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Editor’s THOUGHTS

I AM HAPPIER WHEN I AM IGNORANT

This isn't just me talking, but this is a theme I see woven throughout social media these days. While it may not be as obviously stated as this, people are fussing about all they see happening around them, often feeling completely out of control. And we read stories about people disconnecting from the internet and becoming happier. They are choosing to escape the noise...preferring to be ignorant. 

I'm not using ignorant in a negative sense. I'm using ignorance more along the line of shutting down part of the noise and being selective on what comes into one's world.

For instance, when someone asks me if I know a certain author, chances are I don't, because there are so many, and there's nothing humiliating about that. Some people, when asked that question, will run out and look up that author, grab their book, and prepare themselves in case someone asks them again. That's a lot how word-of-mouth is born. But....we don't have to do it all of the time.

Last week at a class, someone threw two names at me, asking if I knew these somewhat well-known authors. I said no, then asked what genre do they write. Historical fiction, they said. I shook my head and said I would not know them because I read mystery, sometimes Southern fiction, and writing how-to. That was me choosing to remain ignorant. That was also me choosing not to feel stressed over NOT knowing something. 

We don't have to know everything and everyone.

Like 24-hour cable news, the internet makes us feel super-charged and overly eager to learn more, know more, and keep up. Makes you feel the need to absorb all this info. 

We want to be smart and knowledgeable, but we cannot know it all. We need to choose what we want to be intelligent about, then throw up some semblance of walls. I write mystery. I read mystery. I study mystery. When someone sends me a book that isn't mystery, I'm not going to feel bad because they spent the money to send me a book. I'll probably not steal time from my mystery studies to read that book an donate the book to the library. I won't be distracted from my goal.

My time is precious. So is yours.

We allow ourselves to be tempted by new methods of selling more, using free ebooks, and falling for once-in-a-lifetime advertisements. We stray from our writing plan, losing control of our writing lives. That's how many writers fail. That's what makes many writers grumpy and critical, ever seeking blame for their failure. And out comes the negativity that social media becomes known for. It's a sea of restless, unsatisfied people . . . most of them inundated with too much information.

Make a plan to learn how to write, stick to it, and not be so distracted or tempted to stray. The more defined your plan, the less likely you'll leave the path. Learn only what you need to learn. Every success method doesn't have to be in your toolbox. 

The more you restrict what enters your world, the more time you'll have to master your writing. The more ignorant you keep yourself from other distractions in the world, the happier you'll be. And the better your chances at becoming good. 


 

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.    
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Upcoming Book Signings and Classes! (All times in Eastern.)    May 2 - St. Stephen's Library, SC - Habits of Successful Writer - 5 PM   May 3 - Daniel Island Library, SC - Plotting - 5:00 PM   May 4 - Timberlake Book Club, Chapin, SC - 1:00 PM   May 5 - McCormick County Library, SC - Getting Published - 6:30 PM   May 9  - Goose Creek Library - Characters - 5:30 PM   May 10 - Hanahan Library - Editing - 6:30 PM   May 12 - Calhoun County Library, SC - Getting Published - 6:30 PM   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   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

	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

Dear Hope:

This thank-you for FundsforWriters is long overdue. Your wonderful newsletter has cheered me up and kept me writing when my spirits have flagged. I have received so much encouragement from your words and those of the other writers you have shared. It's especially important to stay tuned-in to the changes taking place in the writing world as well as remaining grounded in the basics. FundsforWriters serves as this bridge.

I have been awarded residencies to Wild Acres Retreat Center and writing scholarships to Highlights Foundation sessions and Split Rock Arts Center/University of Minnesota. At those places I learned of the workshop method of evaluating manuscripts (new and startling to this former journalist) and began friendships which have continued across the miles. None of this would have been possible had I not read your newsletter.

Your words in the posting this week rang true for me. If writing is important then one will carve out the time. I work as a Title I Reading Specialist (after "retiring" as a Language Arts and Journalism teacher for at-risk teens). A recent move has meant I can work those precious writing hours before reporting to my classroom.  As I struggle through my eighth (could be more as I've lost count) set of revisions I take heart from your weekly encouragement. 

Thank you!

Ann Dallman
Sam English: The Life, Work and Times of An Artist  
Print Solutions Magazine/PEAK Grand Award Winner 2009/Coffee Table Category
Finalist: New Mexico Book of the Year 2010
Finalist: National Indie Excellence Award 2010
www.samenglishart.com and/or on Amazon
 

featured article

ADVERTISE SMARTER

By A.R. Wise

Successful independent authors advertise. It's as simple as that. You can't publish a book and expect the world to notice. You must get the word out. However, not all types of advertising produce the same results, and it's easy to waste an awful lot of money without seeing substantial return. Trust me, I've wasted plenty, and I want to help you avoid some of the same mistakes.

I only advertise books that are on sale, or free, and I look for sites with a substantial mailing list. I avoid sites that boast huge Twitter followings as their claim to fame, because it's easy to artificially inflate social media stats. I also avoid doing banner advertisements on sites, because the click-through rate on those are abysmal. To get the most for your money, you must place your book in front of as many eyes as possible, and I haven't found a better way to do that than working with the following sites. 

