VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 | February 9, 2024 |
PICKING YOUR FIGHT Recently, someone in the gym realized I was an author. Others in the gym began touting my attributes and said how many books they'd read. Then I was
asked how my day was structured. I said, for instance, right now I am writing one book and editing another. The publisher wanted more than the usual changes in a book I had submitted, so I was doing a substantial rewrite. The gym friend's reaction was priceless, and typical. "How do you take that? How do you stand someone telling you how to write your own
story?" A lot of writers ask that. Some use it to justify why they self-publish. I, however, understand the publisher's request. They are in the business of selling and marketing books. They know what will deter a reader and what will sell a book. If they think what I wrote wasn't working well, it behooves me to listen. Truth is, and the publisher knows this, I do not make every single change they request. And yes, I perceive it as a request. I do, however, understand that a seasoned eye may see many things I overlooked. So now I rewrite, happy for the
editorial advice. Sometimes I use what they say and sometimes I don't, but either way, I rewrite the story to make it better. Who am I to think my opinion is the only one that matters? |
C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website | Sign up for Newsletter
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
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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 Emerald Theatre Company’s 7th Annual 10-minute Play Festival No more than 10 minutes in length, 10 pages maximum, no more than 3 characters and a theme. This year's theme: Remember When... Choose any decade and reference any significant moment from that decade in your vignette. The historical moment can be the plot/focus of the vignette or DOES NOT have to be the
plot/focus of your vignette, but the historical event must be referenced. This is the playwright’s choice. Absurd, Comedic, Dark, Dramatic, Farce, Tragedy...literal or figurative, that is up to you!! Work must be original and unproduced. These are black box productions so minimal sets required. Playwrights should also consider any necessary costume or set pieces that may be
pertinent for production based on theme, setting and decade. Availability of certain costumes or set pieces may be unobtainable by ETC, so please try not to be too specific. The cover page should only have the play’s title and what decade is represented. On a separate page include playwrights name, address, phone and email. These do not count as part of the 10 pages. Entry Fee: $15.00 and a money order or check payable to Emerald Theatre Company OR sent via CashApp. Entry fee covers production costs and printing of scripts. Please send scripts in a word document. Deadline May 31, 2024. Winners contacted and announced July 1, 2024, and the play festival is September 2024.
Once payment is received and verified, playwrights will be notified, and scripts will be printed. 1st - $100 plus a medal plus stage performances 2nd $ 50.00 plus a medal plus stage performances 3rd a medal plus stage
performances
10 - 12 plays will be performed.
MAIL TO:
Hal Harmon
c/o ETC
1402 Linden Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104 or CashApp: $EmeraldTheatreMphs If sending via Cash App,
please email [email protected] www.etcmemphistheater.com A SUGGESTION ON AI Last week, in mentioning my hardline distain for AI in the creative universe,
someone labeled me naïve in thinking AI wasn't here to stay, mentioning technology. Admittedly, AI already has been in existence for a few years in that department, but now it's crossing into creativity, and that's utterly insulting. In my not-so-humble opinion. it will deteriorate writing, art, and music. Unless we handle it astutely. My suggestion is this. Make it a requirement that an author post whether or not AI was utilized in the creation of the words or cover. Our food has consumer laws mandating a list of ingredients so the consumer can make an informed decision whether to eat that many carbs, consume red and blue dyes, or allow preservatives into their
system. When I, as a reader, want to purchase a book, I want to insure I get value for the dollar invested. It's why I, and other readers, read reviews. I will even read about the author if I'm pondering whether to read someone I never have before. Personally, I want to support the author because I fully understand how important that support means. I also prefer to read something organically human, from the mind, heart, and soul. I want that connection. I want to admire that author's genius. Insert AI, and I don't want to read it. Frankly, an author who doesn't
want to declare they used AI is trying to hide the fact they were not the sole creator. Someone mentioned to me that AI levels the playing field for those who cannot get traditionally published or cannot afford editors and cover designers. Why does the playing field have to be leveled? There are beginner, journey level, and seasoned writers out there.
