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Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST 

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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS

ON BEING PRODUCTIVE

One of the most often asked questions I receive is how I accomplish all that I accomplish. People ask like it's a secret method of organizing my day. I've always been a fairly organized person, frankly, but if I had to give one slice of advice it would be this. . . 

Make a short list of three to five things to accomplish the next day. Wake up and do them. Learn to say no until they are accomplished. Don't go to bed until they are done. 

Of course there are other little rules that develop over time. For instance, I go to the gym each morning. Once home, I dive into the items with deadlines first. I make myself stand from my seat hourly. I write no later than eight P.M. when I spend time with my husband.

Some admire the ritual, but there are times when the grandchildren come into play or I cook out for the family. I may have a book signing or an appearance to make. There are sick days. Those days get wrecked. Unless I have an urgent deadline due the next day, I don't let it upset me. 

It's important that writing be a part of your daily habit, though. There is no doing everything else then giving the leftover time to writing. Quite the opposite. You write first and give the leftover time to other things. 

Anyone who knows me, understands my priorities. Family, writing, health (gym and diet), nature (gardening and chickens), and dachshunds. If I say I'm on deadline, my family understands what that means, and they help accommodate me. Is it because they are so sweet? Partly. But they would not honor that priority if I didn't demand it be a priority. See what I mean? 

There is nothing wrong with writing not being a priority, though. Just realize that your productivity will be less, you won't sell as many books, you'll land less writing gigs, and your brand will not be as strong. 

I'm productive because I love what I do. That's true of anyone. And the better you practice it (whatever IT is), the better you become. And the better you become, the more you make the time for that love to come first. It really is that simple. You do what you want to do.

4245701 © Henrischmit | Dreamstime.com

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HOPE'S APPEARANCES

 
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SUccess Story

Featured article

What You Should Know About the WGA Strike

By Mark Heidelberger

There’s no shortage of drama in Hollywood these days. And I don’t mean in front of the camera. I’m referring to the drama that seems to be increasing as more shows stop filming: the Writers Guild of America strike.

The WGA is the labor union representing over 15,000 writers working in entertainment. When negotiations on a new signatory contract with the AMPTP – the trade group representing major networks and studios – cratered, WGA leadership authorized a strike to begin on May 2^nd, the first day after their old contract expired. The whole situation has left some scratching their heads. What’s this really about, when will it end, and does it affect me, even if I’m not in the WGA? All good questions. Let’s take each one separately.

What’s the strike about?

A large amount of content has migrated away from traditional networks and onto streaming platforms where old residual models are obsolete. Writers are paid every time a show airs on TV, such as through reruns or syndication, but streaming has no corresponding metrics since shows on those platforms are played at the whims of individual audience members. A WGA strike in 2007-08 was an effort to include streaming – then called “new media” – into their basic agreement, but terms wound up only affording minimal protections, as no one knew how prolific streaming would become.

Moreover, streaming shows tend to use smaller writer rooms than the old network shows (what we call “mini rooms”) and shoot fewer episodes (perhaps eight instead of 24), meaning fewer writers are being employed, and over shorter periods of time. As such, the guild wants “span protections” that guarantee writers will be employed for a minimum number of weeks on a given show. Also of concern is the use of A.I. to replace screenwriters.

When and how will it end?

The AMPTP claims studio profits are down as shareholders pull capital, theatrical attendance dwindles, audience attention fractures, and an ever-changing media landscape upends their revenue models. In addition, they claim WGA proposals force them to employ writers even if their services are not required. In short, this is not two parties separated by the LA River, but rather the Grand Canyon. There’s no real precedent here, and no amount of noodling with the existing contract is going to fix the problem.

Whole new models are going to have to be created to deal with these issues, which will take a while to figure out, and that process can’t start until both parties sit down and start talking again. But as long as the studios have enough content to keep their slates full, whether through stockpiling scripts or reruns or non-union formats like reality and animation, they have little incentive to rush back to the table. Expect this strike to last many more months.

How does it affect me?

Obviously, if you’re a WGA member, you have to put your pen down. Any members caught crossing picket lines can be fined, blacklisted or expelled from the guild. But what if you’re not a WGA member? Can the strike affect you? The short answer is yes, in several ways:

- Production companies who are not WGA signatories do not have to abide by the strike. That means they may still be looking to hire non-union writers for film and TV content even as the strike drags on. While you also have no legal obligation to the strikers, news travels fast in Hollywood, and some people have long memories, so you may not want to be remembered as failing to support your fellow writers.

