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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Santa Fe Writers Lab
Elevate your writing in enchanting Santa Fe with workshops led by some of the world’s most accomplished writers. In the Santa Fe Writers Lab’s collaborative and affirming environment, a passion for writing and a hunger for shared experiences are the most important ingredients. Enrollment is now open for September workshops.
EDitor’s THOUGHTS
WOULD YOU WRITE DAILY IF YOU GOT PAID FOR IT?
A new UK company has launched offering aspiring novelists an alternative to publication: a salary from £2,000 per month to write novels. De Montfort Literature (DML) will pay writers a salary to write novels which DML will then design, print, publish and promote. After salary, production and marketing costs, authors will receive a 50 percent share of the book sale profits.
https://www.thebookseller.com/news/start-publishing-venture-offer-aspiring-novelists-salary-793601
Imagine having to report to work every day, sit at your desk, and produce a certain amount of work. To earn a full-time writing income, you have to write full-time. A lot of people don't like that. They think the rigorous schedule takes the fun out of writing. Well, guess what? When a hobby becomes a job, there are days you don't want to come to work. Just because it's writing doesn't mean it's exempt from a work ethic. Income success correlates with work
production.
Write every day.
You get better.
You get stronger.
You get faster.
You build confidence.
You become dependable.
You get to the point that whenever your butt hits the chair, your brain kicks into gear and your fingers itch to write. It's called habit. It's teaching your body what to instinctively do. And it makes a mockery out of writer's block.
Most authors are afraid to write daily. Those who aren't, are the ones making more money. Doesn't that just make perfect sense?
PREVIOUS FAVORITE POSTS:
WORDS OF SUCCESS
"You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write."
-Saul Bellow
SPONSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE
SUccess Story
If FundsforWriters has assisted your writing efforts, please, share with us. Send your success story to hope@chopeclark.com
Featured article
Writing Nonfiction for Children
By Alex J. Coyne
If you can write engaging, informative and fun features for younger readers aged 9 to 12, then children’s nonfiction could be your market. Over several years, I wrote many pieces for publications including Hoezit!, MiniMag and others. Here’s what I learned…
Market Guides for Nonfiction
Resources for finding places to publish include the Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market (published annually) and their website listings, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Educational Markets for Children’s Writers by Evelyn Christensen, Writers Write Children’s Market Listings and author Aaron Shepard’s online list.
Pitches that Work
Many pitches are seasonal: Things to do for the holidays, movies to watch in winter. Other times, articles discuss fascinating facts related to school subjects like math, science and biology. Your sweet spot is subjects that are both educational and interesting. Current pop culture hits the mark, too.
Engaging Your Reader
Children’s nonfiction is shorter (300 to 800), make it count. Shorter sentences and paragraphs apply, with no need to “talk down” to your readers. Bullet-points and interesting “fun fact” side-bars are your friend. It’s much easier to lose a young reader’s attention with jargon, so always include explanations to terms they might not have heard before.
An Educator’s In
If you don’t have an educational background, have a good source in education: They can tell you more about what’s currently going on in the school’s curriculum and classroom, and what kids are currently reading, watching and talking about.
Child-Friendly Sources
Always note your sources at the end, and make sure they are child-friendly sources for readers who click through. That means zero adult content anywhere else on the website as far as you can tell, including sponsored advertising. Your website should also have a special, separate section for younger readers.
Illustrators
Publications will source most images and illustrations, but if you’ve got a specific idea, diagram or puzzle to illustrate, leave your notes in the sideline for the staff illustrator.
Involving Educators
Educators will also be reading your work and might even find them useful in their lesson plans. So, use this platform and send educators copies of your articles, or have a section “For Educators” on your website filled with links and useful resources. Involve schools by asking if you can host a talk on a topic you wrote about: This gives you hands-on access to your readership and what they want to read.
Resources for Readers
Readers enjoy having something to take away from an article. Include plenty of stuff they can check out elsewhere related to your article – videos on YouTube, further reading on the topic, an all-encompassing website that’ll tell them everything they need to know. Writing children’s nonfiction means you get to teach something while you’re freelancing.
BIO: Alex J. Coyne is a journalist and writer. His features and essays have appeared in publications like Folks Magazine, People Magazine, Great Bridge Links, Re:Fiction and FundsforWriters.
