SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

PLEASE, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE PITCHING

Frequently I receive emails from prospective writers asking what I seek for FundsforWriters. Some go as far as to ask what I pay, how I pay, and how quickly I pay without so much as a hint to what they propose to write. While I know cultures change from country to country, even state to state, the fact is it's rather presumptuous to ask how you're going to get paid before you demonstrate you're a writer.

If you wish to pitch a magazine, website, newsletter, anthology or prospective client, please do the following first:

1) Read up all you can on the entity before you make a connection. If it's a magazine, study the ads, the old articles, and the masthead to see how many articles are usually written in-staff versus freelance. And if they have guidelines, by all means read them several times. 
2) Have a website or blog that demonstrates who you are and what you are capable of doing.
3) Know what you'd like to pitch to the publication after understanding what they need.

When you pitch, do NOT say the following:

1) You are a new writer seeking to break in.
2) You want to know how and when you'll get paid.
3) You want the editor to tell you what to write.
4) You cannot find the guidelines. 
5) You are retired, a student, a stay-at-home mom, disabled, a PhD candidate, etc. unless that has everything to do with what you are pitching. It's all about the article and your experience in writing THAT article, not your life's history or ID. 

When you pitch, the editor absolutely wants the following:

1) A memo to them personally, not "the team," or "the editor," or "to whom it may concern."
2) A pitch for a story that matches the publication perfectly.
3) Enough bio to show you are THE person to write the story.
4) Link(s) to your online presence.
5) Smart writing in the pitch to match the smart writing in the proposed article, not a dry "here you go."

You are submitting in hopes that your brilliance and creative talent are suitable enough for the publication to hire you. But you have to realize they don't know who you are. When you approach them without respect, without reading the guidelines, without knowledge about what the entity is and who their readers are, you are begging for rejection. 

Definitely what NOT to do (taken from a real submission attempt without alteration of how it was spelled or worded):

WANNABE: Hi, I would like to be part of your community as a freelancer writer. please send me details
HOPE: They are all on the website. (My signature block has the website.)
WANNABE: Can you please share the link?
HOPE: So, you have not been to the website www.fundsforwriters.com? A writer does not contact an editor until they have studied the site and determined what the publication is in need of. 
WANNABE: i visited it, but couldnt find the place
HOPE: www.fundsforwriters.com/submissions - You click on it at the top of every page on the website.

And...no, this person did not land the gig.


 





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

"Fiction is the lie that tells the truth." ~Virginia Woolfe
 

Success Story

If FundsforWriters has opened a door to success, please let us share with the rest of the FFW readership. Email hope@fundsforwriters.com

featured article

How to Land a Column Writing Gig

By Gayla Grace

In the midst of scouting regular paying assignments, writers often neglect to consider the benefits of column writing. Regular columns bolster your confidence as a writer and provide credibility to your career. 

Weekly and monthly columns appear in a variety of publications and need writers. Columns provide established deadlines that keep you writing regularly and give you a boost when the paycheck arrives. 

Here are a few tips on how to find one suited for you.

1.    Read Local Publications

Local and community publications are the easiest to break into, particularly if you have limited writing experience. When we moved to a new town recently, I browsed local magazines at the Chamber of Commerce and
began reading every circular that hit our mailbox. Upon finding a monthly publication with articles I enjoyed, I queried the editor with suggestions for a column that matched the publication’s style and content and included links to previous articles I’d written. She suggested we begin a trial period of six months before determining if it was a fit. I’m thankful to report I’ve been writing for them for more than a year.

2.    Pay Attention to Magazine Details and the Needs of the Editor

Querying an editor of a local women’s publication after noticing a change in the content helped me land my first column gig. I had been reading Women’s Inc. for more than a year when I noticed the Wellness column disappeared. I wrote the editor to inquire and learned the regular columnist had left the position. After I submitted a few samples, she asked me to write a guest column. Shortly after, I was hired as a monthly columnist. 

3.    Capitalize on Your Expertise

Find publications that have general content related to your interests and suggest a unique angle or subject matter that matches your expertise. Although I was not published when I queried Women’s Inc., I had a master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling. Once I proved I could write satisfactorily, it was a perfect fit for both of us.