- The WGA is taking note of non-union writers who perform writing work for struck companies and has threatened to blacklist those individuals from joining in the future. While it’s a legal gray area whether they can truly do that, it might not be worth the risk if you have dreams of becoming a member one day.

- Once the WGA does eventually lock a deal, they can force signatory companies to refrain from working with writers on their blacklist.

- Even negotiating, pitching, taking notes or otherwise discussing future writing assignments with a struck company is prohibited under WGA rules, so it’s best to desist from any such dealmaking until the strike ends.

Any good news?

Yes! There are some things you can do in the meantime.

1) Support your fellow writers as they seek a fair and equitable deal from their employers, either on picket lines or social media.

2) Commercials, video games and certain types of animation are not part of the strike, so work can still be done in those areas without fear of reprisal.

3) The strike is a wholly American phenomenon, so writing assignments for foreign-based companies are fair game.

4) You can spend this time at home developing, honing, writing and rewriting so that when this strike does end, you’ll be ready to showcase your new project to the world. And who knows, that just might be the one that gets you into the WGA.

BIO - Mark Heidelberger co-founded Beverly Hills-based Treasure Entertainment in 2000, serving as a film executive, producer and literary manager until 2011 before going freelance. Film and TV credits include Harsh Times, Comfort, Ninja Apocalypse, The Basement, Take the Night, Pray for Rain, Hallmark Channel's You've Got a Friend and the soon-to-be-released Last Night on Earth. Often times, he performs ghostwriting services on screenplays in addition to his producing duties. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America. He holds a BA in Film Studies from UCSB and an MFA in Producing from UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television.

COmpetitions

GUTSY GREAT NOVELIST PAGE ONE PRIZE
https://gutsygreatnovelist.com/page-one-prize/

$20 ENTRY FEE. Submissions open June 14 – July 14. The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize is awarded for an outstanding opening page of an unpublished novel. First prize is $1,000; 2nd is $500; and 3rd is $250. The prize is open internationally to anyone over 18 writing a novel in English in any genre for adult or YA readers.




- - - 

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST
https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2023. Seeking creative nonfiction on any topic (1000 words or less) and in any style--from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay and hermit crab, 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. 

OREGON BOOK AWARDS
https://literary-arts.org/about/programs/oba/book-awards
Literary Arts’ Oregon Book Awards program honors the state’s finest accomplishments by Oregon writers who work in genres of poetry, fiction, graphic literature, drama, literary nonfiction, and literature for young readers. In addition to financial support, the program produces the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour to connect local writers and literary organizations in all parts of Oregon. Each year, Oregon Book Awards finalists and winners travel to towns across Oregon for readings, school visits, and free writing workshops.

MINDS ON FIRE OPEN BOOK PRIZE
https://www.conduit.org/book-prizes
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 3, 2023. 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. Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90 pages should be submitted. The winning poet will receive $1,500 and 30 author copies. The Conduit editorial board will select the winning manuscript.

AAAS/SUBARU PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE BOOKS
https://www.sbfprize.org/submission-guidelines
Deadline July 10, 2023. The AAAS/Subaru Book Prize aims to encourage the reading, writing, and publishing of quality science books. The Prize will be awarded in the following categories: Children's Science Picture Book, Middle Grades Science Book, Young Adult Science Book, Hands-On Science Book. Winning authors and illustrators will be recognized at the AAAS Annual Meeting which will be held February 15-17, 2024 in Denver, CO. Each winner will receive $1,500 and a commemorative plaque. Submitted books must have a publication date between July 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023. Only nonfiction, science books are eligible.

1729 BOOK PRIZE IN POETRY
http://masonjarpress.com/1729-prize-in-poetry
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2023. Offered by Mason Jar Press with support from The Ivy Bookshop. We tend to lean toward semi-experimental works with a strong literary bent. Hybrid works are welcome. 50–75 pages/poems is probably the sweet spot. Submission cap: 500. The winner will receive a $1,000 award, contributor copies, and quarterly profit-sharing. (Thanks www.erikadreifus.com)

