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Volume 7, Issue 53 - December 31, 2006
====================================================== FFW SMALL MARKETS FundsforWriters - Ranked one of
Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Editor: C. Hope Clark Mailto: HopeClark1@aol.com -or-
Hope@FundsforWriters.com
FFW Small Markets is an opt-in letter here at your leisure.
Unsubscribe instructions are at the end of this letter.
FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR FRIENDS !!!!!
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Editor's Piece of Mind
2. Wise Words to Live By
3. Article of the Week
4. Grants/Awards/Contests
5. Jobs/Markets
6. Ads and Opportunities
7. FundsforWriters Aids
8. Contact FundsforWriters
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ARCHIVES: http://archives.zinester.com/94631 =======================================================
1. EDITOR'S PIECE OF MIND
======================================================= You can read FFW Small Markets online at:
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/smallmarkets.htm ===== HOPE'S
GOALS... "It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Oops, wrong season. Christmas is past and the New Year is
upon us. You know what that means...goals and resolutions. So you don't believe in resolutions. Big mistake. If you
are a writer without goals, you are like a boat without a
rudder. Going nowhere. Set some goals. And I don't mean those piddly little things
like: "write more each day"
"write twice a week"
"publish more stories"
"keep my website updated" Oh my goodness, I hate those kinds of goals. Give me
something measurable with substance. Create goals that
have tangible benchmarks so you know if you are off-base
before you get to next December
31. Goals like: "Submit one short story a month"
"Earn $500 per month from writing"
"Write between 7:00 and 9:00 five days a week"
"Write one chapter per week"
"Write a synopsis by March"
"Research a dozen agents and submit proposals by April"
"Edit Chapters 1-5 by February"
"Increase my writing income by 50%"
"Attend two writers' conferences" Most people are scared to set such absolutes - goals that
clearly define success...and failure. But it's only when
you leap into the fray that you get anywhere. And to make
the biggest strides, you must have your path clearly marked. I set goals every year. Last year, my goals were: 1.
Keep 13 in Play. (That's keeping 13 queries outstanding
at all times to periodicals and online sites.) 2. Complete the novel. 3. Get the motivational nonfiction book proposal to agents/
publishers. 4. Write three new ebooks in the FundsforWriters library. I kept number one. Check.
I kept number two. Check.
I didn't keep number three. I wrote two proposals and changed
my mind. A third proposal is half done.
I kept number four. As always, I announce my goals for the new year. 2007 goals are: 1. Land an agent for the finished novel.
2. Submit the nonfiction book proposal to agents/publishers.
3. Write three new ebooks for the FFW library.
4. Write the second novel.
5. Keep 13 in play. I'll assign dates
for follow-up and analysis throughout the year.
That way I know where I stand and can redirect my energies to
make amends for any shortcomings. This has turned into a rather lengthy editorial, but hey...
planning for the new year takes time, thought and work. Don't
shortchange yourself by not planning for 2007. You want to be
a writer and you want to be successful. Set it up so you
know how to get there.
Hope Clark
EBOOKS GALORE
www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm ===== THE SHY WRITER The following testimonial is not uncommon from THE SHY WRITER
readers... "If I didn’t know better I’d think you had bugged my car,
house, and work.
The pages I’ve seen so far have described
me in detail, almost to the point of being scary. It’s good
to read that my personality is common among writers. My
protagonists are often loners because I can write from their
perspective with a good measure of accuracy. Thanks for letting
me know I don’t need to seek immediate mental help!" David Surrett Order THE SHY WRITER in paperback and receive a year's subscription
to the TOTAL FUNDSFORWRITERS newsletter with 90+ grants, contests,
markets and publishers. www.fundsforwriters.com/shywriter.htm ===== BYLINE CALENDARS Remember those wonderful spiral bound Byline Calendars I spoke
about before? I've used
them for several years, and I'm featured
as one of the 52 writers in the 2007 edition. Editor Sylvia Forbes
has asked me to be an official distributor of these wonderful
planning calendars. They are so worth the investment. Each two-
page spread gives you a week to plan and a story and photo of
a fellow writer. These are FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS GIFTS! I ordered
several. http://www.fundsforwriters.com/BylinesCalendar.htm
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2. WISE WORDS TO LIVE BY
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I learned, when hit by loss, to ask the right question:
"What next?" instead of "Why me?"
