SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

 

At FanStory you'll get:

Feedback for everything you write.
Contests with cash prizes. Over 50 every month!
Fun. Be a part of a writing community that supports writers of all skill levels.

Find out More  | Watch Our Video 
Here are some of our Upcoming Contests

Etheree Poetry
A fun and challenging poem to write. Etheree has only 10 lines. Each line has a specific syllable count. The first line has 1 syllable, the second has 2 and that continues until the 10th line which has 10 syllables.  See an example in the announcement. Deadline: Friday, Jun 24th.
 
Quinzaine Poetry
A quinzaine is a poem with three lines that has fifteen syllables. No rhymes. There should be seven syllables in the first line, five in the second line and three in the third line (7/5/3). The first line makes a statement. The next two lines ask a question relating to that statement. Deadline: June 30th.

Love Poem Poetry Contest 
Write a love poem. All forms of poetry accepted. Your love poem can be fictional or non-fictional. It can be humorous or serious. The choice is yours.  Deadline: July 6th.

What If?
What if your character could hear the voices of people that had passed on to the next life?  Write a story that answers this "what if" question to enter. Deadline: July 12th.

This is just a few of our contests. View our full listing here. Find out more about FanStory here. Watch our video here.

 

Editor’s THOUGHTS

BAD WRITING

I give three items credit for making me a marketable author:

1) Writing incessantly and daily.
2) Joining a critique group.
3) Always reading.

You might enjoy this piece about how this writer considers himself backsliding if he isn't always reading.  https://medium.com/life-learning/heres-my-secret-weapon-i-read-a549859d0b6a#.mbiusdhlg

Many writers in the many classes I have taught, have rolled their eyes when I mention those three items. They launch into reasons they don't have time, as if I would then change course and give them a different, exceptional journey to writing well and selling thousands of copies. As if I would give them a pass to avoid this lengthy, cumbersome process and endow them with a tool that lets them shortcut and publish at a tenth of the effort. 

This course of thought is a rather insulting one. They are negating the sweat that good writing requires, which ultimately is insulting to all writers of all time. 

They are choosing to write without going through the requirements. They are choosing to write badly. Sorry, I'd like to choose another word. Write weakly? Write naively? Write with less commercial value? Nope, they choose to write badly.

In The Guardian, author Toby Litt talks about "What makes bad writing bad?"

"Bad writing is almost always a love poem addressed by the self to the self. The person who will admire it first and last and most is the writer herself."

And...

"Bad writers bulwark themselves against a confrontation with their own badness by reference to other writers with whom they feel they share certain defence-worthy characteristics."

Litt means these writers might reference a well-known writer's heavy use of adverbs, so it's okay. Or they refuse to avoid passive voice, then find a NY Times Bestseller that uses it. 

This following comment, however, is pure beauty in the explanation of the difference between bad and good writing:

"Bad writing is written defensively; good writing is a way of making the self as vulnerable as possible." 

And . . . 

"To write competently is to do a few magic tricks for friends and family; to write well is to run away to join the circus."

And finally . . . 

"When they are watching a magician, people don’t want to say, 'Well done.' They want to say, 'Wow.'"


 

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. 



 

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way." 

—Napoleon Hill

Success Story

If you've had any sort of success from receiving FundsforWriters, we want to hear about it. Toot your own horn and ours, too!. Send no more than 150 words to hope@chopeclark.com with SUCCESS STORY in the title.

 

featured article

Six Things Your Ghostwriting Client Should Expect from You

By Thomas Smith 

"Could you cut off your own arm in order to save your life?"

That was the first question one of my ghostwriting clients asked, because that was the position in which he'd found himself a few years earlier. He had been forced to cut off his own arm when he became trapped in a flaming piece of farm equipment and the subsequent international attention was the reason he wanted to write a book. The result: Unthinkable Choice: The Story of Sampson Parker.

Even so, it wasn't my answer to his first question that landed me the assignment (my answer was I hope I don't ever have to find out). It was the answer to questions he had asked others about me prior to our meeting. Then it was the answers to questions we dealt with as the writing process progressed that reaffirmed his contention that I was the writer for the job. 

That being said, there are six things your client should expect from you when they hire you as a ghostwriter:

·      Trust

·      Flexibility

·      Experience

·      Authentic voice

·      Clear communication

·      Confidentiality

These six attributes will (not "can") make or break your career. Let's take a look at why that's true.

Trust. Your client must be assured of your character, your ability, and the truth in your words and actions. They need to know that their faith in you and your abilities is well founded and well placed. 

Flexibility. It is essential that you are able to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. To paraphrase a popular saying, stuff happens, and as a ghostwriter one of your greatest assets will be your ability to "go with the flow."

