SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

GET AWAY TO WRITE - SPAIN
July 11-18, 2017, Tavertet, Spain
Led by Peter E. Murphy with Roberta Clipper & Christine E. Salvatore

ARE YOU A WRITER WHO LOVES TO TRAVEL? Retreat to beautiful northern Spain to immerse yourself in a supportive week-long writing experience that will energize and inspire you. Enjoy encouraging workshops, plentiful writing time, panoramic clifftop views, excursions to Barcelona and more.

"Peter is simply one of the finest writing teachers I have ever encountered. His craft talks were inventive, astute and insightful. His imaginative prompts often inspired startlingly fresh and innovative writing. In short, Peter empowers his students to write, while offering instruction and feedback that allows them to make leaps and bounds in their writing."— Patty Paine, Doha, Qatar -  Founding editor of Diode Poetry Journal and author of four books

This retreat will fill. Register now: www.stockton.edu/murphywriting   

BUY IT OR REVIEW IT (OR PREFERABLY BOTH)

I believe I'll touch a nerve here, which is sometimes fun. But most of the time, it means a controversial topic that wakes people up....and makes people make excuses for what they thought was righteous behavior. We'll see.

Not long ago, I wrote a piece about paying writers properly. I posted this abbreviated version on Facebook:

If you are a writer, ask to be paid for your work. If you are asking a writer to appear, pay them. If you read a book, pay for it. If you accept a free book, post a review. Anything else is eroding the careers of writers everywhere.

A lot of people got on board with rants about not getting reviews after giving away so many books. We all get that. I give away 100 books the first few weeks of a new release, and barely half of the recipients initially keep their promise to review. It's difficult to add a book to your busy schedule. But it's wrong to agree to review then not do so. It amazed me the ones who DID review, and pained me seeing the ones who DID NOT.

However, few got my point, that as writers, we tend to cannibalize our own. When we act as readers, do we review every book we read? As badly as we crave reviews, are we loyal to other writers in Doing Unto Them as We'd Like to Be Done To?

It really boils down to this: When you obtain a book, you have two choices: You pay for it or you review it.

If you can find the time to spend hours reading the thing, you can take three to five minutes to review it. 

What about all those souls giving away free books? Personally, I only take a free book if I intend to read it as a reviewer. And frankly, I prefer to pay for my books. Why? Because I prefer people pay for mine. I refuse to download a free one, much preferring to at least pay $1.99 or more. It's a principle of mine. 

Yes, I give away a few books with the clear message that they are review copies. And against the advice of others, I even follow up with those readers. The system goes like this: 

1) I ask for reviewers for a book on social media or in my newsletters
2) I make a list and determine how many books to send out
3) I send the books
4) I wait a month then email/mail postcard asking if they received the book - no mention of a review
3) I wait another month then email/mail a postcard asking if they enjoyed the book - no mention of a review

That's it. No harassment. You have a list of names who reviewed your work. You love these people. You don't mind asking them to review again in the future. You know they will follow through. And you also know those who have not reviewed...and to not ask again.






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 65 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: Purchase an autographed copy or new copy of Hope's book and receive TOTAL for free.  Send the receipt to hope@fundsforwriters.com (**and feel free to steal this graphic for your own site!)


 

 
WORDS OF SUCCESS

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.

Henry Ward Beecher
 

Success Story

Hi Hope -

Each week I scan FundsforWriters for manuscript submission opportunities. I found one that sounded intriguing, a publisher looking for non-fiction science related books aimed at an audience of high level 5th graders. Not my usual fare, but the topic area sounded like something I could enjoy researching and writing. I created my detailed pitch and, while the publisher eventually decided to go in a different direction with respect to that particular submission request, they contacted me a couple of weeks later to see whether I was interested in writing a different book for them.

Last July, Dinosaur Dictionary for Kids made its debut, and I couldn't be happier. I never would have found this publisher without FundsforWriters. The book has been pretty successful but, more importantly, new avenues of writing opportunities have opened up for me in both children and young adult markets.

Bob Korpella
Dinosaur Dictionary for Kids
www.bobkorpella.com

featured article

Translate Your Own Stories - Perks for the Multilingual Writer

By Pascale Duguay
 
If you are fluent in more than one language, you may want to consider translating your own manuscripts. Here are six reasons why you should give it a try.
 
