail.com or call 612-801-2566





 

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Fine print

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
http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2016, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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