FundsforWriters - August 25, 2017 - How to Write to Done

Published: Fri, 08/25/17

Volume 17, Issue 34 | AUGUST 25, 2017

Message from the Editor

If you've ever wondered how many copies of a book gives it bestseller status, a simple Google search will quickly repeat the same number . . . around 5,000. Wow, you think. That's a lot considering you struggle to sell 100 copies.

But ten years ago that figure was closer to 10,000. Twenty years ago, even more - more in the 50,000+ range.

That's crazy difficult today. Why?

1) More people are publishing than ever before.
2) The number of readers is not going up.
3) The result being more books for the same, static number of people buying books.

Whether you traditionally sell or indie sell, you are not getting rich on the sale of 5,000 books. At the end of the year you wonder what you were doing trying to earn a living writing.

So what does a writer do who makes a living writing?

1) They are constantly writing a book. At least one book a year.
2) They speak (and ask for compensation).
3) They write for magazines, journals, websites, newsletters (and ask for compensation).
4) They set up passive income on their social media, blog, and website (ads, Amazon Associate returns, etc.)
5) They market daily.
6) They write daily.
7) They judge and enter competitions.
8) They publish a newsletter or blog regularly.
9) They network.

They write and appear wherever they can. There isn't one path to earning a living as a writer either. There isn't one right way. It's a matter of being a bit scrappy and eager to be seen, heard, and read. The only thing that can be considered wrong with whatever you do to earn a living is WAIT. If you are waiting for sales to happen, without serious proactive action, you have already lost.

Tap that fire and energy. Successful writers use momentum and develop an inertia that marches on toward sales, branding, and platform building. Success does not hunt you down. You go after it. What seems slow progress, or even backward steps, will one day turn into a positive force, and suddenly you realize you DID do something right in trying to write for a living. Mainly, you kept going.

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
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	Those who haven't read any of C. Hope Clark's books are short-changing themselves. You can't begin a C. Hope Clark book and then put it down." - Clay Stafford, author / filmmaker, founder of Killer Nashville and publisher of Killer Nashville Magazine.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Editor’s THOUGHTS

HOW TO WRITE TO DONE

I received a plea from a writer who needed to make a presentation on "how to write to done." It was the most frequent request from her writing friends and followers . . . how to stick to writing and see a project through to the end. She wanted my secret, or at least a website that covered the subject.

First, I told her there was no secret.
Second, I told her no website exists on how to solve that dilemma.

There isn't much out there on "getting to done." It's a tough love topic, actually, and that might be why why we don't see much on it. You have to want to get your writing done. I'm afraid it's that simple.

Writing a book is not supposed to be simple and it's not supposed to be something you WANT to do everyday. There are days you don't want to write, and that's the test. That's when you decide if this is anything you really want to do . . . by writing on the bad days or the too busy days or on a story that seems to have started dragging. Any story that goes down on paper easy is not a good story. Without the difficulty, you lose the magic.

The challenge is to accept the dare to dig in and make the writing better even on a hard day. Again . . .writing is not supposed to easy. If the effort does not at some time drive you to anger or almost to tears (I have cried, trust me), then question whether it's deep enough or has been developed enough. In other words, if you aren't feeling the emotional strain, then the reader isn't, either.

No book is easy. So, your soul needs to feel like if you don't write, you not only feel unfulfilled, but you feel highly guilty, maybe even lose sleep over skipping the hard times. You find no lesson or steps or how-tos when it comes to writing through the difficult moments or writing to done. The answer is you do it or you don't.

This is one lesson where there is NO short cut and no 1-2-3 how-to. May not be the solution you want, but it is truth. If there were a short cut, I would've taken it. So far, I haven't found one. Dig in, get dirty, get tired, and work through the struggle.

Hope's Appearances

--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.

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. Biweekly, with 65 contests, markets, grants, retreats, publishers, freelance gigs, magazines and more. $18.75 for a year, or 26 issues. To subscribe, simply go to www.paypal.me/chopeclark/18.75 or read more at FundsforWriters.com.

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

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment the world hands out and the punishment he inflicts upon himself."

