FundsforWriters - October 13, 2017 - Newsletters are Easy, Right?

Published: Fri, 10/13/17

Volume 17, Issue 41 | OCTOBER 13, 2017

Message from the Editor

This year started with high hopes (yeah, I went there) of completing two novels and two nonfiction books. BIG hopes. Here I am two and a half months from New Year's Eve cramming to complete one novel. Never in my entire career has life gone against me like it has in 2017.

I recall 2016 being the year from hell for many people. It was good for me in some ways and horrid in others, but I accepted it for less than disastrous....putting it in the could-be-worse category.

LOL - then worse happened.

My parents needed tending. You've heard about it in dribbles in other newsletters so I won't bother you with the details now. However, it meant working sometimes 10 hours a week instead of 40-50. Of course, that means less travel, less speaking, less freelancing, and less promo. The result being less income. Do the math.

Lucky I had a financial backup plan and had saved for the hard times that inevitably plague a self-employed writer. Not that I liked tapping that emergency fund, but at least I had one.

Still, I count my blessings. When I started out as a writer, I made sure:

1) I had a savings fund to handle emergencies and several months of expenses.

2) I had health insurance.

3) I knew how to freelance.

Books are not a reliable income. Great to have, but lack of promo for even a couple of months and the income plummets. Freelancing, however, can be your go-to income earner.

Enjoy the good times....but plan for the lean. There WILL come a day when you'll be glad you did.

This newsletter is. . .

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website | Sign up for Newsletter
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
FFW has proudly been on the Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2000

Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. Use information listed at your own risk. FundsforWriters gives no warranty to completeness, accuracy, or fitness of the markets, contests and grants although research is done to the best of our ability.

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	On sale for $1.99 thru Oct 15.
	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.

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Editor’s THOUGHTS

NEWSLETTERS ARE EASY, RIGHT?

After my light comments about newsletters at the top of last week's FundsforWriters newsletter, I was surprised to hear from folks. Apparently, newsletters boggle some people, and others aren't sure how to handle some issues. I thought you'd enjoy hearing about this one. He gave me permission to use his name:

Hope -

I tried Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, and a few others, for sending out my online journal, The Wolfe's Den. I found they all have the same policy: no transmitting to contacts allowed unless they have "subscribed." Did you find an email marketer that will allow you to do a promotion without the email addresses used for it having to be those of individuals who "subscribed" to your newsletter?

The other problem was that after I got a hundred contacts to sign on to the journal, I found that, according to the statistics supplied by the emailer, only a small percentage of the recipients opened the email to read it. I do not think it was only because the journal was being dumped into junk mail or spam folders, though that probably was one of the reasons. But one guy who asked me to take him off the mailing list may have offered a better reason. He told me: "You are doing a good job. I just do not have time to read all of the emails coming into my email inbox. The number had grown to more than one hundred daily. So, I am gradually eliminating all but those I need most for the information important to me in my work and social activities."

I hope, Hope, that you have some answers to those problems and do not mind sharing them with me.

Burton H. Wolfe
Author of The Hippies (New American Library), Hitler and the Nazis (Putnam), and Pileup on Death Row (Doubleday)

Burton -

You mention two age-old issues with emailing anything, especially newsletters.

All of my subscribers have subscribed. Aweber.com requires they subscribe as well. Even if I add their email address to my mailing list, they are sent a notice and asked to click a link to confirm they want to subscribe. It's to avoid SPAM in people's mailboxes. Actually, these services tell you when your newsletter is SPAMMY feeling. But there's no way to get around that requirement. And yes, it takes a while to build up that readership.

My newsletters get dumped into different folders, especially with Gmail. Some email providers are pickier than others. I've learned to dislike Roadrunner and AOL. Gmail is fair, but a lot of readers don't check all their tabs. As for the open rate, if you get 10 percent, you're doing great. If you get 20 percent, you're soaring! Think about it. You don't read everything that comes in your mailbox. I subscribe to dozens and dozens of blogs and newsletters, but I open them depending upon the subject (very important) and whatever deadline I happen to have on my plate that day.

With newsletters like anything else in this profession, it's slow and steady diligence that lets you grow. My open rate runs around 10-15 percent, but that's still a lot of people. Afraid that's the goal. Acquire a LOT of readers, then reach for the ten percent who actually are your best fans.

Keep writing....

Welcome to the Carolina Slade Mystery Series.
Tidewater Murder (book 2) on sale for $1.99 through October 15.

Terrific. Smart, knowing, clever…and completely original. A taut, high-tension page-turner—in a unique and fascinating setting. An absolute winner! –Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winning author

Hope's Appearances

--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.