In any profession, one must pay their dues to learn, grow, and produce quality material. Why do we need shortcuts? If you want to use AI in describing a product on an ecommerce website, fine. But if you are taking me on a journey, if you are promising to entertain me, if you are offering me a gift of a wonderful story from your brain to mine, then make it
genuine. I'd be more than willing to pay more for it. -February 12, 2024 - International Women's Writers Guild, Zoom, The Facts, Fiction, and Hope of Grants for Writers, 4 PM Eastern. (members only) -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! “I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.” – Booker T. Washington
<<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to [email protected] >>
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Maintaining Your Computer for Writing Success
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By Richard Keller Congratulations on your endeavors, authors. You are part of an elite group of caring individuals. You care for your words, characters, worlds, and subjects. Yet, caring for your computers? Not so much. I read too many
complaints in writing groups that go something like this: "My computer is slower than a sloth working a fast-food counter." "I can't save the 700th novel draft on my hard drive." "Oh, no, my laptop crashed. I lost the only copy of my 500-page,
coming-of-age, cyberpunk dinosaur romance." The Common Problem Trifecta As a writer and IT administrator, I've repeatedly seen these issues across many industries. On the one hand, I sympathize with your difficulties. On the other, I grind my teeth and softly scream into my mouse pad at your issues. The fact is these problems are
solvable. A trio of circumstances causes the most common problems: 1. You haven't updated your operating system (OS), firmware (hardware programs), or security patches. 2. You leave multiple tabs on your internet browser, causing excessive use of
memory and processing time. 3. You don't back up your material, and your hard drive is near capacity, causing file saving to fail. Additionally, one or all these issues could occur if you don't update your system's security. Without proper protection, cybercriminals can leave enormous files on the computer for malicious
activities. Solutions Equal Success Treating your computer like other tools is essential. For example, if you don't clean your coffee maker, you won't have your precious creative juice to move forward. Similarly, if you don't maintain your computer, productivity decreases while your frustrations increase. In both cases, you
probably end up sobbing in a fetal position. Here's how to maintain your computer for writing success. 1. First, update your computer's OS and other productivity software, including your internet browser. The excuse, "Oh, but I like how everything is set up," doesn't play here. If good, you wouldn't slam your head against the desk
each time the device stopped working. 2. Update your device's firmware, which is software added to hardware components to handle regular operations. Although this step is done at the factory, regular updates maintain items like the processor, memory board, keyboard, and monitor. If you're uncomfortable performing these updates, reach out to your local computer repair shop for help. 3. Backup critical files. I would put this statement in flashing neon fireworks if I could. When you leave original stories on your system without a backup, the computer gremlins rub their hands with glee at erasing your life's work. Move your material to a Cloud service like OneDrive or Google Drive. Also, save it to a thumb drive (portable hard drive) and as a hard copy. Generally, back up as many copies as possible and keep
updating them. 4. Reduce the number of browser tabs. Image files or ad-heavy sites can drain the most powerful computer processor. Save essential URLs to your browser's bookmark bar or folders and exit the tabs. If you use Google Chrome, there are several ways to reduce CPU usage. 5. Invest in and configure security software, even
if it's a built-in product like Microsoft Defender. Although it doesn't eliminate cyberattacks on your computer, risks are greatly reduced. On top of securing your device, you gain a sense of peace that you've done everything to shield your work. Yes, some of the above steps take time to complete. If your computer needs numerous updates, it could take hours to finish. However, the return on investment is well
worth the maintenance. When you treat your computer well, it responds with ease of use. In the end, let the device become an extension of your creative soul for success instead of the devil spawn you consider it today. Bio: Rich Keller is a technical writer by day and a superhuman writer all other
times. His works include Coffee Cup Tales, Thinking Inside My Box, and the Kindle Vella series The Mediocre Quest of Rathspun. More information on Rich is available at WPantsCreations.
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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. THE CREATIVE WRITING NZ SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://creativewriting.co.nz/competition/the-creative-writing-nz-short-story-prize-2024/
$9 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2024. Entries on any subject, theme or genre. The winner will receive $1,000. Two runner-up prizes – $200 each. Must be written in English. A maximum of 3,000 words. THE MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL POETRY PRIZE
https://www.montrealpoetryprize.com/
$20-$25 CAD ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 15, 2024. Awards one prize of $20,000 CAD for a
single poem of 40 or fewer lines. Entries may be submitted from anywhere in the world. PERKOFF PRIZE
https://missourireview.com/contests/perkoff-prize/
$30 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 15, 2024. A tri-genre contest that awards $1000 and publication each to writers of the best story, set of poems, and essay that engage in evocative ways with health and medicine. Poetry: up to 10 pages of poetry. Fiction and Nonfiction: up to 8500 words, double-spaced. PURORRELATO MICRO-STORY PRIZE
https://www.casafrica.es/en/event/purorrelato-2024-micro-story-contest
NO ENTRE FEE. Deadline April 16, 2024. Aims to promote literary
creation that encourages readers to feel and think about Africa. TSubmit in Spanish, English, French or Portugueses, with a max length of 1500 characters. First award: 750 euros. Second award: 375 euros. Third award: 225 euros. THE TIMES CHICKEN HOUSE CHILDREN'S FICTION COMPETITION
https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/uncategorized/the-2024-times-chicken-house-childrens-fiction-competition-is-now-open/
£20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2024. A worldwide publishing contract with
Chicken House with a £10,000 advance (subject to contract) for a complete fiction manuscript of any genre for children aged 7 up to YA. 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 TELLING TRUE STORIES FELLOWSHIP - THE WRITERS' COLONY
https://www.writerscolony.org/fellowships
$35 APPLICATION FEE. Deadline April 22, 2024. Submit a piece historically accurate, telling a compelling story. It can be memoir, autobiography, biography, history, journalism, and even drama and poetry. The winner will receive a two-week residency at WCDH. MISSISSIPPI ARTIST
FELLOWSHIPS
https://arts.ms.gov/grants/grants-for-individuals/artist-fellowships/
Deadline March 1, 2024. Awards fellowships of up to $5,000 in several categories each year. Professional artists
living and working in Mississippi are eligible to apply. MISSISSIPPI PROJECT GRANTS
https://arts.ms.gov/grants/grants-for-individuals/project-grants-for-individuals/
Deadline March 1, 2024. Grants for Individuals provide funding to support ideas and projects organized by or for artists in Mississippi. Given to individuals to support innovation, propel artist’s careers and encourage collaboration between artists and communities. Limit
$2,000. HEMINGWAY-PFEIFFER MUSEUM WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE
https://hemingway.astate.edu/2023/10/
Deadline
February 28, 2024. For June 1-30, 2024. Includes lodging at a loft apartment in Piggott, Arkansas. The writer-in-residence will also have the opportunity to work in the studio where Ernest Hemingway worked on A Farewell to Arms in 1928. The residency includes a $1000 stipend to help cover food and transportation.