COmpetitions
ZYMBOL PRIZE
https://zymbol.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2018. The Zymbol Prize awards $1,000 to one book and will select other books for publication. We seek literary books from every genre and style. Each book chosen for publication receives full distribution, a sponsored reading, an ad in an international newsstand edition of Zymbol magazine, copies of the book and dozens of copies sent to reviewers. Our call is for all genres, approaches and subject matter. We're looking for novels, short story and
poetry and mixed genre books. We do not have a limit on the length of a work and do not have formatting guidelines but suggest a cover letter. Winners and selected authors will be announced in October 2018 with publication in Spring 2019.
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING Q4 2018 CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest
$12 ENTRY FEE. Critique for an additional fee. Deadline July 31, 2018. Seeking creative nonfiction essays between 200 and 1,000 words on any topic and in any style, from personal essay to lyric essay to hybrid and more. The mission of this contest is to reward bravery in real-life storytelling and create an understanding of our world through thoughtful, engaging narratives. First Place: $500, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow. Second Place: $300,
publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow. Third Place: $200, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow. Seven Runners-Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow. Ten honorable mentions receive a gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow. Open internationally. Limit 300 entries.
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING SUMMER FLASH FICTION CONTEST
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php
$10 ENTRY FEE. Critique for an additional fee. Deadline August 31, 2018. Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 and 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. First Place: $400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Second Place: $300, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Third Place: $200, publication, interview and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Seven Runners-Up receive
$25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication and interview. Ten Honorable mentions receive a $20 Amazon Gift Certificate. Top 10 stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing ezine, and contestants are interviewed on WOW's blog, The Muffin. Open internationally. Limit: 300 entries.
NILSEN PRIZE FOR A FIRST NOVEL
http://www.semopress.com/events/nilsen-prize/
$30 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 1, 2018. Previously unpublished novels, novellas, and collections of closely linked short stories may be submitted for the competition. We do not accept manuscripts that have been self-published. The competition is open to unpublished novelists who are U.S. residents writing in English. Award: $2,000 and publication by Southeast Missouri State University Press.
THE WRITER SUMMER FLASH FICTION CONTEST
https://writermag.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE. Extra fee for critiques. Deadline July 15, 2018. Grand prize $1,000 and publication. Limit 1,000 words. Second place receives $500 and publication. Third place $250 and publication. Limit 1,000 words.
THE END OF OUR WORLD SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www.aftermathmag.org/contest.html
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2018. We are looking for short stories dealing with the many existential issues facing us. No nonsense, no wild, impossible fantasies but strong, intelligent stories, based on realistic speculation, cautionary tales, plausible and thought-provoking. First prize $1,000. Second prize $300. Third prize $100. Open to anyone, from any country, of any age. Preferred word count between 1,500 and 5,000 words.
F(R)ICTION FLASH FICTION CONTEST
https://tetheredbyletters.submittable.com/submit/115168/friction-flash-fiction-contest-single-entry-summer-2018
$8 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 15, 2018. Criteria: Any genre with a limit of 750 words. First prize receives $300 and publication as a feature in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection. Five finalists will be considered for subsequent F(r)iction publications as well as in our online literary journal, F(r)Online. Each finalist will also receive free professional edits on their submission.
JACK GRAPES POETRY PRIZE
https://culturalweekly.submittable.com/submit
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2018. Submit up to three unpublished poems. There will be three winners and six finalists. Winners will receive $200 each, plus publication. Finalists will receive $50 each, plus publication.
POLARS EXPRESSION POETRY AND SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://polarexpressions.ca/SummerContests.html
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2018. For Canadian citizens or residents of all ages. There will be ten honourable mentions in each contest and the top group (approximately 33 percent) of all entries received will be published in a keepsake, soft-cover collection to be released in early December. All participants will receive a bookmark gift.
16 & Over (poetry & short story):
First prize: $500
Second prize: $250
Third prize: $100
And ten honourable mentions for each contest.
Young writers division (15 & under - poetry & short story):
First prize: $200
Second prize: $100
Third prize: $50
And ten honourable mentions for each contest.
THE ADRIFT SHORT STORY COMPETITION
https://www.driftwoodpress.net/storycontest
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 15, 2018. Pays $300, publication, an interview, and ten copies. If a runner-up is chosen, their work will be offered publication, an accompanying interview, $100, and five copies of the issue in which their work appears. Fiction only. Limit 1,000 to 6,000 words.
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING
U REVOLUTION FELLOWSHIPS
https://urevolution.submittable.com/submit
Deadline July 15, 2018. Uncomfortable Revolution™ is offering four paid media fellowships to support up-and-coming media talent and give them a launchpad for their future careers. Fellowships last for a total of 6 months, during which Fellows receive a €2,000 stipend (for the whole period) to develop a creative work on the theme of awkward conversations that arise from chronic illness or disability. Fellows are required to specify how they will use their stipend in pursuit of
their stories and will be asked to submit a budget during the application process. Like people, we love story formats that are diverse. Fellowships are open to writers, designers, videographers, cartoonists…(anyone) who fall into one of the four categories.
