SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Deadline: June 30. Enter your self-published book into this year's North Street competition, sponsored by Winning Writers and co-sponsored by BookBaby and Carolyn Howard-Johnson (author of The Frugal Book Promoter).

Choose from five categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir, Poetry (new), and Children’s Picture Book (new). The top winner in each category will win $1,000, one grand prize winner will win $3,000, and all will receive additional benefits to help market their books. Any year of publication is eligible. Entry fee: $60 per book.

Submit online via Submittable or by mail. Please see our guidelines, past winners, and judges’ remarks at winningwriters.com/north.

OPPORTUNITY - YOU HAVE TO FIND IT TO SEIZE IT

One thing leads to another, assuming you take advantage of the opportunity. But sometimes it's about making the opportunity, or at least opening the door for it to start happening.

For instance, I've always been a believer in businesses belonging to the Chamber of Commerce, so when I started publishing the Edisto series, with the books being set on Edisto Beach, I joined the chamber there. I never regretted it. 

The first year I belonged, I had multiple book signings at the bookstore, an interview in Explore Edisto Magazine (which goes in every rental on the beach), mentions on Edisto websites, a feature in the Edisto Island Visitor's Guide (that went in every visitor's center in the state), and tons of books sold in the bookstore because the owner kept getting requests each week from new tourists. Oh, and there was a podcast by the editor of Explore Edisto as well. 

I also belong to Sisters in Crime, and at a local meeting they announced that a library was looking for someone to teach new writers. I applied and wound up making suggestions and landing grant money to teach new writers for an hour once a week and pocketed $7,000. That brought my books to the attention of the SC State Library, and I was nominated for an east coast book award and won for the state of SC. A couple of podcasts resulted from that which led the library's recorder for the blind to hear me speak and invite me to read my own books into the national library system.

So, before Newberry Sin came out, I joined the Chapin Chamber of Commerce. That led to book club readings, my books being stocked in the local coffee shop (and they keep selling out), a signing at the library, newsletter advertising by the chamber on a weekly basis, and recognition by the county councilwoman, mayor, town councilman, and state representative as "the local author."

The key is to hunt for opportunity, but you cannot stop there. You have to be willing to jump on it the moment it popa up. Maybe think long enough to insure it isn't a scam, but no more. If you are daring enough to jump on board, more opportunities just keep rolling in. And yes, you deserve it.






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WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences."

-Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

 

SPONSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

SUccess Story

Hope - 

Your articles about author newsletters motivated me to publish my first-ever book promo piece in my own newsletter last month, a big leap for me.

My newsletter is mostly a vehicle to promote classes, retreats, and editing services. I've mentioned my poetry books but haven't talked them up very much. I wasn't sure my readers would be interested (and I felt shy about promoting them).

People responded warmly to the article about how I came to write my latest book. Several readers bought it, and I also landed a gig helping another poet self-publish his first collection. I'll definitely be publishing more book promotion articles in future newsletters.

Maria Veres

 

Featured article

Making Rates Work for You

By Alex J. Coyne

Understanding rates is an essential part of being a freelance writer. How much you charge is how much you earn. But as a newcomer in a market with a lot of competition, I had no idea where to start. Here’s a couple ways to make your freelance rates work for you.

Industry Standard Rates

When setting your rates, industry standards are a handy base-line guide. From there, you can charge more or less depending on your experience and the type of job. Specialized work, like legal or medical writing, can be charged at a higher rate. Check out the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Society for Editors and Proofreaders and SAFREA for suggestions.

When You’re Bidding

The cheapest rate is rarely the one a client accepts when faced with multiple quotes or bids for the same job. Instead, stand out by saying more about your experience and including solid references and writing samples in your bid.

Raising Your Rates

When should you raise your rates? No more than once a year, and always let existing clients know that your price plans have changed.

Referral Bonuses Work

Offer a percentage (5 percent-10 percent) to freelancers who refer jobs your way. Many freelancers have jobs they don’t have time for and can pass on. Ensure that your fine print notes this offer is valid only on quotes that get accepted and paid by the client, and that they have to note who referred them.

Special Discounts

Special discounts for new clients are a great way to draw in new ones during quiet months. For example, order four articles and get a fifth on the house – or book for January and get a 20 percent discount.

Negotiating Better

Negotiating is about getting a good deal on both ends. When talking rates, it’s OK to knock a little off the final price if it’s the negotiation that finally gets you the job. Similarly, it’s also OK to propose a higher rate when a job requires a lot of your time or resources.

