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CHOICES

We forget we have choices in our day-to-day existence. Even during this time of the virus when everyone is telling us what to do, we have choices. We can fall into a routine and ponder the fact we've lost our options, or we can choose.

Choose to look through the day for story material, grateful for the opportunity.
Choose to write instead of feeling depressed, stuck, or dead-ended.
Choose to look at writing as a gift and these new circumstances are a means to use that gift.
Choose to feel that writing is a passion instead of an obligation.
Choose to write something we love instead of a word count.
Choose to see the world as full of advantages instead of a buffer.
Choose to move forward instead of locking ourselves away. 
Choose to pitch stories to magazines to replace lost hours at work.
Choose to write each morning instead of surfing through television. 
Choose to take an online writing class to break out of a writing routine losing its luster.
Choose to read twice as many books in our genre instead of wishing for a class we cannot afford.
Choose to write 500 words a day before going on social media. 

During this time of COVID, we've had to alter our lifestyles, but that does not mean we have lost control. Change can be frightening or it can be inspiring. We can argue that things are bad, or we can carve out the good things. We can choose the cause we like then choose not to shout it from the rafters, or choose not to have a cause at all.

You are still in control. You decide your happiness. You decide your success. We live during a time of many options and so much opportunity! Decide which part of it is yours and mold it your way.

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Featured article

NOTE: This article was acquired prior to COVID going rampant. We realize that different areas have different restrictions now and in the coming weeks and months when it comes to meeting people face-to-face. Use the advice wisely and in accordance with your local restrictions, but also keep them in mind for when we come out on the other side of things. Common sense is always worthy.  ~HOPE

Six Steps to Get Your Self-Published Book into Libraries

By Ilham Alam

I've long dreamed of getting my book into the public libraries at home, in Canada. But because I published with a hybrid press for my debut children's picture book, I had to do the work of getting the book into libraries myself.

With trial and error, I've identified six steps that have helped my book enter library circulation, even though I did not have the might of a traditional publisher's marketing team, agent, or PR team.

While this worked for library systems in Ontario, Canada, the same steps should work for any local library system. I'm also sharing the template I used to approach libraries.

1. Research, research, research.

Look at the public library's website to find out whether they have a system for accepting self-published books into circulation. Or you can contact the head librarian or the procurement librarian for the specific department that corresponds to your book genre. For example, I always looked for the head children's librarian of the system that I was reaching out to.

2. Nice people finish first.

Whether you approach via phone, email or in-person, always remember to be polite and approachable. When you find out the name of the relevant person to contact, address them personally and show you care.

3. Create a sell sheet.

Prepare a basic sell sheet including your book's cover, title, the publisher, available formats and ISBNs, pricing, a brief description of the book, why it will appeal to library patrons, significant blurbs or awards, and how it can be ordered. This information can be incorporated into an email, or it can be designed and printed as a one-page shell sheet that you can take with you if meeting librarians in person.

4. Show off (persuade) a little.

If you pitch the library via email, definitely include links to your profile on your publisher's website (if there is one), your own author website or blog, and your social media channels.

For easy reference, on a single page of your website, compile your review links, pictures of your book's cover, social media links, and photos of any author events you've done. Then link to this in your pitch email.

In your pitch, mention other libraries that have already bought your book, if any, as that helps validate the quality and desirability of your book.

5. Ensure your book is available from library wholesalers.

This makes the difference between your book getting accepted or rejected. And I found this out the hard way! Ensure that your book is available through Baker & Taylor (US and Canada), whitehots (Canada) and Library Services Center (Canada). Libraries can then easily find your book and buy it from these wholesalers.

6. Offer to do an event.

Let libraries know that you are happy to come in and do author readings and book signings. It's a win-win: you get more exposure and the library gets to have programming for their community members. This is especially helpful for smaller libraries.

To do this, however, you must do your part to promote your appearances, as you want to ensure there is good attendance at your author reading.

