VOLUME 24, ISSUE 5 | February 2, 2024 |
ONLY ONE
PERSON Around election time, and I'm rabid about voting at election time, we are told that our one little vote counts. Amidst millions of votes, our lone vote counts. I'm a firm believer in that mindset. Because if a half million voters thought their vote didn't count and didn't go to the polls, the world can actually shift as the unexpected candidate wins. The future changes. I have seen all over social media, writers saying that their little use of AI for their book, story, or cover won't matter because they are only one of millions. Enough others are against it, they say, so it doesn't matter if only one writer uses it. Nobody will be able to tell. Plus, these writers are (using their words): - only self-published
- only using it for one of their several books
- only using it for
novellas
- only using it in small sections
- only using it to get rid of writers block
- only using it because editors/illustrators/narrators charge so much
- only using it to level the playing field between those who can afford the professionals and those who cannot
And that's how AI, or a political candidate, takes charge. That's how they become common place. That's how what you didn't expect creeps in
and becomes the norm. All it takes is for a lone individual to think that what they do doesn't matter, when it fact. . . it seriously does. |
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 2000
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. FundsforWriters finds open submission calls, contests, and markets from a wide variety of sources, including Erika Dreifus' Practicing Writer newsletter, Erica Verrillo's blog, Authors Publish, Poets & Writers, Duotrope, Winning Writers, Write Jobs Plus, LinkedIn Jobs, Emily Stoddard, and other newsletters and
online sites. Many announcements are submitted directly to FundsforWriters from active contests, journals, magazines, publishers, residencies, and grant providers. All must be paying opportunities. Contests must pay a minimum of $200 first place. Submit potential listings to [email protected]
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 Read the FFW Archive STUMBLING When we start anything in our lives, we stumble through it. Yet, for some reason, we don't want people to know that we are stumbling. In fact, everyone in the world is stumbling through their lives, because the only way to grow is to proceed
through trial and error, and you know what? We haven't done most of this before. But a lot of people stop pursuing their dreams because they dislike the stumbling part. They are afraid of appearing novice when everyone has to go through that stage. They are afraid of making mistakes, when the only way to learn is by making them. So they stop in the middle of all the learning because it is painful to feel stupid. The successful continue to muscle through that phase (or multiple stages of that phase). Social media exposes a lot of stumbling. 1) We feel we must post our attempts on social media or we feel like we aren't doing anything.
2) We feel we need pats on the back
for just trying.
3) Trolls feel the need to demean our attempts, failures, struggles, and choices. We don't have to post our attempts. We can just push through our learning. Why does anyone have to know what we are getting wrong or blindly attempting to achieve? Why do we do this to ourselves, knowing full well that there are opinions out there that won't agree with yours? Look forward and set goals. There is no need to share them. No need to self sabotage. If you feel the need for pats on the back, then maybe you aren't pursuing the right dream. A hard core dream means you struggle and fight for it regardless of the obstacles, because your dream is everything, regardless what people say. Stumble.
Then stumble again. Every successful person, past and present, pushed through failures until they reached success. They didn't allow themselves to stop and listen to the naysayers. Need accountability for your writing practice? Inside StoryCore, my new online writing community, you'll find a humming network of writers who are dedicated to making progress on their own work, growing their craft and helping other writers along the way. A
low-cost monthly membership gives you: - Inspirational quotes and questions
- Writing challenges
- Monthly writing craft talks
- 1-1 coaching calls to talk about your work
- Monthly Q&A sessions, where you can ask anything about your writing project or the writing craft in general
- Invitations/opportunities to join small writing groups
- Opportunities to connect with an accountability
partner
- Opportunities to receive feedback on your works-in-progress
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Join for just $37/mo (or get two months free on the annual plan of $370/year) and take your writing to the next level! Learn more and sign up at https://community.thestorycore.org/products/communities/storycore Questions? Email [email protected]. -February 12, 2024 - International Women's Writers Guild, Zoom, The Facts, Fiction, and Hope of Grants for Writers, 4 PM Eastern. -March 8,
2024 - Colleton County Library, 600 Hampton St, Walterboro, SC - 1-2PM -March 22-24, 2024 - Writer's Digest Mystery/Thriller Virtual Conference - presenter - Keeping Pace in the Middle of Your Mystery -May 29, 2024 - A Moveable Feast, presenter C. Hope Clark, Restaurant TBD, Pawley's Island, SC -June 1-8, 2024 - The Gutsy Great Novelist Retreat, Bar Harbor, Maine - writer-in-residence
-June 22, 2024 - Richland County Library, Ballentine, 1200 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo, SC - time TBD - July 9, 2024 - South Congaree-Pine Ridge
Branch Library, 200 Sunset Dr, West Columbia, SC 29172 - 5:30-7:00 PM
Email: [email protected] to schedule
events, online or otherwise. There's starting to be life out there! “Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.”