NOTE: Type in the word "friend" and they'll give you an extra $20 off the registration. Because after all, you are a friend of FundsforWriters and C. Hope Clark! See you there!

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Imagine what you are writing about. See it and live it. Do not think it up laboriously, as if you were working out mental arithmetic. Just look at it, touch it, smell it, listen to it, turn yourself into it. When you do this, the words look after themselves, like magic."

-Ted Hughes

Success Story

Hope -

I began writing approximately seven years ago. When entering contests, I began slowly but always entered at least one contest a month. In the beginning I entered mostly free contests just to get my feet wet and get familiar with the submission process in general. As time moved on, I did just as you indicated - budgeted for one contest a month. Submitting monthly has reaped huge benefits - being published. It works is all I'm saying!

Sara Etgen-Baker

Working (Entirely) from Home

By Alex J. Coyne

You might want to make the switch to freelancing entirely from home if you’re, for example, disabled like me, or you’re reclusive and prefer life behind the keyboard. Here’s how you can run your freelance writing business from home:

Choose the right jobs.

Some jobs (like travel writing) can’t do without travel: Skip those. Other times editors may make an exception if you explain your situation. Freelance career boards like Problogger and Writers’ Job Board are rich sources for jobs. Cold pitching magazines and blogs is another. Also consider working remotely as a copywriter or editor; look at classifieds like Gumtree, Indeed, Linked-In and Freelancer.

Avoid the mills and scams.

Many work from home writing jobs online are outright scams or content mills with terrible rates. Things like "make money now" and "2,000 words at $5 total" should set off alarm bells. Scammers like these are rife on sites like Freelancer and best avoided. Real work is found by pitching editors, visiting "write for us" pages, and building contacts.

Set your schedule.

Plan for work not to interfere with your home life, and the other way around. People will assume you have more free time, so make it clear to everyone when you will be working. It’s hard not to ‘take your work home ’, so know when to switch off, too. Plan your calendar with scheduling software like Thunderbird, EasyAppointments or OpenLava

Your house is your office.

Dedicate at least one room to work as your office. Minimally include filing cabinets, a bookshelf, desk, comfortable chair, and clear lighting. Think ergonomically; everything comfortably within reach. Decide if you will see clients or interviewees in your home and keep the office neat. Consider the background when you’re interviewing via webcam, including noise. A plain color wall-back with little audio disturbances like wind or electronic hum is ideal. (See Hope’s office background here.)

Business expenses change.

As a from-home freelancer, your business expenses change. Your rent (or mortgage) pays for your office, and you’ll spend less on items like travel expenses and client dinners but more on utilities and phone plans. Keep track, most importantly for your filing tax returns but also to maintain awareness of where your money is going so you can make informed choices.

Privacy and safety.

Be sure that people won’t show up at your house unannounced. Never share your address or images of your house and family online. Rent a post box for business correspondence. Stalkers can happen. Consider basic security like a panic button or set your laptop up as a security camera for little to no cost with iSpy or Rear View Mirror.

Interviewing remotely.

You can conduct most interviews remotely ((whether interviewing someone for a story or being interviewed yourself), via secure email like ProtonMail, phone, webcam or VoIP (like Skype, Appear.in or ooVoo). Ask your source which is best for them, and be flexible for the one who wants to interview you. Double-check technology with a test-run and buy a decent headset and speakers. Logitech, AKG and Sennheiser are good brands. Record and file interviews with permission using software like MP3 Skype Recorder, Automatic Call Recorder (for Android) or Audacity for PC.

Working online.

Project management tools and cloud services instantly connect you and those you work with. You can upload documents, send messages and upload schedules across the board, and it’s great for keeping track of interviewees and co-workers.

http://www.basecamp.com/
http://www.taskworld.com/
http://www.dropbox.com/

Making the switch to a home base? It’s really not as hard as you might think: all it takes is a couple of changes to your routine, and then, of course, a “do not disturb” sign for the office.

BIO: Alex J. Coyne is a journalist, author and language practitioner who has written hundreds of feature articles for markets including People Magazine, Great Bridge Links and FundsforWriters. Like many authors, he is surrounded by cats. http://alexcoyneofficial.WordPress.com

COmpetitions

NOWHERE FALL TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST
http://nowheremag.com/contests/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 1, 2018. We are looking for young, old, novice and veteran writers to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of place. Stories can be fiction, nonfiction or essay, but please indicate which genre at the top of your manuscript. Entries should be between 800 and 5,000 words and must not have been previously chosen as a winner in another contest. Previously published work is accepted, but again, please indicate this. The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in Nowhere. Up to ten finalists also will be published. Brush off your manuscripts or write something new and send it to the only literary travel magazine going.

