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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS

THE WHY OF WRITING

When writers are asked why they write, the answers run wide and varied. They range from the tired cliché of Isaac Asimov, “I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die.” . . . to unique messages of changing the world, clearing ones head, or leaving a legacy. 

I write because it gives me a rich satisfaction and purpose for my days . . . in case you wanted to know. I tend to live in the here and now. But in many cases, writers write to leave a piece of themselves behind in posterity. We all want to be remembered. 

Others believe to leave a piece of one's self behind is also a mission to change the world. Look at how many people recite quotes from authors who have gone before them. 

“I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you might nudge the world a little or make a poem that children will speak for you when you are dead.” – Tom Stoppard

Some want to leave behind a true sense of what it was like to live during a given period of time. Historical fiction is written either by those who lived the time period, or by those who studied those who left behind records and writing of the time period. Look at the wave of WWII historical fiction read in book clubs. Look at how many people read The Diary of Anne Frank. Decades from now will be stories of 9/11 and COVID, read by those who weren't born until years after. 

"All writers in some insane place believe that to write is a holy chore — that what one wishes to do is speak to one’s time, to make a difference, to say: "I was here. I was a force for good in some way.” – Harlan Ellison

And some people write to remain viable, to remain pertinent, to remain relevant. 

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” – Sophia Loren

Whatever you call writing . . .a gift, a chore, or a responsibility . . .the doing of it is ageless. Every age brings something to the table of writing. But no one denies the fact that the older we get, the more we respect the need to write.

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Featured article

How Clear is Your Writing?

By Jerry Bellune

Journalist George Orwell was better known for his dystopian novel 1984 and political satire Animal Farm. Orwell advocated what he called "windowpane prose." He meant writing, like a windowpane, should not draw attention to itself. Instead it gives you a clear view of what's on the other side.

Crime and western novelist Elmore Leonard said when he found he had written a sentence that sounded like writing, he rewrote and simplified it.

Good prose is the means to an end, says writing teacher Amit Varma. That end can differ. You could be writing to evoke an emotion, persuade or change your reader's mind or tell an entertaining story. In each case, you must have clarity on what effect you want on your reader and how to get it. It is common for budding writers to think writing involves only them and their laptops, he says. We take the reader for granted.

The metaphor of the windowpane reminds us to keep the reader at the forefront of our minds. To achieve this, Orwell advised cutting as many words as possible. Virginia Wolfe found energy in verbs. James Baldwin aimed for a sentence "as clean as a bone."

"If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out," Orwell advised. Yet he did not always follow his own advice. A ruthless editor could have done it for him.

During the Nazi bombing of London, Virginia Wolfe wrote this defiant sentence in her diary: "Thinking is my fighting." Even if that doesn't have what style guides tend to like – a concrete subject and a strong verb – it has a low rumble of energy, says writer Joe Moran. Apart from the possessive pronoun "my," it consists wholly of verb forms. 

James Baldwin, who wrote at night after his children were asleep, advocated ruthless rewriting. He said it's a pain but you must do it. "You know it's finished when you can't do anything more to it, though it's never exactly the way you want it... The hardest thing in the world is simplicity," he said.

German novelist Rainer Maria Rilke said a sentence must have enough life and interest to hold the reader and move the writing along. Each sentence is like a tidal island that looks cut off until, at low tide, a causeway to the mainland appears.

A good lesson for any writer is to make each sentence worth reading.

It needs something to lead the reader into the next one. 

Good writers write not just in sentences but with sentences. Get them right and everything else solves itself.

Most bad writing comes from inexperience and lack of skill. You must write, write, write and read, read, read – every day.

Ernest Hemingway was self-taught as a journalist turned novelist. He advocated learning to write by reading great writers. His writing as much as any other celebrated American writer has survived the test of time. You learn from other writers. They will teach you the skills you need by their own examples.

Joe Moran uses a metaphor to compare writing to making blancmange, a French dessert of fish gelatin, sea moss and cornstarch, sweetened, flavored and shaped in a mold. "If you ordered me to make blancmange," he wrote, "all I could come up with would be a gloopy, inedible mess." 

Writing takes a lot of tries, and takes studying others proficient at it. In other words, you don’t get it right the first time, and you don’t know better without analyzing those who went before you . . . and made it work.

BIO: Jerry Bellune and his bride MacLeod are busy in retirement spending their children's inheritance.
They spent the last 30+ years publishing the Lexington County Chronicle and the Lake Murray Fish Wrapper in the Midlands of South Carolina. He admits to guilt in writing and publishing The Art of Compelling Writing, available for a super dooper investment at Amazon.com

 

COmpetitions

THE MOTH NATURE WRITING PRIZE
https://themothmagazine.com/a1-page.asp?ID=8343&page=27
€15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 15, 2022. The Moth Nature Writing Prize aims to encourage and celebrate the art of nature writing. The Moth Nature Writing Prize is open to anyone over 16, as long as the work is original and previously unpublished. There is a 4,000 maximum word limit. The winning entry will appear in the winter issue of The Moth. 