. . .
Whenever I am willing to ask, "What is necessary next?"
I have moved ahead. Whenever I have taken no for a final answer,
I have stalled and gotten stuck. ~ Julia Cameron
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3. ARTICLE
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WHAT IS A PLATFORM? by C. Hope Clark A platform is a brand. Your brand. Every entrepreneur seeks
branding, including writers. The problem is most writers
don't envision themselves as business people. They consider
themselves artists who want to make a dollar. Sorry...but
if you make a dollar, you run a business, and you need a brand. An agent or publisher wants to know your platform. They want
to know who knows you out there in the cold, cruel world,
and who wants to buy your book. Too often writers consider
writing the book 90% of their responsibility and expect the
agent and publisher to hold their hand in finding the buyers.
In this cutthroat, competitive world that is publishing,
you can't get an agent's or editor's attention if you can't
express what defines you, your writing and your market. At this point, I've seen too many writers roll their eyes
and consider a platform something you create once the book
is written. Clearly a lapse in judgment. When you complete
the book, you want to ship it off to agents and publishers.
But to get their attention, you must tell them your platform.
That would logically mean that
your brand needs attention a
long way before you write THE END. Let's say you found an agent. Did you know that he/she has
to pitch your platform as well as your story to a publisher?
What would that agent say about you...about your platform? How do you create a platform? How do you create a fan base? 1. Website.
This is a major DUH! subject. Lists and forums abound with
writers who ask the question, "Do I need a website?" The
biggest argument they use is their lack of credits. What they
fail to take advantage of is their...writing. For goodness
sake, they are writers. If you are worth half your salt,
you can create a website with interesting material. The clips
are nice, but you want people to visit your site to
read your
writing, not your resume. Get a website...now. 2. Blog.
Blogs have become creative, and some innovators have sold
no books or articles yet support a heavy platform of fans.
With the ability to latch onto friends and other blog sites,
and with RSS feeds notifying readers you've updated the site,
you have a fabulous tool to slowly but surely build a platform.
Agents and editors admire blogs with most of them having blogs
of their own. 3. Articles.
Write articles online and in magazines, but online is key.
Include a healthy bio at the bottom with a link to your blog
or web site. Become an expert or adviser in your writing field.
Being an expert doesn't mean you only write nonfiction. A
romance author can be
an expert in dating, sex, dress, travel,
decorating, dining, or even how to write a romance novel.
Then pitch your articles all over the web. Tom Brosnahan
of Writers Website Planner, says, "The foundation of your
platform is your experience and expertise." He advises travel
writers in creating platforms, web sites and markets.
http://www.writeswebsiteplanner.com 4. Speak.
If you speak...on any topic...you have the beginnings of a
platform. Hopefully you speak on the topic you write about,
but even if you don't, you have an audience that knows you.
You're already a commodity. You can speak on one subject and
mention you're publishing in another. That's an indirect
platform
tool that an agent may grasp. 5. Network.
Who do you know? A friend of mine is a retired state senator.
He writes in beautiful Southern dialect. He doesn't think he
has a platform. I WISH I had that platform. He has a knack
with people, but best of all, if he sat down and listed
everyone he knew, every organization, company and government
contact, he'd have pages of names. Names that can receive
book signing notices from him, names that have strong word-of-
mouth potential. Again, your network may have nothing to do
with your writing topics, but those people know you and can
help complement your platform. 6. Experience.
