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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
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
Editor’s THOUGHTS
TAKING COUNT IN 2016
There may come a moment over this weekend of holidays, where you find yourself pondering what this past year was worth, did to you, or blessed you with. And in that moment, you take count of what you accomplished as a writer. Your first instinct may be to measure that accomplishment in terms of publishing. How many stories? How many books? How many dollars in sales? But there are others ways to measure your success as a writer in 2016.
How many days did you write? Everyone keeps a calendar, whether on your phone, your desk, or your refrigerator. Every day you wrote, you could've marked it in red. Jerry Seinfeld uses this practice in his own comedy writing efforts. http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-secret
How many connections did you make? Did you become friends with bloggers, other authors, agents, editors, or conference speakers? Take note of those great contacts, keep an address book (or online contact list), and stay in touch with them for 2017.
How many submissions did you attempt? The more you submit, the further you progress. And yes, you need a list if for no other reason than to show yourself how hard you've worked, and to show IRS when you have to prove you worked darn hard for the dollars you earned, regardless how few.
How many books did you read? Yes, they matter. The more you read, the better you incorporate that newfound knowledge into your own writing. It's an osmosis affair.
How many words did you write? Frankly, it ought to be ten times or more of that you submit.
How much self-improvement did you pursue? Conferences, books, classes, podcasts.
What did you learn to do differently this year in terms of craft....in terms of the business? What do you not feel capable of doing well yet? Those thoughts help you define what you wish to learn in 2017.
We cannot jump into writing and expect to publish much in the early years. In a spreadsheet, I've recorded my monthly and annual incomes since the year 2000. The first year? $1,540.30. The second year? $2,046.43. The third year? $2,675.94. Then I went full-time and that first year earned $12,264.31. I've noted in the 13 years since what made for jumps, what times of the year are the biggest and least income earners, and when to plan for training, novel writing, and promotional
efforts based upon trends. But each of those years, and that will include this year, I take stock of what I did, how I did it, and how to change it in the next year. And each year went up.
Planning's not that difficult, and can be quite fun. Especially when you get motivated after a couple of solid eggnogs. Merry Christmas.
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!)
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Upcoming Appearances and Classes! (All times in Eastern.)
Jan 2 - Night Harbor Book Club, Chapin, SC - 7 PM - Echoes of Edisto
Feb 24-26 - Deckle Edge Festival, Columbia, SC
Mar 12 - Kapok, FL Writers Conference - all day
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WORDS OF SUCCESS
"As a writer, or a storyteller, try to tell the stories that only you can tell. Try to tell the stories that you cannot help telling, the stories you would be telling yourself if you had no audience to listen. The ones that reveal a little too much about you to the world."
~Neil Gaiman
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MURDER ON EDISTO
# 1 in THE EDISTO ISLAND MYSTERY SERIES
http://www.chopeclark.com/
Where it all began!
Her husband murdered by the Russian mob, Boston detective Callie Jean Morgan relinquishes her badge to return to the family vacation home in South Carolina. But the day they arrive on Edisto Beach, Callie finds her childhood mentor murdered. Her fragile sanity is threatened when the murderer taunts her and repeatedly violates what was to be her sanctuary home. Callie loses her fight to walk away from law enforcement as she becomes the only person able to pursue the culprit
who’s turned the coastal paradise into a paranoid patch of sand where nobody’s safe. But what will it cost her?
"Undeniably addictive, this is a book you won’t want to put down. Replete with well-drawn characters, this is a read that won’t disappoint as Clark’s penchant for rapid-fire prose grabs you by the scruff of the neck and refuses to let go."
–Rachel, Gladstone, Dish Magazine
Order an autographed edition: Paypal | Square
OR....WAIT UNTIL DEC 26-31 AND BUY THE EBOOK VERSION AT ANY SALES VENUE FOR $0.99
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As always, purchase any of Hope's books and receive a one-year subscription to TOTAL FFW free. Send receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com
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Success Story
Hi Hope,
A few years ago, I retired from forty years working in the woods of Vermont. I’ve been a subscriber of your FundsforWriters for quite a while and a want-to-be writer forever. I keep a folder labeled “Hope” from your “Words of Success” to keep me going. I took your advice and went to a writer’s conference and had a “one sheet” prepared as you recommended and gave it to a publisher. It led to The Ta Ta Weenie Club from Green Writers Press being
released this fall. Couldn’t have done it without you, Hope.