MORLEY PRIZE FOR UNPUBLISHED WRITERS OF COLOR - UK
https://www.morleygallery.com/morley-lit-prize-applicants
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 14, 2023. To enter this prize with a work of fiction, you will need to submit a manuscript of the first 30 pages of an original novel, as well as a three-page maximum outline summarising the rest of the book. To enter with a work of non-fiction, you will need to submit a detailed summary of the work of not more than 30 pages, including a table of contents and a coherent 3,000 word writing sample. Short fiction, poetry and works written for children (including YA) are not eligible. Must be a resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland for the duration of the prize. Short-listed applications will receive a certificate, an invitation (+1) to the prize launch, a digital advice session with a literary agent, and the opportunity to exhibit an extract of their work online and as part of an exhibition at Morley College London. The winner will receive the above shortlist prizes, and in addition £500, an award certificate, a discount voucher for a Morley College London course of their choice (Ts & Cs apply), and a free manuscript review and one-hour in person meeting with a professional literary agent from RML. 

BLACK VOICES IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE WRITING CONTEST
https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/free-spirit-publishing/black-voices-childrens-literature-writing-contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 24, 2023. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Strive Publishing exists to help solve two problems: the need for culturally relevant children’s books and the underrepresentation of Black authors. 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 and focusing on one or more of the following topics: character development, self-esteem, identity, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development. Religious messages (outside of the representation of religious practices) and fantasy themes will not be considered. Must be Black residents of the US. First Place $1,000 and more. The winning submission will be seriously considered for publication by Free Spirit, cobranded with Strive; however, publication is not guaranteed. Second Place $500. Third Place $250. 
 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

EATER BOSTON
https://boston.eater.com/2020/11/3/21540190/hiring-jobs-writing-journalism-eater-boston
Are you obsessed with the dining scene in Massachusetts? There might be a spot for you writing for Eater Boston, either as an occasional contributor or on a more regular basis. We’re primarily seeking writers to contribute and update maps and guides on a freelance basis, although news and feature pitches will occasionally be considered. Before you pitch, please search the site archives to make sure that you’re sending a fresh idea. Noted for paying up to $300 per article. 

100 DAYS IN APPALACHIA
https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2020/07/100-days-appalachia-call-pitches/
We tell the political, economic and human stories of communities that are more complex than national narratives have allowed. And unlike national media outlets, we don’t leave Appalachia when the story ends. We are inviting a diverse range of new voices and perspectives to contribute to narrating the true story of this place — in words, pictures, video and experimental media. We invite you to submit your ideas and work to help create a new narrative for our region and start a dialogue, among outsiders and ourselves. Pay estimated at 25 cents/word. 

OTEH NIKAN
https://otehnikan.ca/about-us/submission-guidelines-payment
oteh nîkân publishes writing by LGBTQ2S+ Indigenous writers year-round. Poetry, fiction, and non-fiction (including scholarly writing and criticism). Prose up to 3000 words. Poetry up to 1000 words per poem (up to 5 pages of poems). Prose: $300 CAD/per prose piece. Poetry: $200 CAD/per poem.

LUX
https://lux-magazine.com/
Submit pitches to [email protected]. Rates are a dollar per word for features and reported pieces. Pays 50 cents/word for other departments. Lux is a feminist magazine of politics and culture. We publish a glossy print edition three times a year featuring our award-winning writers, and a regular newsletter. Our coverage runs from in-depth political reporting — on underground abortion networks, for example, or on abolitionists’ 911 alternatives — to reviews of the latest batch of bisexual novels and reports on feminist politics from Afghanistan to Mexico. We publish established and emerging writers and artists, delivering their work to readers in over a dozen countries.

DIRT
https://dirt.fyi/dirt-pitch-guidelines
Standard rates start at $0.50/word, negotiable for reported pieces. Q&As are paid out at $0.30/word. 
Pieces are generally commissioned at around 500-800 or 800-1000 words. Dirt is billed as a newsletter about entertainment, and television (particularly streaming) is our bread and butter. We love short essays and posts that take an unexpected angle on a popular show, highlight a previously uncovered element or particular aesthetic of a show everyone is watching, or recommend things that it seems like no one is watching at all. Beyond TV, Dirt publishes pieces covering all kinds of cultural ephemera: movies, books, fashion and style, art, furniture and design, scene reports, shopping, video games, music, politics, and media. We embrace the esoteric. 