Sometimes it's the unique experience of a person that becomes
a platform. Someone injured in Iraq has
an experience that is
uncommon. You might be the daughter of a famous person. The following article does a great job of defining a writer's
platform and explaining why it's so almighty important today.
http://www.observer.com/20060605/20060605_Sheelah_Kolhatkar_pageone_newsstory3.asp Richard Pine of InkWell Management says it well... “It’s a proactive plan for one’s career. Ideally, they
(meaning publishers) are looking for people who don’t live
in a cave and come out with a manuscript and say, ‘Here: do
for me, be for me, make me.’” Rule number one is to write well. Rule number two is to have
a platform. Don't bother pitching a novel,
nonfiction book
or memoir without being able to cover both. While the requirement
sounds tough, a platform ensures sales...and the potential of
your writing career. BIO
C. Hope Clark is a branding advocate. When you see her at
a writer's conference, look for her bold name tag with the
FundsforWriters logo and her green, white and black wardrobe.
She wants you to see her and know her before she has a chance
to shake your hand. www.fundsforwriters.com
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4. Grants/Awards/Contests
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HAIRY HOUND POETRY AND SHORT STORY COMPETITIONS
http://www.hairyhoundpublishing.co.uk/
---
ENTRY FEE ?4 per poem/short story
1st Prize ?100. 2nd Prize ?50. 3rd Prize ?25. 4th Prize ?15.
5th Prize ?10. Deadline February 1, 2007.
Poetry (max 40 lines) and Short Stories (up to 4,000 words)
Theme : "Love" - Motherly love, love for a pet, love of life,
obsessive love, love from afar, use your imagination. Deadline March 1, 2007.
Poetry (max 40 lines) and Short Stories (up to 4,000 words)
Theme : "A TWIST IN THE TAIL." A story with a twist, or with
many twists and turns. Leave us all in suspense until the last
moment. Deadline March 28, 2007
Poetry (max 40 lines)
Theme : "SPRINGTIME." March 28 marks the first day of summer
so we are looking for something to
remind us of the spring. The
sights, sounds and smells. Use your imagination and celebrate
the loveliest of the seasons. Deadline April 1, 2007.
Poetry (max 40 lines) and Short Stories (up to 4000 words)
Theme : "COMEDY." April fool’s day, silly poems and stories,
tragic comedy, make ‘em’ laugh. ===== 7th Annual CHISTELL WRITING CONTEST
http://www.chistell.com/
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Deadline: February 28, 2007. Theme: Life’s Common Thread.
Must be 16 years or older to enter contest. Genres: Short
story and poetry. Electronic submissions are preferred and
encouraged. Winners will be announced in April 2007. A special
page will be created at the Chistell
website
(http://www.chistell.com) to include the winning short stories
and poems. In addition, a press release will be sent to global
media informing them of the winning short stories and poems. Grand Prize Short Story: $200.
2nd Place Short Story: $50.
Grand Prize Poetry: $100.
2nd Place Poetry: $50. ===== LOHMANN POETRY CONTEST
http://home.comcast.net/~yake//opn.html
---
NO ENTRY FEE
Awards: $200 to each of three co-winners. Poet must be a current
resident of Washington State. Postmark deadline: January 31, 2007.
Limit of one poem per author, up to two pages in length,
double-spaced. ===== FLORIDA
FREELANCE WRITERS ASSOCIATION CONTEST
http://www.ffwamembers.com/Contest_Guidelines/contest_guidelines.html
---
$5/$10 ENTRY FEE
The contest is open to all writers. You do not have to be a
member of Florida Freelance Writers Association (FFWA) or a
resident of Florida. However, members of CNW/FFWA save up to
50% on entry fees. Deadline March 15, 2007. Divisions & Categories Nonfiction Division: (A) Previously Published Article/Essay/
Column/Nonfiction Book Chapter — (B) Unpublished or self-published
Article/Essay/Column/Nonfiction Book Chapter Fiction Division: (C) Unpublished or self-published Short Story —
(D) Unpublished or self-published
Novel Chapter Children's Literature Division: (E) Unpublished or self-published
Short Story/Nonfiction Article/Book Chapter/Poem (judged together
as one category) Poetry Division: (F) Unpublished or self-published Free Verse/
Traditional (judged together as one category) First Place in each Category - $100 plus certificate
Second Place in each Category - $75 plus certificate
Third Place in each Category - $50 plus certificate
Honorable Mention certificates awarded in each category as
warranted ===== DYLAN DAYS CONTEST
http://www.dylandays.com/writers.htm
---
NO ENTRY FEE
First, Second and Third prizes will be awarded to writers in
poetry and short fiction
categories, in both open and student
divisions. First Prize wins $100, Second Prize wins $50 and
Third Prize wins $25. Honorable mentions will also be named.