NEW WOMEN'S VOICES CHAPBOOK COMPETITION
https://finishinglinepress.submittable.com/submit
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 15, 2022. A prize of $1,500, royalty contract, and publication by Finishing Line Press is given annually for a poetry chapbook by a writer who identifies as a woman and has not yet published a full-length collection. We do allow hybrid manuscripts in addition to traditional poetry manuscripts: prose poetry or formal verse. We do allow art to be included with the manuscript.  Please follow page count guidelines.  One page of art is equal to one page of poetry.

DOGWOOD 
https://dogwood.submittable.com/submit
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 5, 2022. You are invited to submit to Dogwood’s annual contest, which awards $1,000 each for the best essay, story, and poem submitted during the reading period. Submit fiction or nonfiction up to 22 pages. Submit one, two, or three poems (max ten pages). 

ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS FIRST BOOK AWARD
https://poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/first-book-award
$35 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 1, 2022. The winning manuscript, chosen by an acclaimed poet, is published by Graywolf Press, an award-winning independent publisher committed to the discovery and energetic publication of contemporary American and international literature. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid, six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, a 15th-century castle in the Umbrian region of Italy, where they will become part of a cohort of accomplished international artists, writers, and composers; distribution of their winning book to thousands of Academy of American Poets members. Manuscripts must be between 48 and 100 pages. If the entry fee is a barrier to the applicant, the applicant may request for a fee waiver by writing to [email protected].

THE OFF THE GRID POETRY PRIZE
https://www.grid-books.org/off-the-grid-press
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. The competition is open only to poets aged 60 years or older. The winner will receive $1,000 and publication. Manuscripts must be typed, paginated, and at least 50 pages in length. 

ST. LAWRENCE BOOK AWARD - PROSE
https://blacklawrencepress.submittable.com/submit
$27 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. Each year Black Lawrence Press will award the St. Lawrence Book Award for an unpublished collection of prose. The St. Lawrence Book Award is open to any writer who has not yet published a full-length collection in any genre. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes will be awarded on publication. 

ST. LAWRENCE BOOK AWARD = POETRY
https://blacklawrencepress.submittable.com/submit
$27 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. Each year Black Lawrence Press will award the St. Lawrence Book Award for an unpublished collection of poetry. The St. Lawrence Book Award is open to any writer who has not yet published a full-length collection in any genre. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes will be awarded on publication. 

GEMINI FLASH FICTION AWARD
https://gemini-magazine.com/flash-fiction-contest-2022/
$7 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. FIrst prize $1,000. Second prize $100. Four honorable mentioned of $25. Limit 1,000 words. All six finalists published online in the October 2022 issue of Gemini. 

BARTHELME PRIZE FOR SHORT PROSE
http://gulfcoastmag.org/contests/barthelme-prize/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. The Prize for Short Prose is open to flash fiction, prose poems, and micro-essays of 500 words or fewer. The contest awards its winner $1,000 and publication in the journal. Two honorable mentions will receive $250, and all entries will be considered for paid publication on the website as Online Exclusives.

THE PUBLISHING LABORATORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS
https://www.uno.edu/unopress/lab
$28 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2022. The selected author will receive a $10,000 advance on royalties and a contract to publish with The University of New Orleans Press. The work does not have to be regionally focused. There is no word limit. There is no restriction on subjects covered. The contest is open to all authors from around the world, regardless of publishing history. Works of fiction (novels and short story collections) only. 

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

 

FORT UNION NATIONAL MONUMENT RESIDENCY
https://nationalparksartsfoundation.submittable.com/submit
Deadline September 30, 2022. Location Watrous, New Mexico, a historic outpost on the high plains and on the Santa Fe trail. Open to any and all artists, writers, musicians or performance artists. Residency dates March 2023. Stipend $1,000. 

MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL SECTOR REOVERY GRANTS
https://massculturalcouncil.org/artists-art/cultural-sector-recovery-grants-for-individuals/
Deadline November 1, 2022. Cultural Sector Recovery for Individuals offers unrestricted grants of $5,000 to creatives and gig workers to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and set a path for growth. This one-time FY23 grant program is funded through state pandemic recovery monies Mass Cultural Council received from the Legislature. To apply for this grant, an applicant must be a full-year resident of Massachusetts, 18 years or older, and an artist or cultural practitioner active in any artistic discipline or cultural tradition, a teaching artist/scientist/humanist, or a cultural worker in the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences.

VIRGINIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
https://www.vcca.com/apply/fully-funded-fellowships/
Deadline September 15, 2022. Applicants will be considered for a VCCA residency and as many fully funded fellowships for which they are eligible. In addition, all eligible applicants who demonstrate a need will be considered for financial aid to help cover the cost of their residency. The VCCA residency at Mt. San Angelo includes a private bedroom with a private bath, a separate individual studio, and three meals daily in a community of cross-disciplinary artists. Fellowships  under consideration will occur between May 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023. 
 
  

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY SEEKS WRITER AND CONTENT WRITER (TWO JOBS)
https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/34776
https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/34816
Essential job functions are writing feature stories about student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments and covering occasional news events. Proofreading and editing as needed. Minimum two years experience with a degree in communication, journalism, marketing or similar. Must have the ability to adapt an overall institutional “voice” across a variety of channels as audience-appropriate. Location North Carolina. 