– Langston Hughes
<<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to [email protected] >>
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Avoiding These 3 Mistakes Will Help You Sell Your Screenplay
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By Tom Byrne We all want to write that perfect script. One that will blow the reader's mind and convince a producer to shovel copious amounts of money into our creation (but only once the strike finishes, of course). Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done, as the majority of screenplays fall well short of perfection. I've spent the last year pouring through scripts of all kinds like my life depends on it (it does actually);
new ones and classics. You name a type of script, I've read it twice. Therefore, I've decided to lay out the three biggest issues that newcomers tend to make when trying to crack into the industry as I see it. Confusing Screenwriting with Prose Writing: Novelists have always resented screenwriters because we seem to have less work to do. As you know, your screenplay is not written to make the New York Times Bestseller list; instead, it
exists as a manual of sorts for filmmakers and their crew to breathe life into. Since pages from a screenplay generally have much more white space than those from our counterparts, you'd think that we screenwriters would revel in this fact; however, some still seem unaware that they are free from such a burden and continue to write unnecessary information. A screenplay is only read by those in the industry. Audiences don't get to or want to read what you've
written. They pay to see it visualized. So don't include tons of information that won't be directly presented to them. For example, a script I read a few months back mentioned details about the dynamic between the protagonist and a character who only appears in one scene. The script stated that the latter bullied the main character during their childhood years; however, this wasn't apparent without the discretion on the page. Therefore, viewers wouldn't have any idea about
their history unless you show it on screen. If not shown, leave it out. Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud: It's a genuine skill to weave subtext into your work. Unfortunately, it's a skill that some struggle putting into practice. This lack of ability usually manifests itself in the characters literally discussing the subtext aloud, making for less than compelling drama. Let's say your script is about
overcoming depression. A relevant topic for sure, but how do you make it work as a story? The lazy way is to include scenes where characters sit around discussing depression and its effects on their lives. As an alternative, you could show that your protagonist battles depression by including scenes where the depression is visually displayed. (Show don't tell.) For instance, in the movie You Were Never Really Here we are exposed to the protagonist's mental
health issues through his behavior; we see him engaging in risky behavior such as leaning forward at a railway station as a train approaches. Clunky Exposition: The bane of a writer's life is exposition, but, you can incorporate it into your script without it seeming forced or obvious. An effective manner is to inject conflict between characters in scenes that are overly expository, rather than having them plainly explaining the plot. This
will help you to gradually trickle information to the audience without making your scene flat and uninspiring. A movie that brilliantly handles exposition is David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. The story revolves around a journalist hired to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl. When the background of the case is explained to Blomkvist (the journalist), by Harriet’s uncle, the scene's expository nature is disguised by the latter explaining
his dislike for all of the suspects in the case. Here's a video that goes in-depth on the scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNyJGHDKBng Hopefully, your writing will benefit after following the advice given. All I ask in return is that you give me a shout-out in your Oscar acceptance speech. Bio: Tom Byrne is a
script reader/editor based in Ireland. Since receiving a Diploma in Film and Television Production he works as a freelancer, his website being, Page 1 Screen Services (https://www.page1screenservices.com). He possesses a strong interest in publishing his own writing online, both on his blog and on Medium, and is keen to gain as much experience as possible.
