FundsforWriters - November 22, 2013

Published: Fri, 11/22/13

Volume 13, Issue 47 | November 22, 2013

Message from the Editor

That's my story board behind me, where I tend to "diagram" my novels. Roo has to throw in her two cents, though, pointing out the plot flaws. She's still pouting that there isn't a puppy in my stories. You know...with red hair and smart-aleck attitude? (She's always throwing her head back, so don't fret over her double-jointed look. That's her "play dead" pose. It also means scratch her chest.)

Editor, FundsforWriters
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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

NOVEMBER ONLY ! ! !

TIDEWATER MURDER $1.99 on KINDLE

Bell Bridge Books and I are thrilled that Tidewater Murder was selected for one of their November Monthly Deals. Take advantage of this great offer for gifts and yourself while you have the chance.

What a fantastic way to introduce yourself to Carolina Slade and her crazy, quirky, strong-headed yet loving and loyal efforts in rural crime-solving.

Huge international blog Daily KOS selected Tidewater Murder for their book review post just his week. An immense honor!

In this, the second of the series, Clark has comfortably, confidently settled into her storytelling mode and weaves a compelling mystery. There is something very cool about a federal employee as a superhero, even if imperfect. South Carolina shines brightly in every scene. You can feel the density of the summer humidity and hear the cicadas in the evening. I do love armchair travel that allows me to visit such a beautiful part of the country without the hassle of a 50 pound baggage weight limit. I look forward to my next visit, just as soon as C. Hope Clark writes another story.

Editor’s THOUGHTS

SLIDE, LEAP OR CLIMB INTO WRITING . . . AND ACCEPT THE RESULTS

I've shifted in how I talk to writers who contact me, asking for my advice on their particular journeys. Before I guide them on agents, contests, grants and the general "how can I start earning a living at this" questions, I ask:

"What are you trying to do with your writing? What are your goals?"

Most say: "I want to get published." "I want to work full-time as a writer." "I want to make money and I like to write."

Then I ask what they are doing about reaching that goal. I've yet to find a single writer who has an answer to that question other than "I'm writing this story..."

There are three ways to become a professional writer. I use the word professional as the opposite to hobby. Because if you are one step short of professional, you still fall in the hobby category. You can't have it both ways.

SLIDERS

You are watching everyone else. You are also reading blogs, attempting to make "friends" online in various places with some of them, joining chat groups . . . all in the name of talking about writing. You exclaim over someone's success, saying you hope to do that one day. You bash someone the media is already gnawing on, proclaiming them blasphemous to the profession. You write when a good idea strikes. You pick up an old story and piddle with it during NaNoWriMo. You enter a contest or two, blaming nepotism or good-old-boyism when you do not win, or you are honest and say maybe you still need to work harder.

LEAPERS

Well, damn, you've decided to be a writer. Today, this instant. Where can you submit? How do they pay? How long before you have enough to pay the bills and dump the crazy job you hate? You are now committed to being a writer, and you're going to take the leap and see where you land. Ray Bradbury said leap and you sprout wings on the way down. If the concept is good enough for him, it's good enough for you.

CLIMBERS

You want this title WRITER, maybe even AUTHOR one day. The goal is on that peak way up there, where you've published and earned a living as a writer. You see others grabbing flights to that peak, but you're using your feet, your hands, the tools at your grasp, and taking the journey one hard, craggy step at a time. You do not want to reach that peak too soon, for then you have to prove to people what you know. That knowledge is in each step, each slip, each backsliding effort that makes you regroup and grip harder, dig in deeper. It might take you a while, but the fear of reaching that peak prematurely gives you the incentive to embrace the journey up the mountain. Not only will your muscles be stronger, your self-esteem deeper, but if you somehow stumble and fall off the mountain, you know exactly what it takes to get back up there.

Guest columnist Lyn Fairchild Hawkins is a pure climber. Enjoy her piece below. I've met Lyn. She's charming, beautiful, intelligent, and a writer thrilled with the journey. If you're wanting to put a name to a climber, and see how it's done, study her.

