FundsforWriters - May 25, 2018 - Buying Yourself Time to Write

Published: Sat, 05/26/18

Volume 18, Issue 21 | MAY 25, 2018

Message from the Editor

Last week I mentioned the customized coffee mug my writing friend created for four of us that gather annually, and some have asked where the cup came from. The remarkable designer of that cup was www.suzytoronto.com and the site where the cup was ordered and customized was www.personalcreations.com

The May 25 book signing at Edisto Bookstores was such a hit! While Newberry Sin is a Carolina Slade book (versus an Edisto Island Mystery), people showed up to purchase both series. We sold 50-60 books (I was signing too fast to count), and the bookstore had me sign 100+ more that they expected to sell over the next few weeks. It's tourist season on the island, and people love beach reads. So much fun!

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
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TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
AUTHOR SITE - http://www.chopeclark.com
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
GOODREADS - http://www.goodreads.com/hopeclark
BOOKBUB - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-hope-clark

From Amazon reviewers:

The author is a captivating storyteller. It left me wanting to drive a Ford truck, wear a Bull Dogs tee, investigate for Ag, and ask my husband to grow a beard. I love the author's style and all her characters, hopefully will not have to wait too long for another book.

Wow, wow, wow. Stellar addition to the Carolina Slade series! Once again the author exceeds herself in writing this 4th book of the series.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

WOMEN READING ALOUD is an international organization
dedicated to the power of the writer's voice.

WRA believes in providing space for artistic growth where women writers explore their authentic voices in a supportive environment. Going strong since 2003, WRA offers writing workshops modeled after the Amherst Writers and Artists Method. Founded on the 3-in-1 principle, WOMEN READING ALOUD focuses on the equal value of the writer, the reader, and the listener.

Special literary events include domestic and International retreats in Greece and France. In 2019, WRA will host a writing retreat in Prague. All genres are welcome. WRA encourages writers to cherish their own voices, as well as the voices of others, as they travel the writer's journey.

Please visit us here: www.womenreadingaloud.org.

EDitor’s THOUGHTS

BUYING YOURSELF TIME TO WRITE

Entrepreneurial guru Seth Godin recently spoke about speaking. He believes for a five-minute presentation you give a four-minute talk and take your time. You don't want to rush, and you don't want to appear less professional by going over time.

The concept works for every other aspect of writing as well.

Submission deadlines - Submit early rather than late or exactly on time. Being late is inexcusable, and being on time can give the impression you rushed to the end.

Word count - Submit under the word limit rather than over. The latter appears as if you do not respect the publication's rules.

Newsletters / Blog posts - Better to be shorter than longer. If in doubt, cut back. Readers appreciate it.

First drafts - Give yourself less time to write, just as long as it's daily. To press too hard or to give yourself a time span that you cannot honor day after day is to invite disenchantment with the job.

Query letters - Brevity is your friend. It appears you have more command of the language and craft, and it'll make you concentrate your words and your message.

We all have the same amount of time to perform while on this planet; however, you must coordinate that performance. Time management is critical, even as a creative. Buy yourself time and you will not only look good to fellow professionals, but you'll feel better about yourself in your accomplishments.

PREVIOUS FAVORITE POSTS:

HOPE'S 2018 APPEARANCES
(Times in Eastern)

May 27 - 7 PM, WritersChatroom.com
June 11 - 6 PM, Chapin, SC Library booksigning
July 6 - 3-5 PM- Edisto Bookstore, Edisto, SC
July 27-29 - Mississippi Writers Guild Conference
October 1 - 3-5 PM- Edisto Bookstore, Edisto, SC (also celebrating my birthday!)
November 2-4 - BookBaby Indie Conference, Philadelphia, PA

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in."

-Robert Louis Stevenson

SPONSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

SUccess Story

Dear Hope,

Your newsletter once reminded of an imminent short story competition at Glimmer Train was holding. It had slipped my mind but your letter woke me up. I submitted a story I had been working on for a long time. I won this contest in 2017, and the story appeared in the GT winter edition. Next thing I knew YALE/NUS (Singapore) invited me to read it there in April of this year. (Not THAT HUGE a deal as I live in the Philippines). So I have been on quite a wave with my little surfboard of a story. Many thanks.