Bookbub

Let's address the behemoth first. I haven't encountered a site that's more consistently worth the investment than Bookbub. At first glance, it's expensive, but an ad with them is worth every penny. On average, for a free book in the horror genre, I see around 8,000–20,000 downloads on the day my ad hits, and the effect continues for several days until gradually coming back down to average. Bookbub can be awfully picky about which titles they advertise, which might be discouraging if they decline your novel. Don't be disheartened. Acquire more reviews on your book (which is part of their selection criteria), and give them another try in a month.

For tips on finding more reviews, see my article in last week's FundsforWriters newsletter: How to Get Reviews – Without Cheating!

Freebooksy/Bargainbooksy

This is another pricey option that's had consistent, positive results, although with nowhere near the same success as Bookbub. Their prices run between $40 and $200 depending on the genre of your book, and I usually see an uptick of about 1,000 downloads (for a free horror novel). Advertising with Bargainbooksy is considerably cheaper, but I've never seen an impressive result from them. In my opinion, you should only use this site when your book is being offered for free.

Kindle Nation Daily / Bookgorilla

It's daunting to look at the pricing structure of this site's advertisement packages. I've participated in several different options (including some of the frighteningly expensive ones) and surprisingly discovered that the best one is also the cheapest. If you're offering a free book, then it's worth your time to invest in the $29.99 Free Book Highlighter option. 

OHFB

Another free book advertising opportunity. This one competes closely with Freebooksy in terms of price and results, although I only utilize it when I'm putting a slew of ads out all at once.

Bookbasset

Here's one that's still relatively cheap (get them while you can), but still manages to drum up impressive downloads. One of its options makes you the featured author for the day and can be used to advertise all of your books. This one runs $21.99 and is a good option if you're hoping to advertise books that aren't available for free. If you're marketing a free book, then there's an option that runs a meager $7.99, but will usually land you a few hundred downloads. 

Good luck advertising your book! If you find a different site that's worth advertising with, please reply with  a comment.
 

BIO-
A.R. Wise is the author of several horror, mystery, and comedy novels, including 314, which has more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon. Several of his books, including 314, are available for free. If you enjoy his work, then do him a favor by writing a review.

www.arwisebooks.com
Facebook Fan Page
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COmpetitions

RAVEN SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://pulpliterature.com/contests/
$25 ENTRY FEE.
We Pulp Literature editors collect stories like ravens in the woods, swooping down on what catches our eye and bringing the treasures — sometimes sparkling, sometimes grisly, but always fascinating — home to our nests. Want feedback on your story?  Get a professional critique from one of the Pulp Literature editors for only $25 more. Show us your most scintillating treasures in the form of short fiction up to 5,000 words, and you could be the one bringing home $500 to line your nest! Deadline October 15, 2016. 



WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS NATIONAL WRITING CONTEST
http://www.rollofthunderbook.com/
The Contest is open to people of color (or those who self-identify as other than white) who are residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions, 18 years of age or older at time of entry and who have not had any works of fiction published in any medium prior to entering the Contest. Deadline June 21, 2016. The submission must be in English, between 25,000-75,000 words and must not have been previously published in any medium. The confirmed winner will receive a book publishing contract for the publication of a novel for ages 8-14 by Penguin Random House LLC, with an advance of $35,000, plus royalties.



CENTRAL COAST WRITERS' CONTEST
http://centralcoastwriterscontest.blogspot.com/p/basic-rules.html
$15 and $20 ENTRY FEES.
Short Fiction, Screenwriting and Poetry: First Place $1,000, Second Place $500, Third Place $100. Flash Fiction: First Place $500, Second Place $100, Third Place $50. All top finalists will receive Finalist Certificates. Short Fiction 1,000 to 1,200 words, Poetry up to 40 lines, Flash Fiction up to 500 words, Screenwriting up to 20 pages. Deadline July 15, 2016.



GREEN BRIAR REVIEW CONTESTS
https://greenbriarreview.submittable.com/submit
$10 ENTRY FEE.
Categories poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. 

Poetry deadline May 30, 2016. Up to three poems per entry. 1st Prize for poetry $250 and publication. Top Runners Up: Publication, with the possibility of a small honorarium if submissions are high.

Nonfiction and fiction deadline May 31, 2016. 1st Prize in each $250 and publication. Top Runners Up: Publication, with the possibility of a small honorarium if submissions are high. Limit 6,000 words.


 

GRANTS

ILLINOIS ROAD SCHOLARS SPEAKER BUREAU
http://www.ilhumanities.org/roadscholars
Illinois Humanities invites authors, artists, educators, and cultural practitioners of all kinds to apply to join the 2016-17 edition of its Road Scholars Speakers Bureau. The application deadline is Friday, June 3, 2016, at 5 p.m. It enables Illinois writers, storytellers, historians, folklorists, musicians, and living history actors, among others, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with people throughout the state. 



