FundsforWriters - July 28, 2017 - Where are the Grants with No Strings?

Published: Fri, 07/28/17

Volume 17, Issue 30 | JULY 28, 2017

Message from the Editor

When speaking to writers at conferences and libraries, many of whom are fairly fresh in the profession, I note that they prefer to remain on the inside looking out.

They ask questions about how things are done, whether writing passive voice or choosing which ebook distributor, then immediately offer negative feedback about how whatever it is:

1) isn't for them
2) is only for more sophisticated writers
3) isn't really needed
4) is not necessary based upon what they've read
5) is not what fill-in-the-name-of-author says

And various versions of the above.

They want to trounce on new information that makes them step outside what they've deemed the norm, the right way, the best way. I don't argue, because usually there's a room full of people eager to learn and more open-minded to hearing what all the options are to becoming a better published writer or author.

It often saddens me, however, because I usually see the negativity as a defense mechanism. Trying something new, and appearing novice in the process, is an intense fear of any writer. Saying no is so much easier. So we justify where we sit, doing what we do, unknowingly locking ourselves inside instead of daring to step out.

Not that you have to attempt every writing or publishing tool and technique mentioned in every blog, book, magazine, or class. However, you should digest them first before tossing them aside. Nobody uses all the mechanisms out there, but it's the smart writer who's open to them and wise enough to attempt the unknown in order to stretch and grow into a stronger, wiser scribe.

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
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Editor’s THOUGHTS

GRANTS WITH NO STRINGS

One of the most common questions that FundsforWriters receives is where can someone find a grant to self-publish a book, ninety percent of the time their first book. No mention of genre, where the author lives, the purpose of the book, or why anyone would want to fund such a book, much less read it. They just want the money with nobody asking questions and no strings attached.

There is no such grant for that purpose, anywhere.

Just like every publisher publishes certain genre, every agent prefers certain writing, and every magazine emphases certain topics, grants have their niche as well. And most of the time it has absolutely nothing to do with whether your pockets are empty and you are in need of money.

To apply and receive a grant, you have to understand the grant...intimately.

1) Why does the grant even exist?
2) What does the grant provider hope to accomplish by giving out grants?
3) What does the grant provider want in return for giving out grants to applicants?
4) What do you have to prove to the grant provider to show you are kindred spirits?
5) What are the qualifying requirements in terms of your experience, residency, age, gender, nationality, financial status, publishing history, or plans for the future?

Are you beginning to see more clearly how grants are handled? A grant provider wants to create its own legacy. It wants to be remembered for having made the world a better place. Your job is to prove to them that by publishing your work, that you will enhance the grant provider's reputation and rate of success. Your success is their success, but that success is not measured just by dollars they dole out. Success is measured by how superbly successful the grant recipients are. Success is measured by how well the grant recipient received that money and used it stunningly well as a tool to further their career, or used it in some meaningful way to enlighten, entertain, and assist mankind.

There is no grant for you to get a book published. You must have grander plans than that for not only your book but yourself. For no strings money, consider crowdfunding at Kickstarter.com and Indiegogo.com.

Now . . . does that make more sense?

Hope's Appearances

--August 5, 2017 - 1PM - Writer's Digest Online Mystery and Thriller Conference

--September 12 - 1PM - Mark Dawson Podcast Self-Publishing Formula

--September 24 - 7PM - The Writers Chatroom with Hope

--November 3-5, 2017 - Independent Writers Conference - Philadelphia, PA - and guess who is one of the presenters! I'd love to meet a herd of FundsforWriters followers while I'm there. Check it out.

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WORDS OF SUCCESS

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.”

~Henry David Thoreau

Success Story

Contact Hope at hope@chopeclark.com if you have a success story to celebrate that involved finding opportunity in FundsforWriters.

Five Ways to Meet Deadline When Life Gets Crazy-Busy

By Julie Cantrell

Whether penning a novel, a blogpost, or a magazine article, most writers work on deadline. But even with a due date, it’s easy to focus on life’s more pressing matters. After twenty years as a working scribe, I’ve discovered a few tricks to keep my productivity on track.