4.    Network with Other Writers

Online writing groups, critique groups, and writer’s conferences are great places to meet other writers who can help you find opportunities suited for your particular writing. Be bold in asking more established writers for help. Years ago, as an avid reader of Lifeway publications, I met an acquaintance at church who I learned wrote for the national organization. Longing for the chance to write for one of their magazines, I summoned my courage and called her on the phone to seek her advice. She invited me to lunch to learn more about my writing dreams. Soon after, she alerted me to a Lifeway blog and an editor seeking writers for my niche—blended families. I immediately contacted him and submitted a few posts for free before landing a regular paying column. I’ve now been writing a monthly column for Lifeway’s publication, Parenting Teens, for four years.

5.    Don’t Shy Away from National Publications

With a few writing clips to show, national publications might be attainable. Many editors — particularly of national magazine — prefer a writer submit six columns as part of the “interviewing” process. Again, use your expertise, network with other writers who can offer advice on the publication you’re interested in, and determine an editor’s need to find one that’s a match. 

As one who began my writing career as a monthly columnist, I found identity as a writer after seeing my name in print month after month.  Exploring the world of column writing offers exciting opportunities that keep your creative energy flowing and enhance your writing career in the process.

Bio: Gayla Grace has been writing monthly columns on wellness, parenting, and women’s issues for more than a decade. She has also been published in 80 parenting publications across the United States and Canada, is the co-author of Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul, and supports stepparents through her website and blog: www.StepparentingWithGrace.com. 

COmpetitions

ALPINE WRITING PRIZE
http://alpinefellowship.com/submission/writing-visual-arts-prizes/
NO ENTRY FEE.
Awarded for the best piece of writing in response to the theme of the Alpine Fellowship Annual Symposium. The winner and two runners up are invited to attend the Venice symposium. Winner receives £3,000 cash prize and is presented with the award by the poet John Burnside. Rules: Open to all nationalities and ages. All genres permitted. A maximum of 2500 words per entry. Limited to one entry per person. Text must not have been published, self-published or accepted for publication in print or online, or have won or been placed in another competition at any time. Shortlisted entries will be notified by email. Judges have final decision and no correspondence can be entered into. State the prize being entered for in the email subject.
Deadline May 1, 2017.



WUNDOR POETRY CONTEST
https://wundoreditions.submittable.com/submit
£10-20 ENTRY FEE.
Deadline May 31, 2017. The winner will receive £500. The winner and two runners up will have their poems published on the Wundor website. Their work will be strongly considered for publication in print, too. The prize is open to anybody writing in English, aged 16 or over. Poems may be of any length. 



FALL LINE PRIZES
http://jasperproject.org/fall-lines
NO ENTRY FEE. 
Fall Lines will accept submissions of previously unpublished poetry, essays, short fiction, and flash fiction from January 15, 2017 through March 31, 2017. While the editors of Fall Lines hope to attract the work of writers and poets from the Carolinas and the Southeastern US, acceptance of work is not dependent upon residence. Please limit short fiction to 2,000 words or less; flash fiction to 350–500 words per submission; essays to 1,200 words; and poetry to three pages. They will offer a $250 prize for poetry and a $250 prize for prose. 



CURT JOHNSON PROSE AWARDS
http://decembermag.org/2017-curt-johnson-prose-awards/
$20 ENTRY FEE. 
Deadline May 1, 2017. $1,500 and publication in our Fall/Winter 2017 issue for First Place (fiction and nonfiction); $500 and publication in our Fall/Winter 2017 issue for honorable mention (fiction and nonfiction). Maximum of 8,000 words for fiction and non-fiction.  
 

GRANTS

WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE - BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
http://www.bpl.org/general/associates/2017ApplicationCWIR.pdf
http://www.writer-in-residence.org
The Associates of the Boston Public Library is currently accepting applications for its Writer-in-Residence. The program was created to provide an emerging children's author with the financial support and quiet space needed to complete one literary work. Eligible projects include fiction, nonfiction, a script, graphic novel, or poetry, intended for children or young adults. The fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend and an office at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square from September 2017 through May 2018. Applications must be postmarked by April 14, 2017. 



