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NOTHING GETS ME HIGH LIKE WRITING

"Nothing gets me high and offers relief from the suffering like blackening pages, writing." ~Leonard Cohen

This is the part of our profession that we quickly forget. The sea of authors is just that. . . an undulating sea. They rise up with glee about the release of a book. . . then slide down and bottom out when the sales aren't as expected. Highs and lows, but mostly about publishing. 

Most of them blame someone else for their writer problems. Of late I've seen them blame:

1) Amazon algorithms
2) Amazon promoting its own imprints before other publishers
3) Amazon allowing used book sellers to appear before new books
4) Publishers being greedy
5) Self-published authors gobbling up market share
6) Or vice versa, traditional authors gobbling up market share
7) The glut of cheap sales - free, 99 cents, etc.
8) A bad editor
9) Indie bookstores not wanting indie authors

And in all that blame, the writer forgets why they started writing in the first place. . . for the high of sculpting words. For the joy of designing that perfect sentence.

The business side of writing is in flux, and that flux changes faster and faster. Technology and creative ideas fly like bullets as writers attempt to take advantage and break loose of the fray and be seen. . . and make sales. Fight to be different than all the other people out there writing books. If we don't constantly market, we backslide. And if we constantly market, we write less. And write less quality.

Most businesses will tell you to return to the basics when things are not going well. For writers, that's writing well, writing for self, and reaching for that writing high. Sink into writing. Then when it's written, come up for air and publish, because if you think about publishing before you finish the book, you'll be outdated in your thinking by the time the book is complete. Just enjoy writing the story for now.






PREVIOUS FAVORITE POSTS:

• Writing for Hobby and Leisure Activity Magazines
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• Writing for the Health Markets
• Five Ways Aspiring Screenwriters Can Get an Agent's Attention
• Long Run or Short Run?
• One Road to Royalties
• The Case for Beta Readers
• Platform - It's About Making Friends
• Track Your Time and Boost Your Bottom Line
• Negotiating for Writers
• Writing Nonfiction for Children

SUPER SPONSOR WORTH NOTING

Every Two Step Approach Editing Package includes:

• Thoughtful feedback from both Margaret and Sid, each offering the viewpoint of an editor, critique partner, and beta reader.

• Openly disclosed prices. No haggles, no wondering.

• A glossary of writing terms to help you understand editing lingo.

• Practical pointers for not only the submitted material, but also suggestions and advice which can be applied to your future works.​  

HOPE'S APPEARANCES

 

SUCCESS QUOTE

SUccess Story

Hey Hope,

Earlier this year, I went for a job interview at a trade magazine. I didn't get the nod but impressed the editor enough for him to email me a few days later and offer me a series of freelance commissions. One article involved talking to a graphic design company. During our correspondence, I cheekily said that should they ever need a copy writer, they could contact me. Later that same evening they did! I just started my second project with them. 

You are right. Perseverance pays off. 

Chris Saunders
Journalist, editor and dark fiction writer.
https://cmsaunders.wordpress.com/

 

Featured article

Five Ways to Upsell Your Writing Services

By Debra Johanyak

I’m grateful to be a freelance writer and making a living from something I love. In fact, I’m so grateful that I sometimes sell myself short and accept less pay than what my writing is worth. So how did I begin to expect and receive fair pay and even upsell my services?

In her Forbes article, “How to Get Paid What You’re Worth,” Liz Ryan writes “…you will have to negotiate, and you'll also have to say 'No' to the wrong opportunities.” Saying “no” to some projects opens doors to better pay.

Here are a few tips to help you upsell your writing. 

1.    Emphasize relevant credentials and experience.

I selectively combine both direct and indirect experiences to apply for a gig. For example, if I’m proposing a piece on Mideast refugees, I explain why my previous writing as well as my Middle East living experience qualifies me as the best writer for top pay.

2.    Relate your query to the publication's specific need or growth potential.

Your sailing expertise may seem detached from a prepper blog, but you could explain how preparing for the unexpected is an essential skill that can benefit preppers using water routes during an apocalyptic event. Craft your query to emphasize water escape preparations as a new niche topic for the publication.

3.    Analyze client's job description to counter-offer services that better meet the need.

Twice last year I was asked by clients for an estimate on specific writing services. The first was a sizable work involving organization of notes, orchestrating interviews, and researching industry facts. I was advised to quote $15,000, but I believed the project was worth thousands more. I would forego it if I couldn’t get my price because of the range and depth of work. Well, I got my price. Not only that, but the client offered additional pay two or three times. I did not need more, because I had received a fair price to start. 

Another client requested a high-level manuscript review, but then also mentioned comment balloons and line edits. I explained the difference and advised her that if she wanted detailed feedback rather than a summary, she should consider the line edit. She happily paid several hundred dollars more.  