THE SICK TIMES
https://thesicktimes.org/about/
Reports on the Long Covid crisis, Covid-19, and infection-associated illnesses. Prioritizes essays from people with Long Covid and related diseases. Current rate for these articles is $250 for a 1,000-word piece. Accepting pitches for reported news stories from journalists, publishing 2-3 articles per quarter. The current rate is $1,000 for a 1,000-word piece. NOEMA
https://www.noemamag.com/contact/
Publishes essays, interviews, reportage, videos and art on the overlapping realms of philosophy, governance, geopolitics, economics, technology and culture. Pitch at
least 500 words or send a draft to [email protected]. Pays up to $1/word for up to 3,000 words. CRAFTED FOR ALL
https://craftedforall.com/viewpoints/write-for-us/
Looking for writers who can educate, inspire, and challenge in ways that support our vision of an equitable and just craft beverage industry. Pays $200 – $500 based on length and level of research required. DAILY YONDER
https://dailyyonder.com/contact-us/#submit
The Daily Yonder provides news, commentary, and analysis about and for
rural America. Pays roughly $200 for the average article. ESCAPEES
https://escapees.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/7531-wg-0717.pdf
Escapees magazine contributors are RVers interested in sharing the RV lifestyle. Only considers articles on spec with photos. Payment is typically $100 to $200 for feature submissions, and $50 to $100 for short fillers.
BITINGDUCK PRESS
https://bitingduckpress.com/?page_id=75
Bitingduck
Press is a diverse group of active and retired academics, researchers, and technical editors. Our reading interests span everything from tables of integrals to classic sci-fi to Shakespeare, and we’re equally attached to our e-readers as to our musty old pages. BLYDYN SQUARE BOOKS
https://blydynsquarebooks.com/how-to-submit/
Deadline May 31, 2024. Eager to discover the work of new authors, people who might think they have no shot at getting a contract from a bigger publishing house but who have true talent and something interesting to say. Fiction
(including literary, historical, and women’s fiction), and Nonfiction (including memoir, biography, history, science/health/medicine, psychology/self-help, spirituality, business/success). No romance, fantasy, science fiction, short-story collections, or poetry. No novellas or works under about 65,000 words. CHERRY CASTLE BOOKS
https://www.cherrycastlepublishing.com/basic-12
Deadline March 5, 2024. Our mission is to publish fiction and poetry of the highest quality that, hopefully, inches America in the direction of its best, most ethical, self. Fiction/nonfiction
manuscripts no longer than 180 pages, and poetry manuscripts in the 48-96 page range. For writers of children's picture books, send full manuscript. Keen interest in children's books for children of color. Scholarly titles cover literature, arts, and the Humanities. LSU PRESS
https://lsupress.org/submissions/
Scholarly monographs and general interest books about Louisiana and the South. Areas of interest include: African American studies, American history, Atlantic World history, Caribbean history, Civil War studies, Environmental studies, Fan studies, Foodways, Landscape
Architecture, Literary studies, Louisiana archaeology, Louisiana history and culture, Media studies, Poetry, Roots Music, Southern environmental history, Southern history, Southern social justice issues, World War II. THE BOOK FOLKS
https://thebookfolks.com/publish/
Predominantly interested in crime fiction, thrillers and mysteries. Publishes first novels but because they aim to develop a long term partnership with authors, those having at least two or three books, written or planned, will be especially welcomed. Minimum 45,000 words. 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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