TOP SPONSOR 

Want to launch a freelance writing business but don’t know how to begin?

I was in the very same situation when I started my freelance writing business and I know how hard it can be. That’s why I’ve created this Freelance Writer’s Quick Start Guide to give brand new freelancers just like you a road map to jump-start your writing business.

By following this free guide, you’ll bypass all the trial and error that so many freelancers go through when they’re just starting out.

You’ll avoid the content mills and bidding sites and will be able to attract quality clients from the very start - even if you’re a complete newbie with no experience!

Download your Freelance Writing Quick Start Guide here:

https://howtowinatfreelancewriting.com/freelance-writers-quick-start-guide/

 

CENTER YOURSELF TO CENTER YOUR WRITING

Being full of affection for one's goofy, self-centered, cranky, annoying self is home. It's where world peace begins. ~Anne Lamott

You're wandering around in life, trying to decide who or what you are. Then you decide you want to become a writer. Sounds like a decent enough career, especially if you can work remotely. Trouble is, what is it you want to write about? 

Many of these people will write an editor, including me with FundsforWriters, and say: Hello. I am a writer/blogger/novelist. I have written here and here in case you want to see how well I write. Tell me what topics you'd like me to write about, and I'll write them. 

That may sound a tad outlandish, but the average query isn't far off from that right there. And an editor wants nothing to do with them. 

Freelance editors want to see a taste of personality and voice in a writer. Someone coming across mundane, offering to write anything, is someone who has no idea who they are as a writer. Their whole personality is: "I CAN WRITE WORDS." Well, guess what? So can the editor, and if the editor has to come up with the idea, she can usually write it herself. 

Your piece has to be as unique as you are, and the editor has to read a query or an article on spec and enjoy not only the information but the style of the writer. The piece has to read like the writer enjoyed writing it. Personality has to come through. 

Writers have fussed back at me when I've rejected their routine work. . . work that sounded like a hundred other articles. They've said, "But I read your guidelines and followed them to the letter. Tell me why you're rejecting me."

Yeah, makes me laugh, too. First, they argue with an editor. . . like that's going to change an editor's mind. Second, they haven't bothered to read the existing articles on the site to realize that there's flavor in those pieces that is missing in theirs.

Practice enough and let loose of your creativity enough such that the editor enjoys your writing. If they love your style, they'll invite you back, regardless the topic.

SUPER SPONSOR 

NICKIE'S PRIZE FOR HUMOR WRITING
Deadline: Aug. 1

The University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop is seeking essays from a diversity of authors of all experience levels for Nickie’s Prize for Humor Writing. Essayists, authors, bloggers  — anyone with a hilarious, touching story — is invited to submit a humorous essay about their sister.

In the spirit of Erma Bombeck, the tone can be humorous, absurd, offbeat, quirky or fun in a smart way. All previously unpublished material no longer than 1,000 words will be considered, including pieces that expand on the theme, such as a close friend who’s like a sister.

Up to 20 winners will receive a $300 cash prize each. The best essays will be published online, with the possibility of being included in a future anthology.

Application fee: $25.

Read the announcement, guidelines, FAQs — and apply here.

 

HOPE'S APPEARANCES

 
SUCCESS QUOTE

SUccess Story

Dear Hope, 

I have been a subscriber to FundsforWriters for several years now, ever since I decided to dedicate myself to my passion for writing. I have benefited from your articles, and listings, and have been particularly inspired by other writers' success stories, and I am happy to share my own success story. My chapbook, "Three in the Morning and You Don't Smoke Anymore," won the Etchings Press Book Prize for a Chapbook of Prose and will be released on July 15. I attach a picture of the cover and provide a link from the publisher with more information. 

Thank you for all you do for writers!

Best,
Peter J. Stavros
Louisville, KY
www.peterjstavros.com

- - - 




Send us your success story, telling us how FundsforWriters made a difference, opened a door, helped you get someplace you wanted to be. 