1 - Practice makes perfect
 
The good news is you don't need to be a professional translator to tackle a translation project. While I happen to hold a degree in translation, I learned that it is something you become good at with practice, just like writing. And being a writer, you already have a solid foundation of knowledge and techniques that will help make the process easier. The trick, of course, is not to make your writing sound like a translation. Otherwise, don't bother sending it to Hope (or most editors, for that matter). I have it on good authority that this will not endear her to your work! 
 
2 - Spot and eliminate flaws
 
If your story or article is unpublished, translating it into another language allows you to take a step back from your work and see it from a different perspective. It's an excellent way to pinpoint flaws and weaknesses. For instance, if a sentence does not translate well, there's a very good chance that it is poorly written. Simply rewrite it until it flows smoothly in both languages. As you go along, you will sharpen your editing and revising skills as well.
 
3 - Boost your creativity
 
Translating your own unpublished manuscripts is not as restricting as translating texts that have appeared in print (either yours or someone else's) or which have been requested by a client. Don't force yourself to follow the text exactly. Although your first draft will probably sound like a word-for-word translation, during the revision stage feel free to add, embellish and change any word, sentence or paragraph. This can turn out to be a fun and liberating exercise.
 
4 - Double your chances of success
 
By the time you finish, your original piece should have some kinks ironed out as well. This means you now have two great manuscripts to submit, and with a lot more markets to choose from, too. Some publishers even specialize in translations. If that's the case, you may want to mention in your cover letter that your submission is available in another language.
 
5 - Give your stories a second life
 
If a particular piece is already published, check your contract to make sure you have retained the translation rights. If so, you will be free to approach new publishers in your target language. In this instance, you may not have as much creative leeway during the translation process, but you will still be able to strengthen weak words and sentences in the translated text.
 
6 - Get unstuck
 
Finally, if you are stuck for inspiration or suffering from writer's block, translating your own stories can help you get back in the flow. You won't have to deal with a dreaded blank page or wrestle your muse for inspiration — but it could lead you to new ideas and opportunities! 
 
BIO:
Pascale Duguay is a writer, translator (French/English), high school librarian, and founder of ThePartTimeWriter.com. She lives in the lively bilingual community of the Quebec Eastern Townships.

 

COmpetitions

MIAMI BOOK FAIR/DE GROOT PRIZE 
https://www.miamibookfair.com/submitting-your-miami-book-fairde-groot-prize-novella/
$50 ENTRY FEE.
For an author for an unpublished novella. The winner will receive a $6,000 cash award, publication by Melville House, a critically acclaimed independent press, an expense-paid (hotel, travel, per diem) trip to the Miami Book Fair after publication, and a chance to read/participate in programs at the fair. The two runners-up will each receive $2,000, an expense-paid (hotel, travel, per diem) trip to the Miami Book Fair, and a chance to read/participate in programs at the Fair. The three winners' work will be publicized in print and online media. Deadline midnight EST on June 15, 2017. The three finalists will be notified once the jury has made its decision on or before October 20, 2017. The winners of the Miami Book Fair/de Groot Prize will be publicly announced on or before November 1, 2017. 



HOURGLASS LITERARY MAGAZINE WRITING COMPETITION (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 31, 2017)
https://hourglassonline.org/contest/
$15 ENTRY FEE.
The deadline to enter Hourglass Literary Magazine’s International Writing Contest has been extended to May 31st! Categories: Best Essay, Best Short Story, Best Poem. The Winning Entry in each category (short story, essay and poem) will receive US$1000 as prize money, apart from a symbolic artefact (clepsydra), digital stamp and diploma. Additional prizes: The Jury Award, Special prize of the Literature and Latte (Scrivener Award), The Literary Encyclopedia Award. Work must be original and unpublished. One author can compete in all categories, for all three awards respectively. Multiple submissions are allowed (as well as simultaneous  submissions). The competition is international and is open to all authors writing in English. There are no theme or genre limitations and boundaries. Important Notice: why the deadline is postponed. The reason for this is that the low number of submissions in English language, compared with the nearly 2,000 submissions in the BCMS languages, along with the absence of submitted entries in BEST ESSAY category, would make evaluating and judging process biased and unfair against authors writing in English. Therefore, submissions from authors writing in BCMS are no longer accepted.



AMERICAN SHORT FICTION CONTEST
https://americanshortfiction.submittable.com/submit/20180/american-short-fiction-short-story-contest
$20 ENTRY FEE. 
The 1st place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and publication. One runner-up will receive $500, and all entries will be considered for publication. All entries must be single, self-contained works of fiction, between 2,000-6,500 words. Deadline June 1, 2017. 



