FundsforWriters - February 23, 2018 - A Pet Peeve About Conferences and Events

Published: Fri, 02/23/18

Volume 18, Issue 8 | FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Message from the Editor

I'm playing this game with myself. The weather is wonderful here in South Carolina, with highs in the low eighties (fantastic!). I ought to be writing, but I've been gardening, tending to parents, babysitting, reading for the blind, and handling FundsforWriters. No novel.

On one hand, I'm back and forth with the publisher on Newberry Sin, prepping for its release in April, so it's hard to think two stories in my head at once. On the other hand, I'm trying to starve myself from writing fiction so that when I sit down to it, I'm primed and ready to gush words.

And I think it's working. I catch myself thinking of the new story....the one after Newberry Sin. I'm even thinking of the book after that! I'm noticing word choices in other novels, and enjoying my own phrasing while reading my books into the library system. It's like falling back in love with writing.

And I'm ready for the dates to begin anew.

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
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"Hope Clark has created another fascinating heroine in former Boston PD detective Callie Morgan. Her books are fast-paced mysteries set against the backdrop of a tiny South Carolina island where murder never happens—or so the locals would like to believe. I'm happy to recommend it." - Kathryn R. Wall, author, the Bay Tanner mysteries

"I have never before experienced the caring of a place like C Hope Clark instilled in me with stories of the people and the mysteries of Edisto Island. Through the recent hurricanes I always gravitated toward the news of this real place with Hope's fictional characters. Some day I must go there. Thanks for a new place on my bucket list!" - reader/reviewer Delores Feeken Schmidt

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EDitor’s THOUGHTS

A KEY PET PEEVE ABOUT CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

I might step on a toe or two, but I feel it needs to be said. Writer's conferences and workshops should NOT take a percentage of a writer's sales. Charge a fee to attendees, if you like. Charge $25 to authors to man a table, maybe. But get the heck out of my sales.

Some events charge as high as 30 percent of your sales. A local library near me calls it a fundraiser for a cause. I seriously doubt the library is coming off of its hip with any money for that cause. They hold the event, charge the authors 30 percent of their gross sales, then take credit for donating to the cause.

Not cool. Not cool at all. And usually these are people who rely upon the writing world to earn their living. There are other ways to collect money for a conference or event. Sponsors, for instance. Grants, if you are a nonprofit or can connect to a nonprofit. Entry fees. Fees for master classes. My argument is for these "writer-friendly" events to get off their collective backsides and find other ways to pad their coffers than to pillage writers.

Needless to say, I declined the event. However, I accepted one at a coffee shop that asked me to just appear, bring my books, sign and draw a crowd. The deal was that I promote the coffee shop, and the coffee shop promotes me. We each keep our own profits. Wow, way too common sense, I guess. As a result, I sing their shop and they sing my books. After the first signing, they invited me back for two more once the new book is out.

Authors are always expected to give it up more than any other party in the equation. We're willing to do anything to be seen. Stand firm. Be strategic in your appearances. Very strategic.

Be careful of how much of yourself you give away. We partake in a profession that merits respect. Avoid eroding that respect by being cheap. Be willing to stand up and decline when someone says they'll charge you 30 percent of your sales when you appear, with your own books, making the sales yourself. Be willing to say no to those events that, by the end of the day, suck the life out of your pocketbook instead of paying you for the time invested. You're better off taking that time to write the next book.

Be selective in your appearances. Respect yourself.

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HOPE'S 2018 APPEARANCES (Times in Eastern)

April 18 - 3PM, Pelion, SC Library, 206 Pine Street
May 1 - Noon, Newberry, SC, Friends of the Library Luncheon, celebrating release of Newberry Sin ($20 admission)
May 8 - 6PM, Chapin, SC, The Coffee Shelf celebrating release of Newberry Sin (coffee and goodies)
May 19 - time TBD, Chapin, SC, The Coffee Shelf
June TBD - Edisto Bookstore, Edisto, SC
June 11 - 6PM, Chapin, SC Library booksigning
June 24 - 7PM, WritersChatroom.com
July 27-29 - Mississippi Writers Guild Conference
October (1st week) - Edisto Bookstore, Edisto, SC

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.

