VOLUME 24, ISSUE 22 | MAY 24 2024 |
The Book Signing Just this week, someone asked if they could pick my brain about appearing at book clubs. She sent a list of questions for me, and I realized this was going to be a piece on telling debut authors how to latch ahold of book clubs to launch their books. In a nutshell, here's a
bulleted list of the myths and realities with which I responded. - There is no list of book clubs. Reality is most book clubs want to remain anonymous. They want to carefully choose their members, their books, and their guest authors. To post somewhere who they are would mean being inundated with queries that they don't want.
- Book clubs normally want guest authors who have proven themselves, not debut authors. Unless the author is local and fairly known, or the topic of the book is very appropriate to the area, book clubs aren't necessarily going to want debut authors until they have proven themselves.
- Book clubs are noted for selecting books that have been on
bestseller lists.
- Presenting at a book club is not like presenting at a library or conference. You are exposed and open to questions and criticism at book clubs, so be prepared to be under the spotlight.
- Being invited means your book is either in the news or on a list somewhere, or your platform is big enough to make you a
known entity.
- It usually takes knowing someone in the book club to get invited.
- Yes, you can connect with a book club and enlighten them about who you are. Make it short and leave a link. There are millions of books out there. They will decide if yours fits their mold.
Book clubs are my favorite entity when it comes to presentations. But they are not easy to find, and they don't necessarily want to be pitched. Just know that ahead of time. These groups have unspoken etiquette and rules you just won't be aware of.
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There's a reason writers throughout history have felt the call to travel, get out in nature, and immerse themselves in unfamiliar territory.
Research shows all of these boost creativity, sharpen observational skills, and help move ideas from possibility to page. That's why they are the foundation of Compass Writers small-group walking writer workshops. Join us for our annual Walking Women Writer's Retreat September 20-29, 2024 in Scotland.
This retreat moves along gorgeous St. Cuthbert's Way, an ancient footpath in Scotland's lush borderlands. Together, we'll write, explore writing forms, and see where the abbeys, historic sites, castles, rivers, and
wildlife we encounter take our imaginations and words. Grounded in the Amherst
Writers & Artists method, women writers of all levels are welcome. AWA's core belief is simple: every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn, and develop their craft.
This workshop will take place September 20-29, 2024. Participants are encouraged to plan to arrive in Edinburgh one to two days before. Space is limited to 6 participants. Registration closes on May 30, 2024.
To register, email [email protected]. Or, you can register online and make a deposit at Compass Writers. On the registration calendar, select September 20, 2024.
Come walk and write with us! Good company, good food, good words await. It will be a journey you won't soon forget.
THE DEBUT WRITER Online recently, someone spoke of almost making it as a writer in Woman's World Magazine. For those who do not know, WW has a layered process of
acceptance. I, too, have made it to the final round and been rejected. On the other hand, I have a short story writer friend who has to have published in that magazine fifty plus times. That writer understands the magazine and has the flavor down pat. They love working with him. Someone responded on the heels of that discussion that traditional publishers
operate the same way. They don't like debut authors. I gave a brief response, but in that moment this editorial was born. Yes, traditional publishers (and magazine editors) maintain a stable of authors. These authors have proven themselves. They've written well and had a good response when their works were launched into the world. If they are prolific in
their writing, even better. The publishers will be more likely to swoop them up without much vetting, and choose them over anyone new. Publishers have finite budgets. Authors/writers provide the income to keep them alive. The authors who are good at providing said income will be the ones who get the most attention and repeated acceptance. The bestsellers are
golden. The mid-listers are scrutinized often, but if steady, can retain work. The debut author is a high risk. Why won't publishers give new writers a chance? They do. But they are limited as to how many they can take a risk on. They will ride a good horse to death, only going for fresh mounts when the good ones are exhausted or dead. We forget that publishers are corporate business. To add too many debut authors, and neglect publishing a proven one, is a poor business decision. That's why there are so many mid-level publishers and burgeoning small presses. They
claim they are wide open to fresh voices. However, trust me. They are likewise holding onto the proven ones they can grasp. And over time, they too will favor the proven over someone debut. Newbies have to break in with good writing. And if that were you who broke in and did favorably enough to be asked back, wouldn't you want there to be room in lieu of the editor taking on someone who hasn't proven themselves as well as you? Keep trying. It's a matter of timing and very good writing and a topic that's timely. Not all of it is in your control . . . and fussing about it won't help. Finding time to write can be challenging. Scheduling a regular meeting? That can be all but impossible! The Writing Desk has taken the work out of finding a writing group with the Writing Power Hour.
Starting in June, the Writing Power Hour crew will meet twice a month to write together, talk shop, and learn from experts. You'll get access to live, virtual meetings, a members-only newsletter, and more, all for $20/month.