TWO SYLVIAS PRESS POETRY PRIZE
http://twosylviaspress.com/poetry-prize.html
$28 ENTRY FEE. 
Deadline June 30, 2017. Winner receives $1,000, publication, and 20 author copies. Submit 60-90 pages of poetry. 

 

GRANTS

KEY WEST LITERARY SEMINAR SCHOLARSHIPS
https://kwls.submittable.com/submit
Deadlines June 15 and June 30, 2017, depending upon the category. Multiple scholarships, and each has its own requirements to be used to attend Key West Literary Seminars. Winners receive full tuition support for our January Seminar and Workshop Program*, round-trip airfare, lodging, a $500 honorarium, and the opportunity to appear on stage during the seminar. Runners-up for each award will also be offered financial assistance packages.



PROJECT STREAM GRANTS - PITTSBURGH AREA
http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/programs/grants/project-stream-grants
Project Stream grants of up to $2,500 are distributed once a year with the deadline falling in mid-June for projects occurring between September 1 and August 31. Project Stream grants support small community arts projects offered by artists, arts organizations, other non-profit organizations or governments. Eligible Applicants: Individual Artists, Associations, or Nonprofit Organizations in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence or Washington County, Pennsylvania. Deadline June 20, 2017. If you'd like to hold a performance, exhibit, reading or other art project in your community, we encourage you to apply.



ARTSMITH'S ARTIST RESIDENCY ON ORCAS ISLAND
http://orcasartsmith.org/residency.html
Each year Artsmith grants Artist Residency Fellowships time and space in the San Juan Islands for artists, scholars, and writers to create new works. Up to five fellows at a time stay in individual rooms with private baths as guests of Artsmith and Kangaroo House B&B, and have access to the inn's amenities, including wireless Internet and a garden hot tub. The residency offers lodging at the historic Kangaroo House Bed & Breakfast to five interdisciplinary artists the week of January 2-9, 2018. Beginning in 2017, artists selected for the residency on Orcas Island receive a $50 honorarium to help offset travel costs. Deadline May 31, 2017. 



ARIZONA ARTIST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
http://azarts.gov/grant/artist-research-and-development/
Artist Research and Development Grants (ARDG) are designed to support individual artists of all disciplines. The purpose of this grant is to aid in the development of artistic work, support the advancement of artistic research, and recognize the contributions individual artists make to Arizona’s communities. Artist Research and Development Grants are made to practicing artists who demonstrate strong, original work that impacts both their own artistic practice and the broader community, as defined by the artist. Artist Research and Development Grant applicants may include, but are not limited to, artists who are: developing new techniques or methodologies; experimenting with new materials or technologies; creating new works; or advancing new strategies for engagement. Deadline August 24, 2017. 

 

FREELANCE MARKETS

FIRESIDE
http://firesidefiction.com/about/#submissions-guidelines
Fireside will be open to submissions for several one-week periods in 2017. They accept flash fiction of up to 1,000 words, and short stories from 1,000 to 4,000 words. Their current schedule is subject to change. June 18-24 (Flash fiction and short stories); July 23-29 (Flash fiction only); September 17-23 (Flash fiction and short stories); and November 5-11 (Flash fiction and short stories). Fireside pays 12.5 cents per word, with payment on completion of edits (which generally happen about a month before publication). They buy first world publication rights and six-month exclusivity, as well as the right to reprint the story once, non-exclusively, in a Fireside anthology. 



SEIZURE
http://www.seizureonline.com/flashers
At Seizure, short-form work is living large. Flashers is the online home of Australian flash fiction. Each week they publish work between 50 and 500 words that could be written in an hour and read in a minute. Thanks to the Australia Council, they are able to pay Flasher contributors $50 for each published piece.



SALTSCAPES
https://www.saltscapes.com/write-for-saltscapes.html
Saltscapes is an award-winning magazine for and about people on Canada’s East Coast. The mandate of Saltscapes magazine is to focus on the region’s traditional lifestyle, with a bias towards rural life. It features stories of the people, places, history, natural world, food and art that make the Atlantic Provinces distinctive, and also explores regional issues. The tone is upbeat and celebratory, promoting pride of place, defending the local culture and evoking an emotional response tinged with nostalgia for a simpler time. The magazine does not publish poetry or fiction. Story lengths vary. Regular department pieces range from 500 to 1,000 words; feature articles average between 1,500 and 1,900 words. The length of a piece will be determined by the editor after a query or story idea has been accepted; however, feel free to include an envisioned word count in your correspondence. Fees are typically $.50/word: $.45/word for first North American rights and $.05 for non-exclusive web rights (the right to archive the story on our website). Payment upon publication.