ILLINOIS HUMANITIES ENGAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
https://www.ilhumanities.org/engagement-fellowship/
This fellowship is a collaboration between MCIR and Illinois Humanities’ Media and Journalism programming, which aims to strengthen connections and build collaboration between journalists and the publics they cover. Although social media plays an important role in MCIR’s work, this fellowship is about more than social media. A successful project will find, reach, and build credibility with the constituencies that have a direct stake in the issues being covered, and develop ways for those communities to meaningfully inform and shape MCIR’s reporting. The Fellow will be required to: Participate in monthly mentorship sessions with experienced leaders in engagement journalism; Host two seminars or webinars sharing project progress and lessons learned with other practitioners, one at fellowship term midpoint and one after term is complete; and Attend and present at Illinois Humanities’ People-Powered Publishing Conference in Chicago, IL on November 8-9, 2017. The Fellow will receive a one-year, $38,000 stipend. IL Humanities and MCIR will provide separate funding for project-related expenses. Deadline April 10, 2017. 



THE POLLINATION PROJECT
https://thepollinationproject.org/
The Pollination Project seeks to unleash GOODNESS and expand COMPASSION all over the world. We make daily seed grants to inspiring social change-makers who are committed to a world that works for all.
Our daily grant making began on January 1, 2013 and since then, we have funded a different project every single day. We also make larger impact grants of up to $5,000 to projects that have demonstrated impact and success. Through a global network of grantees and community partners, we identify extraordinary grassroots leaders who would not likely qualify for funding from other foundations or institutions. Once they have the backing of The Pollination Project, grantees often leverage their grant into more funding, building their team, media attention and more.

 

FREELANCE MARKETS

OZY 
http://www.ozy.com/
From the start, we promised only original content, focused not simply on where the world is but, more importantly, where the world is going. And every morning, we set out to profile the people, places, trends and technology that are ahead of their time and worthy of yours. Email: contribute@ozy.com  There are no guidelines. You'll have to read the publication for ideas. It's very current and hip and unique in its news delivery. Known for paying 40 cents/word and up.



EATER
http://www.eater.com/pages/about
The latest food and restaurant news across the world. Even has a local spin-off of 23 different cities for a more local flavor. Very upscale and urban. Pays 10 cents/word and up.



WHOLE LIFE TIMES
http://www.wholelifetimes.com/writers-guidelines/
WLT accepts up to three longer stories (800–1,000 words) per issue, for which pay ranges from $75–150 depending on topic, research required and writer experience. In addition, we have a number of regular departments that pay $35–125 depending on topic, research required and writer experience. City of Angels is our FOB section featuring short, newsy blurbs on our coverage topics, generally in the context of Los Angeles. These are generally 300–400 words and pay $25-35 depending on length and topic. This is a great section for writers who are new to us. BackWords is a 750-word personal essay that often highlights a seminal moment or event in the life of the writer and pays $100. In the event that the magazine decides not to publish your assigned story, a kill fee of 50 percent of the original fee is offered. We are open to stories on holistic and integrative health, alternative healing, green living, sustainability and organic food, yoga, spirituality and personal growth, social responsibility, conscious business, the environment—in short, anything that deals with a progressive, healthy lifestyle. 



YANKEE
https://newengland.com/press-contact/submission-guidelines-writers-photographers/
Yankee Magazine covers the six New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Our Feature articles, as well as the departments of Home, Food, and Travel, reflect what is happening currently in the region. Yankee welcomes freelance submissions in the areas of home, travel, food, and non-fiction editorial. We are not currently accepting poetry, fiction, or cartoons. Both manuscripts and queries should include a small collection of clips of your other work. Manuscripts should additionally be accompanied with a short cover letter.
 