See what the Writing Power Hour is all about—for free! The Writing Desk is hosting a free session on Wednesday, May 28, at noon Eastern. Meet your host, Dr. Bailey Lang, and learn more about everything the Writing Power Hour has to offer.
-May 25, 2024 - Book Signing, The Coffee Shelf, 130 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC - 8AM-NOON. -May 29, 2024 - A Moveable Feast, presenter C. Hope Clark, Quigley's Pint & Plate, 257 Willbrook Blvd, Pawley's Island, SC - 11AM - 1PM - sign up here -June 1-8, 2024 - The Gutsy Great Novelist Retreat, Bar Harbor, Maine - writer-in-residence -June 13, 2024 - Edisto Island Bookstore - Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC - 3-5 PM
-June 22, 2024 - Richland County Library, Ballentine, 1200 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo, SC - 2:30-3:30 PM - July 9, 2024 - South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library, 200 Sunset Dr, West Columbia, SC 29172 - 5:30-7:00
PM -October 5-12, 2024 - Edisto Bookstore, exact dates in that week TBD -November TBD, 2024 - Irmo Chapin Holiday Market, Chapin, SC - 8AM - 2PM -May 17, 2025 - Pelion Library Book Club206 Pine St, Pelion, SC, Saturday, 1-2PM
Email: [email protected] to schedule events, online or otherwise. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot
Hope, first I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your newsletter. It provides a lot answers that I have about writing and other questions. I wrote a story about Stuckeys, that iconic gas station/restaurant found across the US, and the story was published in Deep South Magazine in 2010. That's how long I've been following you. I wrote about how
Stuckeys was like a beacon of familiarity for two young Air Force airmen (my husband and I) in route to a new base, and the unknown. Recently I received an email from the grand daughter of Stuckey's founder. She emailed me to say that her daughter had come across my story and forwarded it to her. She loved the story. Thanking her, I shared that I had always
enjoyed those delicious pecan rolls. How I pinched off pieces to stretch out their deliciousness as Ronnie flew down the highway. To my delight, she sent me a box shaped like the restaurant filled with pecan rolls and other delicious treats. I wanted to share this with you as part of the expected benefits and the joys of writing, of which I suspect you are
familiar. Carol Gee
Telling Stories Sharing Confidences (Stories of Kindness, Humor, and Other Musings for Uncertain Times)
www.Venuschronicles.net
<<If you have a success story you believe was prompted by FundsforWriters, please share with us! Send to [email protected] >>
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The Leap to Write for a Living is Shorter Than You Think
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By Leif Gregersen If you want to write, first find your niche, find the thing or things you are most interested in and knowledgeable about, be it motorcycles, plants, or backwoods camping and write. There is a need for writing on every topic under the sun. When I first started writing, I knew how to write
essays and I taught myself to write short stories. I had a passion for nonfiction, describing things like stigma, bullying, hospitalizations, and other things surrounding mental health. I wrote every day, and soon, my book, titled "Through the Withering Storm" was finished. An old friend knew an editor. After polishing the manuscript, I self-published. I prefer using Amazon/Kindle Direct Publishing.
The key is getting the format and the cover worked out, then author copies are around $5 each with shipping. I set the price of my first book at $20. Most bookstores charge around 45% for selling your books. It is great to sell books directly, but bookstores can be a lifeline for an author and you need to leave room for some profit. Look for organizations where you can learn about and market your
writing as I did when I approached The Schizophrenia Society. They were great about letting me bring books to sell during presentations. When selling books like this, a credit card acceptor from www.squareup.com is worth every penny. A website where your
readers can land is also necessary. Mine is at: www.edmontonwriter.com Partnering with The Schizophrenia Society was life changing. I learned so much about my illness, making my next nonfiction book much easier to write. Not long after I published "Through the Withering Storm" I wrote a second memoir titled "Inching Back to Sane" and in total over 10 years published 13 books, including poetry, short stories, and young adult Novels. I still set up tables at bookstores and
conferences. The trick when a customer browses is, be friendly, informative, respectful, and don't worry if they decide not to buy. This is when a snazzy cover does the work for you. An excellent way of generating sales is contacting remote libraries, both public ones and in high schools. I found small towns to be kind, generous and they always paid on time. Some of them booked me to give a talk
about my illness to their patrons. Always mention (in person and on your website) that you can do public speaking. If you can't, join Toastmasters, which will teach you how. With all my efforts, I have been able to increase my income from $18,000 per year to $40,000 and I no longer work a back-breaking labour job. I sell 5-10 books a week, but there are many possible income streams when you are an
author. I now teach creative writing for $50 an hour, and I have also branched out to write freelance journalism articles, and I never look back. Finally, focus on what you are an expert on and read voraciously, do online searches, network with other enthusiasts, and watch documentaries on the subject. Connect with fellow writers. Constantly educate yourself. Get the Writer's Market from the library
and comb through it for magazines and book publishers in your niche and scan through information on sending pitches. Brainstorm, invent new ways of writing about your field, and sign up for newsletters that list calls for pitches like [email protected] Attend conferences that
focus on your chosen field. Make yourself an expert. But above all, write! Write every day. Work on one page or one chapter a day and you will get there. Most universities and public libraries have "Writers in Residence" who will help you crystallize your ideas, put them on paper and get them published, for free. A conventional publisher is best but remember there is sometimes more freedom in
self-publishing. I guarantee when you get your first shipment of your books and open it, your life will change forever. Bio: Leif Gregersen is a book and magazine writer with a mental health blog at: www.edmontonwriter.com He has written and published over 50 articles which are listed at https://muckrack.com/leif-gregersen .