Last-Minute Gigs

What I call “last minute gigs’ are jobs with a tight deadline that often come up when the client’s first choice is a no-show. Jobs with a very quick turn-around time can be charged slightly higher because they need your time and attention now.

Per Project, Page, Word or Hour

Are you charging per project, page, word or hour? Each has advantages. Online rate calculators can help you find the sweet spot when working out quotes. Great rate calculators for freelancers include Your Rate, Beewits Hourly Rate Calculator and  All Freelance Writing. Charge jobs requiring more time per hour, and jobs that are pretty straightforward (like translations, transcriptions and articles) by page, word or project.

Deposits & Why to Use Them

I usually ask first-time, out-of-the-blue clients to pay a deposit – 30 percent to 50 percent - upfront. Why? It reassures both them and me. I know they’re not just going to run with the work, and they know they only have to pay the rest once I’ve successfully delivered on the job.  This has secured a lot of happy first-time clients.

About the Author:
Alex J. Coyne is a journalist and writer who has written features for many international publications including People Magazine, The Dollar Stretcher, Great Bridge Links and FundsforWriters.

COmpetitions

JUXTAPROSE NONFICTION PRIZE
https://juxtaprosemagazine.submittable.com/submit/101262/2018-juxtaprose-nonfiction-prize
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 18, 2018. Pays $1,000 and publication in JuxtaProse Literary Magazine to the winning piece. Up to three additional pieces, each by a different author, may be awarded "Honorable Mention" status, for which they will receive $100 and publication. All entries will be considered for publication, regardless of whether they receive honorable mention status. Entries should contain a single piece of creative nonfiction that is between 500 and 7,000 words. 



AUDIO STORIES COMPETITION
https://www.thirdcoastfestival.org/overview/competition
$75 ENTRY FEE. $50 STUDENT FEE. $200 ENTRY FEE FOR SERIALIZED STORY. Deadline June 19, 2018. The Third Coast / Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition seeks the best audio stories produced worldwide. Best serialized story $2,500. Best documentary awards - $4,000, $3,500, $2,500, and $1,500. Director's Choice Award $1,500. Best documentary foreign language $1,500. Radio Impact Award - $1,500. Best news feature $1,250. Best new artist - $1,250. Skylarking Award - $1,500. Entries must have been produced and presented publicly for the first time on radio, podcast, Internet, or in a public setting (i.e. gallery, museum, classroom) between January 2017 and June 19, 2018.



THE BITTER OLEANDER PRESS LIBRARY OF POETRY AWARD
http://www.bitteroleander.com/contest.html
$28 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 15, 2018. An award of $1,000 plus book publication of the winning manuscript is open to anyone writing in the English language. Manuscripts must be typed and range between 48 and 80 pages of poetry in length. 



WORDS AND MUSIC WRITING COMPETITION
https://peauxdunquereview.com/contests/
$23 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 15, 2018. The Peauxdunque Review invites submissions to the Words and Music Writing Competition, a writing contest in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, public high school short story, and “Beyond the Bars” (a multi-genre competition for incarcerated juveniles), associated with the Words and Music writers’ conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15-18, 2018. Winners in the poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction categories receive $1,000 plus admission to all Words and Music conference events. Public High School Short Story winners receive $500 plus admission to all Words and Music conference events. First runners-up in the poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and public high school short story categories receive admission to all conference events. The winner of the Beyond the Bars category will receive $500. Finalists in all categories receive half-off all conference events. Winners and first runners-up in all categories will be published in a subsequent issue of the Peauxdunque Review. Prose entries must be double-spaced and no longer than 7,500 words. Poetry entries may be no longer than five pages, comprised of either one poem or up to five, with no more than one poem per page.



THE PETER MEINKE PRIZE
http://www.yellowjacketpress.org/contests.html
Deadline June 30, 2018 (or until they reach 200 submissions). Winner receives $500, 50 copies of the book, and will be invited to read with other poets in October at the Other Words Conference in Tampa. Poetry manuscripts should be no longer than 24 pages total, including 18-20 pages of poetry, title page, table of contents and acknowledgments. 



ORISON ANTHOLOGY AWARDS IN FICTION, NONFICTION, AND POETRY
https://orisonbooks.submittable.com/submit
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 1, 2018. Seeking entries of unpublished single works in three genres (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) for consideration for the awards. The winner in each genre will receive $500 as well as publication in The Orison Anthology. Submit  up to three poems (15 pages max), one story (up to 8,000 words), or one work of nonfiction (up to 8,000 words). 



