TOP SPONSOR 

FREE LIVE MASTERCLASS

3 Shifts Women Writers Need to Make: How to Finish Your Nonfiction Book!

Ensure you have the right foundation to support accomplishing this huge goal. 

During this live masterclass you will learn:  

• The importance of identifying your WHY—the vision you have for yourself and the big reason behind writing your book

• How to set manageable, realistic, achievable writing goals for yourself.

• Why you need to protect your schedule and probably don't need as much time to write as you think.

• My philosophy for establishing a holistic approach to getting a book done (hint: it doesn't include hours-long writing sessions or plowing through to get pages written).

Click here to register.

BIRD BY BIRD

What writer isn't familiar with Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird. When I first decided to start writing seriously, 20 years ago, I went to a Waldenbooks and stocked up on books about how to become a writer. Bird by Bird was one of them.

Here's the story of how that book received its title: 

When my older brother was in fourth grade, he had a term paper on birds due the next day, and he hadn't started. So my dad sat down with him with an Audubon book, paper, pencils and brads - for those of you who have gotten a little less young and remember brads - and he said to my brother, "Just take it bird by bird, buddy. Just read about pelicans and then write about pelicans in your own voice. And then find out about chickadees, and tell us about them in your own voice. And then geese."   Source of interview.

So the two most important things about writing are: bird by bird and really god-awful first drafts. If you don't know where to start, remember that every single thing that happened to you is yours, and you get to tell it. 

I speak to so many people who ask me if their story is worth telling. Then they want to talk about grants to get it self-published. Leaping from Point A to Point Z. I just cringe. To write well, one has to write a lot. Not publish. And before you write something book-length, you have to know how to write something shorter. You need to understand showing not telling. You need to understand beginning, middle, and end, and trust me, so many novelists forget that last lesson. 

You learn how to write by reading good writing and studying it for its parts. We are in a slower society now (except for you essential people, whom we highly appreciate), and writing needs to be methodical and deep. Of course, that is my personal opinion, but bird by bird we should understand writing first. Publishing comes much, much later.

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

Hello Hope -

After ten long years of research and writing, my historical fiction novel 'L'Origine: The Secret Life of the World's Most Erotic Masterpiece' (July 28 release) is finally out there in the world! Ten years is a heck of a long time, and part of what kept me going was your weekly newsletter and the knowledge that there was an entire community out there that knew what I was going through. I found one of my first editors - Joan Dempsey - through your newsletter, and pitched many of the agents similarly featured in your newsletter. I did eventually find an agent, but ultimately made the decision to self-publish. Again, I was buoyed by the articles from authors who had pursued that route successfully. If early endorsements and review articles are anything to go by, I believe that my book is off to a successful start. Thank you so much for accompanying me on this journey. 

Lilianne Milgrom
www.liliannemilgrom.com
http://liliannemilgrom.wordpress.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 Write a Cover Blurb 

A simple three-part structure to give impact to your book.

By Dan Brotzel

Writers have issues with blurbs. For every writer who complains about the blurb that’s been written for their book by the publisher, you’ll find another agonizing over how to do it themselves. 

Personally, if you get the opportunity to write your own cover blurb, seize it. For a start, this is your sales pitch and you keep control over the way it’s presented. Second, blurb writing is a useful exercise in distilling what your book is about into three or four snappy sentences. When writing a new novel, I always write the blurb up front to give me focus on the story I’m trying to tell. 

My approach falls into three steps, illustrated here with the blurb of my current work-in-progress. 

What if the secrets you keep from each other… are the only things holding you together? [1]

When Andrew and Colleen head off for a week at the seaside in a bid to save their marriage, they are amused to discover that their elderly landlord Wolf appears to be spying on them. But their fragile peace comes under pressure as Wolf’s attentions intensify, and the secrets that emerge threaten to tear their world apart… [2]

The Wolf in the Woods is a dark comedy about love, marriage and betrayal – and just how much wrong you can do for the right reasons. [3]

Part [1] is the tagline or hook. It’s a question the book raises, or it could be an intriguing quote from a character. It doesn’t have to make complete sense or provide a full explanation. A tagline’s job is to grab attention and draw in the blurb reader A famous nonfiction example: ‘Warning: Do not read this book if you hate money.’ 

Part [2] is the plot bit but is not an exhaustive summary or technical synopsis. Consider a plot bit more of an elevator pitch, which again is designed to whet our appetite, set up the drama or mystery, and leave us with that cliffhanger-feel of wanting to know how the tale works out. And no spoilers! 

