Message from Hope
Here in the states, this is the fourth of July celebration weekend. I'm rather happy to see it, because it represents a lot of positive . . . freedom, pride, thankfulness, and hope.
To celebrate, we shoot fireworks, eat summer foods, often involve water entertainment, and talk about how hot it is. And we do it with family and friends, often with tea, beer, or lemonade in hand.
This is all I want to think about this weekend. . . good things. I hope you are enjoying good things as well, or thinking good thoughts. Turn off the anger of the world and find enough reasons to be happy.
We feel guilty these days about being happy and proud. Let yourself bask in being alive this weekend. Write if you like, but maybe use the holiday weekend to study people, places, things, and the times you should be grateful for.
Let's all just smile.
C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website | Sign up for Newsletter
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
FFW has proudly been on the Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2001
Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. Use information listed at your own risk. FundsforWriters gives no warranty to completeness, accuracy, or fitness of the markets, contests, and grants although research is done to the best of our ability.
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
AUTHOR SITE - http://www.chopeclark.com
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
GOODREADS - http://www.goodreads.com/hopeclark
BOOKBUB - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-hope-clark
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Freelance SEO Writers, Blog Writers, & Copywriters...
Do you know where your next client is coming from?
My name is Mike Blankenship and for the last five years, I've been the low-profile freelance writer behind brands like...
- ClickFunnels
- Neil Patel
- SmartBlogger
- Jeff Bullas
- AdWeek
... and lots more.
In fact, over the last five years, I've grown my freelance writing income from $2,000 per month... to $20,000 per month.
But it hasn't been without its challenges.
Losing clients unexpectedly... struggling to find new clients... getting pitches ignored... getting paid less than you want to get paid...
It's tough.
Which is why I've compiled pretty much everything I know about freelance writing into a single resource I call The Freelance Writer's Survival Kit.
Go get it so you can stop worrying and start enjoying the freedom that freelance writing has to offer. :-)
- Mike
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THE IMPORTANCE OF PEN AND INK
I am a staunch believer in letter writing, and I mean the ink-on-paper effort. You absolutely never know how much they will mean to you, or them, or the future of anyone, downstream.
Writing a letter means you slowed your life down, thought about the type of paper to use, maybe even the pen, sat and pondered the words more slowly to get them right. The person receiving said letter can envision that, adding a degree of reverence to the experience.
I kept a journal for each of my sons throughout their senior year. Daily I documented the joy, heartbreak, and trepidation of that last year they were totally mine before I sent them into the world to college. They still have them two decades later. A welcome result was one son wound up journaling and still does to this day.
When my parents went into assisted living, and ultimately memory care, I scoured their address book for people to notify. All too often, seniors are placed into facilities and no one remembers to contact friends and acquaintances, resulting in those seniors just disappearing off their radar. So I wrote everyone three to four times a year, partly to keep them informed and partly to generate mail for my parents, to better their day. Some of those people were genuinely touched I remembered to do
that for them. After my parents passed away, some of those people continued keeping in touch and consoled me. Some still communicate to this day.
Recently, someone posted a snapshot of the title page of Tidewater Murder, one of my Carolina Slade novels. I'd signed it, leaving a message thanking the recipient. That recipient was my 10th grade high school teacher. That signing was the result of my teacher asking me to come to her book club to speak. She beamed, so proud I was one of her students. She was the catalyst to my writing future. Sure, I loved to write, but she gave it purpose and validated I might be able to do something with
it.
But she did not post that snapshot. This person was a caregiver in an assisted living home where my teacher now resided. In helping my teacher in her little apartment, she noted several by C. Hope Clark, and said she was familiar with my work, too. My teacher beamed, bragging that I had been her student. I could not stop the tears. The individual snapped a picture of what I wrote.
There's something special about pen and ink. Typing might be quicker, and it might enable you to check a box to thank someone or tell someone you care, but slowing your world down to write it special matters so much more.
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- July 14, 2022 - Muskoka Authors Association, Zoom - 6:00 PM
- July 21, 2022 - Carnes Crossroads, 4015 Second Ave, Summerville, SC - 3-5 PM
- July 23, 2022 - Indiana Sisters in Crime, Zoom - Noon ET - Gary and Hope Clark Tag Team on Getting the Facts Right in Mysteries
- June 3-10, 2023 - Writing Retreat on the Maine Coast - Special Guest - Sponsored by Joan Dempsey, author and teacher
Email: [email protected] to schedule events, online or otherwise. There's starting to be life out there!