Email [email protected] 

 

Featured article

How to Create and Pitch a Television Show

By Mark Heidelberger

Series programming continues to be a desirable source of content for buyers around the world, even as the entertainment landscape shifts and evolves. And the proliferation of newer platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and others means more places for writers to pitch their shows. In the marketplace of ideas, a good one will rise to the top. The key is knowing how to develop and present that idea like a pro. For beginners out there with a million-dollar idea, here are the most important steps in the process:

Work Out the Concept

Flesh out your idea with a logline. This is a simple one- or two-sentence description of what your show is about. Consider whether the idea is truly original and what would make viewers want to tune in. Think about who the audience would be, the length of each episode (half or full hour?), which networks would air it and in what time slot. Then solicit feedback from people you trust. That could be members of a writers’ group, industry colleagues or really honest friends.

Develop the Story

If the idea passes muster with your test group, it’s time to jump into the development process. Come up with a strong title for the show and write out a synopsis of the entire series. Figure out who your characters are, what they want and what obstacles are keeping them from getting what they want. Make sure it feels unique but marketable and that the storyline can be extended for a full season (or multiple seasons). It’s not a movie; the pilot should be a catalyst for future episodes.

Write the Pilot

The pilot script is critical to your pitch because it gives executives a strong idea of a) what your show is about; b) the feel and tone of the show; c) your writing style; and d) how their audience will respond to it. Make sure structure, format and length are correct for whatever type of show it is, whether a one-hour cable drama or a 30-minute sitcom. (There are plenty of books and online resources that can offer guidance here.) Again, solicit feedback from trusted sources and rewrite as necessary.

Create a Series Mini Bible

A mini bible gives a sweeping view of your series from top to bottom. First, it should include the title, logline and synopsis. It should also feature a breakdown of the show’s main characters, including they’re goals, flaws, quirks and motivations. After that, have a synopsis of the pilot episode followed by a list of all episodes for the first season, including a short description of what happens in each one so executives can see where your show’s headed. And feel free to spice it up with photos and illustrations throughout.

Practice Your Pitch

Most pitch sessions only last 20 to 30 minutes, so you need to be able to pitch your show cogently and coherently in a shorter window than that since you want to leave time for the executive to ask questions. Remember, you’re not just pitching the plot, but the larger concept – what the show is really about and the message you’re trying to share with the audience. Practice pitching to a member of your trusted circle, get feedback, and revise.

Show It to the World

You’ll need an agent or manager to send out your pilot script to networks and then set up pitch meetings based on the strength of the response. (See my article on ways to get an agent if you don’t already have one: https://fundsforwriters.com/five-ways-aspiring-screenwriters-can-get-an-agents-attention/.) Research the networks you get meetings with so you can tailor a pitch on why your show is specifically right for them. In the room, be energetic and passionate about the show. Because if you’re not, why should they be? And bring a brief one-sheet that includes your name and contact info along with key elements of the pitch (genre, logline, synopsis, messaging, your bio) to leave with the executives as a way to remember you.

Additional Tip

Make sure to register your materials for copyright protection with the Library of Congress before submitting them to third parties (https://eco.copyright.gov/).

Further Reading

https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-pitch-a-tv-show/

https://screencraft.org/2018/01/05/the-screenwriters-guide-to-formatting-television-scripts/

https://www.amazon.com/Writing-TV-Drama-3rd-Professional/dp/1615930582

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. He has produced music videos for artists Janelle Monae, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj and John Michael Montgomery as well as commercials for Lamborghini, Con Air and Cox Media, to name a few. Film and TV credits include Harsh Times, Comfort, Ninja Apocalypse, It's Not You It's Me, Pray for Rain and Hallmark Channel's You've Got a Friend. Often times, he also 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

BEECHMORE LIFE WRITING COMPETITION
https://beechmorebooks.com/blogs/opportunities/beechmore-life-writing-competition
Deadline July 31, 2020. Send us a short piece of your best life writing, which we define as any creative prose with the essence of truth and a focus on the author’s personal experience. Submissions can be up to 1,000 words. First prize: £200, publication on our website, and a notebook of your choice. Second prize: £100, publication on our website, and a notebook of your choice. If the standard is high enough, we may publish other entries on our website in exchange for a reward of £50 each.



RESOURCE CENTER FOR WOMAN AND MINISTRY IN THE SOUTH ESSAY CONTEST
https://rcwms.submittable.com/submit/168413/2020-rcwms-essay-contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2020. Essays should focus on the theme “What has changed for you in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing racism in the USA, and the recent public response to police violence?” We invite submissions that consider this theme in a variety of ways. What has changed for you? How are you responding? What have you lost or abandoned? What has sustained you during this time? Prizes are $300 for first place, $200 second, and $100 third. The winning essay will be published in the RCWMS newsletter, South of the Garden, in September or December 2020.