~HOPE

WEBSITE - http://www.chopeclark.com
BLOG - http://www.chopeclark.com/blog
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
ABOUT.ME - http://about.me/hopeclark
GOODREADS - http://www.goodreads.com/hopeclark
PINTEREST - http://www.pinterest.com/chopeclark

TOTAL FUNDSFORWRITERS! A reminder that the expanded TOTAL FundsforWriters, that normally goes for $15/year (STILL a great deal), is free with the purchase of any of Hope's books, ebook or print. Send receipt via email to [email protected]

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

- Dalai Lama -

THE SHY WRITER

Introversion may seem like a major obstacle to building a successful writing career, but this wonderful “covers-all-the-bases” book handily debunks the notion. ~Peter Bowerman, Author “The Well-Fed Writer” series

Hope has solutions in The Shy Writer Reborn that let you make the most of who you are instead of asking you to change your personality. ~Linda Formichelli, The Renegade Writer

The Carolina Slade Mystery Series
http://www.chopeclark.com/

On Tidewater Murder: Terrific. Smart, knowing, clever…and completely original. A taut, high-tension page-turned—in a unique and fascinating setting. An absolute winner! ~Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winning author

On Lowcountry Bribe: With a story that moves so fast you are sure to get a case of literary whiplash, LOWCOUNTRY BRIBE is almost impossible to put down. Written with grace and ferocity, I for one can hardly wait for a second helping of this unpredictably un-pretentious and hard-scrabble down-home gal. ~Rachel Gladstone, Dish Magazine

Purchase any of Hope's books and receive a one-year subscription to TOTAL FFW free. Send receipt to [email protected]

Success Story

Thank you, Hope…

…for your wonderful newsletter. I'm another one of your "success stories." I saw your notice that Chicken Soup for the Soul was looking for submissions and sent in my story. "Devil Winds and Moonbeams" will be published in their Miracles Happen book to be released in February 2015. On top of that, I was allowed to add my website and contact information to my bio at the end of my story so I will also get exposure for my other work, too. Sort of a two-for-one success!

Thank you so much for the valuable service you offer to all of us.

Best, Susan Traugh Author/Educator Transition 2 Life and Daily Living Skills Series www.susantraugh.com

featured article

HOW TO HANG IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

By Lyn Fairchild Hawks

Why do I love C. Hope Clark's protagonist Carolina Slade? She’s relentless in the pursuit of truth. She steps around those who say “no.” She’s a maverick tuned straight into reality — a heroine with her feet in clay, not ether.

Writers need this persistence. We shrug off rejection, doubt, and the unknown. This gig ain’t for flakes. Most days, nobody cares what you do. But anything worth doing plays by this rule: There will be long, unsung hours in the clay — what I call The Slog.

Think about the Nobel Prize recipients in Physics. Englebert and Higgs discovered the Higgs-Boson, aka the God particle, in 1954. Fifty-nine years passed with no one knowing their names. What’d they do in the meantime? Kept working. Followed their passion. Writers in it for the long haul know work never stops; the mountaintop is never “achieved.” No matter who notices, we must love the invisible toil.

In a culture where fans scream for blood after a few losses and baby stars emerge from nowhere, we can feel like failures. The impatient crowd wants it yesterday. When we can’t deliver this instant, we ask, Can I do this? To survive my writer’s journey, I’ve had to cheer myself along and reignite my love affair with writing.

When I began reading FundsforWriters, I had a pile of unknown stories and a novel languishing after 15 years. Hope’s words comforted me, as did leads from Poets & Writers. I began submitting to contests and magazines. Every time I got a submission confirmation, I got a ping of validation.

Since childhood I’ve read voraciously, so I made time for this love. I embarked on my personal MFA to study great writers, annotating religiously. Then I returned to my rough stuff, inspired. I found supportive writers’ groups. People said nice, tough things, motivating me to revise.

In 2008 a small-circulation magazine accepted a story. Then in 2009, I won a contest. I spent the money on a laptop. This inspired me to start a novel about a teen girl obsessed with Michael Jackson. I got up mornings before work and in six months wrote a draft. I had no idea there would be 25 more.

I continued to follow Hope’s journey. Through her I found Nathan Bransford’s and Rachelle Gardner’s blogs. I joined Querytracker. I began querying agents and after 150 emails, found one in 2011. I was a finalist for the James Jones Fellowship and denied a grant. I parted ways with my agent in 2012. I re-applied for the grant in 2012 and got it. (FundsforWriters lead!)