NBC ALTERNATIVE DIRECTORS PROGRAM
https://nbcunitips.submittable.com/submit
Deadline July 13, 2018. Intended for female and ethnically diverse talent with at least one directing credit, the program will give five directors the opportunity to shadow over several weeks on NBC and Universal Television Alternative Studios unscripted series including prep, production and post. NBC’s participating shows for the program’s inaugural year are “America’s Got Talent,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “The Voice,” “The
Wall” and “World of Dance.”
LANGDON REVIEW WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
https://www.tarleton.edu/PROGRAMS/langdonreview/writer-in-residence1.html
Deadline July 15, 2018. Applicants will need to submit the following materials when they apply: 1,000-1,500-word proposal that explains how such an experience will benefit them and the Granbury community and a curriculum vitae. Also, a portfolio of unpublished material: poets – a minimum of 10 poems; prose writers – a minimum of 3,500 words; artists, photographers, everything else – a portfolio. Writers-in-Residence will be required to attend three and a half days of
events and present at Langdon Review Weekend (always held the week following Labor Day) and demonstrate that proposal plans have been fulfilled. The time frame for this Writer-in-Residence Program will be two weeks. The following benefits will accompany the Program: $500, two weeks free lodging, free registration to Langdon Review Weekend, publication in the journal, Langdon Review of the Arts in Texas. Location Stephenville, Texas.
SUSTAINABLE ARTS FOUNDATION
http://apply.sustainableartsfoundation.org/
Deadline August 31, 2018. This year, we will make awards of $5,000 each to 20 artists and writers. Additionally, we will name 10 award finalists. Our awards offer unrestricted cash, and recipients can use the funds as they see fit. Artists and writers with at least one child and a strong portfolio of polished work are welcome to apply. We are inspired by anyone who is making creative work while raising a family.
SCHOLARSHIP TO KEY WEST LITERARY SEMINAR
https://kwls.submittable.com/submit/110095/scholarship-emerging-writer-awards-2019-cecelia-joyce-johnson-award-for-a-sho
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 30, 2018. We offer three Emerging Writer Awards each year. These awards recognize and support writers who possess exceptional talent and demonstrate potential for lasting literary careers. Winners of the Scotti Merrill Memorial Award, the Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award, and the Marianne Russo Award receive full tuition to our January seminar and workshop program, round-trip airfare, full lodging support, a $500 honorarium, and the opportunity to appear on stage
during the Seminar. Poets and writers who have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply. Runners-up for each award will also receive financial assistance. We offer up to 20 full scholarships for national teachers and librarians.
INDIANA ARTS IN THE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES
https://www.in.gov/arts/2905.htm
Deadline September 13, 2018. Arts in the Parks and Historic Sites is a grant program that provides funding for arts program related projects that encourage the creation of and public engagement with art about the Indiana state park/forest system and historic sites. To get funded, the proposed project must be connected to the site (highlight its historical significance, etc.). Must be currently living in Indiana and for one year immediately preceding the date of application and must be and
remain an Indiana resident during the grant period. Request Amount: $500 to $3,000. There is no match requirement.
FREELANCE MARKETS
REMOTE ARTICLE WRITERS ON HEALTHCARE - ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY GROUP
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5084dc39b204bb17
Enterprise Technology Group is a dynamic internet company with over 500 unique informative websites that focus on a large variety of market niches. Our team is seeking experienced content writers to proactively submit content related to Healthcare. This individual should possess a keen understanding of Healthcare along with Health Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and Senior Health knowledge to effectively provide insight based on the subject matter.
HEIRLOOM GARDENER
https://www.heirloomgardener.com/guidelines
Heirloom Gardener is a premium quarterly magazine tailored to organic gardeners, chefs, homesteaders, herbalists, and market growers who are interested in growing and preparing plant varieties with a rich history. The magazine covers all aspects of raising and using heirloom edible, ornamental, medicinal, and fiber plant cultivars, including organic growing tips, recommended varieties for each region, seed-saving tutorials, garden-fresh recipes for both the table and the medicine chest,
and historical accounts of seed cultivars, traditional plant breeders, botanical organizations, and more. Many of our feature articles are written by our contributing editors, but we also assign articles to freelance writers, particularly those who have experience with our subject matter (both firsthand experience and writing experience). Please send a short synopsis of the idea, a maximum one-page outline, and any relevant digital photos to Letters@HeirloomGardener.com. We would also like to
see samples of your writing.