4.    Follow up for additional projects.

Several previous clients indicated they might have additional work down the road. I politely waited a year or so, and then contacted them to follow up. Most were ready to assign new projects, while one had postponed the idea. My initiative paid off, sometimes more than once as additional projects were developed.

5.    Ask high and accept lower at a fair rate.

Some projects have more bargaining flexibility than others. When feasible, consider taking the risk to ask a higher price, and then settle for a lesser amount that will meet your project expectations. However, keep in mind that you may risk losing the project in these situations. In fact, that happened to me recently. I refused a ghostwriting book project that was priced several thousand dollars lower than the work merited and lost the deal. No regrets! 

As a writer, you set the bar for acceptable pay. Don’t settle for less than you deserve and look for opportunities to upsell your services.  

BIO - Debra Johanyak is a freelance writer and editor living in northeast Ohio. In addition to her memoir Behind the Veil (U of Akron Press 2007), her most recent book is Say What You Really Mean (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014). Debra’s articles appear in publications like Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, and she has published literary fiction. Her series of community dramas “In the Company of Extraordinary Women” to commemorate Women’s History Month featured women of historic prominence. She loves local history and woodland hikes with family. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83438.Debra_Johanyak

COmpetitions

COLORADO PRIZE FOR POETRY
https://coloradoprize.submittable.com/submit
$28 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 14, 2019. The winning book will be published by the Center for Literary Publishing and distributed by the University Press of Colorado in the fall of 2019. The poet will receive a $2,000 honorarium. The theme and style are both open. Manuscripts must be at least 48 pages but no more than 100 pages.



RICHARD WILBUR AWARD
https://uecreativewriting.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline: December 1, 2018. The competition welcomes submissions of unpublished, original poetry collections. This biennial competition (even-numbered years) is open to all American poets — those with or without previous book-length publication. The winning manuscripts will be published by the University of Evansville Press in 2019 and 2020 and a $1,000 prize. 



CRAB ORCHARD SERIES IN POETRY
https://craborchardseriesinpoetry.submittable.com/submit
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline December 3, 2018. Two winners will each receive a publication contract with Southern Illinois University Press. In addition, both winners will be awarded a $1,000 prize and $1,500 as an honorarium for a reading at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Both readings will follow the publication of the poets’ collections by Southern Illinois University Press. 



EVERETT SOUTHWEST LITERARY AWARD
http://sites.uco.edu/la/english/everett/index.asp
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline December 15, 2018. The Everett Southwest Literary Award is a short story manuscript contest. The author of the winning manuscript will receive $5,000 and will be invited to the University of Central Oklahoma to give a reading. For Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma writers. 



FOSTER CREATIVE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROJECT
https://short-edition.com/en/contest/set-stories-free-2018
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 30, 2018. The contest invites writers of all backgrounds to submit short stories on the theme of courage. Winners can receive up to $1,000 and have the opportunity to be published in Short Story Dispensers — ATM-like kiosks that print short stories in a range of genres — around the world. All participating writers are to submit no more than one short story of 8,000 characters maximum in length, spaces included. Contest only open to residents of the 50 U.S. States or D.C., who have reached the age of 13.



SWEET FLASH ESSAY CONTEST
https://sweetlit.submittable.com/submit
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 30, 2018. The Flash Essay Contest winner will receive $500, publication in Sweet, and 20 copies of their essay bound into a hand-stitched chapbook. All other entries will be considered for regular publication in Sweet. Submissions should be between 500 - 1,000 words and double-spaced. Broadly speaking, we appreciate a close attention to language and a quirky sense of humor. 



CUT POEMS FROM AIR
https://atrociouspoets.submittable.com/submit
$8 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 31, 2018. Send us a poem inspired by the work of Gwendolyn Brooks, the featured poet for the 2019 One City, One Poet celebration of National Poetry Month in Woodstock, Illinois. The winning poem will be featured in a One City, One Poet chapbook and broadside series. The winning poet will receive $500. Nine runners-up will also be featured in the chapbook and broadside series. All poets whose work is included in the chapbook and broadside series will receive a percentage of the profits from the sales of the chapbook and broadsides. 
 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

NORTH CAROLINA ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS
https://www.ncarts.org/invest-arts/grants-artists/artist-fellowships
Deadline November 1, 2018. Songwriters, composers, and writers to include playwrights, prose writers, screenwriters and literary translation. Artists residing in N.C. for at least one year prior to the deadline and at least 18 years old are eligible. They must be a U.S. citizen or holder of permanent resident alien status and must remain a N.C. resident and be physically present in the state during the grant period. Fellowship recipients receive $10,000 to set aside time to work, purchase supplies and equipment, or pursue other artistic goals.