CREATIVE WRITER NEEDED FOR IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM
Apply here
Our Immigration law firm is looking for an experienced writer to join our team. We are an immigration law firm who focuses on helping victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. As a creative writer at our law firm, you will be giving victims a voice by writing their story based on their factual statements. We are looking for someone with excellent writing skills and a motivation to help make a difference in the life of human trafficking survivors and domestic violence survivors. Native English skills are required. Location Miami, FL. 

WASHINGTONIAN
https://www.washingtonian.com/writers-guidelines/
Washingtonian is the city magazine for the DC area. We publish long, deeply reported profiles, true-crime yarns, and pieces of narrative journalism. But we also run trend pieces, photo essays, column-length arguments and comprehensive lists. The one common denominator is that our stories are about the place we live—how Washington works, or how to get the most out of Washington. Pays $1/word on the average. Right now, special call by Mimi Montgomery, Home and Features editor, for home design, DIY or real estate stories. Email [email protected]

THE CURRENT
https://thecurrentla.com/about/
The Current is a nonprofit news organization serving Lafayette and southern Louisiana. We publish journalism from contributors who reflect our community’s diversity of people and ideas. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and inclusiveness in our work. Seeking freelancers to contribute coverage of government, education, environment, the arts and community events and engagement. Accepted formats include features, reports and multimedia. Send pitches to [email protected]. Pays 25 cents per word. 

THE FOOD SECTION
https://thefoodsection.substack.com/
And here to apply. 
Our mission at The Food Section is to serve eaters across the American South by providing them with the information and analysis they need to enhance their food and drink experiences. You can count on The Food Section for original, inclusive, and independent reporting about restaurants, bars, farmers, fishermen, food artisans—and everything else that influences how and what we eat and drink in the region today. Rate: $1,000 for a 1,200-word reported piece.

GOODRX
https://jobs.lever.co/goodrx/29dee9bf-8e45-458e-8232-dcc22b841188
GoodRx is America’s healthcare marketplace. GoodRx is looking for freelance writers who can put a face on what it's like to go through a health crisis. We want strong storytellers who can approach patient stories with journalistic expertise. Most stories will be 800 to 1,200 words, with a pay rate of $500 per story. We are open to remote locations in the U.S.

 

Publishers/agents

ONEWORLD PUBLICAITONS
https://oneworld-publications.com/about/book-proposals/
Interested only in nonfiction at this time. With nonfiction, it is important that you show what makes you particularly qualified to write this book. Not all of their writers are academics, but they are all experts in their chosen field. One of the most important considerations for any publisher considering a new project is the target market. If we are to consider your proposal seriously we will need clear and precise information about the audience for whom you are writing, and about any potential secondary markets. 

ANGRY ROBOT PUBLISHING
https://angryrobotbooks.com/submissions/
We do not currently accept proposals from unagented authors; however, we are open to un-agented submissions from Black authors. We currently only publish novels (think 60k+ words), whether standalone or as part of greater series. Although based in the UK, we publish internationally, with our titles being distributed worldwide by Penguin-RandomHouse. Genre limited to science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING
https://www.evernightpublishing.com/pages/Submissions.html
We are only interested in acquiring romance. Your book should be thoroughly proofread before submitting.  No head-hopping. We want to see books that have well developed plots, strong conflicts, memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and a powerful romance.

FELONY & MAYHEM
https://felonyandmayhem.com/pages/submissions
We publish mystery fiction for adults and, at this time, no other genres. All manuscripts must be a minimum of 80,000 words; 85,000 is preferable. A submission should consist of a brief synopsis (no more than four paragraphs) and one sample chapter OR a representative ten pages. We accept submissions by email only: [email protected].

CHARLESBRIDGE
https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/submissions
Charlesbridge publishes high-quality books for young people with a goal of creating lifelong readers and learners. We believe that books for children should offer accurate information, promote a positive worldview, and embrace a child’s innate sense of wonder and fun. To this end, we seek new voices, new visions, and new directions in children’s literature.

KOEHLER BOOKS
https://www.koehlerbooks.com/submit-your-work/
We prefer manuscripts with a range of 20,000 – 90,000 words, though we will consider longer manuscripts of quality. Before you submit, please study our website and be aware of our two publishing models: traditional and co-publishing (a.k.a. hybrid publishing). We are not accepting children’s picture books or poetry at this time. We publish works of fiction and nonfiction genres. 

APOLLO PUBLISHERS
http://apollopublishers.com/index.php/contact-2/#
Apollo Publishers is a high-concept, boutique publishing house designed with the interests of today’s readers in mind. Our vibrant, one-of-a-kind books are from authors with expertise and compelling new ideas. We are exclusively publishing timely and topical nonfiction for adult trade audiences. Topics may cover a broad spectrum as long as they are relevant today and are likely to be relevant in the years to come. We do not publish fiction or poetry.
 

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E-mail: [email protected]
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
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