SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Short & Helpful 
Online Writer Workshops
It’s not too late to sign up!
Purchase Single Workshop
Or set of 3 for FREE workbook
Or all 12 for HUGE SAVINGS

Set1: Premise & Structure, Voice & POV, Setting
Set2: Character, Dialogue, Beginnings & Endings
Set3: Conflict, Backstory, Self-Editing
Set4: Memoir, World Building, Researching
http://sandhbooks.com/online-writer-workshops

Add HOPE2016 discount code for 15% off any workshops.

GUIDELINES TO AVOID

I will say this up front . . . when a publication starts making excuses about itself, expect it not to pay. Such as this one:

We’re a small lit mag and can’t pay you (although we’d like to . . . really, we would). So, when we publish your work, you agree to give us first-time online publishing rights. If you would like to publish it in the future, please do mention that it was published here first. When you become insanely famous, we’ll remind you to contribute to the operating costs of our magazine.

Pretty bold and darn audacious. 

Notice it avoided the word exposure. That's because the word's been turned into a cliche for cheap publications. 

This is my take on exposure. A new publication that cannot pay the writers isn't ready to open its doors. By its very nature, being broke, it is operating on a shoe-string budget and runs the risk of folding. An established publication, however, that has income enough to pay staff and manage a large readership. is being cheap not paying writers. Both are simply taking advantage of too-eager writers who'd kill for a byline. 

However, the new publication has no real exposure. Your free contribution won't do anything for your reputation other than label you easy. The seasoned publication may offer exposure, but it's noted for bilking writers in the industry . . . so what does that label you? Especially since the publication has the means to pay . . . making you willing to be taken advantage of in hopes that some other well-heeled publication isn't as smart as this one and WILL pay?

So, when is it okay to write for exposure?

1) When you receive some other tangible rewards. (Note the word tangible. Exposure is not tangible.)
2) When you barter services. 
3) When you want to write occasionally for a charity. (Note the word occasionally.)

Okay, you want to write for free this ONE time. Then do it. However, do not get sucked into the vortex, talking yourself into believing that writing a lot for this publication will get you anywhere. 

Where do I write for free?

1) Guest blogs . . . when I need promotion/sales for a new book.
2) Blogs for publications that normally buy articles for their print side. You can break into the paying side of the house by writing once or twice for the free blog.
3) Southern Writers Magazine where I write a column on dialogue. I own the rights to those pieces which will go into a FundsforWriters book in 2017. SWM promotes my books, designs ads for me, and offers audio promo services for no charge. I'm reading my own audio books for the Talking Library Book Services for my state and the national library system because they heard me reading an excerpt here.

But what if you just like to write for fun and don't care if you get paid? The question is why? Do you dislike money? Or do you feel you aren't of a quality worth being compensated? Okay, then . . . so why do it? 




 




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 to www.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!)

 

 WORDS OF SUCCESS

You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.

~Octavia Butler



 

Success Story

We look forward to hearing your success stories, where FundsforWriters has aided you in your quest of being a writer. Send such stories to hope@fundsforwriters.com . Limit 100 words plus links.

featured article

Your Work Elsewhere: Dealing with plagiarism

By Alex J Coyne

“You stole my story. You stole it.”
- John Shooter; Secret Window, Secret Garden by Stephen King

Have you spotted someone stealing your work, or are you a blogger who has to ensure original content? Here’s how to recognize, avoid and deal with plagiarism.

Defining plagiarism

David Pereira, a support representative from CheckForPlagiarism.net, says plagiarism occurs when anyone tries to pass off someone’s ideas, written work, excerpts, passages or even research as their own.  

But plagiarism ranges from obvious word-for-word thievery to subtle stealing - like not citing someone’s research. “If the context of two works or ideas are largely the same, plagiarism can be argued. Plagiarizing (also) means regurgitating someone else's work through paraphrasing their writing without crediting them.” says Pereira. “Legally speaking, this may be hard to substantiate, and the onus may fall on the original author to prove the plagiarist had access to his/her work.” 

According to PlagiarismToday.com, it has to be proved that the potential plagiarist:
- Had access to the original work.
- Had similarities in their work that provide evidence of copying as determined by an “ordinary observer”
- Failed to provide adequate attribution

Source: https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2015/04/29/the-challenge-of-proving-plagiarism/

Now what?