WORDWORKS
https://www.bcwriters.ca/submit/
Deadline July 3, 2023. The theme for our fall 2023 issue is "Amplify! Marketing, Promo, and Engagement for Writers." At every career stage, writers seek ways to expand the reach and engagement of their work. This issue will explore small steps and big strategies for making noise with your writing. Amplifying can look like many things: from nurturing an audience to developing an author persona, creating a marketing plan or planning a book launch, delivering workshops or stepping up to an open mic. We welcome your pitches for articles with practical advice or thoughtful perspectives on how we can best share our work with the world. Please submit up to three pitches (150 words max per pitch) through Submittable. WordWorks pays $125 for articles of 400–600 words and $250 for articles of 800–1,100 words. Although we are primarily interested in articles, we will consider a limited number of poems (up to 30 lines) or pieces of prose (up to 500 words) centred around the theme. We pay $50 per piece. 
 

Publishers/agents

FROG LITERARY AGENCY LTD.
https://www.frogliterary.agency/submissions
Frog is only open to submissions from LGBTQIA+ writers. Though Frog only represents queer people, your writing does not need to have a queer focus. Frog is not accepting submissions for Children's, Fantasy, Horror, Play/Film Scripts or Poetry. Submit a one to two-page synopsis, biographical note and the first three chapters of your manuscript. Please only submit when you have a complete manuscript.

SARABANDE
https://saraband.net/trade-submissions/
We are currently unable to accept fiction submissions due to the challenges since the disruptions of COVID-19. For non-fiction submissions, please email your book description, table of contents and a sample chapter together with a brief CV relevant to your writing to [email protected] .

ULYSSES PRESS
https://ulyssespress.com/about-us/
Our publishing program seeks to move along the cultural cutting edge. We stay ahead of the competition by publishing books at the forefront of emerging trends and by finding unique angles on established topics unexplored by other publishers. When it comes to finding new books, we are especially interested in titles that fill demonstrated niches in the trade book market. We seek books that take a specific and unique focus, a focus that can differentiate a book and make it stand out in a crowd. Beyond market-driven, Ulysses Press focuses on highly targeted niche groups that aren’t being offered the books they want by the big corporate-owned publishing houses.

CONUNDRUM PUBLISHING
https://www.conundrumpub.com/
We work with authors to produce and publish cutting-edge thriller novels.

CLASH BOOKS
https://www.clashbooks.com/submission-guidelines
We are looking for strong, fresh voices & POV's in any genre. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. 

KOGAN PAGE
https://www.koganpage.com/page/submit-a-book-proposal
We publish award-winning content from the world's leading business experts to help organizations and professionals develop the skills, competencies and knowledge to thrive. Our core subject areas include:
Business & Management, Human Resources and Learning & Development, Marketing & Communications, Logistics, Supply Chain & Operations, Skills, Careers & Employability, Inspired Thinking, Risk, Compliance & CSR, Accounting, Finance & Banking, Digital & Technology. 

JOURNALSTONE
https://journalstone.com/journalstone-submissions/
We want horror in all its forms—from literary to weird, Gothic to psychological, and (almost) everything in between. We’re looking for amazing stories from amazing authors, regardless of race, gender, religion. Check for opening submission dates. Ideal word count for novels and fiction collections: 50,000 – 90,000. Anything over about 120,000 words will be a hard sell unless it’s just outstanding. Ideal word count for novellas: 20,000 – 30,000.

REYCRAFT BOOKS
https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/reycraftbooks/trade-books.html
Our authors and illustrators represent a vast tapestry of cultures, lifestyles, and experiences, and they share their unique voices and visions through their craft. They enrich children’s literature with their talents, opening new horizons to readers with their thoughtful and enlightening perspectives.

ROGUE PHOENIX PRESS
https://roguephoenixpress.com/submissions/submission-guidlines/
Rogue Phoenix is open for submissions in the following Genres: ROMANCE, CONTEMPORARY, EROTICA, HISTORICAL, REGENCY, WESTERN, SCIENCE FICTION, GAY/LESBIAN, MENAGE, PARANORMAL, WOMEN’S FICTION, HISTORICAL FICTION, CONTEMPORARY FICTION, MYSTERY/CRIME, ADVENTURE, STEAMPUNK, SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY, YOUNG ADULT, ANTHOLOGIES, NONFICTION. We currently are not accepting horror, collections of short stories, manuscripts less than 40,000 words or manuscripts previously published in any format, including self-published. We do not accept manuscripts partially or completely generated by AI (artificial intelligence) software such as ChatGPT. Rogue Phoenix Press is mainly an ebook Publisher. 

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FUNDSFORWRITERS CONTACT INFO

FINE PRINT

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E-mail: [email protected]
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
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