All winning entries appear in the Dylan Days literary journal,
“Talkin’ Blues,” providing many first-time publication credits
for emerging writers and poets. Deadline April 23, 2007.
Poetry (Poems limited to 2 pages on any subject, limit 2 poems
per person to be judged individually). Short Fiction (1,000-
5,000 words, limit 1 entry). ===== ALABAMA WRITERS' CONCLAVE 2007 WRITING COMPETITION
http://www.alabamawritersconclave.com/contests.html
---
$3 per entry for AWC members, $5 per entry for
nonmembers
for all contests EXCEPT First Chapter of Novel.
$8 for members, $10 for nonmembers for First Chapter
of Novel contest. Prizes in each category:
First - $100
Second - $75
Third - $50
Fourth - $25
Up to 4 Honorable Mentions.
Fiction – maximum 2,500 words.
Short Fiction – maximum 1,000 words.
Juvenile Fiction (stories for ages 4-12 ) – maximum 2,500 words.
MUST LIST GENRE AND TARGETED AGE GROUP (i.e. picture book, 3&up)
Nonfiction – maximum 2,500 words.
Traditional Poem (any “form” poem, i.e. villanelle, sonnet,
sestina) – maximum 40 lines.
Free Verse Poem – maximum 60 lines.
Humor (fiction, nonfiction, or poetry) – maximum 2,000 words or
50 lines (for poems).
*NEW FOR 2007* First Chapter
of Novel - up to 10 double-spaced
pages, first chapter ONLY.
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5. Jobs/Markets
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FUNDS FOR WRITERS
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/submissions.htm
---
If you are up to it, we'd like to hear about your success,
thought and/or advice about some aspect of earning funds
through writing. Actually resources with links are much
desired. Pays $35 for 600-700 words.
We do NOT want stories about... how to write;
how to develop plot, characters or settings;
topics that cannot relate in some manner to making more
money as a writer.
We DO want... ideas on breaking into a particular market;
pointers on winning contests;
unique ways to develop an income with words;
success stories with ideas for others;
profitable business practices related to writing;
seasonal material affiliated with particular markets;
grant success stories;
nonprofit partnerships;
unique markets;
unusual writing income ideas;
anything to help a writer make a dollar penning words;
a dash of humor, if possible; a positive note and a happy ending.
Hint: List markets with links, and we'll look even harder at
your submission! Our readers like to walk away with tools to
use. Query or Manuscript: We accept either one, but to save you
time and trouble,
you might want to query unless you are
pretty sure about the topic from reading FundsforWriters
for years! ===== CONFRONTATION
http://www.cwpost.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/clas/english/confrontation/confrontation.htm
---
CONFRONTATION is eclectic; indeed that is its main
specialization. It is open to all forms and genres except
proslytizing monographs and propagandistic discourse. It
publishes stories (no more than 20 pages usually), poems,
plays (a special drama issue appears periodically), and
memoirs; a special section contains book reviews and cultural
commentary. Each issue also contains a thematic supplement that
"confronts"
a topic; the ensuing "confrontation" is an attempt
to see the many sides of an issue rather than a formed
conclusion. Pays up to $50 for poetry and $150 for stories. ===== THE IRASCIBLE PROFESSOR
http://irascibleprofessor.com/about.htm
---
The Irascible ProfessorSM frequently publishes articles written
by guest commentators and freelance education writers. To be
accepted for publication, contributions must focus on education
issues (K-12 or higher education), and they must meet our
editorial standards. Typical payment is $50 per article upon
publication. Potential contributors should send email to The
Irascible Professor for more information. ===== AMALGAMAE
PRESS
http://amalgamaepress.com/manuscripts.htm
---
Amalgamae Magazine is on the lookout for short stories, serial
work, and articles pertaining to fantasy, science fiction, and
horror. Ideally we are looking for fiction that isn’t afraid
to stretch the normal boundaries, (and this means if you write
an amazing western that happens to cross over into fantasy,
horror, or sf, we’re going to be more than interested to read
it.) Pays $25 USD for each story and article. ===== SORCEROUS SIGNALS
http://www.sorceroussignals.com/Guidelines.html
---
Sorcerous Signals will be a quarterly Fantasy electronic magazine.