If you’ve spotted your work plagiarized online, Pereira says as a first step you should contact the website owner and ask them to remove the content or provide a citation to your work. “If this doesn’t work, the next step would be to issue a cease and desist letter to the website host.” He says this places the host under legal obligation to suspend the site until the matter has been resolved.

Find out how to track down the website owner and see an example cease and desist letter at patent-trademark-law.com. (Link: http://www.patent-trademark-law.com/copyrights/plagiarism-take-down-stolen-content/cease-desist-dmca-takedown/)

The Lumen database (formerly ChillingEffects.org) is a searchable database of online copyright complaints and removals. (Link: https://lumendatabase.org/)

How severe is the punishment for a word-thief? “This depends on how severely the author is willing to pursue the matter.” Pereira notes. At the very least, they risk their website’s removal - at worst, criminal charges or a hefty fine.

Sometimes it’s even political: Joe Biden withdrew from the 1988 presidential election for having stolen parts of speeches from Neil Kinnock, Hubert Humphrey, JFK and Robert Kennedy.

Avoiding plagiarism

Worried about plagiarism?

Unintentional plagiarism (autoplagiarism) has happened, famously with 11-year old Helen Keller and The Frost King (an accidental reproduction of Frost Fairies by Margaret Canby), but Pereira says that most plagiarizing writers are aware of it. 

“A careful writer will always put content in their own words and credit the research of the original author.” he says. Quotation marks and a link to the original author’s work are also essential. 

Pereira notes that an online plagiarism-checker is invaluable. Bloggers might find themselves especially concerned when accepting guest posts from others.

Copyscape, Grammarly, Plagiarisma, CheckforPlagiarism and Turnitin (geared toward universities and students) are all options guaranteed accurate.

Have you run into plagiarism before?

Famous cases

•    Paul Allen, acting on behalf of deceased Adrian Jacobs, claimed that J.K. Rowling had stolen Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire from a book entitled Willy the Wizard. After a seven-year process, the case was thrown out in 2011 when Allen failed to pay £1, 5 million in court costs.

•    Ever wonder why Stephen King doesn’t read manuscripts? According to the unauthorized King biography Haunted Heart, George McLeod (a friend and once-roommate of King) claimed that King had stolen the idea for The Body from one of George’s shorts. George unsuccessfully sued for a percentage of the profits, and their friendship soured.

•    Ex-CNN news editor Marie-Louise Gumuchian was fired in 2014 after CNN discovered more than 50 occurrences of plagiarism - ouch!

BIO
Alex J Coyne is a journalist, author, blogger and language practitioner. He has written for international blogs and publications, including People Magazine SA, The Investor, The Penny Hoarder and, of course, FundsforWriters.


 

COmpetitions

PARSEC – SCIFI CONTEST
http://parsec-sff.org/
NO ENTRY FEE.
Contest opens January 1, 2017 and closes March 31, 2017. There is no fee to enter and all entrants will be notified of the results by June 15, 2017. The theme for the 2017 contest is: A HIDDEN, UNDERLYING TRUTH. 
Word count for all entries: No more than 3,500 words, no minimum. $200 first prize with publication in the 2017 Confluence convention program book (http://parsec-sff.org/confluence/), $100 Second Prize, and $50 Third Prize.



GOVER STORY PRIZE
https://bestnewwriting.submittable.com/Submit
NO ENTRY FEE.
Best New Writing accepts unpublished fiction and creative nonfiction under 10,000 words for publication and consideration for the Gover Story Prize ($250). The story must be new and unpublished, including on-line publication. Submissions are read quarterly following the last day of March, June, September, and December.



FOUNTAIN MAGAZINE ESSAY CONTEST
http://www.fountainmagazine.com/essaycontest
NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline December 31, 2016. Essay word count must be between 1,500 and 2,500. 1st Place - $1,000. 2nd Place - $500. 3rd Place - $300. Two Honorable Mentions - $150 each. The Fountain’s 2016 Essay Contest invites you to consider the issues facing today’s immigrants. Are you an immigrant, too? Were your parents or grandparents immigrants? Are we all immigrants in this world? How do immigrants contribute to your society? How do they cause problems in your society? How would you help immigrants thrive?



NOWHERE TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST
https://nowherepublishing.submittable.com/submit/63992/fall-2016-travel-writing-contest
$20 ENTRY FEE. 
Deadline January 1, 2017. We are looking for young, old, novice and veteran writers to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of place. Stories can be fiction, nonfiction or essay, but please indicate which genre at the top of your manuscript. Entries should be between 800-5,000 words and must not have been previously chosen as a winner in another contest. Previously published work is accepted, but again, please indicate this. The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in Nowhere Magazine. Up to ten finalists will also be published. 
 