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: THE GOLDEN YEARS OR SECOND WIND
http://www.chickensoup.com
Deadline December 30, 2018. So, you're a certain age now, and you're ready for what's next. You might be enjoying an empty nest, or starting a second career, or winding down a first one. You might be downsizing, or traveling, or caring for elderly parents. You might be going on the adventure of a lifetime or taking long walks in the woods. The one thing you know for sure is that you're not ready to stop living! You feel energetic and young and there is still so much more to
see and do and give and enjoy. We are looking for stories about the humorous or serious sides of life after 60. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100.
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: RUNNING FOR GOOD
http://www.chickensoup.com
Deadline December 15, 2018. We are looking for true stories or poems of 1,200 words or less, about all aspects of running and stories about running to raise awareness of and funds for a cause. Stories can be funny and quirky, or they can be serious and heartwarming. Pays $200 and ten copies of the book.
BRIGHT MAGAZINE
https://brightthemag.com/bright-magazine-pitching-guidelines-749597db9b66
We want to tell fresh stories about health, education, and social impact. We’re looking for writers, photographers, illustrators, designers, thinkers, makers, educators, and all sorts of creatives who are rigorous researchers with an eye and a drive to tell stories like they’ve never been told before. We pay average to well in comparison to other online publications and we are constantly working to increase those rates.
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. In short, what Futures is looking for is originality. Pays £85 or US$130.
PODCASTLE
http://podcastle.org/submissions-schedule/
PodCastle is looking for quality fantasy fiction. If you’re a writer with a speculative short story that you’d like to hear narrated by one of our performers, we’d like to see it. Limit 6,000 words. We pay $.06/word for original fiction 6,000 words or less, $100 flat rate for reprints over 1,500 words, and $20 flat rate for flash fiction reprints (stories below 1,500 words). Note the schedule.
CAST OF WONDERS
http://www.castofwonders.org/submissions/
Cast of Wonders is a young adult short fiction market, open to stories up to 6,000 words in length. Please check our schedule for submission window timing. We aim for a 12-17 age range: that means sophisticated, non-condescending stories with wide appeal, and without gratuitous or explicit sex, violence or pervasive obscene language. Think Harry Potter or The Hunger Games. We prefer high fantasy. We like all forms of science fiction. Our horror offerings tend to be psychological, comedic,
or situational — not visceral. We pay six cents per word for original fiction of any length. For reprints, we offer a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction.
Publishers/agents
BEN BELLA BOOKS
https://www.benbellabooks.com/for-authors/
BenBella Books is a publishing boutique that publishes around 40 books a year, is very selective in what it acquires, and works with great diligence to publish each book to its maximum potential. We are actively acquiring strong nonfiction manuscripts. We are not looking for fiction at this time.
FREE SPIRIT PUBLISHING
https://www.freespirit.com/submission-guidelines/#
Our mission is to provide children and teens with the tools they need to overcome challenges and make a difference in the world. We publish high-quality nonfiction books and learning materials for children and teens, parents, educators, counselors, and others who live and work with young people.
GREYSTONE BOOKS
https://greystonebooks.com/pages/submissions
In general, we pursue high-quality nonfiction books about nature and the environment, travel and adventure, health, and current issues. We do not publish poetry or fiction.
MENASHA RIDGE PRESS
https://www.menasharidge.com/pages.php?pageid=7
Menasha Ridge Press and its sister company, Wilderness Press, publish primarily books on adventure, nature, and wilderness sports activities (excluding hunting and fishing).
ONEWORLD
https://oneworld-publications.com/book-proposals
Seeking nonfiction at present. No fiction or children's books.
ROARING FORTIES PRESS
https://roaringfortiespress.com/about-us/submissions/
Our books span a broad range of subjects and genres, but we are especially interested in these kinds of nonfiction projects: General nonfiction/investigative reporting, Biographies, Travel books with a twist, Books about music, Books about art, and Small-format gift books.
SPONSORS
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
16th year. $4,000 in cash prizes,
including $1,500 for a poem in any style and $1,500 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. The top two winners will also receive one-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $50 value). Final judge: S. Mei Sheng Frazier. Both published and unpublished work accepted. All entries that win cash prizes will be published on WinningWriters.com. Entry fee is $12 per poem. Each poem may have up to 250 lines. Submit by September 30. Winning Writers is one of "101 Best Websites for Writers" (Writer's Digest). See guidelines, past winners, and enter online via Submittable at winningwriters.com/tompoetry
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.
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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/
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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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