Now I’ve published two books: a YA novel and a short-story collection. I have a beautiful website (thank you, Shaila Abdullah!). Check out my trailer, signings, and other news at lynhawks.com.

I’ve learned to love The Slog this way:

•Subscribe to newsletters like FFW.

•Submit to publications, contests, and grants. Make deadlines and new drafts.

•Have a goal each day and week. Check off lists. See progress.

•Make sacred writing time. Defend it like your firstborn.

•Go for The Personal MFA. Revel in words.

•Talk to artists who celebrate ups and suffer downs. (I married a musician.)

•Keep your beloved pet nearby. (My mewse, Sonny, purrs me through drafts.)

•Find beta readers to keep your story alive.

•Celebrate what goes well, like the encouraging rejection.

•Give yourself a daily reward, like a latté. (Caffeine Rewards Program)

Find every way to fan the flames of writing love. Be a true fan of you. That’s how this writer does the long haul.

BIO

Lyn Fairchild Hawks is the author of a YA novel, How Wendy Redbird Dancing Survived the Dark Ages of Nought; and a collection of short stories, The Flat and Weightless Tang-Filled Future. She is also author of several works for educators. In the last few years, she has won a James Jones First Novel Fellowship prize and an Elizabeth George Foundation grant. As Lyn is married to a musician, Greg Hawks, and stepmom to Henry, an aspiring filmmaker, their North Carolina home hums with the soundtracks of clawhammer banjo, classic films, and chattering computer keys.

Find Lyn on:

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lynfairchildhawks)

Twitter (http://twitter.com/FairchildHawks)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/madelynfair)

competitions

ODDCONTEST http://odysseycon.org/contest/contest.html --- ENTRY FEE 0 (YOUTH) AND $10 (ADULT). Sponsored by Odyssey con, http://odysseycon.org/, a science-fiction convention in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, April 4-6, 2014. 500 words or less of speculative prose poetry or flash fiction. Deadline January 15, 2014. Youth division: under 18 as of Jan. 1, 2014, NO ENTRY FEE, but send only ONE entry. $50 to first place; OddCon membership, books, etc. to top three. Adult division: $10 fee per entry. $500 to first place; OddCon membership and books, etc. to top three.

LEE SMITH NOVEL PRIZE http://carolinawrenpress.org/submissions/contests --- $20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline: November 30, 2013. Carolina Wren Press will choose one unpublished novel to receive the Lee Smith Novel Prize. The award will be presented to a novel by an author from, living in, or writing about the American South – authors need only meet one of these qualifications, not all three. It is our hope to find and promote novelists from the South and their novels and, in the process, to explore and expand the definition of Southern literature. Submissions must be original, previously unpublished novels, written by one person, in English, at least 50,000 words in length. $1,000 and publication in honor of esteemed Southern author, literary mentor, and teacher Lee Smith.

STORY SHARE $50K WRITING CONTEST www.storysharecontest.com --- NO ENTRY FEE. The Story Share Contest is offering 11 prizes totaling $50,000 for accessible, age-appropriate, high-interest, low literacy stories stories to benefit teen and adult beginning readers on the pre-primer to primer and third to fourth grade levels. Deadline December 7, 2013.

WILLIAM KLOEFKORN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN POETRY http://www.mtmc.edu/paddlefish/kloefkorn.aspx --- $14 ENTRY FEE FOR TWO POEMS. One winner receives $500 and publication in PADDLEFISH. All submissions will also be considered for the forthcoming issue of PADDLEFISH. Each poem limited to two single-spaced pages. Two poems per submission. Deadline February 28, 2014.

BBC WORLD SERVICE INTERNATIONAL RADIO PLAYWRITING COMPETITION http://www.commonwealthwriters.org/bbc-radio-competition/ --- NO ENTRY FEE. The competition has two first prizes – one for writers with English as a first language, and one for writers with English as a second language. The winners of both awards will have their plays broadcast on BBC World Service. Their prize includes a trip to London to watch their plays being recorded, attendance at an award ceremony and £2,000. The winner of the new Georgi Markov prize will also come to London to be at this award ceremony and spend two weeks with BBC Radio Drama and BBC World Service. The playwriting competition welcomes scripts from anyone outside the UK, whether established or new writers. The dramas need to be 53 minutes long, but can be on any subject. Deadline January 31, 2014.