THE CONTEMPORARY SPORTSMAN
http://www.integrateddigitalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IDP_Editorial_Photography_Guidelines.pdf
Contemporary Sportsman is a quarterly online magazine devoted to people who share a serious passion for fly fishing and wing shooting. Accepted articles aren’t the predictable stories or portfolio of pretty pictures. They want the reader to feel the experience, hear, see and taste peripheral issues like food, wine, art, history, ecology, friendship, humor and culture. Emphasis is not on techniques, technologies, or product reviews. Payment is made upon publication from $450 to $700 for feature articles and is based on quality not length. Feature articles and photo essays are paid on publication, and payment is subject to negotiation with the publisher and editor.
 

JOBS

EDITOR
Location: Washington DC.
https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=evoke2&jobId=133261
The employee performs tasks such as writing and editing materials, including reports, regulations, articles, newsletters, magazines, news releases, training materials, brochures, interpretive handbooks, pamphlets, guidebooks, scholarly works, reference works, speeches, and scripts. Tasks may include writing, editing, or reviewing training materials for a course, user guidebook, briefing packages, workbooks, or study reports. Evoke Research and Consulting is a federal management consulting firm specializing in three core services areas including management consulting, IT consulting, and Business Process Reengineering. The company provides solutions to the top federal government agencies and entities some of which include the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, US Marine Corps, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Department of Agriculture and National Nuclear Security Administration. Bachelor's degree and four years' experience.



WRITER-EDITOR (RECENT GRADUATE)
Location: Montgomery County, MD. 
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/469648900
Deadline May 25, 2017. The individual selected will support the laboratory communications team with online, printed and oral communications; designs, and disseminates to customers and stakeholders, materials that effectively describe and promote the laboratory mission; assists with development of internal communications strategies and materials to support the laboratory. The program duration is one year. Upon successful completion of the program and at the agency's discretion, the appointee may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. Employer National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Publishers/agents

IMAJINN BOOKS
http://www.imajinnbooks.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=22
ImaJinn Books invites queries for submissions within the entire spectrum of romance, including new adult, contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, series, etc. They are interested in full length novels 50,000 to 90,000 words. Submit a query email with the full manuscript attached in .doc or .rtf form. Attaching a detailed synopsis is also appreciated to the acquiring editor at: imajinn(at)bellebooks(dot)com. If Imajinn is interested in extending an offer for your full manuscript, you will be contacted via email. We make every effort to respond to submission inquiries within 6 months after submission.



OAK TREE PRESS
http://www.oaktreebooks.com/prospectiveauthors.html#Book_Submission_Guidelines
Oak Tree Press is an independent publisher that has been in business for more than 15 years and has published more than 300 books. They consider fiction and non-fiction in a variety of genres, although their special emphasis (and expertise ) is publishing mysteries, crime fiction, suspense, police procedurals, and books by and about other public safety personnel. They also occasionally publish romances, westerns, children's books and some young adult work. 



NOSY CROW
http://nosycrow.com/contact/submission-guidelines/
Nosy Crow is on the lookout for exciting projects by new and established authors, illustrators, paper-engineers, designers and other creative talent. They buy from agents, and, sometimes, directly from authors and illustrators. They publish books for children from 0 to 14. They mainly focus on books for children up to the age of 12. Seeks “parent-friendly books” and doesn't publish books with explicit sex, drug use or serious violence, so no edgy YA or edgy cross-over. No New Adult. As a rule, they don’t like books with “issues” that are in any way overtly didactic. Nosy Crow aims for distribution throughout bookshops in the UK and beyond, so they can’t easily publish things with a niche and/or a local interest.



ON STAGE PUBLISHING
http://www.onstagepublishing.com/traditional-printed-books/
OnStage Publishing is a children’s book publisher that publishes chapter books, middle grade novels and young adult novels. They do not publish picture books, short stories, or poetry. Query first for non-fiction as nonfiction projects must spark their interest and be geared for grades three or up.

 

SPONSORS

Great list of professional workshops -
for example, Successful Self-Publishing is on sale for $149. Great deal!






















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/

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http://wagnerjulia.com/
http://lisakwinkler.com/
http://kbhyde.com/
http://meredithwargo.com/











 

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. SIX new templates for genre authors that work for Word, Pages, and InDesign. $30 off this week!!!

How 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

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.