Peter Parsons

The Biggest Mistake You'll Ever Make as a Children's Author

by Anthony D. Fredericks

Every so often, a friend will hand me a children's book manuscript and ask if I would review it and offer an honest opinion. I'm always delighted to do so, but, over the years, I've discovered that almost every one of those potential book projects suffers from a critical and quite frequent mistake. When I ask them about it, they will often hang their head and sheepishly admit that, yes, they are guilty of breaking this rule:

If you are going to be a successful children's author, you MUST read children's books on a regular basis!

Interestingly, many novice writers think that just because they've raised some children or read a book to their grandchildren, they are ready to write their own children's book. Unfortunately, that alone does not adequately prepare one for writing juvenile literature. Prospective authors need to soak themselves in the culture of children's literature, regularly! They need to know the language, the themes, the concepts, the tenor, and the presentation of children's literature. And, the ONLY way to do that is to read children's books on a regular basis...every day...every week...every month.

If you are not reading children's books, then you are putting yourself at a severe disadvantage in the marketplace. The books you read as a child are not the same books kids read today. Today's books have a certain flavor, spark, and presentation. You need to experience that unique culture if you are to write equally compelling and engaging books.

Reading current children's literature on a regular basis has enormous benefits for you as a beginning children's author. Here are a few:

1) Introduces you to a wide range of authorial styles. If you want to get a sense of what good writing is all about, you need to sample many different kinds of writing - the good, the bad (and the ugly). In so doing, you are getting a full picture of what writers can do (or, what they are unable to do) in terms of characters, conflicts, and settings.

2) Shows you language patterns that resonate with readers. When you read the stories and books of other authors, you can get a sense of the language appropriate for different age groups. You'll also immerse yourself in the semantics and syntax of different genres.

3) Gives you the opportunity to compare good stories with bad stories. To know good books you need to experience bad ones. The bad books give you a frame of reference necessary to your compositional efforts. That diversity is essential to your writing success.

4) Allows you to see how different authors handle similar themes. By exposing yourself to a wide variety of storytellers, you learn a sense of how various authors tackle universal themes. By studying the various ways of presenting a story, you give yourself an education available nowhere else.

If you want to write children's books you have to read children's books! One without the other is like vacationing in Maui without going to the beach. It's only half-done! Read, and keep reading, lots of children's books. and you will notice a decided improvement in your own ability to craft stories for a new generation of readers.

BIO: Anthony D. Fredericks (www.anthonydfredericks.com) is an award-winning children's author. His recent book - Tall Tall Tree - was selected by the Children's Book Council as 2018 Outstanding Science Trade Book. This article is an excerpt from his forthcoming adult nonfiction book: Writing Children's Books: Everything You Need to Know from Story Creation to Getting Published.

COmpetitions

BACOPA LITERARY REVIEW CONTEST
https://writersalliance.org/bacopa-literary-review/
$3 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 31, 2018. $250 prize for each category of Short Story, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Prose Poetry. Pays $25 payment for each additional published work in the review. We accept only previously unpublished work, whether in print or online, including blog posts. Submission to one genre only; if declined you may submit again to the same genre or to another genre. Short story limit 1,500 words. Creative nonfiction word limit 2,500 words. Prose poetry limit 500 words. Poetry limit 88 lines including spaces for each poem.

THE LAUREL REVIEW MIDWEST CHAPBOOK CONTEST
https://thelaurelreview.submittable.com/submit/110508/2018-midwest-chapbook-contest
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2018. We are looking for a chapbook-length collection of poems, ranging from 25 pages to 35 pages. In addition to the publication of the chapbook, the contest winner will be invited to give a reading at Northwest Missouri State University as part of the University’s Visiting Writers Series. Travel expenses, lodging and an honorarium of $250 will be provided.

THE HALIFAX RANCH FICTION PRIZE
http://americanshortfiction.org/2018/03/08/halifax-ranch-prize-fiction/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2018. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and publication in an upcoming issue of American Short Fiction. All entries must be single, self-contained works of fiction, between 2,000-6,500 words.