GRANTS

15th ANNUAL BUSINESS GRANT http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/small_business_grants/15th-grant-applications.php --- The 15th Small Business Grant will award $1,000 in cash to the small business with the most inspirational owner, willing to take their business to the next level, a total of $1,500 in advertising credits and tons of free publicity. Demonstrate your innovative genius with your new business idea or give a persuasive picture of your current business, fire up your supporters via social networks, and step into the limelight for a chance to win big! Deadline January 15, 2014.

CEC ARTSLINK http://www.cecartslink.org/grants/independent_projects/ --- Through its ArtsLink Award program, CEC ArtsLink is inviting applications from artists and arts managers from eligible countries for project grants to carry out self-directed projects in the United States. The earliest eligible project start date is May 1, 2014. Projects must be completed by April 30, 2015. The award amount request must not exceed $5,000, regardless of the number of people planning to travel to the U.S. for the project. Eligible countries are: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mongolia, Moldova, Montenegro, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Applicants must have a letter of invitation from a nonprofit organization or individual in the U.S. to apply. Deadline December 3, 2013.

VERMONT ARTIST DEVELOPMENT GRANTS http://vermontartscouncil.org/Portals/0/tabid/82/Default.aspx --- Deadline January 6, 2014. Artist Development Grants fund professional skill or business development activities that enhance an artist's career. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: Attendance at workshops, conferences, seminars, residencies, or master classes; consultant fees for the creation and/or design of a website or brochure; fees paid to a professional photographer or videographer for the documentation of work; preparation for a first-time performance or exhibition that will have a significant (career-altering) impact on an artist’s professional practice. Grant amounts range from $250-$1,000.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ARTIST GRANTS (TAMPA, FL) http://tampaarts.com/grants/artist-grant-program/ --- The Arts Council of Hillsborough County is accepting applications from local artists for grants of up to $2000 from its 2014 Individual Artist Grant program. This grant program funds specific projects that will further the artist’s career. Applications for grants are considered from artists in the theatre, visual, dance, music, literary, media and folk art disciplines. The Individual Artist Grants are reimbursement type grants and only expenses that take place during the grant period of March 1- September 30, 2014 are covered. Deadline January 24, 2014.

CHICAGO ART RETREATS http://www.chicagoartretreats.org/ --- Our goal is to provide other artists and writers with an opportunity to get away into the urban landscape; to be inspired by the city, its music; its neighborhoods, its culture; or simply have the time to work without distraction at one of Chicago’s Winter creative Writer’s Residencies or Artist’s Retreats. Writers or artists of all disciplines are welcome to participate and share this time with other creative individuals. Residence cost without fellowship: $750 Single occupancy/$850 Double occupancy. Residence cost with fellowship: $450 single occupancy/$550 Double occupancy. Deadline December 9, 2013.

FREELANCE MARKETS

2015 GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING http://blog.writersmarket.com/whats-new/call-for-submissions-2015-guide-to-self-publishing --- Deadline December 15, 2013. Accepting pitches for articles in the 2015 Guide to Self-Publishing. Sometime in the beginning of 2014, I’ll start making assignments. If you’re interested in pitching an article idea or three, read on. So, what do I prefer? The best way to figure that out is to read the inaugural edition of Guide to Self-Publishing. Anyone familiar with the book will know that I’m looking for articles that will help self-publishers find more success, whether it’s making better covers or reaching a wider audience. Previous articles have tackled cover design, blogging, selecting freelance editors, and more. If you’re an experienced source and can interview other sources, that is ideal. However, I’m unlikely to assign featured interviews with writers (as I tend to tackle those myself – unless you have access to a “high profile” self-published writer). I’m also not interested in articles on the craft of writing.

FIDO FRIENDLY MAGAZINE http://www.fidofriendly.com --- Pays up to 20 cents/word. Covers traveling with your dog. Articles are 600 to 1,200 words.