MAX RITVO POETRY PRIZE
https://milkweededitions.submittable.com/submit/87384/max-ritvo-poetry-prize
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 30, 2018. Designed to honor the legacy of one of the most original and accomplished poets to emerge in recent years, and to reward outstanding poets for years to come, the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize awards $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions to the author of a debut collection of poems. 



TIFERET WRITING CONTEST
http://tiferetjournal.com/2018-writing-contest/
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 15, 2018. Pays $500 each for best poetry, best short story, best essay or interview. One prize winner and two honorable mentions will be awarded in each category. 
 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

BECKMANN EMERGING ARTIST FELLOWSHIP
https://www.indyartsguide.org/classified/beckmann-emerging-artist-fellowship-13/
Deadline June 22, 2018. The Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship Program awards two $3,500 fellowships each year to qualified and talented Indianapolis artists in music, dance, theatre, literature, media and/or the visual arts. The program consists of two distinct components. The first component, a monetary award in the amount of $3,500, will be awarded for supplies, instruction, workshops, studio or rehearsal space, or other uses specifically related to the growth and development of the artist’s artistic work. In addition to the grant, the fellows will receive professional development and growth opportunities through the Arts Council of Indianapolis. 



NEW JERSEY ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.midatlanticarts.org/grants-programs/grants-for-artists/#state-fellowships
Deadline July 17, 2018. Fellowships will be awarded to enable practicing New Jersey artists working in the crafts, interdisciplinary performance, photography, or playwriting to pursue their artistic goals. Awards are based solely on demonstrated artistic excellence and not on any other merits that may be associated with the project or other factors. Fellowship awards have ranged in the past from $7,000 to $12,000. The amount of the award is determined annually by the council from funding provided through the NJ Hotel/Motel tax. 



WRITERS OMI TRANSLATION LAB
http://artomi.org/residencies/art-omi-writers
Deadline July 15, 2018. Writers Omi at Ledig House, a part of Omi International Arts Center, is accepting proposals for its Translation Lab 2018, an intensive twelve-day residency for four collaborating writer-translator teams. Through the program, translators, and the writers whose work is being translated, which will have the opportunity to speak with the writer whose work they are translating about text-specific questions. The lab also will serve as an essential community-builder for English-language translators who are working to increase the amount of international literature available to English-language readers. All text-based projects — fiction, nonfiction, theater, film, poetry, etc. — are eligible. All residencies are fully funded, including airfare and local transport from New York City to the Omi International Arts Center in Ghent, New York. 



PROJECT STREAM GRANTS - PHILADELPHIA AREA
https://www.philaculture.org/projectstream
Deadline June 20, 2018. Project Stream makes competitive grants up to $2,500 to individual artists, non-profit organizations and fiscally-sponsored organizations for innovative, community-based arts projects. Projects can include performances, exhibitions, readings or other arts projects in any genre, and must be open to the public. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance administers Project Stream in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties on behalf of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), as a regional partner of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) program.
 

FREELANCE MARKETS

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL - MOTHERS
http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
We're looking for your stories about mothers of all ages and types. We want to know the lessons you learned from your mom, stepmom, foster mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, or someone who was like-a-mom to you — what she taught you and how she made you who you are today. All stories and poems need to be true — we do not publish fiction. Stories should be no longer than 1,200 words. You will receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. 



NEW MOBILITY
http://www.newmobility.com/magazine-for-active-wheelchair-users/writers-guidelines/
New Mobility covers active wheelchair lifestyle with articles on recreation, travel, people, health, relationships, media, culture, civil rights and resources. Eighty-five percent of our readers have disabilities, most caused by spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. We tell stories directly and honestly, without sentimentality. We aren’t interested in “courageous” or “inspiring” tales of  “overcoming disability.” Payment is 15 cents per word for new writers.



FLASH FICTION ONLINE
http://flashfictiononline.com/main/submission-guidelines-flash-fiction/
Flash Fiction Online an open-genre publication and is currently OPEN to all submission categories.  Please no erotica, graphic sex, or egregious violence. Pays $60 per story for original fiction. This payment provides us with first electronic rights, including HTML, PDF, plain text, and MP3 (audio) formats. Distribution will be through the Flash Fiction Online website and a variety of other electronic means, including but not exclusively epub, mobi, and pdf. This payment also provides us with a non-exclusive one-time right to publish the stories in an anthology. For reprints, pays two cent per word for non-exclusive rights. Length 500 to 1,000 words.