1. Schedule an appointment

If we were in an actual office meeting, we would not be answering the phone, replying to e-mails, or folding laundry. We can use that same mindset to stay focused while working from home. Each day, set aside a specific time for writing. Block that time on the calendar as if it is for an important meeting, and allow no interruptions.

2. Maintain a Detailed Goal List

Corporate employees are expected to write goals and report progress. We can follow that same strategy. First, we need to create a list of goals, assigning each to be completed by end of:
•   Week
•   Month
•   Quarter
•   Year

Then we must don our ”boss” hat and hold our “employee” accountable.

It helps to keep a Daily List, too. Each night, select specific tasks to be accomplished by end of the following workday. The next morning, our plan will already be in place and we won’t waste time deciding what to do.

3. Find an Accountability Partner

Teamwork! It’s very important to build a relationship with at least one trusted writing partner. Share monthly goals, set regular check-in times, and press for the best from one another.

For those who don’t have such an acquaintance, consider joining organizations such as Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, etc.

Many communities offer an arts council or writers organization, and libraries may host events, too. National Novel Writing Month is another excellent source of encouragement, with perks such as local Meet-Ups, daily wordcount check-ins, and more.

4. Go High-Tech

Many online tools can boost productivity. For example, a service called Focusmate allows users to share a virtual cubicle of sorts. Each user schedules a 50-minute session during which assigned partners work quietly while they can see one another onscreen.

Calendar apps can save time by syncing schedules across all devices. This allows users to book appointments from the road and stay organized. Two of the most-used programs for either i-Phone or Android are free: Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook Calendar

Brainwave apps use binaural beats to increase focus, attention, and productivity. Basically, users tune in to an online station, listen to specifically formulated music, and voila! The choices are endless, so it’s best to search “brainwave app” on the selected device and find the best fit.

Voice dictation apps allow us to turn speech to text. This maximizes time spent in carpool lines, and it frees us from our desks. Google and Apple each offer a free and reliable voice-to-text service, while Dragon charges a fee and requires a bit more time investment on the front-end.

5. Earn Rewards

We are all wired to work for rewards, but one of the best things about being the boss is that we control the reward system. When we add a new chapter, for example, we may earn a walk outside or a chat with a friend. But a finished novel may earn us a new piece of art or a weekend getaway. The greater the accomplishment, the greater the reward. And that keeps us coming back to the page.

How do you keep your writing goals on track? Share your productivity ideas and let’s keep the conversation going via Facebook or Twitter.

BIO:
Julie Cantrell is an award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, public speaker, and TEDx presenter. Her fourth novel, Perennials, releases November 14 and is now available for pre-order. Learn more by following her on Amazon and GoodReads.

COmpetitions

HUB CITY SHORT STORY BOOK PRIZE
https://hubcity.org/news/2017/hub-city-announces-10-000-c-michael-curtis-prize
$25 ENTRY FEE.
The contest includes book publication and will be judged in its first year by Lee K. Abbott, author of seven collections of short stories. Submissions open on August 1, 2017 and will close January 1, 2018. The new prize is open to emerging writers in thirteen Southern states. Submitters must currently reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia or West Virginia, and must have no previously published books. The first winning book will be published in Spring 2019.

THE CREATIVE INSTITUTE AWARD
http://www.CreativeWritingInstitute.com
$5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2017. Word limit: 2,000 words. Prizes: $200, $100, $50. Top five winners will receive an eMedal to display on site/social media, in addition to publication in our fifth anthology entitled LOST. First place winner may choose a free, tutored writing course in lieu of $200 prize. We will also publish ten stories chosen as Judge's Picks (stories that a judge nominates for publication). Themed, unpublished story must include this sentence: "I am completely and utterly lost." No swearing, profanity, explicit sexual scenes, graphic violence, etc. Winners must agree to publication. Direct questions to head judge, Jianna Higgins, at jianna.higgins@gmail.com.