~Natalie Goldberg

SUccess Story

Dear Hope,

We always hear that “one thing leads to another” and that’s been the case since I became one of your subscribers. I was resting somewhat on past articles, two books and long-running newspaper columns when fundsforwriters.com became the appetizer for me to go after more entrees!

You published my “Knowin’ When to Hold ‘em” article on how sometimes it’s best to hold a work for a better market rather than lose rights and income to the first offer in the excitement of the moment. That article was discovered immediately by British subscriber and author, Melissa Addey, who got our okay to include it as a chapter in her “Merchandise for Authors: Engage Your Readers While Increasing Your Income.”

Your listings for “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series whetted my appetite to write “Hide and Don’t Seek” that was accepted and appears in the “The Cat Really Did That?” book which came out in August.

Realizing how many wanna-be writers subscribe to learn how to get published, I wrote a booklet, “Helpful Hints if You’re Ready to Write” which added more writers to my speaking calendar.

Your excellent pieces on careful editing opened more doors. Unfortunately, on my own works, I am a perpetual editor and can’t seem to overcome that fault to turn out more than I do.

However, our annual Berries, Bridges and Books Writers Conference here in Southeast Louisiana offers a Page-Turner Contest, and judges decided to offer kind suggestions instead of scores alone.

One of our members with two mystery novels already out was so upset with the suggestions that as a fellow member and friend, he called me twice to quote what he believed to be mistakes from the unknown judges.

In fact, he made the one-hour drive from New Orleans to show me personally what one of the judges had corrected and written why he or she had made certain suggestions. I pointed out the judges were correct and why. Finally, I admitted I had been the judge he questioned the most.

Would you believe when he completed his next book manuscript, he paid me (and quite well at that) to edit it for him?

In the meantime, my down-to-earth, easy-to-read weekly columns led to our mayor retaining me as Public Relations Writer for the city. My articles are on radio and internet news, several newspapers as well as our city’s web site. (He’s also added proclamation writing to the pay!)

So, a great big thanks and a great big hug for giving us subscribers the “recipes” and encouragement to try them to “taste” success from what had been unknown writing “meals.”

Kathryn J. Martin

Making Six-Figures as an Indie Author

By Victorine Lieske

It may seem like a pipe dream, but indie authors can make serious cash. I know quite a few who bring in six-figures, and by next year I should join them. But how do they do it? What’s their marketing secret?

After much research and observation, I’ve come up with seven key things needed to bring in the big bucks.

1.   Treat writing like a job. If you want the money, you have to put in the time. All of the authors I know making six-figures have many books in their backlist. Most have thirty books or more. To get there, you need to be writing every day. Make a daily word count goal and make yourself accountable to it. It might seem impossible to publish as much as they have, but don’t cut yourself short. Writing is a skill. The more you do it, the faster and better you’ll get at it.

2.   Stay positive. It’s going to take a lot of motivation to publish thirty books. Just remember, with every book you publish, you’re adding to your monthly paycheck. Don’t expect to get rich on one book. Take a more measured strategy and go for the long tail. There are many authors getting large checks each month who haven’t hit the NYT’s bestseller list with a book. Keep a steady goal in mind and push yourself to get there.

3.   Research the market. It won’t do you any good to publish thirty books if no one is buying them. Go to Amazon and look at the indie books making bank in your genre. What do they have in common? Buy at least ten and read them. List similarities and tropes that are pulling the readers in. Find common themes. Then find a way to weave similar things into your own books, in your own world. This is called writing to market. Don’t treat it like it’s a dirty thing. It’s another tool in your writing toolbox. Buy books on how to write to market as an indie author and use that tool. It doesn’t mean you can’t ever write a book just for the love of writing. You can do both.

4.   Hone your craft. Don’t ever think you’re done learning how to write. Go to conferences and take classes and workshops. Work with a critique group. Read all the top books on writing in your genre. Even if you’ve read it all, keep going. You might just find something new click into place.

5.   Make yourself look professional. Hire a cover designer and an editor. The last thing you want to do is put your book in a poorly designed package. If you’re not a graphic designer, hire one. Pay an editor. Don’t skimp out on these things or your pocketbook will suffer.

