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"This is how the writing business ought to be taught."

"FundsforWriters helps writers achieve more success with their writing by finding and sharing the information that writers need to fund their writing." – Robert Lee Brewer, Editor Writer's Market

IF YOU SAW DEATH COMING

Steve Jobs famously said:

“Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” 

If you were dying, would writing be a strong part of your life? Or being published? Or would writing suddenly fall away and not be as important an issue anymore? 

Would you quit being afraid of what people thought? Quit fearing rejection?

In all likelihood, you'd focus on what you could do in spite of what others thought. You'd have precious limited time to accomplish something. What would that something be? And if it's writing-related, how would you define it?

The thing is, you always have precious limited time before you die. Why not start working on that so-called important "something" now? 

We are timid in this writing world, always afraid of ramifications and impressions of our work. Pretend you have six months to live. Now write what you'd like to leave behind . . . or don't write and go find what it is you were meant to be doing. For some reason it's the crisis times in our lives that determine what's important. 

Why wait for a crisis?

 


WORDS OF SUCCESS

Sometimes it takes a heartbreak to shake us awake and help us see we are worth so much more than we're settling for.

~Mandy Hale


 

Success Story

Has FundsforWriters helped you in any way in your writing journey? Let us share it here for all to see. Email hope@fundsforwriters.com 

featured article

Why Do NaNoWriMo?

By Grace Tierney

For half a million writers worldwide the month of November is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). As a NaNoWriMo mentor and writer it's the highlight of my writing year. Have you considered it?



The NaNoWriMo challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days began in 1999. It's a non-profit effort run mostly by volunteers. Writers aged 13 to 100 participate in 663 regions worldwide. Books by past participants include Rainbow Rowell's Fan Girl, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus, and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants.

The regions are supported by mentors called Municipal Liaisons running writing events and forums online and in person. I've been a Municipal Liaison for nine years so hopefully I can answer your questions.

Is there a prize?

No. NaNoWrio isn't a writing competition, it's a creative challenge. Its benefits include discounts on writing tools, bragging rights, improved writing resume, increased creativity, finding a local writing community, and most importantly, a first draft of your book.

Does it have to be in November?

November doesn't suit everybody. You could try Camp NaNo. It runs in April and July and is a smaller event with more flexible targets. I used it to start a short fiction collection. Others complete a novel, edit a book, or write a script – your choice.

Is there a cost?

No, it runs on writer donations.

Is it possible?

Yes, but must commit to it. Statistically 17 percent of writers finish NaNoWriMo but we've pushed that to 40 percent in my region thanks to advance preparation. Telling your friends and family gives you cheerleaders. Planning your plot and characters and doing some research helps you face the blank page. Scheduling two hours for writing daily will keep you on track. Freezing dinners and turning off the TV will create writing time. When struggling to meet my word count I hand the WiFi router to my husband.

Will it get me published?

No, but it's a start. My small region now has several published writers who still participate in NaNo annually. One poet self-published her collection and runs the poetry performances in the regional arts festival. A romance novelist has her first children's book out. A zombie-thriller writer is a national novel contest finalist. What you do with your book after NaNoWriMo is up to you, but meeting other writers is inspirational.

Why bother?

I get asked this often and I have many answers. Writing a book in November gives me work to edit and submit for the rest of the year. Writing daily (as Hope recommends) gives me a more professional approach to my work. NaNoWriMo encourages me to try new genres and restored the fun in my writing. I meet other writers and built a year-round network.

NaNoWriMo provides plenty of support apart from your local mentor. There's a blog and published authors interact and inspire via #NaNoCoach. The discounts on writing tools are hand, and I enjoy my winner's certificates and web-badges. Exclusive pep talks from bestsellers like Neil Gaiman, Diana Gabaldon, and John Green are fantastic.

First-timers worry about the deadline but shouldn't. Even if you don't reach 50,000 words you will definitely write more than normally that you would otherwise in November.

If you prefer to write plays, poetry or short fiction, join us anyhow. You get a cool title – NaNoRebel. If you write, you're welcome. This November consider becoming participant 500,001.

NaNoWriMo Resources

·      http://www.nanowrimo.org

·      http://ywp.nanowrimo.org  - Young Writers Programme (age 17 and under)

·      http://campnanowrimo.org/about - Camp NaNo

·      http://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks - Exclusive Pep Talks archive

·      http://blog.nanowrimo.org/ - Blog & free cover contest

·      http://nanowrimo.org/sponsor-offers - Offers for winners and participants

Bio – Grace Tierney writes in rural Ireland. Her work has appeared in her newspaper column, anthologies, online media, and glossy magazines, and her book How to Get Your Name into the Dictionary. Year 2017 will be her eleventh NaNoWriMo and her ninth as ML. Contact via @Wordfoolery on Twitter or her unusual word blog http://wordfoolery.wordpress.com/.
 

COmpetitions

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL - ONE-ACT PLAY
http://tennesseewilliams.net/contests/
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 1, 2017. Grand prize $1,500, a professionally staged reading at the next festival, a VIP festival pass, and publication in Bayou. The top nine finalists receive a panel pass to the festival. 



TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL - VERY SHORT FICTION
http://tennesseewilliams.net/contests/
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 8, 2017. Grand prize $500, passes to panels and master classes, public reading, publication in New Orleans Review. 



THE SHELTERBELT PRESS FICTION PRIZE
https://shelterbeltpress.submittable.com/submit
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline December 31, 2017. The winning book will be published by Shelterbelt Press, housed at the University of Illinois Springfield, in Spring of 2019. Winners receive a $500 award, 25 copies of their book, plus a trip to the University of Illinois Springfield for a reading and launch party. Manuscripts should be between 120-200 pages. 



LARRY BROWN SHORT STORY AWARD
https://pitheadchapel.com/the-larry-brown-short-story-award/
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 31, 2017. The winners will receive the following prizes: 1st place $250, 2nd place $75, and 3rd place $25. Each prize winner will be published in the January 2018 issue of Pithead Chapel. The submitted story must be less than 4,000 words. 






THE 27th ANNUAL MISSOURI REVIEW JEFFREY E. SMITH EDITORS' PRIZE 
https://www.missourireview.com/contests/jeffrey-e-smith-editors-prize/
Awards $5,000 and publication to the prize-winners in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Now open for submissions!  Deadline: October 2. 

 

GRANTS

WASHINGTON STATE ARTS INNOVATOR AWRDS
http://artisttrust.org/index.php/for-artists/money#arts_innovator_awards
Deadline November 13, 2017. The Arts Innovator Award, funded by the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation, is an unrestricted award of $25,000 given annually to two Washington State artists of any discipline. The award recognizes artists who demonstrate innovation in their art practice. Examples would be artists who are originating new work, experimenting with new ideas, taking risks, and pushing the boundaries in their respective fields.



SCHOMBURG CENTER SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE
https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/schomburg-center-scholars-in-residency
The Schomburg Center Scholars-in-Residence Program offers long-term and short-term fellowships to support scholars and writers working on projects that would benefit from access to the Center's extensive resources for the study of African diasporic history, politics, literature, and culture. Location New York City Public Library. 



MAP FUND 
https://mapfundblog.org/request-map-support/
The MAP Fund is a national grant program that supports the creation and distribution of original live performance projects. Annually, the program provides one million dollars to 40 projects that embody a spirit of deep inquiry, and are created by artists that question, disrupt, complicate, and challenge inherited notions of social and cultural hierarchy across the current American landscape. On October 20, 2017, the MAP Fund Round One portal closes. By January 26, 2018, emails go out notifying those invited to participate in MAP Fund Round Two.



ARIZONA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
https://azarts.gov/grant/professional-development/
Deadline February 1, 2018 for activities between March 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Professional Development Grants (PDG) are designed to assist Arizona artists, arts administrators and arts educators with funding support for participation in professional development and skills-building activities which contribute to significant professional growth. Learning activities include (but are not limited to): participation in conferences or symposia; artist or administrator residencies; and training with mentors/master artists.
 

FREELANCE MARKETS

RECOMMENDED READING
https://electricliterature.com/recommended-reading-will-open-submissions-for-two-weeks-da30e4d3e448
Recommended Reading is the weekly fiction magazine of Electric Literature, and with over 92,000 subscribers in just five years, it’s one of the fastest growing literary magazine around. Every week the magazine publishes one story, a mix of reprints chosen by today’s best authors and editors, and original fiction. Though we publish both, we only consider previously unpublished stories during our open submission periods. We’re looking for short stories that are bold, affecting, and presented with a distinct style. For fall 2017, we’re opening general fiction submissions for previously unpublished work for two weeks ending October 4, 2017. Recommended Reading publishes fiction ranging in length from 2,000 to 10,000 words, and pays each contributor $300.



COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR LITERARY PUBLISHING
http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/colorado-review/submit/
We consider short fiction and personal essays with contemporary themes (no genre fiction or literary criticism). There is no specific word or page count; generally, however, Colorado Review prefers short stories and essays that are somewhere between 15 and 25 manuscript pages. Please submit one story or essay at a time. We consider poetry of any style. Please limit poetry submissions to no more than five poems at a time. Fiction and poetry manuscripts are read from August 1 to April 30; nonfiction manuscripts, however, are read year-round. We pay $10 per page ($30 minimum) for poetry and $200 for short stories and essays. 



FRESH CUP MAGAZINE
https://www.freshcup.com/resources/contributor-guidelines/
In print, we publish magazine-style stories that introduce readers to people and places pushing coffee and tea forward, even when we’re talking about something as seemingly impersonal as crema or Wi-Fi. Online, we have four blogs: Barista, The Whole Leaf, Roasters, and Café Basics. Posts are thoughtful, engaging, and concise looks at narrowly focused topics, trends, places, and people in the coffee and tea industry. The blogs are the best starting point for new writers to break into Fresh Cup. We accept queries for features (1,500–2,000 words), our blogs (300-500 words), and café profiles (800 words). For the best chance of publication, present a clear angle to the story, show us that you’ve researched it, tell us the sources and experts you’ll interview, have a sketch of the narrative structure, and explain why you’re the person who should write it. When querying, please include clips or links to published writing. If you have no clips, please write a 300-word story introducing us to your favorite café or teahouse.