SLO NIGHTWRITERS GOLDEN QUILL WRITING CONTEST
http://slonightwritersgoldenquill.blogspot.com/2017/05/slo-nightwriters-golden-quill-writing.html
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 15, 2017. Flash/Short Fiction up to 1,500 words. Poetry up to 40 lines. Creative Nonfiction up to 1,500 words. Prizes in each category: First place $500, second place $250, third place $100.

THIRTY POEMS FOR SAN ANTONIO
http://geminiink.org/30-poems/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 15, 2017. Winners receive a $250 prize and publication in a chapbook titled, Thirty Poems for the Tricentennial: A Poetic Legacy. Winning poems will be turned into graphically designed vinyl installations by local artists and designers in an exhibit at the Plaza de Armas Gallery, and installed in local libraries and city facilities. The anthology will be launched at a public reading and opening reception. The contest contains six categories, described on the site, which span San Antonio’s dynamic 300-year history. Poems submitted need not be overtly “historical,” but must reference the culture/feeling/life of San Antonio during these different time periods. Contestants may submit up to three unpublished poems (75 lines max each) in any style. Poems in English and Spanish are welcome.

GRANTS

SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS COMMISSION FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/grants/artists/fellowships.shtml
Deadline November 1, 2017. Through the program, SCAC recognizes and rewards the artistic achievements of exceptional individual artists living and working in the state. Unrestricted fellowship grants of $5,000 will be awarded in the areas of prose, poetry, and theatre (acting and playwriting). To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be a legal resident of the U.S. and have been a permanent resident of South Carolina for two years prior to the application date (and during the fellowship period); be a practicing individual artist (duos, collaborative works, and other ensembles are not eligible); not be a degree-seeking, full-time student during the award period; and be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. Application information will be posted August 7, 2017.

TENNESSEE AGING GRANTS
http://tnartscommission.org/arts-access/creative-aging-grant-applications-due-august-31/
The Tennessee Department of Health, the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, and the Tennessee Arts Commission have partnered in an initiative called Creative Aging Tennessee. As a part of this initiative, the partners are offering a one-time grant opportunity to provide seed funding for innovative projects through the arts that will promote healthy aging of seniors and encourages community partnerships that have the potential for sustainability. Applications for this grant are due by August 31, 2017, at 11:59 p.m., CST. Individuals may need to partner with nonprofits or other groups. Grants are $5,000.

LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS PUBLISHING WORKSHOP FELLOWSHIPS
https://thepublishingworkshop.com/workshop/
The Los Angeles Review of Books / USC Publishing Workshop is poised to lead students into this exciting new realm. During the summer in Los Angeles, students work with the most forward-thinking people in the world of publishing and digital culture, gaining the training and experience they need to thrive in this competitive industry. By bringing the most innovative entrepreneurs, professionals, and thinkers to work with participants, the Workshop will build a new, diverse profession from the ground up, ready to build the publishing companies and platforms of the future. We offer a large number of tuition-free and reduced tuition fellowship — making the program affordable for more students. Location the University of Southern California.

LITSPACE RESIDENCY - FLORIDA
http://keepstpetelit.org/litspace-writers-residency/
$20 APPLICATION FEE. The LitSpace St. Petersburg, Florida Writer’s Residency invites applications from fiction writers, poets, playwrights, essayists and memoirists. We hope to build a legacy as a residency that provides support for adventurous writers and fresh voices. We encourage applications from writers whose work is challenging and daring, as well as from underrepresented backgrounds. The recipient of the residency fellowship will receive $400 towards travel costs (to be reimbursed), one week of residency at the Craftsman House, and $400 to defray living expenses during the residency. Also, a limited number of waivers are available for writers under economic duress.

FREELANCE MARKETS

GRIEVOUS ANGEL
http://www.urbanfantasist.com/-submission-guidelines.html
We are a SFF&H genre-only webzine. This means Science Fiction, Fantasy, and related speculative fiction sub-genres, including Urban Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Horror, Mythos, Steampunk and Magical Realism, as well Humour/Satire riffs on these genre. We are looking for original Poetry (all forms, maximum 40 lines each and no more than five poems submitted at any one time). We are looking for Flash Fiction (maximum 700 words – only one story at any one time). We pay what Duotrope classifies as a "Professional rate" for successful submissions, namely six US cents per word for fiction and a dollar per line for poetry.