6.   Hang out with other successful authors. No need to re-invent the wheel. Surround yourself with indie authors who have all these things figured out and listen to them. Join an author Facebook group and read the posts. Authors are a sharing bunch. They’ll tell you what ads are working and what to avoid. They talk about what books to read or what YouTube videos to watch. If you’re not doing this, you’re going to get left in the dust. (I recommend 20Booksto50K.)

7.   Don’t be afraid to give your work away. I admit I owe much of my success to giving out ARC’s and making my books free on Amazon. It’s a marketing strategy. Watch the lucrative authors and see how they do it successfully.
There’s no guarantee your books will sell well. However, looking at what high-dollar indie authors do and following in their footsteps will give you a better chance to succeed. It’s not an impossible dream. Set those goals and go write.

Bio:
Victorine enjoys commercial success through her writing, thanks in part to her ability to analyze and adapt to the constantly changing trends in today's publishing environment. She self-published her first book, Not What She Seems, in April of 2010. In March of 2011, Not What She Seems began its 6-week run on The New York Times bestselling eBook list and sold over 100,000 copies. Victorine's first romantic comedy novel hit the USA Today bestselling books list in January 2015.

Victorine has also helped countless other authors through her involvement and outreach as immediate past president of the Nebraska Writers Guild. She is active in many writing groups and forums and has given dozens of interviews for TV, radio and print media and has been a panel member and keynote speaker at several major events. Her candor as a blogger and guest has made her a favorite with audiences worldwide. Because of her selfless service to fellow authors through assistance with critiquing, beta reading and graphic design, she was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the CIR Strong Award, named for late Clean Indie Reads forum member Jessica Strong.

Victorine and her husband have raised their four children in Nebraska. Victorine also does graphic design work in the publishing industry. http://victorinelieske.com/

COmpetitions

THE BBC NATIONAL SHORT STORY AWARD
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2QXsYTZYWZ40CTc8lbH0FdV/how-to-enter
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 12, 2018. Award of £15,000 for the winner, and £600 for four (4) further shortlisted stories. A maximum of 8,000 words. One entry only. English only. Open to British nationals and UK residents who have a prior record of publication in creative writing in the United Kingdom.

DAVID NATHAN MEYERSON PRIZE FOR FICTION
https://www.smu.edu/SouthwestReview/Prizes-and-Awards/MeyersonFictionPrize
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 1, 2018. The prize consists of $1,000 and publication in Southwest Review. Open to any writer who has not published a book of fiction (either a novel or collection of stories). Writers are free to enter as many times as they wish. Each entry should be one unpublished piece of fiction (8,000 words maximum).

PEGGY CHAPMAN ANDREWS AWARD FOR A FIRST NOVEL
https://www.bridportprize.org.uk/short-stories
£20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 31, 2018. Open to writer in Britain, aged 16 years and older. Open to a novel in any adult fiction genre including YA providing there is a genuine crossover for adult readership. No nonfiction. Must not have published a novel (although self-published are accepted). Entrants must not be represented by an agent. Entries will be the first chapters of the novel, a minimum of 5,000 words and a maximum of 8,000 words in total, plus a synopsis of 300 words. First prize receives £1,000 plus mentoring with our partner TLC. Second £500 plus manuscript assessment. Third - three x £100 for shortlisted writers.

KATHERINE PATERSON PRIZE FOR YA AND CHILDREN'S WRITING
http://hungermtn.org/contests/katherine-paterson-prize/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 15, 2018. One first place winner receives $1,000 and online publication. One runner-up receives $100 and online publication. Any writer residing in any country or U.S. state is eligible to enter. Please enter your original, unpublished piece under 10,000 words. Your entry may be a short story or a novel excerpt, but if it’s a novel excerpt it should really stand alone.

GRANTS

CUTTYHUNK ISLAND RESIDENCIES
http://www.cuttyhunkislandresidency.com/apply
$20 APPLICATION FEE. Deadline March 2, 2018. Cuttyhunk Island Writers' Residency seeks applicants from all stages in their writing careers who demonstrate a consistent dedication to their work and an openness to sharing and learning within a focused group of like-minded participants. This year, we're accepting fiction and nonfiction writers. We are pleased to announce that we will be awarding four full scholarships. A scholarship includes tuition, housing, all meals, and a round-trip ferry ticket to Cuttyhunk from New Bedford, Massachusetts. All scholarship recipients will need to provide for their own transportation to and from New Bedford.