Thanks,
Bill Torrey
www.billtorreyvt.com
www.greenwriterspress.com
featured article
Six Easy Ways to Re-use Your Story Ideas
By Devyani Borade
If you believe all my published stories, I've done everything from stitching on a shirt button to jumping off a cliff while tied to another human being. I may not have been born with such a multitude of talents as hitting the bull's-eye on a dart board, winning swimming competitions, and staging children's theatre, but I have been blessed with a quirky imagination and a flair for language. These I've put to good use by reusing one idea to create many different stories. Call
it recycling, re-purposing, re-packaging or re-working, here's how you can take just one premise and turn it into a folder-full of saleable stories:
1. Vary the audience
Target readers of different profiles, like teenagers, working mothers, or retired grandparents, by changing who your story addresses. For example, a story about a young girl participating in an elocution competition can easily be tweaked into a story about a distinguished senior citizen with a public speaking phobia addressing a school gathering, by modifying the viewpoint and conflicts. A story about an ice-skating date can be rehashed into enduring love between retirees against the
backdrop of an ice rink.
2. Vary the subject
Target readers of different niche fields by changing the topic of the story. A template or formula plot like the following:
"Character tries to learn a new skill - encounters challenges — is offered help by family members – situation worsens – comical farce ensues–situation resolves itself by luck as much as design.”
This template can work in nearly all scenarios, whether the skill is sailing a ship or baking a cake. Each new story thus created will fit with a magazine catering to that particular market, viz. sailors or bakers. Offshoots of this can be exploited, too. For example, by having the family be a large traditional joint family, or a modern nuclear LGBT family.
3. Vary the setting
Mundane story lines can be enriched with the addition of uncommon locales and elaborate back-stories of each character. So even if the essential plot is good-boy-overcomes-scary-villain, a light-fantastic children's setting can make it a Harry Potter, a complex interweave of fantasy worlds can turn it into a Lord of the Rings, an everyday urban setting in ye olde England can turn it into Richmal Crompton's William, and a science fiction setting can morph it into a Star Wars.
Similarly, a different approach can turn a rags-to-riches story from an Oliver Twist into a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Revived tales from Aesop's Fables, cultural mythlore, even the Bible can serve for inspiration.
4. Vary the region
Tie in larger national journalistic stories to a smaller region by highlighting a local or personal aspect, or restricting the scope closer to home. For example, in a story about the benefits of soy, interviewing a local soya farmer or profiling a local restaurant that serves a popular soy menu can make it more appealing to regional markets.
5. Vary the format
Short story, essay, memoir, poem, cartoon, infographic, audio podcast, interview Q&A, blog post, bullet-point list - you get the idea! Diversify your media.
6. Vary the frequency
A newsy story about finding the right childcare is as valid two years from now as it is today. Evergreen stories, for example those around Christmas gift ideas or Independence Day celebrations, can be reprinted endlessly. Think fresh slant, timeless topics, and age-old problems.
Recycling story ideas eliminates the effort required to start from scratch. As long as you steer away from plagiarism, it can be lucrative and a great "re-turn" on investment!
BIO - Devyani Borade is a professional writer and cartoonist, and a regular contributor to FundsforWriters.com. Her fiction, nonfiction and art have been published in magazines across the world. She has much to say about life, laughter, and literature; so mosey on over to her website Verbolatry at http://devyaniborade.blogspot.com where you're sure to find a story or two that'll interest
you. And while there, don't forget to sign up for her hilarious cartoon newsletter featuring the adventures of the charming Debora and her incorrigible Pen! Devyani hosts an annual writing competition - the Verbolatry Laugh-a-Riot Contest - for humour writing and art, offering £150 in prizes with publication. Check out the winners of the debut year at http://devyaniborade.blogspot.com/p/contest.html
COmpetitions
THE WHITEHILL PRIZE
http://site.www.umb.edu/neq/whitehill/index.html
NO ENTRY FEE.