Leif has also written and published three memoirs of his lived experience with mental illness and can be contacted at [email protected] Twitter/X handle: @533viking303 / Instagram: gregersen.leif
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Solar Flare: $500 for Prose, Poetry, Art, or Graphic Novel Authors & Artists Eligible. A solar
flare is short-lived but contains enormous energy. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel or novella excerpt, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that provides a noteworthy flare of creative energy. Literary or genre works accepted. First prize is $500 plus publication. Runners-up and finalists are offered publication. No restrictions on theme or category. Maximum of 500
words for short stories or nonfiction, 12 lines for poetry, and 8 pages for graphic novels, scripts, or screenplays. No size requirements for painting, photography, video stills or sculpture. Open: May 1 Close: May 31 Entry fee: $10 Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual
print edition. Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period. Enter as many times as you like through Submittable or Duotrope, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected. MOON CITY POETRY AWARD
https://moon-city-press.com/poetry-contest/
$27 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2024. For an original collection of poems written in English by a single author. Manuscripts should be at least 48 pages long. First prize: $1,000, publication by Moon City Press (including international distribution through the University of Arkansas Press), and a standard royalty contract. Ten additional finalists will be named and considered for publication. BOULEVARD POETRY CONTEST
https://boulevard.submittable.com/submit
$18 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2024. Awards $1,000 and
publication in Boulevard awarded for the winning group of three poems by a poet who has not yet published a book of poetry with a nationally distributed press. SALAMANDER FICTION PRIZE
https://salamandermag.org/contests/
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2024. First Prize: $1,000 and publication. Second Prize: $500 and publication. All entries will be considered for publication. Contest reading fee includes a one-year subscription. Each story must not exceed 30 double-spaced pages in 12 point font. HALIFAX RANCH FICTION PRIZE
https://americanshortfiction.org/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 1, 2024. In addition to publication and a $2,500
prize, we are excited to offer the winning writer an all-expenses-paid writing retreat at the Tasajillo’s beautiful cabin. All entries must be single, self-contained works of fiction, between 2,000-6,500 words. THE BITTER OLEANDER PRESS LIBRARY OF POETRY AWARD
https://bitteroleander.com/contest.html
$28 ENTRY FEE. Deadline June 15, 2024. An award of $1500 plus book publication of the winning manuscript is open to anyone writing in the English language. Manuscripts must be typed and range between 48 and 80 pages of poetry in
length. GRANTS / FELLOWSHIP / CROWDFUNDING THE JONATHAN AND BARBARA SILVER FOUNDATION
https://jonathanandbarbarasilverfoundation.org/2024-writers-grant-about/
Deadline May 31, 2024. The JBSF offers one $20,000 grant per year and operates on a 2-year cycle with alternating grants that support writing in even years and sculpture in odd years. The writing grant is offered this year and specifically for a writer who generates fresh writing and thinking on
the history, aesthetics, purposes, imagination or situation of sculpture. Supported categories of writing include essays and books. Essays: magazine essays, catalogue essays, book essays. Books: research or manuscripts currently in process or nearing completion. Types of writing that are supported include art criticism, art history, memoir, psychoanalytical study, philosophical meditation and literary study. The grant recipient is expected to complete the project within one year of receiving the
award. LITERARY SOCIETY OF THE SOUTHWEST GRANT
https://literarysoc.com/page-1075299
Opens September 1,
2024. The society celebrates contemporary literature and authors and promotes literacy in Arizona. GRUBSTREET TEACHING FELLOWSHIP FOR BLACK WRITERS
https://grubstreet.org/write/teaching-fellowship-for-black-writers
Deadline May 30, 2024. GrubStreet’s Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers provides financial and professional development support to two self-identified Black writers interested in teaching classes, participating in events, and working with our instructors and staff to deepen our curriculum. The
fellowship includes compensation of $25,000, artistic mentorship, and access to the GrubStreet community and the Muse and the Marketplace conference. The fellowship begins September 3rd, 2024 and runs through the end of August 2025. ABOUT HER CULTURE MICRO GRANT
https://aboutherculture.com/micro-grant-opportunities/
For the rest of 2024, we are giving away a few $500 USD micro grants to women of African and Caribbean descent, based anywhere in the world, who are entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders and creatives.