Experience. Is this your "first rodeo" or have you done similar jobs before? How long have you been writing and how long have you been writing professionally? There's a difference, and your client deserves an honest answer.

Authentic voice. This is the quality that makes your writing unique. But as a ghostwriter, you also need the ability to write in a way that sounds like your client. You must be able to hear and reproduce your client's unique cadence and rhythm on every page. For example, after I turned in the first draft of the book Unthinkable Choice, Sampson's wife called me after she read it and said, "I can't believe it. The book sounds exactly like him."

Clear communication. There should be no gray areas when it comes to what you expect from the client and what they should expect from you. So, spell it out in a contract, because it will protect both of you. For example: my clients have final say over most content, but I have the final say in matters of style. Period. Additionally, every stage of the project delivery and all financial arrangements are spelled out in detail.

Confidentiality. While this should be fairly obvious, let's be crystal clear. If they can't trust you to keep some things to yourself, they shouldn't hire you. Not everything you hear is for public consumption, though it might be vital as a way for you to better understand your client.

In short, your client needs to know the person they have hired has both the ability and the character to develop the project. Meet those criteria, and you will create a steady demand for your services.
 

Sidebar: 

Where do you find ghostwriting projects? Check sites like:

=> Craigslist.org (be careful here because in addition to really good leads there are a lot of scams and content mills listed)
=> JournalismJobs.com
=> Freelancedaily.net
=> Mediabistro.com
=> Freelancejobopenings.com. 

You can also search phrases such as "ghostwriter" and "ghostwriter wanted" on SimplyHired.com and Indeed.com. Book packagers are always looking for dependable ghostwriters and The American Book Producers Association is a great place to start your search for projects (http://www.abpaonline.org).

Bio:

Thomas Smith is an award winning writer, reporter, essayist, playwright, and TV news producer. He has been a freelance writer for over 25 years and may be the only writer in captivity to ever be involved in projects with Stephen King and the Rev. Rick Warren at the same time. He has written fiction, nonfiction, greeting cards, web copy, short stories, plays, academic study guides, essays, articles, white papers, a horror novel, and some really bad poetry. You can find him at http://thomassmithonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsmithwriting.
 

COmpetitions

NANO FICTION PRIZE
https://nanofiction.submittable.com/submit/54359
$10 ENTRY FEE.
Awards publication and $1,000 to a previously unpublished work of fiction 300 words or fewer. Deadline: July 1, 2016.



ROYAL NONESUCH HUMOR WRITING CONTEST
https://twainhouse.submittable.com/submit
$13 to $23 ENTRY FEE.
Adult and young adult categories. Deadline July 10, 2016. Limit 7,000 words. 
1st Prize: $1,000 (Adult), $1,000 (Young Author)
2nd Prize: $500 (Adult), $500 (Young Author)
3rd Prize: $250 (Adult), $250 (Young Author)
Three Honorable Mention Prizes: $100 Gift Certificate for the Mark Twain Museum Store (Adult & Young Author). 



POP
http://www.matrixmagazine.org/#!litpopawards/c1yuk
$25 ENTRY FEE.
We are looking for your best stories and poems. Winners will have their work published in Matrix, and receive free travel to POP Montreal for a night in their honor. This contest is open to residents of Canada and the United States. The final deadline for all submissions is July 1, 2016. Winners will be notified in August. Poets are asked to send no more than five poems; fiction writers should send stories of no more than 4,000 words. 



LEDBURG POETRY COMPETITION
http://www.poetry-festival.co.uk/ledbury-poetry-competition/
ENTRY FEE FREE to £5.
Deadline July 7, 2016. The length of each poem must not exceed 40 lines. The winner of the adult first prize will be expected to provide for his/her own transport arrangements in order to attend the Ty Newydd course in North Wales, regardless of whether he/she is a UK resident or not.

Adult Prizes
First Prize: £1,000 and a course at Ty Newydd, The National Writers’ Centre for Wales
Second Prize: £500
Third Prize: £250

Young Person’s prizes
First Prize: £100 
Second Prize: £50
Third Prize: £25

Children’s Prizes
First Prize: £25 book token
Second Prize: £15 book token
Third Prize: £10 book token


 

GRANTS

THE JIMMY LOFTIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.killernashville.com/the-killer-nashville-jimmy-loftin-memorial-scholarship/
The Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship is designed to help someone who is struggling financially attend The Killer Nashville Writers' Conference. Funds will be awarded to authors who demonstrate their need in an essay format. The money will be used to pay for attendance to the conference, breakout sessions, a critique, and lodging on a case-needed basis. Write a 500-word essay that illustrates your financial need and why you want to attend the conference August 18-21, 2016. It is being held at the Embassy Suites Nashville South Cool Springs. Deadline: July 31, 2016.