PALETTE POETRY PRIZE
https://www.palettepoetry.com/submit/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 16, 2020. We are thrilled to offer the Palette Poetry Prize for 2020: $4,000 and publication. We are seeking one excellent poem that speaks to what poetry is and can be for our world today. Send us your incandescent heart on the page. Palette's editors will choose the ten finalists, and any honorable mentions they think deserve extra attention. Second and third place will receive $300 and $200, respectively. Open internationally. There is no page requirement, but submission must be no more than three poems.  



CULTURAL WEEKLY'S JACK GRAPES POETRY PRIZE
https://www.culturalweekly.com/the-poetry-contest-is-open-2020/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2020. Three winners will receive $200 each, plus publication. Six finalists will receive $50 each, plus publication. You may submit up to two previously unpublished poems.



WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING Q4 2020 CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST
https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2020. Seeking creative nonfiction essays on any topic (200-1,000 words) and in any style, from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay and hybrid, 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.
Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints are okay; simultaneous submissions okay; reprints okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual email. Open internationally. Limit 300 entries. First Place: $500, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Second Place: $300, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Third Place: $200, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Seven Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. Ten Honorable mentions receive a gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. 



WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING SUMMER 2020 FLASH FICTION CONTEST
https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline: August 31, 2020. Guest Judge: Literary Agent Erica Christensen with the Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 and 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants. Electronic submissions via email only; reprints are okay; simultaneous submissions okay; reprints okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual email. Open internationally. Limit 300 entries. First Place: $400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Second Place: $300, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Third Place: $200, publication, interview and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Seven Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication and interview. Ten Honorable mentions receive $20 Amazon Gift Card. Top ten stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing ezine, and contestants are interviewed on WOW's blog, The Muffin. 



INKITT MIDSUMMER MYSTERY CONTEST
https://www.inkitt.com/mystery-contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2020. Your book must be an original work, written in English and a minimum of 7,500 words to be considered for a winning place. Both ongoing and completed works will be accepted. Winners are determined by overall reader engagement as judged by Inkitt and not based on ‘likes’ alone. First place: $650, an exclusive badge for your book cover and an Inkitt social media feature! Second place: $200, an exclusive second place book badge and an Inkitt social media feature! Third place: $100, and an exclusive third place book badge! Now is your time to showcase your suspenseful and mysterious stories to a worldwide audience of readers!



THE WRITER SUMMER FLASH CONTEST
https://writermag.submittable.com/submit/169654/2020-summer-flash-contest
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 12, 2020. Grand prize: $1,000 and publication in our magazine. Word count 1,000 words or less. Our second-place winner will receive $500 and publication on our website, writermag.com; our third-place winner will receive $250 and publication on writermag.com. 

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

SOUTH CAROLINA ARTIST VENTURES INITIATIVE
https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/
SC Artist Ventures Initiative is a program to help artists develop arts-based small businesses through training and start-up funds. If you've got the entrepreneurial spirit and an idea for building a business around your art, you should check into this program. Arts Project Support grants use small grants to support a variety of projects for artists, including professional development. You can apply through the SCAC or one of our local partners, depending on the county in which you live. More information is available in the "grants" section of our web site, or call (803) 734-8696 to speak with one of our coordinators.



COVID ARTIST RELIEF - CYCLE IV
https://artistrelief.submittable.com/submit
Deadline July 22, 2020 and August 19, 2020. Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19. The fund will operate through September 2020 and will fund at least 100 artists per week. The application will be open in cycles. Cycle IV: June 18 - July 22 (closes 11:59pm ET) and Cycle V: July 23 - August 19 (closes 11:59pm ET). 



ARTS LEADERS OF COLOR EMERGENCY FUND
https://aacnetwork.org/
The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). If you fit this description and you are in need of short-term, immediate financial assistance – we would like to help. Funds consist of $200 microgrants.