GEMINI FLASH FICTION CONTEST
http://www.gemini-magazine.com/contest.html
$5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2018. First prize $1,000. Second prize $100. Four honorable mentions $25 each. Maximum word count 1,000. No limit to style, subject, or genre.

LUCILLE CLIFTON PRIZE
http://backbonepress.org/lucille-clifton-prize/
$5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 15, 2018. Winner receives publication via the website, $500, and a set of three poetry collections by Clifton courtesy of BOA Editions.

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

MARYLAND ARTIST IN RESIDENCE GRANTS
https://www.msac.org/arts-education-applications-and-forms
The MSAC's Artist in Residence (AiR) program provides grants to Maryland schools that cover half the cost of a teaching artist residency in a particular school. Maryland schools are invited to browse the MSAC's AiR Roster to select an MSAC Artist in Residence. The school then applies for a grant from the MSAC that covers half the cost of the residency. The total cost of the residency can be no more than $5,000. Artists who live in Maryland are invited to apply to the Artist in Residence. Applications for new artists/writers open June 2018.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR NEW JERSEY WRITING RETREAT
http://www.stockton.edu/murphywriting
Deadline May 30, 2018. Murphy Writing of Stockton University is offering a full scholarship to a first-time participant of the Shore Thing Writing Getaway, June 23, 2018 in Atlantic City, NJ. Treat yourself to a writing retreat at the shore. Down the block from Atlantic City's famous beach and boardwalk, this affordable workshop will energize and inspire you. Head home with sand between your toes, a few new pieces of writing and the glow that comes from spending the day with an encouraging community of writers.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR NEW ENGLAND WRITING RETREAT
http://www.stockton.edu/murphywriting
Deadline June 6, 2018. Murphy Writing of Stockton University is offering a $500 scholarship to a first-time participant of Live Free and Write, August 12-17, 2018 in Sunapee, NH. Join us in New Hampshire for a supportive writing retreat. Spend an inspiring week working on your memoir or poetry. Enjoy the refreshing New England summer with plentiful writing time, encouraging workshops, homemade meals and time to relax.

GEORGIA TEACHING ARTIST REGISTRY
http://gaarts.org/georgia-artists/artists-rosters/teaching-artists
The Georgia Council for the Arts Teaching Artists Registry is designed to serve as a resource list of Georgia artists who are skilled in one or more artistic disciplines and experienced in a classroom setting. It is a listing of competitively evaluated professionals who are available to deliver performances, workshops, and/or residencies to nonprofit organizations, community arts councils, schools, and school systems. The Registry is also available to the members of the general public seeking recommendations and guidance for arts education programs.

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK RESIDENCY
http://airie.org/residency/apply/
Deadline June 1, 2018. Artists are expected to spend time exploring, learning about and responding to the Everglades. Residents will have to submit a creative piece to the park within six months after the residency. Stay is usually four weeks.

THE HANDY UNCAPPED PEN MENTORSHIP
http://www.handyuncappedpen.com/2018/05/application-for-mentees-open-may-11th.html
Deadline June 11, 2018. All mentees applying should be neurodivergent or disabled and over the age of 18. Mentees should not have an agent, have published a full-length book, or have advanced degrees. Send up to ten pages of double-spaced prose or five poems. Applicants will be allowed to pitch two mentors.

FREELANCE MARKETS

GOLDEN SEAL
http://www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/contrib.html
Stories and photographs are submitted by freelance contributors. We welcome nonfiction manuscripts on West Virginia folklife, traditional farming practices, industry and commerce, holiday and community celebrations, immigrants, music, crafts, herbs, architecture, religion, politics, medicine, sports, railroading, women’s history, and similar topics. We prefer stories about living West Virginians, based on recent, direct interviews. We generally do not publish manuscripts that focus on the pre-20th century era (including the Civil War), out-of-state activities, genealogy, or fiction. We pay 10 cents a word for one-time use of original manuscripts.

APEX
https://www.apex-magazine.com/submission-guidelines/
Only publishes science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Currently open to short fiction submissions. Maximum word length is a firm 7,500 words. Payment for original fiction is six cents per word up to 7,500 words. If they podcast your story, payment is one cent per word up to 7,500 words.