THE LISA JACKSON SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.killernashville.com/the-lisa-jackson-killer-nashville-scholarship/
The Lisa Jackson Scholarship is designed to help someone who is struggling financially attend The Killer Nashville Writers' Conference. Funds will be awarded to authors who demonstrate their need in an essay format. The money will be used to pay for attendance to the conference, breakout sessions, a critique, and lodging on a case-needed basis. Write a 500-word essay that illustrates your financial need and why you want to attend the Killer Nashville Writers' Conference. Scholarships will be awarded by July 31, 2016. The conference is August 18-21, 2016 and is being held at the Embassy Suites Nashville South Cool Springs. Deadline: July 1, 2016. 



NOTE: The above two scholarships are separate from the FundsforWriters Killer Nashville Scholarship offered by FFW and C. Hope Clark at www.fundsforwriters.com/killernashvillescholarship - deadline July 1, 2016. 



ELIZABETH GEORGE FOUNDATION
http://www.elizabethgeorgeonline.com/foundation.htm
Mystery writer Elizabeth George has a foundation that makes grants to unpublished fiction writers, poets, emerging playwrights, and organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth. These grants cover expenses in a number of areas. For further information, write and request a brochure: The Elizabeth George Foundation, PO Box 1429, Langley, WA 98260.



2016 NBC UNIVERSAL TONY COELHO MEDIA SCHOLARSHIPS
http://www.aapd.com/nbcuniversal-tony-coelho-media-scholarship-program/
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and NBC Universal are proud to offer eight NBC Universal Tony Coelho Media Scholarships in 2016. The scholarship is available to second year associate students; undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors, graduate students with disabilities with an interest in the entertainment, media or communications industries. Each recipient will receive $5,625 to help cover the cost of education at their college or university. Deadline July 1, 2016.

 

FREELANCE MARKETS

CHICKEN SOUP - BLENDED FAMILIES
http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Deadline June 30, 2016. Are you part of a blended family, enjoying stepchildren, stepsiblings, etc.? Blending two families after a second marriage can be a real joy… and sometimes a challenge too. Limit 1,200 words. If we publish your story or poem, you will be paid $200 ($100 for devotionals) one month after publication of the book and you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in. 


CHICKEN SOUP - COLLEGE STUDENT STORIES
http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Deadline July 31, 2016. We are looking for true, nonfiction stories from current college students up to age 24. You can be enrolled in two-year, four-year, or technical college—any post high school educational institution. Limit 1,200 words. If we publish your story or poem, you will be paid $200 ($100 for devotionals) one month after publication of the book and you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in. 


CHICKEN SOUP - CURVY AND CONFIDENT
http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Deadline June 30, 2016. Women come in all shapes and sizes. We’re all beautiful and the key is to be fit and healthy within the body type that we were issued at birth. Our new book is all about body image, self-esteem, and feeling comfortable within our own skins. Limit 1,200 words. If we publish your story or poem, you will be paid $200 ($100 for devotionals) one month after publication of the book and you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in. 


CHICKEN SOUP - DREAMS AND SYNCHRONICITIES
http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Deadline August 31, 2016. Sometimes magic happens in your life. You have a dream that reveals a truth or a course of action to you. You have a premonition that changes your behavior and saves you or a loved one from disaster. You meet someone at just the right time and you can’t believe the coincidence. Limit 1,200 words. If we publish your story or poem, you will be paid $200 ($100 for devotionals) one month after publication of the book and you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in. 


 

JOBS

WRITER / EDITOR
http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Rooster-Magazine-and-TheRooster.com/jobs/Writer-Editor-9b70b80693f30ed0
Rooster Magazine and TheRooster.com are hiring writers who possess a strong enjoyment for writing, a wicked sense of humor and the ability to see new angles on everyday journalistic topics. Location Boulder, CO.



EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
https://www.localjobnetwork.com/j/t-editorial-assistant-e-wisconsin-gazette-l-shorewood,-wi-jobs-j18522038.html
Alternative Milwaukee Newspaper looking for an assistant to work closely with the managing editor. Responsibilities include editing and reviewing content, covering events, and creating content for online and print, especially calendar listings and briefs. The editorial assistant also is responsible for general office duties, including communications with the general public.

publishers/agents

EMERALD CITY LITERARY AGENCY
https://emeraldcityliterary.com/
Emerald City Literary Agency is a boutique literary agency located just outside of Seattle, Washington. Emerald City Literary represents picture books, middle grade, young adult, children’s nonfiction, romance, and  science fiction & fantasy. We welcome submissions about LGBTQ themes and diverse characters and by traditionally underrepresented authors. Please do not query with screenplays, poetry, short stories, adult nonfiction, or fiction for adults that does not fall under the above genres.