--Irwin Shaw

Success Story

If you've had a success as a result of reading FundsforWriters, please let us know. We want to share it with our readers!!! Be sure to include a website or blog address. Email to hope@chopeclark.com

The Rich and Talkative: Scoring the Big Fish

By Alex J. Coyne

The fun (and highly profitable) part of freelance journalism is getting to interview the rich and famous. But how do you get to do it? I’ve interviewed everyone from political figures to world famous musicians and writers. Here’s how you can too:

A publication’s backing helps. Saying “I’m with People Magazine and I’d like to interview you” carries more weight. Pitch an interview first and see if you can secure a reputable publication’s backing before approaching your source.

Official websites are step one. I’ve interviewed people like Jeffery Deaver and the CEO of Roman’s Pizza by just sending an e-mail and asking. Be polite, be brief and ask if they have time for a short interview.

Build contacts. Network: Attend gigs, or just introduce yourself ahead. Musician Chris Chameleon and I spent hours talking after a performance, and it turned into an interview for Vrouekeur. Contacts can also point you in the direction of who to speak to.

Get in touch with agents. Where you can’t contact someone directly, speak to their agent, PR or company representative first. Introduce yourself and your idea, and ask for some of their time. Wait for a response, then try again: Follow up via phone if e-mail doesn’t get an answer.

CEO’s and famous people are busy, so be willing to fit their schedule and keep it short. Many interviews have to fit into the ten-minute gap between shows, meetings or road trips. For one ghost-written interview with an important political figure, I had to do the interview on the move during my afternoon walk – with no working call recorder or pen – but it worked.

Explain yourself! Many personalities are wary of the press, so be clear when requesting the interview exactly who you’re working for and what it is you’re writing about: Their new book, the recent sex scandal or their thirteen Pomeranians?

Offer to send questions ahead. This can reassure some interviewees who don’t have a lot of time, or – believe it or not – find themselves caught off guard when “put on the spot.” Also, offer to send a draft of the article for approval afterwards: This reassures difficult PR people and nervous celebrities alike. (Occasionally, be prepared to make small changes to, for example, quotes.)

Special arrangements can be part of interviews. Be prepared to consent to background checks for some, deal with bodyguards and searches for others. Sometimes a special arrangement is as simple as an appointment at their favourite restaurant.

Confidentiality matters, and people will tell you things – juicy things, hilarious things, tasty things – off-the-record. For the sake of a good reputation as a journalist, keep things that way, no matter what. Confidentiality extends to their personal contact information: Imagine a stalker in a ski-mask admitting that they got Kevin Kline’s personal number from you.

What’s the biggest fish you’re eyeing to interview? Go out and get ‘em.

About the Author: Alex J. Coyne is a freelance journalist, author and language practitioner who has written for international publications like People Magazine, Great Bridge Links, Moneyweb and more.

COmpetitions

STORIES THAT NEED TO BE TOLD CONTEST
http://www.tuliptreepub.com/contest.html
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 16, 2017. Word limit: 10,000 words. $1,000 grand prize, plus five $200 lesser awards. The winners and an additional 15 to 20 honorable mentions will be published in the third annual Stories That Need to Be Told anthology. (Last year's anthology was a finalist for a Colorado Book Award!) There are no categories for this contest. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry--the box doesn't matter, as long as it tells a compelling story.

CONSEQUENCE MAGAZINE WOMEN WRITING WAR AWARD
http://www.consequencemagazine.org/contests/
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2017. The contests are open to women and those identifying as women. Entries must capture the nuances of the cultures and consequences of war; the topic is not limited to military matters, but includes social, political, and cultural subjects. Prize is $250 and publication.

WRITERS AT WORK FLASH FICTION CONTEST
http://www.writersatwork.org/wp/?page_id=2264
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 15, 2017. Prize is $300 and publication on the website. Submit a flash fiction piece up to 1,000 words.

REAL SIMPLE LIFE LESSONS ESSAY CONTEST
https://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-website/contests-sweepstakes/eighth-life-lessons-essay-contest-rules
NO ENTRY FEE. Submit 1,500 words maximum. The first-place winner will receive $3,000. The second-place winner will receive $750. The third-place winner will receive $500. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, age 19 or older at time of entry.