FISH CHANNEL http://www.fishchannel.com/about-us.aspx --- Together, along with its annual sister publications Aquarium USA and Marine Fish and Reef USA, and Coral and Reef USA, FishChannel.com are known as some of the best sources for news, health, nutrition, conservation, captive care information and all things related to the tropical fishkeeping, marine, and reefkeeping hobby, due to its expert writers and photographers and professional editors. Pays 20 cents/word for articles of 1,500 to 2,000 words. No beginner articles.

THE HORSE http://www.thehorse.com/pages/freelance --- The Horse does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. For assigned articles The Horse pays on acceptance and approval. Writers should submit a resume and samples of their writing before submitting a manuscript, and including an email address will expedite our response to you. Articles range from short news items at 250 words to 1,800 word cover stories; payments vary depending on article length. Pays up to $850 for features and $450 for columns.

JUST LABS MAGAZINE http://www.justlabsmagazine.com/writersguidelines --- For full Writer's Guidelines, which include rates, send a request to Jill LaCross, Managing Editor, at [email protected]. An award-winning, nationally recognized magazine that covers all aspects of the life of the Labrador retriever – your Labrador retriever. Based on the phenomenally popular book of the same name, Just Labs looks at not just life with a pet or life with a dog… but life with a Lab. It's singular, it's special, and once you have a Lab – and read Just Labs – you'll never be without one either. Pays $250 to $400 for articles of 1,000 to 1,800 words.

JOBS

WRITER-EDITOR (two positions) Location Silver Spring, MD https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/355393000 AND https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/354377000 --- Deadline November 29, 2013. As a Writer-Editor, in the Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you will be responsible for writing, editing, and overseeing the development of materials that explain and interpret important agency user fee and related policies to various internal and external audiences.

EDITOR Location Washington DC https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/355558400 --- Deadline February 28, 2014. Candidates must have several years of experience in editing professional publications and a bachelor's or advanced degree, preferably in English, journalism, communications, or a related field. They must have broad editorial skills - from a demonstrated ability to make complex and difficult drafts clear and graceful, to a superior eye for detail when proofing. They must thoroughly understand English grammar and syntax and should be sensitive to style and to nuances of tone and meaning in writing and editing. Position is in the Congressional Budget Office of the Legislative Branch.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Location Robins AFB, GA https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/355484500 --- Deadline December 6, 2013. This position is located in the Public Affairs Office of the 116th Air Control Wing. The primary purpose of the position is to collect, assemble, prepare and disseminate information concerning the various activities of the Wing.

PUBLISHERS

THE STORY PLANT http://thestoryplant.com/about-us/ --- The Story Plant is dedicated to bringing you inspired, passionate, and immersive works of fiction from an extraordinary group of writers. We are true believers in the power of fiction to transport, illuminate, and entertain. To submit a manuscript to The Story Plant, please query Lou Aronica at [email protected]. Please keep in mind that, right now, The Story Plant is only publishing fiction.

THE POISONED PENCIL http://thepoisonedpencil.com/about/ --- The Poisoned Pencil is a young adult mystery publisher committed to publishing original, high-quality mystery books for teens and adults. Founded in 2012, the Pencil is an imprint of Poisoned Pen Press – one of the largest publishers of mysteries in the country.

POISONED PEN PRESS http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/submissions/ --- Poisoned Pen Press will open for submissions twice yearly, once during the month of October, and once during the spring. During October, we will accept submissions for regular publication. During the spring submissions period we will only be open to those entering our Discover Mystery first book contest. We are a traditional mystery press. We do not publish works outside of the mystery genre. We consider works between 60,000-90,000 words. We seldom consider writers living outside the USA (because of the high cost of marketing and promotion). We do not publish short stories or collections.

DOMINICK ABLE LITERAR AGENCY http://dalainc.com/ --- Dominick Abel Literary Agency, Inc., founded by Dominick Abel in 1975 and a member of AAR, is an independent agency located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The agency represents authors of fiction (especially mysteries and suspense novels), narrative nonfiction, and business books. It is a full-service agency, with co-agents in all major countries and in Hollywood.

ALIVE COMMUNICATIONS http://www.alivecom.com/ --- Alive Communications is the nation’s largest, most influential literary agency for faith-based and inspirational authors. Internationally known for our representation of their work through books, film and TV, we have earned our second-to-none reputation as Agents of Change.