Each issue we hope to "print" 5 fantasy short stories, 2 poems
and 1 flash fiction piece. Opens February 1, 2007. Each story will
contain a PayPal donation button, so readers can show their
appreciation to the author. Money received through this method will
be split 60/40 between the author (60%) and the magazine (40%).
Authors will be paid at the end of the quarter in which their story
appeared. As issues will remain archived for a period of one year
after publication, authors will again be paid when the story is
removed from the archive if it generates any new revenue. Authors
will receive an initial advance of $5 for stories and $2 for
poems and flash (1,000 wds) fiction pieces within 30 days of
receipt of signed
contract. ===== SCISSORS PRESS ANTHOLOGIES
http://www.jasonmarchi.com/GUIDELINESforANTHOLOGIES.htm
---
The following One-Time Flat Fees are paid for Previously Published
Short Stories & Poems - $100 per short story for reprints, $10 per
poem for reprints. The following One-Time Flat Fees are paid for
Original (Unpublished) Short Stories & Poems - $250 per original
short story, $40 per original poem. In each book, the theme topic
(e.g. Automobiles, Trains, Man-made Machines, or Dolls) is such an
integral part of the plot that if removed, the story would collapse.
75 lines max per poem. 10,000 words max per short story. ===== CHRISTIAN HOME
AND SCHOOL
http://www.csionline.org/Brix?pageID=2998
---
Christian Home & School is published by Christian Schools
International for parents who send their children to Christian
schools. The magazine aims to promote Christian education and
to address a wide range of parenting topics. We pay $175-$250
upon publication, depending on the length of the edited article.
We prefer to buy first rights only. We also look for brief
parenting tips of 100 to 250 words for our Parentstuff pages
and pay $25 to $40 for these. ===== CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
http://www.csmonitor.com/aboutus/guidelines.html
---
Our basic rate for a story is $200 to $225. But please be in
touch with individual news and section editors about any variation
from this rate. Longer stories can pay appreciably more. Short
stories or sidebars often pay half the basic rate. We look for
the greater public significance of a story, and we seek to convey
it with as much fairness and accuracy as possible. It means we
care about social problems and people in trouble, and we're
especially interested in finding progress against those problems.
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6. ADVERTISING FOR WRITERS
=======================================================
COACHING RESULTS WITH HEART As a trained Professional Coach, I specialize in
helping writers write--
to actually put pen to paper. Take this quick quiz: 1. Do you feel guilty saying, “I’m a ‘writer’” when you never write? 2. Do you buy writer’s paraphernalia but avoid writing? 3. When at your computer, do you do everything but write? Sound familiar? You may be an ideal candidate for a Writer’s Coach!
A writer for 30+ years, I am published, with law and master’s degrees.
I know writers – and I can help you! Email me for a FREE
phone coaching session: JudyNelson@CoachingRESULTSwithHeart.com =====
YOUR RX FOR PUBLICITY SUCCESS
Written a book? Want *free* publicity?
Press releases are your answer!
Yet, there is an art
to writing a press release.
Thousands of new books are released each year.
The fact yours is among them isn’t impressive.
“So what is?” you ask.
We’ll help you find your news nugget.
That’s Press Scribe’s specialty.
We’re your PRESS-scription for success!