GRANTS

VANCOUVER ROMANCE WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE
http://www.vpl.ca/programs/cat/C839
Do you write romance novels and short stories? Vancouver, British Columbia, is the perfect setting for writing your next romantic masterpiece. Spend the coziest days of the year surrounded by snowy mountain peaks and crisp water vistas while ensconced in a beautiful library full of surprises and opportunities guaranteed to spark your creativity. Enjoy four months writing in Vancouver, home to a remarkable natural environment and a lively cultural community. Vancouver Public Library will host a resident romance author between August 28 and December 15, 2017. The Writer in Residence program promotes Canadian writing and literature to Vancouver citizens. The aims of the residency are to foster greater public appreciation for Canadian writing, provide opportunities to interact with the resident author and to provide the space, time and resources for a Canadian author to write.



HOLES IN THE WALL COLLECTIVE RESIDENCIES
http://www.holesinthewallcollective.org/creativeresidency/
We strive to expand the notion of creativity to research, science, policy, economics, and new media, as well as the established forms of visual arts, writing, performance, and music. The Holes in the Wall Collective Cabin rests on 29 acres of woods, fields and a pond on the Art in the Fields property. Wide assortment of residencies. Location New Jerusalem, Pennsylvania.



THE THICKET RESIDENCY
http://thicketresidency.org/
The Thicket provides residents with time (uninterrupted, if so desired), studio space, private bedrooms, and a shared kitchen within a 1950’s Ranch House. Each resident has access to produce from Canewater Farms, the organic farm within which The Thicket operates. The residence overlooks huge oak trees covered in Spanish moss on the marsh that surrounds Sapelo Island, one of Georgia’s largest and deserted barrier islands.



OX-BOW RESIDENCIES
http://www.ox-bow.org/residency-overview/
Ox-Bow’s AIR program offers artists and writers, at various stages in their career, the time, space, and community to encourage growth and experimentation in their practice. The Arts Faculty and MFA residences are held during the summer while our core classes and community programs are in session. The small group of residents is a part of Ox-Bow’s artist community of students, faculty, and Visiting Artists. The Fall Artist Residencies are held for five weeks between September and October. This larger group of artists enjoys a more intimate community. Location Michigan.
 

FREELANCE MARKETS

THIRD FLATIRON PUBLISHING
http://www.thirdflatiron.com/liveSite/
Third Flatiron Publishing is based in Boulder, Colorado, and Ayr, Scotland. We are looking for submissions to our quarterly themed anthologies. Our focus is on science fiction and fantasy and anthropological fiction. We want tightly plotted tales in out-of-the-ordinary scenarios. Light horror is acceptable, provided it fits the theme. Please send us short stories that revolve around age-old questions and have something illuminating to tell us as human beings. Fantastical situations and creatures, exciting dialog, irony, mild horror, and wry humor are all welcome. Stories should be between 1,500 and 3,000 words.



EQ
http://equestrianquarterly.com/writers-guidelines/
EQ provides an insider’s view of equestrian society, as well a compelling mix of fashion, style, decor, events, travel, literature, arts, and equestrian sports. EQ welcomes submission of articles for all categories, including fiction and essays. Word length: 1,200-3,000 words for features; 350-550 words for departments. Payment is made upon acceptance and ranges from $100 (Departments) to $200-$300 (Features) depending on length and complexity. Payments for special features to be negotiated.



BOULEVARD
http://www.victoriaboulevard.com/writers-area/writers-guidelines/
Boulevard welcomes writers’ queries. We are interested in articles that capture the vitality of Vancouver Island through its people, arts, culture, social and health issues, leisure, food, recreation, architecture and design. We pay 25-30 cents a word for most features and 25 cents a word for travel. Most articles are 850 words. 



FAMILY BUSINESS MAGAZINE
https://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/writers-guidelines
Family Business Magazine’s audience consists primarily of owners and managers of successful, multigenerational family-owned companies with annual revenues in the tens of millions and above. We don’t cover startups or small businesses. We are particularly interested in profiles of large, nationally known family companies. Because of our family focus, our family profiles must include interviews with multiple family members, ideally including members of two or more generations. We also seek the perspective of non-family managers or board members.
 