PTO TODAY
http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-submission-guidelines
PTO Today magazine is an essential resource for leaders of parent groups (often called parent-teacher organizations) at the 80,000 elementary and middle schools across the United States. Articles focus on helping the volunteer leaders of these groups run their organizations more efficiently and support their schools more effectively. Features run roughly 1,200 to 2,200 words, and the average assignment is 1,500 words. Department pieces run 600 to 1,200 words. Payment depends on the difficulty of the topic and the experience of the writer. We pay by the assignment, not by the word; our pay scale ranges from $200 to $700 for features and $150 to $400 for departments. 



FREELANCEMOM
http://www.freelancemom.com/guest-post-guidelines/
FreelanceMom is a community for moms who believe that women can still be who they are after becoming a mom. We believe the landscape has completely changed and that there is no better time for parents to be a freelancer or solopreneur. Your article should offer current practical and actionable advice, tips and be in-depth enough that the reader walks away with new knowledge and new approaches.  Your article should contain a “20- to 30-minute action plan” at the end (whether that is in the form of powerful reflective questions, tools to use or an actual step-by-step plan that will help the reader apply their learning). Guest articles should be between 900 to 1,500 words. Articles that are selected for publication will be paid between $75 to $100 via PayPal. 



CAROLINA PARENT
http://www.carolinaparent.com/CP/Morris-Media-Network-Writers-Guidelines/
Carolina Parent is a monthly parenting magazine with a Triangle-wide print circulation of 35,000 in Wake, Durham and Orange counties in North Carolina. Issues typically reflect a theme and include regular features and columns. Our audience consists of parents, teachers, child care providers and other advocates for newborns through teenagers. Word count for features ranges from 600-1,200. Original, feature-length manuscripts written on assignment generally pay $75-$300.



METROPARENT
http://www.metroparent.com/write-us/
Are you an organized, experienced freelance writer who wants to cover the parenting scene in southeast Michigan? Metro Parent is always looking for strong journalists who can report swiftly and accurately and write engaging, informative content – all on deadline. Feature styles range from traditional narrative to highly “pieced.” 1,200-2,500 words with two to four local sources. $200-plus. Short tight spotlights on local family people, places, trends and tips are 150-400 words, plus creative info boxes and photo wrangling. $40-plus.

 

Publishers/agents

BANCROFT PRESS
http://bancroftpress.com/submission-guidelines-2/
We publish trade fiction and nonfiction, and we publish what we like. Virtually every genre is represented by one of our fine authors; this is owed to their individual ability to tell a good story. From classic literature to political memoirs, from illustrated picture books to gripping suspense thrillers – the key is in the quality. Our company has survived for 23 years without a niche. 



SPEAKING VOLUMES
http://www.speakingvolumes.us/
Speaking Volumes is a traditional publishing house that represents many New York Times, USA Today, National Best-Selling and Award-Winning Authors. We publish a wide spectrum of genres which include Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Suspense, Thrillers, Westerns, Poetry, and more. 



SPINSTERS INK
http://www.spinstersink.com/subs.htm
Spinsters Ink’s mission is to publish fiction and nonfiction that deals with significant issues in the lives of lesbian women. Spinsters Ink is committed to publishing works by women of every age and racial or cultural background, writing from every walk of life, including the periphery. We are interested in novels with a solid plot and engaging, fully-realized characters. The main characters must be women and the story must be credible. While there are no length restrictions per se, the manuscript should be no less than 50,000 words, and must fully justify being in excess of 100,000 words. Nonfiction manuscripts should be about topics of interest to lesbian women.



ROSARIUM PUBLISHING
http://rosariumpublishing.com/#about
Rosarium Publishing is a fledgling publisher specializing in speculative fiction, comics, and a touch of crime fiction—all with a multicultural flair. 



SHADOW MOUNTAIN
http://shadowmountain.com/
A U.S.-based publisher of children’s fantasy, children’s picture books, inspiration, fiction, history, and business titles. As an imprint of Deseret Book, Shadow Mountain publishes and promotes a variety of books, all of which reflect the values espoused by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



2LEAF PRESS
http://2leafpress.org/online/
2Leaf Press, an imprint of the Intercultural Alliance of Artists & Scholars, Inc. (IAAS), challenges the status quo by publishing alternative fiction, nonfiction, poetry and bilingual works by activists, academics, poets and authors dedicated to diversity and social justice with scholarships accessible to the general public.
 

SPONSORS

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/
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http://lisakwinkler.com/
http://kbhyde.com/
http://meredithwargo.com/



 

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
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Copyright 2000-2018, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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