UNIVERSAL PICTURES FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.universaltalentdevelopment.com/writers
Deadline October 31, 2018. The primary goal of the one-year program is for the selected writers to create material for development consideration; however, concept development is not guaranteed.  In addition to penning two feature-length scripts, writers will participate in a curriculum designed to strengthen their creative approach, personal presentation skills and overall knowledge of the studio production process. All of the participants will be based at the Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California, for the duration of the program and all will be hired under a writing service agreement requiring a full-time commitment at least 40 hours per week. In return, each will be paid an annual salary of $72,662. Applicants must be able to legally work in the United States and be at least 21 years of age by 31 March 2019.



ECKERD COLLEGE WRITER'S CONFERENCE FELLOWSHIPS
https://www.writersinparadise.com/application/
Deadline November 1, 2018. Application materials are required from all participants. Acceptance is based on a writing sample and a statement detailing your writing background. If you have previously attended the Eckerd College Writers’ Conference, your statement should describe what you learned and what you hope to accomplish by attending again. Our mission at Writers in Paradise is to provide talented and hardworking writers of all levels and genres the opportunity to learn from and work with other writers under the guidance of masterful and successful authors.  For an entire week, we strive to provide an open, inclusive, and nurturing environment where creativity, critical awareness and writing techniques can be exercised, fostered and encouraged. Location St. Petersburg, FL.



IDAHO QUICK FUND GRANTS
https://arts.idaho.gov/grants/
Deadline December 10, 2018. Awards up to $1,500. Matching funds required. Not available to students. Must be a practicing artist. Applicant must be a United States citizen, legal resident, or refugee, and be an Idaho resident for at least one year.



ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG FOUNDATION ARCHIVES RESEARCH RESIDENCY
https://www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/newsfeed/archives-research-residency-open-call
Deadline November 2, 2018. Partial support for costs related to travel and living expenses that scholars may incur in order to do research at the Rauschenberg Foundation and its Archives located in Manhattan, New York. We invite scholars, academics, artists, and other researchers who can demonstrate a compelling need to use the archival materials. Please note, priority will be given to independent researchers or those affiliated with institutions with limited resources. Funds range from $500 - $2,500 depending on travel distance. 

 

FREELANCE MARKETS

BAD DREAM ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.baddreamentertainment.com/submissions/
Deadline December 31, 2018. Bad Dream is now accepting submissions of humorous dark fiction. Looking for original horror fiction with a strong sense of comedy, and most themes, subjects, and settings are welcome but standard genre tropes are definitely discouraged (vampires, zombies, werewolves, etc.). The comedic aspect can be goofy and slapstick or black and morbid, just as long as there are equal amounts of darkness and humor. Stories should be between 1,500 and 8,000 words in length, a few hundred on either side is fine. Payment for accepted stories will be six cents/word.



SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=00d0fe079e15693c
San Francisco Classical Voice (sfcv.org), a leading arts journal is seeking seasoned music reviewers in the Los Angeles area, especially those with deep familiarity with the musical scene beyond major presenters like the LA Phil and LA Opera. We are especially interested in writers with knowledge and interest in contemporary classical and its interaction with other independent (alternative) music. Excellent writing skills, some form of musical training, wide-ranging taste, and familiarity with journalistic practices and ethics are a must. If you make frequent trips to Los Angeles, you may also be considered. 



SHOUTVOX
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ef523f07da45a88a
ShoutVox is looking for freelance writers to help create engaging content on a wide variety of topics, from finance and technology to pop culture and entertainment. Applicants should have a reliable internet connection, be able to meet deadlines, perform basic research and ideally be able to provide samples of previously published works. The rate of pay for this position is six cents per word which averages $18-30 per hour. Applicants should apply at https://shoutvox.com/application



AIR FORCE MAGAZINE
http://www.airforcemag.com/Pages/Submission-Guidelines.aspx
Articles must be of interest to a diverse audience that is interested in the Air Force and national security but that is assumed not to be an expert on the subject of your particular article. Articles relating to present-day missions and issues are in the highest demand; we receive far more pitches for historical articles than we could ever publish. Authors need not be previously published; however, facile writing is a must, and the author must accept whatever edits are applied in the production process. No opinion pieces.



OHIO MAGAZINE
https://www.ohiomagazine.com/about/freelance-guidelines
Ohio Magazine publishes stories that celebrate Ohio — its people, its rich culture and heritage, and especially its travel spots. Our audience is educated, active, affluent and very loyal to Ohio. Because our readership is drawn from the entire state, each of our stories must possess a statewide appeal. Sections includes Arts, Travel, Ohio Life, Home + Garden, and Food + Drink. 