TISHMAN REVIEW'S EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY POETRY PRIZE
http://www.thetishmanreview.com/contests/submit-your-work/
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 15, 2017. Open to writers worldwide, from new to established. First place wins $500 and publication in the January 2018 issue. All submissions will be considered for possible publication. Your submission gives consent to publish selected poems in future issues. There is no line-limit. Poems may be any length, any style, or any subject. Please, no translations for the contest.

WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS CONTEST
http://weneeddiversebooks.org/aboutapply/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 31, 2017. The winning entrant will receive a US $1,000 prize, and their story will be included in the Heroes Next Door Anthology to be published by Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The contest is open to diverse writers aged 18 years or older who have not previously published a short story or a novel-length work. The contest is open to writers worldwide. To enter the We Need Diverse Books Middle Grade Short Story Contest, writers should supply a story of up to 4,000 words suitable for an audience aged between 8 and 12. All entries must be in English and previously unpublished.

DISQUIET LITERARY PRIZE
https://disquietinternational.submittable.com/submit/16443/disquiet-literary-prize-2018
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 31, 2018. Multi-genre award for the best poetry, fiction, or nonfiction on any subject. Entries must be in English. Entries may not be previously published. The winner in each genre will be published. The grand prize winner will also receive a full scholarship, including tuition, lodging, and a $1,000 USD travel stipend, to attend the Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal. Runners-up will also be considered for merit-based scholarships. One entry may include up to six poems (to a maximum of ten pages) or a single prose piece up to twenty-five double-spaced pages in length.

GRANTS

TIN HOUSE WINTER WORKSHOPS
http://tinhouse.com/winter-workshops/
These workshops combine the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast with a weekend immersed in all things literary. The program consists of morning workshops, one-on-one meetings with faculty, afternoon craft discussions, and generative exercises. Evenings are reserved for coastal revelry. For short fiction/novel/nonfiction, we ask for a writing sample of 5,000 words or less. For poetry, we ask for a sample of four poems, totaling no more than eight pages. For scholarship applicants, we also ask for a 500-1000 word essay describing what you are currently working on, how you hope an experience at our conference will benefit your writing, and any other personal information you feel like we should know about you.

RSL LITERATURE MATTERS GRANTS
https://rsliterature.org/award/rsl-literature-matters-awards/
Deadline December 4, 2017. Must be a resident of the UK. The RSL’s new Literature Matters Awards aim to reward and enable literary excellence and innovation. Each year, after an open call for proposals, the Awards will be given to individual writers or other literary creators, recognising their past achievements and providing them with financial support to undertake a proposed new piece of writing or literary project. Launched as part of the RSL’s new Literature Matters programme, priority will be given to proposals which (a) will help connect with audiences or topics outside the usual reach of literature, and/or (b) will help generate public discussion about why literature matters. An RSL Literature Matters Award must result in new, original writing or other literary activity of an excellent artistic standard, which will reach a substantial readership or audience. In 2018, we expect the available budget to be around £20,000, and we envisage making no more than six awards.

HATCHFUND
http://www.hatchfund.org/
Hatchfund hosts an online community where artists can post projects for funding and connect with those who love and support artists. Our goal is to help artists successfully navigate the challenging world of online fundraising through our unique educational and hands-on approach. The Hatchfund team provides educational services, which include fundraising education, project development, and outreach support. A total of 75 percent of all artists on Hatchfund have been successful in funding their projects. Hatchfund also offers a patent-pending matching fund program, the only one of its kind, which encourages and leverages contributions to help our artists reach their goals at a faster rate than any other crowdfunding platform.

IDAHO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
https://arts.idaho.gov/grants/profdev-individuals/
Deadline December 11, 2017. This quarterly grant opportunity supports the professional development of artists and arts administrators. Applicants may receive reimbursement for attending a conference, workshop, or other form of professional development. Grants are up to $750.

FREELANCE MARKETS

ASIAN FORTUNE
http://www.asianfortunenews.com/write-for-us/
Asian Fortune’s readers are Asian American professionals living, working, and playing in the DC metropolitan area. Our readers are savvy and knowledgeable. The magazine covers everything of interest to APA professionals including local news, politics, health, and entertainment. The magazine is largely freelance written. Fees for articles depend on length, degree of difficulty, and the writer’s previous experience. Generally, feature articles run between 600 and 1,000 words in published form. Our articles are clear, lively, interesting, and informative.