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SUCCESS QUOTE
“A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past.” – Eric Hoffer
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If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to [email protected]
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Writer Development: Grant Applications
By Brandy Brow
For over a year I worked with Christian Writers' Group's conference committee planning tracks, writing and editing conference material, judging scholarship entries, and securing giveaway items for what would be our organization's second writing conference. As the event neared I grew sad because my family could not afford for me to attend. I'd known from the beginning but was willing to sacrifice my time and effort to benefit others in a field I loved. Still, I wished I could go.
One day I was reading the FundsforWriters newsletter and my state's name, which appears infrequently in anything, caught my attention. We had an arts council, and it gave grants to residents.
I investigated the artist development grant, an impressive program that offered one-to-one matching requiring the artist to have goals, a plan, a budget, willingness to raise part of their own funds, documentation, and the ability to produce a final report. I applied and carefully crafted my application to their guidelines. I took time to answer every pertinent question clearly, drafted my budget and timeline, and presented my information professionally.
The process forced me to analyze what I really wanted for my writing and how I intended to accomplish it, and it made me willing to submit to the Council's accountability, all valuable lessons.
A month later I received an award letter for the full amount of my request.
I called to ask about documentation I would need for my report after the event. The person I spoke with brought up my application. She wanted me to know the grant board thought it was a "really well-done application," "thorough," "clear," and "specific" with "clear career goals." She emphasized that it was one of the easiest applications they had approved because it was so well put together, and that most applications are not that way.
But they could be. Here are eight tips that will help your application stand well before a deciding committee.
1. Understand the grant's objective and eligibility requirements and make sure your project fits them in some way. Don't try to be an exception to the rule. Too many others will apply within the rules. The grantor’s objectives must stay true.
2. Be willing up front to meet the grant requirements if you win. Otherwise, don't apply. Defaulting on grant commitments is a serious matter best not risked.
3. Follow guidelines precisely and include everything requested.
4. Ask questions, if needed. The better you understand what's asked of you, the better you can give the organization what they need. They appreciate this and have people ready to answer.
5. Set clear goals and detail how they will impact a community beyond yourself. In attending, I would be able to work the conference I'd been planning for over a year so others, and myself, could take classes, make connections, and increase our ability to reach readers.
6. Revise your application until it glistens. The granting organization wants to give their funds to those who show they will follow through on what they say they will do. A thorough application promises that.
7. Submit a clear, clean application. Professionalism shows you're serious about your work.
8. Beat the deadline. Many grants are based on available funds. The earlier you apply, the more likely the till will offer what you seek.
The conference I attended with my grant helped shape me into the writer I am today. A well-crafted application might help you secure funds to further your career too.
Bio:
Brandy Brow is the former executive director of Christian Writers' Group International and current co-host of Writers Chat who has published with Upper Room, Writer's Digest's 102 Ways to Earn Money Writing 1,500 Words or Less, and Havok, among others. She freelance edits fiction and nonfiction and cares for her special needs daughter and large family in Vermont. She can be reached through http://www.linkedin.com/in/brandybrow |
PAGE ONE PRIZE for novelists
https://gutsygreatnovelist.com/page-one-prize/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 15, 2022 at 5 PM ET. Submit the opening page of your unpublished novel-in-progress. 1st prize $1,000; 2nd prize $500; 3rd prize $250. Submissions are open internationally to any writer writing in English. Winners and honorable mentions will be announced August 2, 2022.
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BLACK VOICES IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
https://www.freespirit.com/black-voices-in-childrens-literature-writing-contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 24, 2022. The contest is now open to Black authors who at the time of entry are at least 18 years of age and residing anywhere in the United States. As always, the contest’s mission is to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children’s stories written by and about Black people. Every entry is considered for publication and three cash prizes will be awarded. Eligible entries will include original children’s books for ages 0–4 (50–125 words) or for ages 4–8 (300–800
words) featuring authentic, realistic Black characters and culture. First Place: $1,000 cash prize, a T-shirt from Strive, a tote bag from Free Spirit, and a meeting with Mary Taris, founder of Strive, and an editor from Free Spirit to discuss the winner’s project. The winning submission will be seriously considered for publication by Free Spirit, cobranded with Strive; however, publication is not guaranteed. Second Place: $500 cash prize, a T-shirt from Strive, and a tote bag from Free Spirit.
Third Place: $250 cash prize, a T-shirt from Strive, and a tote bag from Free Spirit.