AUTHORS LEAGUE COVID FUND FOR WRITERS
https://authorsleaguefund.org/
Since 1917, the Authors League Fund has helped professional authors, journalists, poets, and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune. Most of those we help suffer severe health problems but have inadequate insurance; some face eviction; many are older writers whose income has ceased through no fault of their own. The fund exists to help professional writers continue their careers with dignity by providing no-strings-attached “loans” to pay for pressing expenses. Repayment of this emergency support is not required. We are accepting applications from writers experiencing income loss due to COVID-19.



THE GEORGE A. AND ELIZA GARDNER HOWARD FOUNDATION
https://www.brown.edu/howard-foundation/
Deadline November 1, 2020. The George A and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation annually awards nine fellowships of $35,000 to early mid-career artists and scholars. Fellowships for 2021-22 will be awarded in the fields of Creative Nonfiction and History. 



THE STUDIOS AT MASS MOCA
https://massmoca.org/event/studios/
Deadline August 8, 2020. Hosted by MASS MoCA’s Assets for Artists program, selected artists-in-residence receive private studio space on MASS MoCA’s campus, housing across the street from the museum in newly renovated apartments, free access to the museum’s galleries and partner institutions, shared use of printmaking and weaving equipment, optional financial and business coaching from Assets for Artists staff, and a daily group meal among a twelve-artist cohort of international peers. The full-price residency fee is $650/week, but many participants receive need-based and merit-based financial aid. Select fellowships are listed on the Assets for Artist’s financial aid page and change from season to season. There is no application fee. If you are applying for the Studios’ Massachusetts Financial Wellness Residency or the MCLA Under 27 Writer-in-Residence Fellowship, please apply using the regular Winter/Spring 2021 Application. 



ASSETS FOR ARTISTS
https://www.assetsforartists.org/blog/2020/5/14/valley-grants-webinars/
With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating effect on practicing artists, Assets for Artists has redesigned its business and financial education programming to provide artists with new, crisis-focused, distance-learning opportunities that largely retain the intimate cohort-focused style of our in-person workshops. All workshops are FREE and held via Zoom, with pre-registration required to keep the webinar cohorts at a size that maximizes participation and peer support. Space in these webinars may be limited, so registration is required. Priority for these webinars will be first given to ValleyCreates grantees, followed by any artists in the Valley. 



SMALL ARTS INITIATIVE - PITTSBURGH
https://www.heinz.org/strategic-areas/creativity/small-arts-initiative
Through the initiative, grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to help Pittsburgh-area organizations or collectives of artists/organizations carry out well-defined artistic opportunities or address meaningful challenges. “Professional” is broadly defined by the foundation and denotes quality of artistic product, organizational leadership, and audition/selection processes, as well as rehearsal and presentation standards. To be eligible, applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be part of a collaboration and have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status. 



PHYLLIS NAYLOR GRANT
https://pen.submittable.com/submit/163780/2021-pen-phyllis-naylor-grant-for-childrens-and-young-adult-novelists-5-000
Deadline August 1, 2020. To be eligible, applicants must be a writer of children's or young adult fiction; have published one or more novels for children or young adults that have been warmly received by literary critics but have not generated significant sales; and have a book(s) published by a US trade publisher. Self-published works are ineligible. At this time, graphic novels and picture books are not eligible for an award. The annual program provides an award of $5,000 to an author of children’s or young adult fiction for a novel-in-progress and was developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber and assist them at a crucial moment in their career. 

 

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

TECHNICAL WRITER-EDITOR (More than one position)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/572735800
Deadline July 21, 2020. Location Yakima, WA. Salary $52,905 to $68,777. Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his/her expertise as a Technical Writer-Editor. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. Writes and edits a variety of documents used in making water and natural resource management decisions. Synthesizes information from research and data on engineering, hydrology, economic, environmental, biological, social, and natural resource aspects of investigations, to summarize into report presentations appropriate for the intended audience.



SUPERVISORY WRITER-EDITOR
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/573197800
Deadline July 23, 2020. Location negotiable. Salary $126,810 to $170,800 per year. US Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. As a Supervisory Writer-Editor, you will direct and advise the development and revisions of written public products to ensure messages are fair, clear, and convincing, and meet quality and regulatory standards. Coordinate the OIG-wide guidance and standards for teams and individuals on writing and editing using consistent styles and branding. Coordinate with senior executives on recurring issues within publications and develop training and guidance that will be provided agency-wide. Collaborate across the OIG’s directorates on the continued development of writing and editing skills within the OIG, the development of the report templates and internal style guide, and other efforts that serve to unify report development across the OIG.