BLINDSPOT
http://blindspot.pub/guidelines/
We’re looking for original science fiction and fantasy stories up to 10,000 words. Please specify the word count at the beginning of the story. Language English or French. No multiple submissions. Pay rate eight cents per word (English texts).

GRAY'S
https://www.grayssportingjournal.com/submissions/
Gray’s is published seven times a year, including four themed issues: the Fly Fishing Edition (March/April), the Upland Bird Hunting Edition (August), the Big Game Edition (September/October), and the Expeditions and Guides Annual (December). Because 90 percent of our readers are bird hunters, 85 percent are fly fishers, and 67 percent hunt big game, we’re always looking for good upland-bird-hunting, fly-fishing, and big-game manuscripts for these issues and throughout the year, but don’t confine yourself to these themes. We pay from $600 to $1,250 for features, based on quality, not length; yarns average $600; poems, $100. We pay $50 to $300 for photographs. For Expeditions pieces, we pay $850 to $1,000 plus $75 per picture published. All payment is made upon publication.

TEXAS HIGHWAYS
http://www.texashighways.com/images/PDFs/TxHwys-Writer-Submission-Guidelines.pdf
Texas Highways readers particularly enjoy coverage of Texas scenery, history, small towns, and out-of-the way places. Many of Texas Highways’ feature articles and much of its photography originate with freelance contributors. Texas Highways pays 50 cents per word on acceptance.

C&R PRESS
https://crpress.submittable.com/submit
Entries to our Summer “Tide Pool” Chapbook Series are open from the Summer Solstice (June 21) to the Autumnal Equinox (Sept 22). In Spring 2018 C&R Press will publish one to three chapbooks of poetry, short stories, or other types of literary or mixed work. Summer Tide Pool Chapbooks of poetry are between 20 and 40 pages, and chapbooks of fiction, creative nonfiction, essays and mixed work are between 25 and 60 pages, not including front matter. Manuscript authors selected for publication receive ten copies of the book, $100 dollars and a reading in New York City. We are looking for work that is developed, polished, and has a strong singular voice. We encourage emerging and established authors in the manuscript process to submit their best work.

JOBS

PIEDMONT POET LAUREATE
https://piedmontlaureate.org/
The City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County in North Carolina announce the opening of the application process for the position of Piedmont Laureate for 2018. Applications for the position are due September 22, 2017 by 5 p.m.

Publishers/agents

PYR
http://www.pyrsf.com/contactus.html
Pyr® publishes only science fiction and fantasy novels. We are not currently looking for short story collections, anthologies, novellas, or nonfiction. We prefer novels in the 100,000 to 130,000 word range. For science fiction, we do not consider material under 85,000 words in length. For fantasy, we do not consider material under 95,000 words in length. We are also looking for speculative Young Adult fiction in any subgenre. These manuscripts may be shorter.

JOGGLING BOARD PRESS
http://www.jogglingboardbooks.com/submission-guidelines.html
Joggling Board Press accepts submissions from established and emerging writers of fiction and non-fiction, as well as photographers of talent. JBP has a special interest in works that explore the built and natural beauty of the American southeast, as well as its history, culture and character. While JBP accepts unsolicited/un-agented manuscripts, we prefer that you not submit simultaneously.

SOHO PRESS
https://sohopress.com/resources/submissions/
Soho Press is not only the name of our press; it’s the imprint within Soho dedicated to literary fiction (and the occasional memoir).

SOHO CRIME
https://sohopress.com/soho-crime/
For more than twenty years, Soho Crime has been publishing atmospheric crime fiction set all over the world. Some of Soho’s most popular stories will whisk you away to France, China, England, Laos, Northern Ireland, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Italy, Denmark, India, Cuba, and Palestine, to name but a few. Soho Crime’s list run the entire range of crime fiction—detective fiction, police procedurals, thrillers, espionage novels, revenge novels, stories of thieves, assassins, and underworld mob bosses—but you can count on an immersive adventure steeped in cultural and setting detail.