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GUTSY GREAT NOVELIST CHAPTER ONE PRIZE $20 ENTRY FEE. Submissions open
Thursday, Feb 1 - Friday, March 1, 2024. 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. GRAYWOLF PRESS NONFICTION PRIZE
https://www.graywolfpress.org/about-us/submissions
No mention of entry fee. Submit in February 2024. A $20,000 advance and publication by Graywolf Press will be awarded to a literary nonfiction project
by a writer not yet established in the genre, plus a $2,000 stipend intended to support the completion of their project. BACKBONE PRESS ANNUAL POETRY CHAPBOOK COMPETITION
https://backbonepress.org/how-to-submit/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2024. Chapbook-length manuscripts are 20-40 pages. A $250 prize, (20)
author copies for personal use and distribution, a $250 travel stipend for a reading and a 45-minute free book publicity consultation with Gold Leaf Literary. ELECTRIC BOOK AWARD
https://altcurrentpress.com/2023/01/06/electric-book-award/
$18 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2024. Book-length
manuscripts of literary fiction, short stories, poetry, plays, novels, long novellas, creative nonfiction, literary memoir, essay collections, or hybrid. Winner receives $1,000, our Electric Book Award digital medallion, a certificate, and book publication on Alternating Current Press, which includes distribution through Ingram and all major online retailers. Runners-up may also be offered book publication. SEJONG WRITING
COMPETITION
https://www.sejongculturalsociety.org/writing/current/sijo.php?fbclid=IwAR3dsNgV_I0yqv-oCp4MFqmMihAVk6cwHbmBCsihV0iPfrSQIjIDtbDwdKU
Deadline February 29, 2024. Divisions: adult division (age 19 and older) and pre-college division (age 18 and younger). Write one sijo in English
on a topic of your choice. Only one entry per applicant. Adult division: First ($1,000), Second ($750), Third ($500). Pre-college division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300). Must be a resident of USA or Canada. Erma Home Schooling The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop invites writers to join us in the virtual classroom for "Erma Home Schooling." Enjoy our popular keynote talks, including the opening night kick-off with Anna Quindlen, and learn from renowned faculty who will offer four exclusive
workshops to uplift your writing life. You'll hone your creativity, build valuable skills - and discover a wonderfully supportive online writing community. Early bird fee: $199 before March 8. Check out the program - and join us April 4-6, 2024. GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING Like many of us who KNOW we have lived through an experience that simply must be written, you’ve probably gotten stuck somewhere along the writing path. Most of us who long to write our memoirs do a lot of PAINFUL stopping and starting. Are you ready to get your book done? The Narrative Project’s 9-month Get Your Book Done program will give you EVERYTHING YOU NEED to complete the first draft of your memoir and prepare you for developmental edits. The Get Your Book Done program is a live tele-program, which means you get to take part virtually from the comfort of your own home. We
enroll a maximum of 24 writers per cohort. We help you create an organized writing life that is designed specifically for YOUR personality, temperament, and schedule. We provide accountability for getting your work done and support for the hard times. We teach you story-telling skills that help you craft effective narrative arc, build characters on the page, develop theme, construct scenic depiction,
establish pacing, discover voice, and create believable dialogue. And… at the end of the process you are guaranteed publication in an anthology of your peers. Get more information and apply today at https://www.thenarrativeproject.net/the-program/ AILEY OPPORTUNITY GRANTS - TN
https://tnartscommission.org/news/fy24-bailey-opportunity-grants/
Deadline March 19, 2024. A funding program that provides training and technical support to individual artists and small,
professionally-oriented arts and culture organizations. Artist must have lived within approximately 50 miles of downtown Knoxville for at least the past six months and remain a resident during the grant period (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024). Artist must be at least 18 years old. Artist must have exhibited, performed, presented and/or published artistic work in a public context in Knox County within the last 36 months (2020-2023). Most artist grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. SC ARTS PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS
https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/grant/aps/
Deadline March 4, 2024. To support artists’ and organizations’ quality arts projects and events and/or their commitment to improving themselves and/or their work artistically. Up to $2,500 per year. TEXAS TOURING ROSTER
https://www.arts.texas.gov/artroster/roster/
Performing arts companies and artists from throughout the state apply to be included on the Texas Touring Roster. These artists must have a history of touring and must be willing to travel outside of their community to do a performance. NJ
ARTISTS IN EDUCATION
https://www.nj.gov/state/njsca/dos_njsca_grants.html
Practicing professional artists are placed in long-term residencies (20+ days) in schools across the state. Residencies are offered in all disciplines and at all grade levels. All NJ PreK-12 schools can apply for one-year residencies. INDIANA ARTS
PROJECT SUPPORT
https://www.in.gov/arts/programs-and-services/funding/arts-project-support/#tab-225218-About_the_Program
Arts Project Support (APS) provides funding to 501c3 nonprofits, units of government, and schools to support arts projects during July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligible projects include a one-time art event, a
single performance, an exhibition, an educational workshop, or series of related arts activities such as classes or training sessions that are open to the public whether free or for a fee. Applicants may request up to $4,000. WRITERS: Coordinate with these entities to design an event for you.