Librarian pitch template

Hello [Name of Librarian],

I hope that this email finds you well. I'm a Canadian author of children's books from nearby Toronto. My debut picture book, Wonder Walk, has been released by Iguana Books and is available through library distributors such as Library Services Centre, whitehots and Baker & Taylor.

Written in rhyming verse, Wonder Walk is perfect for preschoolers and celebrates the parent-child relationship, when the insatiably curious Johnny asks his mom endless questions about the cuddly cuddle-bug and the curt red bird, and all the other natural wonders that he sees.

Beagles and Books wrote, "With big, bold illustrations and concise, rhyming text, Wonder Walk is a story that young children will enjoy and may prompt families to take their own walk together to observe nature and ask questions."

Libraries in the Durham region such as in Whitby and Clarington have added Wonder Walk to their children's collections. I was hoping that Blue Mountain Public Libraries would be interested in adding Wonder Walk to their collections as well.

Here's more information about Wonder Walk at Iguana Books:

[web address]
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1771803236 ($25.99)
Paperback ISBN: 978-1771803076 ($9.99)

Moreover, here is a link to my author website, Story Mummy, which includes more reviews for Wonder Walk:

[web address]


BIO: Ilham Alam is a debut Canadian children's author of the rhyming picture book, Wonder Walk. She lives with her kids, her husband and a twenty-pound kitty named Beauty (who owns them all), in a house that's booby-trapped with Legos. While her own name means "inspiration" in Arabic, her crazy family is the inspiration for her storytelling. Find out more about her at her storytelling & travel blog:  https://www.storymummy.com/





 

COmpetitions

CRAFT ELEMENTS CONTEST
https://www.craftliterary.com/craft-elements-contest/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2020. This summer we are looking for conflict. Tension. X vs. Y stories. Strong narrative arcs. We want to hold our breath, be surprised; we want to feel conflicted. CRAFT Elements Contest submissions are open to all writers. International submissions are allowed. Short fiction only: including short stories and standalone excerpts of longer work such as longform stories, novellas, and novels (as long as the excerpt truly stands alone and functions like a story). Please submit work in English only. 6,000 word count maximum. We review literary fiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft. The three winning writers will each receive $1,000 and publication in CRAFT of their winning story and accompanying craft essay.



OPEN COUNTRY CHAPBOOK CONTEST
https://opencountryreadingseries.submittable.com/submit
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 11, 2020. Open to any poet writing in English. Please submit a chapbook of original poems, 20-30 pages. The winner will receive $500 and ten author copies.



THE TALKING WRITING PRIZE
https://talkingwriting.submittable.com/submit/160450/contest-2020-tw-prize-for-multiple-genres-creativity-on-fire
$15 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 16, 2020. This year's Talking Writing Prize will spotlight burning ideas, the creative rush, and ideaphoria. If you're on fire with ideas about what to do or write in our changed world, run with your ideaphoria in a TW contest entry — inspire us with visions that help sustain us — let those ideas burn and dance. Illuminate us. Send us your best creative writing about or stimulated by ideaphoria, including essays (lyrical and otherwise), poems, hybrids, and experiments in language and form. Up to 1,500 words for prose and hybrids; three to six pages for poems. Prize: $500 and publication in Talking Writing.



FICTION FACTORY PRIZE
https://fiction-factory.biz/index.php/submissions/
5 GBP ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2020. The Competition is open to anyone aged 16 or over. International entries are welcome, but stories must be written in English. Stories must be previously unpublished. There is no minimum word count, but your story must not exceed 1,000 words. All genres will be accepted except Children's and Young Adult Fiction. 



JULIA PETERKIN FLASH POETRY AWARDS
http://south85journal.com/julia-peterkin-literary-awards/
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 1, 2020. South 85 Journal is seeking submissions of previously unpublished poems of 50 lines or fewer for this year’s Julia Peterkin Flash Poetry Contest. The winning poem will be awarded a cash prize of $500. Four semi-finalists will be chosen for publication in South 85 Journal. All winners must be over 18 years old and reside in the U.S. in order to claim cash prize.