GRANTS

ANTENNA SPILLWAYS ARTIST AND WRITER RESIDENCY
http://www.antenna.works/spillways-artist-writer-residency-for-2018-19/
Deadline October 4, 2017. Several spillways surround the city of New Orleans providing important control of flooding from the Mississippi. For Antenna, the Spillways residency is a way of providing the meaningful dispersion of outside thought and practice into the city through the development of creative feats. Spillways hosts national and international artists, writers, and cultural organizers who are interested in developing projects within the greater New Orleans region, and whose efforts question, transform, or expand the vibrant visual and literary culture of the area. At least four residents are chosen every other year to develop ambitious projects that aim for thoughtful public impact and engagement within the greater New Orleans region. Residents will be awarded paid travel to and from New Orleans, an initial two week stay in Press Street’s residency space, a $1,000 honorarium, and introductions to local stakeholders in their areas of interest.

MASSACHUSETTS ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS
http://artsake.massculturalcouncil.org/tips-on-applying-for-an-mcc-artist-fellowship-5/
The Artist Fellowships are competitive, anonymously-judged grants for Massachusetts artists, with awards based solely on the artistic quality and creative ability of the work submitted. Currently, Fellowship awards are $12,000, and Finalist awards are $1,000 (award amounts are contingent upon the finalized legislative appropriation). There are two deadlines per funding cycle. Applications are now being accepted in Drawing & Printmaking, Poetry, and Traditional Arts. Application deadline: October 2, 2017. Mass Cultural Council will accept applications in Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, and Painting beginning December 15, 2017. Application deadline: January 29, 2018.

ILLINOIS INDIVIDUAL ARTIST SUPPORT
http://www.arts.illinois.gov/Individual%20Artist%20Support
Individual Artist Support (IAS) program assists Illinois artists realize a career goal, take advantage of a professional opportunity, or produce and present an artistic project. The IAS program represents the Agency's continuing commitment to support the work of individual artists. Grant requests for fiscal year 2018 will be accepted through May 15, 2018 for activities occurring through August 31, 2018. Applications must be received by the IACA no less than eight weeks prior to the project starting date. One track pays $500 to $3,000. The other pays $500 to $1,000.

EDITH WHARTON WRITERS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
http://www.edithwharton.org/visit/the-edith-wharton-writer-in-residence-program/
Application deadline August 31, 2017. A two- to three-week residency for three women writers at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home. Each resident will receive a work space at The Mount, a $1,000 food and travel stipend, and lodging for the duration of their residency. Residents must provide their own transportation. The principal responsibility of each resident is to spend time further developing her creative work.

BITCH MEDIA WRITING FELLOWSHIPS
https://bitchmedia.submittable.com/submit
Deadline August 31, 2017. A series of three-month intensive writing fellowships whose goal is to develop, support, and amplify emerging, diverse voices in feminist, activist, and pop-culture media. Produce a minimum of six online articles for Bitch Media in the topic area of their fellowship. These pieces can take a variety of forms: reported, analytical, advocacy-focused, even infographic, and are least 600 words in length. Produce at least one longform article to be published in the quarterly magazine Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture. Participate in biweekly discussions (by phone or Skype if fellows cannot meet in person) with the fellowship director and other members of the Bitch Media staff. Receive mentorship and support in creating, shaping, and editing articles and blog posts. Receive follow-up support with placing future articles and essays, and make great connections within the feminist-media community. Receive a $2,000 stipend for the three-month fellowship.

FREELANCE MARKETS

TABLET
http://www.tabletmag.com/about
Tablet is a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture. Launched in June 2009, it’s a project of the not-for-profit Nextbook Inc., which also produces the Nextbook Press Jewish Encounters book series. Our archive holds all the articles and features that originally appeared on the website Nextbook.org. Tablet welcomes submissions from freelance writers. Please submit a full pitch—including a detailed description of what you’d like to write, a brief biography, links to previously published stories, and, if necessary, a short writing sample—to the appropriate section editor. Do not submit a completed piece.