PARADE.COM
https://parade.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/How-to-Contribute-to-Parade.pdf
PARADE celebrates America at its best every Sunday and everyday on Parade.com. Engaging entertainment coverage supplemented with inspiring stories, home and health content designed to make life and community connections more meaningful. Apply to be accepted as a regular contributor. Requirement is to write four posts per month. Minimum word length 400 to 800 words per post. Must have WordPress skills with the ability to upload copy and photos. Pays $1.50 to $2.000 per 1,000 ad impressions. Send three to five online articles to be considered, plus three to five pitches for proposed posts.

TRAIL RUNNER
http://trailrunnermag.com/contributors
Trail Runner is the country’s leading magazine for off-road running enthusiasts. In-depth editorial and compelling photography informs, entertains, and inspires readers of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors and improve their health and fitness through the sport of trail running. Your well-written query should present a clear, original and provocative story angle, not merely a topic or idea, and should reflect your thorough knowledge of the magazine’s content, editorial style and tone. When submitting a query, identify which department your story would be best suited for. If we are interested in your story idea, an editor will contact you within eight weeks.

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER AND BOATER
http://www.fishandboat.com/Transact/AnglerBoater/Documents/PaAnglerBoaterGuidelines.pdf
Published bi-monthly, Pennsylvania Angler & Boater (PAA&B), is the official fishing and
boating magazine of Pennsylvania. As the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s
state agency publication, it is the voice of the Commonwealth concerning matters
related to fishing and boating, and to protecting, conserving and enhancing the state's
aquatic resources. PAA&B's mainstays are where-to and how-to fishing and boating articles, and features encompassing all aspects of the Commission and its functions.

JOBS

FOX WRITERS LAB
https://theaudienceawards.com/fox/foxwriterslab
Deadline October 22, 2017. 21st Century Fox Inclusion is excited to announce the launch of the 2018 Fox Writers Lab. Applications are open September 25, and will close on October 22 or once Fox has received 750 complete applications (whichever comes first). The Fox Writers Lab is a highly selective initiative designed to nurture experienced writers who have diverse voices, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are looking for fearless storytellers who will create a strong pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on Fox television shows, films, and other Fox Entertainment properties.

Publishers/agents

HARPER COLLINS LEADERSHIP IMPRINT
http://www.harpercollinsleadership.com/
HarperCollins Leadership feeds your inner drive to grow as a leader with integrated, values-based development experiences that give you the inspiration and insights you need to thrive in your current role—and your next. What makes HarperCollins Leadership different is our holistic approach. We want to give readers content that surrounds them - books, video courses, and business tools that help them learn and apply the principles so they can activate the leadership potential that's in them. HCL will launch with the October 10 release of Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller, followed, on January 16, by John C. Maxwell's Developing the Leader Within You 2.0.

GIBBS SMITH PUBLISHING
https://www.gibbs-smith.com/Assets/GibbsSmith/ClientPages/submissions.aspx
Our main emphasis is on interior design, architecture, children's, and cookbooks. Additionally, we accept submissions in the following subjects: arts and crafts, western humor with general appeal, general humor, and gift books. Also, Gibbs Smith is seeking submissions for a new adult and children's fiction venture launching in fall 2018. We are accepting agented and unagented completed manuscripts in adult and children's historical fiction.

CELTIC CAT PUBLISHING
http://celticcatpublishing.com/submissions/
Primarily, we are interested in novels, poetry, and work of East Tennessee regional interest. We are not interested in formulaic genre novels. Include a query letter providing relevant information about the project and you as a writer — have you been published before? Have you won any writing prizes? Who is the audience? Identify target completion date and word count. Please do not send a complete script in the first instance. For fiction and non-fiction, provide a brief, one-page synopsis of the manuscript and two or three sample chapters, including the first five pages. For poetry, provide six to ten poems. If we are interested, we will ask to see additional material.

COFFEE HOUSE PRESS
http://coffeehousepress.org/submission-guidelines/
Coffee House Press publishes emerging and midcareer authors. Nearly all CHP authors have had works published in literary magazines or other publications (a resume including a list of prior publications can strengthen your submission). Although prior publications are important, they are not a requirement; part of our mission is to present promising debut authors alongside those who have been previously published. Coffee House Press publishes literary novels, full-length short story collections, poetry, creative nonfiction, book-length essays and essay collections, and the occasional memoir. CHP does not accept submissions for anthologies. CHP also does not publish genre fiction, such as mysteries, Gothic romances, Westerns, science fiction, or books for children.