AESTHETICA CREATIVE WRITING AWARD
https://aestheticamagazine.com/creative-writing-award/how-to-enter/
£12-£18 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. First prize in each category (poetry and short fiction) is £2,500. Winners receive publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual, full membership to The Poetry Society (Poetry Winner), a free 10-week Online Course from the Poetry School (Poetry Winner), consultation with Redhammer Management (Fiction Winner), selection of books from Vintage, and one-year print subscription to Granta. Poetry entries should be no more than 40 lines.
Fiction entries should be no more than 2,000 words.
TALES MY MOONLIGHT NOVELLA CONTEST
https://ankaracircle.com/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 15, 2022. All stories submitted for the competition must be in the genre of fantasy. Stories must be written in the theme of Magic. The Community Award is $1,000. The winner of the Community Award will be determined by voting. The story with the most votes at the end of the contest will win the award. The Editor's award is $500. This prize will be given to the most outstanding story as determined by the Ankara Team. Submissions must have approximately 15,000 -
20,000 word length and be separated into chapters of reasonable length. Chapter lengths should be 3,000 - 5,000 words. Submissions should be between 4-7 chapters long.
MILLER WILLIAMS POETRY PRIZE
https://www.uapress.com/millerwilliamspoetryseries/
$28 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 30, 2022. Manuscripts must be between sixty and ninety pages and unpublished. Organized by the University of Arkansas Press, this prize is awarded to the best book of poetry. Prize $5,000.
NOVEL OPENING AND SYNOPSIS AWARD
https://flash500.com/novels/
£10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 31, 2022. We are looking for a novel opening up to 3,000 words, plus a synopsis of the story (max 750 words) to be submitted together in a single file. We welcome published, self-published and unpublished novelists. The only stipulation is that the entry must be unpublished. First prize £500. Runner-up prize £200.
DILLYDOUN FLASH FICTION PRIZE
https://thedillydounreview.com/2022-dillydoun-flash-fiction-prize/
$18 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2022. Limit 1,000 words. Open to all genres and themes. First place $2,000, second place $1,000, third place $500, and Honorable Mentions $50. All winners and honorable mentions will be published in the print anthology, and will receive one contributor copy.
MINDS ON FIRE OPEN BOOK PRIZE
https://www.conduit.org/book-prizes
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 31, 2022. Awarded annually and open to any poet writing in English, regardless of previous publication record, the prize seeks to represent the best contemporary writing in high quality editions of enduring value. Prospective entrants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Conduit, which champions originality, intelligence, irreverence, and humanity. All manuscripts welcome, be they first books or last books. Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90
pages should be submitted through our Submittable page. The winning poet will receive $1,500 and 30 author copies.
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST
https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline: July 31, 2022. Seeking creative nonfiction essays on any topic (200-1,000 words) and in any style, from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay and 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. Open internationally. Limit: 300 entries. First place $500, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Second
place $300, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Third place $200, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Seven Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Ten Honorable mentions receive a gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store.
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GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING
HEINZ ENDOWMENTS
https://www.heinz.org/UserFiles/File/Small_Arts_Initiative_Overview_Guidelines(1).pdf
The goal of the Small Arts Initiative is to further the development of small, professional arts
organizations and the artists with whom they work. “Professional” is broadly defined and denotes
quality of artistic product, organizational leadership and audition/selection processes, as well as
rehearsal and presentation standards. The Endowments anticipates funding a variety of performances, exhibitions and screenings. Once per calendar year, you may apply for your regular series or programming, or a new project. Grant amounts traditionally range from $1,000 to $20,000.
NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTS EDUCATION ARTIST ROSTER
https://www.nh.gov/nharts/grants/artists/aieroster.htm
The Arts Council invites applications from professional artists in all disciplines who are experienced in their field/s and can make a strong personal commitment to working in an educational setting with students, educators, administrators and parents to apply to the Arts Education Roster. Interested artists are encouraged to contact the Arts Education Coordinator to discuss their application prior to submitting it.
NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTS IN HEALTH ARTIST DIRECTORY
https://www.nh.gov/nharts/grants/artists/AIHroster.htm
The Arts in Health Artist Directory is a resource for organizations in search of artists who are experienced and skilled in leading projects that deliver health and healing benefits within a variety of health care settings, or in leading public health-focused work in partnership with health-based entities and professionals. Artists may apply to either the Health & Healing Track or the Public Health Track, or they may submit separate applications to both. Performing, literary, media and
visual artists are eligible to apply. |
BIOGRAPHIC
https://www.biographic.com/submissions/
bioGraphic is a multimedia magazine featuring stories from around the globe about the wonder of the natural world, the most pressing threats to biodiversity, and the most promising sustainability solutions. Send a brief (1,000 words or less) description of the piece you have in mind and what makes it right for bioGraphic. Please include your pitch in the body of your email (not as an attachment) and email to [email protected]. Also looking for opinion pieces that make an interesting, original, and surprising argument about an important issue or challenge in biodiversity science or sustainability. Send a brief email (300 words or less) to [email protected] describing the issue of concern, the argument you plan to make, and the reasons why you’re qualified to make it.
Payment around $1/word.
GAMEDAILY
https://gamedaily.biz/
GameDaily.biz looks at the games business through the lens of culture. Our mission is to keep industry professionals informed with key insights and analysis of the most important trends in the space but also to educate the passionate industry enthusiast - the kind of individual who wants to know every detail about "how the sausage is made." Pitch Sam Desatoff, Editor in Chief at [email protected]. Pay is
$150-$200.
THE PAPER GOWN
https://thepapergown.zocdoc.com/
The Paper Gown, a Zocdoc-powered blog, strives to tell stories that help patients feel informed, empowered and understood. At The Paper Gown, we explore every step of the patient experience — getting sick and getting well, preventing disease and living with it. We never pretend that insurance policies are simple or that all patients have equal access to healthcare. And above all else, we strive to help patients feel informed, empowered and understood, one story at a time. Email pitches to Amanda
Svachula, Editor at [email protected]. Pays 50 cents/word.
LONGREADS
https://longreads.com/submissions/
Longreads accepts pitches for original work and pays competitive rates. We’re not accepting any fiction at this time. Essays and columns typically run between 2,000 and 6,000 words. Pieces may be longer or broken up into a series depending on the length and subject matter. Personal essays should be submitted on spec, and we pay $500 per essay. We look for smart, original angles and fresh, unique voices. We accept pitches for researched and reported essays, critical essays, and columns. Rates
start at $500, with the fee varying depending on the level of reporting and research required. We accept pitches for researched and reported essays, critical essays, and columns. Rates start at $500, with the fee varying depending on the level of reporting and research required and pay $1/word. Longreads also seeks writers who are interested in exploring topics through curated reading lists. A reading list typically includes an essay-style introduction, followed by a collection of links to
longform stories (and sometimes books and other resources) related to the theme. We pay $350 per reading list.
CRUISING WORLD
https://www.cruisingworld.com/cruising-world-guidelines-writers-and-photographers/
Manuscripts submitted for feature length consideration should be written in the first person and not exceed approximately 2,000 to 2,500 words. Submissions for non-feature articles (technical stories and general interest stories) should not exceed 1,200 to 1,500 words. Short news or general interest stories should not exceed 500-600 words. Queries should be sent to [email protected]. Payment varies depending on the type of
article, ranging from $25 to $200 for short, newsworthy items and $300 to $1,000 for technical and longer non-feature stories. Fees for feature articles vary, starting from $800-$1,000, based on length, photography etc.
PADDLING MAGAZINE
https://paddlingmag.com/contribute/
Paddling Magazine is a quarterly publication uniting Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots and Rapid into three main sections to bring you compelling adventure stories, expert buying advice, destination ideas and the latest paddling news. Paddling Magazine covers the people, politics, expeditions, art, and boats and gear of paddlesports for kayakers, canoeists, whitewater boaters and standup paddleboarding enthusiasts. Features are generally 1,500 to 3,000 words in length. Most other articles (400–1,000
words) focus on timely trends and events, gear, provocative issues, quirky profiles, as well as places, news and advice for paddlers.
FANBUZZ
https://fanbuzz.com
Pitch Justin Colombo, Editor in Chief at https://twitter.com/JColombo54/. looking to add to our roster of paid freelance college football writers. Rates vary and depend on experience, but we start at $.10/word and increase based on resume. Very up for negotiating. Very much about paying a writer's worth. Shoot me a DM on Twitter with clips for more details.