NIGHTMARE
https://johnjosephadams.moksha.io/publication/nightmare/guidelines
Nightmare is seeking original horror and dark fantasy stories. All types of horror and dark fantasy are welcome. No subject should be considered off-limits, and we encourage writers to take chances with their fiction and push the envelope. They are open to stories of 1,500-7,500 words. Stories of 5,000 words or less are preferred. Nightmare pays six cents per word for original fiction, or one cent per word for reprints.

ALBEDO
http://www.albedo1.com/submission-guidelines/
Albedo One and Albedo 2.0 are open for submissions in four reading windows each year. These are the first month of every quarter, i.e., January, April, July and October. Their definition of what constitutes science fiction, horror and fantasy is extremely broad, and they love to see material which pushes at the boundaries or crosses between genres. All authors receive a complimentary print and pdf copy of the issue their story appears in. Payment is six euro per 1,000 words (i.e. six cents per word), up to 8,000 words. Preferred length is between 2,500 and 8,000 words.

THE DARK
http://thedarkmagazine.com/submission-guidelines/
The Dark is an online magazine published monthly. We are seeking horror and dark fantasy of 2,000 to 6,000 words in length. We pay six cents/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for first world rights; and one cent/word for reprint fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for nonexclusive reprint rights.

Publishers/agents

TWELFTH PLANET PRESS
http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/news/advance-notice-novella-series
We are looking to build a kickass series of novellas that defines and redefines the Twelfth Planet Press brand. We want gritty pieces that challenge the system and punch the patriarchy in the face. We want stories that resist and rebel… and maybe also books that comfort and inspire. Submissions will open on September 1, 2018 and close on November 30, 2018. Magic, history, fantasy, steampunk and science fiction are all welcome. We are also looking for fun, light crime novellas that fit within our Deadlines imprint. Your novella should be between 17,000 and 40,000 words.

ARTE PUBLICO PRESS
https://artepublicopress.com/
Arte Público Press, affiliated with the University of Houston, specializes in publishing contemporary novels, short stories, poetry, and drama based on U.S. Hispanic (Cuban American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and others) cultural issues and themes. Arte Público also is interested in reference works and nonfiction studies, especially of Hispanic civil rights, women’s issues and history. Manuscripts, queries, synopses, outlines, proposals, introductory chapters, etc. are accepted in either English or Spanish, although the majority of our publications are in English. Piñata Books is Arte Público Press’ imprint for children’s and young adult literature. It seeks to authentically and realistically portray themes, characters, and customs unique to U.S. Hispanic culture.

BITTER LEMON PRESS
https://www.bitterlemonpress.com/
Bitter Lemon Books are gripping crime fiction that expose the darker side of foreign places. They explore what lies just beneath the surface of the bustling life of countries such as Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, India, Iraq, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA. Wilmington Square Books are about culture and society, chosen for their originality, their quality and their contribution to knowledge and debate.

BRASH BOOKS
http://www.brash-books.com/
We publish the best crime novels in existence. A brash claim? You bet it is. But our award-winning, critically acclaimed authors prove it with each and every one of their amazing books. We’ve got it all: psychological thrillers, murder mysteries, international espionage, and police procedurals from established masters of the craft – as well as premiere books from new voices who are sure to become crime fiction stars.

BYWATER BOOKS
http://www.bywaterbooks.com/romance_submissions/
The Bywater Books Romance Hotline is actively seeking romance submissions in five popular subgenres: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Historical, Adventure, and Fantasy. With this new venture, we are specifically looking to enhance our existing library of titles with a brand new romance catalog, and we’re looking for previously unpublished full-length novels (between 60,000 – 100,000 words). While your romance submission can include other genre elements, we are looking for romances that focus on a couple’s emotional journey together towards love. Lesbian Romances, by nature, must be between consenting women of any age, race, creed, religion, or social status, and have a happily-ever-after or at least happy-for-now ending.

CAPSTONE BOOKS
http://mycapstone.com/Our-Story
Helping children develop a love of reading and learning, no matter their ability level, is at the heart of what we do at Capstone. We are closed to unsolicited submissions. However, we are always seeking new authors and illustrators interested in work-for-hire assignments. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts but follow us on Twitter to hear about occasional open calls for submissions. @CapstonePub