FORENSICS
http://www.forensicmag.com/contact-us
Forensic Magazine® is a printed publication of resources, products, and services. We accept articles on topics pertaining to designing, building, materials, equipment, and related technologies for all areas of forensics. We accept articles on topics pertaining to all aspects of forensic science and crime scene investigation as well as expert testimony, chain of custody, and other issues relating to this market. Articles should be written in third person, present tense.
Length: 1,200 to 2,000 words.

FIREHOUSE
http://www.firehouse.com/article/12174791/firehouse-magazine-firehousecom-article-and-photo-submission-guidelines
The editors at Firehouse are interested in reviewing articles related to a variety of topics—fire attack, leadership, wildland fire operations, hazmat response, apparatus, health and fitness, and more. Articles should be between 750 and 2,500 words.

THE DRAKE
http://www.drakemag.com/contact-the-drake/contributor-s-guidelines.html
We want our fishing stories to be educational and entertaining, not instructional. We don't publish "how-to, where-to" pieces.

JOBS

FREELANCE WRITER, HEALTH AND FITNESS
http://fitt.applytojob.com/apply
Fitt is hiring a freelance writer to contribute community-minded content on fitness studios, healthy restaurants, outdoor activities, and events for its Charlotte, North Carolina edition. This is your opportunity to combine two of your all-time passions: writing and living a healthy lifestyle. The ideal candidate has in-depth knowledge of Charlotte's health and fitness community, and experience as a wellness, food, travel, or destination guide writer in digital media. NOTE: Also available in other major cities.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR
https://emp.jobylon.com/jobs/10518-weldon-owen-associate-editor/
Weldon Owen, an imprint of Bonnier Publishing USA is seeking a creative, organized, and experienced associate editor to join the editorial team in their San Francisco office to help develop, edit, and produce high-quality cookbooks and other visually driven titles. Candidates must have a minimum of 2–4 years book editorial experience, preferably in cookbooks, and possess keen communication skills, both verbal and written.

MULTI-PLATFORM CONTENT CREATOR
https://foxtv.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=17000326&tz=GMT-05:00
The Multiplatform Content Creator is responsible for gathering, writing and creating content for broadcast, web, mobile and social channels. Candidate will participate in the selection and development of stories. Applicant will be responsible for sending mobile alerts on breaking stories. Position will write and coordinate interviews, reporter live shots, field package shoots, and live talk-back interviews as needed. Location Atlanta, Georgia.

Publishers/agents

ALBERT WHITMAN AND COMPANY
https://www.albertwhitman.com/submission-guidelines-for-unrepresented-authors/
Albert Whitman & Company currently has an open submissions policy. We will read and review un-agented manuscripts and proposals for picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult novels.

CEDAR FORT
http://www.cedarfort.com/about-us/#aboutus
Each year we publish over 120 books and produce over 200 gift products. We have a solid catalog of LDS fiction and non-fiction, general release titles, including cookbooks, clean romance, and young adult adventures, and an LDS-oriented product line. We want to publish uplifting and edifying books that help people think about what is important in life, books people enjoy reading to relax and feel better about themselves, and books to help improve lives. We have ten imprints.

CURIOSITY QUILLS PRESS
https://curiosityquills.com/submission-guidelines/
Curiosity Quills Press is a publisher of hard-hitting dark sci-fi, speculative fiction, and paranormal works aimed at adults, young adults, and new adults. Currently seeks YA up to 75,000 words, New Adult up to 100,000 words, and adult novels up to 120,000 words.

BLACK & WHITE PUBLISHING
http://blackandwhitepublishing.com/submissions
All manuscripts will be considered, but at the moment we are particularly looking for the following. Fiction - commercial women’s fiction, especially chick lit, saga and romance; crime and psychological thrillers; contemporary YA and New Adult crossover books; children’s fiction. Nonfiction - memoirs, sport (UK and Ireland in particular), humour, food and drink, activity books. We do not accept poetry, short stories, or work written in languages other than English.