UNION LITERARY
http://unionliterary.com/bio/
Union Literary is a full-service boutique agency specializing in literary fiction, popular fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, social history, business and general big idea books, popular science, cookbooks and food writing. We excel at project development, hands-on editing and placing our projects with domestic and foreign publishers, film and television companies.



ABSOLUTE LOVE PUBLISHING
http://www.absolutelovepublishing.com/
Do you have a positive message to share with the world? Absolute Love Publishing and and its imprint Spirited Press are accepting book manuscript submissions. We’re looking for fiction and nonfiction books that intrigue us, inspire us, and fit with our overall mission. Genres may include mysteries; historical fiction; fantasy; humor; realistic fiction; science fiction; adventure; creative nonfiction; memoir; body, mind, and spirit; spiritual; inspirational; Young Adult and Children's books; and women’s studies.

 

SPONSORS

Creative Writing Retreat at Rancho Las Cascades, Mexico



Join award-winning, bestselling and ground-breaking authors Melvin Burgess (Junk, Doing It, The Hit) and Lucy Christopher (Stolen, The Killing Woods) in discovering ways to write original fiction for young people.

This Rancho Las Cascadas writing course offers free horse riding and yoga, all food and drink (including alcohol plus the chance to explore this lovely part of Mexico – all inclusive for $2175.


Through exercises, workshops, lectures, one-on-one tutorials, fieldwork and “serious play” in this amazing setting, Melvin and Lucy will introduce some of the key components for writing for young people. Come prepared to experiment, begin or develop new work, and open your mind to this exciting and innovative area of fiction.

The Retreat runs from November 12th – 19th 2016. Further details at http://rancholascascadas.com/creative-writing-retreat-at-rancho-las-cascadas/

Email Jenny at the Rancho to book your stay (info@rancholascascadas.com)











ALL-INCLUSIVE WRITING VACATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Murphy Writing of Stockton University Presents
LIVE FREE AND WRITE
August 14-19, 2016, Dexter's Inn, Sunapee, NH

Join us in New Hampshire for a supportive writing retreat. Spend a week working on your memoir or poetry chapbook. Enjoy the refreshing New England summer with plentiful writing time, encouraging workshops, homemade meals and time to relax. Scholarships available.

Workshops include: "Reimagining Memoir" with Mimi Schwartz and "Poetry Chapbook Workshop" with Lois Marie Harrod; retreat hosted by Peter Murphy.

"I've never done an overnight writing retreat before and was amazed at how much writing happened just being away from home. The atmosphere was perfect: open, honest, sincere and so encouraging. Definitely worth the money, the drive and the time!" — Anne, Belmont, MA

Register by July 1 and save: www.stockton.edu/murphywriting 








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Shaila Abdullah has designed websites, book designs, marketing materials, and email campaigns for over 60 authors, writers and speakers. Being an award-winning author herself, she understands the industry, and will provide you with designs that reflect your unique style, genre, and personality. 

MENTION THIS AD AND GET 10% OFF (NEW CLIENTS ONLY)
EXISTING CLIENTS EARN 8% REFERRAL FEE FOR SENDING IN NEW CLIENTS 

E-mail Shaila: info@myhouseofdesign.com 
View portfolio: http://myhouseofdesign.com/author-portfolio/
Services for authors: http://myhouseofdesign.com/services-for-authors/

A few testimonials from happy clients:

"Superb work, excellent customer service. Just marvelous overall.” —C. Hope Clark, author, founder of FundsforWriters, http://www.fundsforwriters.com

"The site captures my spirit and passion, and it honors my dream since childhood." —Lyn Fairchild Hawks, author, http://lynhawks.com/

"Shaila is a terrific designer, highly professional and extremely creative and delivers amazing results. Her sense of humor and positive spirit has made the whole process of developing and launching my web site a pleasure. –James Hutchison, playwright, http://jameshutchison.ca/

"When I first saw Shaila’s work, I was struck by the fact that her designs are not only beautiful but also perfectly reflect the personality of the business it represents. Her suggestions, insight, and artistic talent made the final product much better than what I’d envisioned on my own.” —Jacqueline Adams, writer, http://jacqueline-adams.com/
Other websites:
http://sbalexander.com/
http://wagnerjulia.com/
http://lisakwinkler.com/
http://kbhyde.com/
http://meredithwargo.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. Enthusiastically endorsed by Hope!





 

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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