Prize $2,500. Awarded for a distinguished essay on early American history (up to year 1825), not previously published, with preference being given to New England subjects. Deadline December 31, 2016.
DISQUIET INTERNATIONAL LITERARY COMPETITION
http://disquietinternational.org/the-program/contests-scholarships/
$15 ENTRY FEE.
Submissions are now open for the DISQUIET Prize for writing in any genre. Three winners will be published in Guernica (fiction), NinthLetter.com (non-fiction) or The Common (poetry). One grand prize winner will receive a full scholarship, accommodations, and travel stipend to attend the seventh annual DISQUIET International Literary Program in Lisbon taking place June 25 through July 7, 2017. Runners-up and other outstanding entrants will also be considered for financial aid. Deadline:
January 31, 2017.
ROBERT TANNAHILL POETRY COMPETITION
http://readrawltd.co.uk/tannahillpp.html
£6 ENTRY FEE.
The Read Raw Tannahill poetry Competition has a prize fund of £2,700 with a first prize in the main competition of £1,500, second £400 and third of £100 with two commended prizes of £50. In the Scots Language competition first prize is £500 and second £100. Deadline January 7, 2017.
DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT LOVE POETRY CONTEST
http://donttalktomeaboutlove.org/contest/
$20 ENTRY FEE.
Submit one to three poems per submission, not to exceed 75 lines. First prize $1,000. Three honorable mentions of publication. What does LOVE mean to you? We want your poetry exploring love in any of its myriad expressions: romantic, platonic, parental, and much, much more. We know there is a whole world of love out there, and we want to read about it. See last year’s winner and honourable mentions to get a sense of what we are looking for. Deadline January 15, 2017.
GRANTS
THE LILLIAN E. SMITH WRITER-IN-SERVICE AWARD
http://www.piedmont.edu/writer-in-service-award
Includes a two-week residency at the Center, a $500 honorarium, and a $500 travel allowance. Applications are usually accepted from November through mid-January, with the winner named in late February. The Award is open to U.S. residents working to advance writing through public service careers or volunteer work. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, arts education, literacy instruction, prison arts and education, English as a second language instruction, art-related
therapies, etc. Location Georgia.
BAU AT CAMARGO ARTS RESIDENCY AWARD
http://www.bauinstitute.org/index.php?page=cassis-france
Deadline February 28, 2017. The fellowship provides artists with live-work apartments at no cost. The Camargo Foundation campus is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea with breathtaking views of the harbor and Cap Canaille, the highest maritime cliff in Europe. It is a short walk to the village of Cassis with regional open markets, restaurants and stores where necessities may be found. The language of the residency is English. There is no French language requirement for the
fellowship. Transportation and meals are the responsibility of the residents. BAU Institute will host a Welcome and a Farewell Dinner. Fellows are encouraged to organize pot lucks and picnics. There is a no overnight guest policy and no children or pets may visit the Foundation. A refundable $250 security deposit is due upon acceptance.
CONSTANCE SALTONSTALL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
http://www.saltonstall.org/residencies-retreat2/
Deadline January 2, 2017. We accept New York State writers and artists for residencies in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Photography (film or digital) & Filmmaking, PSVA: Painting | Sculpture | Visual Arts. Residencies are free. Sometimes small stipends are offered.