Part [3] is more about context and background. Here you give an idea of the book’s genre, tone, and themes. Add a critical (positive) evaluation. You might mention another book the author is famous for, or locate this book among others in a similar area, or hint at the kind of people who would enjoy it. Another example: ‘Compulsively readable, The Girl on the Train is an emotionally immersive, Hitchcockian thriller and an electrifying debut.’ 

Blub-writing tips 

You can apply the above structure to pretty much any type of book. But here are a few more pointers: 

•Aim to write the blurb in a tone and style that matches that of the book. If your book is zany and playful, snare some of that into your blurb.  

•Be patient. Blurbs aren’t very long but they can take ages to master. I carry mine around and tinker whenever I find spare minutes.

•Look at the blurb of other books in your genre. Your words should be fresh, but they should also fit in with the style your market expects. 

•Aim for a word count of 100-250 words. (Mine above is 102.) 

•Don’t fall into subplots or internal character journeys – focus on key conflicts, high stakes, and external events.

•Once you have a blurb you’re happy with, you can use it (or parts of it) to promote your book in all sorts of marketing contexts – in your guest posts, social posts, email newsletter, on your website, Amazon and elsewhere.  

BIO - Dan Brotzel is the author of Hotel du Jack (Sandstone) and Kitten on a Fatberg (Unbound)

 

COmpetitions

DOGFISH HEAD POETRY PRIZE
http://broadkillriverpress.com/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 15, 2020. The eighteenth annual Dogfish Head Poetry Prize for the winning book-length manuscript by a poet residing in the Mid-Atlantic states (DE, MD, VA, PA, NJ, NY, WVA, NC and District of Columbia) will consist of $500, two cases of Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Beer, manuscript publication by Broadkill River Press, and ten copies of the book (in lieu of royalties). The manuscript must be book-length (between 48 and 78 pages of original work – no translations) and no more than roughly 30 lines to a page.



REBECCA SWIFT FOUNDATION WOMEN'S POETRY PRIZE
https://www.rebeccaswiftfoundation.org/women-poets-prize/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 14, 2020. The Prize is awarded once every two years to three women poets. Each winner is carefully matched with a poetry mentor and offered pastoral coaching, facilitating a holistic body of support that nurtures craft and personal wellbeing in equal measure. The Prize also offers a programme of support and creative professional development opportunities with the Foundation’s partners: Faber and Faber, The Literary Consultancy, RADA, City Lit, Verve Festival, Bath Spa University, and The Poetry School. In addition to these opportunities which constitute the Women Poets’ Prize professional grant, each successful poet receives a cash bursary of £1,000. The Women Poets’ Prize is free to enter.



ST. LAWRENCE BOOK AWARD
https://blacklawrencepress.submittable.com/submit
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 31, 2020. Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The St. Lawrence Book Award for an unpublished first collection of poems or short stories. The St. Lawrence Book Award is open to any writer who has not yet published a full-length collection of short stories or poems. The winner of this contest in each category will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes are awarded on publication. 



THE ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS STORIES OUT OF SCHOOL FLASH FICTION CONTEST
https://academyforteachers.org/stories-out-of-school/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 1, 2020. This annual contest was created to inspire honest, unsentimental stories about teachers and the rich and complex world of schools. Our partner this year is A Public Space. There are a few criteria for submissions. The story’s protagonist, or its narrator, must be a K-12 teacher. Stories must be between 6 and 749 words and previously unpublished. Any adult over the age of eighteen (whether a teacher or not) is welcome to submit. Only one submission per writer. Sentimentality is discouraged and education jargon is forbidden. The winning story comes with a $1,000 prize and publication in the print edition of A Public Space. Runners-up will receive a subscription to A Public Space.



WRITER'S DIGEST SELF-PUBLISHED EBOOK AWARDS
https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-ebook-awards
$99 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 17, 2020. Writer’s Digest’s 8th Annual Self-Published E-book Awards honors the best self-published e-book(s) in eight of the most popular categories with $5,000 in cash, a featured interview in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in New York City. In addition to $13,000 in total cash prizes, all entrants will receive a brief commentary on their work from one of Writer’s Digest’s judges. 



WRITER'S DIGEST ESSAY AWARDS
https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/personal-essay-awards
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 15, 2020. Think you can write a winning essay in 2,000 words or less? Enter the first ever Writer’s Digest Personal Essay Awards for your chance to win $2,500 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!



INCEPTION CONTEST
https://sunspotlit.com/contests
$5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 31, 2020. For Sunspot Lit’s 2020 Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the beginning comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry. In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. 



OMNIDAWN OPEN POETRY BOOK CONTEST
http://omnidawn.com/contest/poetry-contests.htm
$27 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 17, 2020. Omnidawn poetry editors seek a wide range of styles, approaches, forms, diversities, and aesthetics to send to the judge (for example: lyric, prose poems, experimental, etc.). There are no citizenship requirements or limitations. We recommend submissions should be 40–120 pages of poetry, not including front and back matter. Prize is $3,000 and publication. 