3RD ACT MAGAZINE
https://www.3rdactmagazine.com/write/
We promote “Aging with Confidence” through enlightening, inspiring, entertaining and educating mature adults who believe age is just a number, and their greatest memories are yet to be made. Our readers are boomers and older adults who live in Western Washington and are experiencing the third act of their lives. They are sensitive to aging and resistant to being labeled in common ageist terms. Features 500 to 900 words. Short features 350 to 500 words. Our standard payment for published articles in print or web is between $25 and $50 depending on length, complexity, editing, and originality. If you are a published writer with proven expertise and submit articles that are well researched and require little editing, you will be considered for our paid list of writers at a per word rate of $.25. 



AVENUE
https://www.avenueedmonton.com/Contact-Us/Contributor-Guidelines/
Avenue is a full-spectrum city and lifestyle magazine that takes an insightful look at how our community is evolving, keeps abreast of key movers and shakers and offers survival-guide advice to living here well. The magazine is a provocative and useful read for the active, curious and sophisticated city-dweller interested in everything from the arts and home fashion, to municipal politics and scientific breakthroughs. Stories published in Avenue must have a strong relevance to our Edmonton readership, and should offer a unique perspective on the topic. Our tone is thoughtful, polished and confident. Stories run 500 to 2,000 words, with shorter pieces typically published in our health and fitness, arts or humour departments. 



BIRD WATCHING
https://cdn.birdwatchingdaily.com/2013/05/Guidelines-for-writers.pdf
A bimonthly magazine for people with a broad interest in wild birds and birdwatching. Our readers are intellectually curious and well educated. They own many field guides and other books about birds, and they read widely. We do not accept poetry, fiction, puzzles, and product reviews. Guest posts for our blog are by invitation only. We publish articles in the following nine general subject areas but are always on the lookout for stories that bridge categories. Feature articles are 1,750-2,250 words long. “Attracting Birds”-type features are 700-900 words. 

 

Publishers/agents

CARINA PRESS
https://www.carinapress.com/blog/submission-guidelines/
Carina Press is Harlequin’s digital-first adult fiction imprint, publishing first in digital, with releases in audio and print as well. Our mission is to connect readers with authors who write the stories they want to read, and the stories they want to talk about and recommend. Carina Press publishes books from talented authors in all subgenres of romance, including contemporary, paranormal, LGBTQ+, science fiction, fantasy, and more. We also publish mysteries of all flavors — from cozies to thrillers — both with and without romantic elements.



LYRICAL PRESS
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/page.aspx/LyricalSubmissions
We are looking for fresh stories in a variety of categories including all romance genres (specifically suspense and historicals with unique settings), compelling psychological suspense fiction, thrillers, women’s fiction, new adult, and cozy mysteries. We’re hoping to find edgy and daring voices that readers will love. 



LOVESWEPT AND FLIRT
http://www.randomhousebooks.com/loveswept-flirt/
Loveswept and Flirt are Random House’s digital-only imprints focused on romance and women’s fiction titles. 



FOREVER YOURS
http://labs.hbgusa.com/web/forever-romance/submission-guidelines.html
We’re interested in all styles of romance, particularly contemporary, diverse reads, romantic suspense, cowboys, historicals, and paranormal. We’re not looking for any YA, fantasy, mystery, general fiction, or nonfiction. Word count: Novels should be between 50,000-100,000 words. Novellas should be 25,000-50,000 words.



BOOKOUTURE (UK)
http://www.bookouture.com/submission-guidelines/
We’re looking for entertaining, emotional stories for smart, modern women. Categories includes: contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, women's fiction, chick lit, new adult, young adult, erotica, crime and thriller, commercial literary, fantasy, dystopian, and multi-cultural fiction. 



BOROUGHS PUBLISHING (UK)
http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/submit
We are a Romance and Women's Fiction publishing house with digital and print on demand distribution. We accept non-agented and agented submissions. Unpublished authors please submit your entire completed MS. Published authors may submit the first three chapters of completed works. Standard word counts are: 35,000 - 60,000 words for novellas; 60,000 - 120,000 words for full-length novels. We accept all heat levels.



HOT TREE PUBLISHING
https://www.hottreepublishing.com/submissions
Submissions must be no less than 50,000 words and no more than 125,000 words. Serials of 20,000 words to 45,000 words will be considered if all serials have been completed prior to submission. We are currently seeking adult and new adult romances in the following subgenres: Adult & New Adult Romance, Suspense/Thriller, Motorcycle Club, LGBT: M/M and M/M/M, Reverse Harem, Urban Fantasy, and Shifters. 


 

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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
http://www.fundsforwriters.com

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

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