JULIA PETERKIN FLASH FICTION AWARDS
http://south85journal.com/julia-peterkin-literary-awards/
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 1, 2020. South 85 Journal accepts submissions of previously unpublished flash fiction pieces of 850 words or fewer for the Julia Peterkin Flash Fiction Contest. Winner receives $500 and publication in the December issue of South 85 Journal. Contest finalists will also be named and their work published alongside the winning selection. All winners must be over 18 years old and reside in the U.S. in order to claim their cash prize.



STONE CANOE
https://ycny.org/stone-canoe-information#close
NO ENTRY FEE. Stone Canoe considers for inclusion previously unpublished works of short fiction, creative nonfiction, short plays, poems, and works of visual art created by people who live or have lived in Upstate New York. For simplicity's sake, we currently define "Upstate" as that portion of the state which is outside of New York City and Long Island. For the purposes of these awards, writers are considered "emerging" if they have not yet published a full-length book of work; we consider an artist "emerging" if they have neither published a book nor had a solo show at a major institution. Please note the following deadlines for individual categories: VISUAL ART: July 15, POETRY: July 8, DRAMA: July 22, FICTION: July 22, NONFICTION: July 22. Each category receives $500 first prize.



POLAR EXPRESSIONS PUBLISHING CONTEST
http://polarexpressions.ca/SummerContests.html
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 13, 2020. For Canadian citizens or residents of all ages. Categories are poetry and short fiction. Ages 16 and over (poetry & short story): First prize $500, second prize $250, third prize $100. And ten honourable mentions for each contest. Young writers division (15 & under - poetry & short story): First prize $200, second prize $100, third prize $50. And ten honourable mentions. 

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

BELONGING IN OAKLAND
https://www.ebcf.org/a-just-city-cultural-fund/
Deadline July 13, 2020. Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is a new multi-year program that will fund Oakland cultural practitioners of color to radically reimagine a racially just city. With the goal of amplifying the voices and imagination of those most impacted by structural racism and inequality, the fund will award up to twelve grants of $25,000 to Black, Indigenous, and people of color cultural practitioners who envision a society liberated from racial oppression and from the civic practices and policies that uphold it. Grant awards will be announced by mid-August. Additional rounds of funding will be available in 2021 and 2022.



COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND FOR JOURNALISTS
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/what-we-fund/covid-19-emergency-fund/
This call for proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications may be submitted until further notice. The fund will distribute support ranging from $1,000–8,000 USD for local coverage of the preparation, response, and impact of this global pandemic as seen through evidence-based reporting. Beyond reporting on medical and physical health-related to COVID-19, we especially encourage reporting that covers social, emotional, economic, and equity issues. Narratives around the pandemic necessarily include facts and numbers, but ultimately, must also go deeper—telling the stories of inequities that COVID-19 has brought to light. We seek writers, photographers, videographers, audio journalists, cartographers, filmmakers, and data visualization experts to apply for this funding. 



WOMEN'S MEDIA FOUNDATION JOURNALISM RELIEF FUND
https://iwmf.submittable.com/submit/41e7f7ce-db40-4ff6-873f-e24450e27497/journalism-relief-fund-english
The IWMF's Journalism Relief Fund is open to women-identifying journalists in dire straits - journalists who have faced significant financial hardship, lost work, were recently laid off, or who urgently need assistance to avoid severe, irreversible outcomes. This fund will provide small grants of up to $2,000 per request. However, special consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis to those who have greater financial need.



FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM RAPID RESPONSE GRANTS
https://www.sej.org/initiatives/fej-program-guidelines
Journalism Projects Covering: Climate or conservation in North America, Water quality and availability in the United States, Mississippi River Basin, including agriculture, food, water and sustainability, Oceans and coasts globally, including fisheries, sea-level rise and coastal restoration. Only one application per person will be accepted. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. All application materials must be in English and must be submitted via the Submission Form; we cannot accept applications via mail, email or fax. The total amount requested cannot exceed $2,500 per individual or $5,000 for team or outlet applications. Please apply for the minimum budget required for success of the project. Partial funding may be offered.  



AUTHORS LEAGUE FUND
https://authorsleaguefund.org/apply/
The Authors League Fund typically helps authors, dramatists, journalists, and poets. Unfortunately, we cannot help dramatists enduring income loss due to COVID-19 cancellations. Recipients of Authors League Fund assistance must be career writers with a substantial body of work in one or more of the following categories: Book authors with at least one title published by an established traditional publisher. Authors with multiple titles are given priority; Dramatists whose full-length plays have been produced in mid-size or large theaters or published by established dramatic presses. [See notes above concerning COVID-19 income loss.]; Journalists, critics, essayists, short story writers, and poets with a substantial body of work in periodicals with a national or broad circulation. Whether print or online, these periodicals must have strong editorial oversight and a sizable readership. The fund cannot assist writers whose sole credits are self-published. However, if you are a self-published writer with a record of financial success, we will review your request. The Authors League Fund helps writers living in the United States, regardless of citizenship, and American writers living abroad.



WRITERS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND
http://asja.org/for-writers/weaf
Coronavirus-related WEAF funds are only available to those who cannot work because they are currently ill or caring for someone who is ill. Funds are not available to those who have lost work because publishers or clients are no longer assigning due to the pandemic. All other guidelines outlined still apply. The general Writers Emergency Assistance Fund helps established freelance writers who, because of illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work. A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant. 



EMERGENCY ROLLING GRANT FOR US JOURNALISTS COVERING POLICE MISCONDUCT
https://investigate.submittable.com/submit/168263/emergency-rolling-grant-for-u-s-journalists-covering-police-misconduct
Grants average $5,000 but can be as high as $10,000. They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends. FIJ will review proposals as they are submitted. Grant decisions can be expected within two weeks of submission of application.



FUND FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS
https://investigate.submittable.com/submit/166503/fund-for-investigative-journalism-september-14-2020
Deadline September 14, 2020. FIJ's Board of Directors looks for stories that break new ground and expose wrongdoing – such as corruption, malfeasance, or abuse of power – in the public and private sectors. FIJ encourages proposals written for ethnic media as well as those submitted by journalists of color. Grants average $5,000 but can be as high as $10,000. They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends. FIJ also has a small crew of experienced investigative journalists who are available to mentor a select number of our grant recipients. 



CORONAVIRUS ROLLING GRANTS FOR FREELANCERS
https://investigate.submittable.com/submit/163797/coronavirus-rolling-grant-for-u-s-freelancers
FIJ’s board of directors is looking for stories on the coronavirus that break new ground and expose wrongdoing—such as corruption, malfeasance, or abuse of power—in the public and private sectors. Grants average $5,000 but can be as high as $10,000.  They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends. To be considered, foreign-based story proposals must come from US-based reporters, have a strong US angle involving American citizens, government, or business, and must be published in English, in a media outlet in the United States.



ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT TO AID STRUGGLING JOURNALISTS
https://economichardship.org/2020/05/economic-hardship-reporting-project-raises-100000-to-aid-struggling-journalists/
The Economic Hardship Reporting Project (EHRP), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, has established the EHRP Emergency Relief Fund, made possible by the support of the Heising-Simons Foundation. The fund will aid journalists facing economic distress because of the coronavirus pandemic. Submit a well-researched but brief pitch of fewer than 500 words. Include your CV and a proposed budget. But first, please visit EconomicHardship.org to find out what kinds of stories we fund. We tend to award grants to experienced journalists, though we are open to submissions from emerging talents. 