CAREFREE
https://carefreemag.com/submissions/
At Carefree, we’re always looking for pitches that speak firsthand to the Black woman’s experience. Various columns in their newsletter open for pitches. Pays $100. THE ATAVIST
https://magazine.atavist.com/submissions/
Atavist stories are longform that can be historical or current; they can be about crime or science, adventure or romance; they can be rooted in investigative reporting or in first-person experiences. Stories are plot- and character-driven, cinematic, the kind of yarns you don’t want to stop reading because you can’t
wait to see what happens next. Anywhere from 8,000 to 30,000 words. Baseline story fee is $6,000. MY JEWISH LEARNING
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/about-us/
Accepting pitches on the history and culture of Black Jews between 800 and 1200 words. Rates begin at $150. Send pitch to [email protected]. Explain what you would like to write and your credentials for writing it. SCIENCE FRIDAY
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qR0OIQ_W3u0mWMrE6NmG4Q4g1g03NBQ3Wmp30hbVLOk/edit
Science Friday’s mission is to increase the
public’s access to science and scientific information. "Science” includes technology, medicine, and the environment. Length 500 - 1,000 words in English / up to 1,200 words in Spanish. Pays $.50/word. BESTCOLLEGES FREELANCE FINANCIAL AID WRITER
https://boards.greenhouse.io/rvedufreelancenetwork/jobs/3483117
As a
freelance financial aid writer for BestColleges, you will craft original content covering a variety of financial topics relevant to higher education, including blog posts and resource guides related to planning and saving for college, paying for college and college budgeting, applying for financial aid, types of financial aid, loan refinancing and consolidation, etc. Pays $100 for every 500 words.
APOCALYPSE PARTY
https://www.apocalypse-party.com/submissions.html
Apocalypse Party is currently seeking novels, novellas, and short story collections. We are specifically interested in horror, transgressive, and literary fiction. APRIL GLOAMING
https://aprilgloaming.com/submit/
Please note that we only look at poetry collections of at least 50 poems through this route of submissions. If your collection falls between 25-50 poems, please consider submitting to the Apogee Poetry Chapbook Award. Novels of at least 70k words. If you have written a novella of 20k-40k words, please consider submitting to the Moon Meridian
Novella Award. Memoirs of at least 70k words. If a novella-length memoir of 20k-40k words, please consider submitting to the Moon Meridian Novella Award. ARTEIDOLIA PRESS
https://www.arteidolia.com/submit/
Arteidolia Press is a small artist-run press based out of Ridgewood, Queens with focus on publishing collections of poetic encounters
that are diverse & inventive. AUBADE PUBLISHING
https://aubadepublishing.com/submit-manuscripts/
Looking for fantasy, science fiction, gothic, historical fiction, literary fiction, poetry, and memoirs. BEACON
https://www.beaconpublishinggroup.com/submissions
Beacon Publishing Group is an award-winning, independent publisher of books and audio books headquartered in NYC, seeking titles in fiction & non-fiction, including business, young adult, history, romance, mystery, horror, comedy, childrens, health & wellness and more. Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint any editorials, contact [email protected] for permission. Do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your publication is considered a valid right to publish out of ours.
C. Hope Clark
E-mail: [email protected]
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com Copyright 2000-2023, C. Hope Clark
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