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

CARES ARTIST RELIEF GRANTS - DELAWARE
https://arts.delaware.gov/grants-for-artists/
Deadline July 31, 2020. The CARES Artist Relief provides grants up to $500 to Delaware artists impacted by the cancellation of a specific, scheduled event, gig, or opportunity (e.g., commissions, performances, readings, contracts, teaching classes etc.) because of COVID-19. This short-term program is reopening for a second round of applications from July 6-31, 2020.



DELAWARE INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWSHIP
https://arts.delaware.gov/grants-for-artists/
Deadline August 1, 2020. Applications are accepted in 18 artistic disciplines in the fields of choreography, folk art, jazz, literature, media arts, music, and visual arts. Applicants select between Emerging or Established categories. The Masters Fellowship is available in select disciplines on a three-year rotating basis to artists who meet specific criteria. Out-of-state professionals evaluate the applications in an anonymous process. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation assists with the administration of the program. Awards are $3,000 for Emerging; $6,000 for Established; and $10,000 for Masters. 



MARYLAND EMERGENCY GRANTS
https://www.msac.org/grants/emergency-grant
Deadline August 3, 2020. Grant applications for the second round of Emergency Grant funding will open on July 20 and are available through Smart Simple on the website. The purpose of the Emergency Grant is to support needs of independent artists as they adjust to losses sustained because of programming and events that have been modified or canceled as a result of the Governor’s declared State of Emergency in relationship to COVID-19. Applicants may only receive funding for one application per fiscal year. Applicants must be Maryland residents (owning or renting residential real property in Maryland at the time of submission of the application and throughout the funded project or program).



NEBRASKA MICRO GRANTS
https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/grants/grant-categories/micro-grant.html
The goal of Micro Grants is to provide need-based financial support to assist artists impacted by Covid-19 in developing their virtual and marketing presence. Projects under consideration should be focused on improving the artist’s virtual presence through equipment purchases, professional development opportunities or technology training. Examples of supported projects might include artist website improvements, audio/video equipment purchases, or workshop fees for digital training. Open to artists in any discipline residing in Nebraska. $500 maximum. This is a non-matching grant to be disbursed prior to the project start date or purchase of equipment. 



BEMIS CENTER GRANTS
https://www.bemiscenter.org/residency/current_opportunities.html
Deadline August 15, 2020. The center is accepting applications for its fall 2021 Artists-in-Residence program. The center is located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska’s historic Old Market, and residences feature private live/work studios complete with a kitchen and bathroom and 24-hour access to the expansive installation and production spaces within the center’s 110,000-square-foot main facility and the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility, a 9,000-square-foot sculpture fabrication space and workshop. A Bemis residency also includes complimentary laundry facilities, utilities, WiFi, and access to an on-site research library. Disciplines invited to apply include but are not limited to the visual arts, media/new genre, performance, architecture, film/video, literature, interdisciplinary arts, music composition, and choreography. Through the program, US-based artists-in-residence receive a $1,000 monthly stipend and an additional $750 travel stipend. Due to the limitations of B2 visas (touring/visiting), international artists-in-residence are eligible to receive reimbursement of qualified expenses such as airfare, ground transportation, and meals.



FELLOWSHIP FOR WRITING ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS
https://www.writerscolony.org/fellowships
Deadline August 31, 2020. The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow is offering a fellowship to a writer working on a short or long work of nonfiction focusing on how they (the writer or another) have managed, and continue to manage, their mental illness. Fellowship applications must be accompanied by a writing sample and a non-refundable $35 application fee. There is a limit of one submission per application. Location Eureka Springs, AR. 

 

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

BOOK XI
https://www.bookxi.org/submit
Deadline September 30, 2020. Theme: Dialogues. 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. 



COMMON GROUND
https://commonground.ca/contributors-guidelines/
After we respond to your query, articles of 600 to 1,500 words will be accepted. We will consider longer articles, up to 2,500 words, but may ask you to edit them to a shorter length. Articles can be enhanced with a compelling photo or graphic. Your article will be edited for spelling, punctuation, grammar, clarity, space, and consistency of tone with the editorial content of the magazine. We pay ten cents per word, but some of our articles are donated. Common Ground is an independent publication, 100 percent Canadian owned. It is Western Canada’s biggest and best-loved monthly magazine dedicated to health, wellness, ecology and personal growth. 