TECHNICAL WRITER-EDITOR (Engineering)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/549629300
Deadline August 14, 2020. Location Phoenix, AZ. Salary $77,130 to $100,273. Manages, as senior technical writer and editor, the development of major engineering documents and reports. Gathers, consolidates, and integrates numerous technical and administrative input from staff, professional, and technical personnel including engineers, technicians, and management analysts. Coordinates to ensure that important trends, relationships and significant facts are developed and expressed clearly. Performs in-depth preliminary research into assigned projects because many of the concepts presented concern advanced technologies for which there is little research material available. Provides expert advice on the technical writing program, recommending major changes to the technical publications program.



BOOK XI
https://www.bookxi.org/submit
Deadline July 20, 2020. Theme: The Body/Embodiment. We will consider only previously unpublished and philosophically informed creative work (though our understanding of “philosophically informed” is capacious). Please submit only one prose manuscript or up to five poems for each issue. Please submit poems in one document. All submissions should be made through Submittable. There is no submission fee. We pay $200 for each piece that we publish (or $50 for each poem we publish). We are generally looking for pieces that are between 2,000 and 7,000 words, though we will happily consider submissions that are shorter or longer than this. (Thanks https://www.erikadreifus.com/2020/07/markets-and-jobs-for-writers-12/)

 

Publishers/agents

WOLFSON LITERARY AGENCY
https://wolfsonliterary.com/submissions/
Michelle Wolfson formed Wolfson Literary Agency in 2007 and is actively seeking authors of commercial fiction in the following categories: young adult, mainstream, women’s fiction, romance, suspense, and thrillers. She is drawn to well-written material with strong, interesting characters.



IRENE GOODMAN LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.irenegoodman.com/submissions
We are always looking for the finest in commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction. For fiction, please include a query letter and the first ten sample pages of your manuscript in the body of your email. For nonfiction, simply send a polished query letter, and we will request a proposal if we are interested. We do not open attachments, unless we have requested further material. While IGLA represents a broad range of fiction and nonfiction, we do not represent picture books, poetry or screenplays.



METAMORPHOSIS LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com/submissions
Include a query letter (state genre and word count), author bio, the first ten pages or three chapters (for Patty), and synopsis within the body of the email or QM. Please query only unpublished projects. Response time is six months. Please use the agents' individual links to submit what they're looking for. NOTE FROM HOPE: Excellent list of genres per agent listed on the page. 



ROOT LITERARY
https://www.rootliterary.com/
Literary agent Holly Root launched over two dozen New York Times bestsellers before founding Root Literary in 2017. The agency's clients benefit from our agents' proven skills in identifying talent, negotiating advantageous deals, and advocating for our books all the way from submission to publication. We offer our clients broad-based industry insights as well as individualized strategic thinking to empower each author to define and pursue their own unique path to success. "We love what we do, and we do it best in partnership with storytellers who combine artistry with the drive to build a lasting body of work."



BOOKER ALBERT LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.thebookeralbertagency.com/submissions.html
The agency is founded by Jordy Albert and Brittany Booker Carter, former agents of the Corvisiero Literary Agency. The Booker Albert Agency is a hands-on agency, providing marketing and editorial advice, and we strongly believe in taking on clients for their whole career. Wide variety of genres. 



JOELLE DELBOURGO ASSOCIATES
https://www.delbourgo.com/submissions/
You may submit the following to us:

Fiction: fantasy (Jacqueline only), middle-grade, mystery, new adult, science fiction (Jacqueline only), thriller, young adult, upscale and/or quality commercial women’s fiction.

Nonfiction: biography, business and career, current events, health, history, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, popular reference, psychology, popular culture, science

Do not send us: category romance, Westerns, early reader and picture books, and/or screenplays.  Please refrain from mailing us copies of your self-published books unless requested.

 

SPONSORS

www.fundsforwriters.com/advertising 

FINE PRINT

Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint any editorials, contact [email protected] for permission. Please do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your publication is considered a valid right to publish.

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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