JOBS

Publishers/agents

LUPINE GROVE CREATIVE
https://www.lupinegrove.com/about
Agent Danielle Smith is open to submissions. Only submissions of the picture book, early reader, chapter book, middle grade and young adult book variety as well as illustrators will be considered. If you are interested, please send a query via email and paste your manuscript (ten pages for novels/chapter books; full text of picture book for picture books/early readers) within the body of the email to submissions@lupinegrove.com. Please, no attachments. Illustrators, please provide links to your online portfolios where art can be viewed without downloading. All submissions will receive a confirmation of receipt. Unfortunately, due to anticipated high volumes of submissions the agency may not be able to respond to every query. If you don't hear from Lupine Grove Creative within four weeks of your submission, please understand that we have read and considered your query and have concluded that we are not the right agency to represent your work at this time.



ADAMS LITERARY
http://www.adamsliterary.com/submissions/
Adams Literary is exclusively dedicated to representing the finest children’s book authors and artists. While we have an established client list, we do seek new talent—and we accept submissions from both published and aspiring authors and artists. 



LOIACONO LITERARY AGENCY
http://loiaconoliteraryagency.com/submission-guidelines/
Loiacono Literary Agency is a comprehensive, full-service company that offers editorial, marketing, promotion, and sales representation for its authors. From conception to fruition, we offer information and support to the author and publisher for the life of the book. Agent Linda Kasten is interested in thrillers, suspense, romance, mysteries, cozies, alternate histories, adventure, and mainstream fiction. Not interested in: erotica, foreign language translations, horror, LGBTQ, historical fiction unless it is outstanding, or works with excess profanity or vulgarity. Agent Jeanie Loiacono is interested in fiction – commercial, historical, literary, military, women’s; and nonfiction – commercial (self-help, pop-culture, health/medical), historical, memoirs, military. Not interested in: erotica, foreign language translations, horror, LGBTQ, or works with excess profanity and vulgarity.



AITKEN ALEXANDER ASSOCIATES
http://www.aitkenalexander.co.uk/agents/
Large firm with nine agents interested in various genres. Look through the desires of each agent to find one that best fits your genre.

 

SPONSORS

Writing a book? Confused about publishing options? Need a marketing plan? Don’t miss the 7th annual Nonfiction Writers Conference—a virtual event unlike any other. Join 15 top speakers May 3-5, 2017 from the comfort of your home or office.

Details and registration: NonfictionWritersConference.com 

“NFWC is the best investment I make each year in my nonfiction author career. The caliber and accessibility of the presenters is unusually high, the topics well chosen and diverse, and I can honestly say that at least half of the presentations would have been worth the cost of the whole conference alone.” – Mary Shafer, Devastation on the Delaware, 55Flood.com

“The Non-Fiction Writers E-Conference is a wonderful event! I’ve attended many in-person writers conferences over the years at considerable expense. It was great to be able to be at home in my office and just participate in the sessions that most interested me — at a very reasonable cost!” – Doreen Pendgracs, Author of “Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate,” http://chocolatour.net








 

NOTE FROM HOPE: These Book Design Templates are recommended by so many in the industry for formatting your ebook and print books properly. Highly recommended. I own several of these, and they give your book an extremely polished look. Cannot speak highly enough about them. 


 

ow Savvy Authors Publish and Optimize their Books
for Blockbuster Sales on Amazon
 

Self-publishing expert Tracy Atkins has created an amazing set of tools and methods you can use to publish and optimize your book on Amazon—the right way. By following Tracy's simple, four-phase Amazon Success Method, you'll get an in-depth understand of the real Amazon, and to give your book a significant advantage over the competition.

This toolkit includes step-by-step instruction on how to publish your print book, Kindle eBook, and audiobook using Amazon’s publishing platforms: CreateSpace, Kindle Direct Publishing, and ACX.

Tracy also shows you how to use your Author Central account to take control of your book’s Amazon product page, and then tweak it to perfection.

You'll also get ten excellent worksheets and checklists to make the entire process easy to manage. You'll learn to make powerful choices that will help you sell more books on the world’s largest book retailer.

NOTE FROM HOPE! Get a special 25% off for your list with a coupon code,  AST25OFF

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/










I LOVE THIS LADY!!!!  If you want to improve your writing, she is the person to go to. ~C. Hope Clark
 

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 2000-2017, 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.