(Rates start as low as $10!) http://www.press-scribe.com/ ===== START THE NEW YEAR WRITE FOR YOU
ONLINE COURSES TO JUMP-START YOUR WRITING BIZ HURRY! CLASSES BEGINNING JANUARY 15! Do you know you want to write, but you don’t know what you want
to write? Or maybe you’ve been sending out blind queries with
no success. Perhaps you would like help in setting up your
home-based writing business. Online courses, offered
by K.C.’s
Write For You may be the jump-start your freelance career needs.
Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell, a professional freelance writer, has
taught in the continuing education department at a major
metropolitan community college for seven years. She is now
offering her courses online. Her online courses are affordable
and they are limited in size, so they offer the personal
attention other such programs do not. One-on-one mentoring available. Full description of courses at www.writeforyou.biz
or email Kerri at fivecoat@kcnet.com Read her blog for writers at www.kcwrite4u.blogspot.com
=====
For
Sale Seeking light but entertaining reading on phobias, an interesting
look at a strange but funny family, short mysteries that intrigue
and an interesting take on earth’s Last Days? Search no further.
Go to www.lulu.com/tstar. At www.lulu.com/tstar you will find short books and pamphlets
that will make lunchtime, free time or anytime, more enjoyable
and uplifting. A few titles that will greet you at Lulu are: “Mysteries that
Mystify,” “Phobias, Fears and Anxieties, Oh My,” and “I Am Omega.” And, for some light but interesting articles on everyday life,
click on to http://tonisworld.blogspot.com.
=====
Advertise with FundsforWriters !!! Reach 11,800 members!
Advertise with FFW Small Markets! Reach 3,800 members! ADS FOR $7 AND UP! $ 7 - one week in FFW Small Markets
$25 - four weeks in FFW Small Markets $16 - one week in FundsforWriters
$50 - four weeks in FundsforWriters $20 - one week in both FundsforWriters & FFW Small Markets
$60 - four weeks in FundsforWriters & FFW Small Markets http://www.fundsforwriters.com/adrates.htm
=======================================================
7. FUNDSFORWRITERS AIDS
=======================================================
THE SHY WRITER, ISBN 1-59113-583-4, $14.95 paperback,
$6.95 ebook format,
http://www.theshywriter.com TOTAL FUNDSFORWRITERS, one-year biweekly newsletter
subscription $12. http://www.fundsforwriters.com/total.htm FUNDSFORWRITERS - the parent newsletter, no charge.
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFWnewsletters.htm FFW SMALL MARKETS - the small market version, no charge.
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFWnewsletters.htm WRITING KID - the children's version, no charge
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFWnewsletters.htm GRANTS FOR THE SERIOUS
WRITER, $8.95 (Ebook) SHORT & SWEET: MARKETS FOR FILLERS, $7.95 (Ebook) PUBLISHERS FOR POETS, $7.95 (Ebook) FUNDS FOR THE ESSAYIST, $7.95 (Ebook) FUNDS FOR THE FICTION WRITER, $7.95 (Ebook) THE NO FEE CONTEST BOOK: 3rd EDITION, $7.95 (Ebook) MARKETS FOR THE YOUNG WRITER, $7.95 (Ebook) 'TIS THE SEASON, $4.95 (Ebook) JUST HIT SEND, $8.95 (Ebook) LAUGHING MARKETS, $7.95 (Ebook) GET PAID TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS, $7.95 (Ebook) =======================================================
8. CONTACT FUNDSFORWRITERS
======================================================= C. Hope Clark
Hope@FundsforWriters.com
HopeClark1@aol.com 140-A
Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036 http://www.fundsforwriters.com
http://www.theshywriter.com Copyright 2000-2006, C. Hope Clark SUBSCRIBE: 94631-subscribe@zinester.com
UNSUBSCRIBE: 94631-unsubscribe@zinester.com
ARCHIVES: http://archives.zinester.com/94631 The information is for use at your own risk.
FundsforWriters make no warranty as to accuracy
or fitness for any purpose. Use common sense and take
normal precautions in how you use any information.
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