CIVIL EATS
http://civileats.com/about/
Civil Eats is a daily news source for critical thought about the American food system. We publish stories that shift the conversation around sustainable agriculture in an effort to build economically and socially just communities. Founded in January 2009, Civil Eats is a community resource of more than 100 contributors who are active participants in the evolving food landscape from Capitol Hill to Main Street. Pays around 25 cents/word per www.whopayswriters.com 
 

JOBS

OFFSITE SCIENCE EDITOR 
https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/description/362716/offsite-science-editor/
Midtown publisher of school and library reference databases seeks freelance Science Editor to work remotely to update and maintain high school/college database designed to promote science education across a broad range of disciplines. Coverage includes biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, computer technology and related subjects. Database includes articles, biographies, printable handouts and video clips. The ideal editor will have the ability to work in a CMS (Content Management System) and evaluate content for updates, additions or replacements and either write the appropriate content or identify others to do so. Candidate may also locate third party sources of material for licensing or adaptation. Three to five years publishing experience required.  Science background and BA preferred.



STAFF WRITER
Location Seattle, Washington
https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/description/362290/staff-writer/
We’re looking for a Staff Writer to join our content team as we elevate our quality and our publishing capacity in 2017. As a Staff Writer, you’ll work directly with Content Strategists, Editors, and other members of our team on our mission to help our readers find the best products and services for their unique lives, be it face moisturizer, tax software, or online dating sites. It’s important you’re a writer with the heart of an investigative journalist. 



WRITER AND EDITOR
Location Washington DC
https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/description/361636/writer-and-editor/
The Writer and Editor is an independent contractor to the firm. This role will carry the distinct responsibility of responding to proposal requests, preparing client presentations, drafting and editing firm documents and preparing the copy of marketing materials for meetings and conferences. The highest ethical standards are paramount.



FREELANCE WRITER
Location Charlotte, NC
https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/description/361751/freelance-writer-charlotte/
Thrillist.com is hiring a freelance writer to contribute bar, restaurant, nightlife, and event articles for its Charlotte edition (launching soon) on an ongoing basis. Thrillist provides an opportunity to create exciting content that both local and visiting readers will find entertaining and informative, as well as share with friends on social media. The ideal candidate has an intimate knowledge of the restaurant and bar scene in Charlotte, as well as experience as a food, nightlife and/or destination guide writer in digital media. Additionally, candidates with strong photography skills are preferred. 

Publishers/agents

THE GERNERT COMPANY
http://www.thegernertco.com/home-page-the-agency/
The Gernert Company is a literary agency located in Manhattan. Our client list is as broad as the market; we represent equal parts fiction (commercial and literary writers, both well-known and soon-to-be, whether writing for adults or younger readers) and nonfiction (biographers, memoirists, journalists, essayists, bloggers, and writers of trade and scholarly nonfiction in subjects ranging from sports and history to current events and science). We sell domestic, foreign, and subsidiary rights for our clients and partner with subagents in select foreign markets and in the film/TV industry.



EPIC PRESS
http://abdopublishing.com/our-products/epic-press
ABDO publishing presents hi-lo young adult fiction with EPIC Press. Since its inception in 2014, EPIC Press delivers bold and emotional fiction that young adult readers can devour. We offer hi-lo YA in a uniquely digestible format: six related novels, released simultaneously.



PEACHTREE PUBLISHERS
http://peachtree-online.com/about-us/
Peachtree Publishers is an independently owned trade book publisher based in Atlanta, GA, specializing in quality children’s books, from board books to picture books to young adult fiction and nonfiction. We also maintain a line of adult backlist titles covering consumer references in health, education, and parenting; regional guide books about the American South, where the company is based; adult fiction, biography, and memoir with an emphasis on Southern authors. The adult list has fewer new releases and revisions.



74th STREET PRODUCTIONS
http://74thstreet.com/About-us.php
74th Street Productions, established in 1996, is an independent publishing company located in the Northwest. Our mission is to develop books of high literary and artistic quality which encourage interest in Shakespeare, the theatre, other performing arts, literature and art among children and adults.
 

SPONSORS

Charles Todd is coming to the Midlands of South Carolina! Together, the engaging mother-son duo has written dozens of historical mysteries, including the Bess Crawford Mysteries and the Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery Series. They've won the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the Barry Award, and been nominated for many others. 

Settings and the characters who live there will come alive for writers in a special program, followed by an interview with the ever-delightful and talented Cathy Pickens. 

The program will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull St., Columbia, SC on September 30, 2017, from 9:30 am until 2:00 pm. The cost of the program, $15, includes breakfast and lunch.

Register here and pay at the door. Acceptable forms of payments are cash, or checks made out to Sisters in Crime Palmetto Chapter.
 
Please e-mail palmettochaptersinc@gmail.com with questions.











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/

ttp://myhouseofdesign.com/services-for-authors/ 

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. 

 

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

 

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.