KVELLER FELLOWSHIP
http://www.kveller.com/youve-got-something-to-say-apply-for-the-kveller-fellowship/
The fellowship is designed to give moms (or dads!) who are also writers the support, mentorship, and experience necessary to take a transformative step forward in their careers. During the four-month remote program, the Kveller fellows will benefit from career mentorship, editorial guidance, and financial support. The fellows will focus on personal essay writing and cultivating a social media presence. During their time in the fellowship, writers will be expected to pitch and write essays
on a weekly basis, with the added benefit of workshops with the editors of Kveller, as well as the other fellows, as a way to grow and develop their voice. Deadline January 1, 2017. (Thanks www.erikadreifus.com)
FREELANCE MARKETS
GREEN PRINTS
http://greenprints.com/writers-guidelines/
Now, what do they want? The best, personal (important word, that) garden writing they can get. Expressive, thoughtful, humorous, angry, contrite, flippant, searching, witty, observant, sad, inviting. They focus on the human, not how-to side of gardening. On the people as well as the plants. Pays up to $150 for articles less than 2,000 words.
GRIT
http://www.grit.com/guidelines
GRIT publishes feature-length articles on topics of interest to those living in rural areas, on farms or ranches, or those interested in the rural lifestyle. Articles will be from 800 to 1,500 words. Departments and columns are generally 500 to 1,500 words. GRIT Gazette items are 350 to 700 words. Rates vary depending on experience and expertise. Fees are negotiated on an individual basis. Payment will include two contributor’s copies.
SUNSET
http://www.sunset.com/general/travel-writers
Covers the 13 Western U.S. states as well as British Columbia and Mexico, publishing five regional editions of the magazine: Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern California, Southwest, Rockies. The magazine is largely staff written; its largest freelance need is in travel, and more for shorter items and one- or two- page stories than features. Payment will be made upon acceptance of the text with submission of an invoice in the amount specified in the contract.
THRIVING FAMILY
http://www.thrivingfamily.com/www.thrivingfamily.com/~/media/Thriving/1-articles/PDFs/TF-Writers-Guidelines.pdf
Thriving Family focuses on marriage and parenting from a biblical perspective. Most articles address marriage and the needs of families with 4- to 12-year-olds in the home, but parenting preschoolers and teens are not ignored. Pays $50 for 450-word articles. Please write to a specific column.
JOBS
ADJUNCT TEACHER
Employer Southern New Hampshire University
http://www.snhu.edu/about-us/employment/online-adjunct-faculty-teaching-jobs
SNHU's instructors are the driving force behind our career-focused online degree programs. Your real-world experience and passion for your profession, combined with our innovative curriculum, allow you to inspire and motivate students every day. See yourself succeed as an adjunct instructor at SNHU. The compensation is $2,200 per nine-week undergraduate course, and $2,500 per ten-week graduate course. We are seeking graduate level instructors to teach in the English & Creative
Writing program. Minimum qualifications include MFA in English, Creative Writing or related field; publications or productions within fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or screenwriting; and online college level teaching experience preferred. Seeking teachers for:
·ENG-523 Screenwriting Fundamentals
·ENG-528 Poetry Fundamentals
·ENG-529 Fiction Fundamentals
·ENG-530 Non-Fiction Fundamentals
·ENG-550 Graduate Studies in English Language
·ENG-555 Composition Theory & Teaching of Writing
Publishers/agents
EINSTEIN LITERARY MANAGEMENT
http://einsteinliterary.com/about.php
Represents a broad range of literary and commercial fiction, including upmarket women's fiction, crime fiction, historical fiction, romance, and books for middle-grade children and young adults. Also handles nonfiction including cookbooks, memoir and narrative, and blog-to-book projects. We do not represent poetry, textbooks, or screenplays.
EBELING AND ASSOCIATES
http://ebelingagency.com/inquiries/
Ebeling & Associates Literary Agency represents the gamut of creative and commercial non-fiction. Does not represent original poetry, fiction or children’s literature.
MAX GARTENBERG LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.maxgartenberg.com/index.html
Max Gartenberg Literary Agency is an author-focused agency, which handles books of fiction and non-fiction intended for general readers.
ELIZABETH KAPLAN AGENCY
http://elizabethkaplanlit.com/index.php/submissions
Welcomes new authors in the areas of narrative and practical nonfiction, biography, history, memoir, pop culture, literary fiction, YA and middle grade fiction, historical fiction and commercial women’s fiction. Does not represent screenplays, poetry, science fiction or fantasy.
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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
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