WHOLE LIFE TIMES
http://www.wholelifetimes.com/writers-guidelines/
Whole Life Times, a bimonthly magazine serving the worldwide holistic community, relies almost entirely on freelancers to fill its pages every month. We are open to stories on holistic and integrative health, alternative healing, green living, sustainability and organic food, yoga, spirituality and personal growth, social responsibility, conscious business, the environment—in short, anything that deals with a progressive, healthy lifestyle. WLT accepts up to three longer stories (800–1,000 words) per issue, for which pay ranges from $75–150 depending on topic, research required and writer experience. In addition, we have a number of regular departments that pay $35–125 depending on topic, research required and writer experience. City of Angels is our FOB section featuring short, newsy blurbs on our coverage topics, generally in the context of Los Angeles. These are generally 300–400 words and pay $25-35 depending on length and topic. This is a great section for writers who are new to us. BackWords is a 750-word personal essay that often highlights a seminal moment or event in the life of the writer and pays $100.



LAKE SUPERIOR MAGAZINE
https://www.lakesuperior.com/aboutus/submission-guidelines/editorial-guidelines/
We pay on a per-piece basis, with magazine features generally paying $200 to $400. Top dollar is earned by a well-written and researched manuscript-photo package. The average feature runs 1,600 to 2,000 words. Departments and Columns average 800 to 1,200 words and usually pay from $75 to $200. Lake Superior Magazine is a bimonthly full-color consumer magazine that focuses exclusively on the Lake Superior region – history, current events, lifestyles, environment, tourism. 



GREENPRINTS
https://greenprints.com/writers-guidelines/
The best, personal (important word, that) garden writing I can get. Expressive, thoughtful, humorous, angry, contrite, flippant, searching, witty, observant, sad, inviting— whatever. We focus on the human, not how-to side of gardening. On the people as well as the plants. After all, gardening is a relationship, not a recipe. Most of our pieces are no more than 2,000 words. Give me a creative, witty, forceful conclusion. Stop the piece with a wham, not a whimper. We pay miserably; top payment is $150 and we often pay less. 


 

Publishers/agents

SOURCEBOOKS
https://www.sourcebooks.com/submission-guidelines.html
Much of our adult nonfiction is published under the Sourcebooks imprint, including areas like college-bound and study aids, self-help, history, memoir, social science, current affairs, gift books, and much more. Our submissions are currently OPEN to both agented and unagented projects.



PEW LITERARY (London)
http://www.pewliterary.com/
The guidelines for nonfiction and fiction submissions are different, so please read the relevant section and submit accordingly. We aim to respond to all submissions within six weeks. Unfortunately, we do not represent children's picture books, poetry, or books entirely aimed at an academic market. While we do not accept submissions of scripts for film, TV or theatre, we of course successfully represent the dramatic rights of our writers' work.



REGAL HOFFMAN AND ASSOCIATES
https://www.rhaliterary.com/our-mission
We represent writers working in a wide range of categories, but what connects all of them is a unique creative intelligence, a flair for great storytelling, and, more often than not, a desire to not play by the rules in order to produce works that are the very opposite of more of the same. That’s true for the literary fiction, thrillers and crime fiction, serious narrative nonfiction, works in translation, speculative fiction, book club fiction, and children's books our agents are proud to be handling both as primary agents and as co-agents for agencies and publishers from around the world. 



ARAGI, INC.
https://aragi.net/
Aragi, Inc. represents a wide range of fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. We do not represent screenplays. Submitted queries should include a cover letter with your name, a short bio, the title of the work, and a brief synopsis. Manuscripts should be attached as .PDF or .docx files and should be titled in the format “Last Name_Manuscript Title,” e.g., “Ginsburg_Sunset City.” You may include a full manuscript or an excerpt of whatever length you choose. We do not accept queries by mail or over the phone.



ICM PARTNERS
https://www.icmpartners.com/literary/
At ICM Partners we do more than represent artists. We help them create the future of entertainment. We represent preeminent storytellers whose fertile imaginations create dynamic, insightful and poignant dramas and irreverent, thought-provoking comedies. From original ideas to adaptations, from big screens to small screens, our clients create and bring to life, award-winning films and television series that spark the imagination and lead the cultural discussion.



THE BOOK GROUP
http://www.thebookgroup.com/ourstory
While we represent a broad range of fiction and nonfiction at The Book Group, we do not represent theatrical and screenplays. We are passionately committed to fostering the careers of writers from a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we represent books for readers of all ages. Please explore our virtual bookshelves, where you’ll discover award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and book club favorites, bestselling thrillers, fantasy, horror, and young adult classics, inspiring memoirs and beloved cookbooks. 
 

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C. Hope Clark
E-mail: [email protected]
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
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Copyright 2000-2020, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

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