 

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

PALETTE
https://www.palettepoetry.com/submit/
Submissions for our Featured Poetry category are open year-round to poets at any stage of their career. Featured Poems are published online only and will spotlight a number of poems from new authors each month. We highly encourage emerging authors to submit. We are thrilled to offer significant payment to our partner poets: $50 per poem, up to $150. We are proud to be paying for published pieces but will be highly selective in our choices for publication. All submissions must be no more than ten pages and no more than five poems.



BCBUSINESS
https://www.bcbusiness.ca/contact-us
Ten times a year BCBusiness delivers features that shed light on the significant issues and trends shaping the province. As B.C.’s premier business publication, we naturally gravitate to stories that affect the working lives of our readers. But we also know those readers are more than their job titles; that means giving them stories that appeal to their interests beyond the bottom line. Our stories demand lively, comprehensible writing that displays breadth and depth of research. We expect writers to develop a point of view backed up by sound logic and solid reporting. An engaging writing style coupled with an ability to tell a story, not just relate facts, is a must. Full-length features vary in length from 2,000 to 3,500-plus words. Rates vary with the story’s complexity and the writer’s experience. 



DOUGLAS BUSINESS MAGAZINE (also sister magazines YAM and SPRUCE)
https://www.pageonepublishing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Page-One-Writer-Guidelines.pdf?x37414
For YAM and Douglas pitches submit to Kerry Slavens ([email protected]). For Spruce pitches, send to Athena McKenzie ([email protected]). Do not submit the same pitch to Kerry and Athena. We edit different magazines and have different editorial needs. Douglas magazine delivers exciting, in-depth editorial about Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island’s vibrant business culture — its startups, disrupters and influencers. YAM is Victoria’s home and lifestyle magazine, connecting readers to the distinctive lifestyle and authentic luxury of the West Coast. SPRUCE is Victoria’s only magazine dedicated to homebuilding, renovations, and remodelling.



HOME BUSINESS MAGAZINE
https://homebusinessmag.com/editorial-guidelines/
We are the top content portal for home business, and we welcome you into our community. We rely on writers to keep Home Business Magazine (HBM) on the cutting-edge of home business. If we do publish your editorial, please promote it through your social platforms. The “promotional network” of a writer is a key factor in selecting the writer for future publishing consideration. Page length word counts (approximate): Articles are usually either one page (700 words), two pages (1,200-1,400 words) or three pages (2,100–2,300 words) in length. Page length word counts refer to just the body of an article and exclude word counts for resource boxes and sidebars. Keep videos to less than ten minutes. Send us your home-based business/work-from-home success story. HBM devotes significant content each issue to success stories and profiles. These receive high readership from our audience. Pays 20 cents/word.

 

Publishers/agents

As a change under publishers and agents, we are providing literary agency sites that are not only seeking submissions but also offer guides on how to write a query letter. Enjoy! ~HOPE

 - - - 

DYSTEL, GODERICH & BOURRET LLC
https://www.dystel.com/submission-guidelines

PS LITERARY
https://www.psliterary.com/submissions/

NELSON LITERARY AGENCY
https://nelsonagency.com/submission-guidelines/

MARGRET MCBRIDE
http://www.mcbrideliterary.com/submission-guidelines

ANDREA BROWN LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.andreabrownlit.com/how-to-submit1.html

FOLIO LITERARY MANAGEMENT
https://www.foliolit.com/fiction-queries

ETHAN ELLENBERG LITERARY AGENCY
https://ethanellenberg.com/submission-guidelines/

CARLY WATTERS, LITERARY AGENT
https://carlywatters.com/2015/01/12/8-query-tips-no-one-tells-writers/

WORDSERVE LITERARY
https://www.wordserveliterary.com/submission-guidlines/


 

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www.fundsforwriters.com/advertising 

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C. Hope Clark
E-mail: [email protected]
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2020, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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