HOLMEADVISOR
https://boards.greenhouse.io/angi/jobs/6147278002
The Content & Editorial team at Angi and HomeAdvisor is looking for experienced Freelance Financial Data Writers to join our growing network of contributors. Create and update engaging, informative articles that help homeowners understand the cost of common household projects, such as plumbing, electrical, interior/exterior home painting, landscaping, and more. Freelance writers will receive content briefs that contain details about each assignment, including priority keywords, suggested
headlines, meta data, and subheadings, as well as general voice and tone guidelines and other best practices. Write five to ten long-form cost guides per month (2,000+ words), submitting articles throughout the month to meet deadlines. This position pays a flat rate of $300 per article.
VIA
https://mwg.aaa.com/via/pitch-guidelines
While we may highlight other areas of the West, our main coverage footprint extends across Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska, with most of our readers residing in Northern California and Arizona. Our main categories are Road Trips, National Parks, Places to Visit, Things to Do, Eat & Drink, Travel Tips, Car, House & Home, How to, Smart Guides, and Your Money. Via covers travel tips and inspiration—including road trips to take, places to visit,
things to do, what to eat and drink, and how to travel better—as well as practical life advice to help you care for your house and car, manage your money, and live well at home and away. Pays $400-$500 per article.
VULTURE
https://www.vulture.com/article/how-to-pitch-vulture.html
Vulture is organized in large part by subject, with editors in charge of each coverage area who handle freelance assigning for that beat. Further down you’ll find details on what each specific subject editor wants from pitches. Especially seeking medium/large-scale recommendations lists (streaming, books, etc.), video game features, big subject rankings or guides. Pitch Emily Palmer Heller at [email protected] Rates
vary a lot depending on the type of piece but generally start at $200. |
MADNESS HEART PRESS
https://madnessheart.press/staff/?v=7516fd43adaa
Madness Heart Press is a small indie horror publisher. We look for authors and for works that won’t be published elsewhere. We gladly consider, Splatterpunk, Extreme Horror, Bizarro, Poetry, and even stage plays. Our goal is to publish the things we love regardless of commercial viability. This dedication to publishing the most interesting books we can find has led us to work with incredible authors on projects that we are insanely proud of.
AGGADAH TRY IT
https://madnessheart.press/staff/?v=7516fd43adaa
Aggadah Try It is an imprint of Madness Heart Press. It is a place where we publish Jewish speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, bizzaro). It is the same process as Madness Heart Press, but both a wider and narrower scope. While Aggadah Try It only accepts Jewish stories written by Jewish authors, we accept any manuscript in the speculative/genre fiction vein. Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror. We feel that often these genres are ignored or set aside in the Jewish Literary world,
and wanted to create a space for these amazing stories to be told.
BEARMANOR MEDIA
https://bearmanor-digital.myshopify.com/pages/about-us
BearManor Media is located in Albany, Georgia, USA, and is known for publishing books on movies, television, Old Time Radio, theater, animation, and previously unpublished scripts. The BearManor Media catalog now features more than 900 outstanding subjects from the obscure to the eminent. A small press featuring big subjects, our independent commercial publishing house provides nonfiction and fiction subjects in hardcover, trade paperback, and digital releases. Bestselling authors include
Charlotte Rae, James Best, Gary Burghoff, Eddie Cantor, Kathy Garver, The Firesign Theatre, The Unknown Comic, Russell Arms, Charlotte Stewart, and Vic Flick.
HEADPRESS BOOKS
https://headpress.com/
Subject matter of Headpress books is wide-ranging and includes cult film, strange music, pulp literature, fanzines, conspiracy theories, sex and gender, occult and folklore, true crime, and pop culture in general.
BLIND EYE BOOKS
https://www.blindeyebooks.com/submissions/
Blind Eye Books publishes science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance novels featuring LGBTQ protagonists. We do not publish short story collections, poetry, erotica, horror or nonfiction. We would hesitate to publish any manuscript that is less than 70,000 or over 150,000 words.
PINATA BOOKS
https://artepublicopress.com/submissions/
Piñata Books is Arte Público Press’ imprint for children’s and young adult literature. It seeks to authentically and realistically portrayed themes, characters and customs unique to US Hispanic culture. Submissions and manuscript formalities are the same as for Arte Público Press.
ARTE PUBLICO PRESS
https://artepublicopress.com/submissions/
Through its publication, promotion and dissemination of 30 books each year, including its new Hispanic Civil Rights Series, Arte Público Press is committed to reforming the national culture to more accurately include, value and reflect Hispanic historical and contemporary contributions. Manuscripts, queries, synopses, outlines, proposals, introductory chapters, etc. are considered in either English or Spanish, although the majority of our publications are in English.
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