HEWNOAKS ARTIST COLONY
https://hewnoaks.submittable.com/submit/107088/2018-hewnoaks-artist-colony-individual-application
$25 APPLICATION FEE. Deadline March 3, 2018. Preference will be given to Maine applicants (about 75 percent of accepted applicants), but we welcome applications from artists residing outside of Maine. Participants will live in small, rustic cabins equipped with basic kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Participants are responsible for their own food and transportation and will have to bring everything they need in order to set up their studios.

SUNDRESS SUMMER FICTION WRITING RETREAT
https://squareup.com/market/sundress-publications/item/fiction-retreat
Sundress Publications is a (mostly) woman-run, woman-friendly publication group founded in 2000 that hosts a variety of online journals and publishes chapbooks and full-length collections in both print and digital formats. The Sundress Academy for the Arts is excited to announce its Summer Fiction Writing Retreat, which runs from Friday, June 15 to 17, 2018. The three-day, two-night camping retreat will be held at SAFTA’s own Firefly Farms in Knoxville, Tennessee. This year’s retreat will focus on generative fiction writing and include two break-out sessions “Conflict and POV as Perspective” and “Writing the Travel Narrative,” plus discussions on kicking writer's block, publishing, and more. A weekend pass includes one-on-one and group instruction, writing supplies, food, drinks, transportation to and from the airport, and all on-site amenities for $250. Tents, sleeping bags, and other camping equipment are available to rent for $25. Payment plans are available if you reserve by April 17, 2018.

JUNIPER SUMMER WRITING INSTITUTE
https://junipersummerwritinginstitute.submittable.com/submit
$40 APPLICATION FEE. Deadline June 1, 2018 for writing event and March 11, 2018 for scholarships. The Juniper Summer Writing Institute is an inclusive literary space that welcomes adult writers from different genres at all stages of their careers. Acceptance to the Institute is based upon the strength and promise of the writing sample. We operate on a rolling admissions basis, and we do our best to make admission decisions within two to six weeks of receiving applications. The Institute awards five work-study scholarships of 50 percent tuition remission, several sponsored scholarships in the amount of $500 (each offered by one of our wonderful literary scholarship sponsors), and one full tuition scholarship sponsored by The Valley Advocate. Location University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

FREELANCE MARKETS

SUBTERRAIN - ISSUE #80
http://subterrain.ca/about/35/sub-terrain-writer-s-guidelines
subTerrain publishes original fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, essays, and commentary three times a year. subTerrain welcomes submissions from both emerging and established authors. We are happy to consider work from all corners of the identity spectrum, including works by underrepresented writers, including but not limited to writers who are indigenous, of colour, immigrants, women, LGBTQI+, low-income, no-income, and writers with disabilities. Issue #80 (Summer/Fall 18) Theme: Margins. Life on the margins, being on the border or edge of society. Submissions open March 26, 2018. Deadline for submissions: June 8, 2018.

FRUITFUL LIVING
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=73aa76f0d5ea2633
We are looking for enthusiastic freelance writers to join our team. You should be informed on diverse aspects of urban lifestyle and be able to write on various topics and have a keen eye for details. Writers should be able to deliver good quality content suitable for our online audience demographic of 18 - 50+.

NATURE FUTURES
http://blogs.nature.com/futureconditional/2015/04/19/how-to-write-for-nature-futures/
Futures is a venue for very short stories or ‘vignettes’ of between 850 and 950 words. The subject is typically near-future, hard SF, although this can be interpreted liberally. If accepted, you will receive a (non-negotiable) fee of £85 or US$130.

FOLK REBELLION
https://www.folkrebellion.com/write-for-us/
Topics of interest: Slow Living, Connection, Travel, Adventure, Boredom, Zeitgeist, Nature, Consumerism, Simplifying, Productivity and Busy Disease, Technology, Hustle Culture, Societal Norms, Parenting, Anti-Establishment, Rebellion, the Psychology of Motivation and Change, Neuroscience and Eastern Practices, Storytelling through Data. We accept pitches for the following sections. Pays ten cents/word and up.