IOWA FELLOWSHIPS
https://iowaculture.gov/about-us/about/grants/iowa-artist-fellowship-program
Apply for funding and professional development opportunities to advance your artistic career. The Artist Fellowship provides support to artists who demonstrate exceptional creativity and the capacity to contribute to the innovation and elevation of the arts in Iowa. Deadline May 2, 2016. Grant Award: $10,000.



VIRGINIA CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS RESIDENCIES
http://www.vcca.com/
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation provides support for individual artist residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) through its Creative Fellowships program. Residencies at VCCA provide artists a private studio, room and board, and the company of other artists from around the nation for an intensive period of self-guided exploration and development. Creative Fellowships at VCCA support two-week or one-month residencies for composers, literary and visual artists from Delaware, Maryland, New York, and West Virginia. A modest travel subsidy is also awarded to the selected artists. The next residency application deadline for VCCA is May 15, 2016.



FARAFINA TRUST
https://farafinabooks.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/2016-farafina-trust-creative-writing-workshop/
Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from June 21 to July 1, 2016. The workshop is sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. The Caine Prize-winning Kenyan writer, Binyavanga Wainaina, Aslak Sira Myhre and others will co-teach the workshop alongside Adichie. Deadline for submission is May 20, 2016. Only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by June 10, 2016. Accommodation in Lagos will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the ten-day duration of the workshop.

 

FREELANCE MARKETS

WIRED.CO.UK
http://www.wired.co.uk/wired-insider/contributor-guidelines
WIRED is not a magazine about computers or the internet. Our themes are Change and The Future. We’re looking to identify the next big thing – social, political, economic, cultural – that will significantly affect our lives, even if we don’t know it yet. We are interested in contributors’ passion and engagement and their ability to tell a fresh story vividly, accurately and tightly. If successful, you will receive a formal commissioning letter, setting out the agreed article brief, deadline and fee, along with a contributor’s agreement to sign. 



YES!
http://www.yesmagazine.org/about/writers-guidelines-submissions
Each issue of YES! includes a series of articles focused on a theme about solutions to a significant challenge facing our world and a number of timely, non-theme articles. Our non -theme section provides ongoing coverage of issues like health, climate change, globalization, media reform, faith, democracy, economy and labor, social and racial justice, and peace building. Pay rates vary for articles that appear online and in print. In both platforms, YES! pays higher rates for original reporting and deeply researched stories that break new ground. 



OUTSIDE
http://www.outsideonline.com/contact-us
Outside is a monthly national magazine dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors. Although our features are usually assigned to a regular stable of experienced and proven writers, we're always interested in new authors and their ideas. In particular, we look for articles on outdoor events, regions, and activities; informative seasonal service pieces; sports and adventure travel pieces; profiles of engaging outdoor characters; and investigative stories on environmental issues.



DRAFT
http://draftmag.com/submissions/
DRAFT prides itself on providing its audience with current, accurate and creative coverage of beer and other areas of life enjoyed by our readers, and we’re delighted you’re interested in contributing. Pitches need not be beer-centric, but those that are should focus on beer/brewery news, trends and ideas, rather than the technical aspects of brewing and/or profiles. Aside from beer, we happily accept pitches on topics ranging from food, sports (both professional and leisure), travel, and many other topics. 


 

JOBS

publishers/agents

CITY OWL PRESS
http://www.cityowlpress.com/p/submissions.html
Looking for thrilling Adult and New Adult Romance and Speculative Fiction in the following subgenres:
Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance, Sci Fi Romance, Romantic Suspense, Dark Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian.



DANCING LEMUR PRESS
http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/
We are seeking science fiction, fantasy, new adult, young adult, and inspirational nonfiction. Our Imprint, Freedom Fox Press, accepts those plus romance and mystery. 



EDGE
http://www.edgewebsite.com/
EDGE publishes thought-provoking full length novels and anthologies of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Featuring works by established authors and emerging new voices, EDGE is pleased to provide quality literary entertainment in both print and pixels.



DAW
http://www.penguin.com/meet/publishers/daw/
DAW accepts unsolicited submissions of science fiction and fantasy novels. We do not publish short stories, short story collections, novellas, or poetry. The average length of the novels we publish varies, but is almost never fewer than 80,000 words.


 

SPONSORS

  

44 Key Questions about Your Story

Hi, I’m copywriter Alex Limberg and I blog on www.ridethepen.com to boost your fiction writing skills; we dissect famous authors (works, not bodies). I put together a short, free manual so you can check your  story yourself.

This ebook is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to self-assess  your story:

-    No need to pay for consultation or bug people for feedback; just  answer these questions honestly
-    Do it right away with a neatly arranged checklist of 44 questions
-    Make your life as a writer a lot easier: Use the list on all your  future stories, till you grow daisies
-    Feel confident that you have a good story at hand – or that you need  a revision
-    Know exactly what you need to change to make your story intriguing  (if anything)

If you want a free copy, just click the ad.












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










WRITING WITH SPIRIT
 

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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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