TEEN VOGUE
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-pitch-editors-at-teen-vogue
Many of our readers range in age from pre-teens the to late twenties, but we attract readers beyond this group, too. Teen Vogue is accepting both reported and op-ed pitches across our four sections – Culture, Identity, Style, and Politics. THE MOTLEY FOOL
https://boards.greenhouse.io/themotleyfool
https://boards.greenhouse.io/themotleyfool/jobs/4191760007
Multiple freelance writers needed in tech, marketing, wealth management and more. Articles pay $140. We want writers who can publish at least 20 articles per month. The Motley Fool is a financial services company dedicated to making the world smarter, happier, and richer. The Motley Fool reaches millions of people every month through our premium investing solutions, free guidance and market analysis on Fool.com, top-rated podcasts, and non-profit The Motley Fool
Foundation. CHICKEN SOUP: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
Deadline June 30, 2024. We are looking for stories about something that happened to you in your life in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home — that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Limit 1200 words. Pays $250 and 10 copies. THE SICK TIMES
https://thesicktimes.org/
The Sick Times is accepting pitches for reported news stories and essays/commentary pieces. We take pitches, not full (already written) drafts on spec. We prioritize pitches
from people with Long Covid and related diseases. We pay $1200 for news features of 1200-1400 words andy $400 for essays of 1000-1200 words. We’re also looking to build a roster of freelance science/health editors, copyeditors, and fact-checkers who can contribute a few hours of work each month to support our editorial process for feature stories. If you’re interested, similarly please send your resume and a brief email detailing your applicable experience to [email protected]. COLORADO TIMES RECORDER
https://coloradotimesrecorder.com
Seeks freelance writers outside the Denver metro area (especially in Greeley, Ft. Collins, Durango, and Pueblo). Assignments would include public meetings, political events, reaction/analysis, and gatherings featuring public figures. Posts will be about 500 to 1,500 words. Payment is $250 per article. More for
longer projects. Please send a resume and cover letter to email [email protected]
SEVERED PRESS
https://severedpress.com/submissions/
Severed Press is
open for submissions, and we want to hear from talented writers of horror and science fiction looking to have their work published. We give full consideration to any submission that offers a well-presented story while adhering to our guidelines. CEMETERY GATES MEDIA
https://cemeterygatesmedia.com/submissions/
We’re looking for submissions for 40k+ word manuscripts from authors who’ve never published a novel. Paying $500 signing bonus + $500 advance upon publication, and a 60% (author) royalty share on physical and electronic editions of the book. We’re
looking for horror stories in the vein of what we’ve previously published, not dystopian science fiction nor dark fantasy, and we likely won’t publish YA. CASTLE BRIDGE MEDIA
https://querymanager.com/query/castlebridgemedia
https://www.castlebridgemedia.com/
Castle Bridge Media is an independent publisher of predominantly genre books, with particular interest in horror, science fiction,
thriller, and fantasy. We also dabble in non-fiction titles as well. However, regardless of the genre, if the work is good, we will consider it. Novels should generally run between 80,000 and 120,000 words. CRESTON BOOKS
https://www.crestonbooks.co/submissions
Creston Books fills the void left behind by the major New York publishers who no longer put out a broad range of quality picture books. The literary world has been incredibly supportive of our efforts. Since our first list in 2013 we've received over 20 major awards and starred reviews. About a third of our authors have debuted with
us, earning us a reputation for discovering today's most impressive new talents.
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 2000-2024, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326 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. All must be paying opportunities. Contests must pay a minimum of $200 first place. Submit potential listings to [email protected] **Note that FundsforWriters.com places paid advertising in this newsletter. ALL ads are related to writers and the business of writing, screened by FundsforWriters to make sure the information is suitable for writers and their endeavors to improve their careers. While the mailing list is not sold to third parties, other parties do advertise in the newsletter, to include
the occasional solo ad. You will not receive this newsletter without your permission. It's physically impossible since recipients must opt-in, giving us permission to send the newsletter. If at any time you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, click the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of each newsletter. We want you to enjoy this newsletter at your pleasure, not be forced to read anything you do not wish to receive. Direct any complaints, suggestions, and accolades to Hope Clark at [email protected]. We are an anti-spam site. | |
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