JOBS

WRITER-EDITOR
Employer Peace Corps
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/459737200/
Deadline December 29, 2016. This position is located in the Office of Communications at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington D.C. The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Director of Communications and works creatively across teams and departments to implement the agency’s voice, tone, and style into written communications. The incumbent will serve as writer and/or editor for digital platforms and print publications.



EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Employer Time, Inc.
https://boards.greenhouse.io/timeinc/jobs/534135#.WFSLlPkrLZQ
The editorial assistant writes, reports and researches a variety of stories for the brand, from breaking news and reviews to profiles and trend pieces. He or she will also run the administration for the department—coordinating calendars and meetings, processing invoices and keeping databases of important dates and other relevant industry information. The ideal candidate will be resourceful, organized, efficient, creative and an accomplished multitasker, who has a passion to learn and grow at Time Inc.



CREATIVE WRITER
Employer MI Windows and Doors
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/MI-Windows-and-Doors,-LLC/jobs/Creative-Writer-a2b4e85ebca6c8d2
Location Gratz, PA. Need someone to add value to the MI organization by writing outstandingly informative and engaging content. Grammar police, word-nerds and curious minds welcome. Must be incredibly organized, unwaveringly tenacious, and have a burning desire to tell great stories. Also, you should make sure we don’t publish stuff with typos.
 

Publishers/agents

HOPEWELL PUBLICATIONS
https://bestnewwriting.submittable.com/Submit
Hopewell Publications publishes new fiction and classic reprints (i.e. books with proven sales records that have gone out of print.) We occasionally publish nonfiction. Our catalog spans from one to 60 years of publication history. We are actively seeking new and interesting fiction. While we accept manuscripts all year, we tend to concentrate on them during June, July, and the first half of August. Please approach us with only one project at a time, hopefully your best book.



FLETCHER AND COMPANY LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.fletcherandco.com/staff-qa
Go to each agent to study what they represent and do not wish to represent. A wide variety with very specific desires and guidelines. 



JUDITH RIVEN LITERARY AGENT
http://rivenlit.com/submit.html
Represents a wide range of nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, history, natural history, memoir, food and wine books, travel, social issues, intelligent self-help, and medical/health. In fiction, represents literary and commercial fiction. We are not currently accepting science fiction, fantasy, or horror submissions.



ZOE PAGNAMENTA AGENCY
http://www.zpagency.com/contact/submissions-guidelines/
We are a full-service independent literary agency, based in New York. We represent literary and commercial fiction and a wide range of non-fiction, including biography, history, memoir and narrative, business and popular science. Does not represent screenplays, poetry, self-help, or genre fiction, including mystery, romance or science fiction. All initial contacts should be in letter form, with not more than twenty five pages of sample material, and a stamped addressed envelope for return.
 

SPONSORS

Murphy Writing of Stockton University Presents the 24th Annual
WINTER POETRY & PROSE GETAWAY
January 13-16, 2017, Stockton Seaview Resort, Atlantic City, NJ area

Advance your craft and energize your writing. Kick off your new year with an inspiring writing retreat. Enjoy challenging and supportive workshops, insightful feedback and an encouraging community.

Choose from fiction, memoir, creative nonfiction, songwriting and poetry. Faculty includes Pulitzer Prize winners Stephen Dunn, Sharon Olds and more.

"This conference is a gift. It permits a writer to take risks without concern for impressing or competing. It gave me the space to imagine and experiment. This is a community that is generous and encouraging while also being honest. A great relief." — Amy, Blue Bell, PA

Learn more and register today












GET WEBSITES THAT ROCK, BOOK COVERS THAT SIZZLE

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://bapsisidhwa.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!
 

8INE 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

**Note that FundsforWriters.com places paid advertising in this newsletter, ALL ads being related to writers and the business of writing, screened by FundsforWriters to make sure the information is suitable for writers and their endeavors to improve their careers. But the mailing list is not sold to third parties. You will not receive this newsletter without your permission. It's physically impossible since recipients must opt-in, giving us permission to send the newsletter. If at any time you no longer with to receive the newsletter, click the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of each newsletter. We want you to enjoy this newsletter at your pleasure, not be forced to read anything you do not wish to receive. The website is not advertised using unsolicited messages by Aweber, affiliates or other third parties. Direct any complaints, suggestions, and accolades to Hope Clark at hope@fundsforwriters.com. We are an anti-spam site.