Reported Pieces (~1,250-2,000 words)
Personal Essays (~900-2,500 words)
How-to’s (~500-2,000 words)
Interviews (~500-900 words)
Photo Features (~500-2,000 words)
Reviews (Book, Record, Restaurant, ?) (600-900 words)
Feature Articles (~2,500-3,500 words)

JOBS

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING FREELANCE WRITER/EDITOR - South Carolina
https://www.journalismjobs.com/1643441-freelance-writereditor---festivals-and-events-south-carolina-living
South Carolina Living magazine has an immediate opening for a freelance writer/editor with the reporting, writing and photo-research skills to compile our monthly preview column of festivals and events in South Carolina. We call it Highlights. The writer hired for this position will produce two versions of the column each month, one for print and one repurposed/expanded for the web. See: http://scliving.coop/sc-life/sc-life-features/festivals-and-events_17/. If you can handle these tasks, and submit clean, error-free copy that sparkles with energy and fun, let’s talk. For the right candidate, we’ll give you a paid, one-month trial-assignment. If that goes well, we’ll offer you a long-term freelance contract with a flat-rate monthly fee. Fee for the trial assignment is $500. Long-term contract fee to be negotiated.

CONTRIBUTING WRITER - Remote
https://www.journalismjobs.com/1638001-contributing-writer-workerscompensationcom
WorkersCompensation.com, the leading outlet for distributing information in the workers' comp regulatory and compliance sectors, is looking to expand it's premium news section. The media area delivers long-form and current news to the workers' comp industry daily, to employers, employees, attorneys, healthcare providers, insurance professionals, communications staff, etc. everywhere. Freelancers can work from anywhere in the U.S., and can expect multiple assignments per week. Please send your (2) attached/linked clips and your resume to Dara Barney, Senior Editor of Premium Media at dbarney@workerscompensation.com.

REPORTER - Hilo, Hawaii
https://www.journalismjobs.com/1560747-seeking-talented-reporter-hawaii-tribune-herald
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald, a 17,000-circulation daily newspaper located in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, has an immediate opening for a talented general assignment reporter with a passion for hard news. Ideal applicant is an enthusiastic self-starter with a can-do attitude who can juggle a variety of beats and assignments (government/public affairs, breaking news, enterprise, features, etc.). Requirements: at least two years of full-time reporting experience at a daily newspaper (not including college newspapers) and the proven ability to produce a high volume (six to eight stories per week) of compelling, polished, accurate stories on deadline for both print and digital platforms. Journalism degree (or equivalent experience) preferred. Bonus skills: Proficiency with common social media platforms, knowledge of island culture, solid photography and/or video skills.

FACT CHECKER - St. Petersburg, Florida
https://www.journalismjobs.com/1643520-fact-checker-poynter
The overall job responsibility of the Fact-Checker is to report and write a wide range of stories often taking the lead in framing and directing the coverage of a specified beat, generating original story ideas, envisioning and executing fresh angles on complicated topics, and producing analytical and interpretive articles to give readers in depth and distinctive coverage of the subject, news event or designated area of expertise.

Publishers/agents

LAUNCH BOOKS LITERARY AGENCY
http://launchbooks.com/submissions/
They’re looking for genre-breaking fiction, especially in the areas of science fiction, thrillers, popular culture, urban fantasy, and anything with a compelling concept behind it. In terms of nonfiction, they seek popular science and technology, narrative nonfiction, sports and adventure, concept-driven nonfiction with a sociological bent, business and entrepreneurship, current events and politics, and humor and popular culture.

PANDE LITERARY AGENCY
http://pandeliterary.com/
We have broad-ranging eclectic interests and we welcome submissions of all kinds. However, we don’t represent poetry, religion or inspirational books, business books, screenplays, illustrated children’s books or middle grade fiction, although we are always on the lookout for young adult fiction.

GALLT ZACKER LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.galltzacker.com/submissions.html
Open to works for young readers: PB, MG, YA, graphic novels - in fiction and nonfiction.

TESSLER LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.tessleragency.com/
Our list is diverse and far-reaching. In nonfiction, it includes narrative, popular science, memoir, history, psychology, business, biography, food, and travel. In many cases, we sign authors who are especially adept at writing books that cross many of these categories at once. In fiction, we represent literary, women's, and commercial. We do not take on genre fiction or children's books.